Seeing as how this is the Prologue, I'll keep this first Note brief.

First things first, this story is going to completely revolve around OC characters in a fanmade region. If you're not a fan of such a premise or such characters, there's a good chance you won't enjoy this story.

Secondly, the rate at which this story will be updated is going to vary. I'm aiming for a chapter a week, if not more, but it all depends on how fast I can write, and how often my Betas can look over my work.

Finally, and most importantly, the disclaimer. I don't own Pokemon, and all rights go to the creators. The only things here I do own are the OC's, the Ecoble region, and the Fakemon.

Now then… let's get this show on the road.

Prologue: Stargazing

The night of a new moon meant many things in Ecoble.

To some, it signified a period of time in which the realm of the dead intersected with the realm of the living. To others, it was a sign of change, though the meaning of said change tended to vary from one person to another.

However, the one thing that almost every citizen of Ecoble could agree upon when it came to a new moon, was that it meant a beautiful night for stargazing.

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To that end, most people within southern Ecoble that had access to a Flying-Type Pokemon would flock to the Starsea Cliffs on nights of a new moon. Given that the Cliffs offered not only a breathtaking view of the heavens and sea, but had a naturally fair climate, people from other parts of the land would sometimes make their way south simply to stargaze. The only other location within Ecoble that could rival the Cliffs was the peak of Mount Celestia, but given the freezing temperatures of the mountain at night, only those that lived within the nearby and neighbouring cities would brave the cold to stargaze. As such, the Starsea Cliffs endured as Ecoble's most popular stargazing destination.

With a clear sky and a new moon hanging above, the Cliffs should have been packed with stargazers. However, tonight was different, as the normally bustling grounds of the cliffside were absent of visitors. It may have been due to the cooler spring temperatures, or perhaps the cold coastal winds.

Either way, the lone visitor to the cliffs didn't seem to be fazed as he gazed at the heavens above.

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Despite the chill winds that were blowing, the Visitor kept his jacket open, the edges of it rippling alongside his copper hair in the salty breeze. While the presence of the black scarf wrapped around his neck may have suggested that he was cold, not a single goosebump could be seen upon the limited flesh that was exposed. In fact, he almost seemed to relish the wind, as though it were the only thing keeping him awake at the moment.

As the wind gusted, the man yawned and stretched, causing his shirt to move up ever so slightly, revealing the Pokeballs upon his waist. While most Trainers limited themselves to carrying six Pokemon at a time, there was no official rule stating that six Pokemon were all you could carry. The Visitor seemed to take that rule to heart, as dozens of Pokeballs sat alongside his belt. However, the fact that none of them were in their deployed size suggested that none of their inhabitants were out with their master at the moment. Instead he stood alone, a single arm bracing himself against the fence that blocked him from the edge of the Cliffs, and the ocean below.

Several minutes passed, and the Visitor didn't move an inch. His gaze was focused intently on the panorama above, his grey eyes roving almost hungrily over each star, as if he wished for nothing more than to join them in the heavens above. Despite this, the hidden smile upon his lips suggested he was simply lost in thought, rather than fervently wishing to soar into the atmosphere. As minutes continued to tick by, he began to hum a soft melody to himself, a song that harkened to a land far across the sea. However, the sudden buzz of his phone immediately put an end to his song, and the smile upon his face.

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With a sigh, the Visitor flipped his phone out of his pocket in a single, long practiced movement, before laying it flat in his hand. He then detached a small earpiece from one of its upper corners and fitted said piece into his right ear, testing it afterwards to ensure that it wouldn't fall out. Satisfied with his handiwork, the Visitor then dragged a pulsing green icon across the surface of the phone, ending it's buzzing. A moment later, a hologram of an old, but weathered man sitting on a chair appeared within the palm of his hand.

"Evening Tobias" the Visitor said, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Tobias sighed, rubbing his temple as though he had a headache. "Don't give me your sass lad. You know why I'm calling you".

The Visitor rolled his eyes before replying. "Look, if this is about that meeting today, you really can't blame me for skipping out on it. I mean for Arceus' sake, the last meeting that was held was about negotiations with Kalos of all places, and you hardly needed me there for that."

Before the Visitor could continue, Tobias quickly cut him off with a stern look. "The topics we cover at each meeting aren't what truly matter here. What matters is your presence, because like it or not, amongst the responsibilities that come with the position you hold, is the task of supplying the Council with your opinions. Both the Council and the public value what you think in terms of the work that needs to be done, despite the fact that several of us are starting to devalue you."

Tobias steepled his hands in front of his face and leaned back in his chair before continuing. "You know that I hate to get after you lad, but I really don't have a choice anymore. Some of us are calling for you to be removed from your position, and while there are just as many of us that defend you, even the public has started to take notice of your absences. You cannot keep running from your responsibilities, no matter how much they may bore you. You understand this, correct?"

The Visitor's cold eyes narrowed upon the hologram in front of him. "I do understand Tobias" he began, "And that's why my time playing hooky is spent accomplishing things that nobody else within this region would ever consider doing. While I realize that the majority of the Council remains in the dark about my activities, you seem to constantly forget that the time I 'take off' isn't spent doing nothing. Rather than sitting around a table for hours on end talking about Ecoble's future, my allies and I fight for it instead".

Silence followed the Visitor's words as he stared Tobias down. Despite the intense gaze upon him, Tobias kept his own eyes shut, nodding along to whatever thoughts might have been running through his head. However, upon reopening them, Tobias met the younger man's stare with an even gaze of his own.

"I haven't forgotten about your decision, my boy. While I cannot fully condone your actions, you've nonetheless produced more results than the rest of the Council have over the last few years, and I applaud you for that. Your dedication to Ecoble is admirable, and I truly wish you could reveal the fruits of your labor to everyone else. However, I realize that doing so would put you in an awkward spot, in more ways than one. As such, you can continue trusting me to keep your secret. With that being said, you are still a member of the Council, and you need to start acting like one."

Following his words, Tobias leaned forward, drawing the Visitor's gaze even deeper into his own. "And though I realize that I might be coming off as a nagging old fart at the moment, just remember one thing. I do care about you lad; you and your group. While I know that you're all capable of handling yourselves, just be careful not to push yourselves too hard. This old man still worries about you, even if you might snap at me when I try to give you advice."

The Visitor flushed darkly and glanced away, like a child after receiving a scolding from their parent. His embarrassment only lasted a few seconds though, and upon looking back at the hologram, he re-met Tobias' gaze and nodded. " Thank you, and I know. While I can't say that I'll immediately start showing up for meetings, I'll try and schedule my activities for days that won't conflict with them."

As Tobias nodded in approval, the younger man continued. "And in regards to my group, I'm trying to keep them out of the heavy lifting as best as I can. I don't need the rest of them getting injured or killed while out in the field, especially not your own grandson. I can't imagine that you, Tomas or Tywin would still back me up if your own flesh and blood got injured while doing my dirty work."

Tobias smiled, his features softening for a moment at the younger man's words. However, they returned to normal a moment later as he said "That reminds me, your group got brought up at the meeting today."

A flash of emotion shot through the Visitor's eyes, which Tobias took note of. "Really now? How was it that we got brought up?" the Visitor asked evenly.

Tobias mused for a moment before responding "We were talking about the situation involving the Syndicate in Yorkstone when your group's name was mentioned."

The Visitor nodded, his face grim. "Who was it that mentioned us?"

"Frederic" Tobias replied, "Apparently he had heard about your group from a friend of his on the Yorkstone police force, though he never mentioned how that friend of his got ahold of that information."

"Keep your eye on him for me over the next little while. It looks like I'll have to pay Yorkstone a visit tomorrow and do some investigating myself."

Tobias raised a single eyebrow in question, but gave a curt nod nonetheless. As the Visitor sighed, Tobias peered at the area behind the younger man and asked "Are you at Starsea right now?"

The Visitor smiled, despite the uneasiness that had settled within himself. "Good observation, and yes I'm at the Cliffs. Tonight is a new moon after all, and it's been a while since I took a bit of time to appreciate the stars. Besides, after today's events, I feel as if I deserve a little bit of downtime."

Tobias' face darkened immediately. "What happened today?" he asked sharply.

The Visitor's smile faded instantly at Tobias' question. Quickly taking a brief glance over his shoulders, his eyes scanned the treeline behind him for anything out of the ordinary. Seeing nothing, he shifted his gaze back onto Tobias before drawing his phone closer and reaching for one of the Pokeballs at his belt. A moment later a Mismagius appeared in a burst of light, hovering in the air next to her master. "Hecate, scout" the Visitor murmured to the Ghost Pokemon, never taking his eyes off his phone.

Hecate gave a single nod before vanishing into thin air, leaving the Visitor alone once more. Seconds passed in silence as both men awaited a sign from the Pokemon. When a single shriek echoed through the night, the Visitor turned to the forest and nodded before shifting his focus back to Tobias. Between barely parted lips, he muttered a single name to the older man before him.

"Shamiram".

Tobias visibly shivered, the name resonating with him in a familiar, but unpleasant manner. "She made an appearance then?" he asked worriedly.

"Not in the flesh. She sent an apprentice of hers after me instead" the Visitor replied.

Tobias gave a quick exhale of relief before muttering "That explains why you're still in one piece. Still, I'd like to know what happened."

The Visitor sighed, rubbing his temple. "I was flying between Grennight and Twilight Lake when he struck. To be honest, I would've been done for right then and there if not for Boros."

Tobias' eyebrows shot up in surprise. "He intercepted the attack?"

The Visitor chuckled grimly before answering. "Intercepted and counterattacked. Knocked the guy right off his Mandibuzz with a single Shadow Ball. I'd have loved to have seen the look on his face as my shadow literally came to life, but he fell too fast for me to catch any reaction from him. Only problem was, his Mandibuzz wasn't too happy with Boros and I, and it launched a Dark Pulse that we couldn't avoid."

Tobias winced as the Visitor continued. "Mitsurugi managed to shrug off the attack, but Boros shielded me from the blow, taking the full damage himself. Despite the difference in strength and experience, Boros still got hit hard, and I had to recall him before that Mandibuzz could attack again."

"Where is he now?" Tobias asked out of concern for the Pokemon's wellbeing.

"Left him in Kekai's hands to recover. I have yet to hear from him, but I'm willing to bet that Boros is back to full strength by now."

"Good to hear" Tobias said with a smile, "What about the Mandibuzz and it's Trainer though?"

The Visitor grinned darkly at Tobias' words. "I sent Kessler out and he shot that Mandibuzz straight out of the sky. As for it's Trainer, I took a look around the marshes afterwards and managed to find his body. He had nothing of value on him aside from a knife, but considering that it was an ordinary one that you could buy anywhere, I left both it and the body where they lay. Nature will look after his burial for me."

Tobias nodded grimly. "At least you're fine" he said before standing up, "In any case, I must be off. I haven't eaten since this meeting, and Tywin was hoping to grab a bite with me. I'll let you know if your group gets brought up again, and I'll keep my eye on Frederic for you, though I will say this. You could keep a better eye on him if you attended the meetings yourself.

The Visitor grinned at Tobias' advice. "Oh don't worry old timer, I'll be at the next meeting for sure. I actually have a good reason to attend now, thanks to you".

Tobias sighed at the younger man's words, but said nothing back to rebuke him. "If that's what it takes, then so be it. I'll talk to you la-"

The sound of two shrieks emanating from the trees cut Tobias off mid sentence. He saw the Visitor whirl his head around to face the woods, but before he could say a word, he heard a faint voice exclaim "Oh!" from somewhere that he couldn't see.

"Lad?" Tobias inquired, "What's going on?"

The Visitor turned his head back around, staring at Tobias with an amused smile. "It's nothing to worry about" he said.

"Rather, it would appear that I've got stargazers here".

A couple of things to mention before ending it off here.

This story was inspired by the fanfic "Valence" by Yamiruss, which is another story about OC characters in a fanmade region. I highly recommend checking it out if you're a fan of this type of story, as it's both one hell of a ride and well written. There's a link to it in my bio under my Favorite Stories tab.

Now then, onto something about this chapter. You may have noticed that the Visitor called each of his Pokemon by a nickname, rather than the name of their species. This is something that's going to occur with a select few individuals within this story. While I realize that I didn't expand on all of the Pokemon that he brought up in this chapter, said Pokemon will be making appearances later on.

In order to give each nicknamed Pokemon a little more depth, I'll be including some information on them in the Notes at the ends of each chapter. This info will go over their species, the Trainer that they belong to, their nicknames, and the origins of said nicknames. If you're interested, feel free to read on.

With all that being said, hope you enjoyed, and maybe I'll see you next chapter.

Mismagius:
Trainer: The Visitor
Nickname: Hecate-Greek Goddess of witchcraft, magic, ghosts, etc.

Gengar:
Trainer: The Visitor
Nickname: Boros-AKA Lord Boros, leader of the Dark Matter Thieves from One-Punch Man