A/N: -crawls from hole- hi I bring update. I also apologize for any formatting or typos or grammar errors. Seriously though, Happy Valentine's Day- here is my gift. I only have two excuses for how late this is: being busy with my personal life and this chapter, for some godforsaken reason, being really hard to write. But it's here, and in this chapter we have Ace's explanation, some plot important items, and end with a beginning. Enjoy.

-Be Andrew Hussie.

It's been a few hours since Talon arrived with Ace, and the brown bird hasn't woken back up yet. Whatever he'd said before passing out seems to still have everyone on edge; no one's gone back to eating yet, not even you. You are sitting on the ground, turning a strange pink fruit in your hands- it's too big to be a berry, no matter what Talon says, you think.

Maple sits to your left, gently wrapping and unwrapping her vines like hands wringing together. She seems to sense your reluctance to eat, because she pats you on the head and says, "It's safe to eat, silly. It's not gonna bite you or anything." The Venasaur smiles at you, and you smile back. With a twinge of hesitation, you nibble a little at the fruit. It's sweet, somewhat like a mix of pineapple and strawberry. You take a larger bite and shrug. It's certainly better than the common apple.

Your eyes glance around the party. Yellow is back at her game of washers, Moony sitting at the side and watching. Tundra is cleaning up the plates and putting away the extra food. He flicks a finger at the fire and it sparks to life again. You watch, bewildered, as the fire crackles back into nice sized flames. "How did he do that?" you ask under your breath. "He's a fire type, Andrew. Like you; you guys have a certain kind of hold over fire and heat." Maple answers. That doesn't answer my question at all. Is it magic? No, magic isn't real...

Talon and Ace have disappeared into a nearby tree; you can hear Talon's claws scraping against the bark. You strain your ears, and find you can just hear the Talonflame's murmuring: "Fierce like an eagle, graceful as a swan, lovely like a nightingale..." You realize with a start that he's singing. "Egg hatching song," the Venasaur whispers and you nod absently.

A washer suddenly hitting you upside the head knocks you out of your thoughts. You look at the metal piece with annoyance, and then relax as Moony comes over to retrieve if. He does not met your eyes as he picks it up in his mouth. "Yellow wants you to come play this game with her," he growls. "I suggest you accept her wishes." His eyes flash a bit and you swallow nervously as he stalks back over to Yellow. Something in his voice speaks danger, so it is in your best interest to go.

As you scramble to your feet, you hear the leaves of the tree behind you rustle and Talon curse under his breath, followed by a soft response to whatever Ace has asked him. You glance over your shoulder and look at them with large eyes; the large bird catches your eye as he turns from his friend. "He's awake enough," the Talonflame crows, and everyone drops everything: Yellow lets go of her washers and runs over with Moony at her side, Tundra has set down the remaining plates and hurried over, and Maple has repositioned herself to be facing the tree. You're all staring, waiting, silent.

Ace pokes his head out from behind Talon. "Hello, team," he says with a weak nod. "Hello, Ace!" Yellow yells back, the Farfetche'd flinching. "Are you feeling better now? Do you want to play a game? It's fun!" Ace smiles wearily at her and shakes his head. "Later, Yellow. I have some explanations to give, I think." He glances at Talon, who nods encouragingly. He takes a deep breath, as if to steady himself.

"As I announced earlier," he says, "Professor Sycamore has been attacked. Before you all go barraging me with questions, he is okay- just a little shaken. He wasn't hurt at all. Anyway, the attack occurred last night, around 2am, in the basement floor of the lab. From what I know, he'd been sorting away a few samples when someone got him from the shadows. The LPD are already swarming the scene, so none of you should feel obligated to go bounty hunting." He pauses for a moment, gaze resting on the Sylveon. Moony apparently notices this, because he shoots a frown back to the bird, who chuckles a little. "We've already received word that our own Trainer has been relocated," he continues," as have the other 'Dex holders, save oddly enough Trevor. No one can find him, it seems. I bet he'll be okay, though. He's a smart kid." The Farfetche'd take another long breath. "And that's all I can report."

"All you can," Moony pipes up, "or all you will? I sense withheld information. Tell us, bird."

Ace frowns at him. "I have nothing else to add," he answers, spreading his wings out like hands in a surrendering gesture, "so your senses or whatever they are wrong." The Sylveon grumbles under his breath but remains silent, apparently satisfied. You bite the inside of your cheek nervously as you ask, "Who exactly is Sycamore?"

Ace narrows his eyes at you. "I don't recognize that face," he murmurs. "Are you a new team member?" "More or less," you reply, meeting his gaze. He nods, mostly to himself. "What's your name?" he asks. "Andrew. Andrew Hussie,"

"Hmm, good name. As for the Prof., he's the one who raised Tundra until our Trainer got him, is one of the United Knowledge professors across the world, and is the current head of the global Bank security. He's also a good friend of all ours and of our Trainer's." The bird sighs deeply. "It means a lot about many things if he got attacked," You nod slowly, other questions burning on your tongue. You will save these questions, though; Ace looks very tired, and oddly wary. Perhaps he is still on edge from the news. Either way, he deserves a longer break from all this.

Yellow pouts at him. "So does that mean Meet Day isn't gonna happen?" Ace looks at her sadly. "Not for a while, no. I'm very sorry to be the bringer of bad news." The Heliodisk crosses her arms angrily. "I wanted to meet all of the old friends," she mutters under her breath. Moony sticks his nose up. "I'm happy this transfer is delayed. No rascally Umbreon should ever take my place," Ace fixes him with a stern gaze. "That's our Trainer's first ever Pokémon you're dissing. You should watch your mouth; it may get you hurt one day." He sighs loudly and address the group again. "I'm going back to sleep, though I have a message I need to pass on before I do- the Professor wants you all to report to Luminose for emergency Bank uploading."

Chaos erupts at his words.

"I refuse," Tundra says bluntly. "That system is dangerous and should have not been ever released." Maple and Moony lament his words, and Yellow cowers. "Isn't it dangerous?" she cries out. "Couldn't we all get erased from existence while uploaded from our Pokeballs?!" Moony stands, eyes bright gems of flaming sapphire. "I have heard of glitches causing corruption and permanent death from uploads," he growls, "I will not go. Nor will my failure. I hold my life too dear for such risky Miltank feces."

You glance at Maple worriedly. "What are they talking about?" "The new Bank transfer system," she says. "It helps long distance Pokémon get to Kalos, and helps Trainers store extra Pokémon that they can't fit in the PC. It's had reports of being buggy and potentially life-threatening to the uploaded Pokémon; that's why the others are so opposed." Ah, that's understandable. I wouldn't want to be corrupted or erased either, I think. Maple narrows her eyes. "I can't say I'm not reluctant as well," she says after a moment of hesitation. "It's a very new system, and no knows if it has a backup emergency release protocol, like the PC system does; it's just too new to tell yet." She shivers as she whispers quietly, "I do not want to be deleted by accident."

The Farfetch'd is holding his head in his wings. "Alright!" he yells hoarsely, making the group go quiet. "You don't want to be uploaded, he'll understand. I think the Professor just wants you all at the lab so he can have someone keep tabs on you." Sighs of relief meet his words- mostly sighs, anyway.

"But he was attacked inside the lab, yes? Why should we believe it is safe now? Humans and their skewed reasoning, makes me sick to my stomach." Moony glowers at Ace, licking a paw. "Well," he asks as the bird remains silent, "don't you have anything to say?" The Farfetche'd shrugs. "If the humans think they can protect you, let them. They're just trying to be nice."

The Sylveon rolls his eyes. "I need no protection," he says softly, but doesn't outright complain again. You frown a bit at him, and he notices. "It's true, zombie. I am more then capable of keeping myself alive. All of you, I don't really know- our Trainer and I did all we could to teach you. I just hope it sticked." He chuckles a little as he glance you up and down. "You, however, may need that protection. Since you're basically a Magikarp," Yellow's cheeks spark, and suddenly a small ball-like burst of electricity hits the back of Moony's head. You hear it snap and crackle as it dies away amidst Moony's curse.

Said Pokémon jumps around to face the Heliodisk. "What in the name of Arecus was that for?" he snarls, and she meets his gaze angrily. "Quit being mean to him!" she says. "He's not a Magikarp! You haven't even seen him fight before." Moony laughs at this. "He can't fight, Yellow. He doesn't even know how."

You see the Heliodisk's cheeks puff up. "That's only because he doesn't have a wand! You're such a meanie sometimes, Moony! Lay off him!" The Sylveon looks like he's going to say something more, but as Tundra come to stand over him, face stern, he shuts his mouth and turns his head away. "I'm just telling the honest truth of it all," he grumbles. Tundra's paws twitch, sparks flying from them. "Just keep your mouth shut for once, Moonington. Shut it until we reach Luminose City. Can you do that?"

"Of course I can," Moony replies, laughing softly. You tip your head to the side in a mock kind of head cock. Moony seems pretty damn oblivious to Tundra's anger, and you can't help but worry that the two are going to try and rip each throat's out. Or maybe he's not oblivious as he seems; perhaps he's doing to intentionally get under the Delphox's skin. You can't think any reason why he'd do that, though, especially not now.

Well, there is one idea that's lurking in the back of your mind. Dogs fight for dominance, and these two are definitely both alpha material. Really do not want to be in the middle of that inevitable shitstorm, bleh. Boy, do I feel kind of sorry for these other guys; dealing with this on a daily basis would probably drive someone crazy.

Tundra opens his mouth, then shuts it with a headshake and irritated pawpalm. "Idiot," he mutters, clenching his paws in and out of fists. Talon twists his head at the Delphox. "So we're going after all?" Tundra nods tersely. "As Ace said, the Professor will understand our reluctance. And it will be safer in there than out here; there is no one but ourselves on watch out here." The large bird flaps his wings and jumps from his post next to Ace. "I think that's smart enough, then."

Tundra turns to the group. "We leave now," he says, eyes flicking across each individual, "Talon, will you take care of Ace and the camp?" Talon nods. "Sure," he answers. The Delphox looks at Maple now. "I propose a team system," he says to her, "where there is a group of two and a group of three. I will have Yellow and myself be the two group, while you and these two are the other. Get along; we'll be right behind you." Maple glances between you and Moony with a sigh. "Wanna ride or walk, Andrew?" she asks.

"I'll walk, thanks," you answer. The Venasaur blinks respectively at you. "Okay then, I'll lead the way," With that, she begins walking, and you follow. Moony grumbles as he comes to walk on Maple's other side. "I don't see why we have to be with him," he mutters, eyes giving you an angry flash. "What if we're attacked?"

"Then you and me will fight," she answers. "We can teach Andrew later, after we get him a wand and are in a safer place them this." The Sylveon shrugs. "Seems reasonable, cabbage. Let us shut up now and get moving a little faster; all this strange stuff has started to make me a little ruffled and anxious around the collar." Maple begins to pick up her pace, Moony beginning to trot. You quickly increase your own steps.

Even though you're still confused, and even though you're not exactly happy about being with Moony, you're pleasantly surprised that you've begun to feel welcome by these strange creatures called Pokemon. It's been a odd kind of welcome, but a welcome none the less.

"What in the world is this?"

You step closer to Moony, who's half buried in a short prickly bush on the side of the forest path. He's pawing around in it with a sense of annoyance, and you can hear him grumbling. "What?" you ask and he audibly groans. "Some kind of disc or whatever," he says flatly, "and also a weird human necklace; both look really stupid." Your eyes widen. "A disc?" He growls. "Yes, a disc. Are you incompetent? Have you never seen a computer disc?"

You shake your head. "No, I have. I lost a disc recently, now that I think about it...can I see that one you have there?" He shrugs and tosses the two items from the depths of the bush at you, them landing at your feet. "Knock yourself out," he says through gritted teeth as he backs up from inside the bush and sits, trying to pull the leaves out of his fur.

You pick the pendant and disc up, leaning against the nearest tree, the oak Maple's waiting for you two under. She looks at the items in your hands with curiosity. "Found something?" You shrug. "I think so," you answer. "I hope so." With that you flip over the disc and your entire world stops.

This is Disc Three. How the hell did it get here?

You let out a huge sigh of relief, tracing the logo engraved in the plastic with a trembling finger. You don't really care at the moment how it got here, just that it's here and that somehow you didn't lose everything you'd worked on for so long. You pop open the case for a second and inspect the disc; the design on it looks a little weathered and stretched now, but the disc itself looks totally untouched, not even a single scratch. You laugh in excitement and Maple smiles at you. "Is it what you wanted?" You nod. "Yes. Yes, it was."

You turn your attention to the pendant. It's about the size of one of those plain round shortbread cookies, and the same thickness to boot. It's made of a off white stone, and engraved into its face is the SBURB logo, painted green. You think you can see the logo glowing just a little but when you blink there's not indication it ever was. You put the pendant on, blinking in surprise at how light it is; it felt much heavier in your palm.

Moony stalks over to you, glancing at the disc in your had and the pendant around your neck. "You can keep them," he says with an eye roll, continuing past you and Maple along the path. Said Venasaur shrugs and gives you a warm smile. "That looks nice on you," she says and you cannot help but blush a little. "Thanks," you say, following her as she begins after Moony.

For a while you all walk in silence along the path, enjoying the sun peeking in between the large leaves. Then a shadow passes overhead, shattering the peaceful sunlight. Moony stops warily, eyes narrowed at the sky. "Do you see that?" he says, his voice shaking just a little. You and Maple follow his gaze, and you can just make out some kind of flying creature above your party; it's stopped right above you and seems to be staring back down at you. You shiver. "What is that?" you ask, mostly to yourself. Maple frowns up at it. "It is not a bird," she says with awe and fear, "and it's most certainly not a Trainer on a bird Pokemon. The head is off, see? And the wings are much, much too big."

She gulps and you feel your own heartbeat start beat faster in fear. Whatever it is, you don't think you want anything to do with it.

-Be the flying creature.

You cannot be the flying creature unless you give it a name!

[Enter name.]

-Creepy Bird...?

Try as you hesitantly might, you cannot name this creature! He already has a name, silly. Try again, and guess it- you already have enough clues.

-Jack Noir?

Yes.

-Be Jack Noir.

You are now Jack Noir, and you're here to fuck shit up.

A/N: bluh bluh how write dialogue and location skips. As you can see, Jack Noir/Spades Slick -I say slash because this one's a mix of the two- is our first canon character. And I am both excited for and dreading the next chapter because it's basically all him and I have no idea how to write his character w/o extreme OOCness. So if anyone has any pointers for writing his character for gods sake please PM me or leave a review. (Otherwise I'll just sit here at my keyboard and flail helplessly, hoping the story and characters write themselves. *commences said flailing*)

Thanks for reading. And dealing with my sporadic updates.