FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

This has to be the most derpy way to die in all of history! I thought as my eyes closed tightly in preparation for the experience of finding out what it was like to be cleaved into two pieces. Powerless as my body instinctively did it's best to put on the brakes instead of diving sideways like I should have done in order to avoid the Scyther blade inching closer and closer to my midsection. But momentum already made it already too late to correct my fuck up.

My eyes shot open as a sudden heavy weight collided into my back, consequently launching me off my unsteady legs and into the direction I didn't want to go: forward. It appeared Runt finally caught up with me, saw what was going on and this was his to save my ass or at least minimize the damages. A great attempt considering that it did send the portion of my body containing all of my organs and vital spots flying out of the blades path as my head went on a collision course with the surprised Scyther's in a hellish head butt that probably sent both our brains bouncing in our skulls. An impact extremely painful for the both/one/neither of us that managed to remain conscious after the aftermath.

I could live with this even if that meant complaining about a head ache later.

But before my 'counterattack' could land it seemed that dark blur in the corner of my eye had the same exact idea as Runt since another large weight slammed into me and Runt in a way that sent us all three flying into the dense forest undergrowth as our bodies absorbed our tumbling and attacks of the sharp pieces of wood and rocks that littered the ground: adding even more pain to the already unbearable agonizing pain originating from my sliced open kneecaps. Every new injury made me wish I had bitten the bullet when I tasted the metal of the Scyther's blade.

At least I'm alive I thought sarcastically as a surge of triumph and dread consumed me up until the point my cranium crashed into a tree, turning everything that I knew into the sweet blackness of oblivion.

---

_"He ok!?"_Exclaimed Zil in almost pure panic as Nil tried his damndest to calm down the body's hyperventilating lungs that was currently doing nothing to alleviate the forming headache that was probably from playing chicken with way too many rocks and other things he didn't even want to know.

As soon as our head stops spinning Nil will check, stop talking Zil's voice making throbbing worse. The sound of a pair of sprinting feet came from his right while a howl of fury so loud originating from his left at a volume so loud that it made them both jump told Nil that it was time to leave. We're going.

"Elly! Not till Elly safe!"

" Dumbass. If we leave the bug will most likely follow and pup will calm down and protect boy.

"Oh. Well beat it now ! what the hell are you waiting for!"

Nil sighed while fighting an eye roll but said nothing as he faded into the shadows underneath him. Was just about to check on the boy's condition when a pair of jaws latched onto his side and tugged him out of his hiding place before he could recover from his surprise enough to even think of beginning to move or fight back.

Drat. Lucky brat accidently stumbled on one this ability's major weaknesses.** Can't let him live now, knows too much** Thought Nil as he lunged for Runt's throat immediately before his own could become exposed-

-Only for Zil to yank the controls from him and instead used the lunge to tackle the pup and force them both to take another smaller tumble to narrowly avoid the blade aiming to cleave them three of them in two. Need him! can't kill him! Zil shouted as he kicked the pup in the balls (hard enough to make even Nil wince in pity) so that the pup would finally let go and stop using the duo's body as a chew toy. After Zil was free he tossed the pup aside and began fleeing deeper into the woods.

Running away? Why am Nil not surprised? Here Nil thought Zil finally grew some balls and loved the boy dearly enough to protect him at all cost.

Faking, circling around, then we use shadow's to sneak in and drag Elly away from fight. Other two will be busy more with each other to notice me.

Good plan. If pup is even still alive or even Elly still alive that is. Are you sure we picked a mark with the same strength as pup?

Both were smallest of their family so it has to be close enough. hate to say it but I have faith in the mutt, he threw us out of shadows not just dragged which means he is stronger than his appearance AND Zil heard him attack the Scyther instead of chasing us for his vengeance. Good boy, like him already. Passed, if he lives through this.

Good. we on same page than. By now they were almost to their destination so Nil took the wheel and dove into the shadows. The mantis and hound were still fighting a seemingly even match as Nil approached the boy's unconscious form. Keeping the fighting pair in his sight Nil checked Elliot's wounds while once again dealing with Zil's hyperventilating; This time Nil couldn't blame Zil, there was a lot of blood.

DamndamndamndamndamnDAMN! Elly just HAD to chase us without a shirt! Dumbass! So much skin was scraped and cut on both the boy's back and chest that the rat wasn't sure if there was one bit of uninjured skin left on his body. Nil was 100% sure that an arm wasn't supposed to bend that way nor that is was ok for the bones in the boy's kneecaps to be as visible as red on snow. To think the last one was just a nick! The other terrible injury was that the boy's skull had apparently fractured and tore through the boy's forehead which of course was gushing blood. Without something to stop the bleeding and NOW the boy would surely die from blood loss and if not that than from brain damage!

The duo was right in the mist of pure panic when they heard: I knew I made the right decision when I chose to become a spectator in this fiasco. Not your fault, the boy is a idiot that makes things bigger than they are. The duo looked to their left and saw Darkrai standing with his arms crossed, staring at the boy with a mixture of amusement and fury. Before the pair could say anything Darkrai silenced them with a gesture of his hand _ Zip it I'm thinking. _ The rat(s) immediately fell silent.

Meanwhile the battle between the Scyther vs. Houndour had gotten past the careful 'observe and react' phase and things were starting to heat up now that each Pokémon had finished gauging each other's power. Logic and strategy was thrown out the window when the first drop of blood was shed. Runt seemed to be in a bit of a bind as he tried to find a opening past what might as well been a wall of completely random slashes and stabs drawing closer and closer from breaking the relationship the canine's head had with the rest of his body.

During the silence tendril's of darkness lifted up the boy and began to bandage around the worst of the injuries, seemed to only slow down the bleeding to a trickle though so all Darkrai was doing was buying time. Darkrai sighed _ I knew this idea was a bad idea. I'm gonna have to take him to a hospital, not even our med bay can fix this. I'll be back to pick up the mutt an- _

Once the Houndour began pressing his type advantage the Scyther seemed to decide a change of tactic was in order. The bug then took to the air as it leapt into the treetops. Runt wasn't foolish enough to believe the fight was over. The Houndour closed his eyes to focused all his attention on just his nose and ears.

"Not us. Not Nil and I anyway. Best if we stay here. Comfy, almost like home and it will be beneficiary to all of us if Elly isn't in the same zip code if you catch my meaning. Out of sight out of mind, if he isn't then this incident will just repeat in a endless cycle when we fuck up again.

Thanks to the fire that Runt was slinging earlier all the life that wasn't stationary fled to avoid being consumed in the blaze. As a result Runt only had to extend his senses past the sound of the forest's death wails and the crackling of flame: searching the pseudo silence for the slight rustle of leaves and the whir of insect wings.

All or nothing... Pack! Ancestors! Guide Runt's senses and paws!

snap. rustlerustlerustle. *click*whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir!

Runt shift his gaze to left: the direction of the sound of course was the bugs wings extending out of their sheathes that probably only a very focused canine could hear. The bug's expression was twisted in a look of ferocious triumph as it flew at Runt with the speed of a bullet. The Houndour gave the bug a small smile before his form was completely consumed in the smokescreen the tricky canine had been storing in the back of his throat the entire time. The sound of a meaty thump echoed throughout the area as it too was consumed in the smoke.

_ "What about the separation issue? Won't it be a thousand times worse than usual? What about your relationship? Won't that deteriorate? and what if Elliot and the mutt get close enough that they purposely make another contract? and-" _ Darkrai took a deep, slow breath as if trying of questions or possible scenarios. "Never mind give me the details later. Make sure that you actually want what you're suggesting before I get back from saving the boy's life because there won't be any backing down after that." Darkrai's gaze shifted elsewhere for a brief moment before returning to the rat. "_ Hmm looks like you got company, if you want to do what I think you're hinting at then he needs to live." _

Zil/Nil didn't even have time to ask the question before it was answered when they felt teeth sinking into their ear as they were roughly pulled back into reality. Once the pup's teeth left the rat's ear, Zil/Nil dove sideways in roll that lasted several rotations before they managed to straighten enough to leap backwards just as the pup's jaws closed around the space the rat's throat used to be.

It was at that moment the rat caught the scent of a roasting bug corpse and for a crazy moment Nil was kind of bummed that such a delicious meal would be wasted. The sound of pup let loose howl in fury roused him from his daydreams as the pup before making chase after the rat's now retreating from.

"Switch places! What Nil waiting for!"

You heard the man. Wants mutt alive, I only know killing blows which means-

But Zil interrupted "That's ridiculous! Battling and killing are basically the same thing!"

-we can't fight this weak ass half dead baby...

Suddenly Zil's paws were rooted in place! Of course the pup took full advantage of to give them both a bite filled with intense heat causing the pair to scream in agony. Zil managed to endure the pain long enough to pry the pup's jaws from his hide before sending the damn thing tumbling into the thicket with a well placed kick in the pup's stomach. Nil was laughing like a maniac as if just tickled by the newest wound as he explained his recent action That's for the idiotic statement. What Zil said same as saying painting is just like sculpting or sweet same as sour. Disgraceful. Deserve every agonizing minute of pain bestowed upon you.

Nil paid too much attention to anime and samurai movies. Zil grumbled as he bolted up a nearby tree. Almost immediately after Zil made it to his hiding spot, the Houndour came bursting through the bushes it had briefly disappeared behind previously. It's face was almost calm as it's face tilted towards the ground and followed Zil's trail until the pup reached the tree's base. The pup was grinning sadistically as it inhaled deeply.

The mutt wasn't an idiot as Zil hoped.

When a small stream of flame left the Houndour's lips, Zil began cursing the demon and whatever vile things created it as he leapt towards the next tree without an ounce of judgment. As a result he nearly fell back to the ground if not for fast reaction timing gained from the rat's training and a conveniently placed branch. Learning from his mistake the next time he went to jump the rat paused in calculation before going as far back as possible, sprinting , and finally jumping to the next. Zil cursed under his breath when he saw the pup already trying to burn the tree before Zil's paws even touched the bark. The battle from then on became a test of wills and endurance between rat vs. hound.

Has to run out of flame before we mess up or run out of trees or energy

Doubtful. Mutt running on hatred and thoughts of revenge. We got nothing driving us at the moment.

Point.

I'm sick of this

Same. Zil thinking what I'm thinking?

YOLO!

Please don't force Nil to kill us in most humiliating way possible...

With that the rat dropped back down on the forest floor(more of a jungle but whatever) and turned to his nemesis that stopped a few feet away, preparing itself for whatever the cunning rat had planned next. The rat swallowed his fear like one would a lump of snotty saliva and faked the bravado in his voice as he said "Look Zil knows puppy is angry with the whole killing the loved one thing-"

The mutt roared once again and once again sprinted towards Zil only to be stupefied when the rat had jumped over him like they were just playing a twisted game of leap frog. To make matters worse: the rat was yawning as he continued saying without his previous calm almost lazy composure wavering in the slightest."-but mutt making a very foolish and very dangerous mistake. Calm down and think. Zil take down whole pack almost at once as easily as a child can destroy an ant hill, all while they were seemingly full health and spirits. What makes mutt thinks the way things are now: still recovering from injuries and exhaustion from other previous fights while still grieving over losses makes a piss-ant like you so god damn special." The mutt was shaking it's head furiously as it listened to Zil's words.

A round of applause one would usually hear in a theater began to echo in Zil's head causing Zil to leap out of his skin Take a bow. You deserve a award for that performance. Quit fighting. Become a actor instead.

Shut up.

A scream shifted the Raticate's attention back to the Houndour:"DON'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THAT AT THIS MOMENT!" the pup screamed, a look of bafflement crossed it's features before bowig it's head in thought. Zil was positively floored at the pup's outburst since understandably that's what Zil thought this whole thing was about.

"Then what in the hell do you want!" Zil yelled in annoyance plain in his voice, if this entire chase was just because the pup wanted to talk than he was going to die in the most painful way possible for wasting Zil and Nil's time.

There was a period of silence interrupted only by the chaos of the surrounding forest slowly burning to the ground as the Houndour gathered his thoughts. Zil briefly wondered if the other forest dwellers were even going to attempt to save their home before snapping himself out of his thoughts when Zil saw the pup look up again: expression consumed in a mask that was a mix of fury, determination, and a tiny bit of desperation.

"Runt wants two things from you: your life as payment for what you done to me in the past. But first give back Runt's human that you stole from Runt rodent demon!"

Zillian nearly fell over from the pup's ludicrous statement before fury made his vision turn almost completely blood red as the duo shouted their reply almost synchronized "Boy is MINE! We know you're not stupid enough not to sense it" The rat(s) could just barely held themselves back from lunging at the pup to rip him from limb to limb: more out of sheer curiosity than anything else.

How and why did the pup see Elliot as his when evidence says otherwise?

"Runt like him. want him. Is too good of human for the likes of a monster. How that pact ever took place Runt want the details of and soon. Was probably forced. While Runt talked he moved in a slow circle around the rat. It was obvious to Zil that the pup was searching for a opening in his guard. You won't find one mutt Zil thought with a cocky smirk."The whole forest knows what you are: Not only are you a monster that consumes everything in its path but you also enjoy torturing your victims before you end them... No that would be too easy." The rat's pupil's transition to a dark purple as Nil's smirk grew into a grin "You stalk them, watch them till you know everything about them before you take away everything what they hold dear while they watch, force feed them the remains, and then physically torture them slowly until they begin begging for death. All while enjoying every second of it." Nil's grin became wider and wider until it was near maniacal grin as his accomplishments were relayed back to him with such distain. "Runt also heard a rumor you keep trophies of every kill, is that part true as well? Or do you even care that much about the lives you take away?"

Nil couldn't stop from giggling to himself with glee over the almost fond memories. "Yes yes oh a thousand times yes! such lovely dears my actors were for following Nil's script to such a delightful end. Ahhh I wish Elliot could appreciate the show, would love an audience "

The rat's irises transitioned to a ruby red. "Don't listen to him! We are not THAT psychotic and we have reasons for our behavior! We don't get stronger like a normal Pokémon do, we have to torture, kill, then consume our victim to get the maximum experience for it! I only do this so I can finally do my job of protecting Elliot. The reason he is by himself is because I don't want him to see the monster Zil forced to become and hate Zil for it"

The rat began laughing again as its eyes swapped back to dark purple "Ignore him. That gullible brat straight up believed that lie without question. What's worse is that he is just as sadistic as I am but has the nerve to lie to himself and everyone around him. Sad part is he had these feelings even before the change that we underwent which caused us to evolve and warp our appearance. All the change did was make our murderous instinct slightly stronger!"

Back to ruby red "Wait...NIl lied to ZIL? How is that even possible? We share the same mind and body for fuck's sake!?"

Runt found that he couldn't do nothing but stare at the rat's moment of madness in fascination as not one but two very different entities continued to bicker with themselves for several moments. Runt eventually got tired of just watching and decided to use this as an opportunity to end this once and for all. The rat didn't appear to notice his quick but silent approach with how absorbed in the argument ge was somehow in. What was even further icing on the cake was that their back was turned towards Runt. Once Runt was close enough, the Houndour leapt as he held in the biggest spray of fire he had ever attempted to gather in his mouth. Fire was the perfect tool for weakening and distracting his opponent long enough so that Runt would be able to get in position for the killing blow...well at least that was what Runt's parents taught him. Victory was Runts surely!

If not for the rat's tail slapping him across the muzzle which stunned him hard enough for the flame to dissipate as said tail began to wrap around tightly like an Arbok coiling around the Houndour's throat as if to choke the life out of him. "Bad dog. Grownups are talking." growled the rat before the rat began hissing in fury at the other entity in his head "Zil don't care how well Nil thinks he knows Zil or how stronger Nil thinks compared to Zil. Nil won't lie or trick Zil especially when consequences affect Elly or Elly's opinion of Zil. Nil isn't even correct. Zil doesn't enjoy the torture cause he thinks is stupid and unnecessary. NIL enjoys it because he is fucked up in the head. I enjoy the hunting and consuming aspect like any sane predator would."

With every word the grip around Runt throat tightened as the lack of oxygen began to cause spots to dance across his vision and his thrashing became weaker and weaker

"Was supposed to make Zil strong: you succeeded but it took Zil this long to see that. Nil was supposed to help Nil get over fear of battle: Nil succeeded but that was mostly Zil realizing how fun fighting was and that Zil not psychotic for enjoying the thrill of the hunt and victory. Am beast, not human with moral constraints after all. Thanks to Nil Zil can now accept that that yes Zil will eventually die in battle or fight. But Zil even more likely to die if Zil don't do anything to increase mine and those around me chances of survival. Nil was supposed to be the only other person besides Elly that was my most trusted friend. In that aspect Nil failed miserably. Zil don't need friend that will stab me and my mate in the back when it there is something to gain in doing so... Nil a danger and a handicap which means: ZIL DOESN'T NEED YOU ANYMORE!"

Runt was but a second away from passing out when the Houndour suddenly found that he could breathe and somewhat move again once he was thrown out of Zil's grip...sadly his celebration was short lived because in his weakened state and the force he was thrown: Runt fainted immediately after hitting a nearby tree.

Meanwhile the forest was filling with the screaming of torment of a certain rat. All the Pokemon and animals that heard it immediately fled in terror in the other direction all the while praying that the monster would be cleansed from the world in the same fire taking away their home. To them the price would be worth abandoning their home.

What was causing Zil this much pain?

Moments ago Zil had opened up the gate to the shadow plane, positioned himself so that he was halfway into and out of it, then with the paw that wasn't becoming shadow for some weird reason and began pulling on the part of himself that was shadow. This exercise appeared to be extremely painful for both parties appearing to be involved since Nil's raspy screams were mixing with Zil's as he shouted at the top of his lungs in a disembodied voice "YOU IDIOT! Zil will lose power over darkness if Zil does this! HOW ARE YOU EVEN DOING THIS? How are you turning Nil back to what he once was without help of Darkrai!? THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"

"How Zil is doing this? Zil doesn't rightly know...just following my gut here and just so happen to be correct." Zil began let out a hollow chuckle "Rather be sane even if it means giving up Zil's power over darkness for a while or even forever."

"I underestimate you again. For that I'm sorry. What if I promise never to do you wrong again? We can still be partners Zil...All you gotta do is forgive and forget.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD YOU BASTARD!"By now there were two rat bodies only connected by the tail

"Fine if Zil won't listen to reason and if that's what Zil want...Nil will just have to trap you into this dimension until you see reason! Or better yet switch places with Nil in full control of everything and ZIL be the second weaker personality! NOW WON'T THAT BE FUN!"

"Wait...what?!" Zil's expression became awash with terror and shock as Nil began laughing his raspy laugh as shadow like paws similar to Darkrai's wrapped around Zil's middle and began to pull. This sudden turn of events forced Zil to twist behind himself and grab onto the closet object behind him to stop from being sucked in: a burning tree. Both rats screams of agony kicked up a notch with this new development.

"LET GO IDIOT! THAT FUCKING HURTS BOTH OF US!"

"NO! Not until psycho does ! I've experienced worse pain in the hand of Cresselia and it looks like you don't share my tolerance" Now only one rat was screaming as the other grit his teeth with barely a whimper.

"You won't be a Dark One anymore! you know this right?" Zil's grip on the tree began to falter.

"I wont?" whimpered Zil

"Of course you won't! Not only that but I'm the darkness that makes up your soul and gives you your current form meaning you are nothing without me but a small bit of light!" Zil's grip on the tree became even weaker as Nil hit nerve after nerve.

Now for the killing blow...

"You will be Elliot's enemy..."Tears began to fall off of Zillian's face as he furiously shook his head and gripped on the tree tighter, his mind appeared to be made up "The Elliot that Zil knows will love Zil no matter what. Elly became a monster for Zil. Why is this any different? Knowing Elly, he will fight his dark-side along with Darkrai and his whole army! Just how Elly is... that gullible, lovable idiot." Zil was smiling even though tears poured down his muzzle after a few moments Zil began to scream at the top of his lungs: "SO IF BEING WEAK IS WHAT IT TAKES TO PROTECT HIM FROM YOU THAN FINE! I WELCOME THAT ALTERNATIVE WITH OPEN ARMS. NOW. GET. THE. FUCK. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD!" With that Zil pushed back with his remaining strength and finally against all odds managed to exorcize Nil from his body and back into the shadow world.

"NO!" was all Nil was able to get out as in the shadows became normal again. As soon as they did a familiar odd bright white light consumed Zil's form. When the light cleared the sudden clarity revealed that Zillian was once again a normal Rattata in every possible way.

Even though he was now in a weaker form and was on the verge of passing out; Zil thought to himself: The bastard lied. Zil still the same strength as when Nil was with me. Just with no claws so I can't Slash as well as other disadvages the come with having a Rattata's body instead of being a Raticate. In fact if I get in a fight or two I'm sure I'll evolve naturally...least that's what instinct is telling me. Zil stood up before a thought appeared to have came to him suddenly. As a result to this though closed his eyes for a second and looked deep inside himself as if meditating before tilting his head sideways with in a expression of confusion. That's funny...I feel exactly the same way as I did just before that mess at home ruined mine and Elliot's lives. Which means I think I'm still dark aligned...just not mentally or physically. Think it is what I first assumed what would happen before I attempted that little stunt: all I did was put a wall between myself and my darker personality that just so happened to carry my form. I wonder if..."

Zil adjusted himself so that one of his biggest toe was touching a tree's shadow, then started to concentrate like he done hundreds of times before. Zil was amazed to find that his toes did in fact did melt into the shadows. Zil was even more surprised to find his toe than foot began to be pulled into the shadows before he could react. Thus began Zil and Nil's tug of war again but this time on a smaller scale since Zil was quick enough to react before Nil's got a good enough grip around his foot. A shriek of frustration escaped from the shadows before the shadows became normal once again.

_Lied to once again. well... kind of considering I can never use that power again without Nil pulling me in and keeping me there until we become whole again._Zil walked from out of the shadow of the burning tree when instinct told him to look down, the sight he saw caused him to swallow his own spit with a loud gulp. There on the ground in the place of Zil's small Rattata shadow was the shadow of a Raticate. Even though the shadow was of course eyeless Zil could sense the dark purple eyes staring at him with malice, fury, and just a hint of loathing. Next to the Nil's form was a message apparently constructed in out of the shadow's of twigs.

T H I S

I S N ' T

O V E R.

Zil let out a sigh of exasperation just before hearing the sound of a familiar voice piecing the comforting/ discomforting cackling of fire (Zil was currently in a clearing in which the fire hadn't spread yet and there was even a small river next to said clearing. Which of course the reason why Zillian wasn't beginning to freak out yet).

" _ Lover's quarrel?" _

Zillian almost laughed and would have done so if he hadn't jumped out of his skin at the sudden appearance of the voice. Didn't help his nerves were stretched completely to their limits thanks to the shadow and the message. Without looking away Zil replied "I wish."

Darkrai released a sigh before saying "I really wish you and the boy would stop breaking the norm. It's getting annoying and making us gods look bad." Not knowing what to say in response Zillian just shrugged. Several moments passed before Zil turned to Darkrai who was currently carrying the Houndour in his one of his arms while one foot was in an open portal

"How's Elly?"

"** Fine with all things considering...except for the injuries that will make him bedridden for about a month. Don't envy him since he is in Alaska the most pretty but bland location ever, That's only my opinion and not actual fact of course, Boy also suffers from amnesia; which isn't surprising due to how bad the head injury was.**

Zil released a sigh of his own "Figures. That accident prone twerp will be the death of us all including himself with his bad luck in one of his accidents I swear it... How much does he remember?"

_ Agreed . The status of his memories is to be determined considering he just woke up a few minutes ago before they had to put him under again. The extreme amounts of pain and memory loss is making him almost a feral beast. Had to get inside the boys head to figure out what was wrong. Seems to remember faces and names, just not his identity or events surrounding him. Should have seen the boy's reaction to seeing his eyes in a nearby mirror and when he was told his family was dead. Priceless!" Darkrai laughed his usual cold laugh for several moments as if picturing the boys torment in his head until finally he calmed back down and he cleared his throat before continuing "It was as if I was seeing it all again for the first time...After I had time to think about what this meant for the war effort I just wanted to throttle him for making my life even more difficult. Asked for you countless times by the way. I said I had you somewhere safe and would give you back to him if he was a good boy. Hope that was ok, couldn't think of much else to tell him. _

There was a break in conversation as Zil absorbed the onslaught of information_._

Zil sighed _"_Knowing our luck things could have been worse. Yeah your explanation was perfect like always."

_ Good to hear that I'm not losing my touch. You still want to go on with your previous plan? _

Zil thought for a few moments before saying "Yes. Nothing has changed, just became more complicated is all."

"** You can proceed without Nil? Which I want an explanation on...everything that happened in my absence. Actually at this rate it would be faster to view your memories so don't even bother, Will do it after we go to a safer location."**

"Yes I can proceed without Nil. Turns out the bastard didn't know a lick about battling. Killing, self defense, and even torture yes. Battling was basically a foreign language apparently. Grown out of him anyway." A small smile spread over the mouse's lips for the first time in weeks as he said "Safer location sounds good. Take me to Elly please Alpha... Zil wants to say good-bye this time before Zil leaves to get stronger again. If Zil doesn't explain and say goodbye Elly will just search the ends of the Earth for Zil and nothing will get done like what happened here. "

"You have grown up a tad! I guess this trip wasn't a total bust then." Darkrai nodded with agreement. "My thoughts exactly. Now let's go give a boy hope and a reprieve from madness before quickly snatching away again like cat toying with a mouse's life" Zil couldn't see but Darkrai was rubbing his hands together with a look of pleasure very apparent on his face.

Once Zil was safely up on Darkrai's shoulder his features twisted up in disgust as he gave Darkrai a head shake of disapproval "Zil really hates your obsession with making lives miserable"

"What do the kid's say nowadays in situations like these?"

"Hater's gonna hate?"

_ "That's the one I was thinking of. Thank you." _

Zil chose to reply with a grunt and nothing more. With the conversation appearing to be over Darkrai and Zillian allowed themselves to be swallowed up into the portal as an entire forest and those unlucky enough to still be inside of it burnt into nothing but ashy remains.

---

Elliot was brought out of his sleep by a series of savage barking that for some reason his brain interpreted as words.

"Elly! Are you awake? Yes Elly is?! Run! Start running and don't look back!" a sudden thwack was heard quickly followed by a whimper.

"Shut up you or I'll knock you out like the countless times he had 'woken up'." A eerily familiar voice said with a growl overlaying it's words. The sound sending a shiver creeping down Elliot's spine as a small bout of instinctual fear consumed him. Elly couldn't move even if he wanted to thanks to the damn drugs still being fed in his system. Two names drifted into his fuzzy brain Darkrai and Runt, no details other than that however.

"Can't move I'm afraid." Elliot replied immediately hating how raspy his voice sounded.

"Well it's about damn time boy, had us all worried for a second" said Paul softly as a gentle pressure ruffled Elliot's hair. The sound of his father's voice had Elliot fully awake in a heartbeat."Dad!? they sa-" Elliot was left bewildered when he suddenly felt the soft pressure disappear and was even more confused when he looked around and saw that he was the only human in the room.

"Sorry couldn't resist" said Darkrai in Paul's voice as he ruffled Elliot's hair from across the room with psychic energy from the chair he was sitting in. Next to him floated a Houndour pup (who Elliot recognized as Runt) wrapped up completely in dark tendrils.

"Dick move Alpha..." Zil grumbled as he yawned and wriggled up from his favorite sleeping position: Underneath the blankets with muzzle pressed against Elliot's groin.

An awkward thing to do considering Elliot was completely naked aside from the bandages that just about covered his chest in and legs...Elliot didn't really care at this current moment however.

"Zil! Where the fuck have you been...and why do I feel you're different somehow?" Elliot was startled to learn tears were slowly dropping from his face as he got more and more chocked up. "The fuck is wrong with m-" Elliot stopped himself when he saw how Zil was as equally an emotional wreak as he was "-us" Elliot finished before a frustrated groan came loudly from his lips as placed both hands over his face "what the hell am I missing now?"

"About a month and a half's worth of memories of events to be precise. A tiny portion of your skull just lodged into the part of your cerebral cortex that contains your long term memory. Severed some connections upon impact but nothing else worry about besides alot of headaches and maybe a migraine or two. You are very lucky to be alive without being some sort of a vegetable. You should recover the lost memories with time and the help of sensory aid. The doctor said he saw similar cases like these and has reached a sad conclusion: the patient only knows of the events but has no emotional attachment to them since the actual experience seems to be forever lost as if another person experienced the events themselves. The brain is a very object, don't you agree?" The boy nodded slowly but knowingly after seemingly processing the information with a clear understanding while the other two gave the Dark Master blank questioning looks.

Darkrai face-palmed and said very slowly "Head hitting tree gave Elly a boo boo that is now making him forget things and view them differently once he remembers them. It will also make his head hurt sometimes"

"Ohhhhhh" said mouse and pup with a knowing look and a nod; not appearing to notice they were being made fun of.

This time Elliot and Darkrai both face palmed.

"But if it's just memory issues can't Alpha restore them or give Elly new ones?" Zil asked with a questioning look.

"It's a medical problem. I'm both a imaginative creator and a destroyer of everything. I'm not a however a healer so I'm pretty much useless here. In fact non of our powerful allies have the gift of being a healer...should probably look into that now that issue more now that I think about it."

"Like a architect" mumbled the boy as he tried to weakly fight away the mouse showering with enough 'happy to see you' enthusiasm for the both of them despite the boy's audible protest.

Elly had been in a medically induced coma for half the week while the doctors rooted around in his brain for damages that could have became a lot worse with even the slightest movement with the added bonus of protecting his environment and those around him from his earlier feral behavior. Add the time the mouse had to stare at him from a distance with the threat of imminent death for the both of them; than it was very understandable why the mouse had forgotten his promises to make the departure as painless as possible. Which was scheduled to happen immediately an explanation sure to happen any minute now.

"Correct." Darkrai said almost to himself once again lost in his thoughts.

The departure was the reasons that Darkrai allowed the disgusting show of affection since it would make ripping them apart just that much more sweeter. Besides letting the pup next to him be forced spectator of the mouse coat the boy's face in saliva before shoving his tongue down the boy's throat was producing the most delightful aroma full of negative emotions in a most perfect blend of rage, hatred, and jealousy in which resulted in making Darkrai feel completely giddy with enough energy that he felt thousands of years younger.

Was too bad Darkrai was once again assigned to be the boy's chaperone; always nearby in his pocket dimension to grab the boy and flee at a moment's notice since Elliot wasn't to be trusted wandering around by himself without anyone hanging onto his leash. This was basically Father's exact words and orders for now until the end of the war or until the boy proved himself competent. Going back to the basics was punishment for going on a mission that to his Master was not only a failure, but was also seen as an act of betrayal since Darkrai didn't seem to any longer trust the person that owns him body and soul. Father of course was just being overly dramatic as usual.

Oh joy...Darkrai didn't think he would hear the end of this one...

At least Mewtwo was getting the same treatment since he is stuck playing manager of the war effort: A job that he hates with a passion considering it was basically truck load of paper work for someone that loves working in the field. Mewtwo's punishment had a lot shorter duration but the thought still made Darkrai chuckle and rub his palms together with a almost sadistic sort of pleasure: an action which consequently frighten everyone in the near silent room.

"U-um Alpha you-u've had a very scary expression on your face for the past five minutes straight...something wrong?"

At the rodents words Darkrai jumped with a start before realizing where he was and began rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly "Sorry kinda lost in my own head for the moment." Darkrai adjusted himself with a clear of his throat. "Did I miss anything?"

Everyone shook their heads before Elliot said "Your rape face is terrifying, Serial killers have more soothing rape faces...no offence...Darkrai was it?"this was followed by an awkward chuckle as Darkrai glared at the boy for several moments before Runt yelled "What in the name of the Maker is going on! Where is Runt and Why is Runt being treated like a prisoner for no reason when the monster is right in front of us!" A growl bubbled out of the small dog's throat as he glared at Zil with a gaze hot enough from hatred to melt metal "Get. Away. From. My. Human. Now. "

"I thought I told you to shut up you overgrown Chihuahua" Darkrai was going to just flick the mutt in the snout but before he could however the pup suddenly latched on Darkrai's fingers with his jaws. An overwhelming amount of pain consumed Darkrai as flames made the bite a thousand times worse than it actually was _ Damn light energy _ ! With the bite Darkrai's concentration over tendrils was destroyed and the pup was free to fall to the floor. As if this was all part of an elaborate plan the pup immediately bolted towards the bed. Before Zil could react the mouse was already tackled to the floor and was consumed a whirlwind of teeth and claws. Shrieks and squeaks immediately began to echo throughout the room. The resulting pain seemed to snap Zil out of his surprise since yips and howls of pain followed quickly soon after.

"Damn it not again." Darkrai growled as he tried to concentrate around the pain and ignore Elliot's idiotic statement of "wait this has happened before?" as the boy tried uselessly to fight against Darkrai's psychic energy that was holding him down _ Oh no you don't; you're not making your injuries any worse. _

Seconds later he finally manage to safely separate the two trying desperately to kill each other with another bubble of psychic energy for seemingly the thirtieth time the past few days. Understandably all this started after Zil let it slip who he was, tried to apologize, explain himself, and make an arrangement that would make them both happy. Let's just say it went about as well as trying to apologize to someone for accidently pushing them in the same wood chipper that the serial killer had used to kill the person's whole family.

Not well.

The mouse and mutt had been at each other's throats ever since.

"Zil should have let Nil kill you while we had the chance!"

"Um Darkrai?" Elliot whispered as if trying not to anger him for what felt like the first time since Darkrai met the boy, maybe this memory loss was a blessing in disguise?

"Yeeeeees" Darkrai said pleasantly as he collapsed next to the boy while rubbing his temples in an attempt to soothe the headache he felt coming on.

"Just try chicken shit!" fired back Runt and thus began another round of the flame war between mutt and mouse as if the right combination of words or insult would injure the other in some way.

"Who is Nil?"

"Oh yea that's right. Don't feel bad for forgetting. Kind of hard to forget a person when you didn't ever know of the person's existence. Anyway Nil was basically another personality I helped Zillian create to help him get over his fear of battle. Turned out Zil had carried and buried deep within himself murderous and sociopathic tendencies that rival even Blake's bloodlust. You may remember him, may not; not important right now though since you will most likely meet him again. As I was saying Nil is basically Zil's doppelganger that is his opposite to him in every way; hence the name" At the boy's confused look Darkrai was forced to elaborate "Zillian backwards is Nailliz, if you remove the a, i,l, and z this equals Nil. Don't give me that stupid look, mouse came up with it. Anyway they had a falling out a few days ago and Zil ended up somehow locking him up in another dimension...kinda. Zil gave up his evolved form to do so. If you want proof of what I'm saying is true you can ask the rodent or just look at his shadow since Nil apparently lives in it."

"I would call you a liar but considering I didn't even know myself until you explained everything about myself and our history in my dreams... I'm really not in the position to argue what is truth and what is false. Besides: excluding the Raticate shadow thing, Zil didn't quite...feel right. Like I knew I was expecting something different but didn't know what."

"This memory loss is a blessing!"was the ecstatic muffled reply of Darkrai showing his praise to this news with a quick fist pump.

"Ooook. so who is the...Houndour and why do I feel this small attachment for him?"

"Good question. Zil didn't want you to see the sadistic monster side of him so he decided to watch and protect over you from a distance while he got stronger and you two waited for the year of designated time for training to be over. What he didn't count on was Runt following his trail to your camp, attacking you, and a friendship to form after the night that Zil slaughtered and tortured his whole pack in front of him."

"..."

"Yup, my reaction exactly. If that drama wasn't enough Runt sees you as his human now because Zil bailed on you and he picked up the pieces. How he managed to do that and establish some sort of connection with to you all in a single night I'll never know because I can't get inside of his head. The fire part of his typing forbids it. My theory is that the pup imprinted on you or something after you saved his life and shown him more kindness than any of his pack put together. The brat was probably treated as the Omega in his pack because of his size. All this despite the fact he may have killed you if not for the fact he passed out before he could"

"...Was my life always a soap opera or was this just a recent development?"

"From what Zillian tells me you tried to make it into one. Especially the 'woe is me I'm homosexual but loved ones might not approve' thing. You've also been a trouble maker since the day you were born. So yes your life has always been a soap opera."

"No need to be a ass- OW!" Darkrai sat up and managed to interrupt Elliot by flicking the boy's nose before he could finish his sentence

"Watch your language around your Master boy, it's disrespectful"

"Sorry appears to be a habit .I'll work on it." Both Darkrai and Elliot noticed the mouse and mutt had finally stopped fighting. Runt was looking at Zil completely dumbstruck as he curled up into a ball while shivering uncontrollably and frothing at the mouth.

"Shit." Darkrai cursed as he was at the rat's side faster than anyone could blink. Immediately Darkrai pried open the rat's closed eyelid's to discover the rat's irises were rapidly transitioning from Ruby red to Dark purple.

"What-" was all both Elliot and Runt could say before they were quickly silenced with a wave of Darkrai's hand."Nil is up to his old tricks again is all. Been trying to possess Zil for days now." Before anyone could say anything Darkrai felt a movement underneath of him. Thinking fast he fired a Dark void bubble in the Raticate's gaping maw,; knowing from experience the rat would only be stunned for a second Darkrai leapt away enough distance away to try and come up with strategy to face the as of this moment three-dimensional Nil. A foe that was earlier discovered to be impervious to all his attacks. Last time this situation happened Darkrai was forced to play keep away with Zil's almost vegetative form and wait until Zil regained control of his dark emotions enough to banish Nil back once he came. During the rat's freedom he managed to kill everyone that was unlucky enough to be on that public street at the time. The foursome had to change cities soon after but those were acceptable losses.

Looked like Darkrai would have to do same thing until Elliot turned towards Runt "Burn it!" the boy ordered. The thing's murderous eyes quickly swiveled towards Elliot and almost froze in surprise. Only took a moment for the rat to recover and once it did it screamed "Traitor!"the thing hissed as it positioned himself to pounce on the boy, but by then Runt had already released the Ember attack he had been ordered to use.

Immediately once the attack landed the Nil let loose a thunderous scream of agony as he melted into a dark goo like substance as he fell back into the floor. Everyone observed that Zil's shadow returned back to its 'normal' reflective self.

Everyone sat stunned for a moment as Runt and Darkrai turned to Elliot with a bewildered expressions on their faces "How..on Earth did you know that would work?"

Elliot looked down on his bandaged chest, without saying a word he lay a hand tracing the spot that both Pokémon knew for different reasons was a burn mark. "Let's just say I've had a memorable experience with Runt's fire that apparently not even a brain injury can erase. I'm heat proof but not light proof; thought the same thing would happen against an intangible mass of shadow. You would think: a being seemingly made up of shadows themselves, would think know better and would have thought of that course of action quicker than I have."

"No one has tried to throw fire at me while I'm melted into the shadows before. I guess since they hadn't thought about that alternative either. Especially nowadays when no one seems to carry around lighter or a torch for a light source. Now it's just silly flashlights and phones. Another reason why I think no one has tried is because I'm a range fighter and fire blast are short to medium range as well as slow moving. I'm very quick when I want to be...So yes now that I think about it would one would be stupid enough to use it on me unless they were right on top of me which would be equally as foolish."

Elliot became tickled about something or another and began giggling like a fool but immediately began to trying stifle the action since it seemed to make his various of injuries hurt. For some reason the boy couldn't seem to do so immediately despite the pain. Surely what Darkrai said wasn't funny in any sort of way?

Runt also began laughing mumbling to himself which suspiciously sounded like "Are all gods so defensive or just this one?" Darkrai was just about to dish out a violent punishment for the both of them when a series of groans came from the spot had Zil collapsed to on the floor.

It was at that moment when Darkrai had realized that he had dropped both the mutt and mouse when the dangerous threat first appeared. Runt noticed this to long before Darkrai did; in fact he was already next to the rodent with mouth agape. Before anyone could react Runt did something that surprised everyone in the room.

Runt began licking the left over foam from Zil's mouth and once the foam was gone he began to groom the mouse's body in the way only a canine can without seemingly weird or creepy. What was even stranger was the fact that he was crying while he was doing it. Shocked wasn't even the word to use to describe everyone in the room. Finally Zil weakly raised his head but didn't move away from the treatment (whether being too weak to do so or just didn't want to was unknown) and asked the question on everyone's mind:

"Why?"

"Death of pack not Zil's doing. Thought it was till I saw the thing possessing you. that...THING" 'that thing' was punctuated with a snap of gritted teeth and growling before Runt caught himself and continued "is responsible. Runt's problem is with it not with Zil who was manipulated about it." Runt gripped Zil by the flap of skin on his neck like a canine mother would a pup (an easy job considering how big of a size difference there was) and carried Zil on top of Elliot's bed, sat him down in Elliot's lap before snuggling up against Elliot's leg.

When Runt appeared to be comfortable he turned around to give Zil a glare but wasn't filled with hate, just a sort of grim determination. "Runt still consider Elly as mine. More than ever before because Elly needs someone to protect Elly from not only Nil but Zil as well" Runt motioned with his head "Look what Zil caused with his stupidity." Zil's eyes became downcast and sad which seemed to make Runt furious "NO! Don't look away!" Zil looked gaze went back even though it was obvious he didn't want to "Good. Look at what ZIL crime has caused. ZIL left Elly alone in a forest by himself with no explanation. ZIL caused Elliot pain on inside and outside. When we meet, Elly cried for a long time because Elly thought Zil HATED Elly enough to stop caring about his well being. For what? For being a tiny bit protective of someone so small in stature as Zil? Caring enough about Zil to not wanting Zil hurt? Is that amount of caring too much for someone in your world and is seen equal to an overprotective hen? Bullshit cause then the human species would be dying out. As if that wasn't enough...what was Zil's next course of action? Zil lures Elly into a dangerous forest- KEEP LOOKING!" Runt snapped before continuing "-for what?"

"A stupid test." Zil began to bawl as he dove to the floor then crawled underneath the bed before anyone could stop him

"What" Elliot whispered as his mouth fell open; flabbergasted

"I'll cut in at this point. Elliot wasn't aware of this scheme by the way Runt just saying."

"I know" Runt gave Darkrai a knowing look and wiggle of his ears.

Darkrai actually seemed generally surprised for once "You heard every word you sly fox! But why didn't-"

Runt seemed a bit sheepish as he chuckled nervously "Didn't want Zil/Nil to know Runt was aware of the plan so rushed back to Elly and faked being asleep buuut Runt kind of fell asleep while pretending to be asleep."

Everyone found this really funny for some ludicrous reason; heck even Zil managed a few muffled hollow chuckles from underneath the bed before his cries continued anew and louder as if feeling guilty for laughing while supposed to be miserable.

"I guess I should still tell the plan for Elliot's sake since he seems about ready to explode from anticipation...maybe I should wait just a little be it longer than?"

3 growls was Darkrai's reply

Darkrai chuckled for a moment "Was worth a shot. Anyway Zil wanted to test Runt's strength so Runt could-" Darkai began counting on his fingers with each reason "-be his teacher for his new fire related abilities, Zil's temporary replacement as Elly's guardian while Zil and Nil were free to grow stronger with a clear conscious, Elliot would be able to learn to battle while eventually learning the foolishness of fearing combat, and Runt could be distraction and help destroy this psychological dependence of staying attached to each other's hip thing that you two developed after your the trauma. We need this issue broken or our enemies will surly use it against us. Zil had Nil as a crutch and Runt was supposed to be yours...I don't know about Zil will use now though..."

"Zil said before. Zil don't need Nil anymore, Zil is fine as long as mind and body are occupied with other activities." Zil became a little solemn "That's was a lie...Still need Nil. Miss Nil despite personal flaws; feels like a large piece of Zil is missing...Empty. Lonely..." Zil shook his head "Nil isn't gone nor will Nil continue to be. The only reason Zil is blocking Nil is because Nil needs to learn that ZIL will forever hold his leash. As you can see we are still connected. Connection is small and weak thanks to the dimensional difference. So as long as my emotions remain at a positive enough level Nil should stay at distance. Zil start hearing him when I'm facing just the tiniest bit of negative emotion yet the distance makes him unable to control me. For some reason I have to be at the level of basically depression for him to come outside of my own head but just a hint of anger summons him like a loud whistle."

Zil's head popped out from underneath the bed as he said "Sorry Alpha...Elliot...Instead of getting rid of handicap, Zil's stupidity traded it for a worse-er and more dangerous one...so stupid."

Sensing another appearance of Nil in the works, Darkrai quickly changed the subject."I've been meaning to ask what the activities were for the longest time" mumbled Darkrai

Darkrai's quick thinking caused Zil's positive emotions to spike to the point the mouse became giggly. After about a few seconds Elly face palmed. Due to the questioning looks Elliot received, the boy sighed and said almost dead-panned: (Well tried to but the small smile gracing his lips gave away his amusement) "Zil only gets giggly like that when it comes to talking about sex and shiny things. Due the fact it's probably impossible to find shiny things in a forest and every creature probably ran in the other direction out of fear there is only one other alternative"

Both Darkrai and Runt groaned as Elliot and Zil collapsed in a fit of giggles like the immature brats they secretly were. Finally Zil climbed back on the bed "Zil likes to hunt too! but not as Nil does" Zil made a disgusted face " Zil like the normal way of hunting. The clean efficient kill while eating only to fill my stomach and move on. Other times Zil stalk prey only tag them and run away! Becomes very fun when they play along and Zill see their facial expressions that they make when surprised stupid. Sometimes though they just want to eat me. Those Pokémon are very easy to tell the difference of when they are in 'play time' mode or 'feeding time' mode." Zil shivered once before smiling "Zil admits that the very best part when Zil turns the tables those types of Pokémon"

"Pack does same thing. We live and die for the hunt and kill" Runt said with a loud laugh.

Darkrai chuckled "Goes without saying that you do. Houndour are the only species of Pokemon that have been Dark Ones since birth; so of course they would care about nothing but of health their pack and of the act of hunting and killing. They wouldn't be Hellhounds if they didn't"

At the two boy's raised eye brows Darkrai chuckled and mumbled mostly to himself "I never thought this would ever come up in conversation." Darkrai cleared his throat and began the tale in a normal storyteller-ish volume "Father created the species of Houndour and Houndoom to help him manage the underworld. Course the Houndour or Houndoom have to be die in order become Hell Hounds but details smhtails. Anyway sometimes the dead escape to the living world. It's the Hell hound's job to hunt down and drag the dead back into the underworld in their bellies since that's really the only way the hounds can transport the dead."

"Forever Hunt!" Runt chimed in with a happy and dreamy grin.

Darkrai nodded with a slight chuckle "As a added bonus Father didn't even have to think that hard for the rogue spirits punishment: for trying to escape my Father is to spend the rest of eternity as a big heaping pile of-"

"WE GET IT Already!" the boy and mouse yelled as they covered their ears with pillows with synchronized groans of annoyance. "sheesh" they grumbled

As Darkrai's and Runt's guffaws of amusement died down, Darkrai shrugged and said "I guess they're not fans of toilet humor."

"What's toilet?"

Darkrai's face met his palm once again as he groaned and grumbled "Just as I was about to like you kid, you do this to me."

Runt's reply was a sad whimper as his tail went between his legs and ears folded back he murmured "How's it Runt's fault that you guys keep using words Runt doesn't know..."

---

It was after the lunch period of mealtime when Runt let out a satisfied burp before turning his gaze on Zil and saying "Runt already know considering the cirk- cirkerm-..." Runts face features turned annoyed and frustrated as he spat out slowly "cir-cum-stances" with a nod he appeared satisfied that he got the word out and continued with what he was going to say before stumbling - that Runt was brought here and kept alive means despite causing trouble means Runt passed your stupid test right?"

Zil nodded

"Good. Runt accepts duty considering have nothing better." Runts seemed sad and distant for a moment before snapping out of it and saying "What in it for me besides spending more time with Elly and growing stronger?"

Zil was still busy eating with full attention on his food but despite his voice being garbled with food the mouse replied "Alpwha itf wu pleth explwn"

Darkrai began to nod before looking confused "How on earth did I understand that gibberish?" Shaking his head fiercely mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like "Spending too much time with idiots" As he fished around in a completely hiddaen pocket of his cloak. After a few moments Darkrai triumphantly pulled out three minimized Pokéballs. After studying the devices for a few moments and a bit of pondering on which was the correct one, he plucked one from his palm, maximized it, then tossed it in the air. A sudden bright light flashed for about from the ball before everyone heard it thump a couple times on the floor. In the ball's contents was a old page of parchment that floated into Darkrai's hand with no aid of psychic energy as though choreographed.

With a blink and the posture of a businessman Darkrai cleared his throat before saying "You Runt will be receiving an opportunity. The opportunity to grow powerful as only a journey will allow you to be able, vengeance, and the other thing you seem to want for some strange reason: This boy as your life partner. Knowing this horrible fate do you still accept?"

Runt chuckled "Yes. Runt would like all those a lot but how?" Darkrai then turned the paper around. The boy who wasn't really paying attention until just now had swallowed a large mouthful of food at the moment Darkrai revealed what was written on the parchement.

"What are you doing with Zillian's contract?" Darkrai snapped a finger and as if it were a lighter a small jet of dark flame spurt out from the thumb.

"NOOOOO!" Elliot cried out in anguish as he tried to launch himself from the bed but before he could make a full sitting position was immediately pushed back held down once again by an unseen force. Leaving Elliot's only option to watch in horror as flame engulfed the precious piece of paper.

Darkrai cold guffaws of amusement echoed in the small room as the paper's ashes drifted slowly to the floor like snowflakes . "The pain! The misery! Marvelous! Marvelous! HAHA. More! Give me More! Zil if you please?"

"Alpha you are such an asshole" Zil grumbled under his breath as he climbed onto Elliot's bed. Once the distance between the mouse and the boy became satisfactory the mouse turned around leaving only Elliot with the sight of the mouse's rear. Zillion gave Elliot one last glance of one that held everything Zil wanted to communicate but couldn't with words: an apology, how miserable he was, hopelessness, shamed, regret, pain, and a deep self loathing; all these emotions swirled in Zillian's eyes before a look of grim determination swept them away as he said softly "Our contract is over." No sooner than the words left his lips his tail walloped once across Elliot's face in a force Zil had never hit Elliot before.

What remained of Elliot's heart shattered into tiny pieces.

"Yuuum delicious" Darkrai cooed as he hovered Elliot's near shocked comatose form, mouth agape and sucking in like a black hole as if Elliots emotions were drinkable food source (of course to Darkrai it was)

"W-w-hat-? why?"Stuttered out Runt obvious very confused at the moment.

It almost a few minutes before Darkrai stopped feeding on the boy "Ahhhh that really hits the spot" Darkrai almost purred with pleasure as he turned towards the Houndour and answered his question "Dramatic but necessary for what you and his journey. You and Elliot have to make a contract in order to travel together and beat every challenge in front of you until the rest of the agreed year is up.This action is necessary for everyone's well being brat!" Darkrai smashed one of the Pokéballs in his palm and it crumbled a ball of hardened clay: Zillian's ball. "So for once in your life play along or I will be rid of you once and for all." Point apparently made, Darkrai pocketed the last remaining ball and switched it the piece of paper dotted with Pokérunes in front of Runt; it read as follows.

The purpose of your journey is to get strong enough to go head to head in one final secret clash. In order for Elliot to be truly yours: Zil must be eliminated from the picture. The way you are now you stand no chance and you know it. Elliot gets a teacher and a companion while you fight on even ground as well as the boy's devotion when he is told that 'Zil died in a accident'. Everyone wins.

Don't. ever. tell. Elliot. or this plan fails and we ALL lose.

Runt stared long and hard before giving the Dark Master a nod to show that he understood.

Darkrai and Zillian smiled pleasantly at Runt as tears dripped down Runt's muzzle. Runt's a horrible creature. Footsteps approached Runt and before he could look up Zillian's muzzle was next to Runt's ear, whispering " Get strong. Don't despair. Best for all of us. Zil will make it easier." Making sure that Runt was looking at him; Zil closed his eyes for about a minute. When Zil opened them again Runt let out a gasp and growl all simultaneously.

Zillian's irises were dark purple.

With a wink Nil stepped into the dark portal with a twisted, dark, cold, and maniacal laugh as a familiar deep, raspy, and throaty voice uttered with a low pleased growl "The taste is always better when they struggle! Try not to disappoint me mutt!" Then just like that the mouse was gone as the portal closed behind him before Runt could successfully dive in after him.

Elliot's wail of agony startled Runt from his thoughts as the boy starting screaming "Fuck you all! Why can't I ever decide what is best for me! Why must my life to be a shitty soap opera with nothing going the way I want it to!" Elliot then became almost a whirlwind of rage as he attempted to destroy the room's insides despite his weakened state before anyone could stop him.

"You're not strong enough to control your life. Despite your age and physical maturity, you have the emotional and mental maturity as well as stability of a seven year old. This tantrum only proves my point."

Elliot was ripped off his feet and held stationary as Darkrai once again put him on pause.

"This is why you will be treated as such. It's nap-time brat."

"Wait!" The tone in the boy's voice for some reason gave Darkrai pause. "I'll do what is necessary. I'll become strong enough to make fate my bitch. For mine, Zil, and Runt's sake. Once that time comes you will come first on my 'asses to fuck' list' and I'll make you beg for it. Until then: enjoy having me as your obedient monkey" Elliot's glare sort of clashed with cocky smirk but the message was received to the point it almost impressed Darkrai.

Almost.

A chuckle bubbled out from Darkrai's throat "It's too bad I don't have an ass so it's impossible to live out your fantasy. I'm flattered as I am disgusted to know you would consider me. Glad to hear you finally accept you're purpose as my slave; normally I would reward your breakthrough of not sending you into the void of unconsciousness and punish you with nightmares but... you need your bed rest. I won't punish you though. Sweet dreams"

Damn it...I thought that would work! cursed Elliot inwardly as the dark crimson bubble surrounding his head became pink before his world once again became nothing but black.

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