"No Shadow!" Sylvia exclaimed, worried about him. "He's fine, but I can't seem to sense his presence or anything of the sort. It's almost as if his mind's faded from both reality, the realm of dreams, and even the dreamscape." Night said. A portal suddenly appeared, "oh, yes, okay John" Night said, holding a paw to his ear, "Oh, I'll be there soon." then the portal closed. "I've got to go, I think I may have intel on what's going on..." Night trailed off, " but don't get your hopes up yet, there is no promise that I can help with what is going on." "Nothing like this has ever happened before." Terra said after Night had left the den.

"I know, which is why I'm going to see if this guy I know does, and it's not John either." Night explained, "plus, probably none of these things that's happened with us has happened before."

A few hours later

"Shadow's lying here, possibly dying and Night doesn't even seem to care... some brother he is." Lilly said, "was that whole situation with him when Shadow ran away fake? Was that a fake reaction Night was having just out of pure pity for Shadow? I can't believe anyone would do something like that, how selfish can one pokémon be? Maybe all that time he's spent with humans caused the greed, which Shadow claims them to have, to rub off on him, meaning Shadow was right about just how vile humans are, when he gets back here from wherever he's gone, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."

Shadow's body lied there, shivering, not out of being cold, but out of what seemed to be fear. "S-Sylvia? Night? Anyone?" Shadow mumbled, "....I'm alone... again... like usual..."

???

all Shadow could see was a black mist-like fog, no one around him, not a single sliver of light. The depths. An echo rang out. "What?! Who's there?! Who said that?!" He exclaimed, saying every single word out loud. "I suppose I should just walk in a direction, hopefully I can get out of this thick, black, misty fog if I walk far enough. Escape. An echo rang out again. "Another echo?! I guess I'm alone, this is strange... and very creepy." He said. No... escape... The echo rang out. "What?" Shadow asked. Loss... pain... endless torment. The echo came again. "What is happening? Okay if this is some sort of prank, it's not funny." Shadow said.

Alone... desperate... It rang. "These are just random words and phrases... Run? Escape? No escape? Loss? Pain? Endless torment? Alone? Desperate? The hell are they supposed to mean?!" Shadow demanded. Anger... hatred... bloodshed... fear... The echo rang out once more, kind of dying out. "Anger? Hatred? Fear? What're those supposed to mean? What bloodshed is there?" Shadow asked. "Strange." He said to himself. Then the echos started to repeat, getting louder and louder the further he walked. The depths of your soul. Escape, there is no escape. Your life is full of loss, pain, anger, hatred, and fear, and the bloodshed of your father because of the humans which you despise.

Causing you endless torment, causing you to feel so alone despite the fact that you have friends, a true sibling, a mate, and a friend so close to you that they are like a brother, that your mind is connected to them. You will lose your mind in this place. Only escaping with the loss of something, whether it be physical or mental. You will be forced to live through everything over and over again until you either die or get cured of this illness. The echo rang again this time finally stopping and then Shadow was sent way back, starting when his suffering originally started.

Outside 'The Depths' in reality.

"He's delusional right now....he's acting like he's trying to talk to something" Lilly said. "S-Sylvia? Where are you? Night? Anyone? I don't want to go back there... SOMEONE HELP ME!!!" Shadow screamed while remaining unconscious beginning to hyperventilate.

Night

Night arrived at the arena that he somehow owned, "John, is she on?" "Not yet sir." John replied. "John, one more thing, put a user into the system under the name of Shadow, he will have full access to everything. For his pin, make it 1408." "Uh... yes sir," John responded, getting to it. "I'll be in my office." Night told his friend. When Night entered his office, he spoke a simple command, "computer, get ready for a holo-broadcast." The windows to the room turned black, blocking out the light, the door turned red, signaling that he was not to be disturbed. After a few moments of silence the black lights turned on, casting a deep purple hue onto the room.

"Incoming call, Luna." the computer said. "Accept call," Night spoke, "I see you are as punctual as always." a creature in a shadow-mist-like form appeared. "Luna, what brings you here?" Night asked. "I have dire information about your friend." Luna stated. "I thought so, no matter what I thought. What can you tell me?" Night said reluctantly. "Nothing good about him, as far as I've gathered. First and foremost, he's deathly ill, and in a place created long ago, a place that no creature can reach. That is all the information I have, I have some things to take care of at home. Luna said.

"Ending call." The computer said. "Computer, broadcast message across the facility" Night said. "Broadcasting." "Due to some personal matters, the Nightmare Arena Will be closing in one hour, I apologize for any inconveniences that may occur out of this. The facility will be closed for the rest of the week and will reopen on monday, at eight o'clock, we hope to see you back here." The entire facility responded. He went back to the den. When he entered however, he received a hard slap in the face by Lilly's tail. Night just stood there, dumbfounded. "That was for leaving us when we needed you here, you left like you didn't even care that Shadow is lying here on the ground possibly dying." Lilly shouted at Night.

"I would like to clear some things up right quick. First of all, I left to get answers, I didn't know how bad his condition was." Night started, being cut off by another slap from Lilly, but she didn't get away fast enough. Night's aura grabbed hold of her and lifted her a meter off the ground. "Night, set her down," Terra said calmly. The aura vaporized, and Night shook his head, looking like he was trying to get something off. Lilly narrowed her eyes. "Do you truly care about him? Or is it false caring you have just out of pity?" She asked. "Somebody... anybody... please help me," Shadow muttered, still out of it.

"I wish I could, dear brother, I wish I could," Night said, walking over to Shadow's body. "Nevermind then..." Lilly said, understanding that she wrongly accused Night. "Night... Silvia... Lilly... someone, please..." Shadow muttered, "Don't let me go through it again!... so alone..." "he's getting overheated, we need to cool him down." Sylvia said, appearing out of thin air, her non-physical body barely being here. "Terra," Night said "on it," Terra said, dropping the temperature by ten degrees. "A little much, but needed" Night told Terra. "If you guys need me, I'll be in my room. I need sleep to continue to be of use." Night said, yawning, "don't be afraid to wake me if there is an update on his condition."

"Hang on in there Shadow, I don't know what's going on wherever your mind is, but you need to hang on. If not for us, then at least do it for Sylvia." Lilly said, knowing Shadow can't hear her.

A few hours later.

"I wonder how much longer he'll be out of it," Terra said. As if on cue, he awoke "Shadow?" Lilly questioned. "Ugh, where am I, who are you? Wait...who am I?" Shadow asked. "I was warned of his condition, didn't realize it was like this though. So you don't know who any of us are?" Night directed the question at what was left of the Shadow he knew. "Not to my current knowledge." Shadow answered, "all I see when I try to remember anything before just now, is just straight blackness." "Do you know who you are?" Night questioned. "Not a clue..." Shadow said, trailing off. "Do you want us to call you Shadow, or do you want a different name for the time being?" Night asked.

Shadow then looked back observing his looks and then said, "Shadow seems very fitting for me, so I guess that would be best to go off of." "My name is Night. The glaceon over there is Terra, the dark sylveon is Sylvia, the light sylveon, behind you, is Lilly, and a charizard will be here in about five minutes, his name is Comet." Night said introducing everyone. "That's a weird looking Sylveon, and you, are you supposed to be some sort of hybrid?" Shadow asked. "Yes I am, and Sylvia, I don't know why she chose that coloring." Night said. "Chose? You mean she somehow dyed her fur?" Shadow asked.

"Not exactly. Sylvia, could you show him? I feel it would be better for him to see it then to hear about it," Night asked. "I can't, with all of his memories gone, so to is our connection in which allowed it." Sylvia said, "either the connection would have to be recreated, or he'll have to regain his memories." "So I have amnesia?" Shadow asked. "Right, I forgot about that. And yes Shadow, you have amnesia." Night said. "And I am to believe y'all didn't cause it." Shadow said, with full intent on being skeptic. "You can believe what you want to believe, I'm here to give facts, though there are things that are best kept... secret." Night said.

"Oh, well, how am I supposed to regain my memories then? Because I feel like there's something missing in my life, and it's not just my memories." Shadow said. "Some things left that weren't memories, that is true. And only time will tell of a way for you to regain your memories, but I will help, that is if you want it." Night said. "Of course I'd want it." Shadow said. "Sometimes people don't want help, this isn't one of those times, I'm happy to see." Night said, "does the name 'Grayson' sound familiar?" "No, should it?" Shadow asked. "Not necessarily, Aurora should a little bit though." Night said, "But that doesn't mean it will."

"The only name that sounds even a little familiar is Sylvia." Shadow said. Over in the corner, Sylvia gasped. "Not surprised in the least, do you know why?" Night asked. "I don't know, but I think it might have something to do with my earlier statement: 'I feel like there's something missing, and not just my memories'. " Shadow said. "Her connection to you was stronger than mine, not surprising." Night said, "I will leave her to tell you in the morning, It is nearly midnight." "Nearly? It is midnight." Shadow said. How do I know that? He asked himself, knowing full well that he can't see outside from the room he's in.

"Ah, okay. Makes a little more sense now." Night said to himself, "can you tell me what level you are?" Night asked Shadow. "No..." Shadow said. "So he retained some, but not all, of his mental capacity" Night said, making a quick note. "Well, it's midnight and despite me just waking up from Arceus knows what, I'm tired and need sleep. So goodnight I suppose." Shadow said. "Okay, good night Shadow" Night said, looking at the others and leaving.

The next morning.

That was a dreamless night, probably because I don't really have any memories for a dream to exist off of. Shadow thought to himself after waking up. "Guys, Breakfast is ready" Night yelled from down the hole. He must be the forager of the group. Shadow thought to himself sluggishly getting up, only to receive a dizzy feeling, which he ignored. He then went to the main area of the cave. That scent seems familiar...strange. He thought to himself. "I hope you like barbequed berries," Night said, seeing Shadow walk in. Suddenly an image appeared in Shadows mind, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

It overwhelmed Shadow's mind, making his legs give out. "Woah, are you okay?" Night asked, helping Shadow up. "Yeah, an image appeared and vanished just as quickly as it appeared, I didn't have enough time to keep it in mind, It was strange though, just as soon as it appeared, I got an odd sense of Déja Vu." Shadow said. "Oh, that may happen for a while," Night said, not completely understanding, but knowing enough. "I think it might be a small memory from the memories I lost." Shadow said, "I need to think." He grabbed some berries and went to the room he'd woken up in. "Oh, hey Shadow, how are you doing this morning?" Terra asked, startling Shadow.

"Nice to know there's a freaking ninja in this place." Shadow said, calming from being startled. "Two, actually, watch out behind you." Terra said, warning him. "I'm not falling for it." Shadow said. "You should listen to her," Little Violet said from under Shadow. "The hell'd you come from?" Shadow asked. "What are you talking about, I just came back with Comet from a fly around the city," Violet said. "They have been gone for the past week looking at the nearby town," Terra explained. "Isn't Comet a um...espeon or something like that?" Shadow asked, forgetting who Night said Comet was. "You are mistaking Comet with Gem," Terra corrected.

"Vaporeon was he then? Or...wait no...what was he again?" Shadow asked. "Comet's the charizard." Terra reminded him. "Oh right." Shadow said, feeling dumb. "Hello there." Sylvia chuckled from behind. "Is everyone in this place a damn ninja?" Shadow asked sarcastically. "Oh come on, she was stomping around, how could you not hear her?" Violet asked, a little sarcastic. "I doubt she was." Shadow said. Odd, something about being near her is somewhat reassuring... strange... Shadow thought to himself. "That little one of yours, Terra, she is a pawful." Sylvia said. "So this isn't just a group of friends, it's moreless a big family? Well, minus the charizard of course." Shadow questioned.

"Well, no" Lilly said, coming down the hall, "he is part of this family, in more ways than one." "How? He's a charizard, only same-species creatures can be part of the same family, and last time I checked, a charizard isn't exactly an eevee or any of its possible evolutions and everyone else here is." Shadow said, very confused. "Blood is thicker than water, I know you have heard that one before," Lilly said, narrowing her eyes at him. "So he's related by blood? In that case there is something very wrong going on here." Shadow said. "The blood of the battlefield is thicker than the water of the womb, or egg." Lilly said, walking off to the main area.

"This amount of confusion is unnecessary. Welp, I'm headed off to where I was originally going, the room I woke up in." Shadow said. "Okay, see you later uncle Shadow" Violet said. Does that mean I'm Terra's brother or her mate's brother? Now that I think about it, I wonder who her mate is. Shadow thought to himself. "You know, it doesn't hurt to ask." Night's voice said. "Who said that?!" Shadow exclaimed looking around. That sounded like that hybrid.. Night I believe it was. He thought to himself. "I guess I was just hearing things." He said to himself. "I sure hope not." Night said, walking in. "Oh hi." Shadow said.

It seems I can't get a second of privacy around here. Shadow thought to himself, he then chuckled at that thought. "I believe you said there was something Sylvia had to talk to me about?" Shadow questioned."You're not wrong." Sylvia said, seeming to suddenly appear beside Shadow. "How the hell'd you do that?" Shadow asked. "It's an ability of mine." Sylvia answered. "So there's something you're going to tell me?" Shadow questioned. "Yes, that feeling like something's missing, well let me just say, I guess I'm still a part of you, even if you don't remember." Sylvia said "So that's why..." Shadow said, understanding a little of what Sylvia was saying.

"I'm going to leave you two alone. Sylvia, Don't put too much on him." Night looked at Sylvia with a glare that said 'or else.' "Like I was going to." Sylvia said near silently. "So, why exactly are you here?" Shadow asked. "I'll leave you to remember that when you get your memories back." Sylvia said, "Terra, get out." A Wrinkle In Space appeared and Terra popped out of it. "How did you know I was here." Terra asked. "you don't really cover your tracks when you do things like that," Sylvia said. "quick question, how did she do that?" Shadow asked. " catch," Terra said, seeming to throw nothing.

Afterward Terra left and a blue coat appeared in the middle of the air, flying at shadow. "The hell?" Shadow questioned, while quickly avoiding the coat. "Why'd she bring something from humans here?! There is definitely something off if one of y'all are interacting with those horrid, rotten, no good humans." He finished. "Well yes, but actually no" Sylvia said. "How does that work, it is either you do or you don't and I'd prefer not to," Shadow said. "The nearby town is pokemon only, the only one that is. Night owns the town center, he calls it The Nightmare Arena. The place is actually a dojo." Sylvia replied. "Sure, that makes sense." Shadow said sarcastically.

"Meh, I don't understand much of it either. But Night enjoys it nonetheless." Sylvia said, sitting on what appears to be a bed of sorts. "back to the previous subject, based on what you said I assume...well before my amnesia, we were... mates." Shadow hesitated. "...yeah..." Sylvia said in a low, soft and almost quiet tone close to a whisper. "Now that I know this for certain I no longer want to regain my memories, I need to... now." Shadow said. "I understand, but there isn't much we can do, time fixes most things" Sylvia said, not liking the current situation, "although there are ways to speed things up, but Night is going to have to do that."

"Why Night?" Shadow asked, "why can't you?" "Two reasons; one, because I don't have the physical form to be able to do that; and two, because, before your amnesia, you two where like brothers. That second reason is also why Violet calls you uncle, also because Terra is my sister" Silvia said, "as close as that is, being from an entity called sunshine." Shadow sat there mulling about what she just said. "Anyway, I'm going to get some of the berries before they are all gone," Sylvia said, getting up, "do you want me to bring you some?" "No, I actually want to do some exploring the forest outside seeing as I don't remember the area around me." Shadow answered.

"Oh, okay. I'll see you later then" Sylvia said, leaving the room, followed by Shadow, which whom proceeded to leave the den. "See you later Shadow" Night said, gathering the 'dishes' to clean them. Shadow wandered around. It feels nice to get some fresh air, and that nice cool breeze too. Shadow thought to himself. After a while Shadow came upon a cliff that seemed familiar, but from what, he didn't know. Seeing as this is a cliff and for unknown reasons it seems familiar, I'm just going to ignore its familiarity and continue exploring. Shadow thought to himself.

"Even the bad parts make us who we are." Night said, coming out of the forest, making Shadow jump causing him to fall, however his reflexes allowed him to near instantaneously grip the top with his front two paws. "Mind helping me out here?" Shadow said irritated. "Yeah, sorry about that." Night said, pulling Shadow back up. "So why are you following me?" Shadow questioned skeptically. "Who says I am? I come here often to remember some stuff." Night said, not catching the skepticism in Shadow's voice. "Sure, and you totally didn't follow me to that one room." Shadow said sarcastically. "What room, and when?" Night asked, confused.

"Don't play dumb, you know what room, you know, the one I went to to think dumbass." Shadow said, very annoyed. "I didn't follow you, I was getting breakfast put out," Night said, still confused. "Oh my Arceus, you complete rock, it was after I left that main area and went to what I assume is my room." Shadow said, now getting pissed off at the fact that he knows Night is persisting to play dumb. "No, I was in the dining room when you left, a few minutes after, Terra and Violet came out to eat, although Lilly never came to breakfast, Sylvia came out when you left, and Comet is still asleep." Night explained.

"Yes, after passing me and then shortly after while I was in my room, I heard a voice, and then I said out loud 'I'm probably just hearing things' and then you came into the room saying 'I sure hope not' and then Sylvia, I assume teleported into my room, and then explained to me what me and her used to be. Now, stop playing dumb, because at this point, it's impossible to do so." Shadow explained. "Oh, yeah I came down the hole looking for Lilly, she never misses breakfast. When I heard you say that, I wanted to mess with you." Night said, remembering. "So I assume you heard that voice too then in that case?" Shadow questioned.

"No, all I heard was you saying 'I'm probably just hearing things' that was it," Night said. "Oh, one more question, why is there just a single word ringing around in my head?" Shadow asked. "What word?" Night asked. "Vanish..." Shadow told him, suddenly going invisible from it. "huh, oh well, probably didn't want to talk any longer." Night said to himself, sitting on the edge of the cliff. Shadow, noticing his paws appear to be missing, began to panic. "The hell?! What the hell happened to my paws and legs? Where'd they go? And my body too? The hell just happened to me?!" Shadow asked, panicking like crazy.

"Don't worry, you are still there, but you are just invisible," Night's voice told him, but the real Night didn't say anything. This only made Shadow panic even more. "Great now I'm going insane too..." Shadow said trailing off. "No you aren't." Night said. "But if I'm hearing things then that means I am going insane." Shadow said, getting woozy from hyperventilating. "But you aren't hearing things, now sit down, otherwise you will fall." Night said, still looking over the cliff. "I AM HEARING THINGS! BACK AT THE DEN I HEARD A VOICE! AND THEN JUST NOW I HEARD ONE EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS SPEAKING NEAR ME!

HOW THE HELL CAN YOU STILL SAY I'M NOT HEARING THINGS!!!" Shadow screamed beginning to breath even faster, to the point where it's not hyperventilating anymore. Night slapped Shadow. "Calm down man, you just started receiving my thoughts through a bond we made years ago" Night explained. "Oh..." Shadow said, forcefully calming down, now just breathing fastish to catch his breath. "One question, how'd you see me when I can't even see myself at the moment?" Shadow asked. "You may be invisible to the naked eye, but I can still feel you near me," Night said. "Oh, I see. That makes sense now. So...what now?" Shadow asked.

"I don't know how long it lasts, you never told me." Night said. "Hmmm. Since it's invisibility, and a single pokémon battle would usually last about 10 minutes...I'd assume it'd last for 10 minutes, and if there is a cool down..." Shadow trailed off, doing the math in his head. "The cooldown you told me was about..." Night said before being interrupted. "30 minutes." Shadow interrupted, "even with my memories gone, I'm smarter than I look, or may seem." "that will always be, dear brother." Night said with a far away look. "By the way, I believe Sylvia said you had an arena of sorts in a town that's pokémon only." Shadow said, looking upwards in thought.

"I closed it till tomorrow at eight." Night said. "Oh I see, by the way, winter is almost here, though it's been nice and warm oddly enough." Shadow said, "which means, this winter is probably going to be worse than most." "We shouldn't have a problem with it, after last year, the den should be nice and warm," Night said. "The only problem is, we should know where there are berries that can still grow in the winter." Shadow said, just then he got an image, this time he managed to catch it, and receive the memory that the image exists in. "I'm remembering something, from before my amnesia, I got one of those images again.

I managed to catch it this time, as a result I'm remembering something about it...I know where a winter berry exists..." He said, trailing off. "I've been getting berries from the market, but I have never heard of a winter berry before." Night said. "It's a legendary berry that is oh so rare, but, I've heard it is the most delicious berry in existence, it even grows throughout the harshest of coldness, hence the name 'Winter Berry'. All I remember from the memory besides what I just said is that I was looking for that specific berry at some point, but I don't know why.

It's also supposed to be the hardest berry to grow too, because you can't plant it during the summer or spring, and only the fully grown plant with it's berries can survive the winter, its sprouts can't." Shadow explained. "So It needs to be planted on the first day of fall?" Night asked. "I mean you can yes, but by the time it fully matures it would be a quarter of the way through winter, so at that point, you'd have to get very lucky, but from what I remember, there is nothing saying you can't have it grow inside a cave and then replant it outside." Shadow said. "If that is true then I could take the seeds to the owners of the greenhouse in town and they would take care of it.

They also own the place that I get the berries from." Night mused. "Yes, but it would be quicker to get to them if we have them planted just outside the den." Shadow said. "True, however we don't have anywhere to put it when it gets warm." Night countered. "I said you can't plant it in the summer or spring, I never said it can't survive the warm temperatures when it fully matures, I also never said you can't replant it during spring or summer." Shadow said. "Do you know where someone might find it" Night asked, looking up and seeing what time it was, "how about this, tell me tomorrow, it is time we head home, and I need to start dinner.

I have something for Comet, If he wants it." "sure, and I already said I know where it is." Shadow said. "Hm, okay then, I'll see to It in the afternoon." Night said, turning around to walk back to the den. Shadow sat there thinking. I hate this amnesia... dammit, I need my stupid mamories back this instant... only time can bring them back? Yeah, if they don't want to come back this instant... Shadow grabbed a large rock. I'LL FORCE THEM TO!!! Shadow thought to himself. "If you force it, they will escape you more," Night said, knowing what Shadow was about to attempt, "however I do know something that will help, two things." and that is?.. Shadow asked.

"I'll take you tomorrow, after I come home from work." Night replied. By the time that the two had returned to the den, Shadow's invisibility had worn off. "About time, I was about to do dinner without you," Terra said, hearing them enter. "Never," Night said, going to where they cook, "Shadow, it would do good to find Sylvia." "Well apparently she somehow seems to know teleport so she could be anywhere." Shadow said. "Not really, anamorphics generally stay within a mile of their host, unless the host is completely bonded with the anamorphic," Terra said, "and I know that Lilly is in the den still."

"That term sounds familiar...so wait, how could he and her exactly be a thing if she's being 'hosted' by Lilly?" Shadow questioned, confused. "Ye of little faith," Night said, whistling for Violet. "You called for me?" Violet asked. "He doesn't understand it, and I don't have the time to explain it to him," Night said. "Uncle Shadow, come with me," Violet said to Shadow. Violet started walking towards the main area. "I'll whistle when dinner is ready." Night said. "Aight." Shadow said, following behind. "I was telling Violet, but okay," Night said, entering the 'kitchen.' Entering the main area violet said, "go ahead and take a seat, this will take a while."

"What is it?" Shadow asked. "An explanation," Violet said, "auntie Silvia?" "What do you need?" Sylvia asked. "With what I'm about to tell him, he'll need you" Violet said. This both made Shadow more curious and a little worried. "Okay." Sylvia said, going to sit next to Shadow. "So from what my father told me, you don't understand how the host and an anamorphic can be in a relationship, am I correct?" Violet asked. "Except Lilly is the one that's supposedly hosting Sylvia." Shadow said. "Currently, yes, but she wasn't always a host. She also hosted Terra at one point. You used to host Sylvia here before your amnistia." Violet said.

"I see... so that's how... I need to think... again... " Shadow said. "And if you think that an anamorphic and a host can't have a child together, think again, because if that was true, I wouldn't be here," Violet said. "Now I need to think even more." Shadow said, getting up to leave. "Sylvia, might want to let him think for now." Violet said. "Okay" Sylvia responded, "want to play some phase ten?" "you know me so well," Violet said, smiling. Shadow proceeded to leave the den and get some distance between him and it. "DAMMIT!!!" Shadow screamed, ramming into a tree, knocking it over. "Curse this damn amnesia! Have I always been doomed to suffer like this?" He questioned, that statement seeming familiar to him. Then the darkness of sleep overtook him.

The dreamscape...

"What the..." Shadow said, "where is this place, hello?" then a blinding flash of light came from everywhere and nowhere at once. When it dissipated, he saw what looked to be a lab of some sort. "What the... how did that get here?" Shadow questioned, the lab seemed very familiar, more so than anything else. Upon entering the lab he saw two different rooms, one looked like what a human's kitchen would, except the wall design was different, the bottom of it was kind of a cyan-green tech looking sort of color, the top of the cyan-green coloring going upwards diagonally along the wall.

The next color above it was sort of a red, following the same pattern as the first color, and then the next one above it was a sort of pink color, again, following the same pattern, and then finally the next one was a black, the rest of the wall upwards mirrored the previous design. The next wall over mirrored the design on that one, and then the wall after that one matched the pattern of the first one, this pattern being the same throughout the building, and the ceiling was completely black. Most of the rooms on this floor seemed big then there was a staircase at the far end furthest from the entrance with a red carpet going all the way down the center of each step.

The steps themselves were pure black, the walls of the staircase matching the previous pattern, except on the second floor there appeared to be less rooms and these rooms appeared to be smaller than the ones on the first floor, and the second floor ceiling was a deep red. Except the only difference between the rooms on this floor and the first floor is not only their size and differences in furniture choice, is that these ones had doors on them and these rooms looked to be bedrooms, there were 5 rooms on each side as opposed to the first floor where there were only like 4 or five rooms, when one were to enter they'd be met with a wall and the kitchen being to the left of it.

Then the dining room to the right, both of which held an entrance to both each other and the entrance part of the hallway the room on the other side of the dining room's right wall was what appeared to be a living room, and on the other side of that room's right wall was a larger room that appeared to be a room that were to hold little things from previous memories, (probably for the purpose of reminiscing.) As Shadow explored, he was left awestruck. The sound of the doorbell made Shadow jump. He went back to the entrance to see what it was. this feels like a dream, but at the same time it doesn't really seem like one, it doesn't even seem like a lucid dream...

If only I could figure out why this place feels so much more familiar than anything else has, other than the fact it probably has something to do with my memories. Shadow thought to himself as he opened the door. Strange, I don't remember closing this. He thought at the same time. "Been awhile since I've seen this place," Sylvia said, standing on what seemed to be a porch. "huh?" Shadow said, extremely confused now. "what are you confused about?" Sylvia asked. "Ahm... unless I'm half asleep right now, it should be obvious, which I doubt I'm half asleep, but given the feel of this place I also doubt I'm asleep." Shadow said.

"You are asleep, but this isn't a dream, this is a place called the dreamscape. As for how I'm here, welI was given permission to be here." Sylvia said. "How? Wha- know what, I'm just done questioning really anything at this point, as far as I know 'it just is'," Shadow said, "speaking of which, what brings you here? I mean I still have that cursed amnesia." "I seem to have something here, do you mind if I check in on it?" Sylvia asked. "Why would I mind?" Shadow asked. "This is your place, it is polite to ask." Sylvia said formally. "Well given its design and the way you look, I'd assume it's not." Shadow said. "well... I was the reason it was made.

Anyway, I'm going to check on the egg." Sylvia said. Hearing this just merely made Shadow faint. "I should not have said that, I really should not have said that." Sylvia said, who proceeded to take Shadow to his bed in the place. It was a good while before Shadow woke up from when he fainted prior, as he's never actually fainted as opposed to being knocked out via...odd circumstances. "Ow." Shadow said, rubbing his head with his paw as he got up. "Oh, you're up, good. I was afraid you had gone." Sylvia said. "Gone? like died? Well I simply fainted after you said what you did about that one thing, which I don't want to really talk about because I'm afraid it'll cause me to faint again." Shadow said.

"okay then, uh..." Sylvia trailed off, not knowing what to say. Then it was just awkward silence, Shadow tried to break the silence but failed miserably. "Um...so ahm...hmm." He said. "Oh! Have you been to see the memory room yet?" Sylvia asked. "Memory room? Is that going to fix my amnesia?" Shadow asked. "It could, although you did make it to reminisce." Silvia said. "Oh okay." He said. In that case this should be a surefire way to regain my memories. He thought to himself, as he followed Sylvia. "here we... oh, It looks like there are some things missing." Sylvia said. "I'd assume some of these things that were here would be tied to my memories but that I didn't care as much about." Shadow said.

"quite possibly, which means that they will reappear when you get those memories back." Sylvia replied. He went through them one by one, a total of five memories had remained from what had completely vanished. One of those memories, the one he found most important, the reason why he loved Sylvia. "So? you regain any memories?" Sylvia asked. "five actually, only one of those were relatively important." Shadow answered. "and they were?.. " Sylvia pressed. "The reason I fell in love with you in the first place." Shadow said. Slowly walking towards Sylvia, a little shaken. "I probably should've taken my time going through those memories." He said, he fell into Sylvia, "I wish I'd remembered sooner."

"Hey, it's fine. Things happen," Sylvia said, trying to sooth the pain. "those memories were so important though, they should've been connected to my core memories so no amount of amnesia should've been able to remove those ones." Shadow said, hugging her tightly. "That is the reason you made this room, and if they weren't important, they wouldn't be here for you to remember, they would have gone away like the others." Sylvia said, trying to reason with Shadow. "I know, it still doesn't help that they should've stayed with me... a lovelife is the most important thing to exist, and to forget that even because of amnesia, it shouldn't be able to be forgotten." Shadow said.

Sylvia kissed him on the forehead. "Don't worry about it. We can't control the spin of the die." She said. "I hate to break this up, but dinner is ready," Night said, appearing out of nowhere. "The hell'd you come from?! That's it! I'm calling it now, everyone in this place is a freaking ninja." Shadow said jokingly. "uh..." Night said, looking at Sylvia. "What?" Shadow and Sylvia said at the same time, then laughing. "Nothing important, but like I said, dinner is ready." Night said. "Uhh... how do I wake up then, also, seeing as a 'dreamscape' is a thing does that mean a nightmarescape exists?" Shadow questioned. "No, thankfully. and you can leave when you want to." Night said, dissipating.

"That doesn't answer the question as to 'how' " Shadow said, watching as Night disappeared. "You will it, to leave you must want it," Sylvia said, also disappearing. "Okay, so I being in this place is basically the same as having a lucid dream. I see." Shadow said, he sort of quickly shook his head to wake himself up.

Reality...

Shadow woke shaking his head. "that was... odd to say the least." remembering what Night had said, Shadow's stomach growled. "Well guess I'm hungry I suppose." When Shadow looked over beside him he noticed the tree he knocked down just by ramming it. "Now I know where my energy went. I apparently lost it all when I somehow knocked that tree over easily. "I'm not going to question how I even did that, I suppose now we have free wood heh heh." Shadow said, chuckling to himself. I'm actually pretty sure the tree's bark is very useful for a lot of things. He thought to himself. "So it was about mid-day when I left the den and the sun is barely setting to my left, so that means I went north, so if I go south I should reach the den." He said to himself, "I should be back by dusk."

"okay, there will be food for you there," Night responded. I wonder if my connection to Sylvia has reformed, I guess I'll have to wait to hear her voice to find out... if her voice is in my head then that means it has, if her voice is not in my head then it hasn't Shadow thought to himself. "Oh I'm here with you, that is obvious," Sylvia replied, obviously happy. I thought so. He thought. "Come on, food is waiting" Sylvia said, appearing by his side. "Alright" he said, sprinting to the den, however his speed seemed to increase faster than before, "too fast!" Shadow said trying to stop before the den but he couldn't stop in time and smashed into the wall. "Ow." He grunted.

"That's new, I definitely wasn't prepared for such speed." He said to himself. "That is new," Night said, who heard the bang of Shadow hitting the wall. "Yeah, anyways, so, tomorrow, should we go to that town of pokémon first or show you the way to the winter berry?" Shadow asked as he entered the den and passed Night. "Town first, I have work at seven." Night replied casually. "Work? We're wild pokémon we don't need a job." Shadow said. "You may be wild, But I have a business to keep up with," Night said, walking to the corridor to the bedrooms, "dinner's ready." "a business?! We're freaking wild pokémon we don't need to uphold a business or a job or any form of work besides surviving." Shadow said to no one in particular.

"It helps me keep this den stocked, and I enjoy my dojo." Night said, as he entered the cooking area. "Yeah well we could literally just simply get food by foraging and then store it over the winter, the cold air that enters the den keeping said food preserved. And the arena thing, yeah sure for battles maybe, and that's great, but is there any real reason to have to own it, or even earn poke from it?" Shadow asked, especially when you can simply steal from stupid trainers. He thought to himself. "And even if we can't find enough berries, there's always prey." He said. Lilly and Comet entered and sat at the makeshift table. "Hey Shadow, still dont like me, I presume?" Comet asked Shadow.

"I never said I don't like you." Shadow said. Then he whispered to Lilly, "did you guys forget to tell him I have amnesia?" "Nope, but your actions have shown that you don't like him" Lilly growled. "There is no need for that" Night said. "I never acted like I disliked him either." Shadow said, getting defensive. "Violet, Gem, mom, dad, you coming or do you not want food?" Night called from the kitchen. "we're coming" Aqua said, appearing from the corridor with Dash, Gem, and Violet in tow. Night came in carrying three plates of enchiladas. "that cookbook is really useful. Hey Terra, can you bring the rest of it in?" Night asked.

"Sure" Terra responded, bringing in more plates of enchiladas. "Uh, I don't think I'd trust this, mainly because the only thing that could be used as or for a sauce would be a Tamato Berry, which is the spiciest thing in existence, and the other stuff, how? I mean I can see the Tamato Berries, but everything else? How?" Shadow asked. "we have a town nearby, I get my things from there." Night said. "Still, the only way to make any form of 'sauce' is with Tamato Berries so..." Shadow said. "You will never understand, will you?" Night asked rhetorically, "even so, you don't want to." "I would understand... if you'd explain thoroughly." Shadow said.

"Not now, maybe tomorrow," Night said dismissively. "So that's 3 things we're doing tomorrow I suppose." Shadow said.

The next morning

"Shadow, come on, do you want to come, or not?" Night called, everyone else were already awake and doing what they did in the morning. "Sorry, I was chatting with Sylvia some. So where were we going first again?" Shadow asked. "huh, you don't remember? We are going to the Arena first, My place of work." Night said. "I thought so, just wasn't certain." Shadow said, "and while we head there, you can start doing some explaining." "not enough time, if I go the speed I normally do, and from what I saw yesterday, you can keep up." Night said, "Terra, you ready?" "uh thing is, I don't know how I did that." Shadow said.

"Yeah, ready when Shadow is ready to go" Terra called, not hearing Shadow. "I hope your ready, because we, go, NOW!" Night yelled, blurring out of the den. Shadow started running falling behind quickly. Okay so last time I just wanted to go faster and get to my destination quickly right? So maybe if I just... yeah there we go. Shadow thought to him as he sped up, going faster than he did last time, near instantaneously catching up with Night then slowing a little bit to match Night's speed. Night, seeing Shadow, asked, "want to go faster?" "Already have." Shadow said and began to move too fast for the naked eye to keep up with but ended up crashing into a tree and sort of...

Rocketing through a couple more before landing against a fifth one and stopping. Night stopped next to Shadow, so sudden that it looked like he appeared there out of thin air. "you okay?" Night asked. "ow, if I don't have brain damage then yes." Shadow said. A black tentacle fell out of Night's back and landed on Shadow's head, then it glowed, making all the pain disappear. When the glowing faded, Night had already left, but a paper was left on the ground in front of Shadow. Shadow picked it up and looked at it. All that Shadow could decipher from the writing was 'meet... The... arena... center' after seeing this Shadow said, "so I can't even understand what this says, not that I'd be able to really read anyways.

Oh well, I can just find the place anyways, everyone leaves a trail, there are some things one can't remove from it when they try" Shadow said to himself. That was when a blast came to his ears. "Ow, that hurt. I suppose Imma be left with ringing in my ears for like an hour, now to find his trail." Shadow said to himself, he looked for it but to no avail. "DAMN YOU NIGHT!" He yelled to the sky, "of course just abandon me in the middle of nowhere. I could just figure out the direction he went and if he'd made any turns based on trajectory, the speed in which he left, and also the position of the sun, which is helpful for the direct directions."

So we were originally going East, and guessing the speed in which he moved, that would probably be about.. mach 1, and the sun is just rising too, and given the position he was standing before he seemingly vanished, he went...Southeast from here. Shadow thought to himself and started heading that direction. After about ten minutes, he saw the first signs of civilization. "huh? Is this the place?" Shadow asked himself, "I swear if I see a single human I'm going back to the den." he proceeded to enter the town. He noticed a pokémon and went up to it and asked, "Excuse me, is this Sugarsand?" The flareon looked at Shadow with a confused look, "Yeah, this is the outskirts of Sugarsand, why?" The flareon asked.

"So this is the place Night went." Shadow said to himself, under his breath. "Wait, you're looking for The Nightmare? Why didn't you say so, you see that dark yellow building over there, he is there. I'm actually on my way there, care to join me?" The flareon asked. "Yeah, he barely gave me any details, such as what I'm supposed to do when I get there." Shadow said. "1408, tell that to John at the front desk" Night said to Shadow through their link. "Oop nevermind, he just did." Shadow said, not even looking at the flareon. The flareon looked at Shadow, "what? I didn't see him. How could he have done so?" "Oh urm... he did... in my head..." Shadow said.

"Wait, you're the Shadow Shirogami? Oh my Arceus, why didn't I notice it before?" The flareon asked themself, starting to hyperventilate "uh... so, Night has mentioned me before?" Shadow asked. "Collect yourself Blaze, it's only the Shadow." the flareon, Blaze, said, "As if, you are the only one on the list of pokemon that has beaten The Nightmare." okay just play along. "So I beat Night, how is that significant?" Shadow said. I do have that amnesia so maybe I've battled him before and don't remember, and I'm not about to let some stranger know I have amnesia. Shadow thought to himself. "You really don't know do you?" The flareon asked. "Should I?" Shadow asked, "Night's crazy strong, no one's been able to beat him, not even when they team up." The flareon said.

"I see." Shadow said. Forget it, I might as well tell him or it's going to get awkward real fast. "There's something you should know, if I don't say this now, this conversation is going to get real awkward real fast." Shadow said. "What would that be?" The flareon asked. Shadow looked away and said, "I....have amnesia, some of my memories have returned but not all, so, I've actually...no recollection of ever...battling Night. I might've somewhere in my lost memories, but as of now... I've no recollection of it." "okay, we better get going." Blaze said. "Yeah. He's definitely an impatient one." Shadow said.

"Well, I don't want my time slot for arena 16 taken." Blaze said, starting to run. "Suppose I'll see you around!" Shadow called and started to sprint to the arena/dojo himself, he reached the guy at the front counter. Shadow was a little nervous about this. "Hello sir." Shadow said politely. "Hello there, are you new?" John asked. "Uh yeah." Shadow said. "Will you be battling anyone today?" John asked. "No." Shadow asnwered, "I was actually told to give you a code, John, I presume?" "Yes, the code and name please." "I'm Shadow, code is 1408." Shadow said. "Alright, Night is waiting, please, try not to keep him waiting much longer." John said.

"Aight." Shadow responded, "Wait, where do I go?" John face...pawed? "Follow the signs you can't miss it." He said. "How would I know how to read?" Shadow asked. "They are made with symbols, not words," John said. "Oh okay, thanks." Shadow said, walking to the room that appeared to be Night's little office area. "Computer, analysis." Night spoke. Setting a file on a panel of... something, "so, you finally made it. I was wondering if you would, after all this does look like a human built it." "1. Maybe I'd have gotten here sooner if you hadn't ditched me. 2. So what if it looks like a human built it, unless I used to have something against humans.

I don't see why that'd be a problem." Shadow said though I feel a bit of distaste towards them. Shadow thought to himself. Night chuckled, "come with me, I have a few battles today, so I need to do them." Night said, getting up. "One question first, did I happen to ever actually battle you before?" Shadow asked. "Although it wasn't you, I still consider it you. After all, Jake is a part of you." Night explained. Shadow received new memories, from when his mind got split in two, to the time he ended up fighting him, also allowing him to remember his mother's death, it nearly froze him where he stood. "So you remember Aurora?" Night asked, seeing Shadow hesitate.

"Yes. I remember everything that had to do with Jake, and how, after all that time, I never stopped having to fight him to keep him at bay and kept going despite this." Shadow said, "anyways, we should get a move on if you don't want to be late." Night pulled out a flat... thing and started swiping up on it, "where is she, where is she..." Night mumbled, "ah, there she is." "There who is?" Shadow asked, somehow hearing that. "We are making a stop at arena 16," Night said. Two floors down they approached a door. Night pulled it open, "Aurora Clearweather? Can I have a word with you?" "Uh, yeah." A vaporeon exited the training hollow. "Yes?" She asked.

"This won't take long, but this is Shadow." That is all Night said. "Hello?" Shadow hesitated. Must be a different one, seeing as the one I knew died on asphalt in that cave back there that did collapse not to mention the self destruct Night used, her body would've been beyond revival. Shadow thought to himself. But he didn't say anything as he was hugged. "Oh my arceus, I thought you had died. I would have come back as soon as I could've. And Lilly? Comet? How are they?" The Vaporeon asked. Shadow gave Night a look that read: uh, help me out here. Night just shrugged, "this is your mother, come find me at the base of the tower when you're done," Night said.

"Oh no you don't, you have some explaining to do," Aurora said. "I thought so, but we don't have long, I would have come quicker, but this furball decided to sit and talk with your coach." Night said. "I WAS ONLY ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS, I can't really find places and such with your halfass explanations." Shadow said, only to receive a slap from his mother. "Watch your tongue." She said. "Okay, uh... what do I need to explain, and please one at a time, ma" Night asked. "So, first off, why didn't you let me know that everyone was alright right away?" Aurora asked. "Do you not check your inbox, ever?" Night asked, "I sent a message on day one"

"I don't know how these tech devices work." Aurora said. It was then that Night found his mistake. "Why did I think that you knew how to do that?" Night asked himself. "Okay, so, maybe I need to push that firmware update." "So yeah, I have sent them the entire first week you were here." Night explained. "My question is, why didn't you tell me she was alive, especially after SHE WAS BEYOND REVIVAL! I mean, even if it was some sort of witchcraft I'm still thankful and impressed but still." Shadow said. Night looked at Shadow with curiosity, "did you not see her form shimmer before she hit the lava?" He asked.

"No, I didn't, also I think you forgot to mention the fact that I'm currently dealing with amnesia to her." Shadow said, then mumbled, "leave it to you to leave out important details." "I didn't need to, you just did," Night said. "He WHAT?" Aurora asked, staring at Night. "That is part of the reason I didn't directly tell you." Night said. "Also, mother, why did you think I was dead?" Shadow asked. "I felt the explosion and the collapse of the cavern. I thought that you guys didn't make it." Aurora said, tears pouring down her face, "when I heard of this place, I thought I could get stronger to protect myself, then this one came and surprised me," She cried, pointing at Night.

Shadow just hugged her. "It's been too long though, I'm so glad you're alive. Also Night, if it weren't for you I'd have ended up killing that alakazam that day, so thank you for preventing me from 'having the blood on my paws' so to speak." Shadow said, "Also mom, it would be good for you to know I'm going to be a father in a few months." "what?! But you're so young. And who's the mother?" Aurora asked, full of curiosity. "A Sylveon, named Sylvia." Shadow answered. "I would like to meet her, and what about you, Night, anything interesting going on in your life? You really need to talk to your mother more." Aurora said.

"Well, I have a daughter, and another one on the way." Night said, "and who you are going to ask about is behind you." Aurora spun around to look at Terra. "Oh, it's you, I must thank you for what you have done." Aurora said. " yeah, no problem, oh, and so you know, Shadow is dating my sister." Terra said. "Yeah, I'll leave you three to talk for now." Shadow said. "Yeah, we really should get going, I'll come talk to you later, okay?" Night said. "Make sure you do," Aurora said, returning to arena 16. "Come on, there is a battle I need to attend." Night said, walking down the stairs. "So, mind explaining how she's alive?" Shadow asked. "Do you know of a pokemon called Jirachi?" Night asked, seeming to ignore Shadow.

"Yes, I do. I think." Shadow said, "but that doesn't answer my question." "what do you know of her?" Night asked, ignoring the question. "Well, not much, just that she can grant wishes, but back to the subject with our mother, as far as I remember, I feel like she was a major part of my life, and that while apparently fighting some red ringed umbreon she died after you attempted to bring her mind back by ramming her, and instead she ended up going flying and landed on some asphalt and died." Shadow said. "I bring us back to that subject because you... won't... answer... my... QUESTION!" he scolded. "Only one wish can be granted, and I have used mine...

But I did get some info as well, but none that will help you. That alone should answer your question," Night said, " but if not, I asked for a loved one to be returned from the dead." "Okay then." Shadow said, "So how far down is this battle of yours anyway?" "the basement, don't worry, we are on the second floor right now." Night said, as they passed arena 2. "Alright." Shadow said. When they reached the ground floor—which isn't the first floor as Shadow learned—Night went up to John. "Are they there?" Night asked John. "Hey, Night, I have one more question, is there a place where one can meditate in this town?

I think if I can do so and possibly clear my mind I might have an easier time regaining the memories that's yet to return." Shadow said, "Or do you want me to watch your little match?" "I would say go next door, but that is a spa, and I don't know what you would do with it." Night said. "Oh... so that's a no I presume." Shadow said. "I would say that, if I were you. But I like to go there. So would you like to watch the battle?" Night asked. Looking at John, Night got the answer to his original question. Night walked to the elevator behind the main desk. "So?" Night asked. "Why the heck not, not like I've anything better to do anyway." Shadow said.

Pressing the button on the panel, they descended. When they reached the bottom, the doors opened to the arena, a large dome underground, that was shrouded in darkness, so if there was any one in there, Shadow couldn't tell. "That's darkness." Shadow said, stating the obvious. "For a reason," Night said, disappearing from Shadow's side.