Pokémon: Tears of the Fallen

Chapter 8: Experiment

The gang continues walking with Serena towards Vaniville Town.

Alain: "You. Serena. What's your last name?"

Serena: "Uhh... I don't remember."

Alain: "What's your middle name?"

Serena: "I-- I don't know."

Alain: "What the heck?"

Clemont: "What happened to you to make you forget such details?"

Serena: "Umm..."

Ash: "Don't worry, Serena! We'll have you home soon and everything will be all right!"

Serena: *stares at him* "Th-- Thanks."

Dawn: *looks worriedly at Ash* ....

Skip ahead 18 minutes. Clemont and Bonnie are chatting to Serena and Dawn about Clemont's idea for a new invention.

Alain: *whispers to Ash* "Hey, man. What's up with Serena? What's her situation?"

Ash: *whispers* "I don't know. I know just as much as you do."

Alain: "So, let me get this straight. You found a random girl in the forest, and then invited her to travel with us, even though you don't know her, putting off our mission. Is that correct?"

Ash: "Yeah."

Alain: "She's very reticent."

Ash: "Yes, she's reticent. But, she probably has a good reason to be."

It's now 11:47am. The gang is in Aquacorde Town, which is the last town they pass through before Vaniville Town. They're standing on a hill with some trees, as they look down towards the downtown portion.

Bonnie: "Dawn, come with big brother and me as we take some pictures with this awesome photographer named Phil! They can be souvenirs of this trip! You're too quiet, so come explore!" *grabs Dawn's arm*

Dawn: "Wait, I--" *gets dragged along with Clemont and Bonnie as they run off*

Ash: "Serena, you wanna go take some photos with them?"

Serena: "No, I'd rather n--"

Alain suddenly charges at Serena, pushes her against a tree, and holds out a knife to her throat.

Alain: "WHO THE HECK ARE YOU?! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"

Serena: *screams* "W-- Wait! Please!"

Ash: "STOP, ALAIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOI--"

Alain: "STAY BACK, DARN IT! NOW, ANSWER ME! WHAT'S YOUR STORY?!"

Serena: "I-- I-- I really don't remember everything! I was taken from my home 5 years ago by the Tekiyoku to be used for scientific experiments!"

Alain: *smiling* "Oh, why didn't you say so?" *releases Serena*

Serena: *panting heavily, looking frightened*

Ash: "DUDE!"

Alain: "What? That's how I make friends."

After Ash consoles Serena, we skip to 12:20pm. The whole gang is in Vaniville Town. Serena guides everyone to her mom's house. They're now at the house.

Serena knocks.

No answer.

She turns the knob and realizes that the door is unlocked. They go inside.

The entire house is emptied out of furniture.

Serena: "Huh?... Mom? You here?"

No answer.