-Japan; Place and Time Unknown-

“So, she’s escaped.” The man adjusted his glasses, and then leaned forward on his desk, his fingers intertwined like a giant fist. “And the police failed to capture him.”

“Yes sir.”

“Not really a big surprise I suppose.” The man stood turning to stare at his wall sized window and the city below. “He is the Phantom Thief after all. And it doesn’t help that he has the help of the Crystal Wing Master. Bind her power with his, and you have an unstoppable team.”

“Then maybe we should get that team onto our side.”

“That’s a lot easier said than done.” The man turned around. “Keep watch over them. With her memory gone we shouldn’t have much of a problem, but you can never be too certain with Dark.”

“Yes sir.”

Chapter Two
Creature of the Shadows

It was silent around her, as quiet as it had been the night before the police had attacked. She started to open her eyes, but immediately shut them due to the fact that the sun instantly struck them with painful force. She held back a groan, rolling onto her side. Her dark blue hair fell in random directions, most of it over her face, and her clothes tightened around her. /I see… my host is a girl…/ Her eyes snapped open. That voice… it was the same one from last night… the one who had taken over her body while she was unconscious.

Dark…? She had thought that it was only a dream, that she would wake up in her prison like room with news that the test had failed in the end, and that they’d end up trying again tomorrow- something she had no desired doing, even though she couldn’t remember anything before three weeks ago.

/That’s me. / He appeared very suddenly in front of her. Although see through like all spirits are, he still sat firmly on the floor as if he could actually touch it. /I must say, I’ve never met anyone with such.. shadowy dreams before. / He turned his head slightly to meet her eyes. /It didn’t help me learn more about you at all. /

She sat up, clamping her hand tightly into a fist. Her body was back to normal, the weakness from the past week having already faded away hours before. You saw all that I know. She closed her eyes as she spoke as Dark titled his head slightly. I can’t even remember a name.

/I see… / She opened her eyes again to see him staring out the window. Unlike a normal human, he didn’t have to worry about the sun hurting his eyes. /Well then… it seems we have a mystery on our hands. / He turned back toward her with a grin. /One that I’d be happy to help you with! /

Are you just saying that because you live in my head and have no other choice?

/No… /

Really.

/Okay that’s part of it. But I could never turn down a lady in need. /

Right Whatever you say.

/Shut up. /

“So you’re awake I see.” Turning her neck as Dark vanished, she rested her eyes on the red head that walked into the room. He was much older than her- by at least 20 years, but he looked much younger. He was wearing a red outfit that matched his hair, and a small, ring shaped pendent that rested on his back with a thin silver chain. “I found you outside.” He sat a tray of food down on the table in front of her and smiled. “Glad you see you’re better.”

/Daisuke… /

You know him?

/Yes… he was my old host… /

So if I tell him about you her might be able to help us out!

/Don’t… / He appeared again beside her staring at Daisuke with sadness in his eyes. /He’ll be safer if he doesn’t know. /

But we could use the help.

/Then let him find out on his own. / Dark said simply. /He’s smart, and it would be better that way. If he figures it out, it keeps us from having to say it out loud and risking someone over hearing us. /

Are you sure?

/Positive. /

“So who are you?” Daisuke asked. She stared at him blankly, and he quickly laughed while scratching his head. “I should probably introduce myself first huh. The names Daisuke Niwa.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Silence came over them as he waited for her to introduce herself, but nothing came out.

“So… who are you?” He asked finally.

“I… I don’t know.” She said quietly. “I can’t remember anything.” She wince slightly. Before last week anyway.

/What were they doing to you? / He glanced at her, sounding extremely concerned. /What pain did I give you? /

You didn’t give me any pain, Dark.

/No… / He closed his eyes and sighed. /But whatever they did for my sake hurt you in the process, making me indirectly responsible. /

Please don’t blame yourself Dark. I would much prefer if we didn’t keep going over what happened understand?

He smiled. /As you wish. /

“So you can’t remember who you are, so you know what you need?” He turned toward her with a smile. “You need a name!”

She blinked. “Uhh… what name were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that you should think of one.” He said. “You’d be the only human who can choose their own name, but that would be fair wouldn’t it?” He winked. “You should eat your breakfast and let me know what you’ve decided okay?” She nodded slightly staring down at the floor. Daisuke stared at her for a moment, but slowly walked back into the kitchen and left her to her physical self.

/So what are you considering? / Dark sat back on the couch, his legs crossed and his hands behind his head in a relaxing way.

I don’t know… She stared outside. I don’t know anything about myself, so I don’t know what name would work.

/And if you did know something about yourself you would probably already know your name and we wouldn’t have to consider this. / He smiled at his own humor, but she wasn’t laughing. /Name off some random choices. /

Well… She stared out the window. I was thinking… She looked up with a smile. I’ve got it.

/Got what? / He opened his eyes and frowned. /How are you blocking your thoughts off? /

I must have an extreme desire to keep it a secret until Daisuke comes back. Dark started to protest, but decided against it and leaned his head back to where it was. She was a strange girl, sarcastic, determined… yet lonely. It was the only thing he had been able to get from her dreams. The only weeks she could remember were filled with solitary confinement, and desperate, failed attempts, to escape.

And pain… terrible, constant pain.

She ate her breakfast before Dark could say anything more, and quietly carried it into the kitchen, following the path she had seen Daisuke walk on a moment before. He was there, standing in front of the sink as he washed some dishes. “Oh hello.” He said with a smile. “Have you made your decision yet?”

“Yeah…” She moved to the counter and set her plate on top. “Can I get a drink first?” She asked.

“Sure.” He said. “There’s ice in the…” She moved to open the freezer, but his face because suddenly surprised. “Wait don’t!” she opened the fridge, and instantly dodged the sudden spiked ball that dropped. Her blue eyes faded to purple as she flipped expertly over the counter and landed away from the trap. “Wow.” She said standing back up. “That was close.”

“That was impressive.” He reached into the freezer, pulling out a bunch of ice and dumping into the cup in his hand. “I’ve never seen anyone who can do that so well.”

She smiled, her eyes already back to normal. I guess that doesn’t count Angels huh Dark? He snorted, and she could feel him crossing his arms in annoyance. “I was trained well these past three weeks.” She looked back down at the ground. “And probably before then, but I don’t know when.” Very suddenly, she sat back up, rubbing the back of her head in slight embarrassment. “But I’m sure you’re tired of hearing my sob story by now. I really don’t mean to bring it up again.”

“What a change.” Daisuke thought. “Despite her memory loss she still finds something to smile about. It’s quite… miraculous actually.” “So, have you decided on a name yet?”

“Yep.” She looked up with a wide grin. “I want to be called Ash.”

He blinked. “Ash…?”

/Why Ash? /

Because Ash- the stuff not the name- is black and back equals Dark. She said with a sly grin. Is that all right with you?

/Reminds me of a cartoon Daisuke used to watch. /

She placed her finger on her chin. Well, that’s not something I would remember.

/Very true. /

“Do you like it…?” She asked quietly.

“Yeah!” Daisuke smiled. “It has a certain ring to it.” He nodded. “It fits you huh?”

“Kyu!” Both of them turned as a small rabbit hopped onto the counter.

/With…? / The bunny tilted his head, his bright silver and red eyes sparkling.

“Razz!” Daisuke smiled. “Ash… this is Razz, my old bunny’s son.” He scratched the rabbit’s head, handing him a small strawberry.

“What was your old bunny’s name?” She asked quietly.

“With.” He said not looking at her. “He died a couple years ago.”

“I’m sorry.” She said.

He laughed. “It’s no big deal I promise.”

/I wonder if he has the same powers With had…

What power are those?

/With could transform into my wings. It saved my magical power. If he does, it could keep you from feeling as much pain as you had this past week. /

Interesting… She looked at the small bunny, and it turned its head with a smile. How do you test something like that? Jump off a roof and hope he comes.

/it’s worth a try. /

Dark!

/I’m not serious. /

Sure you’re not.

“Ash.” She looked up. “I have to go to work today. My wife went off to work today as well, but I’ll probably be home before her. I’ve already explained everything to her so it won’t be a big problem. Will you be alright by yourself?”

By myself could be loosely translated. She thought with a small laugh. “Of course I’ll be fine… but how many more traps are set in this house?”

He scratched his arm a slightly. “A couple… I’ll get some food out for you before I leave deal?”

She nodded. “Deal. Thank you Niwa-Sama.”

He grinned. “You’re welcome.” She bowed slightly, walking out to the living room and plopping down on the couch. Minutes later, she heard Daisuke leave the house, and she was alone… alone with Dark.

/You make it sound like that’s a bad thing. /She didn’t answer, not wanted to reply. /Can you do me a favor? /

Yes?

/Can you go up to Daisuke’s room? I want to see If it still looks the same as I remember./

I don’t think it will.

/Will you try anyway? I’m unable to move around on my own if you haven’t noticed. /

Alright. She stood up, and slowly walked up the nearby stairway.

That’s what I thought. He said. It looked completely different than he remembered, with the bunk bed having been replaced with a queen-sized bed, and the dresser seemed to have grown these past 20 years. The walls were still white, and the giant window- the first thing he had seen one Daisuke’s fourteenth birthday- was closed. /Not surprising. /

Then why do you sound so disappointed?

/No reason. / He froze. /Do you year that? /

It sounded like an earthquake of some sort. She stared at the ground, as a couple pieces of furniture seemed to shake.

/Look out the window! /

She obeyed, looking up just moments before a black creature crashed through it. “Ahh!” She fell backwards, flying into the wall. The back of her hair shortened, as the dark blue changed to dark purple. Snapping his new, purple eyes open, Dark stood tall, placing his hand on his hip as the creature started to form in front of him. “It wouldn’t be a good day without some kind of action.” He said jokingly, but his voice was much too serious to be taken lightly.

What is that thing?

/Good Question. / The shadow like creature formed into what looked like a human, with two, beady red eyes that glowed against it’s body. /It’s not anything I’ve ever seen before. /

“Dark…” It growled as it grew a couple inches more.

Well obviously it’s seen you.

/I know I have a tendency to hang out with the wrong crowd, but I think I would remember him. / Diving to the side, he literally rolled down the stairs, landing on his feet like a well-trained cat. The shadow creature, however, followed him, sliding down the stairs like a waterfall.

We have to get out of here! We don’t want him ruining Daisuke’s house!

/True. / Dodging a crazy blast from the creature, he rolled to the side and swung open the door. “Razz!” He yelled. /Will he come to me like With? / He flew out the door, preparing him self to hit the ground.

Without warning, a pair of wings attached to his back, and he shot into the sky. “Razz!” He exclaimed. “You did it!” There were the same as With’s had been, except a it seemed to have a couple shades of purples and blues on the edge of each separate feather, making him more colorful than he remembered.

Flapping his new wings harder, he shot into the sky as high as possible. The creature, however, seemed to be one step ahead of him. Two dark wings appeared on his back as well, and the Shadow creature followed him. “Crap.” He muttered. The creature released a black Shadowball, but he quickly turned onto his side to dodge it. The ball grazed his arm, shooting pain through his body. “Hey!” Spinning around, he speed toward the creature. Punching it hard in the stomach, he spread his wings and backed away again. “It didn’t do anything!” He exclaimed, narrowing his eyes. /I don’t think I can beat him without using magic! /

Then use it!

/I can’t Ash. / He said. /Your body is still worn out from this last week, even enough so that even I’m feeling the effects of it. / Dodging another attack, he spun around and dropped below the creature.

Use it anyway! She exclaimed

He hesitated, but nodded, charging a blue beam in his palm. Both him and the creature sped at each other, but just moments before they collided; Dark released his attack, which smacked into the creature instantly. It spun out of control, flying backwards and exploding in the air, raining down on the ground below. Flapping his wings, he glanced down at the ground, watching as each little piece of the creature reformed, and slowly slid away, dropping into a drain before his eyes. /For some reason… I don’t think we’re done with him… her… it. / He slowly landed, and his wings immediately disappeared, fading back into Razz. “Kyu!” The bunny exclaimed, hopping back into the house.

“Thanks!” He yelled after it, gripping his upper arm. “Why does this hurt?” He muttered pulling up his sleeve. His eyes widened in surprise. “That would explain it.” A long gash, from his shoulder to his elbow, trickled with fresh blood.

I remember that. She said softly appearing beside him. I saw it as a scar before I was knocked unconscious.

/And you can’t remember ever getting it. / He said simply. /I know the story. /

Well you know it wrong. She said flatly. One of the men taking care of me… Dr. Kremlin I believe… told me that I got it when they were trying to give me some sort of shot. I freaked out and it cut open my arm.

/Dr. Kremlin huh. / He looked up at the sky. /The person the science lab was named after? I thought you said Carter bound me to you. /

He did. Kremlin tried to stop him a couple times, but it never worked.

/So you can remember some things. / He scratched his chin.

Not much. Just what happened two weeks prior to you.

/I see. It sounds like we need to talk to this Kremlin guy. If he wasn’t for the testing, then he might give us the truth. /

But I have no idea where to find him!

/We’ll take it one step at a time then. / He glanced at his arm. /The first one would be to bandage up this wound before it does too much damage. /