Chapter 55: Forcing His Hand
It had taken almost a day for Shadow to find what he needed. Despite all his strength, he did have around ten small holes through his body. His single red eye locked on he dashed forth reaching out to grab with his claw. But before his claw could grip the pink creature he fell short hitting the ground and collapsing.
An almost petrifying black fluid seeped from the bullet wounds in Shadow's body. 'Is this…dying….I can't move…is this what they felt…no…I don't deserve to die this way. Not a peaceful death…..but…I suppose I can change nothing..if this is how it must be….' His thoughts faded as unconsciousness claimed him.
*The Next Day*
"Chansey! Chaaaanseyyyy!"
Not what Shadow expected to hear upon awakening, but it meant he was getting what he wanted. As he looked up, opening his eye he was greeted with the sight of a large round pink creature that slumped against a rock behind them.
"Chanseyyyy….You are one tough cookie!"
Shadow sat up feeling his body in search of the wounds. Closed, if not for the pitch black nature of his body, the scars may have been visible.
"Why?" He looked at the Chansey.
"Why not? I've never seen wounds like that before. And besides, I couldn't just let someone die right in front of me." The Chansey gave him a pat on the head.
"Please don't do that." Shadow gently swatted their hand away.
"Well…" The Chansey stood up and started to walk away. "Be careful, and take care of your Blade or whoever you were talking about in your sleep." Chansey grinned and stuck out their tongue teasingly before slowly walking away.
"Thank you." Shadow said quietly, under his breath.
As he looked up to the sky he felt a sting in his chest. As though his heart had let out one powerful beat. After a moment, another and a moment later another. It felt as though his neck, or whatever he had that could be considered one was being bit into by a strong jaw. And in the moment it faded as he burst into the sky and off into the distance, feeling a strong pull in his heart. 'Blade…I'm coming to save you!'
Shadow was flying with all he had, though he could feel his body not performing at peak efficiency as though he hadn't fully recovered yet.
Despite this, he could feel Blade's pain; it grew more evident the closer he got. But what greeted his vicious red eye was, a strange machine moving across a track, painted jet black with a red R painted on the sides. It fit the description of what humans called a train. It was currently stationary above a viaduct. Shadow held every intention of repainting that train, redecorating really, considering their blood would be the paint and their entrails the accents.
*Aboard the Train*
Blade watched as a sliding door in the side slid open as the Darkrai flew towards the train. There were two people and a Pokémon inside with Blade. The two humans were known as Butch and Cassidy. And the pokemon was a mightyena, who had Blade's neck gripped tight between their jaws.
Blade wasn't foolish enough to make any move to try and throw the Pokémon off. He knew Mightyena could snap his neck before he could make such a move. He could only put his faith in his beloved darkrai approaching the train.
"Now remember Hutch," the woman, Cassidy hissed to her partner. "This Pokémon is a psychotic killer. So, keep your nerves and just do everything like we planned."
The man, Butch glared at her. "The name is Butch and you know it. And you don't need to keep warning me about that. I've seen the pictures the professor showed us, I know what we're dealing with."
"Hey Darkrai," Cassidy called out, her voice echoing through the valley. "We've got your friend here. Don't you want to rescue him? Be ready Butch. Activate the shield."
"It's…. Oh that's what you said." Butch took a remote control out of his pocket and pressed a red button in the centre. At once some sort of blue aura appeared around the train. "Now Shadow. It's time for you to prepare for trouble and, while you're at it, make it double!"
Blade felt unease fill his body.
"There it is," said Cassidy. Shadow now floated directly in front of the door to the carriage. "Get ready Hooch!"
Butch groaned. "Oh, come on. That doesn't even rhyme."
Shadow pierced the blue aura around the train, glaring at them threateningly. "I offer you this one singular chance to relinquish Blade to me. Should you ignore me, or try anything more whilst threatening his life, I warn you, he needs but think it, and I'll derail this train here and now. If you wish to take that gamble, by all means do so. Should you still sufficiently value your lives and return him to me, I'll leave you unharmed, as there is someone far more deserving of my wrath."
The two rockets ignored the warning.
"Now," Cassidy shouted. "Sylveon, come on out."
"You too Zacian," bellowed butch. "And both of you attack with Moon beam!"
The two rockets each tossed a Pokéball into the air…
The light from the PokeBall was blinding inside the confined space and so Blade had to close his eyes. When it faded and he was able to open them again, there were two new Pokémon standing beside Cassidy and Butch.
The first he recognised as Sylveon, like the one that had been dragging him when he discovered the truth about Ashachu. Despite its feminine appearance, Sylveon seemed vicious and almost bloodthirsty.
The other Pokémon he didn't recognise. It was tall and wolf like. A similar shaped body to an Arcanine. But, unlike an Arcanine, its fur was short, it's snout and ears pointy, and there were what looked like long ribbons running from its head to its flank.
The two Pokémon opened their mouths, Sylveon also raising her feelers and pink orbs of energy appeared between them. Blade's eyes opened widely. In spite of everything he tried to shout a pointless warning to Shadow.
"Shadow. Look…Ahhhh!" Mightyena bit his teeth a little deeper into Blade's neck, making it difficult to speak. Even so Blade was forced to watch in horror.
Sylveon and Zacian fired their pink orbs, striking Shadow directly in the chest, stopping him in his tracks.
Blade's heart beat rapidly in his chest. He knew the moves to be super effective, and it hit, twice. But, Shadow was stronger than this…right?
"Alright, fire the laser cage," Cassidy ordered.
"You got it," Butch replied pressing a button on his controls.
From somewhere else on the train, a red laser beam was fired. Blade couldn't see where it had come from, but was filled with horror seeing a red sphere form around Shadow. Like a cage…
"Shadow. Please be okay." Blade managed to wince out with those teeth dug in deep.
With a loud boom the sphere shattered as quickly as it enveloped the darkrai. He had retaliated instantly with a burst of dark energy. The very force of the explosion was felt inside the train.
Cassidy gritted her teeth. "That was Shadow's Dark pulse. Looks like we're going to have to hit much harder. Butch, attack them."
"I was just going to," snapped Butch before turning to the Pokémon. "Sylveon and Zacian. Use Moon Beam."
The two canines like Pokémon reared their heads and shot another purple sphere at Shadow again. Again, the attack struck him in the chest forcing him backwards.
"Now fire the cage again."
Butch pressed at his control. "Ugh. Not enough power!"
Shadow was undeterred putting on a burst of speed as he approached the train.
"Ahh!"
A wide, almost sadistically malicious grin formed on Blade's face. This was it, Shadow would save him, and leave these humans little more than puddles of blood with splattered meat as their remains.
To his horror as Shadow reached the entrance to the door of the carriage there was a loud crackling and a bright flash of blue light. And Blade heard something he had not heard since those terrible days in the P2 Laboratory.
"Rrrraaaaarrrhhhggg"Shadow gave a cry of pain, a cry that sounded more like a Savage beast than a sentient being.
"Excellent," cheered Cassidy in triumph. "Professor Sumba was right."
"The shields are holding," said Butch.
Blade heard a light ringing sound
Cassidy felt her rocket communicator vibrate in her pocket. "Ugh, who could be calling me now," she muttered irritably as she took it out and brought it to her ear. "This had better not be Christopher again…Hello there!"
"it's namba you idiot!"
Blade heard a strange voice through the device, someone he hadn't been acquainted with, nor did he care to be so.
After a moment of recovery, Shadow began to pummel angrily on the invisible barrier protecting the trainer, the force of each strike caused the carriage to shake violently.
Cassidy let out a shrill laugh. "Bang all you like, Darkrai. You can't penetrate that shield."
Blade's heart sank, had he underestimated Team Rocket. He had to do something, anything to help Shadow. Shadow was right there, but couldn't get to him. If only there was something he could do to get to Shadow…
It was a gamble, Blade knew that all too well, but he had to try. Gathering all his strength he managed to reach behind him and stab his claws into Mightyena's flesh. It had the desired effect.
Mightyena growled, biting down hard on Blade's neck and chest. The fangs were cutting him open. Despite the pain being excruciating, he fought for control. With all he had, he spun around and pushed Mightyena hard.
Miraculously, he felt the jaws release him. He then unleashed a flurry of attacks on Mightyena, punching him in the jaw multiple times, as he had been taught, slight arching strikes, to hit as quickly as he could, before finally kicking him hard in the chest. The bite Pokémon was thrown across the carriage floor.
Butch and Cassidy rounded on Blade like a pair of angry, well….Mightyena.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing," snapped Cassidy. "I'll deal with this Biff, go Raticate, get him."
"The name is Butch."
But Cassidy wasn't listening. She had brought out a second Pokéball. There was a flash of bright light and Blade found himself tackled to the floor again, this time being held down by a large rodent-like creature with large teeth.
"Raticate!"
The rodent seized his claws and held them against his back before driving its fangs into Blade's open wound. He was in agony as the fangs dug deeper into his flesh.
'Fuck you! I'll shatter your damn eardrums if it's all I can do you bastards!'
At the same time Mightyena let out a shrill howl of fright.
"Huh. What's going on?"
"Oh no, Mightyena!"
The shield had prevented Shadow from passing through it and onto the train, but apparently it didn't stop Pokémon passing out of it and off the train. Blade's kick had knocked Mightyena's right hind leg out of the door, his paw just beyond the shield enough for Shadow to grab it.
And grab it the Darkrai did, with enough force to crush the bones within to a fine dust, as he began tearing the mightyena from the train, fully intending to skin him alive in front of the members of Team Rocket.
"Grrrrr." Mightyena gripped the floor with its claws, but it was no use. It was slowly being pulled out of the carriage.
"Don't just stand there Biff, do something," snapped Cassidy.
Butch turned to the to two Pokémon standing there. "You heard her. Sylveon, Zacian attack with…Hey, I didn't say to do that!"
At that moment, the wolf like pokemon, Zacian leapt out of the carriage tackling Shadow. And just like that, Shadow, Zacian and Mightyena disappeared below the side of the viaduct they sat over.
Cassidy let out a howl of furyas they went over. "Biff, we have no choice but to retreat for now. Close the door."
Butch stared at her incredulously. "But, but…"
"Don't worry about Zacian. She can more than handle herself against that Darkrai. We can keep in contact through its communicator."
"But Mightyena!"
"Oh stop whining. It's just a Pokémon." Cassidy reached into her pocket and took out her communicator. "This is Cassidy to the engineer. Roll out. Do you hear me? Roll out."
The train began to move forward.
Blade, still pinned to the ground by Raticate, glanced over his shoulder. Shadow was no longer at the door. The vibrations from the floor and the post that rushed past the door told him the train was moving again…taking him away from Shadow. 'Please be okay Shadow…'
He felt his head fall to the ground, and lost consciousness.
Shadow watched in anger as the train began to move away.
They separated upon impact Mightyena falling a short distance away, but Zacian was right in front of Shadow glaring and growling.
The two began circling each other, as if each were waiting for an opening to attack. It was difficult to tell which seemed to hate the other more, Shadow's single red eye glared at Zacian, while Zacian bared her teeth at Shadow.
In truth, Shadow hadn't made a move because his body felt weak, all of his energy had gone into closing the wounds he endured earlier, and he had since not stopped moving, not only tanking several powerful super effective attacks, but also relentlessly pounding into the shield around that train. He was exhausted, and yet as he stared at Zacian, he felt an uncanny desire to separate her jaw from the rest of her skull.
"Zar Zarcian, Zar. Zar Zar Zar. Zarcian cain!" The wolf like pokemon barked at Shadow letting out a nearly blood curdling howl.
It was at this moment Shadow noticed Mightyena had fallen beside a group of humans and….rage nearly overtook him as he felt the familiar tug of malicious intent to kill. A feeling at the moment he still associated with 'Ashachu…'
He turned his focus back to Zacian, fully prepared to strike fear into them as well to prevent any sort of intervention.
Shadow gave a laugh so dark it could have frozen your blood. "You are but a puppet, a puppet that lacks the resolve expected in a hero. It would seem those legends told only lies, for you to so easily forsake the ideals of protecting everyone to serve the humans. How disappointing." Shadow had more than enough information about Zacian, hailed as a hero for stopping some catastrophe the humans called 'The Darkest Day' and yet to Shadow, he doubted the darkness of that day could compare to the atrocities humans had committed.
"My friends have your little pet. And you're not getting him back. I'm going to make him watch you die. It's what you both fucking deserve. I will have justice for my family!" She yelled back.
Shadow uttered another shrill laugh. "No matter the distance, no matter the danger, there isn't a wall or barrier in this world that will keep me from my Blade! One who risked their life to save thousands should understand, but seeing as you yourself stand here assisting those vile humans… you deserve neither the praise nor mantle of a hero. What you deserve is death." He was disgusted, perhaps if she was trying to kill him for a noble reason, because he was a murderer, a brutal one at that. But no, she simply played slave to humanity, and such weakness was something Shadow found revolting.
"Your little bitch and his pack ate my eggs. He killed my pups before they even hatched. He doesn't deserve to live. Now take this!" Zacian fired a moon beam at Shadow.
He felt a tug of pain in his chest, and instinctively teleported away. 'I don't have time for some false idol.' When he emerged from the teleportation he felt his body hit the ground hard. "Damnit! I haven't recovered enough strength yet. Accursed humans and their weaponry." As Shadow propped himself against a rock he shut his eye. "I cannot save Blade myself in this condition, and the longer he is with them, the more he'll suffer. Perhaps it's time I let go of that hatred…" His mind began to wander. 'Ashachu.' "I suppose I can't be picky with my allies now can I, they have no reason to help me, but I have little choice now.'
*Later With Blade*
Blade grimaced as the chains on his limbs were pulled tighter than necessary. Were it not for how dire the situation was, he may have found it amusing. His claws were cuffed together above his head, held up by a chain dangling from top of the dome. And his feet were held apart by a spreader bar.
The chains suspending him were just high enough so that his toes just touched the ground, and he couldn't move more than a bit to try to keep himself upright. He glared at his two captors, flashing his teeth. He may be powerless but he had no intention of giving these humans the satisfaction.
"Really, again," He tried to sound smug or confident, but his voice shook as though he were uncertain. "You dipshits tried this before and it didn't work then what makes you think it'll work now?" The injury to his shoulder was causing tremendous pain in the position he was kept in. "And oh, please tell me your bright idea was to hurt me, cause that'll get him over here really quick, but he'll be skinning your people alive on the way, and Arceus forbid you threaten to hurt me in front of him."
"Aww look at that Hutch," simpered Cassidy, in a mockingly sweet voice. "The little pet thinks his master actually has a chance at rescuing him."
Butch glared at her. "I keep telling you, my name is Butch… And we want that Darkrai over here quick. The sooner we can capture the sooner we can go home."
Blade forced himself to sneer at them, again flashing his teeth. "Listen here fucknuts, the only thing that'll be keeping you alive is if I'm in good health, cause if you start hurting me all I have to do is think it, and he'll kill all of you to stop my pain. But hey, get yourselves killed, I've been thinking about making a necklace out of the eyes of people that hurt me, I'd love to add yours to the list!" Despite the bad situation he was in, Blade meant every word. He would watch with joyous eyes as Shadow brutalized these humans. And besides, while people had caught Shadow before, they never kept him. 'That woman said he was being put to death, I would think they'd have done it by now, but considering Shadow is free, they didn't. Oh I hope he made it a spectacle of gore.'
Cassidy rolled her eyes. "You can make threats all you like little Sneasel. You're dark friend out there won't be able to penetrate this train. Look around you. All of the carriages on this train are made from a type of steel manufactured from Z Crystals. They can't be broken by a Pokémon."
"Plus, the entire train is protected by a shield that a Darkrai can't pass through," added Butch. "Believe us when we say, we're well prepared for an attack from Shadow."
"You keep telling yourself that," though secretly Blade wondered if they were right. Shadow had already been captured once. Who was really to say that it couldn't happen again? 'No, I can't think like that, those people from that spaceship had him frozen solid, no way out and he still broke free, these other people tried to execute him and he's still here. Shadow has always saved me. And he's always had a way of pushing limits beyond the breaking point. If anyone can crack this damned thing open, it's Shadow.'
Cassidy glanced out of the window then turned to Butch and said, "Looks like we're getting pretty close to Motostoke. We'll need to contact Zacian and make sure she's in position."
Butch nodded. "Right."
"Houndour. You stay here and keep an eye on Sneasel. Don't worry he can't go anywhere chained up like that."
"Ruff ruff."
Blade hadn't noticed the small black, hound like Pokémon standing behind the two humans. It slipped between their legs and walked up to Blade. It got so close that Blade could smell its horrendous breath. He flinched involuntarily and immediately hated himself for doing so.
The two humans both laughed, and Cassidy said, in that mock simpering tone of hers, "Now Houndour, you play nicely with little Blade, alright."
"Houndour," the dog like creature growled, showing its fangs.
Blade snapped, uselessly. He knew he actually couldn't do anything to Houndour, but again he wasn't going to let himself be so easily intimidated by it. Oh how he wanted to slash this little fucker.
*With Shadow*
"Please Shadow, as much as you might try to deny it, you can barely stand right now!" The small crimson scaled Charmander said to the Darkrai.
Shadow ignored him hovering into the air. "It doesn't matter. I have to save Blade."
"Rest, Blade can wait!" That was the wrong thing to say, before Pyre could even react Shadow had him pinned to a rock with his cale, but more than that he was pinned by the look in Shadow's eye. Pyre had seen Shadow angry, he'd seen him brutalize people, he'd seen him revel in their suffering but this….it was wrong. The Charmander was chilled to the bone.
Shadow typically had a blank look in his eye, with a light glow, that was as friendly as the darkrai's appearance got, but now all other light had faded, but that violent red glow, the only illumination, and it was filled with such murderous intent, Pure felt if he looked Shadow in the eye he'd see the distortion world itself. And the grip on his neck, Shadow was strangling him.
"If you ever say something like that to me again Pyre, I will permanently eclipse your little light."
At that threat he dropped Pyre and the little Charmander was overwhelmed with fear, not his own, it was radiating off of Shadow. "I know you're scared Shadow"
"Shut up."
"No! You're my best friend! I know you're hurting, but if you rush in like this, you won't be able to save Blade!"
"Don't you think I know that!" Shadow glared back, the deep glow had disappeared and there was something off about his eye. It looked wet. As Shadow repositioned himself it became evident tears were cascading down his face. "I don't know what else to do you stupid fuck!"
That last word made Pyre recoil, he'd never heard Shadow swear before. "If you get some rest you'll be able to…"
"There's no time Pyre…"
"Then let me help you!"
"No."
"Why not, please Shadow I've lost enough already I can't lose you."
"If I fail, they'll capture me, and use me to slaughter you." Shadow spat the words. "And….. I'm not going to make you watch whatever they'd have me do to Blade…" Without warning Shadow stabbed himself in the gut with his claws. "Worthless body! You can't even save one tiny Sneasel that needs your help!" He slammed his head into a rock several times.
Pyre was stunned by the self destructive tendencies Shadow had when he couldn't help Blade. "Stop, you're gonna hurt yourself more"
Shadows voice cracked, hitching on his breath "I…I can't lose him Pyre. If I did, I don't think I could go on. No, I couldn't. My body would give in, my will would shatter, if I lose him Pyre….I'll die. My heart will see to that."
"Then let me help" Pyre was on the verge of breaking down.
"I'm sorry for everything Pyre." Shadow turned and embraced the Charmander in a hug. Pyre hugged back. Shadow made his move spinning the Charmander around and covering his nose and holding his mouth shut. Pyre in a panic began thrashing. "But I can't lose you both." The Charmander's thrashing slowed until he was unconscious.
Gently laying him down Shadow teleported away, he emerged above a city, but not just any city. He had followed his anger and hatred, to the city where that little rodent was staying. If nothing else, he would try to ask them for help.
He found himself hovering over a large stadium, looking down upon them. Within moments he caught sight of his Target, the human called Ash. There was a brief flash of light as the black billowing form of a Darkrai just appeared in the middle of the field directly in front of the human.
It was immediately obvious the effect his presence had on all the nearby Pokemon. And coincidentally, the effect it had on the humans, for them it had become noticeably colder. His gaze however, was locked onto the human.
"It's you," the boy gasped. "You're Shadow the Darkrai."
"What are you doing here," squeaked the Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Zaarrddd!" Shadow heard a Charizard's roar before a stream of fire bellowed toward him.
Shadow's reaction was instantaneous. He lifted his claws, erecting a barrier between himself and the fire. A dark black orb formed in his hand and hurled it at Charizard.
"Char!" Charizard was hit directly in his chest. The force of impact threw him off his feet and sent him flying into a wall.
"Charizard. Ashachu!" Ash called out watching them fly back. "Alright tell us! What do you want," he demanded, his voice a mixture of apprehension and rage?
"Your friend isn't with us anymore," cried Pikachu.
"I am aware that Blade is not here. That is not why I have come."Shadow spoke in a low dark voice that made the mouse pokemon shiver. His words were dripping with cold menace. Every word sounded like he was threatening them. "I am here to offer you a proposal. You assist me in rescuing Blade, and in return, I shall not slaughter your precious Ashachu or that arrogant Charizard. I cannot guarantee their safety in the event that Blade wishes their death, but I will not act of my own accord to harm a single Pokémon you have with you. I'm sure you do not trust me; you likely hate me. However, you can ask Ashachu yourself if I'm being honest. He knows first-hand what I will do for Blade." Internally Shadow knew the offer wasn't entirely reasonable, he had indeed promised not to harm them, but if Blade wished it he would do so in a heartbeat. And yet, he had a feeling that Blade wouldn't care to see them dead, least of all after everything he'd been through.
The human sat stunned by the darkrai's proposition.
Pikachu however was less inclined to consider it. "N-no way," he squeaked back. "There's no way we'd help you!"
Shadow waited until the mouse finished before he continued. "I completely understand your reservations about assisting me or Blade, however, it would seem Team Rocket is willing to go to great lengths to capture me. And considering what I saw of Blade's memory, they will likely come for you soon after, should they succeed. I imagine Zacian and Darkrai would be too much, even for you, especially considering your Pokémon don't have a history of being able to last in battle against me."
"Wha-what! You want us to help you," Ash asked baffled.
"Ash no," Pikachu whispered urgently in his ear. "You heard what I said earlier. We can't help this Pokémon. We certainly can't trust him. Not after what he did to Ashachu."
"I see…" Shadow wanted to burst with rage and slaughter them right then and there. But held back. 'Any sane person would do the same.'
Shadow's voice became more venomous than ever. More menacing. It made Pikachu flinch.
"I suppose I cannot blame you for this decision, bear in mind that if you are adamant about refusing then, I'm afraid I must be quite petty. When I do come to kill your precious Ashachu, I'll make him and you watch, as I: skin the little rodent on your shoulder alive, pry that arrogant Charizard's maw open until it snaps, hang that little Sylveon by its feelers, and…well hehehe I'll leave the rest to your imagination. Why, I think the only one I will spare is you, Ash, because you would so easily let someone innocent suffer rather than do so yourself. I have tried my best to refrain from threatening you until now. You must know, I cannot simply hand myself over to them, you yourself know Team Rocket cannot be trusted, I have come to you, with the offer of safety until Blade is released. After that, it would be up to Blade if Ashachu is spared, but after what's happened to him, I doubt he'd be too interested in watching him die."
"So, what you're saying is that if Ash agrees to help you get your little pet back, you only might kill his entire family, instead of will. What kind of fucking promise is that?"
Shadow noticed Zacian standing beside them. She was in full attack mode ready to battle. In the moment she looked more terrifying than Shadow. Though only because he allowed it.
Ash started backing away as Zacian took Shadow's attention. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder at him.
"Trainer, get all of your Pokémon back in their balls, then GET OUT OF HERE!" She turned her attention back to Shadow. "As for you Shadow. Prepare to die."
Zacian opened her maw and fired a pink orb at Shadow. It hit him, sending him flying only a short distance as he regained stability.
Upon recovery Zacian fired a moon beam only for Shadow to react and block it with a shadow ball.
Shadow swept his claws at her, only for the large wolf like pokemon to leap back and retaliate trying to bite him, but Shadow dodged it easily. As the two continued their onslaught of attacks, neither gaining ground on the other, the ground shook, and the very force of their attacks caused the windows in the stadium to shatter.
The walls and floor began to crack open from the ferocious battle. 'You insolent fool, your loyalty to those humans is revolting, you would condemn Blade to suffering just because they tell you to.'
Zacian managed to gain the upper hand, pinning the still exhausted Darkrai to the ground and biting into his throat. With a silent grunt Shadow released a wave of dark energy tossing Zacian from his body. As much as he wanted to finish her here and now, he hadn't yet given up the hope that this human was a better person than him.
Shadow rose into the air like a missile taking flight. He had no intention of harming them, they had not made a proper decision yet. Though in his heart he knew what they had decided, and his threats only further cemented their decision. Shadow felt himself slowing in his sudden pursuit, the bite in his throat causing a distraction and worse sapping his energy to force the wound closed.
Shadow watched as the trainer fled, noticing Zacian had caught up to them already. Then he noticed it, the train running through the railway. Team Rocket's train. His heart thumped in his chest renewing his pursuit.
Just as he had noticed it, his quarry had escaped into the speeding train.
Following slowly behind the train Shadow felt his body's strength begin to waver. Despite his power, without proper rest Shadow was struggling to move but each moment he felt a tug at his heart.
"It seems you've forced my hand." Shadow sighed as he forced his body to push a little longer to catch up to the train. To save Blade, to save his Blade.
*Later*
Night had fallen as he approached the train. The night sky was illuminated by a magnificent aurora. Such a beautiful sight. How he craved to have Blade in his arms to witness it. He'd have to work quick, his body was reaching its limits. He hadn't yet recovered properly from the bullet wounds, and the wound on his neck wasn't helping, nor was his lack of rest. He hadn't had a break longer than a few minutes at a time, even so, he had to keep moving.
"Alright you dim-witted Darkrai," Butch barked into a microphone, his voice being projected by speakers on the outside of the train. "Come get your little pet."
The taunt only served to infuriate Shadow more.
Shadow's crimson eye caught sight of a bright light coming from further down the train, illuminating a dome car on the train. A small black form sat restrained inside, and with the tugging in his heart, Shadow had no doubt it was his Blade.
"Better do it quickly, before Houndour set him on fire," he heard a female voice call to him.
He watched as strange triangular devices rose from the trains roof.
"Darkrai…" Shadow hadn't uttered his species namesake in so long, it felt almost alien. The sound cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.
"I offer you this one singular chance to relinquish Blade to me." Shadow's voice was, in simplest terms, consumed with rage. Had it not been for the barrier protecting them and the accompanying reassurance, his very voice would have paralyzed them on the spot. "Should you ignore me, or try anything more whilst threatening his life, I warn you, he needs but think it, and I'll derail this train here and now. If you wish to take that gamble, by all means do so. Should you still sufficiently value your lives and return him to me, I'll leave you unharmed, as there is someone far more deserving of my wrath."
"Spare us your pathetic pretence at trying to be the stuff of nightmares. You're completely helpless against the forces of Team Rocket. Isn't that right, Hutch."
'Pretense? She is rather bold for a coward. Without this precious machine in my way her entrails would be decorating these tracks.'
Butch glared at her. "How many times Cassidy. It's Butch!"
"Oh whatever. Just hurry up and attack Shadow."
"With pleasure," said Butch through gritted teeth. He took a remote control out of his pocket, held it up and pressed something.
At once the glass dome surrounding them rose up then split down the middle and parted. Each half swung away like a giant hinged window.
Shadow watched as the human man issued his commands pointing at the Darkrai and shouted to the Pokémon, "Sylveon and Zacian, attack with Moonbeam…."
The pink beams of light shot from Sylveon and Zacian. The bright glow against the blackness of the night sky could have been beautiful if not for the situation. Shadow might have been quick enough to dodge, but he didn't want to stray too far from Blade, so despite everything he allowed them to hit him in his chest.
Shadow uttered a vicious sound once again as his eye grew to a darker red. "You believe I cannot break your train because of the material you constructed it with? As anyone should know, enough pressure, enough tension, and anything can break. Even this, and while this train may be strong, your minds will shatter with far more ease." Shadow spoke from his most recent experience, though he had become far too good at concealing his feelings, his body was ready to give out on him. But with Blade so close, he couldn't give in now.
"Oh, give it up your sad pathetic waste of a Darkrai," Cassidy bellowed through the exterior speakers. "There's nothing you can do!"
"Yeah," Butch added. "You can't get aboard the train, we're shielded."
There was another horrible cackle. "Your train may be nigh indestructible, but the track it's on is not. I can derail this train, and then it becomes a choice. Release Blade and leave. Or stay in that train until you starve to death. I'm patient, I can wait, and if need be, I'm sure I can teleport the entire thing to the depths of the sea. That way if you attempt to escape, you'll drown, or the water pressure will crush you. Either way, you'll pay for what you've done to Blade. And remember if any of you try to leave before one of those things happen, I'll destroy you and use your entrails to paint your train." Shadow wasn't too keen to detail the train, given the chance to harm Blade.
"Oh, I don't think you want to try detailing us, as that would kill your little pet too," Cassidy continued.
"You doubt that I will derail the train?" cried out Shadow. "A decent observation, I'd never normally do anything that could harm him, however, whether or not this train remains on its track is up to you, and should you not return Blade, it is up to him."
Cassidy put her hand over her mouth and giggled. "Hehehe. Hear that Biff, Shadow still thinks he tough. Why don't you tell our friend what happens if the train derails?"
Butch let out a beleaguered sigh. "It's…Oh, I give up…If the train comes off the track it will explode, and Sneasel will be killed."
Shadow let out a little laugh of his own. A dark, sinister sound that would have frozen anyone on the spot. "Your entire plan hinges on me not slaughtering you because I fear for Blade's life." Even more unnerving to the Darkrai, the more confidently they boasted at him, the more he began to think. 'Such confidence, they must have so form of contingency in place if I do detail it.'
Cassidy rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm growing bored of your cosplay menace Darkrai."
"You don't scare us," said Butch.
"Perhaps you need a little motivation," continued Cassidy. "Houndour. Give dear little Blade a taste of your flamethrower."
There is a flash of red light inside the dome further down the train. At that same time, projected over the external speakers, Blade screamed. "Sne Sneaselll!" He was wreathed in flames by the houndour writhing and trying to escape the excruciating pain.
Shadow let out a wail of anger and despair. His voice becoming gutteral and animalistic. "I hope you savor these last moments of daylight. For it will soon be quite dark." He then drifted down towards the dome containing Blade.
A nasty smirk appeared on Butch's face. "Gotcha!"
Electric blue sparks began to glow around the triangle devices across the top of the train.
As Shadow drew closer to the train, sparks erupted from two of triangular structures forming into beams of blue energy that wrapping themselves around Shadow like lassos.
"DARKAIIIIIIIIIII" All menace had drained from Shadows voice, his cry sounding like a demonic screech tearing through the night air.
*A Short Distance Away*
A small sapphire glow illuminated the Charmander as he ran with all he had, tracking Shadow by his aura. "Come on Shadow, why would you do that! Why is everyone so darn quick!" He stopped in his tracks to catch his breath when he heard a sound so horrific he thought he'd have nightmares of the sound alone. A guttural scream in the distance. The scream of a Darkrai. "You idiot!" Pyre took off running again, not waiting to catch his breath further.
*On The Train*
Shadow fought the restraints in a last desperate attempt to rescue his beloved.
More beams ensnared his body. Then, almost as if he were being pulled by an invisible magnet, he flew downward smacking hard against the roof of the train.
"Darkrai." Shadow could barely breathe, his entire body suddenly under immense pressure. If he'd had a chance to rest, it may not have been as bad, but as it stood he was In agony. As he tried to float up more beams enveloped him, restraining him and pushing his body to it's very limits. Whether he'd liked it or not, he was caught.