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

Chapter 8: A Fiery Destroyer

"HE'S FOUND US!"

Elizabeth's strangled scream cut Clemont out of his own pitying thoughts. His jaw dropped as she sprang from the patio of the tree house as though she were on fire. Hearing her cry of alarm, Bonnie, Ash, and Serena quickly scrambled down to the ground, running to join the inventor. Even as they gathered, Elizabeth was already releasing Quilladin from its poke ball, her jaw set, eyes blazing in fury.

"Everyone run!" she called, trying to herd them towards the trees. "Back to the path! Go!"

A second bellow shook the forest. Trees swayed and flocks of Pidove and Fletchlings took to the air, their cries of alarm ear-splitting.

Clemont twirled as the others raced past him and followed Elizabeth. For a few seconds, his fear overtook him and he darted after them with a speed he had never known he had, quickly outpacing both Bonnie and Ash, and catching up with Serena as though it was nothing.

Behind them, he heard a horrid cracking sound, like a tree was falling, but when he chanced a glance back, it was much worse than that. The clearing was now totaled, trees lying everywhere, the fort smashed against the ground in tiny pieces.

In front of him, Elizabeth seemed to be aware of the danger. "Everybody!" she yelled. "Keep going!" She skidded to a halt and whipped around to face the darkness, eyes blazing.

"Elizabeth?" Clemont gasped, sliding to a stop as well. "What are you doing?"

"Buying you all some time!" the girl responded. "Quilladin, get ready!"

"Clemont?" Bonnie cried as she caught up with them. "We have to keep running! Come on!"

"You go on ahead!" he told her, reaching for a poke ball from his jumpsuit. "I'll stay and help Elizabeth!"

"But..." Serena began, looking at him in concern.

"Clemont, are you sure?" Ash asked him.

He nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Okay then, good luck! Bonnie, let's go!" Grabbing the little girl by the hand, Ash and Serena resumed their run.

"You should have gone with them!" Elizabeth shouted to him over the top of the furious roars.

"You can't take Takito on alone!" Clemont retorted. "Luxray, I choose you!"

As the lion-like Pokemon appeared, the roars in the forest suddenly subsided and the ground ceased its shaking. Clemont let out a breath of relief, bringing a clenched fist to his chest and closing his eyes. "Thank goodness that's over!"

"That's not good!" Elizabeth squeaked, backing away from the trees. "That means Takito is--"

"I'm right here."

The voice was as cold as ice and hard as steel. Both trainers whipped around to see a boy emerge from the shadows. At first, Clemont was...underwhelmed. This boy had unkempt brown hair and burning golden eyes. He looked like any other kid. He was barely even taller than Clemont! This was really the Tecnicone?

"Takito," Elizabeth spat.

The boy tilted his head as though possibly amused. "Hello, Elizabeth. How lovely to see you again." He jerked his head toward the trees where Clemont now spotted multiple pairs of eyes glaring at them. "Kill them!"

"PER!" A Whooper made the first move, spitting out a powerful Hydropump.

"Get down!" Elizabeth screamed, shoving Clemont to the ground. The attack flew over their heads and exploded into a bush. Before Clemont even had time to register what had just happened, Elizabeth was already back up and ready to give a command. "Quilladin, Pin Missile!"