Hasent and the Fire of Tecnicone | A Pokemon Fanfiction (Old Version)

Chapter 6: The Tale of Two Brothers

The sun peeked through the clouds early the next morning. Serena awoke before everyone else and decided to go for a walk. She found Elizabeth sitting on the cobblestone wall around the garden. In the girl's hands was a sketchbook. As Serena approached, she spotted a nest of baby Fletchlings in a nearby tree and realized that they were the subject of her drawing.

"Hey, you're good," Serena spoke softly, trying not to startle the Pokemon or Elizabeth.

"Pardon?" The blond looked up at her, confused.

"Your drawing," Serena explained, pointing. "The Fletchlings. It's really good."

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you," she said. She sighed and put down her pencil. "It helps me relax. Takes my mind off of all of my worries."

"Really?" Serena asked, hopping up on the gate next to her. "What are you worried about?"

Elizabeth frowned and looked down at her drawing. "A lot of things," she said. "Hasent, Takito, what'll happen to us all if Hasent can't stop his brother. The world will be lost, Serena. And...I'm afraid."

"Afraid? What are you afraid of?"

"Hasent doesn't know who he is," Elizabeth responded. "And now that he has a new identity, a new family, a new life, what if he doesn't remember? What if he can't beat Takito?"

"Listen," Serena said, putting on a brave face. "I may not know Hasent but from all the things you have told me, he doesn't sound like someone who would ever give up or disappoint. I think you just need to have a little faith in him. No doubt he'll show up when he's needed the most."

"Yeah," Elizabeth said with a sigh. "I hope you are right."

"By the way," Serena added. "Professor Sycamore said that Hasent's identity was still a mystery. Would you mind telling me who..."

Before she could finish her thought, the doors slid open and Bonnie stuck her head out. "Hey! Serena! Elizabeth! Clemont sent me to get you! It's time for breakfast!" She disappeared back inside only to re-emerge a moment later. "And by the way, has anyone seen Ash?"

"No," Serena shook her head.

"I saw him," Elizabeth volunteered. "He was out in the woods doing some...special training, I think."

"Okay, great! I'll go and get him!" Bonnie took off out the door and down the street like a blond blur. Elizabeth and Serena watched her go, laughing slightly at her absurd amount of energy.

"She's so sweet," Elizabeth said, looking down sadly at her sketchbook once more. "How will I ever break the news to her that..."

"Elizabeth? What? What is it?" Serena asked. "What's wrong?"

Elizabeth waited until Bonnie had successfully drug Ash back before she continued. "Serena," the blond looked straight at the performer. "There's something I need to tell you. Something you can't tell anyone else. Promise you won't tell anyone else?"

"Um...I promise?"

"Okay." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "The truth is, Hasent's memory has been gone for years. Professor Sycamore told you all as much. But what he didn't tell you is who Hasent really is. Now, just so you know, this was Hasent's wish that, should anything ever happen to him, that his identity be erased so that he might be able to start over with a new life. But, things got a little complicated..."

"Complicated? How?" Serena's eyes widened.

Elizabeth gave her a wry smile. "You're starting to guess aren't you? You know who Hasent really is."

"No." Serena stood up, feeling faint suddenly. "That can't be." She looked through the window into the center, spotting her friends as they gathered around the table for breakfast. "He couldn't be..." She turned back to Elizabeth, shock written all over her expression.