THUMP.

The loud sound and sudden feeling of falling jolted Morgan awake. As she was jostled again, she quickly realized she must be in some sort of vehicle. And either the terrain here was incredibly rough or this driver was terrible.

But why was she here?

The last thing she remembered, they had been planning to confront the enemy army at the mountain- or had the battle already begun? Her recent memory was a blur. There didn't seem to be anyone around to ask, either- not that she could see.

Morgan braced herself a moment too late for comfort at the next bump, but noticed the doors at the back pop open for a few seconds before a smaller bump closed them again. It seemed they were held with a fairly loose chain.

But moreover, in those moments of brighter light she had taken in her surroundings: she'd say no less than two dozen cardboard boxes, and at least one bed strapped to the wall. So this was… a moving van? Hardly the place she expected to be.

Aiming to get a better look, she waved her hand and chanted a small incantation for light.

Nothing happened.

Alarmed, she tried a few more times to no avail. ...An anti-magic zone perhaps?

Suddenly, a small light source did appear, but not from her. "Hello," said an electronic voice.

Morgan startled slightly, but then examined the source. It was a rather sleek-looking piece of machinery, quite different from anything she was used to. The handheld device sported a small screen and a few buttons, the function of which she could not guess. On the screen itself, though, was a robust man looking something in his late 30's to 40's, and he appeared to be talking.. to her? Cautiously, she picked up the device and watched.

"My name is Professor Birch, and I want to welcome you to the World of Pokemon." World of what now?

A small object in his hand cracked open, and light sprang forth to take the shape of a small blue creature. It was actually pretty cute, for looking so strange. To be fair, she supposed many of the things they had back home would look strange to outsiders as well.

"My friend here is what we call an Azurill. There are many like her, and they are only one of the countless species of creatures that we call Pokemon. … And by countless, I mean estimates currently range around seven hundred. But we're always discovering more, you know?" The man gave a hearty laugh that made Morgan feel as though she was meant to laugh along. She did not feel like laughing.

"Some people keep Pokemon as pets. Others, whom we call 'Pokemon Trainers', like to raise Pokemon for battle and have fun by fighting against other trainers!" The man on the screen gave a knowing look. "Ahhh, but don't be alarmed! Pokemon are very resilient creatures, and fighting is in their nature for most. Yeees, they do love a good battle. Of course, accidents sometimes happen, but such is just in the nature of things. Pokemon enjoy getting stronger, and the trust they form toward their trainer's ability to guide them helps to form a powerful bond between the two!"

Truth be told, had he presented it as combat rather than sport, Morgan wouldn't have seen a problem in the first place. However, the case he presented did seem persuasive. Although she had become quite certain she was not in Snaska anymore, she was becoming rather intrigued by just what sort of place this was.

She watched for what must have been well over an hour as the video went on to explain the basics of Pokemon: battle, elemental types (so it seemed there WAS magic here?), and to her surprise, a massive permanent change in form referred to as "evolution". It was a lot to take in, and she was quite certain she had missed a few of the finer points, already wondering over how to replay the video if she had time. But Morgan always did absorb knowledge like a sponge, and she felt she was getting a decent idea. "Yes, truly Pokemon are fascinating creatures and a wonderful part of all our lives."

... You know, thought Morgan, I'm going to be pissed if this is just some sci-fi entertainment they left back here...

"But what about YOU?" asked the video. Morgan cocked a brow. "Are you a boy, or are you a girl?" Two of the buttons lit up to correspond with the options that appeared on the screen, and Morgan's other eyebrow raised to match its mate.

"Hmm. Very curious," she mused. "Although your options are a little limited there," she added, a touch of bite to her voice. All the same, she hit the option for "girl".

"Great! Now, will you tell me your name?" A keyboard appeared on the screen, and Morgan soon figured out which buttons moved the cursor and selected the letters.

"I see! So you're a girl, and your name is Morgan Fayel. Is that correct?" That wasn't quite how it was pronounced, but Morgan decided she couldn't blame the machine for that and hit the option to confirm this information. "Very well, Morgan. Now, let's step through the door to adventure! Your very own Pokemon journey is about to begin!"

Morgan let out half a laugh at how terribly cheesy it was. What was this, the intro to a child's video game?

The sound of the chain on the door caught her attention, however, and it was only then that she realized the van had indeed stopped. ... OH. So was… the video telling her to step through the actual door? That did make more sense.

She had no time to decide, for ready or not the metal panels flung open, and the light that flooded in momentarily blinded her.

"Ah, good, you made it in one piece." As her eyes refocused, Morgan saw a woman perhaps a little older than the professor standing before her. "You didn't break any of our things, did you?"

Morgan blinked, partially still adjusting and partially from confusion. "E-...excuse me. Our things?" She didn't see anyone else, but?

The woman shrugged a little more dramatically than necessary. "Well, mostly my things, of course. Mine and my husband's. But naturally we wouldn't get a new pet without providing for her, yes~?"

...Pet? Morgan rubbed her temples and shook her head. "I'm sorry… Who did you say you were?" she asked. Who the hell do you think you are? she thought.

"Oh, how rude of me!" exclaimed the woman.

I think you crossed that line somewhere in the neighborhood of kidnapping me… thought the would-be-wizard dryly. Some part of her was aware she should be more.. reactive, at all, but her curiosity currently outweighed her caution.

"My name is Genevieve, and I suppose you could call me.. Well. I'm your savior, dear." With a quick look around, she added, "Please, step outside, have a look around!"

With a smirk like that, Morgan would not have been surprised if this woman was employed in law or politics. But what were her other options? Sit in the van forever? She sniffed a private laugh, then stood and stretched a moment before complying.

She'd had only a small glimpse before with Genevieve and the house here taking up most of her field of vision, but the sight that properly greeted her now was breath-taking. The trees were the lushest and greenest she'd seen since childhood. The grass practically danced in the breeze, which seemed to caress her face as if she was its own most precious child. The scent of all manners of flowers and wild things filled her nose and made her think of home before the war, before even school and training. She felt somewhat… humbled.

"Now see?" asked Genevieve. "Better than home, yes?"

Morgan wasn't going to answer that. "But why am I HERE? And what's all this about pets and saviors?"

"Well we did rescue you from that awful battle, after all." Morgan wasn't entirely sure which battle, but had a feeling she wasn't going to get anything further. "You don't remember?" Morgan shook her head. "Ah… Just as well. It was a terrible sight, really. Perhaps it's better this way."

As they talked, a strange blue humanoid came from the cab of the truck, startling Morgan. "Oh, don't mind the Machoke. Mover Pokemon are terribly handy, but not always the politest bunch."

"...Right." So it seemed Pokemon could even resemble people. Interesting.

"As for the other bit… You did watch the video, correct?" Morgan nodded. "Well, here in Hoenn, we have a sort of… tradition, if you will. Locals such as myself sponsor foreign trainers on their journeys, and that device you have there- your PokeNav Plus- keeps tabs on your progress. The Hoenn forces rescued.. oh, I want to say it was a dozen or so of you, but I'm not sure where the others have ended up. You though.. My husband took an interest in you. A shame you don't remember meeting him. At any rate, we've decided to make you our pet project, you see? Funding such a journey for you."

Morgan pursed her lips. "... So what I think you just explained to me is that you bought me?"

"Oh heaven's no! No, dear, I promise you, the League would never pick up anyone who wasn't entirely willing. The way my Norman tells it you were quite eager to get away. Are you sure you don't recall?"

Morgan sighed heavily. Last month one of her companions blew down a cafeteria wall with his mind because the microwave was annoying him, yet this was by far the strangest thing that had ever happened to her. Still, she supposed… It wasn't as though she had any way to tell whether or not the woman was lying, and it wasn't as though she'd never thought about just running away from everything. If things had gone sour, maybe she had agreed to this?

"So… Is this like a test, or what?"

Genevieve touched a finger to her chin. "I wouldn't say a test so much as… We think of it more as a Game."

Morgan frowned. "Well, with all due respect, I'm not sure I'm interested in playing."

"Oh no dear." The accompanying tone was far too sharp for the words it spoke. "I'm afraid you don't have much choice."

"Is.. that a threat?" It was neither fearful nor audacious- simply a question.

"Well we won't hurt you if that's what you're asking." Morgan did not like the laugh that followed.

"So what would happen if I said no?"

Genevieve gave her a shrug and a forced-sweet smile. "Why… Nothing~"

Morgan's face contorted a bit and she opened her mouth to question, but found it took her a little longer to actually find the words to fill it. "... What uh…"

"We do nothing, dear. We leave you on your own, without a sponsor, without a Pokemon. With nothing but the clothes on your back in an unfamiliar land filled with weaponized fauna around every corner. Sound better?"

…

…

… Morgan sighed. "Couldn't just help someone out of the goodness of your heart, I suppose."

A slight shrug. "Afraid not, dear. Pokemon are pretty vital to survival here, but they're also very easy to misuse. I suppose it is a bit like a test in that regard, ensuring that newcomers can handle the responsibility. I could offer you a little money for food if you're bent on declining, but it wouldn't last long."

What have I gotten myself into… "And… if I comply?"

Genevieve's expression softened. "Then it's a mutually beneficial deal. We help you get on your feet and make a name for yourself, and in turn all you have to do is provide us with a little entertainment. We'll have a certain path you have to follow, and a certain set of rules to play by, both for ecological reasons and to make things more interesting, but how you approach the path laid before you will be entirely up to you. After all, it's seeing the ways different trainers react to their situations that makes it truly entertaining. That's why people are willing to sit through the same basic story over and over as long as the characters keep their interest, you know~?

"And if you make it to the end, you will regain your full freedom as well as citizenship. You can keep the Pokemon you've collected, and you can ask the league to pay for either housing in any Hoenn city of your choice or a passport and ticket to any region of your choice. Not to mention the status you'll earn with those following your journey. People love a good trainer's tale, you know~"

As much as she hated to admit it… "That uh.. That does sound more appealing."

"There's a girl~ Now come inside, and I'll explain everything you need to know."

Boy does she love to talk.

Thus far, Genevieve had done a rather thorough job explaining the "rules"- and in all honesty, Morgan was getting the impression that the woman had a terrible pension for the dramatic. She kept alternating between warning of all the dangers and sugarcoating her own words, but upon removing the context from the presentation, Morgan found the challenge itself did not sound terribly difficult.

Some time later in the day she would get "starter" from the local professor. Then she would meet her pre-designated "rival". It seemed that while it didn't take much to sponsor a trainer, wealthier sponsors often paid for better starters and set up rivalries to "keep it interesting".

Morgan, it seemed, was "lucky" enough to have rather wealthy sponsors. She just hoped whatever other poor sap they had roped into their little game was as new to this as she was.

The Pokemon League, the organization which sponsored this whole ordeal, set up Gyms for trainers to challenge along the way in order to "test their progress" and "ensure they were raising their Pokemon properly". Also, to create a way to quickly remove the unprepared trainer from the game.

Genevieve's husband, Norman, was in charge of one such Gym. In terms of power in Hoenn, Morgan assumed this was akin to lesser nobility back home.

Moving on, though, Morgan would be allowed to capture only one Pokemon per "area", with each such area already marked in the PokeNav Plus; this was supposed to keep wild populations thriving, just like any sort of hunting license, but also to keep any trainer from amassing too much power too quickly. And to keep things "exciting", it also had to be the first Pokemon that tried to fight her, no matter what that may be. Poaching would be punished harshly, according to Genevieve, although she would not elaborate further.

Pokemon Centers in each town could heal Pokemon at an alarming rate, as well as offer free rooms and meager rations to competing trainers. And she would earn credits to buy supplies the farther she made it on her journey, though "for security reasons" PokeMarts would not take actual money from her, making her funds limited.

"Let's see…" Genevieve murmured. "Did I miss anything?" Morgan was hardly in a position to answer. "I'm sure I'll think of more later, but that should get you started. Any questions?"

Aren't these creatures considered intelligent? she thought. That was certainly the impression she'd gotten from the video in the van. Better them than me, I guess. So other questions… "Any idea why I can't use my magic?"

The resulting look made Morgan check if she'd grown a third eye. "Your what?"

"My… My powers. My magic. My ability to manifest energy that affects the world around me through the act of reciting spells and incantations generally pre-determined by far more capable wizards than myself."

A long silence, then a laugh Morgan dearly wanted to believe was not as condescending as it sounded. "Dear, I'm not sure if you just hit your head in the van, but we don't have anything like that here. Unless you count Pokemon moves, I suppose."

Morgan sighed. "Never mind. I'll find out later."

"If you say so, dear." Genevieve did one last mental run-through, then shrugged. "We have a little time, so why don't you check the room we set up for you. I doubt you'll be by too much, but if you happen to be in this neck of the woods you can always rest your head here. If nothing else, make sure you'll be able to get a good night's sleep tonight so you'll be well-rested when the games begin tomorrow."

Morgan shrugged. "All right, I guess."

She had to admit, it was a rather nice room. The bed was perhaps a bit soft for her taste, but better than the outdoor camping she had grown accustomed to. Some sort of computer sat in a corner, but its operating system was entirely unfamiliar to her, and she felt she had quite enough to learn in a short time without adding more to the pile.

The clock on the wall, however, was a welcome and familiar sight. This Hoenn place was certainly strange, but it tracked the same hours, had the same days. It assured her that she was not, in fact, on another planet entirely- although the words "parallel universe" did still creep into her thoughts a few times.

She rested here about an hour, taking everything in and rewatching a bit of the information video included on her PokeNav.

At last, she recalled that although the games began tomorrow, she was supposed to get her starter today, and she wandered down the stairs to confirm as much.

As she reached the bottom, she saw a rather different Genevieve staring starry-eyed at the television. To her surprise, the look did not go away when the woman noticed her standing there.

"Oh, Morgan, come quick! It's Norman!"

Morgan's eyebrows rose a moment, but she complied.

"Hurry, hurry!"

About the time the screen came into her line of sight, though, an announcer concluded, "This has been a live look at the Petalburg Gym. Now here's Johnny with the weather!"

Immediately, Genevieve deflated. "Oh.. You missed him! My dear Norman was on, though."

"Huh," replied Morgan, unsure quite what the woman was expecting. "That's cool?" Was it unusual for gyms to get coverage, or did the eccentric and at times unnerving woman from before actually just transform into a lovesick schoolgirl?

"Ah, forgive me. What did you need?"

"...A Pokemon?" Morgan replied.

"Right, yes." She straightened herself, and seemed to shift back into her usual demeanor. "Birch was supposed to call when he returned to his lab, but I suppose you can go check in case he's just getting in. ...Or forgot." The last bit was muttered a bit. "It's the largest building in town and not far off; you can't miss it. If he isn't there, you might check his home, too. It's the house just across the field to the west there."

Morgan was about to make a snarky comment, but as she opened her mouth another thought occurred, and she found herself looking down instead. Did…? … It did! The PokeNav actually included a compass app. Well, that would come in handy. She was already falling in love with this little machine.

"You should probably head there anyway," Genevieve added.

"His home? ...Why?" Morgan asked.

"Well, to meet your rival, of course. Did I not say before? The professor is her sponsor."

Morgan's face went flat. … "Great…"

A/N: Apologies in advance that these first few chapters are a little slow; there's just a lot to be set up. As a quick note, like the story desc says, this is based on a pair of Nuzlockes. Morgan was played by my bestie in AlphaSapphire, and her rival by me in OmegaRuby. Story events will take a blend of both. I dearly hope you'll stick around and enjoy~