Chapter 15

"You have to listen, I was going to tell you, I just didn't know how!"

"How do I kill them?"

"What?"

"These other Aberrations. How do I kill them?"

"You can't. They don't even feel p…" Mare was cut off as Shadow slashed across his chest. "Aaagh what in the distortion world is wrong with you?!"

"That answers that question." Shadow turned back to the other three. "Who is thirsty?" Shadow completely dropped his guard holding out his arms.

"Shadow? What are you…"

The Zoroark Aberration rushed in biting into his shoulder.

"Giving us your blood willingly? That's far more altruistic than you were last time, helping us live again. Let's hope we don't need all of it." Eclipse chuckled. "After all, the worse off we are, the more we need to be whole again." The Charmander gazed into the krookodile Aberrations eyes.

The Zoroark pulled back coughing as its body began to heal. "I can speak again, finally…"

"Welcome back Kimim!" Eclipse smiled.

And behind the Zoroark, hidden in a veil, Shadow was smirking as well. He floated forward. "Do you feel whole?"

"Yes, I do, finally after…" Kimim fell silent.

"Kimim? What's wrong?" Eclipse stared, confused.

"It's such a shame, I'm about to make a mess of my suit." Shadow spoke coldly as his claw slid into the zoroark's now repaired maw, stabbing out the other side. In the same motion, the Darkrai yanked his arm up, severing the zoroark's head, leaving only the lower jaw and under to fall to the ground as the top of its head rested on his arm. "Disgusting."

The glowing cerulean eyes faded completely before the top of Kimim's head fell to the floor a moment later.

"What?!" The charmander snarled.

"How did you?" Mare was stunned.

"You can feel pain. You were an Aberration. Clearly, the more whole they are, the more mortal they are." As if to accentuate his words Shadow stomped the remains of the zoroark's skull underfoot crushing it.

"We just wanted to live again!" Eclipse shouted.

"And unfortunately for you, that requires you to attack my friends, and MY Blade." Shadow glared. "It is selfish I admit, but I do not waste pity on those who hurt the ones I love."

"Chaar" the Charmander belched flames across the room, but Shadow easily sidestepped the jet of flame.

"What about you? Thirsty?" The Darkrai glared at the krookodile.

"Stay away from him!" Eclipse glanced around.

"Are you certain this room will hold them?" Shadow glanced toward Mare.

"Undoubtedly, I can barely escape it myself."

Shadow gave pause staring at the Charmander standing defensively in front of the krookodile. "I am willing to make a deal."

"Why would I make a deal with you?!" Eclipse glared baring his teeth.

"Because I know you do not care for your own safety, you just want him to live." Shadow pointed to the krookodile. "I will allow you twenty four hours. Prove to me that you will not harm anyone else, and I will allow you both to live. And I will allow you to become whole again."

"Shadow, are you insane?!"

"Possibly."

"We finally know how to kill them and you're going to let them live?!"

"They are different. I cannot explain it, but they lacked the murderous intent that the other Aberration did."

"You really aren't like him." Eclipse looked back. "You promise you won't hurt Swindle?"

"You have my word. If any harm befalls him in this twenty four hour period, I will personally bring you the one responsible, as well as maintain my end of this arrangement."

*Panchu Hospital*

"Fancy seeing you here Blade!" Rai spoke in an attempted cheery way.

"Wish it was under better circumstances, how are they?"

They were looking through a glass window, staring at Tin and Pyre.

The Charmeleon was hooked up to several machines, whereas the Charmander was surprisingly okay.

"Well, from the looks of it, Tins still suffering, but Pyre looks…fine isn't accurate. He's pretty upset."

"What even happened?"

"These creatures attacked them. Pyre and Tin said they're called Aberrations."

Blade went cold. "Oh no."

"What?"

"An Aberration…I think that's what they said got…Bardiche…"

Rai suddenly hugged Blade close. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that back up for you."

Blade hugged him back. "I don't wanna lose anybody else Rai…"

"That's not gonna happen. The police are working hard to stop them I'm sure of it!"

"But what if they're not enough?"

"Then I'll do it myself!" Pyre's voice came from behind them. The Charmander didn't look happy. "Those monsters are gonna pay for all the people they've hurt. Rai, I need your help."

"Umm, please come back in here you need medical attention." An audino nurse spoke up, gently tugging Pyre's arm.

"No, I'll get treated when my brother is safe! Focus on him!" He pulled away. Neither Rai nor Blade had seen Pyre so angry. "Those things are gonna pay."

"Pyre, maybe the nurse is right, maybe you should…"

"Blade, I appreciate you caring, but no. Come on Rai," Pyre turned around and started walking off.

"Young man, where do you think you're going?" Ferna burst into the hallway grabbing Pyre and lifting him like a child.

"To get payback on those things for hurting Tin!"

"Use your head Pyre!" The Charizard bumped her head against his. "I need you here with me. Tin, needs you here, by his side. Not running off to get yourself hurt."

"But mom they…"

"I know they hurt him, I know they hurt you." She hugged him tight. "But I'm not letting you get hurt by them again. I am not losing my sons."

"I…you're right mom…" Pyre hugged her back, tears streaming down his face. "I don't wanna lose my big brother!"

"We should give them space." Rai said, leading Blade away and back to Gladius' room.

"Hey, how's your friend?" Shard asked.

"Not great, him and his brother got hurt pretty bad." Blade said with a frown.

"What happened?" Shard spoke with concern in her voice.

"Umm, apparently…"

Rai cut Blade off. "They were attacked by a group of these creatures called Aberrations."

Gladius froze up this time, his one good eye wide as the moon. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. He began to shake, his mouth was dry, his head getting lighter by the moment.

Blade stepped over quickly and took hold of his claw. And he seemed to be brought back, slowing his breathing. "You're safe, we're here for you."

"Thanks Blade. Thank you." Gladius rested his head on his pillow. The one eyed sneasel gave a weak smile.

*With Pyre*

The Charmander sat beside Tin's bed. The doctors had stabilized the Charmeleon and had him resting now.

"I know you're resting and sleeping, but I'm here for you." Pyre spoke gently resting his head beside Tin's. "I almost did something dumb, but I…I was upset, and I wanted to make those monsters pay." He sighed. "I love you Tin, and I promise, I will stop those monsters."

"I love you too Pyre…" Tin spoke, but he was still asleep. The Charmander snuggled close.

"Hey, your father's coming by in a bit," Ferna whispered carefully. "I'm going to look for a restroom."

"Okay, thanks for letting me know mom."

*Unknown Location*

"Was it really wise to allow your offspring such control?" The genesect asked.

"No. But, seeing how ruthless he was, I worry he may not hesitate to do to me what he did to that Zoroark."

"You fear your own son?"

"No. I fear someone else's." Mare looked uneasy.