Early Update? Why? Well, why not? It's Christmas!

This is one of like one of those "let's pointlessly review everything that happened" chapter

There's no fighting, but there will be some reveals, that I'm sure most of you had figure out thirty chapters ago.

This is also the last chapter of the year.

SO Merry Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Your Christmas Present is still not finished, but It's ready for your viewing pleasure.
The gift is called, 'Fox Tails: Chronicles of Kubbi'.
It should be easy to find and a pleasant read for audiences who wish to read a much more simple story.

It's my gift to all of you. I hope that you enjoy it after today's chapter.

National Suicide Hotline Number : 1-800-488-3000

No one keeps a secret so well as a child. - Victor Hugo

"Okay," Brandy asked, grabbing another slice of pizza, "so what do we know so far?"

The humans pretended to finish diner, but then snuck their way back upstairs in what we figured used to be my room. Karen ordered a pizza for them all, since they were still hungry. Us Pokémon didn't have much of a problem with our food, but still… leaving the box open was very tempting.

"Okay," Rio tapped his pencil on the note book, "So far we know that: Tyler the Torchic is really John who committed suicide, or rather was hypnotized into it. Also there's a psycho out there that targeted him, possibly this Youko character, of also whom if we look up on the internet for, then a psychotic Porygon will try to kill us. Someone, possibly the same hypnotist, doesn't want the people to know of John's existence. We don't know who this hypnotist is, but Blare will be able to recognize him by his voice. While Karen is the only one that remembers the truth, and you, Brandy, can understand what Tyler is saying, even though you don't know why. And finally, because some other worldly being asked Blare to watch over Tyler, I got dragged and flung into all of this as well."

"(Can I try some of-)"

"No, you can't," Brandy snapped at me.

"Is there anything missing on this list of things we don't know," Rio asked.

"Hold on," Karen pointed out, "don't forget about the Tarsa incident."

"I think that we can ignore that incident for the moment."

"And just why is that?"

"Because I don't see a connection there," Brandy shrugged.

"(Actually, Tarsa is the one who kidnapped Terry, not Team Rocket.)," I mentioned.

"Okay, never mind," Brandy frowned, having to translate what I said, again.

"Seriously? It wasn't Team Rocket?"

"Oh-Kay," Rio was getting frustrated again, "Seriously, this is annoying. Is there anything we honestly know for certain?"

"If we knew everything then there wouldn't be anything to figure out," Brandy finished his slice.

"(Great, now you're quoting my Dad.)"

"It's not a quote," Brandy grabbed his next slice, "besides I've never met your dad."

"What about his dad," Karen asked.

"Sorry, forgot that you can't understand him," Brandy rolled his eyes, "he said that I quoted his dad."

"(Woah, Deja vu.…)," Phineas stood up, "(I think that I'm remembering something.)"

"(What is it?)"

"(I'm not sure. It's like I can only half remember it.)," Phineas made a face like his head was about to split.

"Tyler," Brandy backed up, "what's wrong with Phineas?"

"(My Journal!)," Phineas snapped, "(Tell Pops to get his uncle's journal. We were going to argue with someone about an old friend in my journal.)"

I translated for Phineas, but conveniently left out any clues that Phineas was his uncle.

"I think that I remember that," Brandy dug into his backpack for the old book. (Did he carry any school books?) Again, he translated for me. Brandy opened the book to the photograph of the two men again. Phineas almost poked a hole right through it when he saw it.

"(That's him, Tyler Kraft Lawrence. We were going to talk to someone about him. And since I blatantly can't remember who that someone is, then that someone must be you.)," Phineas turned around at you to point at me, but I had left when he said the second 'someone'.

"Tyler, what's wrong," Karen, followed by Brandy, peeked under the bed where I hid myself.

"I don't know," I lied. I knew who he was, but mostly just the emotions that I felt about him. I had to get away from everyone. I couldn't stand crying in front of everyone again. I knew that no human could fit under my bed. I only could because of my size. I was safe here. Blare could have as well, but that tail was a fire hazard. As for Kiki, Karen would never let her under my dirty bed. I was safe under here. I knew that Phineas was the only one that could easily fit under there if he tried, but he wouldn't want to.

"(Tyler, come out from under there and tell Pops the truth.)"

"(Okay, you want the truth? I have no Dad!)"

"What does your dad have to do with anything?"

"That's it," Karen exclaimed.

"What's it," Rio asked out of boredom mostly.

"Isn't it weird that Mrs. Lawrence would forget that her name and start calling herself Ms. Cambell."

"Why is that so important right now?"

"Because…," Karen only paused to prevent herself from hitting Brandy, "She thinks that she should be called MISS Cambell, her maiden name."

"I still don't see the connection there."

"It means she's forgotten about her husband, you retard," surprisingly, Rio yelled, "Are you sure your memory is the only part of your brain that was messed with?"

"Sorry," Brandy sighed, "but we have to be sure. I mean why doesn't she remember, when Tyler does."

"Maybe she was brainwashed somewhere else," Rio tapped his notes, "somewhere between when Tyler died and this morning. I mean there's a whole three days in between."

"And the entire school was brainwashed in only a few minutes."

"Okay fine. I see your points, but if it is true then what does it mean exactly?"

"I…," that was all Karen had with that revelation, "I don't know."

"Let's see if we can find some more evidence before we make it official."

"Like what?"

"I don't know," Brandy sighed looking down, "photographs maybe. Like this one."

"Okay, we'll search the house for pictures Tyler's dad," Rio concluded.

"And just what do you expect to say to Mrs. Lawrence? You can't go looking through her things and not expect her to ask questions."

"Well, we'll tell her that we're looking for Milkshake," Karen suggested.

"Alright let's go…," Brandy got up and left the room with the others.

I don't know about Brandy's memories, but my mine were starting to come back to me. More specifically, I was remembering dad. Memories of him where pouring into my brain like daylight when looking directly at the sun. They were a strange memories to have. I couldn't remember what I looked like. And yet I was remembering everything about my dad. Everything from my first steps, to my first day of school, and all the way up to seven years ago rushed into my head like flood. I couldn't stop myself from remembering that day…

"So what did you learn in school today, kiddo?" Dad finally asked me after a while of playing together. At this age I was too big to be carried around on my dad's shoulders. That didn't stop me from getting Ponyta rides or us from tickle fighting.

"Nothing new," I sighed, laying my head into his shirt, "everyone's getting ready for the big bonfire tonight."

"The bonfire," he pretended to be startled, "That was tonight?"

"Of course it is," I laughed, sitting straight up, "we're bringing Jay-jay, remember?"

"Gasp, I forgot," Dad made a face.

"No, you didn't. You're lying," I stood up and started running again, "I'm telling Mom that you lied again."

"Oh, no you don't," he got up to chase me, "come here you."

We continued playing like that for a while longer until the doorbell rang. Mom was the one that went to answer it, but the visitor was for Dad. I didn't know why Dad had to go. When Dad saw that man with the fishing pole, his attitude did a three-sixty. He knew that he had to go. He didn't even try to argue. It was as if he knew the whole time that he was going to be leaving.

"(Hey, anybody home?)," Phineas tapped me on the head.

I jumped out of my daydream.

"(Well, don't have a heart attack.)"

"(Then don't sneak up on me!)"

"(Keep quiet.)," Phineas looked back. He was barely small enough to fit under my bed, "(your mother thinks that everyone is looking for you. If we find you too soon then we'll have to leave.)"

"(Well, in that case.)," I breathed in, "(I'm in here!)"

"(What are you doing?)," Phineas's claw snapped my beak shut, "(why did you do that?)"

"(Let me go!)," I slipped out of his grasp easily, "(I'm in HERE!)"

"(I said keep quiet!)," Phineas said again, "(or else I'll make you faint.)"

"(You wouldn't dare…)"

"(I'll just pretend it was one of my episodes.)," he growled.

"(Yeah, but Karen wont like that…)," I would have grinned, "(and she's scarier when she's mad.)"

"(Brandy will protect me…)"

The two of us continued to glare at each other. Neither one of us wanted to test our theories.

"(So what is your problem?)"

"(None of you business.)"

"(Look, I know that it's very well none my business. You seem to be very defensive when it comes to your dad.)"

"(I told you, I don't have a dad.)"

"TorChick Chick!"

"There it is again," Mrs. Lawrence turned back to the stairway, "I'm almost certain that it came from upstairs."

"We didn't hear anything," Karen lied as she turned Mrs. Lawrence back around, "besides, Phineas and Blare have the upstairs covered."

"That's what worries me," she sighed.

"Don't worry, all our Pokémon get along great," I assured her.

"I would feel much better if someone goes up there to make certain."

"Then I'll go," I volunteered myself. Walking up the stairs, something caught my attention from the corner of my eye. Looking closer, it was another blank photograph. I could have sworn that it was a portrait of someone, just a moment ago…

"Don't go," I remember saying. "I have to kiddo. If I don't then the evil will go out of control."

"But what did we do to them?"

"I'll tell you what a friend told me," Dad pat my head, "evil is like a wildfire consuming everything in it's path, while good is like a campfire, providing warmth to those that need it… Do you understand?" I didn't really, but I nodded, accepting that he was leaving.

"Jay-Jay needs me to be there for her. We need to stop this evil so that everyone can be safe," Dad took out Jay-jay's Pokéball, "I swear that we'll be back."

I looked up at Dad's uniquely shaped pendent…

"Brandy, are you alright," Mrs. Lawrence had followed me.

"What? Oh, um yeah," I rubbed my eyes, "something just caught my eye."

"Oh that old thing," Mrs. Lawrence pointed at the framed picture of no one.

"I thought that I saw someone… I know I'm being crazy right?"

"Well, I love this picture. It's the only one that I'm allowed to have out."

"Allowed? But this is your house, aren't you in charge?"

"You would think that wouldn't you," she smiled, "yet the ghosts of this house get angry if I put up anymore pictures."

"So you're saying this house is haunted," I laughed.

"Something like that," Mrs. Lawrence didn't return with laughter. Instead she looked like she had a pain in her chest.

"Are you alright," I looked at her, but then the picture caught my attention again.

"It's nothing," she shook off the look on her face. I continued to stare.

"Do you wish to borrow it for a little while."

"What? I could never…"

"I can see it in your eyes."

"There's just something about it," I looked at it again, after she took it down from the wall and handed it to me.

"Just be careful with it."

"Thank you. I'll bring it back when I can."

"(Tyler get back here!)," Phineas yelled from atop the had ran too fast and leaped down the stairs. I turned around only to receive a pair of clawed feet smack me in the face. Tyler then flipped over my head and landed in Mrs. Lawrence's arms.

"Well, there you are," she laughed, "I knew you were upstairs the entire time, weren't you?"

The Torchic faked a yawn.

"Fine, I'll get Phineas and we'll go," I sighed to myself, then remembered something, "Tyler Return."

"(Wait, what?)," he said as he disappeared into his ball. "Have a nice rest," I smiled, knowing that he would give me hell for doing this.

"Dinner's almost ready."

"When will Dad get back?"

"Soon dear," Mother lied, she didn't know. Truthfully, neither one of us could have known.

"I don't want to eat without him."

"Jonathan…"

"Dad said that he'd come back. I want to wait for him."

Tyrone and his mom had stopped by earlier. I should have gone with them to the bonfire. I told Tyrone to go on without me.I waited for hours, but dad didn't show up. After a while, even I forgot what I was looking for out that window. Even mother had given up after it got dark, she packed away the food and sat down to read her book. I stayed by the window and waited. Soon, midnight came around and still no dad. Mother fell asleep on her chair. I only left the window so that I could get her a blanket. That's when I heard something scratching a almost tapping knock. It couldn't be dad, but still.

"(Please let me in!)," I heard Jay-jay, "(Master's gone!)"

I couldn't understand what she was saying, but I knew that if she was home then Dad had to be too. I opened the wooden door only to find Jay-jay standing there. Her feathers were covered in black soot. She was breathing as if she had been running around all day. In her beak was Dad's pendent.

"Jay-jay, where's Dad…?"

"(Master's gone.)," Jay-jay dropped his pendent, "(We couldn't stop him…)"

"Why do you have that," I unlocked the screen door.

"(No, stay inside!)," she yelled when I opened the door.

She picked up the pendent and threw it at me.

"(You have to use that! Please, let me protect you!)"

"Where's Dad? What did you do to Dad?"

"(He's gone! But he told me to protect you!)"

"Go get Dad you dumb, bird," I slammed the wooden door.

"(Wait! Young Master!)"

"Don't come back without Dad!"

"No, don't Aniki," Growlithe Tyrone as his woke up from it's sleep.

"Tyrone Bondell, sit down."

"No, I can't I…," Tyrone calmed himself as Derrick took control again, "sorry, It was just a dream."

"You all have only five minutes left."

'What on earth was that,' Derrick whispered to himself.

~…I don't know. Did you see it too?…~

'Yes, but I don't know the meaning of it. What happened?'

~…I'm not sure…~

'Well you should,' Derrick glared at the metaphysical Growlithe, 'I'm not a Shisa like you.'

~…I was never told what that means…~

'Frankly, I don't think that you need to be told. It's in your blood. What do you feel happened?'

~…Aniki was troubled by something, but that's impossible Aniki's dead…~

'So am I, so what do you suppose that means?'

~…Aniki is… still alive?…~ The inner Growlithe couldn't contain his emotions. Derrick barely had time to catch Tyrone's tail.

'There's a small chance that he is, but not much more alive than I am myself.'

~…What do you mean?…~

'Tenma Smith must have him.'

Eddie's already powerful ears perked up at the mentioning of Tenma's name. He had been listening to Derrick's half of the conversation with himself. His Dragon Gate acted on his own accord. It wanted him to hear this.

'When he went to the morgue to steal John's body, Tenma assumed that his spirit had somehow moved on. However, since you can sense him, then his fate is no different than mine.'

…So…, Eddie thought to himself, …John is still alive. Dargais's predictions weren't just a fluke…

~…Of course, in over three hundred years, not one of Dargais's predictions were wrong…~ a invisible grey spirit floated around Eddie.

…Is it really safe for you to talk to me here?…

~…I'm not really here child. It's a part of our soul bond…~

…Yes, but I heard a rumor that dog Pokémon can sense spirits…

~…It's because of that Odor Sleuth attack, but even Shisa have to use it first…~ the spirit chuckled ~…besides that, we're connected by our souls. Even the other Founders can't sense us chatting…~

…Sorry Luomirako. I'm just being paranoid I guess…

~…It's your own fault for burning the candle at both ends, child…~

…Wasn't it your idea to do so?…

~…It was not my idea to fight Ignu. You're lucky that Celtnis's healing power causes memory loss…~

…but still, what do you think that he's saying?…

~…I do not know. Shishá and Founders may share a common origin, but the full extent of their contract is a mystery to me.…~

…So there is something that you don't know… Eddie smiled to himself.

~…I may not know that the Shishá knows, but Tenma looking for a soul in a corpse doesn't sound like something a normal human would do…~

…So you're saying that Tenma may just be another shadow king in this game…

~…if you must compare this to a game, then yes…~

…then Tyrone is about to be caught in Tenma's web…

~…It's more complicated than that…~ the fish whispered in Eddie's ear ~…Seems that there's a few more pieces that none of the other players are aware of yet…~

…Is that so? Then what do you think that we should do?…

~…Simply put?…,~ the fish asked, ~…watch our step…~

One question… Whould do you call this shape?

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.….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….,V.….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….….,

The Lawrence Family Pendent

That's all I need to know.
Thank you and Please Review.