I don't own Pokémon.

CHAPTER 1

Not a soul in sight. None except Samuel, who was keeping an eye on the oven. Another 5 minutes and the freshly baked bread inside would be ready for sale.

The warning sirens blared out in the early hours of the morning. Every resident's worst fear had come to true.

"Group A! Over here Group A! …excuse me madam, Group C is gathering near the chapel. Please be mindful of your surroundings good sir!"

The synchronous cacophony of people's voices and the warning sirens was deafening. Ironically though, people continued to stumble about with no sense of urgency.

The horde of lethargic zombies had no idea what was approaching.

"Enemy planes approaching south-west!"

Time slowed to a standstill. Most were looking at the scout completely emotionless, slowly processing what was just said.

And then… It fell.

The dropping of a bomb, like the swoop of a falcon, dominated the dim skyline.

In front of the townspeople's eyes, the chapel was reduced to mere rubble. The attack was swift but there was still more to come. The time to act was now.

Now suddenly everyone was awake. The raucousness erupted once more; this time more urgent. The fervent runs that everyone broke into encapsulated the ripple of despair spreading.

"Mother, please come with us…"

"C'mon now, hold daddy's hand and run!"

"Jerry, dear, we need to leave now! They're here!"

The sound of more architecture being obliterated drowned most voices, but the general sentiment was clear. Loved ones were carried in many forms: hoisted on shoulders, piggy-back rides and even borrowing nearby carts.

Most had no sense of direction. The word 'safe' seemed to have lost all meaning.

Samuel took off after the others before stopping abruptly to a jarring sound. And jarring it was for he knew deep in his heart that this sound had no place on the battlefield.

Completely ignoring the notion of more possible bombers, he changed track and looked around. In the midst of the chaos around him, he found the huddled figure a child tucked away under the shade of a now destroyed shop. The child couldn't be any older than 6, Samuel reasoned as he made his way to the small figure.

As he got closer, Samuel was able to make out the child's distinguishing features.

"A boy…orange hair. A few cuts and scrapes here and there but nothing major…apart from the left cheek heavily bleeding. Probably going to scar," he thought as he attempted to gain the boy's attention.

"C'mon kid, you're badly hurt. We need to leave, now!"

The boy simply shook his head. "Mommy told me to wait for her here."

Samuel's heart melted. Even with all that was taking place, this kid was taking his mother's word to heart.

Samuel looked around to see if anyone would claim the poor child. The streets were now almost empty. He could feel his blood run cold.

Regardless of what happened to his mother, this child was all alone now. He didn't want to break the news, but this kid had to move immediately.

Then suddenly, "…more approaching from the north-east!"

Samuel's eyes widened. There was no time to waste. He quickly picked up the child and slung him over his shoulder before descending into the entrance to the sewers nearby. Hoping the child didn't resist, Samuel made his way through the sewers. He wasn't sure he had the energy to run and deal with a tantrum.

Thankfully, the kid just slumped further into his shoulder blade. "…she was not coming back, was she?"

Samuel stayed silent. There were some questions better left unanswered.

"…now I have nobody. I should have just stayed behind."

"Don't you dare say that," Samuel sharply retorted. "Don't you ever dare say that."

The kid seemed taken aback by the kind man's sudden change of voice. Whimpering slightly, he clutched the fabric of Samuel's vest.

Feeling slightly guilty, Samuel continued. "I don't know where your mother is, and I don't think I'll ever be able to find out. However, I promise you that if we make it out of here alive, I'll be your family. Alright?"

The kid stayed silent, but Samuel felt the sensation of something wet travelling down his back. He didn't need to see the kid's face to know what it was for most of the blood had dried up.

Chuckling slightly, Samuel said, "Silly me, of course we can't be family yet. We don't know each other's names!"

After a brief silence, Samuel could faintly make out the kid's quiet whisper: "…Gary."

Samuel smiled even though Gary couldn't see it. "What a nice name, Gary! I'm Samuel-"

The ground suddenly began shaking with great might, almost as if giants were treading on the land above. Samuel thanked his lucky stars that the sewers had not collapsed yet.

"Gods above, the air is soaked with the screams of children, the ground with the blood of our fallen brethren. Hear ye, we will one day raze your land with no mercy!"