Just like in HBoD, here we have a midway summary and something at the end. But first, to the author's note. LDOC has officially reached it's halfway point! Man, so far this has been a blast to write. Especially in the last couple chapters before this. While I may have switched some things up right before starting on those chapters, I think it was for the better because it all turned out amazing. Believe it or not, Frogadier wasn't supposed to evolve yet. I had something a tiny bit different planned, but the story kinda led me write it this way, but hey, I'm not complaining here. Anyway, enough of the past and time to look forward to the future of LDOC. Since school isn't giving me a whole lot to do for online school, I have a lot of free time still. I will still be working on TMR2 for fans of that, I will actually start typing up the next part after I get done with this. However, I am seriously considering dropping Pokemon Dark. I'm still keeping it up for potential new readers, but I want to know what you all think. Maybe if it gets more traction I may continue it, but I don't know at this point. But, what I do know is that I have some thanks to give out. To past, present, and future readers, thank you once again. I say this a lot, but I still don't think it's enough. It's such a joy knowing there's people out there enjoying my work, so thank you!

Anyway, onto the summary for the next half!

He made a promise. A promise to give Froakie the life he deserved. Now, Greninja has been given new life and his and Zeno's bond has reached new levels. Seeing his mistakes, Zeno knows he can't afford to lose the precious bond he shares with his Pokémon. Hope has risen within him, bringing with it new clarity.

Moves are being made and plans unfolding. Team Radiance draws ever closer to their goal as they reach to uncover the secrets of life. And as Team Flare nears the end with their preparations for the Ultimate Weapon, the Cult of Chaos wanders amongst the shadows, their devious deeds unfinished. The past threatens to repeat itself and no one will see it coming until it's too late.

Time is running out, and Zeno and his friends are more aware of that than anyone else. The deaths of those unable to escape the Cult loom over them like a shadow as they seek to stop those who wish Kalos harm. The end to this journey is far off, but how it will end is hidden behind layers of lies and destruction. Life becomes death, and order becomes chaos. With rivals to face, enemies to stop, and a region to save, Zeno, Alex, and Robert look once more to the uncertain future.

Eve let out a breath, rubbing her arms. She glanced over at her blue haired Technical Officer, Kamake, who was in charge up keeping the machines operating in this frozen cave. While this wasn't her preferred place for a base, Eve knew it would be best to conduct the experiments here, where no one wandered.

"Ma'am," Kamake straightened. "I just finished analyzing the reports."

"And?" Eve prompted.

"It seems," the scientist turned to face her. "The energy Xerneas released was directed towards Laverre City, to a certain trainer."

"Zeno," Eve guessed. "Why him?"

Kamake hit a few keys on her digital notepad and the large screen situated on the cavern wall turned on, showing the battle that had taken place in Laverre. A unique looking Greninja had taken on a what Kamake had called a "Gigantamaxed" Dusknoir and won.

"Look here," Kamake enlarged the screen, focusing on a street. The pixels were blurry, so Kamake ran a scan, clearing it up. There was Zeno.

"So it's his Greninja," Eve raised an eyebrow. "What of it?"

"His Greninja," Kamake shook her head. "When his Greninja was still a Frogadier, it died in the Pokemon Center. Now, the scans read Life particles coming off of Greninja, the kind we only get off of Xerneas."

Eve glanced at the ancient white tree floating in the giant cylinder tank, bubbles floating around it. "So it seems Xerneas gave the little Hero a gift. Should've expected that knowing what he accomplished in Alola."

Eve turned back to Kamake. "Keep doing what you can and make sure you can keep Volcanion alive."

Eve walked up to the smaller tank holding a disfigured human, red hair still visible in the water. She pressed her hand on the glass. "Soon, mother. Soon I will bring you back."

Toodles