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

Chapter 14: The Disillusion of Stealth

"Oh wow."

Clemont's voice was barely more than a whisper as he took in the state of the city before them. Buildings were smashed, cars on fire, Pokemon and people scurrying everywhere like Durants, everything was utter chaos. Swanna and Ducklett flew overhead, screeching and fleeing for cover. Pokemon that lived in the city and in the nearby forest had long cleared out. A few random Purrloin and Houndoom remained but they looked terrified. And it was no wonder. By the state of the city, it was easy to tell that Takito no longer cared who he hurt in his fight to get the locket first.

Korrina, we're coming. Just hold on.

"We have to get down there."

Clemont looked over the top of his glasses at Elizabeth who stood nearby, a hand resting on Luxray's furry head, staring out past the city to something clearly invisible to the rest of them. He opened his mouth to ask how she intended to do that, but Ash beat him to it.

"How are we supposed to get to Korrina from here?" the raven-haired boy demanded, coming up to stand between the two blonds. On his heels were Serena and Bonnie, the latter clasping the former's hand tightly. "I can barely even see the Tower of Mastery, let alone see how we're going to be able to maneuver through that nightmare!"

"Well, then we'll just have to do it the old fashioned way," Elizabeth determined.

"Yeah?" Bonnie asked. "What way is that?"

Elizabeth looked down at her grimly. "Run like the wind and pray we don't get spotted."

Serena looked at her incredulously. "Are you serious? That's a terrible idea! We wouldn't get more than fifty feet through those gates before Takito realizes we are here! And then what?"

"Easy!" Ash replied, grinning dumbly. "Pikachu and I will take him down, right buddy?"

"Pika!" His partner threw a fist into the air in agreement.

"No, that's too risky," Elizabeth warned, kneeling down in the grass. "We don't want to alert Takito of our presence. I fear a direct attack from Pikachu might do just that."

"Well, what do you suggest we do then?" Serena quizzed.

Elizabeth pondered this question for a minute. "Clemont," she whispered to the lemon-blond. "What all do you have in that backpack?"

"Er...a Heliolisk light, a few berries, and some extra nuts and bolts," Clemont replied, counting them off on his fingers. "Nothing really useful." He grinned sheepishly.

"Really?" Elizabeth blinked, startled. "Then where do you get all of those wacky inventions?"

"I usually build what I think we're going to need," Clemont confessed, dropping to one knee beside her, ignoring Bonnie's excited squeals."Out of spare parts that I find along the way."

"Really?" Bonnie stared incredulously. "That's how you do that? I always wondered how Daddy could afford to keep everything you needed in stock."

"Okay, getting off topic here," Elizabeth sighed. "So, that plan's a bust. I was hoping to get a good view of the tower from here, maybe figure out what Takito's game plan is."

"Oh, if seeing further away is what you want to do, then try using Clemont's glasses!" Bonnie piped up. Before they could stop her or her brother could protest, she lunged forward and snatched Clemont's lenses off of his face.

"Hey! Bonnie!" the scientist protested, reaching for her but missing and landing with a thump on the grass, groaning pitifully.

Elizabeth took his glasses and cautiously put them on. Almost immediately, she gasped and ripped them back off, blinking furiously. "Yow! Clemont, you're blinder than a Noibat!"