Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 74: A Missing Friend

"This is worse than before," Alex murmured as we stared out the helicopter window. Smoke still rose from Lumiose City, tell-tale signs that some fires had yet to be put out. Blinking red and blue lights flashed from various streets as the sirens wailed. Compared to the attack the Cult had enacted on the city before, this had brought about more destruction and death. Unmoving vines still lay across roads and through buildings, slowly being cut down by Pokemon to attempt to remove them.

I rested a hand on her shoulder. "But it can be rebuilt. Kalos will move on. Team Flare is done for."

"Hopefully," Robert muttered and I shot him a quick glance. He grimaced. "There may be at least one person out there still not caught."

Now he had both of our attentions. Robert cleared his throat. "When Clemont and I fought to take back Prism Tower, I was attacked by a woman in some sort of suit with a helmet with a digital screen. On it was an E. She fell out of the building, and believe me when I tell you I'm pretty sure she has superhuman strength, so I think she's still out there. Then there's the matter of Xerosic. Clemont said he escaped, so unless he got caught..."

"Dang't," I looked back at Lumiose, half-destroyed and burning. "So we have some loose ends to tie up after all."

"At least it should be easier tha-" Alex's voice was cut off as the radio in the front of the helicopter burst with static. 

"Hold on, I got it," James reached over and flicked a switch. He held a hand to his headphones, listening. Then he turned back to us. "Some guy names Looker of the International Police wants you guys to meet him at the base of Prism Tower."

I exchanged a glance with both of my friends. Looked like our job was far from over.

...

Jessie, James, and Meowth waved us goodbye as the helicopter lifted back off into the sky. They were still going to do their job as reporters to cover Lumiose news. As we stood on the cracked cobblestone street, Looker was making his way over to us, hopping over a vine that lay across the path. 

"Glad you three could make it," he smiled, straightening his brown trench. He had cut his hair since the last time we had seen him, no longer sticking up. "I saw what went down outside of Anistar City. I don't believe I'm the only one who owes you all my thanks."

I waved my hand. "Enough. You called us here for a reason, right?"

Looker made a grim smile. "Right to the point, like always. Yeah, a good one. Follow me." He turned and led us across the plaza, towards where several IP vans were waiting. The back was open for one and a familiar face was sitting on the edge, a small blanket around his shoulders. He was staring down into what had probably been a steaming cup of coffee, but now had turned cold.

"Preston," I hurried forwards and he looked up, a glazed look over his eyes. He looked worse for wear, his clothes ripped and various bruises and cuts along the skin that was showing. "What happened to you!?"

He blinked, then he seemed to focus in on me. "Zeno?" He hurriedly set the cup down to his side and sprang to his feet, knocking the cup over where it shattered on the cobblestones. He gripped my shoulders tightly, looking absolutely frightened. "I couldn't-! I-! I tried! But I-!"

"Preston, Preston," I forced him to sit again. "Calm down. It's alright now." He was trembling so bad he couldn't even speak.

"What happened to him?" I heard Alex ask Looker.

Looker shook his head. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. But he said Zeno's name, so I figured the only way to get anything out of him was to get you three here."