Chapter 19: A Shadow Falls

"So you're the champion of Sinnoh I've heard so much about," Serena said as they walked around with Cynthia leading them.

"Yes," Cynthia replied. "And you are?"

"I'm Serena, a Pokemon Performer."

"Performer?"

"Yeah!" she said enthusiastically. "What, you don't know what a showcase is? It's like a beauty pageant for Pokemon!"

"I see," Cynthia mused to herself, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Hm. I guess it's little more than a change in name, really."

"What's that?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing," Cynthia said, stopping for a moment to address the group. "I don't suppose you would have a general idea on where Ash landed, do you?"

"He's on this island," Knuckles said. "That's all we know, really."

"Knowing him, he's quite all right," Cilan smiled, assured.

"All right. Keep your eyes peeled," Cynthia nodded, and they continued. Serena eyed her with a dubious expression.

"What exactly makes you think you're suddenly leading this expedition?" she asked.

"Hm?"

"We ran into you by chance, and now you're suddenly acting as if you're the leader. Ash is our friend, not –"

"I know," Cynthia interrupted. "But I also know this island fairly well. You need an experienced guide."

"Fine, then," Serena said, folding her arms. "But when we find him, you can skedaddle back to whatever business you have here."

Cynthia blinked. "Okay, sure," she shrugged, confused. Ash isn't one to make friends with people like this she thought. Where did he find this girl?

The sun was starting to set in the sky when Shadow returned to where Ash was laying, only to find him gone. He looked at the berries in his hand and grumbled under his breath.

"This is the gratitude I get? Hmph. Fine then," he said, tossing the berries away. "I guess he had business to attend to." He looked to the sky. "Looks like evening will be here soon. Better find Cynthia and that Mordecai guy." With that, he skated away. "I've never seen a Pokemon do what Ash's Greninja did before, though," he mused. "How was that possible?"

Still running, Shadow?

Shadow froze. "What?! Oh, no…"

Suddenly, darkness enveloped his vision. Then a mysterious figure appeared. When its feet touched the ground, the darkness was replaced by a strange, dark area. Mysterious crystals surrounded them. The figure looked up, revealing a pair of sinister purple eyes.

Hello again, Shadow.

Shadow gripped his fists, ready for a fight. "You again..."

"Ungh," Sonic moaned, sitting up as he finally came to. "What happened?"

"Oh! Sonic, you're awake!" his companion chirped, walking over to him.

"Huh?" he said. "Who are you?"

The brunette woman adjusted her glasses with a smile. "I'm Nia," she said. "And this here is Weavile." She pointed to her Pokemon, sitting on its side with its head in its hand, a frown on its face.

"Yeah, we got ourselves acquainted back there," Sonic muttered, folding his arms. "What's his deal, anyway?"

"I don't know," she said. "He came to me not too long ago and informed me that he'd found a thief who stole something that belongs to us. I guess he thought it was you."

"Why would he think that?"

"Beats me," Nia shrugged. "Sorry about that. Weavile's sorry too, right buddy?"

"Grrrr," was all Weavile said.

"Huh," Sonic muttered. "What a day. Separated from my friends and then beat up by a Weavile. What else could happen?"

Do you really wish to know, hedgehog?

They froze. "What?!"

"What's going –" Nia started, then darkness flooded their vision. A strange area appeared before them, with a mysterious yet familiar figure standing before them.

"AUGH!" Sonic cried, convulsing as the darkness enveloped him, transforming him into a werehog once again.

"Sonic?!" Nia exclaimed. "What in the –?!"

Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm the mysterious figure grinned. I have been waiting to meet you again.

"You!" Sonic exclaimed. "You're the one we met back in Kalos!"

That's right the figure sneered. And I warned you when we parted ways that next time I wouldn't hold back. Dark energy violently vibrated in the air, causing Sonic to convulse. Nia could do nothing but watch in fear.

You're fortunate the figure grumbled, almost in annoyance. I already blew off quite a bit of steam on a friend of yours. Needless to say, he won't be bothering us again for some time.

Sonic's eyes widened. He must mean Ash! he thought. "YOU!" he shouted. "What have you done with him?!"

Oh, don't worry about him the figure sneered. You won't be seeing him again for a while. Of course, he'll be back eventually, but that's irrelevant. Suddenly, dark energy burst forth from him, enveloping him briefly before he was visible once again, bigger and stronger again. This is between you and me.

Nia gasped. "That energy!" she exclaimed. "It's just like –"

"– the energy Weavile used when fighting me?!" Sonic breathed. "How is that possible?!"

Save your questions for another time the figure snarled. Like the afterlife! With that, he unleashed a ball of dark energy that he'd secretly been charging. Sonic smashed it away with his fist. The figure rushed forward to attack him, but Sonic leapt over him and kicked the back of his head, causing him to groan loudly in pain.

YOU! the figure roared. I'll make you pay for this!

"Fine, but do it later, okay?" Sonic retorted. "I'm short on cash!"

The figure growled lowly. I can't stay now it said. But we will meet again. And next time, you WON'T like what comes of it.

With these chilling words, everything started convulsing as the darkness gave way, releasing Sonic and Nia back where they'd been before.

"Guh!" Sonic flinched. "That was...bizarre." He looked at his hands, still the claws of the werehog. "Oh, great. Nighttime again?"

"What's happened to you?" Nia asked curiously. "Why are you turning into this monster?"

"It only happens at night," Sonic replied. "It's –"

"Sonic!"

The two of them froze on hearing the voice. "It's Serena!" Sonic exclaimed.

The blonde girl rushed towards him, a smile on her face. "I'm so glad we found you!" She blinked. "Wait, where's Ash?"

Sonic's eyes widened. "He's not with you?"
"I thought he'd be with you," she replied.

"Great," Sonic mumbled. "Another dilemma. Where could he be?"

"Ash?" Nia repeated. "You don't happen to be talking about Ash Ketchum, do you?"

"What?" Serena blinked. "Sonic, who's this?"

"Oh!" Sonic said. "This is Nia. She saved me from her Weavile."

"I see," the blonde nodded. "I'm Serena, a friend of Sonic's. We're missing our friend."

"Ash is your friend?" Nia blinked, almost in a trance.

"You know him?" Sonic asked.

"Oh, no," Nia shook her head. "But I've heard of him! He's got quite the reputation where I come from!"

"Where you come from?" Serena said. "Where's that?"

"Serena!" another voice called. They turned and saw Iris glaring at her, irritated. "There you are! Why'd you wander off? We need to stick together!"

"Oh! Sorry," Serena said. "I'll be right there. Go back to the group and tell them I found Sonic!"

"You did?" Iris said, her demeanor changing. "That's great! Come back quickly! We need our rest!" With that, she took off.

"She seems impulsive," Nia muttered. "Well, I guess you guys can take care of yourselves."

"What, you're leaving?" Sonic raised an eyebrow.

"Well I don't have anything else to offer you guys," she shrugged.

"Why don't you join us?" he offered. "We could use your help in finding Ash! Unless you have better things to do, that is."

"Uh, Sonic?" Serena said uneasily.

"Oh!" Nia said, flattered. "Why thank you! I'd be honored to join your group, if only temporarily."

"Great!" Sonic grinned. "Then let's head back to camp!" With that, they set off.

Now this makes things even more complicated. Now they have someone who's familiar with Synergy. This could be very problematic. If that little brat learns of the power his stone holds, he could utilize it and bring everything I've built crumbling down! And his Greninja…

NO! I cannot allow this to go on! He must not discover his stone's power. He must not use it against me.

He.

Must.

DIE.