The tables have turned once more in the battle as Neko and Ethan fought full power. Nightmare grit his teeth in frustration as he was forced on the defensive. With a hit by Neko connecting with the shadow beast's gut, Nightmare was open for a strong magic burst from Ethan. He was launched back a ways from the force but managed to land on his feet, only to find the whole group in front of him and Ethan with another magic blast ready to fire. "Face it Nightmare, you're losing." Ethan stated. Nightmare let out a growl before a distant crashing sound got his attention. Glancing over, he let out a chuckle. "What's so funny?" Neko demanded. He then caught Nightmares gaze and followed it before going wide eyed at the sight. "No..." Diesel was taken down and Crimson was swiftly approaching the group, ready to swing at the closest person. "No!" He shouted as he moved forward and took the attack, cutting deep across his chest.
~ Ch.10: Crimson Clash and Shadows Sacrifice
It happened so fast, and yet, time seemed to move so slowly. Neko could already feel his strength fading due to the gash across his chest. But looking in the eyes that have taken control of his friend, he couldn't give up here. "If you're taking me down Crimson..." he began with a pained smirk. He then brought a paw up to Crimson's chest. "I'm at least getting my friend back." The feline stated, hoping his plan will work. Wisps of dark energy began pouring out of Crimson toward Neko's paw. Crimson let out a scream before trying for another slash. Something caught his wrist before the slash could hit its mark. Diesel was back up and moving. "So, Neko, I'm assuming you're absorbing the shadow energy? You could've thought of this sooner you know." Remmy said as he was working on keeping Diesel's systems stable as the console flickered. Crimson let out another scream as the dark and shadow energies started swirling around him. As the energy was absorbed by Neko, the feline's arm slowly became engulfed by a pitch black glow.
Within Yoshi's mind the scenery changed. It was no longer of darkness and bloodshed but instead, it was dusk, and there was mostly nothing but grass where the village once stood. A few signs of the once known village remained but time had obviously taken hold. Yoshi walked to were the center of the village once was and found a stone circle. In the center was a pillar with plaques on each side of it. A ways from the pillar was a podium with another plaque. "Always move forward, but never forget..." Yoshi read. He then gave a sad smile as he looked to the pillar. It lined up perfectly with the setting sun.
Back in reality, Crimson's eyes and Brim's runes started to lighten away from red. "It's working! Keep it up Neko!" Remmy cheered. Crimson clenched his fists and let out a snarl. "I'm Not Going BACK!" He declared as the shadow energy surrounding him burst outward, sending Diesel and Neko flying back. With shouts of worry, the rest of the group ran forth hoping they were ok. Meanwhile, Crimson's flaming eye flickered and he soon collapsed. All the while, Nightmare stood back and watched with slight amusement.
Yoshi turned from the pillar as thunder was heard. A storm was moving in... and with it... he saw Crimson approaching. Yoshi then glanced back at the pillar before the scenery changed again. Now they were aboard The Grand Crimson as the storm churned up the seas around it. Crimson let out a dark chuckle. "Not wanting to fight in our old village?" He asked. Yoshi gave a glare as he drew forth Brim. "You've tainted those grounds enough." Yoshi stated. With that statement, the two readied for a final clash of control.
The situation back in reality was looking bad. Diesel's systems had gone offline once more and Neko... Neko was in a bad state. Wendy was doing the best she could to heal the now unconscious feline, but his wounds seemed to resist the healing magic. "Why isn't he healing?" Cotton asked. "This is my fault, I shouldn't have let my guard down." Nina said as she wiped away some tears. "Don't blame yourself, we all let our guards down. It could've been any one of us." Draconis reasoned. But Nina wasn't listening. A gasp from Wendy caught their attention. She had noticed the pitch black glow that was spreading up Neko's arm. "This... this is darkness poisoning!" She exclaimed. "And, that's bad... right?" Remmy asked as he tried getting Diesel back online. "What… what is darkness poisoning?" Nina asked as she tried to keep her tears back. Wendy was silent for a bit before slumping forward. "It means... there's nothing I could do... It stops all healing effects and repels light magic. Plus there's no real cure for it." Wendy informed as she too began tearing up. A clapping sound got everyone's attention and they all turned to Nightmare. "Well now, you know quite a bit for such a young mage. The feline must've absorbed the dark magic I infused your captain with as well as the shadow energy. And now the dark magic must be overcoming his own natural aura." Nightmare stated with a sinister grin. "So... the dark magic is stronger than his aura?" Cotton asked. He let his ears droop as he turned toward Neko. He then perked up as he noticed something. There was shadow energy swirling around Neko's paw, and it was still being absorbed. With a determined face and an adjustment of his hat, he rushed over to the feline. "If it's a stronger aura he needs then so be it." The shadow bunny declared as he grabbed Neko's paw that had the darkness poisoning. "Cotton, what are you do-" Draconis began asking before Cotton sunk into his shadow. Everyone was confused, until Draconis realized what he was doing. "Cotton! Are you insane?!" Draconis shouted. "What? What's he doing?" Remmy asked. Draconis grit his teeth. "The idiot is feeding his own shadow aura to Neko!" He informed. "But... if a shadow creature like you guys lose your shadow aura... don't you..." Ethan faltered. The others quickly caught on to what was going on. "Cotton, there has to be another way!" Nina reasoned. "Yeah! You just joined the crew, we can't lose you already!" Remmy stated. The shadow that Cotton sunk into was shrinking fast... and the darkness poisoning was slowly receding. Draconis grit his teeth. "It's not gonna be enough." He then clenched a fist with a growl. "Tell Neko he better not die anytime soon!" The shadow dragon stated before jumping into the shrinking shadow as well. "Draconis!" The group shouted.
In Yoshi's mind, the battle was dead even. Neither Yoshi or Crimson were giving an inch in their battle. "Do you think you can run from me forever Yoshi?" Crimson asked as the two clashed swords. "After I had my fun that day, all you've done was try to erase the past and run. And not even the sea limited how far you ran!" Crimson stated. With a grunt, Yoshi pushed forth with Brim, causing Crimson to take a step back. "You murdered almost everyone I knew, there was nobody left in the village anymore. I was left alone with the knowledge of having a cursed demon within me." He stated. Crimson then pushed back, causing Yoshi to take a step backward. "And then you found those mages of the forest. You had them strengthen the seal but they could do nothing to get rid of me. They even saw some magical potential in you and offered to take you in, letting you train in magic. But you refused. You took on the persona of a lone wolf." Crimson pushed further, making Yoshi step back more. "What changed that? Why did you suddenly start letting others in your life? And what will they think of you now?" Crimson mocked with a chuckle. Yoshi tried to think of a response but… he was at a loss...