Child of Thorns - A Pokemon Sinnoh Reimagining

I acted quickly, knowing that otherwise, all would be lost. All would be forgotten to the Sea of Chaos.

With what little godly power still remained in me, I raised my hands and the world itself rose with them. The land moved by my will, folding into itself. A jagged, enormous mountain rose from nothing, dividing the entire country in half and stabbing into the heavens as though it were a spear.

Chaos wasn't affected. Darkness poured down into the world, ready to plunge it into nothingness.

Yet at the top of the mountain, a light shone. I'd made sure its summit was made of that strange, glass-like material which absorbed the light of the day with such ease. And it did so now, reflecting a sun that was not currently in our sky.

With no light of dawn to burn this darkness away, I decided to create my own.

Using the last of my power, I detached the summit and molded it into a form like that of the sun. Then, with a cry that echoed through the whole world, I sent it up.

The light of the sun immediately reflected upon the new celestial body, and for the first time since the dawn of creation, night was burned away.

And I knew that, as long as this creation of mine continued to shine in the sky, Chaos would not return.

In the list of things that were clearly not fucking okay, Inyssa thought, this was a the very tippity-top.

"What the fuck are you doing here!?"

At that, Mars did exactly what Inyssa didn't want her to do. She looked over her shoulder, eyes slightly narrowed, and shone her that shit-eating grin she hated with a passion.

"Come on now. Is that any way to treat a friend?"

It was funny. After what had just happened, Inyssa never thought she would relate to her sister again, in any way. And yet as they heard that, both Dawn women recoiled and let out an almost identical grunt of pure disgust, as though they'd swallowed something foul and slimy.

"I am NOT your friend!" yelled Inyssa, swiping at the air with her hand. She could feel that familiar heat start to bubble within her. "Just… What the hell!? Get out of here!"

Across from her, Shadi pinched her eyebrow and let out a deep sigh.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with my sister," she said. "This obsession of yours with me is… getting rather irritating. I would be happy to take care of you later, but right now I am busy, so I'd appreciate it if you left us alone."

Mars slumped her shoulders, making a face as though she were heartbroken. Inyssa wanted to heave at the sight.

"I really am sorry for intruding in this family reunion," she finally said. "But I felt like things were getting a tad too serious. Besides…" Her expression changed in a flash, a sudden, deep fury flashing behind the red of her eyes. "I've been looking for you for a long time, Shadi. I'm not letting you go again."

Inyssa couldn't believe it, but Shadi actually looked like she would take a step back for a second, the barest hint of panic showing in her face. Then again… she couldn't blame her. She remembered very well that terrifying aura that had exuded from Mars the last time they'd seen each other. If there was a single person who could match her in that regard…

"Perhaps… this is an auspicious development," Uxie said inside her mind. "I know you will despise the idea, Inyssa, but perhaps the two of you could…"

Shut up, she yelled inside her mind. If you end up giving her the idea…

"As such, I think we should work together, Inyssa."

FUCK!

Inyssa shot Mars her angriest, foulest glare, hatred and disgust etched into every inch of her face.

"I will never… ever… work alongside you," she spat out. "I would rather gouge my own heart out."

Mars raised an eyebrow, and even Shadi looked surprised.

"That's pretty cold," said the former. "Considering I just saved your life and that of your Staravia."

"You killed my Pokemon!" Inyssa refuted. "You tried to kidnap me!"

"The first thing was an accident," said Mars, shrugging. "As for the second… It was all part of the job. No hard feelings."

"Wh– You..!" Inyssa had to breathe a few times to be able to reply. "You tried to kill me… You said I deserved to be dead! What the hell is your problem!?"

At that, Mars simply shrugged again, more exaggeratedly this time, and smiled in a way that seemed to say 'Whoopsie-daisy'.

Inyssa had never wanted to hurt someone more.

"What can I say? You've clearly changed. It's in your eyes." Inyssa reeled at that. "Finally realized what kind of person she is, eh? Not running from the truth anymore? Then I have no reason to kill you. In fact, it just gives us even more incentive to work together, to take her down."

The sound that left Inyssa's mouth was almost like a grunt, only more angry and choked out. She… how fucking dare she!? After all this time, after finally getting the chance to face her sister on her own, like she wanted…

"We were about to lose," Uxie reminded her. "Besides…"

SHUT UP! She took a step back, grabbing her head between her hands. I don't… I will never…

A sudden chill ran up her spine. She heard that sharp, rushing sound cutting through the air once more.

"INYSSA, LOOK O–!"

Her eyes shot wide open and she saw that enormous arm made of shadows cutting through the air toward her. She gasped and jumped back, but it was already upon her. She could only watch as the fingers closed around h–

A streak of silver invaded her vision. There was a sound like a red-hot knife cutting into steaming water, and then the shadow arm fell around Inyssa in a heap, dissolving into nothingness.

"Wh–?"

"AGH!"

Mars knelt before her, right arm morphed into a Scyther's blade, its tip encrusted into the stone floor. Behind her, what was left of the shadow arm retreated back. Shadi took a step back, her other hand holding onto the hissing stump, eyes narrowed and lips pursed in pain. Her fingers shook. The shadows began to twist and morph, and soon another identical arm grew from the stump, falling limp at her side.

It looked like it hurt a lot.

"Y-you…"

Mars simply stood up and shone her one of her infuriating smiles.

"That's twice now I've saved you. I think it makes up for having tried to kill you that one time," she said. "Tell you what; I'll make the choice easier for you."

Inyssa shook her head. "What… what do you mean?"

"I'm going to fight Shadi either way," she said. "I can either fight her alongside you, or I can fight the two of you at the same time. Your choice."

Inyssa reeled, feeling like her tongue had been tied into a knot. She stared at Mars for what felt like minutes, though it probably was only a few seconds. God… She wanted to punch her so badly. She hated her so much. But…

"I will not tell you to accept her offer," said Uxie. "However."

Yeah… I know, god dammit. I know.

Despite all her wishes and her best instincts, Inyssa looked away from Mars, turning toward her sister. Her eyes flared gold once more.

"Betray me and I'll fucking kill you," she said.

"Perish the thought," replied Mars, a grin forming on her face. "It's good to have you on my side, Child of Thorns."

The sound of that name coming from her lips made Inyssa want to wretch, but she kept it to herself and focused on the fight ahead. She still hadn't dismissed that first illusion. Only she could hear the far-away roar of thunder. But… it wasn't ready yet, it needed a few more minutes until she could unleash it. In the meantime…

"Here."

It disgusted her to her core, but with a quick movement she lifted one of her gloves and touched Mars' hand with her exposed skin. Immediately, the woman's eyes shot wide open. Gold gleamed behind her eyes for an instant. Inyssa didn't know if transferring part of her memories to Mars was wise, but…

"I see. So that's your plan," she whispered, letting out a low chuckle. "That's good to know."

Across from them, Shadi closed her eyes for a moment and exhaled through her mouth, exhaustion clinging to every inch of her face.

"I will admit that this is my fault. I should have refused to address you, and instead taken Uxie without a moment's hesitation," she said, locking eyes with Inyssa. "Instead… I got caught up in mercy and reminiscence. I will not make that mistake again."

She raised her hand toward the sky, and in an instant it felt as though every shadow of the night rushed back into her body, pooling around her like an ocean of pure black. Inyssa didn't need to see it to know that the people below had been freed from her influence.

Then, the night folded around them. That's what it looked like, at least. A curtain of pure dark rose from above them, then fell around the tower, covering it whole, cutting them off from the outside world.

When Shadi spoke again, her voice barely sounded human.

"I can see that you two will stop at nothing to kill me," she said, her voice echoing loudly. "As a sign of respect for such… determination, allow me to fight with my power uninhibited."

With that, she threw her hand forward, and hundreds of tendrils of darkness shot toward Inyssa and Mars.

Things were going to hell quickly, and Maylene wasn't sure if they could hold on much longer.

"Agh! Come on, stay still!"

More and more people continued to swarm toward them in that dazed, dream-like state, expressions vacant and bodies moving on their own, trying to hurt Candice and her. Of course, they couldn't hurt them back. Moreover, those friends of family members that hadn't been affected had tried to stop them, unfortunately getting in the way.

"All of you, evacuate at once! I am serious!" Candice's voice boomed through the roar of the hailstorm. "We will take care of this! Abomasnow, stop those two!"

All of them and their Pokemon had their hands full trying to suppress all the possessed civilians without actually hurting them, though it was getting harder the more time that passed. They had formed a line to try not to overlap, but things were getting difficult as the sea of people continued to try to crash against them.

Abomasnow and Inyssa's Quagsire had turned the ground in front of them into a soft, muddy mire. People would be slowed down by the shifting ground, and then the former would immobilize them with his vines. The rest of Candice's Pokemon tried to aid any way they could, though they didn't go as far as to freeze any of them in place. They knew that, while it would momentarily stop them, it could also severely harm them or give them frostbite. As such, they joined Lucario, Machamp and Gallade in trying to pin down as many of them as they could.

Inyssa's Luxray ran like lightning in between the sea of people, paralyzing as many of them as he could with a volley of Thunder Waves, though Maylene could see his power starting to run out, each consequent one seemingly weaker than the last.

She grit her teeth, trying to keep a couple of young men pinned down. This was bad. They would be overwhelmed at any moment, and once that happened–

Then, it was over, as fast as it had begun.

In an instant, the massive clump of shadows etched in between all of those people moved, skittering up the side of the tower like an Ariados made of darkness. Maylene saw its trajectory as it flew up, then congealed itself at the top of the tower.

She swallowed. Inyssa had done it; she'd forced Shadi to concentrate all her power on herself. Which was good news for them, but…

Looking over her shoulder, she saw that all of the civilians affected had collapsed into a heap, and were slowly starting to rouse awake, confusion clear in their faces.

"Candice!" she yelled, getting her girlfriend's attention. "Stay here and help everyone! I'll go help Inyssa; I'm sure she'll–!"

That's when the air shook. Feeling compelled to for some reason, Maylene sharply turned around and saw as a dome of darkness showered down from the top of the tower, consuming the structure whole, as well as some of the space around it. Could it be…?

Tentatively, Maylene grabbed one of her bokken and threw it against the wall of darkness. There was a sound like hissing steam, and the weapon flew back to her hand as though pushed by a powerful spring. The wall didn't budge in the slightest.

"Oh god damn it."

Had the threat of the situation been less, had her mind and spirit not been wrung and worn down non-stop for the past few hours, had she not been reduced to an exhausted, almost feral creature wanting nothing more than to end all this once and for all, Shadi's new visage might have freaked her out enough for one of the shadow tendrils to capture her.

She raised her hand toward it, driven by an odd, unfamiliar instinct. Her eyes flared and the air crackled. The dark limb evaporated with a hiss against the sudden burst of light, and past its crumbling form Inyssa could see her sister once more.

Or… well, what remained of her.

"S-Shadi…"

To say she was floating or hovering wouldn't have been entirely accurate. Wings of pure black grew from under her shoulder blades, though they weren't exactly helping her to fly. It was more like each individual feather was…stuck, glued to the night itself. Keeping her aloft. Then she looked up, and the feathers began to move and skitter like hundreds of Ariados legs walking through an invisible wall, dragging Shadi's body along like a puppet.

Slick, sheeny veins of purple ran through the sides of her face. The white of her eyes was now an empty void, and within it that familiar icy blue shone as though it were the only light in the world, compelling Inyssa to look at it and let herself be consumed by the overwhelming exhaustion they exuded.

She resisted, though only barely. Were it not for Uxie, she doubted she would've lasted a single second against that… thing.

"Look out!"

Inyssa's voice echoed along with her crackling as she vaporized yet another dark tendril by focusing her power. A few feet from her, Mars danced amidst at least a dozen of them. The silvery gleam of her Scyther arm moved in a rhythmic, frenetic pattern as it cut them down one after the other with a grace and dexterity Inyssa hadn't expected from her. However, she was only one person, and Shadi was clearly focusing most of her efforts into taking her down as fast as possible.

One of the tendrils shot up like a spike from Mars' own shadow, aimed at a specific spot in her back. Inyssa's scream alerted her to it.

"GHK!"

She jumped to the side, the tendril barely grazing her side, a trickle of blood staining the sliced fabric. A smile formed on Mars' face as she landed, one which made Inyssa want to throw up.

"Thanks for the warning," she said. "Finally warming up to me, eh?"

"Shut up."

Then, after jumping away from yet another clump of tendrils, Mars did something strange. She stood still for a moment, and closed her eyes. A sound like that of bubbling mass and shifting meat was heard, and with a wet pop which Inyssa knew she'd hear in her nightmares, three additional eyes sprouted from the sides and back of the woman's head. They were bulging and veiny, the same shade of red as the two in the front. As one of them focused on her, Inyssa felt a bit of bile rise up her throat.

"That's fucking disgusting."

They turned to face Shadi once more, but she didn't send another attack. Inyssa hadn't expected her to react to Mars' disgusting gesture, but just then she heard a laugh echo through the air. It was unmistakably her sister's, but warped and deathly cold.

"I must give you credit. That is… an ingenuous idea."

Even Mars' smile momentarily dropped at the sound of that voice. But it wasn't just that. It wasn't just the cold and sharpness emanating from it like a well, like a flood threatening to wash over them and drown them within it.

No. What freaked them out the most was the fact that, as she said that, Shadi's lips didn't move. None of her moved, in fact. She lay suspended in the air, limbs lifeless and expression vacant, the only sign of life being the hatred in her eyes.

And, right as she thought that, Shadi closed them.

That sharp, hissing sound of shifting darkness was heard all around them. Inyssa and Mars looked down with urgency, but no more shadow limbs jutted out toward them. No… The sound came from above and around them.

"But you're not the only one who can do that."

A freezing, visceral horror washed over Inyssa as, all across the surface of the dome trapping them, dozens upon dozens of enormous eyes opened up from nothing, their icy blue focusing on them all at once.

Mars' eyes went wide. A choked, terrified sound left Inyssa's throat.

Realization dawned on her then. The shadows weren't just an extension of Shadi's body; they were an entirely separate body themselves, one she could jump to and manipulate through the link they shared, leaving her previous one momentarily behind as a limp, expressionless husk.

Somehow, that knowledge terrified her more than anything Shadi had done previously.

This… this isn't just Darkrai anymore, is it? It's not even the power of the Dread Plate, she thought. It's something entirely different.

"Y-yes… I believe so," replied Uxie, a hint of worry in its voice. "However, that does not change what we must do. Steel yourself, Inyssa! We must still burn away this moonless night."

She wasn't so sure anymore. Hell, she wasn't even sure her ace in her sleeve would be able to penetrate through the dome surrounding them.

Not that she didn't have plenty of incentive to bring that thing down before, of course.

"Tsk. No other option," she whispered. "Mars, keep her occupied while–!"

"Not so fast!"

Spikes of darkness jutted out from the edge of the roof, forming a circle. Then more and more followed, slowly closing around them, ready to tear them to shreds. Inyssa heard Mars say something, offering her hand to her. But her gaze was set on the unconscious bodies of her Pokemon a few feet behind her. She scrambled to grab her Pokeballs but the spikes were advancing too fast; she wasn't sure she could–

The sound of wings batting against the ground echoed. Inyssa turned sharply toward Steven as he took off toward the incoming wall of spikes with what little strength he had left, blood and charred feathers covering him from head to toe. She opened her mouth to scream, to tell him to stop, but she needn't bother. As he flew past her, a sudden, powerful light engulfed him.

It was blinding. Inyssa raised a hand in front of her eyes, but even then she could feel the shadows vaporize around her. The entire dome seemed to shake in pain. The wings jutting out of Shadi's back tensed as though they were muscles exposed.

When Steven emerged from the light, he'd grown almost twice in size. He looked somewhat chubby with his wings tucked, though she knew that was mostly the thickness of his wings bloating his figure. His beak was longer, and a sharp, angular tuft of feathers grew from his forehead, covering one of his eyes, its tip a bright crimson.

He turned his head toward her, and nodded in what he must have thought was a cool way. Inyssa couldn't help but laugh. Were she not in mortal danger, she might've made a joke about a rebellious teen phase.

"Well ain't that a neat little surprise," muttered Mars.

The darkness around them began to shift and bubble once more. The sudden evolution had surprised Shadi, but that wouldn't last for long.

"Steven! Jump to Mars' back and be her wings!" she ordered, returning Shadi and Bret to their respective Pokeballs. "Your evolution didn't do much to heal you, so this is the best alternative."

Steven did as he was told, and as Mars was hoisted up by his talons, wings extending at her sides, making her look like some sort of dark angel, Inyssa shot her a quick, poignant look, which she seemed to understand.

They needed to bring the dome down. Inyssa could feel lightning start to build up above them, and once it was ready to fall she wasn't sure she could keep it at bay. They had one chance, and not much time to make use of it.

"Press her as hard as you can!" she yelled out, throwing her hand back. Weak crackles of electricity began to run through her scars. "I'm counting on you!"

Shadi –or the darkness sprouting from her, Inyssa couldn't tell– let out a cold, inhuman cry as they threw themselves at her. The eyes dotting the dome fell on them, dark purple veins clawing at their edges. Shadows rose from all over the surface of the roof, shooting up toward them, some of them hands, others spikes. Inyssa didn't think Shadi knew if she wanted to kill them or capture them at this point.

Perhaps she wasn't even fully aware of what she was doing. The thought disturbed her.

Inyssa flared her senses to their limits, vaporizing the shadows jumping toward her with the flare of the crackling energy running through her scars. Above her, Mars flew in a straight line toward Shadi. Making good use of her reflexes and Steven's speed, she ducked and weaved past the countless spikes and hands trying to get at her. She threw her arm forward as she reached her, skin bubbling as it turned into the long, red and silver lance of an Escavalier's arm.

But Shadi was quick to react. The shadows congealed behind her, closing around her like the two halves of a Cloyster, forming a barrier that made Mars' attack bounce. Once her momentum was dead, the shadows shot forward into a dozen thin needles. However, Mars and Steven were long gone by then, having flown back in a burst of speed.

Inyssa grit her teeth and teleported in a flash as a row of shadow teeth tried to close around her. She tried to reappear near one of the marked stones close to Mars, but she was moving so quickly that by the time she got there, she was off on the opposite side of the roof.

She really wished she'd gotten a hold of these powers early. Maybe if she'd gotten the hang of telepathy she could've coordinated better with Mars without Shadi having to know. Maybe she could've found a way to make lightning without having to rely on a storm. Maybe she could have learned how to do what Noh once did, calling forth the memory of those he'd fought alongside with and burrowing their strength.

And yet here she was. But she'd have to make do; whining was unbecoming of her. She would achieve victory with her wits and the tools she had at her disposal, or she would not achieve victory at all.

"Heads up, shortie!"

She teleported to another pebble as a wave of darkness crashed over the spot where she'd been before, and begrudgingly thanked Mars in her head for the warning.

Her scars buzzed and shivered. The roar of thunder above became louder and harsher, and she was having a hard time muffling it with an illusion. Any moment now…

Come on, think! she yelled inside her mind. What if I put up a couple barriers around Shadi next time Mars attacks? Would that stop her shield from surrounding her?

"I don't believe that would work," said Uxie. "Whatever energy she commands, it's the same as what Dark Pokemon possess. As such…"

A psychic barrier would get torn to shreds, she thought, biting her lip. Dammit…

There had to be something… Some way to get through her, to make her drop the dome. Would a sufficiently strong attack be enough? Even if they could hit her hard, the darkness itself might not be affected since it must have mostly come from Darkrai's…

Inyssa froze mid-running, eyes shooting wide open. Darkness swirled under her, coalescing into a closing hand and if it weren't for Mars swooping down and dragging her away, she would've been done for.

"If you want to get yourself killed, I'd ask you to hold off until we've taken care of her," Mars reprimanded her.

Inyssa barely heard her, the sudden, frenetic buzz in her mind keeping all her attention. Yes, that had to be it. If Darkrai was the source of all these shadows…

"Cover me!" yelled Inyssa, then took off into a sprint.

"Heh. Easier said than done."

They were like two pebbles in the middle of a storming sea. Darkness rose, fell, shifted and bubbled all around them from the ground to the air itself, lashing at them over and over like the swipes of a desperate Pokemon. Advance was difficult. Mars and Steven moved with incredible speed, cutting off most of the obstacles in Inyssa's way but even then there was just so much more than before. With horror, she realized that Shadi was slowly but surely getting used to this new, wretched body of hers, and things would only get worse the more time that passed.

Unless she found a way to stop her. She grit her teeth, raising her hand to the side and blowing away a clump of shadows with the crackle of lightning in her scars. They were getting hotter, skin shivering with power. She could feel the thunder about to reach its peak high above and even containing it for a few seconds longer felt like holding her breath past its limit.

Finally, she jumped over a pit of darkness just before spikes jutted out, and found herself a few feet under Shadi's limp, dangling body. The skittering feathers sticking her to the wall of the dome began to move, but Inyssa quickly retrieved a small pebble from one of her pockets and threw it up at her.

Release!

Shadows swallowed the spot where she'd been a second before, and in a flash she appeared mid-air in front of Shadi. Not wasting an instant, she grabbed onto the neck of her sister's cloak and the sleeve of her remaining arm. A sharp, sudden cold spread throughout her entire body. Gravity tried to pull her down, but she managed to hold on for a moment.

And a moment was all she needed.

"Darkrai!" she yelled out, eyes flaring up, her voice echoing like thunder. "Answer me!"

She knew it worked as soon as the world went white. That familiar feeling of escaping her body was like a breath of fresh air, pain and cold and fear being pushed to the back of her mind as she materialized herself in that familiar, misty realm.

However, her relief was short lived as she saw what lay around her. Where her mind was mostly white and covered in pearly mists, this looked as though she were trapped inside a burning building, a black, thick smoke permeating everything around her. And though it was hard to sense much around her, it was impossible to miss the one she'd come here for.

"You've made a mistake in coming here." The voice was cold and deep like she expected, but it wasn't nearly as bad as that of Shadi or Cyrus. There was a certain hint of regret and kindness in it. "I cannot help you."

The smoke around her shifted, and Inyssa felt as though she were being watched. She had a funny feeling that this… all of this, was actually Darkrai.

You're the only one who can help me stop her, she finally said, her voice resounding through the smoke.

"I have tried. It is impossible." Something like a sigh was heard. He sounded so defeated, so hopeless. "She has bound me to her will with that dark plate of hers. I can't escape its power."

The smoke got thicker, and Inyssa began to feel as though her consciousness were being slowly siphoned back into her body. Shadi was trying to push her out.

I have a way to break that plate, she pleaded. To free you. I just need that dome to be down for a second.

"I cannot help you," he repeated. "She is too powerful."

Are you saying you can't even manage that!? she yelled, her anger exploding into a shockwave around her, pushing the smoke back. You're a legendary Pokemon for fuck's sake! One second is all I'm asking!

There was a short pause. The pressure was getting stronger and stronger; Inyssa didn't know for how long she could remain here. But Darkrai finally replied after a few moments, hesitance in his voice.

"Perhaps… if she is hit… distracted. I may be able to do it," he said, then sighed. "But the timing…"

Just leave that to me, Inyssa cut him off, impatience and irritation in her voice. All you have to do is make sure to drop that dome when I tell you to.

He didn't deny the possibility, though he didn't confirm that he would help either. Even though she couldn't see him, Inyssa felt Darkrai's doubt and apathy start to permeate through the smoke around her. The pressure was almost unbearable now.

And yet, despite that, and despite the fact that she didn't have a body at the moment, she smiled at Darkrai.

Cresselia's waiting for you. Waiting for a chance to dance through the skies with you again… Don't let her down, got it?

The last thing she felt before being forcefully pulled back was a mix of emotions emanating from Darkrai. Surprise, sorrow… and determination.

Then everything went white, and she felt pain once more.

"GET OFF ME!"

"Agh!"

It was an odd thing, coming back to her body merely an instant before a limb of pure darkness erupted from Shadi's stomach, throwing her back with such strength that her vision swam for only a moment before she hit the ground. Luckily she landed on her shoulder and immediately rolled to the side as a spike rose up from under her, almost piercing her.

"Don't you dare touch me!" the voice echoed through the darkness, barely sounding like Shadi at this point. "You think you'll be able to–!"

She left the sentence hanging, and for the briefest moments all movement within the shadows ceased, leaving a tense, short silence behind. It didn't take Inyssa long to realize why she'd stopped. A loud crackle boomed through the sky. Thunder roared loud enough that not even the dome and the hailstorm could muffle it down.

"W-what? When did you…?" Something like a gasp was heard and the eyes covering the dome shot wide open. "The flames!

Inyssa grit her teeth. Doing what she'd just did must have dropped the illusion she'd been keeping up. There was no hiding her plan now.

"Mars! Steven! Attack with everything you've got!" she yelled out with all her might. "Get ready to fly out as soon as I say so!"

"NO!"

An onslaught of shadows rose like a wave against them, shooting in every direction and filling the air almost entirely. Inyssa teleported herself immediately, reappearing far back. Mars and Steven flew and danced through the thick clump of spikes and limbs, cutting as many as they could and momentarily driving Shadi's attention toward them.

Good.

After blowing away a stray shadow limb, Inyssa knelt and picked up two pebbles strewn across the roof, both about the size of her palm.

Mark set!

Her scars flared with a pain so hot and intense it felt like she'd been struck with lightning again. She couldn't contain the thunder from falling for another minute. This was her last chance.

She really, really hoped that momentum would be carried through teleportation.

"Haa!"

With all her strength, she threw one of the stones up and forward, straight at Shadi's face. A moment after, she threw the other one behind her, over the edge.

Time seemed to slow. Darkness pooled around Inyssa, all of Shadi's eyes suddenly focusing on her. Her throw hadn't been very strong and she wasn't even sure the stone could hit her from that distance, but the shadows around Shadi's body moved nonetheless, preparing to form a shield around her.

The tower has to be at least two hundred feet tall, she thought. Which means a stone of that size will just about reach the bottom in 3…

Liquid darkness began to rise up Inyssa's legs, freezing her nerves, making her shiver.

2…

A sudden limb of shadows slammed against Mars' chest, throwing her and Steven down toward the ground with a deaf thump.

1…

The shield was almost fully formed around Shadi's body. The eyes behind her were set on the stone about to reach her. An easy pitch, surely.

RELEASE!

There was a bright, pink flare and both stones switched places. The one which had been falling down the side of the tower maintained its speed and momentum, which meant that neither Shadi nor the shield forming around her could react fast enough as it hit her in the face at terminal velocity.

There was a loud, ugly crack. Shadi's head flew back, a spurt of blood running down her nose. The shadows stilled for a moment.

"DARKRAI! NOW!"

Inyssa threw her hand up toward the sky, and at that same moment the dome of darkness shifted and shook, parting at the top with extreme effort. It wasn't much. Barely a few feet wide, but Inyssa knew it would be enough.

A thin, crackling line of electricity rose from her fingers up toward the sky, connecting her with the storm. Her scars burst alight. Her gloves and the sleeves of her shirt and jacket were torn apart as a tremendous energy ran through her, eyes gleaming more strongly than they'd ever done before.

There are only two lights capable of burning through a moonless night, the words from that book echoed in her mind. The first is the break of dawn. The second…

Inyssa let out a scream that shook the sky and brought her arm down with all her strength, releasing the storm.

First came the light. A pillar of pure, cleansing white forming between her and the clouds above. The darkness encompassing them was burned away in an instant, like paper against a flame. Shadi's wings and eyes disappeared. She came back to her body with a jolt, weightless, falling for only a moment as her eyes shot wide open, a deep, paralyzing fear in them.

Then the boom was heard, and the pillar of light swallowed them all as thunder fell atop the tower.

Inyssa was thrown back, and as her consciousness faded, the last thing she heard was a loud, shrieking scream of pain.