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Description
'I think I may have died; am I in heaven? Darkness is all I see now, all I feel now. I never expected it to be so dark; I don't like it…hey, who's there? Hello? Am I really dead? Are you Arceus?'

---

Tai the Dewott was in tears as he looked on to his girlfriend laying in her friends arms. Dagger was using his psychic powers to try and revive the little Dewott, furrowing in concentration. He couldn't help but notice that his psychic abilities were severely weakened right now, even with all his concentration forced on the effort. Tai held Rachael's hand in his own, stroking the back of it with his other hand.

He leaned down gently, barely an inch away from her face and whispered, "Rachael, please come back. I love you."

Suddenly, Dagger flinched as he felt something stir within the little unconscious Dewott. Tai noticed it too and soon Rachael began to cough up sea water violently, trying to breathe. The other pokemon, who had been busy talking amongst themselves to learn what they each knew, became aware of the commotion that was coming from the Gallade and Dewotts and rushed over to see what was going on.

"Rachael!" Tai embraced Rachael, seemingly never wanting to let her go, "Thank Arceus."

"Tai, what's wrong? You sound like someone you know almost died," Rachael said innocently as she too embraced Tai in a longing hug.

Tai held Rachael out at an arm's length; tears welled up in his eyes but smiled, "That's not funny."

Rachael wiped away some tears away from her eyes, "Heehee, I'm sorry."

"Arceus, this is so sweet its making me sick," the Luxray known as Claw suddenly blurted out, " Now can we find our way out of here? I have better things to do than be stuck on a booby trapped ship watching a real life soap opera."

Every single pokemon turned and glared at the rude Luxray for ruining a perfectly good moment.

Claw glared back at the others, "What?!"

"Dude, just shut up," Marcus the Swampert snorted.

"Well, excuse me prin-"

*creeeeaack…SNAP, Clink*

Everyone froze as they heard the sound, like a metal lock just broke; and before anyone could say anything the sound of rushing water filled the hall. Everyone stared toward the opposite end of the large staircase…and within seconds, were thrown into a panic. Even though they closed all the doors to the rooms they escaped drowning from, a new and huge wave of water erupted from around the far end of the deck. Racing to engulf the stunned pokemon.

"Sh*t, run!" Marcus yelled and took off.

Everyone else felt it was a good idea and took his advice. A few pokemon screamed as the water came closer, but they all made it to the stairs and raced upward. The water splashed against the staircase with a loud crash and slowly began to rise. No one dared to look back down as they climbed two steps at a time. As they reached the next landing they all glanced to the side to see a gold plated plaque that read 'Deck C'. None of them really wanted to stop to check out what was on 'Deck C', so they bolted up the flight of stairs. Again a glittering golden plaque was set on the next landing's wall; this time engraved with 'Deck B'. They all continued upward, hoping for a way out of this nightmarish setting. Unfortunately, Marcus stopped suddenly at the top of the next landing, causing everyone behind him to trip over a step and fall over.

Shadow the Infernape quickly got up and growled, "Hey, what's the hold up?!"

Marcus turned around, a bit annoyed but pointed up behind him, "Look."

He made room for everyone to pass and they all soon figured out why the large water-type stopped. On the landing just above like the others, there was a golden plaque that read 'Deck A'. But that is not what caught everyone's attention. Everyone wore an expression of anger, worry, or fear or a combination of the three as they realized that there were no more stairs for them to climb.

"F*ck, now we're really gonna drown," Shadow groaned.

Everyone else started panicking as the thought of their imminent death sunk in. That is, everyone except for a lone Gallade that stood quietly with his eyes closed.

"Everyone, stop," Dagger commanded, "Listen."

It took a moment for everyone to truly calm down and do as told. Silence reigned for only a moment til the tension broke.

"I don't hear anything," the Vulpix, Velda, said.

"Yeah asshole, what's with wasting our time," Claw blurted.

"Claw, don't you get it?" Shadow asked, "No rushing water."

It was true, from the decks below there was an eerie stillness that took over the previous roaring of gushing water. The pokemon in the group started murmuring as they traded thoughts.

"I think- I think we should go down and check the decks below," Xanthe the Zangoose spoke sheepishly.

They all agreed and began to descend back down the grand stair case.

"By the way, anyone else think this place looks like a scene from 'Titanic'?" Velda asked with an almost fangirl like squeal.

"Yeah," Shadow replied, "I just hope this doesn't end up like the end of the movie though."

The group moved as one down the stairs from 'Deck A' to 'Deck B' and to 'Deck C', though they couldn't go any further as the water flooded the final deck below. Dagger went to the bottom most step and gazed transfixed on the water. The water level was no longer rising and the surface remained still as a sheet of glass. He dipped his hand just below the surface and watched the ripples disperse almost instantly til the water became motionless again.

"I guess I still have a chance at finding the perfect ass after all," Claw casually remarked.

Shadow instantly grabbed the Luxray by the tail and launched him into the furthest part of the flooded deck as he could.

*SPLASH*

Claw clamored to the surface and spat out a mouthful of seawater, "Da hell was that for?!"

"I thought a cold bath would help keep your damn mouth shut about sex for at least five minutes!" Shadow shouted back.

"Fine, if that's how you want it!" Claw growled.

He concentrated, ready to unleash a mighty Thunderbolt on the Infernape and anyone else who was too close, but all he got was a few stray sparks that drifted lazily out over the water.

"What the-?!"

He tried again, ending up with the same result.

Velda sighed, "That's not going to work, I already tried."

Everyone else tried to use their own moves and soon found out they too could not.

"Man, this sucks more than that five dollar whore I met last Tuesday," Claw mumbled as he swam back to the grand staircase. Everyone agreed that they should start searching everywhere they could from the bottom, up in order to find a way out, and so their search began on 'Deck C'. There wasn't much on the deck as all the doors and windows had been riveted shut with metal plates overtop, all except for an elevator that had a card reader next to it but otherwise did not work. Moving up to 'Deck B' yielded the same results, but with a strange twist. Along one side of the hall stood two metal double doors securely locked as no one was able to open either of them. Of course what really made them stand out from the rest of the many locked doors were the crudely splattered numbers '4' and '5' on either one of them. The eerie numbers at first glance looked like they had been painted in blood, but on closer inspection it was just red paint which everyone took comfort in.

"…Now what?" Marcus asked.

He was replied with a loud chiming noise that came from the grand staircase. An antique looking pendulum clock gonged as the hands reached an hour. Six chimes, six o'clock and at night by what everyone could tell by. Soon after the chimes' echoing ceased, a new, much more profound sound replaced it. It was like the sound of a gargling speaker that was readjusting until the gargling was little more than some background noise. Everyone turned to the speaker in the ceiling that was source of the gargling and waited for anything to happen. A raspy, almost mechanical voice broke through the intercom.

"Greetings one and all, and welcome to my ship. I am your captain and the reason you are here. My name, if you wish to remember it, is Zero. In April 1912, the cruise liner Titanic sank after meeting an iceberg in a head on collision. It sank after remaining afloat for 2 hours. In 1996, the cruise liner SS Anne, met a similar fate in a large storm. It remained afloat for an hour and half. I will gift you all more time. I will give you 9 hours. The rules of the game have be placed on your person. If you do not escape in the given time, then a watery grave awaits you. As such... Let the Nonary game begin. You have your time. Seek a way out."

The speaker fell silent with a final crackle leaving everyone to wonder about what the vaguely familiar voice had just told them.

"So does anyone really think he meant all that?" Marcus asked nervously.

"Don't know, but I found those instructions he was talking about," Vlad the Infernape said, holding a piece of folded paper that he pulled out from his vest pocket.

Everyone else found a piece of folded paper on them as well while Vlad began to read aloud what was printed on everyone else's copy.

'There are nine doors with large numbers placer on them. These are the NUMBERED DOORS, one door to each contestant. Beside each door, is the a device called the RED. The RED will scan your palm to validate your player number. But, to open the door, no less than 3 players and no more than 5 players may enter a door at once. Those who enter the door must match the digital root of their numbers to equal to the doors number. Your numbers are your life and identity, as shown by the fact they are bound to the forsaken hand. You must move through the doors and find a door emblazoned with a nine. This door, is your way out. Find it before time is up, and you may just see the light of day.'

"I don't get it, how are we supposed to figure out all this math crap out?" Claw groaned.

He looked around to see the faces of the other pokemon, a collective glare that said that anyone with an IQ over 40 should know how.

Claw: Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!

[I don't know, maybe the same thing as you not supposed to be breaking the 4th wall during my stories]

Claw: Ya know what, screw you!

[*sigh* I'm so glad I don't have to deal with you for much longer]

Claw: Da f*ck does that mean?!

[Nothing, now get back to the plot]

"Lousy, good for nothing writer," Claw grumbled.

"Who are you talking to?" Tai asked as everyone bore witness to what might have been Claw having a mental breakdown.

Claw looked at the Dewott and snorted, "No one, say I got an idea on how to get out of here."

"Really?!" Xanthe's eyes lit up with hope.

"Sure, just watch."

And as quick as lightning, Claw slammed into Tai, pushing him back but not before snatching one of the Dewott's kodaichi with his tail. With another flash of movement, he was behind Xanthe holding the short blade to her throat.

"Claw, what the hell are you doing?!" Shadow yelled.

"What does it look like," Claw replied ever so casually, "I'm getting out of this rat hole."

Claw inched his way back, Xanthe in tow while everyone else stood and glared at the crazed Luxray not daring to make a move. Claw reached the '5' door, throwing an occasional threat once in a while to make the others back off.

"Alright," Claw said with a cheshire like grin, "This is how it's gonna play out. I'm going to get this door open and leave, no questions asked."

He pressed his paw with his numbered bracelet onto the RED, and the device gave a soft beep with an asterisk on the LED screen to show it had verified.

"Bitch, now put your hand on the scanner," Claw commanded Xanthe who was shaking with fear.

She slowly obeyed, extending her arm out to the scanner and a second asterisk appeared.

"So now all I have to get is one more number that has a digital root of '5'. So…number 3."

[Wow, he really does suck at math]

"Shut up!" Claw appeared to scream at no one in the room, "Wait…damn that would give me '7' so…which of you f*ckers is number '1', get over here."

Vlad stepped forward, seething with anger, but refrained from attempting anything that would put his apprentice in anymore danger.

"Right, go and verify your number monkey brain."

Vlad narrowed his eye, "And if I refuse?"

"Do I gotta spell it out for you?" Claw asked wickedly, pressing the short blade just hard enough against Xanthe's neck to draw blood.

"Master, help," Xanthe couldn't help but cry.

Vlad clenched his fists and growled, aware of how powerless he was at that moment. He started a mechanical walk toward the RED, throwing a sideways death glare at Xanthe's captor before slamming his palm on the scanner.

"Good little monkey," Claw taunted, "Now, back off."

Vlad returned to the group that stood a couple feet away and continued to glare at Claw.

"Claw, this is crazy," Shadow tried to reason with the Luxray one last time.

"Whatever, Now if you'll excuse me," Claw snorted

Claw pulled the lever on the RED and the number '5' door creaked open.

"Oh, by the way, catch!"

Claw whipped the short blade he had in his tail at the others, causing them to duck out of the way. He then pushed Xanthe into the group as well and ran inside the '5' door.

Marcus and Shadow got up first and sprinted after the Luxray. They were too late though as the door swung firmly shut, sealing the path.

Marcus and Shadow proceeded to pry the door open, but neither of them could get it to even budge.

Xanthe sat curled up on the floor crying while Vlad comforted her. He swore he would kill that bastard of a Luxray for what he did.

"Hey, do you hear that?" Shadow asked, his ear pressed to the door.

The rest of the pokemon quickly gathered around the door, clamoring for a spot to listen in like the Infernape. From the other side they too could hear the faint sounds of a rhythmic beeping, and soon heard a very angry Luxray cursing as well.

"F*ck, Arceus damn it! Why isn't this working?!"

Claw sounded completely distressed, not that Vlad cared, but Claw continued to yell.

"Hey, anyone! What are you waiting for, an engraved invitation?! Get me the hell out of here!"

The group of pokemon on the outside of the door could hear the Luxray futilely pounding against the door as he became more desperate.

"Come on you pieces of sh*t, let me out! Damn it, once I find my way out of here, I'M GONNA-"

The rest of the Luxray's wild rant was never heard as a muted thud echoed from behind the number '5' door. Everyone stared quietly at the foreboding door, unsure of what just happened.

Shadow finally stepped forward and placed his hand on the scanner, "I need at least two more pokemon to help me open this."

Rachael and Tai stepped forward at the same time, the math already done in their heads. They too set their hands on the scanner and stepped away cautiously. Shadow pulled the lever on the RED and once again the '5' door creaked open.

No one had words to express what they saw, or smelled.

It wasn't until Rachael screamed that the pure terror of the scene sunk in.

"Dear Arceus," Xanthe gasped in shock.

Marcus looked away heaving, "I think I'm going to be sick."

This-this," Shadow stuttered, "This is just messed up."

Even for those who had seen death before, nothing could compare to what lay before them. A sickening stench of charred, smoldering meat consumed the air. Inside laid the gruesome remains of Claw the Luxray. Blood and chucks of flesh coated the walls of the inside of the corridor. What was left barely intact from Claw's body in the center was completely disfigured and matted with his own blood. His eyes stared out into the group, a final expression of something between pain and fear permanently etched in his gaze. After what felt like an eternity, the door finally swung shut; sealing the terrible scene away.

"*sigh*He shouldn't have broken one of the rules," Dagger said indifferently.

Everyone turned to look at the Gallade in shock.

"Wait, what rules," Shadow asked.

"Here," Dagger handed over what looked like a second and thicker piece of paper.

Shadow snatched it out of Dagger's hand and began to scan over it.

"…I can't read this," Shadow gave up and handed the paper back.

Dagger accepted the paper back, "It's braille, and before you ask; yes, I can read it."

"Mind sharing with the rest of the class then?" Velda asked anxiously.

Dagger rolled his eyes and began tracing the lines of intertwined bumps that made up the message with a finger.

'Upon this card is the truth... A secret for he who lost his sight even if he should not be among you. The RED is not your only goal in surviving the NUMBERED DOORS. Thos who verify themselves with the RED must verify themselves with its counterpart, the DEAD, on the other side of the NUMBERED DOOR. The door remains open only for 9 seconds, so you must move fast. Once through, the timer within your bracelets begins, ticking away your lives. If all are not validated on the DEAD within 81 seconds, the bomb will detonate. This bomb has already passed into your large intestine, and is made to remain until 12 hours pass from the games start, or it does it's deed. Once the DEAD has been activated properly, the timer will stop and game will begin once more, with the trials that sit beyond each NUMBERED DOOR. The RED and DEAD are the jury. The Bracelet, the judge. And the bomb, the executioner. One does not work without the other. Use this information wisely, he has lost the blessing of God... Use it to tip the game in your favor, or help those with you. Seek a way out.'

"Did-did he just say bombs?" Xanthe squeaked.

Everyone started threatening or arguing with each other over what they should do; it was utter chaos.

"Everybody, shut up!" Shadow shouted.

He was standing by the number '4' door as everyone saw after they quieted down.

"I don't know about all of you," Shadow began, "but I don't intend to waste my time arguing with a bunch of pansies like you. I'm going through this door here."

He slapped the RED next to the door with his hand, "so whose coming with me?"

Description
'I think I may have died; am I in heaven? Darkness is all I see now, all I feel now. I never expected it to be so dark; I don't like it…hey, who's there? Hello? Am I really dead? Are you Arceus?'

---

Tai the Dewott was in tears as he looked on to his girlfriend laying in her friends arms. Dagger was using his psychic powers to try and revive the little Dewott, furrowing in concentration. He couldn't help but notice that his psychic abilities were severely weakened right now, even with all his concentration forced on the effort. Tai held Rachael's hand in his own, stroking the back of it with his other hand.

He leaned down gently, barely an inch away from her face and whispered, "Rachael, please come back. I love you."

Suddenly, Dagger flinched as he felt something stir within the little unconscious Dewott. Tai noticed it too and soon Rachael began to cough up sea water violently, trying to breathe. The other pokemon, who had been busy talking amongst themselves to learn what they each knew, became aware of the commotion that was coming from the Gallade and Dewotts and rushed over to see what was going on.

"Rachael!" Tai embraced Rachael, seemingly never wanting to let her go, "Thank Arceus."

"Tai, what's wrong? You sound like someone you know almost died," Rachael said innocently as she too embraced Tai in a longing hug.

Tai held Rachael out at an arm's length; tears welled up in his eyes but smiled, "That's not funny."

Rachael wiped away some tears away from her eyes, "Heehee, I'm sorry."

"Arceus, this is so sweet its making me sick," the Luxray known as Claw suddenly blurted out, " Now can we find our way out of here? I have better things to do than be stuck on a booby trapped ship watching a real life soap opera."

Every single pokemon turned and glared at the rude Luxray for ruining a perfectly good moment.

Claw glared back at the others, "What?!"

"Dude, just shut up," Marcus the Swampert snorted.

"Well, excuse me prin-"

*creeeeaack…SNAP, Clink*

Everyone froze as they heard the sound, like a metal lock just broke; and before anyone could say anything the sound of rushing water filled the hall. Everyone stared toward the opposite end of the large staircase…and within seconds, were thrown into a panic. Even though they closed all the doors to the rooms they escaped drowning from, a new and huge wave of water erupted from around the far end of the deck. Racing to engulf the stunned pokemon.

"Sh*t, run!" Marcus yelled and took off.

Everyone else felt it was a good idea and took his advice. A few pokemon screamed as the water came closer, but they all made it to the stairs and raced upward. The water splashed against the staircase with a loud crash and slowly began to rise. No one dared to look back down as they climbed two steps at a time. As they reached the next landing they all glanced to the side to see a gold plated plaque that read 'Deck C'. None of them really wanted to stop to check out what was on 'Deck C', so they bolted up the flight of stairs. Again a glittering golden plaque was set on the next landing's wall; this time engraved with 'Deck B'. They all continued upward, hoping for a way out of this nightmarish setting. Unfortunately, Marcus stopped suddenly at the top of the next landing, causing everyone behind him to trip over a step and fall over.

Shadow the Infernape quickly got up and growled, "Hey, what's the hold up?!"

Marcus turned around, a bit annoyed but pointed up behind him, "Look."

He made room for everyone to pass and they all soon figured out why the large water-type stopped. On the landing just above like the others, there was a golden plaque that read 'Deck A'. But that is not what caught everyone's attention. Everyone wore an expression of anger, worry, or fear or a combination of the three as they realized that there were no more stairs for them to climb.

"F*ck, now we're really gonna drown," Shadow groaned.

Everyone else started panicking as the thought of their imminent death sunk in. That is, everyone except for a lone Gallade that stood quietly with his eyes closed.

"Everyone, stop," Dagger commanded, "Listen."

It took a moment for everyone to truly calm down and do as told. Silence reigned for only a moment til the tension broke.

"I don't hear anything," the Vulpix, Velda, said.

"Yeah asshole, what's with wasting our time," Claw blurted.

"Claw, don't you get it?" Shadow asked, "No rushing water."

It was true, from the decks below there was an eerie stillness that took over the previous roaring of gushing water. The pokemon in the group started murmuring as they traded thoughts.

"I think- I think we should go down and check the decks below," Xanthe the Zangoose spoke sheepishly.

They all agreed and began to descend back down the grand stair case.

"By the way, anyone else think this place looks like a scene from 'Titanic'?" Velda asked with an almost fangirl like squeal.

"Yeah," Shadow replied, "I just hope this doesn't end up like the end of the movie though."

The group moved as one down the stairs from 'Deck A' to 'Deck B' and to 'Deck C', though they couldn't go any further as the water flooded the final deck below. Dagger went to the bottom most step and gazed transfixed on the water. The water level was no longer rising and the surface remained still as a sheet of glass. He dipped his hand just below the surface and watched the ripples disperse almost instantly til the water became motionless again.

"I guess I still have a chance at finding the perfect ass after all," Claw casually remarked.

Shadow instantly grabbed the Luxray by the tail and launched him into the furthest part of the flooded deck as he could.

*SPLASH*

Claw clamored to the surface and spat out a mouthful of seawater, "Da hell was that for?!"

"I thought a cold bath would help keep your damn mouth shut about sex for at least five minutes!" Shadow shouted back.

"Fine, if that's how you want it!" Claw growled.

He concentrated, ready to unleash a mighty Thunderbolt on the Infernape and anyone else who was too close, but all he got was a few stray sparks that drifted lazily out over the water.

"What the-?!"

He tried again, ending up with the same result.

Velda sighed, "That's not going to work, I already tried."

Everyone else tried to use their own moves and soon found out they too could not.

"Man, this sucks more than that five dollar whore I met last Tuesday," Claw mumbled as he swam back to the grand staircase. Everyone agreed that they should start searching everywhere they could from the bottom, up in order to find a way out, and so their search began on 'Deck C'. There wasn't much on the deck as all the doors and windows had been riveted shut with metal plates overtop, all except for an elevator that had a card reader next to it but otherwise did not work. Moving up to 'Deck B' yielded the same results, but with a strange twist. Along one side of the hall stood two metal double doors securely locked as no one was able to open either of them. Of course what really made them stand out from the rest of the many locked doors were the crudely splattered numbers '4' and '5' on either one of them. The eerie numbers at first glance looked like they had been painted in blood, but on closer inspection it was just red paint which everyone took comfort in.

"…Now what?" Marcus asked.

He was replied with a loud chiming noise that came from the grand staircase. An antique looking pendulum clock gonged as the hands reached an hour. Six chimes, six o'clock and at night by what everyone could tell by. Soon after the chimes' echoing ceased, a new, much more profound sound replaced it. It was like the sound of a gargling speaker that was readjusting until the gargling was little more than some background noise. Everyone turned to the speaker in the ceiling that was source of the gargling and waited for anything to happen. A raspy, almost mechanical voice broke through the intercom.

"Greetings one and all, and welcome to my ship. I am your captain and the reason you are here. My name, if you wish to remember it, is Zero. In April 1912, the cruise liner Titanic sank after meeting an iceberg in a head on collision. It sank after remaining afloat for 2 hours. In 1996, the cruise liner SS Anne, met a similar fate in a large storm. It remained afloat for an hour and half. I will gift you all more time. I will give you 9 hours. The rules of the game have be placed on your person. If you do not escape in the given time, then a watery grave awaits you. As such... Let the Nonary game begin. You have your time. Seek a way out."

The speaker fell silent with a final crackle leaving everyone to wonder about what the vaguely familiar voice had just told them.

"So does anyone really think he meant all that?" Marcus asked nervously.

"Don't know, but I found those instructions he was talking about," Vlad the Infernape said, holding a piece of folded paper that he pulled out from his vest pocket.

Everyone else found a piece of folded paper on them as well while Vlad began to read aloud what was printed on everyone else's copy.

'There are nine doors with large numbers placer on them. These are the NUMBERED DOORS, one door to each contestant. Beside each door, is the a device called the RED. The RED will scan your palm to validate your player number. But, to open the door, no less than 3 players and no more than 5 players may enter a door at once. Those who enter the door must match the digital root of their numbers to equal to the doors number. Your numbers are your life and identity, as shown by the fact they are bound to the forsaken hand. You must move through the doors and find a door emblazoned with a nine. This door, is your way out. Find it before time is up, and you may just see the light of day.'

"I don't get it, how are we supposed to figure out all this math crap out?" Claw groaned.

He looked around to see the faces of the other pokemon, a collective glare that said that anyone with an IQ over 40 should know how.

Claw: Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!

[I don't know, maybe the same thing as you not supposed to be breaking the 4th wall during my stories]

Claw: Ya know what, screw you!

[*sigh* I'm so glad I don't have to deal with you for much longer]

Claw: Da f*ck does that mean?!

[Nothing, now get back to the plot]

"Lousy, good for nothing writer," Claw grumbled.

"Who are you talking to?" Tai asked as everyone bore witness to what might have been Claw having a mental breakdown.

Claw looked at the Dewott and snorted, "No one, say I got an idea on how to get out of here."

"Really?!" Xanthe's eyes lit up with hope.

"Sure, just watch."

And as quick as lightning, Claw slammed into Tai, pushing him back but not before snatching one of the Dewott's kodaichi with his tail. With another flash of movement, he was behind Xanthe holding the short blade to her throat.

"Claw, what the hell are you doing?!" Shadow yelled.

"What does it look like," Claw replied ever so casually, "I'm getting out of this rat hole."

Claw inched his way back, Xanthe in tow while everyone else stood and glared at the crazed Luxray not daring to make a move. Claw reached the '5' door, throwing an occasional threat once in a while to make the others back off.

"Alright," Claw said with a cheshire like grin, "This is how it's gonna play out. I'm going to get this door open and leave, no questions asked."

He pressed his paw with his numbered bracelet onto the RED, and the device gave a soft beep with an asterisk on the LED screen to show it had verified.

"Bitch, now put your hand on the scanner," Claw commanded Xanthe who was shaking with fear.

She slowly obeyed, extending her arm out to the scanner and a second asterisk appeared.

"So now all I have to get is one more number that has a digital root of '5'. So…number 3."

[Wow, he really does suck at math]

"Shut up!" Claw appeared to scream at no one in the room, "Wait…damn that would give me '7' so…which of you f*ckers is number '1', get over here."

Vlad stepped forward, seething with anger, but refrained from attempting anything that would put his apprentice in anymore danger.

"Right, go and verify your number monkey brain."

Vlad narrowed his eye, "And if I refuse?"

"Do I gotta spell it out for you?" Claw asked wickedly, pressing the short blade just hard enough against Xanthe's neck to draw blood.

"Master, help," Xanthe couldn't help but cry.

Vlad clenched his fists and growled, aware of how powerless he was at that moment. He started a mechanical walk toward the RED, throwing a sideways death glare at Xanthe's captor before slamming his palm on the scanner.

"Good little monkey," Claw taunted, "Now, back off."

Vlad returned to the group that stood a couple feet away and continued to glare at Claw.

"Claw, this is crazy," Shadow tried to reason with the Luxray one last time.

"Whatever, Now if you'll excuse me," Claw snorted

Claw pulled the lever on the RED and the number '5' door creaked open.

"Oh, by the way, catch!"

Claw whipped the short blade he had in his tail at the others, causing them to duck out of the way. He then pushed Xanthe into the group as well and ran inside the '5' door.

Marcus and Shadow got up first and sprinted after the Luxray. They were too late though as the door swung firmly shut, sealing the path.

Marcus and Shadow proceeded to pry the door open, but neither of them could get it to even budge.

Xanthe sat curled up on the floor crying while Vlad comforted her. He swore he would kill that bastard of a Luxray for what he did.

"Hey, do you hear that?" Shadow asked, his ear pressed to the door.

The rest of the pokemon quickly gathered around the door, clamoring for a spot to listen in like the Infernape. From the other side they too could hear the faint sounds of a rhythmic beeping, and soon heard a very angry Luxray cursing as well.

"F*ck, Arceus damn it! Why isn't this working?!"

Claw sounded completely distressed, not that Vlad cared, but Claw continued to yell.

"Hey, anyone! What are you waiting for, an engraved invitation?! Get me the hell out of here!"

The group of pokemon on the outside of the door could hear the Luxray futilely pounding against the door as he became more desperate.

"Come on you pieces of sh*t, let me out! Damn it, once I find my way out of here, I'M GONNA-"

The rest of the Luxray's wild rant was never heard as a muted thud echoed from behind the number '5' door. Everyone stared quietly at the foreboding door, unsure of what just happened.

Shadow finally stepped forward and placed his hand on the scanner, "I need at least two more pokemon to help me open this."

Rachael and Tai stepped forward at the same time, the math already done in their heads. They too set their hands on the scanner and stepped away cautiously. Shadow pulled the lever on the RED and once again the '5' door creaked open.

No one had words to express what they saw, or smelled.

It wasn't until Rachael screamed that the pure terror of the scene sunk in.

"Dear Arceus," Xanthe gasped in shock.

Marcus looked away heaving, "I think I'm going to be sick."

This-this," Shadow stuttered, "This is just messed up."

Even for those who had seen death before, nothing could compare to what lay before them. A sickening stench of charred, smoldering meat consumed the air. Inside laid the gruesome remains of Claw the Luxray. Blood and chucks of flesh coated the walls of the inside of the corridor. What was left barely intact from Claw's body in the center was completely disfigured and matted with his own blood. His eyes stared out into the group, a final expression of something between pain and fear permanently etched in his gaze. After what felt like an eternity, the door finally swung shut; sealing the terrible scene away.

"*sigh*He shouldn't have broken one of the rules," Dagger said indifferently.

Everyone turned to look at the Gallade in shock.

"Wait, what rules," Shadow asked.

"Here," Dagger handed over what looked like a second and thicker piece of paper.

Shadow snatched it out of Dagger's hand and began to scan over it.

"…I can't read this," Shadow gave up and handed the paper back.

Dagger accepted the paper back, "It's braille, and before you ask; yes, I can read it."

"Mind sharing with the rest of the class then?" Velda asked anxiously.

Dagger rolled his eyes and began tracing the lines of intertwined bumps that made up the message with a finger.

'Upon this card is the truth... A secret for he who lost his sight even if he should not be among you. The RED is not your only goal in surviving the NUMBERED DOORS. Thos who verify themselves with the RED must verify themselves with its counterpart, the DEAD, on the other side of the NUMBERED DOOR. The door remains open only for 9 seconds, so you must move fast. Once through, the timer within your bracelets begins, ticking away your lives. If all are not validated on the DEAD within 81 seconds, the bomb will detonate. This bomb has already passed into your large intestine, and is made to remain until 12 hours pass from the games start, or it does it's deed. Once the DEAD has been activated properly, the timer will stop and game will begin once more, with the trials that sit beyond each NUMBERED DOOR. The RED and DEAD are the jury. The Bracelet, the judge. And the bomb, the executioner. One does not work without the other. Use this information wisely, he has lost the blessing of God... Use it to tip the game in your favor, or help those with you. Seek a way out.'

"Did-did he just say bombs?" Xanthe squeaked.

Everyone started threatening or arguing with each other over what they should do; it was utter chaos.

"Everybody, shut up!" Shadow shouted.

He was standing by the number '4' door as everyone saw after they quieted down.

"I don't know about all of you," Shadow began, "but I don't intend to waste my time arguing with a bunch of pansies like you. I'm going through this door here."

He slapped the RED next to the door with his hand, "so whose coming with me?"