It was dark.

Everything was so dark.

When was the last time they had seen the light? He couldn't remember. He would've taken the pain of a battle over this agonizing loneliness. There were others like him, so many others. Forcing themselves to sleep to pass the time. Wasting away in this infernal system, never speaking, never moving, never living.

He had heard rumors of this. But not once did he ever believe it would happen to him. He had been in his trainer's party ever since she had caught him. There had been some inner turmoil when he was faced with this young girl, smiling gently and offering him a hand. It had been an unspoken agreement between the two – a partnership.

And then…

He didn't know where it started to go wrong. Maybe it was when the light in her eyes didn't appear whenever she was faced with a battle. Maybe it was when she started spending more time with her mother than with her team. Maybe it was when she made a number of her Pokémon forget certain moves. Maybe it was when she deposited all of them into that damn PC system. He didn't know.

But all he could remember was how she had looked at him, right before she had done it. There was a group of them that always held a special place in her heart. One day, long before all this, she had taken them out for a picnic, something he could not remember her ever doing before. Despite how odd he had thought, he hadn't really questioned it. Another thing that struck him as odd was how her mother had been there as well. She had been continuously holding her daughter's hand, sometimes leaning over to murmur things into her ear that were too soft for him to hear.

The day itself had been enjoyable, however. It was the last time he had so much fun.

And when the sun decided to set and the moon came out to chase away the day, she had stood, gesturing for each of them to come over to her.

It was then, that he knew.

One by one, she took turns embracing them, holding them incredibly tightly, and telling each of them special things only meant for them.

Despite all the things he had forgotten, the words she spoke were not one of them.

Her grip had been tight around his neck, and she had buried her face into his fur. There was an indescribable sadness in the very air around her, and her very voice trembled with unspoken emotions.

"Oh, my friend," She whispered, entwining her fingers in his fur. "My very best friend. You were with me from the beginning, long before all of this. We had a good run, didn't we? It was so very fun. I loved every moment that we were together, you know that? I can only hope you did too."

She pulled away, smile quivering and tears forming. "I love you. So very much. I won't forget you."

Had she lied?

He didn't know.

The very next day, he arrived in the PC System.

How long ago had that been? He couldn't tell when the day ended or when the night began.

It was so dark.

Like each day before, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

So, who's excited for PokeTransfer? I know I am! Anyways, in my excitement, I dug out all my Pokémon games and stumbled across all my forgotten pokebros. And then I felt bad. And then I listened to Mumford and Sons. And then this happened. So yeah. There's a part two, if anyone wants me to post it. But I kind of like this bit.

Happy Holidays!

- Cat