The Ketchum Family

Jeepers Keepers!

It's time to see what Clemont and his lab assistant have been up to.

This chapter takes place at roughly the same time as the previous one. I hope you like this fun side-chapter.

A dome of fluffy, grey clouds hung over the treescape of Allearth Forest. A gentle drizzle still fell, the last vestiges of a storm that had rolled through in the early morning. In all directions, the horizon of treetops quickly disappeared into a thick, grey mist. The cries of the forest Pokémon were muted as most of them remained in shelter. Small rivulets of water ran down a large, rocky outcropping which overlooked the massive lake in the center of the forest. Some distance away, the massive line of waterfalls constantly rumbled as water thundered down into the head of the river which snaked out of the region.

With a caw, a Wingull flapped down and perched on top of the rocky outcropping. The flying type folded its wings and turned its head so it could use its lengthy beak to preen its feathers. After a trio of strokes, a mechanical hand with four sharp claws violently slammed into the nearby rock, firmly anchoring itself into the material.

The Wingull let out a panicked cry and leapt into the air, speeding away as fast as it could beat its wings. A second mechanical hand slammed into the rock and metal tendrils trailing from both devices pulled tight. There was the sound of whirring machinery, and a few seconds later, the strained puffing of a human being. With a grunt and a huff, Clemont—clad in blue overalls, with a large mechanical device strapped to his back—climbed over the edge of the cliff.

The yellow-haired inventor, sweat beading on his brow, let out a satisfied sigh and pressed a button on the control panel adorning his belt. The two mechanical arms embedded in the rock released their grip and retracted into the backpack. Two other arms that had been attached further down the cliff also retracted. Clemont turned, planted his hands on his hips and took in the sight from the top of the cliff. He sniffed in a deep breath and slowly blew it out.

"Ahhh, I think we can safely say the 'octograbbing cliff-climbing enhancer™' is a total success," he said proudly.

At that moment, something white and soft fell from the sky and plopped on Clemont's shoe. The man from Lumiose City looked up and heard the irate cry of a Wingull as it soared away from him. Clemont grunted in puzzlement and briefly stared at the flying type as it disappeared into the mist. With a shrug, he turned and started walking across the rocky outcropping, toward the forest.

Plenty of Pokémon were flying, walking, crawling, and digging around as Clemont made his way. Skiddo and Starly, Zigzagoon and Oddish, Sandshrew and Spearow—all went about their usual business, paying little heed to Clemont.

The lonely inventor passed by trees, forded a stream, and climbed a small rock face before finally reaching his destination, a large cave in the side of a mountain. With a determined look on his face, Clemont hit a button on his belt and a couple of small, snake-like arms popped out of his backpack. The arms turned toward the dark cave entrance and lights suddenly snapped on, illuminating the hole in the mountain.

Clemont's eyes darted around the cave entrance, and he finally spoke in a stern voice. "This looks like the place she said. Time to take care of things!"

With his face set into a resolute expression, Clemont strode forward into the cave. Unlike the rest of Allearth Forest, the cave was strangely deserted. Clemont's lights swept from side to side, but all he saw was bare rock. Occasionally, he heard the sound of chirps, grumbles, and cries from deeper inside the cave, but he never saw any movement. Finally, after a short walk, he reached a crevasse in the floor.

Clemont switched off his lights and bent down to listen. He could hear more noises from below and he nodded grimly. He pulled out a trio of green glow sticks, lit them, and jammed them into gaps in the cave wall. He then turned his attention to the crevasse. He pressed a button on his belt and the four metallic, climbing arms sprang to life.