Hello everybody. I am back from my hiatus with my new story: Into the Storm. This is a Pokémon XD novelization, and a sort of continuation of Brendan's Journey.

Just as a preface, after much consideration, I have decided to hold off on posting the collaboration I've been working on with BraviaryScout. That chapter is going to be a sort of bridge between Brendan's Journey, and Into the Storm, but it would contain spoilers for Brav's story, A Hui Hau Kakou, so we agreed to post the collaboration chapter at the same time.

Legal Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon, and I am not making any money off of this, or any of my stories. Please don't sue me. I'm a college student with no money.

The Storm Begins

Around on almost the other side of the world, a massive cargo ship with a Pokéball along the side was moving quickly, making good time between Hoenn and Orre. The ship was carrying Pokémon as cargo to the Orre region to help trainers there start their journeys, and in one of the bigger cargo holds, which was furnished like a hotel room, there was a particularly lively little Ralts, brushing her hair as she thought about the friends she'd made on this boat.

One was a happy Houndour, named Erebus, who was likely still a puppy based on his love of playing fetch and getting his belly rubbed by any who happened to be passing by. Another was a Teddiursa named Artemis, who seemed to have a bad habit of stealing pots of honey from the kitchen. The little bear cub had been caught a few times, so now the sailors intentionally left out extra jars for her to enjoy. One of her new best friends was a Spheal, named Boreas, who would play catch with others using his own Ice Ball on occasion. There was a Shroomish, named Ceres, that she had taken a slight liking to, but the mushroom Pokémon initially seemed to be a little too aloof to make friends with others. In total, there were 63 Pokémon on the ship, but Alicia seemed to be getting pampered more than the others. It was probably the work of her mother, which she appreciated, but she also kind of wished that she could find her own trainer. Recently, Alicia had begun to realize that she didn't want to be known only as Gwen's daughter, which is part of the reason why she left Hoenn. Even though Orre had no league, she could start anew there, and make her own reputation with less of her mother's influence.

"Miss Alicia," one of the sailors, with whom Alicia had become friends as well, asked as he approached the room where she was staying for the trip. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Alicia paused mid-stroke as she was brushing her hair to make it look as smooth as her mother's did. I'm fine for now, but I might need some dinner in an hour or two, she said sweetly, trying to follow Gwen's example of being proper, something that had changed for the Gardevoir since she became a mother.

"Anything specific that you'd like?" the man, whose nametag said LCDR Stan

You know I'm not picky…but some pasta, with garlic bread, and a salad would be great, Alicia said kindly.

"I'll have that sent up in about an hour. And, just something I wanted to let you know, we should be arriving in Gateon Port in four hours," the Lt. Commander said. "Captain Adam wanted me to let you know."

That sounds good. I'll have time to eat and relax before meeting my future trainer, Alicia said. Thank you for letting me know, she said with a kind smile as the sailor slightly bowed her head and went on his way. One thing, however, that Alicia didn't want to mention to Stan, was a foreboding sense of danger in the near future. After all, she hadn't been too accurate with any premonitions in the past, why would this one be any different?

It seemed to be a quiet night for the crew of the S.S. Libra as they approached Gateon Port in the Orre Region. The massive cargo ship was well known in their destination, a desolate region that, as of yet, didn't have any wild Pokémon. So, for the past twenty years, the other regions of the world had been sending Pokémon via the S.S. Libra in order to aid the development of trainers in that region. Captain Adam was proud to have continued his sailing career after retiring from the military life, the boat was under his command. He was strict when needed, but the crew generally respected the man for his experience and his pristine track record. As of yet, the famous Pokémon transport had never been late by more than a few hours, and those times were only due to unforeseen storms hitting while they were on the open ocean.

This trip, and for most of the trips recently, the Pokémon had been donated from the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn regions, with the Hoenn region even sending a kindhearted Ralts who was the daughter of the famed Gwen, the Gardevoir with the ability of telepathic speech, who was the ace Pokémon of Brendan Maple, the Hoenn League's champion. Arceus knows how powerful that Ralts would become, and alongside the lucky trainer who adopted that Ralts.

"Stan, how's our schedule holding up?" Captain Adam asked his helmsman, and Lt. Commander of this crew. The man in a typical naval uniform turned slightly. "Seems we may be only a few hours off, but the chop coming from that storm to port is definitely not helping us right now."

Adam nodded. It was expected recently. For the past two years, the waters approaching Gateon Port had increasingly common storms becoming more dangerous, and the chop had been steadily getting worse as well. "Alright, just keep us on course. We are carrying precious cargo, after all," he said.

"Yeah…I kind of wish I could make Alicia my own Pokémon," Stan said, seeming to get off topic. "But…she's bound for better than what a sailor can provide."

"You have a good friendship with her," Captain Adam said. "I wouldn't try to stop you as long as she agreed…but I get the feeling she's looking for a trainer who could become as strong as her mother's."

As the captain said that, they both heard the sound of a fleet of helicopters quickly approaching from the port side, ending their conversation. "Captain, what's going on?" Stan asked, sounding worried. "This doesn't look like a welcoming party.

Three vehicles that looked like a combination of a motorcycle and a helicopter flew into view over the ship as the corporal asked that question. Captain Adam, however, quickly went right outside the main cabin, thoroughly concerned now. "Stan, how fast is she going?"

"Pushing 20 knots. We can't go any faster without blowing out the engines," the lieutenant commander shouted from inside. That was when a massive shadow came overhead, and the shape made Captain Adam, a sailor who had seen war, and was incredibly experienced with Pokémon of the sea, go pale with horror. "Captain," Stan said as he set the ship to autopilot to maintain their speed. He stepped beside his commanding officer to get a better view of what was over them. "What is that?"

The Captain couldn't speak. What he saw undoubtedly had the body of the legendary Pokémon, Lugia, but there was something wrong with this one. The creature's body was such a deep shade of purple it almost looked black, with two exceptions: its stark white belly, and the tufts of feathers around its eyes. But the eyes were the most frightening feature of what should be a majestic, calming creature, and they glowed red with rage, brighter than a flame. However, further in its expression, Captain Adam thought he saw an almost pleading, sad look. It looked like the creature was in agony, and it was now lashing out.

That expression faded as one of the chopper pilots angled an eye-piece at the Lugia's eye, and a similar red glow made its expression go blank before a beam of energy shot from its mouth, hitting the boat, but it didn't do any damage. Instead, the ship seemed to lurch in the water.

"Stan, abandon ship. Have the crew grab as many Pokémon as possible and–" the Captain stopped speaking as he saw the entire rest of the crew leaping overboard. "YOU COWARDS! We can't let the Pokémon be taken!" he shouted at the crew, his tone showing both his fear and anger. That was when the boat lurched and began to rise out of the water. Lt. Commander Stan lost his balance, collided with Captain Adam, and they both fell overboard.

They surfaced just as the Libra came out of the water entirely, and the team of choppers had Lugia carry the ship inland, heading southeast. "Captain, what just happened?"

"I don't know, but I think the Orre Region is in trouble again."

Inside her room, Alicia had fallen hard from the sudden stopping, feeling her stomach turn as fear wracked her mind. What's happening? What is this darkness? she asked herself as she felt some of the most malevolent auras she'd ever felt. Then, a blinding light flashed outside her window, followed by the ship lurching, and starting to lift like an elevator. Alicia floated to the window, wanting to see what was going on, only to see two human-shaped shadows fall to the water. The minds she felt pass were Lt. Commander Stan, and Captain Adam. She also sensed the minds of all the other sailors on the ship in the water below. However, she also sensed that they were receding into the distance.

Over the ship, however, Alicia could also sense multiple people, all of whom seemed to be filled with a massive lust for power. More terrifying to the young Ralts was the one presence that overshadowed all others. It felt not only powerful, but also ancient, highly intelligent, and it was easily the most malevolent being she'd ever sensed.

Mom…help! Alicia called out telepathically. It was a desperate, but ultimately pointless attempt. Gwen was too far away to hear Alicia's terrified pleas for help. The overwhelming fear she now felt, however, caused the Ralts to emotionally break for the first time in her life, tears of fear streaming from her cheeks. Someone…anyone…please…help, she begged between sobs.

Three hours later, Alicia woke up, not really sure when she fell asleep. She looked out the window, seeing the sun rising slowly over an ocean of sand below. A desert? How far have we gone?

She didn't have time to learn the answer, as she heard a loud cry, almost sounding pained just before she felt the ship start to drop fast. She started screaming as everything in the room began to float in the freefall. The fall only lasted ten seconds, but to Alicia it was an eternity. With a massive crash, she and all the furniture in the room slammed against the floor. Most of the wood was broken on impact, but that was drowned out by the indescribably haunting sound of bending and breaking metal. Owwww, she said as her vision blurred and started to go black. I never should have left home. Her lamentations ended as she passed out.

Alicia was unsure how long she had been knocked out, but when she did regain consciousness, she saw that she was in a filthy, and dimly lit prison cell. She was on a cot that felt like it was made of jagged rocks, and there was a rusted spigot dripping brown water. "So, she's awake," came a gruff voice from outside the cell door, but it sounded like it was coming from a speaker. Alicia looked around the cell, only to see a blinking red light in the corner, along with the camera to which it belonged.

Who are you? She asked.

"I'm guessing you're trying to speak right now, but it doesn't matter. You are no longer a Pokémon. You're nothing but property now. You are going to become a mindless soldier in our army, and you will know nothing but pain and fear for the rest of your miserable life," the voice said. "Welcome to Hell."

Normally, such bravado wouldn't have worried Alicia. This time, however, with everything that had happened to her since the ship was abducted, she knew that she was in real danger. She hadn't even heard of the Shadow Pokémon crisis from almost ten years ago, yet she was still horrified of what she would face…and, to make things much worse, she was alone.