Theme Song

From light to dark, it seems you've lost (Frank smirking in his office while looking down at Lumiose City)
Can you repair hope, or is this the cost? (The group stares off into the sunset, minus Ariel and Catherine)
Show them your strength, and don't you wait (Greninja throws a Water Shuriken while hopping off a tree, and Charizard collides with Dragonite)
The prize goes to the one who doesn't hesitate (Camera zooms in on Ariel, transitions to Catherine looking at Owen and Ariel's baby pictures)
Some may fall, (The people of Lumiose stare in horror while a body falls off the top of Prism Tower)
But that's what must happen to save them all (Children are running around the various cities playing with Pokemon)
Which power will rise? Is this the demise? (Split screen of Owen and Frank glaring at each other)
It's too late to go back, you must go on (Brooklyn and Daniel battling against Spike and Viviana)
Keep your head up and remain strong! (Freeze-frame of Owen standing with his Pokemon, which includes Gengar and Chesnaught)
It's all or nothing, let your life go... Pokemon!

Ah, it feels like I just started writing this story, and we're already at Chapter 60! At this point, it's a guarantee that this story will top 80 chapters, so we're now in the final quarter. Last chapter, Catherine taught Owen a technique called Mega Fusion, which involves Charizard combining his two Mega Evolutions. Now, this chapter will basically be the calm before the storm (in more ways than one), so let's get going!

Defender31415: I've been waiting for this arc too! It's probably going to be the most intense one of the story (unless you think league battles are better), given the relationship between Frank and Owen, and the ramifications their battle will have on the rest of Kalos

ShadowDragon9000: All aboard the hype train! As for Owen in this chapter, he's going to be at a crossroads of sorts, though I don't want to say anything more for spoiler reasons

Breana (guest): Lol, thank god. I think had Catherine known Frank was going to be a genocidal maniac, she probably (wait, definitely) wouldn't have married him

guest: Thank you! Given the incredible support, I wouldn't be surprised if it did hit 500, but I also wouldn't be disappointed in the slightest if the total didn't reach that number. Anyways, thanks for reviewing!

SomeGuy (guest): Haha, I thought you were older given the thoroughness of your reviews and how well they're written. As for Owen being a master of mega evolution (I laughed at that because it sounds so funny) he'll have troubles with Gengar and her Mega Evolving, so I think that will counteract it, though he didn't have any troubles with Charizard given how long they've known each other. As for her name, I don't know how I thought of it, but it just came to me. As for her personality, I disagree to some extent, as I think it's somewhat of a mix between Owen's playfulness (before this arc) which hasn't been shown off too much, and Ariel's hardass mentality with the whole plan being her idea. But, to each their own. Thanks for the review, by the way! I love responding to them :)

MCMXCV: Maybe. I'm not really sure if I want that to happen

Emboar-Man (guest): I see what you did there, but Pikachu won't evolve

FlameStriker123: I didn't, actually. I'm not too big of a Straktrek fan, so I don't pay much attention when the movies come out :/ And thank you!

SinnohBlaze (guest): Oh, believe me, it won't be easy for them. Even though Mega Fusion's really powerful and all, Grim Reversion becomes stronger with hatred and all, so I think Frank's got Owen in that case

Owen's team

Greninja, (m), level 39, Water Shuriken, Smack Down, Round, Quick Attack, Water Pulse*, Smokescreen*

Charizard, (m), level 72, Flamethrower, Dragon Claw, Seismic Toss, Blast Burn, Aerial Ace*, ?*

Gengar, (f), level 41, Shadow Punch, Mean Look, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch*, Payback*

Slurpuff, (f), level 43, Fairy Wind, Fake Tears, Cotton Spore, Draining Kiss, Energy Ball*

Butterfree, (f), level 37, Tackle, Silver Wind, Psybeam, Gust, Poison Powder*, Sleep Powder*

Tyrantrum, (m), level 42, Dragon Claw, Stomp, Stealth Rock, Crunch, Ancient Power*, Dragon Tail*

Chesnaught, (m), level 41, Mega Drain, Needle Arm, Rollout, Vine Whip, Spiky Shield*, Seed Bomb*

With Professor Sycamore

Hawlucha, (m), level 40, Wing Attack, Karate Chop, Flying Press, Aerial Ace, Bounce*

Pikachu, (m), level 39, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt, Nuzzle, Electro Ball*, Double Team*

"Where have you two been? We've been worried sick!" Catherine shouted at Owen and Charizard, who were covered in dirt and panting slightly.

"We were practicing Mega Fusion," Charizard answered tiredly. "I think we know how to do it pretty consistently." Catherine's anger disappeared and she hugged Owen before he walked towards the campsite, where everyone was sitting in a circle. For some reason, Ariel and Brooklyn were sitting next to each other, but they were quick to move so Owen could sit in-between them.

"What were you up to?" Ariel inquired while opening a bottle of water. The five other trainers stared at Owen until Charizard laid on the ground in front of his trainer, yawning in exhaustion. "Mega Fusion?"

"Yeah, it's really tough, but I think we're getting the hang of it. Right, Charizard?" Owen asked.

"Sure, whatever," the fire type answered while closing his eyes to go to sleep, making the trainers laugh. Before Owen could say anything else, Charizard began to snore, prompting the fifteen year old to withdraw the fire type to his Pokeball.

"At least he'll get to sleep," Owen commented while sighing.

"What do you mean?" Eddy asked while eating a granola bar, giving some to Greninja and Braixen. The two Pokemon nodded thankfully and chowed down on the tiny pieces they were given while Owen slid off the log he was sitting on and used it as a backrest.

"Nothing, it was just a joke," the teen fibbed, which Ariel and Brooklyn sensed, though they didn't say anything.

"Well, we should all start going to bed soon. We've got a long day ahead of us," Ariel announced while clapping, grabbing everyone's attention. The others nodded while Owen decided to stay outside by himself, though Greninja was quick to comfort his trainer. In a matter of minutes, Owen found himself to be the only person awake, aside from Greninja, and he placed his arms behind his head while leaning against the log, his mind racing as he looked up at the night sky.

"Greninja, I don't think I can go through with this," Owen told the water type, who looked at his trainer intently, waiting for the teen to continue. "I mean, Frank's a killer and all, but I don't think I'll be able to kill my own dad. I don't get why I'm the one who has to do it."

"Nin," Greninja said to Owen while shrugging, which didn't make the fifteen year old feel any better. Much to Owen's surprise, Charizard broke out of his Pokeball and stood over Owen angrily.

"You know I hate being in my Pokeball," the fire type growled, making Greninja sweat drop while Owen paid no attention to the agitated Pokemon, whose anger disappeared when he realized the distraught look on his trainer's face. "What's up? You look lost."

"I am. I know I have to kill Frank if I want to bring peace to Kalos, but he's my dad. I'm just confused," Owen said to Charizard, who had a much different reaction than Greninja's nonchalant gesture.

"Well, he tried killing you, didn't he? Clearly he doesn't value your familial connection, so you shouldn't either. If anything, you should be happy that he's going to die," Charizard stated bluntly, making Owen shoot up from his relaxed pose. "You may not want to hear it, but that's the way you should look at this."

"I don't know. Maybe Ariel can do it, or mom. All I know is I won't be able to kill him, regardless of whether or not he's my father. That goes against everything I know and believe in," Owen countered. "You're not supposed to take someone's life, no matter what they've done. Nobody deserves death."

"Let's agree to disagree on that," Charizard said to his trainer. The fire on his tail was beginning to burn brighter than ever just from talking about the man that nearly killed him and his trainer. "Even if you're not going to do it, you still have to battle him. We can turn him in after," Charizard told Owen, calming his trainer's nerves, though not by much.

"Yeah. I'm gonna go take a walk to clear my mind," Owen informed the two Pokemon as he stood up from his seat and began to walk away from the campsite by himself. Charizard and Greninja watched as Owen disappeared into the woods, deciding they'd stay up until he returned.

While he walked alone, Owen stopped once he reached the open field he had trained in with his mother, and he laid down to look up at the stars. His mind continued to race while his heart fought back and forth on whether or not he'd be able to go through with the plan. Owen continued to stare at the sky even as footsteps drew closer to him, and a person laid down next to him.

"Are you okay? Charizard said you went for a walk an hour ago," Brooklyn asked while turning to face her boyfriend, who continued to stare at the black canvas.

"No, I'm not. I don't know what to do," Owen said after taking a deep breath. "I can't go through with the plan." Brooklyn continued to stare at the boy in front of her, and he slowly turned to lock eyes with her. The two stared in silence for a minute before Owen turned away to look back at the sky.

"I'm nervous too, Owen. I know we're not in the same situation, but I'm afraid someone won't make it, if not all of us."

"Hey, don't talk like that," Owen said confidently. "Nothing bad will happen to anyone. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you," the Kantonian said before kissing Brooklyn. When they stopped, the girl giggled and stood up, pulling Owen onto his feet.

"That makes me feel better. Now let's go get some sleep."

Owen nodded and followed Brooklyn back to the campsite before they went into their tents, but Owen couldn't sleep. Now he had another thing to worry about. How would he keep Brooklyn safe?

Well, that's quite the proclamation, isn't it? Next chapter officially kicks off the Grim Arc, and it's going to get intense right from the get go. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll leave here. Till next time, peace out.

1) Predictions for next arcs chapters? (Forgot to ask this one, lol)

Next Chapter: "Waging War on Grim": Invasion day has come, but when everyone prepares to leave, Owen's missing! Despite lacking his presence, Ariel and Catherine lead the group into Lumiose City with the intent of taking Frank down. Without Owen, will they be able to?

Grim Arc

Chapter 62: Double Trouble!

Chapter 63: A Heavy Conscience

Chapter 64: Ariel vs Frank: When Tempers Collide

Chapter 65: Into the Darkness

Chapter 66: Grim Reversion vs Mega Fusion!

Chapter 67: Betrayal for the Better