Chapter 6: Nemesis Revealed
With the start of a new day, one could only hope that things would go back to normal for the Black family. If only that were so true. In Ethan's bedroom, one could see him seemingly convulsing in his sleep again. Suddenly waking up, he panted as he noticed himself having sweated, possibly from another nightmare he seemed to have been having. Taking a look at the time on his phone that was put on a nearby desk, he noticed that it was almost five."A good time to wake up." Ethan thought to himself. Checking his bed, he noticed Beleza and Phosphora still sleeping soundly much to his surprise. Smiling sadly, he walked back up to the two, and gently hugged them, shedding a tear after the nightmare he had. It didn't help that it felt just as real as the last. "I promise the both of you I won't let anything happen to either of you two. You mean so much to me, and I don't know what I'd do without either of you, girls." Despite being an early bird, he started to have second thoughts on waking up so early, given how distressed the girls were the morning before. Shrugging he climbed back into bed, being careful not to wake up the two. Before he had a chance to react, Beleza suddenly turned around, and kissed him, her eyes still shut as if she was "sleepwalking". Breaking the kiss, she rested her head against her chest, falling back to sleep as he wrapped his arms around her, still troubled by the nightmare he had. Gently kissing Beleza on the forehead, he fell asleep once more hoping to be able to sleep more peacefully.****Beleza*Feeling a comforting sense of warmth, Beleza couldn't help but wake up to see where it was coming from. Much to her surprise, she realized it was her dearest Ethan holding on to her like a stuffed Pokémon. She even noticed a few beads of tears across his nose, as if he was crying about something. Never liking seeing her trainer sad, she slithered up to his face, and licked any presence of tears she saw, being mindful of his eyelids, ignoring the salty taste of his tears. After cleaning his face off, she moved her body slightly to get more comfortable, as she wondered what had made him cry. "Please don't be another nightmare. You're too nice and caring to have that happen." She thought out, deducing the most obvious.Having lost motivation to sleep, she attempted to slither out of bed, thinking he'd be alright with just Phosphora, only for Ethan to grab her a bit tighter. Sighing, she remembered where he had put his 3DS system, sensing that it'd be a while before he woke up, so she got her tail free as it slithered across the floor before she grabbed the handheld, along with its carrying case. Even though she wasn't a fan of its controls, she felt compelled to play Kid Icarus Uprising, as she booted the game up, and hummed the series theme, if
a bit quiet not to disturb the two. For such a quiet morning, Beleza couldn't help but feel troubled, as if there was presence that wasn't supposed to be there...****Violet*On the rooftop of a nearby building sat the one who called herself Violet. The same girl that had been stalking Ethan for her own interests. Thanks to it still being in the morning hours, no could see her as she played with the powers she possessed, creating a sphere of jet black energy before dissipating it. Closing her eyes, she couldn't help but hum something ominous as she looked around, seeing the auras of the many people of New Bark Town. But there was one aura had her eyes on. Concentrating, she set her attention on Ethan's, noting the very dark blue aura he had, almost looking more black than blue. "Perhaps he could be of a great use to us. If we could convince him to join us, we'd have a powerful ally." She thought, grinning at the idea of a man with his abilities on the side of the forces she commanded. Granted, those forces weren't exactly hers, nor were the powers she was granted. But she was still grateful for what she was already capable of. Hearing a buzzing sound, she pulled out a cell phone as she noticed the name on it. Smirking, she pushed a button as she said "Well good morning, Lord Valor."She couldn't help but laugh to herself as she heard a young masculine, and somewhat frustrated voice reply "With all due respect Mistress, you know better than anyone I'm not a fan of that title. What was wrong with my real name?""Oh, nothing. But for our sake, it still isn't the time for the world to know of who we really are. But if our Master says it's time to accelerate plans, then so be it." Violet explained. "Right now, I'm over here in New Bark Town just checking out the area. But soon it will be our time to strike, just not yet. I'm also keeping an eye on a young man by the name of Ethan."Curious, "Valor" had asked "What is it about him that piques your interest, Mistress Violet?" She couldn't help but feel a bit dirty at the title she had worked hard to earn, as her long purple hair swayed from a morning breeze. "Well, I sense a great power within him, that I feel should be tested. I'm thinking of contacting our newest asset, and sending her out to battle him." She replied. "How recently did she join again?" Her "friend" asked, not familiar with this "asset" Violet was speaking of."I believe two years ago." She replied. "And I haven't
seen any of our disciples learn of our power as fast as she did. And out of everyone, she knows him the best.""I see. Well, it's your call, Violet." "Valor replied as the two mutually ended their call.Grinning, she thought to herself "She's definitely the perfect candidate for challenging Ethan." Taking one last look around, she walked away before closing her eyes as she vanished, leaving a black smoky mist, only to be scattered away by the morning breeze.****Ethan*Hearing the sounds of a potentially aggravated Milotic, Ethan couldn't help but wake himself up once again, as he noticed none other than Beleza struggling on a game she had been playing. Given the sound, he could only smile, knowing that she was playing Kid Icarus Uprising. Noticing her closest friend awaking, she put the game down, and the two hugged as they said good morning to each other. Noticing a sense of concern on her face, he asked "Is something up?"Looking into his dark brown eyes, she replied "When I had woken up, I found you holding onto me like a teddy Beartic, and having been crying. Did you have another nightmare again?"Nodding, he explained "Yes. But this was different." Shivering as he hugged her again, he explained as he felt tears seep out of his eyes "I was still in Goldenrod like the last dream, but remember when I had said of dreaming of both you and Phosphora hanging from two separate buildings?" Remembering how much his earlier dream bothered him, she replied, her voice as soothing as velvet "Yes."Struggling not to stutter he replied "Well, I had spent too long thinking of whether to save you or Phosphora, so the both.....of you...fell. But that isn't...the only thing that...had troubled me." Looking over at Phosphora, whom was sleeping as peacefully as a kitten, he continued "You and poor Phosphora had hit like a rock. She was beyond...saving when I had caught up to her. And you, I was able to revive you long enough to tell me you were ashamed of the monster I had become. You literally died in my arms, saying that I had been blessed with this power, and I had squandered it for my own selfish interests, harming anyone that had gotten in my way. And when I had looked down at myself, I saw that my clothing had become very dirtied and discolored, and my lightning had a very dark red color to it...it....looked almost bloody...as if it was dripping with blood....possibly mine...."Disturbed by the description, Beleza pulled herself closer to him. "I promise you that I won't let anything happen to you. Neither you or Phosphora, no matter what it takes me." Touched by his words, the
two shared an innocent kiss.**Unknown*Normally, the people of New Bark Town would be in a very bright mood upon seeing the rise of the morning sun as they began their daily routines. For one girl however, that was another story. Dressed in a black hooded pea coat to hide her face, as well as a pair of black jeans and knee high boots, she strolled across the streets, with a Pokémon by her side, specifically an electrokinetic tarantula known as a Galvantula. "So, the little brat has returned, Aranea my friend." She muttered. Her Galvantula nodded saying it's name."How adorable." She expressed sarcastically. "We're going to make him pay for everything he's done to me. And I hear that his so called friends are with him." Taking a look around, she noticed the presence of many pedestrians passing by. Wanting to express her thoughts, she took her "friend" to a nearby alleyway, with her loyal spider following her diligently. "What do you think would be the best thing to do, in such a small town like this? Attack him head on with my bag of tricks, harm his 'girlfriends'..."*Ethan After getting himself dressed, Ethan had checked on his personal belongings. After helping Phosphora wake up and get her ready, Beleza had slithered up to him, presumably wanting to say something. Nodding for her to go right ahead, she explain "I just wanted you to know that I've always been proud of your power for as long as I've known you, Ethan. And nothing will ever change that. Not now, not ever."Smiling, Ethan responded "Thank you.""And I wanted to ask if it was okay for for me to go back into my Poké-Ball? I'd like for you to spend the day with Phosphora." She asked. Not wanting to ask her why, Ethan nodded and grabbed her Dive Ball as he recalled his multi colored serpentine companion.With Beleza having been recalled, he went to check on Phosphora, as he asked her harmlessly "And how are you doing, my little Phosphy?"Giggling at the childish name, she responded "I'm doing great, Ethan. I slept well after you had awoken. But while I was dreaming, I could almost sense an aura of just bad things from you. Is everything okay?"As much as he didn't want to tell her, he replied "Perhaps the quickest way I can sum it up is that I had another nightmare. But this time, you and Beleza were...killed..."Terrified at the thought, she couldn't help but drop her walking cane as she walked towards Ethan's direction. Making it easier for her, he walked up to her, gently pulling his little sheep into a hug. For a second, he thought he could almost hear her crying as she acknowledged "Why would
someone want to do that to us? What wrong have Beleza and I have ever done?""I honestly don't know, dear. But all three of are going to have to be careful. This region might say it's legal for Pokémon and humans to be couples, but that doesn't mean everyone's happy about it." he explained.Confused by his words, she asked "But why wouldn't they be? How is it wrong to be with someone you love?"Trying to think of a response, he had asked "Do you know of the old saying 'People are afraid of what they don't understand'?" Seeing her nod, he continued "Well, that's just it. Humanity doesn't understand the sense of love that I share with you and Beleza." Touched by his words, she brought her face close to his as the two shared a kiss.Grateful as she was to be with him, she felt a lingering thought that had stayed with her ever since he and Beleza had found her all those years ago. "Ethan, thank you for everything." she thought to herself. As much as she loved him, part of her always felt that they were better off as friends, given her blindness. Little was she aware that Beleza felt her yellow friend was better off with him as she thought "Believe me, Phosphora. You deserve him far more than I ever could..."***Not too soon after gearing up, the two had walked downstairs, intending to go for a walk. Much to Ethan's surprise, he saw his own Aunt already dressed up in a brown hooded winter coat that had reached to her knees. "Going somewhere, Ethan?" She had asked."Yeah, I was thinking of heading out for a walk around town with Phosphora here." He explained. "We're you about to do the same, Tia?"Smirking, Hilda explained "Funny thing is, I was about to do the same. Probably head over to the local park, think over some things."Not having had a one on one chat with his Aunt for the longest time, he had asked "Mind if I was to join you, Tia Hilda?"Giving her nephew a hug, she replied "Sure. Wouldn't mind having someone to talk with. I still remember of you almost blowing up Cheren's car ten years ago when you had sat in it, but I got an idea that I actually wanted to try with you before you had left home.""Let me guess, it's a seat with some kind of rubber padding to absorb any potential electricity I discharge?" Ethan had asked. He remembered a few days ago when he had sat in a public bus without blowing it up, but that might have just been a fluke.Laughing, she replied "More or less. A few of the neighbors thought I was crazy, given that they know what you're capable of. But some of them believe
you could use those for the greater good. And it's not up to me, nor your mother, for how you live your life, but have you really thought of how you want to really use your power?""I have for the last three years, Tia. Simply put, I want to use them to protect us, as well as the people of Johto. Granted, I'm more than aware that I can't be everywhere." Ethan replied."Ampharos!" Phosphora had said calmly. Without saying a word, he pulled out her Poké-Ball as he recalled her, leaving only her walking cane on the ground."I'm going to assume that she had asked about going back into her ball?" Hilda asked out of curiosity as she saw her nephew pick up the cane, and collapsed it. "More or less. I was planning on going for a walk with Phosphora, and the two of us would chat about what we were going to do for the day." he explained.Unsure of what to say, she said "I'm sorry if I disrupted those plans in any way.""Not a problem. In the meantime, why don't we head out and continue our chat? And try out that idea you had come up with?"**Unknown*Far away from Johto, a lone man could be seen, sitting on what looked like a throne of sorts. Clad in a white greatcoat with a hood to hide his face save for his mouth, he had been watching over the events of everything that had been occurring for the longest of times. Who he was, that didn't matter, but what his followers knew was that he had always been at every step of Ethan's life. "I see you've been developing your powers well, Ethan." The man said to no one in particularly, as he watched from various television screens, possibly connected to satellites from space. Grinning, he acknowledged "I'm looking forward to what our little asset does to you. And if she fails, what's to worry about?" Grabbing a phone, the man had another sick idea in mind. "And if you think you are going to earn the trust of Johto that easily Ethan.....well, you're going to have to think again."Dialing out a number, he had said "Hello, International Police? Call it an anonymous tip, but I'd like to report of a terrorist hiding somewhere in Johto, and he's capable of producing lightning from himself! Yes, you heard that right, lightning....okay, thank you."**Ethan*Walking up to Hilda's car, a metallic silver suv with a brush bar, as well as a sunroof, he slowly opened the door to the vehicle as he noticed a rubber lining on the passenger seat that even touched the floor. "Is it me..." Ethan asked. "...or does this look a bit extreme?" "You're more than free to walk if you're more comfortable with doing that." Hilda replied jokingly. Rather than say anything, Ethan had crawled into the truck. Much to his surprise as he sat down, the rubber lining worked, effectively canceling out his power as he sat on it. "I got nothing." Ethan acknowledged, as his Aunt got into the driver's seat, and started the vehicle. "And I
wanted to say I was sorry, Tia.""For what?" Hilda asked as she steered the truck out of their driveway, and onto the roads of New Bark Town. "Everything." Ethan replied as he looked outside, taking in the sights of the many small stores they passed by. "For leaving you and Cheren when I did, not even contacting either of you. And I honestly feel that Unova's destruction is my fault in some way. And I'm even sorry for being romantically involved with my own Pokémon." "Ethan, there was never anything you could do to keep Unova from getting destroyed after you were born, so don't ever blame yourself for that." Hilda responded. "And I can't blame you for leaving New Bark Town to get away. If I was getting bullied by a potential misandrist, I'd want to do anything to get away from her."Knowing who she was talking about, Ethan replied "Ugh, Amanda.....I still don't know why she had been such a douche to me for six years. Although I suppose I should thank her for making me closer to my Pokémon. Not including you, Nathan or Uncle Cheren, Beleza and Phosphora have been the closest friends I've had for a long time.""I don't blame you for choosing Pokémon as your friends." Hilda responded, as she drove through another street. Taking a glance at her nephew who continued to look outside. "Now that I think about it, you remind me of a man your father and I had befriended while we were still in Unova."Not having ever been told about who she was talking about, he asked "Who was this man you're speaking about?""Perhaps the best way I can describe him was that his name was N. I never learned his full name, but he claimed that it was ridiculously long....anyway, when we first met him, he claimed that he was able to hear Pokémon speak in perfect English. For the longest time, I never believed it was possible to hear Pokémon converse, save for the few capable of telepathy. And honestly, it wasn't until we had gotten Beleza for you when she was still a Feebas that I realized that it could be possible.But back to N, I thought for a good while that he had good intentions, just not the rightest of ways to accomplish them. That was until he revealed him to be a titled King to a group known as Team Plasma." Hilda explained, turning off of a street corner as they reached the park they had talked about earlier."Don't know about you, but how does a hot chocolate sound, as well as something for your girls" she asked teasingly. "It's still cold out."Hiding his embarrassment at the use of the word "girls", Ethan replied "I can hear them saying right now that they're not interested, but I'll take up the offer, thank you."***Heading into a local mini-mart, Aunt and Nephew had grabbed a respective cup of fresh, hot chocolate to sip down, before heading over to the local park in the center of New Bark Town. When Unova was destroyed twenty years ago, the local government decided to make a
monument of to honor the fallen region, detailing the names of every person that had died from its destruction. Hilda had loved visiting the place after it was created because it reminded her of a center plaza from what was once known as Castelia City. In a sense for her as well as Cheren, a little slice of Unova. Sure, she knew they weren't the only Unovians that had escaped, but neither of them knew who had really escaped. And they knew that New Bark Town wasn't the only place to have a Unova themed monument or park. Looking around at the many benches as well as the center fountain, Ethan couldn't help but ask "I take it this was the appearance for one of the many cities in Unova?"Sipping on her beverage, Hilda replied "That's correct, Ethan."Despite his newfound knowledge of his mother being an electrokinetic dragoness, he still found the idea to be very uncomfortable, if not awkward, bringing up the subject as he asked her "Since you'd be the expert on this, where in Unova was I born?"Finding a bench to sit on, Hilda explained after taking a quick look around "Where it was once known as Nuvema Town. Kind of like here, small quiet, not much really going on. After Hilbert had stopped Team Plasma....oh, right. I forgot about N..."Knowing the two had plenty of time to talk, Ethan responded with a slight laugh "Don't worry about it, Tia. But who exactly was this Team Plasma group? All I knew was that they had a goal of separating humans from Pokémon.""In a nutshell." Hilda explained. "Embarrassingly enough, I had actually dated N before he revealed to me as the leader of Team Plasma. Kind of weird, I know. For a while, I had seen a sense of good in him, as if he wanted to do the right thing. But something was off. He claimed of wanting to separate humans from Pokémon, saying that trainers were harming, but I had seen times of where the so-called knights were beating up and abusing the Pokémon they were claiming to liberate. I tried to convince him of there being hypocrites in Team Plasma, but he didn't seem unfazed and said that he would do something about it, so I had dumped him.Part of me still feels sorry for doing that to him, but he wasn't getting the wake up call. And he was so used to understanding Pokémon.""Almost like me." Ethan responded."Believe me, Ethan. It was much worse than that. After he had awoken the legendary white dragoness known as Reshiram, he declared that he was going to create a world where Pokémon could live freely from humans. When Hilbert and I saw him after that, N had been summoning fire from his bare hands, boasting that he was a descendant to the Hero of Truth. And he had chosen Hilbert to best him in one last battle...after he first found a relic known as the Dark Stone to awaken Zekrom. But what he was more primarily interested in was taking on the one that had the
title of the Hero of Ideals. Weeks had passed after that day, but once Hilbert and I had found the Dark Stone, we agreed that he was possibly the hero that we needed to save Unova as he tried to awaken Zekrmon. Soon after, Team Plasma had created a massive castle in the far north of Unova, where N was planning on using as the base of operations. My brother claimed that it was built using the strength of the very same Pokémon that Team Plasma had 'saved'." Hilda explained.Unsure of what to really say, Ethan just replied "That's horrible!""Agreed. When your father finally confronted N, Zekrom had finally awoken itself. After my brother had fought the dragoness in a test to see whether he was really worthy or not, the two braced to fight N and Reshiram....only for the two to be overpowered and beaten. Hilbert failed to stop him, and was forced to watch as we released our Pokémon out of our own will." Hilda continued.Realizing a plot-hole, Ethan had asked "Wait a minute. If my Dad had failed to stop this N guy, and had released his own Pokémon, then how was I even born?"Almost knowing he was about to ask that, Hilda had said before freaking out "Don't worry, Ethan. I was already about to explain that.....Ethan, watch out!" Sensing that something was not right, and wanting to protect his Aunt, Ethan had hit her with an electrical vortex, sending her flying as she found herself in a shield of electromagnetic energy before landing on her feet with no problem. Ethan on the other hand got struck by what felt like a bolt of lightning."Looks like 'ol Sparky's come back to play, Aranea." He heard from behind. Recognizing that voice, the voice of someone he was hoping to never see again, he stood back up, clenching his fists hoping to avoid a fight.Turning around, he saw a girl in a black hooded pea coat, and a Galvantula at her side. But something about the spider was off. Where there was yellow normally on it's body looked more of a glossy gold color. And it's blue underbelly had more of a shining white color. Despite the hood hiding her face, Ethan knew exactly who it was. "Amanda...is it me or does you spider look a bit off?" He asked jokingly, until the girl he had known as Amanda had pulled her hood back, and he saw the same brown haired girl that had given him so much crap for a long time. But even she looked a bit off, with her hair having developed an unusual darker shade of brown, and her deep brown eyes had a shade of yellow in them. Not to mention her hands, which were glowing with a weird black and purple aura."It's been a while, hasn't it Ethan?" she had asked. Hilda had no idea what to do as she looked at Amanda, whom appeared to be no more than a shadow of her past self. "Oh, pardon the look you two. I should thank you, Ethan.""For what,
Amanda? You treated me like crap for six years, always put me down behind everyone's backs, and you took my friends away from me. How could you be thanking from me?" Ethan argued.*Cue Fortitudo: In Labors and Dangers from Bayonetta*Grinning, Amanda had laughed, as she fired a blast of black and purple hued lightning at Ethan. Without thinking, he raised his hand outward, and created a shield of electromagnetic energy as he absorbed the blow. "You're no fun." Amanda said mockingly. "Oh, wait. You never were. But yes, I'm thanking you. You've taken a lot from me, so much you'll never realize right now. After you had gotten me kicked out of our school..." "You were bullying me, and even convincing other students to harass me. You should've stopped when you were given the chance." Ethan argued.Ignoring his remark, she continued "Anyway, after I had left, I came across a man. A man with great power, who said I could get anything I wanted. And he granted me this great power over darkness." She then pointed her hands in his direction, firing a stream of lightning from her hands. He responded by firing a dark blue burst of lightning at the stream she created, canceling out their respective attacks. "He introduced me to a group to a group known as Team Phoenix, and he gave me a chance to make this world a better place." Ethan thought he heard his Aunt gasp at the mention of the name Team Phoenix. "And neither you, your cousin, or your Aunt are a part of it." She taunted, as her Galvantula braced itself for a fight.His fists beginning to glow with the dark blue of his lightning, he replied "Bring it." Just then, his Aunt had come over, and Beleza's Poké-Ball had burst open."Milotic!" she said, ready to take on the rather discolored tarantula, a fierce look in her bright red eyes."You really want to do this, Beleza?" Ethan had asked her, only for her to reply with a nod, a look of disgust on her face."And I'm right behind you." Hilda said, being close enough to Ethan for her own electrical abilities to kick in, as her hands began glowing with a bright red. "Even if I can't produce lightning on my own."Realizing the limitation his Aunt possessed with her power, Ethan had replied "Got it.""Oh, how adorable. Aunt and Nephew getting a beating together. This will be fun." Amanda taunted before commanding her spider "Aranea,, electroweb on the snake!" Upon command, the spider created a black web of electricity from her pedipalps, before hurling it at Beleza. "Beleza, ice beam the web!" He said quickly, before seeing a black and purple ringed sphere of energy hit him in the chest, knocking him off of his feet. Ignoring the sight of her trainer getting injured, she concentrated as she fired a whitish blue beam of ice out of her mouth as
it made contact with the web, destroying it."Ethan!" Hilda remarked as she attempted to run up to him, only to narrowly dodge a bolt of the black lightning Amanda possessed, watching as it left scorch marks across the ground."Your so-called power of lightning is no match for the power of eternal-" Amanda boasted only to see what looked like a grenade of electrical energy hurled in her direction. Running out of the way, she dodged the explosion as she saw Ethan jump back onto his feet. "I'm already done with hearing you speak." Ethan growled, as he cracked his neck, and looked at his Aunt. "You okay, Tia?" "I'll be alright. We need to stop Amanda before someone gets hurt." She replied. "Oh, a lot of people will get hurt." She said sinisterly. "People and Pokémon alike. As I continue to draw my power from the negative emotions of the men and women around me, you can't hope to beat me Ethan. Not me, or anyone else from our Team Phoenix." Before Ethan or Hilda could react, Amanda fired another black sphere at her, injuring his Aunt as she got struck. By instinct, he quickly created another electromagnetic shield to cushion her fall before hitting Amanda with an electrically charged vortex of air he had summoned.Taking the chance, he ran up to his Aunt to check on her, only to feel another blast of lightning from behind. Shrugging off the pain, he threw another grenade in Amanda's direction before turning his attention back his Aunt. Much to his relief, she was still breathing, if unconscious. He got ready to pull her away, only to be struck by another blast of lightning, knocking him off of his feet. "You're resilient, aren't you?" He acknowledged, taking a quick glance at his dear Beleza, who was still busy dealing with the bizarrely colored spider. Remembering how Amanda boasted of drawing power from negative emotions, he created another spherical shield as he closed his eyes and thought of every positive thought he ever had. His love for his family, the smile he had when Beleza had evolved, his joy when he learned how to glide through a form of static electricity, he thought of all of those positive memories and experiences all at once. "Men." he heard her say dryly. It wasn't long until he heard another cackle of Amanda's electricity. Opening his eyes, time had appeared to have slowed down to him as he watched another stream of black and purple lightning come his way. Smiling confidently, he lowered his shield, summoning another burst of dark blue lightning from his own hands. Realizing how much power he was exerting at once, Amanda attempted to call off her attack, only for his blast of lightning to utterly destroy hers, and for a
split second, she felt thousands, if not tens of thousands, of volts course through her body. *And end music*In that same split second, Ethan swore he saw her skeleton glow from the burst he had unleashed on her, before seeing her fall onto her knees. Wanting to make sure she wasn't injured in any way, he walked up to the panting girl asking "Are you alright?" Rather than say anything, she took the opportunity of his lowered guard to fire another blackish purple sphere square into his chest. Upon impact, he found himself being hurled into the air, only to recover by through his gliding abilities, as he hovered back to the ground, landing back on his feet without effort.Bewildered at his recovery, he heard Amanda question "What are you?!"Taking a deep breath as he braced for another attack. "I'm Batman." He replied jokingly; a distinct snarl in his voice as he said it.Facepalming, she yelled "No seriously, what are you?! I have never seen you like this!" Before he could answer, the sky had blackened, as well as a block or two of New Bark Town, and Amanda was struck a seried of bright red bolts of lightning that fell from the sky, one after the other. Surprised, Ethan had turned around, and saw his rather angered Aunt now back on her feet, her wrists glowing red with her own lightning. Calling off the attack, allowing the power to return the block that had blacked out, the two noticed that Amanda had already vanished, possibly disappearing in the destruction Hilda had caused. Having noticed her trainer leaving, Amanda's Galvantula hit Beleza with another blast of lightning before scurrying off. The two went to check on Beleza before she had said to Ethan she'd be alright. Turning back to his Aunt, Ethan couldn't help but ask "What....the heck....was that....about?"Exhausted from the amount of energy she unleashed, she replied "Let's just...get back to...the car, and I'll explain more...I'd never expect even Amanda to learn dark aura, but I suppose we shouldn't be surprised." "What do you mean?" Ethan had asked. Taking a deep breath, she responded as the three walked back "Long story short, there's a lot to take in. But one thing at a time. And right now, let's just get back home before anyone asks us what that was all about." He nodded as he recalled Beleza, and Aunt and Nephew returned to their vehicle. But a lingering thought was on his mind. The nightmare of his girlfriends dying, Amanda's warning of many people and Pokémon being harmed, and Hilda's gasp at the reference
of the name, Team Phoenix.Just what wasn't his Aunt telling him?