The Adventures of Team Marcus

Chapter Ten: The Ultimate Battle Between Friends

*Marcus' p.o.v*

I woke up early in the morning with excitement in my heart. I couldn't believe that I was finally going home to see my family! I grinned a wide grin, got up and stretched with a dog-like yawn. ''Morning, Darkrai,'' I said trying to get the sleep out of my eyes. My eyes regained their vision. Darkrai wasn't around. ''Darkrai? Where are you?'' I asked looking around the room. I walked outside and Darkrai wasn't there either. ''Where did he go? Did he go out shopping? He usually doesn't go out so early in the morning. Well, guess I'll check the Square.'' I walked into the Square. Because it was still early, no one was out and about. ''Darkrai must be waiting at the beach where Wailord is,'' I said quietly to myself. I trotted towards the forest to get to the beach. As I walked through it, my keen Arcanine hearing could pick up a whooshing sound from deep in the woods. I looked through the trees but I saw nothing. ''Darkrai? Are you there?'' I asked loudly. I heard the whooshing sound again. But this time, it sounded closer. ''C'mon Darkrai, this isn't funny!'' I yelled admittedly getting a little nervous. The sound grew even closer. ''Marcus,'' a voice said causing me to jump up and scream. I turned around and saw Cresselia floating.

''Marcus, it's me!'' Cresselia said trying to calm me down. I sighed in relief.

''Don't scare me like that,'' I responded. ''My heart is beating like a drum.''

''Sorry about that,'' Cresselia said smiling. ''I just saw you walking through the Square and wanted to know why you're up so early.''

''I'm looking for Darkrai. He was gone this morning,'' I answered. ''I was just heading to the beach to see if he was there. Wanna come with?''

''Sure!'' Cresselia replied happily. We continued on our way to the beach. When we got there, we saw Wailord but no Darkrai.

''Hello. You must me Marcus,'' Wailord said in a deep voice.

''Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you,'' I said smiling. ''Have you seen Darkrai anywhere?''

''Not since yesterday,'' Wailord said lifting his fins shrugging.

''Here I am, Marcus,'' Darkrai said in a low voice. Cresselia and I turned around and saw Darkrai floating behind us.

''Where were you, buddy?'' I inquired.

''I was just out taking a walk,'' Darkrai replied simply. Something felt wrong to me. Darkrai had a harsh look on his face.

''Are you okay, dear?'' Cresselia asked coming up to Darkrai. ''You don't seem like your-'' Cresselia was cut off as Darkrai backhanded her across the face knocking her on her side. A look of shock sprouted on Cresselia's face in reaction.

''Darkrai, what was that for?!'' I demanded in a scolding tone. Darkrai glared at me harshly sending chills down my spine. Darkrai flew up to me and grabbed me by the throat. ''Darkrai…what are you doing?! Are you possessed?!''

''You might say that,'' Darkrai sneered. ''I experienced a new power from a meteor that landed on this planet last night. I have now turned to the side of evil!''

''You can't do that! I won't let you!'' I growled weakly. Darkrai's grip tightened causing me to wince in pain.

''You're not Arceus. I can do as I please! But before I do that, I'll kill you. Afterwards, your family, too!'' Darkrai said before chuckling sinisterly. My eyes widened in horror. I blasted Darkrai's face with Flamethrower in retaliation knocking him on his back. I quickly pounced on Darkrai and placed my paw on his chest.

''Don't you even THINK of threatening my family!'' I roared angrily. Darkrai vanished into the ground. ''Where are you?!'' I demanded. Cresselia got up and looked my way.

''Look out!'' she screamed. I whirled around and Darkrai sucker punched me knocking me away before I landed on the ground.

''Fool. You can't win when I have this amazing power,'' Darkrai taunted. Darkrai then winced grabbing his head in pain.

''Cresselia, get help!'' Darkrai said as his face softened. Cresselia looked at Darkrai confused. ''GO! NOW!'' Darkrai yelled. Cresselia floated away quickly. Darkrai's face then hardened.

''Oh no you don't!'' Darkrai shouted firing a Dark Void at Cresselia putting her to sleep. Darkrai then looked back at me and grabbed me by the throat. ''You're coming with ME!'' Darkrai said holding me up. We then began to sink into the ground.

''Marcus!'' Wailord yelled before we disappeared. We flew through a dark space at high speed. There was no light at all. We floated to the surface. We were in the mountains with a dark meteor behind us. Darkrai tossed me forward. I righted myself in midair.

''Is that the meteor behind you?'' I asked looking to the side of Darkai.

''Yes, it is. Its power was a great blessing for me. Now, I will have the power to rule this world with an iron fist!'' Darkrai boasted. ''But, now that I think of it, I don't want to destroy you Marcus. In fact, I'd rather you help me instead.''

''What?!'' I asked surprised.

''Help me rule this world. You and your family can live in peace and have whatever they'd want! What do you say?'' Darkrai asked.

''NO! NEVER!'' I snapped. ''I WILL stop you, Darkrai! I promise you that!'' Darkrai growled angrily.

''Fine. Then I have no choice but to kill you!'' Darkrai screamed before charging me. Darkrai slashed at me causing me to dodge each one. I bit down on Darkrai's shoulder with Crunch and I shook my head from side to side the way a dog would rip apart a stuffed toy. I tasted Darkrai's blood which caused a sick feeling to well up in my stomach and mouth. Darkrai howled in pain and punched my in the eye forcing me to let go. ''Go to hell!'' Darkrai shouted releasing Dark Pulse. The blast hit me in the face. I shuddered in response since Dark Pulse can cause someone to flinch. I started to feel weaker as energy left my body. ''Aw, are you losing your fight? Killing you will be too easy! Give me a challenge!''

''Very well,'' I said panting. I rushed into Darkrai with Extremespeed knocking him away.

''Not bad. But, how's this?!'' Darkrai shrieked firing Thunderbolt at me. I narrowly dodged the electricity. I must win. Or else my family and this world is doomed, I thought getting weaker. This new move I learned could be dangerous but I have to try it. I focused and I felt rage billow in me like a boiling engine. ''What's this?''

''This is a new move of mine. OUTRAGE!'' I bellowed charging at Darkrai. I knocked Darkrai down and snarled in his face.

''You're good. Very good, Marcus. Pity that I'll have to end you,'' Darkrai said sarcastically.

''SHUT UP!'' I roared furiously. ''This ends. NOW!'' I raised my paw into the air aiming for Darkrai's head. But, I missed my mark due to confusion as a result of using Outrage. Oh no, not this! I hate confusion! I thought as I wobbled. I tried using Wild Charge, but I collided with the rock wall. I heard a nauseating crack come from within my head. The world started to blur and spin around. My heart strained to beat as it grew weaker. Darkrai grabbed me by the nape of the neck and dragged me towards the cliff.

''Look,'' Darkrai repuested. I fought to keep my eyes open and saw that we were dangerously close to the cliff. ''This is where your grave will be. I'll give my thoughts to your family when they weep over your death.''

''No…stop,'' I pleaded weakly. ''Darkrai, I know you're in there. You have to…fight this darkness!''

''Marcus, I'm sorry,'' Darkrai said sadly as his good side remerged. Darkrai tossed me over the edge. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion as I plummeted to the ground. Well, I guess this is the end for me, I thought hopelessly. Napoleon, Anthony, Lily, I'm sorry that we couldn't see each other again. I grew closer to the ground as gravity assisted in ending my life. Please, take care of yourselves. Tears materialized in my eyes. I love you all. WHAM!