Temperamental Singularity
Stage 2: Unfamiliar Non-Consequences

"Wait, are we actually going to that huge thing in the center?" Donovan asked bewilderedly as the pair of Pokéumans entered what appeared to be a tram station. He was still baffled at the sheer magnitude of the size this underground city was. If he didn't know any better, he would've thought that it spanned a good 10-15 miles in diameter, if not more.

Amy nodded as they passed by signs. Indicating and directing travelers to go towards their destination. They followed the signs that read 'Terminal 11' with Amy leading. Donovan, having nothing better to do, looked around the station to see other types of Pokéumans. He saw what resembled a groundhog chatting with another floating Pokéuman that looked like it was purely made out of gravel. In another area he noticed a bat with arms that ended with pincers that was laughing at a not so happy Pokéuman which looked like a huge purple centipede.

"Yeppers, that's where the headmaster is waiting, he likes his heights, mmhmm!" She then started to dance a little as she made some noises with her mouth while drifted onwards. Donovan didn't know if personalities down here were this drastic and different from the normal world. Not that he could recall the normal world, but he was certain that people who had roles, like 'guiding', would not be this unprofessional. Or maybe this was just her way to make him feel better, not like it worked, but if that was the case it was a nice gesture he thought.

They approached another counter that Donovan couldn't see over. He didn't like that, but he knows he's going to have to get used to this with his small stature. Amy began speaking as she obviously had no problem, even if she were to be small like Donovan.

"Excuse me," she happily chirped to get the attention of a mouse-like Pokéuman. It turned around from putting files away. It's grey fur being wrapped by the white fluff around its body.

"Oh, sorry, how can I help you?" She perked as she bowed in apology. She then gasped as if she realized who she was helping. "Oh my! To what honor I bestow to the head guide?"

Donovan looked confusedly at Amy at this sudden news. Amy giggled it off and waved her hands at the Pokéuman at the counter. "Aww, you don't need to give me praise, I'm just doing my job and escorting this cute Snivy." She nodded at Donovan which made the Pokéuman at the counter climb a little her space and peer down at him.

"Oh, so I see!" She looked back up at Amy. "Is he new? Always nice to see new faces."

Amy nodded. "Yep, so I'm showing him around the base. Poor little guy's confused on where to go."

The Pokéuman got off the counter. "So, where are you two going today?" She asked as she looked at a monitor at the counter and started to type away.

"We need access to docking '1-A-T' please." She then suddenly had a certain gleam in her eye as she instantly let her smile slide. Donovan didn't notice this sudden change as he looked behind him at the other Pokéumans in the area.

The Pokéuman finished typing the commands before she stopped and gave a concerned look at what she saw in front of her. "Excuse me, but…" She looked back at a very serious Froslass that was in front of her. She gave her the look to not try to question and nodded at the monitor. She gulped, Amy's destination wasn't a place where new Pokéumans should go or have access to at all.

Donovan noticed she spoke but was cut off so turned around. However, Amy reverted back to her smiling demeanor. "Oh, I hope there's not a problem. I don't mind waiting if there's something wrong with the system." The Pokéuman shook her head as she typed some more commands.

"No, there's no problem, the screen glitched for a minute," she lied as she hit more commands that popped out two cards. She reached out for them and gave both to Amy who cheered softly.

"Yay, thank you, you're awesome!" she exclaimed happily as she handed one of the cards to Donovan. He looked at it. It looked like any other card that he knows of in his distorted mind. It had, what he assumed, the tram station's logo with a series of numbers and a barcode.

The Pokéuman at the counter shook her head. "Oh, not a problem, have a good trip!"

Amy nodded and motioned Donovan to follow again. The Pokéuman continued to look at the two, but mostly at Donovan. 'Who was this Snivy?' she wondered. On her monitor were still the commands she inputted for the two. It read 'Executive Transport, Level P clearance requested, authorization head guide, clearance granted. User, as is in protocol 6, you are now under surveillance and under a nondisclosure agreement. Contacting anyone will be punishable by exile, thank you.'

The two walked out of sight from her as they crossed other terminals with other Pokéumans requesting places to go. Donovan hadn't realized just how diverse this race was. He wondered if it even was a race anymore, it seemed like there were hundreds of races in this Pokéuman group. He has yet to see a Pokéuman that looked like the other. He then thought that with this much diversity, many cultural clashes could've happened. He had to know if there was anything he had to know regarding that.

"So, just how many Pokéumans are there?" he asked as they stopped on an escalator going up.

"You mean how many are here? Or you mean just how many different races?" She delightfully asked back as she went back to her dancing. She didn't let Donovan answer the question as she kept going, "I don't know firsthand how many of us are in this base, but I believe there's round 718 different types of…"

Donovan stopped her as he was again baffled. Just how many times is he going to be awe struck at the ridiculousness of the situation he's in? "What!? 718 races?" Amy floated away a little at the outburst. "How the, wha-? That can't be right, with that many races, there has to be trouble around here."

She smiled. "No, not at all actually, I mean we do have some people causing trouble, but not often, no."

They reached the end of the escalator with Donovan still following Amy. He noticed there weren't as many Pokéumans around here, but he did spot what appeared to be a tiny green lizard with bulging eyes walking around with two legs talking on what Donovan hopefully thought was a phone.

"I don't know, I mean with that many races. It seems like something that could just blow up because of everyone's different appearance."

Amy giggled at his reasoning. "Well, we Pokéumans accept that there are a lot of different types and usually new arrivals know this. It wouldn't be nice to not let some in, ya know?"

Donovan hummed at the response. Perhaps this was some type of utopia for Pokéumans. He wouldn't imagine it was that perfect, but something that's close to one. "So no conflicts, huh? Well that's good. That means I won't be getting any slack because I'm so small and whatever I am, a 'Snie-vee' you guys keep calling me?"

"I can't promise anything, but I don't think someone that's different would cause a problem if you're different." She winked. "Besides, who would want to cause trouble with someone as adorable as you, hmm?"

Donovan looked at her confused at the sudden flirt. He quickly smiled back for once though, his past fears of her sliding away bit by bit. He really liked her quirky personality. It's a little bit odd that she does it with her job, but it was something to ease his mind.

They reached an area where there was a small tram, or what looked like a tram. Donovan looked around, odd. There weren't any Pokéumans around this platform. With a city this big he would think there would be at least one or two, but there was no one around but them.

Amy saw him pondering and knew he was wondering exactly that. "I can see by your face that you're confused by the lack of anyone here." She looked at him with a smile and clasped her hands together. "Well, it's not every day someone sees the headmaster. This tram goes directly to the center, the administrative building."

Donovan looked around again, but it didn't make sense, even if this place wasn't very public, there had to be some Pokéumans around that would go there. "Then how come there's no Pokéumans around that work there and where are the dock workers?"

"Oh, there are not a lot of them and they're all in there. The administrators all enter and leave at the same time. We're the exception right now because the headmaster asked me to get you." She paused for a moment to answer the next part. "As for no one here that works here, I wouldn't know."

Donovan thought he saw a gleam in her eyes when she paused, but he dismissed it by his eyes playing tricks on him with the lights. Amy however almost lost her carefree personality because there was a reason why no one was here and he was asking something that was hard to lie about. She really wanted to just strap him down and stop pretending to be nice to him. The headmaster wanted confirmations and answers, she wanted to restrain and control him.

It was a shame that he had no memory at the moment, if he did, this 'escort' would be nothing more but a locked cage with him crying out in anger. The thought made her smile. For now she would follow the headmasters lead and his 'big headed' idea. She saw his points, but she took pleasure in thinking of the alternatives.

"If you say so, I just think it's odd." He examined the tram that was before him. It was decorated in a series of shades of yellow and red, the gold patterns on the windows complimenting the red coat that separated the two. "This looks really fancy," he commented.

"The markings on the tram are for others to see this is a tram going to the center building. Like I said, it ain't everyday someone is called to the headmaster." She drifted forwards and motioned him to follow her into one of the compartments.

As they went in the tram, Donovan noticed that even inside was heavily decorated. It really made him feel that this tram was for important individuals only. He suddenly felt insignificant. Was he someone important maybe? Was that why he was going to see the headmaster? Questions entered his mind again as he looked at Amy who was humming to herself gleefully. Would she know perhaps?

"I'm wondering, am I someone important?" Amy stopped her humming as she looked and listened. "I mean, the headmaster calling me, the head guide coming to get me, going on a tram that no one else is on. There's gotta be something else going on that you're not telling me."

Amy thought of how to answer that. He was very much right, he was someone important. Very important in fact, but she refuses to tell him anything. In her eyes, he was criminal scum, someone who had no right to be here. She didn't know for sure, but she believes that he probably did something that would bring horror to her beloved home. Why else would he still be alive?

"You'll just have to wait and find out from the headmaster," she giggled back. "He didn't tell me why he wanted you or what you do. He just wanted me to get you, that's all, promise!" She held back the urge to scold and yell at him. She caught herself almost clutching her hands, but stopped before he would notice.

Donovan didn't buy it, but he was going to play along for now. He was going to learn something regardless of what his role here was. He was sure that the 'head guide' knows what's going on. Why wasn't she willing to say? He could only speculate as he felt the tram starting to move and the doors behind them closing.

A beep was heard as several lights flashed within the compartment. Donovan frantically looked around to see why there were lights going off, but moments later they stopped with a satisfied beep. Amy smirked briefly at the worried Snivy before calming his curiosity.

"Oh, don't mind that, that was just checking for the cards we got," she calmly stated as she once more began to dance in place. Donovan had almost forgotten about the cards and looked at it closely from his grip. He thought perhaps the card will tell him anything about himself. Doubtful, but he was becoming really curious with himself.

The tram left the station as it began it's journey above the city on it's personal track. The metal sheens from the grand light on the ceiling. Many other tracks and trams could be seen from this viewpoint as they too glistened from the light. Donovan looked out from one of the windows to witness the vista. He was still very much in awe that such a place could exist. It was a beautiful sight as well curious. He began to imagine just how a city this large underground was powered and maintained. The thought of trying to imagine the scope of power this city needed made his head spin.

The tram crisscrossed several tracks, going over and under some. Donovan caught glimpses at the other trams. None of them were as decorated as the one they were on. His mind continued to race with questions upon questions, but he knew that the more important ones were not going to get answered. At least not answered by Amy.

"Now, about that energy you mentioned in the hospital," he started to get Amy's attention from dancing to herself. "You're right that I don't understand, but is there a way you can show me this energy?" He paused briefly before shaking his head and waving his hands in panic, "Not that I don't believe you, but just so I can see what you were talking about."

She smiled as she began dancing in place again. "Yeah, I can show you, not all Pokéumans have the energy I have, but we all carry some amount!" she happily explained as she raised an arm. She then closed her eyes as she started to hum at her own dancing, Donovan noticed that the air around her palm began to swirl and swell as if something was hot and hazy.

Suddenly, a burst of dark light floated from her palm as a blue light mysteriously glowed from the orb of energy. Donovan stared at this phenomena, she started to let the energy bounce in her palm as she moved her hand so the orb would lazily bounce at her fingertips. She opened her eyes to look at her work before looking back at Donovan's stunned expression.

"Every Pokéuman has the power to do this, ya know." She smiled wide. "Some are more able to do than others. I'm more in tune with my own energy because I need it to move."

"Does it hurt to touch?" he wonderingly questioned as he continue to watch the glowing orb bounce on her fingers.

"Yeppers, and it's even more dangerous when I make it bigger!" As she said that, she placed the orb back in her palm as it began to grow and intensify in size.. "And it's especially dangerous when I burst it out of my hand!" She looked around to see if she can use an example to showcase. There was nothing she can show her raw power, so she let the energy reduce in size as she began to play with it again.

"And you're saying I can do that?" he wondered, his fears quickly returning. Why did he have that nagging hunch that he had seen this before? Maybe he does know her, if he was someone important, then he must know her. But why, why did he fear her so much? He began to ponder this thought as she let the ball of energy burst in a harmless set of sparks before giggling at her handy-work.

"No need for you to be worried about me hitting you with this." She crunched her hand to a fist and stuck out a finger. "It would be against one of our 'codes' here in Espérer: 'Undo to others of fatal strikes'." She waved waved it around with that smile on her face still. "That means no funny business, cutie." She said half-seriously.

Donovan looked back out the window, fixating at the center as the tram neared their destination. He desperately wanted to know who he was now. Things seem to be way too coincidental to just happen by chance. He began to wonder if he knew this 'energy' himself. Would he remember how to use it? He grunted loudly in frustration as another tram passed by them underneath.

~~~~~0~~~~~

An alert was sound. Yellow lights began to blink for an incoming tram. Pokéumans rushed to the private docking station, already knowing who's coming and what the reasoning is. Not a word was said as they scattered into formation surrounding the area. Some of them blocked passages as others stationed themselves to oversee and protect.

What was distinctive about these group of Pokéumans were they all had an insignia displayed on their persona in some way. The symbol was circle shaped with a line going through the middle, the top being red with two starts and the bottom being white with another pair of stars. In the middle of the symbol was a smaller circle with a ranking mark. This was the only part that was different from person to person.

"Alright you wimps, we have precious cargo on board that's inbound ETA 5 minutes," sounded the high squeal of a Pokéuman. He walked along the formation's path with his blade-like arms behind his back. His wings flicked slightly as he scraped his blades together slowly to show their lethal potential. He looked like a giant grasshopper, but didn't have any extra limbs besides his legs and arms. His red eyes contrasted against his hard green skin, baring his fangs to those watching his every step. If someone only saw the face, they would think it was some type of dragon.

"We have our orders: Do not engage the Snivy unless otherwise stated. Protect m'lady if things get too ugly. Most importantly, don't let his appearance fool you. Intel says our cargo is small, but it can pack a mean dent in your sorry hides."

He turned and paced back, daring anyone that would talk back and question him. They all knew he was in charge, and he was not going to let any backhanded comments go through. Not for something as important as what's on that tram.

"Reports state the Snivy has amnesia. Don't let your guard down, people who tend to forget how to fight pick up how to fight pretty quickly again if engaged. Do not speak to him unless asked directly to do so by me or m'lady. We need him in the dark as much as possible before we bring him to the headmaster here."

He turned again and approached the tracks, glaring back at everyone as they stood at attention. He smirked. He was proud of his squad and proud of being assigned to a mission of this importance.

"And don't scare the little guy too much. After all, he's fresh meat. Any questions?"

"SIR, NO SIR!"

"Damn right," he started as he extended his arms forward, folding them and bowing. "For our Meis!"

Everyone in the room did the same motions. Every Pokéuman bowing down as they repeated the line that he yelled out. Then the yellow lights stopped flashing as the alert faded. He stopped his bowing and looked at the doors, he knew this was the sign that the tram arrived. The docking bay doors made a loud hiss as it mechanically parted away. The patterned tram slowly made its way through the open path toward the squad. It then came to a halt with a distinct click as the doors behind clamped back shut.

A Snivy was looking out the window of the tram with a look of dread and fear in his face.

~~~~~0~~~~~

"Amy, what's with all these people?" Donovan nervously asked, the back of throat felt as if it clogged itself shut. He tried to swallow as he shivered, he felt very vulnerable. Amy stopped dancing and giggling, she simply smiled at the fear that swelled inside of him.

"This is the place of political power, these guards are stationed here in case something freaky happens." She leaned down and whispered. "By the way, don't worry, unless you do something weird, they won't hurt you."

That didn't ease his fears. The tram doors opened and Amy motioned him to follow. He reluctantly complied with a nod and stepped through the door. He saw an insect looking Pokéuman standing next to the door, not even looking at him. Amy pushed him forward so he would exit the tram. Without him noticing, Amy nodded to the insect Pokéuman who nodded back.

"Hey, what're you doing?" he cried as he tumbled, almost tripping on himself. Amy didn't say anything as she drifted further along and motioned once more. He noticed she was starting to become less and less cheery suddenly. He didn't have the courage to ask her about her sudden change in mood however, not with these Pokéumans standing around like statues. Following suit with a small sigh, Amy directed Donovan toward a passage that wasn't blocked by the guards.

"The headmaster is above us, this is the way to the elevator. Make sure you don't stray and get lost," she said in a serious tone. Her delightful personality had gone away, she didn't need to pretend anymore in this place. She didn't care if he knows or not, he would remember about her anyways sooner or later. She would still rather have Donovan restrained in case he did something, but orders were orders.

They walked through a series of grand halls. Every one of them they traveled seem to be decorated to the brim. Ornaments hanged from the ceiling, chandeliers lit the path, and several paintings were aligned to the walls here and there. Donovan felt like he was walking in a mansion with these halls.

They eventually came to an equally grandish room to match the hallways that had one giant hole in the center. Amy drift towards with Donovan slowly coming to a stop as he approached the edge and look down. Amy paid his uneasy gesture no attention as she floated above the circle.

"Hey, wait, I can't fly!" Amy stopped and looked at him sternly. Her sudden change in personality really made him uncomfortable.

"You won't fall, this is the elevator I was talking about." She huffed. "Now please, we can't delay the headmaster because of your worries. I assure you that you're safe."

Donovan put a foot toward the open air. He was surprised that he felt his foot hit something. He tapped his foot at it, it didn't make any noise but he was definitely tapping at something. He put weight on it, taking another slow step forward. He looked down and saw many floors below, he instantly shivered and locked up. He was standing on nothing, how was this even possible?

"See?" she annoyingly started as she looked away. "Now put aside your fears, the headmaster wishes your first meeting with him won't be one filled with terror." She half-heartedly said. She would very much enjoy seeing him fear the headmaster as she is enjoying herself right now. She wasn't going to let him know about that though.

Donovan looked around nervously, feeling extremely vulnerable and overstrung. He felt that in any moment he would plummet down. He walked nervously to Amy when he suddenly felt pressure hit him upwards. His eyes widened as he flailed, looking around in disbelief as he saw himself going upwards. It was a slow uplift at first, but he was quickly gaining momentum as he passed the floor above them.

Amy took quick glances at the stressed Snivy as they passed another floor. Her eyes seemingly glowed with a passive expression on her face. Her hands convulsed into fists and back as she kept her temper. She sighed softly to herself. She was getting angry by just watching his natural reaction. She cursed under her sigh, annoyed at her own lack of self-control with her fluctuating temper.

They passed by several more floors, all of them looking identical from the previous. After a few moments, the pressure underneath Donovan began to diminish and he started to gasp as he desperately looked for something to cling on. In his motions, he tripped on himself as he fell and landed on nothing. Amy simply glanced at him again before turning again. They stopped into another identical floor with several branching grand hallways. Amy drifted towards the closest one to her and motioned for Donovan to follow once more.

Donovan looked back down, still uneasy being on nothing, and gathered himself back up. He quickly jogged as best as he could out of the circle, making his way to solid ground next to Amy. Once he stepped over the threshold, he sighed in relief as he planted his feet on visible floor. Amy didn't look impressed by his natural antics and drifted along towards the hallway, not saying a word.

He followed, adrenaline rushing through him after his fright. He was curious on Amy's sudden change in personality. He had the adrenaline courage to ask such a question. "So, why are you serious and tense all of a sudden? Am I in trouble?" he added in, not really paying his second question any attention.

Amy didn't turn or stop to answer the question. She was tired of talking to him, she had done her part. In her mind, all the questions he asked should be told by the headmaster and not her. She did not want to be part of this or near him for that matter. Knowing the headmaster, she just knows he'll make her stay in the room and escort him elsewhere. With this knowledge, she sighed to herself, making sure he didn't hear that, and answered after a long pause.

"These are the sacred halls of this base's pride. We must respect for what it represents and respect why we are all here today and hopefully the future."

They turned a corner, passing more paintings of scenery and plants. The lights overhead swung quietly as Amy continued.

"It represents our strength, our courage, our hopes and dreams. This pillar represents our wrath as well as our bond for the need and helpless. This pillar represents us, Pokéumans, as a society among the world we share with the humans."

They approached another hall. Donovan didn't think the halls could become anymore grand in appearance, but he was proven wrong this hall widened and at the end were a set of equally grand doors. The door was decorated beautifully with gold plating and symbols that Donovan can't even begin to comprehend. It definitely rang 'headmaster' in his mind as the two approached the door.

"In short, this facility is a respectable place. It's my duty to show respect to such a symbol of this base." She glanced at Donovan before turning around to look behind him. She saw the guards that were at the station. They were now blocking the only exit from where the two were at.

Donovan looked behind as well as she stared at the guards. He didn't expect to see the same guards. The grasshopper looking Pokéuman was standing in front of the blockade with his blade arms crossed. Donovan's adrenaline rush had just slipped away as his nerves became shot again.

"Were they following this entire time?" he asked Amy nervously. She didn't answer as she started to drift backwards and turn around towards the set of doors. He gulped and followed Amy, a feeling of dread washing over him like an incoming tidal wave. The doors parted away to let the duo through. He looked back behind him to see the green Pokéuman walk towards them as they passed the opening. He was suddenly stopped by Amy as she extended her arm downwards to him, making him stumble back as he regained his posture.

"You will not speak unless spoken to, do you understand?" she coldly grumbled. Donovan nodded, as the green Pokéuman walking next to Amy with a nod. She nodded back and directed her attention to the end of the room at a desk. Windows extended the entirely of the wall on the far side as light shined through the window. It overlooked part of the base below, capturing the sheer magnitude of the base for all to see.

Along the window was a silhouette of a beast behind a well-polished desk. His red, reptilian eyes pierced the group before him, examining them intently. He looked toward the green Pokéuman. He was saluting to him and standing at attention. He then drifted his piercing gaze to Amy. She was also saluting, but with that passive expression still on her face. Finally his eyes rolled to Donovan. He wasn't saluting or standing at attention. He was nervously looking around, his eyes widened and pupils dilated as he took in the vast room.

The beast curled his lips to what appeared to be a smirk. He chuckled deeply and softly, sending shivers down Donovan's spine as he focused his attention on this draconic figure. This was certainly not what he imagined the headmaster to look like. The most distinctive feature Donovan took notice were the three protruding spikes extending from his head.

"Welcome, Donovan," the beast started, his deep voice echoing across the room. "I hope your arrival here was a pleasant one." The dragon walked from his desk, showcasing his size and dominance proudly for the three. He moved to the front of the desk, puffing his chest slightly to appear intimidating, looking down at Donovan with curiosity. "I trust you recovered well?"

Donovan's throat became dry. He didn't know if he should fear this monster because of his appearance or because he was trying to calm him. He backed away slightly, but Amy quickly pushed him back beside her and growled annoyingly. The headmaster just chuckled at his reaction, raising one of his forearms and placing a claw in front of Donovan.

"I see your fear and your concern." he said, motioning his claw to Donovan. "I swear on my honor this meeting is not one for violence. I offer you my bond ship. Please accept this as a symbol of this trust."

Donovan was hesitant to grab his claw. He began to sweat as even more thoughts crossed his mind. He was afraid that if he did something wrong in this dragon's presence that something terrible would happen. A cold chill rushed up as he shivered at the possibilities of him getting mauled.

"I understand your reluctance. I too would not be as trusting if I was suddenly flung into a world I never knew existed."

In the back of his mind, he knew he really couldn't refuse this 'trust'. He wasn't in a position to say no and everyone in the room probably knew it. Shaking, he reached out and grabbed ahold of the beast's claw. The claw clasped around his hand as he felt the pressure of the dragon's firm grip.

"I really do hope you trust me. I'm not here to cause harm, I can assure you." He then looked over to the two others still standing at attention. "Amy, I need you to stay here."

She nodded in response, understanding perfectly well what the headmaster meant by that request.

He then turned his attention to the other Pokéuman. "Colt, you're dismissed."

He extended his arms forward, crossed them, and then bowed at the headmaster's request. He took one last glance at Donovan before turning and exiting the room. Donovan looked as he left, noticing that the guards were still there at the end of the hall.

"Now then, Donovan. Truly, do you not recall anything?" the headmaster began, letting go of Donovan's hand as he gave him a curious stare.

He turned back his attention to the dragon, the doors closing behind him once more. He nervously shook his head, afraid to say anything to him.

"I see." He closed his eyes in deep thought. "Very well, the proper courtesy would be me introducing myself to a new arrival." He opened his eyes. "My name is Ethan, I'm a Salamence in Pokéuman terms and I oversee Espérer, the base you're currently in. I'm sure you already knew about the latter, but I wanted to make it apparent in case you had any doubts."

Amy drifted away from the two as she made her way to Ethan's desk. Donovan definitely noticed the sudden move, but Ethan paid it no attention as he knew what she was going to do. He motioned Donovan to follow as he began to stroll to the window. Donovan followed, still knowing he couldn't say no to anything Ethan wanted him to do.

"It's only fair I tell you why you're here." He stopped as soon as he approached the window and looked down to the glittering base below. "Unfortunately that's what I would like to say, but with your loss of memory, I can't tell you why and this is why what I'm about to say will make things harder."

Donovan reached him and looked at him with confusion. Was he right about his suspicion that he was someone important here? Ethan's statement made him convinced even more than before. He was still afraid to ask him the question he's dying to know. He wanted to know who exactly he was and how important he really was.

"I really hope you take these words at heart. You're unique, and I'm sorry, but that's the only thing I can reveal about you. I'm sure you're interested on who you are by now. Please understand I don't mean to withhold information." He glanced at Donovan without turning his head. "It's for your best interest to keep you safe."

This angered Donovan. He was still frightened by Ethan, but he was furious. The people that know him refuse to tell him anything. It angered him even more that the 'leader' was withholding information too. Why was he being denied knowledge of his past? He didn't understand it, and certainly didn't understand why it would be something that could hurt him.

"I see the fire in your eyes. They burn in a rage that I know you must be experiencing." He chuckled softly as his gaze went back to the base below. "It's good to see even with your loss of memory, you still have that passion."

Donovan became angrier. So he did know who Ethan was before. He clenched his hands into fists, his fear quickly being overshadowed by his rising anger. He was getting annoyed that someone he apparently knows won't say anything to him.

"I wonder if you still like that that homebrew coffee we enjoy sometimes."

Donovan felt a surge of energy course through him, but he didn't care, he was livid. The air around him began to swirl. He was about to scream at him. That was until he noticed the sudden leaves wrapping around him. His anger quickly was taken back as he watched the leaves suddenly stop as they floated gently to the ground. A look of sudden shock and confusion was smacked on his face.

Ethan smirked. "You were always this excited when we came to talk about coffee."

Donovan looked back at him angrily, his fear gone for the moment to brave a response back. "Stop it!" he yelled. "Why are you teasing me if you won't tell me who I am?"

The smirk never left Ethan's maw. "Easy, to prove something to myself," he calmly stated back, looking back down. "In due time, I'm confident your memories will come back. Until then though, I can't discuss who you are, and really, I apologize."

"I don't understand!" he cried, his anger rising again. "You expect me to just accept that you know me and you can't tell me who I am? Does any of this sound screwed up to you? Please, enlighten me why not telling me who the heck I am is protecting me."

Ethan chuckled softly as if he expected an outburst. "You were always quick to temper as well."

Donovan shook his head in disbelief. He didn't know what Ethan was trying to do, but it irritated him that the leader wasn't going to answer the most important question and was throwing random tidbits about him. "Fine, if you're not going to tell me who I am, then at least tell me what this place is. Where exactly am I?"

Ethan nodded, not taking his gaze off the base still. "Well as I said, you're in Espérer. It's one of our biggest underground bases in the world if not indeed the grandest."

"Wait, we're underground?" Donovan looked at the ceiling to where the biggest light source was shining. How could such a place exist underground?

"Indeed, we're currently ten miles down from the surface."

"Serious?" he asked bewildered. He suddenly had a higher sense of appreciation of what he's seeing in front of him. A place this massive underground was impressive.

"Yes," he started, looking back at Donovan. "By the way, the energy you released a moment ago, did you realize you were harnessing the power?"

Donovan looked back at Ethan to his question and then looked on the floor to see the leaves on the floor as if fallen from a plant. He quickly did a take around him and didn't see any plant that he could immediately tell.

"As I suspected," he chuckled. "Don't fret, I'm confident you will learn to use it soon enough."

Donovan crouched down to pick up one of the leaves. Were these his leaves? The only leaf-like thing on his form was his own tail which he looked back at. Did he create these leaves somehow?

"Now, back on the underground topic, you might be wondering why this place is underground. I suppose you don't know what our situation as a Pokéumanian race is?"

Donovan shook his head, he didn't think about why they were underground and why there was an entire city underground. Now that Ethan brought it up though, it did make him curious.

"Very well, then allow me to share." He paused briefly as he took an intake of breath. He knows his explanation will be a lengthy one.

"We're fighting a war," he started.