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

Chapter 9: You're Just a Kid On a Quest

The sun was just beginning to disappear as the gang reached the Pokemon Center, located amid a small town not too far away from Cyllage City. According to the map's directions, Clemont announced, they could easily make it to the Gym by noon the following morning if they left at daybreak. After a quick dinner (including a performance from an overly-ethusiastic Wigglytuff), Elizabeth suggested that they all come with her to the town's library where she could explain, in more detail, exactly what it was they were up against.

"So, I'm guessing you all want to know a little bit more about what is going on around here, huh?" Elizabeth chuckled as they gathered around a table, expectantly waiting as the blond went to a nearby shelf and picked out a rather tattered red book.

"Yes, please," Serena said, sliding down into her seat between Ash and Clemont. "We know bits and pieces but it would be nice to hear the whole story."

"I second that," Ash said, crossing his arms and waiting impatiently while Clemont and Bonnie nodded quickly in agreement.

"Right." Elizabeth, firmly focused on her work, began to flip frantically through the pages. "I guess after all you've helped me with, it's the least I could do to thank you. Here. This is it. Mind you, I don't know the entire story. Just what Hasent told me. And I don't know if it's much more than what you've already been told. So, forgive me if I sound like a broken record." She returned to the table and dropped the book down in front of them. "This is everything that was documented on the Tecniconian race. Of course, it isn't much more than a collection of myths and fairytales, but maybe there might be something in here about the locket that we've missed."

"Oh, wow," Bonnie gasped, pulling the book towards them so that they could all see. "These pictures are all so well done! Clemont, look at this!"

Her brother glanced at the book distractedly, clearly having something else on his mind. The others seemed to notice it too.

"Clemont?" Ash asked, eyeing his friend curiously. "What's up? What are you thinking?"

"Hmm? Oh...nothing," the inventor replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. The overhead light reflected off of his glasses, giving him the well-known look that his friends had grown very accustomed to. It was a look that clearly said something was on his mind, but one he had chosen not to share.

Bonnie didn't seem to notice her brother's hesitation, though, as she happily began to flip through the pages. Dedenne stuck its head from her bag with a happy squeak, grinning as the little girl played.

"Bonnie," Elizabeth said kindly, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Would it be alright if I borrowed that again?" She pointed to the book. Bonnie handed it back to her slowly.

"Here, look at this," Elizabeth added, skimming the pages until she found an article about the locket, then held it up for them all to see. "According to myths, this is what the locket should look like."

"I see," Ash said, studying the picture carefully. The locket was an unusual black color with miniature jewels plastered to its surface in the shape of an arch. "So...what is it?"

"No one really knows the answer to that, Ash," Elizabeth replied. "All we know for sure is that, somehow, Takito is determined to take it and use it for his own evil purposes."

"Which is why we need to find it first, right?" Clemont said quietly, fiddling with something or another underneath the table. Probably another invention, if they knew him well enough.

She nodded. "That is correct. Professor Sycamore suggested that Grant may know a thing or two about Hasent's backup plan. Hasent always had a backup plan." She swallowed hard, looking like she was once again holding back tears.