Chapter 3
Light drifted in passing the curtains gently hitting Blade's eyes causing just enough irritation for him to awaken. He slowly sat up from the extremely soft bed with a comfortable blanket falling to his legs. He looked around slowly noticing Shadow wasn't in the room. "Shadow?" he spoke softly.
As if in response to his gentle call, the Darkrai entered his bedroom, with the aged Lucario behind him.
Codsworth has seemingly brought a small table and a covered platter of food in with him, gently laying it in front of Blade on the bed. And with a quick nod stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"Good morning love." The Darkrai sat down beside the sneasel gently giving him a peck on the cheek. "Sleep well?"
"I did yeah" he nodded, a bit disoriented from how deeply he'd been sleeping moments prior. Shadow gently lifted the cover from the food platter, showing a stack of thick, fluffy pancakes and a glass of milk.
"You like these do you not?" Shadow seemed genuinely curious.
"Yeah, I do. Wow this is…" Blade couldn't help but smile.
"Good, I was worried I had chosen something you would not enjoy for breakfast. I have already eaten, so take your time and enjoy it. I have something to attend to downstairs." Shadow smiled standing up again. He leaned to a bedside table, gesturing at a bell. "Should you need anything, ring this. Codsworth will hear it and assist you in any way you need."
"Ock-ay" Blade smiled and nodded with his mouth full of food.
And with that, Shadow stepped out of the room.
"I can't believe this is real." The sneasel looked around again, drinking in his new boyfriend's room. "Shadow really said yes to me, he wanted to date me! And he's so accommodating!" The sneasel took a sip of milk as he practically shoveled the delicious cakes into his mouth. In truth, Blade typically skipped breakfast, his family typically didn't have any. And sharing food among six others always left them all rather hungry. This was one of the first proper meals Blade had outside of the academy. And he was indulging in every bit of it.
*With Shadow*
The senior stepped through a massive doorway into his father's personal study, or rather what counted as his father. As a legendary, Arcues was the only one considered a direct relative to Shadow.
Sitting in a rather impressive chair was another Darkrai, almost identical to Shadow, except he was rather purple instead of pitch black, though it was nearly impossible to tell. This was Mare Nightshade, clad in an equally elegant tuxedo. "So, you've brought the common rabble into our home?"
Shadow noticeably glared, but remained silent.
"It's of no consequence. Have you heard the news?"
"No, what news?" Shadow remained expressionless.
"Five murders, simultaneously carried out in each of the five districts, each one horrifically brutal. All done in a single night."
"I assume this means you intend to assist the police with finding those responsible?"
"I do, however, I think it best you send the slut you brought home with you away."
A flash of anger crossed Shadow's face. "Blade is not…"
The older Darkrai cut him off. "I couldn't care less. You brought a stranger to our home, who very well could've tried to take your life or mine."
Shadow didn't stop glaring. "Blade is not like that. I have known him for years, he is no killer."
"I don't care, I want him out. You've likely already damaged the Nightshade reputation by associating with that lowly sneasel, but imagine what would happen if they found out what you did last night." He stood up and floated in front of Shadow, looking down upon him. "You do realize how empty these halls are, and how loud, That Slut is, don't you?"
"I will not stand here and listen to you slander and insult my boyfr…"
He was cut off by a powerful backhanded slap.
"You're a Darkrai. And a Nightshade, you will not slander our name by calling that impoverished sneasel your boyfriend."
Shadow was overcome with rage, he wanted nothing more than to strike the older Darkrai, but decided against it. He couldn't defy his father, the older Darkrai was stronger than him.
"He is, and always will be, the love of my life." Shadow stared his father down. "I am not sending him away. And I will call him what I want!"
"Get out of my sight." Mare glared, and Shadow turned to walk away, before his anger got the better of him.
And he made his way back to his bedroom.
*With Pyre*
The charmander had received a call shortly after his mother had left their home, and after quickly dressing himself with a T-shirt and shorts rushed out his front door with Cynder following close behind.
The fennekin struggled to keep pace with Pyre, despite his best efforts. Wearing feminine clothes had a downside it seemed.
"Pyre, tell me what's going on!" The fennekin asked, doing his best not to lag behind.
"Rai called, he said he found Ivy hurt on the street last night, he's been in the hospital all night." Pyre didn't break his stride as he ran, hurrying to Panchu hospital to see his friend.
After several minutes of running through streets and cross walks they came to the front entrance of the hospital. And immediately rushed inside.
*With Blade*
The sneasel was smiling widely as he hugged his partner tight. Shadow hadn't let go either, hugging him back.
"Hey Shadow?"
"Yes love?"
"Um, when can I meet your parents?"
"It would be best to wait, I am afraid. My father is not very accepting of those of the lower class. He has ordered me to terminate our relationship and send you away. I will not be doing that."
"Oh, I see…" Blade frowned.
"Fret not my dear, I will always be on your side. I promise."
"Thanks Shadow!"
"How would you like to get fitted for a suit, Blade?" Shadow smiled.
"Like yours?"
"If you would like yes, though you can have any kind you would like."
"Yeah! I'd love to…always liked your suits…"
"In that case, let us go. We have a couple hours before school starts, so we can get you measured and plan your suit." shadow stood up watching the sneasel, who was still nude from the night before. The Darkrai could barely look away from Blade's cute body. But he felt a flash of anger grow in him, as he noticed various cuts and bruises around Blade's back. "Darling, what happened to your back?"
Blade seemed to tense up. "N-nothing…" the sneasel quickly dressed himself in his jeans, tank top, and hoodie.
"Blade, do not lie to me." Shadow rather aggressively turned him around. "Please."
"I said it was nothing…" Blade didn't know why he was lying. He knew what happened, what his father had done. Blade had underperformed in school several times throughout the years, and the response was always the same. Cleave would beat him, and slash his back with his claws.
"Blade," Shadow looked into his eyes as he hugged him "I love you, you need not keep anything from me."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Blade…" Shadow fell silent simply holding the sneasel. "Okay, fine. But we need to talk about it sometime, I am worried about you."
"I know, but…" Blade stood on his toes and kissed Shadow. "It's fine…" A loud buzzing sound came from Blade's hoodie pocket, and he quickly pulled his phone out. "Oh, my Mom wants me home tonight because of something that happened last night."
"I understand." Shadow seemed hesitant.
"Hey," Blade gently touched Shadow's face. "Let's just enjoy today, okay?"
"Alright, in that case, let us go, we have a suit fitting to attend to." The two of them held hands and stepped out the door into the hall.
*With Pyre*
"Hey buddy, how ya doing?" Pyre was seated beside the hospital bed, resting his hand on one of Ivy's.
"I'm doing fine, the doctors said I was okay, just needed stitches surprisingly."
"What happened?" Cynder asked, standing just behind Pyre.
"I…uh…" Ivy seemed somewhat scared.
"Ivy, come on," Pyre's voice cut through his fear. As he looked into Pyre's emerald eyes he felt unbelievably relaxed and safe, as though the charmander's very presence was protecting him. "Talk to us."
"It was Blade's siblings…Anelace did the actual stabbing…"
"I need to tell my dad then." Pyre looked relieved as he turned to Rai, who was also present; he'd been there overnight with Ivy, having been the one to find him. "Did you see it?"
"No, when I found him they weren't anywhere nearby."
"I see, well I need to call my dad then, so I can.."
"No, please, she said if I told anyone they'd do a lot worse to me…" Ivy sat up worriedly.
"Don't be stupid, they could've killed you!" Rai stood up looking on in disbelief.
Pyre looked into Ivy's eyes. "Are you sure?" The snivy nodded slowly. "Okay, fine"
"Babe you're," Cynder began.
Rai finished his sentence "serious right now?"
"I am. Cause if they lay a finger on him, or any of you," Pyre's voice took a dark tone "they'll have to answer to me."
Ivy leaned forward and hugged Pyre tight. "Thanks Pyre." Ivy pushed away suddenly, more worried. "Oh, Anelace said she was gonna hurt Blade!"
"Hey Rai, ya mind texting Shadow about this, so he knows what's up?"
"Can't, phone's dead."
"I've got it babe." Cynder kissed Pyre's cheek and pulled out a phone, texting quickly.
"Well, I guess I should tell you guys, there's gonna be a curfew starting tonight, Academy students are to be home before it gets dark."
"Huh? How come?" Ivy asked, laying back down.
"Apparently a bunch of people…were murdered last night, one in every district is what my dad said."
"Fuck, I should text my boyfriend so he knows…" Rai frowned. "Shit, I need to charge my phone."
"Uh, have you tried zapping it?" Ivy asked.
A look of realization dawned on the raichu. "Why didn't I think of that?" He pulled his phone out and let a small spark flow into the device. "Smart idea."
"Hey, I appreciate you guys being here." Ivy smiled. "But I'll be fine on my own, so maybe you guys should head out, school starts in like an hour or so right?"
"Are you sure?" Pyre asked again. The grass snake smiled and nodded. "Okay, you just take it easy alright?"
"I will, thank you guys!"
And with that the three of them left the room, heading toward the entrance.
"Hey Rai, how come you were alone in there?"
"Oh, yeah, he basically never got a response from his parents when he called them."
"Ugh, his parents are so…argh!" Pyre threw his arms up in the air. "Like, worry about your son ya fucks!"
*With Blade*
The sneasel had enjoyed the ride to the tailor, and equally enjoyed being measured for his suit. Not least of all because Shadow's eye never left him. It was strangely comforting knowing the darkrai couldn't help but stare.
"Well, it'll take time to make the suit I'm afraid, especially as many as he suggested." The tailor, a leavanny, spoke gesturing at Shadow.
"Well, it is better to have more than one, in different colors." Shadow smiled as Blade rushed to his side. However, Blade had a small limp to his movement. "Oh, darling are your legs alright?"
"Yeah, just went really hard last night, kinda sore…"
"Oh, I am so sorry, I had not intended to be so rough."
"No, it's fine, I liked it, remember, I asked ya to do it…probably should've taken it slower now that I think about it." Blade chuckled.
Just outside, Anelace and Blade's other siblings stared through the window, listening to them.
"Grrr that little fucker! That fucking little fucker! He fucking fucked MY man! I'm gonna fuckin skin that fucker!"
"Ann, calm down."
"Barde, I'll fucking castrate you right here on the street!"
"Anelace, guys? What are you doing here?" Blade's voice came as he stepped out the door.
In a flash Anelace was lunging at him, her claws extended, going for his eyes and throat. As she closed in she felt an almost crushing grip on both her wrists.
"Just what exactly were you attempting?" Shadow was standing between them, his eye glowing a deep crimson as he stared at Anelace.
"I…sh…Shadow…" she stumbled back as he released her.
Shadow turned away from her, taking Blade's hand and leading him to the limousine and opening the door for him. "Come along love, we do not want to be late."
Blade climbed in quickly. "Thanks Shadow!"
Shadow glared at the four ice types, a look of murder crossing his face. He closed the door temporarily and stepped in front of the four of them. "If any of you try that again, I promise, you will suffer." He turned back, opening the door and shutting it behind him.
"Anelace?" Nagi helped her to her feet. "You okay?"
Anelace's face was twist with a sick pleasure. "Shadow touched me! He touched me! Ooh my fuck he touched me!"
"Sis, he was about to hurt you! That's not a good thing." Gladius shook her trying to make her focus.
"Shut up Gladius, you don't understand! He touched me! He clearly loves me just as much as Blade!"
*Later At The Academy*
Blade hadn't felt so energetic and focused before, even as his teacher droned on.
"All over the world there are legends about incredible pokemon," Mr Saltzman spoke confidently. "Some who seem unbelievable and out of this world. Some who have only been seen by other legendary Pokemon, and a select few others. But we know for a fact that they exist. Can any of you tell me how we know this? Blade, you look like you're paying attention this time, what do you think?"
"Is it because a legendary attends this very Academy?"
"Essentially yes. Darkrai are more reclusive than most legendaries, so it's actually quite incredible that one so willingly spends this much time around anyone, let alone non legendaries." The Umbreon began gushing, spouting off about how amazing it was to have a legendary as a student. And in no time at all the bell rang, and the students were dismissed. "Mr Iceson, can I talk to you?"
"Oh, uh yes sir." Blade always felt on the spot when addressed by his last name.
"Some of the other teachers warned me you had some focusing issues, but if you're this focused in the future, I think you'll become one of the best students here."
"Thanks Mr Saltzman."
"Alright, I don't want to keep you, now get outta here."
Blade quickly left the classroom. He had a pep in his step and a large grin on his face as he walked straight into his next class. He quickly sat down beside Aqua.
"You're looking pleased today." The Squirtle nudged him.
"Yeah, I mean…I'm dating Shadow now, how could I not be!"
A claw slapped his desk, and when he looked up he saw his sister Anelace, her ice blue eyes staring a hole into him. "I will fucking end you, you little faggot." She whispered quickly taking her own seat behind him.
Blade felt unnerved and jumped slightly when the bell rang.
Ms Bitter seemed to once again shift through the wall and form in her seat. "Terrible evening children. You know the horrible routine by now. Horrible homework is due now." She scanned the room. "Horrible work children, none of you did your horrible homework. I will be sending notes home to your parents instructing them to love you less now."
English was never the most interesting class, and Ms Bitter wasn't exactly one to focus on too intently. She had a dark air about her, like she was some kind of Eldritch horror living in a banettes body.
Her class, just as before, passed uneventfully, unless Anelace staring daggers into his skull counted as an event And finally the bell rang. As Blade walked by she stopped him. "You, you were smiling in class today, you get two homeworks as punishment." She held out a sheet of paper. "But I don't expect you to do it."
Blade took the paper and quickly stepped out.
"Jeez, she can be such a bitch sometimes right?" Aqua asked gently nudging him in the hallway.
"Who?"
"Ya know, Ms Bitter, who gives…" Aqua fell silent as the banettes loomed over him.
"Horrible children get detention to teach them respect. I will see you there." She seemed to slither away, somehow.
"Aw poo, that's dumb." Aqua frowned. "Oh well!".
Soon enough they came to their next class. Science, with 'professor' Robutmick.
The two of them sat down. Beside each other again. And this time Rai took a seat beside them.
"Hey you too, I see Blade is looking happy today." The raichu nudged him.
"Alright enough of this talking!" The bell rang as a Togepi entered the room, though it was hard to tell he was a Togepi, what with his giant fake mustache that took up most of his face and the large hovering chair he was seated in. "Today we will be covering a very important topic. Can any of your," he spoke under his breath, "inferior," he spoke up again "intellects guess what it is?" He paused but refused to let any of them guess. "Interspecies breeding. I hate talking about the breeding part, but the interspecies aspect is what you need to learn. You're teenagers so I needn't explain breeding, you've probably seen worse online anyway."
He floated up to a projection board as it began projecting a slideshow. The first image of which was a Raichu and a Pangoro.
"Depicted are two completely different pokemon Raichu and Pangoro, image courtesy of students Rai Bolzen and Russell Redford. Despite the fact that these two are completely physically incompatible, both are in the field egg group, which means if all circumstances were correct it would be entirely possible for these two pokemon species to procreate and produce an egg. And believe me, I'm an expert on eggs!" he attempted to joke about his own existence as a Togepi.
Blade became even more focused and raised his hand.
"Yes mister Iceson?"
"What determines what the egg is?"
"Typically the species is that of the 'mother' pokemon. Though some claim there is a chance the father pokemon can be born as well. Though that is typically only the case when ditto is involved. Any other questions?"
"No sir, thank you." Blade nodded.
"Anyway," the slide show changed, showing an image of Shadow. "Legendaries are the only known exception to the egg group rule. As rare as it is, they do breed, and it is possible that legendaries, such as Darkrai, image courtesy of student Shadow Nightshade, can reproduce with other non legendaries."
The class seemed completely enthralled, so much so that they didn't notice when the bell rang.
"Curses, the bell already, but I am trying to bestow my wisdom upon these lesser minds! I mean, uh, growing minds!" The Togepi waved them out of the room. "Now if only I could defeat that blasted blue shaymin and his friends."
Blade disregarded the statement as he went by, Robutmick was weird at times.
Rai was smiling extra wide as they walked down the hall.
"What's got you smiling?" Aqua asked.
"Well, I've heard that, if everything is right, even male pokemon can carry eggs and well, knowing Russ and I are in the same egg group…" Rai blushed.
"Who's Russ?"
"He's my boyfriend, oh you've never met him, his schedule really conflicts with ours." Rai frowned. "Speaking of, my next class is with him, so, I'll see ya dudes later!"
Blade and Aqua reached their next class for the day. Battle class. Which was held in a large gym. They both stripped out of their clothing putting on loose flexible shorts and shirts.
"Jeez Blade, you sure you're alright, you've got a lot of bruises still?" Aqua looked worried.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." The two of them entered the gym where an infernape was standing, dressed in an orange gi, with a blue undershirt.
The rest of the class entered, including Pyre. "Hey guys how's it going?"
"Pretty good, thanks!" Aqua smiled and Blade nodded.
"Hey," the teacher spoke up, the infernape was smiling wide. "It's me, Goku!"
The entire class took a bow, as did the teacher.
"Alright, so today we'll be focusing on some simple exercises. A few one on one sparring matches. But we're doing it tournament style, so two at a time." Goku smiled. "Speaking of, there's still openings in the battle club if anyone wants to join, we need at least four more members to participate in some upcoming tournaments."
Pyre rushed up. "I wanna join, got the permission slip and everything!" He held the paper out.
"Alright!"
"I am signing up as well." Shadow's voice came as he also held out a slip of paper. "I have a free period at the moment, would you mind if I participate?"
"Normally I'd say it's unfair to the other students, given you're a Darkrai, but these kids are no slouches. I'm sure at least one of them would spar with you." Goku took the paper from them both. "Alright, two down, two to go! This is great! Okay, pair up with who you wanna spar with."
Blade turned to Aqua only to be roughly turned around. "Hey Bladey," Nagi was standing there, he hated how many of his siblings were in his classes. "Let's spar."
"Um actually.."
"Come on Bladey, don't…"
She fell silent and released Blade. Despite being paired with Pyre, and currently speaking to him, Shadow was glaring death itself at her.
She backed off and paired with a different student.
Aqua happily paired with Blade.
"The rules are simple here guys, one minute matches, no powerful attacks, and if you go out of bounds you lose."
And a few minutes later the sparring matches started, most were one sided due to one student having a blatant typo advantage, or raw strength.
After all other matches were done, Blade and Aqua's included, the time finally came for Pyre and Shadow to face off.
"Alright, no high power attacks you two, don't wanna damage the school." Goku called. "Begin!"
Pyre rushed forth, throwing his fists out, Shadow casually blocked each punch and retaliated with a flurry of kicks.
In retaliation the charmander blocked each attack in kind, lacing his fist in flames and slamming it hard into Shadow, sending him sliding back to the edge of the ring. The Darkrai burst forth, kicking Pyre, but the charmander blocked. Even so the momentum carried them both to the other edge of the ring. As Pyre began to fall backwards he grabbed Shadow's leg.
"Time." Goku called. Their minute was up. "Wow, Pyre is incredible, I was expecting a blowout victory there Shadow."
"Thanks!"
"Yes, Pyre is rather incredible."
Blade couldn't explain why, but he felt a surge of jealousy hearing Shadow compliment Pyre. He pushed the thought from his mind.
"Alright guys, the bell is ringing in a few minutes, so I'll let you go change now."
The rest of the day passed uneventfully and in no time at all, they were leaving the academy.
"Blade, would you like a ride home?"
"Sure." The sneasel hugged Shadow as they walked to the limousine and got inside, getting ready for the ride home.
*Later Elsewhere*
The sun has long since gone down, and a lone Wartortle was in an alley, cleaning some littered trash.
And suddenly there was a chill in the air as a pair of Vermillion eyes began to glow at the entrance to the alley.
"Who's there?"
The creature let out a horrific shriek. "Blaaa…" accompanying the shriek was a dripping sound. In the Vermillion glow the Wartortle could see what appeared to be blood dripping from a sadistic grinning maw, the creatures gem like eyes were cracked all over, and there was a large gaping hole in its chest.
The creature lunged forward and a horrid scream echoed into the night.
*Iceson Residence*
Anelace was ravenous trying desperately to attack Blade.
"Anelace stop, what is wrong with you!" Shard struggled to hold her daughter back.
"Enough, you're pissing me off, explain yourselves!" Cleave shouted as a bottle of alcohol slammed a walk and shattered.
Anelace broke free. "That little faggot is dating Shadow, the guy I'm into! And they fucked last night, I can still smell it on him!"
Her words were cut as Cleave struck her. "What have I…" Cleave stopped sniffing the air, despite his alcohol intake he could smell it on Blade. He turned to Shard. "Take the rest of them, and go see a movie or something." He practically threw his wallet at her.
"Cleave, whatever you…" he struck her across the face.
"Now, Shard. Or they all share his punishment."
As much as she didn't want to leave Blade alone with Cleave, she had no choice, she had to protect the others as well. She began to cry as she hurried them all out the door.
Blade looked frightened but ready for the beating he was about to receive. But it never came. He felt a tight grip on his wrist as he was dragged to his bedroom.
"D-dad…"
"Shut up." Cleave slammed the door behind them and threw Blade onto his bed.
The sneasel was beginning to panic as he saw the devious grin on his father's face.
Cleave closed the distance extending his claws threateningly, but when he reached Blade all he did was claw the boys clothes apart.
The sneasel tried to cover himself, looking at the shredded remains of his favorite hoodie and the rest of his clothes. "Well, you learned your lesson?" Blade didn't know how to respond. "That's what I thought," Cleave pinned Blade to his bed. "You want to be a faggot?"
Blade began to hyperventilate and struggle against his father's grip. "I…I…no I don't!"
"Ooh, it's too late for that." Cleave glared down as he began to push his own pants off. "You need to be punished."