A strong silence filled the air. All the group could do is wait and hope Neko pulls through. The darkness poisoning had almost completely vanished... but so has the shadow that Cotton and Draconis were in. "I do believe your friend will actually pull though, thanks to the other two." Nightmare stated. Ethan let out a growl as he turned to the shadow beast. "What's your game? This whole time you've been toying with us right?" He questioned. "Even now, you could've kept the fight going and finished us, but instead you stand by and watch." The bunny pointed out. Nightmare gave a steady glare, but Ethan didn't budge. "Where would the fun be in finishing the battle quickly? It's much more fun watching you all suffer. Why do you think I unleashed your friend's inner darkness? I did it to make you suffer through fighting your own team... and it turned out so much better than I expected." He monologued with a grin. "You're a sick twisted basturd." Remmy stated. "I do try." Nightmare said with a bow.
~ Ch.11: Never Give Up
All around, a thick fog surrounded a collapsed Neko. It was all he could see, and the pain from the gash in his chest was all he could feel. The numbness that overtook his arm had spread till he couldn't move. He knew he didn't have long left. All he had to do was close his eyes and give in to the dark abyss around him. He was surprised when he heard familiar voices calling him. Even more so when faint lights started shining through the fog. Using the little strength he had, Neko called to them. A burst of light appeared next to Neko and the surrounding fog faded away, along with a bit of the numbness. Cotton and Draconis immediately ran forth from the fog. "Cotton...? Draconis...? What... are you doing here?" Neko questioned weakly. "We're saving you." Draconis said simply as he observed the fog. It was quickly moving back in. "Not gonna happen." Draconis growled as he spun with a burst of fire toward the fog. The dim light of the flames seemed to keep the fog away... for the moment. "So... this fog's the dark energy I'm guessing?" Cotton said as he looked around, rubbing his arms as they felt numb. "I'll say that's a safe bet." Draconis said as he helped Neko up. The feline flinched in pain. "How... are you gonna save me... from this...?" He asked, voice strained with pain. Draconis had a serious look and was silent for a second. "You're gonna have to absorb our shadow auras." He stated. Neko's eyes widened in shock. "I- I can't do that!" He said before clutching at his chest as a sharp pain hit from his sudden outburst. "My time is nearly up anyway..." he quietly stated. "It's either that or all three of us die! Cotton and I have already been absorbed physically from your shadow absorbing ability!" Draconis stated before letting out a growl. "Don't let our sacrifice be in vain Neko. We're giving our lives to save you. So DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP!" Draconis ordered.
With grit teeth, Ethan charged forth toward Nightmare. When he got close he unleashed a burst of light magic that engulfed his fists. He then sent punch after punch at the shadow beast. Nightmare quickly dodged each attempted strike but was left no room for any counters. Ethan's speed was truly impressive. Nightmare then smirked as he got an idea. "I do hope you don't mind sharing your techniques." He stated before his claws became engulfed in dark magic. He then met one of Ethan's punches with one of his own. When the opposing magics collided, they let out a burst of energy blasting the two away from each other. While Nightmare landed on his feet from the blast, Ethan crashed hard into a wall with a grunt of pain. Nightmare then blew the dark magic from his claw like it was a smoking gun. "Now then..." Nightmare began as he looked at the fallen bunny. "What did we learn?" He asked in a nonchalant manner. Ethan looked up at the shadow beast with a smirk. "You're... a little... b-" He began to say before fainting. Nightmare was unamused and began approaching the fallen bunny. Wendy tried running in, but Nina held her back. There was nothing they could do. She shut her eyes tight and hoped for Neko or Yoshi to wake up. They were their only hopes now.
Neko was at a loss for words. Never in a million years did he think something like this would happen. Cotton maybe... but Draconis? The shadow dragon let out a growling sigh. "I know I've never been seen as a good guy. I've lived a life of crime and deceit. And as you pointed out in our battle, I was a bit of a tyrant." Draconis admitted. "A bit?" Neko questioned with a painful chuckle. Draconis let out a sigh. "Perhaps this can be my one chance at redemption for all I've done, to try and make things right." The shadow dragon said. Neko then gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Hey, I wouldn't change anything. If things had been different, I might never have met all the friends I've made. I've been to places I never could've dreamed of. Seen things hardly anyone else had seen. And now... now you guys. I honestly would be lying if I said I didn't miss you guys." Neko ranted, getting a little emotional at the end of the rant. Draconis took a look around before giving another sigh. "Then don't forget us... ok?" Cotton said as he noogied the feline. "Sorry to cut this short, but the darkness is growing back." Draconis stated. With a look at their surrounding, they saw the dark fog was indeed approaching. "So... what do we do?" Neko asked. Draconis was silent before Cotton stretched a paw out between the three of them. "We continue on, together." He stated. Draconis smiled before putting his claw atop Cotton's paw. "Yeah, together." He said. The two looked to Neko as he hesitantly reached his paw forward. When Neko's paw reached the others, their energy started flowing into him as they began fading. "Hey Neko, one last thing…" Draconis said in a serious tone. "Yeah?" Neko asked. Draconis was silent once more before smirking. "Make sure Nightmare's butt gets kicked good for us." The shadow dragon stated as he and Cotton faded completely. As the energy flowed around Neko it began to swirl around the area and all the fog began to disappear. Neko closed his eyes as the energy then began swirling inward. "Yeah, I won't let you guys down." He said with a smile.
A sudden explosion of shadow energy darkened the room. "Well now... interesting." Nightmare said as he turned to the source of the energy, which was now rapidly spinning around Neko like a twister. The feline rose up as the slash on his chest quickly healed. His tail twitched before splitting in two. The twister of shadow energy then ignited in a burst of black fire before being absorbed by Neko. He took a deep breath before giving an intense glare at Nightmare. "So, the cat has landed back on his feet. How nice." Nightmare said with a grin. Neko looked around at his friends. "I see you were busy... but now, I have a promise to my old friends to keep." Neko stated. Nightmare raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?" The shadow beast asked with great interest. Neko glanced at Yoshi, who was still unconscious. "Five minutes, give me five minutes and I'll more than tell you." The feline said with a smile. Nightmare grinned. "Sounds interesting. You have your five minutes. Do not disappoint." Nightmare said. "Things are finally getting interesting." He added. Neko then went over to Yoshi and placed a paw on his forehead. He closed his eyes, focusing his energy. He then disappeared into Yoshi's shadow.
Within Yoshi's mind, the clash aboard The Grand Crimson was going south fast as fatigue was striking the pirate. His blocks were barely holding and his swings were becoming sloppy and easily countered. "If only I could just kill you. Then this would be so easy for me." Crimson stated. "Sadly that would kill me as well, and that just won't do." He continued as Yoshi gave a weak glare. Crimson laughed. "After all, blue just doesn't fit the world anymore. With all the violence, hatred, chaos, and deceit... it deserved to be stained red." He stated. "Well isn't that a grim outlook." Stated a voice from up on some riggings. "Wha-?" Crimson quickly turned in confusion to the voice. Neko gave a grinning two finger salute. "Hello there." He said. Crimson grinned ear to ear. "Well… well… well… look what the cat dragged in..." He then got a hungry look in his eyes. "Something I can kill." He stated before lunging up at the feline. Neko jumped down with a flip and kicked Crimson back down. He then ran over to Yoshi. "Man, you look awful." Neko stated as he helped the tired pirate up. "Gee, thanks..." Yoshi said with a chuckle. Meanwhile Crimson was getting back up. "Excuse me for a sec." Neko said before swiftly charging at Crimson who turned around rubbing his head. "Oh shi-" He said before Neko grabbed a rigging and spun around it, kicking the dark pirate in the gut, sending him over the railings into the ocean below. With a satisfied hum, Neko turned back to Yoshi. "Time to wake up, the crew needs their captain." Neko stated. With a nod, Yoshi made his way to the helm. "Good to be in control again." Yoshi stated as the surroundings faded and began to go white.
With a gasp, Yoshi woke up and Neko emerged from his shadow. "Yoshi!" Wendy and Nina shouted happily as they ran forth and hugged the pirate. "Glad to be back." He stated as he hugged back. He then turned toward Nightmare. "It seems I've been underestimating all of you." Nightmare said with a chuckle. "Oh this has actually been fun! But like all things great..." he stated before closing his eyes. "This must come to an end." He stated in a sinister voice. "Damn straight it must." Said Ethan as he was slowly getting back up on his feet. "Oh, you're still alive as well?" Nightmare said. He then broke into laughter. "All right then! Here's how we shall end this. I shall give you one last chance to give me all you got. If it's not enough... then I end you." The shadow beast declared. Yoshi drew forth Brim, but Ethan put a paw on his shoulder. "Hold on... I... have an idea." He stated.