Chapter 86- Dusk Before Night

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

I will say this would probably fit better as a "Filler" chapter… But I'd rather say it takes time to show calmness before the soon-to-be storm for the characters.

Location: Calcenon City

It was dark; the faint glow of the ruby and amethyst paths left the city alight. Trainers and Gym Leaders scattered about. Some recovering their strength from previous battles. Some calming their nerves before the coming storm. Others sat in expectation in plans to retake Labradorra.

Four girls sat around an unconscious body. The four of them were girls with darker skin tones, their hair all different colors: Black, Purple, Blue, and Blonde.

"So this guy held you two captive… in his body?" Asked a girl with blonde hair, poking the unconscious man with a stick.

"That is an oversimplification of the matter, but it is true." A girl with purple hair and a pink flower pin nodded, Looking at the man on the ground. "In an experiment with a Magneton gone wrong caused Lumi, Myself, and Zero here to share his body."

"Woaaaahhhh."

"..." The shortest of the group with long black hair looked at her sister's agape mouth. "I apologize for Ari's actions. She can be rather rude sometimes."

"Ah, Marie! How can you say that about your lovely and fantastic older sister!" Ari shouted back.

"..."

"Don't just say nothing!"

"Again, I apologize for her rudeness."

"Marie!"

"Hehe…" A quiet laugh came from a girl dressed in a heavy winter coat and blue hair. "You two certainly are a funny pair of siblings. Eve and I barely ever had a chance to biker like the two of you."

"Lumi…" Evelyn looked at her sister, concern in her eyes. How much of Lumi's life was shrouded away from her due to illness, Meteor… Zero in particular. Returning to their bodies was a good thing… but in doing so… Lumi was now back on a timelimit. "Don't worry… I promise I'll make it so we can fight and make it up like normal people."

"Pfft… hahaha!" Lumi smiled, bursting out laughing at her sister's remarks. It was silly to say in such a serious tone…, but Lumi couldn't resist laughing.

Ari and Marie looked at Lumi and Eve's interactions with a smile… and a bit of familiarity. Sure, the circumstances were different. The two Whitehall sisters, indeed, weren't forced to share a body with a random person… They certainly had their strife with controlling individuals.

Ari… out of everyone there, understood the glimmer of fear in Evelyn's eyes—the fear of hurting a sibling that she cared about, the knowledge of what she had done to her siblings. Out of everyone, Ari knew that Marie and Percival running away was the best option. The Whitehall family was toxic and suffocating; she hated it and understood Eve.

"...Marie, I am sorry, you know?"

"Even to Percival?"

"...Even to Percival." Ari sighed out. She didn't like her half-brother but knew he wasn't at fault. Ari glanced around, noting that both of her older brothers were missing. "I guess I'll apologize to him after he and Kuro get back."

"Please do…" Marie reached out, grasping her sister's hands. Marie's mind racing… "...After everything is over, I'll head home…"

"What? Are you sure?"

"Someone has to look over Solace? Mom… she's not any better than Dad…" Marie sighed out.

"Yeah…" Ari sighed…

On the southeastern side of town, a girl in a kimono with black hair stood under a lampost. She was distraught, annoyed by several circumstances. And the enemies that supposedly turned allies.

"Victoria…" a voice echoed in the cold mountain air. Her silver eyes showed concern for her friend's emotional state, and her golden hair covered a faded scar.

"..." Victoria stayed silent, not meeting her friend's eyes.

Lucille, though, just stood next to Victoria, waiting for her to answer. "You know you can talk to me; I'll listen."

"...Ever since it happened, I've been beating myself up for ever having liked Cal. At this point…" Victoria hid her face in her hands, ashamed of so many things: She did not want to hear excuses, was weak, and did not see any signs. "The thought that I might have been wrong to do so is almost more painful than the things I was telling myself. If I believe him… Then isn't it our fault that Kiki died?"

"..." Lucille didn't know how to answer. Sure, she was at Pyrous Mountain… but was busy fighting at the volcano's base. Everything she knew of what happened at the peak was second-hand knowledge.

She had only known the different tales from everyone's eyes. How Percival, Cain, Victoria, and even Cal felt. How was it watching a Garchomp cut down a beloved teacher? How terrifying it was to think that the Volcano was going to blow at any second. The betrayal of someone who didn't think to act sooner. That ache of powerlessness as you can't do anything to stop whats coming…

Lucille bit her tongue… but suddenly asked Victoria two questions. "...Was it my fault Nero became a criminal? Was it my fault he lost his arm?"

"Huh?" Victoria blinked before registering the questions. "H-how was any of that your fault?! He because he joined Team Meteor-"

"After me nearly dying, he was left with an abusive father… and lost all trust for other people while living on the streets."

"But that's not… Fine, but how is it your fault he lost his arm? You were captured by Team Meteor held in a devilish competition where he chose to fight Lin." Victoria said to Lucille. Why should she blame herself for all that?

"I don't really remember the night I nearly died… but since learning, I've wondered… If I wasn't strong enough… didn't do enough at Devonyx…"

"..." Victoria fell silent; she had asked herself similar questions.

"Regardless of those thoughts… None of that matters now, does it?" Lucille said, looking up at the night sky. It was dark, but stars were shining off in the far distance. "I can kick myself for all of my flaws… Percival kicks himself for his weakness… I'm sure Cal hates himself for his actions as well. I know Nero definitely does." Lucille exhaled a pale cloud visible in the cold air. "I digress… Regardless if we make ourselves the victim, blame it on someone else, blame it on ourselves, or learn from it... What happened, happened. All we can do is move forward and ensure no one else sufferers the same way we did, alright?"

"..." Victoria nodded silently. "*sigh* You're right. Only we can forge a better future for everyone."

It was quiet as a boy with black hair, silver eyes, and one arm waited outside a house. The boy knew full well that the inside was noisy. Two… maybe all three—sisters were having a verbal spat. The sisters inside were none other than the Belrose Siblings: Saphira, Laura, and Charlotte. The three were arguing about the right to use violence to protect oneself against abusers and whether anyone really deserved redemption.

"Tch…" Nero clicked his tongue as the cold wind stung his bruised face. He acquired a bruise from said Saphira Belrose. Knowing he would likely gain another one when he stepped inside.

While knowing he would be in a world of hurt… Nero knew it would be better just to take another wound. Nero knew what he could handle… but no one likes pain or inflicting it to ones who don't deserve it…

Nero knew it would hurt her… hell it would destroy that girl's whole world once he said it. After all… When Nero found out Lucille was alive, he was rather conflicted though he never showed it. But even still he had to do it.

Click!

Nero opened the door and entered the house, noting the expressions of the three sisters. Saphira wasn't glaring, but she was undoubtedly agitated. Laura was worried for her sister, and Charlotte was Charlotte.

"That kind of thinking is what allows it to continue. That's what gets people like you hurt!"

"Then I would rather be hurt."

"Then you're still naive. Still just a child…"

"I am grateful for your guidance and protection, but are we not entitled to our own opinions of what is best to do?" Laura responded, her eyes landing on Charlotte and then Nero. "Charlotte, Nero, and everyone."

"Oi, Don't go draggin' me back into this now." Charlotte sighed, tired of this bickering.

"This dilemma belongs to all of us," Laura said to Charlotte.

"What, Nero, too?" Charlotte rolled her eyes as she met Nero's gaze. She had an annoying and cynical smirk on her face.

Laura blinked, not expecting Charlotte to drag him in so suddenly. "That isn't quite what I had-"

"So Nero, welcome to the civil war." With a cheeky smile, Charlotte said, "I'm not sure if you've heard from all the shouting… But what's your take on this? Is it fine to use violence as an answer to abuse?"

Nero felt the gazes of all three sisters on him. Laura was now waiting to see how he'd answer. While Charlotte… Nero was sure she already knew the answer to that question. "You're asking me that?"

"Yeeaaaah," Charlotte stretched, "I guess the jury's already spoken here. Long ago, really."

"I don't need anyone's approval," Saphira stated aloud, her voice stern. Warning her sisters. "In fact, it's better if you both stay out of it. I'll take care of everything like I always have. Including Dr. Sigmund Connal's funeral."

As Saphira walked to the door, Nero just stood still. Blocking her exit. "..."

"Nero."

"I'm not moving. Not until I get to speak my piece." Nero boldly stated, regardless if he said it or not… He was already working with a ticking timebomb.

"Talk." Saphira exhaled; her impatience was evident in her voice.

"I wanted to talk about how you three got to this point." Hearing those words, the atmosphere stiffened… Saphira's already angry eyes seemed to want to rip off Nero's other arm.

"What do you mean me?" Charlotte laughed, but her eyes, indeed, were hostile.

"It wasn't you," Nero stated, and the atmosphere shifted again.

"What?" Charlotte's smile disappeared, her eyes now unsteady. Charlotte had blamed herself for their parents' death… Why wouldn't she? While playing with her Vulpix late at night, she accidentally started a fire, a fire that burned down their home with their parents still inside. But that was just an unfortunate coincidence.

"..." Saphira's eyes shifted from murder to anger, unease, and intrigue.

"..." Laura didn't express anger but unease and intrigue. Why did Nero suddenly proclaim that Charlotte was innocent?

Nero sighed; none of the sisters had realized it yet. Laura… maybe she was just too naive to think of it. Saphira, blinded by the rage of Meteor's actions… probably never thought of it. But Charlotte—surprisingly, the most rational and cunning of the three—was a question of whether she just refused to believe it.

"Let's start from the beginning, shall we?" Nero said leaning back on the front door. "As you know, the four gem accessories are magical keys that Team Meteor wants. Something they've wanted since… Before me and Charlotte were born? Regardless, they've wanted them to the point they've held multiple cities hostage. Why wouldn't they burn down a house for a pair of bracelets?"

The room went silent as Nero finished. Saphira seemed to be calculating priorities. Laura looked at her youngest sister with concern. Charlotte… Nero could see it in Charlotte's eyes as her world presumably shattered for the second time.

"You're joking, right?" Charlotte said in a shaking voice.

"Charlotte..." Laura said, stepping to comfort Charlotte, but she only pulled away.

"Meteor Agent Sirius, 10 years ago, went to retrieve Saphire Bracelets and set a house on fire with his Chandelure. Though he failed to acquire said bracelets." Nero closed his eyes and recalled the report he found weeks ago. "I realized whose house it was not too long ago."

Charlotte stepped toward Ner and shouted at him, "You're lying! You have to be."

Nero only responded with a neutral stare. "What would I gain from lying? Especially with your overprotective sister in the room."

"..." Charlotte bit her lip before turning to go deeper in the house, yelling, "Fuck you!"

"Nero." Saphira's voice finally called out his name in the moments of silence. It was hard to tell if she was angry at him, though. "I thank you for this information. But if you were hoping it would change something regarding Sigmund, it won't."

"I don't care for that bastard. But if anyone in Team Meteor deserves death, it's Sirius." Nero said calmly. Moving to the side, Saphira was allowed free access to the door.

"Sirius will be dealt with."

As Saphira left, Nero exhaled… He thought he'd end up getting punched. However, Nero still wasn't alone. "Nero..."

"Oh, thought you'd follow after Charlotte." Nero met Laura's eyes and shrugged. "Look… Everyone deserves to know the truth of what happened to their families. It certainly changed my perspective… Though wish I found that out long ago… anyway, Charlotte has yet to make similar mistakes, so I thought I should just stop that ahead of time."

"But that's not everything, is it?" Laura looked at him; her eyes seemed to read right through Nero's facade.

"..." Nero's mouth was clenched tight. How the fuck did I ever think that she was naive? "...I'd rather them hear it now instead of Meteor using it against them. If revealed at the wrong time… things… so many things can go wrong, we both know it."

"Nero..." Laura stepped closer, placing her hand on Nero's shoulder. Nero flinched slightly but didn't react much. Her hand was… warm. "You know you don't need to paint yourself a villain to help someone."

"..." Nero pulled away, reaching for the door. "I'll see if that's true after we beat Team Meteor."

Every Pokémon Center had many facilities for trainers. There were the obvious healing facilities and a PC network. There was also a small dormitory resting area for trainers who needed to stay overnight and a small lunchroom for trainers to cook and relax.

With the events of Agate and the soon-to-be battle for Labradorra, the Pokémon Center was empty save for two trainers… Two Brothers.

"Hm…It seems like they have Earl Grey, Black, Green, and… Chamomile Tea," A boy with white hair and blue eyes said, looking through a box of tea, looking to make a hot drink for him and his brother.

"Chamomile… You trying to put me to sleep?" The brother also had white hair but darker skin and brown eyes. "But really, no coffee?"

"Oh, they have that too. But I'd thought tea would be more relaxing. If the caffeine hits too quickly, we'll only be getting ourselves nervous from caffeine."

"...Yeah, Adrienn often complains about that. Just give me Black Tea, then."

"Right… Lucille has mentioned that you've been doing paperwork at the Grandhall. Also, I've heard you've been a great help to Adreinn, Kuro. I'll have some black tea as well."

"Not as much as you… I'll admit." Kuro said, leaning back in a chair as Percival put on a kettle. "I've heard nothing but stories about you and Lucille… How you've clashed with Team Meteor. Fighting strange creatures like the ones in Labradorra. Cleaning up city pollution. Freeing Cities from Meteor Control…"

"None of it is as easy as it sounds, mind you," Percival said, looking around for a pair of mugs.

"Didn't think it was. I swear you have a death wish!" Kuro said, recalling the different things he'd heard… And meeting someone of late. "How the hell did you survive most of that shit. Especially that guy who lost an arm?!"

"What, were you intimidated by Nero?" Percival smirked, seeing Kuro's expression. "He's not as scary as he seems…"

"...that's a-"

"When he's your ally."

"..."

"I'd never… No, he probably has read through my facade… But yes, meeting him for the first time… as his enemy… well, he tried to kill me more than once." Percival admitted… Reminiscing of the good(?) old days.

"..." Kuro only sighed in response. "...Can we trust him?"

"Yes…" Percival said with a quiet nod. Percival had seen a lot of Nero's life. He knew a lot about how Nero hurt and how he's lost any ties to Meteor. But even still, Percival was confident Nero wouldn't hurt Lucille. "He's Lucille's brother as well."

"..." Kuro looked down as water began to boil.

"Their relationship is far from perfect… Putting it simply, Nero's greatest sin is not being strong enough to protect Lucille from a Hydriegon when they were children. While Lucille feels her's is that she left Nero in a terrible life… where he eventually became a criminal." Percival said pour the steaming water into cups. "They certainly need to discuss things once everything is over."

"Like we do…" Kuro sighed, looking at his cup.

The relationship between the two brothers was strained, very strained. Half-brothers, once friends, and in the name of "Family," competition turned them into enemies. It was rather surprising to both that they could hold such a civil moment between the two.

Percival raised his cup of tea. "To make it out alive to have that conversation."

"To repair our bonds." Kuro raised his cup as well.