Upon reaching Aurora, we landed at the park and noticed my team sitting there. I walked up to them and Scorch ran up quickly.

Scorch: Sweet, you made it…! Look over here.

He took my paw and nearly dragged me towards the group. When Scorch stopped he motioned and I looked. I was very confused to see Mila. He waved.

Shaymin: Mila…? How are you here?

Mila: It's… A long story. H- heh… I guess I was in the same issue as you.

Sky: Wait… You were our rescue team?

Mila shook his head.

Mila: N- no. I was exploring at sea after you left. I guess I got hit by the same storm that I was told about. Right before getting hit, I received a call about a large storm inbound. And well… I got knocked around and blacked out from taking a nasty hit to the head. And well… I woke up with a few looking down at me just down there by the docks.

Sky: Well then… Guess you're stranded here with us now.

Scorch: Luckily we contacted Nira like yesterday. He sent out an actual rescue team. Should take another three or so days hopefully…

Mila: Thank Arceus. I was worried I would've been here for much longer.

He looked down and sighed.

Mila: Does suck though… I lost my bag during the crash… I had a few findings I found in the ocean. Guess it could be worse though.

Scorch: At least you washed up here.

He nodded and sat back.

Mila: So… I actually didn't knew you all were here. I was hoping that storm didn't take you, but I guess it wasn't meant to be…

Scorch: It's fine though. Nira will be here any day now. Soon enough, we'll be back to our daily runs.

Sky looked at me and stood quiet. I walked up to him as he spoke quietly.

Sky: Kinda strange. We arrived here. Then this Meowth appeared. Not sure if it's luck or this storm took us here.

Shaymin: What do you mean?

Sky: I don't know… Just kinda weird.

I shrugged gently as the others spoke for a moment. Scorch looked over to me.

Scorch: Did you find anything cool?

Shaymin: We explored a bit. Lots of nice locations around… But nothing too crazy…

Scorch: Oh well. We can maybe focus on exploring as a group soon.

Mila soon got up and stretched.

Mila: Is there a place for me to rest? I feel like hell and so sore after all that.

Ember: Yeah, we have a hotel room. I'll take you there.

Ember along with everyone else lead Mila to our hotel. Scorch and Shock stood behind. They looked at us and Shock spoke.

Shock: Man… I can't wait to return home.

Shaymin: Yeah…

Scorch: It shouldn't be too hard lasting a few more days. How about the four of us go somewhere to eat? Or maybe we can head on an adventure.

Sky: Actually, I have plans with Shaymin.

I looked at him, a bit confused.

Scorch: Oh…? Okay then. Guess we'll meet up later.

Scorch walked off with Shock as I still looked a bit confused.

Shaymin: We have plans?

Sky: Kinda… I just wanted to be away from everyone for a little.

Shaymin: I guess you'll head back to your mountain after returning home…?

He nodded and started walking down the road. I followed next to him as he sighed gently. He stood quiet and soon we reached a large building which appeared to be a library.

Sky: I've been searching online and found this library… I just wanted to know if it had a certain book…

Shaymin: Hmm? I guess I can help.

Sky: Thanks… I read that they collected some rare books and I have a feeling…

Shaymin: Hmm…?

Sky: I'm not sure… Lets just look, alright…?

He took out a piece of paper and gave it to me. It appeared to be a book title as he walked in. I was a bit confused since Sky was acting quite different. I guess I shouldn't really ask him about it. I just walked in and started to search hundreds upon hundreds of books. I searched for a good while and after half an hour, I located a book with a similar name. I took it and pulled it from the shelf. This book was massive and weighed like 50 pounds. I held it tightly and stumbled back from it. I stumbled back into the wall and shivered.

Shaymin: W- why is it so heavy…?

Looking down at it, I held it tightly and started to walk around. I found Sky after five minutes and walked up to him, somewhat panting. He noticed me and ran up. He quickly took the book and smiled.

Sky: This is it. I'm quite glad…

He sat at a table and opened it.

Sky: This might take a while… Why don't you find Scorch? I'll call you when I'm finished.

Shaymin: Oh, um, okay.

I walked off and exited the building. It wasn't really hard to find Scorch as I found him at an outdoor cafe. He was eating some sort of biscuit while checking out a map.

Shaymin: Hey, there you are…

He looked up at me and waved.

Scorch: Done with Sky already?

Shaymin: Yeah… He just needed some help with something.

Scorch: Ah. Well, I was preparing to head out.

Shaymin: Where?

Scorch: Eh, nowhere special. I was gonna hop into a boat and travel to a nearby island.

Shaymin: Thought you wanted to stay away from the water.

Scorch: It isn't too far away.

Shaymin: Oh… Then I guess I'll go…

He nodded and got up. Scorch walked up to Shock who was chatting with some others. They spoke for a moment and after a second, they walked up to me.

Shock: So you decided to come with us?

Shaymin: Yeah, I guess so.

Shock: Heh, sounds good.

Scorch: Well…! We should get going before it gets dark out. I've already prepared our ride.

Shock: Should've really went with a bigger one than a small wooden row boat…

Scorch: Hey, it was cheap to rent. Lets just get going, hmm?

Shock sighed and shrugged. Scorch looked at me and motioned to follow. We walked down to the docks and got into the boat that Scorch got.

Scorch: Okay, lets get going, hmm?

Both of us nodded as we made our way to this island.


1 Year, 350 Days Ago
8:00 AM
Cherry Blossom Lake


I walked through the garden and found Xerneas a few minutes in. He looked up from his work and simply nodded.

Xerneas: Didn't expect you to come so early… But that's fine.

Nodding, I watched as he turned to face a rack.

Xerneas: Guess you received my message that your sapling is ready...

Shaymin: Yeah. Thanks.

Walking up to the rack, I took the black and red pot. Smiling, I looked over the tiny little tree that already had a few pink leaves on it.

Shaymin: Didn't really expect it to grow so fast. But I am kinda glad… Mew recently received a reward for… Something. I wasn't able to ask… Because of that, I wanted to give her a gift.

Xerneas: Hmm? I believe I heard about that. Well, good for her…

Shaymin: Yeah… I wanted to grow her a cherry blossom tree.

Xerneas: I was somewhat confused to why you started growing a Sakura tree. But eh… Nice of you I guess.

Shaymin: Mew really liked these trees, so yeah… I decided to grow one for her.

Xerneas: I'm sure she'll like it… Anyways, I guess you should go back now. I have a lot of work today…

Shaymin: O- okay. Thanks.

Xerneas nodded and started walking deep within the garden. I watched him for a bit before turning back and held the pot close. Looking down, I felt a bit happy. I was kinda wondering what Mew would think of this. It made me feel a tiny bit nervous.

Inhaling, I walked back home. I planned on giving Mew her gift the next time I see her.


Current Day
5:20 PM
Unknown Island


Scorch: We're here!

Scorch exclaimed and jumped from the boat as it reached land. Shock and I got off as Shock beached the boat. After making sure it wouldn't be washed away, he began following us into the trees.

Shock and I followed behind Scorch as he explored the surrounding beach.

Scorch: Okay… Not looking bad.

Scorch smiled and faced us.

Scorch: I want to head deeper.

Before he continued, we heard something in the trees. Scorch looked back and tilted his head.

Scorch: Err, ignore that. Lets explore!

Shock sighed as Scorch ran into the greenery.

Shock: Do you just want to hang around on the beach? Let Scorch run aimlessly through that jungle.

Shaymin: Uh, s- sure… I rather stay out here.

We walked towards the water and sat down in the sand. Shock laid back and stretched.

Shock: What should we do when we get home?

Shaymin: Huh?

Shock: Going to explore with Sky or something? It seems like you are quite close with him. Kinda strange honestly…

I looked at him.

Shock: What? You seem pretty close to him. Kinda forgetting about us.

Shaymin: Uh… S- sorry… Sky often brings me places that he wants to go.

Shock shrugged and sat back up.

Shock: Eh, it's fine… Anyways… I've been wondering what Autumn's gonna say when we get back. Lets hope he isn't too pissed. And if so, oh well.

He looked at me and suddenly stopped.

Shock: Huh… What's that?

Looking confused, I turned to look behind me and noticed a shiny object within the sand. Shock got up and went over to it as I remained where I was. I was looking forward towards the city and after a bit, Shock somewhat stumbled back up to me. His movement confused me as I got up. That's when I noticed some blood trailing behind.

Shaymin: Uh… You good?

Shock: Well, the shiny stuff was glass. But luckily I didn't cut up my foot for nothing.

He held a paw out to reveal a small bag.

Shock: It had some money in it. At least I think it was money.

He removed a solid gold coin which a strange icon on it. It didn't look like any money I know of.

Shock: Who knows? Could get us some cash.

I nodded as he sat down to patch his foot up.

After a few minutes, we heard Scorch call out. We turned back as Scorch ran quickly out. He looked somewhat panicked and this confused Shock. Scorch stopped a few feet from us and panted heavily.

Shock: The hell happened? Very much unlike you…

Scorch: J- just come quickly…

Scorch panted heavily and looked exhausted from sprinting full on.

Shock: Uh… Okay…?

Shock got up as I followed. Scorch then lead us into the jungle. He kept quiet and after walking for ten minutes, he stopped and pointed. It was just some bushes as he moved them aside to reveal a hatch.

Shock: Hmm?

Scorch: I- I managed to break the lock and open it with some force… But… When exploring… S- something happened… I ran back outside and went to you two…

Scorch gripped a rusty bar and yanked. It took a few seconds before he managed to open it. When he fully opened it, we looked down and it was pitch black.

Scorch: I found… An old lantern down there… S- should still be there…

Scorch continued to pant as Shock rolled his eyes.

Shock: Did you get scared of some nuclear bunker?

Scorch shook his head.

Scorch: It's… Different. J- just look.

He walked down the stairs as we followed. After getting to the bottom, we noticed a flickering light as Scorch went up and took it. It was a pretty rusty lantern that looked quite gross.

Scorch: H- here it is. Here… Come look.

Scorch walked down a hallway as Shock looked at me.

Shock: Spooky, hmm?

I just shrugged and followed Scorch. We walked down this hallway. The walls were cracked and damp with water damage. The ground was covered in trash and dirt. I wasn't a big fan of it. But wanting to know what scared Scorch so much, I pushed through it.

After a bit of walking, Scorch finally stopped as we looked. It appeared to be just a simple wall. A dead end.

Shock: Oh? A secret passage perhaps?

Scorch nodded slowly and pushed something on the wall. He stepped back as the wall in front of us moved to reveal another staircase that lead down. When the passage was revealed, we were hit by a sudden cold that made me shiver quite heavily.

Scorch: Watch out… S- some of the stairs are damage… Can easily fall.

He started walking down the stairs as we followed. We walked down these stairs for a while and I felt a bit weird. When we reached the bottom, I stopped. We were in an underground cave. A large waterfall sent water into a massive pit. I slowly walked to the edge and looked down. It was almost bottomless. At least 400 meters down or something. It actually looked nice. A beam of light shined down as I looked up.

Shaymin: Huh… Looks like an opening from somewhere on the island. This place looks really nice though…

Shock: Yeah. Why did you get so scared? I thought you enjoyed exploring dark caves like these.

Scorch: It's not… That…

Scorch walked to the edge and pointed down to reveal another cave entrance. About 50 feet down.

Scorch: I saw… A group…

Shock: And that's what scared you…? You encountered many on the same paths before.

Scorch looked right at Shock and spoke.

Scorch: They're back… Team Shadow…

Shock: Those losers? Ha! I knew their hideouts were attacked and some escaped, but seriously. You are scared of a few lost members?

Scorch: They attacked Catalyst and took the entire town almost.

I was standing there, looking completely lost as Shock turned to face me.

Shock: Right… New to this. Well, Team Shadow is a team of nobodies. It's actually funny that Scorch is scared of them. No one else is, heh…

Scorch: I'm not scared… I'm just pissed at them.

Shock: Then why did you sprint to us looking like you saw the devil?

Shock shook his head and spoke.

Shock: So… These asses were just thugs. And what Scorch said about Catalyst, well… Catalyst used to be a town far from Hexa. It's one of the places Scorch lived at for a bit while making his way to Hexa. And well, these nobodies raided the place and Scorch along with a few others escaped. Nothing too crazy. It happens around those parts. After the raid on Catalyst, a group known as the Rebellion or something discovered a load of their hideouts and attacked them. And after that, Team Shadow was destroyed.

He crossed his arms and scoffed, smirking gently.

Shock: Oh man… It's gonna be one hell of a show if this gets back to the leader of this group. They like using… Fire. Lots of fire…

He quickly turned back and shrugged.

Shock: Eh, I'll probably send a note about this location. But enough of that… We should totally explore this place. Maybe not where Scorch saw them… But I would love to see what this place has to offer.

Scorch sighed and nodded gently.

Scorch: I guess… I do love exploring these kinds of places… Just keep an eye out, alright?

Shock: Sure, sure. Lets explore now!

Shock motioned me to follow as I followed him deeper into the cave. Scorch walked behind us as we started to explore this interesting cave system...