"Again"

I pant, trying to catch my breath.

"Again"

"Wait.." *huff* "...I'm... really tired"

"Again"

Irritated by Dad's impatience, I throw him a scathing look. He ignores it and continues waiting.

"Again"

I sigh and begin to form another practice Shadow Ball. We've been working on this move for a long time. Our old traditions said that the heir (or heiress) to the Eon Kingdom (me) had to be able to use Shadow Ball, so I have to learn it.

My wonderful old Dad said that it was about time that I should be learning it and that we would not "sully the great traditions of our ancestors".

I plant my paws, take a deep breath, and begin collecting the ghostly energy again.

Indigo particles begin to go near my mouth. They slowly start to coalesce and merge, creating a larger and larger ball. Slowly but surely a Shadow Ball begins to form.

Now for the hard part.

I take aim at the practice dummy, and fire.

It flies through the air and connects.

Pieces of the wooden Beedrill begin to fly everywhere, littering the floor with shards. All that's left of the Beedrill is a hunk of misshapen wood only vaguely representing a Pokemon.

I stare at the shattered dummy in shock.

'I ... did this ...'

It's pulverized. Completely and utterly pulverized.

Dad sighed. "Incomplete"

Wait ... What?

My dad faced me with a strange look in his eye. "The Shadow Ball was made incorrectly. Look at how I do it"

He turns to one of the training room's wall. Taking a deep breath, I see him gather more indigo particles near his mouth. Soon enough, he had gathered his own Shadow Ball. Then he fired it.

The Shadow Ball travels through the air as fast as a lightning bolt and comes into contact with the wall. Well, at least I thought it did. As soon as it went near the wall the ball disappears. The wall briefly flashes purple, then slowly goes back to the stone cold gray it usually is.

He turned back to me. "That," he says with emphasis "is how you do a Shadow Ball. They don't explode."

I open my mouth to retort but before I could he continues. "You know, Glacia, I expect more of you. You have been at it for a week now. The Shadow Ball is one of the moves that come easily to the Eevee line and is one of the most important moves you'll ever learn. You usually do better than this."

I opened my mouth again, but before I get anything in edgewise, Uncle Mentali appears at the door to the training room.

I hold my tongue. Now of all times? Why must he come when I want to have a private moment with Dad.

My dad turns to his brother. "What is it, Mentali"

"Leafia," Mentali greets him "Lord Star requires your attention in the conference room. He has not told me anything, but from the tone of his voice, it seemed very urgent.

Dad sighs, then turns back to me. "We'll work on it more tomorrow. For now, go to sleep".

"But dad, I want to cont-"

"Go. To. Sleep" he orders.

His tone leaves no room for argument. I can tell he isn't willing to budge.

My face falls completely. I want to master Shadow Ball - I don't like to battle all that much, but in all honesty, Dad's Shadow Ball looks amazing. The way it just sunk into the wall, like a water droplet being absorbed into another droplet.

"Dad, may I please just practice for a little bit longer," I beg. For once, I actually want to master a move.

"No, you have to practice with me in the room, and I have to go right now." He turns once again to the door "I wish I could stay longer, but my duties call, and you need to go to bed. We'll practice tomorrow, again." With a swish of his tail, he was gone.

I pout, then leave through the other door. What Dad wanted, Dad got. So that was the end of training for today. I had finally made some sort of progress. I mean, it lasted until it hit the target, right? That's something. It always just fizzled out before it came anywhere near close to the target. Contact is the first step, right?

I climb up the path of stairs that led to the residential tower in the castle. When I reach the top I went to the hallway that would lead to my chamber. Fortunately, the Houndours have already lit the way for me. Nice to see they're doing they're doing their job adequately. Dad had to fire the previous torch-lighter for his inability to reach the chandelier in the dining room.

As I reach my door, I hear a strange voice. Curious, I decided to wait and listen.

" ... her. Lord Black wishes that they be with Cresselia tonight. You can wait a day for feeding". There was a pause, and then, "Good luck".

There was a clang, followed by a series of metallic footsteps.

'What was that about' I wonder as I reach my door. 'Who was that?

I enter my room. It was clear Sharon was busy cleaning my room while I was training with Dad downstairs, with everything as clean as a Skarmory's feather.

My Musharna handmaid turned to me as I came into the door. "How was training with Lord Leafia?"

I thought about it for a moment as I began fluffing up my Zorua fur bed. Usually, training with Dad is incredibly taxing. He spends five minutes showing you what you have to do, then makes you attempt the move over and over again. It's extremely intensive, taxing, and stressful, and honestly wants to make me throw up when it's all over. Wants to, because if I did then Dad would have my hide.

But today, it was different. Today, I made an enormous amount of progress on my moves compared to the work on my other moves, such as Tackle, Quick Attack, and Sand Attack - I actually managed to fire a Shadow Ball, even if it was unstable.

"... It was good" I said after a while "Difficult, but I managed."

I looked around the room. All of the books that I had left lying around the room were back in their proper spots on my bookshelf.

"Thank you, Sharon, for rearranging my books once again"

"Think nothing of it, my lady. I only wish that you would be a little bit more careful with them. I won't always be around to fix the books you tear."

"Yes, Yes, I know"I drawled, rolling my eyes. She was always harping on my case to tidy my room after reading. I tend to lose my place after I do that, though, so I rarely clean my room regardless.

Even though we sometimes argue, Sharon and I get along fantastically. She nags at me to be careful so she doesn't have to do more work, but I always see her smile after she says it. She's like a mother to me.

Still…

"Hey Sharon", I ask cautiously, as if testing my words. "Who were you talking to out there."

She turns to me, with a confused look on her face. "What are you talking about, Miss Glacia?"

"Well, I heard someone talking outside the door as I was coming in. I think it was a Steel-type, I heard something metallic."

She pondered what I had said for a moment, then gasps and exclaims loudly "Oh! Now I see". She then gives me a smile. "Chef Ambipom's new assistant Pawniard ruined tonight's meal. Lord Black became concerned and sent the Pawniard to deliver a message, after having the Pawniard demoted. Lord Black has ordered me to let you have pleasant dreams tonight" She looked morose after saying this. " I'm afraid I'll have to wait until tomorrow to feed on your dreams.

Upon seeing the look on my face, she shook her head. "Don't let that concern you, though. I'll make sure you have nothing but the most pleasant of dreams, Miss Glacia".

I, however, wasn't pacified. A scowl formed on my face, and I immediately began to insult the Pawniard for causing everyone all of this trouble. This went on for some time, as I ignored Sharon's pleas to calm down.

It went on for a long while.

"... and he hasn't even been properly punished! He should stay in the dungeons for a couple of nights, not immediately be given a new position."

I stop to catch my breath, and Sharon hurriedly interrupts me before I can get going again.

" Miss Glacia, I'm sure King Leafia will make sure that the Pawniard will get punished" she explained "But for right now you need to go to sleep. Perhaps you can describe to me what your dreams feel like to you in the morning. I've only ever seen them as a spectator."

I huffed. "All right" I muttered grudgingly " But the Pawniard better get punished. Our castle holds the highest of standards"

Sharon chuckled. "You sound more and more like your father every day, Miss Glacia", she said with a smile. But then her face suddenly became very stern. "And nice try distracting me Miss Glacia. Off to bed with you"

Mind racing, I replied, "But I need to brush my teeth - oh, and I also need to take a bath." I added maturely

Sharon's response was faster than Dad's Shadow Ball. "You can brush your teeth" and upon seeing the look of triumph on my face she added "quickly."

Then she looked as threatening as I thought a Musharna could be, with an almost evil smile crossing her face. "But since you took so long in your rant against the Pawniard, you won't take a bath tonight - it'll take too long." She then gave me a knowing smirk. " And you know your father will agree with me, so don't try to weasel out of it. You can take a bath tomorrow morning"

"Ugh … Fine" I agreed, since neither one of us wanted to incur Dad's wrath - he was a stickler for bedtimes. "But my bed is going to smell"

"I'll get it washed, don't worry about it."

I quickly entered the washroom and swirled the water around in my teeth to clean it. I spent a little less time then I would have liked, given that Sharon had coerced me into speeding my hygiene up, but I managed to do it thoroughly. As I swished the water, I began to plot ways to enact revenge on Sharon for having me suffer through this. I was getting older, and could have a later bedtime, right? Sharon didn't have to take that away from me.

I spit out the water, left the washroom, and hopped onto my bed again. Sharon floated over to where I was sleeping and began to release hypnowaves to help me fall asleep. I closed my eyes and waited for slumber to reach into my consciousness and take me to tomorrow morning.

Wait a second…

Eyes shut, I began a manic giggle under my breath. I could tell that Sharon had become annoyed that I wasn't falling asleep, but I didn't care. Sharon wasn't going to eat my dreams tonight. She had been ordered to give me good dreams by Lord Black. While I was going to have pleasant dreams all night long, she was going to be hungry all night long.

A bit cruel, true, but revenge nonetheless.

Sharon sighed, probably realizing that for some reason she couldn't hypnotize me to sleep tonight. "I'll try to set your brother and sister now. Please try to fall asleep soon, it will things easier on both of us." She starts to float away. Before she crosses the threshold, she turns to me once again "Good night and Good luck".

Somehow, that felt strangely final … I've probably been reading too many dramas. Maybe Sharon is right when she says I need to cut back on the amount I read. Well, I should probably steer away from the incredible amount of dramas I read at least.

… Oh, who am I kidding?

Ignoring my love for dramas at the moment, I try to settle down for the night. Given the rank smell I'm radiating, though, it really isn't all that easy.

My sweat smells like the most toxic of poisons. I decided that no, I still haven't taken enough revenge on Sharon for making me suffer like this. I deserved to sleep in a nice, clean, and most importantly, odorless bed.

I tiptoe out of the bed and make my way to the bathroom. I was going to take a short shower, just enough to stop myself from smelling so bad.

Unfortunately, it looks like Sharon realized I might try to sneak out for a bath. The door was completely locked. I don't have any psychic powers, so I can't break in, either.

I could probably try to break out of my room and take a bath in another room as well, but I know Sharon, and she knows how I think as well. She probably locked the door behind her as well, trapping me in here for the rest of the night.

Absolutely wonderful.

I headed back to my bed, feeling defeated. I can't escape this room without using one of my moves, and I can't use one of my moves if I want to remain undetected - blowing stuff up usually creates a boom. Feeling defeated, I go back to my bed. I turn off the light, because if someone sees the light … well, Dad and Sharon haven't gotten really mad at me for ages, and I want to keep it that way.

I lie back down on my bed, feeling defeated. I suppose it's time for me to fall asleep, properly. I close my eyes and being to count Mareep like so many of the characters I've read do.

One Mareep, Two Mareep, Three Mareep, Four Mareep, Five Mareep, Six Mareep, Seven Mareep...

Granted, it never works, as they always have some drama keeping their mind from the realm of Cresselia, but still.

Twenty Mareep, Twenty-one Mareep, Twenty-two Mareep, Twenty-three Mareep, Twenty-four Mareep, Twenty-five Mareep...

It doesn't look like it's working for me, either. What a shame. I've probably gotten too used to Sharon's hypnotic waves lulling me to sleep every night, and have become completely dependent on them. I suppose this is how normal people have to fall asleep, then. Just lie in bed until the first vestiges of sleep reach you, huh.

I screw up my patience and slowly begin to wait the night out.

(Two Hours Later)

… I'm bored.

Apparently, lying in bed for a couple of hours won't work for me either. I think that going to sleep without the aid of hypnowaves is the most annoying thing on the planet.

Wait…

YES!

I just remembered that there are other soporifics that Pokemon can create. Other than Hypnosis, there's Spore and Sleep Powder, which practically knock a Pokemon out.

I jump out of my bed to look for any Sleep Powder that might be lying around. I'm pretty sure that there is some…

… in the bathroom.

Hope fading fast, I check the medicine cabinet next to the bathroom door.

It's empty.

DANG IT!

I fall back into my bed, wishing that this horrid nightmare would end already. Sleeplessness is practically torture. Once I see Dad again tomorrow, I'll make sure that they fling a couple of Worry Seeds at our prisoners s they can feel this torture as well.

Ugh… Why does this hurt so much?

I feel my eyes hurting, wanting to shut close and drag me down.

Ugh…

Am I dreaming?

I wake up again in some strange realm. There's rainbow energy flowing everywhere, creating a strange kaleidoscope of patterns on every surface. Strange wisps are flying everywhere, with a strange haunting sound floating around me. Naturally, there is only one thing I want to do right now.

I want to explore.

The floor is made of some strange material. It's harder than rubber, and it isn't as unyielding as stone or as uneven as pure wood. It feels smooth under my small paws, and I rap my tiny claws against it to see what it sounds like. A sharp ringing sound starts singing to me as it reverberates throughout the air.

A strange giddiness fills me as I take in everything around me.

I'm dreaming! This is a dream!

I begin to run around, taking in the indescribable smells and feelings of this strange, imaginary world. I've always wanted to dream. I've never been able to dream before, for some reason. I've always suspected that Sharon was eating my dreams, even when I told her specifically not to. Dad didn't seem to care whether Sharon ate my dreams, for the most part, and she didn't seem to listen to me very much on the matter of her eating my dreams. Because of that, I haven't actually had a dream since I was around three years old, and I've long since forgotten what I had dreamed about back then.

I had read a couple of books that theorized on the nature of dreams. Some of the scholars whose books I have read stated that dreams are a reflection of the mental state of the dreamer. Others say that the dreams come from events that are present in the mind. Of course, there are also some scholars that say that dreams are completely random, but I tend to ignore those unimaginative people.

I was only going to have a couple of hours at most in this dream, so I better make the most of it.

I start running around, chasing the wisps and gazing at the kaleidoscopic colors swirling about everywhere I look.

Dreaming is a blast.

(30 Minutes Later)

You know, after a while, you get kind of used to a dream world.

I mean, the dream is beautiful. I doubt that I would ever find something like this place in the Eon Kingdom, or anywhere else in the world, as an of matter fact.

But the wonder has drained away now that I realize that it's pretty much a barren wasteland. There's nothing here but me, the wisps, the floor, and the sky.

I think I've gotten bored again.

I mean, the novelty has worn off, and I realized that there is literally nothing for me to do right now. I have no books, no pen or paper, nothing.

Well…

I suppose I could start working on my Shadow Ball again. I mean, I'll probably get it perfectly on the first try, since this is a dream and whatever I want will happen here (I think it's called lucid dreaming), but if it's anything like Dad's Shadow Ball, it'll look amazing, and will stave off my boredom for at least a couple of minutes.

I begin the steps to forming my Shadow Ball. I plant my paws, cock my head back, and begin to gather the ghostly energy.

I expected for the energy to come quickly, since this is my world, and I can make anything I want happen.

I didn't expect the ghostly energy to go this fast, though.

Particles of energy begin to quickly stream together, making a Shadow Ball faster than I would have ever thought possible.

'Excellent' I thought with a grin stretching slightly across my face.

I pick a target (a particularly large wisp that has been hanging around me ever since I got here), and I launch the Shadow Ball forward. It flies through the air straight and true. It passes through the wisp, unfortunately( the wisp was starting to get on my nerves), and connects with the floor.

BOOM

Debris begins to fly everywhere as I duck for cover. It appears that my Shadow Ball wasn't as good as I thought it was, even in the dream world.

But how does that work, though? I thought that whatever I wanted to happen in the dream world happened. I should have been able to make the Shadow Ball act like Dad's, but instead, it exploded again.

As the dream smoke began to dissipate, I looked to see what the underside of the floor looked like. I expected to see a crater or something like that, but instead, I saw a gaping hole as big as my bathtub, inky blackness writhing within it. I discerned that the fact that the underside of the floor was hollow was the reason that I heard the bell-like sound from tapping the floor earlier. Throwing caution to the wind, I gingerly stuck one of my paws into the whole to see what was inside.

After all, nothing in my dream world should be able to hurt me … right?

The strange black miasma that moved under the hole flowed like water around my paw. I let out a giggle as the gaseous darkness tickled my pads. I decided to distract myself from the results of my training a minute earlier by experimenting with the mist.

I scooped a little bit of the mist out and started batting it around trying to figure out what was made of. However, I realized that watching the black mist as it formed innumerable patterns on its surface was mesmerizing (it also provided some relief from the neon colors flashing around me in the rest of the dream world). I kept on watching the mist as it kept on moving in undulating motions.

That is, until the wisp I had for target practice earlier gave me a shove for my attack, pushing me into the hole.

I think it laughed as well.

I twisted and turned inside the miasma as I tried to find my way back up through the hole so I could give the wisp a piece of my mind. However, the opaque darkness blocked out all of the light, so I couldn't find my way back up.

I felt a strange wind flowing from my underside, making me realize that I'm falling. As I fell, the mist began to suffocate me. I was beginning to panic because I didn't know what would happen if you died in a dream. By all accounts, you should just wake up.

Except…

Is this actually a dream?

Before I could ponder that question anymore, I hit the ground. I bounced a couple of times, before rolling to a stop. Thankfully, this reassured me that I'm in a dream. I would have certainly died if it wasn't.

I looked around the new place I had fallen. There was no more mist surrounding me, so I breathed a tiny sigh of relief. The miasma had caused more than enough trouble for me, and I would be glad to never see it again. My dream was a weird place, and it wasn't completely good, apparently.

The area was dimly lit as if there was a torch hanging from somewhere. I started to look around, to see if there was anything of interest.

There wasn't.

All that surrounded me was blackness, an unquenchable darkness. In fact, the only way I knew I wasn't blind was the dim light I had observed. I started walking toward that light because there was a lack of anything else to do at the moment.

I thought Sharon was supposed to give me good dreams, but so far my dream has been mostly a nightmare. Eventually, I began to hear snippets of a conversation. I slowed down my walk to a creep - Eavesdropping is dangerous if you're caught.

"Do you want to be famous?" I heard somebody ask in a haunting whisper. "Do you want to be known throughout the world?"

A second voice rang out. "Uhhhh… No, not really. I'm kinda happy with my few friends and my family. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't like becoming a celebrity."

"Very well." The whisperer said in a regal voice that I've only ever heard from Dad when he was commanding the servants. "Now… Once you've decided something, do you see it through to the end?"

"Yeah, I tend to finish what I start. Mom says I'm stubborn that way" The second voice - which I could now tell was a Pokemon my age

With a start, I understood that this was an interrogation or an interview of some sorts. I figured that I should probably leave, but then I remembered that there was absolutely nothing else to do.

I'm still unsure of whether this is a dream or not, so I won't risk interrupting either.

The interrogation(interview?) continued. "Do you think that, no matter what, life goes on?"

This is going to take a while

"Have you ever said 'nice to meet you' with someone you've met previously?"

"Well… I do it on a matter of principle."

"If your friend was in danger, what would you do?"

"Help them, of course."

This has been a rather fun ten minutes. After I got myself settled and began to watch the … whatever this was, I realized that while some of the questions were deep and interesting, like the "Do you want to be famous?" question, most of the questions the whisperer has been asking are nonsensical, like "Do you like lively parties?" and "Do you like karaoke?".

I still don't know what that means, but the second person's stammer during its affirmation was hilariously amusing. Somehow, though, I've held back all of my laughter.

"You meet your crush in the street one day, and she asks you 'How are you'. What is your response."

"Eep"

I couldn't hold it back anymore. My body shaking, I let off a loud laugh, echoing off of every surface in this underground place. 'Eep'! The perfect response I never thought I would hear! Hah!

That was my first mistake

"Who goes there?!" the whisperer shouted with alarm, having finally sensed me with my incredible shout. And then, suddenly, the dim light that I had seen earlier lit up the room I had fallen into. I quickly took note of my surroundings - smooth obsidian floor, marble walls, two lines of pillars, a narrow hallway.

Facing towards the shout, I saw two floating balls of white mist, one at least three times larger than the other. Both balls pulsed, with the bigger ball pulsing much more violently than the smaller one.

Suddenly, the previously whispering voice increased in volume, to the point where it was a thousand times louder than it previously was. Its roar reverberated throughout the corridor we were in, its rage evident. I shrank back from the misty sphere, cursing my damned curiosity.

"YOU DON'T BELONG HERE, EEVEE," the ball thundered. "LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!"

A corona of light surrounds the ball of mist. I stand transfixed as I begin to sweat buckets. I realize that if I don't move, I will be burnt to ashes. My legs are made of stone, however. I struggle futilely as the corona increases in size.

The sphere fires a beam of the brightest light.

I close my eyes, waiting for oblivion.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I open my eyes.

The smaller ball moved in to protect me. A small ethereal shield popped into existence as the smaller ball struggled to hold the attack of the larger ball back. Streams of energy flowed around us both as I watched the smaller ball protect me.

Then the attack stopped, and not a moment too soon, for our shield had finally cracked, the second ball shaking in its hovering.

"Tom…" the first voice whispered, its voice reduced to its previous levels. "Of Course… you said it yourself that you help those you consider your friends. You had sensed the Eevee since the very beginning." The voice sighed. "What a nightmare."

Then the second ball(Tom?) fell. He (because Tom sounded like a boy's name) hit the floor with an ear-splitting crash. I reflexively jumped at the sound. Luckily, I managed to land on my feet, accidentally brushing by Tom's misty form.

That was my second mistake.

Tom began to let out a scream that was millions of times louder than the crash before. Its volume echoed around the corridor like a devil's chorus, sending shrieks down every path. I covered my ears, hoping that it would end soon.

Then I saw the bigger ball again. I never thought I would ever fear for my life from a simple white ball, but by the way the ball was convulsing, violence in every undulation, I gained a fear I never knew I could feel.

"YYYYOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU…", the larger ball roared, surpassing Tom's volume. "YOU'VE RUINED EEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG! DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" I felt psychic energy rooting me to the ground as electricity began crackling around the massive ball. I knew that Tom wasn't going to be able to save me a second time.

'Oh please Arceus', I began to chant as I awaited my electrocution. 'Save me, save me, save me' The electricity began to grow wilder. 'SavemeSavemeSavemeSavemeSavemeSAVEMESAVEMESAVEMESAVEMESAVEMESAVEMESAVEME!'

The bolt fired.

(In the Real World)

I bolt up from my bed panting, sweat matting my fur to wrap my body.

'It was a dream… nothing but a dream."

Hysterical laughter began to shoot out of me like a geyser. I couldn't stop - I was fearing for my life when I knew it was a dream! I was probably the most pathetic princess the Eon kingdom has ever had if I died in my first dream.

I began to shake my head. Well, no point in thinking about it now. I suppose it's time to go back to sleep.

I lie in bed, waiting for the same mind-numbing drowsiness to claim me once more.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I'm shaking, aren't I?

Ugh… I'm scared to go back to sleep. Guess I'll go read one of my books.

As I get up to retrieve one of my books for reading, the door creaks open. I stand still, petrified, then after I realize it was the wind, I sigh, and start cursing myself for my paranoia.

Wait… The door's open!

I decide to leave for the kitchen, as I realize that I've become incredibly thirsty, as parched as a desert (I tried the bathroom, still locked. Whoever opened the door didn't bother opening the bathroom as well).

I enter the empty corridor. Judging by the pale sky, it's around half an hour before daybreak. The chefs should already be up by now, getting ready for breakfast. I can most likely get some water to drink and a bit of bread to eat as well.

As I'm walking down the path to the dining room (I should be able to find my way to the kitchens once I get there, I'm not an idiot), I hear some faint whispers behind one of the paintings of my ancestors. I freeze, memories of my nightmare filling my head, of attacks so powerful they kill the creator of the dream itself.

I really have been reading too many dramas, haven't I?

I shake my head, trying to relieve it of its paranoia. It was just a nightmare! A really bad dream! Why am I getting so worked up over this? I'm Glacia VII of Eon Kingdom. I will have no weaknesses. No one is stronger than I am. I will be victorious.

With that in mind, I'll conquer my newfound, irrational fear of whispers and go and investigate.

Ignoring my intuition screaming at me to get out of there, I lift the painting, finding a secret passageway hidden inside. After a moment's hesitation, I leap inside.

That was my third mistake.

Inside the passageway, there was mold and mildew everywhere. I wrinkled my nose and made a note to tell Dad about this passageway. It really needs some serious upkeep. I gingerly walk forward, making sure not to step in the mold. Of course, with the light of the torches behind me, and no new torches in front of me, I soon lose my visibility.

One misstep onto a particularly slippery patch of mold, and I tumble forward - onto stairs.

Arceus really hates me today, doesn't he?

I bounce down the stairs, hitting my body in the most painful of spots (mainly, my face and my tail). I land in a painful heap, regretting my choice to explore once more. I probably shouldn't have come down here, huh. Luckily, a large piece of mold cushioned my fall.

Wait…

"EEEUUUUUUUURRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH" I retched, feeling sick. Luckily, I hadn't eaten anything all night, so I wasn't going to throw up, but still! I glared at the forest-green mold, its repugnance disgusting me. Why couldn't have I landed on something nicer looking?

Wait… I can see the color of the mold! I look around - there were torches lining the walls. That meant that there were people down here - torches can't light themselves, after all.

Then I heard the whispers again. I headed forward until I reached a corner. I decided to wait and listen (a nagging thought said that the last time I did this I was obliterated. I was in a nightmare, however, so of course it would go wrong. It won't go wrong now).

"... are all asleep?" I heard a deep voice ask. It sounded heavily familiar, as though I've heard it recently.

"Yes. I've made sure that Sharon has hypnotized them all. They won't be getting up tonight, at the very least." That was Uncle Mentali! What was he doing here? "I checked on all of them before coming here. Leafia, Glacia, Volt, and Nymph are all fast asleep. I made sure that Leafia was in an especially hypnotic sleep - I put a flame to his forehead."

I let out the tiniest of gasps. Dad hates flames with a passion - he says that their only use is for lighting and cooking and that it is a cursed power (it's probably his type talking, in all honesty). He was so sensitive to flames that simply bringing them into the room would immediately draw his attention (and rage).

"Did he react?"

"No - Leafia is nearly comatose. Sharon did her job well. She mentioned she had some initial trouble with Glacia - something to do with ghostly energy - and decided to simply lock her in for the night. When I checked on her, she seemed to be in a deep sleep, so it may have worked out for the best, anyway."

"Very well. In accordance with Lord Black's orders, we will proceed with Operation Marionette. Soon, we will bring out the Calamanero."

Wait a second… that was the Pokemon talking to Sharon outside my room earlier tonight! Before I could fully process that statement, though, I felt psychic energy envelop me. My body turned around, out of my control, to see an Espeon gazing at me blankly, its eyes glittering blue - a telltale sign of the use of psychic energy.

After Espeon had finished inspecting me, it then began to drag me with it around the corner, forcing me to walk with the use of its mind. I couldn't speak, for my mouth was slammed shut.

Once we turned around the corner, we entered a large room. The room was humongous - it was so big you could easily fit in a couple of Onixes inside of it. Papers lay on tables, with chairs surrounding them. I observed a large circle on the ground, strange symbols inscribed along its edges. There was a door leading to somewhere on the other side of the room

I saw two Pokemon. One was a strange bipedal Pokemon, which had blades sticking out of every surface. It had a perpetual frown on its face, as though it was always displeased. The other was my Uncle Mentali, another Espeon.

They heard our approaching footsteps and turned to look at us. My uncle's eyebrows shot up, while the bipedal Pokemon deepened it frown.

"Report," the biped commanded.

The Espeon that had captured me began to speak. "Agent Delta-3, sir. I was returning to receive further orders - the Delta Squad has secured the barrier around the castle to prevent any interruptions. The Alpha Squad's soporifics worked successfully. All of the castle's inhabitants are now asleep. As I returned through the passageway, I noticed the heiress spying on you two. I captured her and brought her here for further judgments." The Espeon took a deep breath. "End Report".

Uncle Mentali had collected himself. He turned to look at me, with some sadness in his eyes. He looked as though he was disappointed with me, as if I had broken some deep trust between us.

"It looks like you had woken up from your slumber." He turned away from me. "This is my fault. I had forgotten to lock the door when I left Glacia's room." He paused, then turned to the bipedal Pokemon. "What are your thoughts on how we should deal with her"

"Deal with me"? What does Uncle Mentali mean, "deal with me"? Uncle Mentali was sounding threatening right now. Around that point, the puzzle pieces began to fit together, but the conclusion they suggested was ridiculous. I have clearly been reading too many mystery novels as well.

There can't possibly be a revolution…

Right?

The biped, after a minute's thought, slowly answered "... There are many solutions I can think of. But we will wait for the orders of Lord Black, Delta-3, Mentali. He has said he will be here shortly.". The biped turned to me, locking his eyes with me as if he knew what I was thinking. "The revolution will occur tonight."

Oh Arceus, it wasn't my imagination.

I struggled against my psychic prison, trying to break free with all of my might. The Espeon( which was called Delta-3, I think), held me fast, however, and I soon stopped, realizing that my efforts were futile.

All four of us - me, Uncle Mentali, Delta-3, and the biped, waited silently in the cavernous room they were talking in. However, at some point, we heard footsteps.

Then two Umbreons came out, their yellow rings gleaming in the dim light of the torches on the stone wall. They quickly went to opposite sides of the doorway. Two more Umbreons came after them and proceeded to do the same thing.

Then a single Umbreon came out. However, this Umbreon was different than the others. Instead of having yellow rings with red eyes, this Umbreon had blue rings with yellow eyes. With a start, I realized that I recognized this Umbreon - I had seen him conversing with my father for years now. He hadn't come around often, but when he did come I avoided him like the plague. Dark energy roiled often around him, and I got anxious around dark energy (not scared! I am not scared of anything!).

The Umbreon continued walking forward, the others Umbreons bowing as he passed. As he approached the four of us, Uncle Mentali, the biped, and Delta-3 all bowed as well. I didn't want to bow either, but Delta-3's hold over my body said otherwise.

"Rise," the Umbreon said gravely.

"Yes, Lord Black," Uncle Mentali, the biped, and Delta-3 said in unison.

Lord Black gazed at us all, his eyes lingering on me for quite some time. Then he spoke, with some strange emotion inside it I couldn't quite identify. "Report on all that has occurred. I repeat: all that has occurred". He stressed "all" specifically while looking at me.

Uncle Mentali stepped up. "The Delta Squad has secured the barrier, making sure that none enter or leave the castle. The Alpha Squad have successfully placed the soporifics we stole in the food of the servants, making sure that they won't wake up for some time." Lord Black nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving my form. "The Musharna has helped us in our plan, hypnotizing all but Glacia into the deepest of sleeps. I personally checked to see whether Leafia was sufficiently hypnotized with a flame to see if he reacted. It did not disturb him in the slightest."

"And what of Glacia, pray tell. Why wasn't she hypnotized?"

"The Musharna told me that Glacia had residual ghostly energy surrounding her, blocking her hypnosis". Uncle Mentali then looked contrite. "Still, when I went to check on them all, she was sound asleep. I forgot the lock the door when I left, which must have allowed her to escape."

Lord Black looked pensive. Then, out of nowhere, he fired a bolt of nightmarishly black energy straight at Uncle Mentali. He collapsed, black lightning crackling around him.

Lord Black stepped up to Uncle Mentali, placed one of his paws on Uncle's prone sides, and then spoke with a dead, yet chilling, voice. "Mentali," he intoned "I honestly expected better of you. It has been years since you have failed like this." He then began forming the black energy around his mouth again. "Your role in the revolution is almost over. Tell me one good reason why I shouldn't end you here."

Nobody moved. Nobody reacted. It was almost like they expected this sort of thing would happen, like it was routine.

Uncle Mentali began coughing. He replied in a raspy voice "Nothing, my lord. I beg your mercy".

Lord Black continued to stare at Uncle Mentali, holding his gaze there for several seconds. Finally, he lifted his eyes. "Mentali," he spoke with finality "regardless of your recent failure, you will be forgiven. Let it not be forgotten that I am merciful to all" he said with malice written upon his face. "However, once the revolution has ended, you will be punished - severely."

"Yes, My Lord". Uncle Mentali nodded.

"Good. Before we deal with Leafia, we must deal with Glacia." I felt a large spike of fear pierce me at these words. I saw how easily Lord Black was able to defeat Uncle Mentali, one of the best battlers in the land. Given that I've never even fought in an actual battle before, I don't think there is much that I can really do to save myself.

"We could dispose of her here and be done with it." Lord Black spoke with a chilling grin on his face "But after a moment's thought, I realized something even better we could do with her." He then laughed "After all, I could always use more puppets."

Puppets?

"Bring out the Calamanero." Lord Black commanded the Umbreons. The Umbreons saluted, then quickly left back in the direction they came.

The Calamanero? I remember the bipedal Pokemon talking about before from around half an hour ago. It sounded a lot like one would talk about a final weapon.

After a couple of tense minutes inside the chamber, the Umbreons returned, with a Pokemon in tow - what must be the Calamanero.

The Calamanero was a large, squid-like Pokemon. Its head had several tentacles sprouting out of it. It had a large purple body with six yellow spots. I thought I had seen the Pokemon before, but I'm not quite sure from where, exactly.

"Hello, Calamanero." Lord Black greeted.

"Hello, Black" The Calamanero replied with a sinister tone. "It seems that we will begin Operation Marionette now, eh?"

"Not quite. Right now, we have a little rat who thought exploring the castle at night would be wonderful, eh Glacia?" He faced me with another of his grins "I think that, as responsible adults, we really should deal with rats, Calamanero." Another spike of fear shot through me. What were they going to do with me?

The Calamanero began to chuckle. "Alright, Black, what should I do with her. You clearly want to punish her, so I'm assuming you don't me to inflict amnesia upon her, do you"

"No, I just want you to hypnotize her to become another puppet. It'll be fitting - the master becomes the slave. Poetic, really."

Hypnosis? Puppet? SLAVE?

'Lord Black wants to enslave me - and Dad too! I have to get out of here!'

I struggle with a fervor I never knew I had. My life is one thing. My intelligence, my personality, my identity - I can never, NEVER let those go.

The Calamanero nodded. "Alright. I'll begin right now."

NO! I HAVE TO ESCAPE.

I continue to struggle. Delta-3's grip is so strong, however, that I can't move an inch.

The Calamanero's yellow spots begin to glow ominously. My struggles slowly become weaker and weaker, as I begin to lose my will.

'Oh Arceus… anybody… please save me.' I begged with my last words.

Then, something responded.

Alright.

Then all I saw was white.