Ghast heads into Hollow Forest, a forest known for a variety of wild pokémon the deeper you get. This area is also known to be a hotspot for lost travelers because only a few types of pokémon are known to be able to navigate this forest. Ghast and Shade have no problems navigating it because of the large amount of time they spent there in the past. But of course, Ghast's mother never let him travel farther than halfway, even with Shade as a companion.

     When Ghast and Shade reach the halfway point, it's already dusk, so they decide to set up camp here and continue in the morning. After eating, Ghast heads to bed and Shade keeps watch since he doesn't need sleep. At midnight, Shade sees Ghast tossing and turning in his sleep, wondering what's wrong with him.

Ghast's POV

     I find myself standing in huge, wide open space. The only things there were inky blackness and deep purple fog, similar to the gas that surrounds Shade, spreading infinitely in every direction. He then sees a dark shadowy figure standing not far from him in the fog.

     "Who are you? Where are we?" I ask. The figure turns towards me and I realize it's a pokémon. It's entire body seems to be made of  black fog that billows in the air. It stands about 5 feet off the ground. It has long, thin, black legs with no feet, it doesn't seem to use them for moving however, as when it approaches, then legs dissipate into thin air, leaving it floating in midair. It has a bright, crimson crest below it's face that has a shape similar to a jaw. Most of it's face was hidden by shadow, except for it's glowing, sapphire blue eyes. It also had a cloud of billowing white fog that seemed to act as hair. "I am the legendary Pitch-Black pokémon, Darkrai, Lord of nightmares. We are inside your dreams," the pokémon speaks in a deep, frightening, male voice. "Why are you here?" I ask it, no, wait, it said it's name was Darkrai.

     "I am here to tell you of your heritage," he says. "What do you mean?" I ask, curious. "Like I said child, I am here to tell you of your heritage. I came here to tell you that you are part pokémon." "WHAT! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!?" I scream out, unable to comprehend what I was just told. How could I be part pokémon? That's not possible! But what reason would a legendary pokémon have to lie to me?

     "Please child, let me explain," Darkrai says. "The day you were born was the happiest day of both of your parents lives. They loved you with all their hearts, so when you got sick days after your birth, they were heartbroken when they learned you wouldn't live to see the dawn of your first birthday, they wept and wept, their crying was heard even by the Alpha Pokémon, Arceus. But because he couldn't do anything at the time, he sent the Renegade Pokémon and ruler of the distortion world, Giratina. Giratina appeared in front of your parents while they were trying to cherish what they thought would be their last few hours with you. He told them he could save you, but at a cost. Giratina told your parents that he could save you, but he would have make you part pokémon. They agreed, not wanting to see you die so young. He gave you the soul of a Gengar, who would soon pass and decided to let Giratina use it's soul for this purpose. You were then saved, but gained some of the physical traits of the pokémon, resulting in your crimson eyes and purple hair. This is part of the reason for your strong connection to pokémon, especially ghost types." Darkrai states before going silent so he could absorb the information.

     I couldn't believe what I had heard. I was a pokémon! A Gengar at that! I decide to ask a question before I woke up. "Is there anything else I should know?" I ask, curious. "Only this. I have been given permission to allow you to use pokémon attacks. Currently, you can use Hypnosis, Nightmare, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, and Shadow Sneak. You also can now speak to pokémon," Darkrai says. He then looks up. "I must go, you're about to receive a rather rude awakening from your partner. Goodbye," he says before floating away into the darkness and fog.

     "GAH!" I scream after being woken up by Shade using Lick on my face. I see him floating nearby, snickering at me. "WHAT THE FUCK SHADE!?" I scream, annoyed. "Well, I wanted to wake you up because it looked like you were having a nightmare, and I also wanted to prank you, so two birds with one stone. HAHAHAHAHA!" Shade cackles out. After hearing Shade's response, the memories of my dream last night come flooding back to me. "Yeah, yeah Shade, laugh it up. I'll get you back." I tell him, before deciding to call out Soul. "Show me your power Soul!" I call out as I release the Eevee. "Hi Soul." I say. "Hi Ghast, what are you and Shade yelling about? It was annoying," she says, somewhat bluntly. "Sorry about that Soul, I was annoyed because Ghast," I spit out his name as I say it and glare at him before continuing, "used Lick on me to wake me up, sorry we bothered you," I say in an apologetic tone. I then see both of my friends are staring at me in awe and confusion. "Uh... guys?" I say, wondering what's wrong with them. "How did you just do that, how did you understand us all of a sudden?" Ghast asks as he stared at me. I realize I haven't told them about what happened. "I guess I should explain.

*10 Minutes Later*

     After explaining, I look to see how they're reacting. They're both just staring at me again. "When I first saw you, I had an urge to trust you, I guess now I know why. I definitely don't regret it at all." Ghast states. "Same here, when I first saw Ghast, I could just tell I could trust him." Soul says, examining me. "Well, let's hurry and get moving so we can get to Increto city and earn our first gym badge!" I say go them "Yeah!" Shade says, pumped up. "Let's do it," Soul says, much calmer than Shade, but with excitement gleaming in her eyes.

     So Ghast, Shade, and Soul head out deeper into the forest go continue their journey. However, unbeknownst go the small group, a man and woman in dark uniforms have been watching them since dawn, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The two figures give each other a silent nod in confirmation before following the group.