Between Realities

Stand down? Not a chance.

(M) Shadow Sabre/Dark Elite POV:

Pain rippled throughout my body, but I was still standing between Twisted and M. "I'm not... standing down," I said, trying to sound like I was fine, even though every word felt like a sword was skimming me. "Just- just give up already..."

Twisted laughed again. I never really liked his strange, high-pitched voice to begin with, but it was becoming very annoying. "I already told you, Elite! I'm not backing down!" he said with a crazed enthusiasm.

I knew he was going to respond like that, but what else could I do? I wasn't going to last much longer if this kept up. I could already feel the last bits of my strength slowly deteriorating. But I'm not standing down. I can't let M deal with- with him. Gathering a strand of the energy I had left, I shot out a weak blow. I could tell that by this point my attempts to fight back were amusing to him. Glancing back for a split second, I could see M's dismayed expression. He knows you don't stand a chance. But still, you have to keep going. Who else is going to defend him, after all? Gänger left us, and Dopple went missing...

Then everything around me exploded into light. An overwhelming pain shot through me, and I stumbled, losing my balance. I didn't collapse, but at this point I was practically on my knees. Twisted was wearing a wicked grin, letting out his usual psychotic, echoey laughter. M looked horrified, terror flickering in his red gaze. He held a sword shakily in his hands, but we both knew it would do little to stop Twisted.

"Well, Elite? Had enough?" Twisted asked, amusement and a sickening joy in his voice.

"N-never..." I responded weakly, still determined to protect M for as long as possible. "I- I will stop you... No matter what... happens..." My words were weak and empty. Stop him how? What in the world could I possibly do to stop him? Clearly whatever he did to himself that changed his appearance has also made him much stronger...

Twisted's grin faded to annoyance. "I've wasted enough time playing with you. It wouldn't have ended like this if you'd just gotten out of the way."

Light enveloped me once more, and this time the world around me began to spin. I felt my few strands of energy tearing apart, and I fell to my hands and knees, gasping for breath, exhausted. M... I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you...

Lightning crashed from behind Twisted, and he suddenly went flying. I tried to see who had just appeared, but then the world around me became dark and cold, and I collapsed.