I know, this chapter took, like, FOREVER for me to get out, and I apologize. I've been nursing a terrible case of the writer's block, and I think this chapter is probably more filler than anything. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it, it kind of took a while for me to get into. =3="
Chapter 12: Flickers of Darkness
Farlo blinked slowly as he sat up on his haunches, gazing blankly out at Celestial Peak. The mountain's top was obscured by clouds that glowed silver in the moonlight, the stars swirling and glittering upon the misty forest.
They had returned to the clearing where Farlo and Snow had sheltered in those first few days of their escape, and Farlo watched as the fighters below his perch on the rock slept peacefully. Farlo gave a crooked smile as his gaze rested on a Lucario and Infernape, who had their backs leaning against each other as they nodded off in their guarding positions at the entrance to the clearing. Farlo briefly admired how close they seemed in their adopted brotherhood, as he had learned over the past couple of days that they had shared the same trainer.
Farlo's gaze flicked back to the mountain. In abandoning my journey, am I abandoning Akira, too? The thought lingered with him, and he felt a shiver of emotion as a new sadness and guilt overwhelmed him. Perhaps I'm too late...like I was too late for Snow...
Farlo shook his head to clear it. He reminded himself that there had been nothing he could do, but he still felt the guilt of her death gnawing at his heart. Even though he had been helpless, he could've answered Xena's questions and perhaps have spared Snow's life; or, better yet, tried to break out of his bonds fully and save her before the Weavile had given the final blow. It seemed as if only after the event had occurred that Farlo thought of plans to stop it.
Farlo sighed bitterly, looking up at the stars and wondering where she was now. Was she frolicking along the Milky Way, looking down on him with sadness at his decision?
He slid down into a lying position, resting his chin on his paws. A thin, cold night breeze stirred the fur around his ears, and he was reminded of the comforting coolness of Snow's pelt against his own as they had huddled in the stuffy den back at the fights group, both of them certain they would give their lives to save each other and protect each other from harm.
But I broke that promise...and I'm not sure I can ever make that promise again.
Farlo knew he must have nodded off, because the next thing he knew he was being shoved awake by a Raichu. Bright sunlight stung his eyes, and he blinked them rapidly to clear his vision.
"Up, prisoner." The Raichu snarled, zapping Farlo slightly to make him move faster. Farlo already expected that this Raichu - going by the name of Gasette - was impatient to move on, probably to get back "home" as the fighters called it and receive their reward. A couple days ago, this might've made Farlo's stomach churn, but now he just blinked at the Raichu and followed him off the rock and down into the bustling clearing.
Almost immediately after Farlo had jumped down, Bone howled to signal that they start moving. Farlo sighed as he fell into step beside a Gallade, one with many different scars and bruises still fresh on his arms and legs; still, something about his presence was strong and confident, even though his other Gallade and Gardevoir companions were staring in fright at the sadistic Pokemon around them.
After a few minutes of walking through dead brush and melting snow in silence, the Gallade spoke. "Why?" Farlo hardly saw his mouth move, the word let out as if at the edge of a sigh.
"Why what?" Farlo asked openly. The Gallade didn't so much as break his stride as he answered.
"...Why don't you leave?..." The Gallade breathed again. He gestured for Farlo to move closer before answering, and Farlo noticed that they had lagged behind to the back of the group. Only Luke and Charlie remained at the end, straggling along in a steady shuffle behind them; Farlo felt a rush of sympathy for them, which was quickly doused by the neutral feeling he had possessed in the last couple of days.
He looked at the Gallade closely. the look in his eyes was serious and grave, but he walked strongly ahead of him, not looking at Farlo. Farlo looked at his feet, blinking at the Gallade's question, unsure how to answer it.
"I-I...I can't." Farlo replied lamely.
"Why not?" Farlo was surprised by the Gallade's harsh tone, and he noticed he had raised his voice scarcely above his whisper. "They hardly guard you anymore, seeing as you've been so submissive; why don't you just escape?"
"Why do you even care about whether or not I can leave?" Farlo retorted. "Why should you care about what happens to me?"
The Gallade snorted softly. "It's not as if you care anymore." Farlo was stung by the certainty and truth in the Gallade's words.
They walked in silence for a while. Farlo contemplated the leaves crunching beneath his paws and the sound of the branches clacking together in the biting winds that whipped around the treetops. He breathed in the crisp air around him, feeling revived at the smell of leaf mold and fresh, clean snow.
After what felt like a century, the Gallade spoke again. "We're stopping. Inspection." Farlo knew what those words meant only by his silent observation of the fighters over the last couple of days; he watched as, one by one, the fighters stopped walking, all of them turning sideways in a single file line stretching a ways away into the trees ahead. Farlo sat at his place beside the Gallade and Charlie, whose body was giving off heat so similar to a fireplace it made Farlo sleepy with the memories of his first year of life with Akira.
Bone prowled in front of the aisle, growling at some fighters to straighten their backs or turn around so he could inspect their sides and backs for possible weapons. Farlo watched with apprehension as Bone drew nearer to him; five Pokemon away, three, two...
Farlo watched as Bone's fiery green gaze landed on his cool blue one, feeling momentarily fearful at the look of hate and scorn in the Houndoom's eyes.
Bone flicked his tail back and forth, his muscles bracing as if to spring. Farlo held his breath as Bone growled deep in his throat.
"Dear Farlo...wonderful, special, best Farlo." Bone's words chilled Farlo, and he tried his hardest to glare daggers at his old friend. Farlo felt a flare of anger and emotion erupt in his chest, a feeling so familiar and welcoming it almost made him lose his balance and topple sideways; after feeling nothing but grief and remorse for days on end, this new spark of anger and frustration was welcoming.
Bone leaned in until his muzzle was right beside Farlo's ear, and the Leafeon was as still as a statue; not because of fear, but because he could hardly contain his loathing for Bone and his anger at himself for being so blind all this time to who the Houndoom really was. A murderer, who had destroyed Farlo's only friend and crushed his soul to a pulp; Farlo tried to keep from fidgeting, and he kept his eyes blank and stupid once more.
Bone's stinking breath warmed Farlo's ear fur as he drawled the words out as clearly and as slowly as possible. "It's all your fault." Bone's lips curled maliciously into a smile, his long canine teeth glinting in the weak sunlight as they peeked out of the corners of his mouth.
Farlo could contain it no longer. With the smallest snarl, he whispered harshly back at Bone, "You murderous, traitorous coward." Bone let out a howl as he leaped onto Farlo, pinning him to the ground and slashing at his face.
The line was thrown into a frenzy as fighters gathered around to see what was the matter. Farlo shoved Bone off of him, finding new strength in his limbs as he released an energy ball bigger than his head in Bone's face. Bone's head whipped backwards, and Farlo saw him stagger backward unsteadily.
Farlo charged at Bone again, the leaf on his head doubling in size as it landed in the top of Bone's skull in a burst of bright light; Farlo heard Bone yelp as he scrambled back to his feet, blood spilling into his eyes from where Farlo had striped him; Farlo realized with a rush of triumph that he had made a sizable scratch across Bone's face, and that it was bleeding heavily as Bone struggled to regain his vision.
Bone was opening his mouth now, flames erupting from his jaws in Farlo's direction as the Leafeon deftly dodged and streaked away; he ran past startled fighters, all of them trying to grab at his fur to slow him down. But Farlo felt new energy in his limbs as he shoved on.
Suddenly he was tumbling forward, however, as a clawed, white paw dealt a heavy blow to the back of his head. He rolled forward, whirling around to see the dizzy vision of Luke above him.
"Farlo, can you hear me?" Luke's voice was pained and desperate, and Farlo saw Charlie behind him holding back Xena with his bare hands. She was snarling at him, threatening to rip his heart out with her teeth if she had to just to get to Farlo.
"Luke...I - " Farlo stuttered. Luke helped him to his feet, and he looked around him, all dizziness gone.
Around him was pandemonium as fighters turned against each other in combat, Farlo seeing Pokemon he thought loyal to the fighters turning around and battling viciously with their comrades. He saw a Swellow and a Honchcrow diving out of the skies, giving fatal blows to various groups of Pokemon gathered below them. He saw the Gallade who had talked to him earlier fighting side-by-side with another Gallade and a Gardevoir against a large Rhydon with a bullwhip at his hip.
"What's going on?" Farlo shouted to Luke above the roar of battle. He ducked as a large tail swung over his head, watching as Luke sidestepped a blow to his spine without even so much as a blink.
"Fighters are turning against each other; your act of rebellion must've fired their confidence to rebel themselves." Luke said breathlessly. He turned around and slashed an Elekid with claws of metal, turning back to Farlo.
"Farlo!" Farlo turned around and saw Charlie pushing Xena back, shooting flames from his mouth; he looked exhausted, and Farlo realized that Xena was advancing faster and stronger still. Farlo's anger hardened in his eyes, the blue depths turning into pools of ice as they stared at the Weavile ahead of him. Even now, he realized, she was enjoying herself, striking blow after blow to Charlie's head and sides.
"On it!" Farlo said. He hopped over Charlie, knocking Xena to the side and pinning her to the ground.
Hate and rage erupted inside Farlo as he clawed Xena again and again, relishing the sight of her blood on the ground and the fear in her eyes.
Farlo raised his claws again, their sharp points stained with her blood. Xena's fearful expression cleared. "Do it." She said, her velvety voice scratchy and hoarse. She coughed, spattering blood on herself; however, an old, sly look entered her eyes. "Kill me...like I killed Snow." Her tone was cajoling, almost playful, and she gave a crazed smile.
Farlo's memories flooded back through him like a tidal wave; Xena slicing Snow's throat, the sight of his best friend motionless on the ground. Then, the thought of Akira's innocent smile, and her piercing screams outlined around Bone's laughter.
Farlo lowered his claws, staring at Xena coldly. "No. I'd only be as cowardly as you and Bone if I killed you now." Farlo stepped off of Xena, who scrambled to her feet.
She smiled faintly. "Who would've guessed?" before Farlo could answer, she melted into the thrashing bodies of the Pokemon around her.
Farlo felt a hand on his shoulder, pulling him around. Farlo was surprised to see the Gallade hastily pushing him, Luke, and Charlie to an opening in the fights around them, urging them to escape.
"Galaxy, no." Luke protested as the Gallade used psychic to force the Lucario forward; Luke struggled against the glow to no avail, sharing a frightened and pained glance with Charlie as they headed farther away from the sounds of battle.
"It'll be all right." Galaxy said, his voice strong and confident as he looked at the three. He looked directly at Farlo. "All of you, go."
"But, what about you?" Farlo asked. He had grown to like the Gallade, who had saved him from himself in the nick of time; he hadn't realized how selfish he had been before, not even thinking of the cause that he and Snow had almost died numerous times for. He felt guilt wash over him, and he looked at Galaxy questioningly.
Galaxy shook his head sadly. "It's too late for me; my chance to escape has come and gone. But you..." He crouched down to Farlo's eye level, gaze stern. "You all still have a chance to make things right." He stood straight again, the weak autumn light twisting the shadows around his face and making him look ages older. "I'll make a diversion so you all can escape."
"But!" Charlie protested, but Luke shot him a glance. Charlie's features straightened and he nodded. "All right." He said to Galaxy. "I promise we'll return to you."
Galaxy shook his head, then leaped away gracefully into the midst of battle, screaming in defiance.
Luke nodded to Farlo and Charlie in turn. "Let's get out of here. To the west!" Luke pointed his paw in the direction toward Celestial Peak and the river, running silently ahead of them; Farlo bounded after him, Charlie close on his tail, feeling a rush of confidence and guilt.
I'm sorry I abused your memories Snow and Akira. I promise I will never let you down again. I'll work hard to bridge the gap between us, and I'll set these Pokemon free.
A silent figure glided through the now silent battlefield, only a dark silhouette in the shadows of the night. His blood-russet mane lifting slightly off of his dark back as he ran, he skidded to a stop in front of a few limp, struggling forms strewn in front of the ground, listening to their groans as they called helplessly to their comrades for help.
The figure smirked as he watched, hidden in the shadows; two Pokemon appeared, one shedding light in a patchy ring around its body from the flame on its tail. Its monkey-like face was grave.
"I'm sorry, but they won't be able to fight in this condition, let alone travel another day." The Pokemon's voice was smooth and feminine, confident.
"They're already a day ahead of us! Do you expect me to care if my fighters are injured or not?" Another Pokemon snarled, the figure saw him snort fire out of his nostrils, his horns briefly illuminated in the blaze.
The other Pokemon shook her head. "They cannot travel." she stated calmly.
The second Pokemon snarled again in frustration. "I don't care! Just gather the best of them and send them out to find them!" he stalked off, tail flicking in frustration and shame.
The figure smiled as the monkey-like Pokemon sighed and walked to the first of the crawling Pokemon on the ground, slowly leaning down to it and whispering soothing words and wrapping bandages around its head.
The Pokemon froze as the figure emitted a low chuckle, her eyes growing wide as it stepped out of the shadows.
"Don't be alarmed, little Monferno." The figure purred in a deep, growling voice. He bowed low, making the Pokemon's eyes widen; she stepped back fearfully as he came into her small ring of light, revealing three long, thin scars stretching over the right side of his face and muzzle.
The figure smiled. "I've come to assist you. My name is Slash."
The Monferno gulped. "What do y-you want? Get out of here." she said shakily, staring at him with eyes the size of saucers. The figure chuckled at her fearful, suspicious expression. He took another step forward, backing her toward a tree.
Suddenly, the Monferno let out a bloodcurdling scream as slowly, painfully, the fire on her tail erupted in a stream that surrounded her, burning her flesh and making her writhe on the ground in agony.
"I'm afraid I can't." Slash said wistfully, turning his back on the Monferno. Suddenly, the fire disappeared, and she was surrounded by a gigantic Arbok, hissing as it squeezed her body tightly in a coil. She gasped for air as Slash neared her again, his yellow eyes flashing as he stared at her suffering.
"Now, if you'll be kind enough to point the way to your camp, I should like to make a bargain with the one you call your leader." Slash continued, ignoring the Arbok and pushing the Monferno's chin up with one claw.
"Over - there - ..." the Monferno choked, gesturing with a nod of her head behind her. Her face was turning ghostly pale, and her eyes drooped dangerously.
Slash nodded, smiling as the Arbok disappeared immediately, watching with rapture as the Monferno gasped and spluttered on the ground, clutching her throat as she choked for air.
"Thank you." Slash said smoothly. He chuckled darkly once more, disappearing into the shadows again and leaving the Monferno sobbing behind him.
Sorry again for such the long wait! Please review, I love hearing all of your inspiring feedback. Also, thank you to ShayminRules for Slash the Zoroark! :D