<div class="floatleft">(http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7554/pkmntrainericon.png)</div><div class="floatright">(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7048/parasicon.png)</div><div align="center"><strong>[Cerulean City =&gt; Route Six]</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>[Samantha &amp; Parsley]</strong> (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=137245.msg6139735#msg6139735)</div><br/>Saffron City had been a veritable disaster area.  Power outages had knocked out security systems, traffic signals, ventilation, lighting, and just about everything else that didn't have any backup generators in place.  The hospitals thankfully fell into that latter category, but the power wouldn't last forever.  If the business at the Power Plant wasn't resolved soon, people could very well die.  The rioting and rampant looting in the streets had surely already caused plenty of injury, both to bystanders and the overwhelmed police force.  Things were not looking good.<br/><br/>Doctor Greene was no hero.  All she had to her name was a backpack with some basic survival equipment, a few potions, a PokeGear, a degree in psychological therapy, a disgruntled paras, and her wits, the latter of which only rarely proved reliable.  Certainly other, more<em>capable</em>people already had the situation well in hand.  People with training and experience with this sort of crisis.  But she had to be sure.  If it turned out that there<em>was</em>nobody else, that only she had thought to respond to the call, then she would be responsible for what came next.  That wasn't something she could have on her conscience.<br/><br/>Cerulean City had been unaffected by the power outage, having long since made good use of its proximity to fast-flowing rivers to solve its energy problem.  Looking out at that beautiful city with its fields of wildflowers and sparkling pools of cool, crisp water almost made one forget the problems of the world.  In better times she could have relaxed and taken in the sights, but for now they were merely background noise.  Samantha glanced to Parsley, and the two shared a grim nod.<br/><br/>There was just one thing keeping her from her goal.<strong>Route 6</strong>, a notorious haven for wild Pokemon and budding young trainers.  At least it used to be.  Nowadays there weren't quite so many trainers, and Pokemon were more skittish than ever.  Still, it'd pay to be on her guard.  Progression through the route was tricky due to the abundance of sloping hills.<br/><br/>Parsley crawled down her backside and hopped down to the ground, kicking up a plume of dust as it landed.  It skittered a few feet ahead of her, then gestured onwards with a point of its claw and a click of its mandibles.<br/><br/>"Ah, my very own guide!" Samantha chuckled.  "Very well!  Lead on, my dear!"<br/><br/>The odd pair made their way into the tall grasses, hoping to avoid trouble but preparing for it all the same.