So I guess I should probably start off with an appology cos holy crap I have not touched this story or fanfiction in general for a long ass time. Like DAYUM I'm really sorry about that. Stuff came up. Just a few FYI's as well.

1. Updates will hopefully be more frquent from now on but I can't make any promises, university and bars and junk, takes up time. Distracts me.

2. Ethan=Gold (sorry.)

3. Jovi is cannon, major cannon in fact and if you want a better understanding of this chapter I'd go read up on XD Gale of Darkness and Colosseum.

Aside from that you should be golden, this chapter was seriously fun to write and next chapter will have so much more action, promise. Enjoy.

Chapter 8 - Prelude to Darkness Part 1

10 hours remaining before the commencement of phase two...

"Brendan, hey Brendan!"

The young man in the black and white hat didn't pause when he heard May call out to him, in fact, he actively flinched at the sound of her voice and quickened his step, pulling his hat down over his mess of brown hair in the vain hope she'd somehow mistake him for someone else. Undeterred by his apparent disinterest May swiftly chased him down and pushed her way into his path. Still holding her same forced smile.

"Hey c'mon, what are you ignoring me for? I've been looking for you for ages, I was thinking we should go meet Red. After that match it'd be a waste not to get some battling tips from him."

"Battling tips? What because I'm weak?"

May flinched at his venomous tone but continued mostly unaffected. "I didn't say that, you're not-"

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?" Brendan snapped, his sudden outburst drawing the attention of the mulling crowd of chattering tourists who, sensing a spectacle, began to focus on the two teens.

For the first time May's voice hesitated as she caught sight of the unbridled hatred radiating from Brendan's gaze. Her words caught in her throat but somehow she managed to force them out. "B...because we're friends." She stammered, her voice cracking into a murmur.

"Don't make me laugh." Brendan spat back at May, turning his back on her heading towards the way he'd come. Clearly more interested in being away from May then getting to wherever he'd been heading. "Outside of the tournament arena I don't want anything to do with you, don't come near me."

May floundered as she watched Brendan leave unable to think of anything to call him back. "It doesn't have to be like this! You don't have to be like this!" She called after him, desperate tears filling her eyes.

"Of course I do!" He snarled back, refusing to stop, to face her. His voice dropped to a near mutter. "No one has any time for the second best in Hoenn."

As Brendan left May's arms wrapped around her body and she squeezed her shoulders, trying to contain her tears in front of the ever growing crowd. She could hear their voices all around her, some cursing Brendan like they'd been stood where she was, some expressing concern. She didn't care, all she wanted was to be out of there, away from them all. Unfortunately the prospect of pushing through the crowd scared her just as much as staying where she was. She was exposed, her tears trailing mascara down her cheeks, and she had nowhere to hide. Just as she was about to give up and break down in front of the mass of strangers she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder and a familiar voice in her ear.

"Easy honey. Don't give him the satisfaction." Steven whispered gently in her ear, wrapping his arms around her back and pulling her head into his chest. "Let's get you out of here before the press start showing up."

With well practised movements the silver-haired, high society gentleman, swept May off her feet and carried her away from the crowd, pushing through the assembled throng of people with ease. You don't risk getting to close to a man whose wardrobe probably cost more than your car. Ducking through a less used alley into a much emptier street Steven delivered her back to her hotel room while she sniffled into his expensive jacket, not a single word of complaint crossing his mind.

"Where are you going?" She asked through restrained tears and sniffley hiccups, finally finding her voice after he deposited her on her hotel bed and turned to leave.

"Just out for a bit honey."

"You're going to see Brendan aren't you?"

Steven winced. "Just for a bit."

"Don't be too hard on him Steven."

Steven forced back the growl, it angered him immensely when she defended Brendan after the way he treated her. "I wont be hon. You know what to do right?"

May giggled and stuck her tongue out at Steven. "Tell everyone who will listen that you ravished your gorgeous girlfriend back to perfect health like some kind of randy Nurse Joy?" She replied, a chuckle gracing her smudged features.

"Thanks."

As Steven reached the door frame May's voice rang out once more, filled with concern. "You don't have to keep doing this Steven, you don't have to keep lying. You can be yourself around everyone, not just me."

Steven sighed, not even bothering to turn back and face her. He knew this scene all too well, this same old conversation, those same old heartbreaking words. "I've told you before May. My father wont see it that way."

"It doesn't matter what he thinks." The comforting lie.

"Yes it does. To me anyway." The painful truth.

"What are you doing here?"

"Swampert's looking good." Steven remarked as he forced his way through the undergrowth into the clearing amidst the artificial forests of the island.

Steven suppressed a smirk when Brendan scowled. He'd been practising punch combos with Swampert when Steven had arrived. Impressive moves, but lacking in speed, in all likelihood they were copied from the moves that Red's Snorlax had displayed in its battle against Carracosta. Swampert wasn't built like Snorlax though and although they were better than simple wild swings they weren't suited to Swampert's longer reach and superior swiftness.

Typical Brendan, technically skilled but with no imagination.

"What are you doing here!?"

"Could use a bit of work though, those long limbs of Swampert's could put out much faster punches. Or better yet chops, Karate Chop might be a good move for something built like him."

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"

"Because you need to treat her better!" Steven snapped. A snarl forcing it way through his usually calm demeanour.

"That's it?! What do you care?"

"I care because she's my friend Brendan. Just like how she cares about you even though you're an ass, because even after all this she still thinks of you as a friend."

"Well she isn't!" Brendan snapped back.

"You're lying! You've known her for eight years for christ sake. I know that isn't how you really feel!"

"You of all people are lecturing me on lying about how I feel?" Brendan shot back, a sneer on his lips.

The anger faded from Steven's face and his expression slumped into a dejected blankness. "Really?" He asked, his voiced tainted with disappointment. "You're gonna throw that at me? I thought you at least had a little respect for what's left of our friendship."

"I don't remember being friends with you either."

"Fine." Steven spat, disgusted. "I figured it was gonna end up like this anyway." Dejected, Steven's hand flicked open his belt and closed around his PokeBall.

"You're gonna battle me?" Brendan asked, a venomous chuckle escaping from his lips. "Sorry, not interested."

"Too bad I'm not giving you an option." Steven replied slipping off his jacket and tossing it haphazardly against a nearby tree. "You're really hurting May with this crap, and if I can't get you to stop I'll just have to get you away from her instead. Off this island."

"And how exactly is losing to me in a battle going to get me to leave?" Brendan replied, not even bothering to reach for his PokeBalls.

"Lose? Oh right, you spouted that crap earlier too. Second best in Hoenn? Don't make me laugh. You're sub par."

"Sorry what? You think you're a match for me Stone?" Brendan barked back, his hand going for his PokeBalls as he rose, finally standing face to face with Steven.

"A match? Youngster Joey is a match for you. I'll put you down so fast they'll call you Magikarp."

Brendan's temple physically bulged and face contorted into a vicious scowl. "Congratulations Stone, you wanted a beating so badly, now you get one."

"Sure thing. Oh and don't worry, when you lose and need to run home with your tail between your legs I'll have Devon Corporation fly you off the island. Free of charge."

"Hello Ardos, or do you prefer Cipher Admin?"

Ardos flinched and tried to turn towards the seemingly male voice addressing him when a firm hand gripped his arm and held him steady facing forward, letting go moments later. They continued walking seemingly normally through the throng of tourists and occasional competitor in complete silence, until Ardos could keep quiet no longer.

"Who are you? How do you know who I am?" He hissed as quietly and calmly as he could, which was hardly saying much.

"Easy there. Don't draw any attention to us, but for now just know that we're going to a little café deep in the centre of the island where it'll be impossible to monitor us effectively, that I'm fairly certain I know what you're here for and that at the moment at least I'm not your enemy."

Only somewhat satisfied but with no other real choice Ardos allowed the mysterious figure to lead him through the crowd into a tiny café completely packed with customers in the heart of the shopping district of the island. Once there they waited for a long while for an empty table in the dead centre of the room, walked over to it and sat down. The other man sitting down opposite him and letting him get a good look at him for the first time since he'd appeared.

He was a lithe man that was likely pushing into his late twenties and was sporting a pair of dazzling golden eyes that twinkled with mischief, and just a tiny hint of malice. Unlike Ardos' own unnatural long blue, his hair was faded brown like dry sand and he was sporting a pair of shimmering silver shades on the crest of his brow. An amused smile on his face he slumped back into his chair and deposited his hands into the pockets of his long grey trench coat.

"Order something." He told Ardos casually.

"What? Are you kidding?"

A nearly unnoticeable twitch of irritation flickered on the strangers face. "We're at a café, order something."

"Fine." Ardos snapped, quickly realising his error. With a wave of his hand he drew a waiter over to the table. "Coffee, black, no sugar."

The waiter took Ardos' gruff demeanour in his stride and nodded, giving them both his usual customer service smile. "Of course, right away, and you sir?"

"Black coffee as well please, two sugars." The stranger replied, in a breezy voice that practically oozed casual and inconspicuous.

"No problem. Will that be cash or do you have the competitor discount?"

Ardos lazily thumbed his phone into life whilst the stranger pulled a handful of bills from somewhere within his coat and dumped them on the waiter. "Keep the change."

Ardos' eyebrow cocked slightly. "You're not a competitor?" He asked, bemused, as the waiter scanned his phone.

The stranger smirked and lifted his drink to his lips, taking a long pronounced sip until the waiter had moved on. "Nope. Tourists may have less access but they don't have to appear on stage every few days, making it a tad less conspicuous for someone who doesn't want to be noticed."

Ardos scowled. "Yeah well, someone in my position doesn't have an easy time travelling abroad, taking part seemed easier than buying a fake identity."

"And yet, you have to spend all your time skulking about in back alleys and running around at night in order to avoid a certain sixteen year old kid and his sister. Tragically meaning that you've made next to no progress in your search since you got here."

"My search? And what exactly am I supposed to be searching for?" Ardos demanded suspiciously.

"What else would a Cipher Admin be doing, out of hiding and this far away from Orre? You're looking for the leftover Shadow Pokemon Data from the Second Incident."

Ardos downplayed his reaction, which was more telling than if he'd reacted naturally, the sudden complete lack of emotion on his face telling the stranger everything he needed to know. "And if I am looking for the Shadow Pokemon Data?"

The stranger smirked. "If I am looking for the Shadow Pokemon Data what?"

The blankness was quickly replaced with irritation. "If I am looking for the Shadow Pokemon Data, why are you getting involved?"

"Because I can use you."

"Use me?"

"Exactly." The stranger replied leaning forward on the table and fixing Ardos with a cold stare. "I don't want Shadow Pokemon to exist, but if I had to choose between them being in the hands of whoever's running this show and you. Well, that's the lesser of two evils in my eyes."

"I think you're underestimating me." Ardos replied.

"I don't." The stranger replied, chuckling. "Need I remind you that your quote 'evil organisation' was defeated by a twelve year old?"

Ardos scowled and the stranger just chuckled. "Regardless, right now you have more data than I do on Silph Co International and I can't imagine you'll just give that up to me, not to mention I can't risk becoming a criminal by breaking into a seemingly legit company, so... I'll keep the kid off your back this afternoon. You get inside."

"What do I get out of all this? I can lose the kid on my own and you'll probably try to take the data from me as soon as I get it."

"Ha. Always the shrewd businessman eh? No wonder you were in the upper echelons of the mighty Cipher group. Here." The stranger tossed a business card down in front of Ardos. "That 'phone number' is three different security codes, from left to right you have a three digit level one code, a three digit level two code and a four digit ID code valid for today. If anyone questions you being there, quote the ID code. Say you lost your card."

Ardos blinked in amazement. "How'd you get these?"

"Just a little help from a few old friends who're pretty good with computers." The stranger replied, grinning and standing to leave. "Oh and remember, once you have the data I'll be coming for you next, so you'd better watch your back."

Brendan's Swellow ricocheted off several trees, splintering them on impact in a series of sharp cracks, before crashing to the ground in a mess. Brendan's shaking hand extended out and a beam of red light sucked the wounded creature back into it's ball, Brendan was losing, badly.

"That's five in a row you've lost Brendan." Steven barked as red light washed over his Skarmory and it returned to its ball as it began pruning its unblemished feathers in disinterest. "Are you ready to get out of my sight?"

"Impossible." Brendan stammered staring in disbelief at his own hands. "This can't be happening, I'm not losing... I'm... I'm not! your Pokemon must be on their last legs, even though this battle looks one sided we're actually even. It happens all this time."

"Brendan don't be stupid. You're hurting your Pokemon."

"SHUT UP!" Brendan screeched, enraged. "Swampert will finish it for me!"

"Brendan don't!"

"Swampert!"

Steven felt sorry for Swampert, having to watch his friends get beaten up like that and then getting sent into what he knew was a lost battle, but he didn't have much of a choice. Neither of them did. If this was what it took to get Brendan either to his senses or out of May's life, his hands were tied.

"Metagross!"

Swampert stepped out onto the battlefield like a soldier stepping in front of a firing line, its rippling blue skin bulging with knotted muscle and its powerful back legs crunching the foliage beneath its massive weight. Brendan's Swampert had built its body for power, a simplistic form reflecting a simplistic trainer. In contrast Steven's Metagross was the same shape and size as any other Metagross, a fairly common trait of Steel types being their consistent size, but underneath the crystalline like outer shell was where the real power was stored.

First however, both trainers made the same move.

"Metagross!" "Swampert!"

"Mega Evolve!"

Two columns of light erupted from their respective jewels, shimmering torrents of light that pulsed through the colours of the spectrum. The rivers of light raced towards the two waiting Pokemon and washed over them, wrapping them in a dazzling display of raw power, forming perfect shell of dancing light. Finally a great explosion of white ripped through the shells and the two Pokemon burst from within.

Swampert's already swollen body had been pumped full of even more musculature, its newly shaped torso and arms dwarfing its legs and tail. Its fists now filled with unimaginable raw power. Its fins had sprouted outwards into fleshy tusks and the orange pads that had dotted its body had hardened into three tough growths on its arms, however Metagross's whole body had shifted much more extremely. The four legs that had sat around its body have shifted into four thick crystalline arms mounted to its sides. Each arm now had three visceral knives jutting out menacingly from the ends of its new found arms and its cross had turned a dazzling shade of gold.

"Metagross, finish this without injuring Swampert too much."

"Swampert! Hammer Arm! Destroy it!"

Swampert lunged forward, its massive arm overflowing with white light, but such simplistic commands wouldn't let the lumbering swamp Pokemon catch the much faster Metagross. Metagross dodged the slow clumsy swings like an adult playing with a child, skimming across the grassy forest floor with the agility of a bird in flight, before sharply cutting behind it. It's two lower legs lashed out and cracked Swampert's legs, bringing the hulking behemoth to its knees with surgical precision, before driving the upper two of its four arms down onto Swampert's skull, the resounding dull crunch of bone meeting crystal made Steven sick to his very stomach. He was grateful at least that Metagross was able to finish the battle without cutting Swampert apart with its claws.

"GET UP SWAMPERT! UP!" Brendan's frenzied howls tore through the clearing and made Steven unbearably sick to watch.

"Brendan correct? Our employer has a great deal of interest in you."

"Stop it Brendan! Do you planning on working the poor Pokemon to death?!" Steven demanded enraged.

"Your simple-mindedness towards victory impresses him, he'd like to give you something to help."

"GET UP DAMN YOU!"

"Illegal? Of course not, you can't outlaw something no one's ever seen before."

Not only did Brendan's anguished screeching continue to shatter the air around them but to Steven's utter despair Swampert began to respond to it's trainer's cries. It's broken body violently jerking and shaking like the poor creature was having a seizure as it tried to rise on broken legs. Tears streamed down his face Steven added his own desperate cries for Brendan to stop, for Swampert to give in, into the maelstrom of sound.

"It'll make you unbeatable, just raise it up and say..."

"Swampert! Shadow Evolution."

Torrents of visceral black light erupted from the purple jewel Brendan held aloft. It spewed like a toxic flood from within the gemstone and clung to Swampert's broken body. Dark seemingly diseased patches of purple began to spread across Swampert's body from the black light and the Pokemon's eyes clenched and bleed into a deep crimson. Within seconds the black light had covered ever inch of the helpless Pokemon and formed a pitch black shell.

"WHAT DID YOU DO BRENDAN?!" Steven screamed, no restraint left in his body except the tiny sliver of self preservation keeping him from running past the black shell towards Brendan.

"I won!" He cackled manically, his face twisted and distorted by his own depravity.

A bone chilling scream, like the death throes of some horrific beast, erupted from within the black shell and one of Swampert's huge arms smashed through the outer layer of blackness, shattering the entire shell and revealing the beast within.

Swampert's eyes bubbled crimson and blood streaked down its face. The bones in its hands had grown immensely and burst through the skin of its fingers, forming jagged unnatural claws. It muscles seemed to pull and stretch the skin so tightly it might tear any second and its veins were like wires wrapped crushingly tight across its flesh. Finally the fins across its back had grown larger yet warped and torn in places, revealing muscle and bone beneath.

"BRENDAN!"

Brendan's face was cold and empty like a stone statue, but within his eyes you could see the twisted truth of his madness. "Annihilate them Swampert... both of them."

"Metagross-"

Before Steven could speak Swampert lunged at them, the howl of a dying banshee erupting from its bloodstained lips all the while. Its speed was incomparable to before, its power even more so. Its fist crashed into Metagross, one of the poor Pokemon's arms was shattered within seconds, yet it didn't stop there. The punch ripped through Metagross' solid crystalline arm and burrowed deep into the Pokemon's body, shards of crystal washed over Steven and cracks tore through its body like shattering glass. Steven didn't have any time to be horrified as his Pokemon's body was destroyed in front of him, less than a moment after the attack connected Metagross was launched into Steven's fragile human body.

The pair rocketed through the woods, shattering trees into splinters and tearing earth from the ground as they did, before finally coming to a stop hundreds of metres away from Brendan when the force of the attack finally ran out.

Their shattered forms lay unmoving in a pool of blood and blue crystal.

8 hours remaining until the commencement of phase two...

I'm a little concerned that my incredibly violent description in this chapter is a bit much for T (plus all the other crap i've mentioned in this and previous chapters, getting drunk, sex etc...) so I really should have done this sooner but I'm raising the rating to M.

Anyway! Hope you enjoyed and if you did please drop me a review saying so, yes I know I don't deserve it after taking so long but do it anyway, cos you're a good person. Also it seriously helps keep me feeling cheerful and a cheerful Dragon is a productive Dragon.