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Stealthfire001
Foxyjosh
Hana (thank you thank you! I feel so much better now!)
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REVIEW!
Sorry for the lateness! -- I've been WAY over my head writing speeches for school… And I've been stuck in bed with a high fever.
The chapters will be getting out quite speedily now. I've basically worked out everything, but I love reviews and your support!
I'm estimating that there would be… four more chapters after this… yup, only four.
Oh and yes the page dividers STILL aren't working! . (Ya know the things that I use to separate the chapter titles from the actual chapter) GRRR... Does anyone else have this problem? Or is it just me?
EDIT 9/10/06 September 10 2006- Nvm... I figured out a way to get the ruler line things in!
Moonlight's Shadow Chapter 21:
Death Is A Terrible Thing
Flying backwards, Koja saw the world through a blurred vision. He crashed forcefully against a boulder, the impact sending pain waves through his body. Dizzy, the Absol glanced at the Skarmory coming speedily towards him. The sudden anger that had swelled up in Koja a few moments ago changed into confusion… he just couldn't… believe it. The Skarmory just didn't fit the job description of a betrayer- the eyes… the body language… it was all wrong.
But he couldn't gape at the Pokemon like an idiot either. Koja bounded away swiftly. He didn't really want to fight Skye, as a matter of fact. Whether it was that indecision because Skye had once been a friend (or seemed to be one) or that Koja still didn't believe that Skye was a traitor … one would never know. Koja ducked behind a large bush as a blast of wind came hurtling his way.
But even as Koja flattened himself against the ground, he grimaced as he felt a gust of it wind down at his back, a few cuts being opened up- Razor Wind… He definitely had to get to the bottom of this. Another blast of wind came towards him, and Koja swore softly as he felt the sharp air current slicing across his fur.
Standing up straight, Koja turned to Skye, his eyes fully alert- just in case that Machoke suddenly came back from unconsciousness again…
"Skye… I've got no idea what's going on here. I don't blame myself for dealing out damage to your friend back then…" Koja shouted quickly, "He was on the enemy's side, what was I supposed to do? Hug him? No, I'm not angry anymore… Now can you explain things? Yes, even if you ARE betraying us, state why!"
Skye hovered above, his eyes cold, "I betrayed you all for my voice, my reputation and my family… You above everyone else should know how it is like to be alone, Koja."
"What do you mean! You've had your voice all along- it was just a… a guise… right?"
"No. I was born mute. My reputation? I had none- who wanted to associate with a Pokemon would couldn't speak? My family. They had a harsh time for the others in our flock. So I left- recently I found out… that my family is being held captor by the Dark Lord. I meet with him. I offer up my skills for my voice, my reputations and my family. The Lord agrees. The job's been finished- I'm on my way to get my family and run from this place."
Koja's eyes widened, but concentrated on the present, "How about… how about Pep? You left everyone who cared for you…? Not even that, you betrayed them fully? You- but the Dark Lord is evil!"
A glimmer of the old Skye danced in the Steel Pokemon's eyes, before being shut away, "I do what I have to do… I know that Lord is evil- the least I can do is save my family from him."
"That's almost… shameful…" said Koja, his shouts turning to pleas, "You could've… gone to proper Gods…!"
"What did the 'proper Gods' do for me? They gave me no voice and let my sister die... if you've been looking the perfect God Koja, you're in the wrong world."
Koja shook his head, "But-"
"Forget it Koja… and just fight me."
Skye's wing smashed into Koja's face ending the brief conversation. Koja felt the blunt pain immediately but even with the small amount of surprise in his mind… he was fighting now- Nothing else. A trickle of blood from a cut lip dribbled down his chin and Koja licked at it.
Bloodlust…
The addiction was almost too hard to handle, almost too hard to avoid- and Koja did not try. From when he was young and enslaved by that human, he had always known he had been born to battle till his last. He had been bred to not fear blood or death. He had been trained to like it. It was almost twisted, but no others knew and Koja kept this dark secret to himself, sometimes wondering if he had a split personality… indeed as whenever battle came his own body was uncontrollable at most times and he only seemed to make vague commands… like someone else controlled it.
But… this was not the time or the place to think about this. He had to think quickly… speedily. The move sets, the attacks, the weak points, the strategies… what would bring that bird of steel down… to death?
He knew. Immediately, Koja jumped away, already sensing that he stayed too long in one position- true enough, a blast of wind forced the ground to create a huge indent. Glancing up, Koja jumped into the air and closed his eyes briefly… he could almost feel his blood pounding on his veins already- Koja did a few somersaults, and howled. Yes, this was what many called the Swords Dance. He knew it as when he inner self came out to battle- and be the victor at the end.
New energy flowed throw his body and Koja leaped onto a boulder, faster and stronger then before. Skye seemed to see this and immediately adjusted his flying position, his body taking in a streamlined shape, his speed increasing. Koja jumped off the boulder, flying in the air knowing he was just in time to catch Skye. Opening up his jaws, the Dark Type started to gather dark energy in it, hoping to unleash the power at Skye's neck- one of a Skarmory's tender areas, it would be most vulnerable to attack.
The Skarmory, still high above narrowed his eyes and though fear still seemed to glimmer there, Skye flatted his wings against his sides and shot down, his aerodynamic form reaching intense speeds as he flew towards Koja. Koja's eyes widened- it was too late to turn back… and it was he who would probably face the greater damage… Why didn't he think of this? Skye's steel body would protect him from the physical impact and though the damage done from the dark energy would be high, Skye would still be able to last… Koja cursed inwardly.
Then, out of nowhere… A Dark Shape came hurling through the air, its body heading wildly towards the collision point, a shrill high scream accompanying it.
Koja's eyes widened even more, as did Skye's own grey orbs.
There was only one creature, one Pokemon who could make that noise…
And that was Pep.
The two knew exactly what was going to happen next and they both knew with instant dread that they could not stop.
For she was going to face and bear the pain, the incredible damage of both attacks.
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Shadow shook her head in an action of confusion but winced upon feeling pain ripple through her head- the headache stemmed from when she fainted and hit her head on the ground hard after… after killing that… poor… but twisted Linoone. An hour later she awoke here and had been told by Inferno that Pep, Koja and Skye were in high danger for their lives… behind that boulder.
Shadow gazed at it, as if willing the large rock to open. Gods… first this headache… then… this… why?
Suddenly, the boulder made a groaning sound and rolled slowly to the left. Shadow bounded closer, anxious for what had happened to her friends. The boulder that had been rolled away had revealed a large inner cavern. From there Chansey beckoned to Shadow silently, as if where she stood was a sacred place. Shadow followed quickly, not really liking the altogether darkness of the whole place...
Almost instantly the boulder rolled back into place and the Chansey scampered off through this tunnel and that tunnel, Shadow trying to keep up with her headache slowing her down. Moans echoed eerily through the halls and it wasn't more then once that Shadow heard cries of pain. They must have been the casualties… Shadow shuddered and kept closer to the Chansey. War was a terrible thing…
A sharp tug at her fur nearly had Shadow jumping out of her skin but it was only the Chansey as the nurse Pokemon pulled her into a dimly lit chamber. Shadow gasped softly as her night vision picked out Koja, Pep and Skye. Where they all right…? They looked… fine… no sign of major damage, but but- why then would they be brought here if they had no wounds? It was then that Mew entered and the light nearly blinded her. Shadow averted her eyes and blinked trying to get used to it.
"Your friends, two of them will make it… One will not." He said gently, the God levitating low enough to meet her eye to eye.
The Chansey took this as the signal to leave and did so. Shadow shook her head.
"They look fine…"
"That is because I healed them- they came in with serious injuries."
"What… what happened?" Shadow murmured quietly, "What happened?"
"The Absol and Skarmory were involved in a fight- the Poochyeena interfered."
Shadow took a sharp intake of breath… no… she knew that Koja
"It doesn't matter…" Mew replied quietly, "The Absol will live- he sustained the least damage. The Skarmory will live also. The Poochyeena… will not…"
Shadow stared numbly at Pep, who was lying on a crude bed of grass, her body limp, "You're the God of Life though… they can't- you can't, you can make them live… can't you?"
"Too much life force has already left the little one's body."
Shadow nodded mutely, though she trembled. Pep was going to die… It was wrong… horrible… but true. Life force…? She had learnt about it as a young child. Each Pokemon was born with life force in them- how much of it depended on age and health. When the life force ran out, one died.
"Her family will be called in soon, to say farewell…" tears were beginning to gather on the God's eyes, "Death is a terrible tragedy isn't it… Shadow?"
Shadow herself looked up, her shock with Pep disappearing as she stared at the tears. Mew's tears- the sight of this made her own tears start to gather and Shadow drew deep breaths… No… NO… NO… Pep couldn't… die… It was so blatant… so sudden…
"She's not going to die."
Shadow looked up. Skye was standing on two shaky legs, his eyes feverish but determined and repeated himself.
"She's not going to die."
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Skye shook his head and even so felt the weakness in his bones… the feeling that death was near… no… not yet… a few more steps… a few more words…
"She's not going to die… Pep." His voice was raspy, so different from yesterday.
"Skye… no… she… you're talking…" Shadow trailed off and Skye knew the Umbreon thought she was going mad in his last few hours.
Skye glanced at the Umbreon, "We don't have any time for Koja will explain my story later."
Mew floated towards him and placed a refined gentle paw on his forehead. Immediately a little bit of his pain seemed to vanish. Skye murmured a strained thanks.
"Explain, Child of the Sky."
"You can transfer my remaining life force into her." He said steadily, "I'm going to die already. It doesn't matter if it's in a few hours or in a few minutes, doesn't it?"
Mew's brow creased, "It's a very honorable decision-"
"I'm not doing it for honor Mew. I'm doing it for her- Pep. I'm doing it because if I can't at least save my family, save anyone, I'll try saving her." Growled Skye, "Don't you dare tell me it's for honor. You and the other Immortals sitting up there in the highest peaks of the sky have no idea what life is like for the mortals. I trust no God anymore… I just ask that you do it for Pep- because she has the strongest childish faith in you."
Normally a Pokemon might have been smote which a large amount of power by speaking to a God like that. But the circumstances and scenario were the not usual ones and even then Mew said nothing but sighed deeply. Shadow was looking on with shock.
"I deeply regret that you're so… like that. But know this I respect, even if you don't respect me. I love you, even you if you don't love me- you're one of my children. Do you still want to… give your life force?"
Skye nodded and already he could see Shadow's silent protest and he grimaced. Fortunately she didn't know the whole story yet. Or else the whole world might have been against him… The whole story… the betrayal… his family… the dark lord- Skye eyes widened as he followed Mew to a stone table… He had no concern how the Gods would fare in this ware, but he knew that if things would continue as they were… with Shadow chosen… the war… the deaths for good… for the Pokemon… not the Gods… it would all be useless.
Skye vaguely heard Mew levitating him onto the table, laying him down flat, Shadow watching with wide scared eyes. He faintly felt her noise nuzzle his beak, it seemingly wet with tears. There were no words, but the meaning was clear… Skye smiled as he saw Pep being brought over. Ever since he had come of age, he had felt some soft of… responsibility for her. So wherever she went, he went. She was his 'little sister' in his eyes… a replacement that he had so long sought after when his sister had died… Pep- Pepper. Skye shook his head…
His thoughts were getting slightly weaker now. He glanced at Mew. Was that… tears… he saw? No. Definitely not. If anything they were tears of sadistic joy. He wasn't going to turn from his beliefs now nor ever. But still… he had to tell him… Mew… everything… it was vital. A few more minutes were all he needed.
"Mew… I need… you… to preserve my memories… for me…" croaked Skye, "You'll find them useful."
The God looked up from his work, the green, almost spirit like life force floating in a line into Poochyeena from Skye. Mew nodded and placed his palm on Skye's head.
"Show me."
And so Skye did.
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Mew watched the life force channel continuously in the young Poochyeena, all the while gazing at the Skarmory called Skye. There wasn't much left in the Pokemon… And there was just enough for the little one. He had to be remembered. The Umbreon beside him, Shadow glanced at the procedure, her facial expression a mixture of grief and fearfulness.
Mew shook his head. His brain already filing the new startling memories and information away. It would change the whole course of their plan… It would… it would…
The last of the life force was coming out.
Mew blinked tears away and gazed at the Skarmory, who eyes were flickering closed.
"Goodbye my child."
"Thank you." Was the reply.
Mew took his hands away.
He leaned forward.
And with his right hand closed the Skarmory's eyelids.
It was over.
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"Skye… Skye… Skye! Wake up!"
Pep pranced onto the stone table before her. She felt kind of tired, but she was ready for play. A little while ago, she had woke up and a Chansey had checked up on her and said she was alright and all that grown up stuff. Then she had run off when the Chansey left because she was so bored. She'd seen Skye lying on this table so now she wasn't to wake him up!
Phew… she really thought she was going to get real hurt when she saw Koja and Skye fighting. But they were just a little mad and she fixed it all 'cause the nurses here fixed everyone up fine. Now she had to get Skye to play with her.
"Skye!"
No answer. Pep raised one eyebrow before giggling to herself. He was pretending to be asleep! Because, if he was really asleep he would snore- and she knew Skye always snored when he slept and boy was he ever loud. Scampering over to his face she yelled,
"SKYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
No answer.
Strange. How about… tickling?
No… that didn't work.
Pep felt a little afraid as she tugged on Skye's wing, "Skye… come on. This isn't fun anymore. Can we do something else? Wake up properly now!"
Skye didn't budge. Pep trembled. What… what was wrong with Skye?
"SKYE! SKYE! SKYE! SKYE! THIS ISN'T FUNNY!"
But still no answer came. So Pep kept yelling and screaming and kicking, driving herself into frenzy.
She knew… she just Skye had to be alright… but why was he like this…?
Why? Why? Whyyyyyyyy-
Footsteps. Mother. Father. Leo…
"Pep… Pep… he's dead… " her mother came and tried to calm her daughter down.
But Pep couldn't listen. She wouldn't.
"HE'S NOT DEAD!" she shrieked, "HE'S NOT! HE'S NOT! HE'S THE SUPER SUPER COOL TOO COOL TO BE ACTUALLY BE TRUE BUT IS TRUE SKARMORY!"
The words echoed loudly through the chamber, taking a few moments to fade back into silence.
And suddenly the cold cold truth dawned on the little Poochyeena.
And she broke down in tears, her body clutched at her lifelong guardian.
When they told her to get off… for the ceremony… his funeral…
She only cried harder. They had to drag her off.
And even then she still heaved sobs like there was no tomorrow.
For Skye was dead. And no one was bringing him back.