Author's Note: Sorry I haven't been able to post anything recently, I've been really busy with college business and with collegiate marching band. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! If you guys would like to leave a review that would be most helpful for me! Thanks! :)
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Before him, he noticed what looked like an army of people charging against the spread-out infected, as various battles were in taking place in plain sight, raging through-out the entire city. Each group of the fighters had the familiar armbands strapped around their upper arms, each being signified by a specific color from the looks of it. Some groups were holding a particular set and ground, some groups were advancing quickly, moving groups of civilians to a particular point, and some groups were focused on a mixture of the two.
The source of the explosion came from a group wearing red armbands, as they were slowly progressing pass a couple of now-exploded vehicles, with pieces of once-infected body parts scattered around the perimeter. Each of the members of this group was holding a particularly large weapon, either a light machine gun or a rocket launcher, and they were working along side another group wearing the same blue coloured armbands that Lawrence and Isabella were wearing. They were protecting a family of citizens, as the group made a circle around them. The members of this red-banded group were massive in size, ripping muscles on each one of the men, while the members of the blue-banded group were more thin and looked to be more agile. The red-banded group continued walking on, looking as if they were searching for another group of infected to take out, while the blue-banded group moved the civilians out of harm's way.
"Holy cow" Ash whispered to himself in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he saw! It looked like a scene out of a massive war film; one massive army fighting another equally-sized army. Ash was surprised though, for he thought that there wouldn't be as many survivors in the city, willing to expose themselves so openly.
"It's impressive, ain't it?" Lawrence commented, also taking a peak outside the window. Ash was startled that he was talking louder than he should, trying to shush him. Lawrence chuckled and stuck his thumb out to the side, as if it was motioning a sense of direction. "Don't worry about the infected. While you were looking out the window, that pack of infected outside the room ran back to the entrance, towards the source of the explosion. We checked outside the room as soon as we heard the yelling fading away. So, for now, we should be okay".
"Oh, oops! I guess I didn't realize it, haha" he chuckled, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Another explosion outside caught his attention and he looked through the window once more, just as Brock was walking into the room to rejoin the group. "So, who exactly are those soldiers fighting in the streets?.. Are they the same force that you two are fighting under?" Ash asked, shifting his gaze at Lawrence and Isabella, whom was leaning against the entrance of the two rooms, arms crossed in a focused concentration.
"The 'soldiers' that you see before you are part of the C.D.F. or the Celadon Defense Force. We act as the main defense of the city, in the event that something happens to the city. From riot control to.. well, I guess situations like this. It's more or less a group of voluntary veterans who want to help protect the city."
"It's surely quite a big group of voluntary veterans" Ash commented, looking back outside the window.
Lawrence chuckled. "Actually, the number of soldiers that our city truly has is about half of this force that is fighting outside against the infected. A lot of these others soldiers are coming from other nearby cities. Some of them are coming from cities who have already collapsed from the infected, while some of the others are reinforcements sent by nearby cities, providing protection in an effort to prevent their cities from taking any damage." While Lawrence explained this, Misty had walked towards Ash and also decided to look outside at the carnage going on.
"Why aren't any of them using Pokemon at all? I mean, it would seem that their moves would do some pretty hefty damage against the infected" Misty commented, looking throughout the various groups, trying to spot any kind of Pokemon.
"It would seem so but the commanders are prohibiting Pokemon being used during this conflict. The infected had never attacked a city this size, previously, so this is the first time that massive military action is being taken against these infected. During this process, they don't want to see any harm done to the Pokemon from the infected. Plus if any of the Pokemon get infected themselves.. I don't think anyone would be in favor of shooting our dear Pokemon.." Lawrence replied, sulking his head downwards.
"Do you have any Pokemon?" Ash asked, after a paused moment.
"Yeah, I do. Only one though but he's honestly the only Pokemon that I could ever need. I have an Arcanine that I've had for quite a long time. If anything happened to him, I don't think... I don't think I could ever be myself again" he replied, looking down at his belt, which dangled the single, scratched-up, regular pokeball. Lawrence smiled down, thinking about his longing companion that he's had for quite a while and the strong bond that they have established. "How about you two?" he asked, looking back up.
"I've got a lot of Pokemon, but I think my most precious one would have to be my Pikachu. Pikachu was the first Pokemon that I received at the beginning of my adventure and has been my closest friend through it all" Ash replied, smiling in thought of his little buddy, imagining Pikachu grin up at him with such positive charisma.
"I'm on the same board as Ash, I've got a lot of Pokemon to my name, but I had loved my Togepi so much.." she stopped in thought of the sad departure that they encountered when it evolved and had to leave Misty. She became saddened at the memory of having to release Togepi but her thought was interrupted with a hand on her shoulder. Misty looked up to see Ash smiling back, which honestly could've prevented from being caught in the saddened moment. She knew that as long as she had Ash by her side, she could believe that there was some happiness still left in this world.
"I'm sorry to hear about what might have happened to your Togepi.." Lawrence replied, looking down in a bit of respect.
"I hate to interrupt such a touching moment, but we need to figure out our next step here" Isabella spoke, simply glancing over at the others. "After all, we still need to get back to Checkpoint Echo" she stated, directing the statement towards Lawrence, making him look up and nodding his head in thought.
"Checkpoint Echo? What's that?" Ash asked, looking at both Isabella and Lawrence.
"It's were we are advised to take any known groups of survivors to. Checkpoint Echo is a location in the basement of the Grand Hotel towards the middle of the town. The plan is that the teams are to recover any and all survivors and take them to this point. Once inside, the survivors will wait with various teams until there are positive signs in the decline of the infected in the area. Once they are given the okay, the survivors are then allowed to return to their homes" Lawrence responded.
"Really? That's the city's plan?" Misty replied back, giving a mix of both snarky and disappointment in the sound of the plan.
"Well, do you have a better idea, huh!?" Isabella snapped back, giving a glaring look at Misty, which shocked Misty how quickly her temper rose up.
"I'll have you know that we already had our plan to leave the city! And it's a hell-of-a-lot better plan that yours is!"
"Wait why the hell would you want to leave the city?"
"It's... It's a long story.. but that doesn't matter! We have a chance to survive!"
"I could disagree! The entire city is surrounded by the infected! Even if you had the chance to slip out there would be no guarantee that you would be safe!"
"Who said that I was going to be waltzing out here!"
"Hey hey! Easy you two" Lawrence spoke, walking in between both of them. They still had an intense look upon their faces. "We have to focus on coming up with a wise strategy right now, considering our situation of low ammunition."
"Right, my apologizes. I got ahead of myself" Isabella spoke cooly, almost taking a 180 turn in her personality and her mood. She looked over at Ash, who was still nearby the window. "So what was this plan of yours, then?"
Ash was a bit hesitant in replying, knowing about what the Messenger had told them before. He felt that he could trust Lawrence with the secret but Isabella seemed... too loyal to the force to let such valuable information get out to the public. Ash drew in a breath and exhaled, looking at Isabella. "Our plan, for the time, is to stay at this point until we.. eh, feel that the infected have died down to a safe level that we could easily move out. We want to head westward towards Saffron City, where we've been promised safety by.. a, erm, good friend of ours" he replied, trying not to mention about the Messenger to them. Isabella glanced over at Lawrence, then over to Misty, and then back to Ash.
"And you think that'll work?" she replied, not sounding satisfied with Ash's answer. He looked over at both Misty and Brock, who were giving a firm yet silent nodding. Ash hesitated, thinking of a good answer and reply to give. He looked up with a stern look upon his face.
"Yes, I am most sure" he replied, nodding his head. Isabella continued to look at him. Then, with closing her eyes, she gave a long sigh.
"Look, kid, as much as you might think that that sounds like a good idea.. it ain't. Do you not see the massive hordes of infected outside? If you tried to get through that-"
"That's why we are waiting for an opportunity" Ash interrupted, his steeled look upon his face. She looked back at him, obviously not appreciating the fact of being interrupted.
"If you want to try and escape this city through all of these infected, be my guest. But I have orders to follow and my fellow soldiers to think about as well... I can't just act upon one boy's judgement.." she spoke, moving away from the wall. Isabella turned to face Lawrence. "Come on, Lawrence, we've got no business with these type of folk" she spoke, trying to keep her focus on him. Lawrence looked at her, then he looked at Ash and Misty, and then back to Isabella.
"I know this sounds strange but I feel that they have a good plan" Lawrence replied, which surprised everyone in the room. Isabella walked towards Lawrence with a cold look upon her face. Ash moved out of the way and went beside Misty. Isabella stopped about five feet away from Lawrence's face.
"You are under my command, Lawrence. You're not to question my orders" Isabella spoke with a cold tone that matched her face.
"I'm not questioning them, Isabella. I'm only stating that what they say does make some sense"
"Yeah? And how is that?"
"Well, Saffron City is not that far away from Celadon City, and as long as they leave during the daytime and travel only during such time they might be able to secure their safety. And seeing how they were fighting earlier, I have no doubt that they could be able to last by themselves. That's not questioning, at all" he replied, cooly, despite her still breathing down his neck. Isabella slowly moved herself away from him.
"So you're saying that they have a chance, then?"
"I do" he replied quickly with a straight look upon his face. There was a silence with tension that filled the room so thick that not even a razor blade could cut it. Ash and Misty glimpsed at each other, wondering what might happen next. Suddenly Isabella let out a deep sigh, closing her eyes and placing her hand upon her temple, massaging the area for about a minute. She then opened her eyes.
"Fine. If you are so certain about their plan, you'll get to stay with them" she finally spoke. Ash looked over to Lawrence, who from the outside look didn't seem to react. He nodded his head slightly.
"I understand, Isabella. I will stay with them to ensure their safety out of the city. But I want you to have something before I stay with them" he spoke, while reaching down to his belt.
"What is it, Lawrence?" she replied, along with what seemed to be a notable change in tone with her voice, to which it caught Ash and Misty off surprise. Lawrence unclasped the single, scratched-up poke-ball from his belt and held the ball out in the palm of his hand. Isabella looked down to see the poke-ball, in which her eyes widened. She looked back up at him. "No, no! Lawrence, you can't! I can't accept it!"
"You must" he replied, cooly. "If anything were to happen to me, I would hate for Arcanine to be lost and abandoned by himself. Take it, Isabella."
"No, I can't! Your Arcanine means more than anything in the world to you!"
"I know.." he replied, facing his head down, masking his face in a shadow. No one could see it, but everyone knew that he was trying to hold back his tears from falling down his checks. "That's why you must have it... Isabella.. because it is a symbol of strength and courage.. and in the event that I might get taken by the infected.. I want something for you to remember me by.. that you m-must.. continue to push on.. no matter what happens.." he spoke back, sounding choked up.
"Lawrence.." Isabella spoke, feeling herself tear up. She placed one of her hands on the poke-ball and the other hand beneath his cupped hand. Lawrence looked up at Isabella, noticing the intent within her eyes... the emotion that had now been displayed through tears. "I will protect this Arcanine with my life.. knowing that he is the representation of yourself.. that you'll aways be by my side.." she spoke, feeling a single tear run down her check, but with a smile upon her face. Isabella took the poke-ball from his hand and placed it within her cloak pocket.
"Isabella.. thank you.." Lawrence replied, bowing his head with a smile on his face. "I wish you great strength in these days ahead" he continued to speak as he raised his head. Isabella suddenly wrapped her arms around him, taking him off by surprise. Lawrence pulled her closer in the embraced hug, wrapping his muscular arms around her. "Isabella..."
"Promise me... promise me that you'll make it.. that you'll be safe.." she spoke, her head dug into his shoulders, with a soft whimper in her voice. Lawrence closed his eyes and placed his head down on her shoulders.
"I promise you, Isabella. I'll be oaky.." he spoke, while a tear drop slid down his red checks. Ash and Misty stood by, watching the entire scene with complete awe and sadness. Here, a girl who had enough spirit to bellow through an entire army, had just completely broken down with the fact that she may never see her closest friend ever again.. that scary fact that something could easily happen at any moment that could take them away from the life that they live... that was the scariest truth of the infection outbreak: anything could happen at any moment, leaving you scared for the rest of your days.. seeing your beloved ones taken away from you in front of your very eyes... a reality that Ash and Misty had, too, seen with their very eyes... a reality that they have both experienced with each other.
Isabella pulled away from Lawrence and left the room, wiping away the tears from her stained eyes, not saying any further words. Her footsteps could be heard down the hall, as they soon became more and more faded away. Ash and Misty looked over at Lawrence, who was still looking towards the door. He wiped away the tears from his stained red eyes and looked towards the others in the room, showing a smile upon his face.
"That is, definitely, the soft side of Isabella that most people never get to see" he joked, trying to lighten the mood. Both Ash and Misty chuckled, also wiping away their teary eyes that had formed from watching.