Hi there people of FF (again). Now, if you've ever met me before, you'd know I write a small reborn fic called Tending the Garden, and that it hasn't updated in over a year. Well, it'll stay that way until I conquer the dreaded Writers Block for it.

I say "for it", because this has come up. This story, Perfect World, written by me and an author who'd like to stay anonymous. Another journey into the world of the Reborn. Another journey... into life's mysteries. But enough of that, here's a word from Mr. Anon:

Hi there. I'm Shadow's anonymous co-author. I plan on remaining anonymous, though I actually have a FanFiction account. (I just don't use it.) I am also a Pokemon fanfiction writer; it's just that I don't write fanfiction anymore. It really is an honor to be able to write with Shadow. He's a great author, in my opinion. If you wish to contact me, you may do so through Shadow. I'll be writing various chapters and sections of chapters throughout the course of the story. This prologue is actually written entirely by myself. Don't bother making attempts to identify who I am, as it will be well-nigh impossible. My writing style has changed drastically since I wrote my first fanfiction.

Prologue: Never Say Never

A young man among a group of older men. The image just didn't seem to fit. Eventually, most of the scientists left, leaving the boy and a couple of others alone to finish cleaning up, taking notes, and resetting the machines. All scientists were trained with evacuation procedures and such in case of an emergency. It all seemed so pointless to the boy, as it did for the men. These evacuation drills were overrated like the earthquake drills back at school; nothing ever went wrong. Ever. Never.

Never say never.

The siren was bloody loud, echoing throughout the entire lab. The sound started the boy, who fumbled with the empty beaker and just barely catching it before it fell out of his reach. He nearly dropped the flask that he was moving over to put away, which would only made matters worse.

Nearly.

A red light was crawling throughout the room, spinning in different directions, creating some kind of pathetic light show. The boy, attempting to catch his breath, stared at the annoying siren and cursing under his breath. The other scientists were looking around as well, puzzled looks spread across their faces. One man had worry hidden behind his glasses. It was completely abnormal for the sirens to go off. It's just simply something that never happened.

Never say never.

Suddenly, the lights shut down. The bright screens dimmed and disappeared in a blink. The power was out; that never happened either.

Never say never.

A gunshot emitted itself from behind the door, which was soon blown across the room, smashing a man into a work desk. Warm blood drooled down the cold metal like a rushing stream, nearly a waterfall. His soul had already fled the dead vessel.

That man was spared.

We all rushed over to the body, desperately trying to save he who could not be saved.

Yet he already was. It was damn ironic.

Ironic.

I pulled at his coat sleeve with my trembling hand. I felt my legs shake. The blood had already left my face, as his had already left his body. I didn't know what I should've felt at the time. I think I was walking along that fine line between scared and depressed. I had liked him.

I liked all of these people around me.

People...

He was a friend, yet they were all my friends; every single one of them. They welcomed me with friendly smiles, yet, at this precise moment, I forgot how to smile myself. How could anyone smile, anyways? Not now, not ever. Never.

Never say never.

A group of men with large firearms flooded throughout the room, a single barrel aimed at each of our heads. They were all in pitch black uniforms, masks over each of their faces. I had no idea how they could see; the mask covered their eyes as well. It was bloody creepy. I looked to my left; there was definitely a gun pointed at my head. I lifted my hands above my head, as did the others, but I quickly wiped some tears from my face first. I was crying, yet who wouldn't?

Wouldn't.

Couldn't.

Shouldn't.

A man in a pure white labcoat walked into the room, hands held behind his back. That coat was like ours, yet he was not. I tried to get a look at his face, but he was wearing pitch-black shades. The doors were blocked by the walls. His face bore no expression, and the poor lighting made it impossible to identify his hair's colour. I guessed that he would remain an enigma forever; there was no way for me to figure out his identity.

Identity...

He brought his hands together, and the dim sound of a light but exaggerated clap rocked the room. "Well done, well done," he said in a slow voice.

He was taunting us; he breaks into the head branch, kills one of us, and then mocks us.

"I had heard that you were developing the technology here... I was waiting. Simply waiting. But I guess you finished earlier than I originally anticipated. Perhaps this is one of the scarce locations I am glad that my hypothesis was incorrect."

The corners of his mouth lifted. His head was facing mine; he must've noticed the fear, the shock, the panic.

I had just realized that he knew about the project. He couldn't have; it was top-secret. Yet, somehow he knew...

Somehow...

And...

then...

I began to fear for our lives...

That later become what I could probably categorize as being the least of my concerns.

"These new developments have the power to change the world. It's so fortunate that you completed the difficult part for me." He brought his hands together for one loud last bang, which thinned out before becoming absorbed into the tense air. I sucked my breath writing into my chest, feeling, sensing, every single part of my body, my being.

I knew what was probably to come.

We should all be dead now.

Yet we're not.

Because he knew.

I wept in silence.

I wish that I could hear my own voice for one last time.

"Shall we begin?"

Begin.

"By the way, we can't ask you to submit OCs to us or offer your ideas, as 'reader interaction' is strictly prohibited. We apologize that we can't put this in our chapter."

But you can still review, and I still make it a habit to name my reviewers, so review if you want.