Nightfall - Volume 1 (INDEFINITE HIATUS)

Chapter 6: Dark Disasters

The word spread as quickly as when Glaze first arrived in Nightfall. The gray Eevee evolved into a black-and-white Umbreon. How abnormal.

Many eyes followed the Moonlight Pokémon everywhere he went. It drove him to feel awkward, nothing Glaze wasn't used to. The Gallade invited Zero to join his friend group, which the latter happily obliged.

Zero, Glaze, Vapor, and Rose always hung out in a specific part of Nightfall beside the western entrance. It had plenty of room to run around and play in. It had earned the name of the Arena due to it being an effective place to train and battle. Next to the Arena was a significantly taller tree than the others around it, and it offered a good spot for shade on hot days and plenty of berries.

Zero's evolution was just the other day as Glaze, and the Eeveelutions were hanging out as usual in the Arena. The sun shone down on the group from above, enabling Rose to curl up and perform photosynthesis. Vapor showered water onto Zero to cool the latter Pokémon from the sun.

What they weren't aware of was a Dark Jolteon perched on one of the tall tree's branches, spying on them as they lazed about. Behind him, a Dark Noivern was hunkered on a branch, watching as well. Though their colors contrasted greatly against the pleasant green of the leaves, the shadows rendered them hidden.

The Noivern's bitter, yellow eyes almost looked like they were glowing from how vibrant they were. The dark gray Jolteon stood up and stared at Zero, then at Glaze, a hateful glower directed at both of them.

"They won't win this time," the Jolteon muttered. "Come, Burst. We have a job to do."

"I'll get the Gallade. You can handle the other three."

Burst grated the tree's bark with her razor-like claws, grabbing Glaze's attention. He only looked back for a second, though, before returning his gaze back to the others. She scraped the tree more aggressively, finally getting Glaze to turn around and not look back. The blue Gallade could feel he was being watched and approached the tree, mildly concerned.

The Sound Wave Dragon narrowed her eyes, spread her wings, and swooped down. She outstretched her talons like a Braviary, piercing Glaze's shoulders and shoving him into the grass. The remaining trio whipped around, startled.

"Glaze!" Zero cried, sprinting to the Gallade, who was pinned by a red Noivern. She had grabbed his arms with her wing-hands, clasping them against the ground so he couldn't fight back. Digging the talons of her foot into his chest, she administered as much pain into Glaze as she could manage.

"Go, Re!" Burst shouted, and the Jolteon flung out of the tree towards Zero.

Re tackled Zero, both of them rolling on the grass briefly before Re had pinned him too. Zero glared at him and opened his mouth, charging a Shadow Ball, and the gray Lightning Pokémon jumped off before it hit, letting Zero get back to his feet.

The siblings dashed to Glaze, but Burst wouldn't let them go near. She unleashed Dragon Pulses upon them, some of them landing hits. Rose, however, managed to bypass her moves and pounced. Burst's mouth blazed bright green as she caught the Leafeon's shoulder with it, using Leech Life. She swung Rose around like a chew toy before casting her away towards the Vaporeon.

Vapor's eyes widened as he saw his sister tumble across the grass, her light yellow fur now stained with blood. "Rose! No!" shrieked the Water-type, scrambling to her.

Zero hissed as Re reared back, the energy of Wild Charge enveloping him. Rose peered up at her brother.