Chapter 43- A Midnight Battle

A/N: This is an original Pokémon Fan Game, made by Amethyst. if you wish to check it out and play the game download it at Reborn Evolved. search for it on your web browser if you want to get to the website.

Time: 21:00

Location: Route 1

The sun had set; two figures sat with a small fire separating the two. The sky was lit with stars, a calm, beautiful night. A grassy plain that separated two forests.

"…You know after being with everyone… camping out just the two of us makes it seem lonely." A blonde girl with silver eyes, age 15, said. Her name was Lucille Luxen.

"I can understand that." Her companion, a boy of the same age, with white hair and blue eyes responded, using a stick to pick at the fire. This was Percival Whitehall. "But with these two keys on us, the others won't be exposed to danger."

"Right…" Lucille said as she looked at a Ruby Ring she had in her hand.

To explain, an event that occurred barely a day ago. The two trainers were ones who fought against the notorious Team Meteor. Their friends held two items that Meteor wanted a Ruby Ring and an Amethyst Pendant. The reason for it, is because these two unique items are apparently a key to some sort of lock, which Meteor desperately wants to be unlocked. Causing Team Meteor to chase them, for the safety of their friends Percival and Lucille was given these two items, and set off for Labradorra City by themselves.

"…" Lucille looked at the ring in her hand once more, then to the four pokeballs she had on her belt. Thinking of what she'll need to do, she wonders if she could actually protect the key with her power. "Hey… Percy?"

"Yes," Percival responded, the two have had a somewhat fight that same day. Ever since then, Percival tried to choose his words carefully, feeling like he was walking on thin ice.

"I've been thinking… I know this will only just double your burden… but I want you to hold onto the ring as well." Lucille said.

"…" Percival hesitated in taking the ring. "You sure? If I take this, then your chances of seeing Nero again lower immensely."

"Yes… I know." Lucille said an obvious pain in her voice. Who was Nero? Well for starters, he is a dark-type trainer who was working with Team Meteor. Nero's reason was unbeknownst, but what was known he had a terrible life which resulted in terrible decisions. But the most important fact to Lucille was that Nero is her twin brother. One she had forgotten about due to a near death run in that left her with amnesia, and a mother who never mentioned Nero. Since finding that out, Lucille resolved to convince Nero to quit Team Meteor. Though with only four Pokémon at her side… "I know what I said… but I don't have the strength right now."

"You could always just catch some of the Pokémon around here?" Percival suggested, but could understand a reason for not catching them.

"I want my Pokémon to understand their reason for joining. Blaze, Theros, Livia, and Athena. They all have a bright determination to help me…" Lucille sighed, "It might have just been because of the bonds that we formed… but, I don't see it in any of the other Pokémon here… Besides, if anything I can only take one from here."

"one?" Percival understood, the first part of Lucille's explanation. But what was the meaning of just one Pokémon.

"I know this has been talked about before… and even though I don't completely understand it myself. Like Nero I am also Marked." Lucille said, referring to the mark of the Absol. Humans who have been marked are rare, it is someone who has founded a bond with the Absol. A bond that links both their souls. As Absols can glance into the future, a human who has been marked can also do that.

"…" Percival stayed quiet at that inquiry. He has fought against Nero's black Absol, Grim. Grim was strong, an opponent that Percival found no way to deal with.

Lucille has met her Absol three times: First right before the train crash into Lower Peridot. The Second was when it gave her vision for the death of Corey Molinar, Reborn's Poison Gym Leader. Third time was to see the death of Kiki Mikael Argall, Reborn's fighting-type Leader and Sensei of Apophyll Academy. Though the Absol has yet to join Lucille. Lucille assumes this is because of her scarred past, that her Absol will join her when Lucille proves herself strong enough. "She's waiting for me… I can feel it."

"*Sigh*" Percival sighed, knowing how stubborn Lucille can be, he reached out his hand. "Fine, I understand. But I hope you can have more than just six Pokémon. Sure, it isn't always the best to have one in the PC, but it would be better to have a full team rather than just four."

"I'll think about that." Lucille nodded to Percival about that. handing him the ring.

Snap!

The snapping of a twig set off alarms for both Percival and Lucille. both quickly turning to the direction of the noise. "Though I heard a bug or something crawling around. Didn't think it would be a pair of love bugs."

"tch." Percival clicked his lounge in annoyance, at recognition of the voice. "Oh, yes this is a forest… Though this isn't a tropical location, so maybe your just an invasive species."

"Hello Fern." Lucille greeted him, though with a sigh which could only mean her patience with him was fading.

Who was Fern? A rival of Percival. Someone who had been on Reborn's Gym challenge. Though only downside to Fern was his over the top arrogant attitude. "So, you come up here for the Gym?"
"Gym?" Percival was in an unknown area. He and Lucille trying to find their way to a city, they didn't know the location of. It was only reasonable that neither he or Lucille would know of any Gyms being nearby.

"Lost as usual I see." Fern smirked, "There's a huge Castle to the east, serves as a Gym."

"Well, thank you for the information." Percival, trying to be courteous, bowed his head in appreciation of the information. "*That would be my eighth badge then… Wonder what type…*"

"Hah," Fern laughed as he overheard Percival's Badge number. "You're only at seven? I'm up to eight. So much for you starting first."

"Well, unlike you I find exploring the scenery as I go much more enjoying." Percival didn't feel like being aggravated by Fern this time, and tried to respond with a more relaxed attitude.

"…" Fern though did not return that attitude. "The hell's that supposed to mean."

"Oh, nothing. Just try to give you and your Pokémon a break between battles." Percival said in a calm voice. "Too much pressure, and instead of growing they'll only be hurt."

"What, you don't think I'm not strong enough to have eight badges." Fern responded feeling insulted.

"Calm down, Fern." Lucille said trying to interject, "Percy isn't saying that at all."

"Then why don't you try me, Badgeless!" Fern shouted at Lucille in his own annoyance.

"Fern I'm not trying to pick a fight here, neither of us are." Lucille said reasonably.

"What scared?" Fern Taunted Lucille once more.

Lucille glanced to Percival, with their eyes meeting. Percival said with just his eyes that if Fern could give up that easily, then he'd have never battle Fern. Lucille sighed in understanding. "If you want to fight, then sure. But I only have four Pokémon."

"Four? Didn't you have six last time I saw you? Oh… They must have run away from how bad of a trainer you are." Fern smiled.

"…" Lucille bit her lip, a hidden anger flashing in her eyes.

"Fine, I'll bite. Four on four. Just because I know you're not as strong as Whitehall over here!" Fern said, tossing out a maroon colored Pokémon with black stripes. It's face resembling that of a crocodile. "Go Krookodile!"

"You know… I may not be Percy, but I also have some strong Pokémon. Theros!" Lucille said, tossing out a Pokémon with spiny armor made from its body, known as Chesnaught.

Fern looked at the Pokémon annoyed as it was one to have a high defense and attack. "keh… Krookodile return! Go Scyther!" Fern quickly changed to a green insectoid Pokémon with long thin blades it used to attack Pokémon. Though it was quickly dealt a blow as Theros had rammed its spiny shell into Scyther.

"So, smart to guess you might switch." Lucille nodded as she chose to not use a grass move.

"Heh, like you'll survive the next attack!" Fern snickered as he knew the grass-fighting Chesnaught would not survive an attack like this. "Scyther wing attack!"

"Theros Shield!" Lucille yelled.

"Ches!" Theros roared as it pounded his fists together glowing with a vibrant green energy.

"Scy!" The Scyther still slashed at Theros, but due to the protective nature of the move, Scyther's wing attack had no effect. Well except for one. "Gra!" The Scyther screamed in pain as it hit the spiky shield… Scyther flinched back looking partially wounded.

"Cheap shot!" Fern was annoyed that he was yet to get any damage in on Lucille's Pokémon. "Scyther just do it ag—"

"Theros, Rollout!" Lucille however didn't give Fern a chance as Theros curled into a ball then quickly rolled into the Scyther, knocking out within the third turn of this battle.

"What, how?!" Fern exclaimed confused, knowing that his Scyther should have reacted faster

"…Fern, I know she doesn't have any badges, but do you really think you can afford to underestimate your opponent?" Percival commented, as he was watching the battle with quite the interest.

"Hey! I don't need comments from the peanut gallery!" Fern shouted back at Percival. Fern returned his Scyther to his pokeball then quickly, to his next Pokémon. A Pokémon with white rose petals as its head, with a leafy cape, it's hands a blue rose while the other a red, the rose incarnation Roserade. "Roserade! Extrasensory!"

"Rose!" The Roserade's eyes glowed a gold color, as it launched a beam of psychic energy from its flowery hands.

"Che—" Theros cried as it took the damage, but was not slowed down in the slightest as it took another roll around with even more speed. Ramming into the Roserade. Though it knocked back the Roserade. It had easily stood back up brushing off the attack.

"heh, so much for Roll Out!" Fern laughed, "Roserade finish it off now!"

"Rose!" Roserade shouted, as it fired off another blast of Extrasensory. This time knocking out Theros.

As her Chesnaught fell, Lucille nodded to it. "You did well Theros, thank you."

"Well, it only got one of my Pokémon. If you ask me the score's pretty even." Fern said, not believing the praise for the Pokémon was worth it.

"*Sigh*…" Lucille just shook her head in a sigh as she heard that. "If that's what you think… But, Theros has given Livia here a lovely set up."

"Livia?" Fern questioned thinking what a dumb name to give a Pokémon. But upon seeing the blue serpentine dragon exit it's pokeball his eyes widened. "H-h… Wha? How the hell do you have that?!"

"What a Gyarados? A friend gave it to me." Lucille smiled looking upon Livia, as she remembers Marie and Helios the Zebstrika she traded for her.

"Tch…" Fern clicked his teeth in annoyance, yelling at his Roserade. "Roserade Drain it of its life force! Giga Drain!"

"Rade!" His Roserade's petals started to glow a bright green and particles of energy was being drained from Livia, who seemed to be only annoyed at the attempt of it draining its energy. In Fern's rush to try and take Livia down, he didn't notice the light blue aura that surrounded the Pokémon, or how it snaked around in such a circular pattern as if ritualistically trying to summon more energy

"Well, you've done your dance Livia. Time to strike." Lucille said with a confident smile.

"You think you can beat me? Well you've got another thing coming!" Fern yelled at Lucille's confidence. "Rose—"

Lucille cut him off, "Livia, Ice Fang!"

"Gyarah!" Livia the Gyarados roared, the temperature dropping as its fangs became coated with a layer of ice. Looking down on the small prey, known as Roserade, Livia dived down chomping onto it.

"Ah! Wait don't eat it!" Lucille screamed as she saw Livia almost swallow the Roserade.

"Roserade…" As Roserade was spit out, it could barely, right before it collapsed into unconsciousness.

"gah…" Fern tightened his hands into fists as his second Pokémon was taken down… "Krookodile, come back out!"

"Livia, Aqua Tail." With Lucille's simple command. Livia's tail was suddenly bursting with water, swinging her tail she hit the Krookodile. Krookodile was quickly rammed into a tree, getting knocked out instantly.

"…" Fern bit his lip as his third Pokémon had fallen.

"Hmm, let me guess…" Percival scratched his chin as he looked upon the Krookodile. "Your Krookodile had Thunder Fang, didn't it?"

"Shut up!" Fern yelled at Percival, before turning back to Lucille. "You're a real thorn in my side, you know?"

Unknown of what came over her, Lucille could only respond with a taunting smile and said. "Who? Me?"

"Gr…" Fern could only growl in response. As he brought out his fourth and final Pokémon of the fight. A tall brown owl-like Pokémon with a green hood, and an orange mask, this Pokémon is known as Decidueye.

"Livia, finish it." Lucille said, "Crunch!"

"Gyara!" Livia roared once more. diving down onto the Decidueye, chomping it. Once more bringing down Fern's final Pokémon.

"Grahhh!" Fern raged as his Pokémon was taken down.

"So, Fern, do you understand what went wrong in that fight?" Percival decided to question Fern.

"…" Fern ignored Percival's question and rolled his eyes.

"You really have the bad habit of underestimating your opponents." Percival explained as Fern stayed silent. "First, as to why your Scyther was unable to be faster than Theros… you recall that your Scyther was hit with a body slam, yes? Well that attack also managed to paralyze it. Next, after you defeated Theros you didn't notice when Livia had used Dragon Dance. With that she could easily out maneuver any of your Pokémon, but let's not forget Livia's ability, Moxie."

"Tch… such cheap tactics." Fern clicked his lounge as he listened to the lecture.

"Yet, they beat you." Percival smiled.

"Whatever." Fern waved it off done with these two. "Not like it matters. I think we all know who the real top dog is anyway."
"…" Percival didn't know if he understood that even if Fern used all six of his Pokémon that the result would be the same, or that his arrogance was just that high.

"Unlike you idiots, I'm busy trying to track down that Normal Gym Leader." Fern spat out, as he started to walk away from the two. "Some dumb kid, I guess he ran away from his place in Lapis. Later, Losers!"

"*Sigh*… The more I interact with him, the more I lose faith that he's a good person." Lucille sighed as Fern walked away.

"I didn't ever think he was." Percival shrugged as he heard Lucille say that. "But those were some impressive skills you showed in battle."

"… It's nothing, with how many times he's fought your Leafeon lead, I could tell he wouldn't stay in with Theros out first." Lucille said, then looking at Livia who had yet to return to her pokeball. "But Livia did all the real work here, and that's because of her original trainer… I didn't do much."

"heh," Percival couldn't help but chuckle as he heard that. "that read was to be expected, but your handle on Livia… I can't say that I'm not impressed. Livia is one of the most stubborn Pokémon that Ari owned, and here you are handling her like this! I've never seen Ari handle Livia that well. you are an impressive trainer, something about you… You manage to make Pokémon trust you, and they respect that doing as much as they can do for you. If I can't call that impressive, then I don't know what is!"

"…" Lucille had a faint smile on her face. She didn't want to ruin the praise Percival was speaking about her. But the only thought in her mind was… "(If I was the impressive, I should have either recognized Nero for who he is, or be able to have helped him by now…)"

"…" Percival smiled, but seeing the fake smile Lucille had, he slowly stopped. Looking at the sky, the moon had shown it became midnight. "well… We'll have a busy day tomorrow, and I think I wish to visit those that castle Fern mentioned. What do you think?"

"I like that…" Lucille smiled towards Percival.

With that the night for the two ended without much incident. The next day was one they would not have expected.