Hey it's me, Shadow. Yeah, I'm back. I bet good ol' Illume bored ya with his narrating, right? Well, I'm alive and back at putting my two cents in. So, let's get to the story. By the way I just want to give you a heads up that I escape and easily in fact but let me not spoil it for you. You probably want to find out for yourself.

Shadows POV after Illume escapes through the portal:

"Perfect."

With the snap of a finger a portal opens up for me. I start walking towards it while talking to myself.

"Finally, I get to leave this deserted place. I would, at last, be able to destroy everything in my path. I've been waiting for this."

Walking through the portal I get ready for the chaos and destruction I'm about to bring upon the human realm. I wonder if they're ready for a bloodbath.

I arrive in my so-called home town. What a joke. Everything was a lie. Everything was just fake. All placed by something, no, I know who did it. The void told me everything. Everything here is not real and what I need to do is destroy all of these plastic memories.

I broadcast my voice across the town as I stand atop the highest building.

"Listen, you're all going to die. If you don't like it, try and stop me but know this. No matter how much you struggle, you are going to die by my hands. If my voice doesn't ring a bell. My name is Shadow. The one who's about to bring your demise."

And if that didn't convince them I thought I should help them edge closer to fear. With the powers I copied from Illume I summon massive weapons that would cause immense damage and throw them at the diner that they adore so much. It's lovely to see such destruction. That should cause a stir.

And it did because the mighty (weak) Pyro and friends just showed up.

"Oh, look it's Pyro. Hey Pyro. Remember me buddy? Hahahahahahaha!"

Pyro looks shocked. He never expected that I'd come back from the dead, did he? Well, I'm here and back to destroy everything.

He responds with a rattle in his voice: "S-Shadow? But... you're dead. How is this possible? I killed you."

I stop laughing and look at him as if I'm about to take his life.

"Well, you should know that was painful but now I'm back to haunt you."

Aqua looks at Pyro as he drops to the ground.

Aqua: "Pyro it was an accident. It wasn't your fault. No one could've predicted that it would happen. There's no time to think about this and besides there's no way that's the boy you told me about. From what you've told me he'd never even hurt a fly. That's not him. He's a demon destroying everything and killing everyone. We have to stop him."

Pyro: "No but it IS my fault. If it weren't for me, his ghost wouldn't be haunting me right now! I can't bear his death on my conscience anymore. I haven't forgotten about it ever since it happened. I deserve to die. I don't deserve to live after I took Shadows life."

Aqua: "Pyro, you didn't take his life it was an accident."

Pyro then shouts out: "But I did! If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have gotten killed like that. If I hadn't lost control of my powers like that..."

Inferno steps in: "Suck it up! If you really think you killed him then man up and face him head on. Face what you've done Pyro. Face your demons and beat them back to the grave. There's no changing the past but you can change your future. So, are you just going to sulk there like a coward? Or are you going to face death itself head on?"

Pyro: "But... I..."

Aqua: "It's okay Sparky. I'll be here to help you. If you can't get over his death then own it like your father says."

Pyro begins to lift himself off the ground and says: "You know Aqua I really hate that nickname you gave me but okay I'll be accepting what I've done in the past and look forward to the future. I can't wimp out anymore. Oh, and thanks Pops.

Inferno nods and steps back while Pyro gets ready. Aqua does the same. They have immense trust in Pyro and his ability which is why they are letting him handle the fight. Not only that, Pyro has been training with Inferno for a while boosting his ability tremendously but is it enough?

Shadow however has been thinking about something as they have been talking.

"Death itself? Hmmm. Death. I like the sound of that. I'll be the one to cause all of your deaths. I am Death!!! Time to reap your souls."

Pyro smiles and looks at Shadow: "What happened to you bro? You were never so badass!"

"Well, I died after all. In death I changed. However, once I kill all of you there's no coming back."

Pyro: "Well good luck with that, I've got the Phoenix on my side. Ever hear the legend of the Phoenix? I'll be reborn."

"Oh really? Let me see for myself then Pyro. I've been wanting to kill you myself for quite some time after all. If you come back, I get to kill you again."

Shadows smile creeps onto his face.

But before the fight could even begin Illume appears through a light portal which shocks everyone except Shadow.

Pyro: "Illume? What the heck are you doing here?"

Illume: "Me? Well, I just thought I'd come and hang out with Shadow like the good old times but it seems it won't go down like that. By the way Pyro if he kills you that's it, you're done. The Angel told me everything. No matter who you are, Shadow is the one that could remove you from existence so whatever reckless thoughts you're having, forget about it. Let's think about how to stop him together and maybe we can bring him back to our side."

Pyro: "What? How's that even possible? I have the Phoenix in me!"

Illume: "Listen just try to stay alive. We don't have time to talk about this cause here he comes."

"Well now that you're done talking let's get to the killing." Shadow says as he falls down from where he's standing.

The way he's darting to the ground you'd expect him to make a superhero landing however what he does is more befitting of the prince of darkness. Before he lands, a pair of darkened wings appear behind him which frightens the civilians watching the spectacle and shocks the heroes who are about to take on Shadow.

Shadow then stands still looking at the heroes with the intent to kill. With so much malice coming off him the air begins to feel like poison.

Pyro: What is this? Yo Illume, you sure we can take this guy?"

Illume: "Hey let's just try to survive the day right now but honestly speaking, Shadow's become a beast."

Inferno: "Through all my years of fighting, I've never felt anything as intense as this. He's changing the air itself just by looking at us. He's more of a devil than a beast. I'll have to help with this. Aqua you too."

Aqua: "Yes Master!"

Inferno: "We'll be lucky if we survive this."

As they all get ready, the battle that might determine the fate of everyone alive is about to begin. The Cataclysm draws closer. When would peace ever return for these kids?