You aren't attacked for the rest of the journey. Most Team Olympus Grunts seem to ignore you, figuring you are one of their own. But you don't see any survivors either. Though they may be keeping their heads down at the sight of one of Team Olympus' vans.
The rest of Nyasa doesn't look like it has fared much better. while some houses are intact, several are damaged, either from battles between the people protecting their homes and Olympus, or them just burning down buildings for kicks. Seeing your home like this, with nothing you can do about it...
You wipe a tear from your eyes. You need to focus on the road.
You turn the corner and head for the building headed for the Escape Route. You recognize it immediately. It's unimpressive overall. The building was small, wooden, and rectangular with it's back wall against the mountain and a sign that read "Evacuation Center" off to the side.
You see four trainers with several pokemon outside apparently standing guard while a small group of people run into the building. Judging from the scorch marks, craters, and one Harayama that apparently a Team Olympus Grunt didn't bother to recall before fleeing, Team Olympus found this place too.
You stop the van a while before getting to the building itself. You don't want to be confused for an attacker. Stepping out of the van, you start jogging the rest of the way. One of the trainers sees you and points you out to the rest. One in particular seems elated to see you.
"Bard!" Your mother yelled as she runs towards you and almost suffocates you in a hug. "I was worried about you! When you didn't pick up..."
You remember that you had set your pokegear to silent yesterday. Still, if it rang while you were trying to sneak around...
"I'll be right back" Mom hesitantly says to the other trainers. "I... I just need to say goodbye for now." After a series of affirmatives from the other trainers, you both enter the building.
The inside of it is as dull as the outside, with a couch to the right, a desk to the left and a door right across from the entrance. The only thing that was unusual was that the door way, instead of leading to another room, lead to a tunnel that had been blasted out. Lights powered by emergency generators lit up the underground tunnel. It stretches on for about twenty feet before ending with a ladder leading to the rest of the route.
"I think we'll be safe here for now" Mom says, sighing in relief. You just start catching your breath as the adrenaline wears off before she takes out an Ultra Ball and opens it, revealing her Lucario.
"Lucario, the time has come" she says to the pokemon calmly. "Go find Wilson." She almost spits the name. You haven't heard her sound this angry in a while.
"Tell him the time for cowardice is over. Tell him to redeem himself" She continues, determined.
The pokemon nods and almost faster than you can register, he runs down the Escape Route.
"Bard, you're growing up. I know you're ready for your first pokemon. We have pokemon stored down here in case of emergencies. If you want to help to stop Team Olympus y-"
"Aria!" You hear someone yell. You and mom turn to a teenager. You've seen him around the neighborhood before but his name escapes you. You note that he's supporting an injured Croconaw.
"Team Olympus is coming back and they're bringing more goons! If you don't help they're gonna break through!" Already, you can hear the sounds of battling.
"I'll be there in a minute!" Mom yells back. You see the Croconaw wince as he holds his side, trying to slow the bleeding.
[] (Field Medic) Use a potion to help heal the Croconaw. He doesn't look like he can take much more.
[] Go further into the escape route.
Mom puts a hand on your shoulder. "Bard, go to Zanzivar Town and stay at the Pokemon Center until it's safe."
You are about to respond before your mom pulls you into a tight hug.
"Bard." She says. "I love you. Please be safe. For me"
[] "I will. Thanks Mom"
[] "Give 'em hell, alright?"
[] Write in.
She takes out another Ultra Ball and heads out of the cave. Her stride full of purpose.
After you descend the ladder, you see the case your mother was talking about. It has already been opened and a lot of pokeballs are missing. However, there are three left. Reaching for them, you pick...
[] Take Bellsprout
[] Take Horsea
[] Take Magby
You take the pokeball, confident in your choice. Now, you consider if you want to give your pokemon a nickname. Something to set them apart from other pokemon of the same type. Though if you do, it should be something memorable. Or at least not generic. You briefly consider and decide to...
(Do you want to nickname your choice?)
[] Yes. (Write in)
[] No. Continue On.
