Chapter 59: Dark One

"Jeez, how far off did you jaggovs take my friends body?" Pyre groaned as he kept walking.

"It is a bit ridiculous isn't it?" Rai asked glancing at the Charmander.

"We have to be getting closer by now." Pyre sighed as they reached the top of a hill, and looked around. There was a cave at the bottom of a mountain a short distance away. "Yeah, there! There's so much dark energy there though….But I know Shadow's aura, his body is there."

In the distance there was a massive group of pokemon. Most of which were dark or ghost type Pokemon.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." The Raichu said slowly. He shrugged and started walking. "Oh well."

Pyre followed behind him. "What could these guys even want with his body? They're wild Pokemon."

"Beats me." Rai started moving a bit faster.

"Hey, what's up?" Pyre asked, noticing his change of pace.

"Have…. Have you heard from or seen Blade since it happened?" Rai was anxious, he looked overly worried.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, just….just worried is all. Blade isn't exactly the most stable guy around after all. If he knows, I can't bear to think what he's going through."

Pyre sped up silently. He couldn't disagree. He too was worried about the Sneasel. Something in the distance caught their attention. Another group of pokemon. A pack of Sneasel and Weavile, accompanied by several fairy type Pokemon. They looked vicious and they were heading straight for the cave they'd seen.

"And my bad feeling just got worse."

"Well, no rest for the awesome!" Pyre ran full speed passing Rai for a moment.

The Raichu caught up almost immediately. "Come on, let's hurry!"

*At The Cave*

"Oh sir! Those defilers have returned!" A worried igglybuff yelled while rolling into the cave.

A slightly larger than average kecleon, bearing a plastic crown stepped out. "No, this can't be. We've not yet awakened the Dark One." He glanced back at a slab of rock, upon which sat the two severed halves of a Darkrai. "Send our warriors, nothing can be done until my sermon is complete."

The igglybuff prepared to carry out his orders as a small explosion sounded and a Charmander of crimson scaled and sapphire flame came rolling into the cave. "Oof…that hurt." After flipping himself over and standing up properly he took a defensive pose. "Alright! Who are you, and why did you take my friends body?!"

"You are friends with the Dark One?"

"The what?"

*Outside*

"Take your time in there Pyre, I haven't fought in a while, I've needed to stretch my legs." Rai stretched his body for a moment. A Weavile leapt into the air, slashing downward with their claws. The moment their claws hit him, the Raichu vanished. "Wow you're slow." He taunted as two more attacked him. A swipe toward his face, he fucked back. An attack at his legs from behind. His reaction was unbelievable. He twisted himself lightly, jumping into the air, and dodging both attacks simultaneously.

Once his paws hit the ground he slid back, as another Weavile slashed at him. "Hehe, so I still got it. Alright bitch boys! Let's dance!"

Another slash, this time met with retaliation. Rai slipped under the Weavile's claw, and in the same movement planted his front paws on the ground, launching himself into a kick with both back paws.

The Weavile was slammed into a wall by the attack. They just managed to stand back up when they saw the Raichu upon them again, his legs glowing bright as he leapt into the air and dropkicked them back into the wall. "Mega kick! How'd ya like that one!?" Rai stepped to the side as a Sneasel dashes at him, making them run into the Weavile against the wall.

*Inside*

Pyre was almost dumbstruck by what he just heard. "So, lemme get this straight….You guys…" He looks around for a moment. "Worship…him?" He pointed to Shadow's body.

"Correct." The kecleon replied. "No begone! We must revive the dark one."

"Okay, and can you explain why?" Pyre had no issue with trying to save Shadow, but he was worried these kooks had something bad planned.

"It is what we owe to our dark savior!" Kecleon smiled at the Charmander's confused expression. "You know only of his brutal methods. But he is our savior, everyone inside this cave was terrorized and tormented by the Dark One's victims. Killing our siblings" he waved his hand dramatically at one group. "Stealing our children." He motioned to another group. "Violating us all…" The kecleon glanced down toward his lower body. "These were only a few of the crimes they had committed. Only a few crimes they were punished for by the Dark One's appearance."

"So let me just….You believe him brutalizing all of those Pokemon was some form of divine justice?" Pyre's signature smile was replaced with the most awestruck look possible. "Most of those people either tried to kill him or otherwise hurt his boyfriend. He didn't do it for you or any divine reason."

"We are aware." Kecleon scowled. "But each of our lives has improved since he slaughtered those who tormented us."

Pure was lost in thought for a moment. 'he didn't try to help them…he wasn't helping them…but all those people he tortured to death…' Pyre looked around the room. Dozens upon dozens of pokemon. 'He really ended all of their suffering..?'

Pyre took a seat beside Shadow's body. "I doubt you can hear me in there Shadow, but I'm sorry I couldn't help you. Maybe now" Pyre held out both of his clawed hands, touching Shadow's torso and lower half.

"What are you doing!?" Kecleon in a fit of rage shoved Pyre.

"I can save him." Pyre stood up and returned to his position. "If I give my aura to him, I should be able to fix at least some of the damage. If I do I could die, but…he has someone that needs him. So I'm going to save him, even if I have to kick your ass to do it."

Kecleon stepped back allowing Pyre to do his work.

*Outside*

"Holy shit I missed this!" The Raichu dashed forward, sliding under one of the Weavile tripping him and tossing him overhead. One of the Sneasel tried to tackle him, but was promptly knocked away, as Rai slammed him with iron tail.

The Raichu rolled back onto his paws, and let off an unrestrained thunderbolt zapping everyone in sight. Just as suddenly as he let loose he stopped. Not by choice, but because a massive force slammed into him tossing him backwards and into the cave.

"Hey Pyre…ouch..what did I miss?"

"Crazy looks worshiping Shadow as some dark savior."

"Well, I've heard crazier." The Raichu pushed himself up and looked at the Charmander. "Are you crazy!? You could die doing that!"

Pyre gave a smirk "I know, but hey. Save our bro."

Rai sat across from him "Let me help! Use my aura and yours….it could keep us alive…"

"As long as you're sure. Take my hand."

Rai did as instructed, reaching out. "They'll be in here any minute."

Kecleon spoke again. "My faithful, stand firm, block the entrance with your bodies! Let our new prophets do their work."

Pyre groaned "we're not prophets! He's our friend and we're helping him." The Charmander felt himself well up with emotion and feeling as he touched both his friends. Feeling the energy pass between the tow and into Shadow. "Man I hope this works." Pyre focused watching as the severed halves pulled together. The separation was almost unnoticeable as it closed up.

A few minutes passed, nothing. Before they could even begin to think the fairy types blasted open the cave, tossing bodies around like it was nothing. One of the Weavile bolted by landing on top of Shadow. Raising his claw to strike down the Darkrai before he can have a second chance at life. There wasn't time for anyone to react. The only sound was that of a beating heart, and moments later, the sound of said heart being darkrai's body lifted off the slab, and in a devastating motion he teleported to the entrance, firing out a dark pulse pushing the attacking Pokemon back through.

"The Dark One yet lives!" Was the cheer around the cave.

Pyre shared a look with Rai as they both bolted for the entrance.

The sight that greeted them was as they expected. Shadow was destroying them. He held one Weavile out, using him as a shield to take damage in his place. Shadow tossed him down quickly moving to another. Then another. Then another, pulling skulls, spines, and other assorted limbs off of his would be assassin's. With a powerful thrust of his arm, Shadow tore the head clean off of a Shiinotic.

Bursting forth to a granbull and quickly wrenching it's head around backwards.

It was brutal, each death, but uncharacteristically quick for Shadow.

The Darkrai finally dropped the last one, watching their life fade away.

"Sh-shadow?" Pyre tentatively called out.

"Interesting…." Shadow looked at himself. "All of this brutality…and for what…it didn't help me save Blade. It didn't truly stop my suffering. It only prolonged it."

"Shadow?" Rai spoke this time.

"A monument to all my sins…" Shadow stopped speaking for a moment and turned to his two friends. "You've already done so much for me….But, could I ask you to help me one last time?"

"Of course!" Pyre didn't hesitate to help his friend.

"I'm here for ya" Rai smiled.

"Good, because I need to do something impossible." Shadow hesitated. "I must relinquish my brutal ways."