Author's note : Someone informed me that this chapter and the next was broken into code, so hopefully this'll fix the issue.

Flashes of images appeared around me. Frightening, gory pictures approached me, portraying scenes of death, despair, and humiliation. I shut my eyes, not wanting to see them, not wanting to know what they are, but the images were already burned into my mind.

"No, stop!" I tried to yell, but the words wouldn't come out. Within those pictures I could see events, both from the past and future. Again, the horrid picture of Adam's mangled, bloodied corpse came after me, reminding me of the reason all of this even happened. Another picture showed me when he was still alive. He was smiling, licking the fur on his tail while lying on a pillow, during the time when we were both alive. Suddenly, he no longer seemed so horrible and I pondered why I even hated him in the first place.

Then another image appeared. This time it was Merlot, standing in front of me. He was bleeding profusely on his chest, weakly lying against a tree trunk. My heart leaped out in terror. What is that picture? Will Merlot die because of me?

Or… did I kill him?

More images kept appearing. I screamed with no voice, pointlessly covering my eyes and shutting it even harder. I didn't want to see or know the meaning of those pictures, but they continued to torture me, shoving gruesome images into my head. There was one where I stood in front of Iwes with blood on my claws. There was one for Arthur was being hit by Sam. There was one where Jonathan pointed a rifle at me. There was one where the manor was on fire.

Among all those images, there were also more mundane yet ambiguous images. There was one where Jirachi and I sat together near a large lake beneath the stars, and one where Merlot and I flew in the skies above the city. There was another one where I healed an injured pokémon. There was one where I met Elise in real life on the beach.

Before I could make sense of any of these strange visions, I was suddenly jerked awake by someone.

"Hello there, Keith," a familiar, emotionless voice said. Iwes the uxie was looming above me, with Canberra the mesprit by her side. I gritted my teeth at the sight of them two. "You're quite feisty, and rather touchy. No need for the hostility."

I rolled on my side and got back up on my feet. My legs were fine, but my head was pounding with dizziness and nausea. "What do you want?" I asked her. I looked around for any sign of Merlot but I didn't see him anywhere. He must be out foraging or whatever.

"I believe that it is destiny that you've managed to find yourself back here," Iwes said casually as if she didn't hear the question. "I can sense it clearer now; the power welling inside of you is growing exponentially. All the more reason we must train you."

"I don't need some dumb training." I scoffed.

"You may think it is dumb, but it is the opposite. As a matter of fact, it is absolutely essential that we start training you immediately."

"Listen closely Keith," Canberra started talking. "All the legendary and mythical pokémon already have immense power from the day they are born. Such power, if left unchecked, could do damage to themselves or even others around them. Which is why it is important that, should a new legendary be born, they are to be aided by the other remaining legendries, passing on the knowledge that we have onto them. You, as a Mew, one of mythical pokémon, need as much intensive training as we did when we were young."

"Is that all there is to it?" I pressed her. She didn't seem fazed, but I wasn't about to be intimidated into following them.

"Please Keith, you have to understand how important it is that you learn how to use your powers. Self-learning is just as important as being taught."

I stared at her. It was infuriating that I had to go through some training, but… I remembered those images I saw. I shuddered at the thought of it. The death and tragedy that circled around me. Is it a sign? Does it mean that if I don't do this training, everyone will…?

"…Fine, I'll accept. Under one condition."

"What's that?" Iwes asked.

"That after my training is over, I leave and none of you will ever bother me again." I said it with such weight that I made sure that they'd understand that I was serious. I wanted to live my own life. Perhaps, yes, it could be a life spent helping pokémon, as Merlot said Delphi had done. But at least I will be able to live without being supervised anymore.

Iwes and Delphi looked at each other. They seemed to only be staring at each other, but I have a feeling that they're exchanging thoughts through telepathy. After a few minutes, they looked back at me. "Alright, we'll agree with your terms."

"Good. Can we start now?" I requested, wishing that I didn't have such a burden on me.

"Oh no, not yet. You're still a bit weak after you passed out." Canberra said. "Azelf should be back soon enough with some berries for you."

"I'm here, I'm here!" A voice came out from the top of the cove. The sun was shining directly above so I couldn't tolerate to look directly up at the sun, but I could just make out his silhouette. "I hope I didn't take too long!" He said worriedly, fluttering down with berries in hand. "Here, Keith, eat these, they should help with your headache."

"Th-thanks…" I took one and bit into it. The juicy flavours instantly poured into my mouth, feeling rejuvenated after eating a few, like someone had given me their strength. Or, in Merlot's case, their willpower, because he's the Willpower Pokémon.

Merlot turned towards Canberra. "So, he accepted?" He asked. Canberra nodded. "I see… Well, should I be training him first?"

"You may be his senior, however, you are our junior." Iwes chuckled. Merlot seemed flustered by that, pouting. "I will be the one to train him first. Mesprit will accompany me."

I shrugged. I wasn't really interested in following her orders or training to become some sort of psychic master, but I was interested in making sure my powers stay in check, and to find out about my mysterious hidden ability of entering memories. I wanted to be ensured that it's completely safe. That I wouldn't accidentally hurt anyone.

(((Iwes then briefed me off and I strutted over to the small pond at the corner of Bleak Cove.))) [I'm confused what actions are happening here, maybe restate it differently] I sighed, slumping down by the water's edge, dipping my feet into the pool. I stirred the water around with my hind paws. I watch my reflection get distorted by the ripples, my face an unclear image, just how my mind is right now: a foggy mess.

I wondered about what would happen next. What kind of training would she put me through? I heard pyschic-types often receive harsh training on their many extensive abilities, like bending frying pans and lifting boulders with their mind. It probably sounds pretty simple, but I've only been a real psychic-type for less than a week. My mind hasn't been 'mentally-enforced' yet, like what Iwes said.

I thought about what I ever did in my life to deserve this kind of fate. Maybe I should blame my past life for giving me such a shitty outcome, being reborn as a mew who didn't know he was one. Although, would that mean the one before me was Delphi? Never mind then. Bunch of dumb thoughts.

Elise suddenly popped into mind. "I should probably contact her…" Even though we've only met yesterday, it felt like we were already friends. But that's what we're hoping to get to, right? Friends. Besides, I wanted to know more about her, what her life was like. It sounded like she still managed to retain her normal life.

"Oh, Keith," Her voice surprised me. Her image appeared right before me, standing on the lake's surface. The way she just appeared like that caught me off-guard. "Sorry, y-you surprised me." She was smiling, but it didn't seem genuine.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, getting to the point. She appeared to be taken aback at what I said. Her smile drooped as her eyebrows frowned.

"No, nothing, it's just… pretty normal I guess." She shook her head. "Larent scolded me for losing a battle."

"Your trainer?" It was the first time I heard her name.

"Yeah. We were up against a Vaporeon. Even though the Vaporeon was strong, we were winning. But then I missed my Ice Beam, and I got hit with a really powerful Tackle."

"Sounds like it hurt." I commented, unable to remember the last battle I had.

"Yeah, but to add insult to injury, Larent got really mad. She usually never gets that angry. It really hurt me." I could see the pain of her sadness written all over her face. She must have really been shaken by her trainer's yelling.

"Your trainer was probably just upset, that's all." I assured her calmly. "Was that her first ever time losing a battle?" Elise nodded sadly. "Then it's only natural that she's upset. But you shouldn't let that bring you down." I gave her an encouraging smile. "There's always next time."

Elise nodded, sniffling. "Thank you… I needed that." She smiled back at me. "How about you? How have you been?"

This time it was my smile that went away. "Not so great," I admitted. "I'm supposed to… take a few lessons that I don't really want to take."

"Like, physical training?" She questioned.

"Something like that."

"Well, it'll benefit you, so why not?" She giggled, "Whatever training you'll go through will probably give you some kind of expertise, yeah?"

"It does, but I don't really wanna learn it…" I looked over my shoulder towards where Iwes and Canberra were talking with Merlot.

"Just try it out. Maybe you'll like it." She encouraged me.

I thought about it for a while. Who knows; maybe I'll end up enjoying this kind of mental training? "I guess I'll just have to go." I scoffed tiredly with a smile.

"You make it sound like it's a burden," she laughed.

"It sorta is," I laughed as well. "But thanks. I needed that as well." Elise smiled warmly, so did I. "See you later then?"

"Yes, of course." She nodded courteously her image slowly dissipating into the air. All that remained was the lake she 'stood' on, the water as still as ever.

There was a peculiar feeling inside me. A strange throbbing, something that made my blood go warm, my feet lighter than air. I wasn't sure what it was, but it was soon after I finished talking with Elise. Something about talking with her — normally, like people — just felt so right to me. Maybe it's just been so long since I had a conversation that didn't involve me being a mew that I've missed casual small talk.

"Hey, Keith?" Canberra approached me from the back. I turned around and stood up on my four legs to face her. "Who were you talking to just now?"

"No one, just myself," I lied. "I'm guessing Iwes is calling me to training?"

"Yes, she's already got her regiment planned out. Although…" Canberra carefully whispered into my ear. "You better watch yourself; her training is known to be harsh."

"I think I'll do fine." I told her. I went over to Iwes to start off the training, thinking that I should be capable enough to do anything she tells me to do.

Three hours later I splashed my face into the pool, clutching my forehead with the world's most painful headache imaginable. It felt like I had been stabbed in the brain a hundred times and that all the lobes were trying to separate. My nerves and brain neurons were burning, aching, but there wasn't any way to stop it. I couldn't even think anything from sheer pain. All I wanted was to black out and stop the pain, but it hurt so much that it kept me from going.

I lifted my head again and splashed it once more into the water. I submerged myself in an effort to block out the pain. I let my fur get soaked wet and my ears clogged with water, falling once more into my comfort zone, where nothing existed except me and the water. Iwes said that Canberra would be training me around one and a half hour later, but I didn't want to think about that for now. All I want is some peace and quiet. Being underneath the water's surface has always provided me that.

It was silent… only ripples and waves and splashes… opening my eyes showed there was nothing but a fuzzy blue colour around me… my ears tilted back, relaxing, my feet slowly pushing me off the ledge, causing me to fall completely in the water. It felt… relieving…

I looked down at the floor, swimming towards it. I reached out, my front paws touching the floor. The headache was still there, yet I still tried to will myself not to float up. I wanted to stay down here for now, away from Iwes, away from everyone.

At first, my behind still floated upwards. Then, steadily, my hind legs floated down, touching the cold rocky floor. I sat down on the floor, staring up above at the water's surface. The refracted blue light danced above me, the water gently brushing my fur. I smiled, feeling at peace here. I didn't even feel like I had to breathe, as though I was an aquatic creature. I closed my eyes, pushing the headache completely, then laid my head on my tails as I curled up and slept…

The sound of a muffled, gargled voice was what woke me up. My eyelids lifted slowly as I saw that there was a dark figure above me, casting shadows onto the water. Must be one of the three, I thought to myself, getting up to my feet and pushing my body up, out of the water.

My snout and face broke through the surface, my body suddenly requesting and inhaling gallons of air. I suddenly felt short of breath, coughing. My lungs felt like they had shrunk and was now trying to refill.

I clambered on to the edge and back onto the grassy earth, still coughing, looking up at who had called me. It was Canberra. She seemed rather shocked to see me burst out of the water, but quickly tended to me by giving me some kind of berry. Whatever it was, it was refreshing, like a boost of health. "Th-thank you…" I muttered, looking back at the dark pond. My mind was clouded and my memory unclear. "…How long was I down there?" I asked Canberra.

"Well, I remember seeing you chucking your head into the pond right after training," she answered measuredly. "After that, you dove in but then didn't come up. Merlot wanted to save you but Iwes and I told him it was alright."

"And why exactly did you not let him do that?" I found it strange for them to let me 'drown'.

"Because if you did need saving, you would have at least struggled or splashed around," she replied, looking at the pond as well. "Besides, I think the fact that you sat at the bottom of the pool for an hour is pretty reflective of your power."

"Oh, okay…" I paused myself. "Wait, did you say I was down there for an hour!?"

"Yes, you were." Canberra smiled slyly. "I believe that was you utilizing your own abilities without you realizing it."

"So, I can breathe underwater?" I inquired, wondering if all that underwater training Arthur put me through back when we were kids has paid off.

"Mmm, not quite. How can I say this? Your mind managed to detach itself from your body, and you no longer felt the need to breathe, like you had isolated your material desires away. When someone has practiced enough, they could keep it up for years without ever eating, drinking, or even breathing."

I found the idea interesting, albeit disturbing. I certainly didn't want to go fasting for a whole year. Maybe keeping it at the minimum one hour is enough for me. "So, um… Are you here to train me?" I asked.

"Is your headache gone yet?" She asked. I remained quiet for a while, then nodded. "Huh, you've recovered much faster than I had predicted. I thought it would take you maybe two, three hours for the pain to completely disappear." A pleased smirk appeared on the corner of her lips. "I suppose that means you're growing stronger."

"Th-thanks?" I wasn't sure if the smile meant if she was contented with my progress or if she was planning to increase the mental load on my poor brain.

"Believe me, I'm actually quite impressed." She shook her head with a pleased scoff. In fact, I'm bewildered you're already so good at this. It's like you're a natural."

"Well… I guess it just comes naturally." I shrugged nonchalantly, "I wasn't really thinking anything at the time, it just… came to me by itself. I was just trying to relax."

"When you're a psychic-type, you tend to do these little things without you fully-aware of it," Canberra explained. "This power flows in our blood like water does in a river; our psychic power is an endless stream that sometimes is quiet, and sometimes is thunderous. The upstream, the source of the river, is you, and you are the one who can decide the power that goes downstream and into the ocean, or should I say, where the power manifests."

"Please don't talk so cryptically…" I uttered, rolling my eyes despite completely understanding her convoluted sentences. Canberra laughed at my response. "So… training?"

"Sure. Let us begin then." Canberra clapped her hands loudly, eyes full of fierce determination. "You best be ready and steel yourself, because I won't let up either."

At first, I thought she would merely force me to do a bunch of psychic training like Iwes pushed me to do, but I found myself wrong immediately. Her training was for me to enforce my mind from her barrage of psychic attacks, which consisted of severe headaches, dizziness, hallucinations, and… resurfacing memories.

I found myself staring across at Adam's dead body in the metallic room, the tangy smell of blood filling my nostrils. Behind me, I could hear the murmurs of people I knew, people I care about. I could hear the disdain, the hate, the fear, from Arthur, from Lirrian, from Blanch, from Vivian, and everyone else. Canberra was digging up everything from the parts of my brain I tried to seal away and was forcing me to see it again. All of it.

There was a blur of memories. Memories from long ago, and memories from recent time. The only resemblance they bear was that they were all hurtful, painful memories. Things I would rather not remember, things I would rather unsee. The scariest one was probably me reliving the long, torturous runs I did back at the guild, underneath the rain, as I tried to wash my pain away, with dark shadows of my sins trailing behind me. I kept running, and running, even though I knew that none of this could possibly be real.

"M-make… it… stop!" I screamed my lungs out, my eyes welled up with tears remembering everything. In the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't real, that I had to resist, however the pain was searing, and my chest grew hotter. The memories flooding in were beginning to cause me physical pain as I clutched my chest. I breathed heavily with ragged, heaving breaths. "I… won't…" I tried to say, but I was faltering fast.

Then suddenly the images were pulled away from me, now replaced with the angry face of Canberra. "What was that, Keith!?" She screamed into my ear. "That's not how you fight a mental attack!"

My blood boiled several degrees hotter. "What was I supposed to do!?" I yelled back.

"Look," Canberra growled. "You can't run away from your past or your problems forever. Same as with a hallucination assault. You need to face them head-on. That's the only way you'll be able to win. If you fall for the guilt and its trappings, you'll be exposed."

"Just a question, but what does happen if they break through?" I grumbled in pain.

"For one, you could be easily mind-controlled. Another is that they'll destroy your brain from the inside out, killing you." I stared at her. She shrugged indifferently. "That's how it is."

Soon after Canberra dismissed me, once again I dove into the pool and sank into the bottom, willing myself to not float back up. This time, I was fully conscious of what I was doing. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.

When I first accepted this life - a life of isolating myself to train my powers with the Lake Trio - I knew how they would be: ruthless, unsparing, and relentless, as in any boot camp that existed ever. I watched on TV back when I was still with Jonathan and Sam about military workouts for the police officers, at last now I know what they're feeling. This strenuous pain is akin to what I watched on the program.

Even though I didn't like Canberra nor Iwes that much, I understood that their intentions were good. They're only trying to teach me the things I needed to know, despite my feelings that it was unnecessary.

However, deep down, I know they're right. I've just yet to acknowledge it.

Heya. A voice suddenly spoke to me from within my empty brain. I opened my eyes blearily. It was Merlot, lying on his belly and facing me. His twin tails intertwined with each other under the water, waving hypnotically. You doing okay? His voice spoke in my head.

I shook my head, not wanting to answer through telepathy right now. His eyes gleamed worriedly at me. Just talk to me. His voice pleaded. I sighed — or more like gargled bubbles — and focused, attempting to deliver my words into his brain.

Is this working? I couldn't tell if it was, but I definitely felt a connection, like an invisible red string linking our two minds.

Merlot gave me a small smile. Yeah, you're doing fine. He paused for a few seconds. You know, you're doing surprisingly well for your first time. I remember when I used to be screaming in pain like a wild persian. But you actually held yourself pretty well.

Believe me, I was at the edge of screaming, I said. I'm good at holding it back though.

I could see that, Merlot smiled. So how was training?

Awful, obviously. I blew out a few exhausted bubbles.

Heh, believe me, you haven't seen the worst of it, Merlot said. It was quite worrisome hearing him say that, but he must have sensed it added, you're strong though. You're clearly more than capable.

Well, I wouldn't know about that… I looked downwards, a bubble escaping my lips.

Don't worry. They're hard on you for a reason, he assured me confidently. Now, I should leave you to your beauty sleep.

I groaned. This isn't a beauty sleep.

Sure, whatever you'll call it. Anyway, give your brain a rest. You're gonna need it. With that, Merlot kicked his legs and swam upwards. His two tails made a small splash as he got out of the pond. I stared upwards at where he left, watching the sun's rays glisten beautifully on the water's surface.

A rest… sure… I mused, enjoying the thought of yet another, long nap while being enraptured in water's comfort. I slowly let my consciousness go, mind fading, slipping into another sleep…