Ok, so first off, I just wanna establish a few new points about my canon.

First off, I decided to have Shadow and Terrance (my otter fursona) be divorced. The reason for this is because I noticed that in many of my stories over the recent years and for many of my art pieces, I barely did anything with him. I didn't really focus on him as much, and so he kinda just became a backseat character. He barely got to do or say anything, he was just there. So I decided to have them break up.
Instead, I plan to ship Shadow with Mikey, since they're both my main OCs, and I feel like they work better as a couple.

Secondly, as I've probably said here before, Shadow and Vex will no longer be hyenas, but American black bears instead. Over the last year, I've grown fond of bears and bear furries, and so I decided to change them both to bears.

Thirdly, I want to make Shadow a bit of a Pokémon trainer. And I want his partner Pokemon to be Giratina because he is my all-time favorite Pokémon.

And fourthly, Shadow is now retired from being boss of his video game company simply because I felt the concept had run its course.

That aside, this story explains the in-universe reason for Shadow and Terrance's divorce. So if you're not into that theme, don't read.
By the way, the character mentioned in this story, Mauv, DOES NOT BELONG TO ME. He belongs to my best friend in the fandom, Mauv Burr.

On that note, Happy New Year.
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Shadow stood in the kitchen of Mikey’s house in Chicago, Illinois. He sighed, drinking a glass of wine as he thought about the events of the recent months and year. The rough but mutual divorce between him and his now ex-otter husband, Terrance Ulrich. The events repeated in his head like a VHS tape on rewind.

Over the first half of the year, Shadow’s workload at his video game company became heavy and nearly unmanageable, leading to a struggle with time for work and spending time with his family. As time went on, Shadow and Terrance began to grow distant, due to barely ever getting to spend time with each other anymore. Eventually, they lost touch with each other’s hearts and on mutual terms, they decided to split up. While they remained on good terms and lifelong friends as they always were, Shadow still felt heartbroken and despondent over their breakup.

Becoming burnt out from his workload, Shadow would later retire from his video game company and promote one of his assistants to CEO before moving to Chicago, Illinois where he would work a job at a retro vinyl and mixtape store - something that he particularly enjoyed, due to the nostalgia of the old music that he would listen to in his 1980s childhood.
Shadow received custody of Vex, who would visit Terrance in Honolulu, Hawaii on bi-weekly weekends. Mauv, a black bear who was one of Shadow’s closest friends, would often go with Vex to keep him safe. While Vex had a hard time adjusting to his new lifestyle, he eventually came around and got used to it. Shadow remained on good terms with Terrance and would keep in touch with him over text messages and phone calls.

Shadow would often spend time with a close friend of his, Mikey Banks. A 40-year old grizzly bear who loved the 1990s decade, a parallel to his fondness for the 80s. They would often spend time at the arcade, where they would chat about life and nostalgia and their favorite movies and cartoons growing up. Shadow would also watch over his 16-year old son, Alan, whenever Mikey was busy with work or needed to go out of town for a few days. While Shadow didn’t have the courage to tell him right now, Shadow felt as though he was developing strong feelings for Mikey.

Shadow sipped his wine while he heard friends chatting throughout Mikey’s house. It was New Years Eve, and Shadow still struggled with recovering from his divorce. While his feelings for Mikey were strong, he was still heartbroken and feared that he would lose Mikey as a boyfriend or husband.

“I put so much into this marriage.” Shadow said to Mikey when they chatted about it one afternoon while walking in the park. “I thought me and Terrance were gonna grow old together. I thought our love was eternal.”
“These things happen, Shadow.” Mikey reassured him. “Sometimes, things happen that you can’t control or that you think aren’t for the best, but…eventually, you’ll realize that it was meant to be or it had to happen.”

“Are you feeling ok?” Mikey asked Shadow, snapping him out of his flashback-entranced state.
“Huh? Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, Mikey.” Shadow spoke, a hint of despondency in his voice.
Mikey could tell Shadow was lying.
“Are you still thinking about you and Terrance?” He asked, concerned.
Shadow just nodded his head.
“Shads, you can’t keep letting that drag you down, man. It’s been months.” Mikey spoke to him.
“I know. I just can’t believe this really happened. I mean, I’ve known Terrance since I was a freakin’ kid. I thought we were meant for each other.” Shadow vented.

Mikey placed his hand on Shadow’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Shadow. But you’re single now. This is the time for you to meet new people, maybe find someone you truly connect with.” He assured him.
Shadow smiled at Mikey for a moment, his feelings for him resurfacing briefly.
Vex soon ran up to Shadow, handing him a green Christmas paper-wrapped box with a red bow.

“Here, Dad. I wanted to give you this.” Vex said.
“What is it, kiddo?” Shadow asked.
“A late Christmas present.” Vex replied. “I wanted to give it to you on Christmas, but…I hid it under my bed and forgot about it.”
Shadow tore off the wrapping paper to find a black box. Shadow opened the box to find…a Master Ball, appearing to be shipped all the way from the Pokémon Center store.

“….What is it, Vex?”
“It’s a Master Ball.” Vex said. “I’m really into Pokémon right now, so..I kinda wanted to share my passion with you.”
Shadow just smiled and ruffled Vex’s hair.
“I love it, kiddo.” Shadow said, smiling. “Wait, how did you get this? It looks like it came from one of those Pokémon Center stores all the way in Japan.”
“I MAY have used your credit card.” Vex spoke sheepishly.
“You WHAT?!” Shadow exclaimed.
“Anywaaaay, I’m gonna go drink some more Pepsi now!” Vex laughed before running off.
Shadow sighed and facepalmed before laughing under his breath.
“What am I gonna do with that kid, Mikey?” He laughed.
Mikey chuckled and patted Shadow’s back. “Kids these days. They always know how to cause trouble..for the right cause sometimes.”
Shadow nodded, and Mikey threw his arm around him.

“Things get better, Shadow. Trust me, they do.”
“I know. I think I just need some air for a bit.” Shadow spoke before walking to the back door of the kitchen and exiting to the backyard.
Shadow stood out on the back porch, staring up at the night sky. He let out a sigh and tried to ease his mind. He stared at the Master Ball in his hand.

Shadow soon looked up at the sky, seeing a shooting star. Surprised, he closed his eyes and made what was probably the biggest wish of his life.
“I wish things would get better.” He wished in his head. “I wish that the future was bright.”
Shadow squeezed the Master Ball in his hand, thinking of Vex’s passion for Pokémon - the trading card game, the games, the plushies, his favorite Pokémon being Ursaring and Teddiursa because they both reminded him of him and Shadow.
“I wish…I wish I had a partner Pokémon!” Shadow wished.

And as Shadow made that wish, he turned around to see his reflection in the glass of the door to the kitchen distort and waver, almost like it was like water somehow. Shadow reached towards the mysterious distortion, and to his surprise, his hand passed through it! The distortion felt cold to the touch. It felt like a cold river or body of water. But most of all, it felt like a portal. A portal leading to another world.

Shadow curiously moved closer towards this strange portal until…he felt something pull him through it like a vacuum. As Shadow fell through, he felt gravity reverse and fell on a rocky terrain. Everything felt as if it was flipped upside down, and Shadow looked around to find himself in a dark, distorted world. The ground underneath his feet was rust-colored, and he looked around to see many different islands floating, some upside down, some sideways. He saw spiky tall trees, and he looked down from the island to see a spinning whirlpool of spatial clouds.

“Hello?” Shadow called out. “Where am I? Is this Hell?”
He walked across the island, still having a feeling of hanging upside down like a bat. Shadow soon jumped over to a nearby island, feeling himself float across almost like he was in space.
“Gravity feels weird here.” Shadow commented before seeing what looked like a waterfall - flowing sideways.

Shadow suddenly heard a mighty roar, causing him to jump.
“Gah! What the hell was that?!” He screamed. Shadow suddenly saw something swoop across him - a mysterious creature resembling a snake. Shadow looked around, panicking a bit until he turned around to see a giant snakey dragon-like beast. Its head and face resembled a golden crown and black scaly face with glowing red eyes. It had grey skin and a black chest with red stripes going down its body. It had golden-tipped spikes down either side of its body, with four additional golden spikes near the edge of its tail. It had six gold half-rings with black ghostly tendrils, bearing red spikes at their tips. Shadow was in the presence of Giratina - The Renegade Pokémon.

“Why are you here?!?! What brought you to this world?!!” Giratina roared, speaking telepathically somehow.
“I don’t want any trouble! I just wanna go home!” Shadow panicked as he ran towards the waterfall. He jumped into the water before trying to swim upwards. Giratina flew after him before picking him up with one of his tendrils. He tried to break free before falling through his grasp and towards one of the islands. As he landed with a heavy thud, he saw a nearby cave.

“I’ll hide in there!” Shadow said as he ran into the cave. Giratina flew after him, suddenly getting stuck through the entrance of the cave.
“You…can’t escape from me! I’m gonna have fun torturing you!” Giratina growled as he struggled to fit into the cave. As he struggled, the ceiling above him began to crack. Shadow hid behind a boulder until the ceiling gave way. The ceiling and walls collapsed around Shadow, who jumped off the ground in a panic, hanging on for dear life to not fall into the depths of the darkness below him.

“Help! Help me! Please!” Shadow suddenly heard Giratina crying out for help.
He looked up to see Giratina’s body being crushed by a piece of the cave’s ceiling.
“Help me! It’s…it’s crushing me alive!” Giratina begged, huffing as though he was struggling to breathe,
Shadow suddenly felt something in his heart. Despite how afraid he was of this monster, he had to help him. He WANTED to help him.
Shadow pulled himself up and rushed over to the heavy rock, pushing with all his might. Giratina was struggling to breathe as the rocky ceiling nearly crushed the last bit of breath out of him.

“Come on! COME ON!!” Shadow yelled in a panic until finally, the rock lifted off, floating away due to the low gravity.
“Are you ok?!” Shadow asked, worried.
Giratina took a moment to catch his breath, nodding his head.
“Yes…you saved my life.” He spoke. “Thank you.”
“Well you should be grateful!” He remarked. “Considering you said you were going to torture me!”

“I’m sorry.” Giratina apologized. “I’ve just been stuck here in this world for so long. I’ve felt so alone, so lost. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“What is this place, anyway? And what the hell are you?” Shadow asked.
“You’re in the Distortion World.” Giratina answered. “It’s a universe where time and space don’t exist, where gravity is distorted. And it’s my prison.”
“Prison?” Shadow asked, confused.
“Yes. I’m the only Pokémon here.” Giratina replied. “My name is Giratina. I’m what many refer to as the Renegade Pokémon. I was cast out here by the mythical Pokémon Arceus for my violent nature.”

Shadow’s jaw suddenly dropped.
“Wait…you’re a Pokémon?! Pokémon are real?!” He asked.
“Do Pokémon not exist in your world?” Giratina asked.
“No. I mean, as far as I know. I don’t know, just…I can’t believe I’m talking to an actual Pokémon!” Shadow went on in disbelief.
Giratina chuckled a bit. “You seem excited, Mr…?”
“Oh, uh.. I’m Shadow. Shadow Vaso.” Shadow introduced.
“It’s nice to meet you, Shadow. It’s so nice to have someone to talk to.” Giratina responded.
“Vex isn’t gonna believe this…” Shadow laughed.
“Vex?” Giratina spoke.
“Oh, yeah. He’s my 9-year old son. And well, he loves Pokémon!” Shadow explained.

Giratina smiled.
“I wish I could meet him. If I wasn’t stuck here.” He sighed.
Shadow suddenly reached into the pocket of his shorts and pulled out the Master Ball Vex gifted him. He thought for a moment, wondering if it would work on Giratina.
“Giratina…I’m going to catch you.” Shadow said to him.
Giratina looked at Shadow, his eyes widening.
“What…did you say?” He asked.
“I’m going to catch you. I want to get you out of here. I want you to be my Partner Pokémon!“
Giratina’s mouth opened wide.
“R-Really? You want to be my trainer?”
“Yes. You deserve to be set free. You don’t deserve to be alone.” Shadow spoke to him.

Giratina’s eyes nearly weld up with tears.
“Shadow…thank you.” He said, happily. “All I’ve ever wanted is to leave this place. But most of all, all I’ve ever wanted is a trainer.”
Shadow closed his eyes and hugged Giratina’s face, causing him to wrap his tendrils around him in a close embrace.
“We’re gonna be best friends forever, Giratina. I promise.” He said. “Now…GO MASTER BALL!”
Shadow threw the Master Ball at Giratina, causing it to open and suck him inside. The ball landed on the ground, where it shook three times before pinging, signaling that Giratina was caught.

Shadow smiled happily as he picked up the Master Ball.
“I caught him. I…I caught Giratina!” Shadow exclaimed happily. He tossed the Master Ball up in the air, letting Giratina out.
“Shadow…I hope we’ll be together forever.” Giratina sighed with affection.
“I told you. We’re together forever, buddy.” Shadow replied. “Now..let’s get you out of here.”
Shadow jumped onto Giratina’s back, who proceeded to open a portal back to Shadow’s home world. They flew through the portal, arriving in the backyard of Mikey’s house in Chicago, Illinois.

“We’re…we’re home.” Shadow spoke as Giratina stood - or rather floated - next to him.
“Shadow!” Mikey said as he came out to the backyard. “There you- what the hell is that?”
Shadow laughed a bit before he placed his hand against Giratina’s side.
“Mikey, you’re not gonna believe it, but…Pokémon are real! They actually exist! And…well, I ended up in the Distortion World and..I caught Giratina!” Shadow explained.
“Well that explains your disappearance.” Mikey replied. “Everyone went home. We thought you left without saying anything and left Vex here.”
Vex himself suddenly ran out to the backyard, having seen Giratina from inside the house.

“IS THAT GIRATINA?!” He excitedly cried out as he ran towards Giratina, staring at him.
Giratina chuckled and smiled before petting Vex’s head with one of his tendrils.
“You have a lovely family, Shadow.” Giratina said to Shadow.
“Holy God, it talks?!” Mikey said, surprised by Giratina’s telepathy.
“This has to be a dream! There’s no way this is real!” Vex excitedly giggled.
“I can assure you my child, I’m very much real.” Giratina said to Vex.
“So I guess you’re a Pokémon trainer now?” Mikey asked Shadow.
“Yep. And me and him are gonna be friends for life.” Shadow said before hugging Giratina close, causing him to return the hug with his tendrils.

“I think this calls for a little New Years firework show.” Mikey said, before going into the house to get some fireworks.

The rest of the night consisted of Mikey and Shadow firing fireworks at midnight for the new year, with them alongside Alan and Vex socializing with Giratina, Shadow’s new partner Pokémon. And as they all watched the fireworks burn in the sky, Shadow felt a huge weight be lifted off his shoulders. He thought about how rough the last few months had been for him.

….But he would be alright. For not only did he live in a new city and had a new, less stressful job, but he had new friends and family, especially Giratina, who would always be there for him as his partner Pokémon.

Shadow’s wish had come true. And so, as midnight struck, and the new year began, so did Shadow’s new life and future. And he looked forward to it.

“Things get better, Shadow. Trust me, they do.” Mikey’s words rang in Shadow’s ears.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!