Shadow was pushing through the undergrowth of her town, Timber Town's, local forest. "Come on, Jade!" the Marshadow called. "We have to see what that explosion was!"

"I-I'm coming!" the Breloom replied. "But I don't think we should be here."

"Don't worry. We're just going to the explosion site and back." Shadow kept walking forward, with Jade trailing behind. She knew Jade wasn't fond of her "expeditions," but this time would be different. They'll actually find something, she could feel it. But that would only make Jade even more scared. Shadow stopped to think about what to say next.

"Besides, it's probably something boring. Like a Bewear fighting another Pokemon."

"B-bewear?" Jade yelped.

"Relax. Most of its attacks can't even hurt us."

"Its attacks can't hurt you. I'll still get hurt!"

"Jade, you won't get hurt," Shadow responded calmly.

"You're only talking about a Bewear's moves. I-if one gets a hold of us, our spines will be crushed!"

"Don't worry! You— we'll be fine."

Just a few hours earlier, everyone in Timber Town, where Shadow and Jade live, jumped when they heard an explosion in the nearby forest. After a town meeting, it was decided that no one would go explore it. However, when everyone settled down, Shadow snuck out. Unfortunately for Jade, she brought him with her.

After a while of walking, they finally spotted a clearing, not very far away. "Jade, we're almost there!" Shadow exclaimed.

"I d-don't think we're supposed to be here," Jade said. He shied away from the fronds like he was worried that one would reach out and grab him.

"W-we'll be fine," Shadow stuttered. Now, even she was getting creeped out. But the clearing was up ahead, and then she'd be able to get to see what was probably nothing. But just then, an extremely loud, terrible sound echoed through the forest.

"Oh n-no, no! We are going to die! WE'RE GOING TO FREAKING DIE!"

"Jade! Calm down!"

"I CAN'T CALM DOWN IF WE'RE GOING TO DIE!"

"You'll be fine! Listen, we'll just take a look and go back to town! No one will know." As Shadow was reassuring Jade, she was... confused. Was that Clanging Scales? Why would a Kommo-o be battling here?

Jade was slowly walking away, but Shadow firmly held his hand and pulled him through the forest. "Come, on! We're almost there!"

Jade resisted as much as he possibly could. "I will DIE if I go anywhere near that clearing. So I'm STAYING HERE."

"Fine. But don't get lost," Shadow replied. She carefully moved around and under the trees and plants that call Timber Forest home. She noticed the scuttle of small pokemon that were living there. They ran away from her as soon as they saw her. Shadow knew it would be quicker to shadow-travel, but she just didn't want to.

But after a few minutes of walking, Shadow approached the clearing. To her surprise, nothing was there. Yet. She took a few cautious steps into the light. She noticed a large boulder, but it was now shattered. Huh? What could shatter that boulder?

Well, she was about to get her answer. With a large bang, a Kommo-o emerged from the trees. But, it wasn't really a Kommo-o. Its scales were less saturated than usual, and it radiated... light? But that's not the strangest thing. All over the dragon's body was black plates that were almost armor-like. And there were two extra pairs of black, jagged arms that were hanging on the back. What happened?

Shadow, staring up in awe and confusion, could only utter three words. "What are you?"