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"-Righteous Paladin-" Jasper takes a moment to pry the other half-hidden sheet of paper out from behind it's buddy. "-and apparently Rabid Rat as well. Seems that both of the troll picks gotten stuck together" Jasper's expression reflected obvious confusion as he turned his head slightly in Darkrai's direction to ask the question puzzling the old butler. "Why in the world did you include them in the selection when you weren't gonna allow them to happen?"

Darkrai's only visible eye was wide and shining with equally amounts of bafflement. "I distinctly remember separating them from the pile a long time ago. I thought you put them back in!"

An audible snicker made the pair focus the gaze on the blue in the face boy the moment said boy expelled both held breath and maniacal cackle. The fit was so fierce that Elliot could only mouth almost-syllables of an explanation even as Jasper's and Darkrai's glares turning as lethal as a sci-fi laser blaster death beam. The boy's madness or the situation itself tickled Runt to the point that he caught the madness bug as well: forcing Elliot to laugh even harder.

"Well that answers that question. Sorry sir... I should have kept a better eye on them."

"Not your fault the brat is a clever, mischievous monkey." Suddenly a brilliant deliciously vile missile derailed Darkrai's train of thought at that moment. The epiphany attack was so sudden that Darkrai had to stifle a gasp. The surprise didn't last long however and the poor spectre began absolutely convulsing with laughter so delirious that Elliot's fit was a grain of sand by comparison.

Elliot and Runt sure weren't laughing now...

Eventually Darkrai regained enough bodily control to summon the unbreakable bindings with but an audible snap of his index and middle claw. The lack of focus due to excitement consequently made the binding chains spread apart Elliot's limbs to a painful degree; exciting Darkrai further! That is... until he recovered enough wit to realize that if the boy was pulled apart than all of this torment and the amazingly exciting idea would all have gone to waste.

With great reluctance Darkrai slackened the bindings grip and tug. A task made quite difficult thanks to the Elliot's fear and panic. Most likely the boy had followed the deja vu feeling into a traumatic memory. Since coincidentally; that was the last time Darkrai had used these chains on anyone. Not like these insignificant details mattered though. The only thing that actually mattered was that the resulting scent was forcing Darkrai to almost drool from the sudden onset of new hunger; as if the very recent fulfilling meal never happened. Very distracting indeed...

Darkrai swallowed and cleared his throat while another snap summoned a portal that dropped Zillian at his 'feet'. The resulting terror and disgust emanating from the boy, Jasper, Vector, and Runt in reaction to born again rat's appearance that was currently decorated by gore and various unknown body fluids; consequently made the delicious banquet all that much more unbearably tempting.

"Listen up because I'm only going to explain once." Darkrai waited until everyone physically showed him that they were paying attention. "After Zillian and Vector get themselves cleaned up, I summarize this confusing situation to them, and then find Vector a new weapon since the old one is I now see labeled unusable: these three Pokemon will than do battle like the gladiators of old. This contest's winner will determine the future of everyone that has chosen to tie themselves to this strange and broken boy. I should warn you that any Pokemon that refuses to participate will provoke my wrath and will be killed on the spot. Any questions or concerns so far?"

Everyone but Elliot nodded; the boy was quite obviously in shock and was still digesting the full meaning of Darkrai's words.

"Good. We begin in twenty minutes."

---

A Raticate, A Houndour, and a Farfetch'd all stand in the wide open field that Darkrai had unintentionally made during his tantrum the following day; all openly glaring at each other as they waited for the anticipated signal that both participants and spectators awaited with baited breath. Darkrai was just about to speak when the sound of Elliot's almost inaudible voice made him pause "I have a question."

After a moment of deliberation Darkrai shrugs and with no emotion detected anywhere responds with an almost chilly. "Ask."

"Will this end if find someway to activate my powers by myself?"

Darkrai shakes his head briefly before explaining before the boy could waste his breath. "Once this match starts those three will be so focused and overcome with their survival instincts that no words from anyone will get through to them. Action is the only thing that would. I'm not lifting a finger and neither is Jasper because I'm ordering him not to."

Elliot bowed his head in defeat but Darkrai used a gentle hand to raise it back up so that that they were now eye to eye. "If you want this to end than you'll have force it to by yourself. The only way to do that is to bust out of your chains. The only way to do that is you somehow absorb the dark energy. In order to accomplish that you would have to be me...or something like me anyway. That's the only way this will end prematurely."

"Why are you doing this!? Why not just make me into you want me to be" Elliot suddenly shouts as the first tears began to fall."

"That's the thing." Darkrai said with a small sad smile "I can't force you to become what I want you to be. I've been trying that and all my attempts have been foiled, whether by you, fate, or a stupid locked door. This is why I'm counting on you to end this before it even begins"

Elliot bows his head again. Only to raise it again in response to the surprise from feeling Darkrai lay a comforting hand upon his head. An action completed just in time to feel the breath from a sad, weary sounding whisper of a sigh stroke his cheek since Darkrai's face was that close to his; an obvious ploy to force the boy to stare into the eye that reflected the truth that hopefully also shown in his next words. "For once I'll admit that I'm not doing this out of meanness. This is just the only possible solution that I can come up with to solve an impossible problem...Please show me that you understand Elly?"

Tears continue to trickle down Elliot's face even when he closes his eyes but surprisingly there is a small, thin smile on the boy's face as he mumbles "Jasper was right then..."

Confusion became the dominate expression on Darkrai's face "Right about what?"

The boy shook his head "I'll tell you after this is over... if I remember that is."

Satisfied with the boy's answer Darkrai mutters a simple "Alright." Before turning to the three combatants and cranking up the volume in his voice to a near shout in order to be heard over the distance between separating the spectators from the participants. "Whether the battle last until your foes fall unconsciousness or die is up to you. Anything goes."

Elliot closes his eyes and does his best to relax. The boy knows in his heart that everything that goes on in reality will only serve as a distraction; so he attempts to block it out and focus. Unknowingly stepping to the precipice of a meditative state.

The only remaining question is: will Elliot's efforts bear fruit before something bad happens? Only time will tell.

Darkrai lifts three fingers. Everyone immediately understands that this is the countdown.

Body muscles tense.

"Begin."

Zillian's body melts into his own shadow.

"Uhh... what just happened to him?" squawks Vector, keen eyes probing or an explanation from each person they land on. Darkrai only blankly stares back. Jasper looks just as confused. Elliot's eyes are closed and appears to be deaf. Finally with no other choice Vector turns to his rival. Runt stares back. Two voices bicker and snap over opposing ideas that will drastically affect the outcome of this battle; both howling for attention like mewling pups.

Which one does Runt listen to? The hands of destiny flips the first coin...

"Fly!" Tiny Ember sparks fly out of Runt's mouth. Vector has no choice but to listen to the order if he wants to avoid getting hit by the attack. Only a few of the sparks hit Nil given there was only time to spray and pray. However; given that the target was a being made entirely out of shadow: a few sparks were effective enough for the rat to be stopped mid-attack and retreat back in the dark mass from whence it came to lick its new wounds.

Vector didn't know what to be more disbelieving of: the fact that one turned into two or Runt's actions.

"Listen bird. We are dealing with two foes sharing the same body that can split into two at will. We can either work together like they are and stand a chance. Or get eaten. Bird brain's choice."

It appears reason trumps pride...this time.

Vector snorts "I don't really have a choice here lad." Vector moves closer to his combat partner so his conspiratory muttering could be heard. "Tell me what we're dealing with here."

"Just what you saw. So watch out for lumps of shadows his size. Thankfully we're in the open. No shadows for them to hide in besides each others and ours. See how it's doing nothing even though we're just standing here gabbing? Both are cowards. Won't attack without the other backing them up."

"Got it. You seem to know a lot about him."

"He killed my pack in front of me. Runt had plenty of opportunities to study."

Vector whinces and casts a quick sympathetic glance and nod in Runt's direction. "I'm sorry to hear that lad." Runt just nods, too busy eying the rats to react to it's next move just in case it decided to break pattern. Vector did see half the nod though, a tiny answer was better than no answer at all he supposed. Besides the Farfetch'd was equally as focused to worry about politeness anyway...was that malevolence glinting in the duck's eye? The answer behind that odd emotion is revealed rather quickly "A monster that relies on cheap tricks? Despicable." Vector spits a glob of spit to display his repulsion. "Let's put it down."

"My thoughts exactly!" Runt Howls as both Farfetch'd and Houndor simultaneously decide to charge at the enemy of their enemy.

Zil turns tail and flees in the opposite direction; shrieking in terror as he goes.

Participants and spectators alike are knocked off balance by the sheer absurdity of the the ridiculous sight in front of them. The match evolving into a game of keep-away in the blink of an eye...

Is something else also happening though?

The hands of destiny flips the second coin...

"Great now the mood is broken! Stupid cowardly rat..." Darkrai grumbles as Jasper taps his shoulder. Darkrai turns his head slightly to his left, trying but failing to keep annoyance from showing on his face. Jasper points to the boy. Darkrai's eye widens in surprise. The boy's eyes were wide open and had apparently transformed into purple flashlights. If that wasn't eerie enough: a dark mist was slowly being drawn into the boy's every orifice. The source of the dark mist was apparently anyone and everyone of their little group. "That's impossible! How long has he been doing that!?"

"Just now... Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time the boy's eyes glowed that way: the shade was a medium sort of orchid color right?

"That information is correct Jasper."

"Now the color is closer to periwinkle So what in the hell is happening to him?"

"He's drawing negative energy into himself. In other words the boy is powering up but in a way that's impossible for anyone without my DNA!" Disbelief and possibilities was making Darkrai's head spin. Shaking his head was only making the feeling worse, but rubbing at his temples seems to ease the nausea slightly. So Darkrai continues this maneuver until the sickening feeling passes and he could speak again "I had thought those two choices were just mimics. This new development completely blows that theory out the water!"

The Pokemon battle becomes the last thing on Darkrai's mind. Has now placed full attention on the boy and is completely lost in his ponderings of horrible but also very wonderful vast possibilities.

This new development had absolutely no effect on the battle.

What new development did however was the moment Zil's left amber eye color becoming consumed in the same color as Elliot's pair currently was. The rat suddenly begins snickering "Enough fooling around. Time to end this." A red aura flickers into existence around the Raticate's body as Zillain makes a short leap. An action that makes about facing easier and faster since there was no dirt or debris to put a halt or interfere with the rat's momentum. An advantage Runt didn't have so the Houndour's paws began skidding like motor vehicle does on a patch of ice. Vector on the other hand was already in the middle of an Aerial Ace attack. The Farfetch'd was understandably momentarily confused as to why his target had suddenly disappeared: leaving him with nothing to swing his sti-cutlass at anything other than dirt and empty air.

These two factors gave Zillian plenty enough time to fall back down: tail glowing with the standard dark purple glow of a Sucker Punch attack. What's more...there was something strange about this attack...was as if the move that rates only in average strength had transformed into something with a dangerously lethal edge to it.

The hands of destiny flip the third coin...

Vector senses the aura of impending doom. In response the Farfetch'd activates his Slash move just in time to parry the incoming blow well enough that the new wound only puts him at half strength. Nothing but sheer luck has decreed the wounds will not be superficial enough to impact this battle. The Farfetch'd will even recover if given enough time and a berry; a resource that is plentiful to a resourceful pirate.

The Raticate's combined feeling of surprise over the bird's luck and speed is all the destruction Runt needs to land a fully charged Ember attack. Given that this is a Light based energy attack on Dark based being: the normally weak Fire attack might as well have been the move that was boosted with the Focus Energy move. As a result Zillian suffers a major third degree burn that would have scorched more than just the majority of his tail and some of his chest if not for the rats having enough wit to stop drop and roll. The rat was of course communicating his hellish anguish in a deafening scream the whole time. It's physical attack are now severely weakened thanks to this pain.

A scream that is mirrored by Elliot as the dark orchid purple color his eye's were emitting and appeared to be stuck at during previous events finally shifts into dark violet territory. This color shift is apparently the visual clue revealing Elliot shattering the next protective blockade. An assumption backed up by the boy's body was becoming completely shrouded in the same dark violet light.

At the epicenter of this light Darkrai senses were suddenly aware of a strange but familiar signature. The signature was Darkrai's...but at the same time too faint and unique to be one of the same. It was like trying to compare Mew's signature with Mewtwo's. Darkrai was utterly enthralled by this presence. A fascination that an observer would correctly guess was blood beckoning similar blood.

Darkrai however desires more than that. The Nightmare Pokemon was fully aware that there was only one form that could possibly strengthen this link between himself and the magnificent miracle being born right in front of him.

Crack! Crumble! Crack! Crumble!

"He's breaking out of the bindings! NO! not yet he's not!" Ending the last of his mutterings with a desperate shout: Darkrai pulled all of his concentration in keeping the shackles in place. The boy immediately began thrashing "Egg he's so strong! So gloriously strong..."

Does Zillian make the connection that it's his screaming is pushing the boy past barriers he normally wouldn't be able to cross?

The hands of destiny flip the fourth coin...

"Lad...do you feel that?" whispers Vector as an ominous wind warns the roguish, daredevil piratel that danger was afoot and to proceed with caution.

Runt sniffs the air a few times, detecting what would have been the normally comforting scent of ozone. This time however the scent lit a spark of terror in Runt's chest."Yeah...Elly's scent is gone. Runt smells nothing but rage and pain!"

Vector nods in agreement and makes a witty but logical leap that only those living in fantasy delusion can make. "Right... I have a feeling if nothing is done than we'll lose him to whatever is consuming him"

"Than what are we waiting f-"

The hands of destiny flip the fifth coin...

The Houndour is interrupted by the sense of impending doom that suddenly swallows the pair simultaneously like a tidal wave. Both Runt and Vector however have just enough time and fast enough reflexes to leap away from the spot they had once stood the very moment as the two rat's are in mid-launching themselves out of the Houndour's and Farfetch'd shadows. Both rats practically foaming at the mouth in anticipation for just the tiniest insignificant taste of vengeance, blood, and gore.

This left Vector and Runt no choice but to focus fully on the battle at hand if they wanted to avoid having their jugulars ripped out by those long and dangerous Raticate fangs.

Jasper swore as the last glimmer of hope that Elliot's pokemon would combine forces to stop this awful situation from snowballing out of control suddenly died. Thanks to being awakened as a Dark One: Jasper too sensed the monstrosity writhing around in it's womb of eerie light. This crisis has to stop now or everything will be ruined!...Oh and Elliot would probably turn into a demonic spawn that probably either destroys the world or rules it with an iron fist; there was also that distasteful possibility. Sad thing was this ancient butler was the only one that was available to knock some sense into the boy's head...or kill him if that didn't work. There was only one problem...

The hands of destiny flip the sixth coin...

Jasper was currently immobilized by the combined miasma of Darkrai and pseudo-Pokemon's birth was creating. No amount of self-inflicted pain gained from cutting his palms with his fingernails and chewing one's lip until it bled could snap Jasper out of his spell. The ancient butler was too smart a man to ignore the consequences of throwing himself into that light to fulfill some mediocre cliche urge to fulfil one's duty to a family that was already dead anyway. To do so would be suicide! Either Darkrai wouldn't be happy or the combined power of what might as well have been two nuclear reactor about to blow would vaporize him before he even got the tiniest bit closer.

Jasper wanted badly to close his eyes and whimper just a little. If the butler done that however: he'll never be able to look his family in the eye when he saw them again. Instead Jasper grit his teeth and steeled himself for the karmic retribution for his selfish actions. The butler of course didn't know what exactly was coming; just that he knew without a doubt that something terrible was going to happen to him when that light faded because of his cowardice. Karma had been a domineering and cruel mistress to Jasper all his life so why would she stop being so now when selfless action actually mattered? With nothing else worthwhile to do: Jasper began praying that the end would be swift and painless.

"Just...a...little...bit...longer" Darkrai mutters to himself as he throws chain after immobilizing chain and Dark Void bubble after Dark Void bubble at the creature thrashing to free itself from the negative energy's nurturing teet prematurely. Darkrai was so close to what he wanted that he could taste the succulent sweet taste of victory already on his tongue!

However fate doesn't so easily bend to one egotistical Legendary's will.

The hands of destiny flip the seventh and final coin...

CRACKCrumbleCRACKcrumbleCrunchCRUNCHCRUNCH!

The dark lavender light radiating from mutant boy suddenly spikes to its pinnacle of a dying star; in the same moment an inhuman shrieks puncture the eardrums of any being misfortunate enough to be within several miles of this monumentally absurd event. Brawling is now made an impossibility thanks to the light and wind making it difficult to do anything besides wait.

The light eventually fades but the bright spots that it leaves behind make it difficult to see anything besides dark floating blobs. Eventually sight returned to the blind and everyone present shifted their gaze over to what used to be the bright light's core.

In Elliot's place...

Was a figure that was the polar opposition of every physical quality the previous boy ever had, in exception of his most personally hated quality and an unimportant one that is. In fact Elliot's 4.7 feet height appeared to have been shaved down to an even smaller 4.4.The missing .3 inches of height appearing to have gone into making the teen that once had a swimmer's build into a teen with big enough bones to be considered burly; the lack of mass or muscle definition however would put a damper on any sudden desire to be the star on a pro football team.

Elliot's facial features was now concealed by the unnatural blackness the white hood pulled over his head; the only distinguishable features of his head was the once bright blonde hair now transformed into a midnight black and his normal -as of several weeks ago, that is- green Darkrai themed pupils. The most notable and frightening feature hands down however were the five diget sharp-edged beastial claws and feet of unknown animal species; these appendages appeared way too large in comparison to the rest of Elliot's transformed body.

The bottom half of the boy's apparel appeared to be silk trousers. This garment's entire right side being a solid black color while the entire left side was a solid white color; the opposing colors meeting in the middle as a vertical line along it's side. The top half of the boy's apparel was a modified V-neck with cut-off sleeves. This garment's design appeared to be similar to the pants but color's locations were swapped and the two colors created a forward slash line. The modifications to the V-neck were the central pocket most hoodies had nowadays, the fabric that may be the remnants of the corpse that was once a cape, and the connecting white hood that if an observer looked close enough: they would swear there was a pair of tiny round ears at it's top. The fog grey scarf around the Elliot's neck was an odd looking accessory indeed since there barely seemed to be enough fabric to keep it around the boy's neck.

The boy's entire appearance would be impressive in a modern hipster beast sort-of way...if it wasn't for the fact that the faded color spots combined with the various rips,tears, holes, slashes, and cuts transformed the garments into a little more better than weathered rags. Either a wild animal got of the outfit or this new form was the reflection of the Elliot's battered soul. A morbidly cliche assumption based theory true... but a theory that could possibly be accurate since it was backed up by the fact that Elliot's head was currently tilted at just the right angle to reveal the steady stream of tears falling out of his eyes. Eyes that were positively overflowing with an overwhelming amount of pain, rage, and sadness.

Judging from the teenage boy's full bodied tension:the wounded animal that was about to seek sweet retribution.

Elliot began to slowly stalk forward.

Passing a stunned Darkrai without so much as a glance.

Seizing a statue-esque Jasper by the neck, carrying the old butler a few steps forward before throwing him with all of his strength towards the group of Pokemon being pinned by that tortured gaze. The three Pokemon only had a single moment to dodge out of the way: but were luckily successful. Meanwhile the human missile finished transforming in order to acquire the reflexes needed to make the incoming jarring impact not have killing potential since the point of impact was in fact the as-of-now anthropomorphic blue jay's neck.

Jasper says nothing as he dusted off his newly acquired penguin suit and adjusted his bowtie and tophat. Just silently twirled the Braviary statue tipped cane -or more accurately his wand- made entirely out of negative shadow energy into a defensive position; unintentionally simultaneously mirroring the group of Pokemon's new change of posture occurring in the same exact moment. All that was left to do now was to wait with baited breath for an explanation that would surely come...right?

Elliot was apparently offended by this lackluster response from all involved because in response the teenage beast bellowed a deafening roar. Still it wasn't time to attack just yet...

The roar's echo didn't even have time to die before Elliot dropped a few barely heard syllables thanks to the bestaial growl rumbling out the boy's throat making difficult to hear. "Vector. I apologize for accidentally dragging you into my hell. For your trouble the stuff in my bag is now yours. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from me. Things are about to become very messy around here."

Vector tried swallowing past the lump in his throat but the dryness and tightness of his throat still made his responce come out in a stuttering rasp "M-may I ask w-why am I being sent away?"

Elliot's hundred yard stare appeared to be focused on something going on in his mind's eye and not the insignificant point above the group's head. "You've been totally honest about everything about yourself from the get-go. It's almost as refreshing as Darkrai's innermost secret being flattering."

Satisfied with the prescribed answer: Vector nodded once, quickly snatched the newly gifted goodies, saluted, and flew away. Elliot neutrally watched the Farfetch'd rapidly became a tiny speck in the distance as Darkrai cleared his throat and said "Pray tell what is this 'flattering secret' is? Just to... you know... make sure you haven't started seeing delusions after slurping down large amounts of negative energy in one sitting"

"Just that you don't hate me as much as you pretend to. You're actually quite fond of me. Meaning I've became your only exception to your 'I hate all humans' rule."

Darkrai was about to adamantly deny this allegations. But saw no point now that they were all out in the open. Best to accept them with dignity...with only mild signs of embarrassment. Damn this twiddling thumb behavior tic! "What you said is correct. But I have as many secrets as grains of sand on beach that spans many miles; all possible consequences ranging from mild to world- shattering if they ever got out. That one by far is the tiniest"

Three -technically four- mortal's faces began to turn a sickening shade of green

Elliot shrugs nonchalantly; as if expecting this response or at least something similar to the one he was given. "Seems I only have the power to sense the secrets pertaining to me...or at least somewhere along those lines. That's a load off my back considering this damn whispering is giving me a migraine" Elliot begins tap-tap-tapping an index claw to his chin in apparent deliberation; apparently just not feeling the resulting droplets of blood slowly oozing down his fingers or the pain that comes with piercing one's skin. "Let's see... whose first...hmm... Ahh ha!...Mildest to worst it is than."

Runt had only closed his eyes in a blink to clear his smarting eyes once. But by that time he opened them again: the thing that was Elliot had his throat in a suffocating grasp. "Let's start with the 'adorably naive' puppy shall we?"

If Runt could gulp, he would have.

Actually scratch that. If Runt could do anything but stare bug-eyed into Elliot's haunted, sweltering eyes and wetting himself: Runt would have done it. Elliot didn't seem to mind the urine... or was at the very least least was ignoring it.

"Your crime against me isn't using me as a tool to serve your selfish revenge. You were honest about that from the get-go. Your crimes against me involve your plans of forcing me to become your personal, worshipping, submissive little omega sex slave the moment you evolved into 'the highest pedigree alpha male you were destined to be'. The fact that you already have a conditioning regimen all planned out is almost impressive as it is sickening... Your father sure taught you a lot despite being wrapped around that stubby little tail of yours." Elliot manages to spat before suddenly becoming spontaneously consumed in a fit of giggles was pressing into mental breakdown levels "Man! If you guys could only hear this mutt's level of creativity!" This next little niblet coming out as a savage growl: "Anything to say in your defense mutt?!" The last little niblet came out as savage growl.

Runt found himself unable to wipe the challenging grin from his muzzle. His eyes communicating his words while speech making devices were busy with other matters. "Yeah what you're saying is true. So what? It's not like you actually have the nerve to go through with this challenge. Now obey your Alpha and put Runt down!"

"Wooow so balsy! Such wow! You really are your dictator's bast- oh sorry! -father's son ain't ya boy?"

The low oxygen levels was starting to get to Runt. The frantic thrashing was getting weaker and weaker. The high levels of carbon dioxide from the smoke cloud being birthed from the Ember move Runt had foolishly instinctively beckoned in self-defense was only speeding up the suffocation process. To make the situation even worse: it was way too late to swallow the self-destructive move once it became lodged in the Houndour's throat. Weak whimpers could now be heard when the naive pup realized that the weak Omega wasn't listening to his orders!

"Shhh" Elliot soothed the thrashing hound "That's right boy...it's time to go to sleep."

Snap!

Elliot discarded Runt's corpse with the ease and grace of kid tossing away a candy wrapper; appearing very satisfied with how cleanly and easily the Houndour's neck broke by his hand.

"Holy shit..." muttered Zil. Unknowingly staring and drooling in greedy anticipation as he watch the appearance of a new meal making it's slow progress to the ground.

A moment of distraction that Elliot took full advantage of by rapidly spinning on his heel and kicking the frozen-stiff Raticate with everything that he had. Zillian's flight was as rapid as it was short thanks to the tree that he hit head first. Both rat's were knocked unconscious instantly. Elliot's glare now had the intensity of molten lava as he stared at the twitching Raticate, muttering to himself: "I'll deal with you after Jasper. So don't fucking move you cowardly psychotic fuck."

Elliot turned just in time to get a eyeful full of Jasper's cane. Something that had the consistency of steel the boy had the pleasure of experience finding out first handedly thanks the part of the face the cane kissed. At least it only broke his nose and busted his lip. Still the explosion of intense pain was potent enough to temporarily cease brain function. So it was a pretty big blessing that Darkrai caught Elliot with the energy of his Psychic move because the boy had forgotten to grit his teeth in preparation for the next impact that was sure to come. Meaning Darkrai saved the boy's charming tongue..

"This is my fight! Don't you fucking interfere!"

"You were flying right at me! I had no fucking choice!" Darkrai chuckles at the surprised glance Elliot cast him due to this being the first time the boy hearing him use curse words other than damn or hell. "I was making a point. See how ignorant that sounds? I for one believe you would make much more of an impact with your words without filth sprinkled into the mixture."

Elliot has just enough time to wipe away the stream of blood trickling out of his nostrils during the wait for his feet to finally touch the ground. When they finally did Elliot makes a beeline for Jasper, massive claws at the ready; only slowing down when a sharp piece of a metal fragment catches him him in the shoulder; consequently piercing the teenager's skin like a bullet.

Jasper had been aiming for the boy's heart but apparently on a week's worth of practice on unmoving targets didn't mean he was a sharpshooter.

Despite his painful injuries -or maybe because?-: Elliot apparently has enough common sense and focus to know to swerve, circle, and hop in an unpredictable fashion to make himself harder for Jasper to hit the desired target with the storm of deadly projectiles AND shout over his shoulder as he was rapidly ate the six yard gap between him and the old butler. "You're not my dad. I'll talk how I goddamn feel like. So shut the fuck up alright?"

Darkrai found himself roaring in fury before he could catch himself. "You are so going to pay for disrespecting me the next time we're alone!"

"Sorry man you're not my type." This stupid, half-witted back and forth rewarded Elliot with two more puncture wounds. Not very threatening holes since the only decent one was in his other shoulder while the rest were just minor grazes; primarily on his sides in various places from where he didn't lean out of the way fast enough, mostly his legs. Even though they were minor injuries, they sure still stung like a bitch!

Few moments later Elliot finally succeeded in bringing the fight to close quarters. Forcing the metal conjurer to swap his wand for the thin blade that was hidden somewhere in it's design. A butcher knife also decided to materialize in Jasper's left hand: the apparent counter to Elliot's two weapons. Great now I have many things things to watch out for. Elliot grumbled inwardly to himself before deciding that a swift defensive approach would be best here until he could discern a pattern to Jasper's flurry of sword swings and underhanded metal projectile flinging gestures.

A wise move Elliot learned from the experience acquired from many school yard brawls and boxing enthusiasts he had as a father and brother. That bit of history and fortune combined with common sense and many hours spent gaming was how he even survived this fight up until this point. Have I really been unintentionally been preparing for this destiny my entire life? Goddamn it! My life is a fucking shitty anime...

This moment of distraction allowed Jasper to get a few shallow cuts and grazes in. It was too bad that Elliot had already discerned a pattern: there was none. Just the predictable desperate swipes of a terrified animal. Good news for Elly since there was one key cost to this style that Jasper seems to have overlooked during his impulsive, frantic, panicked-themed decision making.

When Jasper's flood of sword swings finally died down to a trickle: Elliot swatted the blades away and took that newly gained opportunity from sheer shock to aim and deal a ferocious kick to the ancient butler's groin as hard as he could. Jasper flew long and far until his body finally impact a large and wide tree; hitting just hard enough to crack more than just the tree's bark. The old timer's aged fragile spine didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell even with the durability boost that came with being a Dark One.

Elliot had followed after Jasper by sprinting. Somehow had managed to make it to the one-time butler's side just in adequate enough time to allow Elliot the chance to stomp down hard on Jasper's stomach with both feet before the old coot could finish recovering. By now Elliot was by now very winded, a bit dizzy, and more than just a bit bloody. Costs that were extremely minor to the fortune that Jasper spent. This of course meaning Elliot came out the better one in this fight."Your *pant* swordplay sucks. You're not the spry chicken *pant pant* you used to be. If we were in court the judge would decree that you didn't stand a chance once this battle became one of close quarters."

"Elliot *pant pant*wa-" Elliot didn't wait. Instead the transformed teenager grabbed Jasper by the throat and forced the butler's ear within inches of his mouth so he could whisper "I will not be your sacrificial scapegoat to your stupid vengeance."

With those parting words: Elliot tore out Jasper's jugular with his bare hands!...claws...whatever.

Disgust was the primary expression on Elliot's face as he tossed the fleshy object aside. Wiping the blood and small bits of gore onto his pants like a child using his clothing as napkin to get the icky stuff off his hand. This sight was the last thing Jasper saw as he bled out and slipped into death's embrace.

Elliot stared at the new corpse for a few moment before wrinkling his visually unseen nose; briefly chuckling hollowly as he mumbled to himself. "So it is true. You do let everything go when you die. That's hilarious as it is so fucking disgusting." Elliot shakes his head as the hint of amusement on his face was dealt a quick and painless death by the intense fury that replaced it "and then there was one..." Elliot muttered in a bestial growling undertone; simultaneously spinning on his heels towards the tree at the other end of the field and glaring hatefully at the Raticate still lying there.

Elliot didn't bother pulling out the metal shards as he slowly hobbled towards the downed rodent; would only cause him to bleed out. Elliot wasn't in any sort of hurry. If Zillian was awake and able to move he would have fled a long time ago. If he had than Elliot would have used the opportunity to get himself patched before pleading with Darkrai to portal him to the rat's location so this next confrontation could occur.

The irony that Zillian was just coming awake by the time Elliot approached him wasn't lost on the teenager. Elliot however was too busy glaring into the creature's amber eyes that stared back up at him with a mask of blankness; behind this blankness however was a mix of fear, determination, and bittersweet acceptance. Zillian apparently was unable to move other than that frantic twitching his body was currently doing out of response to the fight-or-flight instinct.

"Do I need to even say your crimes against me?"

Zillian began to laugh somewhat manically. The responding wraithful bitch slap seemed to just tickle him further while his tongue systematically swept away the five blood trails Elliot's claws left behind. So Elliot was left with no other choice than to wait for the fit to pass. Eventually the laughter faded and Zil replied. "Not really. Do it anyway for our audience though"

"Audience of one?"

"Audience of one is still an audience. Besides, Zil's sure the dead is our combined victims are still hanging around."

Instead of bitch slapping the Raticate again like he felt like doing: Elliot decided to play it cool with a easy-going shrug as he replied "You're right of course. Fine. As you wish." Elliot took a moment to prep his short little speech before clearing his throat. An action made pointless because the teenager's voice was beginning to crack under the powerful mixture of emotion and internal pain he was currently feeling in response to what he had learned while consuming the negative energy the group naturally emitted. Tears were also starting to flow again despite his wishes against them "You've been manipulating me like a puppet since Day 1 of our relationship. Your every action, almost every behavior tic, even a good portion of your base personality up until this point: all an act to disguise the monster you have always been."

A sob escaped Elliot as he finally fell to his knees and broke down completely...again. The past experience was probably what made it possible following the speech he prepared as if the emotional breakdown wasn't happening "Please tell me that what was underneath the creaky loose board that was two boards up and three to left of the bathroom and the object underneath the boards of my own bed was just a fucked up fantasy that I accidently seen."

"If Zilian done that than he would be lying... If it makes Elly feel better the C4 under Elly's bed was just a cover up for when Zil finally used the detonators on the rest of the families. We would have been out of the mansion by than." Elliot tried speaking but couldn't seem to under the strain of his emotions cranked full blast. Still it wasn't time for retribution yet.

"Zil will explain for you then."

Zil cleared his throat of whatever fluid was draining into it. "After the first couple of months of our relationship the sudden disappearance of any vagabond foolish enough to step in Zil's territory was starting to become noticed. Was only a matter of time til Zil messed up and a corpse or a few were stumbled-upon. Than after the annihilation of every Pokemon with fangs: it was only time that someone would follow the trail back to me. Luckily Zil stuck to hunting humans and common animals so Zil didn't gain experience to grow. This help kept the in order wool that was the Zubat incident securely over everyone's eyes. This plan however was only going to buy Zil time. That's what the C4 tragedy was for. After that we would begin the journey we should have been on ages ago. All Zil was waiting on was the discovery of your parent's bank account information. Something guarded by a password protected safe that Zil eventually found the combination for thanks to your father's carelessness one night with his important papers."

Zillian began to briefly crack up again until Elliot's furious molten glare silenced him. Zil wisely chose to explain... unfortunately still infuriating Elliot with his easy going manner and half-attempt of a shrug "Zil still cracks up about the irony that the launch date of his plan was the same day of his first day victim and the night that Darkrai showed up."

"So...the dark presence I sensed that night was the mouse and not the boy. Interesting..." Darkrai's current expression during his muttering was a cross between naked astonishment and a hint of amusement that only grew brighter with the uttering of each of his next words "This also means that-"

But Elliot unintentionally interrupted Darkrai to say close to what the spectre was going to say: "-Meaning my loving family life was over the moment you tied the puppetmaster's strings to me. After that I would have been forced into the same servitude that I just killed Runt for while you use my family's bank account to fulfil your every selfish desire.The drama with Bleu and Dad combined with Darkrai's drama was actually a blessing in disguise." Elliot uselessly rubbed at the tears in attempt to convince them to stop. Tears are apparently deaf to such means of convincing. With no other choice Elliot gave up and continued with the premeditated plan action of lifting Zillian by the throat. The teenager still had one question left however: "Have you ever loved me? I mean really loved me as a person would love another person, and not like a person loving his/her property?"

In response Zil's eyes grew soft and warm; the amount of love that was radiating from it's depths was something that was beyond words and was potent enough to drive Elliot to his knees. This affirmative made Zillian's next words slam into Elliot like physical blows. "Elly...you were the only light filling a place where there was no other light to be seen. This light tore my soul into two pieces. Both have been screaming your name the moment we separated." Zil's light giggle was like a jagged venomous blade slowly cutting into Elliot's heart; there was no insanity in it, just purely innocent laugh of amusement. "You may not believe me but Zil has been 100% real. It's you that brings him out, not me."

"Sucks that I can feel the truth in those words. Makes what I must do a distant impossibility. I don't know what to do... I want to turn this stupid useless power off but. I. fucking. can't!"

The beginning Elliot's savage wail was silenced by hot breath tickling the spot where his tormented heart still somehow kept beating. With every breath Elliot's back pricked itself against Nil's fangs. At this range death would be instantaneous once Zillian's fangs pierced Elliot's flesh during its journey towards and through Elliot's heart.

Astonishment, terror and shock pulled him into Zillian's sad, tearful amber pools just as the rat began to speak :"If Elly don't follow through...Nil...no...I will." Zillian flashed a warm comforting smile "No matter your decision though: Elly will always be mine and Zillian will always be yours."

Elliot index claw over Zillian's chest, raking slow gentle circles with the appendage so light that claw only tickled the Raticate in a playful way. The spot in which the hovering claw was pointing was over the rat's own dark heart. "Did you already forget during our time away from each other buddy?" Zillain's expression was blank but expectant; giving Elliot permission to continue "I'm just as much of a selfish bastard of a rat as you are. We're survivors of almost any given situation including some apocalyptic ones. Heartbreak will be no different. I'll hurt for a very very very long time...but I will heal and move on."

"That's what I'm counting on..." Zillian whispered with his final breath as Elliot's claws finally pierced his heart.

Elliot sat at that exact spot; hugging the Raticate's corpse to his chest as attempted to push all of his rage, pain, sorrow, regrets, and yearnings for things to be different into it, no matter the cost. That attempt was a failure. In the end all the boy managed to do was soak a good portion of the Raticate's fur with his seemingly unstoppable tears.

Eventually Elliot runs out of tears. Giving Elliot the freedom to wipe away the evidence of his emotional breakdown and pull himself away from the corpse to face the last member of the party with at least some dignity.

Darkrai met the Elliot's gaze; simultaneously crossing his arms defensively to display that he was ready for whatever surprise the boy threw at him next.

---

For many moments Elliot says nothing, just stares at Darkrai with an intense frown for many minutes before finally speaking "Why...? Why with all the hate between us can I not turn my rage on the one who has done me the most harm?"

Darkrai was mirroring Elliot's expression during the pause that spanned many minutes. "You're missing the other handful of oddities. Like why we're constantly gravitating together like a couple of magnets of polar opposite charges. Why we continue to trust each other so easily from the moment we've met despite everything we've unintentionally and intentionally done to each other. Now more recently: Why I'm the only one that could activate your powers? Why are two possible pathways give you the ability to mimic my body and a select few of my powers when your other key life influencers only gave you only one apiece."

"Yes...I noticed that too but I haven't had a single theory as to why. I'm guessing you do?"

Darkrai took a hand and began rubbing the place where his temple would be if he has them. As if the Legendary had thought on this exact subject so long that it gave him a headache just in passing. "I have a theory that has a 99.9% chance of being fact. You however are going to dismiss it before I explain my reasoning though."

Elliot shrugged offhandedly "I don't know about that one man. If my past experiences taught me anything about myself it's how extremely open-minded I am."

Darkrai was going to laugh and contradict the boy but then realized that Elliot was indeed correct. "That is true. Huh...well than try this on for size: we share the similar if not exactly same genetic make-up. You're the Mewtwo to my Mew to put it mildly and simply. Unlike me however, you're human with only a touch of shadow."

"You mean we're siblings...You were right. Theory dismissed. You're grasping at straws man."

"I know right!" Darkrai takes a moment to laugh briefly before abruptly slipping into neutral mask again "But it's the only thing that makes sense when one adds in the knowledge that the deities of time and space known as Dialga and Palkia have always been a neutral presence during this war." Darkrai begins tapping his chin as he sticks to the recently acquired pattern of communicating his new thought verbally as it is created "In fact their only actions so far in this war has been to lock Arceus and Father up and give each of them the formula to create Cresselia and I." Darkrai takes a moment to sigh briefly "The only question I haven't yet answered is their motive."

"Okaaay...knowing all that then it's entirely possible then. It's the only theory so far that makes enough sense to wrap my mind around. Meaning the other choices must be the other smoothie mixtures of Pokemon and human DNA in different timelines. But why give me a choice? Why not just give me the most powerful form?" Elliot shook his head as if clearing it "Hindsight doesn't matter though. The real question we need to answer is what do we do now? I'm without a partner and you can't exactly hold my leash escort me to wherever my journey takes me nor can you leave me defenseless just when I've actually became useful."

Darkrai shrugs and shoots a half-hearted hopeful smile "We're family now. Surely Father will-"

Elliot however quickly interrupts "You know he won't. You have shit to do and I have shit to do. Besides we're only siblings based by a small technicality. You don't owe me a goddamn thing and you know it. Meaning in the end: that possibility means noth-"

Elliot had made the mistake of taking his eyes off of Darkrai long enough satisfy of the curiosity the bushes rustling to his left. Just a Ferret stealthily plucking off a particular berry it wanted before fleeing into the forest's concealing thicket. This mistake considering this was this particular moment was when Darkrai chose to close the six or seven foot gap separating them to pop Elliot in the mouth with a powerful left hook. Elliot was appropriately blown backward from the sheer force of the blow.

Still Darkrai wasn't satisfied. So Darkrai also shattered the sound barrier to pursue his target.

Elliot was too stunned to even think about reacting defensively to the flurry of punches. Didn't matter anyway because Darkrai was angry enough that if the boy did anything other than take his licks: the living nightmare would have kept up the beating until Elliot fell unconscious. After seven or so solid hits Darkrai was satisfied enough with his point to finally shove Elliot away from him with one last forceful kick.

Elliot's flight was slowed down by Darkrai's telekinetic tug, but the boy was still unfortunate enough to have enough momentum that the tree that intercepted his path would sure to leave a bruise. Not like Darkrai cared about such trivial things; besides, perhaps that'll learn'em.

Darkrai slowly approaches the prone Elliot; glaring down at the boy with almost fierce intensity. "Family is everything to me boy, don't ever forget that!" Elliot just silently nurses his injuries while glaring up at the overdramatic spectre. After a few moments of this staring contest stalemate: Darkrai sighs and says: " You are right about the first part though. No matter how much I want to: I can't babysit any longer"

After several minutes of both the pair putting their heads together to come up with a solution: Darkrai finally suggests "Should I fetch the bird?"

Elliot shakes his head. "No. Call it intuition but I don't think he can activate my powers. Not only that but I'm not becoming apart of a loony bird's fantasy. Crazy is contagious you know."

"I'm well aware and can understand that. Besides I also have a theory that to activate them you would need a ghost or dark type. Has to be a hybrid of both light and dark factions in order to work thanks to you being an obvious split of the two. Would also would have to be able to put up with your 'charming' personality...not many Pokemon species are like that though..."

Elliot snorts, his up until this point inflectionless voice suddenly becoming laced with his normal sarcastic sneer. "You know, you really should just quit your day job and be a comedian. You'll make a killing. I'll even be you're willing partner if we split the profits 50/50."

Darkrai continued on talking to mostly himself as if Elliot hadn't said a word. "Which is a good thing since that just leaves us with the most perfect fit for your abilities and the 'underestimated underdog with something to prove' motif"

Not appearing to really care all that much about being previously ignored: Elliot gestures with an uncaring shrugs as he opens his mouth to say "Great. I just have one measly little request if I may."

Those words Darkrai seemed to hear; a ghost of a grin flickered to life on his face as he said with almost overwhelmingly false cheer: "Sure, you'll just owe me one later bro."

Elliot didn't look the least bit amused about that comment. Yet decided to take a page out of Darkrai's book and pretend that the sentence didn't happen "I want to hatch whatever it is out of an egg myself. I'm tired of getting fucked over by another character's backstory. I need a blank slate whose secrets and intentions I can possibly somewhat mold into something I can stomach without directly manipulating them. I won't do machines, ghost, plant, water, or ice types. Last I checked I liked-

"I got you. No need to worry though, I already have all your preferences in mind; even those you make an effort to hide but do so very poorly."

Elliot became absolutely furious over this innocent comment; the reason behind his rage was fortunately quickly answered. "We've only met a weeks ago! During that time with our combined efforts we managed to destroy my every foundation. You can't know anything about me because I don't even know myself anymore!"

Darkrai appeared very confused as if Elliot began speaking in another language. "Boy-"

"Don't. you. dare. pull. that idiotic sounding 'brother' card." Elliot said with a warning growl; even stood up with claws raised in warning of carrying out the underlying threat in his tone to the best of his current abilities.

Now Darkrai was angry. "I wasn't you insolent whelp! I was just going to say what I had already said already right before the battles: you haven't changed a single bit despite my best efforts to mold you into my whim. My influence and powers seems to have done nothing either."

Darkrai's face relaxed into his usual icy calm as he chewed on a thought before saying it aloud "Taken every tool at my disposal for you to call me Master. A habit you quickly fell out of after the incidents of this afternoon." Darkrai's eyes met Elliot's as a grin slowly began to spread across his face "For once your unmoving stubbornness doesn't bother me because I have a new title to shoot for and I have a feeling that I will enjoy the challenge immensely."

"What? Supreme Lordship? God? Sir douchebag?"

"Brother you dumbass"

"Never asshole. Why in the hell do you think that's even remotely possible anyway?"

Darkrai grin grew wider while cleared his throat. There was only a half of moment of silence before Darkrai repeated a trick that he had shown Elliot at the hospital during his recovery. This time however it was Elliot's voice instead of his fathers that came out of Darkrai's throat "With our combined efforts we've managed to destroy my every foundation." The spectre switched back to his normal voice "That statement alone reveals that you no longer blame just me for destroying your life. Most likely thanks to the fact it was going to end anyway thanks to Zillian's secret other life. That's why I know that earning a sibling relationship with you is now actually possible. You're also actually admitting fault which means your hatred is slowly dying just like mine is. Right now we have a healthy respectful fondness brewing. One day I have faith that will turn into love... or at least our species equivalent anyway."

Elliot tosses his arms in the air and groans melodramatically while turning his back his back towards Darkrai "I GIVE UP! If I can't hammer sense into you with logical words than I'll just change the subject so I won't become even more pissed off." The boy half-turned to shoot half of his mischievous grin sideways Darkrai. Something that actually made the spectre nervous. "It's probably my revenge anyway since it's a question that I've asked nearly a hundred times but I'm never satisfied with the answer. It's an itch that no matter how hard I scratch: it never goes away"

Darkrai inhaled than held his breath, already knowing the gateway question and fearing it.

"Why do you hate me so much anyway?"

The question hung in the air for way too long for both their taste. The tension was almost a palpable thing it was so suffocatingly heavy. So Elliot filled it with his current thoughts "You've always said it's because I get in the way of business. Something I've always understood to a certain point. But then there are the days that I can actually keep my mouth shut. In response you antagonize me until I finally blow up and say or do something stupid. There are times that I've witnessed you not even show a single thread of emotion towards anyone else but the occasional burst of fury and malicious amusement. Meanwhile I get to see the whole damn rainbow. When someone annoys or infuriates you: you either walk out of the room or leave a nightmare promise. The people that try to talk to you like I do winds up being literally blown to pieces to set an example for your other minions. Why am I so different?"

Darkrai exhaled in a sigh. Just what he'd expected. Darkrai didn't want to answer these question; too scared too. Couldn't find the words to articulate it. Nearly didn't. But the master of fear didn't succumb to the weakness of nervousness or fear. So Darkrai took a page out of both the boy's and his book: putting on a brave face and-!

-sent Elliot flying with a backhand.

The gap between the previous beating and this out-of-the blue nonsensical strike was too short. Due to this fact Elliot understandably became outraged enough to come at Darkrai with everything he had. Considering that the boy was now transformed: there was a certain level of danger here. Especially with that level of power behind those lethal looking claws swipes making the surrounding air whistle various notes depending on the force put behind said attacks.

Sure the massive appendages was making it difficult to land a strike since the boy wasn't yet used to wielding his new weapons to strike with the necessary speed. Let alone holding them upright very long without tiring. Sure the boy's body was going to have to take a lot more punishment in order to gain the endurance necessary to endure the trials of combat. Sure the boy's blows were that of a rampaging toddler instead of those strikes from a knowledgeable warrior. All of these new issues were pretty damn infuriating to the ever-impatient Darkrai who in the past always had demanded to see perfection immediately.

Still...

Darkrai was now more than happy to wait however long it took to see what damage the boy could do once he learned to use his full body as a weapon and twist that knob of this well's untapped magical potential. All of these were going to be toughies to condition-

At the other end of the fight: Elliot was calling himself every name in the books in an attempt to try to calm himself down enough to flee before Darkrai's counter assault could begin. This tactic failed miserably considering it only seemed to piss the boy off more. Might as well see what I'm in for Elliot thought with an inward sigh while glancing up at Darkrai's...grinning face? This wasn't a typical Darkrai grin either. This one didn't cut. This one didn't hold a single hint of mischievous, malicious, vulpine, or snark; so totally abnormal and alien that Elliot couldn't pinpoint the emotions trying to burn a hole into his eyes.

Suddenly Elliot did.

The boy had the same look when he discovered a random rare or new item on one of his digs. Zil had it when the pair found something shiny. Runt had the look the moment before trying new yummy smelling foods. Heck even the bird had the look during the trio's brief battle encounter:

The gleeful wonder of a child having an innocent thrill.

Wait...

Was Darkrai covertly correcting Elliot's stance with Psychic energy telekinetic tugs to show him without saying point blank "You need to swipe at these points in this manner instead of what you're doing"

-but that's what big brothers are for aren't they?

Elliot froze mid-strike to gaze into Darkrai's now totally blank eyes with a look of complete and total wonder. "You hate and fear things that you don't understand. Meaning no matter what I did: I would add fuel to your temper. Yet...you enjoy how I make you feel because-"

Elliot shook his revelation themed surprise off to begin his assault anew; but this time with the eyes of a learner instead of a revenge taker. Something that pleased Darkrai immensely and made the feeling of glee return "-because a-all this time...all those beatings weren't disciplinary ones. You don't do discipline. You eliminate obstacles and misbehaving slaves. Sure at first you were trying to kill me by 'accident'. But! When I kept taking what you were dishing out...you evolved into just testing my boundaries. Meaning you weren't grooming a slave...you've been grooming a potential rival. Someone to test your wit and metal against without fear of killing them or yourself."

As a reward for the boy's correct deduction: Darkrai blasted the boy backwards with a Dark Pulse and began a fierce assault of his own. The boy responded wonderfully by dodging what he could while protecting his vitals with his massive claw-like gloves from the blows that he couldn't dodge. All the while watching and learning from what his current tutor was showing him. Eventually though; the grin that had made it's way onto Elliot's face birthed from having a burning curiosity sated suddenly flip-flopped into a frown. The reason behind this frown came minutes later when it was his turn to strike back. "But I could name at least three beings off the top of my head that fits this mold way better than I do. So why me?"

Darkrai flashed Elliot a bittersweet sort of smile while breathlessly answering his sibling's question. "The only ones that come close are Cresselia, Mewtwo, and those two brutes under my command. The latter becoming boorishly predictable once their blood rage consume them. The rest are either in the process of trying to assassinate me or would take my various antics too personally. You're the only one who understands my various quirks and responds to them in a way that I didn't even know I desired until very recently."

Elliot's grin was back and even giggled like a school boy for the briefest of moments despite the pain he felt when Darkrai's claws nipped him in the cheek, causing it to bleed. Still Elliot didn't let that bit of pain distract him from blocking Darkrai's leg before it could make contact. "I would say that I'm honored by this confession buuuut: all this is just way too anime for my taste. That and the prospect of looking at your ugly mug for the rest of my life makes my stomach churn... Which brings me to my next question."

Darkrai braces himself for the incoming right leg kick and hardening himself to endure his siblings unneeded dramatic pause. Finally the tension breaks when Elliot decides to continue. "Why would I accept you as my rival when I could spend like five minutes of my time finding someone so much better?"

Both were smiling and laughing gleefully belly-deep by now. Making similar verbal jabs at each other like the one above as they playfully pummeled on each other. Like a couple of siblings roughhousing on their bedroom floor.

The pair exchanged physical and verbal jabs like this well into the night over the corpses of the boy's past; both loving every second of it. That is until Elliot finally passed out on his feet to pay his body's rest debt.

Darkrai carried his sleeping sibling in his arms to dump him into the pocket dimension that would serve as his temporary room until they figured out a way to hide what was now their unique signature from the mean sadistic sister or some other solution was found. Said sister once again thankfully showing up late to crash the party.

In the meantime while his brother slept: Darkrai had some chores to do. Which would thankfully -or at least hopefully- derail his train of thought away from the distracting future and the annoyance of being forced once again to help his new baby brother with his homework.

Ah well such is life.

Hopefully though...no...the two siblings will get to play together again soon before they were forced to take a break from each other to take care of business.

---

So that no one can accuse me of adjusting this contest to suit my own desires: I took the liberty of holding onto the outcome changing checks that I gave each character and what they meant during the crafting the rough draft of this little shin-dig.

1st coin flip: Runt's shining moment:

Heads:Runt listens to common sense. All options are still fair game.

Tails: Runt listens to pride. Either Runt or Vector -quite possibly both- will lose the battle due to the each other's attempts at sabotage of each other's chance at winning. Mini Me Protege, Two-Headed Hellhound, Tazmanian Devil, and Misfit Pirate are placed in front of the chopping block. Series of coin checks will determine which one will survive to do battle with the remaining choices

2nd coin flip: Elliot's shining moment:

Heads: Elliot cannot pull an anime. Meaning Mini Me Protege and Tasmanian Devil get the axe

Tails: Elliot crosses the first of several protective barricades. But will something in the battle interfere in his concentration? Only time will tell. If something does interfere than Two-Headed Hellhound wins by default if Runt survives the incoming dangerous checks.

3rd coin flip: Vector's shining moment:

Heads:Vector dies. Elliot falls out of his meditative state and can't recover it. Apparently all key players need to be present in order for Elliot to pull an anime. This locks out ? of the choices. Leaving only THHH and ELEA.

Tails:Vector saves himself but takes a good chunk of damage.

4th coin flip: Zillian's shining moment:

Heads:Yes. Result being a very emotional response and Zil and Nil moves to intercept Vector, Runt who had already dashed past him during the moment of this epiphany to stop the transformation before Elliot is made into a monster. Series of checks that will determine which path Elliot falls into. THHH or Misfit Pirate/ELEA. Zil fails and is critically wounded in the process. Depending who wins of snapping Elliot out of it will determine if Zil stays to die (gets killed by Jasper's unexpected intervention) or retreats while the gettin is good.

Tails: No. Nil's is too enraged and battle focused to listen to Zil's 'meaningless words' Both rat's unintentionally intercept Runt and Vector. Leaving Jasper with seemingly no choice but to go in alone.

Funny thing is that I flipped for this one two times because I forgotten that I'd already flipped for it and didn't see the result I written down until afterward. Got tails both times XD What are the odds right?

5th coin flip: Pokemon vs Darkrai.

Heads: Both dog and bird feel the same sense of impending doom. Both dodge. No change in situation

Tails: Both feel the same sense of impending doom but only Vector has enough speed to dodge. Runt dies but mortals win and Darkrai is left with no other choice but to cry like a baby.

6th coin flip: Humanity vs. Darkrai

Heads: Jasper can move freely. Jasper dies but Elliot doesn't turn into a monster.

Tails: Jasper is immobilized. Elliot passes the point of no return.

7th coin flip: Elliot vs. Darkrai.

Heads: Darkrai succeeds! Mortals bow before the hellish might of the Mini Me Protege!

Tails: Elliot breaks free! All beware the incoming righteous wrath of the Tazmanian Devil!

---