Total Trust Chapter Nine: Truth in the Shadows

Story by CherryBlossomSystem on SoFurry

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#9 of Total Trust

One of the major players is revealed. So pay attention.


_ A/N: Bold and italicized text indicates that telethapy is being used. _

(Shadow)

As I emerged from my Pokeball I noted that Max seemed to be troubled by something and a peculiar smell came from him reminding me of Mist. I bent my head down for a closer look and I spotted a red mark just visible underneath his shirt.

It looked like a bite mark and it seemed to be fairly recent at that. Max didn't say anything but I'm sure he noticed were my gaze was. He gestured further on down the road with his hand and I nodded. I'm sure he would tell me about it when we were away from the others.

I became curious as to where Mist was if that was who had inflicted the wound on him in the first time. The humans in the street didn't glance up as we made out way towards the Pokemon park of the City and after paying for my admittance Max and I entered the park.

Once inside I caught my breathe in surprise. The place was beautiful and life seemed to be in the very air itself. Max looked around briefly and noticed the huts in the back. He started towards them and I followed him.

Once we got there he reclined against the wall of one. He glanced up at me and he patted the ground beside him.I moved until I was across from him and sat down. "I take it you noticed the...mating bite from the way you stared." he began his face flushing.

I was struck dumb by the revelation and my face must have looked funny cause Max cracked up. "Jeeze Shadow you look like I just force fed you lemons." he wheezed after his laughter ceased.

I smiled briefly and then shook my head at his description. "_ While mating between Pokemon and Humans is not uncommon I have never heard of a Human receiving a mating bite. Considering you got it from a Lucario I wonder if you will be able to access a rudimentary form of Aura Energy. _

Max tilted his head at that and I waited while he processed the idea that must have just formed.When he was done he settled more comfortably against the wall and asked "_ So could you tell me about yourself Shadow? _" he asked me.

I thought about it for a bit and I nodded. "_ *I was Created by Arceus from antimatter. Most Pokemon think that I rule over this worlds hell. However as you have seen all I rule over is emptiness and loneliness." * _ ** ** Max reached over and rested his hand against my leg in sympathy. The movement caused him to wince but he didn't say anything.

I took comfort from his touch for a few moments then continued. "_ I've seen trainers rise and fall with the passage of time. Very few of them sparked my interest even less of those have intrigued me enough to bring them into my world." _

_ "However Max very few of them were as kind as you were. No one else offered me a place on their team so that I could experience what it was like to have a legitimate family. _

Here Max looked sheepish and I smiled at him. "_ Hey I know you've been busy with Mist but at least your making the effort to make me feel welcome and it is appreciated. Still Max I know you still need to gather your thoughts after last night. _

Max jumped then said "So I'm that easy to read huh?" Then he jumped when a voice answered him "Yes Max. Your extremely easy to read." I turned my head to see Zen standing nearby leaning up against a tree.

Max asked " How long have you been there?" his expression tense. Zen walked forward towards Max and pointed to his shoulder "Long enough to know what that is." Max flushed and then glared at Zen. "It's not very nice to be listening in on others conversations." Zen smirked at him.

"Really that's what your resorting too? I thought you had better insults then that considering you past." Max flushed even redder this time and got to his feet trembling with what I soon realized was rage. "Don't you dare go there. That is not a topic for discussion. Not with you or with anyone else for that matter until such a time as I see fit to say so."

Zen possibly realizing he may have pushed just a little bit to far took a few steps back. I stayed silent feeling rather interested on how this would play out. I of course knew about Guardevior as I was there when her soul entered my realm.

I also knew that for a human Max possessed and extraordinary amount of control over his temper. Now though however it looked as if that control was cracking. Then Max sighed and calmed down. "I never took you for a spy or a gossiper Zen. So whats your angle? Cause right now it seems like you enjoy pushing my buttons to see what type of reaction you will get."

Zen didn't answer instead he waved and walked away from us. Max watched him go and fumed silently but settled against the wall where he had been sitting seconds before.Then he rubbed his head. "I woke up Mist when he felt my anger so he should be joining us shortly." he smiled softly at something I couldn't hear and seemed to reply back.

Whatever the conversation was it ended with him looking happier then he had a few minuets ago.

_ "So what were your plans for the rest of the day Max?" _ ** ** I asked as we waited for Mist to show. "I really didn't have any plans. Maybe get you to show me all of your moves later so I can think of a better way to coordinate you and Mist in a double battle and also while we are here we might as well look at a few contests."

He must have cuaght the look on my face becuase he said "Look not enter at least not yet."

I nodded and then I saw A blue blur approaching us. "_ Better brace yourself for impact _ Max. I warned. He didn't have time to do such as a blue furry mass tackled him and then checked him over worriedly.

"Max are you ok?" asked Mist as he moved back from his mate and looked him over carefully. "I'm fine Mist. Just someone bringing up some memories that are best left forgotten." Mist frowned in confusion before he got it.

"Ok well why are you all the way out here?" "I needed the time to think and settle my thoughts. I also wanted to spend some time with Shadow. You didn't read the note I left you." he said with a frown.

"Um... what note?" "I left it on the bedside table near the...window. So THAT"S how he knew where to find me. " then he looked to me. "Though to be fair you don't exactly blend in Shadow."

"Thats how who found you Max?" Max glanced back to his mate. "Zen paid us a visit a few moments ago. He does seem to be getting around quite well. At any rate he dropped a few hints that pissed me off. I was able to calm down afterwards though. I am sorry that I woke you. I figured you would have slept more." said Max as he grabbed Mist's paw and held it gently.

"I'm rested enough to tackle the day Max. So stop worrying ok?" said Mist and Max nodded. He got up and stretched. "Shadow let's find you a match. For now though return." he said holding up my ball and a red light enveloped me and soon I was in the soothing void of the Pokeball.

(Max)

I clipped Shadow's belt around my waist and glanced up catching a person in a weird uniform duck behind a tree. "_ Looks like we have a peeping tom my love. _" I sent to Mist before folding my arms behind my head and beginning to walk towards the park entrance.

Mist didn't react though for some reason I could tell when he started to use the Aura to try and scope out the person that was spying on us. I had to stop in my tracks as my vision went blue and then I began to see flashes of Light stemming from the various people and Pokemon around us.

I held my head in my hands as and closed my eyes but it did nothing to alleviate this strange effect on my vision. Looking down at myself I saw purple and black flash around my body causing Mist to stop his search and turn to me with concern green flashing around him as he did so.

I couldn't understand the words he spoke even as he grabbed me and shook me. I only managed to say "Mist release the Aura please I-I can't see right." He frowned but did as I asked and slowly my sight returned back to normal and as I came to myself I found that I was breathing hard like I had just ran a marathon.

"Max what happened just then?" "How do you do it Mist? How can you keep your focus when you read the Aura?" My poor confused mate looked at me like I would tell him any second that it was all just a joke.

"Why do you ask Max?" "This isn't something I would ask you on the spur of the moment Mist I have a reason but I'm not sure if it's the correct one or if I just got hit by the crazy train." I replied trying my best to even out my breathing as a bead of sweat dropped from my temple.

He moves his paw to my uninjured shoulder and says "Max it took me years to master the Aura and learn it's secrets. It is certiantly easier for a Lucario to see and wield the Aura but very few humans ever have."

"The Aura Guardians" I say and Mist stops talking presumably thinking on what I just said "Well ok you have a point there. But Max you have to be born with the ability to see Aura." "Well I have never seen Aura in my life until just a few moments ago when you used it." Mist's face registered shock before he shook himself and grinned. "Stop pulling my leg Max."

I growled in annoyance. "Alright Mist if you want proof then I'll give it to you." Mist looked at me and took a few steps back and I sat down and moved into meditation stance. I began to viciously claw through my own mind the tongues of anger making me efforts more hostile then they should have been but at present I don't care.

I seem to find something but as I make to grab a hold of what I found it skirts away from my grasp. I frown and briefly my anger falters and I reach out to gently grab it once more. It let's me touch it for the briefest of moments and then moves back once more.

Almost as if it has the ability to sense my intentions and my current mood. So I check my mood and calm myself reaching for the peace that usually accompanies my meditations. This seems to soothe the link and as I reach for it once more it flows easily into my mind and floods my body.

I feel myself become detached as I watch the stirrings of the Aura as it examines my body. It pauses at the bite on my shoulder almost as if in question before it moves into my memories and flips through them rapidly.

I am no longer aware of the outside world. It is just me and the Aura. Some part of me realizes that this should be dangerous and that I shouldn't be so willingly handing myself over to a power that I know next to nothing about.

Yet another part of me trust the sentience that the Aura seems to hold and is content to see what happens. I decide to do such and the warmth of the aura floods into my body filling each cell. A voice that I can barley hear whispers "_ What are you?" _ before fading away into nothing as the Aura releases me.

I shoot to my feet gasping and see Mist quite a distance away from me and as he approaches his stance is wary. I note this and I draw back and make the counter stance as I watch his face for any sign of recognition but there doesn't appear to be any.

Mist is acting like He had never met me and he was moving at random as if some demented puppet master was controlling him. I glance around us noting that for all intents and purposes we are alone.

I turn my attention back to the fight wearily. This was not the Mist I had raised since he was a Riolu. This was not the Mist that I let claim me last night. This was a sick and twisted puppet using his body.

By all rights I should be running away from him but there was hungry look in his eyes. He wanted me to run so he could have the sick pleasure of shooting me in the back with an attack. Of this I was sure.

So I stayed and I circled the Aura Pokemon before as I waited for his first move. The one time that Mist had used his moves against me in combat I barley survived. I didn't like my chances but I wasn't going to let this force take over my Mate.

"I can sense your determination Max. This is good. Let's see how well you fight against your Lover." The voice is not Mist's gentle cadence. It is higher pitched and there is a bit of dark seductiveness too it begging me to accept it's touch and lose myself to it.

"I'm afraid that mere words won't help you here." I mutter but I have no doubt I was heard. The Lucario in front of me smiled a feral smile. If he was attempting to give me the scare of his life I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"Your human. You will break easily." He said it with such confidence that I almost didn't reply. When I did I said "Yes I am human. I won't deny that. But answer me this: Who said humanity was a weakness?"

No answer is forth coming from the lips I kissed just the night before. I decide that I'm tired of this little circle game and so in the empty recesses of my mind I call to the Aura "_ Could you aid me?" _ I ask.

No answering spark or flood of power fills me letting me know effectively that this is a fight the Aura will not engage in. I store this information away for later consideration and then I notice the beads of Aura flowing towards Mist's palm forming an Aura Sphere his most potent attack.

However this technique does take a little bit of time. I don't think I'll stand much of a chance up close and I doubt my chance of being able to dodge it. The Aura is red though instead of it's normal color of blue and it pulses with evil intent.

I found myself speaking before my mind has registered what was going on. "Darkness? Not a likely power for a Lucario to be wielding." Then I surge forward and he throws the Aura sphere at where I would have been if I had not stopped my movements and instead flipped over the impact zone using the resulting force way to propel me towards Mist or rather this thing pretending to be Mist and allowing me to kick the side of his jaw.

It felt like I had tried to kick a mountain. Pain surged up my leg and as I landed I bit back a scream of pain. _ I will not give up _ . I thought and began to attack once more. Mist started a punch and I recognized it as force palm. I dodged to the side and his foot hit me in my stomach making me wrap around it and then he flung me away like garbage.

I couldn't breathe and I was frozen in silent agony. I stayed where I was even when I heard footsteps approaching. When he got close enough to kick me once more is when I moved. I trapped his legs in my own then got to my feet my abused body screaming for mercy.

_ SHUT UP! _I roared at the pain in my mind and my hand dropped to the single pokeball on my belt. Before I could grab it I got hit with close combat and felt a rib crack. Then I was sent back from the impact and flew into a tree making a sizable indent in the tree. More bones cracked as I forced myself to move out of the crater.

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you've done with Mist. But i do know this. While you can break my body and crush it to dust. You will never crush my spirit." Each word cost me as my body felt as if the fires of hell were burning inside it.

Suddenly Shadow burst out of his Pokeball and roared in rage. He shouts something telepathically but I don't hear as I am doing my best to fight against the pain afflicting my body.. and my heart. I stare at those red eyes that had been so gentle and feel my heart begin to crack within me.

"Sh-Shadow G-Ge-Get m-e o-ut of he-re!" I managed to say as the pain became an all encompassing tide of red. I was the sole blue light in the middle and I desperately tried to shove it back.

(Shadow)

I heard Max's words and obeyed. I opened a portal to the reverse world using the nearby lake and as it gained enough power to suck Max in I turned back to Mist. "_ *Yvetal you will pay dearly for this. I swear by Arceus." * _Then I made my way into the portal using shadow force to gently catch max as my body morphed and I flew him to an island as the portal closed behind us.

I knew that I needed to get him to a Pokemon Center so I began to fly around looking at the small windows of the outside world looking for the proper portal to enlarge. Once I found it I emerged from the shiny door of the Pokemon Center and several screams and shocked yells came from the trainers.

I turned to the Blissey behind the counter. _ My Trainer is on my Back severely injured. Please help him. _She nodded and went to get a stretcher. Nurse Joy approached me and I bent down and tilted my wing so that Max gradually slid down my wing into her arms. She held him gingerly and when the stretcher came up behind her she expertly transferred him over to it. I nodded my thanks to Blissey and said " _ Once he is awake please call me. I'll be paying attention from the reverse world." _ ** ** Then I reentered my domain intent on getting some answers

I reemerged onto the field where Mist still stood. "_ Yvetal release the mind of the Lucario that you are controlling!" _ " Why don't you make me Giritina." he threatened.

"_ The name is Shadow!" _I sent to him and I blurred into my shadow force attack. Mist did not move and I blasted him into a tree. I kept up with my barrage of attacks using multiple shadow claws and shadow balls.

When I paused to see how much damage I did Mist through a charged red orb at me which I avoided by slamming into him with shadow force and made him smash into a tree effectively knocking him out.

I threw him onto my back and made my way back to the Pokemon Center. _ Please could they have a room Together? Also Leave the bite alone on his trainer... it's a mating bite." _The Blissey blushed but promised to pass it along to her sisters working there and I settled outside the back of the center to wait.