Chapter 1

Hisui, A Mysterious Land of People and Pokémon!

A tranquil voice spoke in words that sparked like fragments of living light, and it took all my concentration to even understand a little bit of what the voice was saying. Even as the echoing sound of the mysterious voice pulsed through my mind I had to close my eyes multiple times before I could get them to stay open.

When I could finally manage to open my eyes I drank in the images that danced around me, noticing how the light took form. It was much different than anything I had ever seen before forming into a collective shape like a bodiless soul just beginning to move. Was it alive? I thought rubbing my eyes in shock each time I felt I was beginning to understand what was happening before me.

"Kyoshi," a jolt of light sparked like a crack of lightning clearing my mind of the foggy haze, "Welcome child."

The echo of the magnificent voice spread through my body like a warm blanket calling me deeper into the densest parts of the blinding light. Every time they spoke mysterious light enveloped around me brushing against my skin like a searing hot fire burning deep in my bones. I had no words to call back to the voice whose message beckoned me forward, only a deep curiosity and grateful humility to be experiencing such an awesome thing.

"Where am I?" I finally managed to whisper, sweeping my hands through the golden rays as I continued to gaze up towards the gradually softening light.

"You are where I am," the voice responded with a hint of amusement. "A place beyond time and space, but not for long." They spoke, "You're time is coming child, I have chosen you to go in my name."

My heart pounded in my chest as each word collided into me like a force of supernatural energy. "To go in your name? Me?" I questioned inwardly, still having yet to see anything around except for the otherworldly light.

"Yes," was the response to the question I had not spoken out loud. "I have chosen. You shall complete this task, then I will see my land of humans and pokémon, a land you have not yet known be restored." They spoke again with certainty, "Do not fear," they continued almost as if they knew how I felt, "you will not be alone, I will be with you, Kyoshi."

In the brief silence which followed, more light began pooling around me flickering with brilliance and life. Its spiraling dance filled my mind in wonder and a mysterious power seemed to come over me.

"There are still many in the land in which you can trust. Ones whose hearts have not forgotten Me. My people and pokémon, their great nobles and lords, and it's up to you to save them from the evil that is coming. I have placed in you the power to free them, so be brave young one, many dangers lie ahead." His voice deepened as he spoke this last sentence with great anger and sorrow.

"And now I ask you," he paused in ominous silence, "will you go?"

Many questions began burning inside me. What new land? And what does he mean by a great danger? I've never heard of any nobles or lords? And who is it I am going for? My mind was swirling a thousand miles a minute and my heart beat rapidly in my chest, but my answer was clear. "I will go."

"Very well," the beautiful voice responded, extremely pleased by my response.

"Kyoshi," he continued, "I have great faith in you. I have seen you, as you've grown and served your community. I see what's in your heart here now, and what's to come. There is much you have learned in your studies and the journey's you've made through each region in your home. Trust in your heart to guide you, and in my voice to lead you. Your journey has merely begun."

His words came alive in my heart overwhelming me with new purpose, "And now let us see each other."

Before my eyes the golden light began to solidify, taking shape until standing before me was a pokémon unlike any I had ever seen before. His body glowed with blinding brilliance, so bright I needed to strain my eyes to fully take him in. The rays of light reflected off him in various shades of color like a pearl freshly polished. His legs were massive, rising up from the floor like four towers. His hooves were made of solid gold, able to reflect an image clearer than a mirror, and a large golden crown encircled around him. His chest and belly were solid titanium extending upwards to his eyes. They were two large and brilliant gems one inside of the other. Each one glowed with a living clarity empowered by the light that radiated out of him.

Standing before him, my breath caught in my lungs, as his gaze penetrated my heart.

"Your people know me as Arceus." He spoke with great authority as the light surrounding him began to shine in a wild brilliance. "Soon you shall know me differently." He said amusingly, "And now, you must know."

As his swirling light encircled around me, Arceus continued. "The land of Hisui is a wild and dangerous place to explore alone. Darkness has poisoned the minds of some and plagued others with a torturous fear."

Suddenly I was enveloped in a vision. I saw and heard the sounds of people running in fear as glowing red eyes chased them through darkness. Lightning strikes lit up a blood red sky and vast expanses of land were thrown into chaos as the environment around them became unfamiliar. People and pokémon were lost wandering through spaces they had never known, separated from their home and the people they loved.

It felt as if my own heart was about to tear in two! The despair of the situation was overwhelming as these scenes played out before me.

"Kyoshi." Arceus's calm voice brought me back into reality.

"This future can be prevented. It is why I'm sending you." He explained, pausing briefly before continuing. "It's time—you must go." He finished. "Remember Kyoshi, do not fear, I will be with you."

Although I could no longer see him, it felt as if he was standing close by to me. His reassuring presence calmed my nerves, and just then the vision began to change. I was being taken away swept up in a whirl of his mysterious power. The hazy dream-like feeling I first experienced as I came to this place began to envelop me again, and before I even realized what was happening everything went black.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Someone shouted, "Are you hurt?" They asked with deep concern expressed in their voice.

It felt like a stack of weights was pressing down on my body. Even my arms and legs were immovable. I was too disconnected from my mind to control them at will. "Uhhhhhhhh," I groaned, barely cracking my eyes open.

"Hold on, I'll be right back." I heard someone say, as their voice grew softer from a distance. Still not able to move, I concentrated on the voices that softly spoke around me.

"She's over here! Come this way!" They shouted.

"Is she injured?" Someone replied. "Do we need to send for help?"

"She doesn't look hurt," They answered back, "but she hasn't moved much since I found her. There's a possibility of internal damage, but it looks almost as if something was shielding her from the fall. You'll see when we get over to her." They responded in haste as whomever they were talking to caught up to where they had gone.

"Hello?" The new voice spoke, "Can you hear me?" They calmly asked, bent down close beside me.

Inwardly my head was pounding, and my mouth was so dry I wasn't sure I would be even able to speak. In an attempt to answer back I began violently coughing as a heavy taste of salt coated my throat.

"Here," they kindly spoke, "this should help with your cough. I have in my hand an oran berry." He explained, "I'm going to help you sit up now, so please don't be alarmed. We're here to help."

Very gently he placed a sturdy hand underneath my head, and slowly lifted me up. "Rei put your bag beneath her head, that way I can use my hand to help her eat the berry." He instructed.

"Okay." Rei responded, putting his bag beneath my head as a makeshift prop.

"My name is Professor Laventon." The other man continued, "I'm a pokémon researcher, here in Jubilife Village." He began to explain as he gently helped me take a few bites of the berry. "My assistant Rei and I were out researching some of the native pokémon when your sudden appearance frightened us all."

Adjusting to my new position, I was finally able to open my eyes. Although everything was initially blurry and bright, I was able to make out the two people who were kneeled down next to me. One on each side.

The man speaking was a kind faced, middle aged man, with large gentle eyes. As he spoke the creases in the corners of his eyes gave away his age. Glancing over at the boy next me my heart suddenly leaped up into my throat causing me to begin another wave of violent coughing. The unexpected fit clearly alarmed the kind professor, causing him to give his assistant another sharp look of concern.

Finally able to move, I drew my arms up to my stomach, clenching my abdomen in pain. My head started pounding again as a wave of nausea swept over me. What was it about that boy that shocked me so much? I briefly thought before having another coughing fit again.

"Rei, I want you to run ahead of us." The professor hastily spoke. "Tell Captain Cyllene I'm sending you. Follow her orders, and I will meet back up with you when I can." The boy promptly nodded before rising up and quickly running away.

"Young lady," the professor continued, "I'm going to gently lift you off the ground. If you experience any discomfort let me know any way you can."

Although my pain had subtly subsided I did not resist his request. Instead I focused all my effort on deep breathing to keep myself from going into shock. As he lifted me off the ground I folded my hands against his soft chest, and kept my eyes closed as he carried me in the direction the boy had run off to.

"Not much farther now." The professor huffed, straining as he spoke each word. Clearly my rescuer was not used to carrying young women very far and possibly not at all. "I'm taking you back to my village," he continued, "where I should be able to get you some proper care." He said to my relief.

"Laventon." A different voice spoke. "What's going on?"

"Dorian." The professor responded. "I need entrance to the village, this girl is hurt." A brief silence passed between the two, before the new man responded. "Let them through." He called out.

"Hand her over to me." Dorian said, "I will take her the rest of the way."

"Thank you." The professor said, as he gently placed me into Dorian's arms. "You'll be safe with him, and I will be close by if you need anything." He reassured me as I faintly nodded to show him my coherence.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as we quickly moved forward.

Around me I could hear the sounds of village life. Young children playing and the usual sounds of villagers making their daily rounds. Occasionally I'd hear someone gasp in alarm; clearly it was a startling sight to see someone new in their village.

But as we continued to move forward, the words I could've spoken became lost to me—mere thoughts. My body was exhausted, and before I even realized what was going on the heaviness in my eyes took over as I fell asleep.

"Nurse Joy?" I mumbled, half asleep still, as I opened my eyes for the first time that day.

"Oh, hello!" A pleasantly cheerful voice responded back to me. "You're finally awake!" She exclaimed. "How are you feeling?" The woman asked as she came closer to stand by my side.

Still too confused to answer, I watched as she drew near to me. As she approached I could make out the warm and mild face of a woman slightly older than me. She had light pink eyes and beautiful pink hair that complimented her delicate features. Her clothing looked very familiar too, although it seemed quite odd. She reminded me of someone I must've met before; however, I had no idea who it could've been.

"My name is Pesselle." The mild mannered woman spoke. "You're in Jubilife Village." She continued, "Professor Laventon brought you here three days ago after he found you unconscious on our island's beach." She calmly explained, to my utter confusion.

"Jubilife Village?" I asked, wrinkling my face in frustration.

"Yes." She answered, slightly concerned. "Do you know where that is?" She asked.

Shaking my head in response, I hastily began looking around the room for any of my belongings, for anything remotely familiar. Noticing my panic, Pesselle moved in closer, placing her hand calmly on top of mine. Looking up into her kind eyes, the tears that were beginning to sting my own slowly trickled down my cheek.

"It's okay," she reassured me. "You're safe here." She kindly spoke, waiting for me to wipe the few tears that had escaped my eyes. "You don't have to answer any more questions," she continued, "it's still very early in the morning. Not many of my patients are awake yet." She said, smiling at me with compassion. "Why don't you try and get more rest. I was just headed out to check on our breakfast when I noticed you had awoken."

Reaching forward in a very motherly manner, she gently smoothed back a few of my hairs that had been sticking up. "I will let Professor Laventon know you are awake, and that he may come and visit you as soon as I know you are ready." I nodded to her in response, in which she then proceeded to get up and leave. "Please feel free to call if you need anything." She concluded, as she quietly made her way out of the room.

Taking a deep breath I pulled the soft sheets of the bedding up to my face. How could I not know where I was? I asked myself. Everything about this place seemed so unfamiliar, but what disturbed me the most was my own incapability. I couldn't remember anything beyond the moment I opened my eyes three days ago on that beach. Why couldn't I remember? I frustratingly thought, tossing my body around in response to my feelings. Closing my eyes I began to go over and over again everything that happened since I had awakened in this strange place, but nothing seemed to spark any further memory. "Hopefully by the time professor Laventon arrives I will have something to share with him." I mumbled out loud. With that conclusion, I closed my eyes, and let sleep yet once again envelop me in its time warping embrace.

A light faintly glowed in the distance. I was walking in a dark tunnel; my hand lightly brushed the cave's walls as I made my way up the slope. Beneath my feet, snow crunched with every step, I was clearly headed where no one had gone before. Deep inside my emotions stirred, fear and determination, they battled each other for ground, but still I continued to move forward. As I approached closer to the blinding light I held my hand up to my face no longer needing to use the cave wall as support.

After my eyesight adjusted I found myself standing in the midst of a great ruin, a place of beauty now reduced to mere rubble. Instead of exploration I chose to continue moving forward, my heart still compelling me to go further into the light. "The light", I thought, suddenly stopping in my tracks to examine further my questionable feelings. "The light," I repeated this time out loud causing a jolt of familiarity to spark in me.

"Kyoshi!" A voice yelled. "Search out all pokémon."

Immediately my eyes snapped open, relief flooded my mind as I realized I was still safe lying in the bed I had fallen asleep in only a few hours ago. A quick glance around me revealed that it was now past the evening. I must've slept even longer than was expected of me and missed the breakfast I had been promised. At the thought of food my stomach rumbled. What would I give for a steaming hot plate of food right now? I thought, causing my stomach to let out another loud rumble.

As I started to move, I noticed that something heavy was weighing on me. In the dim light I could just make out the small shape of a dark green pokémon curled up into a tight ball in the center of my lap. Its sleeping form gently moved in a rhythmic pattern with each breath it took.

"Hello there little one." I whispered, stroking its back with the tips of my fingers. "To whom do you belong?" I said, caressing its sleeping face gently in the palms of my hands.

"I could ask you the same thing." An accusing voice spoke from inside the shadows that lingered deeper in the room.

"Who's there?" I responded, defensively pulling myself into a rigid upright position.

When I received no response, I began searching desperately for the figure of whoever I was sharing my space with, but my efforts were in vain when I found no one.

"Who is there?" I repeated as I began to slowly extract myself from the covers of the bed.

As I stepped onto the cool floor, a shiver swept down my spine. Every inch of my body was on high alert as I began assessing if danger lurked in the room.

"Who am I?" The dark voice coldly responded. "Who are you?"

Shifting my feet I began to make the necessary adjustments for battle. Whoever it was in the room with me was clearly someone prepared for a fight. Being as it was they chose to use the covering of darkness as their element of surprise.

"I am Kyoshi." I proudly answered. Not ashamed to be the first to respond to a question.

Ever so slowly the large shape of a man's silhouette pieced itself together, until they stood completely uncovered before me. Dark eyes locked onto mine, "Kyoshi." He repeated. Looking me over intently without saying anything.

"Commander Kamado!" The surprised voice of Pesselle spoke as she entered the room carrying a handful of towels, linens, and bedsheets. The formidable form of my opponent barely softened at the sight of her arrival.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed. "You should really be resting. The air is rather chilly tonight, and you look awfully cold standing around like that." Pesselle continued, nervously glancing between the two of us. "Commander, sir. If it is alright with you I would like to get back to the task of taking care of my patients." The soft eyed woman addressed to her superior.

With a considerable glance back in my direction he scrutinized my form with great effort before responding." Very well." And without breaking eye contact with me he resumed to leave.

"Did I hear correctly, when he said your name is Kyoshi?" The kind hearted woman asked with much concern in her voice as she watched the Commander go. For she too had not taken her eyes off the man even as he disappeared through the doorway in which he must've come in.

The air in the room still held a rather brisk chill, one that seemed to penetrate beyond what could be felt from temperature only.

"Yes, that is my name." I responded, rubbing my hands along the sides of my arms to warm myself from the cold.

Pesselle studied me for a moment, and then proceeded to set her things down and fetch something from one of the many cupboards in the room. Coming back in my direction she draped a beautiful blanket across my shoulders.

"There, that should do it." She stated, after looking up into my eyes. Her smile seemed to melt the ice that had enveloped around the cavity that contained my heart.

"Thank you." I said in return, gathering the fabric close around me.

"Oh you're very welcome." She replied back, as she picked up the things she had set down and began to put them away in their proper drawers. "Kyoshi." She repeated more to herself than to me. "That's a beautiful name."

Climbing back onto my temporary bed, I watched her as she gracefully moved around the room careful not to awaken any of the other patients who slept rather soundly in their beds. "Thank you." I replied, quietly now not to speak in a way that would disturb anyone.

Subtle movement near me caught my attention, and I watched as the mossy green pokémon inched its way over to my lap. I smiled affectionately at the creature, gently stroking its under belly as it gazed up at me.

"Cyndaquil has really taken a liking to you." Pesselle remarked, stopping in front of us to observe our interaction. "Professor Laventon caught her sneaking out of his office many times to check on you ever since your arrival. Finally he stopped coming in to retrieve her when he realized she would rather be left there with you."

After stifling a rather large yawn, the pokémon encouragely chirped in confirmation of Pesselle's words. She then proceeded to nuzzle herself further into the folds of my blanket, cooing in pleasure as she did so.

"It seems you have made a new friend!" Pesselle said, laughing quietly.

I smiled, folding my arms protectively around the tiny pokémon. "Are you sure the professor wouldn't mind?" I asked, continuing, "She belongs to him after all."

"Oh I'm sure he wouldn't mind! But you can ask him yourself in the morning." She stated. "I will send him in immediately, as long as he hasn't snuck off anywhere before dawn."

"Thank you again." I offered, "You have been so kind to me, a stranger."

"Oh nonsense Kyoshi!" She exclaimed, "This entire village is made up of nothing but strangers. Many people come here from all over hoping to find a new and better life in Hisui. You are merely our newest arrival, even if the way you arrived is unlike any other." She concluded with an encouraging grin, and I smiled back at her nervously.

"Listen, everything is going to be okay. You just wait and see. Tomorrow will be here before you know it, and once you get introduced to everyone I'm sure people will start changing their mind about you." She reassuringly spoke.

Reaching into the pocket of her frock, Pesselle produced a handful of perfectly ripened berries. Their fragrant aroma wafted through the air causing my stomach to churn in hunger again. I had forgotten how hungry I was, and now my mouth was watering so much it could've been mistaken for a water type move.

"Here, take these." She said, placing the fresh fruit in my hands. "You must be really hungry."

Eagerly I received her gift taking a bite as soon as they were in my hands. My taste buds exploded in ecstasy as the berry's juices revitalized my senses. This must be what it feels like to give a pokémon a berry after a hard battle.

"Thank you!" I said, with my mouth still half full of food.

"You're welcome Kyoshi. It's my pleasure after all!" Pesselle said, giggling as she watched me scarf down my meal. "And as long as you're feeling okay, I've got some more work to do before I head to bed." I nodded in response, as she turned to leave. "Try to get some more rest if you can. Your body was severely dehydrated and exhausted from when you were first brought in, but I believe you have almost entirely recovered."

"Thanks again Pesselle!" I whispered as she headed out of the medicinal wing to no doubt take care of even more people and pokémon in this village. They are so fortunate to have her.

After finishing my meal, I curled up in my bed snuggling cyndaquil close to my chest. Her rhythmic breathing soothed me back into another sleepy haze. For a short while I watched as the moon rose up, casting its light across the room where there had once been shadow. Even though I tried not to concentrate on the place where Commander Kamado had been watching me, my eyes instinctively kept roaming back to the place where we stood face to face. "What did he want?" I continuously thought as I stared out into the room. "And who is he?" The memory of his dark penetrating gaze permeated my mind with feelings of uncertainty and fear. I had not done anything wrong, and yet his eyes accused me of villainous crimes. If it had not been for Pesselle's good timing I'm not sure our meeting would have ended well for me.

I sighed pulling my new friend closer to me; her warm body seemed to sweep away the dark chill that loomed over me like an evil presence. A beautiful thing about pokémon is their uncanny ability to add to our lives in ways we could never experience without their aid. At times I envied their selfless expressions to lend us their power without asking for anything in return. And this little one was no different, seeking out the one lost soul it could find, cyndaquil had befriended me. With that in mind I closed my eyes. If cyndaquil could accept me as I was, surely there was hope for me to prove myself to these people. After all, my life was dependent on it. I needed answers, and it seemed so did they.

"Tomorrow is a new day." I whispered out loud for only me to hear, and with my declaration ringing in my ears, I let myself drift off into dreamless sleep.

Hello! NormalGirl95 here! Welcome to my newest story taking place in the wild lands of Hisui. I hope everyone enjoys this slightly different tale from the viewpoint of the playable character Akari whom I have renamed Kyoshi. I absolutely loved Pokémon Legends: Arceus and its open concept world. I'm really excited about this female lead, and getting to write about the one person who guided an entire people into the further acceptance of pokémon—it's amazing. There so many awesome ideas to explore in this world, the topics are really as vast as Hisui itself!

Please fav and follow, or send me a review with your thoughts or ideas! And thank you for going on this journey with me! I hope you find yourself enjoying these characters alongside with me!