Chapter 3

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."

-Proverbs 27:19

I woke up the next morning feeling great. Mostly because I was reassured that this wasn't all a dream. Going to sleep, waking up again, and still being here… it solidified that this is my new "real" life. Which brought up a few complicated emotions. Of course there were some things I was going to miss. But my biggest thing was always people. People would have been the top things that I missed in this situation.

At least, they would be if there were people there waiting for me to come back.

I shook off the dark thoughts and kept to the happier ones. I had a whole new world to make friends, and a whole bunch of Pokemon who were kinda sorta already friends. I just had to, well, meet them. Then of course, there was also Tia, who had already been a big help emotionally. If I came here alone with no one to talk to I think I would have either gone insane or become extremely depressed.

Speaking of Tia, she claimed one of the spare bedrooms in the house as hers and was still asleep when I went down to make some breakfast. I had half a mind to prank her with some water poured on her but decided I didn't want to gamble with my life like that. Not yet, at least.

Getting into the kitchen I decided on some simple eggs and bacon for breakfast. I made some extra as well in case Tia wanted some, then served myself a plate. As I was left alone with my thoughts, I remembered the mental note I made to ask Tia about my Pokemon. Since the Cherish Interface only moved them between point A and point B, surely that meant they were already existing somewhere in the world.

Speaking of, how much do my Pokemon, or even just Tia, actually know about who I am and where I'm from? More questions to add to the pile. This breakfast might turn out more heavy than I originally expected.

I was about to get seconds when Tia finally made her way downstairs. It was funny to see someone from the Pokemon world with a bedhead. From what I know, the only ones that were ever shown were Dawn and Chloe. Maybe Serena as well, but I couldn't quite remember.

"Mornin'," she called as she walked in. Her movements and speech were somewhat lethargic, so I assumed she wasn't exactly a morning person. I usually wasn't but I guess there were now so many exciting things that I liked being up and active.

"Hey, Tia. Food's on the stove, help yourself." I grabbed my own second plate and sat down at the couch and turned on the news. It was just the weather for now, so I mostly ignored it.

"Mkay. Thanks." I watched as she got a large portion of eggs and quite a few strips of bacon. Once she sat down and started eating, she woke up fully, and watched some of the news with me. Seems like the biggest things going on right now were gyms prepping and getting ready for the new season which started soon. Kanto in particular was expecting a larger number of foreign challengers due to people wanting to visit the new Monarch's home region. After watching for a little, I decided to finally broach the questions I had in mind with Tia.

"Hey, Tia? I gotta ask you some stuff." She nodded and turned her attention to me. "How much do you, like, know about… my situation…?" I asked. The more I talked, the less comfortable I was. She just gave me a small smile.

"I know most of it. Well, I think. I know you're not from our world. Kind of hard to be a Legendary psychic and not be clued into things like that. But at the same time, I also know… well, who you used to be." Her answer made me pause.

Did she mean I took someone's place? I wasn't just transported here, but I essentially stole someone's life? Did they die? Did I die? Am I really me? Will people be looking for me, or expect me to be different and get suspicious? Do I have to‒

"HEY!" A shout brought my focus back to the world around me. There were hands on my shoulders and concerned eyes in front of my own. "Alex, are you with me? You zoned out and I could feel your panic suffocating you. Just breathe, ok? I'm here with you, just breathe." Tia's instructions managed to calm me down, after breathing with her for a bit.

Once I managed to calm down, I slumped back into the couch. "Thanks, Tia. Sorry, I just… I don't know. Panicked about not really being me," I explained lamely. It was hard trying to put into words exactly what I was thinking and feeling.

"Hey, hey," she said softly. "You don't have to apologize. It was a big thing to take in. But you're ok, now, yeah?" The concern in her features washed away whatever unease I had remaining. She knew and still cared.

"Yeah," I said. "Can you, uh, explain a little more? I want to know." She gave me one last look, likely checking to make sure I wasn't lying or hiding how I felt. I forgot for a second that she was an empath, she literally could see through me. I guess she determined I was telling the truth, because she gave a small nod and a light smile.

"Ok," she said. "Just be warned, it's not exactly a happy story."

The Gregory family was what many would call average. Both parents had been semi-successful trainers when they were younger, though neither had any notable tournament placements to speak of. Both held average jobs in Vermillion City, making a respectable amount, but not enough to be considered rich. Their only son was not a standout in his schooling, and scored just barely above the Regional average on his trainer assessment exam.

There were only two things that made this family anything more than average, and both things came to them due to circumstances out of their control.

The first was the lottery ticket the father decided to purchase one day. Rather than for any cash prize there was an assortment of Trainer items being used as the various prizes, with the Grand Prize being a set of the newly released Cherish Balls. As a promotion for the release of the brand new product, the company decided to "donate" a set to this lottery being held in Kanto. Clearly it was lucrative, considering the long line of people in line in front of the father when he bought his ticket.

Some people were buying dozens, maybe hundreds of tickets, but Mr. Gregory bought only a single ticket with the spare change he had in his wallet from the day.

The second thing that set them apart was the deed to an uninhabited island out in the middle of the ocean. The great great grandfather of Mr. Gregory had bought it in what many assumed to be a scam, claiming to sell islands when really they were selling small claims on the island not even large enough for a house. To the surprise of all, the deed was in fact for the entire island, and many companies approached the Gregory family through the generations hoping to purchase or occupy the island.

The family decided instead to keep it in the family and disallow any other parties from working on the island. It was essentially a rainy day fund should the family ever encounter financial catastrophe.

It was either an unfortunate coincidence or a twisted fate that led to the events of 2020 for the Gregory family.

The son had just passed his Trainer Assessment Exam and was set up to begin his journey when the next season started. Additionally, the father's single ticket entry into the lottery turned out to be the Grand Prize winner! Feeling in high spirits, the family decided to go on a trip in celebration. Not having any real idea of where to go, the son posed the possibility of going to the island that was passed down in the family. He said that it would be special if he could find his starter there.

Naturally, his parents were sold. They began planning for a week-long excursion onto the island. They spared no expense, a wise choice considering the unknowns of the island. Would it be safe? Is there shelter and food? What Pokemon would be there? But they managed their preparation well and soon were on their way to the island.

They chartered a ship to take them just outside of the island and then pick them up in a week's time. Upon landing on the shore, they found themselves amazed with the landscape they were able to see.

The island itself was massive, split down the center by a small range of mountains. From what they saw, there existed climates and biomes of all types on this single island, and the variety of Pokemon which came with that was stunning. Pokemon of all types and regions came together in what appeared to be a place from a fairy tale.

The family set up camp and set up their perimeter to ensure safety and began some light exploring. Little did they know, their entrance had drawn the attention of two residents who monitored the adults' actions closely.

As they ventured, they discovered that their son was a natural at bonding with Pokemon. He easily made friends with the many residents they encountered, even those whom his parents were somewhat wary of.

The first day came and went, and on their second night there, while they all slept, the son was awoken by some noises nearby. Deciding to investigate, he got up and moved towards the direction of the sounds, which were increasing in intensity and volume. After some twenty minutes, he finally discovered the source, and he was shocked by what he saw.

There in a small clearing in the forest stood many small dark figures in a circle around two large fibrous shadows. As they talked and turned about in the moonlight, the son recognized the ones in the center by their malicious smirk and green faces.

Grimmsnarl. Surrounding them were various members of the previous stages, Morgrem and Impidimp. The son was left to wonder what had drawn them out and why they were making such a ruckus, only to spot a third figure in the center. One which didn't match any of the others.

Bloody and bruised in the center of the gathering was a Latias.

The son wondered for a while why the Legendary wasn't fighting back, only to have a grim realization. Latias was a Psychic and Dragon type. The Grimmsnarl line was the perfect counter, being Dark and Fairy.

The son knew he had to help, but wasn't sure what he could do. Distracting them and hoping the dragon would escape was his best bet. As he stepped forward to make his move, however, two wings spread in front of him to block his path. The son was met with two sets of wide, brown and red eyes. A pair of Decidueye he had met the day prior, one green, and one red. The red one motioned to themself and the other owl before pointing at the Grimmsnarl pack. The green one followed that up by pointing at the son then the fallen Latias. Nodding in agreement, the son waited for an opening.

The green Decidueye nocked an arrow and began aiming straight at the sky. The arrow tip glowed red before it was fired. Upon reaching its apex, the arrow exploded into the brilliant light of Sunny Day and the brawl began.

The dark masses of hair hissed and recoiled at the sudden invasion of light, but the two archers wasted no time in their assault. Two purple tipped arrows flew from the green owl, stabbing straight into the newly created shadows of the Grimmsnarl, who hissed in pain in response.

The whole pack of dark types put up barriers of Light Screen and Reflect to stave off their attackers, but the red hunter made quick work of them with a few well placed Brick Breaks. A flurry of rainbow-edged, green-tipped arrows flew from the green Grass type and honed in on all the smaller pack members with pinpoint accuracy. This, paired with some well placed kicks and smaller arrows from the red owl, took out the entirety of the pre-evolutions. Within thirty seconds, all that were standing were the two archers and the two Grimmsnarl, who had finally managed to dislodge the arrows from their shadows.

Feathery bows and arrows met hairy whips and lances as the two pairs battled it out. Spirit Shackle met Spirit Break, Triple Arrows met False Surrender. The ensuing chaos had, by design of the Decidueye, drifted further and further away from the wounded dragon. The son saw his opportunity and sprinted towards her.

Seeing her up close was both awe-inspiring and gut-wrenching. The son tried his best to assist the Pokemon with levitating to escape, but the cry of pain as she attempted any movement forced him to stop. It would be impossible to get her out of here like this. A quick glance to his side showed him that despite the surprise attack, the type advantage the two interlopers had over the archers was beginning to take its toll. They wouldn't last much longer and he had made no progress on escaping with Latias.

Then his mind wandered to the sole Poke Ball he carried with him, the one he had to catch his starter with. He hesitated for a moment, before looking back down and seeing the pleading gaze directed at him.

There was no other way.

Mind made up, he quickly tapped the ball against the dragon's side. She was immediately sucked into the ball in a flash of red light. The ball clicked shut and instantly dinged in response to a successful capture. No struggle. Not even any wiggles. His first capture, a Legendary Pokemon even, but all his heart could do was weep for the poor Latias.

As soon as he could, he sprinted away from the clearing, hoping to get back to his family's protected campsite. He was stopped short when a roar from behind sounded out across the clearing. Turning to see what happened, he saw a few things.

The first was the pair of Decidueye retreating back into the forest. The second was two bright Thunderbolts descending upon the Grimmsnarl. The third was a Dark Pulse heading straight towards him.

He dove to the side, managing to avoid a direct hit. The explosion, however, launched him into a tree, and straight into the realm of unconsciousness. As he drifted off, he never lost his grip on the Poke Ball in his hand.

When he woke up in the morning, there were two red and blue faces hovering over him, glaring daggers into him. The two owls had been perched nearby in some trees, but descended when they saw him wake up.

It took the boy longer than he'd admit to realize that in front of him were two very angry Eon Twins, held back only by the claims of assistance from the owls, and the empathic abilities of the Psychics vouching for him. Recognizing what was desired of him, he pulled out the ball and released the wounded Latias into the clearing. Upon seeing what the boy assumed to be their child, the Lati's anger faded for a moment into relief, before flaring back up again, though not directed at him luckily.

Rather than act on it, the two parents focused Heal Pulses towards their child. Wounds closed and cleaned themselves, while bruises faded away. When the healing was finished, the Latias opened her eyes. Upon seeing her parents, she yelled out in joy and launched herself towards them. After a moment, she turned and saw her trio of protectors. She nodded to the two avians in thanks. She then shocked the boy by lunging at him. He raised his arms in defense, expecting an attack, but was pleasantly surprised to find she was giving him an enthusiastic hug. Laughing to himself softly, he returned it.

This was the scene his parents found him in. When he explained the story to them, he realized that he ought to release Latias, having only intended to save her with the Ball. However, as he made to do so, he was stopped rather quickly by the Latias herself. She shook her head and looked the boy in his eyes. Her parents were slightly shocked, but appeared to be placated by the attempt to release her alone, paired with sensing his emotions.

The boy, though, was still unsure. He explained that he didn't want to keep her confined to his side, or to keep her away from her home and family. It was here that the boy's father proposed a solution. He made an account on the Cherish Interface for his son and transferred one of the Cherish Balls to his possession. In such a way would the boy be able to be connected with his friend and partner, without having to keep her away from the island.

All parties involved seemed happy with the idea. In fact, word had spread to all the Pokemon whom the boy had befriended, and they approached the family hoping for the same treatment. By the time the week came to a close, the son had a few more than a hundred Pokemon registered in his Cherish Interface.

Goodbyes were difficult. He and the Latias had spent the entire week together, bonding, playing, talking. Becoming best friends. So when it came time to leave, there were a great many tears shed. Promises were made to visit and to call upon her soon to hang out more. Even more promises to the other residents who chose to be with the son.

High spirits led the family to visit the island, and high spirits sent them off as well. However, the following nights were not so kind to the Gregory's or to the Lati family. The young Latias was plagued that night with a high fever, odd hallucinations, and strange dreams. The parents similarly had strange dreams.

The Gregory's, however, were plagued by a sudden storm which wrecked their ship, with only the son and some cargo being found off the shore of Olivine City. While the boy was barely alive, he was quickly transported to the nearest hospital. He was determined to have been in a coma and was moved to a hospital in Vermillion.

The Lati family had an idea of what had occurred, thanks to it being the content of their strange dream, however they also received instructions from the Alpha and Ancestor to not do anything about it. They were told that all will be made right in time.

For two and a half years, this was the case. When all of a sudden, the young boy miraculously awoke from his coma. He appeared to have lost all of his memory. As if he were a blank slate, waiting to be written onto. Though, he was aware, present, and competent enough to be released home under observation. When no incidents had occurred for multiple months, including periodic check-ins, they deemed him fit to be free.

Thus ended the story of Alex Gregory. A week later, the young Latias received an aura pulse and was summoned for the first time.

I had no idea what to say. I was… in another person's body? But it was the same as my other world? We even had the same first name? And house? There were so many questions running through my head, but one look at the girl in front of me made me ask the most important of all.

"Tia," I asked, "are you okay?" I watched as a strained smile formed on her face. Fake, I thought to myself. I found it funny that I could tell after knowing the girl less than twenty-four hours, but I knew she was faking it. The look in my eyes must have given me away, since as soon as she met my gaze, the smile wobbled and her eyes watered.

Without needing to think, I reached out and hugged her, loosely enough that she knew she could pull away if needed. She didn't, though, and I found myself comforting my hysterical friend for a few minutes as she cried.

Once she had cried herself out and calmed down a little, I pulled back, keeping my hands on her shoulders.

"I know, it's hard, losing someone you care about. But, just know I'm always here for you if you need it. Okay? We may not have known each other for long, and it sounds kinda cliche, but you're still the closest friend I've had in a long while. I want to help you however I can." This time, the smile that formed on her face was genuine.

"I know. Thank you," she responded. Then, surprisingly to me, she chuckled softly. "You know, you really are just like him. As if the same soul from two different universes swapped places." Despite the heavy atmosphere, I found myself chuckling.

"That's high praise," I said. "I'll do my best to live up to it." My words made her pull me in for another hug, and when I heard her response, I could feel myself tearing up a little as well.

"You already are."

AN: Chapter 3 is done! This chapter wasn't really how I planned it to be in my head. I originally had a different quote lined up at the beginning, but then I started writing the backstory and by the time I finished, it was already chapter length. So the chapter ended up being a little shorter than I would have liked, but covered enough content that I didn't want to try and cram more in. If you haven't noticed, I like using the quotes at the beginning to kinda set the tone for a chapter, even if it's kinda vague and not super relevant.

Anyways, sorry this took so long, I wasn't really happy with the backstory and had a hard time coming up with something I was happy with. I'm still not super happy with some parts of it, but overall I think it's fairly good. If you can't tell, I didn't know how to get into it, so the beginning is kinda rough. Which is the part I'm unhappy with. But oh well, I think it's still good.

Also please tell me what you thought of the battle scene! I personally think it's great, but I would love some constructive criticism if anyone has some.

So yeah, the usual spiel: Like if you liked, follow if you want more, and review if you have something to say! Also if you see any mistakes, let me know!

Peace Out =)