Chapter 23
"Gosh we've been challenged by a neighboring school." Blade looked rather nervous. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this."
"Now I'm sure some of you are nervous, but that's what the next three weeks are gonna be, preparation!" Goku's voice was energetic. "That said we need to go over the rules."
"Ooh are we talking like really strict rules, or just all out battle?" Pyre smiled happily as he asked.
"More traditional tournament rules. Combatants will be decided by drawing lots, and each match will be a series of one on one fights. Normally they're all fought in a small ring, stepping out or being pushed out of the ring counts as disqualification or a loss, and the match ends when one combatant surrenders, is out of the ring, or is knocked out." The infernape continued. "Weapons aren't allowed, neither is severely hurting your opponent on purpose, so no intentionally breaking bones. And it goes without saying, but no drugs guys. Winners don't do drugs."
"So it's not a point system?" One of the other students asked.
"No, like I said: ringouts, surrender, and K.O. are the ways to win." The teacher replied again. "Any other questions before we get training?"
"Um yeah," Pyre spoke up. "Is it gonna really be fair with some of us participating?"
"It's not like the strongest pokemon around are all in this school. There will be some tough contenders."
"Are all of us going to participate?" Blade chimed in.
"No, we just needed enough people in case some of you are no-shows for any reason." Goku answered. The class remained silent acknowledging his answer. "Well then, let's get into this everyone, get excited!"
*Elsewhere*
The ditto was pacing back and forth, uncertain how to carry out his orders. "Bring about the world's finality. But how, I'm just a ditto, how can I destroy the world?"
He thought back to what he'd seen over the years, the research he'd done to assume Mare's identity, something in his memories had to have the answer. A weapon, an ancient one, he had heard legends of. An ultimate weapon, the ultimate weapon, that could wipe out the entire world.
"Well that certainly won't work." A voice came.
"Who's there?" Naraku spat the words.
"Someone who, like you, seeks the end of everything." It was sudden, a chill in the air, a disturbing green light. And it appeared, a rather large marowak, or at least what looked like a marowak. It was clad in tattered robes, and the horns upon its skull mask were twisted like that of a ram. The eyes were empty, save the sickening green glow emanating from within.
Naraku questioned what this thing was, if it even was a marowak anymore.
"You serve another master, I serve only to end this world. Together our goal will be achieved. If you must call my be a name, the one the ancients called me was." A disturbing whispering sound echoed through Naraku's mind. "Lich."
"And how do you propose we destroy this world, Lich?" The ditto was skeptical.
"My well of power. With the energy it has stored, I can tear open a portal, and welcome in these newfound monsters, these Aberrations, to tear this world asunder."
"The Aberrations have failed already, they're no use now that Shadow knows how to kill them."
Suddenly, the space between them cracked and warped. "The veil." The cacophonous voice returned. "You will lift the veil and our disciples will aid in the finality of this world."
"Disciples, there are more than me?" Naraku was strangely surprised. "And what is the veil, how do I lift it? You ask me to trust in you, but you've given aaaaargh!" The ditto seemed to melt to a puddle suddenly.
"Silence!" The choral voices seemed to shout. "The veil will be lifted, our disciples will scatter across this world. They shall leave the veil in ashes, and all who resist will see finality. This world has but two choices. Order. Or Entropy."
*Nightshade Manor*
"So, you two are the Aberrations my son spared?" Mare stared down the charmander and the krookodile, sitting in a chair in his study.
"Yes sir…" Eclipse spoke. "He decided we were worth taking a chance on, and he spared us."
"I see. Well, I have questions. First, how did you get here?"
"Through the…"
"I meant this world."
"Oh, we were sent here. Through an opening. A hole or something."
"Sent? By who?" Mare sat forward.
"I'm not sure, it wasn't a person so to say, but also not a thing. It was like a collective or something. Like thousands of voices all speaking together." Eclipse responded.
Swindle finally spoke up. "It called the hole we went through 'the Veil' but we aren't sure what that's about."
"That is, less than helpful." Mare sighed and sat back. "The Veil. That could be something, I'll have to consult with Dick, if anyone would know about something like that, it'd be him." The violet darkrai turned his attention back to the two former Aberrations. "As for the two of you, how would you like jobs?"
"Jobs? Like what?" Eclipse looked at Swindle.
"Assistant Butlers. Codsworth can literally do it all himself, but with this growing threat, I'd Much prefer he stay with Shadow and Blade." Mare showed a surprising amount of concern.
"Well, we don't exactly have many prospects." Swindle pointed out.
"You'll get identification cards, room and board, and a salary. Plus, your strength can help defend the manor should it ever be needed." Mare looked over at a map on the wall noticing a strange change. He stood up looking it over. "I would ask either of you this crater just outside Firelink City but you're new arrivals here too. I'll ask Shadow when he gets home. Now, those jobs?"
"We humbly accept your generous offer sir." Eclipse took a bow.
"Yeah, thanks dawg…I mean sir!" Swindle followed suit.
"Good. Get a look at the rest of the manor, you'll need to when you start working."
*Later, That Night*
Shadow and Blade had finally gotten back to the manor, and were preparing to cuddle on Shadow's large bed when a knock interrupted them. Shadow beckoned to the person at the door.
His door opened and Eclipse stepped inside, the charmander was dressed in a suit, carrying a platter. "You called for snacks sir?"
"So that is what he did with you. Bring them here." Shadow spoke up.
"Thank you again, for sparing me and Swindle." Eclipse sat the platter carefully on the bed. "Oh, and your father asked to see you both."
"Well, the snacks can wait it seems." Shadow stood up pulling Blade with him. "Come along darling."
"I can't believe I get to finally meet your dad…The real one I mean." Blade chuckled.
Shadow grabbed a pair of bath robes, one black the other dark blue. He quickly veiled himself in the blue robe before helping Blade into the black robe.
"I'm not a baby ya know, I can put on a robe by myself…" Blade blushed giving a pout.
"Oh please, you know I just desired an excuse to touch you again." Shadow leaned in, kissing Blade.
The two held hands as they left the bedroom, heading toward Mare's study. Upon entering the room the violet darkrai stood up from his seat. And took a short stride to stand in front of them. He leaned down looking over Blade with immeasurable scrutiny.
His eyes scanned the sneasel multiple times before settling on his silver eyes. "Finally a proper look at the boy who stole my son's heart. Just looking at you, you are quite cute. But knowing Shadow your appearance isn't what attracted him."
"Umm.nice to meet you too. M-mister nightshade…"
"Dad will suffice." Mare replied. "Well mannered though, very nice. Tell me Blade, why are you dating my son?"
"Father?" Mare gave a reassuring glance to Shadow, silencing him.
"Why? I…I'm not actually sure. When we met he was really nice, and I just, I don't know I felt something. When he's around my heart slows down, like my entire body relaxes, like I feel safer than I ever have before. When he's around, all my nightmares disappear." Blade blushed, he hadn't meant to gush words like that.
"You really are in love with him. Well, if I wasn't convinced before I am now." Mare gave Blade a hug. "Welcome home son."
"Th-thanks…dad." Blade hugged back.
"Now, onto other business." Mare broke the hug. "What in Arceus' name is this crater outside the city limits?"
Shadow let out a small chuckle. "Oh that was…"
*Firelink Outskirts*
"Pyre." Tin spoke. "Apparently Pyre did this." He gestured to the massive crater he and Placi were standing in.
"Holy shit? How? I get he's strong, but we've both been able to overpower him and we couldn't do this."
"Rain." Tin spat the word with venom. "A jumped up Frogadier that broke my little brother's heart."
The two looked to the charmander sitting beside Cynder. "You good to tell the story bro?"
"Yeah you've never told me about your ex?" Cynder rested his head on Pyre's shoulder.
"I don't exactly like talking about it. I try my best to stay calm and happy but…I was so angry that I did this…" he looked around. "A lot of people could've gotten hurt because of me." He sighed. "But okay, I'll tell you."
*Flashback*
Pyre was elated, he was on his way to see his first love, the love of his life. The frogadier's words were fresh in his mind.
'I love you Pyre, you're everything to me, the most important thing in my life, the only guy for me. When we graduate, I'm gonna wife you up good, give you the best life. So relax, you don't need to be strong. I'll be strong for both of us.'
Pyre was skipping toward Starfall Stadium, Rain had asked him to come watch him in the tournament and it would be starting soon. Pyre, being as loving and energetic as he was, arrived rather earlier, almost an hour early in fact. As he entered the stadium he went to the nearby lockers to meet with Rain.
He was excited, he found someone to love, he didn't need to fight, he didn't need to get stronger, he had Rain to help him. He'd never be alone with his strong Frogadier boyfriend. But he found himself frozen at the locker entrance. He heard something unsettling.
"Take it you bitch! Yeah you're gonna throw our match right? You're gonna let me win right? You will if you want this dick." That sounded like Rain.
"Didn't think you'd be willing to cheat on that cute charmander just to win…"
"Pyre, why would I care? I'm just with him for the benefits." Rain was groaning with each thrust. "The status, dating the Head Teacher's son keeps my grades good, and free sex. But as good of a lay as he is, he's so damn annoying. Hell he isn't even that good, you're better and you're just standing here taking my dick like a whore! Always smiling, acting like he's better than everyone." It sounded as if the thrusts and his voice were more aggressive. "I can't stand that little fucker, I just wanted him to stop training. It's unbecoming of a water type to be weaker than a stage one fire type. Truth is, I don't like that dumb slut, I could never love him. As soon as school's done I'm gonna use up his hole and cast him aside."
"Damn that's cold…fuck me harder…"
Pyre couldn't believe what he was hearing, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his cheeks. "You… don't mean that do you…Rain?" Pyre had stepped in and was watching his boyfriend plowing an ivysaur.
"Huh? Pyre?!" Rain pulled out and turned to face Pyre. "w-wait lemme explain!"
Pyre could see it in the aura surrounding Rain, there wasn't an ounce of remorse, he meant every word.
Rain took a step forward and the room burst into sapphire flames. Pyre started hyperventilating before turning around and rushing out of the room. He bumped into Rai, who had come to keep him company while he watched the fight.
"Woah Pyre? Whats…" he didn't get to finish, flames burst up around him as Pyre kept running. The flames burned his leg almost instantly. He stumbled back against a wall. "Pyre!" He called out worried for his friend. A moment later, Rain stumbled out of the room with Ivysaur both visibly still hard, despite the situation. That was all Rai needed to know. Despite his leg he took off running after Pyre.
The charmander was a bit down the street, tears cascading down his face, sapphire flames igniting suddenly around him as he went.
As Rak chased after him he dialed a number on his phone. "Help, Pyre's freaking out, he just left the stadium, I won't be able to get him somewhere safe, my leg is burned." He hung up suddenly. Electricity crackled around him as he darted down the sidewalk at high speed, he grabbed Pyre hugging himself tight and carrying him toward the Firelink Outskirts. Each step was hell on earth, the burn on his leg put him in excruciating pain. Finally, one last step and his leg gave out, they were tumbling to the ground just outside Nightshade Manor, when a dark hand grabbed them both and they were teleported away.
Pyre stumbled to his knees weeping into his claws. "What happened?" Shadow asked abruptly.
"From what I saw…"
"Rain…never loved…never loved me…he said so…" Pyre was sobbing, but the flames around him just burst and raged more.
"Didn't know that, Rain was cheating on him." Rai said, struggling to stand.
Pyre punched the ground. Each collision of fist to dirt was accentuated by a larger and larger burst of flame.
Shadow grabbed Rai suddenly and teleported away.
"WHAAAAAAAAAGHHH!" Pyre screamed at the top of his lungs and the sapphire flames around him darkened. The flame on his tail blacked out, as did the flames around him. And in one massive burst, like a meteor crashing to earth the flames exploded out consuming the nearby foliage and dirt crumbling and incinerating everything in its path.
And it kept going, and going, and going. The flames were so great they could be seen from Firelink City, and even nearly reached it. As the flames finally died down, there was nothing but a barren crater in the wake of the flames.
*End Flashback*
"I was so angry more than anything." Pyre sighed, slumping down. "I was willing to give up on fighting for him…but he…"
Cynder nuzzled him. And Tin sat down hugging him. "Hey, ya remember what I said when ya told me the first time?" Pyre nodded. "I hugged you just like this, and I said 'Fuck that bitch, never liked him anyway.' It made you laugh."
Placi sat beside them. "That's rough, but hey look on the bright side. You lost that prick, and got this cutie in his place."
Cynder kissed Pyre on the cheek. "I'll always love you Pyre, I don't need anything from you but your love. And for you to be yourself."
Pyre hugged Cynder tight. "I love you so much!"