It began to snow as I walked down the path. Looking up, I sighed gently.

Shaymin: Maybe I should turn back…

Looking at the time, it appeared I've been out wandering around for nearly 45 minutes.

Shaymin: Yeah… Maybe best…

I started heading back, and after reaching the town, I went inside because it started getting really cold. After entering, I saw only Gluttony who laid on the couch and playing on a handheld console. He didn't even bother looking up as I closed the door.

Shaymin: Uh… Where is everyone?

Gluttony: Um. I think they said something about heading to Autumn. That was like 20 minutes ago, so I am unsure what's going on.

Shaymin: O- oh…

Thinking for a moment, I decided to join them. So turning back, I started heading up to the guild hall.

I reached the building and opened the door. That's when I saw everyone standing around and talking. Closing the door behind me, I began walking up to them.

Autumn: Hmm… I'll allow it. But you'll need to travel across the ocean. And well… Last time didn't turn out well. Are you sure?

Scorch: It's risky… But I really think we can do this.

Autumn: Alright, fine. Since last time, I had Bolt work on some upgrades for that ship since it was nearly falling apart previously.

Scorch: Awesome. I'm sure Shock will have an easier time then.

Autumn: Just be careful. I don't know why you want to go through the trouble of traveling to Kuri City since it's a good few days by sea… But I guess I shouldn't ask. I'll have Bolt map out a route for you to use.

Shock: I guess I'll let you do that then. I'll be down on the beach to prepare supplies.

Standing by, I remained silent as they spoke for another minute before departing. Autumn walked into another room as the others turned back and noticed me.

Scorch: Oh? Shaymin? Didn't expect you to be back so soon.

Shaymin: Yeah, uh, Gluttony told me where you went…

Shock: Well, I guess you heard some of our conversation then? We were gonna tell you anyway, but the short story is that we've decided to take a request that requires us to travel across the ocean again.

Shaymin: Uh… But we barely managed to survive the last time we headed out there.

Shock: I know… But this request is sorta… Personal. And thankfully Bolt worked on our ride. We shouldn't be torn apart this time.

Shaymin: If… You say so.

Scorch: I am excited. Kuri City is our destination. It will take about four days or so… But I am excited because I've been there before! I… Lived nearby. So it'd be really awesome returning to see it again. I know we're going there for a mission, but I will show you my favorite ramen shop!

Ember: Eh, I'm down for that.

Shock: Anyway… I guess you should prepare. I'll be down at the boat.

We all started walking down the road and back into the house. I grabbed my bag and placed a few items into it.

Shaymin: Guess we're going on another adventure. Just a bit nervous for another storm…

Standing up, I held my bag and started walking towards the door.

Gluttony: Where are you going?

Looking over, I noticed Gluttony and Frost who played a card game. I explained to them and Gluttony jumped up.

Gluttony: Sweet! Another adventure!

Frost: Jeez… Great way to avoid losing.

Frost placed the cards down and stood up.

Shaymin: Uh… I guess you two want to go?

Gluttony: Of course! I was getting bored sitting around.

Frost: Err. I guess I'll go. Maybe find some new items to sell.

So the two walked off and grabbed their things. After that, we started heading down to the beach. We reached the beach and everyone else was waiting as Shock checked over the ship. After he gave an okay, we walked onto the ship. Looking around, the ship had what looked like reinforced wood and some metal bolts.

Shock: Bolt added some protection from harsher weather it looks like… Lets just hope it holds…

Shock walked up to the ship's wheel and was about to begin. But a quick shadow passed over me before I felt something land behind me. Turning around, it was Sky.

Sky: Going without me? Though I must say you are crazy heading back out there after last time.

Shock: Huh… Didn't expect you. Well, we are going on a mission.

Sky: Which requires you to cross this death ocean again? Alright…

Shock: I'll explain on the way there.

Shock started to sail the boat as all of us stood around and prepared for what the open waters had for us this time.


Two Days Later


The rain fell heavily as thunder and lightning happened almost constantly. I was sitting and sighed at this. All the others were standing around.

Scorch: Well, this is a good sign, right? At least we hadn't fallen apart yet.

Cloud: It's been raining like this for nearly two days now… How long is this gonna take? Another two days?

Scorch: Err… Hopefully.

Ember: Should we check on Shock? He's alone in the rain. Maybe he'll need help.

Cloud: Screw that… I rather stay dry.

Scorch sighed and got up.

Scorch: Guess it's me then. I'll be back soon if everything's alright.

Scorch left and this was followed by Sky walking out, telling us he'll check things out.

Looking out of the window, I just stood silent. The rain continued heavily. After ten minutes, I started wondering what the other two were doing. So standing up, I walked out into the rain. It was almost pitch black due to it being late. The only lighting was the lightning which lit up the entire sea with no land in sight.

Walking up the stairs, I saw Shock focusing hard to see what was in front of him. Scorch and Sky was strapping down some supplies.

Shock: This sucks… I can barely see anything.

Sky: I can take over if you need rest.

Shock: Nah, I'm fine. It's just hard looking out for any sign of land.

Looking up, I started to wonder if I could get a better view from the top. So I walked down and started climbing the ladder. It was pretty intense as the wind blew this simple rope ladder around forcefully, but luckily I made it to the top and started looking out, only getting a second to scan the area with each flash of lightning.

After a minute, I saw something in the distance for just a moment. I looked closely and another lightning flash happened. It looked like land. I was somewhat surprised as I climbed down and walked up to Shock.

Shaymin: Uh… I got a view from above and saw land straight ahead.

Shock: Huh? Finally… Maybe we reached our destination quicker than expected.

Shaymin: Lets hope.

Sky: I'll go tell the others.

Sky walked off as I stood by Shock. After ten minutes, something strange happened. Visibility was already tough, but as we approached land, a thick fog rolled over. This made it almost impossible to see.

Shock: Must… Be the storm. I really hope we don't ram into land…

I got ready for an impact, but thankfully after 30 seconds, the fog somewhat passed. It was still misty, but we were able to see the upcoming darkness of land. So Shock began gliding the boat into a parking spot. We felt the boat stop as we finally hit land.

Shock: Bit forceful with the parking, but at least we won't have to worry about it drifting off to sea.

Shock walked down the stairs as the others walked out.

Ember: Jeez… I can't see anything. And it hadn't stopped raining. Ugh…

Cloud: Hmm… Mist and rain… Sounds like a setting for a horror movie.

Shock: I'm sure the rain will pass soon. So, uh… How about we prepare for the journey ahead?

Sky: You do that. I'll make sure the ship's secure.

So everyone started getting ready. The rain finally slowed as we walked down onto the beach.

Shock: Hmm… You sure you wanna explore this place when it's dark and rainy? I'm freezing because of it…

Scorch: I do wanna wait until morning, but we need to make sure nothing will happen. So why not check the area?

Shock: What? You think we'll get attacked by an unknown group?

Scorch: Not really. But you never know.

Looking back, I noticed Cloud and Ember staying back. These two decided to stay back to keep an eye on everything. The rest of us however decided to explore this location. So after taking out a few flashlights from our supply box, we began walking deeper into this land. For some reason the flashlights didn't do anything. They couldn't get through the thick fog that appeared once again.

Shaymin: This is… Strange. I've never seen such heavy fog.

Looking over to Scorch, I spoke.

Shaymin: Ever seen such fog?

Scorch shook his head. So after that, we started walking in silence. The sound of rain was the only thing we heard. This is when I noticed Sky didn't speak at all. So I turned to look at him but stopped. Sky was standing still and looking up. His tail and wings hung low and he looked upset in a way.

Shaymin: Uh… S- Sky?

Sky stood completely silent as the others stopped. He kept looking for a moment before looking at me.

Sky: I…

Sky closed eyes his eyes and shook.

Sky: T- this place… I… Know it… T- the darkness and thick mist… The… Weather too…

Scorch: You know this place?

Sky crossed his arms and looked down.

Sky: My… Birthplace…

Everything went quiet as Scorch looked surprised.

Sky: I need some time alone… Uh… Y- you all can explore around. I'll… Meet everyone back at the ship…

Sky began walking into the mist as I looked at the others.

Shaymin: Uh… Sky sorta told me a bit about this place. I didn't actually expect to dock here.

Scorch: What are the chances of discovering such a location? Well… I guess I should explore around. At least the best I can through this mist.

Shaymin: Okay… I guess I should follow Sky. I don't want him to get lost.

Scorch: Eh, sounds good. I guess we'll meet back at the ship.

Everyone began walking back as I looked to where Sky walked off to. So I started walking down the path.

After following this path for a few minutes, I ended up walking into a village. The buildings were falling apart and had massive damage. Sky was sitting on some steps and remained silent. He then looked up to see me.

Sky: Didn't expect you to come here. Welcome to Midnight Village… Seen better days…

Sky sighed and got up.

Sky: Sorry. I just wanted to head here to check on something.

Shaymin: Huh?

Sky turned around to face the building he was sitting outside at.

Sky: This building used to be some sort of library. I've just wanted to see if I can salvage some books… Hopefully ones that aren't damage beyond repair.

Shaymin: Books?

Sky: Yeah, err… There are a few I used to love. I hope I can find a few. Bring some of our history back with me…

Nodding, he walked in. I followed as he began searching what was left of this building. A large hole was in the roof as the rain fell through.

Shaymin: What… Happened to this place?

Sky: I fled before seeing anything…

Sky looked down and continued his search. While he was searching, I started checking under stuff. Bookcases had a few books underneath them as I reached towards them. They were actually in good condition other than being covered in dust. So I collected a few and placed them on a counter.

I wiped down the covers and looked back at Sky.

Shaymin: Hey, I found some books. They were sorta heavy too…

Sky stood up and walked over. He looked over the books and he looked a bit surprised.

Sky: Huh… This really survived?

Sky reached down and took a large book. Easily a few hundred pages. He opened it up and flipped through the pages.

Sky: So happy this is in good condition...

He sat down and started looking through it. While he was doing that, I just checked over the other books. But he soon spoke up.

Sky: It… Sounds strange… But this reminds me of when I was younger… Being born like this made others look at me different, so I would often come here to read. Kinda made me feel better after getting pushed away by others.

Shaymin: S- sounds like you weren't entirely liked…

Sky: Yeah… No one was born with such features like me. Most thought bad stuff about me… But I never really minded.

He continued looking through the book. But he soon closed it and stood up.

Sky: I'll collect these before we leave…

Sky placed the books in a stack and sighed.

Sky: It feels… Odd being back. I'm going to look around for a bit more…

Sky got up and walked towards the door before leaving. After he left, I looked at the books and sat down. I then began warming up the best I could before following Sky out. After feeling good enough, I walked out to find Sky who was checking over some houses. Walking up to him, he looked over to me.

Sky: I remember all this…

He sighed and shook his head. He turned and walked down the path. Following, he took me to a large tree. Sky stopped and looked up.

Sky: H- huh…?

Tilting my head, I looked up and saw a massive axe stuck within this tree.

Sky: It is still here… Thua's weapon of that war…

Sky proceeded to walk up to the tree and placed a paw on it. He closed his eyes and sighed. After a moment, he removed his paw and looked back at me.

Sky: It's… Pretty late. Maybe… Head back for now?

Shaymin: S- sure.

Sky and I began walking back. He took the books and once we reached the ship, he walked into a room as I joined the others.

Scorch: There you are. What took so long?

Shaymin: Oh, uh… We were checking things out.

Scorch: Oh, okay. Well, most already went to bed. Hope this rain stops soon…

Nodding, Scorch stretched.

Scorch: Well, I might just get some sleep too. See you in the morning, hmm?

He then walked off.

Shaymin: Yeah… Maybe I should get some rest too…

Walking to another part of the ship, I found a place to sleep and I soon fell asleep...