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Wrapped in a ragged cloth of deep black, long strips of haunting fabric hung down at the sides like snares and bats. Its dingy hair was long and grey, akin to that of a rotten corpse with a single icy cold eye shining through the base of the dried up thatch. Around its neck hung something red and fleshy, a dreary necklace made out of assorted body parts mashed together in a gruesome fashion.

Whatever this unearthly creature was, it made Lucario feel like he had fallen into a state of destitution, having been sucked into an immeasurable void. If the aura of Celebi filled him with pleasant sensations and the aura of Mewtwo filled him with dread, the aura of this monster made his every cell scream for it to stay away, as if its mere presence was corrupting his body and defiling his mind.

"Who are you!?" Zoroark roared, and just from the poorly disguised fear in her voice Lucario could tell she was feeling as repulsed as he was. The scientist who had already slipped Lucario's mind suddenly took a step forward, and he noticed the human was the only one not completely beside himself by the horrifying specter now occupying the room.

"I strongly suggest that you show more respect for your new master," the scientist spoke up with a touch of annoyance, "Or he will show exactly why thirteen generations have referred to him as 'Darkrai'."

Darkrai made no sound and no movement as he floated still, like a blackened blotch on the inside of one's cornea. When the nihil phantasm finally spoke Lucario wished for silence one more, every syllable sending an involuntary chill through his spine.

"Zoroark. Long have I indulged in your memories of torment," Darkrai enunciated without a shred of emotion in his voice, his thin mouth barely moving as words escaped it, "You will continue to develop the virus."

Zoroark quickly recomposed herself, despite the crushing presence making the bile move uneasily in her gut. Assessing the situation and thinking quickly, she only knew very little about the legendary Darkrai, but if her instincts were anything to go by crossing him would be a very bad idea. She noted that he had yet to show any hostilities and figured she had a chance to slip away to safer grounds.

"Forgive me. I did not realize I was in the presence of a legendary," Zoroark said as courteously as possible while bowing, hoping the ferocious being would not realize her true intentions, "But I should discuss this further with Mew and Celebi first. You may join us, if you so wish."

A long silence followed, Zoroark unable to interpret if her feint had worked or not. The fact that Darkrai had not protested by immediately killing her was a fairly good sign, and in the corner of her eye she saw the scientist giving his sign of approval. However, there was one aspect to her plan she had forgotten to take into account.

"... Master? Really? Listen, I don't know what kind of deal you two've got worked out..." Lucario said to the human before pointing directly at Darkrai, "... But seriously, this thing looks trustworthy to you!? He'll murder you the instant he feels like it!"

The scientist just snickered in response. Darkrai was as silent and unmoved as always.

"Lucario... Quit asking for it..." Zoroark whispered to Lucario in warning before raising her voice to a normal level again, "Honorable Darkrai, our comrades are locked within dire strife above. We must take our leave with haste to cease this meaningless combat, and with your permission resume this conversation at a later time."

"A bold request, conjured from flesh that is mine," Darkrai affirmed as his visible eye flashed in clarity, "As you desire."

Zoroark turned to Lucario, hoping he caught on to her intentions. A bit confused at first, Lucario could clearly tell that Zoroark was as eager to get out of there as he was and decided to follow her lead.

Together they kept a brisk pace towards the exit, when suddenly Lucario felt the hairs on his back stand on end as something approached. Yelling and falling to the side, he saw Darkrai slowly passing through where he had just been on a course towards Zoroark. She turned and stared haphazardly as he stopped in front of her.

"No lamentations. Your rebirth is at hand, and your memories of suffering will find their purpose," Darkrai proclaimed with a mighty voice, a regal voice of kings and commanders, "But time ravages. Retention diminishes. As a token of my appreciation and our future reunion, allow me to reinvigorate your past."

She stood frozen, not sure of how to respond. Through a very controlled and inconspicuous motion, Darkrai's left hand detached from his side and placed itself upon her forehead. It was dry yet smooth to the touch, like flowing sand. A warm sensation ran through her head, a strangely nostalgic wave beginning to fill up her brain, reminding her of the hot desert's sun...

Lucario got back on his feet just in time to see it happen. Eyes opening wide and mouth flying open, Zoroark's expression contorted into one of absolute terror.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!" she screamed desperately while at a point beyond the uncaring Darkrai. The scream was so loud it hurt Lucario's sensitive ears, and it tore his balance asunder as he had never seen her react this way. When they had fought, when she was facing death and even when he had betrayed her only minutes earlier, she had acted rationally and been composed almost to a fault.

"ZOROARK!" Lucario yelled and without thinking, he had tackled her to the ground, separating her from Darkrai's grasp. The instant their contact ceased, so did Zoroark's screaming. Darkrai withdrew his arm and gazed upon Lucario with his eerie eye.

"Do not interrupt her intimate moment," Darkrai spoke darkly, "Are you desirous for the grave?"

Reclaiming his senses, Lucario felt his heart beating faster than ever before. There was no denying that Zoroark was in bad shape. Her eyes were so wide it looked painful, her mouth opening and closing slowly in feverish gasps. The air ran out of him as he realized that Darkrai had just successfully broken her mind.

"No candles. No prayers. But I shall have my sacrifice," the powerful voice echoed as Lucario felt a looming presence approaching from behind, "My arrival will be properly recognized."

Teeth grinding against one another, Lucario did not even bother to check back as he picked up Zoroark's limp body and ran through the exit. Curious as to how far he would make it before getting attacked from behind, he found himself running further and further without intervention. Passing through the gore-filled laboratory while throwing nary a glance at the human corpses, he managed to escape into the long corridor.

Running as fast as he could, the air felt very stale as he panted. Zoroark was surprisingly light, so the idea to drop her never crossed his mind. She was held in a way where he could not see her face, but he felt her body heating up to unnatural levels while hearing her teeth chattering in fear. Seeing her helpless like this felt unreal, wondering if she had felt the same after witnessing him defeated and paralyzed in the past.

The barren corridor lay dismal and dead like a secluded temple. It was to both his relief and dismay when he suddenly saw Zerobi coming to meet him. Her expression lit up when she noticed him, not recognizing the panic across his face from the sizeable distance.

"Lucario! I heard a screa-" Zerobi started, but was interrupted by two things happening simultaneously. The first was Lucario opening his mouth to warn her and get her to turn around. The second was Darkrai appearing in front of her, floating through Lucario like a ghost and immediately silencing the trembling fighting-type while eliciting another wave of shivers through the broken Zoroark.

"An encounter a long time in the making," Darkrai promulgated while holding out his long arms, the tatters of his robes waving ominously in the windless environment, "Behold, Zerobi. Do you recognize your benefactor?"

"Wh... What..." Zerobi stammered in shock. In an instant Lucario had been switched for a twisted phantom, her happiness replaced by a sickening sensation stirring inside. Lucario understood her disorientation and shook himself free from his relentless shaking.

"Zerobi, don't let him touch you!" he shouted with all his might, "He's danger!"

"As your mother expired, I bestowed my gift upon you," Darkrai elaborated as something akin to a devilish smile caressed his thin mouth, "A penchant for blood, one that would help you comprehend the truth."

Although greatly confused by the sudden turn of events, something about what ethereal being said brought her attention to its peak. She hardly even noticed Lucario as she realized Darkrai was speaking about her affliction, and seeing the menacing shade made dread grasp her insides like never before.

"Your existence is ripe, a full growth that yearns to be harvested," Darkrai kept going,a creaking noise sounding as he crooked his fingers dangerously, "I see potential for more, but I grow impatient and fervent. You refuse your own desires and lie to yourself, a stubborn child demanding my attention."

"I... I'm not lying to myself!" Zerobi shouted back almost immediately, just barely understanding what the dark revenant was talking about, "I don't want any more blood! I don't want to kill!"

"Stop arguing and start flee-" Lucario yelled to her which finally made Darkrai react to his presence, putting his arm into motion and slamming Lucario's head up against the wall. Zoroark yelped as she fell down, but Lucario felt himself choke on something and was unable to utter even a single word or even breathe. An inexplicably disgusting sensation ran through his head as he began to struggle, flailing and kicking anything within reach.

"But you do. You are as you were and have always been," Darkrai continued, paying no mind to the subjugated fighting-type, "In your foolish search for redemption you have attempted good deeds, friendship and love... Only lying to yourself further and further each time to feign progress. If you truly have changed, why does blood frighten you so?"

His words were compelling and intimidating, unlike anything Zerobi had ever heard before. As if spellbound to its meaning she was lost in a trance, not even realizing Lucario's predicament. He fought hard and charged up an Aura Sphere as Darkrai suddenly realigned his grip, pinning his arms to his side where he would be unable to aim it properly.

"It... It controls me...!" Zerobi defended herself while beginning to shake, "Turns me into a killer...!"

"No. You are a killer," Darkrai declared in a manner that left no room for questioning, "The blood only makes you act according to your deepest desires. Never forget this."

She trembled harder. A waft of a subtle stench reached her nostrils, something like that of an old withering mushroom. A light thump brought her attention to Darkrai's side where she finally saw Lucario stuck against the wall with his body engulfed by a black fog, kicking the steel behind him in a desperate plea for help.

"L-Let him go!" Zerobi stammered as she bared both claw and fang, fearing that it would prove to be a futile effort. Darkrai displayed no reaction, but lifted his head slightly in a demeaning display.

"Faulty will is deviating you from your true nature," he vocalized bitterly while pensively eyeing her, "Polluting what could pure. Shattering what could be whole. Shall I rid you of these... Distractions...?"

Lucario suddenly felt the pressure around his neck increase. Unable to scream, he clenched his teeth together and stared towards Zerobi, hoping she would realize what was happening. However, Zerobi was no longer standing where she had just been. The pressure eased up in an instant as something sped by and pierced Darkrai's arm, making Lucario fall down. He landed on his feet with heavy breathing and turned to face his rescuer, surprised to find that it had not been Zerobi after all.

"Celebi!" Lucario shouted in surprise. The corridor filled up with the legendary's presence, and he could see that she bore not a single scratch from her supposed battle with Blue. However, her expression was as far away from calm and confident as it could get as she stared down the impalpable Darkrai, feigning anger in an attempt to stop her weakness from showing.

Zerobi got to her feet, having been pulled away from the danger zone by a vine. She wanted to approach her sister, but did not dare take another step closer to the fearsome Darkrai. Wondering if her sister had heard him speak about her, Celebi turned her head slightly and looked at her from the corner of her eye.

"For god's sake, run...!" she whispered with desperation before raising her voice to a shout, "Run, and never look back!"

Realizing their opportunity, Lucario quickly dove down and snatched up Zoroark's shivering body, throwing it over his shoulder before running past Darkrai. The horrid apparition reached out with the other one of his arms, but it was suddenly blocked by an invisible barrier. Exchanging a quick look of confidence with Celebi, Lucario continued running while grabbing on to Zerobi's arm with his free hand.

"W-Wait! Sis!" Zerobi stuttered in protest as she felt herself dragged away from the scene, her legs moving on their own.

"My eloquence, wasted. My gift of sensation offered to the numb and naïve," a dark modulation echoed from behind them, "So be it."

"SIS!" Zerobi yelled loudly as she saw both the shadow and her sister engulfed by darkness. Lucario clenched his teeth, trying not to lose focus as Celebi's ferociously powerful aura flared up behind them. Everything was happening too quickly, and he was losing his grasp on things. All he knew was to keep running, lest he and Zerobi meet the same fate as Zoroark.

"What was that!?" Zerobi asked intensely, having even less of clue as to what was happening.

"Darkrai!" Lucario answered with all he knew.

"Sis can handle him, right!?" Zerobi shouted again with worry apparent in her voice. Never had those words been spoken before - After all, Celebi was one of the strongest Pokémon in the world. Lucario's head was spinning with questions and regret. Did he do the right thing? Should he have stood his ground and fought? Where would they run to? If Celebi was here, where was Mew? Did something happen to her?

"Right!?" Zerobi repeated as something suddenly struck Lucario in the stomach. Before he had time to react, it struck him again, harder this time. Almost keeling over, he kept himself upright and continued running as the passenger on his shoulder began to fight more vehemently. Blocking the next attack with his free hand, he saw that Zoroark had just tried to knee him in the gut for the third time. A familiar yet strangely twisted voice sounded from behind his back.

"... Stay... Away...!" Zoroark stammered in fear as she frantically clawed and kicked at him, "Stay away, stay away, stayawaySTAYAWAYSTAYAW-"

Overcome with pain on top of his disorientation, Lucario threw her down on the floor with a slam. Her distressed voice silenced as her head hit the ground hard, rendering her unconscious again as Zerobi gasped.

"Everyone, just shut the fuck up for a goddamn second!" Lucario bellowed in desperation, "I need to think-"

His face dropped and his heart sunk before he could finish his sentence. It was as if the entire world was out to fill him with despair, for just as quickly as Celebi's dominating aura had appeared, it had vanished into nothingness.

"What...? What!?" Zerobi exclaimed with a terrified expression as she looked back and forth between Lucario's sunken features and Zoroark's lifeless body.

"C-Celebi...!" Lucario stuttered breathlessly, "Her aura...! She's been snuffed out...!"

Zerobi's mouth fell open as she copied Lucario's devastated expression. Looking back at the darkness of the corridor, she suddenly started to run back to where they had come from. Lucario instantly lashed out and took a firm grip around her arm.

"No! This way, damn you!" he shouted in anguish while tugging her lithe body towards him. He caught her and violently pushed her in the right direction, causing her to helplessly stumble about.

"We can't! What if she's...!?" Zerobi rasped fearfully as there mere thought sent Lucario's mind into utter denial.

"Stop thinking! We have to run!" Lucario roared in an attempt to keep hold of his sanity, "All we can do is run...!"

He quickly checked Zoroark's pulse, completely forgetting that he had no idea how to do so on a non-human body. A delicate yet very remarkable thumping from around her neck area told him all he needed to know as he carefully picked her up, realizing there was some blood on the ground where her head had been. He regretted his action but quickly shook it from his thoughts. Normally this would set off an alarm in his mind, but considering what was happening, an open head wound or even a blood-crazed Zerobi were neither top priority on his list of concerns.

They continued running in silence, too stunned to even exchange a word. Lucario could not handle it and successfully placed his mind into a dormant state and kept his thoughts at bay, but Zerobi did the opposite. She felt a dark-minded inner hate festering and growing larger, overtaking her previous fear with an unstoppable desire for vengeance. The idea to escape began to take on another far more violent form. Darkrai had claimed that she was a killer, and now she wanted no more but to show him first-hand that he was correct.

"... Got a plan..." Zerobi murmured in a damp and barely audible tone, "Split up... You get out of here... Leave Darkrai to me..."

"He just killed Celebi!" Lucario yelled in aversion, not wanting to see the dusky ghost claim any more of his friends, "You think you've got a chance!?"

Something about Lucario's voice brought her back to her senses, and she shook her head while reconfiguring her idea.

"I'm the one he wants!" she shouted directly to Lucario, "He won't harm me! I'll stall him while you run away!"

"... You don't know what he wants you for! I can't let you face him alone!" Lucario responded hopelessly.

"Just hurry up and get that virus to safety!" Zerobi continued while pointing at his chest, referring to the actual virus as well as the shell-shocked Zoroark, "This can't all have been for nothing! Warn everyone else!"

No valid response lined up, Lucario looked down at Zoroark and the virus he kept safely in his arms. He stared and refused to look away as Zerobi disappeared from his side, hearing her slow down. Unable to face what was happening or tolerate what he had committed himself to, all he could do was hope it was worth it as he left Zerobi behind and continued running.

Constantly keeping his thoughts dormant allowed him to go on, but also kept him on the brink of insanity. Sinister voices whispered from the walls as the previously straight corridor bent and twisted itself before his eyes. If it was due to the effects of asphyxiation or simply his prolonged contact with Darkrai, he felt closer to snapping than ever before.

The exit showed itself a few minutes later. Zoroark had yet to stir and Lucario had not picked up any screams coming from behind. There was no aura either, leaving him in the dark as to the fate of the two sisters. However, as he warily scanned the area he could feel a group of powerful creatures approaching him from the front. He did not deter - Anything was better than turning around to face Darkrai again. Not thinking clearly at all, he made no attempt to hide himself as he ran out into the Stadium and met the new arrivals face to face.

It was a group of strong-looking Pokémon that Lucario immediately recognized from the cave. Realizing they were allies lifted a weight from his mind as he ran towards them. They were covered in snow and looked exhausted, presumably having just gotten there. A lanky amphibian who had earlier introduced himself as a Golduck led the group, and judging by his stunned expression he had no trouble differentiating the red sheen of blood dripping down Zoroark's hair.

"Z-Zoroark! What happened!?" the Golduck stammered in surprise before taking on a fiercer tone, a threatening growl being heard from somewhere among the crowd, "Lucario, unhand our leader!"

"Here you go! Have the virus, too!" Lucario shouted as he threw both the unconscious Zoroark and the vial at the Golduck, absolutely not in the mood for a needless battle due to some stupid misunderstanding. The Golduck was taken aback by Lucario's hasty decision, fumbling about with the two ridiculously important items as the fighting-type swiftly ran past him and everyone else.

"Get out of here now, unless you want to die!" Lucario yelled back at the crowd, knowing Darkrai was to come along at any moment. Unless, of course, Zerobi or Celebi had managed to stop him. Or they were both dead, and the foul spirit had been stated with their corpses. The other Pokémon stood and stared as he disappeared from sight, many of them wondering what had just happened before gathering around the fallen Zoroark.

The blizzard outside had settled down, but the fresh, cold air did little to alleviate Lucario's inner turmoil. He drew it in through exasperated breaths before a familiar figure popped up behind a hill of snow. It was the Gallade, who would normally be invisible against the white background. However, right now the left side of his body was covered in deep red blood.

"H-Hey! Help!" the Gallade shouted as he noticed Lucario, slowly staggering towards him while clutching his left arm, "Do something about Kabutops! He's gone insane!"

"Flee! Go away!" Lucario yelled in response, trying desperately to get his mind into order again, "I've had enough of this shit!"

"Watch out!" the Gallade warned, and as if on cue a skittish clicking preempted a brown figure leaping out of the snow towards Lucario. A sharp slash passed by his throat as Lucario instinctively dodged the attack, stumbling backwards in utter shock. In front of him stood Kabutops, but not in the composed manner he had come to know. He was slouching and twitching, and his wild eyes did not seem to be able to focus on one thing for more than his second. More than that Lucario did not have time to take in, because he had finally just snapped.

"FUCK YOU!" Lucario screamed at the top of his lungs, overcome by hateful fury, "I don't care, stay here and die if you want!"

Before the Gallade had time to stop him, he turned his tail and started running again. He wanted to get away, but no matter how far he ran there only seemed to be more trouble. Overwhelmed by everything that was happening he headed for the snowy wastelands, in a direction where he could sense no aura and finally be left alone.

Horrible thoughts continued wracking his nerves as he ran, clutching his head in an agonized display. Barely even recognizing his actions anymore, he continued doing what he had been told to do. He had been told to run. It was something he was quite adapt at by now. Trudging through the winter's wrath at a high pace reminded him of a time long ago, when he had been on the run from Ivy and the legendary dogs. There had been no Zerobi back then, either. No revolution, no virus, and most importantly, no Darkrai. No matter the cost, Lucario felt an endless sense of relief that he would never have to encounter the latter again. Darkrai had a plethora of important victims to choose from, ranging from scientists and killers to leaders and legendaries. Lucario knew he was not special or notable in any way, just a grunt in the major scheme of things. As long as he kept running, he would avoid what was to come. Free from duty and free from shame, never again to be shackled.

Lucario's paces suddenly became shorter. He stopped completely as his mind finally returned to pristine condition. Slowly everything that had happened began to dawn on him, and the horror he felt was unspeakable. Shame and regret flowed through him as he kneeled down on the snow, wondering what on earth had possessed him to flee and leave so many others behind. He had felt so proud of himself before Darkrai's arrival, the darkened wraith somehow having ruined his mind and filled him with ceaseless fright. How many of his friends had died? How many could he have saved? Alone in the white wasteland without answers, he clenched his fists in frustration and lowered his head.

An ominous wind passed by his crouching form. Feeling like he already knew what was going to happen, he had no choice but to lift his head again. There, he saw Darkrai hovering in front of him.