Shado X Jess - Hidden Memories.

Chapter 1 - We Meet Again

Jess and Shado were preparing food for a reunion. Shado looked over at Jess and he could tell that she was nervous, she is meeting the people she doesn't remember after all. "Relax, Jess," He said to her. "I can't help it, what if they don't like that I don't remember them?" Jess replied, her voice shaking in nerves.

"It's going to be okay, we've known them longer than you are aware. They won't judge you for your memory loss, trust me."

"O-okay... I trust you, Shado."

They continued to set up everything. Shado was watching the meat cook on the fire, and Jess was preparing the cold foods and setting them up outside on the table. Shado sneaked glances at Jess, making sure she is calm. She was taking deep breaths, her nerves rising yet again. "Jess, sit down with me," Shado told her. She didn't reply, but she did as she was told, sitting down next to him. "It's going to be fine. They're not judgemental people. They will be happy to see you again, even if you did lose your memory. And besides, even if they judged you, you know I would put them in their place, just like you would've done."

"I know, I know. I just... Feel so stupid for forgetting everything."

"It wasn't your fault and you know that. EXA did this to you, not yourself. Just ask them about themselves and you will realise they're not here to judge you. They know what happened, so they understand."

Moments passed by when the first people arrived, Bert, Tina and the Twins, Hotty and Coldy. Jess was still sat at the fire, whilst Shado got up to greet them all. 

Tina was the first to speak, "Shado! It's so good to see you again!" She exclaimed, clearly happy to see her teammate and friend once again. She looked over at Jess, clearly, she wasn't interested in saying hi. "How is she?" Tina's voice lowered, more concerning. "She's doing okay, but she's worried that you all are going to judge her for losing her memories."

"I'll go talk to her. Bert, why don't you help finish setting up the table, you're making the place look untidy." She said. Bert chuckled and got to work with Shado. The Twins were playing in the water, happy and content. 

Jess looked back over where there others were as she saw Tina, making her way to her. 'Just pretend that I know her, that should do the trick. Right?' Jess thought as she was wondering what to say. "Hi, Jess. My name is Tina. We knew each other for a long time."

"I know we did, you loved the memories here right?" Jess' voice was shaking, so Tina understood that she was nervous.

"We had some beautiful memories here. There was just some bad ones before we left. Master Mantek passed away when we were escaping, but it's thanks to him our powers have come a long way."

"What is your power?" 

"Energy-drain. I've had some past experiences with my power, they wasn't good at all. But Master Mantek showed me that I can also give energy. Do you know what yours is?"

"Shado told me I could manipulate people, but I haven't used it since coming here. I don't even remember how to use it." 

"Hey, that's okay, we just have to jiggle it free."

"Meaning?"

"We will try to find a way to get you to use it again. It's like unlocking a safe, once it's open, the things inside are now yours. Unlock your powers again, and they are all yours to use."

Jess smiled softly at her, she was no longer the real Jess. No, she used to be the manipulative kind, the one that gets what she wants by seduction. Now, she is the sweet, shy teenager, a complete contrast. 

"How about we go back? Do you want to see the Twins and Bert?"

"I'm nervous. I just wish I had my memories back. You all look so familiar but when I think about it, I get nowhere."