Chapter 51- Faith

A/N: Bit of warning the way the Dialogue of this portion of the game goes into some Chaos. So… sorry for any confusion, I'll try to make it as clear as possible.

Other than that, this is an original Pokémon Fan Game, made by Amethyst. if you wish to check it out and play the game download it at Reborn Evolved. search for it on your web browser if you want to get to the website.

Time: 00:48 {A/N: In other words, it's past midnight. I don't know why I use the 24-hour clock, I live in the U.S. I just write it as such.}

Location: Seventh Street

Well… This is certainly an ordeal. Where to start… Should it be for the fact that Lucille, Cain, Luna were captured by Team Meteor, and brought somewhere in Seventh Street. Or should it be the foolish bet that was made between Percival and Nero. Yes, how about there.

On Percival's chase to try and chase after Team Meteor to rescue his friends, he came across Nero. Nero was also a part of Team Meteor, but also the twin brother of Lucille. It was clear that Nero didn't like the fact Lucille was captured, but couldn't do anything about it. Percival proposed a bet where the loser would do what the winner said. As childish as it was, it got Nero to accept.

Nero led Percival into Seventh Street, more specifically an illegal fighting arena, the place where they battled… yes, battled, past tense. Though Percival put up a relatively good fight… Nero in the end overpowered him. Using… well one wouldn't think to see a Mega-Absol this soon.

After the battle, Nero started to lead Percival someplace else. Most likely somewhere for Percival to be captured… but the air between them was filled with silence. If Nero was going to command Percival to so something as so told by the bet. Percival wished Nero would at least say something. Though he didn't, Nero didn't even look back to make sure Percival was following him… it was strange.

"*Yaaaaawn*" Nero let out a relatively loud yawn as he walked. Was it because the battle wasn't particularly interesting? No. Was it because it was so late? No, Nero's spent more time asleep during the day, rather night. There was a reason for this though, but not to be discussed now…

"…" Percival however, was getting fed up with Nero's lack of care. He hated this silence between the two them. "What is it that you want me to do?"

"Hmm?" As if just remembering Percival was there. Nero looked back… with a blank stare. "If that battle proved anything. It's that I'm irredeemable."

"…" Percival gave Nero a quizzical look. what did he mean by that?

"I don't know what's going through that idiot's head, but get this straight." Nero looked at Percival with a slight glare, referring to Lucille as he said idiot. "I don't deserve to be "saved", "helped", or whatever the hell your calling it."

"Wh…" Percival was surprised by Nero's brazenness. But… "It doesn't matter what you think, Lucille will—"

"It'll just save her heartache if she gave up on me." Nero responded coldly. "Think about it, I betray Meteor and Meteor is stopped. Then what?"

"Huh?" Percival couldn't stop but to say that… it wasn't something he or Lucille had thought about yet…

"It doesn't erase the past of destruction that I've created." Nero answered. "Even if I turn to your side, it won't change the fact that I'm still a criminal. I'd only be arrested like all the other Meteors who get caught."

"But if you help us. I'm sure—" Percival was cut off.

"Even if by helping you my punishment gets lessened, or my crimes pardoned. You think anyone would like that?" Nero said, "Get real, there is any good ending for me in this whole thing. Betraying Meteor I'll just end up dead. Even if I don't as fate would have it, it'll be the same story as well."

"…" Betraying meteor and he'll die? That wasn't something Percival expected Nero to say, but before he could. Confused, Percival looked at Nero, hoping to know more.

"…" Nero ignored Percival's stare. Continuing on through Seventh Street, the two arrived a giant Metal container. Nero knocked several times, in different spots. A code perhaps?

Creak

The metal door on the container opened slowly, Percival stood wide eyed as he saw Bennett standing there, wearing the same type of robes as Elias. "Bennett?!"

"Percival?" Bennett looked almost as surprised to see Percival down here. "Of all people, I never expected to see you down here. Then again, I suppose this isn't the sort of place someone like me would choose to be either."

"Oh… you two know each other? Great." Nero gave an annoyed sigh. Bennett was a rather new recruit, one that Nero just found awkward to interact with. Was it because Bennett believed Elias' promise so easily? Or something else entirely? Nero didn't particularly know, his instincts just screamed to not trust Bennett.

"Right, Nero… you were the one knocking." Bennett realized he was there as well. "We've been expecting your arrival… though shouldn't you—"

"Solaris sent me ahead." Nero answered.

"Ah, of course." Bennett nodded, letting the two in. starting to guide the two deeper into the sanctum. Percival noted how the door didn't appear to have any personnel operating it. "Oh, that the door is set to open with several knocks at sensors. I was tasked with gathering some supplies for the ritual, as you arrived."

"Oh…" Ritual… Percival didn't like the sound of that. but before Percival could say anything about that… a small noise came, and two had noticed that Nero was now on the ground.

"Um… Nero? Are you quite, all right?" Bennett asked the boy who was face first in the floor.

"*Mumbles* Peachy…" Nero said as he got back up. "Just tripped on a rock that's all."

"Ah is that so?" Bennett nodded. Though neither him or Percival checked to see if that was true.

"Um… Bennett, um why did you… Join?" Percival tried to inquire.

"Ah, Elias had previously promised me something. And it is my desire to get what was promised." Bennett had been honest when answering Percival.

"B…But don't you know who you're with? Team Meteor has been making a mess of the whole city!" Percival responded, desperate to try a change Bennett's mind.

"Yes, there has been some difficulties with that. But from what I've heard a lot of these major attacks are due to Lin." Bennett continued. "I had heard from others that it was rather different before she was in charge. I'm sure Nero would be willing to elaborate, he's been here longer than me after all."

"…" Nero gave Bennett a tired glare, but answered. It was a still a walk to the sanctum, even with the door. "Fine, I'll agree. Before Lin became leader, it wasn't as excessive as it is now. Sure, we caused some earthquakes, destroying Reborn's Economy, got some people hurt. Sure, but nothing drastic like bombing a train, planning on bombing a Gym, creating forests in the city, or attempting to set off a nearly active volcano."

"…" Percival paled… had been present during most of those events. He and Lucille only survived the train explosion due to Ame's warning and pulling them off at the last second. He had heard, and helped stopped the attempt of bombing of Julia's powerplant Gym, He even stopped the PULSE Tangrowth. Barely being able to stop the PULSE Camerupt from taking out Apophyll. He had thought Meteor just wanted the City destroyed… but that was more of Lin's goal.

"Nero do you know why Lin is going so far? I understand that end justifies the mean. But I'm curious to see Lin's reasoning." Bennett asked, he was a part of this as well, but didn't particularly know.

"You think I know what goes on in her mind?" Nero was rather appalled in learning that… It didn't help that in Team Meteor, Nero was declared Lin's favorite.

"but—" as Bennett was going to continue.

"Listen, I don't know. I don't care about whatever the rumors are. At the end of the day, she'd kill me just as easy as any grunt." Nero responded. Walked off a bit farther… but as he walked, he remembered something else. "You know… there is one thing I've found odd about Lin. It's that before I went to the "good Doctor's" Orphanage, there was apparently a girl with that same name."

"There was?" Percival was generally surprised to hear this. Charlotte, Laura, Anna nor Noel said anything about this before.

"Interesting." Bennett analyzed, what Nero said.

"She was apparently manipulative, and good at find secrets and extorting those secrets. Not too different than our 'Glorious' leader." Nero said, "Though from what rumor said, she did something against Sigmund, something that got her in a heap of trouble."

"…What happened?" Percival found this story rather odd…not just him either…

"Hell, if I know. She was long gone by the time I got there. Kids rumored that Sigmund killed her. But who knows, I escaped. She could have as well." Nero shrugged,

"…" As Nero said that, Percival and Bennett gave each other a look.

"What? Don't tell me you think that she's the same person?" Nero asked, completely stunned at their ridiculous idea. "Keh… well, I would have thought so too, but the Lin from the Orphanage was apparently about as young as Anna and Noel." But Nero thought back to Sigmund meeting Lin. "Though… with the way Sigmund looks at her, you'd think I'd be wrong."

"…" Percival stayed silent as he remembered that area below the Grand Gates. If it was possible for Adrienn to be trapped in time… what's to say, it couldn't accelerate one's time. Though… why would she do this, Percival couldn't answer.

Soon enough Bennett, Percival and Nero entered a room. This was the Subseven Sanctum, a religious placement for Team Meteor. As Nero walked past a pillar by the side, he noticed something. "Hm… Hey!"

Percival had barely any time to look as his arms were suddenly pinned behind his back. "What the?!"

"Sorry about this, Percival." Bennett turned towards Percival with a stern face. "I am merely doing what is best for my future, and for Luna."

"And you have done well, Bennett." Came a familiar old man with white eyes, Elias. Behind him were several more cultists. "Continue your diligence, and I will surely secure a position in the Elite Four for you."

"Yes, of—" Before Bennett could thank Elias, there was a shout.

"Hey! Elias! The hell is this?!" Nero shouted; Percival turned his head. Noticing that Nero was in a similar situation.

"It would be best to bind you." Elias said coldly to Nero. "It'd best to be rid of you now, before you cause any problems."

"Problems?" Nero was dumbfounded at this.

"Problems as your betrayal." Elias said, causing Percival to look surprised… was Nero to betray Meteor now?

"Betrayal?!" Nero scream, insulted at the accusation. "What are you mad?! I'd never betray Solaris."

"You say that, but your actions say otherwise." Elias motioned to Percival being upon this location.

"Tch… I'd never betray Solaris." Nero declared again. Anger in his eyes.

"Then you won't mind if we eradicate any memory of that swine Radomus from, Luna and your sister." Elias said, "Hopefully, after that they'll know where their loyalties lie, and return to the light."

"…" Nero flinched when Elias mentioned Lucille, but forced himself to not do anything. "…Is this because I attacked two cultists two years ago before I joined? I'll repeat again, they attacked first!"

"Hmph." Elias turned away from Nero, said to Bennett. "Throw them into cells. Ideally separate from each other. Both are crafty in in their own ways, placing them together will only hasten any escape attempts."

"Yes sir." Bennett bowed his head as four cultists surrounded Nero to take him away. Then turning to Percival and the Cultist binding him. "Percival, if you would follow me? Not that you have much of a choice."

Time: 1:12

Location: Subseven Sanctum

Percival found himself in a cell, unsure what to do… he'd come this far and to do what? Be captured? This wasn't what particularly what Percival wanted, and from what he saw… it wasn't something Nero would guess to happen either. Percival frustrated with himself, kicked the bookshelf the cultists left in his room. The bookshelf was probably to convert people to their cultish beliefs. Oh, if a certain purple haired boy was here, he'd feel a sense of nostalgia.

As Percival kicked the shelf, a book fell out. Opening itself. Percival sighed as he moved to place the book back. Taking a quick glimpse on the pages contents 'When one door closes, another opens. And there shalt come a day as foretold by the prophets of old, and on that day, it shall come to pass: Our world shall end. "Light shall consumeth all within its cleansing fires." - Arceus 23-3'

"when one door closes…" Percival mumbled, looking at the irony of how he was trapped. Though he didn't particularly like the second part of the passage. 'our world shall end.' It sent shivers down his spine…

Creak!

"!" Percival jolted to see the door to his cell open. Just before he could question it as a consumed foxlike Pokémon with black and red fur suddenly appeared before him. "What the?!"

"Zora." The Zoroark was one of Nero's Pokémon. Hela, had appeared before him. Freeing Percival from his cell.

"…" Percival stood there perplexed as the Pokémon beckoned for him to come. Thoughts like "(Could it be a trap?... Or rather… how did she…)" Percival thought hard to think of when Nero sent out Hela, but nothing came to mind. Nero's level of deception was higher than Percival's perception. Feeling as he had no choice, Percival followed Hela.

Hela led Percival through the halls of this Sanctum. Several times a cultist had walked straight past Percival and Hela as if they weren't seen. As a matter of fact, they weren't. Hela's illusion abilities were rather top notch, and from the earlier battle… Percival knew how well she could turn herself invisible. While they walked through, Hela brought Percival to a place where his Pokémon were kept. Not only was his there, but also Luna's, Lucille's, Cain's, and especially Nero's.

"…Did you break out of your pokeball?" Percival question, sure he's seen it happen with his own Pokémon once with Steel. But Pokémon rarely forced themselves out of their Pokeballs, or rather were they strong enough to do so.

"…" Hela made a shrugging motion, letting the idea to be left to Percival. While Percival grabbed the belt of Pokeballs for his friends, so he could return them. he noticed, Hela making no motion to grab Nero's team. while he thought it was strange, Percival reached for it thinking to help Hela. Only to receive a quick slap from Hela. "zor."

"…" Percival was curious, as Hela beckoned him away from Nero's team. Ah… so he won't be joining, but helping whatever way he can…

As Percival and Hela left the room, there was an announcement heard throughout the sanctum. "Attention all sentries! Worship service will begin shortly. Please make your way to the inner most sanctum at this time."

"…" Percival heard a small grunt coming from Hela as she pulled him along. From what was understood, it didn't sound like they had much time. The two continued through until they started to reach an area where candles seemed to light the way. as Percival continued, Percival barely noticed as Hela retreated into the shadows, leaving Percival to be once again, alone.

Following the hall, he noticed several figures up ahead. Though the most important ones, Elias standing firm as he spoke in an old an ancient language. While Luna was chained to a table with a circular design on it that seemed to change color as Elias spoke. Of to the side was Lucille and Nero, both in shackles.

"Ah…" Lucille quietly gasped as she noticed Percival coming towards them

"Ah, Percival." Though it wasn't as quiet as she thought as Elias stopped and looked at Percival. "You are not only foolish, but impudent to disturb our practice."

"Percival?" Luna called out, surprised to hear that he is now here. A small bit of hope entering her voice.

"Hmph." Elias grew annoyed at Percival. "If you truly so desperate to flee your cage, I will permit you to watch. However you will ONLY watch. Bennett?"

"!" Percival couldn't contain his surprise as he saw Bennett come from the shadows holding a blade to Cain's throat. Percival bit his tongue as he realized he couldn't do anything.

"Move so much as one muscle, and I'll have my assistant put an end to your friend here." Elias stated coldly, one wrong move and Cain would be dead.

"Ughh," Cain groaned, annoyed how his position was. "If you're going to have me tied up, at least ask for my safe word."

"…" Bennett scrunched his face, clearly tired of Cain's sexual meanings. "Please stop talking like that."

"I'm not taking orders from you~" Cain said matter of factly, not caring for the knife near his throat. "You are soooooo not my type. What is your hair even doing?"

"My time is better spent on studies than on perms, thank you." Bennett deflected the question. Probably as he didn't know what his hair did.

"Enough." Elias silenced the room. Slamming his cane onto the floor of the chamber, as he did the table Luna was on changed color, showing a ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, and an amethyst purple. "I will not permit you to desecrate this holy place with your indecorous babbling. Let us proceed with the ritual." Elias looked down onto Luna. "Luna, once and for all, we shall cleanse your mind of the taint that is the swine Radomus. You will remember me as your true father."

"You're NOT my father!" Luna shouted at Elias. "Please, release me!"

"His poisoned has warped your mind." Elias responded, "Luna, my daughter, return to the light."

"Stop saying that!" Luna screamed back.

"Defaeco, Purgo… Silentum, Pupa." As Elias started to recite words of old, again the air seemed to shift. "Let the Lord Arceus fill your soul, and mind. Embrace the light. Be cleanse—"

"I think that's about enough of that." A cultist with a familiar voice shouted as he moved to Elias, the previous atmosphere dissipating.

"Lights!" As this voice called the candle light seemed to dim, "Cameras!" Teleporting in was an audacious Gardevoir. "Draaama~" Gardevoir sang as she teleported about the room, teleporting the cultists away. Leaving Radomus, Elias, Percival, Cain, Bennett, Luna, Lucille and Nero still in the room. "Bye bye now~!"

"Master!?" "Radomus?!" Lucille, Luna and Percival had all shouted in surprise to see them. here.

"And if you don't mind, we'll be taking this back." Radomus said, snatching the amethyst pendant from Elias. When the hell did, he get that?!

Gardevoir quickly teleported as fast as she came, moving right between Cain and Bennett. "Bennett, darling, would you mind stepping away from the pretty boy?" Taking the knife away, without hurting Cain, she pushed Bennett to the ground. At the same time using her psychic powers to snap the ropes binding Cain.

"Gardevoir, how could you? After all we lived together with my mom?" Bennett was stunned, feeling completely betrayed by Gardevoir's sudden appearance.

"Percy! Help me release Luna!" Cain called over to Percival, as they both rushed to the table that Luna was bound to.

"Crap chains…" Percival grimaced as he didn't find any keys to unlock anything with.

"This would be easier if we had a lock pick or something!" Cain growled annoyed as he picked up the knife in hopes for an attempt to lock pick the lock, though it was proving too thick to do so.

"…" Nero looked about the chaos of the room, seeing how troubled Cain was. Nero secretly kicked over a candle stand. It fell revealing a thin sharp point, something useful for lockpicking.

"…" noticing what Nero did, and the direction he kicked it. Lucille picked up the candle stick, throwing it to Cain. "Cain!"

"Ah!" Cain shouted as he caught the stick noticing the point. "Nice going Lucy~"

"Everyone…" Luna smiled as her friends were working to help her.

"Unhand me at once swine!" Elias shouted as he pushed Radomus off of him. Desperately trying to grab the Pendant. "Return that Gem."

"Hm?" Gardevoir who was looking at Bennett seemed to recall something. "Oh, I suppose you did live there too. I was only there for Luna, of course, and you were always shut up in your room. How rude!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Radomus responded to Elias, holding the pendant dearly. "This Amethyst Pendant is very important to me in particular, you see."

"And to be honest, dear Bennett, I never liked the way you looked at Luna anyway." Gardevoir had continued to lecture Bennett.

"Yet, I have already reported I obtained one of the keys… Nero do something!" Elias shouted.

"How?" Nero raised his shackled hands. "Not to mention I don't have my Pokémon!"

"… So be it. Although I did not want to do this, Luna, I must take this back." Elias growled, grasping for an emerald Brooch on Luna's clothing, ripping it off.

"That's—" Luna's eyes went wide as the Emerald Brooch was taken from her. "Give that back! It was a gift from my father!"

"I AM your father, you ignorant little girl." Elias snapped at Luna.

At the same time, Bennett yelled. "Shut up. How I look at Luna is nobody's business but my own."

"Got it!" Cain shouted as he and Percival got Luna out of her chains. Quickly moving to Lucille. "Now for you Lucy."

"Gracious…" Luna gave a sigh of relief as she rubbed her wrists.

"And what if it makes her uncomfortable? Can you really get off thinking like that?" Gardevoir continued to question just loud enough to gain the attention of Percival, Cain, Lucille and Nero. "Oh, but perhaps you really do! Is that why you were always in your room with the door locked?"

"…" all Cain, Lucille, Percival, and Nero gave Bennett a judgmental stare.

"It's not like that!" Bennett shouted.

"I should hope not, Bennett, for your own sake." Elias had said, who was already in a foul mood.

"That's enough, Gardevoir." Radomus called to his Gardevoir, who nodded in response. "No need to torment the poor boy. He's confused enough already. Or he must be, if he's sided with someone like Elias."

"Excuse you." Elias responded insulted. "I do the Lord's work."

"And you wonder why I deny him." Luna complained to any of Lucille, Cain, Nero, or Percival. Any of them who would listen.

"Strange, too, isn't it?" Radomus looked at Elias quizzically. "That someone so scientifically-minded like Bennett should be in a place like this?"

"I just want what's best for Luna." Bennett shouted trying to defend himself.

"Oh, well then chain her right up!" Gardevoir couldn't have put more sarcasm into that statement. "Are you kidding me?!"

"Consider what's truly best for her." Radomus stated, with a hanging voice that impacted more than just Luna. "Is blood stronger tie of family than those who care for her?"

Gardevoir quickly teleported next to Luna. "Of course, no one could be closer to my dear Luna than I~ Isn't that right?"

"What do you mean by 'blood'?" Luna once again returned to deny any possible reason for Elias to be her father. "You are my father, Master. I know no other."
"Even in these sacred halls, your perversion abounds." Elias growled loudly.

"I've heard that one before!" Cain remarked as he finished unlocking the shackles for both Nero and Lucille. then turning to Radomus. "But aren't we overstaying our welcome?"

"I believe we are." Radomus nodded, turning to Elias. "Good bye, old friend."

"Hang on tight, everyone~" Gardevoir shouted, as a bright light started to shine. In a flash Radomus and his allies had escaped from the Subseven Sanctum.