DWA: Hey all. How's it goin!? So good news bad news. Bad news is the Curse of Strahd is dead, our DM figured he was over his head with running it and some other stuff happened. The characters still live but not for that. Whenever we use those characters again I'll change the story name to fit. Good News, I'm DMing something else! I am Dming Storm Kings Thunder. I'm not sure I wanna write that yet. Also, quick note, I don't think I'll be using OC's from others in the next arc, each time I do I feel I don't do them justice unless they're a companion. Still not 100% on it but its lookin likely. Anyways, reviews, then story!

Reviews:

Pkmaster777: Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying!

Ch 22: Darkness Looms

-(o)- Time: 4:07 pm, Location, New Bark Town

Lily and Robin had completely flown over the route on the way from Blackthorn, only stopping to rest and for Lunch. The pair landed at the Professors Lab and recalled their fliers.

"So, wonder why he wanted to see us?" Robin said.

"See me, and probably Zack." She said and called out Midnight and Zack, and they walked in.

"Professer!" She called out and Elm came running up the stairs.

"Lily thank goodness, I've been in contact with….with…" He said staring at Zack who politely waved. "…Professor Micheal…" He said. "This adds more complexity." He said and looked over. "Oh Robin, nice to see you." He said. Robin waved.

"Please come with me." He said and walked downstairs. The group followed and on the video screen was another Professer.

"I suppose they arrived." He said seeing Elm, then saw Zack and stared. "It…evolved?" He said

"Yes, first a naturally born Shadow Pokemon, now one that evolves." Elm said.

"Shadow Pokemon?" Lily whispered looking at Robin, who shrugged.

"Ah Lily, it's not wide spread but, in Orre, the region Professor Micheal works, an organization named Cipher closed the hearts of Pokemon to make them fighting machines without emotion. They would easily attack humans and had access to moves that were very powerful, always super effective." Elm said.

"Closed their hearts?" Lily said. Zack looked at his own hands.

[I'm, not like that am I?] He asked Midnight. Midnight looked over and shook her head.

[Not at all.] She said with a smile.

"Zack can't be one, he was born like that. He's always been nice." Lily said.

"Ah yes, we can see about him being one. Zack, if you would step on that platform just beside opposite the screen." Prof. Michael said. Zack shrugged and did so. A light shone on him and a shadowy purple and black aura surrounded him. He seemed, surprised.

"What's that!?" Lily said.

"Probably what they were looking for." Robin said. Elm nodded.

"A shadow aura. It confirms he's a Shadow Pokémon, but…" He said looking to Michael.

"Heart's wide open, never was closed. The aura…is more uniform. Natural. It's almost identical to Ciphers, almost. It's a natural Shadow Pokémon, like you said." Michael said.

"You can step out Zack." He said. Zack did, looking himself over. "No record of this every happening…"

"Is it bad?" Lily asked.

"No no, not in this case. The use of Shadow Moves would technically be illegal, but at the same time wouldn't. Zack isn't illegal as a Pokemon tournament wise as his powers are natural. If one was made a Shadow Pokemon it would be. The issue is there's no way to know if it's a Shadow unless they use a Shadow Move, or perhaps look like Zack." He said

"I just don't understand the how of it all. I could see it in Orre but, in Hoenn? And to not hatch after so long?" Elm said.

"Truly a mystery with no leads. So, shall I keep looking into it?" Michael said.

"Yes, good luck." Elm said. Michael nodded and the screen went dark.

"Didn't seem so urgent." Robin said.

"It was for me, I may have given a license to a trainer using a dangerous Pokémon, and I'm glad that's not the case. Come upstairs, let's chat while you're here." He said. The group went upstairs.

-(o)- Location: Whirl Iles

Alex looked at the Prefab base they had set up, mostly container like modules.

"I can feel it, they're coming soon, a few days at most." He said. "And you Lugia, I know you're near, I can't wait to get rid of you myself." He muttered to himself, holding the Master Ball tightly. He walked into his temporary office. "Everything is going according to plan, no matter how bad it all seems, it's all on the right track, and no one can ruin it, not even a Zenex." He said chuckling to himself.

He stared into the ocean, his mask smiling, a bit darker than it should have been. "Nothing will matter soon, nothing."

-(o)- Location: New Bark Town

"So the light of Evolution was…a light sucking darkness?" Elm asked.

"Yeah yeah! Sucked up the light as he changed it was so cool!" She said and Elm laughed.

"Sounds interesting. Rowan would love to hear of it." He said. "So Robin, how did you meet her?" He asked.

"Ahm…its, not a good story." He said and looked to Lily, who was just energetic, and was now looking down holding her hand over her eye.

"Oh?" He asked. "Well if it's bad I can just forget I ask-"

"I was attacked." Lily said. "A Trainer ordered his Pokémon to attack me, he saved me."

"During a battle!?" Elm said.

"Stormy night in Goldenrod, then again in Cianwood a couple months ago." Robin added.

"That's horrible, we have to go to the police." He said standing.

"It's ES!" Lily said and Elm looked back. "Tucker tried too…he was with them, as was that trainer." She said seemingly trying to clench a fist around the scar.

"But, they're doing something about…Team Rocket…the perfect cover-up to look innocent." He said.

"You believe us?" He asked.

"Engulfing Shadows isn't the nicest name out there." Elm said. "But the police won't help without solid evidence, Tucker was arrested and nothing was found linking him to anyone."

"Forget it." Lily said standing. "Zack, Midnight, we're going." She said. "Thank you for having us Professor, bye." She said and jogged out. Zack and Midnight following.

"Sorry Elm, I'm trying." Robin said following. Elm sighed.

"How could anyone attack a little girl?" He muttered.

When Robin got outside Lily was mounting Tera.

"Guess we're going." He said and called out his Charizard and hopped on and took off with Lily towards Goldenrod. They needed to stock up before heading out to Victory Road.

-(o)- Location: Goldenrod City, Time: 7:08pm

The pair landed at the back of the Pokemon center and recalled their fliers once more. Lily called out Midnight and Zack.

"So, I'm heading to the department store, I'll grab everything we need. You can rest or, do whatever ya want. Or you can come with me." He said.

"I'll walk around, I didn't exactly get to last time." She said and walked off, hands in her coat pockets. Robin sighed. "Stay safe!" He said and walked to the department store. He had a lot to grab.

Lily walked along the streets, looking around. She soon found her way to a…seedier part of town. Less people, made walking easier. She looked into an alley and saw a sign saying underground.

"Ordis, anything around here?" She asked.

"Yes Lily! The Golenrod Underground is known for having rare goods, but can be dangerous. Many…criminal elements tend to hang there. Though you should be okay with Zack and Midnight." Ordis said.

"And myself. I'll see if they have anything." She said and walked in the alley and down the stairs. It seemed like a maintenance Tunnel before coming to a large underground market. Sounds of battle were evident as trainers fought in designated spots.

[Lily its not like you to come here.] Midnight said.

"I know…I'm just thinking right now…we're close." She said. "So close…can you feel it Midnight?" She asked. Midnight shuddered.

[Know that you mention…]

[Let's keep her safe for now.] Zack said as Lily walked along. People eyed her as an easy target, until they saw her two bodyguards.

Plus a kid wouldn't just wander in here.

After walking Lily saw something and walked up to a stall, the owner not paying attention.

"Hey, how much for the disc." She said as the guy looked over.

"Pft, beat it kid. Best leave before someone robs you." He said looking down on her.

"How much?" She repeated. The guy raised his eyebrow.

"For a Dubious disc, 6k." He said.

"It's for a Porygon 2 yes?" She asked.

"Yeah, kinda faulty." He said.

"Ordis?" She asked.

"I would welcome this upgrade, though it has its issues, it's a powerful upgrade in processing power!" Ordis said.

"Oh you have one? 12k." He said with a grin.

"You said six, I'm only doing six." She said with a hard stare.

"Nah you have a need and it's a rare thing, twelve or nothing." Lily glared. Zack looked a bit worried.

"Listen, I've been through hell since coming here, I just want to do something for my Porygon 2, don't make me do something I'll regret when I wake up." She said.

"Oh like what, pout and cry?" He asked. She pulled out her hand from the pocket, shopwing some of the gun. The guy chuckled nervously.

"That is…very fancy…look you're a kid. That and…the piece is enough for the 6k, but I say, get out, ain't becoming of someone like ya." He said and she put her hand back and slapped down the money, he handed her the disk.

"You're a freak." He said.

"Apparently…sorry in advance, I'll feel better when I wake up. Zack, Center please." She said and Zack placed a hand on her, Midnight getting up against Lily, and they teleported to the Pokémon Center.

[Lily…what was that?] Midnight asked.

"I'm…not feeling myself." She said and walked up to the counter. "Can I have a room?" She asked. Nurse Joy nodded and handed her a key. Lily went to her room and tossed her bag and sat on the bed. Here Ordis." She said and set the disc in front of her. Her Holo-caster scanned it.

"Applying Update, please stand by, wait time, 5 hours maximum." Ordis said.

[Are you okay?] Zack said.

"No…how could I be I branded a gun at someone!" She shouted. She fell back. "I wanted to have a fun adventure, I didn't want any of this. I wanted to fight the league, then Giri-fucking-tina came to me and branded me. ES has tried to kill me three times, and I have a gun I can manifest whenever. Why did my brother get the normal adventure?" She asked and rolled to her side.

[Lily…I used to think everything had meaning, every life and death but, so much has me challenging it. Why is this happening?]

"The world clearly hates me." She said.

"Pardon my intrusion." A voice said. Lily sat up and looked to the door, and there was a man, in a black and red tux with a golden mask.

"Giritina…" She said.

"It's almost time Lily. I wish I could say everything will be normal after this but, it won't. You're a Zenex life was never meant to be normal for your family." He said.

"What does that even mean!? Why brand me, why make me suffer!?" She shouted and got up, pulling out her revolver and aiming it at him.

"…You're suffering was not meant, I merely wanted to help a friend." He said.

"So the murder attempts, the pain, THE UNOWN WERE JUST COINCIDENCE!?" She screamed. Giritina looked up at her.

"U-Unown? They contacted you!?" He said, looking…scared.

"Yes! World of darkness…those…red eyes…still scare me, eyes of something full of hate and darkness!" She said.

"…The Unown…never do that with humans. I came to wish you luck but, now I am afraid for the first time…in eons. Hopefully your message is not an omen, but a possibility that never comes true. Good day Lily, I have much to think on." He said and vanished in a puff of smoke. Lily sighed and absorbed the revolver and climbed into bed.

"Good night everyone, tomorrow, we see the dancers." She said and quickly fell asleep, Zack and Midnight setting up beside her, determined to keep her safe.

From anything.

DWA: EYO, long time in between again. I always aim for more than one a month and never hit it. Lily learns about Shadow Pokemon, and has uh, an experience in Goldenrod. She's close to her goal, what will happen on the whirl Isles? Only one way to find out! So, tune in next time, and don't forget to Fav, Follow, and Review!