Previously, Jonathan, Venam and Ren worked together to defeat Zetta and his Dimensional Galvantula, but were too late to rescue Melia. Zetta was then teleported away somewhere by Crescent and her Gothitelle.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon Rejuvenation, it is the property of its creator, SuperJanBro.

Chapter 8:

Gearen City: Help Centre

Jonathan sighed to himself as he entered the building, still devastated over the events that occurred in Amethyst Cave. It was clear that the trip has negatively affected everyone, especially Venam since Melia was her best friend after all. The young man figured that tackling a help request or two would put his mind at ease. Walking up to the front counter, the young man inquired if there were any new requests that came in.

"As a matter of fact, we did receive a new request an hour ago. Something to do with a library if I recalled…" the receptionist told him, as she walked to the pin board behind her desk and retrieved a piece of paper, handing it to the young man.

"Thanks Ma'am." Jonathan replied, as he walked over to an empty seat and began reading the request

'Legend has it that a secret library exists somewhere beneath Gearen. I need someone to help me figure out where it's located. I shall be inside Gearen Laboratory, in case you need any more info.' The paper read. Pocketing it in his trenchcoat, the young man exited the Help Centre and proceeded to his destination. When the young man arrived at his destination, he took out the sheet of paper and held it in the air to attract the client's attention. Jonathan was soon greeted by a young man with spiky black hair, a white shirt and jeans that were stained with what looked like dirt, and carried a large backpack on his back. Jonathan deduced that his client was the type of person who enjoyed the outdoors.

"Ah, so you found my request I see." The young man commented. "The name's Clyde. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Yeah, it's a pleasure to meet you." Jonathan replied, as the two men shook hands. "Now I take it you need my help finding the library."

"Correct. I first heard about the library when I was reading a book that detailed the history of the Aevium Region. There was this one chapter that talked about a library that housed untold knowledge of ancient civilisations and Pokémon, including the Garufa." Clyde explained.

"The Garufa…I recall hearing that name before." Jonathan said.

"Ah, so you've heard of them before." Clyde replied. "Did you know that they despised Pokémon and regarded them as vile pests?"

"No, but I do know that they sacrificed Pokémon and used their souls to obtain magical powers." Jonathan replied.

"But there's more to them than that. Which is why I need your help in finding the secrets of the Garufa." Clyde told him. "I highly doubt we'll find the library right away, but at least we'll be able to generate some sort of lead."

"Ok, where do you want me to start looking?" Jonathan inquired, as he brought out a pen and a small notepad from his bag.

"There are three people who have the information I need; a woman in Leaflet Park. The receptionist at the Chrisola Hotel, and finally, the leader of a local gang, Karrina." Clyde listed off the people, as Jonathan jotted the info down on the notepad.

"Alright then, I better get going." Jonathan said, as he turned and proceeded to exit the building. The young man began walking around the large city, in order to find the Leaflet Park his client mentioned. It was a few minutes later that Jonathan spotted what looked like a middle-aged woman, who wore an expensive orange dress and had her short brown hair done up into a bun. She was sitting down on a bench with a boy of around five years old, whom he assumed was the woman's son.

"Excuse me miss, mind if I ask you a few questions?" Jonathan asked politely.

"Not at all." The woman turned to face the young man, making sure her son didn't wander off. "What would you like to know?"

"Do you know anything about the Hidden Library?" the young man asked, as a thoughtful look appeared on the woman's face.

"I used to be a history teacher at the local school, so I know a thing or two about it." she began. "The library was built for the sole purpose of preserving all the knowledge the Garufa civilisation had. They constructed it so that only they can access its vast archives. However since the Garufa are no longer around, access to the library would be impossible, unless a descendant were to be found." She explained, as Jonathan jotted it all down on his notepad.

"Is that all?" he asked, with the woman nodding her head in confirmation. "Alright then, thank you for your time miss."

"No problem. It's nice to see someone as young as you take an interest in history." The woman smiled, as the two parted ways. Jonathan crossed her name out; and pondered on who to go to next. Since he had no idea who Karrina was, he figured that it would be best to go to the Chrisola Hotel. He continued walking through the city until he stumbled upon a massive building sitting upon a fairly high ledge. The building was a pristine white, as if it had just been built the previous day, alongside a large garden that features several small fountains with a Lilligant statue in the middle. There were also several flowerbeds that featured a diverse range of brightly coloured flowers that appeared to be perfectly healthy. Had it not been for the fact that he was doing a job for someone, Jonathan would have sat down on one of the benches and continued eyeing up the marvellous garden. The young man got back on track and entered the large building, where he was in for another visual treat.

The interior of the building was just as, if not, more beautiful than the outside. There were pristine white tiles covering the floor with a red rug running from the entrance, to the large stairway at the back, and continued to make a path of sort to the various attractions in the hotel, from the swimming pool, to the gambling room, and even an indoor arena for Pokémon battles. In the centre of the foyer was another one of those Lilligant fountains, only this one was a lot larger. The young man spotted a fairly old gentleman behind the counter, wearing a brown suit and matching hat, and sported a bushy white moustache. Jonathan got in line and waited for around fifteen minutes, before it was his turn to get served.

"Good morning young man. How can I be of service?" The receptionist greeted in a regal tone.

"This is a rather nice hotel you have here, sir." Jonathan commented.

"Indeed, the Chrisola Hotel is the most luxurious building in Gearen City. You seem a bit too young to be renting a hotel room on your own, but so long as you have the money, you can rent yourself a room here." The old man began.

"And how much are these rooms?" Jonathan inquired.

"100 billion Pokédollars per hour." The man stated.

"WHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA?! You can't be serious!" Jonathan exclaimed, as he jumped back a few feet in shock and landed on his backside, with the receptionist lightly chuckling in response.

"I jest about the price, but it's still too high for an average citizen like yourself." The receptionist said, as Jonathan got up off the floor. "Now is there anything else you want to ask?"

"Yeah, do you know about the Hidden Library?" The young man asked.

"The Hidden Library? Perhaps you aren't an ordinary citizen after all…" the old man mused to himself. "Ah yes, it's truly a fascinating mystery. It was built in the southern most area of Aevium, so the Garufa can access it easily via sea. The library was built to last, meaning there's a very good chance that it survived the catastrophe that rocked this region decades ago." The old man continued, as Jonathan jotted it all down on the notepad.

"Thank you for your time sir." Jonathan thanked the man, as he proceeded to exit the luxurious building. As the young man exited the hotel, he crossed the receptionist's name out and began pondering on his next destination.

'The last parson I need to talk to is this Karrina lady. But who is she, and where could she be?' He thought to himself. 'I'll try by the docks first. If she's not there, then I'll check out the sewers.' The young man proceeded to make his way to the eastern docks. After a few minutes of walking, he had arrived at his destination and spotted a group of people crowded by the entrance to what looked like a fairly small house. The pavement had a few cracks in it and were coated in a thin layer of grime and dirt, with the waves crashing against the lone dock beside the house. Jonathan figured that the best course of action would be to ask the group of people where Karrina was, provided she was a part of the group.

"Excuse me, do any of you know where Karrina is?" Jonathan asked the group, as they turned around and eyed him suspiciously.

"Who wants to know?" a young boy wearing a yellow t-shirt and blue shorts replied.

"My name's Jonathan, and I have a few questions I would like to ask her." The young man answered. The group chattered amongst themselves for a minute before the young boy from before walked up to the house and knocked on the metal door.

"Lady Karrina, there's someone out here who wants to talk to you." The boy called out as he stepped back from the door. The door opened, as a cute young lady in her early 20's stepped outside. She had short orange hair with a bun done up in the back, and wore a black sleeveless dress and matching high-heels, as well as what looked like a bracelet on her right wrist. The lady gazed at Jonathan for a few seconds before walking up to him.

"And just who are you exactly? I haven't seen you around this part of town before." Karrina asked.

"Ah, my name's Jonathan. It's a pleasure to meet you m'lady." The young man introduced himself, tipping his fedora. An intrigued look appeared on Karrina's face.

"Wait…are you that young man who trounced Venam in a Gym Battle?" she inquired.

"Well if you're asking whether I defeated her, than yes." Jonathan replied. The crowd behind Karrina began muttering amongst themselves again.

"No way…"

"Oh wow! I can't believe this is happening."

"The Trainer from Tandor is here."

"Do you think he could defeat Karrina in battle?"

"Hmmm, what's going on?" Jonathan inquired, curious about what the group were talking about.

"Oh you see, our little gang have been hearing some pretty slick things about you." Karrina smiled.

"Wait, you're all part of a gang?!" the young man exclaimed, surprised at what he heard.

"Yep, and I'm the gang leader." Karrina added. "I may not look the part, but when I say I mean business, I really mean business."

"Ah, so I take it that a gang leader like you has heard about the Hidden Library." Jonathan said, as Karrina raised one of her eyebrows.

"I might know a thing or two about the Hidden Library." She replied coolly.

"Great! Mind if you tell me please?" Jonathan asked.

"Sure." The young lady smiled. "But on one condition…"

"Oh? And what could that be?" he inquired, as Karrina retrieved a Pokéball from her handbag.

"It's been a while since I last had a Pokémon battle, and I've been itching to have one with the Trainer from Tandor. Defeat me and I shall tell you everything." Karrina answered.

"Alright then, I'm down with that!" Jonathan replied. "But where will we battle..."

"The Chrisola Hotel has an indoor arena we can use. I'll meet you there; don't be late." The young lady replied, as she made her way to the hotel. Jonathan shrugged his shoulders and soon followed after her.

Chrisola Hotel: Indoor Arena.

The arena was just as pristine as the hotel that housed it. There was a ledge that rested some chairs and tables where the hotel guests can sit and watch the battle, as well as a few bookcases that held books detailing the various strategies that top-tier trainers use.

"Ah good, you didn't chicken out." Karrina commented, as she saw Jonathan walk down the stairs and towards the arena.

"I wouldn't turn down a battle unless I really have to." He replied. "That and I really need the info…"

"Well let's get ourselves into position." The young lady said, as both trainers got into position at both ends of the arena. "I will warn you, I'm pretty strong."

"Heh, I can say the same thing about me!" Jonathan smirked, as he retrieved a Pokéball from his belt. "Go Glavinug!" he sent out his trusty Pokémon, whom materialised out of the Pokéball and chirped happily.

"Hmmm, that's your first choice? In that case, I choose you Mandibuzz!" Karrina sent out her first Pokémon, as the Bone Vulture Pokémon materialised from its ball and began flapping it's wings on the spot. This confused the young man; Mandibuzz may have good defences, but it's vulnerable to Ice type moves. What was she playing at?

"Alright Glavinug, use Ice Beam!" Jonathan called out, as Glavinug charged up it's attack and fired a beam of frozen energy at it's foe.

"Dodge and counter with Steel Wing!" Karrina responded, as Mandibuzz dodged the attack and swooped down at Glavinug, the Bone Vulture's wings glowing with a silver aura. The attack struck the Sea Slug Pokémon head-on, as it chirped out in surprise and was pushed a few feet back.

'So that's why she sent it out, it has an attack that can deal with Ice type Pokémon.' Jonathan thought to himself. "Glavinug, use Reflect!" he called out, as the Sea Slug Pokémon created a wondrous wall of light to boost it's defences.

"Hmmm, not bad." Karrina mused. "But it's going to take more than that to catch me off guard. Mandibuzz, use Dark Pulse!" The Mandibuzz took to the air and begun flapping it's wing rapidly, creating a horrible aura and flung it towards Glavinug, who dodged the attack and retaliated with an Ice Beam, dealing a fair amount of damage to it's opponent.

"Alright! Now that's what I'm talking about." Jonathan cheered. "Let's do that again, Ice Beam!"

"Not on my watch! Use U-Turn!" Karrina declared. The Bone Vulture Pokémon swooped down at it's opponent, dodging the incoming Ice Beam on the way. It struck Glavinug head on before it swooped back towards Karrina and entered it's Pokéball. "Now Venomoth, let's finish our opponent!" the young lady sent out her next Pokémon, with her Pokémon flitting about near its trainer.

"Gl-Glavinug, use Bubblebeam!" Jonathan called out, a little surprised at Karrina's tactics. The Sea Slug Pokémon launched a barrage of bubbles at the Venomoth, dealing a fair bit of damage to it.

"Go Venomoth, use Sludge Bomb!" the young lady responded, as the Moth Pokémon hurled a barrage of noxious sludge at it's opponent, causing the Glavinug to cry out in shock as it was sent flying into a wall and was knocked out.

"Ahh…not bad, not bad at all." Jonathan muttered, recalling his fainted Pokémon. "Guess it's time to make a comeback, go Brainoar!" the young man sent out his next Pokémon. The Brain Eel Pokémon gazed in the direction of it's opponent, it's calmness slightly unnerving the Venomoth.

"Interesting Pokémon…let's see if it can withstand a Signal Beam from my Venomoth." Karrina commented, as her Venomoth generated a ball of multi-coloured energy and formed it into a beam before firing it at the Brainoar.

"Use Water Pulse to counter the attack!" Jonathan called out, as the Brain Eel Pokémon charged up a ball of water and fired it at the incoming beam, causing the two attacks to collide with each other and explode. "Good, now follow up with Psychic!" the young man added, with Brainoar staring at the Moth Pokémon as it was soon coated in a blue aura. The Venomoth began to panic and attempted to break free from the oppressive aura, but it soon learned that it was unable to. The Brainoar proceeded to raise it's arms in the air, with the Venomoth following suit. Suddenly, the Brain Eel Pokémon flung it's arms which caused the Venomoth to fly into a wall. When the dust settled, it revealed that Venomoth was knocked out from the attack.

"Good move, did not see that at all." Karrina complimented the young man. "But now it's time for a familiar face to make an appearance. Go Mandibuzz." She sent out her Mandibuzz for a second time. The Bone Vulture Pokémon squawked loudly before taking to the air.

"Hmmmm…perhaps a Calm Mind could help things out." Jonathan mused, as his Brainoar shut out all outside noise, and began focusing on increasing its mental strength.

"Talk about a perfect opportunity for us…" Karrina whispered to herself. "Go Mandibuzz, use U-Turn!" The Bone Vulture Pokémon squawked in approval as it proceeded to swoop down towards at its opponent. However things seem to be going too well for her liking; she failed to notice the small smirk on Jonathan's face.

"Use Ice Beam." He spoke quietly, as Brainoar charged up a beam of very cold ice and fired it at the incoming Mandibuzz, causing it to squawk in pain as it was sent back a few feet before falling to the ground, knocked out from the attack.

"This is not going the way I intended…" Karrina muttered, recalling her Pokémon and reaching for her last Pokéball. "Time for us to win this battle, go Sceptile!" the young lady sent out her most powerful Pokémon. She then pressed on her bracelet, as it and her Sceptile were surrounded by a multi-coloured ball of pure energy.

"No-no way!" Jonathan exclaimed, as the ball suddenly shattered and revealed that Sceptile had Mega-Evolved. It's body had grown taller and slightly leaner, the leaf blades on it arms grew longer and sharper, and it's tail grew much longer than before with the tree at the tip shaped like a missile.

"Oh yes way!" Karrina grinned. "Mega-Sceptile, use Leaf Blade!" The Forest Pokémon darted towards it's opponent, it's arms growing a set of bright green blades. It then struck the Brainoar with it's leaf blades, causing the Brain Eel Pokémon to moan in pain as it was sent flying towards a wall, and was knocked out instantly.

"Oh no…that attack was more powerful than I anticipated. Sorry Brainoar…" Jonathan apologised, recalling his Pokémon. "Now it's time to get serious, go Vilucard!" the young man sent out his trusty partner, who materialised from it's Pokéball and chuckled at the Mega-Sceptile. "Use Sludge Bomb!" the young man called out, as the Mischievous Pokémon hurled a barrage of sludge at its opponent, dealing a fair amount of damage to the Mega-Sceptile.

"Heh, is that all you got?" Karrina asked. "Go Mega-Sceptile, use Dragon Pulse!" The Forest Pokémon charged up a ball of pure energy and fired it at Vilucard, causing it to hiss in pain and send it flying back a few feet.

"Ah! Are you ok?" Jonathan asked his Pokémon, whom nodded weakly. "In that case, use Drain Life to recover some energy!" The Vilucard snickered as it ran towards its opponent, with Mega-Sceptile bracing for the attack. However at the last second, Vilucard proceeded to disappear into the shadows, confusing the Forest Pokémon. It began looking around the room for its opponent, unaware that the Vilucard had snuck up onto it's back and began climbing up it. It then proceeded to sink it's fangs into the Mega-Sceptile, causing it to cry in pain as it's energy was getting drained.

"Oh no!" Karrina called out, as Mega-Sceptile began shaking its back in an attempt to get the Villainous Pokémon off it's back. After half a minute of struggling, the Mega-Sceptile managed to dislodge the Vilucard and smack it with it's long tail, sending it flying towards Jonathan.

"Clever move…" Jonathan pointed out. "But I feel it's time we finished this. Use Zen Headbutt!" The young man called out, as Vilucard's head began glowing a bright blue aura and proceeded to charge towards its opponent.

"Mega-Sceptile, use Leaf Blade to finish off our opponent!" Karrina responded, as Mega-Sceptile's blades began to grow and glow and proceeded to charge towards its opponent. The two Pokémon collided with each other, causing a large amount of dust to blanket the field, with both trainers coughing in response. Once the dust had settled down, it showed a weakened Vilucard standing over a fainted Sceptile, who had been reverted back from it's Mega Evolution.

"Looks like you won this match." Karrina commented, recalling her Pokémon.

"Well done Vilucard!" Jonathan praised his partner, recalling it back into its ball as well. "Now then, I believe we had a deal where if I won, you'll tell me all you know about the Hidden Library."

"Quite right." Karrina smiled. "The Hidden Library was built in a secret underground location, most likely to protect it from would be thieves. But here's the thing; as a gang leader around these parts, I have access to a lot of the tunnels here. And I never saw anything that resembled a library in the slightest. Wherever it's hidden, it must be a discrete location." The young lady explained, as Jonathan jotted it down on the notepad.

"Alright then. Thanks for that Karrina." Jonathan said. "Perhaps we'll see each other again."

"Indeed. If we do see each other again, then be ready for a rematch." Karrina replied, as the two trainers parted ways. Crossing her name off the notepad, the young man proceeded to return to his client at the Gearen Laboratory.

Gearen Laboratory

"Hmmm…this is some nice info you dug up." Clyde mused, reading the notepad in his hands. "I take it that you asked all three of them."

"Why yes I did." Jonathan replied. "What I got down was all they knew."

"Based on the information we have here, the library could be in two places. Either under an unknown area of Gearen, or…" Clyde began, before his expression dropped like a bag of rocks.

"Huh? What's the matter?" Jonathan inquired.

"Submerged, underwater…" Clyde continued, his usually chipper expression replaced with a sullen one. "In both cases, I'm royally screwed."

"Why so? Couldn't you get some assistance to help you search?" Jonathan asked.

"That would require a lot of money, which is something I don't have." Clyde explained. "Thanks for helping me out mate, I have your reward here." He handed Jonathan a small box, and proceeded to leave the Laboratory. Jonathan opened the box and saw at least a dozen Great Balls; perfect for catching Team Xen's Shadow Pokémon.

'Now that I got that out of the way, what should I do next? Maybe go to that Sheridan Village that Ren suggested and get my next Gym Badge?' Jonathan mused to himself. 'Either way, it's getting late and I should rest up for the night.' The young man put his Great Balls into his bag and proceeded to rent a room for the night in order to rest up for the next day.

So this chapter didn't have a lot happen in it. I figured that I should do a little 'rest' chapter, where Jonathan takes on the first Hidden Library quest. The next chapter should have some more plot related events happen and depending on the circumstances, may also feature the first battle against Keta.