El couldn't help a giggle and a nod as Isaac reacted to the soda - it truly was alien, which was to be expected when they were in an otherwise very alien space... But that didn't help with the confusion that the soda brought on - which, it was soda, "I don't even know where to begin with describing it..." They mused out loud as they eyeballed a few of the other cans in the pile. It, really, was like trying to describe a color that only you could see, or the error your brain outputs when it tries to figure out what's between red and violet.

Except, it was flavor rather than color.

As Isaac offered the red soda, El would accept it and take a sip... Only to furrow their brows as they went through a very similar dilemma to what Isaac did. It was certainly an opposite sort of taste; but much like the prior soda, it was indescribable. They could only really use the green soda as a reference point to say that the red soda was opposite - but neither of them could be compared to anything El has experienced before.

Ultimately though, El finds that they actually kinda like this soda. "It's confusing... But it's not bad." They keep sipping at it as they glance over the remaining sodas to decide on their next choice... When a crackle and fizz makes them blink and stop, glancing to Isaac. "Was that you...?"

But no, Isaac hadn't touched anything; nor had Bibidi. And there wasn't anyone else who could've been messing with the vending machines here... Which meant that there was something out there. Cautiously, El turns their gaze to Bibidi. "Does... Ahtal see anything?" They question - wondering if there was something in another part of this strange building making the noise.

And at first, the answer appears to be a negatory as Bibidi reaches out to the ghostly husk - even if they, too, heard something. She directs the Shedinja to carefully investigate, wanting to see what this strange noise might be...

... But the concerned face that the Alakazam soon makes is a clear sign that something has gone wrong. Another clear sign is when a certain Shedinja flees into the room on fire, before promptly KO-ing on the floor.

And so too, is the sounds of hissing and sizzling that seem to be following in Ahtal-Ka's wake.

El only has enough time to recall their Shedinja before Bibidi is suddenly scooping both siblings up, and hiding in the center of the circle of vending machines - using Telekinesis to pull them close and sturdy together as a hiding spot.

Which proves to be a wise decision - as a group of something stampede into the room. The sound of fireworks, explosions, and crashing fill the air, paired with the flashing of multicolored lights, and the smell of smoke. It's gone beyond that of a Bouffalant in a china shop outside - the only thing that keeps the rattling machines from being tipped over being Bibidi's psychic power holding them in place. It's only with a sound like something crashing and crumbling that the sounds begin to fade - the stampede seemingly moving on in quick order..!

Bibidi, however, waits a half minute longer before she finally lets go - nudging the machines aside so that they can leave their hiding spot.

The room has completely changed - the outsides of the vending machines, as well as the walls, ceiling, and floor, being scorched in varying spots. The air still smells of lingering smoke - a scent that makes El think of sparklers and firework shows back home - as well as the sickly smell of burnt sugar. A number of the soda cans that Isaac had procured had burst open, soda spilt all over the floor - with patches where it had been boiled down into a sticky syrupy mess.

"Oh." El murmurs, visibly unsettled by the mayhem that they had managed to take shelter from.

But perhaps most importantly, was that part of the wall to the outside had been broken down - a number of sticky footprints showing that whatever creatures were in here, they had exited in a hurry as a collective. And that from the outside, the distant sounds of growls and shrieks could be heard - a sound Isaac would likely find familiar...

Isaac Merlo

”The green one wasn’t bad,” El clarified with a sheepish chuckle. ”But It was more...” … More something. El still wasn’t sure how to put a word to the taste of it. They had a feeling it’d be easier to not worry too hard about it…

… But after the chaos was said and done, and heralded to further danger, Merola had returned – having plenty to say and share. That you could disguise yourself to avoid the zombies was interesting – and it did make sense. Though, the ‘shine in your eye’ bit was an interesting note.

Another interesting thing was the number of devices that Merola had found. El wasn’t able to make any more heads or tails sense of it than Isaac could, but they couldn’t help but peek over his shoulder as he fiddled with one of them – curiosity clear in their eyes. Though, there wasn’t anything to be found in the hissing LED display.

Ah well… They had to get out of here, anyhow – and as Isaac asked for El’s input on this, they’d blink a bit in surprise. Their initial instinct had been to expect Isaac to wind-step them out of here again – but they supposed that with how Merola handled it, that he was trying to be considerate of the Megalopolan. So, they’d take a second to consider.

”I suppose if we’re trying to get away, we want to be unseen… Or too fast to track.” They mused, thinking through this out loud. ”I dunno if Merola wants to do the wind-stuff again, but I was curious about how Akero’s Tailwind might interact with it. Otherwise, maybe Merola could hitch a ride with me while you do the wind stuff? She’d probably be a smoother ride for them. Or…”

They glance to Bibidi - wondering out loud ”Maybe one of the places we passed by could be a good place to hide? If Bibidi remembers them well enough, she could Teleport us there and we can lay low until the horde passes.”

Bibidi would give a mental confirmation to the trio with this – nodding gently. As long as it was a spot that she could picture in her head, then it was a viable destination.

Isaac Merlo

As Isaac expressed his every intent to stick together, El would point out ”Akero’s a race pokemon; he might not have the highest maintained speed, but Tailwind and Extreme Speed help make up for it.” Though they aren’t sure if she could match Isaac’s top speeds, especially if he was affected by her Tailwind, she was still fast - which was what likely mattered most here.

But all in all, it appeared that Isaac had a plan – and as he spoke, El briefly followed his gaze… Before nodding, letting out a soft exhale. They had a distinct feeling that shenanigans were about to occur – but they trusted in Isaac.

And thus, El glances back to their Alakazam. ”I trust your judgement, Bibidi.” They speak – to which she nods.

It takes a few seconds for her to decide upon a location – but once she settles on something, she reaches out to the trio, drawing them in close. Psychic energy envelops them as she focuses, pictures the entrance of one of the buildings they had passed by in her mind’s eye, preparing a Teleport--

. . .

-- And in a flash, the group would find themselves at that very doorstep. El takes the teleportation in stride, being more than used to having Bibidi teleport to help them get around.

At a glance from the outside, it’s hard to tell what this place once was. But as Bibidi is quick to usher the group inside before they’re seen, it is quickly revealed to be some sort of old bookstore or library… Or at least, the Megalopolan equivalent to it, perhaps? Bookcases in varying states of disrepair – many of which have been tipped over and perhaps once used as barricades – can be found within the large building, including what looks to have once been a lounge in one of the far corners.

Of one of the shelves that are still intact, books of some form rest atop it – clearly ordered in some form of alphabetical, if the symbols on the ‘spines’ are of any indication. But as El pulls one out to look at it, it’s clear that these books are closer to electronic tablets of some kind. Like those made for reading ebooks.

With the curtains drawn though, and with there being other rooms and floors to this building, it seems like a solid place to find a spot to hide and hunker down for awhile. Especially as Bibidi carefully uses her Telekinesis to set a bookshelf down before the door, discouraging any stragglers from wandering in.

Which then leads to the next step – which, El glances to Isaac and whispers ”What’s your plan?”

Isaac Merlo

It’s pretty clear that Bibidi is skeptical of just how ‘essential’ the tablet Merola takes is – the Alakazam giving a quiet judging look in his direction. ‘Is this really the time for that?’ Her gaze seems to ask – if you asked her, that seemed like something you saved for when you weren’t in immediate danger.

El, however, is more focused upon Isaac as he speaks – bringing a hand up to overlap the one he places on their shoulder. ”Of course I worry for you, Isaac.” They respond with a certain exasperated fondness – because half the plans that Isaac comes up with tend to come at his risk, or otherwise result in abject shenanigans. And the grin that shows on his face is certainly no comfort to this fact.

But before El can really stop Isaac, he is but the wind – a swirl that embraces them tenderly, whispering in the group’s ears. El’s expression twists into one of concern – knowing that Isaac was putting himself in danger once again. They wrap their free arm around themself, as if to try and return that embrace – but letting their hand drift down…

… They send out Akero. ”I love you too, Isaac. I’m not letting you go alone, though.” They finally respond – and glancing to their Togekiss... ”Follow the wind, Akero – help Isaac however you can!”

And with a whistle, Akero nodded, and was off – gliding upon the very winds that were Isaac. The angelic pokemon whistled high and excited in dancing upon the northern winds, twirling through the air. These winds felt like home, in a way she couldn’t quite articulate.

But as she saw the zombie horde, and Isaac’s plan to draw them away, she came to understand the situation. Thus, with a beat of her wings, a Tailwind whipped to life around the two - as if to further set the stage for a dance for their lives.

Meanwhile, there was the library, and the remaining zombies that converged upon it. From a glance stolen past a crack in the curtains, the horde still looked human, or at least, human enough to set El at ill ease. The shapes in their faces, their bodies… Even though they bore fangs and claws and the eyes of predators, they still felt human – like people. And yet, for all of their behavior, they were closer to something feral, a disorganized pack of wild and rabid beasts.

There was a disjointed uncanniness to it all – and El’s mind briefly warred between not wanting to direct their pokemon to hurt what – ultimately – felt like a group of unwell people, and having to defend oneself. Was it possible, for there to be any shred of their former selves, in those hollowed minds?

Yet, the answer soon came in a sympathetic negatory from Bibidi. She couldn’t see anything resembling a ‘self’ left in those minds – just a hunger, an absence, an unerring, mindless, animal drive. They were too far gone for her to try and call to them.

It didn’t wholly comfort El. But what was the alternative, when there were people relying on them to stay safe? With a reluctant and anxious exhale, they’d grab three pokeballs on their belt, to send out their remaining pokemon – Nibelsnarf, Baron, and Seltas. ”We need to hold the line,” They spoke to their pokemon – gesturing to the approaching horde. ”But… Please – just hold them off, if you can.”

Even if the horde wasn’t going to pay them that sort of care… To just outright kill them, to make that sort of call, felt like it’d be ash on El’s tongue. All they had to do was hold them off until an opening comes – and then they could leave the horde behind – right?

Isaac Merlo

Outside of the library, just at its front doors and windows, was combat. Not a conventional fight to say the least, but there was a fight all the same. Though the horde of zombie-megalopolans had shrunk, there was still a horde all the same - a swarm that El and their pokemon had to contend with. At a glance, one might feel outnumbered and overwhelmed...

... But when Baron places a hand on El's shoulder before his advance into combat, they feel almost safe in the care of their pokemon, despite it all. They know that their pokemon will be there for them, and will try their best.

With a bellow, Nibelsnarf Dragon Rushes into the fray. Much like El requested, the draconic beast did not aim to directly attack the megalopolans, but would instead push them back - tossing them aside when they tried to claw at his plated face and scaled hide fruitlessly. He sweeps his long body about, knocking zombies down.

All the while, Seltas darted about - Double Team providing clones with which to distract the zombies, zipping and zagging unpredictably. Though the zombies moved faster than one might expect of the moniker, a Ninjask was even faster - and she was more than plenty smug in her ability to avoid those swiping claws.

Then came Bibidi - who, perhaps, had the strongest tools in one's kit to hold the horde back. Her Psychic and Telekinesis abilities were powerful and well honed, pushing back the zombies as they approached with pure force that they could do naught about, for as much as they shrieked and screamed in response.

And finally, Baron. Though he readily used Double Team much like Seltas did, his approach was more direct - his long glaive sweeping out to knock back those that drew near. With his Future Sight, he was able to anticipate any breaks in the line they maintained before it could happen - allowing for him to fill the gaps where needed.

All in all, El's pokemon were able to function as a well-oiled machine in this situation - the fact that there were two psychic-inclined pokemon to coordinate them helping greatly.

And Isaac playing distraction was a further balm, ensuring that they didn't have to hold for long. The clanging metal that danced in the air - from here - almost looked like stars, for the way it caught the barest and fleeting bits of light that still existed in this dark domain. It certainly worked to draw away a large portion of the remaining horde, too, leaving only a handful of stragglers that the group could push back with ease.

Which, with this, meant it was time to go - Baron picking El up as if they were a princess. Bibidi meanwhile was quick to Teleport to where Merola was - impressing that very thought upon his mind as she retrieved him. Returning Nibelsnarf and Seltas to their balls, the group would beat a hasty retreat for the portal.

Akero, seeing this from above, would whistle to Isaac in signal.

Isaac Merlo

Akero was more than ready to lend a hand to Isaac - at the request for a boost, she would swoop down alongside him with a gentle whistle, giving him a chance to hop into her saddle. Once he was secure, it'd take only a light pull of the reins to get her to ascend - up towards the clouds that he had created.

And as the ice rained down, the Togekiss made a soft whistle of intrigue - and after a moments thought, would add her own touch to the mix - a Springtide Storm that would whip about, sending any zombie-megalopolans that do not heed the ice tumbling about!

With the horde fought back and thoroughly bamboozled though, El and co were able to put the zombies behind them. From here, it was just a mad retreat for the portal - El clinging close to Baron as he carried them along.

And Akero was not far behind - once Isaac was done with his cloud shenanigans, she would be quick to follow after her trainer - whistling a victorious little tune as she did. Huh - didn't that sound like something from one of El's older games...?

Isaac Merlo

El and their pokemon could only truly relax, once they could no longer hear the distant hisses and scrabbling of their pursuers. Once they could no longer hear even the fleeting echoes of footsteps and shrieks. And it wasn't much further, before the portal would come into view - allowing for the group to relax further.

Safety, just a couple of steps away - they could get a break from this dreary and eerie dimension.

But of course, they would wait until Akero and Isaac had returned - the Togekiss cooing happily as she was given a gentle scritch. And once he was out of the saddle, she would take the time to preen Isaac's hair, as if to return the favor.

El is eager to return the hug offered, meanwhile - squeezing Isaac close. The praise had them melt that slightest bit, a giddy smile on their face at having been able to make Isaac proud... "You were amazing, too; that storm was pretty awesome." They would respond with a happy little half-laugh, smiling against the top of his head.

As Isaac's attentions shifted to that of the medic variety though, El was willing to cooperate for it, even if they weren't really in the line of fire all that much. If anything... "Little bit on the knee?" They'd request softly - while they definitely weren't hurting-hurting, they could feel the beginnings of an ache from all the moving and tumbling around they had to do.

The waters, all the while, were met with a relaxed exhale; though they definitely weren't one for cold baths, there was something about the healing waters that Isaac could make that felt nice.

But finally, there was Merola, who was interested in coming with. El smiled warmly in their direction, gesturing for them to follow. "Let's get out of here, then. I think I'm done living in a zombie game for a little bit, eheheh."

They were a bit interested in returning another time, though; they felt as though there was still lots to learn, out here...