Chapter 27;
.............warm welcome

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The Sneasel held me firmly as I tried to steady my tumbling mind. It couldn’t be right. No…I dismissed the thought at once, instead peering blankly up at the grey figure.

It was a male Sneasel of average height. He wore a quirky smile, his amber eyes shining vividly through what little light the temple had. A rather long red feather jutted out from his left ear, and three more of these formed a tail. Both his feet and paws ended in two hooked, curved claws, which were glinting gently. A gold gem was placed on his brow and chest, the latter also surrounded within a white tuft of fur. As I glanced upwards, the Sneasel narrowed its eyes. But not in disdain…in welcome!

It took a good step back as soon as I was steady and raised a claw to beckon his partner over who I’d neglected before. “Tali, it’s her!” the Sneasel whispered fervently to the orange Pokemon. Tali must have been the Buizel that was eyeing me disapprovingly.

“She’s kinda scrawny. Are you sure?”

The Sneasel whipped his head around to me once more and grinned. “Bingo.”

The Buizel merely shrugged. She looked just smaller than the average Buizel – from what I could see – with a tiny black nose and onyx eyes. Two elongated black ovals, almost like whiskers, rested beside her mouth on her cream muzzle. The latter was set into a straight line and didn’t seem inclined to move. A fin rested on the top of her head and was laid back ever so slightly. Blue fins were also attached to both arms and a yellow float covered her neck. She had a cream belly and two orange tails, each tipped with cream fur, that spun around every two seconds or so. If it wasn’t for her attitude, she might have been cute.

I narrowed my own eyes in irritation as she glared at me again. The Sneasel seemed to take no notice, but closed the gap between us and offered a claw.

“Nice to meet ya, Lamb. I’m Dash.”

I stood absolutely stunned. Lamb!?? A long silence passed between us as I regarded him slowly.

“Oh!” the Sneasel named Dash gasped, glancing down at his claw. “You shake it, see?” He grinned at me warmly as his Buizel partner put a paw to her face. This seemed to snap me out of my reverie.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I was thinking…” I grimaced and reached out to shake Dash’s claw. At least he didn’t seem to be bad.

“Yup, Tali,” he replied to the Buizel, “it’s her."

“The Light Pokemon?” Tali’s voice was cold and rang with ice. “Her?” Dash broke away from my hold and whirled to face the Buizel.

“It’s her, alright?! Now stop bein’ snooty and hand her the orb!”

The orb! My mind clicked. “Wait…you called that the Orb of Sorrow. Why?” Dash raised an eyebrow at me incredulously, mouth gaping.

“You don’t know?!” His mouth gaped even wider as I shook my head. “Wow.” He rubbed his forehead with a claw as I took the orb from Tali’s outstretched paw – or rather, yanked it, as she was reluctant to let go. “Where to begin. Well, first thing’s first! That –” he said, pointing to the purple orb in my paws “– is one of the Orbs of Altair. The Orb of Sorrow.”

I held the orb up to my face, peering into its whirling depths. Orb of Sorrow…hmm…

“And,” Dash continued, “It can only be opened when a strong feeling of sadness connects to it.”

I gulped in surprise at Dash’s words. “I-I think I opened it. Just before you came.” The Sneasel stole a brief glance towards Tali who shook her head brusquely. Dash put a claw on my shoulder and spun me round, steering me out of the temple.

“Are you sure, Lamb? It didn’t just…happen?” I frowned at the use of the word ‘lamb’, but shook my head.

“No, I definitely did it. At first I felt really sad and then I touched one of those etchings back where you found me. I became filled with such sorrow that I…” I broke off under Dash’s unnerving gaze.

“What?” The Sneasel’s voice had become rather stiff. He seemed to be waiting for my answer almost too eagerly. I, too, had become rather frozen. Dash was nice, but I couldn’t trust him yet. Not right now. Driving my thoughts away from the gruesome images I’d seen, I grimaced up at him.

“I dropped the orb.” Dash’s tense figure automatically relaxed and he drove me on again until we were just outside the temple.

Tali had followed us, albeit grudgingly. What was it about me that she didn’t like? However, I paid no attention to her. Dash was the one I wanted to talk to. He released me as soon as we stopped, and glanced up at the sky.

“It’s getting late, Lamb. I should probably head back.” I noticed Tali sigh, whether in relief or impatience, I wasn’t sure.

“Oh, wait!” I reached out to grab Dash’s claw as he turned to take leave. The Sneasel seemed somewhat surprised by my action, but stayed put.

“Lamb?” he questioned.

I shook my head briefly. “It’s Zanna,” I muttered. “But I was hoping that you’d stay with us for a while. I mean…I could use your help.” I didn’t bother adding the part about the twenty questions. I’d see to that later.

Dash sighed. “Really, that’s a great offer, but we should be going.” He put his other claw on mine with affability before letting it go. But I refused to give up! There was something I needed to know. Not sure where I was heading with this, I took a step forward and peered up, begging.

“But…so many bad things have happened to me lately and…” I paused slightly. Maybe a little flirting would help? Winking an eye, I stood on my toes to whisper into his ear. “I’d just love to have you around for a bit, you know? You did kind of rescue me back there. What I don’t owe my saviour!” I giggled and grinned, winking slightly again. “Think about it, Lamb.” I added that on for emphasis, hoping it would work.

When I’d backed away enough to see Dash’s face, I was instantly surprised. It had worked! The Sneasel’s face was a bright crimson colour, and he needed to blink quite a few times before he came to.

“Uh…I guess I could oblige you there, Lamb.” He grinned shakily and I couldn’t help giggling again. I never thought that would happen.

I’m so sorry, Rye! I whispered fervently in my mind. It was for a just cause. Though I felt a bit guilty, I was pleased with my efforts. I wonder how Rye would’ve reacted if I’d tried that on him? I almost burst into laughter at the thought before I remembered the task at hand. Dash was now reasoning with Tali if they could stay for a while. When the Buizel shouted why, so loudly that the Sneasel jumped, he stole a quick glace at me and murmured something about protection and a matter of life and death.

At length, the Buizel submitted and Dash relayed the news to me happily. I smiled up at him thinking that this had gone much smoother than I’d imagined. It was then, as I was peering harder at Dash’s figure, that I spotted some scars. But these were oddly shaped. My stomach lurched at the sight. Surely I couldn’t have been right after all?

The most prominent were a series of small holes on his chest. Just to the left of his tuft of fur, four small pinhole scars were visible. A bit lower down to the right, another set of four pinhole scars could just be seen above the fur. Now that I looked harder, there seemed to be lots of scars covering his body, but they were almost invisible. A burn mark I spotted was etched into one of his shoulders. That was where the fur had grown back rather crookedly and in patches.

Hmm…A Sneasel with burn marks and talon-like scars on his chest…

My mind clicked and I shuddered, remembering the distant scene of a cage where a Buizel and Sneasel were both captured, a menacing Torchic glaring at them…and the piercing scream of a burning Pokemon…

“It can’t be!” I quivered almost uncontrollably as both Dash and Tali turned to me. It took me a moment to register that I’d said the words out loud.

“What is it, Lamb? You look pale.” Dash rubbed my back soothingly as I wavered back and forth.

“She’s a sight for sore eyes!” Tali snapped. “Look at how weak she is! No wonder she can’t take care of herself!” The Buizel crossed her paws defiantly and walked off, scowling. I tried to catch my breath.

“Don’t mind her,” Dash murmured comfortingly. “She’s not always like this.” The Sneasel supported me without any problem and insisted on accompanying me back to the camp before he went to look for Tali. I frowned with uncertainty. I wondered how far I’d actually gone with my flirting attempt. I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea.

I denied his offer, saying I’d be fine, but this was easily overruled as I took a step forward and wavered again, almost falling over. Dash steadied me and picked me up within his arms, offering to carry me back. Considering how frail I was, I was in no position to say no, so I accepted somewhat grudgingly. It wasn’t long before exhaustion overcame me again and the rhythmic beating of Dash’s feet lulled me to sleep.

***

Rye remained deathly still as the cloaked figure grinned wider with malice. “Welcome to the Underworld!” it hissed with glee. The Elekid ignored the welcome and raised a paw in case of attack.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” he snapped at Darkrai. “I am only here because I need your help. I want to learn how to control this darkness.” He raised his other paw to his heart and sighed. “Before it kills me.”

“Aaaahhhhh…” Darkrai seemed to sigh, or at least, that’s what Rye presumed it was. The figure floated towards him almost gracefully, seeming to hum. “It is not only the darkness you fear, iisss it, boy?” Rye winced slightly as Darkrai came to a halt and tapped his chest with a claw. Steam rose from it and the figure recoiled as if burned. “You have light in you!” it hissed angrily. He flew around Rye in a circle before slowing to a stop in front of him. “You are touched by light! But not only are you physically hurt, your emotions are hurt too!” Darkrai smiled almost evilly. “Boy…you are in love.”

Rye lowered his head hastily, a scowl of pain creasing his face. “More than you know…”

Darkrai’s eyes merely glistened as he cackled in a rough snarl. “Feel the pain coursing through you, feel how its very existence encumbers your soul.” The nightmare Pokemon flew upwards and dashed around the cavern. “Feel how it tears you apart, a black hole rising from the depths of your heart to your mind…broken as you are, you still fight on!” Darkrai’s voice echoed all around him, and Rye had to press his paws to his ears to stop the words; to stop the agonising pain. “But you will fall,” came a mere whisper. “You will fail and everyone you love will DIE!”

He shouted the last word so fiercely that it seemed to etch itself into Rye’s soul. His head was spinning and spinning, with no way seeming to be right…no way he could get himself out to escape the torment. All this pain, suffering and confusion! Rye gritted his teeth and forced them open angrily.

“STOP!”

A bright flash of red light erupted from his body as the darkness spread through him, turning his fur into jagged spikes and elongating his fangs. His whole body soon became as black as night itself, his stripes glowing a fierce crimson red, as did his hollow eyes. Serrated claws jutted out every which way and scraped against the cavern floor. Rye himself breathed heavily; almost snorting as he completed the transformation.

His red eyes glared at the dark wisp of matter that now gathered in front of him. As soon as Darkrai came close enough, Rye snarled and lashed out savagely. The serrated claws went straight through Darkrai, never seeming to come in contact with him and leaving his body unscathed.

“Hmm…” The black figure seemed to think thoughtfully. “The evil in you has indeed spread, but it is not fully out of control. Something restrains you. As long as you have attachments binding you to earth, you will never become fully dark.” Darkrai stared at Rye steadily, whose hollow eyes seemed to widen in partial understanding. Then it disappeared.

“Quiet, dog! Save your breath,” Rye growled savagely. “Before I decide to rip you to shreds!” A piercing laugh suddenly filled the cavern.

“Rip me to shreds!? Try it, I dare you!”

For a moment, Rye was stunned, then he snarled and lunged at the dark being. The Elekid merely went straight through him. He uttered a sharp growl, rising fluently and lunging again and again, but to no avail. It was quite some time later that he became too exhausted and collapsed on the ground wearily. Panting with fatigue, it was all he could do to stand. The Elekid glared with utter disdain at Darkrai. The nightmare Pokemon grinned again as he stopped barely a metre from Rye’s reach.

“What a pathetic being you are, so lost and withered…” He suddenly burst out laughing and whirled around with apparent glee. All the while, Rye held a paw behind his back.

His breathing grew heavier as his concealed paw glowed with a red, sparking aura. His eyes traced Darkrai’s every movement, judging his next. Not a split second had passed when the Dark Pokemon charged forward, catching the other by surprise, striking him clean through the chest. This time Rye’s paw connected with Darkrai, going directly through and leaving a decent sized hole in its wake.

The dark matter Pokemon howled with rage and, ignoring his immense pain, grabbed Rye by the neck so roughly that his head could have come off as he pinned him against the jagged rocks of the cavern wall. The Elekid could do nothing but splutter and gasp for breath as the claw suffocated him. His eyes drooped weakly as he struggled to breathe, his flailing paws unable to find solid flesh to cut into.

As his consciousness faded, he screamed out in pain once more, uttering a single name somewhat still tenderly from his lips, even if it came out in a snarl. “Zanna…”

***

A sharp jolt woke me from my light slumber. Raising a paw to my eyes, I noticed I was still being carried. I couldn’t have been asleep for that long then, could I? I peered up at a grey face that definitely belonged to my now Sneasel friend, Dash. However, it wasn’t covered with the quirky grin that I usually saw etched into it, but rather a kind of scowl, or an expression of loathing.

“What…?” I tried to speak, but Dash moved a claw so quickly, placing it over my mouth, that no sound came out.

“I smell…trouble,” he indicated, tilting his head slightly to sniff the air. Following his lead, I too, sniffed, but found nothing unusual.

“Smells fine to me,” I answered with a frown, peering up at the Sneasel.

“Hmm.” He merely gave a snort and moved onwards, clutching me ever so slightly tighter. “Still, we’d best be on the lookout. Can you walk now, Lamb?” I nodded up at Dash’s enquiring face and he released me gently onto the ground. Glancing around, I saw we were nearing the camp where Codan and the others were probably waiting for me.

“I know the way back from here,” I told the Sneasel hastily. “And they’re probably waiting for me. We should hurry.” Dash returned my sentence with a curt nod and followed me down the path. Several times I looked up to see him sniffing the air, crinkling his nose every time he did so. I wonder what he smells that I can’t, I thought anxiously. But I didn’t let it bother me for long, because as soon as I’d stepped into the outskirts of the camp, Jarre’s voice greeted me.

“Zanna! Where have you been!?”

I was about to reply when a sharp intake of breath and a hiss came from behind me. Turning my head towards the Sneasel, I gasped at how he looked. His nose was scrunched tightly, eyes narrowed until the pupils were almost thin slits, his fur bristled and he was so rigid, for a moment I actually thought he was a statue.

“I…know that voice,” Dash murmured to me slowly. “It seems familiar, yet horrid! And that smell! It’s like ash!” The Sneasel raised a claw to his burnt shoulder almost instantly. While he was off in his own thoughts, I’d concluded mine. If what I thought really was true, then…

“Quick!” I cried out, grabbing Dash’s claw and not caring when he started. “We have to get you away from here!” But the Sneasel only stared at me, unable to move an inch.

Meanwhile, Jarre had found me and entered the clearing. I froze then and stopped my feeble attempts to move the Sneasel. Dash slowly turned his eyes to the newcomer. As soon as his gaze met Jarre’s he turned as pale as a ghost and took a step back, dragging me – still clutched tightly around his arm – with him.

“It-it’s you!” he half gasped and gurgled at the same time.

The Sneasel’s eyes were now wide with fear, but he couldn’t seem to move. I turned to Jarre and motioned with my paw for him to leave, but he, too, was transfixed. A clenching feeling had seemed fit to settle itself in my stomach. Now, I thought. What would you do if you came face-to-face with someone who wanted to kill you? Dash’s answering cry was pretty much my conclusion.

“Get away from me!” he shouted at the Torchic, raising his claw and tossing me to the ground.

Oh, no you don’t! I cried inwardly, lunging forward and grabbing Dash around the waist before he could run away. “L-listen to me! I have to explain!”

“NO!" The Sneasel pressed a claw against my face, trying to pry me off. “Y-you brought me to a murderer! Do you know what that demon is!?”

I instantly bristled at the word ‘demon’, burying my fangs into Dash’s wrist. He cried out in pain as I bit deeper until it bled. Only then did I release him. “That demon is my best friend!” I snarled back at him, baring my fangs fiercely. “He is not what you think he is!” Dash’s struggles didn’t lesson; not one bit.

“He works for Deoxys! He’s evil! He tortured Tali and I half to death!”

“He’s changed!” I shouted back, growling. “He works for the PRA now! He works for me!” Only after the last sentence did the Sneasel stop trying to claw my eyes out. He peered down at me in surprise.

“He works for you?”

I hastily let go of Dash and backed away to a safe distance. I was sure he wouldn’t run now. “He’s my rescue partner and my best friend,” I stated calmly, throwing a glance towards Jarre who still hadn’t moved an inch and didn’t seemed inclined to, not even through the entire commotion. “He-we,” I corrected, “would do anything for each other.” I half smiled at Dash gently as reassurance that everything was alright. The surprised Sneasel stared at me for a moment longer, blinked, then turned his gaze towards Jarre warily.

The Torchic’s face was still stunned. I noticed he was just as shocked as Dash was, if not more so. He took a slight step forward and – seeing that Dash didn’t recoil immediately – spoke somewhat shakily.

“I-I feel terrible. I am awfully sorry for what I did back then.” He scrunched up his eyes and raised a wing to his face. “All I have now are these gruesome images to remind me, and I-I can’t get rid of them! Why is it they now haunt me like this!? I repent and I repent, but nothing will ever change what I’ve done. Never!”

My jaw had seemingly dropped open during Jarre’s outburst. I’d never seen him so distraught before. Maybe those memories of the old days haunted him a lot more than he’d let on. The fire bird shot a spurt of flames from his beak in frustration, melting the snow within a metre radius. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dash jump slightly, but he didn’t run. I closed the gap between us and rested a paw lightly on his arm.

“He won’t hurt you now,” I said simply. “Trust me.” And I was surprised at just how confident I sounded. The Sneasel turned to face me, tearing his wary gaze from the Torchic.

“I…I trust you, Lamb. It’s him I don’t trust. If you knew…if you only knew the torture I went through, then–”

“I do,” I cut in hastily. “I know what you went through.” My eyes pleaded for understanding. I knew how scared he was. After all, I had been close to death almost several times now. “Trust me, Dash.” I repeated through gritted teeth. My eyes then swerved to his wrist which I’d bitten into. I gasped, realising the holes must give him pain, and serve as a reminder. “I’m sorry…” I hastened to move a paw over it, touching the wound gently, but the Sneasel drew his claw away.

“It’s-it’s alright. It’ll heal.” He grinned at me shakily. "I’m sorry I hurt you. It was just…a shock. That’s all, Lamb.” Dash held his hurt claw tenderly and made sure it was kept away from me, lest I do more damage. I felt awful at the sight of it and closed my eyes, turning from Dash and back to Jarre.

The Torchic was breathing heavily, leaving a puff of steam every time he did so. He wasn’t panicking – not like Dash – but he seemed about to go into shock. I was about to walk over to calm him when a claw fell on my shoulder. I turned to the Sneasel warily; I suspected something was up. His amber eyes were no longer as friendly towards me as I had remembered, and held a dangerous glint within them. When he spoke, it was through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know why you brought me here, Lamb, but I cannot help you. I have to leave now.” He turned without a further word and left me standing, still shocked, before I found my voice again and called out.

“Dash, wait! I need your help with the orb!” But the Sneasel didn’t stop. If anything, he walked faster. “Please!” I cried, tears coming to my eyes as I thought of the fate of the world. “It may be the only chance I have to defeat Deoxys!”

Dash’s footsteps instantly died out. My head was hung half with guilt and half with sorrow. I knew not when Dash had returned, for I could not see him, though I did sense it. Ignoring my flowing tears, I glanced up at the Sneasel who held a faint smile on his face.

“I can’t stand to see you hurt – let alone the world. If ¬he stays out of this,” – Dash pointed to Jarre – “Then perhaps I may be able to help you.”

I felt a small grin spread across my face and Dash winked in response as he walked off in the direction of the camp, ignoring the stunned Torchic. That left only Jarre and me in the clearing, and I had no desire to find Tali. As far as I knew, she was bad news. Sighing slowly, I walked over to Jarre to see if he was alright. The Torchic’s head was now hung, and he didn’t bother to lift it as I approached, though I could still hear his rapid breathing.

“Jarre…I–” I went to place a comforting paw on his wing, but the bird backed off hastily, as if he was afraid of my touch. Frowning slightly, my paw wavering in mid-air, I stared as he lifted his head. His beak quivered, whether in sorrow, fear or anger, I couldn’t tell. But his eyes were clearly readable, and it was obvious that I was in big trouble.

“I…” The Torchic shook his head, sighing. “I thought we were friends…?” He let the sentence hang in the air as he walked off, not to the camp, but past me towards the forest.

My ears drooped with shame and I lowered the paw that had been suspended in the air all that time. Why is it every time I tried, I couldn’t do right by anyone? Instinctively, I reached for the Orb of Sorrow within my fur and felt a tingle of excitement course through me at the contact. Altair then came to mind, as the same feeling had passed through my body when he’d kissed me. But that soon made me think of Rye, and I cringed again, releasing the orb as a jolt of pain shot through me.

“Rye…” I whimpered slightly, holding a paw across my stomach. “Where are you…?”

***

The Elekid hung onto life for far longer than Darkrai had thought possible, but was this really such a surprise?

The boy has been tainted…but he is not fully aware of the strength he now possesses…this could be to my advantage…

With a hiss and a sharp growl, the nightmare Pokemon reluctantly released Rye from his grip, allowing the Elekid to fall to the cold stone floor, shivers constantly coursing through his body as he gulped for air. Darkrai glowered at the fallen figure. He looked so weak, but at the same time, held so much promise. Through the Elekid, he might be able to finally establish a connection with Deoxys! He grinned maliciously, feeling sharp fangs graze the edge of his wispy mouth.

“Boy, I will train you. We start at first light. Until then…” He broke off, gliding to Rye on the cavern floor and lifting his chin with a claw almost tenderly. The Elekid snapped angrily, but was still too weak to do much harm. Darkrai grinned again gleefully. “Until then,” he repeated softly, “I leave you with a parting gift.”

The dark matter Pokemon reached out and ran a claw across the Elekid’s forehead swiftly, causing him to screech out again in pain. Darkrai watched as the cut began to turn black, which then spread further down through the Elekid’s body. Rye’s claws elongated into sharp spikes more jagged than before, his fur stood on end like icicles, sharp and deadly, and his fangs cut through his mouth, causing him to twitch in agony and his emerald eyes – which the nightmare Pokemon loathed to no end – turned into hollow, crimson jewels with black slits. A white mark had also spread from the cut which Darkrai had issued, forming a kind of odd engraving on Rye’s forehead.

A new type of Dark Pokemon was now born; the first of many yet to come. Those that shall pave the way to Oblivion itself! “Enjoy!” Darkrai cackled fiercely as he disappeared into thin air, leaving the Elekid alone within the stone chamber.

Rye blinked his crimson eyes once and glanced around the room. Everything was so much clearer now; so in focus! He felt…alive! His fangs scratched his mouth as he smiled faintly, rising fluently from the ground and spinning in a tight circle. Deftly aiming for a crack in the wall, he swung back a fist and punched, surprised when the stone crumbled instantly beneath his quaking form, shattering to a million pieces which left a gaping hole as black as night in front of him. The cracks from the impact spread all the way to the ceiling as far as he could see.

“Hehehehe…” Rye chuckled almost silently before raising his voice to a fevered pitch. “HAHAHAHA!” He narrowed his hollow eyes until the black pupils were near invisible, like a dark void lost in a sea of blood…

The Elekid smiled crookedly and clenched a fist in front of his chest, not caring as his claws cut swiftly through his flesh, drawing blood.

“Watch out world…here I come!”