*TZZT* "Any survivors should report to the Pokemon Center, do not leave the rainstorm. Stay in groups." *TZZT*
Tobias waited for any sign of life outside the Pokemon Center. The radio still crackled with white noise, he wondered if there was any point in trying. The rainstorm settled itself over the majority of Haven's westside, it stretched itself from Riverside all the way to the West Wards. Trainers in the center were anxious, they all expected an attack any time now. Several trainers were on the roof guarding the rain dancers, others remained under the roof taking turns patrolling the ground level. Most of the buildings outside were weathered from the sandstorm, the damage made them unsuitable for viable shelters. The darkness and the subtle gleam of rain made the street more intimidating, the possibility of a feral attack still existed. The storm definitely attracted their attention, it wouldn't be long for a feral attack to occur.
The Pokemon Center stuck out like a sore thumb, it was located in the center of a plaza. It connected three roads that extended out to different parts of the city. They would have to change positions but Tobias had no idea where to go. He observed every street and though
Little bit off to the east led to the Riverside, there was a bridge but it was demolished. Crossing the river would lead straight to the ferals, so that was no good.
To the north was the Market District, majority of Haven's supply depots were located there. But ever since the attack began, there was no contact from them. Tobias assumed the worst and figured they were destroyed in the initial sandstorm. The better choice, the supply depots
And to the west, there was a housing district. Majority of Haven's apartment complexes were located there, but they were abandoned ever since the Apocalypse began.
It was impossible to see anything down the streets while it was raining. Who knows what could be wandering in the city now. Tobias did send out his Infernape to scout, not advisable to send a fire type in the storm but he couldn't trust anyone else and Ingram was out somewhere in the city. All he could do now is stand outside and wait for any news from either from his Pokemon or his radio.
"ROWR!!!"
Step, dash, step.
Infernape disliked the rain, but he had no choice but to adapt. He had been searching for any survivors, most of the buildings were death traps from the damage caused by the sandstorm. Moving building to building, he avoided the rain as much as possible. Most of the streets were muddled from sand and water, it slowed Infernape down but he still managed.
Dash, step, pause.
His ears twitched. Even if his vision was impaired in the rain, his hearing was still acute.
Footprints. Lots of them. Coming in from the Riverside.
He turned his head to face east.
Ferals must have crossed the river. Most likely scouts.
Infernape faced a dilemma, if they were scouts, he could easily dispatch them but he still needed to scout the rest of the city and report back to his master. His ears twitched again.
They are moving a lot faster now, more in a panic. Did something happen beyond the river?
He scaled a wall and jumped into a window. He'll wait here for the ferals to come and he'll ambush them here.
"RAAAAAAAAK"
The source of their panic was the rain, they were lost and had no idea where they could find some decent cover. There were two Marowaks taking the lead while a Sandslash covered their rear and a Donphan taking center. The two Marowaks were arguing against each other, blaming each other for taking this direction and how they should just wait for main force to attack the city. The Donphan and Sandslash could only wait for their orders but their eyes showed discomfort. Infernape grinned, internal discord is going to make this so much easier. He wasted no time in attacking.
He focused on the weakest member of the group, Sandslash. He leaped out the window and pounced on top of the Sandslash, a swift palm heel strike to the head did the job. The rest of the ferals reacted to the attack, the Marowaks swung their bone clubs and the Donphan curled up and began to charge.
Sidestep, tighten lead shoulder, focus.
An easy dodge but the Donphan was not finished. The feral spun around and charged again, but Infernape did not move, instead he held his stance.
Focus.
The Donphan drew closer and closer.
Focus.
Infernape tightened his focus and punched the Donphan while it was charging. The blow went through the thick hide and shattered all the bones from the impact. The feral's body twisted and convulsed, the now-broken Pokemon was sent away into a wall where it would lay motionless.
Three down, two more to go.
The rain was still pouring, most of the trainers in the center were restless. They didn't want to hide under a roof, most of them wanted to fight the ferals on their own grounds but at this point, there was no choice but to hide under a roof. Tobias still stood outside waiting for radio contact and now Infernape. He had confidence in Infernape's return but the Pokemon is unusually late, could it be ferals? He shrugged off the idea and looked around the plaza, still nothing.
Tobias turned around, there was commotion in the center and it grew louder and louder. The door swung open and angry trainers and civilians began to riot just outside the center. Most of their complaints were about leaving the center and attacking the feral head on and if Tobias didn't take charge, they will do it on their on. Trying to quell the crowd, he tried persuading the trainers but words had no affect on them. It was about to get antsy here, he had no choice but to subdue the crowd. As he grabs his last Pokeball on his belt, a voice echoed through his head. It was loud and clear.
"My friends, you must listen. There are six sources of the storm. Each is across the river on the abandoned side of the city. The bridges are out, so anything that can swim or fly can reach them. We must stifle the storm with haste, as I do not doubt this as a preparation for an impending assault. Be forewarned, there is a tremendous psychic presence supporting the sandstorms."
It was Ingram's Lucario, usually Tobias didn't get communicate with Lucario unless it was absolutely necessary, usually when Ingram isn't there to speak for Lucario. The crowd calmed down and everyone listened to the Pokemon, Tobias sighed wishing that he had the same psychic ability.
"All civilians, you must come to the Pokemon Center. I will guide you to the safest place for you now."
Tobias nodded at Lucario, he ordered several trainers to gather everyone in the hospital to regroup on the plaza. In a short period of time, all of the civilians and trainers were outside. Most of the trainers had their Pokemon out, aware that ferals could be in the city and they could ambush them at any moment. They started their way to the Department Store with Lucario in the lead. While moving, Tobias looked up and noticed that the rain has weakened.
"RAAAAK!!"
"GROWRRR!!"
Infernape was taking down a Marowak, he was able to disarm the feral and used to the club for himself. The club's weight slowed down Infernape but it allowed him to be on par with the other club-wielding Marowak. He swung the club at the Marowak's side, the feral parried it away and flung his club at Infernape's face. The bonemerang grazed his face but with a quick duck, he returned an attack to the Marowak's head. The blow shattered the bone helmet and killing the feral at the same time, Infernape threw the club away and looked up at the sky. The clouds were becoming lighter and the rain weaker, did something happen over at the Pokemon Center?
The reason for the storm weakening was because the rain dance had to be stopped in order to move everyone from the center to the department store. Every now and then, a Pokemon had to stop and support the storm to prevent it from scattering. Tobias was amazed the sandstorm didn't overpower the rain, were the ferals tired of wasting energy trying to take down the rainstorm? Maybe someone was taking out the sources Lucario mentioned? He chuckled at the idea that someone was out there battling ferals with no contact.
It wasn't long for the group to reach the department store, they followed Lucario down to the underground levels of the building where they would be safe according to the Pokemon. Amazingly, the building was still standing in the midst of the weather chaos, Tobias ordered several trainers to split up into search parties while one group heads for the roof. The rain was still weakening, it would require much attention to strengthen it back to it's original size and power. The rain dancers left the level while a handful of trainers remained to watch over the civilians.
Tobias escorted the rain dancers to the roof, they were exhausted from constantly moving around and squeezing their strength to keep the storm up. Roserade took care of the team, her aromatherapy gave energy to everyone but even that wasn't going to last. Tobias knew he had to replenish their energy, but there was no time. He pulled out a makeshift poffin case from his belt, they were pokemon rations that he was saving up for a day like this. There were enough for each pokemon, he fed Roserade and everybody else a poffin.
Their strength were replenished enough for one more rain dance, they raised the skies and the clouds began to shift and turn. In their last ditch effort, the rain became heavier and the winds became fiercer. Tobias had to hold on to a railing, the wind was so strong in this altitude, he could be swept from his feet. He looked down the streets and swore, ferals were surrounding the building. They were waiting for this moment, those bastards.
Infernape began running towards the Pokemon Center, he did not care if he left the corpses behind for other ferals to find. The rainstorm was weakening, something must have happened to the rain dance. He took shortcuts through buildings and cutting through alleys. His ears twitched, the subtle hint of movement from the east bothered him. Ferals were crossing the river. There were lots of them, they must have noticed the weakened storm but he heard movement ahead of him. It came from the Pokemon Center, it sounded like they were moving out. Infernape quickened his pace, he had no time to waste.
By the time he reached the center, it was already too late. They had already left and abandoned the Pokemon Center. He wanted to blame himself for taking the time to take out the scout party, but he knew that it would only waste more time. His ears twitched and his eyes narrowed, their tracks indicated that everyone was heading north. He turned his head and focused to the east, the ferals were moving faster now. It would take less than a couple minutes for them to reach the plaza. Infernape spun around and sprinted down the street, he must find everyone before the ferals do.