Shiro

My mouth stretched into a yawn as I rubbed my left eye with a forepaw. I wasn't doing anything in particular, so I really had no reason to be tired, I just sort of was. I shook my head and stretched out my legs, still laying down in my small bed. I was actually offered to officially have a room at the Nest, one with Charm and I. He took the offer, wanting to give Kuro and Naru space, especially when Kuro comes back, but I declined it. I'd rather stay in this room as long as I'm allowed to. I felt safe here, and while I knew that other rooms in the Nest were no less safe than this one, I just felt more so here. I asked Naru and she didn't mind, she actually seemed happy to have me stay here, and assured me that Kuro would be no less glad that I'd be living with the two of them. Since there wasn't any complications, I was more than happy to remain in the same room.

I accidentally slid my paw over a small book next to my bed, one that I had been reading. Naru got it for me from someone else working in the Nest, noticing that I don't have too much to do here when I'm not walking around with her. She thought that she may need to teach me how to read, but I was easily able to pick up on it. I have no clue where I learned how to read, but I decided not to overthink it. Wondering about where I came from did nothing but drive my head in circles, there was way too much I had no clue about to really have any real idea of anything regarding who I am or where I came from. I have nothing but fuzzy images in my head, images that don't even seem real, but they're in my head so they must be.

I rolled over onto my back and closed my eyes. I thought of Naru, who's been acting sorta… off lately. At times, it seemed like her usually cheery and happy attitude would drop, but just for a second. Like, she would be talking, and for a split moment, her tone would sound sad. It never lasted any longer than that, which is the weirdest thing about this. When she was upset, she wouldn't usually hide it. At least, I don't think she ever has. I've seen her feeling down, and if she was willing to show me her feelings like that at all, then why would she hide them at times too? To me, it didn't make sense. Although I will admit, she's been more quiet than usual for a while now. But things might just not be as lively with only the two of us. That would make sense, right?

"I'm sure that's it." I said to myself with a small sigh. I hated how much I didn't know. It bothered me even more when I figured out that I love to explore and learn, yet this is something I don't think I can figure out. At least, not any time in the near future. Maybe I'll have flashbacks, or weird visions, but I won't learn anything new. I mumbled to myself and lifted my forepaws into the air.

"Maybe I'll find something… Maybe…" My eyes traced up one of my forelegs, to my right forepaw. I paused though, noticing something off. My head slowly tilted to the side. What… the…

On the center of the top of my paw was a small, black blur. It looked almost like ink, spread out like an unknown, random shape. After staring for a solid minute or two, I brought my paw closer to my head, and sniffed it. It didn't have a unique smell, it didn't smell like anything actually. Did I step in something..? But then wouldn't it smell..?

The black blob didn't look like it was on my fur though, almost as if it merged into my paw. I took my other forepaw and rubbed it against the blob, but nothing happened. The shape remained exactly the same, and my totally clean paw looked exactly the same, so it couldn't have been ink or anything. Wait, how do I know what ink is in the first place?

I placed my now seemingly marked paw on my forehead, annoyed at myself. I always found a way to put more in my head to figure out, I couldn't hold myself back apparently. I tried as hard as I could to think of where the new symbol could have come from, but I didn't come to any reasonable conclusion. It wasn't there yesterday though, or the day before that, or any time I can remember. It's just kinda here. I really wish my new desire to explore didn't come at a time when all I knew how to do is place unsolvable questions in my head constantly.

I felt a faint ache in my head, making me squint my eyes. A rough side effect of me thinking too much, that seemed reasonable. As time passed though, the ache transformed into dizziness. My head was leaned back against my bed, perfectly still. There wasn't anything that would cause me to suddenly get dizzy. Behind my closed eyes, a blur of color began forming. Light, autumn-like colors in a shape I couldn't make out.

The image didn't remain long enough for me to take a breath, as soon as it was there, it vanished. I felt weirdly… attached to it though. As if it was something I knew well, something I was overly familiar with. I didn't get the chance to compare it with anything though, it was already fading from my memory as soon as it introduced itself. I suddenly felt sick.

"Ugh…" I slowly opened my eyes and flopped over onto my stomach. I had an uneasy feeling spreading throughout my stomach, I couldn't make out quite what it was. I was however, able to tell how foreign this sensation was. Nausea? Not really. It had a hint of pain in it, too different for it to just be a stomach bug. I think anyway. I know nothing about that stuff. I tried my best to comprehend whatever I felt at any given moment, but I didn't succeed too often. Better to try than just lay down all confused. Well, I was still laying down, and very confused… But it's the effort that matters. I think anyway.

My stomach calmed down after a few moments. I slowly dragged my paw on it, with some vague hope that would keep the strange feeling at bay. Whether that was actually the case or not I would find out soon enough. At least, I hoped so. My ear twitched to the slow opening of the entrance to our room, causing me to turn my head with suppressed excitement.

Shine

My legs were a bit wobbly.

To be honest, there was a bit of a blank space in my memory now, after I… did something. Passed out I think. The last thing I remember is the overreaction from Apex when I mentioned being able to control a group with charisma, after that, blank. Wait wait, what about the mission?

The air around me felt really dense, my surroundings looked as if I was in a rocky room of some kind. Well, the walls around me were made of rocks, more accurately. Each rigid edge was a light brown, very sturdy-looking, and not evenly aligned with one another. It was almost as if I was still in the cave we entered for our assignment, but I could tell it was different. Especially because it wasn't nearly pitch black. My back had a rather sudden ache, I suppressed a groan once it hit me. I was laying on something rough, and after taking a second to think, I quickly realized that it was a rock, just like the ones pointing from the walls. Ouch... Least' it's not as bad as the ankle weights.

"I'm an… exception? You're confusing me bud."

Crescent's voice made my body jump a little, I forgot she was in the same room as me. Her alongside Apex that is.

"That's what you need to advertise yourself as here. I'll vouch for you. Otherwise, this is a very bad place for you to be." Apex replied to Crescent, in a rather strict tone. Are we somewhere dangerous now? Or, more dangerous?

"Sooooooo why did you take me here if it's that dangerous?" Crescent said sarcastically. I'm sorta curious too. Granted, I have no clue where we are.

"Because I have the ability to nullify that danger. As long as you don't act in a aggressive manner to anyone, you'll be fine. I already explained the situation to them." Them? Who's them?

"Them? Who's them?" Crescent curiously asked, sounding almost as if she was on edge.

"The pokemon that live here. They can be rather rude to your kind, but they'll trust my word."

"My… kind?" Crescent tilted her head. "DO you have a problem with me being snarky to you? Should've have just said some-"

"No, no." Apex interrupted with a sigh. "Your typing. You being a fairy is the problem."

"Pardon? I was born- wait, no I wasn't." She looked to the ground, as if she had just made a self-changing revelation. "What does that have to do with anything though?"

"They've been taught to hate those of your type. Not only that, but those who are dark types as well." Apex explained. I admittedly got a little worried at the sound of that. "However, they will trust my word. I'm certain of it."

"You their leader or something?"

"Not precisely. I'm their… never mind. That's not important right now. Yesterday, we completed the task you two were assigned. You're not obligated to stay here any longer, so feel free to leave at your own leisure." Apex turned away, fiddling with something between one of his claws.

"Uh… So we did something?" Crescent questioned. "Gonna be honest, I don't remember doing anything besides walking for a bit." I'm the same way, strange.

"You both did. You did more than I was expecting." Apex turned to us. "You made a discovery, a very important one. And for that, I must thank you." He bowed his head, none of my confusion faded though.

"Buuuuut, don't we have to report back to Ark? What do we say? Or wait, more importantly, what in the hell did we do?" Crescent asked, dumbfounded. Come to think of it, didn't we find something? And then… um… do something?

"Just tell him that you accomplished exactly what you needed to. Nothing more, nothing less. I'll fill him in on specifics." Apex lifted his head, turning away once more.

"Isn't this kind of thing important to know though? Like, so we know we didn't kill anyone without remorse or almost kill you or something?" Why do you always jump to the conclusion of murder?

"It isn't." Apex simply said.

Okay… This is weird.

The whole time we've been with Apex, I've been looking the other way. I'm trying to not assume the worst of everything he says or does, even if I don't quite understand it. There's only so much I can ignore without answers though. From context, I could assume that we're somewhere near where we met up with him in the first place, but, why exactly are the locals here against certain types? And beyond that, why do they listen to him specifically? What in the world did we get ourselves into..?

Without warning, one of the rocks that made up the walls surrounding us made a loud, indecipherable noise, as it slowly slid out of place. In its wake, a light leading to a new area, outside of… this. A few trees caught my eye, but before anything else, Apex stood in the new entrance, taking a step out.

"I suggest that you two leave. Go back to your camp and Preport to Ark that you succeeded once you get the chance. Do not wander, do not overstay your welcome. Every extra second you spend here is more risk to account for." Apex told us sternly. "We met up about a mile west of here. Head there immediately and-"

"Why?"

Apex slowly turned his head as I cut him off.

"Why are you claiming that we're safe, and then telling us to leave as soon as possible? It doesn't make much sense." I interjected.

A long and drawn out period of silence passed. Crescent spent the whole time switching her eyes from Apex, and then back to me.

"You aren't owed an explanation." He replied, staring me down. He didn't look hostile, but I couldn't help but feel an air of animosity coming from him.

"And we aren't obligated to listen to what you say." I challenged.

"When did you get a mouth?" He took a step towards me, shooting a bit of fear into me. I tried my very best to stand strong, despite this. "The mission I was to accomplish with you is over. We are strangers once again. This is my territory. I suggest you leave. Now." Apex growled.

Another long pause took place.

"You have some sort of control over the pokemon that live here, right? That bit is obvious." I gulped, starting to sweat a little bit. "You wouldn't also happen to be the one-"

Apex lunged forward, not giving any foreseeable restraint in his speed. I let out a small gasp and ducked down, rolling forward in an awkward flop. I felt the claws of Apex graze the tips of my ears and I tumbled forward. Right after that, a very audible crack echoed in the small room we were in, despite it being open to the outside now. After falling on my stomach, I stood back up and turned around, trembling.

"Hey! What the hell!?" Crescent shouted, stepping beside me and using her ribbons to hold me steady before I fell over again. I got the chance to raise my eyes to her, only to see her bear her fangs and let out a growl.

Apex held still, totally silent. He removed his claw from the rocky wall, now split into fourths, barely holding together. "I told you to leave. You're not in a position to argue, or gather information." He said, turning his body back towards the two of us.

"So you attack us!?" Crescent shouted back, making sure I could stand. "Chill out dude! What happened to being allies!?"

"I never called you my allies. We were to accomplish a task together, that's all. If you pry for information, you better expect the consequences." Aven reeled one of his arms back, the tips of his claws glowing a dim magenta. "I don't know where your suspicions lie exactly, but slander is harmful to my cause." I coughed a few times, probably a stress cough. It's not slander if it's true.

"It's not-" Crescent stopped herself from talking, tossing me aside with her extended ribbons. I collided with the wall, knocking the breath out of me for a quick second. I slumped to the ground and watched as what looked like a pink lightning strike sped across my field of vision. My trembling picked up a little bit, as I tried my best to push myself off of the ground. What would that have done if it hit me..?

"I don't have any desire to continue listening to you." Apex leaned backwards, his eyes forming what I could only describe as a terrifying glare. "Ark would believe me if I told him you two died in unexpected combat."

"Well shit…" Crescent crouched down, surprisingly enough, smirking. "SOOOO, what you're saying is that, one we survive this fight, we have confirmation that you're some kind of manipulative… dictator?"

"You won't be alive."

Apex didn't hesitate. A small ball formed in his hand, glowing a much darker shade of pink, compared to the strange lightning strike earlier. As soon as it formed, it was tossed right at Crescent. My legs were still uneasy, and my head felt fuzzy. I couldn't do anything but sit there and watch as the attack cut through the air.

Crescent licked her lips and strafed the attack, the sphere barely missing her and flying out of the open crevice. She dashed at Apex, keeping her head low. Apex approached in the same manner as her, reaching his arm forward and seemingly trying to grab Crescent. She slipped through that as well, wrapping one of her ribbons around his arm. "Bad move buddy!"

Crescent's ribbon began to glow, similar to the way it did when I first met her, and she healed my wounds. Apex had a noticeable change in expression, and he brought his other arm down, wanting to swat Crescent away like a bug. Instead of trying to stay latched onto Apex, Crescent detached her ribbons and rolled away, but didn't quite dodge the swing. It connected with the side of her body, but not at a proper angle to hurt much. She stumbled back a few inches, but didn't show many signs of pain other than that. Despite her ribbons no longer connecting her to Apex, there was a faint, glitter like substance on Apex's arm. He looked down at it and grunted.

"You sure you want to pick a fight with a fairy? Or sorry, an 'Angel?'" Crescent taunted, letting out a devilish giggle. Now isn't the time to mess around…

"Your species is irrelevant to me." Apex looked at Crescent once more, his glare not quite as hard as before, but it was still evident. "You can try your best to dismantle my ability to kill you, but it won't help you."

"Mind telling me why you're standing still? Hmmmm?~" Crescent took a step closer to Apex, but in a strange manner. It was as if she forgot he was attempting to kill us.

Apex remained motionless. HIs eyes though, were now slowly closing. Once they were hidden behind his eyelids, he muttered a few incomprehensible words. I couldn't make them out, they sounded like gibberish. After his indecipherable rambling was done, his eyes slowly opened again. "Kill the fairy and her friend."

I tilted my head in confusion. I was soon given an explanation, in a manner other than words.

From the opening in the room we were held in, a hitmontop sped in, rotating almost faster than I could track while balancing on their head. They rushed at Crescent, slamming into her and sending her into the rocky wall adjacent to me. Her mouth opened with a surprised gasp, and she slumped to the floor, catching her breath. My body shuddered, as the hitmontop backed up to the entrance again, no longer spinning as fast. They hopped off the the ground, half-flipping onto their own four appendages. RIght behind them, was about five more pokemon, holding mindless stares. Behind them, were ten more. From my perspective, an army had gathered close to us, ready to attack.

I froze in place, taking in a heavy gulp. My mind went blank for a split second, as if time around me had stopped. I felt my heart beating out of my chest, pounding as if it was trying to burst out. My shaking had oddly stopped, but my feelings of fear were in no way gone. I couldn't hear anything, as if the world had gone silent alongside frozen time. My head, my body, everything felt blank.

How do I get myself into these situations..?

My trembling didn't settle down, but I knew something needed to be done. As to what that something was, I had no idea. My eyes were trained on Crescent. She almost always had the same glare when she her situation was in a dire state. It's something I've noticed over the time we've spent with one another. Behind the aggressor's glare she always put on, there was undoubtedly a hint of fear. She wouldn't outright say that, but I could see it. Although, alongside that emotion, she always had something else too. A lack of hesitation in her actions, her mind seemingly unchangeable once it was set on her next action. I don't know how she did it, it's not something I could mirror. I would be lying though, if I said I didn't admire it.

Supremely confident or not, she must know as well as I do how screwed we are.

The hitmontop flipped over onto their head again, looking ready to charge. Right after the one leading the pack attacks, it's likely the rest will follow. What happens then? Well, other than the obvious conclusion? I… I don't want to find out.

My hind legs stiffened, and I jammed whatever anxiety I had down as far as I could. I took in a large gulp of air and held my breath, and leapt forward, despite my wobbly legs. I essentially tackled Crescent, bringing her to the ground with me, which wasn't exactly my intention, but it would lead to the same effect. She let out a surprised gasp, but I couldn't pay attention to that right now. I closed my eyes, wrapping the two of us in a bright glow. My body went from feeling oddly blank to light, as if all of my weight had vanished. I grit my teeth and focused, spreading the feeling to Crescent as best I could.

Please work..!

My body changed properties once more, now feeling rather disconnected, detached from everything else. Almost like feeling numb, but on a much more intense scale. The sensation lasted for a few quick seconds, before resetting. All of the weight to my body returned at once, which admittedly wasn't too pleasant, but at the same time, it could have been worse. I slowly opened my eyes, and was overwhelmed by the amount of color surrounding me. I couldn't see the interior of a small rocky room anymore, now I could only make out the lush greenery that we witnessed on the way here. I turned my head, looking all around, taking in as much intel as my eyes could deliver to my brain, ending with a sigh of extreme relief.

My relief transitioned to worry for a split second, but that was shot down when I moved one of my forepaws, feeling something soft, not the ground I was laying on. I was half-draped over Crescent, both of us laying on the ground. Thank… Arceus… I let out the biggest sigh of relief I ever had.

"Wha..?" Crescent muttered in a voice more confused than I've ever heard before. "Huh..?" She slowly turned her head, and the two of us locked eyes. "Why are we out here and why are you laying on top of me?"

"I think I got us out of there." I told her, back to shaking. "And I guess this is just the position we were in before we warped?"

"You… warped us? You can do that?" She asked, talking with a mix of intrigue and general curiosity.

"Yeah, I can. Or… I can now." I had a hard time keeping my body up. I ended up involuntarily leaning my head on Crescent's fur. "I'm so glad that worked…"

I heard a light sigh come from Crescent. "A little warning would have been nice. For a second there I thought you joined them."

"S-Sorry, I wasn't really thinking the most clearly I ever have." I coughed a little bit, trying to take in as much air as I could. That takes a ton out of you…

"Yeah yeah, don't sweat it. Are you okay?" I felt her body shift under me, giving me a more comfortable position on the ground. "You're trembling."

"I-I think I'm okay. Just really drained…" I let my eyes slowly close. "Are you holding up well too?"

"I'm perfectly fine. The fight never really broke out. Honestly, if it had, I don't know what kind of situation we would be in."

"I'd rather not think about it if it's all the same…" I dug the side of my head into Crescent, still attempting to calm down. I felt my trembling lessen, but it was certainly still there.

"Fair enough, you stopped us from experiencing it." I felt a gentle touch on the top of my head. "You have to make sure to take it easy though, you look like you're half dead."

"Did I really have a choice though?" I felt Crescent stroke the top of my head. It helped calm me down more than I was previously.

"I suppose you didn't." A few moments were spent in silence. "There's no need to be so scared anymore. Take a breath and calm down."

"R-Right…" I put one of my forepaws on the other, trying my best to relax. Not being alone right now really did benefit my ability to settle my mind.

"You're a lot more sharp than I thought. I didn't have any idea that guy was so… you know." I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it.

"If I didn't say anything though, we would have gotten out a lot more safely. I nearly got us killed on the spot…" I lamented.

"You also saved us from suffering through that. Don't undersell yourself." That's kind of hard. "Plus, now we know what kind of pokemon we were dealing with, you really think he would have just stood by and watched us leave even if you kept quiet?"

"Maybe not, but I still think that was stupid and impulsive."

"Stupid and impulsive maybe. But it worked out in the end. Can't say I've never did something stupid that ended up working out." I wonder what kind of crap you've gotten yourself into…

"I'm worried that we'll be a target now…"

"It'll be okay. Let that guy come at us without his armada, I'll rock his freaking world for trying what he did." The same air of confidence that Crescent showed in her eyes reflected in her voice.

"Make sure not to get yourself killed please."

"Same goes for you. I can't bail you out of every situation after all." Crescent chuckled, which amused me.

"Wasn't I the one-"

"HUSH!" She put a little more pressure on my head, which was enough of a tell for me to close my mouth. Before that though, I felt the edges of my mouth curl upwards a little.

I nuzzled into the side of Crescent's body and let my body rest, alongside my mind. I really did need it.

Hello Readers!

Long time no see! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Or happy holidays, sorry if I offended anyone. -w-

Long story short, I was busy for most of Winter break, and now that I'm back in my dorm and back to attending classes for the spring semester, those will keep me busy too, which isn't fun at all. Luckily though, I do have a two hour break between two of my classes, and I've been using that to get the majority of my writing and revisions done if I have no homework to get to, so that's good! For now anyway. Once I get more work, we'll see. :p

It's 4 A.M. right now.

See You Next Chapter!