The Darkrai and the Sneasel

by Blade The Sneasel

A young Sneasel by the name of Blade is born into unfortunate circumstances. And after an incident sees him become alone he finds solace in a Darkrai named Shadow, will this strange relationship blossom into more than just acquaintances? M rating for language and brutality. Yaoi

56. Fading Darkness

Chapter 56: Fading Darkness

Disclaimer: This is by far the longest chapter yet, I'd say I'm proud of it, but considering most of this was done with the help of an incredible person on this site I can't take the credit. So thanks again to Ivy The Snivy. Ever an inspiration and the reason this story has lasted so long.

Shadow, despite the agonizingly excruciating pain he was in fought against the restraints. As it stood, to do so for a prolonged period would likely destroy him, and yet he didn't stop. The risk to his own life was meaningless. He's break free even if it killed him, he'd save Blade if it killed him. But surrender was something Shadow refused. He didn't deserve such a luxury, and he refused to play slave to inferior beings like these humans.

But with the immense strain his body had endured, having not recovered in the slightest beyond closing the bullet wounds from the previous day, which in and of itself took a great deal of his energy. Shadow pushed himself more than he should have, he could feel his body burning all over. Was it his body, or was that damn mutt scorching his Blade again. Shadow couldn't tell, his mind was going blank. All he could think of was 'Blade…..Blade…My Blade.' It felt like his body was trying to tear itself apart to stop the pain, but his mind held everything together. No, his mind was falling to pieces as well, what was holding him together. 'Blade.' Shadow had never endured such sustained suffering, it took all he had left to maintain consciousness.

*Inside The Train*

"Blade," the Sneasel heard a familiar voice call. "Wh-what are you doing up here?"

It was…Ashachu, why was he here? His eyes went wide and his breath hitched at the sight of the Pikachu followed quickly by the Charizard that had humiliated him.

Blade, despite the predicament he was in, uttered a sarcastic response. "Oh, you know. Nothing beats flying across the country on a train!" After a quick sigh from Ashachu, he added, "I got stuck up here to lure Shadow in, so those Team Rocket creeps could capture him. Bunch of fucknuts."

"grrrr…"

A loud deep growl suddenly filled the dome, making Ashachu jump. Houndour jumped out from one of the seats, landing in the aisle between Ashachu and Blade. Ashachu took a few steps backwards instinctively.

"Hey, what are you doing here." Houndour scowled at them. "Electric pipsqueak."

"Oh yeah and they sent this Houndour to guard me," Blade added. "Not that it was necessary." He rattled the chains above his head. "Personally, I think he's here just to enjoy the scenery, if you know what I mean." Blade joked, shaking his rear end slightly.

"Be quite Sneasel," Houndour growled. He looked over his shoulder and bared his teeth at Blade.

The Sneasel merely smirked at him and taunted back, "you know you love it."

Houndour rolled his eyes and turned back to Ashachu, "Look, I'm in a good mood today mouse, so I'm going to give you a warning. Beat it, or I'll tear your throat out."

"Here's a warning for you," snarled Charizard from behind. He thrashed about, trying in vain to push himself through the hole. "Lay a paw on my boyfriend and I'll burn you to cinders."

This statement caught Blade's attention. He stared at Ashachu, then at Charizard, his eyes wide. "Wait, what?" 'That is one helluva development…' he thought looking between the two.

Blade watched as the pikachu dropped onto his all fours and gave off a warning spark. "You really want to try it Houndour?"

Houndour attacked first, opening his jaws and spitting out a jet of fire. Ashachu was ready for it. He leapt into the air, allowing the flames to sail right under him…which unfortunately caused them to hit Charizard right in the face.

"Ahhhh…. Hey! Why you little."

"Pikachuuuuu." The moment Ashachu's paw returned to the floor, he fired off a powerful spark of electricity. Houndour convulsed as his body was encased in a flurry of yellow sparks. Then, he keeled over and lay still.

"Not bad kiddo," said Blade, grinning. He was filled with pride, even though just a few days ago he hated Ashachu, at that moment all of his hate had vanished. "You're really starting to use your instinct."

Ashachu permitted himself a brief smile and spoke, "thanks."

For a moment the two Pokémon just stared at each other, Blade suddenly had a somewhat awkward feeling in his gut. None of the rush or excited feelings he had experienced when he had first met the pikachu seemed to come back.

Fortunately, he was soon distracted by Charizard whining, "ahh, my eye. Ow ow ow…"

"You okay," Ashachu asked turned around.

"I think that fucking Houndour gave me a burn."

'Did not know fire types could get burns….This is so uncomfortable.'

"Let me see." Ashachu came closer and placed a paw on the red skin.

"Ahh…. Careful!"

"Sorry."

It didn't look too bad, just a little red. Ashachu licked the affected area, causing Charizard to sigh with relief.

"Oh, that feels good. Thanks babe."

"How does a fire type get burned," mumbled Blade almost sarcastically.

"zard!"

He had a jet of fire blown into his face.

"Sorry," He coughed, spitting out a mouthful of ash. "What's got your tail in a twist…"

Just as he spoke, he felt a shuddering under his paws followed by some strange force that nearly caused him to lose balance.

"Are we slowing down," the fire lizard asked rhetorically.

It had grown too dark outside to actually tell what the train was doing or where it was. All that was visible outside the dome where the stars high above, which were mostly blocked by clouds.

Charizard frowned deeply. "Yeah, we're definitely slowing down. Ashachu, I don't like this. We need to find Ash and get out of here."

Ashachu nodded. He agreed, but looked at Blade. "What about him." He pointed at Blade.

Charizard looked at Blade then scowled. "Fuck him!"

"Charizard. We can't leave him here… You know what Team Rocket will do to him."

"I don't give a shit," growled Charizard. "Ashachu, he tried to kill you. He threatened to have his psycho fuckbuddy murder all of us."

Ashachu bit his lip. "I still can't just leave him here to suffer. That wouldn't be right."

Blade felt an overwhelming sense of guilt fill him. 'I almost forgot how much I must have hurt him…'

Charizard snorted. "He deserves to. Besides, if he comes with us, that Darkrai will be after us."

Ashachu sighed and gazed back at Blade. No matter how cocky Blade acted, he was still pathetic in his current situation. Restrained, a prisoner unable to escape.

"Hold still."

Blade coxed his head. "What…Wah." He recoiled as Ashachu ran right at him, his tail glowing. "HEY! AHHHH." He looked away expecting to be hit, but he never was, instead he felt the bonds that held him in place shatter as he fell to the ground. Suddenly he was made aware of the terrible strain on his shoulders from how he was hanging. "Huh…." He opened his eyes to see Ashachu standing before him, a smug smile on his face. "You…You freed me."

"You don't have to thank me," Ashachu replied.

Charizard pulled a face and shook his head disapprovingly. "C'mon let's go." He reached forward and took hold of Ashachu's tail in his mouth, before pulling his head out of the stairwell.

"Whoa!" Blade watched as Ashachu was pulled back until he was being held safely in Charizard's arms.

"You shouldn't have done that Ashachu," he said disapprovingly. "That Sneasel isn't worth risking our lives for. Not after all he's done."

'Rude.' Blade thought standing up to follow them. 'Well if I'm getting out of here, might as well do it with them. Maybe I can fix things between us. Maybe if apologize…. Maybe he won't hate me…'

Ashachu grimaced. "I understand how you feel but…I couldn't just leave him there. Even if it's over, the friendship that we shared means more to me than that. Besides, he's still a Pokémon isn't he."

Charizard gave him a warm smile, before licking him across the face. "There's that kind loving Pikachu I fell in love with!" His smile disappeared however when Blade followed them down the stairs.

He clutched Ashachu a little close to his chest, bared his fangs and growled, "Listen good Sneasel! You put one claw on Ashachu. You even look at him funny. And I'll fucking incinerate you! Got it!"

Blade held his claws up in mock surrender. And they pressed on.

*Later*

"I mean, what on earth does Team Rocket need all this crap for," Ashachu asked, gesturing to the empty rooms.

Charizard shrugged. "I don't know, and I don't care," he grunted. "I feel the less I know about what these bastards are planning, the better."

"The…Real heroic, you're boyfriend here," Blade said strolling behind them.

Charizard looked over his shoulder and saw to his chagrin, Blade trailing behind him. He glared at the Sneasel and snapped, "are you still here?"

Ashachu, from his position on Charizard's shoulder, turned his head to glance at Blade but didn't say anything.

Blade shrugged. "Well, where else am I going to go? Besides I can't keep away from a bright flame like you," he said sarcastically. Blade laughed at his own comment internally as he watched the flaming tail sway back and forth.

Charizard's eyes narrowed. "Say that again, I burn you to char…Ahhhh." Mid-sentence he was struck by a pain in his abdomen. He winced, doubling over and gripping his stomach with his claws.

Blade looked at him confused and worried. Sure the guy humiliated him, but he did it to protect his friend, Blade wasn't holding it against him.

"Are you okay," asked a worried Ashachu.

"Yeah…It's just," Charizard replied.

"Is it the egg?"

"I think so…."

Blade tilted his head curiously. "Egg? No way!" Had they really gone so far already?

Charizard straightened up after a moment. "I'm fine. It's passed."

Ashachu pressed his face against his neck. "Just, take it easy okay."

"Seriously Ashachu, I'm okay," Charizard grunted back. "Let's just keep going. I want to get away from here!"

Blade kept following them through the carriages. The next couple of cars were open saloon cars, containing two rows of seats facing the direction of travel with luggage racks at each end of the car.

'Damnit…he's got an egg, that's not good, he has no business doing any fighting if he has an unborn life to protect.' Blade thought walking behind them.

"Why on earth does Team Rocket need all this space," Ashachu again found himself wondering aloud, eliciting only a grunt from Charizard.

Blade made no response, still thinking. 'If Team Rocket finds out, who knows what they'll do.'

"Oh shit! How did we end up back here?"

Blade followed them as Charizard broke through yet another interconnecting door to reveal a windowless carriage containing computer consoles, projected monitors, laboratory equipment and a long cold metal table. It was some form of laboratory car…

"Doctor nutjob's creepy lab!" grumbled Charizard.

Ashachu shook his head vigorously. "This isn't right. Where the heck are my parents anyway."

'His parents …hehe I nearly forgot he lied to me, but that's the past…hes still him right…even if he isn't…Hikari…' Blade thought looking at all of the ridiculous technology.

"Let's just keep going," said Charizard. "I don't want to stay in here too long in case the good doctor comes back." He kept walking, moving through the car briskly.

They were about halfway across when something caught Ashachu's eye. One of the monitors had started flashing. "Hmmm…"

"Ashachu?" Charizard felt Ashachu's paws leave his shoulder.

Blade watched, seeing the pikachu scurrying across the floor, and climbing up onto one of the tables to look at something on one of the monitors.

"What are you doing?" Charizard asked.

"I'm just…" Ashachu started before Blade cut him off.

"No!" He was stunned at what he saw. A screen bearing an outline of Shadow.

"Zard…What does it mean?"

"Shadow," Blade whispered to himself. 'i…I can help him, right, there must be something here that I can do.' Blade was filled with fear and worry, looking around not understanding any of what he saw.

"I think so," Ashachu murmured. "Does this mean they caught him?"

"Wh-what are they doing to him?" gasped Blade. He was horrified by this information, they caught him? But..no, nobody had been able to capture Shadow for long. Blade felt reassured by that thought.

Charizard looked at it and snorted. "Who cares. C'mon Ashachu, let's go."

"I wonder." Ashachu reached his paw out touching the screen.

The images changed. Three blue bars across the figure of the Darkrai, and little blue charts appeared around the edges.

"Ashachu," said Charizard seriously. "We don't understand any of this. C'mon let's go."

Ashachu's gaze remained fixed on the screen. "There's obviously some kind of containment system holding Shadow. Perhaps…"

He reached out his paw again and the image of two triangular shapes connected by a blue beam flashed across Darkrai.

Blade felt his heart race in his chest. If this console controlled the system containing Shadow, then perhaps there was a way to free him. He had a hope to save Shadow now. He just needed the other two out of the way, but despite Charizard's protests Ashachu made no move to leave.

"Ashachu," said Charizard again a little more forcefully, reaching out to pick him up.

As Ashachu felt the claw against his fur, he snapped around, "Charizard, if this." He waved at the screen with his paw, "can hold Shadow. Perhaps there's a way to use it to end this once and for all."

Charizard's eyes widened. "You mean to…"

"Yes!"

Blade felt sick to his stomach.'They can't kill him' He thought before voicing his thoughts. "N-no," he shouted, making both Charizard and Ashachu look down at him. "You can't…You can't kill Shadow."

Ashachu's eyes narrowed. "Why not. He tried to kill me. He threatened to kill my mate. He's killed dozens of other Pokémon in brutal fashion. He deserves to die. And that way Team Rocket won't be able to use him for evil."

Blade had let go of the hate he had felt. The betrayal. The lies. He'd let go of all of it, but he couldn't sit here and let this rodent take the last shreds of his world from him. With a glare, Blade stared murderously at Ashachu. "I won't let you harm him rodent," he let out a snarl and extended his claws. "I'll stop you."

Ashachu raised his eyebrows then dropped to his paws, raising his tail. "I'd like to see you try!" Ashachu's cheeks sparked dangerously.

Charizard took a step forward. "You try to put one claw on him Sneasel and I'll bite your head off. Understood!"

Blade growled through gritted teeth, refusing to lower his claws. He could tell Charizard wasn't messing around, and the fire lizard was far stronger than himself even without the type advantage.

For a moment the three Pokémon stared daggers at each other. Then Ashachu's face softened and he asked, "You seriously care about that stupid Darkrai. Even after everything he's done."

Blade bit his lip then shot back, "You don't understand. What I've been through. What we've been through. If you take him…I've got nobody."

"He doesn't care about you Blade," said Ashachu. "He only wants to use you. To control you! If you stay with him you'll be killed."

'You idiot it doesn't matter if he doesn't care. He at least pretends too, which is more than anyone else has done…' Blade sneered in annoyance. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

"He's brainwashed you Blade! He doesn't really love you. You'd be far better off with him gone."

"DON'T SAY THAT!" It was taking all of Blade's inner strength and resolve not to throw himself at Ashachu. Not to tear his lying tongue from his mouth. To skin him alive in front of his lover to….That was odd, Blade felt a desire to brutalize them both. He wasn't one for brutality.

Despite how cocky and arrogant and cold Blade acted, his façade was beginning to crack. It was becoming more obvious with each passing second that he was desperate and lonely beyond belief, he needed someone to care for him, to understand him. Perhaps that was why he had bonded so quickly with Ashachu.

Charizard snorted. "If you want to keep on being that psycho's little bitch then fine. No scales off my tail or fur off Ashachu's muzzle. But there's no way in the distortion world I'm going to let that fucker threaten my mate, my trainer or my family."

"Fine," spat Blade, folding his arms. "Not that you fucknuts know how to work any of this equipment. And when Shadow does free you'll be dead. Man, he's killed so many of you in so many ways, honestly I'm surprised he hasn't run out of ways to brutalize Charizard's yet." Blade was cracking, the very idea that he could lose Shadow was driving him mad before their eyes. He was becoming vindictive and cruel.

"We'll see," replied Charizard, his tone cold despite his typing.

Ashachu touched the screen again. This time the picture of the Darkrai was replaced by a cardiogram – a squiggly line running across the page moving up and down in irregularly pattern.

"Is that" asked Charizard.

"Shadow's heartbeat," answered Ashachu. "And look."

Below the cardiogram were too bar chart. One read energy output, 62%, while the other said HP, 74%.

"What do you suppose that is?"

Charizard shrugged. "No idea. Ashachu, I really don't know if we should be messing with this."

Ashachu stared intently at it. "When we were trapped in Realgem Tower, I met this evil scientist. He was doing experiments on monitoring Pokémon stamina. He was using something he called hit points to measure it. What if doctor numbnuts is doing the same thing with Shadow."

Charizard coxed his head. "I don't follow."

"See this." Ashachu pointed to the HP bar. "I think monitors how healthy Shadow is."

"So, when it gets to zero he faints," suggested Charizard.

"Or dies, hopefully…" Ashachu moved his paw up to the bar labelled energy output. "Maybe this bar is used to control whatever energy Team Rocket are using to restrain him. So, if we."

He stretched out further to his paw was nearly touching the bar. The reading level changed from 62% to 65%...

At once the line on the cardiogram became increasingly erratic and the HP bar decreased from 74% to 69%.

"Noooo…." Blade couldn't help himself. He couldn't let Ashachu kill Shadow. His Shadow… Even if he didn't stand a chance against Charizard he couldn't stand idly by. He launched himself at Ashachu, his claws raised. "I'll kill you, you little…."

In an instant he was struck by Charizard's tail, and he was sent flying into a wall at the end of the room.

He pushed himself up, feeling dizzy, "No…Won't let you!" Blade couldn't see properly, his vision blurred from the hit.

"ZARD!" Charizard opened his mouth and spat a white-hot jet of flame at Blade.

The fire engulfed his body and he was unconscious in a flash…

*A Few Minutes Later*

In the corner of the carriage, Blade slowly started to stir. His eyes flicked open. He could hear Ashachu and Charizard talking as if from far away and caught the last few words of their sentence. "Cowards," he mumbled, though inaudibly. "You won't face Shadow in a fair fight…"

"So, you think it's the right thing to do, but you don't think I should because we know about the equipment." Ashachu didn't sound convinced.

"Oh it's the right thing to do. It's far more than Shadow deserves," Charizard grumbled. "But, since we don't know what we're doing. Maybe play it safe."

"Listen to you being sensible," said Ashachu, his muzzle twisting into the briefest of grins. "And Pikachu, Bulbasaur and the other said you were a hot head!"

Charizard snorted.

"But Chari, if you think it's the right thing to do. If we have a chance to get rid of Shadow once and for all? Then, isn't it worth taking the risk?"

Charizard grimaced. "I don't know. If we accidently free him, or just cause him more pain or something, then aren't we just putting ourselves in more danger. He'll come and kill us."

"If we leave him, he'll kill us anyway," said Ashachu. "At least this way…"

"Won't Team Rocket take are of him?"

"He could escape. Team Rocket have never managed to hold Pikachu for long."

"Yeah," said Charizard with another snort. "But that's messy and lames. Team Rocket losers. They've never had a set up like this." He waved an arm gesturing to their surroundings. "Seriously Ashachu, I want to find Ash and Pikachu and get the distortion world out of here."

Ashachu bowed his head and took a deep breath. "Okay, I've decided." His paw remained in the air right above the power bar. He neither pressed forward nor put it down, it just however, as the decision teetered on his mind. "I'll…."

He was cut off by the train breaks, the screech of its wheels grinding on the rails audible to the passengers aboard. There was a violent jolt, knocking Ashachu from his perch.

"Whoa!"

Ashachu fell from the table only for Charizard to catch him before he could hit the hard steel floor. "Thanks'," he sighed.

"Don't mention," said Charizard with a smile before raising his head and looking around concernedly. "What's going on. Have we stopped again? I seriously don't like this…."

Blade was finally starting to get up off the ground. He winced as he did so, feeling a burning sensation in his stomach. He glanced down to notice the large burn across his stomach and waist. "Fuck," he groaned to himself.

He noticed Ashachu being held in Charizard's arms, away from the screen. Maybe, if he acted now he could do something to stop them. But, what exactly could he do? Ashachu he knew he could beat. Charizard…Definitely not. He felt helpless.

Ashachu pulled himself out of Charizard's arms and climbed onto his shoulder. He looked up at the screen.

"Come on," said Charizard. "Let's go find A…What the!"

What happened next happened without warning. Everything around them, the walls, the computer screens, the entire carriage seemed to just…Disappear. Vanished to be replaced by inky darkness. More than that, it had suddenly turned very cold.

That was a feeling Blade was familiar with, teleportation.

The ground beneath his claws was metallic, smooth, and slightly curved. It was also narrow; a long thin strip dropping away suddenly to either side of them into a gaping abyss. They were on the roof of the train.

"What the fuck…How on earth did we get up here."

"Where?" asked a still disoriented Ashachu.

"On top of the train…"

"Pika…" Ashachu's eye widened. Charizard was right. Somehow, they had been transported on top of the carriage. The train had stopped in the middle of nowhere, and by the temperature and the way the wind was buffeting them, in the middle of a snowstorm too. "PIKACHU!"

And to make matters worse, just a little ahead in the distance, Ashachu spotted a bright blue light, and in amongst it, a gleaming red eye!

"What in the world." Charizard frowned. The carriages had become surrounded by an eerie blue aura. "What is this!"

"I don't like it," whispered Ashachu, terror rising in his chest. "That looks like the same energy they used to trap Shadow."

"Which means they must be trying to keep us in," mused Charizard. "And I know enough to know that if Team Rocket wants me kept in something, I'm better off out."

"PIKA." Ashachu suddenly let out a squeal of fright. His stomach churned and his ears quivered.

The gleaming red eye and billowing dark form of the darkrai was approaching them…

Blade raised himself a little off the ground, looking past them at Shadow. The sight made his heart fill with joy, and he felt as though he were floating on a cloud. He opened his maw and started to laugh. A cruelly sadistic laugh. 'I trusted you, I let go of my hate for you, and you went and rekindled that burning hatred.'

Ashachu glanced over his shoulder, the Sneasel's maniacal laughter temporarily distracting him from the appearance of Shadow.

"Blade?"

"Hehehe. You're done for now kiddo. I was an idiot for even trusting you in the first place! Look kid, when you live like me, you die if you trust the wrong person! Or a lot worse can happen. Forgiving you after what you did, it goes against every instinct in my body! It's kind of funny… I loved you just a few days ago. Now I'd happily watch Shadow pull your limbs off one by one while your lizard lover and your shitty parents watched! Hey Shadow. I want his ears as a trophy!"

"Some fucking friend you were," Ashachu muttered as he turned his attention back to the dark figure floating before him and Charizard. He gripped Charizard's shoulder tightly, trying not to succumb to the sense of panic boiling in his chest.

He felt the usual cold sense of dread that had been associated with the Darkrai creeping over him. Terror threatened to overwhelm them.

Shadow's appearance however didn't seem to have the same effect on Charizard. Or if it did, Charizard was doing his best to hide it. He took a step forward, staring Shadow right in his red eye, a hardened expression on his face.

He readied himself for a fight, raising his sharp claws, spreading his legs apart and keeping his tail low to the ground, with the flaming tip pointed up in the air. He opened his mouth and let out a low roar, showing the Darkrai his knife-like fangs.

"Don't come any closer Darkrai. Take one more step and I'll burn you to a crisp." For good measure he turned his head and spat out a burst of flame as a warning.

Shadow was unphased. "I have been told that only the weakest of Charizard like to show off with their fire, in such a way. Perhaps you should consider carefully whether you wish to challenge me." His single red eye locked onto Blade. And he began to move toward the Sneasel.

"Charizard," Ashachu whispered. "Don't antagonise him!"

Shadow drifted forward only to be stopped when Charizard moved deliberately to the side, placing himself between the Shadow and Blade.

"Don't take another step Shadow. You hurt Ashachu. You cut off his tail. You and your little pet over there are threatening to hurt him again. I should kill you where you stand!"

'This imbecile.'

"Charizard, don't do it," Ashachu whimpered, his entire body trembling. "He's too strong!"

"I'm not going to let him hurt you," Charizard growled. "And I can't forgive him for what he did to you. Or any of those other Pokémon. I'll kill him for what he's done. And what sort of Charizard would I be if I didn't go down fighting."

Shadow's eye grew a deeper red color glowing brightly. Unable to see beyond the crimson collar of his neck it was hard to tell what Shadow might be feeling.

"I would consider watching your tongue if I were you. My dear Blade wants me to kill you. And given what I know you have done to him; I should be only too happy to oblige." 'I would prefer not having to fight or kill anyone else for a while, I simply want Blade out of here.'

"That's what you do isn't it," Charizard roared back, sounding almost as dangerous as Shadow. A little ember and spoke spat from his mouth. "You murder your fellow Pokémon in cold blood. You torture and you brutalise them. You tormented my poor boyfriend with nightmares. You cut off his tail. You brutalised the bodies of Zacian's made, that other Charizard and that Gyarados. And who knows how many more. Did it ever occur to you that our lives matter? That the lives of your fellow Pokémon matter!"

"I see no reason why I need to justify myself or my past to the likes of you, Charizard," said Shadow. "That last of you kind who couldn't hold his tongue when I told him to end up without a tongue."

Charizard's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat! You really want to threaten me. I've battled and beaten legendries before. I'll beat you too."

"All I am surrounded by is fear and dead mons!"

"Shadow." Blade had finally gathered the strength to get back to his paws. He wanted to run to the Darkrai. To be held in his dark embrace again. The only problem was Charizard was standing in his way.

As Blade made his way to pass Charizard he was struck by the fire lizard's tail. He slid across the train roof trying to grip the roof to slow himself. "Wahhh!" He cried out as he slid over the edge of the carriage. He managed to stop himself dropping to the rails and, possibly worse, below by clinging to the edge as tightly as he could.

There was no doubt about it, Shadow's single eye seemed to flash with anger, turning a deep shade of vermilion. "That, my friend, was a big mistake. Fortunately, it shall be your last. I will ensure that…" Shadow couldn't remember a time he felt this much rage. It was second only to the rage that allowed him to free himself from that accursed human facility days prior.

"Flamethrower…"

"Thunderbolt…"

Charizard blew his flames at Shadow, while Ashachu helped him by unleashing his most powerful thunderbolt attack. They had both been anticipating that Shadow would dodge or try to shield himself from the attack.

He didn't…the fire and lightning engulfed him in a bright orange and yellow fireball. He was practically unscratched.

Two direct hits, from two powerful special attacks, from two high levelled Pokémon. It would have been enough to, if not take down, certainly cause serious pain to any Pokémon, legendary or not. And given that Shadow still hadn't yet had the chance to rest and recover, it made it all the more unnerving.

Shadow just seemed to stare at them with his bright red eye, his expression unchanged. That was not to say the attacks were not affecting him. They had to be. And they were. Shadow was simply too overcome with rage to care.

As a thunderbolt coursed through him, there was a split second glimpse of the Darkrai's skeleton that lay beneath the black cloak-like body. A creepy reminder this creature was in fact a Pokémon with a physical form, and not some demonic phantom.

Add to that the appearances of a burn across his midsection. It seemed clear that Shadow was taking damage. What unnerved them was how he seemed to simply ignore it.

For the briefest moment Shadow just stood there, unmoving. Then he advanced once again. His speed was alarming to them. Even through fire and lightning, he was upon them in the blink of an eye.

"Zard!"

Charizard's eyes widened in shock, as Shadow reached out with two long black arms, and placed his claws around his throat giving a vicious squeeze.

"Charr!"

Charizard let out a pained cry, the flames pouring from his maw disappearing. The Darkrai's claws pierced his scales and neck like spears splattering his blood over Ashachu and the roof of the train.

Ashachu, in turn, was nearly knocked off Charizard's shoulder. He only managed to stay on by sliding a little further down his boyfriends back and perching himself just above his right wing.

"Hey! Get off him. CHUUUUU!" He quickly repositioned himself and fired another thunderbolt.

Again, a direct hit, again it didn't deter Shadow. The Darkrai sunk his claws further and further into Charizard's neck. Blood continued to spurt out, staining Ashachu's fur red.

Charizard couldn't breathe and couldn't use his flamethrower. But Charizard wasn't going to let himself go down without a fight. Not when he could still use his claws. He gritted his teeth, concentrated all of his strength, and swiped out at Shadow's chest.

Shadow had so far managed to withstand, and push through, the impact of both of the Pokemons powerful attacks, but he was not immune to the laws of physics. The force from Charizard's dragon claw knocked Shadow backwards, enough to loosen the grip on his neck and allow Charizard to pull away.

Charizard gave a beat of his wings, intending to retreat from Shadow by taking to the sky. Relying on his speed to keep the Darkrai's claws at bay. The barrier around the carriage however, prevented this.

"Zaaaaaard!"

"Pika."

The shock of the barrier tore through their bodies. They crashed to the floor. And Shadow was upon them instantly. Charizard barely had a moment to stand himself up when he found the brooding Darkrai towering over him.

"I was intending to offer you a truce against our true enemies…But now, you are going to die!"

Charizard stood up, spitting flames into Shadow's face only for the Darkrai to grab his maw and force it shut before throwing him back. He was going to humiliate him, show him how futile resistance was, until that blazing spirit was quelled.

"What the fuck is wrong with you. FUCKING DIE…" Charizard attacked again, burning the Darkrai with fire, slashing him with his sharp claws. And yet, Shadow didn't budge. He struck him again, tossing him to the ground.

When Charizard was knocked down, he got up again…

He collapsed again only to immediately retaliate with a combination of flamethrower and dragon claw. Shadow knew fully well any normal Pokemon would dodge or block the attack, but he was going to break this Charizard one way or another. And so he took both attacks before embracing Charizard and gripping the fire type's wings.

He gazed into the fire lizard's eyes, and pulled. Shadow was trying to tear the wings from his back, and given how he struggled, he had little way of stopping the savage darkrai.

Shadow could feel dread leaking out of Charizard, as though he was finally understanding that there wasn't a single mon on this world that could stop him from destroying those who harmed his Blade.

"I offered you an alliance. A chance to work together," Shadow said, his voice far too cool for the situation. "In your arrogance, you rejected it. I think I will keep you alive long enough to watch Ashachu die. Perhaps I'll strangle him with your own entrails." As if to accentuate his words he pulled harder at the fire type's wings. And with one final tug, and a sickening crack, the bones in the wings were shattered. Pulled from their socket. Useless.

Charizard's body seemed to go limp for a moment. Which Shadow used to push Charizard to the ground once again. He quickly mounted the lizard holding him against the ground. "Not much of a Charizard if you can't fly," he stated, a mocking tone filling his voice.

"Fuck you," Charizard growled as he fought against his pain. He raised a claw and tried to strike at Shadow again.

Only for Shadow to grip his wrist tight. "Why don't you drop the tough guy act? In your situation there is no shame in crying." Shadow's voice became laced with a sadistic pleasure. With his free hand, Shadow took a hold of the claw on Charizard's middle digit and gave a forceful tug, tearing the claw out. "In begging! In screaming in pain." That cruel almost satisfied tone returned "Besides, it's more fun for me when you do so."

Charizard summoned all his strength to thrash, in an attempt to throw Shadow off.

Still gripping his left arm, Shadow slipped around him, now positioning himself behind his head. The Darkrai roughly grabbed him by the horn and forced him into a sitting position.

Then in short order forced the left arm behind his back and twisting it. "I've fought and killed many of your race, some for far less than what you've done, so perhaps the punishment should fit the transgression."

Charizard continued to thrash and spit fire, but his attempt to hit Shadow was laughable at best, now that the Darkrai was behind him. Shadow continued to twist his arm, looking to slowly force them to their breaking point. And Charizard's body could only take so much abuse from the sadistic darkrai. It wasn't long before the bone snapped.

"Fuck…I'll kill you," Charizard snarled but his voice was becoming increasingly more pained and the tears in his eyes were undeniable. "I won't let you put your grubby paws on Ashachu, you bastard! Ashachu, HELP ME!"

Shadow laughed. "Please, cry, as many people as I've had do so, none were anywhere near as enjoyable as watching a Charizard do so. Now indulge me and cry! Let your tears flow before you die. And accept that you die here." Shadow took the claw he had torn from Charizard and stabbed him in his abdomen. "I suppose you can take solace in the fact that you died protecting what you loved…Speaking of which!"

Charizard's claws were sharp enough on their own to peirce the scales of any Charizard, himself included, even so that sharpness wasn't necessary with the force Shadow used to stab it into him with.

"No…No…No." Shadow heard Ashachu whimpering behind him. But felt he was too weak to stop him and focused on Charizard. "Charizard…It can't end this way. I love you!"

Shadow could tell that Charizard was beginning to accept his fate, his will was broken. And that put a satisfied smile on the darkrai's cruel face. Soon he would join the ranks of Shadow's other victims, a legion of corpses, only stacking higher and higher. Shadow was mildly unhappy with the outcome, he wanted Charizard to beg for his life. Perhaps he need to do something more.

"Ashachu:" he cried out through gritted teeth. "Don't worry about me. Get out of here and protect yourself. Find Ash and save yourselves. Leave me here." Shadow almost respected his willingness to speak, to try to tell his lover to escape. Admirable, but inevitably a waste.

"And know always Ashachu that I love you. With all of my heart and soul. I love you Ashachu and this brief time we've been together has been the happiest of my life. I know my death. That our deaths. Are going to hurt you, and I hate what this sick fuck is taking from you as well as from me. But know Ashachu that I want you to be happy. I want you to share your heart again. Don't forget me please but find someone else and make them happy too. I LOVE…Ahhhh."

'Our deaths? But they are the only ones I can kill…' Shadow eye widened. 'What a cruel thing to say, to let a monster know about that.'

Shadow cut him off, stabbing his hand into Charizard's abdomen, feeling around his victim's entrails for his prize. And he found it, something tough round and far sturdier than Charizard's insides. Taking hold of it Shadow ripped the egg from his gut.

"No," Charizard growled. "Not my egg…Not our egg!"

"Dearest Blade would never let anyone harm an unhatched egg," said Shadow. "So, I will remove it from you. I'll let you die reaching out for it." Shadow wanted to burst into laughter.

"You sick fuck," gasp Charizard. "You sick fuck! I hope someone fucking ends you!"

"The egg!" Ashachu's eyes widened as he watched Shadow pull the small round object out of Charizard. Orange in colour with splotches of cream, flecked with Charizard's blood. His blood. "Oh no you don't!"

What happened next surprised even Shadow.

"pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

"What in the name…" Preoccupied with torturing Charizard, Shadow hadn't seen the charging Pikachu as a threat, but the force of his attack knocked Shadow off of Charizard and had him skidding across the roof. He'd almost fallen off the edge.

Shadow lifted himself up, to find an angry looking Ashachu standing between him and Charizard. He was unrecognizable as that weak Pikachu Shadow had tortured so long ago.

Every single hair on Ashachu's body stood on end, like it was super charged with static. His eyes had seemed to grow dark and menacing, leaving little trace of their usual warmth, and his fangs were protruding from his open maw.

And on top of it all when he growled, he managed to sound almost as dark as Shadow himself. "Get away from him, you bitch! CHUUUUU." Ashachu jumped and backflipped in the air, using his tail to lob an orb of electricity that struck Shadow in the chest.

"Fuck…." Blade, still hanging onto the side of the rushing train for dear life, gaped at the unfolding scene, has jaw falling open. Ashachu had attacked Shadow…Not only that but knocked him down. Without fear or hesitation. "So, you finally learnt to trust your instincts, kid!" But not just that "And when did you learn electro web?" Despite everything Blade felt a sense of pride, even he had never managed to stagger Shadow like that, and he'd been training with the Darkrai for a good portion of his life. 'Incredible' the momentary pride subsided as his thoughts returned to their recently more sadistic ways 'now slaughter them!' Blades wish would not yet be heeded. Shadow was pinned in the web of electricity and he was unable to move.

Ashachu looked amazed at his accomplishment "Whoa, did I do that…How did I. Is this what Blade…"

"Ashachu…" Charizard weakly called to him.

"Charizard." His ears and tail fell at the sight of Charizard.

As he ran towards him, Charizard gasped. "The egg. Where's my egg?"

"Oh." Ashachu stopped and looked around.

Shadow had, luckily for them, dropped the egg beside him, but outside the electric web. Ashachu ran over to it, grabbing it in his front paws and ran back to Charizard.

"It's here, Chari. I've got it. I'm here."

Charizard had just enough strength to raise his head. "Ashachu! Y-you were amazing…As for me, I wasn't strong enough…"

"Don't say that" said Ashachu. He put the egg down besides Charizard neck and lay his paws on the side of his muzzle. "You're going to be okay Charizard. You're going to live."

Charizard gave him a weak smile. "I feel…So cold. Please come closer."

Ashachu straddled his neck, stroking the sides of Charizard's head. "Please Charizard. You can't die here. I need you. You're all that's holding me together."

"I'm sorry I have to leave you! I wish we'd had more time together. I love you Ashachu."

"Please, you can't go." Ashachu's eyes were filling with tears again. "We can save you. I can save you."

He felt a wet sensation against his face, as Charizard extended his tongue to lick him. "Promise me something Ashachu. Promise me that you'll take good care of that egg. Of our egg. Make him strong Ashachu. Make our baby strong!"

"You're not…GOING TO DIE." Ashachu gripped the sides of Charizard's head and closed his eyes. "You healed me with your love, Charizard. So, I'm going to heal you with my aura…"

"Breath…. Please Charizard, just breath…"

The two seemed to glow in an almost blue hue as Charizard's wounds closed and the bleeding stopped. But Charizard was lying motionless on the roof of the train, his eyes closed. And Ashachu couldn't feel his chest rising and falling under his back paws. He continued to grip his large muzzle and stretched out with his aura.

"Just breath, Chari just breath. Open your eyes and breath."

After a decent struggle against it, the electric web crackled and ripped. Shadow had freed himself once eye was affixed to Ashachu. He watched Ashachu desperately holding Charizard, as though doing so would kill them both.

"No, no," Ashachu whispered. "No." He was starting to feel lightheaded.

"You willingly give your aura, your life for your mate," said Shadow coldly. "Desperately trying to keep him in this life, despite the fact that you will probably lose yours in the attempt. I almost respect you for it… But you abandoned Blade. Even after everything he did for you. He helped you train; he was there for you when no one else was. When I tormented your dreams and plagued your thoughts, your parents, friends, even your mate ignored your cries for help. You were punished for knowing Blade, and you had to constantly deal with that wretched little Dewott trying to steal your mate. And worse still, I tortured you to the brink of death. And from the way things look, that Riolu, your mate abandoned you when you needed him most. No wonder you cling to that Charizard like you'll die if you don't. He was there to fill the void left by the ones you loved when they betrayed you…I should thank-you for trying to save him. This way, I get to kill Charizard again!" Shadow's eye flicked toward Blade. 'At least you're out of my way now.' And he made his way over to the Sneasel clinging to the side of the train. He reached his claws down and lifted the Sneasel into his arms embracing him carefully.

For Blade, everything fell away. All his anger, fear, hate. All of it disappeared into the void of Shadow's embrace. It was far too short lived however. Blade buried his face into Shadow's cloak-like body. He heard a harsh female voice call out, "Shadow!"

Shadow lightly pushed Blade back, still holding him. Blade felt cold from having their hug stopped abruptly. The pitch black Pokemon turned to see who had spoken. "So Zacian, this is what it has come down to." Shadow wasn't pleased to say the least. 'Just get out of my way, all of this conflict can be avoided if you simply get out of my way.'

Zacian, along with Ash and Pikachu, were standing atop the next carriage, they looked almost heroic in the battering wind. Blade had to do a double take. Zacian had changed. The fringes of the fur on her back had grown to become wing-like amour, her braids had become ribbons and a crown-like helmet had formed over her head.

The most noticable change of all, was the presence of the golden sword clasped in her mouth. Except it wasn't really in her maw, more like it was infused to her body. Like it was growing out of her.

After a few minutes the human and his rodent partner took to looking over the wounded Charizard and Pikachu. Shadow glanced at them, not entirely looking at the situation before him, enthralled in the glorious silver eyes of his dear partner before gently setting him down and turning to Zacian.

"Do you see now Shadow," Zacian's voice echoed through the wind. "It's not just the Pokémon you tortured and killed whom you made suffer. It's their families and their mates as well. Their parents and their siblings. How many lives have you ruined? Do you seriously feel no remorse? No sense of compassion or empathy for your fellow Pokémon?"

"Such hypocrisy," Shadow retorted with cold indifference. "You lecture me about compassion for other Pokémon when you do the bidding of Team Rocket. When you commit yourself to the capture and enslavement of many thousands of Pokémon."

Zacian growled but didn't say anything.

"What is Team Rocket's motto? That all Pokémon exist for the glory of Team Rocket. Do you exist for the glory of Team Rocket, Zacian?" Shadow was in little condition to fight. He still hadn't rested or recovered, it took all the strength he had left to just hover in place. If he had any chance of winning this, he had to unbalance his opponents.

Zacian's eyes narrowed to slits and she bared her teeth at Shadow. "I don't have to justify my past to you. You don't know what I've been through."

"And I could repeat that exact phrase back to you. Yet it is you who presumes to judge me." Shadow had disregarded the circumstances that brought him here. Even if they knew, their minds were made up. He had hurt them. Hurt so many, no amount of suffering he'd endured in his life would ever justify that.

Zacian growled. "I may have done some terrible things. But have never, ever killed another Pokémon. I've never tortured them, I never made them suffer. I've never pulled anyone's tongue out or peeled off their scales. Or gouge out anyone's eyes. And the terrible things that I've done, I did because Team Rocket forced me to do them. Against my will. You have no excuse for what you've done."

'And that's all you have. Excuses.' Shadow chuckled, his laugh so evil and cold the snow filled wind would have felt like sunlight to their bodies. "Is that truly how you justify it yourself? You are but a puppet, a puppet that lacks the resolve expected in a hero. It would seem those legends told only lies, for you to forsake the ideals of protecting so easily everyone to serve the humans. How disappointing."

"You're right Shadow. I'm no hero. I'm not going to kill you out of some vague principal of right or wrong. I'm going to kill you because of what you did to this Charizard. I'm going to kill you because of what you did to Ashachu. And I'm going to kill you because of what you did to my mate!"

Shadow's red eye gleamed and curiosity filled his voice. "To your mate. Do you even have a mate? I must say I am ignorant of the particulars of your accusation."

"Don't play dumb with me," snarled Zacian, saliva dripping from her fangs. "You murdered him. Your tortured him, and you murdered him in cold blood."

"I am well aware your mate could have been one of countless corpses I have made, perhaps if they made an impact, I would remember them. But like you, history will forget them, they say legends never die, but you stand as a testament to the falsehoods of legend. You blindly assist those who harm the innocent, and you have the audacity to call yourself hero? As I said before, you deserve death." Shadow was under no misconception that he was a good person. But he was one person. Yes he slaughtered so many. But she willfully served Team Rocket. Humans who destroy anything in their way, traumatize and torment Pokemon. Steal them away from their loved ones, and forcing them into servitude. By comparison, what Shadow did was a mercy, he caused their suffering, but he was also the one to end their suffering.

"You don't remember him. You don't remember killing him and his brother. Fine. I won't let you besmirch his memory or taunt me about how he died, by telling you who he was. You ruined my life the day you took him from me. I suspect you've never thought about the Pokémon you've murdered. About the families and friends, they left behind. Look." She flicked her head gesturing towards Charizard and the other. "Do you not see Charizard's friends and family gathered around him. Did you not see his mate sacrifice for him? You didn't just try to take Charizard's life. You tried to take him from his best friends. You tried to take him from his family. Take him from his mate and egg."

'He struck first imbecile. If I wanted him dead I'd have done it before you arrived. All of this could have been avoided if he simply let Blade get to me.'

"You tried to take the father away from that unhatched Charmander." Zacian bellowed, her voice so loud it echoed. "if anyone deserves death. IT's YOU!"

'At least one thing out of your pathetic mouth is true.' Shadow thought glancing at Blade.

She pounced.

Blade and the others watched with bated breath as Zacian and Shadow started to fight. Zacian slashed at the Darkrai with the sword fused to her chin. For the first time, Blade witnessed Shadow conjure a long needle out of pure energy, which the Darkrai used to parry Zacian's strike.

Shadow blocked an overhead strike with the needle. Only for Zacian to spin trying to cleave him in two. But Shadow was fast enough to react, swatting the sword away just as quickly. Now Shadow went on the offensive, thrusting the needle forward trying to stab Zacian with it. Utilizing the needle like a rapier. Their speed was becoming so fast that a human eye wouldn't be able to see their movements, becoming little more than blurs in the night. The only light being that of the Aurora and the unnerving and ever growing dark red glow from Shadow's eye.

'I need to draw her away, if we keep fighting like this Blade could get hurt.' Shadow started floating back, tempting Zacian into pursuit. Leading her down the train as their two weapons clashed over and over.

"Shadow!" Blade ran off trying to pursue. 'I can help you Shadow! Please, I have to catch up.'

"Oh no you don't. Totodile, I choose you!" Blade heard the human call out, but ignored it to follow Shadow. For Blade the only light in his life was that crimson glow in the darkness.

"Wah-wah wah-wah!"

"Stop that Sneasel."

"Wah!" Totodile quickly moved himself right in Blade's path.

Blade, unwilling to let anyone stop him, continued to charge forth, raising his claw. "Get out of my way! Ahhhh…oh!"

Blade felt an explosion of pain as Totodile bit into his wrist.

"Fuck, get off me." Bladed tried to pull his claw free. He tried and he tried, but he couldn't. Totodile was holding on too tightly.

Blade stared in surprise at him and Totodile just stared back with excitement in his eyes. He had such a powerful bite? Totodile flicked his head, and Blade was thrown into the air, a painful tug on his arm that almost ripped it from its socket.

He shut his eyes and gritted his teeth, knowing what was about to happen. Pain engulfed him as his body was slammed hard into the cold metal. As if this wasn't enough, he did it again the other way, and Blade was tossed back in the other direction. And then again, and again…. Blade couldn't do anything but gasp as Totodile finally let up on him. As he watched Ash run by with a few other Pokemon. Sylveon, and Oshawott.

Shadow and Zacian had their two swords clashed together neither giving ground to the other. 'I'm running on fumes here, I can barely keep my eye open anymore.' Suddenly he felt two strong attacks strike his back. He felt a great sting from the sudden burst of water and fairy energy that tore into him. Shadow stumbled back as the attack off balanced him. Zacian went for a killing blow, but Shadow was still just a bit too quick hovering back and away.

"Huh…Ash." Zacian looked over her shoulder, her eyes going wide when she saw them. "What are you doing?"

"We've got your back Zacian," declared Ash.

"Slyvee."

"Wott Osha!"

"He's too strong," Zacian barked, shaking her head. "You need to run."

"No way," replied Ash. "Friends stick together."

Zacian's muzzle quivered, then spread into a wide grin. "Yeah! Friends stick together." She turned back to her foe. "You see that Shadow. You never wanted a friend. All you have is that Sneasel you have tried to possess. He will soon be free of you."

'Unlike you, you coward, I refuse to let my friends fight in my stead. I value their lives more than that.' Shadow thought, feeling his consciousness waver. "You may bring your allies Zacian," replied Shadow, his cold monotonal voice unchanged. "You are only bringing them to their doom."

Oshawott took his Scalchop off his belly and brandished it at the Darkrai like a knife. "Oh, I don't think so!"

"We're not afraid of you," growled Sylveon.

"Then you die braver than most!" Shadow glared down at them.

Shadow held his sword above his head and with a burst of speed charged at Zacian. She rose onto her hind legs, bringing her own up to meet his. The two clashed once again. Shadow saw a short distance away a column of water erupt from the Oshawott. Just as suddenly it ended replacing the small otter with a much larger Samurott.

"NOW USE RAZORSHELL!"

"ROTTTTTTTTT!"

The now Samuroot Drew his own sword sand clashed with Shadow breaking his guard. Shadow, still running on little more than fumes, fought back against both of them, clashing his needle like sword with the Samurott and Zacian's own swords. If not for them he may still have been able to defeat Zacian, but two on one was never a fair fight. Let alone the third opponent that kept slamming his stomach with moon blast.

Suddenly everything around them changed. They were teleported inside the train against their will. Once Shadow recovered from the forced teleportation he was upon them again. Or more accurately he was upon Zacian again.

The plush interior was fast being reduced to a rubble of smashed furnishing, broken glass, fires, and smoke as the carriages proved too small to contain the battles.

Zacian's sword and Oshawott's Seamitars clashed with the needle Shadow conjured. Slowly they pushed him back, destroying another train car in the process.

"Give it up Shadow," Zacian snarled, as she brought her sword up to parry a strike from above. "You can't win."

Shadow stumbled back ignoring her in favor of asking a question directed at Ash. "I wonder boy. You could have elected to break us free from this infernal machine, to protect your two Pokémon from perishing. Left there on the roof, their death is almost certain. Yet you choose to be here and fight along side Zacian. But I suppose that, whether you indeed truly care about one of them, is something I've seen to be less than true. I suggest you call off your attacks and, for your sake, have a Pokémon that can teleport. The longer it takes for you to get them somewhere to heal them, the closer they slip to death." Shadow wasn't taunting him, he meant every word. He had given up on hating them when he asked them for help, he couldn't keep his end of the bargain if he wanted them dead himself. Regardless, the decision solidified one thing to Shadow, Ash didn't care as deeply for Ashachu as he claimed.

"Don't listen to him Ash," growled Zacian. "He's trying to get inside your head. Make you question yourself. Drive a wedge between us. None of us are safe while he lives…. AHHHH."

Shadow was forced to focus on the vicious attack and hold it back with his needle like sword. This left him open to the Samurotts attacks. With little other choice Shadow began to retreat from the fight, turning his back, and moving swiftly up the carriage. Despite his condition he was surprisingly quick.

Had they known how exhausted he was they'd likely be even more terrified of him. After all, running on only fumes he still fought back the might of Zacian in her most heroic form, and a Samurott and Sylveon, mere minutes after facing down a powerful Charizard and Pikachu, and even before that sapping his energy fighting against the restraints that seared his flesh as he tried in vain to escape. And even then two prior battles with Zacian, and a short time before even that he had only just recovered from several bullet wounds. It was, for Shadow, a miracle that he could even move, let alone fight as he was.

"Come back here. You're not getting away you coward." Zacian bolted after him.

Unfortunately for the darkrai being on a train there were few places to retreat to. And Shadow found himself at a dead end, at the engine, the final carriage.

Shadow was filled with apprehension and fear. Blade was trapped further up the train. And between the two of them were Zacian and her allies. He no longer knew if he could win. And now they had managed to corner him.

"Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, Shadow." There was a soft growl as Zacian approached, flanked on either side by Oshawott and Sylveon and with Ash behind. "Our past catches up with us all. And there's a lot in yours coming after you. I've had to live without my mate now, because of you. I've had to live with what you did to him. Now you face the consequences."

Shadow raised his needle into the air leveling it at the wolf like pokemon. "I confess I don't not recall your mate. So many have died that I doubt I would recall him, even if you told me his name. But I'm sure he screamed just like all the rest. And now you will join him."

Shadow took a run at Zacian, pointing his needle at her. She brought hers up to block it. And as Oshawott came in from the side once again to assist, Shadow reacted instantly catching him by the throat and giving a hard squeeze. Moments later he tossed Oshawott against the console at the end of the cabin.

The coupling on the train car detached, and the door opened.

The locomotive had detached from the rest of the train, which was quickly pulling ahead. The Engine not being under power, was starting to slow down, being left behind by the rest of the train.

Shadow took his chance, shoving Zacian off and darting out the door.

"Whoa!" As Shadow passed Ash he shoved the human to the ground. And quickly took flight down the tracks.

"Oh no you don't! Get back here and face me, you coward!"

Ash managed to push himself up, in time to see Zacian leaping out of the open door at the rear end of the engine after Zacian. "Zacian!" He rushed to the door.

Judging from the darkness on either side of the tracks they say over some sort of bridge when Zacian attacked Shadow again.

The two Pokémon clashed swords again, swaying side to side in the more open space their movements almost mimicking that of a dance. A dance that brought them toward the edge of the bridge.

Zacian lunged, pushing Shadow over the edge, but losing her own footing. For a second, they seemed to teeter on the side of the bridge. But then the pair fell, dropping out of sight.

A loud explosion was heard in the distance as flames burst from one of the train cars still moving away. Shadow was no fool, but even he found it hard to believe what he had noticed arcing through the sky their way. Then over the side of the bridge to catch Zacian. 'That infernal Charizard…' Shadow thought, feeling himself fall. In an instant as he saw the lizard fly over he shut his eye, concealing the only light on him and trying to remain hidden so he could momentarily catch his breath.

After a moment of hearing cheers from the bridge Shadow was ready to lift himself up, but found he no longer had the strength to fly and his eye refused to reopen. He was going to pass out before he hit the ground.

Suddenly his eye shot open as his back made contact with a dark almost metallic bird. One he only knew as Corviknight.

Shadow shot up, standing on the creature and sprouting legs to stand. He held his needle out as he was lifted above the bridge.

Corviknight was fast. Shooting through the air like a fighter jet closing the distance between itself and Charizard quickly, as Shadow began brandishing his sword.

Charizard turned spitting flames at them as they approached. Corviknight was too fast however, and avoided the attack by swooping underneath Charizard and reappearing by his other side. "Rwahh!" Charizard snapped his head around to the other side, his eyes and maw opened wide in surprise.

Shadow raised his needle and threw himself, not at Charizard exactly, but at Zacian on his back. He jumped off Corviknight and onto Charizard's rear, grabbing his tail with one claw, his grip as crushing and painful as ever and thrusting his needle forward with the other.

"zaaarrrdd!"

Charizard yelled out as he felt the painful tug on his tail, jarring his bones. The needle grazed the side of his left wing, slicing it open. The flame Pokémon gritted his teeth and beat his wings furiously, trying to keep himself airborne despite the pain and weight.

Zacian turned and parried Shadow's lunge, their two swords clashing together with a clink that rang out through the night air. Even now Shadow could barely focus on the fight, his eye flickering as though threatening to go out at any moment.

"You've failed Shadow," Zacian snarled. "You failed to kill Charizard. You've failed to protect Blade. And you're going to fail to kill me! You can't hold on. You're a failure at heart Shadow."

"A failure. Hmm." Shadow desperately tried to keep himself airborne clinging to the fire lizard. Still locked sword to sword with Zacian, Shadow's voice remained the same. Menacing, deep, and emotionless. "A Pokémon called legend becomes the servant. The plaything. The tool even. Of evil humans. Subserviently doing their bidding. I may have killed many but at least I am true to myself. You are a coward and a fool, and you will die."

"We'll just see about that," Zacian growled.

"Rwahhh…Zard!" Charizard felt strain in his back and in his wings. It took everything to try and keep from plummeting to the ground.

Shadow continued slashing his sword at Zacian his arm becoming a blur as the two fought back and forth.

"Pi pi pi PI PIKA CHUUUUUU!"

A discharge so powerful it made night look like day. The shock coursed through Shadow pushing his body to the breaking point. If he even got hit once more, he'd collapse whether he liked it or not.

"This is the end for you, Zacian," said Shadow coldly even as they plummeted to the ground. "The hero of many battles. Fitting that this should be your last."

Zacian did not take the bait. She concentrated her energy on keeping her opponent's sword at bay, she frantically looked around as best as she could in the dark. "Such is your arrogance, Shadow that you've failed to notice your one fatal flaw. You see, using that attack you can't give an inch. But my maw is still free, and there's one more attack I can use."

Zacian opened her mouth and small pink orb of energy gathered between her fangs. Had Shadow's eye been capable of widening it might have done so. And for the first time the tone in his voice change, from cold and menacing to one of surprise.

"That's not possible!" Shadow was surprised as he was rocked to the core by another attack. His body was shutting down. He had lost. But he felt something deep within. A fear unlike any other, a struggle, as though he were still thrashing. He was confused for only a moment until he felt that familiar tug in his chest.

Shadow hauled himself off the rocky ground. He felt himself gasp for air as did so. It wasn't often he was properly injured by an attack in the moment. The only reason he was still conscious was because of the tugging in his heart. Someone was taking Blade again. As much as he wanted to abandon this battle to save Blade, he knew he'd never be able to with Zacian trying to kill him. She needed to go, and Shadow had every intention of doing the deed himself.

Shadow felt steam coming from his body. No, not steam, his body was starting to fade. It was his very body turning to smoke as it's limits were exceeded. All of the overexertion was destroying him.

High above him was the viaduct. He could just make out the lights of the train in the distance. And his opponents. He couldn't spot Corviknight anywhere. "Coward must have fled," he cursed silently. When this was over and he had his Blade back, he would return for him, and show him the price of abandoning him. And if Corviknight had a family too…Wouldn't that be something! 'No… I grow tired of threats, I just want my Blade back.'

But first there was Zacian. Shadow knew that, if he were ever to see Blade again, he would have to end this…and her…soon. That blasted Charizard and Pikachu too. And that little brat, Ashachu…. The one who had started this all. He would die. He looked around. Where were they?

And then he saw the flash of orange flames….

'I will kill them all. I will save Blade.'

Everything seemed to fade but that one thought, kill them all. Save Blade. Kill them, Save Blade. Save Blade…Blade.

"Into the air. NOW." Shadow heard them call out as he approached.

Charizard lifted into the air with Zacian on his back. Zacian stared down at the Darkrai. "It's over, Shadow. I have the high ground."

Everything returned and Shadow glared at her with his gleaming red eye. "You doubt my power!"

"Don't try it."

The Darkrai shot into the air with surprising speed given his body could barely move anymore. But as he neared them, Zacian leapt from the fire type's back and in one fluid motion slashed him with her sword.

All his thoughts went silent as he felt his body split in two. His torso falling away from the lower part of his cloak-like body.

"Noooooooo!" Shadow was filled with rage, no sorrow. The light of his eye flickered against he plummeted to the ground. His dark black blood splashing around from the severance of his middle. With a full thud his body hit the ground.

They looked down upon him as they landed. To their disappointment, Shadow was still clinging to life. And he managed to push himself up as far as possible, not far, and he glared at Zacian.

"You've taken so much from so many Shadow," she growled. "And now you get to die like so many of have at your hands. Alone, disfigured and dismembered and in agony. Knowing you'll never see your loved ones again, surrounded only by your enemies and with no loved ones by your side…. Charizard."

'Darkness cannot be destroyed, but I deserve no less…but…Blade.' Shadows thoughts drifted to his love once again.

"Rwahhh." Charizard reared his head and blasted Shadow with his flamethrower.

Fire engulfed the reaper like Pokémon's form and a terrible shriek echoed through the mountain side. "Ahhhhhhah!" The shriek sounded almost otherworldly with how guttural and horrendous it was.

"Oh Arceus." Pikachu curled himself into a ball, his paw firmly pressed over his eyes, so he did not have to watch the grizzly scene unfold.

"He was a Charizard too. My mate. He had a family, other Pokémon who you ripped him from. Who were tortured almost as much as he was by you? He was my mate, Shadow. I loved him."

Zacian sniffled before turning her back to the dying Darkrai and walking back over to Charizard.

'Love? Blade…'