What It Can Become

The time has come for me to announce that I am hardly able to write for this blog anymore. The story is told. The character is happy at last. What else I have to say about his life? Unfortunately, I am too busy with real life matters at the time as well to answer asks or roleplay for him. He will always live in my heart, though, as he represents some of my viewpoints: either his dark side and light one - my mind is a mess, as a matter of fact. Anyway, I can assure you that there will be nothing in the Dark-ler’s future he wouldn’t handle, so be serene.

If you want to withness more creations of my messy mind, I leave here some links for you:

Good ol’ Dark Days as a chronicle: https://ask-ailing-once-ler.tumblr.com/

A little Too Bright blog for Dark-ler’s creator (contact me there if you wish): https://theyellowdragon.tumblr.com/

More of Messy Viewpoints: https://www.deviantart.com/9yellowdragon9

Shade : *gets into a sitting position and pops the joints in his neck, making a metallic noise* Thanks.

Shadow : So what? You are you just going to sit there?

Shade : Right now that’s all I can do. What else do you want me to do? Give you another noogie?

Vicky : *snorts* Hilarious. You should do that.

Shade : Heh. *smiles* I kinda like this one.

Dark-ler slowly straightened up, his face still expressing incredulity. 

 - You are welcome.

Shade : …..Alright, I’ll try to be good, but would you mind taking your claws out of my neck. There might be metal in it, but I can still feel them.

Vicky : Guess the metal won’t do you any good.

Shade : *glares* At least it keeps my organs in place.

Vicky : Alright, sorry.

Dark-ler narrowed his eyes and remained motionless and silent, piercing Shade with his gaze. However, after a while, he finally slowly and cautiosly let his opponent go.

 - Well... we will see.

Shade : I don’t know a lot of people, and I’ve never wanted to help them out of kindness. I don’t know how. If he used me, he used me. I can’t help it. There’s nothing I can do to begin with. He won’t listen to anyone except himself so I can’t reason with him. *stays silent for a few minutes* But with everything I’ve done, how can I be good?

Vicky : Look, one eye, if you really want to change, there are people that can help you. Maybe…

Shade : *stays silent, still glaring at Dark-ler* *his features soften slightly,  making him look depressed* I’m a murder. I don’t think I can be redeemed, even if I tried.

 - Everything is possible if you want it strong enough, if you really want it. 

Now Dark-ler’s face was impenetrably serious.

 - Good deeds value more than bad ones. If you decide to change you will have a chance on a better life, if not - sooner or later you will die in a fight or from torture, and will be forever forgotten. Even if each of your opponents is weaker than you, one day, enraged by your deeds, they may form a force you will not be able to stand against. Do you want to continue to live, feeling only fear and anger, or would you rather feel warmth and peace?

Dark-ler paused for a time, looking at Shade intently.

Shade : *glares at Dark-ler when he begins asking him so much* I never said my father was proud of me. Shadow was never a puppet, as you call it, in the first place. I’m the first born; Shadow came next; and Jezebel was born last. *lifts his long hair and reveals a hole where his right eye should be* The first time I disobeyed him, he took my eye. You could say it’s fear that keeps me loyal, but I don’t know anything else besides evil. I was never around my mother enough to learn how to be what you call good.

Vicky : *growling while flames show from her mouth*

Shade : *slightly winces when his neck is squeezed tighter* If I’m no longer of use to him, I’ll just be tortured to death like so many others before. I can’t stand up to him so I’ll just slowly die. I can speak for Jezebel, but if she does the same thing, he’ll kill her, too.

Shadow : *mumbles* Dad’s scum.

 - That was what I thought: your father simply used you. And, of course, it was to his advantage for you never to know another kind of life.

Dark-ler fell silent for a moment. His rage faded away some, giving way to sulky reverie.

Shade : *angrily looks at Dark-ler* If my dad wants Shadow dead for being a weak link, what do you think he’s going to do to me? When he finds out I was beaten, I’ll be killed, too. We’d already be dead if we weren’t of some use to him.

Shadow : *growls* So he’s still out to get me?

Shade : What are you? Some kind of idiot? Of course he is. Your mom wold still be alive if it wasn’t for him. She should have been evil like the rest of us, but no. She had to be all sweet and kind to everyone and everything.

Shadow : Stop talking about my mom like that! *small tears come down his cheeks*

Vicky : *stomps toward Shade, moth blazing with flames* Alright, you better keep quiet before I burn you to a crisp! When a mother cares deeply about her child, it’s one of the greatest things in the world!

Shade : Oh, pipe down, fireball. She was my mom, too. I just can’t stand against my dad. I might be tough, but it’s nearly impossible to take him down.

Dark-ler had been silent for a long time. His face was gloomy, but relatively calm now. He listened to Shade intently, however his grip was still tight. 

Finally, he spoke:

 - So, with all your might, you are no more than a slave of your own father? What is the reason of your devotion to him? Is it plain fear or something more? Was your father ever really proud of you? Or are you just a puppet in his hands? Now you have an idea of how Shadow feels. Now you have an idea of what it means to be in his place.

Dark-ler sqeezed his right hand on Shade’s throat a bit tighter. There was no sign of former composure in his features anymore. His eyes glowed with rage once again.

Shade : *yelps in pain when his tail is pulled* *knees begin shaking and buckle under his weight* Grah. *curses*

Shadow : ! What the heck happened?

Shade : *looks at Shadow angrily* I fell you *bad word* idiot!!

Shadow : He just pulled your tail.

Shade : So what?! My tail it very weak. It can’t stand attacks like this.

Shadow : If your tail is so weak, why can’t you get hurt in other places on your body?

Shade : Most of my body has metal in it. I had a metal plate implanted in my neck and chest, and both of my knees were completely replaced with metal. Jail is brutal.

Shadow : *stares at Shade, completely speechless*

Vicky : Huh, guess you really aren’t that tough after all. *toothy grin*

Shade : *loudly growls*

Dark-ler listened to the dialogue for a short while, fetching his breath, but he wasn’t going to lose a good opportunity for a strike: while Shade directed his anger towards others, Dark-ler made another leap and landed on Shade’s back, squeezing his opponent’s neck in eldow of his left arm and pressing claws of the right one to Shade’s larynx.

Shade : Life isn’t fair. Get used to it. *holds his axe up and lunges toward Dark-ler, exposing his tail unconsciously*

Shadow : Same as when we were younger.

Vicky : *breathes smoke from her nose* Your brother is horrible.

Dark-ler smirked gloomily. It seemed Shade lacked in ability of situation assessment: his blunt ax attacks left Dark-ler much more opportunities for a counter-strike than energy shots. However, if the fight didn’t end soon, that fact couldn’t help him: tiredness inexorably grew in his muscles.

Dark-ler narrowed his eyes. What was that? A tail? He placed his strongest hits upon most common weak places, but to no use. But, perhaps, with such a strange being, things would work a bit differently? In Dark-ler’s desperate situation that guess was worth a try.

He darted towards Shade, and, just as he did before, dodged the ax and slided past Shade. Right at the moment when Dark-ler found himself behind his opponent, he grabbed Shade’s tail and pulled it to himself, following this action by as strong strike as he could place on the tail base with his fist.

Shade : *muffled noise* *after being pulled, Shade grabbed the garment and ripped it off his head* *stands up and angrily curses at Dark-ler* I can tell you’re fast, but that doesn’t make a difference against me. *sends a beam of dark energy toward Dark-ler*

Shadow : ! *Oh great…*

Vicky : *growls loudly*

Proton : Uh oh…*Vicky’s getting angrier and angrier. She could go into a blind rage if we’re not careful.*

Being ready for another strike, Dark-ler leaped away before the beam reached him. However, this kind of attack indeed was much faster than ones Shade performed before, and, though Dark-ler avoided one beam, an unpleasant thought came to him that sooner or later he wouldn’t be able to get ready for another energetic strike in time.

Furthermore, Dark-ler had never faced such kind of weapon before and, thus, he had no idea how dark energy could affect him, considering his connection to the valley’s magic and unusual features of his body, induced by it. Not to mention that it could affect some psyche scars that his past left to him.

- Woah! You do not like to play fair, do you?

As soon as the maneuver was performed, Dark-ler quickly shifted his gaze to Shade.

 - Unfortunately, I have already faced ones like you before.

Shade : Course it’s not. You’re still alive. *gets as close as he can to Dark-ler before swinging his large weapon again*

Shadow : *silently stares at Dark-ler*

Selena : *growling is heard in the back of her throat, hair changes to brown and claws are clearly visible on her fingers*

Shadow : ? *looks at Selena* Are you O.k., Selena?

Vicky : *looks up at Shadow angrily and bars her sharp teeth* Don’t you dare call me Selena. My name’s Vicky.

Shadow : *sweatdrop* Er, O.k.?

Dark-ler watched Shade’s oncoming silently, his muscles tensed, ready to discharge immediately after Dark-ler’s brain first command. Dark-ler’s now brightly glowing eyes followed every Shade’s move: an idea of what to do next came to him soon after his dodge maneuver, but to perform it a precise calculation should have been made.

Dark-ler waited until Shade swung his weapon at him, and just as the ax started to fall and couldn’t be stopped, pulling Shade forward, Dark-ler sprang sideways and towards his opponent. The blade ripped his trouser-leg and incised his ankle lightly, but Dark-ler didn’t notice it, being focused on what he was doing: just as Shade’s head happened to be beneath him, Dark-ler threw his coat remnants upon it and tugged them, tangling Shade’s head and dragging it along with Dark-ler. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Dark-ler applied a powerful blow with his fist against back of Shade’s head and then finally let the coat-net go. 

Immediately after this Dark-ler leaped and rolled away far enough to get ready for the next possible attack: a hit at such vulnerable place would result in a stun at least, but with Shade’s stamina nothing could be said for sure.

 - My speed and agility are still with me, pal.

Shade : I thought you’d be a stronger opponent than this. I might only be wearing a prison uniform, but your hitting is weak. *once he sees Dark-ler become entangled and fall, he laughs obnoxiously* You need to learn to fight better. *quickly swings the blunt end of his weapon, attempting to knock out his opponent*

Shadow : How much longer is this going to be?

Selena : *angrily* He’s trying his best, Shadow.

Proton : *tries to get closer to Carrie* I’m afraid, Carrie.

Carrie : *holds Proton closer* It’s going to be alright…I hope. *a worried expression appears on her face*

Selena : *heart is starting to beat quicker and irises begin turning a shade of red*

Dark-ler managed to dodge in time, however the ax went too close to his head, scratching his ear: the rhythm of Dark-ler movements was disrupted, and in current situation it was quite hard to regain control over the fight. The only thing Dark-ler could do at the moment was evading Shade’s attacks. But he wasn’t going to give up: too much was at stake.

Dark-ler rolled away far enough to get on his feet before Shade’s next attack and focused on him and him entirely, still clenching remnants of the treacherous coat in his fists.

Shade : *growls* Get off, pest! *begins shaking his leg, trying to make Dark-ler loosen his grip*

Shadow : Gees, I thought he would have ended him by now.

Selena : Be quiet, Shadow.

Shade : Grr. *begins cursing horribly*

Unseen by Shade, Dark-ler frowned: his opponent was even stronger than he thought, and he couldn’t possibly hold him this way for a long time. As much as Dark-ler didn’t want it, it was time to undertake more severe moves against Shade. Thus, Dark-ler pushed his opponent with all his might and then let him go abruptly, following this by a double-hit under Shade’s knees.

 - I thought you enjoyed fighting.

Expecting Shade to fall or, at least, lurch after this, being destabilized by his heavy weapon to top it all, Dark-ler leaped away hastily. His mind was too preoccupied with the fight to notice deplorable state in which his coat happened to be. Unfortunately, it was precisely the time when strain turned to be unbearable for the seams, and the coat broke completely mid-leap, becoming a similarity of a net for Dark-ler to be entangled in, and thus resulting in a quite unpleasant landing for him. 

 - Ghak!

Shade : What the? *gets thrown back slightly* Oh, so you’re looking for a fight, huh?

Shadow : *once Shade’s foot is off him, he quickly gets out of the way*

Selena : *when Shadow’s safe, she moves in front of him* Your brother is cruel, Shadow.

Shadow : Gee, I wouldn’t have guessed.

Shade : *throws Dark-ler off, and gets up* I’ve been in jail for seven years so I’m not afraid to get rid of you, too. *holds up his large ax, ready to swing at Dark-ler*

Dark-ler made a somersault in the air and landed on his feet not too far from Shade.

 - I never look for a fight.

Dark-ler’s look shifted to the ax. He grinned, as his eyes flashed blue, and threw himself between Shade’s legs, avoiding the heavy weapon. Despite Dark-ler’s height, his thin physique would allow him to do that without major difficulties. However, his coat wasn’t made for such acrobatic stunts, and its seams broke more and more with any new movement.

 - But I will not break my word anymore!

Found himself behind Shade, Dark-ler pushed his opponent back against back, grabbing Shade’s ankles at the same time to deprive him of balance once again.

 - And I am never indifferent in the face of inequity. 

Shade : *looks at Dark-ler and grins* I came to see my little bro, why else? *gives Shadow another noogie*

Shadow : Knock it off! I know why you’re really here. You can fool me you *bad word*.

Shade : Oh really? Well then, guess I need to take care of the runt in the family. *drops Shadow on the ground*

Selena : Runt?

Shadow : *lifts himself up slightly* Yeah, I’m the runt! What does it matter?!

Shade : *steps on Shadow’s back and pushes him back down* It matters a lot when you’re a weak link. *spawns a large battle axe from some black smoke* Now hold still. I don’t want to make a big mess.

Selena : ! *What do we do?*

Dark-ler gritted his teeth. Using a few moments he had, he rapidly got rid of his travel bag and gave Selena a quick desperate look - Dark-ler knew that he couldn’t defeat Shade on his own, but he didn’t want to put others in danger either.

 - Madness... - said Dark-ler quietly to her.

Proton : *quietly says* Because Fairy type attacks are super effective against Dark types. They’re also strong against Dragon types and weak against Steel types.

Shadow : *growls* Where is that idiot?

??? : Lookin’ for me, Runt? *grabs Shadow by the shoulder and picks him up*

Shadow : Hey!

??? : *gives Shadow a hard noogie* Hahaha, what’s the matter? You ain’t scared of your brother, are ya?

Shadow : Let me go, Shade. Grah! You *insert bad word*!

Shade : Ha, nice to see you can still curse!

Selena : *quickly hides behind Dark-ler* He’s taller than eight feet.

Shade : ? *stops picking on Shadow and looks toward Selena* You’re right, cutie. I’m nine in a half feet tall.

Selena : *quietly* Ehhh. *clutches Dark-ler’s arm*

Shade : What are ya scared of, pretty girl? I won’t hurt you. *wide grin showing sharp teeth*

Selena : *slightly shaking*

Dark-ler didn’t move, but frowned deeply, inspecting the newcomer. Then, however, his face took a neutral expression and he said as calm as he could:

Shadow : *looks at Dark-ler* He isn’t peaceful so there will be a fight one way or another.

Selena : ………………..*deep in thought*

Shadow : My brother is half Darkrai so a Fighting type Pokémon would be helpful.

Selena : A Fairy type Pokémon would, too.

Shadow : *slightly jumps* Don’t you dare bring any Fairy types near me.

Selena : *shrugs* O.k. Fighting type it is.

Proton : *gently nudges Carrie so she can be closer to Dark-ler* *whispers* Shadow’s afraid of Fairy types.

Dark-ler listened to the conversation attentively, though his facial expression indicated that not everything in it was clear to him. He nodded at Proton’s quiet commentary and asked her just as quietly:

 - But why is it so?