Pokémon Radiant Sun


Another chapter that ended up way longer than I expected. Ah well.

So, more Ultra news from the Pokémon front. Looks like we've got some more peeks at what to expect.

From what I could tell, we may get Z-Form Lillie from the get-go, some new baddies that may or may not be the old baddies, and more Pokémon than ever in this game. Oh yeah, and Mantine surfing and new trials. Sounds like fun, so yeah. I'm hyped! Looks like people are either interested or pretty hyped for the new games, so let's hope they continue to deliver just like Pokémon always has. Thanks for the feedback on the polls and in the review section. It's always nice to hear what people think.

Also, apparently Brock and Misty are back in Pokémon, which I've known since I reconnected with the outside world again, but from what I can tell that's not totally awful? They can both use Mega Evolution and Brock's apparently got the abs of a god now. Seriously, if he was so desperate for women in the show…why didn't he just take his shirt off more?

Anyways, this is getting into the weird fanfic territory, so I'll get back on track. I will say that I plan on catching up on the anime, since it wasn't too bad the first two episodes I saw. More on that later.

This has been a pretty awful week for me in terms of writing, since I've been waylaid by a really annoying cold that's been making me absolutely miserable. Couple that with being a bit busier than usual and this being a very hard chapter to write, it culminates in this going up today instead of Saturday, which is what I usually aim for. Hopefully this next week will go fantastically and I'll be able to get next chapter out with less trouble.

This chapter is honestly kind of a hurdle of sorts for me because we're going to be on track to get to Akala Island. As much as I want to finally get to that arc, there's a whole crapton of things that need to be covered before that happens, so…in a nutshell, the struggle is real. It'll be a few more chapters before we get there. But I'll get us there eventually, I promise.

Also, a quick note on something that's come to my attention. I'm aware that it's a serious problem that I can't really solve at the moment.

Because of the long hiatus I took from this story, I've forgotten some of the small details and history contained within, as well as some of the running jokes I've created. For example, I had completely forgotten that Rotom played music during certain times until a recent review reminded me of it.

Which worries me because this chapter contains a lot of backstory and I don't want contradictory statements floating around. So this chapter as it stands is how things went and happened. I of course have combed through chapters already, but its possible I still messed up. I plan on re-reading the story in what spare bits of time I have now so I can correct this massive error and make corrections to fit this chapter if needed. However it's possible that my mental flow chart is fine and nothing will need to be changed, so we'll see how that works and I'll let you all know how it goes.

I apologize for this lapse and hope you all will continue to be patient with me as I continue trying to get back into things. I only realized how much I'd forgotten my own story when I was struggling to remember things that were major points that needed to be addressed.

If any of you do spot any contradictory statements, feel free to message me about it so I can make a note of it. I hate the fact that I have to mention this, but fresh eyes will find what I may not be able to.

Shoutout to the lovely folks who reviewed since the last update, which includes Cottonmouth25, BouncingFish, Sai Og Sus, Madame Rodoshe, Raikou927, Anasazi Darkmoon, The Dragon Legend, Gokan123, GeekyGamer314, Ignaci0, and BraviaryScout. Thanks for the support and feedback. As always, it's amazing and means the world to me.

This chapter has a lot of interesting things and the title is definitely a reference that a lot will recognize. So let's get into the thick of it.

Enjoy.


Chapter 31: Thus the World Shall Turn to Ash


Sun took in the tired expression of his mother, usually so bright and alive but now she looked older and more uneasy than he had ever seen her before. It was as if recalling the memories of her husband physically pained her. But if it was half as painful for her to dwell upon those memories as it was for Sun, then he could understand why. It was why they had put off this conversation for as long as they had. Sun knew snatches and bits of information, and now he'd get the full of it.

"Alright…So where do you want to begin?" Sun asked his mother. Laura crossed her arms, thinking about it.

"I suppose I can start at the beginning. As you know, I met your father one day in Kanto when I just starting out as a Pokémon Trainer. As you know I didn't grow up wanting to be a Trainer. I had a pet Meowth and that was the extent of my drive to experience Pokémon. My true passion was teaching, so while my friends gathered badges I went to school."

"Sounds like you had a boring childhood, Mom." Sun noted as his mother gave him a wan smile. Sun recalled his grandparents on his mother's side of the family with fondness, as they had doted on him when they lived in Celadon City. Sun reflected for a moment and realized that he had never met his father's parents. Perhaps they were still alive and in Alola, the region his father came from?

"Maybe I did have a boring childhood. My grandparents were a bit like your father in some regards. They were overprotective and didn't care much for Pokémon Training. My parents supported me though and things went well, and I got my degrees and started teaching around the time most people had given up on Pokémon Training when they realized Lance was unbeatable in his prime and Blue and Red were even more intense. Things continued in that fashion for a while until one day, years later…I started feeling restless and became unsatisfied with my work."

"Restless?"

"As if I was stuck in a rut. I loved my job and helping educate children and help them learn about the world around them…But then I realized I myself had experienced so little of that world. I felt closed in, trapped by the very walls I created for myself. So I decided then to explore the world and expand my boundaries. To learn as much as I could so I could teach others even better. So I grabbed my Meowth and went on an adventure."

"And along the way you met Dad." Sun noted after a short pause.

"Yes. I had been travelling around Kanto for a year at that point, not competing in the Gyms are anything just exploring with my team, and then we met. He was looking for a place to begin expanding his business and had partnered with a large corporation in Celadon at the time. We had a battle in one of Celadon's battling parks and we became friends. After that…Well, things went their course. We realized we felt more for each other, dated for a while, and then a little while after that we got married and had you." Laura continued as Sun closed his eyes, thinking back.


"Sun..."

"Yeah Daddy?"

"What do you think of when you look into the sky?"

"Is this going to be one of those talks where I learn a lesson, Daddy?"

"…It was going to be. You kind of saw through the act, so I'll postpone the lesson."

"Well…I think about birds!"

"I expected that." Sun's father chuckled finally, leaning back against the wall as his seven-year old boy grinned up at his father, who regarded the boy with warm storm-grey eyes. The man himself had a faint mustache and had short black hair, spiked back with gel. The two of them had been nestled away on the second-story balcony of their home, watching the clouds. Overhead a Fearow and about two dozen Spearows soared through the sky, cawing to each other and making Sun's smile widen in joy.

"Well, at least you think about something happy. It's always good to have something that can put you at peace." Dad said as he shut his eyes, only for the man to grunt in pain as Sun clambered onto him with a laugh.

"What about you Dad? What do you think about to make you happy?" Sun asked his father cheerfully, sitting in his Dad's lap as his father opened his eyes. The man considered the question for a moment before chuckling.

"I enjoy snow, actually. Ice. There wasn't much of the stuff back home, so when I went to Unova once and got to experience winter there…I was blown away by the sheer beauty of the snowfall. The frozen lakes, a world gone to a standstill..." Sun caught could hear the happiness in his father's voice as he recalled the memory, a content smile on his face before he laughed to himself.

"Of course, with the business growing every month the way it is, I don't have time to appreciate the little things. I'm grateful I do have time for you and Laura though." Sun laughed as his father ruffled his hair with a grin, leaning back against the wall as his child hugged him tightly. Suns' father returned the embrace and the two of them sat together and enjoyed the day, with Sun dozing off a short while later.

Sometime later, Sun awoke with a start and his father flinched as a woman's voice echoed out from the elegant two-story villa that sat nestled beside a hilltop on the nicer side of Celadon. The villa itself looked like a palace of sorts, designed with elegant sweeping archways and winged figures of Pokémon decorating the white and black building. It looked more like a king's castle than the home of a businessman and a teacher, but it was the life they lived.

"Ash!" yelled the voice as Sun shook his head blearily.

"I think I'm in trouble." Sun's father remarked dryly, leaning back against the wall.

"What'd you do this time?" Sun asked.

"I think I forgot to call her and let her know we were home. She's been worried ever since that report about Team Rocket cropped up." Dad said, though he added a moment later, "Which I understand."

"Ash!"

The glass door that led to the balcony opened a fraction of the way and Damien slipped out of it, slinking towards them with a disgruntled look on his face.

"Hiya Damien!" Sun said happily to the Pokémon. Damien nodded at Sun before looking at his Trainer.

"Gonna pretend I didn't hear her." Dad stage-whispered as Damien shook his head unapprovingly, padding away a moment later.

"You're going to give our position away, you stupid mutt." Dad said to the retreating Pokémon, who gave no sign that he had heard his Trainer aside from his ears perking up slightly as he departed.

"Dad, Damien really isn't having any of your nonsense today." Sun pointed out, grinning widely. He had always found the strange dynamic that his father and his starter Pokémon had to be funny. Sun knew that despite that, the two were unmatched on the battlefield. Sun had gotten to watch his Dad battle one time and it was against his Mom. As strong as Mom was, Dad had been even stronger and knocked out half her team with just Damien only a short time ago.

"Eh, he's used to my nonsense. Even Pokémon have a limit to the amount of crap they'll take." Dad replied with a chuckle as he ruffled the hair of his child once again. Sun giggled as his Dad handed him the thick book he had been reading technology advancements in Kanto over the past fifty years and the man continued reading to his child. This went on for a few minutes before Sun asked his father a question.

"Dad, you're so successful and awesome…but why do you study and read and stuff? Aren't you already super good at everything?" Sun asked.

"Well…I am to an extent. You see Sun, I may be generally well-rounded and blessed with great intellect, I am never satisfied with just being good or great. I want to continue to grow, to become better and better and never stop trying to achieve a new best. It's the trainer mentality, which to my surprise I find I still have despite everything. And because with the work I do, I can help people. I like helping people, Sun, especially if it means that the evil ones in this world are held at bay if I help those who can make a difference. Like designing new protective equipment for police officers and funding medical research on Pokemon diseases. Do you understand?" Dad said to Sun, looking down into his child's young but intelligent eyes. The boy slowly nodded, though he became confused a moment later.

"Evil ones…" Sun muttered, becoming thoughtful. Dad sighed deeply, putting a hand on the head of his child and replying in a low voice.

"Sun…my little Sunshine…there are heroes and there monsters in this world. My job is to try and help this world as much as I can. Whether that's with the resources I have at my disposal or just by insuring the right investments are made in the right areas and technology. I want to save this world from the monsters, no matter the cost, but do it in my own way. A way that works…My dream, my Sunshine, is for peace. No more pain and suffering. No more criminals running around unchecked…this world will finally be at peace, as it should be. I study and continue to grow because I fight every day for a better tomorrow."

"Sounds pretty awesome, Dad." Sun remarked with a wide grin. Sun's father couldn't help a grin at his child's description of his dream. Thanks to the schooling that both he and his wife had given him, free of distractions of course, Sun was quickly becoming a very intelligent child capable of keeping up with adults decades older than him. Sun may not have been able to always understand what was going on, but he would just keep watching his Dad and he'd get better in time. It was like Pokémon Training in a way.

"You bet it does. I'm gonna change this world, my boy. It'll take a while, but someday, somehow…I'll make a future where we don't need heroes to step in to save us. Just watch me…"


"And sometime before all of this Dad began teaming up with Cipher." Sun remarked, earning a nod from his mother.

"I learned much of this later through some journal entries your father had left on his main home computer. There's so much there, but I'll try to cover the highlights. Your father became allied with Cipher shortly before arriving in Kanto, where he met me a short time later. While this alliance didn't benefit him for a while, according to him this was a decision he had decided to make because he felt it was best for his business and for the world. Your father's interest in Cipher stemmed from their actions in Oore, where their defeat at the hands of Wes was broadcasted all around the world from Realgam Tower. Your father was facinated by the science Cipher experimented with and believed with their knowledge and his funding, he could revolutionize many fields and bring his dreams to fruition." Laura continued, looking up at the ceiling contemplatively.

"By science, I mean the Shadow Pokémon. Pokémon who are tortured and manipulated until the door to their heart is shut artificially. They become monsters, fighting machines that have no show no mercy. They're notorious for having little restraint and can even attack other Trainers…even their own."

"My friend Hugh and some of his friends told me about some of the stuff with Cipher. They spent a few years in Sinnoh after Wes stopped them the first time. Wes followed them and fought them there, right?" Sun asked his mother, receiving a nod.

"Yes. After they got rid of Wes in Sinnoh, from what I understand, they returned to Oore and nearly claimed the region as theirs again, but they were stopped again by another child. Somewhere around this time your father encountered the leader of Cipher, a man named Greevil, and fostered an alliance with the man. From that moment on, your father became a member of Cipher and helped them commit the many awful things they've done since they were driven out of Oore. From his own account, in return for financial support to get Cipher back on its feet and continue their activities, they would allow him a slice of Cipher's potential power and let him play an active roll in the science they were working with."

"From that moment on, your father lived a double life. He traveled abroad frequently, taking trips to Unova and Oore and other places to foster alliances and consolidate power from people who could be convinced to back the group and his company as it expanded and become more influential to the world. All the while your father was terrified we would find him out. He took great measures to cover his tracks, so that we wouldn't find the truth. According to him he said he wasn't sure if he could take it if he was confronted by it by me or you, Sun," Laura said to her child.

"I wonder why our opinions mattered to him so much." Sun wondered aloud, but his mother shook her head.

"He didn't want to be found out by anyone. His connection to Cipher was a secret that he defended harshly. He even went to lengths to disguise his appearance while abroad so that Cipher grunts and unimportant members wouldn't recognize him." Laura explained before returning to her narrative.

"During that time, he slowly began teaching you the ins and outs of how to run a business and how to be a leader. Your father was adamant that you run the company in his place down the line, and that you take a place alongside him in Cipher when you grew older. To him, you were his legacy and only worthy heir to the empire he had created. To do that though, he had to make sure you were staying along the path he wanted you to take. And that meant for you not to become a Pokémon Trainer and go on your own journey. To that end, he set about raising the training age in Kanto to a higher number, to buy himself more time in which to convince you that such a lifestyle would be bad for you."

"Wait…He's the reason the training age went from ten to fourteen in Kanto!?" Sun demanded, feeling hot anger spike through him.

"Your father is close with many influential people all around the world Sun. For people with his money and power, tweaking such a law is manageable with effort. And even though it got a ton of backlash, the arguments presented in its defense were enough to get the measure passed so that the training age in Kanto rose from ten to fourteen, just so you couldn't become a Trainer." Laura explained to her furious child, who was shaking in anger now.

"How…he just…" Sun sputtered, gritting his teeth.

"Sun…please try and calm down."

"No! I could've gone on my own journey so much earlier, Mom. I didn't need his blessing, and he just…I…I don't understand…" Sun hissed, shaking in anger and hurt that his father had actually gone through the trouble of getting a bill passed that overrode a hundred years worth of tradition…

Just to ensure he couldn't do what he had wanted to do most.

"It all comes down to control. Despite what he'll say, your father knew that he needed to keep your trust and affection for you to remain loyal to him. People…change on journeys, Sun. They discover many things about themselves and other people along the way, as you already know. Your father was terrified something similar would happen to you. He wanted you to remain obedient and reliable." Laura answered her child, seeing the pain in his expression and the look of betrayal on his face as he tried to handle the truth of what his father had done to him.


"Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

Sun watched his father as he sank into his seat at the head of the table. He was surrounded by men and women wearing similar clothing as him, white and black suits and such except for the women, who wore elegant dresses just as regal as the male's attire. Sun sat against the wall, with Damien curled up beside him. Sun smiled as he watched his father, as he had so many times before, in his element.

"Do you really have to have the boy listen to us ramble on?" an older gentlemen with a handlebar mustache asked.

"Naturally. He's still learning, after all he's only ten, but he needs to be present to understand how meetings like this are conducted. Besides, his mother is having tea with Erika this afternoon and I'd rather he be here with me than listen to more nonsense about becoming a Trainer." Sun flinched inwardly as his father sat down. He really didn't like how adamant his father was about him not becoming a Pokémon Trainer. He knew that he had to help his father with the business in a few years and he enjoyed learning about everything he had and looked forward to learning more…

But he felt the burning desire…the need, to travel and explore and test himself with a team at his side. Just like his father.

Just like his hero.

A woman known to Sun as Lady Venus, a beautiful woman with rich brown hair and hazel eyes dressed in a flowing multilayered gown of pink silk, spoke up. "I'd like to start off by thanking Mister Verich for the timeliness of this meeting." Venus said smoothly, gesturing to a very short man who sat at the other end of the table opposite of Sun's father.

Mister Verich, or Greevil as Sun had heard his father call the man one time, was an interesting man. He was very short, with even Sun towering above him, and he had a bald head. He always wore a purple cloak adorned with strange runes over his body at all times and wore a smile almost always, though Sun had seen the man angry once or twice. He shuddered at the memory but allowed himself to closely pay attention to yet another business meeting between his father and his associates.

"As you all know, recent events in Unova have left me worried about our investments in the region, especially regarding Pokéstar Studios. I'd like to hear from everyone, especially Mister Verich and our host, on what we plan to do to cover our assets and to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible as our...friends, assert our will in the region." Venus said as her eyes flicked to Mister Verich, a small smile curling around her face.

"I'm grateful we were able to get some of us rounded up to sort out our affairs. I'd prefer to have everything in check before anything bad happens…again." Venus said delicately, trailing her fingers through the air with a small smile.

"Of course. I, more than anyone else, understand that with the enemies we face time is of the essence. Especially when it comes to financing our affairs and ensuring that money is allocated to where it is needed and that we are continuing to develop…certain projects." Mister Verich's eyes flicked to Sun once again and the man sighed softly.

"I apologize, friends. I cannot in good conscience speak of complicated and very important manners when there's a child in the room." Mister Verich said to the others, directing his comment at Dad as he finished his sentence.

"Sun is here to observe and learn. He's remaining quiet and allowing us to handle our business, and he knows to remain quiet about what is discussed behind the doors of this building. Don't you, Sun?" Dad said to his child, receiving a nod from the boy in response. Mister Verich's expression darkened, but the smile never left his face, lending the man's features a sinister pale.

"Sun, was it? Tell me, do you truly even understand a tenth of the conversations that take place within this boardroom? Or does your little mind just do whatever your father orders you to?" Mister Verich asked the boy, clearly not happy that the boy was still there and that their discussion was now going off topic.

"I understand just about everything that goes on in these meetings, Mister Verich. For example, during the last meeting I got to listen in on, I got to hear in great detail how you sank your business in Sinnoh and you begged my Dad for more money." Sun shot back with a wide grin, making the older man's superior smile falter as he recoiled in surprise, not having had expected the comeback from a child.

"I see your father still hasn't beaten some respect into you." Mister Verich said calmly, his gaze traveling to the man in question. Sun caught his father's eye and earned a small smile in response that was quickly replaced by a bored look of someone watching something uninteresting.

"Oh, I'm super respectful of my elders…sir. I don't really respect nasty, ungrateful, and ugly bald elf-men that need a booster seat to sit in a chair and can't properly handle a business anymore." Sun replied with a wider smile, making Damien cough with laughter behind him. Several of the men at the table snickered as well, even as the man's pleasant demeanor shattered and a look of outrage appeared on his face. Verich caught Sun's father grinning at him now, unable to hide his mirth any longer.

"You insolent little brat! I…" Verich turned his angry gaze from Sun, who was still grinning with triumph at unsettling the nasty man, to the boy's father.

"I have had enough of this nonsense! I came here because I wanted to ensure the projects we've discussed in private and with our generous supporters are being worked on as discussed. Your contributions to the Shadow Project have been dwindling as you hold fundraisers for schools! All the while we struggle to maintain power in Unova!" Verich snarled, slamming a fist down onto the table and surprising Sun by cracking and splintering the thick and glossy oak near him with a single blow. Sun felt a shiver of fear roll down his spine at the man, reevaluating his opinion of the small businessman from far-of desert region of Oore.

"As much as I enjoy what you bring to the table, I'll also admit some annoyance. You have contributed resources but only leadership when necessary. It's time you took a bigger roll in the comings and goings of-" Lady Venus

"Enough!" Sun winced as his father slammed his palms against the table, glaring down the woman known as Venus as she stared back at him.

"Not while my child is present. There's a difference between business and darker subjects that are best behind very thick doors. We've discussed this. I'm fine with discussing some things, but you know exactly what things a child shouldn't hear, Venus." Dad said firmly to the woman, who looked to Mister Verich for guidance.

"She's not wrong. I believe your supporters should know where the money you promised them is going." Verich said with a triumphant smile that was a slick as oil. Sun shivered at the tone of the man's voice, but his father stood his ground.

"The Shadow Project will be discussed behind closed doors, Mister Verich and Lady Venus. We have discussed this. We'll discuss them later, when my child is not in the room. Nor will I make him leave now just to satisfy your curiosity. You'll just have to wait." Dad said evenly to the man, who scowled as the others listened on in interest. Sun felt a ripple of anger roll through him as the small man sneered at his father, contempt on his face. Sun wanted to rise to his feet and yell at the man who would dare disrespect his father, but to his surprise his Dad smiled at the man, who's expression smoothed over and was replaced with a much more pleasant smile, though Sun still felt creeped out by the man. He didn't like him. But his father said that the man was important and actually quite kind in person, so Sun held his remarks in check. He had done enough today anyway.

"Very well…Now, let's get this meeting back on track."


"Now…Your father's business continued to grow by leaps and bounds while all of this happened, with him becoming heavily invested within some of the biggest technology and development corporations around. Your father made sure that as a result of his contributions of money and endorsement, the companies in question began to rely on him and as a result, his wealth and power grew drastically."

"After their failure in Oore and Sinnoh, Cipher began setting up shop in Unova, where the bulk of your father's business is located. Cipher operated in the shadows within the region, gathering strength and allowing the region to miss signs of their appearance, because they were too concerned with Team Plasma to notice Pokémon and people vanishing which Cipher has become well-known for, according to your father's entries."

"Then, with the fall of Team Plasma and their resurgence two years later failing, your father brokered an alliance between the two groups. Between them, Cipher and Neo Team Plasma gained more and more strength and began to overwhelm the Unova region. Wes returned with some allies, your new friends as I've learned, and attempted to stop them, only to fail at the final hurdle. However I wasn't able to find out how or why, since the entries end there."

"Why though?" Sun asked.

"Because during most of the time Cipher was fighting for control with Neo Team Plasma in Unova, your father was in that region helping them try and deal with the situation. He wasn't here for long periods of time, remember?" Laura mentioned to her child.

"And then…that dragon, Kyurem, froze Nimbasa City. It killed all those people. My Dad helped Cipher kill millions of innocents." Sun said softly, fighting back a shiver at the memories of the broadcast he had seen.

"Shortly before that I began doing some digging and found several things that made me question just who my husband was. After the Nimbasa incident, I discovered the truth. I filed for a divorce after confronting your father about it when he did return to Kanto, and began putting our affairs in order. He was angry, of course, but when I accused him of being a criminal and a liar he admitted that while he never lied, he had hidden things from me and you, Sun, and that was something he shouldn't have done. He begged me for a second chance, but I refused to hear his arguments. I kicked him out of the house and ensured our house was under police protection while I got our affairs in order and made sure he couldn't get to you. I…didn't realize just how dangerous he could be to us until it was too late, however." Laura said in a very small voice.

"Yeah…Dad didn't put up much of a fight though about you divorcing him and you taking me away from him. Not until that one night where he came back." Sun remarked, reflecting on the last encounter he had had with his father. The one that was the main source of all of the nightmares that had tormented him all these months later.


Sun couldn't breathe as he stared down into the foyer, cold fear and horror gripping his soul even as he watched the blood from Padma spread across the floor, staining the white carpet. He couldn't believe it. He had seen it happen with his own eyes, but he couldn't believe what his father had done.

Sun's grip on the handrails tightened until his hands began to hurt, even as his mother began screaming at the man while he just shook his head, his eyes blazing like thunderstorms ready to unleash their deadly wrath upon everyone in their sights. Gone was the man who read him stories to help him sleep. Gone was the man who made jokes about himself and Pokémon and laughed and smiled. The man in front of him was something else…

And he had just killed one of Laura's Pokémon with one of his own.

"Are you happy now?!" Dad spat, towering in the doorway as Damien trotted back to him, crimson fluid still dripping from his mouth as the Pokémon regarded the mother with a remorseful expression, as if it hated what it had just done.

"You're a monster, Ashton. I don't know why I didn't see the signs sooner. As soon as I realized you were with Cipher I should've taken Sun and left. You're disgusting…You destroyed that city and you're teaming up with a bunch of monsters…You threw me and your son away for this! So many people are going to die if you keep this up! Don't you care!? Don't you understand!?" Laura screamed, pain and anger in her voice as she readied another Poké Ball in her trembling hand, but Dad had taken a step inside of the home and allowed two men in gleaming white armor to step inside, aiming their guns at her. Just visible outside were the bodies of several police officers, torn apart by something with very sharp teeth. Laura's fierce expression faltered as the men aimed their weapons at her, though her gaze of hate and anguish remained.

"All those years of me being your wife…and you're throwing it away to chase a nightmare." Laura whispered, tears of hurt and disbelief flowing freely down on her face as her husband remained silent at her words. Ashton's face contorted into a horrific scowl, a slash of fury against his face that was smoothed over a few moments later as he reigned in his emotions with a visible effort.

"Dad…please stop." Sun whispered, feeling his body tremble with horror, despite being frozen in place and only able to watch as his father replied after what seemed like an eternity.

"I didn't throw either of you away…Laura, this is what I have to do. I was born to change this world, can't you see it!? With my power and influence I can revolutionize whatever I set my sights on…And so why not use that power to change the world in the only way it knows how to. Force. And if some have to die on the way…" For a moment Sun saw it, the hesitation and regret flash across his face. Sun then saw those dark grey eyes harden and all doubt was swept aside like a thunderstorm washing over a beach.

"Then so be it. I will save this world from itself, my dear. Even if I have to resort to drastic measures like this. Through Cipher, we will begin our conquest of the world and make everything how it should be." Dad replied as he crossed his arms, shutting his eyes for a moment. Dad's expression turned into something terrible as he scowled, and Sun wouldn't help but wonder if the man he called his father had ever existed in the first place, for this man wearing his father's face was breaking everything Sun ever knew about his life.

"Save this world…Ashton, you're going about this in the absolute worst way possible! You've condemned millions to an early death just for what!? You'd be no better than that psychopath Lysandre or Team Plasma!" Laura shot back, clenching her fists despite being held at gunpoint.

"And how many died during the Plasma riots? The floods and deadly sunlight that Team Magma and Team Aqua unleashed? How about Team Rocket? How many lives did they steal? Except they were selfish…they had no true end game in mind for their deeds. I do." Ashton said, his voice swelling with power as he took a step forward, his scowl deepening and contorting even further, a splash of emotions on his face. Sun couldn't tell what though. Anger, disgust, resentment, disappointment, concern, pain, regret. It could have been all of these emotions or none of them at all.

"What about our child?" Laura hissed at Ashton. The man smiled then, however it was anything but comforting. Gone was any sense of warmth or amusement from the smiles he was used to from his father. The smile the man below him wore was dark, cold, and the amusement on display there was of the grimmest sort.

"I plan on having my Sunshine standing by my side. I've groomed him into a fine heir to my business and to follow in my footsteps down the road. Should I fall short of my goal, then my son will ensure that this world will become a better place in my stead." Dad explained softly, his voice reducing in volume.

Sun dropped to his knees in abject horror, wrapping his arms around his body as he realized the implications of what his father had said. All of the time he had spent with his father was…was it all a lie? Was he just using him like a tool? A backup plan in case he failed in his ridiculous scheme? Did he intend for Sun to join an evil group like him to hurt and cause others suffering?

Sun felt a tear roll down his face as he looked down at his hero…and realized that everything he had admired and loved about his father meant nothing, because the man he cared so much about…the man that Sun gave up so much of himself for…

Was a monster.

"You're not going to lay a hand on him. You've corrupted him enough, Ash." Laura growled, the steel in her voice not betraying the raw horror she felt in her heart.

"No…I gave him the education he needs to help me on my way. You may have tried to poison his mind with that Trainer nonsense, but I put an end to that. Pokémon Trainers may be able to save the world from the bad guys…but they can't save the world from itself. I intend to end this cycle, my dear…Not as a Pokémon Trainer, but as a man financing a revolution of the darkest kind…Sun will understand in time." Dad said to Laura, receiving a slow shake of the head in response. Ashton sighed deeply, reaching up and rubbing his forehead, a small gesture to show that the events of the evening were wearing down on him.

"You're an idiot…Our child is too smart to fall for that. He knows right from wrong, unlike you." Laura spat at her former husband.

"I've already twisted the boy's arm enough. He'll be whatever I want him to be…I hate having to use love to make people do what I want, but if that's what's necessary then I'll do it. I've done worse things, after all. When all of this is done, he'll forgive me." Laura growled at the man as he spoke, glancing down at the dead Pokémon at her feet before looking back up at her ex.

"You're wrong, Ashton…You really don't understand people nearly as well as you think you do." Laura replied, clenching her fists and stepping forward, despite the two Cipher grunts raising their weapons at her. Dad just scoffed in reply, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Too bad…someday he'll understand that if you want to save the world…sacrifices have to be made. Goodbye, my dear. I did love you, despite everything." Dad said before he reached down, placing a hand down on Damien's head, the Pokémon's eyes gleaming the dark.

"Damien…kill." The Pokémon stepped forward, baring his razor sharp teeth in a deadly snarl that left no compunctions about what he was about to do. Damien crouched low as Laura's breath hitched and Sun felt true fear roll through him at Dad's quiet yet firm command, and as his father's starter Pokémon lunged at his mother Sun let out a scream-


Sun wrenched his mind free from the torrent of memories and fought back another shiver.

"After that, you know as well as me. We packed up and decided to go to Alola, where your father was born and raised and where I had an old friend ready to help me out. Before we left, however, I warned several friends in Celadon City of the few plans I had gotten off of your father's computers. One of which involved a massive attack on Celadon City and another concerned taking hostages in Vermilion City in order to ensure the Gym Leader there surrendered when they needed him too." Laura explained further to Sun, who's eyes widened.

"So that was why all those Trainers and Elite Four members were already there in the city. Because you warned them ahead of time!" Sun realized, remembering how Agatha, Bruno, and Mister Oliver had battled alongside Erika against Cipher and Team Rocket in the burning city.

"I tried to help them however I could. I gave them every scrap of info I could. I hope it helps them, because from here, I can't do that much anymore. Besides, we've suffered enough at Cipher's hand. We're done with that fight." Laura ended tiredly, running a hand through her hair as Sun looked up at her. She then realized that Sun was glaring at her with anger, which surprised her.

"And what makes you think we're safe here? What's to stop Cipher from storming the islands with their Shadow legendaries and torching the place trying to find us?! You know Dad's obsessed with getting me on his side, Mom!" Sun shouted, getting up off the bed as his mother calmly bore his anger with the grace only a mother could have.

"Because they have no reason to come here. Your father despised Alola with every fiber of his being. His parents forced him to become a Pokémon Trainer, Sun. He was kicked out of his house as a child and had no choice but to go through the Island Challenge alone. No support from his family or friends. As he became stronger he developed a hatred of the training culture in general, though that never stopped him from battling ever. He probably enjoyed the fact he was so good at it, maybe." Laura mused to herself as Sun's expression darkened.

"So is that why he was so desperate to keep me from becoming a Trainer?" Sun asked, clenching his fists.

"Yes and no. I imagine that's what he told himself, but it was more likely to keep you from getting distracted. Sad as it is to say, Sun…Your father has been manipulating the both of us for years, using our love of him to further his own ends." Laura said with a heavy sigh, looking even more tired.

"I remember...I was supposed to be the heir to his dream." Sun muttered after a few moments.

"Despite everything, I believe Ashton was more concerned with you than me. At that point when he returned to our house, he knew that I'd never be won back by him. You however, are young and more easily persuaded. You were his little boy. And he was your hero…He was selfish however, and never really considered what you wanted." Laura said after a small pause, reflecting on the words of her husband and the terrifying bursts of insight she had been able to glean from his journal entries.

"Ashton believed in sheltering you so that you could become a strong and well-rounded child. For the most part I agreed in how you should be brought up. This was with your father teaching you some of the ins and outs of his business in the short periods of time he was able to be home throughout the years, as his business kept him abroad quite often. I would home-school you in the meantime. I was fine with that as well, because you were so happy to get to spend time with your father and learn from him about his business, because you knew it made him happy. However…Your father also wanted an heir to his empire. Someone utterly loyal to him that was intelligent and had the right mind-set to help him achieve his goals, as ridiculous as they were." Laura explained as Sun looked down at the ground.

"I can't believe I ever thought so highly of him…I feel disgusting, knowing that I share his blood." Sun replied softly, sinking back down on his bed with a shudder. Laura moved over to her Sun and sat down beside him, putting an arm around her child's shoulder.

"Dear…You can choose many things in life. Your friends. Your goals. Even the forces that drive you forward each and every day. However, sweetheart, you can't help who you're related too. Your father's with Cipher, and one way or another it's a fact we have to live with. Someone who was our world betrayed us in the worst way possible…"

"So was everything he did an act, Mom? Was he just pretending to be the man we knew him as or…I'm still so confused as to who exactly my father was. What is he...I can't seem to wrap my head around it." Sun murmured as he mother pulled him into a one-armed hug, rubbing the back of his head.

"Your father is a man too ambitious to see how much hurt he's putting everyone else in. Even himself…and I do believe he hated doing some of what he did, but steeled himself through it because he believed it was necessary. But doesn't excuse the hell he put us through. It doesn't wash off the blood he has on his hands. And I'll never forgive him for hurting me and you how he did."

"I believe he did and still does love the both of us, Sunshine…but I also believe that Ashton also realized that in order to get what he wants most, he needs to use everything to his advantage and play a perfect game against the forces he is against. And those advantages includes creating a son who was brilliant but faultlessly loyal and a wife who was devoted to him and kept his home functioning. In the end we were pawns to him…but he loved us despite it." Laura explained gently as Sun took a deep shuddering breath before exhaling deeply.

"Mom…How am I supposed to handle this? I just…he's going to keep hurting people. That Amber lady came so close to killing all of us the other day. I know that it was a fluke, but what if she came back? What if she brings more members from Cipher?" Sun asked his mother.

"If she does, Tapu Koko will probably kill her on sight. Kahuna Hala has ensured that on top of that, notices have gone up all around the island to be on the watch for her. And I don't think we should be concerned about her recognizing you, Sun."

"Why is that?"

"Did she mention anything to you about you looking familiar or anything like that?" Laura asked her child. Sun shook his head.

"Then I wouldn't worry. If she comes, we can drive her away again. From what Kukui said the woman was barely alive when she fled Alola. She could be dead for all we know." Laura said with a small smile despite disliking saying something like that about a person.

"I hope so…She's definitely not someone I want to run into again." Sun said with a shiver, remembering how ridiculously strong the woman was. It'd take a miracle to survive her a second time should they ever cross paths again.

"So…now what?" Sun asked his mother after a short pause.

"Well…Before we get started tomorrow, I want to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist in Heahea City, which is where you'll be dropped off when you arrive on Akala Island. I would've just set one up with a psychiatrist in Hau'oli, but they're not available for appointments for another four months and I'd rather get you checked out sooner rather than later." Laura explained to her child, who lowered his head.

"A psychiatrist…" Sun said quietly.

"Sun, while you are a strong child who's far more mature than someone your age should be…You've also gone through more stress and emotional trauma than someone like you should ever endure. Not to mention how your father emotionally manipulated and abused you into becoming whatever he wanted. All of that does have an effect on someone and based on your own remarks and actions, I don't want to leave this unchecked." Laura explained quietly, knowing her child was in deep thought now.

"You really think seeing someone about the stuff we went through will help me deal with this…sadness thing, Mom?" Sun whispered, closing his eyes.

"I can only hope dear. They can't make the pain go away, but they can maybe help see what the problem is and if there are ways we can make the pain bearable or ensure that thinking about your father never troubles you again." Laura explained just as quietly.

"Alright…I'll do it. But I want you to be there with me." Sun said after a moment, his voice still quiet.

"Of course, dear. I'll be there for you when you see the psychiatrist. I'm planning on scheduling the appointment about two and a half months in advance, so you'll be able to travel for a bit on Akala Island and still be able to have time for the appointment." Laura explained to her child, who nodded.

"And...Sun? If ever need to talk about your feelings or just want to get something off of your chest, you can always come to me. Always." Laura promised, turning Sun around and hugging him tightly. Sun returned the embrace, smiling now despite everything. At least he had a mother who would always be there for him and loved him no matter what.

"Is there anything you wanted to talk to me about, dear? From what you and Lillie have said about your adventures, I'm surprised you haven't any asked any questions about training yet." Laura remarked as she stood up, smiling a little. Sun then remembered something, at the mention of his friend. He recalled the odd feelings that Lillie had stirred up within him and his own admitted attraction to his friend. He enjoyed being around her and cared dearly for her, but was it crush? Or something more? He wished he could have had a conversation with his father about this, but he was beyond reach.

His mother, however, would never turn down her child when he wanted to learn something. And so Sun sighed and took the plunge.

"Mom…I wanted to actually ask you a question about Lillie." Sun said nervously, scratching his head.

Laura's smile widened almost comically at her child's words, but before she could say anything there was a loud thump and a yelp from outside the door.

"Uh…Lillie, is everything okay out there?" Laura called out. There was a very noticeable pause and the faint sound of footsteps moving away from the door before Lillie replied.

"Miss Smiles! I just um…tripped was all!" Lillie called back, though Laura and Sun both exchanged a skeptical look.

"So…I wonder how much of all of that she heard." Sun sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Likely all of it. She's a very good friend and a sweet girl, Sun. Even if she shouldn't know the details, she'll be able to better support you if you need her help down the road." Laura replied as Sun looked at her.

"She's got enough problems to deal with…She shouldn't burden herself with mine." Sun said quietly, though his mother snapped her fingers, catching his attention.

"Enough of that. Now…what about Lillie did you want to talk to me about?" Laura asked her child as Sun rubbed the back of his head, making Laura smirk at her child's embarrassment.


Lillie scowled at Oliver and Penny, both of whom were staring her down now. While she had heard way more than she had imagined she would, she was deeply interested in what Sun had been about to ask his mother about her…

When Oliver suddenly smacked her with his wing and Penny shoved her away from the door and knocked her to the floor. While she wasn't hurt, she was surprised by the display and the two Pokémon suddenly reacting like that.

"You both are being silly…" Lillie huffed, crossing her arms as Oliver rotated his head around with a hoot.

"Especially you, Oliver!" Lillie said as she pointed at the owl, earning herself a chirp-like chuckle out of the owl and a giggle from Penny, who at least flew over to Lillie and chirped at her. Lillie sighed but smiled, knowing that neither Pokémon had shooed her away from the door in such a manner to be nasty. They were just wanting to respect their Trainer's privacy…

But what could Sun have wanted to talk to his mother about her for? She recalled Sun mentioning something back when they were in Melemele Meadow, but she wondered what the specifics were. Lillie decided that if she was supposed to know, Sun would tell her. She didn't want to intrude on his privacy any more than she had, so with a will of effort she decided to sit down and read, despite the turmoil of thoughts going through her head with what she had overheard that night.


Sun's sleep was plagued by nightmares, despite the wonderful day he had, and he couldn't find sleep for more than an hour or two at the time. Some things couldn't help but poison his earlier happiness, and finding out just how twisted the man he had idolized a short time ago truly was one of them. Every time Sun woke up he found Oliver watching him, ever vigilant in the night.

Despite everything…Sun found comfort in the fact that he wasn't alone.

Two days passed, and in that time Sun struggled to reign in his emotions regarding his father. Despite that Sun managed to continue to enjoy his time with Lillie and his Pokémon and just being home with his mother, in spite of the upcoming trek to the next island. Eventually the time came for Sun to swing by the hospital and pick up the third member of his team. According to the nurses they had done all that they could in regards to healing the injury, and Brago would just need another week of rest before being back to fighting fit shape. But Brago was healthy enough to travel, which was the important thing to Sun.

"Welcome to my home." Sun said to the Growlithe as it looked around the house, sniffing the air with an interested expression as Lillie and Laura observed Sun's newest Pokémon with smiles. Oliver and Penny soared into the house with cries and landed in front of the dog. Brago sat down in front of them, and after a moment the trio began talking in grunts and chirps, for Brago no longer had the TACV attached to him, so Sun could no longer understand his speech. However according to Colress, he could possibly get a TACV of his own down the road.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Laura asked Sun as the boy watched his Pokémon speak to each other. Oliver extended a wing outwards to Brago, who raised a paw and the two shook. Penny laughed for some reason, which struck Sun as odd but he ignored it for now and focused on his mother.

"We were leaving today, weren't we?" Sun asked his mother, who smirked at him.

"I seriously doubt Kukui is going to have his ship seaworthy based on what Lillie's told me about it. I'd go over to his place and see what his status is. Knowing him, I'd imagine he's going to need a few days to get that boat of his ready to go." Laura remarked with amusement.

"It was barely seaworthy before. A month or so of neglect certainly didn't help things, ma'am." Lillie replied with a small sigh.

"He's still not completely healed up either. It might be best if you kids help him with the boat…"

"We actually already agreed to that." Sun admitted, earning an odd look from his mother in response.

"…That man is way too good at getting children to do his dirty work for him."

"That's what Hugh said!"

"That just supports my point that the Professor needs a swift kick in the…well, he needs to be knocked down a peg. I might just run down to the lab myself and give him a peace of my mind for tainting the mind of poor Lillie over here." Laura said with a faint growl in her voice, making Lillie blink in surprise. Laura then calmed herself with an effort, her usual smile coming back, but before she could say anything someone knocked on the door. Sun turned around and made a move to open it but instead it was opened by none other than Hau, who had a Pikachu on his back on his Brionne in his arms.

"Alola folks." Hau said cheerfully, holding up Cassy as she mimicked the Alola greeting. Sun grinned at the sight and returned the greeting with an, "Alola, Hau. What brings you here?"

"Psh, I'm coming with you. Duh. I decided I'm skipping Melemele's Grand Trial for now and going to do the other ones. Me and Tutu came to an…agreement. Once I've proven my worth to the other Kahunas, I'll come back to him and we'll have another battle. Which is fine with me, because I've got all the time in the world now." Hau replied casually, though his smile faltered a little bit.

"How're you feeling?" Lillie asked Hau, who perked up slightly at Lillie having asked that question. He set Cassy down on the ground and Duke leapt from his Trainer's shoulder, joining his teammate on the floor.

"Better, I guess. Did some training out on Route 3 and did some thinking. Talking with Tutu and my mother afterwards helped too. I'll figure this stuff out. That's what going on journeys are for, right?" Hau asked them, though he looked at Sun for the answer.

"Yeah…absolutely, buddy. We're going to get better and show them all how awesome we are. Got it?" Sun extended a hand out to Hau, who took his hand and shook it firmly.

"You two are dorks." Lillie stated, though she was beaming happily at the two of them.

"Yep. But we're awesome and devilishly handsome dorks, Lillie, so get used to it...Well, the handsome bit applies to me, anyway." Hau replied as he pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and put them on, his grin widening.

"Oliver, take Hau's sunglasses and give them to me." Sun commanded, pointing at Hau's face. Hau paled in horror as the owl took off into the air, letting out a predatory screech of sheer evil and dove at Hau. The boy dolphin-dived to the ground, only for Oliver to land in front of him on the floor, towering over the boy with a murderous look in his eyes. Wordlessly Oliver extended a wing to Hau, who shuddered and put a hand to his face.

"Do…I have to?"

"Dar."

"Come on, Oliver. I swear I didn't mean it when I called you 'a horrifying being sent from Giratina to batter the souls of the living with your sheer evilness'…I was just playing around, you know?"

"…"

Needless to say, Hau handed over his sunglasses. However, instead of handing them to Sun, Oliver instead used his wings to prop them in place over his eyes, his strange leaf-like 'hair' allowing the shades to stay in place just so.

"Because that's exactly what Oliver needed. Freaking sunglasses." Hau despaired before the owl turned to Penny and chirped something. Penny rolled her eyes while Brago shook his head, though Rotom swooped down and took a picture of the owl as he suddenly struck a pose. Lillie burst into giggles while Sun and Laura just shook their heads, smiling at the owl's antics. Oliver nodded at Rotom before the Dartrix suddenly grabbed the shades from his face and tossed them into the air. He then impaled both lens of the sunglasses with a blade quill. The shattered shades fell to the ground in front of Hau, who tearfully held up the glasses' shattered remains in his hands.

Oliver then slowly rotated his head towards Cassy and Duke, who were hiding behind the couch and shivering with fear at the demented owl that was harassing their Trainer, but they were too scared of Oliver to chastise him. Cassy and Duke vividly remembered how their last battle with Oliver had went, after all.

Sun, Lillie, and Laura regarded the scene with a mixture of supreme amusement and mild horror. Lillie flat-out admitted to it when she said, "Sun…Oliver scares me sometimes."

"He scares all of us, Lillie. He's occasionally awesome though, so I put up with it." Sun admitted as Oliver gave him a very happy hoot.

"I spent my allowance on those glasses this week, you know. All of that gone to waste." Hau lamented, scooping up the remains of the shades and throwing them into the trash.

"I'll buy you a new set when we get to Hau'oli City. I imagine we'll be there for a bit to sort that boat stuff out anyway." Sun remarked as Hau stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Oh yeah."

"I don't think it'll require four people though." Lillie admitted, putting a finger to her chin in thought.

"Then we better see what's going on with the Professor then, huh? If he's gonna get that shipwreck sorted out, he's gonna need our help so we can get rolling ASAP!" Hau remarked with a chuckle, making Sun laugh in response.

"Heh. I'm punny and didn't even know it." Hau said as Sun began laughing even harder, putting a hand over his mouth as Lillie just smiled at the display. She was happy that Hau wasn't dwelling too much on his loss to the Kahuna. She knew that her friend would be able to bounce back, given a bit of time. He was strong like that.

"Well…heh heh…let's get going then. I'll call you when we figure out what's going on." Sun said to his mother, who nodded and then made a playful shooing motion for him and his friends to skedaddle. Oliver and Penny took off into the air while Brago gazed upwards at the two skyward Pokémon, then turning his gaze to Sun, offered the boy a fanged smile. Sun couldn't help the grin that came to his face as that familiar excitement took hold of him, even as dark thoughts loomed in the back of his mind, they were at the moment inconsequential to the 11-year old.

And so with that, the boy sent off down the road with his Pokémon by his side, with Lillie walking alongside Sun and with Hau whistling a faint tune as he walked slightly ahead. They trekked down the road to Professor Kukui's lab, ready to begin the next leg of their adventure…