Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, just Aura and Hallow and the new character formally introduced in this chapter. :D

Chapter 2

"Pass me the red! Quick! Before my inspiration wears off!" Aura chirped, laying on her belly in one of the few patches of shade, a paper held in front of her as she scribbled all over it. The Shedinja hovering beside her gave her the desired colored pencil and the Abra eagerly colored her flyer, her tongue sticking from the side of her mouth as she concentrated.

Hallow attempted to take a peek, but Aura quickly blocked his prying eyes, not interested in giving him a preview. "Almost done…" She made a few more scribbles and finishing touches before sitting up with a beam. "There! Whaddya think?"

She held it up for her friend to see and Hallow would blink if he could, his voice somewhat concerned. "And the Gallows were the darkest thing you took part in?"

It was a rather morbid picture of some poor schmuck hanging in the Gallow's with his underside eviscerated and spilling guts and blood. She did not skimp on the gory details either. Above it was the words, 'CRIMINALS! Turn over a New Leaf, Or End Up Like This Guy'. There was smaller fine print at the bottom and the Shedinja leaned closer for a better look. It was basically, 'No seriously, Jury's not messin' around D:'.

"I think it gets the point across!" Aura stated cheerfully, unwittingly sending a chill of unease through her companion's shell.

"I… guess it does…" Hallow stated hesitantly, starting to question his companion's mental state at the moment. Aura seemed blissfully unaware of her buddy's reaction and stood up.

"Goodie! I'll make lots of 'em to post up later! Now let's go around and start convincing!" She marched off, Hallow faltered before following as he tried to get that poster's image out of his head…

"No." Hallow stated without missing a single beat.

"Awww, c'mon dude! We're on a roll here!"

"We had an agreement, Aura," Hallow told her firmly. "We're only doing the Tasks that won't endanger us. And these last two could end in a fight."

"But-"

"No, we're going tell Jury that we're done here and then we're going home." The Shedinja told her, Aura hesitating at the concept of meeting Jury again. And it only served to fuel her resistance as she tried to stall said meeting.

"Well, the curfew one doesn't seem too dangerous! We just go around making sure those saloon places are empty."

"And if they're not?" Hallow pointed out. "We're expected to shoo them out and some may not be sober enough to be cooperative."

"'May' is the key word here, Hallow," Aura argued in a slightly pleading voice. "Not everything's going to end as badly as you think they are. We can't be running away from everything that has even the slightest bit of risk to it."

Hallow said nothing to this and Aura remembered the incident that happened yesterday. "I know why you're always so worried about me, Hallow. I know you blame yourself for losing Skeet and that you're scared you'll lose me like you did him. But you can't let that hold you back all the time," she told him, her ears lowering. "I think I can take care of myself and as a team, I'm sure we can handle it…"

Silence. The Shedinja was obviously still reluctant about this, but Aura's words were striking a rather sensitive chord and she continued softly. "We can only get better at this, buddy. With each new Task, we're learning. We're getting better and we're getting stronger. And risky stuff like this can help us out soooo much with this Rescuer job."

Hallow seemed about to say something when the familiar Andy approached, immediately sensing the atmosphere.

"Is everything alright here?" he asked in his mechanical voice. Spotting an opportunity, Aura dashed to the larger Pokemon's side.

"Plus, Andy's coming along! He'll help protect us!"

"Is this about the last two tasks?" Andy asked and he got a nod from the both of them, the Shedinja speaking out.

"I suppose we can risk doing the curfew one…" He didn't seem too happy about saying that. "But…" Hallow looked towards Aura, who immediately gave him the puppy-dog face. "But I'm still firm on my position on the last Task."

Aura immediately slumped, disappointed that her face of cuteness had no effect, and Andy gave a nod. "Very well, I will inform Jury and we can find another team better suited." He looked down at the little Abra. "You both could take the opportunity to relax, as the curfew would begin at midnight. I expect to see you both ready."

With that, the robot left the two to report to his superior and Aura glanced at Hallow sadly, hoping to break him at the last moment. But the Shedinja made his point perfectly clear as he spoke up firmly.

"Be happy that you got the Curfew Task out of me," he growled. "Don't push it."

"Yes, Daddy…" Aura stated submissively, even the playfulness of the "daddy" part noticeably cowed. Well, at least she can spend her time sleeping in the meantime…

"Alright, I think we got them all," Aura said, standing by the doorway and scanning the last of the saloons before looking to her companion hovering inside. "Ready to go, Hallow?"

It was a mostly peaceful Task, just as Aura assumed it would be. Most of the Pokemon had abided by the Curfew rule set out and those that did stick around past midnight simply didn't notice the late hour in their fun. This last saloon did have a rowdy Houndoom, but he was too drunk to even land a move on them. It was an odd sight for them both to see the usually menacing Pokemon act so undignified before the demon mutt fell unconscious completely on his own without the Rescuers having to lift a finger and his embarrassed friends ended up having to drag him home.

That was a… rather hilarious memory she was never going to forget for as long as she lived! She was glad she managed to convince Hallow to let them do this one, as it's been rather fun!

However, that was soon to change as she didn't get a response from her friend and she walked over to him. "Hallow?" Aura uttered as she paused beside the Shedinja, seeing that he was staring at a corner. Watching him in confusion, she followed his gaze before she froze. It was a Ninjask, ignoring them completely as he sat quietly by himself drinking from a small glass. Looking about, Aura blinked as she was sure they ushered everyone out and the place was empty just a moment ago! "How did he get in… Nevermind, don't answer that." He is a ninja, after all.

Personally, she didn't truly like meeting up with Ninjask when Hallow's accompanying her. She knew that there's always the chance that the Shedinja would abandon her for the fellow Bug-type, for it was completely within the shed's instincts. The risk seemed especially great as this Ninjask didn't have a brother accompanying him, and thus, might be open for Hallow to adopt.

But just as she was about to approach to warn him to go home for the night, she felt her fur stand on end in pure terror. For around his neck was a simple necklace, with a pendant that couldn't be more familiar and yet couldn't be more out of place.

A Shedinja's halo…

A strangled squeak came from her throat automatically, hoping to Arceus that the thing wasn't real…

"It's real," the Ninjask growled, taking the last sip of his drink before glaring at her from the corner of his eyes. Aura gave a small gulp before opening her mouth to speak, the ninja beating her to the punch. "I know why you approached me. I am not leaving until I'm ready."

"Um…" She blinked before clearing her throat, trying to hide her fear and unease. "You don't really have a choice. Jury wants everyone out of the saloons, so-"

"I don't care what Jury wants," the Ninjask hissed. "And if you and your friend," –His glare intensified as he looked towards the Shedinja- "wish to live past tonight, then you would leave my presence now."

Aura froze at this threat, stepping back a bit as she glanced nervously at her companion. Getting her shaky voice to work, she risked one last try to resolve this peacefully. "Please, sir. You really need to-"

She was cut off as the Ninjask flew off his seat, his claws clicking in annoyance as he snarled. "Last warning. Leave. Now."

Aura whimpered as she cringed back, Hallow deciding to finally speak up, his instincts conflicting but his position firm. "We don't wish to get violent here. Just comply with Jury's commands and we can carry on with the night."

Shifting his death glare to the Shedinja, the Ninjask ignored the Abra and hovered over to the other insect. For a long moment, there was nothing except the low humming of the cicada's wings. Hallow forced himself to remain calm, trying not to think about the disembodied halo, which was difficult as the Ninjask hooked his claw onto the pendant and held it up to Hallow's face, never breaking eye-contact.

"Do you wish to hear the story of this?" the Ninjask asked in a dark whisper. Hallow made no response, but he didn't need to as the ninja continued. "My brother, Loren, from Mossy Village-"

"Shikyo?" Hallow interrupted, his soft voice filled with shock. At this, the Ninjask smirked menacingly, obviously proud that the Shedinja recognized his name, and he gave a single nod. Hallow couldn't gather his thoughts for the moment and he moved back just an inch. "You're still alive?"

"Yessss," he hissed. "It takes more than banishment to end my existence." He growled, narrowing his eyes angrily as the memories flashed within his mind. "After my greedy brother's atrocious judgment upon me, I took it upon myself to pay him back."

"Loren is-?"

"Unfortunately, no," Shikyo grunted. "That coward's too well-protected within the boundaries of the village, so I had to choose another target, a close friend of his who made the grave mistake of leaving himself open in a clearing, all alone," –He fiddled with the halo in a rather threatening manner- "This is my trophy from the battle. It wasn't too difficult. Allow me to demonstrate…"

Within a second, the ninja's claws took on a black haze as he lashed out and Hallow barely managed to put up an Endure just in the nick of time. The Night Slash attack still had powerful force behind it, however, and when it made contact, it threw the husk right out the door of the saloon, much to Aura's horror.

"HALLOW!"

She had little time to react as Shikyo zoomed out of the saloon and the Abra just barely gathered her wits enough to follow him, her eyes wide as the Ninjask had the Shedinja pinned to the ground.

"Your kind always had the reputation as being the superior ninja, the superior Pokemon in battle," the living cicada snarled, his heavy weight keeping Hallow from pulling away. "But I learned this move solely to prove everyone wrong, and to put an end to weaklings like you."

He raised his claw for another Night Slash and Hallow instinctively tried to put up another Endure, only for it to dissipitate. Chuckling darkly, Shikyo stabbed down for the killing blow, only for something else to get in the way.

Aura cried out as the Dark-type move sliced through her armored chest, easily drawing blood. But she forced herself pass that pain as she growled and lunged for the bug, knocking him away from Hallow before her own paw took on a black haze. Striking out with a Thief, she was about to make contact with the move before Shikyo pulled away at the last instant.

Glaring down the interfering little Abra, the Ninjask began spinning and looping through the air in a Swords Dance and Aura felt her heart stop. Intent on keeping him from completing the move, she launched a Shadow Ball at him, only for the insect to easily dodge. Trying again and again to stop him, she just couldn't get a hit on him; it was as if he knew where she was aiming her attack before she could even launch it. And she paid the price as the Ninjask disappeared from sight, appearing behind her and slashing her back with a Fury Cutter.

Screaming as she fell forward, she felt more blood ooze from the wound and she felt her heart race even more. This wasn't a normal battle where attacks were largely inhibited and she began to fear for her life. Especially when she felt another slash of pain on her back, and then another and another.

GET ME OUT OF HERE! Her body practically screamed to her mind and she gathered her energy to Teleport, the Ninjask's finishing Night Slash stabbing into the ground where she once was. She of course didn't go far and when she reappeared, she collapsed to the ground, barely able to stay awake. Deciding that she was no longer an issue, Shikyo returned his attention to his real target and his claws began to take on that blackness again.

But Hallow wasn't giving him the chance and his eyes flashed red in Spite. Instantly, the shadowy haze disappeared and the ninja growled as that was the only move that can hit the husk. But there was more than one way to skin a Meowth and he vanished from sight.

The Shedinja braced himself for an attack, his ghostly senses peaked for any disturbance. There was none and he glanced towards the nearly-unconscious Aura. But just as he was about to approach her, he heard the distinct buzzing behind him. He couldn't throw himself out of the way fast enough and the ninja slammed him into the ground, sitting on the husk to keep him pinned once more.

Panic overwhelmed the Shedinja and he tried desperately to pull away, not making any progress whatsoever. In desperation, he took on a purple haze, familiar to anyone who's ever seen him snatch souls. The Ninjask was certainly in a perfect position for such a thing…

But it was a bluff and Shikyo didn't fall for it, his Mind Reader more than enough to tell him that this Shedinja didn't have it in him to hurt him, much less kill him. Smirking smugly, he leaned down over Hallow's shoulder and growled in his ear tauntingly.

"Go ahead," he started. "Take my soul. Kill me. Just like you killed your brother."

Hallow hesitated, the purple haze persisting despite the Shedinja's shock. "H… How did you…?"

"That's not important," the Ninjask hissed. "Just do it."

Again, Hallow hesitated, most everything within him screaming not to do it. But he knew in his rational mind that this Ninjask was going to kill him unless he did something… But could he…? The purple haze disappeared completely, the husk shivering sorrowfully as it did so.

"No, Hallow…" he heard Aura mutter from where she laid. "Fight back…. You have to… fight back…"

Hallow was silent for a few seconds before whimpering. "I… I can't…"

"Pathetic creature," Shikyo mocked contemptuously. "Even in the face of death, you refuse to inflict harm upon me and that shall be your downfall." Purring darkly as he tapped his claw on Hallow's halo, his words came out in a contemplative tone. "Can you tell me what would happen if I were to pull this off prematurely?"

"Don't…" Hallow whispered desperately, never feeling so helpless and torn in his life. His logical mind screamed at him to lash out with a Shadow Claw, but his instincts, his body, his ghostly energy, EVERYTHING refused to let him, no matter how hard he tried to fight it. Such inner turmoil was so strong it actually began to hurt, like a stab where his heart used to be.

He felt the Ninjask hook his claw onto the halo, which flashed in protest but still the Shedinja did nothing to stop him. Then came unbearable pain as Shikyo tried to rip the halo out of place and a shriek echoed through Hallow's body. The crescent flashed even brighter as if to blind the offending Pokemon but it did no good as the harsh tugs were still persisting.

Despite the halo's stubborn resistance, Shikyo managed to make it budge just an inch and to his delight it began to flicker. Hallow also knew what this meant and his ghostly energy tried hard to pull himself free or to at least move this immobile body to struggle properly.

Nothing.

"Stop it!" Aura shouted as best she could, struggling desperately to get up as tears began to pour from her eyes. "Stop hurting him, please! You're going to kill him!"

But the Ninjask wasn't listening to her, so intent was he on this act of dismemberment. And that concentration proved to be their savior as the Ninjask was unaware of a visitor until it grabbed him tightly by his wings and lifted him into the air.

Screeching in pain, the ninja felt his claws pull free of the Shedinja and that halo and he felt the heavy instinct to struggle. But in his precarious position, he knew thrashing about too much could damage his wings beyond repair. Instead, he hissed and glared at the intruding Pokemon to see-

"Andy!" Aura exclaimed happily, her body shaking under the effort of supporting her weight even though she only got as far as her hands and knees.

The robot glared harshly at the insect in his grasp before speaking in a cold voice. "You're under arrest for two counts of Attempted Murder. You have no right to remain silent and everything you say will be used against you in the court of law."

The ninja merely slashed at him in defiance, growling in anger and pain before Andy turned his attention to the fallen Rescuers. "Are you two alright?"

"We're good…" Aura muttered. "Though a quick trip to the Medical facility would be nice."

"I will get Nile or Huckleberry to assist you both there," The robot glanced at the enraged insect still held in his grasp. "We will also hold a court session tomorrow morning, of which both of you will attend to testify." That slight glance turned into a full-on glare as he stared down the Bug-type. "Pray that Jury's in a merciful mood."

Shikyo merely spat in further defiance of the law.

Oh noes, another near-death situation! Will I ever give poor Aura and Hallow a break? Not while I'm their author!