Chapter 1 – Plans and Dreams

While winter was not yet upon the region, the first snows had begun early. Children ran around outside, throwing the somewhat melted powder at one another, laughing and dancing away under the afternoon sun. Parents looked on with smiles as their children rolled along the ground and built snowmen and Pokemon.

Starly were huddled within their nests while Bidoof and Shinx played throughout the woods. The area surrounding Twinleaf was quiet and peaceful. Most people never even bothered stopping in town, rather camping by the lake. Lake Verity was renowned as one of the three lakes in which the guardians slumbered. Of course that was just a local legend, but it provided just enough travellers to provide a modest income for the town. And seeing as it was a three day hike to Sandgem (or a several hour coach ride), Twinleaf was usually used by people to stock up on supplies.

That suited most people who lived here just fine. Some younger children however dreamed of leaving the quiet life behind and seeing the world. Getting their own Pokemon, and going off, never to be seen again. Well, at least not until they were done adventuring. It was this dream of pursuing adventure that drove two children in particular to want out. Well perhaps not children in truth, but young adults.

Johanna had moved to Twinleaf after her contest days were over. A single mother, raising a daughter, her family was rather prestigious. She had tried to move away from all that, and for the most part she had succeeded. All that changed eight years ago when her daughter had started fixating on Pokemon and more importantly, battling. People in town were quick to jump on this opportunity, teaching the young girl many of the basics and drawing out what the family was really know for. Johanna could only smile and look on. It appeared that her blood was telling her what everyone else already knew. With a cousin becoming champion, an aunt who was a famous racer and a mother who was a top coordinator. The question was what had become of Johanna's husband. She never mentioned him and simply told people that things didn't work out.

Dusk was starting to set and the two children were watching TV. A program had just come on talking about a red Gyarados sighting in the Lake of Rage. Wide eyed, the two were stunned to see some amateur footage caught on a Pokegear of the raging monster before it disappeared.

"Wouldn't it be amazing to see something like that?!" the young man said in awe. It did not take much to excite Barry. The young woman beside him smiled watching her friend. However, she couldn't deny it would be pretty amazing. It was for this reason that she wanted to leave this small town. It wasn't quite like she was suffocating here, but she most certainly wanted out. The world held such wonders, and she desperately wanted a Pokemon of her own.

"Yeah it really would" she replied daydreaming about what it would be like to be a trainer. Her mother told her about some of the trainers out there who were really something else. She wanted to be a part of that group so bad…

"Hey you still there? Do I need to fine you?" Barry said waving a hand in front of his friends face.

"Barry you couldn't fine me even if it meant your life!" Laughing he pushed her a bit. The two had been friends since they were just barely old enough to walk.

"Hey I've got an idea…" Barry said standing up and trailing off.

"Oh great. You know that's never been followed by something good right?"

"This time it's brilliant. We both want to get out of here right? Well what if we head to Sandgem and ask for a Pokemon?" The young girl stared at her friend incredulous.

"And do what exactly?"

"Haven't you heard? Professor Rowan just got back and they say his lab has starter Pokemon for beginner trainers!"

"Where'd you hear that?"

"Heard it on TV when my mom was watching the news. Trainers were super excited. This could be our ticket out!" The young woman looked at her excited friend. His bright blue eyes were shining with excitement at the prospect of becoming a trainer. She knew his father was a tycoon at the new battle facility up north, so he was itching to prove that he was an equal trainer to his father. But what about her? What did she really want?

"Let's do it."

"You're going where?" Johanna asked when her daughter told her about the plan Barry and she had come up with.

"Sandgem. Professor Rowan is back and he's got beginner Pokemon! For people who want to become trainers."

"Jillian…" The young woman looked at her mother.

"No mom. I want this. You know I've passed all my tests and everything. I've wanted this for a long time. And I'm ready." Johanna sighed. She knew her daughter was right, but she also knew that there was one crucial element missing from this plan.

"But what is it you truly want?" Johanna asked quietly. Jill looked at her, then down to her plate of food which held her cooling breakfast.

"I want to become one of the best" she finally said after a few minutes of silence. "I've heard you talking about some of the champions out there, some of the best trainers in the world. And I know some of them are trying to make the world a better place. Well that's what I want to do. But I also want to see the world. I want to travel around, meet new people and see new things. I want to experience life like you did when you were travelling around as a coordinator." Jill looked up to see a sad smile on her mother's face. At least she thought it was sad. Sighing Johanna replied.

"Well I suppose that answer puts my fears to rest. You've grown up so much Jill. You really are a young adult now aren't you?" Tears were shining in both ladies eyes. It took a knock at the door to snap them back to reality. Laughing, the young woman stood and went to see who it was. Not in the least bit surprised, she found Barry standing there.

"Wow, our little princess is actually awake!" he said smiling. She punched him in the arm.

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a princess?" Barry began trying to count the times on his hands before responding.

"I've lost count!" he said laughing. Jill simply rolled her eyes and invited her friend inside.

"Hey Miss Heart! How are you doing? Has Jilly here told you our plan yet?" Barry's hyperactive side was taking over as he spoke at a mile a minute.

"Hello Barry," Johanna said calmly smiling the entire time. "She was just in the middle of telling me. Sounds like you two have some pretty big ideas!"

"Yes ma'am we do! We're going to become the best there is! Well, I mean, I will" Barry said with a wink and a poke at Jill. The young woman cuffed him in the back of the head lightly.

"You wish hyper child!" Jill sat back down to finish her meal while Barry blabbered on about what it was going to be like to be a trainer. Johanna was humouring him as everyone knew Barry's father in town and so somewhat expected Barry to travel down that path. What Johanna wasn't sure about was which path her daughter would take.

Jill went to sleep that night with thoughts about the next day when Barry and she would take the coach to Sandgem. While the path was normally safe enough for most, everyone who took the route had their own Pokemon with them just in case. Wild Pokemon were still somewhat unpredictable and therefore, a danger to anyone not prepared to deal with them.

Her dreams were filled with visions of the future. Well at least, what she hoped would be the future. Various Pokemon took their spots on her team as she faced off against her cousin, the champion of Sinnoh. Cynthia was strong, beautiful and intelligent. Her Pokemon were trained to be the best in the region and she was an inspiration to Jill.

At some point in the night however, her dreams took an interesting turn. Thoughts about Pokemon battles and the adventures and sights she would see were replaced instead with visions of something else. Something about this dream felt much more real…

Shapes were doing battle in the dark. Something blue was smashing up against something shrouded in pink. A huge red gash was open in the sky above them, while what appeared to be the real world lay beneath the fighting lights. Suddenly from above, red ink-like arms slowly reached out from the wound in space. Eternally black streaks shot through the arms, while a shape slowly started to follow the arms out. Jill's consciousness was frozen in fear. Something about what was happening was far too real for her liking. As her mind attempted to make sense of what she was witnessing, two blood red orbs from the black mass snapped their gaze at the helpless young woman. The mass left the pulsing lights alone and slowly moved towards wherever it was that Jill was situated.

You intrude mortal the mass whispered. The voice was ancient, powerful and stayed too long in Jill's thoughts.

"I don't know where this is!" she responded, her voice small and insignificant. Fear was slowly beginning to clench around Jill's mind. The mass stopped a short distance away and watched her.

You do not belong, but you are special. You hear that which other's do not. Perhaps… No! You must leave! The ancient voice thundered and all at once the black mass rushed forward engulfing the young woman. Jillian's scream was left unheard.

The young woman bolted upright in her bed, cold sweat coating her body underneath the overlarge shirt she was wearing. Thankfully her scream was only in her head and not aloud as there was no sound of her mother rushing in. Jill shivered in the cold room, her blankets doing nothing to take away the fear that had just gripped her. What the hell did I just see? She asked herself.

"What's got you so quiet today there sunshine?" Barry asked as the two walked to the edge of town. There was still a few hours to kill before the coach arrived to take the pair to Sandgem.

"Just a nightmare last night is all" Jill replied.

"Well dreams are just that. Dreams. Besides, what are you doing having nightmares the night before we get our Pokemon? Arceus I'm going to have to fine you for that young lady!" Jill laughed. If there was one thing the young woman could say about her friend, it was his boundless optimism and spirit. "And what did you do with your hair?" Barry asked with a look of exasperation. "What did you let a Starly nest in there?"

"Well if someone hadn't come and gotten me out of bed at some ungodly time in the morning, I wouldn't been able to do something with it!" Jill abolished him.

"You wouldn't slept through the whole day if I hadn't come along! It's a good thing at least one of us is presentable!"

"You have got to be the only guy I've ever met who puts as much effort in to his appearance as he does into thinking about Pokemon" Jill commented. Barry just laughed.

"Got that right girlfriend! I'm also probably the only guy you've ever really met!" he replied with a wink. "Now come on!"

"Where are we going?" Jill demanded still attempting to get her hat sitting just right as to cover most of the mess on the top of her head.

"To where this is all going to begin!"

A mortal consciousness it thought. Someone had managed to see something greater than they could ever imagine. But how? Had mortals advanced so far? The creature stopped its movements through its private world and quested out with its senses. Touching everything and nothing, leaving no sense of its purpose. Ripples flowed out through all, coming back to deliver information.

There… The one whose mind had seen. The currents of its thoughts were troubled, but the air of excitement was palpable. It quested further. Something about this one was different. How had this happened? Pushing further, it reached out to touch all it could. Yes there were others. Oh so many others! Convergence. It was coming. As it knew it would. As it warned its brother it would oh so long ago. What now, brother, would you say? I was right? Of course I was. I am the opposite. I am the counter. And yet, am I no longer enough? The answer to that question was evident before its senses.

I sense your questing. What is it you are looking for? Asked the feminine voice. It shook itself back into movement.

They can touch us now.

You have been alone for too long. Yes they can. It is not a bad thing the female said.

They are not ready.

There is no choice anymore. The few have pushed the balance and forced nature into action.

Convergence. You have already decided the first voice said, its link with the female strong. A reflection caused from breath showed a picture. The mortal was there, caring, strong sense of right from wrong. Ideals set and not to be waivered from. Worthy? It asked.

Very. His soul is pure and heart true. Three have been bound. It searched for meaning behind this. Beside the first, another breath and reflection. Two mortals, the same?

Who can say? The female said. The ancient leaned close to the second reflection. A mortal to be bound to?

Worthy?

Here we go folks! An introduction to our main protagonist of this story-line! Not much to say just yet, but please leave a review of what you think!

NOTICE: I have changed the main protagonists name. My original characters are inspired by real people I know and because of this I've decided on a new name for our heroine. She is still the same character, however just a new name. This is the update for this chapter. Thank you.