Chapter 46: Escape From Aether

To say it was a great escape plan was debatable. Meowth, Jessie, and James had infiltrated the Aether building, disguised as scientists, how nobody caught on was a mystery, and they simply strolled through the facility, looking for Blade.

And deeper in the facility, he watched as a battle took place before his narrowed eyes.

The Weavile raised its claws and bared its teeth menacingly, while his opponent, a proud Sawsbuck tapped the ground with its hoof aggressively, and bowed its head to show the Ice type it's horns…Almost as tall as it was and blossoming with pink flowers.

Despite the Sawsbuck's size, Blade had little to no doubt as to who would win this bout.

"Pokémon like that always win," He muttered to himself bitterly. Remembering how he had fought him, how he was more than a match for Cleave until he had him too distracted to protect himself from a sneak attack. Even so, In all of the time Blade had known him, only one Pokémon had ever beaten him in battle.

Blade wondered briefly what had caused the fight. Food, territory, he quickly decided that he didn't care.

He just wanted to forget his father…

He climbed a little further up the tree and perched himself on a branch near the top…The highest branch he could find that would still take his weight and was facing away from the battle.

*At the Battlefield*

Cleave smirked at the Sawsbuck, brandishing his claws menacingly. As the deer pokemon attacked him, he jumped out of the way.

He quickly turned on his heels and took a run at his opponent. Once he was in range, Sawsbuck tried to slam his antlers into the Weavile, only for him to drop and slide under the attack. Once Cleave was back up he turned and threw a clawful of dirt into the opposing Pokemon's eyes. Then he truly went on the offensive. Each move was meant to wound and off balance, leaving no opportunity for the opponent to attack, and when Sawsbucks' vision returned, he was met once again with dirt to his eyes, leaving him blind and defenseless.

It took moments to win the fight with that strategy, and Cleave left him alone, he wasn't foolish enough to try to kill him. The humans would intervene after all.

*With Blade*

Blade folded his arms and closed his eyes. He started contemplating what would become of him. 'Do I really have to stay here for the rest of my life? Living, all alone, in this gilded cage the humans have convinced themselves was there to help the Pokémon trapped there.'

Honestly, he would rather slit his throat and get it over with…Especially if he had to share the cage with Cleave!

He wondered where his friends had gone. Hikari was gone. Returned to his trainer. 'Could we ever see each other again? I doubt it.' That knowledge made his heart hurt. He really liked that kid. How he wished they hadn't parted on such bad terms.

Then there was Pyre…No; he never wanted to see him again. And he didn't care what had become of the Charmander. 'he knows what he did!'

And then there was Shadow…Blade hadn't seen him since their return from Ultra Space. Hadn't heard his voice in the back of his head. He had no idea what had become of his mate, and it made his heart ache…no, ache wasn't the right term, it was as though his heart had been stabbed through with solid ice. It hurt, not knowing if Shadow was okay. The Darkrai had been his anchor to this life. His reason to go on. Without Shadow in his life, then really what was the point in being alive?

And what about Meowth?

"Psst. Blade." That nasally voice came from behind him and he felt a paw tap him on the shoulder.

He opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder "Meowth?"

The scratch cat Pokémon was perched on another branch, just beside the one on which he was sitting, holding on to the trunk with his right claw. Funny, Blade had just been thinking about him.

'Speak of Giratina, I suppose.'

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for you bud," the scratch cat replied, slapping Blade on the shoulder with his free paw. "I take it, ya wanna get outta here."

"Yes," Blade gasped. Though he hid it a bit, Blade was overjoyed to escape. "You got a plan…"

"Oh I've got a plan alright," Meowth replied, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"What, Oh."

Meowth lifted up his tail to reveal a white and red Pokéball clutched at the end. Blade groaned and cursed Meowth.

"Right!"

Though hesitant, it was better than staying here, so without wasting time Blade touched the PokeBall and let it envelope him.

Oh how he hated it, it made him feel so very alone. As though darkness surrounded him everywhere, but not the welcoming darkness he felt with Shadow, but something worse. It was as if the absence of the Darkrai made the darkness that much more terrifying.

'Why am I so…..scared?' Blade felt colder than he'd ever felt in his life.

And as if to accentuate his fears, even knowing he was nowhere near enough to harm him, he could still hear Cleave's voice. "Because you're a pathetic, worthless runt. And you know it. Because you know any day now, that powerful Darkrai won't want you as his fucktoy anymore. And he'll leave you to die."

"Shut up!" Blade screamed into the darkness around him.

"Search your feelings, you know it to be true." Cleave taunted.

"No, Shadow…"

"Loves you? Hahahaha" Cleave's voice boomed with laughter "You really believe a near immortal monster really cares about you? The second he's tired of you he'll kill you like everyone else."

"Sh-shut up! Shadow wouldn't do that to me!" Blade could feel everything around him growing tighter, as though he were being crushed.

"Just face the truth, you worthless little.." Cleave's voice was cut off.

Everything Blade was feeling melted away as he was let out of the PokeBall. He wasn't alone, the paw on his shoulder told him that much. And despite his fears, he knew that wherever Shadow was, he was worried for him.

"You had best be grateful, we had to stop following the twerps for this!" Jessie said sternly, but with a hint of smugness.

"Yes, were it not for Meowth, we may not have found you." James chimed in.

"Thank you guys, I…I really appreciate you getting me out of there." Blade was being sincere, and it was probably the best he felt since he was put in that place.

The two humans turned and started marching away, presumably toward where the "twerps" were.

As they walked away Meowth began to follow but Blade stopped him. "Hey, uh thanks a lot…I know you didn't have to help me.."

"Nyah, don't sweat it, you're my pal after all" Meowth replied.

Blade smiled and without thinking leaned in and pressed his lips to the cat Pokemon's. After a few moments he pulled away, blushing deeply. "S-sorry, I just…thought you deserved a little more than thanks for saving me…"

Meowth stood dumbfounded for a moment then smiled. "We should uh… probably catch up with dem." There was a noticeable blush on his face as he walked off, with Blade following behind him.