Pokemon Wars. Teaser Episode: The Shadow Knight

[Raviel the Phantom]

"Help, someone help!"

A woman screams, only to be drowned out by the howling of beasts with black fur. Hordes of Mightyena ransack the village as it is set in flames. One of the Dark Types tackles her to the ground. It then proceeds to rip out her throat. On the other side of the small village in Kalos, a man stands off against three of the hell hounds.

"W-what's going on?" he demands to know. "W-Why are you attacking us?"

The beast's only snarl, having no words of their own to answer for the man's questions. Instead, a single man steps behind the three Pokemon. His attire is tattered, but not from the Mightyena attack. They are clothes of a well known group of brigands that live in the mountains just north of the village. The Banette Bandits, as they are called. Moving in the night to attack, much like the Ghost Pokemon that is their namesake.

"Things are going to be different round here," the bandit jeers. "We control these Pokemon."

The villager looks at the three snarling dogs with disbelief, "T-That's impossible. You can't control a Pokemon!"

"That's where you're wrong," the bandit says, "Mightyena, take him out. Crunch!"

Like well trained attack dogs, the Dark Types pounce on the man, ripping him to shreds. Much is the same in the rest of the village. The men are killed on the spot, either mauled by the Mightyena, or burned to death by the lone Arcanine. The Legendary Pokemon of the forest leads the pack, as does its "owner" the boss of the bandits. Together, they root the village to ash, leaving only a few women and children alive.

In the center of town, the Bandit Boss rounds up the captives, taking a good look at them. The man is a gargantuan, standing a foot over the fiery dog that obediently walks beside him. His body is rippled with muscles from life in the mountains. Scars of his hardships show on his exposed chest, wearing them like battle trophies. He looks to one of the women, his eyes blazing red. A young girl shrieks at his hideous sight and flees. Her mother calls to the girl, but is ultimately ignored.

The Bandit Boss does not take this disobedience, as he barks, "Arcanine, Fire Fang. Make a lesson out of her!"

His beast listens and attacks. It chases the girl down, swatting her to the ground as if she were a Bug Type. The girl cowers, watching the Fire Type rear back, its fangs ignited in searing flames. It lunges at her...she shrieks as the end comes.

"Honedge," a strong voice becons, "Iron Defense."

The fangs are stopped before they can reach the girl. Standing between her and the Arcanine is another. It is a young man dressed in plates of violet armor. His hair is Murkrow black. Eyes of steel gray look at the beast that bears down on him, while his sword blocks the attack. Not any ordinary sword, though, as it floats in the air. It remains sheathed as it intercepts the bite.

Realizing the attack is doing nothing, Arcanine falls back to its master's side.

"Who the hell are you?" the Bandit Boss asks.

"Honedge, lend me your strength," the knight ignores the question.

The ghostly sword listens, as it unsheathes itself. A long blue cloth reaches out to the young man, snaking its way up his arm. It binds itself tightly, but he bears it no mind. He grabs a hold of the sword. The women and other bandits gasp as the jewel on the guard opens, revealing an eye.

"Ignoring me, eh?" the boss growls. "Men, take this wannabe knight and rip him apart!"

Fearful of their bloodthirsty leader, the other bandits and their Mightyenas attack the mysterious violet warrior. They come at all sides, to make sure he has no chance of stopping them all.

"Sacred Sword," the knight requests.

A flash of light bursts through the air. An instant later the humans and Pokemon alike are all on the ground, defeated. While the Mightyena are unharmed, merely knocked out, the bandits suffer a worse fate. Their insides are open up, leaving the village soaked in crimson. Women shriek while the boss mouth hangs agape.

"Wait a minute," the boss actually uses his brain. "Violet armor...floating sword...oh no. You're that Shadow Knight!"

"I am..." the young man says.

"Of all the rotten luck," the boss grits his teeth. "No matter, I'll make sure to bury you, even if I have to burn this whole place to the ground. Arcanine, use Fire Bl-"

"Shadow Sneak."

The Shadow Knight vanishes, leaving only a trace of black veil. The Bandit Boss stands utterly still, while another black fog opens up; ripped through space and time. Behind him, the warrior in violet steps out, his weapon ready. Before the boss realizes what is happening, the Honedge rips through the gargantuan. Blood spurts from his mouth, as he is cleaved in two. All the while, Arcanine stand and watches. He sees his master fall, and then looks to the Shadow Knight.

"You..." The Shadow Knight speaks calmly, "With me."

Not another word is spoken as he sheathes the mysterious ghost sword. It floats beside him. The knight turns and walks away, leaving the women free. For a moment, the fiery dog looks through the burnt houses to the forest he once called home. Then he turns to the knight, following him as they both travel down the path.