Chapter 1
Blade the sneasel wasn't entirely happy when he woke up. He could feel the pain of a bruise on his cheek from the night before. The reason for said bruise was audible just outside his room.
"The little fuck is failing his classes, if he doesn't learn to focus I'll give him more than a bruise!" He could hear his father shouting at his mother.
"Cleave, that's enough. Blade isn't like the rest of our kids and you know it. You put too much pressure on him since he was little. If it's anyone's fault that he's struggling it's…" there was a loud smack as Blade's mother fell silent. She, like Blade was a sneasel, and this much weaker than his father, who was a weavile.
"I'm sick of you defending that spoiled brat!"
Blade sighed as he stood up from his bed, if his parents were up, he needed to dress and be ready. He'd only just started his sophomore year at Starfall Academy a few weeks ago, it wasn't a highly prestigious school by any means despite its name. Blade searched through a few drawers beside his bed and pulled a pair of jeans out, along with a tank top, and a hoodie. He quickly dressed himself and grabbed his backpack, though it was more of a satchel, which he'd chosen because of someone he'd admired.
"Blade Iceson, you better be dressed in there!" His father's voice made him flinch.
Blade didn't respond, he just quickly stepped out the door. He tried to avoid his father's gaze as he made for the door of their small apartment. But before he reached the door he felt a painful grip on his arm.
"Don't ignore me boy!"
"S-sorry, I just didn't want to be late…" Blade visibly cowered at his father's grip.
The weavile let go, but maintained a frightful eye contact. "Then go."
Blade rushed out the door and down the hall to the entrance of the apartment building. He stepped outside looking both ways, the last thing he needed was to run into his siblings.
"There you are Bladey!" Blade froze up as he felt a cold arm around his shoulder as he heard a masculine voice in his ear.
"If we didn't know better we'd think you were trying to avoid us." Another voice came, this one feminine.
"Hi Nagi, Bardiche…" Blade cowered slightly as two more of his siblings appeared in front of him. "Gladius, Anelace…"
Two sisters, and two brothers, just as cruel and vindictive as their father. Nagi and Bardiche were Weavile, like their father, Gladius and Anelace were sneasel like their mother.
Nagi spoke again. "Now why would our sweet little brother be trying to ignore us?"
"I don't know Nagi, any thoughts?" Bardiche replied.
Gladius spoke next, his voice quieter than Bardiche's, but just as imposing to Blade. "Maybe he's just a coward. Little pussy boy!"
"It's because he's too busy fantasizing about that beautiful hunk in my vocal club." Anelace got in Blade's face. "Isn't that right? Fag."
The word didn't hurt Blade by any means, he'd heard his siblings use it plenty, at least when their father wasn't around. He refused to even entertain the thought of Blade being gay, to the point if anyone suggested it, they all received a beating.
"Come on guys, I don't want to be late…and you shouldn't be either…" Blade tried to free himself, but it was useless, his siblings were much stronger than him.
"He's right, maybe we should just go. But where's the fun in that?" Anelace smirked as she suddenly slapped Blade across the face. "We want to have some fun first."
They were fortunately interrupted as a smiling charmander walked down the road, clad in a tank top and gym shorts, with a single strapped backpack hanging over his shoulder. As he came into view his smile fell away. "Alright, that's enough you four." His voice was rather high pitched, almost childish, and yet the four ice types complied letting Blade go.
And with that he hurriedly rushed over. "Thanks Pyre."
"No Problem Blade, don't let them get to ya. As long as I'm around I'll always have your back!" The charmander smiled, and it put Blade at ease. That was Pyre Igni, a senior at Starfall Academy, and the Head Teacher's son. "Now come on, don't want to be late right?"
Blade nodded as they began to walk toward the academy. Though Blade found it strange, Pyre had never walked this way to school until this year. But it wasn't really his business, Pyre was a whimsical guy anyway, he probably just decided to start doing it anyway.
They came to the academy gates, and looked over the large building. It looked rather recently renovated, as if rebuilt from the ground up, but it wasn't, simply upgraded thanks to generous donations from a wealthy family.
"Yo, Pyre, there you are, come on, we're gonna be late!" A raichu waved at Pyre, he was dressed similarly to Pyre, particularly with gym shorts, but he had a hoodie on. That was Rai Bolzen, one of Pyre's best friends, and one of the academy's best track runners.
"Gotta go, see ya later Blade!" Pyre smiled as he hurried off.
Blade nodded as he too hurried into the academy. It took only a few minutes to reach his first class.
He quickly took his seat just before the bell rang. The cacophony of voices fell silent as a teacher entered the room. But Blade didn't recognize them, they must have been a replacement for their last teacher.
An umbreon entered the room and stepped silently in front of a chalk board and used a piece to write across the board. "Hello, my name is Dick Saltzman. Before you ask, no it isn't short for Richard, and yes my parents thought they were comedians. So please, refer to me as Mr Saltzman." He took a seat at his desk. "Now, I'm going to try to get to know all of you, since I'm now your home room teacher. Don't give me trouble and we'll all be just fine."
The class passed by in minutes for Blade, he was far too distracted to focus on whatever the teacher was talking about. His mind was wandering, as it often did, to his crush. But just as he was beginning to enjoy his thoughts he heard the bell ring again.
"Well, I'll see you all tomorrow then, or later today if you have one of my other classes."
Blade stood up and quickly walked out of the classroom. He turned down the hall and made his way to his next class. Since it was just around the corner, he entered and sat down without hesitation.
Within minutes the bell rang again and the door slammed closed. A banette seemed to simply appear from the darkness of the teachers desk. "Bad evening children, today we will cover something which is undoubtedly horrible." She looked at her own large whiteboard. "Ah, of course I was right, the studies of the English language." The bitter banette was aptly known only as Ms Bitter. "I take it you all did your horrible homework as well…"
Blade lost his focus as he caught the tail end of a billowing smokey head passing the classroom. Was that who he thought it was.
"Blade?" Ms Bitter snapped him out of his trance with a piercing glare.
"Y-yes Ms Bitter?"
"None of us want to be here, but we're required by law, so be here in the moment and pay attention."
"Yes ma'am, sorry." Blade felt embarrassed, but to his benefit time seemed to fly yet again, and in no time at all the bell rang again, and he stood up to leave the room.
"Man, Ms Bitter really rattled you back there didn't she?" Blade felt a gentle slap on his back. It was a Squirtle, and one of his few friends Aqua River.
"Y-yeah, she did." Blade reached into his satchel and pulled out a small note.
"Ooh, what ya got there?" Aqua asked curiously as he reached over.
"Hands off," Blade blushed as he started walking out of the classroom and quickly down the hall. He wasn't heading to his next class however, but instead.
"Ooooh it's a love letter isn't it?" Aqua broke his train of thought as he came to a stop in front of a locker.
Blade mentally prepared himself to put the note through the locker's small opening, but stopped when he noticed just how cluttered it was. Other love letters presumably. Blade sighed and put the note away, turning back to go to his next class. He had too much competition, too many other students all vying for the affections of his crush. Blade thought he didn't have a chance.
"Hey, don't be so down dude. You'll never know how he feels if you never ask."
"You don't get it Aqua, he's so out of my league. He's a legendary, and his family is rich. It would take a miracle for him to notice me."
"You're way too hard on yourself. You're great, anyone would be lucky to be with you." Aqua smiled.
"I get what you're doing, but it really isn't helping." Blade frowned as they reached their next class.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, until the day neared its end. Blade was thankful that he and all his friends shared a lunch time in their schedule, which was at the end of the school day.
Blade sat down at a table, which was quickly populated by Aqua, Pyre, and Rai, as well as one of Pyre's closer friends and his girlfriend.
"Hey Blade, you look down, what's wrong?" The snivy asked before the rest could. Ivy Grasnake, head of the school's drama club, and Pyre's friend with benefits apparently. He was rather overdressed in suit pants, a dress shirt, and a vest.
"I'm fine really." Blade waved his hands in a defensive way.
"We're your friends, remember. You can tell us if something's wrong." Pyre's boyfriend spoke up. Cynder Kinderling, a fennekin, was the only pokemon in the school with as much ridiculous energy and passion as Pyre. He was wearing a nice floral dress, that complimented his immaculate feminine fur.
"I know, but really it's…." Blade fell silent as he noticed how everyone had sat down, leaving an empty seat directly beside him. He blushed deep and scowled at them. "N-not cool guys! One of you switch with me!"
"Why? Some reason you don't want to sit there?" Rai teased with a friendly smile.
"You know that's not cool…"
"What is not cool?" The voice cut Blade off immediately.
He glanced at the seat beside him. There, comfortably seated, and completely over dressed, was a darkrai. Clad in a full black suit accentuated by a tail coat, was Blade's crush, Shadow Nightshade.
The way the darkrai seemed so comfortable, so effortlessly in control simply sitting there. Blade was mesmerized. He couldn't find his voice.
"Is something the matter Blade? You know it is impolite to stare." The darkrai's tone was soft, and strangely endearing.
"Shadow!" A familiar voice came that made Blade tense up, it was Anelace. "Do you have a moment?"
The darkrai seemed to notice Blade tensing up and his eye narrowed. "I am afraid I am rather busy at the moment, Anelace."
"Oh my, you bothered to remember my name?" She smiled. "Please, it will only take a moment." Blade glanced back, she wasn't the only one, several other pokemon, male and female were lined up, and Blade knew exactly why, it was the same song and dance every day. They would all ask Shadow on a date, and he'd politely refuse.
At this point it felt like Shadow just enjoyed rejecting them. Not that Blade minded, it wasn't like they actually liked Shadow, they wanted his status as a legendary, and his wealth. But that wasn't Blade, seeing the darkrai, it made him feel unbelievably happy.
"I must insist that I am too preoccupied at present." Shadow's gaze was locked onto Blade, and it made the sneasel strangely comfortable. But then Shadow noticed a bruise on Blade's cheek. He gently reached out, touching it. "What happened to you?"
Blade winced and recoiled. "N-nothing, I tripped is all…"
Shadow, as well as the others shared a look of disgust. And the darkrai allowed himself a moment of rage as he glared at the crowd. "It seems I have drawn quite a crowd. Please disperse at once."
"Please Shadow, just one date?" Anelace asked, ignoring his request.
The darkrai held one arm out of view as he clenches it in a tight fist, he had an image to uphold, but these constant advanced had become remarkably annoying.
"Hey, Shadow, ya mind coming with me, I need to ask you something privately." Rai had noticed how Shadow was feeling.
"Of course, if the adoring public would, I must assist my friend." And the two stood up, and walked out of the cafeteria.
Anelace leaned in behind Blade now that Shadow was gone. "Stay away from my man you little fag."
"How bout you piss right off ya prissy bitch." Cynder spoke suddenly.
Anelace stepped around the table. "I'll kick your ass right here cuck!"
Pyre casually stood up with a smile. "Listen Anelace, I strive for true gender equality, I have absolutely no issues beating the shit out of you."
"Threats, from the Head Teacher's son, how scary."
"Least he's not picking on his little brother because he's insecure about his own self worth." Ivy interjected.
"I'm not even entertaining you with a response." She stepped back to Blade. "See ya back home, Bladey." And with that she walked away.
*With Shadow*
Shadow paced back and forth in front of Rai, that had gone to a part of the gym that was sectioned off for various pieces of exercise equipment, one of which was a punching bag. "They are beyond infuriating, why have they not simply taken the hint that I am not interested." The Darkrai had taken off his tail coat so he could throw punches at the bag to further exhaust his rage.
"That isn't what's pissed you off is it?"
"Of course not! You feel the same anger do you not?"
"Of course I do, I'm sick of seeing Blade coming into school beaten and bruised like that." Rai held the bag steady as Shadow punched it. "You were right, his siblings are definitely doing it, Pyre confirmed that earlier today. But I think…"
"His father is doing it as well." Shadow's fists began to actually push the bag, despite Rai holding it.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Heard one of his brothers say that." Rai steadied himself.
"If I ever meet that man..." Shadow didn't finish his sentence as he exhaled and stopped punching the bag. "I am going to get him out of there, but I cannot just do it. I need him to want it."
"He was at your locker again today."
"He was?" The darkrai looked up and his face was strangely alight.
"Had a note and everything."
"Perhaps I should be the one to do it. To confess my feelings."
"It couldn't hurt bro, we'll support you, no matter what."
"Thank you Rai."
*With Blade*
The final bell had finally rang out, and it was time to leave the academy. And Blade hurried out of the building. He didn't want to go home yet, but he didn't have much choice, or anywhere else to go.
He sighed and sat down on one of the steps.
Pyre sat down beside him, followed by Aqua. "What's wrong buddy?"
"You know what's wrong Pyre, that was messed up, you guys know how I feel about Shadow."
"We only did that so you had a reason to be close to each other, you weren't exactly acting with that letter were you?" Aqua asked.
Blade frowned as students passed them.
He watched his siblings pass, and each made a face at him.
"Blade, I'd like to ask you something." Shadow's voice came from behind.
"Now's your chance." Aqua nudged him.
Blade stood up and walked up the steps and stood before Shadow. "Uh, wh-what is it?"
Shadow fell silent. His words caught in his throat, he never felt this way, as if he didn't have words. "I just wanted to say…" he trailed off.
Students stopped all around them, why, Blade couldn't say. Were they staring in awe at Shadow, or were they just being nosey.
"Shadow…" Blade closed his eyes as he pulled out his letter and held it out to Shadow.
The darkrai stared for a moment before taking it. He slowly opened it to read it.
"Wait…" Blade blurted out. And Shadow stopped, looking directly at Blade with that strangely soft crimson eye. It was now or never, if Shadow was going to know, he should hear it from Blade.
The darkrai gently reached out, taking Blade's hand in a comforting way. "Whatever it is, you can say it."
"Shadow…I…" Blade felt his chest tighten. And he blurted out "Shadow I LOVE YOU!"
The steps and courtyard in front of the academy fell completely silent. Blade felt as if the entire school was staring daggers at him. Like a massive pressure had just come crashing down upon him. In a moment of panic he tried to pull his hand away from Shadow's, but found the Darkrai wouldn't let go.
Shadow used his free hand to tilt Blade's head up, to look him in the eyes. "I love you too Blade."
There was an uproar of outraged shouting. Blade was startled by how upset everyone was. But when he looked to Shadow, his fears fell away. Because the darkrai was so enraptured with him, that he didn't notice anyone else.
"Would you like to come to my home tonight?"
Blade nodded. "Yes, I'd love that. Oh, let me text my mom first." Blade pulled out his phone quickly leaving a message for his mother, so she knew where he was.
"Pyre, Rai, would you like to come by today as well?" Shadow extended his invitation.
"Nah, got plans with Cynder." Pyre smiled, refusing the offer.
"Yeah, and I get the feeling you guys need some, alone time tonight." Rai answered.
Blade blushed as he felt Shadow hug him tight. The embrace was broken as the two held hands and descended the stairs. Blade smiled wider than ever before as they approached the gate.
That however had only infuriated his siblings. Anelace snarled. "That little faggot is gonna pay for taking Shadow from me."
Waiting just outside the academy gate was a black limousine. The doors opened and Blade quickly climbed inside. Shadow followed him immediately, closing the door behind him.
"Do you have anything that isn't just all black?" Blade joked.
"A few things, yes, but uniformity is important to my family."
"And uh, really, a limo? Feels like some poor guy's dream…"
"It is not for its expensiveness, it is simply the best vehicle to chauffeur our entire friend group in. It is practical." Shadow looked at the driver. "Take us home, Codsworth."
With his words the vehicle pulled away from the gate.
Blade felt as if a whole new life was beginning for him, and he was happy for it, no matter what good or bad came of it.