Three Years

Chapter Two - The Lumiose Badlands

Hello guys !

Like today is Saturday, let's have the second chapter of this fanfiction ! Hope you will enjoy it, and do not hesitate to say what you thing of it in the comments !

oOo

     It did not take long to make it from Vaniville Town to the Lumiose Badlands, by the time they left home early in the morning, they were able to arrive at the site of the explosion by mid-afternoon, the trip only taking three hours in total when taking the route through Lumiose City.

     The area of where the explosion took place was easy to find; a lot of officers were present and were currently working on the case. It was like the apocalypse had just taken place. A giant hole disfigured the land. The fluorescent tarpaulins of the police were absolutely everywhere. Between the casual officers, some scientists were present. Collecting soil samples and observing the crater. Two big trucks with a stylized T on them were a ways off, scientist currently going in and out the back of the trucks.

X asked, "Y, do you know what the T on those trucks mean?"
"Of course! It's the research foundation Testsuch. Their foundation is adept in every field of science, like medicine, technology, genetics, and biology. They are really discreet, but I know they finance a lot of stuff, like some Sky Trainer Competitions. I've also heard they have state of the art equipment for stuff like this as well, the police probably asked them for help.
"I see... Is it a Kalos foundation?"
"No, I think they come from Johto or Kanto, I can't really remember at the moment. But they have chains in all regions and I know they also have connections with the Berlitz Corporation."
"The Berlitz... The extremely rich family from Sinnoh, right?"
"Yea!"
"Excuse me."  Interrupted an officer. "But you're not allowed to be here."

     Alas, they were only two fifteen year olds. So logically they shouldn't be in a place like this.

"Excuse us sir." Y said quickly. "We were just traveling between Lumiose City and Coumarine City, when we saw all the commotion."
"I see, and I believe you should leave. You do not have authorization to be here." He strictly replied.

Y gave X an apologetic look. If they wanted to know more, they would have too leave now and come back after dark. With a little sigh, Y was about to tell X. When suddenly they heard:
"Y! X! It's you! What are you doing here?"

The two Kalos' Pokédexholders turned around. The Lumiose City Gym Leader Clemont was behind them, in his usual working attire.
"Clemont!" Greeted Y. "Long time no see! What's up?"
"This explosion has affected Lumiose City tremendously. So I came here too offer my assistance with anything that may need repairing, and you?"
"We were traveling to Coumarine City, and we saw all of this going on." Y replied, continuing her lie after noticing that the officer was still near them. "So this is where the explosion occurred huh? Do you guys know what happened?"
"We still don't exactly know, it's a really strange case. But maybe you can help us with it, if it's no trouble too you of course." proposed the Gym Leader.
"Mister Clemont! I'm not that sure we can..." started the officer.
"Everything is okay! These two are some of the ones who saved the region three years ago, they are trustworthy."
"Maybe, but we can't obtain authorization for them!"
"If I stay with them, it should  be alright." Clemont assured the officer.
"Mister Clemont, we can't do it!"
"If your superiors have a problem with it. Then tell them too take it up with me. But we are going."

     And without waiting, the Gym Leader left the officer, with X and Y in tow. After passing under some police tape, they could finally see the disaster. The holes size was impressive, in a horrifying sort of way. Some parts of it were still hot too the touch and made wisps of smoke come up from the crater. Strangely, there was bits and pieces of odd materials scattered around the bottom of it. Between the officers, scientists, police dogs, firemen, and numerous Testsuch workers gathered into a small newly set up building a ways off. The entire scene looked supernatural.

     But the worst part of it all, was the blood.

     At the first glance, everything was clean. But some places had a darker red coloring too them from where they were protected by the rain. Patches of muddy-crimson adorned the craters sides and parts of the space around it. Knowing first hand that nothing was supposed to be there, only made the situation more disturbing.

     Everything was off, as if this thing took place in another world or another time.

Yvonne finally asked to Clemont, "Wasn't there supposed to be nothing here?"
"Indeed. Unfortunately, we still have no clue as too what was here and who are the people who died." He answered, sadness lacing his tone.
"Wait, people died?" Y said in shock.
"Yes, we still don't know exactly how many. When I arrived, the scientists of Testsuch had already evacuated the corpses."
"And where did they bring them?" Y asked him, sick with an underlying sense of dread.
"Most likely to their labs in Lumiose and Shalour Cities."
"Who arrived first?" X asked suddenly, "Was it the police or these Testsuch guys?"
"I don't know, I arrived only yesterday. I had some things too attend to in Lumiose before I could come out here. I'm sorry I can't be of much help with answering your questions you two." Clemont apologized, rubbing the back of his head in a nervous tick of regret.
"No problem!" Y assured him quickly, "I hope they will be able to help investigate this tragedy with their state of the art technology."
"Yes, me too." Added Clemont with an exhausted sigh.
"Wait," suddenly said X, "why did you want us too come with you?"
"Because this entire situation feels off too me. I have never heard of anything like this before, and well I-"
"You wanted to have our opinion on it" finished X.
"Yes...It's probably only me but..." Clemont trailed off.
"I agree with you, something is off with this explosion, and I also want to know what it is." Sighed the male Dexholder.
"And I agree with X." Added Y. "And if he gets in trouble because of it, I want to be with him."
"Just, be honest please, you weren't traveling to Coumarine City, right? You came here for the explosion."
"Yea" smiled the girl, "But a lot of people are already investigating and I can't see how we can help..."
"We have investigated here, but maybe you can search in another place? Maybe you can get information from Testsuch." Proposed the Gym Leader.
"I'm not sure they'll give it too us that easily..." Sighed the flying trainer.
"If you say that you're coming on the request of the Lumiose Gym Leader Clemont, I'm sure they would!" Clemont replied with a smile.
"You would do that for us, Clemont?" Y said hopefully.
"Of course! Between all the people I know, I believe you guys are the best ones to get too the bottom of this!"
"Thank you so much!" Y said, now grinning.
"I guess it makes no sense to stay here anymore, so where can we get this information?" Asked X.
"Testsuch has three big labs in Kalos, one in Lumiose City, another in Shalour City, and the last one in Coumarine City. Considering that Lumiose was affected by the explosion, my best guess is that they'll use Coumarine's one." Clemont answered.
"So we have our next destination! Alright X, let's go!" Y declared in resolve.
"Leaving so soon?" Clement asked in surprise.
"We have to find a hotel before night fall. Not to mention that we still have two more hours to walk!" She said, turning around.
"Wait," Clemont said quickly, "You can sleep on your Rhyhorn, right?"
"NO!" Y cried immediately, whipping around to face him in horror.

     Her face had changed. Her breathing had become quicker, her eyes seemed to look at something else. Anger and sadness laced her expression like a mask. The gym leader was surprised, why did she react like that? X sighed, as if he was used of it. He said to Clemont, "She can't trust a Rhyhorn on the road anymore..."
"What happened?" Clemont asked in concern.
"We don't have time for that." Y asserted,  uncomfortable. "X, let's go."

     And she left, without another word.

"It's a bit personal," X said watching her go, "We will contact you if we find anything Clemont."
"Alright, I wish you both the best of luck!" Called the gym leader to the two retreating Dex-Holders.

     And so the two friends disappeared from the Badlands, heading onward toward Shalour City.