Authors Note: This is it, the last chapter before the Final Confrontation, which will be the dramatic conclusion to this story, and will take more than one chapter to properly tell. I will say that this chapter does follow the pattern of the ones before it in that the main focus of this chapter is Michael, but there are also many other parts containing the POV of other characters at the time. At this point in the story, at the calm before the story, I felt I could have done a lot more with this story back in the beginning, namely with Kyiko and Katherine. Still, I cannot forever lament on what could have been, only slightly modify the beginning chapters. Sometime in the future however this story will be perfected, by me.

Compared to the other chapters I have published so far in chapter three, this might be the most lacking in writing skill. If the ending of the chapter is weak, please tell me what I can do to improve it.

This chapter could have been out a lot sooner, but I got distracted by this new anime/manga I found, titled "Spice and Wolf". I absolutely love the story and the same day I first discovered the story it forced its way to my favorites. The fan base for it is small, but it is not exactly well known as it was never advertised the same way other anime or manga were (and for good reason). I would strongly recommend Spice and Wolf to anyone who is looking for a story, that really shatters your mold on what fantasy can be. I can assure you it is totally unique, no swords or magic or other overused stuff, and the characters are well defined. To any eevee fans reading this, I think you would like it. It originally existed as a book series in Japan, but it was so good they made it into a TV series and manga, and have begun translating the novels into English. Still there are only six out right now, and I am on book four and trying to make it last as they are still releasing them every half a year.

Now on with the story…

THE CHRONICLES OF

LEGENDARY EEVEE

Chapter Twenty Eight: Final reprieve

A small black figure stood in the center of a deserted black canyon, watching the unchanging sky. There was no mask anymore, the anger that had once driven him was gone, replaced instead by something he couldn't feel. In his ears, he could hear the echoes of the Song, played again and again. A wind was blowing, but the sky never changed, and the wind never shifted any of his black fur. There were no paw prints from where he had gone…not even claw marks from where he had tried.

The figure cried out in anguish to an empty word, unable to escape the torment and sadness. It was the song, the song that broke him. The song of happiness, of sorrow, of torment, of anger, of joy. The song that carried everything he could not have, everything he yearned for with all his being. The song should have made him feel, its melody was too pure. The small black figure had no tears to weep, because he could not understand. He wanted to feel the wind, but even that was beyond him, even with all his power.

Scythe shaped claws meant to kill had slashed the rocks again and again, and never once had they been able to leave a mark. He yelled out in anguish, wanting to be heard, seen, understood. It was endless torture, and yet…he still stood strong.

The song had made him see…everything he didn't have. Made him yearn for something, he could never see. The feelings of loneness and despair were all he had, nothing else. And yet that was what made him strong. He stared at the sky with unrelenting resolve. Something like him defied everything that could be known, and triumphed over those who would never see. Those eyes that could never cry, never know, were stronger than any that had come before, and ever would. Because his sorrow had given him resolve. The sorrow that comes from knowing there is no hope, and yet the strength to keep fighting.

It was the song, that song of life, that she had sang. That song that had made him see, and made him cry. He fought, because of that song, that sweet, bittersweet song, that had reached the ears of something like him. He would do everything in his power, even after he was gone…all for that song. That song that carried in its sweet music… everything he had ever wanted, all he ever wanted. The song that made him feel, like it was worth fighting for... like there was a reason, to go on. He would never let anyone destroy that song, the song that everyone holds in their soul. The song, that small black figure standing proudly in the center of the desert wanted so badly, to feel…life.

Θ Michael's POV Θ

My fur was a tangled mess of black and brown, the two colors to entangled and mismatched that it was impossible to tell upon first glance which color had been first. Crusted blood and dirt dyed a few patches a horrible shade of color. My head hurt so bad, and at times I couldn't concentrate or do anything but try to endure the agony that made it feel like I was on the verge of being ripped to pieces from the inside out. Others ran or stared when I passed through, just like back home in the mystery world. It was all happening again, I was a freak show, no matter how far I came. I hated all those judging eyes, those repulsive stares. I hated it all.

I shuddered in pain as a few strands of Black lighting detached themselves from me and arced across my back and into the ground before disappearing. My legs were burning with exhaustion, but I couldn't find sleep, no time to rest, and sleep would not come anymore. The screaming and fighting in my head was too much, all I could do was keep going, hoping that at the end it would all be over. I had to find Giovanni and end it all, there was nothing else left for me to do in this world anymore. I had killed Azure and failed Sparky, and my homeland would never welcome me back again. I was all alone in a world that just wanted to see me die. Why do I exist at all anymore, I cried sometimes.

I knew the answer, it was whispered in my ear again and again endlessly. I had to make Giovanni pay for what he did. The pain, and anguish, all of it was because of him, I wanted to kill him. Make his blood run on the ground, shred the life right out of him. I was no longer weak anymore, I had fulfilled my promise, I was strong. Stronger than anyone who would ever dare oppose me. Even Shadow's voice and influence had faded, and the only feeling the memory of Azure's smile brought was pain. Anger at what had happened, and anguish. Everything hurt so much, I hated them all for making me this way. I never asked for this, why me.

I wandered the land, unchallenged by the many violent stares and voices around me. The Dark Matter was guiding me, and I followed it. I had to find Giovanni, before I died of this agony. Twice, I had tried to injure myself only for Shadow to step in and stop me. Why did this go on, I hated the pain.

A musical sound like a bell rang out in the night, and a sudden glow illuminated the forest in front of me. I waited, my claws scraping the ground in anticipation of a fight, of tearing flesh and bone. The light took shape to reveal a flowing white figure with a sad look in her eyes, floating spiritually in front of me, almost transparent in the moonlight.

"Michael…"

I turned and snarled at the spectral figure in front of me. I knew her, she was Gardevoir.

"Please…listen to me.

"Leave me alone!" I yelled, bristling out my fur and unconsciously letting a few strands of Dark Matter run rampart. I barely recalled her shocked expression before I lunged, baring my teeth and striking at the image before me. I passed right through her, but the light disappeared, and her along with it. Silence and darkness came again, and I no longer cared. I thought I heard crying inside my head, like a voice desperate to be heard, but I silenced that voice.

They were not going to take from me the only thing I had left, and I would kill anyone who tried. And yet…

I crumpled on the ground and held my head in my paws, crying…

Θ Medicham and Gardevoir Θ

The lone figure stood alone in a clearing, looking up at the sky with an almost longing expression on his face. Sadness could be seen in his eyes, but it was overshadowed by a strong resolve. A gust of warm wind blew, and carried with it the scent of Lilac flowers. The old sage turned his gaze to the wind, letting its warm essence soothe him and he opened his eyes again to see the spectral flowing form of Gardevoir in front of him. Her calm, placid composure was shattered, and she had diamond tears streaking down her face and into the night where they faded away.

"Its too late…" She said, and then totally broke down. Without a hint of hesitation, the old Psychic type walked forward with a warm smile and touched the spirit before him. To the old Medicham, it was light touching warm light, and yet he sat down with her as the spirit cried.

"Its okay-" He started to speak.

"I've condemned them both to death…I was supposed to guide him, prevent all this from happening. I didn't change anything, I failed, I'm heartless, I-"

"Elysium." He interrupted, and she looked up to him with her large tear filled eyes. It was her name, and only he knew it.

"You cry because you care." He said simply, and held the spirit in his arms, using his power to touch the essence before him. Always before, she had tried to remain strong for his sake, and he had done his best in the past to be there for her, as she had been.

"But, if only I-"

"You wanted him to find the answer on his own, because you knew that was the only way he would ever understand. You are torn between duty and friendship, the same as Sparky. You want to help him, but he won't listen to you anymore and you blame yourself for not revealing the whole picture until it was too late. And now you must feel like everything has been in vain, and the only option left to you is to kill him, and that is hurting you inside." He said, speaking softly as if to a child…or a lover. Cradled in his arms, he stroked her head almost tenderly.

"I'm sorry." She said, crying still, showing an incredibly childish side that had otherwise been concealed, or perhaps pushed back because of the situation. He smiled, he knew her.

"There is nothing to be sorry about, Elysium." he said and started trailing off as they both remembered a memory. A scene flashed through her mind, of her throwing herself in the way of a massive blast of energy that had been aimed to hit a young fighting type, the one that now held her ethereal body. He knew that saying her real name would bring her comfort. It was after all because of him that she had become a spirit.

A small yellow stone was placed into her hands, and through his power he was allowed to give it to her. The lightning bolt on the stone gleamed softly as it became as ethereal as her form.

"It's never too late Elysium, there is always hope." He said strongly as he let her go again. She stared at the stone, realizing his plan.

An ominous feeling of death and destruction suddenly emanated out of the forest, snuffing out the warm breeze that she carried with her. The two looked at each other, knowing what it was, and Gardevoir grew afraid. The forest seemed to darken. For the first time, they had allowed their true feelings for each other to show, and now this…

"Go." Said Medicham, and the knife that single word carried into his heart was beyond measure. The strong resolve he had resigned himself to was the only thing keeping him from shedding a tear.

"But Medicham-" She said frantically as a horrible thumping was heard as the source of the evil intent was drawing near. Even from this distance, its power was very clear, and she knew exactly who it was, and was afraid.

"Go, I knew this would happen. Whatever happens next Elysium, remember its never too late. Everyone can still be saved, you can do it, now go. I will meet you on the other side." He said sadly. For a second Gardevoir looked about ready to cry but then faded away into the night with the stone he had given her.

The battle ready figure stood in the clearing, glancing heartbroken at the place where Gardevoir had faded away, as if to catch one final trace of her.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way, but I don't think we will be meeting again…" He said, but his strong will would not let him cry.

A roar sounded from within the darkness of the forest, and a blast of cold air struck him. Still, he stood his ground, fully aware of the monster that was now coming to fight him.

"I would rather be a spirit by your side, the warm breeze that follows you far, if it could mean we could be together again."

"Elysium…" He said, and his will broke and a single tear was shed. A pair of red eyes appeared in the darkness, towering over everything. Blood red eyes filled with hate and lust for destruction. Slowly the hulking, rocky figure of the dinosaur like aberration emerged from the darkness, a few lightning like strands of Dark Matter dancing along its ebony armor that spiked out hideously.

"I believe that no one really wants to be evil. We all misunderstand each other, and that is the root of all conflict."

The Shadow Tyranitar roared, blasting the air and trees with a wave of sheer power. Grass was torn up in front of it and branches were broken right off the tree, but still the old figure did not move, but glared back at the monster with equal fury.

If we can all just take the time to understand each other, then just maybe we can take those first steps toward true peace."

The shadow Tyranitar raised in anger the same claws that it had used to strike Sparky all those months ago, the same claws that had attacked Michael, the claws that were now greased with blood. With another roar, it shook the ground and charged. The old fighting type raised a fist, and prepared himself.

So long as one person believes, there is hope, and with hope, fate can be changed."

He saw not the monster charging at him, he felt not the cold that threatened to freeze his heart in fear. He only felt the warm breeze, and the faint smell of lilac flowers.

Θ Michael's POV Θ

I stood in the outskirts of a city, the red rock beneath my feet cracked and dry. Behind me was a human city, but I didn't care, I only saw the building in front of me. He was here, I just knew it. The men were letting me past, afraid of me. I only had to roar and let the Dark Matter rampage, and they all ran from me. It was not longer hate that separated me, now it was terror.

My head was churning as I realized I had been here in this place many times before, always in my dreams. Every detail was exactly the same, even the rock that surrounded the largish building where Giovanni was waiting. Among the fleeing people, a single figure was blocking my way in front of me, standing in the way of the revenge I sought.

He wore a familiar blue bandanna around his neck, and with it a necklace where a silver key danged in front. There was a tuff of fur between his ears that had never smoothed out. Only the determination in his eyes and the serious expression on his face alienated him from the image I always remembered, and now he had come to stand in my way with the intention of someone not here for a reunion, but combat.

"Sparky…"