Chapter 27- Volcanic Shadow's

A/N: This note is slightly big depending on the effect of the story. I've been thinking about the battling system… I do, I kinda want to make it more like the Pokémon anime style of battling. So, I think I'll start taking a way Pokémon damage percentage, and try to make the attacks more descriptive… might revert back what I usually do if I don't like it. Also,This is a original Pokemon Fan Game, made by Amethyst. if you wish to check it out and play the game download it at Reborn Evolved. search for it on your web browser if you want to get to the website.Enjoy the chapter.

Time: 19:00

Location: Apophyll Beach

"…And that's everything." Lucille and Cain finished explaining what happened to them as they headed to Apophyll, and what they learned of Team Meteor's Plans.

"So, that's what the students said when they saw lights on the mountain." Kiki who was siting, clutched her hands. "They've begun climbing the mountain."

"If they finish setting up that Pulse… then the Academy everyone here will be-…" Victoria was horrified as she thought of what would happen.

"From what I've been told of their motives, I can only assume that it is more than that." Kiki analyzed, "The two may be separated by the toxic lake, but if Apophyll is destroyed, then the city will be hurt as well."

"Right, thinking about the ecological stand point." Percival thought. If that volcano erupts, it will affect more than just Apophyll. Percival remembered reading the articles of the past, knowing the destructive effects of Groundon and Kyogre. Just by them awakening.

"Not only that. Though we reject the technology which festers in Reborn, we are two sides of the same coin. Reborn, outside the city and within, is one whole. If one part is lost, the balance will be broken. The power will shift to their favor." Kiki stood up as she spoke. "We must stop them, and time is short. If they've already begun, our only hope is that Cal can hold them off for long enough. But you all must hurry to aid him. I-… I—A-ah…"

Victoria quickly moved to catch Kiki as she fell. "Take it easy, Sensei! You have to conserve your strength!"

"There isn't time for that." Kiki said, disbelieving that her sickness was more important than the current situation.

"You're not going." Its surprised Victoria to hear this, but it came from Percival. "This may be your academy, but… well let's say, if I wasn't so stubborn about the battle earlier. You probably would be able to help. So just suck it up and accept our help."

"…" Everyone was stunned as Percival took charge of the situation.

Victoria was first to agree with Percival. "Right, Kiki. Please. We can handle this. Percival and Lucille already have had several run ins with Meteor before. Trust us. Please."

"…Fine." Kiki reluctantly agreed

"right! let's go!" Victoria shouted.

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Cain said starting to sing, as he, Percival, Lucille and Victoria made their way to Mount Pyrous. "~you turn to us, whenever you need us. We've got the power to protect us all~ ~One thing is true: we're kind of magic, At the tip of your fingers, whenever you call~"

"Cain you not sing the whole way there!" Lucille shouted at Cain… finally snapping after a few hours of his antics.

"Come on guys stay focused. I have a feeling that this will be one our toughest encounters yet." Percival taking the lead once more. In all honesty, he'd feel way more comfortably having a Gym Leader with him. But he had his own sickening feeling that if Kiki shows up on this mountain with Team Meteor… Well he doesn't want to imagine it.

It wasn't long before the four of them, reached the base of the mountain. Though Night has fallen. Making it more dangerous to move around rough terrain. Though knowing how important this was they continued on. As they started to reach the entrance cave to allow them to climb the mountain. They noticed someone standing there, blocking their path. Lucille, Percival and Victoria all immediately recognize the figure. The young boy with black hair, grey eyes, and a sinister smile, Nero Umbrasyl.

As Cain still yet to meet Nero, he was confused. "Um… Who are you?"

"the Troll blocking your path." Nero snickered. Confidence in his stance. "Was wondering when you'd show."

"your pretty confident to stand here. All by yourself." Percival noted, seeing as there was four of them, and one Nero.

"Pft… you're right in that aspect Shiro. And I'm sure the four of you working together can beat me. But you wouldn't make it in time." Nero said all with a confident smile. He knew his limits; he knew he wouldn't beat all of them. but it sure wouldn't be easy for them.

"Oh yeah?" Cain laughed. "I think one guy handling four people gets tired pretty quick~"
"…" Nero looked at Cain unimpressed, and ignored his comment. "but, I'm willing to let three of you go."

"what?" the four asked.

"I mean, the ones at the top aren't a push over…" Nero smiled. Pointing to the top of Mount Pyrous. And put emphasis on his next few words. "You'll have lower chances if you don't accept my offer though."
"…" Cain, Lucille, Percival, and Victoria all glanced at each other. Knowing that Nero was telling the truth.

"Good, you understand. Now You three can go." Nero said pointing at Cain, Percival, and Victoria. Leaving Lucille by herself. "I've been meaning to fight you."

"What?" They all were surprised to hear this.

"…" Though Lucille managed to take it calmly… like she knew she'd be battling Nero.

Percival was the most alarmed and confused by this, however. "What the? What don't think you can beat me, so you take someone else?"

Nero only rolled his eyes. Disinterested in the taunt from Percival. "If it makes you feel better then sure."

"Why you—" Percival was about to angerly attack Nero. But was stopped.

"Percy no." Lucille said. "He said he wants to fight me. Go, I'll be fine."

"But—" Percival tried to argue against it, but was interrupted again.

"I mean it. Cain has already, ran ahead. Quit wasting time." Lucille said. there was some sort of glimmer in her eyes… it was nothing that Percival ever saw before… but it was confident, and relaxing to see. As if she was saying, she'd be fine.

"Fine!" Percival responded, starting to run after Cain.

"You too Victoria." Lucille said.

"…" Victoria silently nodded and followed after Percival.

"Wow, that was easier than expected." Nero laughed. "Are you just that confident in yourself, or just that stupid."

"Who knows?" Lucille answered back, there was an odd calmness to her voice.

But that just pissed off Nero. "Well either way it's your funeral. Let's go." Nero tossed out a pokeball, appearing from it a black Absol. Nero's strongest Pokémon, Grim.

"Right, from the start, huh?" Lucille focused her breathing. She remembered how strong it was against Percival. Grim managed to take down two of Percival's strongest Pokémon, barely breaking a sweat. Lucille only managed to get a lucky hit on it because it wasn't paying attention to her. Lucille responded to seeing, the Absol, and threw out her grass fighting type, Chesnaught, Theros. "Guess we'll have to go with our advantage. Theros!"

"that was a good call, but, not good enough. Flame Thrower." Nero only gave an amused smile. His illusion Zoroark Hela always able to trick his opponent. The illusionary Absol then shot out a burst of flames, forcing the Chesnaught to guard against the unexpected attack.

"Theros! Hammer Arm!" Lucille shouted and Theros moved through the flames and when it reached close enough, slamming its arm into the Absol. Which managed a direct strike against Hela, knocking it out in one attack. "What?"

"Oh, drop the surprise act, would ya?" Nero shook his head, that attack was to direct for her to not have noticed. Nero barely took a second after that statement as he took out his Greninja. "Izanami, Finish off the Chesnaught."

"…" Lucille was barely able to react as Theros hit the floor, downed by the from a blast of psychic energy from the Greninja. She bit her lip as her only fighting type was down, but she couldn't give up, she already accepted the fight. She'd see it through till the end. "Helios, Go! Fry that Water Type! Discharge!"

"…" Nero looked at Lucille with confusion, and sheer annoyance. "Izanami, Dark Pulse."

Izanami, had shot dark energy right at the feet of the Zebstrika, Helios, forcing it to trip. Though Helios still managed to discharged the electrical energy and managed to hit Izanami. Though it didn't seem to do much.

"What! That should have done more!" Lucille shouted in surprise; she knew that a Greninja was a water-dark type. And last she checked; water-types were weak to electric types.

"Are you really that stupid? Izanami's ability is Protean. It becomes the type of the last move it used." Nero looked at her with increasing confusion… how did she beat Nero's allies; Nero knew Percival was good… but him working with this. No, something was wrong. "… You're really odd."

"I'm the odd one?" Lucille retorted.

"Yeah." Nero glared, "Your skill is too high, for a supposed newbie."

"Supposed newbie?" Lucille was surprised to hear this. Percival often said that Lucille had a high amount of skill. But she never questioned it.

"Sure, it can be said that you're a natural genius. But that's bull shit." Nero declared. "there's no such thing of natural skill being able to fight through things like PULSE's. I know sure as hell that Aster and Eclipse aren't pushovers. Taka… well at least he looks like he puts effort in. But, I'm sure as hell. You're hiding something."

"?" Lucille didn't understand what Nero was talking about. Hiding something? If she was, even she didn't know what it was.

Nero realized that what he said made her hesitate. She was thinking of about what he had just said… not focusing on the battle. Lucille was still his enemy… so who was he to not take advantage of it. "Izanami finish off the Zebstrika."

"Gren!" His Greninja leapt into the air, and before Lucille could notice, shot another Dark Pulse knocking out Helios.

"Helios!" Lucille yelled, as the attack took her completely unaware. She then glared at Nero for the dirty trick.

"…" Nero didn't care, in fact he just gave a sinister smile. "You're the one who should be paying attention."

That smile sent a shiver down Lucille's spine. She didn't understand… was Nero just playing mind games with her? Or were these actually serious questions he was pointing at her… either way, Lucille knew she was in the palm of his hand. Ever since he tossed out his Zoroark, he had the upper hand. Lucille's best weapon on Dark Types was now down and out. And his Greninja, even if she had something strong against dark, it would just out speed and change types… All Lucille could think of was something drastic, and something stupid. "Luna!"

"A Musharna? Really. That's what you switch too?" Nero looked at her suspiciously, then smiled. "I'll bite, not. Izanami, Shadow Sneak!"

"heh, you fell for it!" Lucille smiled as she knew the typing of the Greninja changed to Ghost. Lucille really had to thank Percival for lending her that TM. "Luna, Shadow Ball!"

"Shaaaarna!" the Luna took heavy damage as Izanami jumped from the shadows. But Luna was waiting for that moment, firing a point-blank shadow ball right back at it.

"…thought I'd be worried about Moon blast. You read that." Nero rationalized in a cold voice. Nero, knew he had to be careful around her especially with that mark she had. Though... if that Musharna was Percival's he'd think of a strategy like that. Only people who knew Nero, could read him like that… Nero was now getting angry and more on guard. "Raven. Night Slash."

"Krow!" His Honchkrow launched from its pokeball swinging its black wings, into the Musharna. Cutting deep into the pink creature of dreams.

"Luna!" Lucille shouted as Luna fell on conscious… that was a dangerous wound… cut deep.

"Are you really weak?" Nero asked. "Or are you just hiding your strength, to protect your little Shiro."

"What?" Again, Nero hurled words that threw off Lucille. Every move he made, was followed by a question or comment. Each slicing into Lucille.

"You know, are you just being a submissive bitch, to please that guy?" Nero taunted. "Your able to read me. Now I know your hiding your strength. I'm finally just start wonder why. Are you the type of girl who likes to be pampered? Or are you just that clueless, that you do this unconsciously. I don't believe for a second, that your Chesnaught was your first Pokémon. Yet, from my sources all the other Pokémon you have, you picked up from here. Yet you don't have a single badge, why do they respect you? So, you want to elaborate?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Lucille shouted, even though that was what she knew. She questioned why she felt like she was lying. "Blaze! Just take down his Honchkrow! Retaliate!"

"Grr! Aroo!" Blaze the blue Arcanine was Lucille's next Pokémon. Lucille knew she had to keep fighting or she would be going down. She barely had time to return Luna to her pokeball. And as Blaze reached the battle ground it saw the state Luna was in. Growled angerly at the Honchkrow, then charged knocking it to the ground, her paws holding its wings down.

"Foul Play." Nero commanded; Raven skillfully maneuvered with its legs tossing Blaze into a nearby rock. Though Blaze was still able to stand after that attack.

Seeing that Raven was still getting back up from Blaze's retaliate, Lucille quickly gave another order "Blaze Flame Thrower!"

"Arooo!" Blaze howled as she fired a powerful blast of flames, knocking out Raven, and reaching just far enough to make Nero jump back from the flames.

"heh, you think this burn?" Nero laughed as he patted out a small flame on his gloves. "I'll show you true hellfire. Hades. Flamethrower."

"Hou…" Nero took out his Hellhound, Hades, to the field. It shot out a burst of flames at Blaze, doing more than one would think against another Fire type.

"Blaze!" Lucille yelled seeing that the burst of flames had thrown Blaze back, taking her out as well. Lucille didn't like her odds a she was at two Pokémon, while Nero still had three. His Houndoom Hades, His Absol Grim, and one more that Lucille never saw. Lucille just saw the task one step at a time, and right now she needed that Houndoom out. "Simon, you're on! Scald that Houndoom!"

Lucille sent out her Simipour, Simon, and with the hot rocks from the surrounding volcano had superheated the Steam. Managing to drastically hurt the Houndoom

"Hades. Hyper Voice." Nero commanded.

"AROOO!" Hades howled loudly, and with a booming burst of sound sent the Simipour into a rock causing it barely able to stand. Though Hades was still worse for wear.

"good job Simon! Finish it off!" Lucille shouted, The Simipour followed suit and took down the Houndoom. "Nice now, it's just two on two."

"…" Nero just rolled his eyes. Reaching for Grim, though the pokeball next to grim also shook. It was Nero's sixth Pokémon; one Lucille had not seen yet. "It's too early for you, be patient and wait. Now, Grim you're out."

"Sol!" Grim cried out as he landed on the field. Normal Absol had white fur, and a black horn, and red eyes. Grim was Shiny and had black fur, a pure white horn… though eyes were still red, they became increasingly piercing. The pressure from Grim was, scary for most. Not many had good outcomings with this Pokémon.

But what unsettled Lucille was that Nero said it was too early, referring to his sixth Pokémon.… She wondered if the Pokémon was stronger than Grim. Because Lucille didn't even know if she could beat Grim without Theros. "… Simon! Use—"

"Aro!" Lucille barely waited a second, to think of a strategy. Nero, didn't even call out an order as Grim rushed at Simon, swinging it's blade like horn, with black energy slashing into Simon.

"SIMON!" Lucille screamed as that slash was extremely deep. Blood came from Simon's wound… defeated in less than a minute. She had to return Simon to his pokeball, just so he would be safer.

Nero ignore her movements, and looked around the area… just rocks… nothing of interest. So, he clicked his lounge. "Tch… When's it gonna show?"

"…" Grim however slowly step forward closing in on Lucille.

"a…a…" Lucille frightenedly backed up, away from Grim. Sure, she had one Pokémon, Athena her Gothitelle, but a psychic type now… that would only be sending Athena to her death. Lucille was at a loss of what to do. She had no way to fight against Nero… eventually she was backed up corned, Grim still closing in on her.

"Guess… this is it." Nero said, still no sight of the Pokémon he thought would show. "I hate to drag things out any longer than I have too. So, Grim just finish it."

"N-no…" Lucille shook as the Black Absol jumped, readying to swing its horn filled with the dark energy of a night slash onto Lucille.

"ARO!" Just as it would have it cut into Lucile, another Absol swung a Night Slash of its own knocking Grim away.

"What?" Lucille looked up in surprise to see her Guardian Absol. It was the one she saw before, at Beryl Grave yard… It was a normal Absol looking majestic and calm… The Absol stood guarding Lucille.

"it finally showed up…" Nero Grumbled… His plan to draw out Lucille's Absol worked… but with an unexpected twist as Nero recognized it. "Of all the Fucking Absols out there. It had to be you… Is this some sick joke?"

"…" Grim his own Pokémon looked surprised to see this Absol guarding Lucille.

Nero then looked at Lucille Anger was clear. "Who the Fuck are you?"

"huh?" This anger was intense… it was nothing like before. Nero was calm, calculating in the battle. But here, now that this new Absol showed… he snapped. Though Lucille didn't understand, she looked at her protector. The Absol glanced back for a second, a blue light flashing in its red eyes.

The world transformed around her as she got a new vision form this Absol. It was at the top of Mount Pyrous. Percival, Cain, Victoria, Taka, a boy with red hair, a man with black pony tail, a Garchomp, and the caretaker of Apophyll, Kiki were all there. The boy with red hair commanded his Magmortar to throw a Medicham into the Volcano. Then the Garchomp Ran and slashed at, killing Kiki.

Then Lucille's vision returned back to the battle she was having with Nero. The black Absol Grim opposing the Absol that was guarding her. But Lucille gasped, recoiling from the vision. "What… NO… how, when… This is happening now?"

"Oh, that must be the vision of that Ladies death. Guess you didn't notice her sneaking by." Nero reasoned… "But that still doesn't answer my question. Who the hell are you?"

"…I—" Lucille didn't get a chance to respond as there was a cry coming from the top of the mountain.

"KIKI!" It was clear that it was Victoria's.

"No… I—I…" Lucille was at a loss… she didn't even have a chance to do anything about the vision she just saw.

"Gr… Answer me." Nero continued to growl. He was literally about to not care about the Absol that showed up, and attack it. But was stopped as he heard a buzz from his intercom. "what?... FR… Fine."

The Absol relaxed as Nero returned Grim to his pokeball. But, never dropped her eyes off of him. "…"

"…" Lucille was shaking worried about what she just saw.

"You're lucky today." Nero said. walking off in a direction away from everyone.

It wasn't even a second after Nero left, but Lucille bolted into the volcano.