CHAPTER 10
As the group headed toward the library's front door, they noticed there was a Pyroar standing out front, similar to how Claydol was guarding the entrance to the town. Pyroar looked them over as they approached him.
"Do we need to state our names and business for him, too?" asked Rylan.
"No," Pyroar chuckled, overhearing him. "Claydol has allowed you into the town, so you are free to use our facilities as you see fit. I am just here to warn you—do not leave this library with any books in your possession. Understand?"
"We understand," said Vulpix. The others nodded their heads.
"I'll be able to tell if you do," Pyroar warned, "so, please, no funny business."
"Yes," Vulpix replied.
Pyroar stepped aside, allowing the Pokémon to walk into the library. Zorian pushed open the door, and the others followed. The sight that awaited them inside was even more breathtaking than the building's exterior. Shelves stacked high with books and files, balconies to stand on at the higher levels, staircases leading up to them. This library was made with great care, and it being much cooler inside than it was outside was a bonus.
"Is there an attendant we can speak to?" Nidorina wondered.
"Hmm," Wingul said, looking around. She eventually noticed an Altaria flying around, dusting off the bookshelves.
"You think that's her?" she asked.
"One way to find out," said Zorian. "Excuse me!"
Altaria turned her head and looked down, seeing the group below her.
"Oh, one moment!" she exclaimed. "I'll be right with you!"
Altaria hummed to herself as she gave a shelf up high one last quick sweep, then she made her way down to her visitors.
"Welcome to Blistering Books!" she said happily. "Is there anything in particular you're interested in?"
"Yes," Zorian replied. "We're looking for information about this world's history—stuff that may have happened thousands of years ago."
"Ooh!" Altara chirped. "History is always nice! We tend to keep our books sorted chronologically, so the time period you're looking for may not be hard to find. Our most ancient texts are at the top, and our most modern are here on the ground floor."
"Guess we've got some stairs to climb," Vulpix chuckled. "Thank you for your help, Altaria."
"Enjoy your stay!" Altaria said. "Also, please remember not to take any books with you when you leave."
The Pokémon walked up several flights of stairs, looking at each section of bookshelves as they ascended. They were neatly labeled with the time periods their books were believed to have come from, or contained information about.
"I just realized something," said Rylan. "We don't know when exactly F- …I mean the town existed. How will we know how many thousands of years back we have to look?"
"This was never going to be an easy task," said Wingull. "We'll probably have to check many books."
"I say we split up," suggested Zorian. "Our teams can each take a different millennium. If we don't find what we're looking for, we go to a lower floor."
"Sounds like a plan," said Nidorina.
"Let's see…" said Zorian, looking around. "It appears to go as far as 5,000 years ago. Rylan and I will start our search there. Nidorina, Wingull, you take 4,000 years. Vulpix, Buizel, you take 3,000."
The other two teams turned and headed downstairs to their destinations. As Vulpix and Buizel reached the level containing the documents with 3,000 year old information, Buizel scoffed.
"Giving me orders like that," he muttered.
"Buizel, this is important," Vulpix said, picking up a selection of documents. "We need to find out about the town before more bad things start happening. Let it go."
"Alright," he sighed. "I'll go check these shelves on the other side of this level."
Vulpix continued to browse the papers from the shelf she was already looking through while Buizel walked along the balcony to the shelves opposite her.
"Let's see," he said, trying to find something that looked promising. He started browsing through some old texts.
Suddenly, something seized his attention. He set the papers he was looking through back down. Something was stirring inside him, a compulsion, an urge. He just had to go back downstairs.
No, he couldn't. He picked the papers back up. He needed to find information about Folde.
"Come here, young one," a calm voice whispered in his mind.
Buizel set the papers back down once more, then headed downstairs. Vulpix, who was fervently trying to search for useful information, didn't notice her partner leave.
What was this voice in his head, Buizel wondered. He had to find out. He needed to. Forget Folde. This was more important now. No, don't forget Folde! Something's going on that needs to be figured out! Go back upstairs!
"Not much further now," said the voice.
Yes, not much further now, Buizel thought. He looked around to see if Altaria was nearby. Maybe she would know what's going on. No, forget Altaria. You're almost at the ground floor.
Once Buizel reached the bottom of the stairs, a tentacle waved at him from a dimly lit corner of the room, beckoning him closer.
"Come here," said the voice.
"Yes," Buizel said, approaching the darkened figure. Once he came closer, he noticed it was a Malamar calling him toward her.
"Who are…you?" Buizel asked.
"Just a friend," Malamar said quietly. "You see, I noticed you and your teammate just outside town," she continued, "and I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. You mentioned something about not being able to forgive someone?"
"Rylan," Buizel said. "He used to be a human. He hurt me. His brother helped us, but…I don't know if I trust him, either. Humans are dangerous."
"I see," said Malamar. "And I agree with you. Humans are such despicable creatures."
"They're part of our guild, and I hate it," said Buizel.
Malamar grinned and slipped a tentacle under Buizel's chin. "My dear," she said, "you don't have to put up with that, you know. It's only going to make you suffer. The solution is quite simple. Just get rid of the problem."
"Get rid of-" Buizel started. "No, no, I can't. Aggron would be upset. Vulpix would be upset…"
Malamar moved in closer, gazing into Buizel's eyes. Buizel stared back, completely transfixed.
"Yes, they would," said Malamar, "but isn't your happiness important? I can see it. You desperately wish Rylan and his brother would no longer be a part of your life. Make it happen. Eliminate those whose very presence would cause you misery."
"Can't…" Buizel murmured. His eyes started to close, then he fell into a deep sleep.
Malamar chuckled as Buizel sank down to the floor. "All mine," she said. She scooped up the unconscious Pokémon, then made her way to the exit. "I'd better get out of here before lion boy and cloud bird wake up."