Book II: Impending Twilight

Chapter 91: Two days

"My time's running low, it's only matter of time until Mew catches on," A voice spoke in the silence of the night. A jolteon wandered around aimlessly as he pondered many thoughts.

"I'll only have one chance at making this work, plus Crimson will be on the move, it's now or never," the false jolteon spoke to himself as he continued to aimlessly wander through the forest.

"There is around eight pokemon to worry about, it's nearly impossible to get him alone," the imposter continued to speak.

"I could kill a few if necessary, but I'll still need to get him in a secluded area, I can only imagine how long this will actually take. Tfff, and if Crimson gets in the way, things will be all the better. I'll have to wait for my chance, it looks like the time has come much sooner than I have planned, things are just getting too rowdy, I just hope it's not too early."

Point of View Flare

It has been quite a while since we arrived in Shalour. Everyone was at a hotel room Alex had gotten, except for Black and me. I guess Black was with his father, and I was out on my own mission, finding that croagunk. I've swept through a lot of the city on my own, but still no sign of any of the WPA members, despite me being a changed pokemon, they all still seemed to make my blood boil. There's a reason why most of their members got killed off, they pissed everyone off.

I continued through the streets where many humans roamed about. This city had a rather upbeat feeling to it. I got the feeling that this was the kinda city where there is always something to do. I could also feel that this was where all the douchy college kids come for spring break, but that wasn't what mattered at the moment for me.

It wasn't until much later that I finally found my target. The croagunk lazily sat on a bench as he looked across the street. I couldn't quite fathom what the Hell he was doing here, I could honestly not care less though, he was my enemy after all.

"Hey you," I called out to the croagunk sitting on the bench. The croagunk looked towards me with surprise.

"Hey, you're that fennekin that was with the boss's son, right?" the croagunk questioned me.

"You have no idea who I am, do you…"

"No, should I?"

"Seven years ago, think back," I responded with agitation as I gritted my teeth.

"Nope," the croagunk simply replied back.

"You took my sister from me and you have the nerve to not remember my face?" I snapped at him as I felt anger eating away at my proper judgement. I wanted to kill this guy so badly, I wanted to burn him beyond recognition for this, I missed my sister and because of him and that absol, I lost so many years with my sister, if she was even alive.

"You," the croagunk said with seriousness as he hopped off the bench, "You're that fennekin that Dawn chose to save all those years back."

"Good you do remember my face. Now tell me, did you kill my sister?" I sternly asked him as I looked him dead in his yellow eyes.

"Hmmm." the croagunk began to process the question as he placed a finger on his chin, "Truthfully kid, I didn't stick around to see that braixen's fate, it didn't interest me and that was Dawn's problem."

"Then where is Dawn?"

"I don't know, that absol is always running around Kalos, she's a busy person, her skills are always being put to use," the croagunk said dismissively.

"I want you to figure this out, I need to speak with her, now," I demanded.

"Heh, don't go bossing me around kid, don't think that I have to deal with your attitude just because Dawn chose to let you live," the croagunk snorted.

"Listen, do you know what it is like to be ripped from your family for so long without a clue to what happened? I just want to know if my sister is alive or not, I can't keep pretending she never existed," I protested.

The croagunk just shook his head at what I said, "Fennekin, I remember that day now. I recall that zoroark choosing to take full responsibility in exchange for your life. So with some honesty, your sister was probably executed."

"Well I need to know the precise truth, not just your theory," I retorted.

"Listen, your sis was one of Team Flare's dogs, we didn't bother keeping many of them alive, so she probably got what she had coming. She chose her path, now stop harassing me," the croagunk said.

"You bastard," I growled.

"I'd watch your tone mister," the croagunk said as he pointed his finger at me, "Technically you aren't supposed to be alive. You're an ex-criminal, don't think for a second that I don't have the right to detain you."

"Don't talk to me like that then," I snapped back.

"Hmmmf, I guess you're still the same fennekin from all those years ago. I'd imagine Dawn did what she did because she still viewed you as innocent, but I guess you were a lost cause," the croagunk spoke.

"You're just looking to start trouble, aren't you?"

"No, no my friend, you are trouble. Team Flare has always been trouble. Nothing but a bunch of assholes who wanted to make the world a better place for themselves," the croagunk responded.

"Screw you," I snapped back at him.

"Heh, see you're just like a Team Flare member. Sure, you may hide it from yourself, but I bet if I got you really riled up you'd be just as cocky and arrogant as any other Team Flare member."

"Just help me find Dawn, I'm not interested in your BS."

"And let's say I do find Dawn for ya, what then? What if she tells you your sister is dead, are you just going to snap on her as well?" the croagunk questioned.

That questioned caught me a bit off guard, I actually didn't know how I'd respond, "I… I don't know, we'll just have to see when the time comes," I answered truthfully.

"Ahh, well we will have to see, now won't we?" the croagunk responded.

"So… So you'll help me?" I said with hope.

"I'll ask Zack what he knows, but no promises."

"Tha-Thank you so much," I responded in surprise.

"Also, I wasn't looking for trouble. I was just seeing how you responded, I wouldn't have been interested in helping a hot head, I would have probably turned you in if you seemed dangerous," The croagunk warned me. "I can tell that you have a vicious side to you, but it seems you kept that under control, as long as you act civil, I'll be happy to keep your background with Team Flare a secret," the croagunk replied. "But, out of curiosity, do any of your friends know who you are?"

"No, I've always kept it to myself. That's a train wreck I don't want to experience."

"I see, I don't really like secrets, but that's your choice, but that secret of yours will unravel sooner or later, I just hope you're ready."

"Well, I'ma try and keep things how they are," I responded.

"And what if your sis is alive, do you plan on leaving your friends?" the croagunk asked me.

"Leave them?" I repeated out loud to give myself a chance to think, "I don't know... I don't know if Annie could stay with us, and if she's alive I just want to be with her… But I also have my own family with Alex's team… I don't know what I'll do. I'll have to think on that if she's alive," I responded with honesty.

"I see, well I'll ask around when I get a chance, till then just wait patiently," the croagunk told me.

"Right, I'll do that."

Afterwards me and the croagunk parted ways. I made my way back to the hotel we were staying in. I could only imagine how worried everyone was about me. I mean, I did disappear in a big city for the majority of the day, but with any luck, everyone had their hands tied with Naomi coming back from the dead.

I made my way to the second floor of our hotel and made my way down a hall that would lead me to our room. Towards the end of the hall I came up to a door and knocked on it. It took a few moments, but the door finally opened up.

"Flare, where the heck have you been!" Alex yelled with concern as he lifted me off the ground and carried me in the hotel. "You know, I was this close to calling the police," Alex said as he made a gesture with his hand on how close he was, while holding me with the other.

"Sorry Alex, I just had some things to do, didn't mean to worry you," I sincerely responded.

"I'm just going to hope that was an apology, please, for the love of God, don't run off like that for so long, this isn't Lumiose," Alex told me as he held me below my forearms and held me at his eye level. "Jeez, usually it's Black who runs off… which wait, he did that earlier as well!" Alex said as I felt his hand tense up from the stress.

"I'm… sorry," I said without a clue on how to respond.

"Just don't disappear, okay?"

"Yeah, I'll try," I responded with a nod.

"Alright, thanks buddy," Alex said with a smile as he placed me on the ground.

I made my way towards the opposite side of the hotel room, which is where everyone would usually be chillaxing, except everyone was now in some circle talking. I approached silently as I tried to catch what they were talking about.

"So, you're telling me your father was alive this whole time?!" Kana exclaimed in astonishment.

"Yes Kana, my Dad is alive," Black said stressfully.

"I… I didn't even know your family was…" Hesh spoke lowly in a way that made him seem disgusted in himself, "Man… no wonder you didn't like my yo mama jokes… and the remark about-"

"Okay!" Black snapped at Hesh, "Will everyone back the fuck off, you all wonder why I don't talk to anyone about this stuff," Black sharply spoke and everyone fell silent for a moment.

"Hey," I blurted out from the sideline, "Umm, what'd I miss?"

"Well... " Hesh began to say as he tried to think of the proper wording, "We're talking about how Black's daddy is still alive… oh and about Naomi coming back like Arceus's son," Hesh answered me.

"Oh yeah, a lot happened today," Kana added in.

"You know… I thought the agreement on you knowing about my family was to keep quiet, not blurt it out loud," Black bitterly said to Kana as he rolled his eyes at her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up, but it was kinda hard not to when your dad appeared out of nowhere," Kana defended.

"Whatever," Black muttered.

"Hey, I said I was-"

"I don't want to talk about this," Black interrupted, "I got a lot on my mind right now."

"Yeah, I bet you'll have some catching up to do with Naomi as well," Hesh spoke, "Especially since you got a thing for h-"

"You're on thin ice, you are on very thin ice," Black growled.

"It's a joke, I actually thought you'd be more excited to see her, you know… cause she just came back mysteriously like that. You don't really seem all that excited."

"Yeah, there's a story behind that," Black spoke.

"A… story…" Kana said with confusion.

"Yeah, I'll explain it later though, I'm not in the mood for this tonight."

"I guess there is a lot to go over, this is a lot of info to take in…" Kana commented.

"I'd say," I added in.

Point of View Naomi

A constant beep rang throughout the silent pokecenter room. I sat on a chair that allowed me to look over Dante's withered body. It hurt so much to see him like this. The doctor said he'd pull through, but he'd need a long time to recover since he's a grass type and the poison did so much damage. Best case scenario, he'll be moving about within four days. If it wasn't for Alex, Dante would be long gone by now. I owed that human a lot, I owed Black a lot too, if it wasn't for him, Dante would be dead and I'd be all alone again.

In the corner of the room by the door stood that one grovyle. Apparently Zack tasked him with keeping an eye on me, until we could talk more. I didn't like him breathing over my shoulder like this, it made me feel uneasy. I don't know what he was expecting me to do though, I wasn't exactly much of a fighter, I'd probably lose in a straight up fight against the grovyle. The grovyle pretty much just leaned against the walls with his eyes closed, but I still couldn't help but feeling that he was still watching my every movement.

Instead of focusing on the grovyle, I directed my attention back to Dante. It was hard to look at him in this shape, he looked so withered, he looked like a plant that was left out during a drought in the middle of july. When he recovers, I hope things can go back to normal as soon as possible, then we can both return home, or maybe even find a new one. Yes, that sounded perfect, a fresh start, maybe a new region where no one will know what I've done, somewhere where I can have a fresh start… but is that what Dante would want? He loves it here in Kalos, and I honestly do as well, but I don't know what to do with all this guilt and resentment towards myself.

"Naomi," the grovyle called out to me, "Zack told me to bring you to him later tonight, so it's time. Your brother will be here in the morning. Do not worry though, we don't plan on doing anything to you, so far we plan on listening to your story," the grovyle spoke to me in his usual monotone voice.

"Sure," I replied as I gave one last glance at my brother and I then jumped off the chair I was on.

Point of View Stark

Four of us now roamed through Shalour city, Vince, Scarlet, and Merrick, and of course, myself. Luckily it was late at night, or we'd attract a lot of attention. A white espeon and umbreon are unheard of, so trainers would be attacking us left and right, not my idea of a good time. Although, I did like the change in scenery. I was very sick of being stuck out in the woods all day and night, it was nice to finally move around for a change, and try and forget that I have limited time left.

"We just have one order of business to take care of tomorrow, other than that, we should have a lot of free time, excluding a few hours a day to prep for our operation," Vincent told me.

"We need to meet with that charmander again, don't we?" I asked Vincent.

"Correct, Aiden the big mouthed charmander that's kinda funny in my opinion," Vincent said as we all continued to walk down the dark streets.

"Funny, how much time did you spend with that charmander?" Merrick butted in.

"I hardly conversed with him, I've been through most of his past, I had to know if he was the one to help us. Sadly for him, he fitted our needs better than I could have asked for. But he'll be free to live his own life soon, he just has to fulfill his primary objective, helping us apprehend Ryder."

"And don't you worry about him running to the police after he gets his trainer back?" I asked out of curiosity.

"I don't think that'll be a problem, I doubt he'll be around much longer after this is all over. He's the one I needed for a reason."

"Let's not talk of this tonight," Scarlet interrupted us, "Things will be intense once we start. I scouted the area, their is WPA members lurking around this city, one of them is Zack," Scarlet spoke, and Vincent quickly turned his attention towards the greninja.

"Zack?" I asked, knowing that that named held some significance.

Vincent turned back towards me, "Zack is the leader of the WPA, also… my father," Vincent spoke to me, and I felt this intel crawling under my skin within seconds.

"Your father, is the head of the WPA?" I questioned Vince.

"He's one of the leaders, and one of the two founders," Vincent answered.

"Then how does one with a father like yours end up where you are?"

"Hmmm, it's a long story. Started as a proposal I turned down many times, but after some life events, I came to some revelations, and I accepted the invitation to join Crimson Dawn, even though I knew what would come," Vincent answered.

"Why go along with it if you knew your family would die?" I questioned.

"That's a long story, perhaps another night," Vincent simply answered.

"You're always dodging around that question," I remarked.

"Anyways, as Scarlet suggested earlier, let's talk about something else, we'll have time to do this later, let's just enjoy the peace while it lasts."

Point of View Gray, the following morning

"I'm happy that the two of us can finally talk, things have been kinda hectic lately," my former leader spoke to me, as the two of us wandered around the streets of Shalour. "But, I do need to ask, how exactly did you end up where you are, no one even knows you're alive," Zack told me, as he watched for my response.

"It's a long story," I warned Zack, "And it's not exactly a happy one either."

"Well, I think it'd be good for you to tell me, after all, a lot of people will need to know of your survival," Zack responded.

"Alright," I said with a sigh, "I'll tell you everything then." For the next thirty minutes or so, I told Zack a detailed version of everything that has happened, similar to the way I told Flare my story. After I filled Zack in on my past struggles, the flareon looked at me with a melancholic look.

"I'm so sorry, it's really depressing knowing that good pokemon go through Hell's like that, it's disgusting knowing that it happens every day," Zack spoke.

"I'm alive though, and I don't intend on dying anytime soon," I responded to Zack.

"Well then, how exactly did you meet my son though?" Zack changed the topic, and looked at me with a curious look in his eyes, instead of the gloomy look from a moment ago.

"Ughhh, Alex my trainer, I believe he caught him one day. I wasn't actually around for it," I told Zack.

"Ah, I don't like the idea of my son being a humans pet, but if he's happy, I'll accept it. But, how do you and my son get along?" Zack questioned me, and the world around me grew dark as my mind went into a panicked state where every memory of me tormenting Black flashed through my head.

'No-no-no, why did you have to ask that! I'm going to have to have a long talk with Black about this,' I screamed within my mind as I tried to remain calm, "Black and I… umm we're mostly just… acquaintances, we've only had a few conversation," I told Zack as another thought ran through my mind, 'Oh Arceus, I am so screwed.'

"Heh, well that's good," Zack said with relief, "But why does everyone keep calling him Black, I don't understand what is up with that, I wanted to say something, but I never got a chance?"

"That's the name that Alex gave Ryder when he was caught, Black hated the name at first from what I could tell, but I guess it grew on him or something," I answered.

"Well it's kinda dumb, why would you name him the color of his fur?"

"Not a clue."

Point of View Aiden

Life is complete shit sometimes… Some days you wake up and get thrown in rings to fight giant pokemon three times your size, just to win a human a cheap little ribbon I could have order off the internet for a dollar. Then, you're forced to go through a freaky ass cave full of freak mimes and rabid pokemon. Well, if it means anything, we did finally make our way to Shalour city. Not that it means much to me, other than being closer to my next meal.

Everyone was lying around slothishly in the hotel room. Erika didn't know the definition of rest, because she's going to throw us in another gym battle in two days… of course after we go through some intense training. To bad we can't do it like they did in the movies, you know, with an epic training montage.

Erika was getting some of her equipment ready before we went out and had a nice sweaty day of training, while she sits on her skinny ass and blurts commands at us. Well, I shouldn't be surprised, this was the world we lived in after all. David was one of the few humans I've seen that actually treated me as an equal, I mean I had my own bedroom, and a flat screen. Now, how many pokemon do you know with a flat screen, most humans don't even have one, why do I get one? Because David was awesome, and now I can't even eat out… Erika refuses to buy fattening food. She makes me eat healthy, and that includes veggies.

After a while, right around when Erika had her stuff ready, she decided to jump in the shower really quick before we headed out. Heh, the lady doesn't realize that I'm taking my first opportunity to get out of here and ditch training. I mean, she saw how bad ass I was at the last gym battle, the little tyrunt didn't stand a chance against my badassery. Now, I just need to distract my two fellow pokemon.

"Hey Juda?" I called out to the balbasaur in a feeble tone. The balbasaur looked over towards me, and saw me weakly grasping my stomach.

"What's up, are you alright?" the gullible fool asked me.

"Dude, my stomach is killing me, like soooo bad," I said as I placed a hand on him for support, "Be a bro and find me something to help out, I think Erika has something in her bag."

"Umm, sure," Juda said as he made his way towards Erika's bag.

"Too easy," I whispered as I quickly made my way towards the door. As I walked past the mienfoo that was meditating on the floor, she gave me a quick glance that was like a dagger. I cringed a bit, but I mostly ignored her. I knew she wouldn't make a big fuss out of things. She was pretty quiet, except when she was being a smart ass.

As Juda continued to look for the medicine, I quietly opened up the door and closed it behind me as I made my great escape. Afterwards, began the gauntlet down the hall where I ran like Hell before anyone noticed. Probably doesn't come off as a surprise that I made it outside just fine. Once in the clear, I began to carelessly walk down the streets of Shalour whistling a song I liked.

It wasn't until I made it halfway down the street that I felt an arm wrap around me. I let out a loud scream as I was lifted up and I was carried away at a ninja like speed. I was quickly dragged behind some buildings, before I was thrown against a dumpster that was behind the building.

"Ah, what the fu-" I began to say, before I looked up at the grenninja with a sword strapped on its back. "Who the Hell are you?" I questioned the greninja before me.

"Don't talk," she replied in a monotone voice.

"Lady, I don't know where you get off kidnapping me, but you're in for a-" I began to speak before the greninja withdrew her sword in a flash, and touched the tip of the metallic blade against my nose, and I let out a fearful meep in response.

"You do talk a lot, just as Vincent told me," the greninja spoke as she sheathed her blade.

'Like I told Black… horrible things happen when I talk to people… now people are kidnapping me off the streets in broad daylight. 'the Hell has this world come to?"

"Do you remember your mission, Aiden?" The grenija asked as she crossed her arms and leaned against the brick wall behind her.

"Ummm," I was all I managed to say as my heart raced, "Something about getting intel on Ryder," I answered.

"And how's that going?"

"Greaaa-bad…" I responded nervously. The greninja let out a sigh as she reached for her sword and looked towards me, "W-Wait!" I pleaded in fear, "I tried, but Ryder keeps shutting me out, the guy just doesn't like me at all," I answered truthfully.

"Then talk, tell me everything you know about him, likes, dislikes, fear, crushes, anything, I don't care, just tell me we didn't completely waste our time on you," the greninja spoke sharply…

"Well, ughhhh…" My train of thought began to shut down as the life or death questioned came up, "Hold on… I-" was all I managed to say, before the greninja planted her foot in my gut. Spit flew out of my mouth as I felt all the air leave my body, and I fell to the ground gasping to get some air.

"I don't have time for your stupidity, get on with it, before I frag you to Vincent and he extracts the info from your head."

"Okay," I groaned as I remained on my knees, " Ryder, the dude has a few friends he sticks around all the time. The fennekin Flare, ummm, I think the absol's name was Gray, he mostly used ice based attacks. A pikachu, I can't remember his name, but I don't think that's important. An eevee that is near useless, the kids like a ghost. There is also… Kana, a sweet jolteon that is really nice, kinda cute also. Then there is an umbreon, her name's Nia, she's also kinda cute-"

"I don't care about your crushes, unless you want to be neutered, I suggest you tell me something useful," the greninja threatened.

"Arceus please no," I begged as I got up and backed away from her, "Okay, I'll tell you what I know, but understand that I don't know everything."

"Then talk," the greninja ordered.

For the next thirty minutes or so, I told this ninja lady everything. I told her about everyones attacks, weaknesses, some things that annoyed Black and etcetera.

"Okay, that's everything I know, are we cool now," I asked the ninja.

"You provided good intel, for a moron," the water type insulted.

"Okay… thanks," I said nervously as I contemplated a serious question, "Hey, can I… ask you something?" I spoke nervously.

"Huh?" The ninja replied as if she didn't really seem interested.

"Well… Can I… Hold your sword, it's so badass, I've always wanted one, but David wouldn't let me, he said I'd kill someone or take my eye out," I said nervously. The greninja's left brow rose as she looked at me with a very bizarre look. Without a word, the greninja unsheathed her sword, and held it out towards me.

"Seriously?" I said in surprise.

"Just don't poke your eye out, it's not a toy," The greninja said.

"Wow, I thought you were one cold bi- ur I knew you were cool," I said with a nervous laugh as I grabbed the sword. I quickly felt the weight of the blade as I struggled to hold it up, but I felt so damn awesome holding this thing. I wonder what I could all cut in half with this thing?

I gave a few practice swings, and after a moment, I handed the blade back. "You know, you're not as smart as I thought," I pointed out to the ninja.

"And what makes you say that?" the greninja asked as she sheathed the blade.

"I could have just killed you, but luckily for you, I'm not that kinda guy," I answered.

"I don't need my sword to fight, it is merely a tool I can discard at any time. It'd be foolish just to rely on one tool, especially when I have my water attacks, along with my body. So no, you don't pose the slightest threat, even when armed," the greninja said in her usual dull voice that lacked any real emotion.

"Ouch," I replied to her automatically assuming I was weak, "You know, I managed to conquer the second gym, practically on my own too. There is a reason my whole team looks up to me," I told a white lie.

"The second gym?" The greninja said as her head cocked to the side.

"Yep," I said with a toothy grin that showed how proud I was.

"I've faced off against members that have fought the elite four. Your confidence is rather humorous though, Vincent was right, you are… amusing."

"ummm... Thanks…"

"But, there is one last thing we need from you, after this you can have your trainer back," the greninja spoke, and my eyes were instantly glued on her.

"What do you need?" I quickly asked.

"In two days, it will be the first night of the next full moon. This will be the night we test Ryder, we will see if he's ready for his true purpose," the greninja said as she looked at me with a serious look, "Your job will be to lure Ryder to us, we don't care how, but get him in a secluded area, and after that, you can be with your trainer again," the greninja told me.

"Wait, what's going to happen to Ryder then, you aren't going to hurt him, are you?"

"Ryder will soon face his destiny, if he's ready, perhaps all the pain will come to an end, but only if he's willing to accept fate."

Chapter End

Author Note: Well, things seem to be progressing towards something, but what? I'd like to thank genericgamer207 for editing this chapter. And I'd like to give another thank you to The Pokemon Melody, since she is being nice and helping me work on the older chapters so they can be as nice as the newer ones. We're actually getting close to having the first arc done (Chapters 1-16). Also, sorry if the story is bouncing between a lot of characters, their is just a lot of content to get out on the table, hopefully it isn't annoying anyone.

Question: Do you think Aiden will go through with helping Crimson?

News regarding my other story that I said was being revamped: As some of you may know, I wrote the story Last Guardian and decided I wanted to start it fresh, I am currently in the writing stage, so I'm putting pen to paper, or finger to keyboard... I'm not one to usually say this, but if you got any ideas or stuff you'd like to say regarding the story, shoot me a PM, or leave it in a review. Anyhoo, I'm not sure when I will choose to release the first chapter, but it's getting close. Thanks.