Torch POV

    "Ahhhhh!"

    My screaming was cut short as, suddenly, I was surrounded by a pool of warm water. I gasped for breath and looked around, eventually spotting land. I pulled myself ashore and let out a small flame, warming myself up.

    I was standing in a stone cave, the walls lit by flaming torches. Highly nervous, I shook out the last of my wet feathers and searched for my friend.

    "Shadow?" I called fearfully, tension rising.

    I heard a faint coughing and spun around. Shadow was thrashing about in the pool of water, his violet eyes wide but fuzzy.

    "Oh- Shadow!" I exclaimed. He didn't seem to be drowning... What was going on?

    "Everything hurts," Shadow whispered, and he swam to the shore. He stumbled towards me. "Torch- Torch I hit my head-"

    I snapped to attention. "Oh no!"

    He swallowed and looked around. After taking a few deep breaths, his vision seemed to clear.

    As he gazed around the cave, his nervous face turned to utter shock.
 
    "No..." He whispered to himself. "How..."

    I blinked slowly. "Do you know where we are...?"

    "I- uh- I've never seen this cave before," he said awkwardly, turning away from me. "Do you think we can climb out through that tunnel?" He peered upwards through the hole above the pool.

    "Well, no, unless you can fly."

    Shadow looked even more alarmed. "How will we get out, then, without running into-" he stopped cold, his eyes widening.

    I took a step back. "Why are you acting so weird? Who could we run into?" I asked, fear running from my head to my feet.

    "Me."

    Suddenly, a jagged rock against the wall flickered briefly and turned into-

    -a Zoroark.

    I jumped, but Shadow stayed still. He simply stared at the Zoroark, his eyes wider than moons.

    "Zae," she said. "You've come back to us."

    Shadow's voice cracked. "M-Mother."

    I froze. What?

    I expected them to hug, to have some family reunion, but they didn't. They still stood staring (or are they glaring now?) at each other.

    Then Shadow (did she say Zae?) said, "Well, we're going to be leaving now. Show us to the exit."

    "Oh, don't leave so fast, Zae," the Zoroark said, taking a smooth step forward. "You've only just arrived." Another step. "And we've all been waiting for you to return." She was extremely close to Shadow now. "And- of course- you'd want to see our new home."

    Suddenly Zoroarks and Zoruas appeared out of thin air, every one of them dropping their illusions.

    Shadow looked ready to faint.

    Shadow POV

    How?

    My mother smiled wickedly. I stared, wondering how I was going to get out of here with Torch. These were highly trained Illusionists, so they can be anywhere! I could try to throw on an illusion and run, but I couldn't leave Torch behind...

    "Come here, Zae," my mother said, a bit harshly. I had no choice but to stumble forward.

    I was met with a blast of Fury Swipes.
  
    "Aaagh!" I cried out in pain and fell back. My mother retraced her claws and smiled innocently. "Zae, you've grown," she said. "Have you grown up enough to do an illusion yet?"

    The other Zoroarks chuckled.

    My face grew hot. "Actually," I snapped, "I've learned, and it comes as easily as breathing."

    "Does it, now," my mother said. "Why don't you show me?"

    "Maybe I will!" I yelped. I shut my eyes and concentrated on a rock- I'll show her I can do it exactly like she!

    There were a couple gasps, and I opened my eyes. There was definitely a rock illusion around me.

    My mother's face twitched. "Zae," she said in a surprisingly kind voice, "You belong to the Shadow tribe."

    I opened my eyes. I decided against telling her my new name was Shadow, named after my old Tribe. She doesn't need to know I missed this place... But I definitely did not miss her.

    "I will not show you the exit," she said, "But I will show you to your sleeping quarters. You- and perhaps that Torchic next to you- may be useful to the Shadow Tribe.

    "You're staying here, Zae."

    <><><>

    Hello! Just a note, but "Zae" is pronounced "Zie". Like "tie" but with a Z.