Welcome to the beginning of this story! I hope you'll stick around, as it's a long one.
I have released the first two chapters that are meant to be read together at the same time, but I haven't decided on a proper schedule for all the other chapters. The latest chapter will say when to expect the next release.
Each chapter title is based on a song. This song is from the Netflix show "Julie and the Phantoms." I never watched it so I can't tell you the quality, but the song works with the themes for this chapter so I used it.
Whenever I start and finish a "volume," I'll post it here for new and returning readers to track progress.
Volume 1: Chapter 1-?
This volume is about Akari starting her journey and acquiring her Party.
To all of you who read, follow, favorite, and review this story, thank you all! Your interest in this story fuels my motivation. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
The vibrant streets of Jubilife Village thrummed with the rhythm of the setting sun. As the last rays of orange bled into the inky expanse of twilight, long shadows stretched across the bustling scene. Amidst the cacophony of hawkers and the excited chatter of children, Akari, a young woman with striking slate grey hair with strands cascading down like a dark waterfall, possessing eyes of the same shade, navigated the path with a focused determination.
Her attire was a testament to both practicality and personal flair. A crisp white bandana adorned her head, while a long, fiery red scarf trailed behind her like a dancer's ribbon. A deep blue Jinbei, cinched at the waist with a worn satchel belt, hugged her form, its fabric whispering tales of countless journeys. Her long pants were tucked into sturdy knee-high socks, secured by crisscrossing straps, and traditional straw sandals provided silent steps on the uneven stones.
Despite the fading light, Akari pressed on, her youthful face etched with an unwavering resolve. There was a mystery that gnawed at her, a truth that refused to be ignored until the sun rose again. Her pace quickened, fueled by an invisible force that tugged at her very being. Time seemed to bend and warp around her as she traversed the familiar path, reaching her destination in what felt like a heartbeat.
The once-grand staircase, its once-proud pillars now weathered and worn, greeted her like an old friend. With each step, the air grew crisp, the temperature dropping as she ascended the slopes of Mt. Coronet. Finally, she stood before the imposing facade of the Temple of Sinnoh, a monument bathed in the ethereal glow of the twilight.
Akari paused, taking in the breathtaking panorama that unfolded before her. Rolling hills, cloaked in the emerald embrace of forests, stretched towards the horizon, shimmering lakes reflecting the last embers of the dying sun. The world seemed to shrink under the vast expanse of the twilight sky, awash in a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues. A sense of awe washed over her, momentarily pushing aside the urgency that had propelled her forward.
Collecting herself, she reached into the familiar confines of her satchel, her fingers brushing against the worn leather. With a deep breath, she retrieved a cherished object – the Azure Flute. Once a conduit to the mythical Arceus, it had fallen silent after their fateful encounter with the Alpha Pokémon. Yet, a deep intuition thrummed within her, whispering that its purpose remained unfulfilled.
As she raised the flute to her lips, the weight of its history settled upon her. She closed her eyes, focusing on the silent plea that resonated within her soul. As the first notes pierced the stillness, a ripple of energy surged through the temple, like a pebble cast into a still pond. The once-hollow notes transformed, imbued with a radiant energy that resonated through the very stones of the ancient structure. As the final note faded, a tremor shook the mountain, a tangible echo of the power unleashed.
Before her very eyes, a shimmering staircase materialised from the air, beckoning her upwards. This was the path to the Hall of Origin, a place where legend whispered the veil between realities thinned to its most fragile state. The weight of her purpose settled on her shoulders, the silence broken only by the echo of her own thundering heartbeat. With a resolute nod, she ascended the newly formed stairs, determined to face whatever awaited her in the hallowed halls above.
As Akari crested the final step of the shimmering staircase, her gaze fell upon Arceus. The magnificent being stood bathed in ethereal light, its every facet radiating power and serenity. Silence descended as she approached, the only sound the soft echo of her footsteps on the translucent floor.
Reaching Arceus, Akari halted, their eyes locked in a silent exchange. The air crackled with unspoken words, anticipation hanging heavy in the atmosphere.
"You have realised the truth," Arceus spoke, its voice resonating with a timeless calmness. Its gaze swept over Akari, taking in the emotions etched on her face.
Instead of a reply, Akari turned her eyes towards the setting sun, its fiery hues casting an ethereal glow through the translucent floor. A deep sigh escaped her lips, laden with the weight of a profound realisation.
"This world...is an illusion," she finally spoke, her voice laced with a quiet certainty that sent a tremor through the very air. Arceus followed her gaze, a faint nod confirming her suspicions. The ethereal light seemed to dim for a moment, reflecting the turmoil brewing within him.
"Indeed," they rumbled, its voice echoing through the vast chamber. "This world is a dream, a construct woven by my own essence."
Akari pivoted, her voice trembling slightly, each word laced with a cocktail of emotions. "But why?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and hurt. "Why me? Why now? Why this elaborate scheme?"
Arceus met her gaze, its eyes, vast and ancient, seeming to pierce her very soul. A kaleidoscope of emotions flickered within her own eyes – sadness, anger, confusion, and a flicker of a betrayal that gnawed at her core.
"Why you?" they began, its voice taking on a sombre tone that resonated with the weight of ages. "Because a debt hangs heavy upon me, a debt owed to you and yours."
Akari's breath hitched. The concept of her family being intertwined with a legendary Pokémon like Arceus was a revelation she could barely grasp. It was a connection that stretched beyond the realm of comprehension, a thread woven into the tapestry of her existence before she even knew it.
"As for the timing," Arceus continued, its voice softening as if sensing the turmoil within her, "this specific era represents a turning point for humanity. Their understanding of nature has reached a pivotal stage, altering their customs and perspectives." They paused, its gaze softening further. "However, I suspect the true reason for your confusion lies beyond the veil of your immediate memory."
Akari frowned, a blankness clouding her mind. The memories of her life just before this strange journey seemed shrouded in a thick fog, inaccessible despite her desperate attempts to grasp them.
"The accident," Arceus explained, its voice resonating with a faint echo, "rendered you comatose. To safeguard your well-being, I sustained your cognitive functions within this dreamscape." The truth struck Akari like a bolt of lightning. The revelation left her stunned.
"The task of seeking out all Pokémon, the conflict with Volo – all served a dual purpose," they continued. "They provided a focus, a means to prevent your mind from succumbing to inactivity. Yet, it seems these measures proved insufficient." They sighed, a sound that resonated through the vast chamber, carrying the weight of its responsibility. "Additional tasks, like the 'Massive Mass Outbreaks,' were implemented to keep you engaged."
A pang of guilt flickered across Akari's face as she realised the nature of her experiences. The world she thought she knew, the struggles, the triumphs, the bonds she'd forged, alongside the tedious tasks – all a carefully constructed illusion and part of a larger scheme designed to keep her occupied, her mind active while her body remained in a state of slumber.
"However," Arceus continued, offering a glimmer of hope, "it appears these measures are no longer necessary. Our journey together has reached its conclusion."
Akari remained silent, processing the revelation. The world she thought she knew had crumbled, replaced by a reality far more complex and unsettling. They offered her a moment to absorb the revelation, witnessing the wave of emotions that washed over her – deflation, confusion, and a yearning for answers that burned brighter than ever before.
"What about Ingo?" Akari finally managed to ask, her voice barely a whisper. He, too, was a product of this temporal anomaly, wasn't he? A train conductor from Unova, a stranger pulled into this fabricated world alongside her. Why him?
Arceus' gaze softened slightly. "He was chosen for his ability to provide a familiar anchor, someone from your own time to prevent you from losing sight of your origins. As for the specific choice," they added, a hint of amusement creeping into its voice, "your subconscious held a rather strong fascination with him, shall we say?"
Akari's cheeks flushed at its blunt assessment, a faint memory of seeing him on television flickering in her mind.
A sudden wave of light enveloped her, causing a feeling of weightlessness. The familiar dreamscape began to dissolve around her, replaced by a blinding white light.
"It seems your awakening is imminent," Arceus stated calmly. "Further inquiries will have to wait. Seek me out at the Hall of Origin in the real world if you desire additional answers."
As the light intensified, lifting Akari from the ground, she looked up at Arceus one last time, a silent question hanging in the air: what awaited her when she returned?
"The choice is yours," Arceus declared, its voice echoing through the fading dreamscape. "From this moment forward, your path is your own to forge."
With that final pronouncement, the light engulfed Akari completely, leaving behind only the fading echoes of her journey and the lingering mystery of the world beyond the dream.
The weight of the revelation hung heavy. A new chapter awaited in the harsh light of reality.
As the last vestiges of the dreamscape dissolved, the rhythmic beeps of a heart monitor pierced the sterile silence. It was a stark counterpoint to the cacophony emanating from the television. Akari's eyelids fluttered open, heavy and gritty, revealing a blurry vision of her cousin, Lucas, hunched over a nearby chair.
He was a whirlwind of motion, legs pumping and fists clenched in mock combat. A closer look brought the scene into sharper focus.
A fierce Pokémon battle raged on the television, the flickering light illuminating the otherwise sterile room. In the centre of the screen, a bright yellow Pikachu, its cheeks crackling with electricity, squared off against a Meowth. This Meowth, however, was no ordinary feline. It sported a pair of sturdy, mud-caked boots and a jaunty feathered hat, adding a touch of absurdity to the intense duel.
Sparks flew as both Pokémon unleashed bolts of lightning, the electric energy crackling through the air and momentarily drowning out the rhythmic beeps of the heart monitor. At the bottom of the screen, a snapshot of the trainers and their teams was displayed. All Pokémon except the two battling are shown to have been knocked out, a testament to the ferocity of the encounter.
Completely engrossed in the match, Lucas reached a crescendo of excitement as Pikachu, despite its valiant efforts, finally succumbed to fatigue. With a triumphant roar, he shot up from his chair, the legs scraping harshly against the floor. The sound echoed through the sterile silence of the room, momentarily shattering the tense atmosphere. Lucas couldn't contain himself, he erupted in a cheer that could rival any Pokémon League fan, his voice echoing with unrestrained joy.
"Having fun there, cuz?" Akari inquired with a wry smile, her voice barely a whisper against the fading adrenaline of her recent ordeal. The sound, laced with a hint of amusement, startled Lucas, who jumped a mile high. He would forever deny, with unwavering conviction, that the startled yelp that escaped his lips at that moment bore any resemblance to the high-pitched squeal of a surprised schoolgirl.
AN
I hope you won't be too disappointed with the "it's just a dream" trope, even though it's typically used at the end of a story, not the beginning.
Yes, I was inspired by the coma theory, but I applied it to Akari instead of Ash. This was mainly because other methods I had in mind to brink Akari to the present made her too powerful from the start. Additionally, this approach adds a layer of intrigue, as everything Arceus said is true, but...
Anyway! As you know from the tags, this story follows the anime, but with some modifications. While there will be mostly anime-like elements, I'll also be incorporating aspects from the games that I believe should have been used more extensively, such as abilities being more prevalent.
Tune in next time for Dreams Never End: Chapter 2- Astrogirl