I scream as I fall through the void.

I flail my arms and legs around, trying to find something, anything, to stop or slow my fall. The only thing my efforts do is make me lose my purse as my desperate movements cause the strap to slip off of my shoulder. I stop screaming to gasp as I fumble for it, but with no light, it's impossible for me to find it. The shock of losing everything inside of it somehow overrides my terror, finally allowing me to try and think of anything that would help me. I screw my eyes shut to think, though it doesn't make a difference since I can't see anything in the first place.

I had been inside the Super Contest Hall, waiting in the lobby for the show to start, one of the first times I'd left the house since Gwen's funeral. The show had been late to start because one of the entrants hadn't arrived. The crowd had been getting impatient and there were even calls to disqualify them until the staff had reluctantly revealed that the missing competitor was Champion Dawn. That had instantly pacified the crowd and everyone's impatience had turned to excitement.

I hadn't been immune to the mood shift and I'd actually moved closer to the entrance so that I would be able to see the Savior of Sinnoh before anyone else. That eagerness had somewhat backfired as the first thing Dawn did upon entering the Super Contest Hall was to almost bowl me over. Even though she was already running late, Dawn took the time to make sure that I was alright and even complimented my dress. I'd worn my best since I'd heard that they would be giving away starters to prospective coordinators after the contest. I'd wanted to make sure that I got off on the right foot for Gwen's sake.

I'd barely stammered my thanks to Dawn before I fell into the void.

My eyes snap open. Champion Dawn. The reminder that I had been near her makes me certain that my current situation is somehow related to her. Had I been caught up in another attack from Team Galactic? The news had said that Dawn had defeated them before even becoming Champion, but could they have come back for revenge?

Or had killing my best friend not been enough for them? Had they come for me too?

I know that last thought is outlandish, but it sticks in my head as I fall. Even putting aside the possible explanation for my situation, I still have no idea of what I can do about it. I crane my head around the void, trying to find anything that could help me, but I'm only greeted by the same inky blackness. I suddenly stop my search when I notice a pinprick of light in the distance. I frantically try to angle my body so that I fall toward the light, desperate for anything.

I have no idea if it's because of my efforts or something else, but the light starts getting closer and closer. I squint to try to see what the source of the light is, only for my eyes to widen when I realize that it's my phone, which had been securely stored in my purse a minute ago. I windmill my arms at the device, trying to snatch it out of the air, but it stays frustratingly out of reach. Text suddenly starts appearing on the white screen and I pause my movements in order to read it.

"I bestow upon thee this Arc Phone and thy mission: seek out al-"

The phone explodes in a flash of light, blinding me. Before the sunspots can fade from my eyes, I black out.


When I wake up, I'm miraculously on the ground. I'm barely able to hold back a sob of relief as my hands dig at the dirt, utterly relieved to have something to hold onto. While it is dark out, I can even see since it isn't the complete blackness of the void. I lie there for almost a minute before I gather the strength to stand and look around.

I immediately see that not only has the time of day changed, but my location has as well. The Super Contest Hall, let alone any other building, is nowhere in sight. The only things that I can make out in the gloom of night are leafless trees and ruins. When I turn my eyes skyward, I see a full moon, and although it takes me a moment longer to notice, I realize that there are more stars in the sky than I've ever seen before in my life. Despite my fear and confusion, I find myself entranced as I stare up at one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.

I slowly turn in place to see more of the sky, only to stop short when I see something else that I've never seen before. Unlike the stars, I would have been completely fine if I had never seen this one. Directly above the shadow of a mountain that looks like Coronet is an impossible break in the sky. There's a large black vortex that blots out the stars that should be behind it and makes me shudder as it reminds me of the void. Coming out of the center of the blot are several bright-white lines that make it look like the sky is going to crack open any moment.

My growling stomach draws me back to the earth. I do my best to put the sight out of my mind and instead wonder how long I had been unconscious. I look around at the ground in an attempt to spot my phone so that I can check the time, but there's no sign of it or my purse. The message on my phone had said that I was being 'bestowed' an Arc Phone, whatever that was, but there's no sign of that either. There had also been something about a mission, and while I don't love the idea of doing what I was told in case this is a Galactic plot, I don't have any other ideas other than trying to find food and water.

The message told me to find something starting with 'al,' but nothing immediately comes to my mind as to what that could be. Albums? I doubt that whatever sent me here is just looking for music. Aluminum? It would be much easier to find that at home than in the middle of nowhere. Alcohol? At sixteen, I'm not old enough to partake but it might be welcome here either way. I giggle despite myself and cringe when the noise sounds practically crazed.

I helplessly look around again, but the second time I spot something that I'd missed. There's a large boulder nearby that I'd initially dismissed as just a large rock, but looking at it closer in the moonlight I could see that there were several designs carved into it. An altar? It's better than nothing, so I stumble over to the rock, looking for any clues that it might hold to my situation.

A scrutinizing look doesn't reveal anything noteworthy, but for some reason, I feel drawn to it anyway. I hesitantly place my right palm against the rock and step back in surprise when a purple light appears at the point of contact. Or at least I try to step back. Instead, my feet stay planted right where they are and even my attempt to pull my hand away fails. The purple light fades away from the rock and slowly starts traveling up my arm, making my frantic attempts to flee become increasingly frenzied, but it feels like I'm frozen in time.

Time abruptly resumes when the light reaches my chest and I stumble backward, once again falling to the ground. Too frightened to return to my feet, I scuttle back on all fours like a Krabby until there's a good ten feet between me and the altar. I pant heavily while staring at the boulder, but it's back to looking like an ordinary rock.

Hast thou calmed thyself?

"Who said that?!" I scream, my head once again darting back and forth, looking for the speaker, but my frantic search doesn't spot anyone.

'Twould seem not. I mean thou no harm child.

Even though I can't see them, I can clearly hear the oddly androgynous voice. I swallow nervously and in a much quieter tone ask, "Where are you?"

I art inside thou. Thou hast freed me from mine prison but I have no body of mine own.

"You're in me?!" I reflexively ask, my voice turning into almost a screech. "Is that why you brought me here? So you could possess me?!"

'Twas not mine doing that brought thou to this land. 'Twas the work of mine Lord's foe. They brought thou here and abandoned thou without thought. And I hast not possessed thou. E'en freed, I can only speak.

I silently sit in the dirt for several seconds, trying to make sense of the information that the… voice is giving me. I finally croak, "Why?"

I have not the answer. Our foe's machinations art known only to Them.

I could somehow feel the capitalization in 'them' but I can't muster the energy to give that any thought. "What am I supposed to do then?" I quietly ask. While it had never come up in 'stranger danger' lessons when I was a kid, I'm certain that I shouldn't be looking to take advice from disembodied voices. At the same time, I feel like I'm lost in the ocean and the voice is the only lifeline I have.

Thou require shelter, food, and protection to survive. This is a dangerous place, e'en moreso at night. Yet, there is something in these wracks 'twould aid thou.

"Like what?" I nervously ask, finally returning to my feet and turning back to look at the ruins. There are several buildings that have been clearly worn down by the passage of time. At the edge of the ruins are marble pillars that must have looked beautiful before they had collapsed long ago. I realize with a start that I can see them much clearer than before, but when I look up at the sky, I find that the moon has been hidden by clouds.

Mine powers are limited, yet I can grant thou the ability to see.

I tear my eyes away from the sky to look at the area around me and see that the voice's words are true. It's not as clear as if it were day, but I'm able to see much better in the dark than should be possible. I realize that I hadn't verbally commented on it and demand, "Are you reading my mind?"

Fear not, thy mind is thy own. Thy confusion was palpable so I offered explanation.

I'm not sure if I fully believe the voice, but decide to take them at face value for now. Even if they can read my thoughts, I don't have any idea how to make them stop right now. Wary of whatever the voice had been referring to when saying the area was dangerous, I start creeping toward the ruins. I curse my footwear after the fourth rock that I step on, wishing that I was wearing hiking shoes instead of flats. I console myself with the fact that I at least hadn't decided to wear heels to the contest.

My thoughts regarding my footwear vanish almost immediately when I enter the bounds of the ruined village and spot several Gastly floating ahead of me. I jump behind one of the knocked-over pillars, hiding from their sight. After a few seconds, I peer around the pillar and am relieved to see none of them have noticed me.

Fear not the Gastly. They shall not harm thou.

"What do you mean?" I hiss. Because I grew up watching Fantina perform in contests, I don't have the same debilitating fear of ghost Pokemon that some people have. That said, I'm not stupid and know that some fear is a good idea.

I have a certain… affinity for ghosts. Mine presence shall ensure they shall not treat thou as a foe.

"What am I even looking for, anyway?" I ask, not budging from my hiding spot. I didn't mind the idea of checking out some ruins, especially since they might make for a good spot to rest from the elements. However, now that I know that there are wild Pokemon, the hope of using the place as shelter is gone, which means that I'm only going in there on the voice's word.

An ally. And a corporeal one at that. They shall keep thou safe from those whom wouldst do thou harm.

I have to admit that the prospect of finding someone else to help is tempting. I stay in my hiding spot for several seconds longer and then finally step back into the ruined road. I'm not sure if the voice is telling the truth or if they just haven't noticed me, but none of the Gastly so much as glance at me. Leaning toward caution, I creep forward, hugging the wall and then darting inside one of the buildings the moment I have a chance.

My eyes instantly adjust to the darker room, revealing what I assume was once someone's house, though now it's just filled with rubble. Even though I have a feeling it's hopeless, I spend some time in the room, looking for anything that would be helpful or any sign of whoever the voice is talking about. I'm about to leave the building empty-handed when I spot some movement where the remnants of a bed are. I cautiously watch the movement but then relax when I identify what Pokemon it is. "Is your ally a Kirlia?" I quietly ask the voice.

No! Leave!

I'm about to protest that it's just a Kirlia until the Pokemon finishes sitting up and stares directly at me. I'd seen plenty of Kirlia participate in contests and they always seemed like friendly Pokemon, but from the way this one's eyes are narrowed, it's anything but. I stumble backward, away from the Pokemon as its eyes glow bright pink and I suddenly get the worst headache of my life. My legs buckle as I clutch my head, screaming out in pain at the psychic assault.

I writhe for seconds, though it feels much longer, until the pain is suddenly dulled by an icy wrongness that fills my body. The new sensation is far from pleasant as my body breaks out in cold shivers, but I welcome it anyway since it allows me to actually think again. A cackle fills the room as a Gastly emerges from my chest and darts toward the Kirlia. I whimper as the pain returns as soon as the Gastly stops being in contact with me, but then it vanishes again when the Gastly opens its mouth to Lick the Kirlia with its large tongue.

I run out of the room without a second thought, desperate to put as much space between me and the Pokemon as possible. As I leave the building, I see another Gastly phase through the wall, following its fellow. Horrid laughter chases me, prompting me to move even faster in my blind flight. I come back to my senses in the middle of the ruined town, barely able to stop myself from retching in the dried-up well that I stopped in front of.

I told thou the Gastly would not harm thou.

"What the hell was that?!" My voice breaks as I scream. I realize too late that I'm surrounded by another group of four Gastly, but they don't react to me or the noise other than turning to give me a curious look.

As thou said, a Kirlia. A truly vile Pokemon known for attacking the mind without warning.

I want to argue that Kirlia aren't like that at all, but what I'd just experienced spoke volumes about the voice's accuracy. If there are more Pokemon like that around, I suddenly understand why they had led me to search for protection before food or shelter. That said, it's clear that I need said protection in order to even find what they sent me here for. I take a shaky breath and say, "I don't think I'm going to be able to search any more buildings."

Fear not. Thy flight brought thou close enough to our quarry to discern their location. Enter the second domicile down the lane.

I'm not thrilled by the idea of entering another building, but I listen anyway and make for the ruins again. This building seems to be in better shape than the first had been, as there are things inside that indicate people lived there at some point. Most notable are the shattered clay plates on the ground with rusted cutlery next to them. The fear of running into another aggressive Pokemon makes me forsake my impromptu archeological investigation. However, even with my enhanced vision, I can't see another living thing within the room.

Get up laggard. I require thy services.

I open my mouth to argue but stop when I realize that I'm not the one the voice is talking to. I hear something shifting behind me and spin around just in time to see a small pile of rubble collapse, the displaced rocks rolling across the room. As if I hadn't had enough surprises today, a sword emerges from the rubble, then continues to rise in the air until it's floating in the space in front of me. I stare at it for a long second before incredulously asking, "A sword?! That's what you want me to protect myself with? I don't know how to use a sword!"

'Tis no ordinary sword. 'Tis a Honedge.

"A Honedge? Is that a Pokemon?" I ask, my indignation turning to curiosity despite myself. I've never heard of a Pokemon that's a sword. Then again, I've never really done research on any Pokemon that aren't popular picks in contests. Gwen was always more interested in battles so she might have known what it was. I can't see anyone entering a sword Pokemon into a contest other than Tough, and that's always been my least favorite category.

Yes. The spirit of a warrior who long since fell resides inside the blade.

I shiver at the idea that the Pokemon in front of me had once been a person. Back when I'd asked Fantina about the possibility, she'd given me a non-committal answer. "Um, hi. Nice to meet you," I say, but Honedge doesn't react to my greeting apart from the eye on its hilt blinking a single time.

Pleasantries are pointless. A Honedge is naught but a tool. Now, let us depart.

Indignation returns in a flash. "Hey, you shouldn't call them a tool! Especially if they used to be a per-"

Silence! I sense our foe nearby! Flee at once!

Up to now the sound of the voice has been soft in my head, but the latest series of orders buzz like an angry Vespiquen in my mind. Unable to argue, I stumble out of the building, barely noticing Honedge floating behind me. When I get outside, it's apparent that something has changed in the few minutes since I entered the building. Where before there was a singular crack in the sky above the mountain, I see that five smaller ones have also appeared, the closest of which seems like it's right on the other side of the hill at the edge of the ruins. I open my mouth to ask the voice about them but my question turns into a scream when a massive swarm of white and gold lightning comes down from the rift.

They empower their allies of old! Flee!

I don't need to be told a second time and once again break into a fear-fueled sprint as I run away from the deafening noise behind me. Despite my terror, I'm somehow able to realize that I'm heading right for the stone where I found the voice and vaguely remember that the stone was at the edge of a cliff face. I change directions slightly so that I'm heading for the hills to my left and run as fast as I can.

I run until I trip on a stone and fall to the ground. While I have no idea how long I ran, I do know that I've long since left the ruined village behind. I also don't know how long it's been since the lightning stopped, but blissfully, I can't hear it anymore. My quivering legs don't seem to want to support my weight when I try to return to my feet. I can feel myself about to drift off into unconsciousness until the voice returns.

Rise. There is danger nearby.

I sob into the ground at the matter-of-fact statement. I lay there for another couple of seconds before I shakily push myself off the ground and sway in place as my legs threaten to give out underneath me. I numbly notice that my favorite dress is covered in tears and dirt, but what would have filled me with horror only hours ago barely registers. I weakly look around for the danger the voice mentioned and spot two shining red lights in the gloom. Even with my enhanced vision, my fatigue makes it so that it takes another few seconds before I see that the lights are eyes attached to the largest Teddiursa I've ever seen. And it's coming my way.

Defend thyself.

I stare in disbelief at the Pokemon as it makes its way toward me, slowly at first and then faster and faster. I've seen plenty of Teddiursa before, but this one is almost twice the height of any I've seen before. It looks like it's just over a foot shorter than me! If it weren't for the voice in my head telling me it was real, I would have thought I was going crazy.

Defend thyself!

The words shake me out of my stupor. I look around for Honedge and see that they've moved slightly in front of me, just off to my right. The tassel attached to the sword is holding the sheath, allowing the naked blade to glint in the moonlight. I don't know what sort of moves a Honedge knows so I make my best guess. "Slash?" The Teddiursa has reached a full sprint. "Cut!" Honedge still doesn't move. "Tackle!" The Teddiursa is almost on top of me.

Defend thyself!

Panicked and desperate, I reach out and grab Honedge's hilt. Their tassel instantly drops the sheath in order to wrap around my hand, steadying my grip. Fighting the urge to close my eyes, I swing at Teddiursa as soon as it comes within reach. I ran out of adrenaline a long time ago and the weakness in my arms makes Honedge dips through the air as I swing them. Somehow that works in my favor and I make a deep gash across Teddiursa's chest.

Even though I hit it, the overly aggressive Pokemon still has momentum on its side and it runs right into me, knocking me to the ground once again. Honedge's grip on my hand is the only thing that stops me from dropping them. I try to stand back up despite my aching body, but the option is taken away from me as I freeze in abject terror when Teddiursa roars right next to me.

Rise!

Some part of me wants to retort that I'm doing my best, but all I accomplish when I open my mouth is to gasp for air. I'm still trying to get back to my feet when Teddiursa lumbers back over to me. It raises a paw as big as my head that I have no doubts will batter me senseless if it hits me. And that's the best-case scenario.

I don't have time to try getting to my feet again so I push myself off the ground just enough that I can stab up at the Pokemon. I punctuate my thrust with a scream of fear and desperation. Whether because of incredible luck or Honedge helping my aim, my stab hits Teddiursa right where its heart should be. The Pokemon roars again, though it sounds more pained than angry this time. I can feel Honedge writhing in my grasp, further damaging Teddiursa's pierced heart and splattering my arm with hot blood.

Mercifully, Teddiursa's paw lowers to its side and it sways on its feet. It softly grunts, a sound I would have found pitiful in any other situation, and then falls forward into the dirt, narrowly missing me. Honedge slips out of my hand at the same time, stopping my hand from twisting unnaturally as the still embedded sword follows Teddiursa to the ground.

I lose the remaining strength in my left arm that's keeping me propped up. I'm unconscious before my face hits the ground.


I come to the blissful smell of cooking meat. For a second I think my mom is making breakfast downstairs, but then I realize I am not laying on my bed. I whimper, desperately hoping that if I keep my eyes closed, I'll wake up for real and find out that the previous night was all a horrible, horrible dream. Or even better, the last three weeks.

"Oh, you're awake!" A man's voice fills the air and I can hear the crackling of a fire when he pauses. "I'm sorry for leaving you lying there in the dirt, but our friend said you were fine and I didn't want to disturb your rest. It looked like you needed it!"

His soothing voice makes me feel marginally less awful, but it's still a few more seconds before I can gather the strength to lift myself off of the ground. I must have been out of it for quite a while since the sun is high in the sky and there's a small yellow tent set up a few feet away from me. Sitting next to a campfire and looking right at me is a man with blonde hair and an oddly familiar face. His clothes are fully blue apart from the yellow and white apron-like cloth on his front.

"Who… are you?" I weakly manage to ask.

He smiles warmly. "I'm Volo of the Ginkgo Guild, the go-to choice for any of your mercantile needs here in Hisui!"


A/N: Thanks to Star (quarknova on this site) and Cavik for betaing. Next up is Chapter 2: Fireside Respite