<3
"Radian, over here!"
From somewhere behind the tiny Eevee, a quiet rustling sound was heard, and as her slender ears instantly perked up, attuning first to the sound of the voice, and then swiveling around as they picked up on the rustling noises, she quickly whipped her head around, a large childish grin sprawled out across her furry little face as she immediately began scanning the area. Her gaze darted quickly from the clump of bushes she had heard the voice call out from to the giant thicket of weeds she was sure had just been rustled, as several of them had been broken down in someone's haste to quickly clear the area. The weeds surrounding those that had been trampled doen were swaying quite dangerously, though there wasn't but a trace of breeze in sight, and as Radian took notice of this, her golden eyes instantly alighted, sparkling playfully with a gleam of pleasure as her mouth twisted up into a satisfied little grin.
"Wherever could you be, Alfonse?!"
Radian called loudly out, obvious mischief shining within her glowing eyes as quietly, she snuck along the trampled path parting the thicket of weeds, all still swaying suspiciously along the beaten trail. Without notice of where exactly she was going, just keeping firmly in mind who she was going after, Radian stuck to the path, straying thoughtlessly away from the clearing she and Alfonse had been strictly ordered not to leave, her mind only bent on one thing: capturing her brother before her time was up. Hide and Go Seek tag had always been one of the siblings' most cherished games, and growing up in the Viridian Forest, they had always been fortunate to have a multitude of places to hide: weeds that grew taller than they were, hollowed out logs, the branches of towering trees, even huddled up in the hundreds of dark, cool caves that lined the Viridian Forest, most of which only the duo knew existed. And though Radian and Alfonse thought they knew the Forest like the back of their hands (or paws, in Radian's case), there were still many parts of it left undiscovered, like the part young Radian was now venturing into.
As Radian finally pushed her way from the thicket of weeds, she skidded to a halt, her entire body tensing up for a reason unknown to her as the shaggy hair lining her spine stood straight up on end. Surprised at her body's instictive reaction, Radian simply just shrugged it off, dropping to her haunches for a moments' rest as again her eyes narrowed in search, beginning to survey the vast area surrounding her tiny form in search of Alfonse. She sat atop a tiny bank, a bank that was supported by several large boulders buried halfway inside the earth, holding it up so that it overlooked the surrounding area.
Everything's.. quiet. Radian thought uneasily, slender ears again perking to swivel slowly around her head, spanning out in size as they rotated about her, straining for even the tiniest bit of sound. Nothing was heard, however. Not the breaking of any twigs, not the flutter of any Pidgey's wings, who were usually so common everywhere throughout the forest. No whistling of the wind, or even the babbling of a brook. Radian was taken aback by the eery silence of the Forest before her, and as she again stood on all fours and began to head down the bank, a pang of dread filled her entire being, startling her into balking, and as she jumped, her delicate paws flew out from beneath her, her limbs tangling within one another as gravity forced her to begin rolling head over heels down the bank.
"ALFONSE!" She screamed out in fear, eyes wide with panic as she tumbled down the bank, seeming to hit her head against every boulder lining the small hill on her way down, before her frail little body finally plopped down upon the soft earth. Warily, Radian looked around her, recalling with a sickening feeling that not even she had made a single sound as her body slammed itself upon the rocks.
"Alfonse!" She called out loudly, her ears stretching beyond their limits, struggling for a sound, any sound, besides the sound of her own panicked voice. Uneasily, she moved backward, her heart beginning to accelerate as her enlarged eyes took in the sight of the sky above her, darkening to a familiar ashy shade of gray, and not only this, but the shining emerald leaves lining the towering trees spontaneously igniting, bursting into flame as one by one, they peeled themselves from the trees, spiraling quickly to the ground in rapid little fiery circles, all flowing united in a single direction: toward the spot in which Radian was standing. This all happened in the blink of an eye, before the frightened Eevee could properly respond, and as the miniature flames danced wildly within her golden eyes, leering menacingly in her face, Radian let loose a shrill, blood-curdling scream, all thoughts of Alfonse vanishing from her mind as blinded with terror, she whirled around, heart pounding within her ears as she tried to flee the area, though her efforts were futile, as her legs felt as if they were made of lead. Not only that, but the aquamarine sky from the direction she had just came was darkening as well, and she could only stand helplessly as the weeds she had just waded through were also overcome by mysterious flames, starting out small, and seemingly harmless at first, but then feeding from the very life of the plants, setting them ablaze in an instant as they leapt up to incredible heights, towering before the frozen Eevee as each and every flame leaned over in her direction, seeming to beckon to her at the same time as bowing before something else.. something..
Radian's nose crinkled up as her eyes squeezed shut, pushing several tears out as quickly, she burrowed her face within her delicate chest, her lungs beginning to heave frantically for fresh air as a familiar odor filled them to the brim, an odor of rotting flesh, of never-ending decay and death combined with poisonous smoke. The odor encircled her huddled being, and try as she might to escape it, it wasn't quite that simple, and as the tears continued to fall from her closed eyes, the stench only seemed to grow stronger and stronger, until it was practically suffocating her, and she was forced to leave the security of her huddled body and look up, look up into the souless eyes of a monstrous being Radian had encountered before.. The ghostly figure smirked as his crimson eyes glowed with obvious malicious delight. He proceeded to wave a ghostly appendage all the way around him gleefully, making sure that Radian had caught sight the Forest, the Forest which was no longer served as home and sanctuary to the Eevee, as it had been laid waste by the destructive flames.. As Radian caught sight of the inferno that had once been a lush and beautiful forest, her eyes welled up with tears, and sorrowfully, she drug her gaze to the ground.
"All those Pokemon.." She thought miserably, before a new thought forced itself into her mind. Her eyes growing wide with alarm, she jumped up, desperately scanning the charred area, her heart beginning to pulsate ever quicker and quicker inside her delicate chest, her entire body beginning to tremble as a wave of nausea quickly overcame her. Before she knew it, her knees had buckled, and weak from the grief that had already begun to spread throughout her, she could only stare horrified up at the one known only as Darkrai.
"Alfonse.." She uttered weakly, and as his name parted from her lips, another nautious wave washed through her, and being unable to even comprehend the thought of him burning alive, her stomach heaved, emptying its contents upon the charred ground before her. With a delighted little giggle, Darkrai knelt to her level and slowly began to speak.
Radian.. Heh.. It's been a long time. How's Marc?
Upon mention of the name, Radian's heart fluttered, and forgetting momentarily about all her despair, about all the pain she was being forced to suffer, a sweet little smile twisted itself upon her trembling lips, and as her cheeks as well began to flush a rosy shade of pink, Darkrai shuddered with disgust, hardly being able to take the happiness, even just a weak flicker of it as Radian was exhibiting now, for joy of any kind made him strangely weaker. As he saw the tiny hint of a blush though upon Radian's cheeks, he grinned, knowing that he had her exactly where he wanted her. The grin didn't escape Radian's notice, and as she caught sight of it, she forced herself to her feet, her back arching as she stepped away from the ghostly figured, glaring guardedly at him as her bushy tail rose to stand straight up.
"Actually, it's only been a couple of hours, Darkrai." The Eevee snarled coldly, her entire body tensing mistrustfully as slowly, she tried to make her way away from him without catching his attention. Unfortunately, he caught on immediately to her little plan, and vanishing in an ominous cloud of black smoke, he just reappeared again, this time even closer to her body.
"And Marc is fine now, no thanks to you.. But why am I even telling you this? Not like you care, anyways. Not about him, not about me, not about anyone. You might have been able to fool Leon into thinking you were his friend, and you would help him for little to nothing, but you won't catch any more of us off-guard!"
Radian called out defiantly, eyes widening as they flared with rage, and as she called out this last bit, felt Darkrai's eyes fell upon her delicate form. Again tensing up, a sweatdrop formed alongside Radian's face as she lost her nerve, and again erupted into a series of violent trembles. Her tail lowering to tuck fearfully down inbetween her legs, her heart seemed to swell with fear, faltering in its pattern as it seemed to skip a beat. Darkrai again smirked upon sensing her obvious fear of him, and knowing now for sure where her weakness now lied, her was confident that he had her in his gasp. Though her previous words had been brave, he had noticed the way she smiled when he spoke of Marc, he had noted that merry little blush in her round little cheeks. Yes, she had it bad. And it was because of this that Darkrai now had just the thing in mind.
"Radian, I will make sure Marc will be tortured. I'm not bluffing." A cackle escaped the lips of the ghostly Pokemon, and with a wave of his appendage, another Pokemon appeared, a silhouette slightly larger than Radian, but still much smaller than Darkrai himself. Upon catching sight of this new silhouette, Radian's heart caught in her throat as her eyes only grew wider, nearly bulging out of her skull as the very blood flowing through her veins seemed to freeze entirely.
No.. She uttered, and as she did, the figure finished forming completely. The Pokemon, which Radian now knew without a doubt was Marc, stood quietly before her, head lowered, tears drizzling from eyes void of all hope. The manner in which he stood, the way he slumped over without noticing, the way his gaze drug the ground without, refusing to look at anyone or anything, he seemed so broken.. so hopelessly desolate and broken. Radian's heart swelled with a fresh wave of sorrow, splitting open as she could only stare at him, and as the tears began to fall from her own face, one rapidly after another, Darkrai chuckled maliciously, charcoal eyes gleaming as Radian's obvious misery poured into him, powering him up, but creating a yearning for more.. more pain, more power.
Go to him, Radian. Darkrai whispered to her, appearing for the time being momentarily concerned.
Go to him, perhaps you'll be able to save him, just like last time.. Hm. Like I would ever let that happen. He thought several seconds later, to himself so Radian couldn't hear him.
At this moment, Radian seemed to unfreeze, and upon realizing that she had regained movement, leapt toward Marc, her arms flying instantly around his neck as she clung to him, golden eyes shining with tears as she pressed her forehead gently against his own,staring silently into his eyes. Her tears only fell harder and faster when Marc refused even to look into her own, choosing for his gaze to remain locked firmly upon the ground, as he simply just stood, not pushing Radian from him, but then again not even acknowleding her presence. He was too far gone, she knew. He didn't even recognize her.. How could she save him now? Her chest beginning to quiver violently with the approach of oncoming sobs, Radian quickly wrenched her mouth open, trying to get some air in hopes of controlling herself, but to no avail as the sobs just erupted her in loud wails, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face as her body spasmed, not once, but multiple times, as she convulsed violently, thinking of nothing and no one else but Marc, Marc.. The tears falling from his eyes, his hopeless stare.. What had Darkrai done to him?!
Darkrai.. what did you?! But Radian paused in her furious interrogation as she was suddenly aware of something hot and stick flowing down her body. It didn't take her long to discover that her thick coat was saturated with blood.. but how.. and.. Immediately, Radian's head whipped up, and now beginning to comb over Marc more thoroughly, Radian's face paled, and she was sickened to discover a variety of wounds upon Marc's battered body, from which steady rivers of thick, crimson fluid was flowing rapidly.
"Please!" She cried out, the tears continuing to fall from her face as desperately, she threw herself at Darkrai's feet, hands clasped before her in a begging plea. Her eyes shone with an immense sorrow, and as she knelt before him, so weak, so helpless, so completey vulnerable and all his own, Darkrai grinned menacingly down at her, beginning to warm up to the little Eevee.
"The things we'll do for love." He laughed, and with a wave of his appendage, Marc glanced abruptly up, moving robotically to finally look Radian in the eyes.
Marc?! She thought wildly, and with a slight bit of hope as immediately, she jumped up, dashing over to him and wrapping her arms around his beaten body, burying her face into his battered chest as she again began to sob. She was suddenly aware of his head resting atop her own, just as it had when she had lied so helplessly in his arms, and feeling an infinity times weaker than she had at that moment in time, she just collapsed against him, hoping that somehow he would protect her now as he had promised her he would, he would protect them both, and get them out of here..As he pressed his lips to her delicate ears, Radian forced herself still, ceasing in her loud sobs, though the tears continued to stream down her grieved face as she anticipated what he would next say.
"Why..Radian? Why did you do this to me?"
No.. She started out, obviously flustered as firecely she shook her head. No Marc, I never meant for it, I never meant for you to get hurt like this.. I'm so.. so.. weak.. I tried, really did.. But I guess in the end..I couldn't protect you like you did me.. The Eevee looked up then, eyes brimming over with crystal tears as a choked sob escaped her parted lips.
You're everything to me.. and I would.. I swear I would.. give my life and suffer a thousand deaths just so you would be.. okay.. Unable to restrain herself any longer, Radian just bowed her head in shame, eyes squeezing shut as she cried out in sorrow, the pain erupting from her body and soul in a loud moan. Leaning against her friend, she hadn't the energy to even hold him anymore, just laying against him as the blood continued to flow from his body, and down onto her own, Radian noticing, but not even caring.
I'm so.. sorry..She whispered to him, knowing full well that an apology for all the infinite pain she had caused him would never be enough, but not being able to do much else.
Darkrai.. Please.. Save him.. She muttered without turning from Marc to look at him. Her thin shoulders were shaking along with her chest, and Darkrai only chuckled at the sight of her pain, knowing that he had succeeded, she hadn't recognized his illusion Marc in her anguish over her friend's pain and torture. He knew that now he had only to take her away with him, he had to make her think that she was protecting Marc by giving herself up to him, and she would completely be his. Mind, body.. and especially her precious, sweet healing soul. Darkrai grinned at the thought of all the raw healing power that would now be at his disposal.
"Of course I will, my dear." He finally spoke, sneaking up behind the tiny Eevee with a sinister smile.
"But for a price, as expected.. And the price I ask, sweet Radian, isn't much. All I ask for your precious Marc's life is your own."
OOC: *Cries* So I guess le Expedition is again postponed..*
