Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. I own the story and all characters, unless otherwise stated. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Characters not belonging to me (CNBM): Infected belong to Starlightnexus-Chan on DeviantArt.

Kira groaned as she slowly returned to consciousness. The faint whisper of a cool breeze mixed with the light splashing of nearby waves. The smell of saltwater and cooking meat reached her senses, dragging her deeper from her sleep. Before long, she was aware that she was lying somewhere near the ocean, and that she was definitely not alone.

Slowly, she managed to pushed herself into a sitting position, moving a hand to her heart where she felt it beating at an incredible rate. She then noticed an odd weight from her back, and turned, freezing at the sight of the leaf-like tail extending from her lower-back, which also had a yellow line moving from its base and further up her back. The next thing she noticed was her nose, which seemed to have extended, and was now a grass-green/cream color. Then, she looked at her hands, which were the same color as her nose and tail, and had only three digits instead of the five she remembered happening.

She managed to hold it in for a short while, but the shock eventually caught up to her. She let out an earsplitting screech, shouting both at herself and the world in what she could only assume was confusion and fear. She raised her new hands to her head, holding it as she tried to catch her breath and make a rational thought, but nothing came to her; she was panicking far too much.

"Would you shut your tiny mouth?" a voice grumbled from the tree above her. "You're so loud that I'm sure the next village over was awoken by you. By the way, what the hell are you? I don't think I've ever seen your kind in this neck of the woods before."

Kira, still breathing heavily, looked up and at the creature that had been speaking to her. The creature was a small avian with brown and cream feathers. The small bird-like creature resembled a sparrow; it also reminded her of chickadee. But then again, why was it talking to her? Why couldn't she remember anything, even what this weird creature was?

"Hello?" it asked again, fluttering its wings in mild annoyance. "I asked you a question, and yet you completely ignored me! Who the hell are you, and what are you? Two simple-to-answer questions, and yet you don't even reply! Seriously!"

"I'm sorry," Kira responded after a moment of silence. "You see, my name's Kira, but I have no idea what I am, where I am, how I got here, or anything else at all. I'm really sorry if I did something wrong, b-but I'm lost. V-very, very lost actually."

"So you just woke up here several minutes ago with no memories of who you are apart from your name?" it asked, to which she then nodded. "In all actuality, that really isn't surprising. It's not like this would be the first time it's happened."

"What do you mean?" Kira asked as she slowly stood, stumbling a bit closer to the bird. "Not this being the first time, I mean. I didn't know there was anyone else who suffered the same thing as me."

"Well, let me put it in simpler terms for you." It took a deep breath before continuing. "Some time ago, Pokémon started to wash up in the most conspicuous places all over the world, often without their memories. Now, as far as I'm aware, they're still here and alive, but I'm not sure. Nowadays, the only real news is about mystery dungeons, new villains, and the idea that the world may come to an end soon. Apart from that, nothing new about the amnesiacs."

Kira nodded lightly and lowered her head. If there were others like her, then perhaps they could help her, or at least tell her why she had lost her memory. She then shook her head, laughing to herself at the false idea of it even being possible. What would she even tell them? That she had woken up in a forest with no memories apart from her name and that she was chasing some beast named Necrozma?

"Wait... There's something else," Kira mumbled under her breath as the faint memory came back. "I'm chasing after someone, a Necrozma." She flinched lightly as she heard the bird squeak loudly.

"You're chasing after the legendary Necrozma?!" it chirped as it flew from the branch and to the floor. "I'm sure your amnesia is just trying to make up memories to fill in the gaps, but why would you be chasing after such a powerful being?! Necrozma steals the light of worlds away without mercy! What would you want with that? Wait! You aren't seriously going to steal light using his powers, are you?! Squawk! Terrible indeed!"

"It's nothing like that!" Kira shouted as she tried to get the avian to calm down. "It's distant, but I think it's some sort of challenge I have to complete. My world, the one I came from, is having its light stolen away by Necrozma, and I really need to get after it. The only problem is that I don't know where I can go. I don't even know if it's even here."

"Well, I can see your problem there." It sighed lightly and looked around. "I think I know a place we can go and find some answers, but it might take a while before we find anything. By the way, my name's Duke! I'm a Pidgey!"

"Thanks," Kira said, wiping at tears she hadn't even realized were forming. "I already said it before, but I'm Kira. I have no idea what I am, so I hope we can find an answer to that before long. I hate not having any memories."

"Trust me, I would too," Duke laughed before he started to hop away and into the forest. "Now I say we should get moving before the sun's too high. There's a beach nearby, but it's a bad time to head there, so we'll be taking a detour to town."

Kira nodded lightly before the faint smell of cooking meat reached her nose once more. "Does anyone near here cook?" she asked as she licked her lips, finding herself to be rather hungry actually. "Man, just the smell of whatever that is makes me hungry."

"Lucario is very well known for his ability to cook, but he's actually in town now," Duke said as he looked at Kira. "If you can smell him from here, that's actually quite surprising. Only my evolution line is known to be able to smell great distances in this forest. I wonder what you were like before your amnesia."

"At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if I was some sort of tracker," Kira said jokingly as she rushed after him, managing to keep up as he slowly flew right above her. "You know, this kind of feels familiar. I mean, I feel like I've been in this kind of forest before."

"Well, a lot of us have been," Duke mumbled from above her. There was a moment of silence before he moved slightly closer to her. "Didn't you say something about being from a different world where Necrozma was stealing your light? I was wondering... what was your world like? It's okay if you can't remember, but I was just curious."

"I think it was similar to this one," Kira responded with a light chuckle. "I can't exactly recall, but I do know there were creatures like you and me there. I'm sure there were others, possibly humans, but no matter how close I get, I can't find the answer. It's so annoying being unable to grab the answers that are right there in your head!"

Duke chuckled lightly and shrugged in midflight. "Well, let's find some answers to this stuff before caring about what your world was like." He fell silent for a moment before starting to slow. "Kira, we aren't alone here. Someone's following us."

Kira slowly came to a halt, looking behind them as Duke spoke. She then heard footsteps and growling, and froze at the oddly familiar sound of barking and howling. She wasn't sure what scared her more at this point: the possible dogs that were going to attack them, or how she was somewhere she didn't know even the tiniest bit.

"Keep calm," she reminded herself as the underbrush started to shake. "Keep calm and there won't be any problems." She held her breath for a moment before stepping back. "Duke, I can't keep a hold of myself. I'm scared."

Duke nodded in response as the red-muzzled canine pushed its way from the bushes. Its main body was black, but it also had a red underbelly, white bands around its paw, and two rib-like ridges on its back. Duke recognized it as Houndour, a dark/fire Pokémon with a knack for hunting in packs.

"Just stay calm and it won't attack," Duke responded as he moved closer to the hound. "What are you doing here, Houndour? I thought your kind lived back in that cave? Why are you in the forest?"

"Our cave was destroyed by that pesky creature that's been going around," it growled lightly. "Whatever that thing is, it sure doesn't care about anyone or anything. Our leader was hurt during the attack, so I was sent out to find food and shelter for the pack. Do you know any place where we can rest for a bit?"

"Actually, I don't," Duke responded, calming down as he noticed the many scars on Houndour's body. "Why don't you come with us to town, Houndour? We can find some food there, and I'm sure someone would know a great place for your pack to rest."

"Thanks, but I think it's best if I stick around the forest for now." Houndour smiled lightly before looking at Kira. "Who are you? I don't think I've ever seen one of you. Are you some sort of almost extinct species?"

"We aren't sure yet," Duke interrupted. "I think we better get going, Kira." As he turned, he looked back at Houndour for only a moment. "Don't mess up like your old pack leader did. Your reputation is still a bit rotten to the others." He then flew ahead, not really waiting for Kira.

"Man, he sure holds a grudge on you, huh?" Kira mumbled as she looked over at Houndour. "If you ever need to talk about something, don't be afraid to find me. I'm sure you and your pack are going through some rough times right about now, so I'll try and help however I can."

"Thanks for the offer, Kira," Houndour said with a light smile. "I'll be sure to come find you when I need assistance. I hope you find answers to whatever it is you're looking for."

With a nod, Kira rushed after Duke. Something about the short encounter felt a bit familiar, but she didn't linger on it. She pushed it to the side as she ran after Duke, listening for the sound of his wings as she did so. As she was running, the familiarity started to fade away. Why was she here with only her name and that goal in mind? Something about it felt off, but she knew it was what she was supposed to do. She hurriedly shook it off. It wasn't important at the moment... right?

"Why is everything so easy to question?" she mumbled as she jumped over bushes and fallen twigs. "I wish I had some answers, but was this done on purpose? Did someone erase my memories for the purpose of finding Necrozma without hesitation?" Now she was questioning herself. Could it possibly be true that someone wanted her to take down the black beast for their own gain? "I have to find an answer soon. I can't just rush into this life without knowing anything."

Before she even realized it, the forest had begun to thin out. She raised her head just as a breeze hit her, sending chills down her spine and straight through her soul. She slowed to a stop, looking around a bit before she noticed Duke standing several yards from her.

"Kira, don't move a muscle," Duke whispered as his eyes stared at the sky. "I didn't think they'd still be here, but I guess my sources were wrong." Duke then took off, only to slam back into the ground not even a second later.

"Duke!" Kira shouted as she rushed forward, checking over the Pidgey. She noticed several large gashes along his chest. While not deep, they had drawn a bit blood. "You told me not to move, and yet you moved anyways. Good Arceus, you're a brave fool."

Kira chuckled and looked up to the distant shadow that Duke had probably been looking at. She growled lightly and backed away from Duke. She wasn't sure what was driving her, but she knew what she had to do: knock out this beast or get it away from Duke.

Before she really had time to attack or shout, the creature had begun to swoop down at her. She yipped and jumped, barley managing to get over the large, metallic bird before it skidded to a stop and looked at her.

The Pokémon was grey-silver in color with a metallic blue around its neck, legs and tail. Red feathers rest beneath the silver wings, giving it the resemblance of what she thought was some sort of plane. Its yellow eyes had red irises, and there was even a similarly colored aura around its body.

"Pathetic!" it screamed loudly, its voice ringing like metal against metal. "You're all so pathetic! I was told you'd put up a fight, and yet this is what I receive! I'll be sure to put you out of your pathetic misery!"

"What is even going on in this world?" Kira mumbled as she backed away from the creature. "I don't who or what you are, but why are you just attacking us out of the blue?! We didn't do anything to you!"

"Skarmory won't listen to you," Duke groaned while the Pokémon was raging. "It's called an Infected Pokémon. Their minds are nothing but rage and destruction. We could knock it out, but it'll come straight after us. The only known way to get rid of it is to kill it."

"But there has to be a way to remove the infection, right?" Kira mumbled before she noticed Skarmory was rushing at her. "Oh, shiza!" she yipped as she ducked beneath the metallic creature, feeling as it rushed right above her. "That thing is fast as hell! How is it moving like that?!"

"I know it may look like it's completely made of metal, but we all know that its wings are hollow, lightening it and allowing it to fly much faster than can be expected," Duke responded, quickly flying away from the Skarmory. "We can't just stand here and talk! We have to fight it!"

Kira nodded, although she was rather hesitant on the idea. She was snapped from her hesitation as she noticed it rushing at her once more. Quickly, she jumped up, hoping she would dodge, only for Skarmory to suddenly change directions and slam into her from beneath.

"Vine whip!" she instinctively yipped as she started to fall. As the vines rushed from her, they grabbed onto Skarmory's legs before dragging the metal bird down, slamming it into the ground while also softening her own landing. "Wh-whoa! That was amazing!"

Kira smiled widely before rushing at Skarmory with a newfound boldness. She slammed into the metallic Pokémon before she was launched upwards. She used the Vine whip once to land without hurting herself; it felt amazing to be able to do this without worrying about falling to death, but she knew keeping it up was impossible. Skarmory would eventually figure her out.

"PATHETIC!" it screamed loudly as it stood and glared at them. "YOU'RE BOTH SO PATHETIC! I'LL KILL YOU BOTH, AND THEN I'M GOING TO USE YOUR BONES AS TOOTHPICKS AS I EAT YOU!" Skarmory let out a terrifying screech before rocketing forward, almost surpassing the previous speed it had gained the previous attack. "DIE, YOU FILTHY CREATURES!"

Kira yipped loudly as the metal wing from Skarmory slammed into her. For what felt like hours, time froze as pain tore through her body. She grit her teeth as she used Vine whip to grab Skarmory's wing.

"Enjoy your time in Hell," she whimpered. Using the vines, she twisted Skarmory, sending it headfirst into the ground. A sickening crunch then followed as Kira landed several feet away, unable to move. "Oww. That hurt."

"No dip, Sherlock," Duke groaned as he fluttered over to her, placing a wing over her chest. "Skarmory definitely broke a few of your ribs with that Steel wing attack. You're just lucky you managed to take it down before any more damage could be done."

"Thanks, but I feel like I'm dying over here," Kira groaned, flinching slightly every time she breathed. "Can we just find a way to get fixed up-like a doctor or something?"

"Yeah, but I can't move you in this condition," Duke responded as he moved away. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Kira, don't move a muscle, or I swear to Arceus I will chase you down all the way to death."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Duke," Kira mumbled before falling limp. "Just please hurry up. I don't know how much longer of this I can take."

The last thing she heard was the fluttering of Duke's wings before he rushed off. She remained there, unable to move even the tiniest amount for what she thought was forever. Before long, she had finally passed out.

Thank Arceus you found me before it got any worse," a voice mumbled, slowly dragging Kira from sleep. "If she had been there any longer, I don't think there would be much I could do. It's not like I have the chance to study such rare Pokémon nowadays anyways."

"I just figured you'd be able to do it, Nurse Audino," Duke's voice echoes. "You're both a rare species nowadays, and I was thinking maybe you could help. Anyways, thank you, Audino. I don't know how I could ever repay you."

"There's no need for it, Duke," Audino chuckled. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here doing what I love." Audino's steps then echoed a bit as he moved closer to Kira. "The anesthesia should be wearing off right about now. Hello? Can you hear me?"

"Mm? What's going on?" Kira groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She was met with a bright pink/cream face with bright blue eyes. This thing must have been Audino. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You should relax and stop asking all those questions," Duke said as he landed next to her. "This is Nurse Audino. He's the one who healed you up. He's definitely one of the best out there."

"You make me blush," Audino said with a light chuckle. "But pushing past that, he's right. Your body is in terrible condition, even for a Snivy. You had three fractured ribs, your left tibia was shattered, your right radius was broken, and both your scapulae (shoulder blades) were split in half. You were basically dead, but Duke here is rather fast on his feet."

"I don't deserve such things to be said about me," Duke mumbled under his breath. "Anyways, you're alive, you're healing, and you'll be back on your feet within the next couple of hours. In sunlight, your body heals incredibly fast, so most of your wounds were already fine by the time Audino was there. Just a while more in the sun and you'll be fine."

"If only it were that simple," Audino interrupted. "While your body does heal at an incredible rate while in the sun, it also takes many nutrients through photosynthesis. Based on my studies, your kind would need to eat quite often if you wished to heal under the sun. Have you had anything to eat recently, Kira?"

"Umm... no," Kira mumbled, rubbing the back of her head as she slowly moved to a sitting position. "I don't necessarily have any memories from before I woke in the forest-apart from my mission to find Necrozma."

"Well, then you'll need a large meal and a long rest as well," Audino said. "There's a café nearby, so you should be able to rest and eat there for the time being. Mistress Swanna would greatly appreciate if you took her over, Duke. She's been wanting to meet you forever."

"Great." Duke sighed and shook his head. "Sorry to say, Audino, but that's a no go. Remember when I told you we came across an Infected? Well, now I need to go scout the area and make sure that thing didn't call for any backup. Tell Swanna I'll meet her in the morning, kay?"

Audino sighed as he saw Duke fly out the room from an open window. "That guy thinks more with his brain than with his heart, but I guess he's just special that way." He then turned to Kira and smiled. "If you can walk, let's take you to Swanna's Café. She'll give you a place to rest for the night, so don't you worry. Also, please don't push yourself too much for the next... two or so days. Your body needs rest, even after it heals. Now, if we've got all that in the bag, let's go!"

Kira nodded as she slowly moved from the bed and to the floor. She flinched a bit at the expected pain, but it wasn't long before she was walking once more. Outside, she was surprised to see the sun still up. How long had it been since that battle? A couple of hours? A day? She didn't know, and she really didn't want to know.

As they were walking, Kira looked around at all the shops and Pokémon that had passed by. She didn't recognize most, but she did recognize the older, more common Pokémon. As she was looking around, she felt Audino grab her hand and pull her in another direction. She turned and looked to where they were heading; a large wooden building with the word 'Café' at the top of the entrance. This must be Swanna's Café.

"Now, before we head in, I want you to know that Swanna is easily overjoyed whenever someone asks to stay over," Audino said nervously. "If she starts to pamper you, don't let it get to your head. Apart from that, I expect to see you in my office tomorrow, Kira."

Kira nodded lightly before she was then walked into the Café. Upon entry, a white swan-like Pokémon appeared in front of them, startling Kira greatly. The Pokémon itself looked nothing special, apart from the blue feathers on its underside. This must have been Swanna, possibly because it looked like a swan!

"Howdy!" she chirped excitedly as she grabbed Kira's hand and shook it. "You must be Kira! Audino told me so much about you, or as mush as he could! It's incredible to meet you, finally! Oh, I haven't met a Snivy since my adventure to Lively Town!"

"That's nice and all, but you really shouldn't move her like that," Audino said, slowing Swanna to a stop. "She needs to spend the night here for recovery. I'm sorry if it's any inconvenience at all, but I'm sure I can pay for it."

"Not at all needed, darling!" Swanna chirped, moving away and smiling happily. "You see, I was actually expecting her, so I kind of have everything ready already! I would have been disappointed not to have someone spend a night here, and I'm so glad I have a guest for this day! Just her being here is enough for me!"

"That's good to hear about," Audino laughed as he moved away from then. "Anyways, I better get back to my office. I'm sure I have a few more patients to deal with now." He then left, leaving Kira with Swanna and the other Pokémon in the café.

"Audino's always been such a big worrier," Swanna said as she waddled away from Kira and to a large island. "Anyways, Kira, welcome to Esperanza Village, the Village of Hope!"

"Thank you, Swanna," Kira laughed as she followed close behind. After a moment, she blushed a bit as her stomach growled. "Arceus, I haven't had anything to eat in forever. You wouldn't happen to know where I could get some grub?"

"Actually, that's kind of what I was planning." Swanna smiled as she used her wings to grab some sort of metal dish on the top of a shelf behind the island. "Lucario came by earlier with something. He said it was for any guests that I would have, and so I guess he means for you. Anyways, your room is upstairs and to the left. Be careful not to break anything."

Kira nodded lightly before Swanna put the dish in her hands. Kira flinched lightly, then using her Vine whip as a support to keep the dish from crushing her. She then left Swanna, thinking to herself about the day. She had woken in a world she didn't know about, met Pokémon who could be potential friends, was attacked by some sort of Infected Pokémon, and then had quite a few of her bones broken. Well, today had been quite eventful and confusing, but she couldn't complain. It felt great to be having an adventure, but where would it truly begin?

"I have to find Necrozma," she whispered to herself as she closed her eyes. "I have to defeat that thing before the light of my world is completely erased. I don't have time to dawdle, but I have no idea where to go. I guess... patience is key at the moment."

Input: Hello. If you are reading this, then it means you made it to the end of Chapter 1: The Pokémon World. If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask me. I will answer to the fullest of my ability, which actually is quite a bit. If you see any errors, please tell me and I will try to fix them as soon as possible. Thank you for reading my story.