The early afternoon sun hung high in the sky of the Sphalas region, its rays warm and inviting in this spring season. The soft breeze coupled with the warm rays provided a relaxing, tranquil experience for anyone out to enjoy such weather.
Fortunately, most of the populace of a small, unnamed village, situated near a dense forest of trees, had the same idea to spend the day out. Husbands either tended the fields or gathered in groups with their like-minded male friends. Wives got laundry done, cooked for their working husbands, or gossiped with other women in the well-worn dirt paths weaving between the village. Children laughed and ran in and around the village, playing with their friends, and some with small, cute and harmless beastly creatures.
Pokémon.
The appearance of Pokémon in the daily lives of the people in this village was still relatively new, only having been introduced to the concept of co-existing together just a couple years ago. Prior to this change two years back, the thought of living and working together with Pokémon would not have ever crossed the people's minds. This is due to the historic event that took place four years before the present day, the event people have taken to calling The Great Flood.
Contrary to its name, water was not involved in this event at all. Instead, one day, waves of enraged Pokémon went rampant across the land, killing and trampling over anyone and anything in their path. As opposed to previous generations, where most wild Pokémon had come to an agreement with humans to leave each other's territory alone, these Pokémon were more beast than sentient lifeform, unable to be reasoned with. More than that, these Pokémon were oftentimes led by a single, monstrous being.
These beings were actually Pokémon themselves, but the key difference between these Pokémon and the rest was their size, which was, at the very least, tens of times greater than normal Pokémon.
No one knew how this phenomenon came to be, but everyone resorted to calling these towering Pokémon Titans.
The Titans, due to their size, were very easily spotted from afar and marginally slower than the enraged Pokémon they led. Taking advantage of this, the remaining villages and their people were able to evacuate before it was too late. However, there is only so much room you can flee too, as these survivors found out later.
It came down to the last two villages, both situated as close to the very top of the landmass as they could before encountering the vast ocean afterward, and packed full of original residents and refugees. Multiple Titans and their legions advanced steadily; the survivors only able to pray for some sort of miracle to save them or await their inevitable demise. But then, in the midst of it all, a hero emerged.
This hero, along with his partner Cinderace, appeared from the back and made their way to the front. No one knew what this courageous hero looked like, as he had his face mostly covered by dark tinted glasses, a large, black, feathered hat, and a rugged high-collared black cloak.
This man, shrouded in mystery as he was and walking alongside a creature of the same species as the ones behind everyone's current predicament, did not garner any trust with the people he walked among. He didn't care about that though, he just kept walking. He kept walking, until he and his Cinderace stood literal shoulder to shoulder at the very forefront of the last remaining villages.
What he and his Pokémon did next, those there can only describe as divine and powerful beyond measure.
Without fanfare, the man whipped out his hand toward the tidal wave of savage Pokémon and gave a single order.
"Raiden's Court!"
Ren Hayashi remembered it like it was just yesterday: the ghost of a man who had shown up unannounced and disappeared without a trace after taking down every, single, adversary. His hero's voice still echoed in his dreams at night, and his Cinderace—who commanded lightning with such skill that she managed to envelop the entire flood of Pokémon in a dome of lightning, finishing them all off in one fell swoop—remained vivid in his mind.
Ren couldn't help but grin as he gazed at the statue of the hero and his Cinderace from his comfortable perch atop the hill. He lay face down on his stomach, head resting in his hands, feet kicking gently in the air behind him. At fourteen nearing fifteen, his hair was jet-black, straight, and fell just below his ears in a messy, tousled style. He often swept it back with his hand when it got in his eyes. His piercing blue-gray eyes gave him a striking and intense gaze that seemed to look right through people. Although his complexion was fair, his skin had a slight sun-kissed hue from spending much of his time outdoors.
As he continued to stare at the statue below, which rested in the middle of a field of flowers, a couple of Zigzagoon and a solitary Shinx, who seemed to be their leader, caught his eye. From their path, he guessed they had come from just outside the clearing, beyond the few bushes around the area. He watched as the male Shinx swaggered ahead of the Zigzagoon duo, also males, head held high with an extra pep in his step, knowing his followers practically worshiped him.
Ren found the sight endearing and continued to watch until the Shinx turned and barked something at his followers, sending them scrambling back into the bushes. The leader Shinx then plopped down to relax in a comfortable-looking spot in the flowers.
At that moment, inspiration struck Ren. He hurriedly took a notebook and quill from inside his black woolen vest. Opening the book, he found the page he had bookmarked with a feather. On the left page was a detailed sketch of a Noivern and Noibat, one of his previous works from the past winter season.
In the sketch, the Noivern used its left wing to shelter the young Noibat, likely a hatchling from how small it was when he first saw them. Small dashes of ink dotted the page, representing the rain that had fallen that day. In the background, just behind them, was a Pecha berry tree, its few berries carefully drawn.
Ren removed the cover from his quill, preventing the ink from drying up, and dipped the tip of the feather into the ink. After a quick glance at the Shinx to ensure it hadn't moved—it hadn't—the teen got to work.
After just half an hour, he had the finished product. He quickly switched to a sitting position, his legs, covered and protected by his trousers, crossed over each other, and he admired his work.
The sketch showed the Shinx stretched out lazily in a patch of wildflowers, his body outlined in bold strokes. The sunlit fur was shaded with cross hatching to give it some texture. Around the Shinx, the delicate flowers were sketched with simple, curved lines, some bending slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze. A few berry bushes were roughly drawn in the background, their leaves darkened with quick, dense marks to suggest their thickness. The scene was simple, capturing the tranquility of the moment with just a few details to suggest the peaceful setting.
The Shinx had now been immortalized in his book. His book, which he had plans to fill with as many aesthetically pleasing images of Pokémon as he could, starting from the year after his hero saved everyone-
'Master Ren, Mistress Lyra wishes for you to return. It is nearly time to leave.'
The sudden voice in his head spooked the brunette and caused him to jolt, but nothing more than that. Ren knew who it belonged to after all, and with the "smug" feeling that he felt and didn't feel, it was all the confirmation he needed.
"For Arceus' sake Abra, just pick me up."
'As you wish.'
In the very next moment, an Abra appeared just a few feet in front of him. Ren couldn't quite see it, but he was sure that this Abra, his mother's Pokémon of a year now, was feeling quite pleased with himself.
After another beat of just glaring at him, Ren sighed and packed away his artistic utensils. Once that was finished, he stood, adjusted his vest and nodded. "Okay, I'm all set."
'Brace yourself.' Abra grabbed his mistress' son's arm, needing contact to ensure he is able to transport both himself and the young master to their destination. A second later, and the two disappeared.
The sudden shift in scenery was something Ren never quite got used to, no matter how many times he was teleported from his home in the village to the field where the statue of his hero resides. In this particular case, he believed he was handling himself quite well! Aside from the weird feeling of having his vertigo all out of whack, there wasn't the feeling of having to projectile vomit everywhere like the last few times-
Oh no, there it is.
"Ugh, gross! Come on, Ren, I just cleaned the floor!"
Well, at least it was only the floor.
With a groan, the young lad, now hunched over from his little episode, turned his head slightly to face the voice that addressed him. "Sorry mom. Still- urk!" He quickly covered his mouth to prevent another spill. Once sure he wouldn't let loose, he took a deep breath and continued, "Still getting used to teleporting, hehe…"
Ren's mother, Lyra, is in her mid-30s, possessing a tall and lean build, with fair skin that carries a few freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her sharp features are softened by her bright blue eyes. Elara's dark hair is long and typically pulled back into a neat ponytail or bun, mostly for comfort and work around the house. Today, she wore a nicely fitted white tunic and trousers matching her son's, with a Caterpie-silk bandana atop her head.
Lyra shook her head and looked at her Abra, who was silently floating next to her slowly recovering son. "I'm sorry to do this to you Abra, but do you think you can get rid of the mess Ren made? And, once he recovers, take us to my sister in Hisui?"
Her first request was already being taken care of by the time she was voicing her second, the Abra enveloping Ren's leftovers and chucking them out the window towards the back of the house. Throughout the process, the recovering teen–still hunched over–subtly flipped the Pokémon off. This was not missed by his mother, however, who quickly smacked him in the back of the head.
"OW!"
"I don't want to see anymore of that, young man."
Feeling thoroughly scolded, Ren could only nod sheepishly and reply, "Yes ma'am…"
Ren slowly drifted back into consciousness, a dull throbbing in his head reminding him of the long-distance teleportation that had knocked him out cold. He found himself lying on a soft futon, the unfamiliar texture of the bedding beneath him making it clear that he was no longer in Sphalas. He opened his eyes, blinking against the bright light streaming in through a nearby window. The room around him was sparse, with wooden floors and simple furnishings, distinctly different from his home.
As Ren groaned and pushed himself up into a sitting position, he noticed two figures at the far end of the room, deep in conversation. His mother, Lyra, stood with her arms crossed, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. Opposite her was a woman who looked remarkably similar but carried a sterner demeanor—Cyllene, Ren's aunt, the commander of the Galaxy Expedition Team in Hisui.
"About time you woke up," Cyllene remarked, her voice cool and authoritative. "I was beginning to think you'd spend the entire day passed out. If you're so squeamish, perhaps you should stay put and avoid any more...adventures."
The teen rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the lingering dizziness from the teleportation. He wasn't about to let his aunt's teasing go unanswered. "Not my fault mom's Abra decided to fling me across practically half the world," he mumbled, though there was no real malice in his tone. He had a begrudging respect for his aunt, who always seemed to have an air of command about her.
He guessed it was due to her leading a whole organization of research.
Cyllene simply shrugged, unbothered. "You need to toughen up if you want to handle yourself in uncharted areas. This isn't a playground."
Lyra rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. She knew her sister's tough love approach was how she showed she cared. "The boy's still young, Cyllene. And this place is a bit different from Sphalas. Give him some time."
Cyllene nodded slightly, acknowledging her sister's point. "Yes, unlike in Sphalas, we do not have safety borders around the wildlands…" She hummed, a frown slowly forming on her face. Turning her attention back to Ren, she continued, "Speaking of young, there's someone else around your age who arrived in the village last night. A boy named Lucas. We're not exactly sure where he is from, but he's been sent out on a trial today to prove if he's capable enough to join the ranks of the Galaxy Team."
Ren perked up at this news, his earlier grogginess quickly fading. "A trial? What kind of trial?" The curiosity in his voice was palpable, and Lyra shifted her hand to cover her mouth to stifle her giggle.
Cyllene raised an eyebrow, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "He's out in the field, catching three Pokémon we've chosen. It's a way to test his abilities; his courage, his wits, and his understanding of Pokémon."
Ren's blue-gray eyes practically sparkled with excitement at the word 'Pokémon'. "Can I go? I want to see this trial and meet this boy. Maybe I can learn something from him!"
Cyllene gave him a measured look, considering. "You may go, but you are not to interfere. He must complete this trial on his own. If you get in the way or try to help, you'll both be in trouble."
He nodded eagerly. "I promise! I won't help him. I just want to watch."
Lyra sighed softly, a knowing look passing between her and Cyllene. "Just be careful, Ren. Remember, this place is not like home."
Ren quickly got up from the futon, feeling a bit more energized now. He made sure to fold the blanket and put it back on top of the futon before going anywhere, though. "I will, Mom. Don't worry!"
Cyllene watched him head toward the door, her voice stopping him briefly. "Stay sharp. There are dangerous Pokémon lurking in the wilds. We wouldn't want you having an accident out there."
Ren nodded again, then hurried out, his excitement barely contained. He couldn't wait to see what Hisui and this boy, Lucas, had in store. Maybe he could make a new friend in the process, one that shares his love of Pokémon?
"I can't wait!"
Ren soon found Lucas at the edge of a nearby field, cautiously approaching a Bidoof with a strange contraption in his hand. Ren's curiosity piqued as he watched Lucas carefully position himself, his movements deliberate but tense. It was clear Lucas wasn't entirely comfortable with his task, but he was determined.
"And what's with his get-up? His clothes don't seem to provide any protection at all…"
He watched as Lucas threw an object—a small, round device Ren had never seen before—and it struck the Bidoof on the head, enveloping it in a flash of light before capturing it inside.
"What in the world?" Ren whispered to himself, eyes wide with surprise. He had never seen a Poké Ball before and was fascinated by how it worked. "I'll have to ask Aunt Cyllene when I get back…or maybe Lucas can tell me about it himself?"
He followed Lucas as the boy moved on to catch a Starly and a Shinx, watching him carefully from a distance, true to his word not to interfere. Ren could feel a mix of admiration and curiosity bubbling up inside him. Lucas moved with a kind of cautious confidence, not unlike someone who was used to being in unfamiliar places but still wary of the dangers.
Throughout the trial, Ren noticed how Lucas seemed to rely heavily on his strange devices rather than engaging with the Pokémon directly. Ren couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to use such tools himself, and if they would change how he interacted with Pokémon. He made a mental note to ask Lucas about them later.
Ren wasn't sure what standard to hold him to, but Lucas seemed pretty skilled at what he was doing. The trial pretty much ended in a flash, minus the travel time. Overall, it took a little under four hours. Four hours that, after getting over the initial wonder of the Pokéball in the first hour, had Ren fighting supreme boredom.
By the time Lucas had successfully caught all three Pokémon, it was mid-afternoon, and Ren could feel the fatigue of the day beginning to set in. He admired Lucas's determination and skill, but he was still somewhat curious and puzzled by the objects he used to catch the Pokémon.
Seeing as Lucas was done with his trial now, the brunette decided to stop observing and make first contact.
"Heya!" Ren called out, jogging over to Lucas, who turned with a start, clearly not expecting company.
Lucas POV:
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I crouched low in the tall grass. The sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting sporadic patterns on the ground around me. Ahead, a Shinx prowled through the clearing, its electric-blue fur bright against the green of the grass. This was the last one I needed to catch. A task that, under normal circumstances, would be routine. But nothing about this place was normal.
This isn't Sinnoh. I've known that from the moment I woke up here, surrounded by people dressed like they'd stepped out of a history book. Hisui, they called it—a name I'd never heard before, but somehow… familiar. Everything here felt like a strange dream, one that I couldn't wake up from.
I missed my friends back in Twinleaf Town. I missed my family. The thought of them made my chest ache. What were they doing right now? Did they even know I was gone? Were they looking for me? The questions buzzed in my head like a swarm of Beedrill, distracting me from the task at hand.
But I couldn't afford to lose focus. Not now. Not when I was so close. I'd always been good at catching Pokémon, something I prided myself on. Even though I wasn't a full-fledged trainer yet, I'd spent enough time at the training grounds with my classmates, learning everything I could about battling and catching. This trial felt like an extension of that training, a test of the skills I'd honed back home.
Home. The word tugged at me, pulling my thoughts away again. I could almost hear my mom calling me for dinner, smell the fresh-baked Oran berry pie she'd make on special occasions. I could see Barry and Dawn, arguing about something silly as always, their laughter echoing in the warm evening air…
I blinked hard, pushing the memories aside before I went spiraling down a rabbit hole. I had to stay focused. This wasn't the time to get lost in what I missed. I had a job to do, and the sooner I finished it, the sooner I could figure out how to get back to my own time. My own world.
I shifted my weight slightly, reaching for a Pokéball on my belt. I'd been fortunate with the first two catches. A Bidoof and a Starly, both straightforward enough. But this Shinx looked a little more wary, its ears twitching, eyes scanning the clearing. It hadn't seen me yet, but it was only a matter of time.
I took another deep breath, centering myself. Just like back home, I reminded myself. You know how to do this. I felt a flicker of confidence. Catching Pokémon was something I knew, something that felt familiar in this strange place. I tightened my grip on the Pokéball. I'd done this a hundred times before. There was no reason to doubt myself now.
You've got this, I thought, reassuring myself. Even though everything around me screamed unfamiliarity, the act of catching a Pokémon was the one thing that hadn't changed. It was a piece of home I could hold onto, something that connected me to where I came from.
The Shinx paused, sniffing the air. I saw my chance. With a swift, practiced motion, I stood and threw the Poké Ball, aiming carefully. It arced through the air, glinting in the sunlight before striking the Shinx. There was a flash of light, and the ball pulled the Pokémon inside, landing with a soft thud in the grass.
I held my breath, watching as the ball rocked back and forth. Once. Twice. Three times. Then, with a final click, it stilled.
A wave of relief washed over me, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Gotcha," I muttered, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. I bent down to pick up the Pokéball, turning it over in my hand. It was a small victory, but it felt like a big step toward getting home.
I straightened up, glancing around the clearing. For a moment, I allowed myself to feel hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, this trial was the start of something. A way to find answers. A way back to Twinleaf Town. Back to the life I knew.
I tucked the Pokéball into my belt, ready to return and report my success. That's when I heard a voice behind me, startling me out of my thoughts.
"Heya!"
I spun around, eyes wide, and saw a roguish boy about my age jogging toward me, a grin on his face. And the best thing about this encounter, about this boy's arrival…
I knew him.
Ren's POV:
I jog up to the boy who has just caught a Shinx, my excitement bubbling over. "Heya!" I greet, my eyes bright with curiosity. "That was incredible! How did you do that? What's that round thing you threw at the Shinx? Is it some kind of ancient tool? Or maybe a magical artifact?"
The boy turns to me, and for a moment, his face lights up with the most genuine look of relief I've ever seen. He seems to slouch, almost like he's just let out a deep breath he's been holding for a long time. "Ren!" he exclaims, smiling widely. "Oh boy, am I really glad to see you!"
I pause, my excitement giving way to confusion. He knows my name? I scratch the back of my head, really looking at him now. He seems familiar in a way I can't quite place, like someone I've met in passing but never really talked to. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" I ask, trying to piece together where we could have met before.
For a second, the boy looks stunned, almost as if my question has hit him harder than I intended. Then his smile falters just a bit, and he seems to catch himself. "Oh, uh… right," he says, his tone shifting slightly as if he's correcting himself. "No, we haven't met. I just… heard about you from someone in the village, that's all. They mentioned your name."
I blink, still confused but less on edge now. "You heard about me?" I repeat, feeling a bit awkward. "From who?"
He hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "Uh, I think one of the Galaxy Team members mentioned you. They said you were interested in Pokémon and might want to check out the trial."
I raise an eyebrow, not entirely convinced but willing to go with it. "Well, yeah, that's true. I'm definitely interested in Pokémon, and I wanted to see how you'd handle the trial." I smile at him, trying to put him at ease. "Looks like you did pretty well!"
He chuckles softly, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit. "Yeah, thanks. It wasn't too bad. Just had to stay focused and keep my cool."
He seems nice enough, but something about his reaction doesn't sit right with me. He knows my name and acts like we're old friends, but then he backpedals quickly. It's weird, but I decide not to press it. He seems like a nice enough guy, anyway.
"So," I start, trying to change the subject, "you're new here, right? Aunt Cyllene told me so, before I came to watch your trial. I'm not from Hisui either. I'm actually from Sphalas."
He nods, and I notice his smile is a bit more guarded now. "Yeah, I'm… not exactly from here either. It's a long story," he says, his eyes darting away for a moment, like he's hiding something. I can tell there's more he isn't saying, but I don't want to push too hard. I know what it's like to feel out of place.
"I get it," I say, nodding. "It's tough being in a new place. But hey, maybe we can help each other out? I want to learn more about this place and the Pokémon here. What do you say we stick together for a bit? Explore and see what's out there?"
For a moment, he seems surprised, like he hadn't expected me to say that. His eyes soften, and he nods slowly. "Yeah, I'd like that. It'd be nice to have someone to explore with," he says, and I can hear the relief in his voice.
"Great!" I say, feeling a wave of excitement. "Let's head back to Galaxy Headquarters first. I'm sure Aunt Cyllene will want to hear how you did on your trial, and then we can figure out where to go next."
We start walking back toward the village, and despite knowing that we have a couple hours' worth of walking to do, I can't help but feel a little lighter. There's something strange about this whole situation, but having a new friend makes it seem less daunting. As we walk, I notice he keeps glancing at me, like he's trying to figure something out. It's almost like he knows more about me than he's letting on, which makes me both curious and a little nervous.
Ah, he never did answer my questions before, did he? I still have no idea what those spherical things are that he used to contain the Pokémon earlier. We kinda got off-track with him kinda sorta knowing me, but now seems like the perfect time to get some info!
Just as I'm about to start grilling him, I see one of the balls start to slip out of his belt. "Hey, Lucas!" I call out, remembering the name he'd given me. "Your…capture device is slipping out of your belt!"
He looks down just in time to see it fall. And of course, just our luck, we happen to be walking at the peak of a hill as this happens, so it tumbles down the slope. He quickly runs after it, and I follow close behind.
The bottom of the hill contains some berry bushes and other dense brush that I can't quite see through. With both my mother and aunt warning me about the dangers out here, I think it'd be better to stick together to minimize risks.
He reaches the bottom of the hill and pushes through some berry bushes, grabbing the ball that ends up rolling just past them. "Thanks," he says, securing it more tightly this time.
But then, a deep, rumbling growl echoes from the bushes, and my heart skips a beat. Lucas freezes, and I do too, my eyes darting around to see where the sound is coming from. The bushes rustle, and then a massive figure emerges—a Snorlax, but much bigger than any I've ever seen. Its eyes glow a fierce red, and I realize this is no ordinary Pokémon. It's an Alpha Snorlax, and it doesn't look happy.
"Lucas, get back!" I shout, my voice cracking with urgency as I instinctively step forward. My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline already surging through my body. But Lucas is already moving, his reflexes sharp despite the fearsome foe in front of us. I see him grab another capture ball from his belt and hurl it at the Snorlax, his movements quick and desperate. I watch it spin through the air, hoping against hope that it will somehow save us.
For a split second, I allow myself to believe it might work. That maybe, just maybe, the ball will connect, and the Snorlax will be contained. But that hope is brutally shattered as the Snorlax swats the comparatively puny contraption away with its massive, muscular arm, launching it high into the air. The sound of the device being smacked away echoes in my ears, and I'm reminded of just how outmatched we are.
The Snorlax lets out a ferocious roar, a deep, guttural sound that reverberates through the ground beneath my feet. My stomach twists with fear as its glowing red eyes lock onto Lucas. I can see its muscles tense, its entire massive body preparing to charge.
What is happening? Panic floods my mind. I'm not prepared for this. I only came out here to see what the new guy was all about, maybe make a new friend, and see what happens from there. Not face down an enraged Alpha Pokémon that could easily crush us both!
My breath catches in my throat as I watch Lucas turn to run, his body moving with an urgency that matches the terror in my own heart. The ground trembles with each step of the Alpha Snorlax as it begins to lumber after him with a speed that doesn't seem possible for a creature its size. The reality of the danger hits me all at once: This is no longer just a frightening, chance encounter. This is life-or-death.
"Fuck, Lucas run!" I shout frantically, my hands shaking as I watch him sprint away. The earth shakes with every step the Snorlax takes, its massive body barreling forward, closer and closer to Lucas with every passing second. I feel a wave of helplessness crash over me. I want to help, but I have no idea how. I'm not prepared for this. I don't know how to fight a Pokémon, let alone an Alpha Snorlax. All at once, a thought comes to me like a bolt of lightning.
What would the hero do?
I glance up at the sky, my eyes locked onto the path of the capture ball that has been knocked away. In that moment, my fear and panic are momentarily replaced by a strange, almost surreal clarity. I've seen Lucas throw a few before, seen how they work. If I can just get my hands on it, maybe I can figure out what to do.
Instinctively, I reach out and catch the device as it falls, feeling the unfamiliar weight in my hand. My heart is racing, my palms sweaty, but there's a spark of determination in my chest now, something that cuts through the fear. I don't know exactly how to use this thing, but I have to try. I can't just stand by and do nothing.
"Come on, think!" I urge myself, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can feel the rush of panic trying to overwhelm me, but I force it back, focusing on what I saw earlier. "Lucas!" I shout, my voice stronger than I feel. "Lure it over here! I'll try to use this thing!"
I watch as Lucas glances back at me, his eyes wide with surprise, but he doesn't hesitate. He pivots sharply, changing direction to lead the Snorlax toward me. The Alpha Snorlax, fueled by its rage, continues its relentless pursuit, its eyes locked onto Lucas as he runs. I can see the determination in his stride, the way he pushes himself to keep going despite the fear that I know must be coursing through him as much as it is through me.
The ground shakes with each step of the Snorlax, the vibrations running up through my legs and into my chest. My hands grip the sphere tightly, my mind racing with everything I've seen and everything I still don't understand. But there's no more time to think, no more time to doubt. All I'm allowed is the time to act.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's about to happen. "Here goes nothing," I lift my arm, ready to throw, when suddenly I feel a strange sensation beneath my feet. It's like the ground is shifting, vibrating with an unnatural energy. I lose balance and wave my arms to keep steady, but when I look down, I see a dark, swirling vortex forming under me, growing rapidly. "What the—?!" I exclaim, trying to step back, but it's too late. The ground gives way beneath me, and I feel myself being pulled into the vortex.
Everything happens so fast. One moment I'm ready to throw the ball still clutched tightly in my hand, the next I'm falling into darkness, the world around me spinning out of control. Fear grips me like a vice as the darkness swallows me whole. I hear Lucas shout my name, but his voice seems to come from far away, echoing in the void. My heart pounds in my ears, my thoughts a chaotic jumble of fear, confusion, and desperation.
And then, just like that, I'm left alone in the dark…
For all of a few moments.
I can't even begin to process what's going on before a blinding light embraces me, my body hitting the ground with a hard thud and knocking the wind out of me. I lay there for a moment, staring up at the cloudy sky.
Wait, cloudy? Wasn't it sunny just a bit ago?
Where am I?
The air feels colder here, a sharp breeze biting at my face. I push myself up to my knees, wincing as I feel the chill seeping through my clothes. My wool vest and trousers keep most of the cold at bay, but this is definitely not the mild spring weather of Sphalas. I take a deep breath, the cold air stinging my lungs, and force myself to look around.
I'm in a field, surrounded by tall grass that sways in the wind. Off in the distance, I can see mountains with snow-capped peaks—a sight that sends a shiver down my spine. The landscape is strange and foreign, but something about it is…vaguely familiar.
I stand up, brushing dirt off my clothes, and scan my surroundings. There, a few kilometers away, I can make out a cluster of buildings. A village? At least, I think it's a village. It looks much larger and more developed than any village I've ever seen, with towering structures that stretch up toward the sky. My heart begins to race, a mix of fear and curiosity clawing at my insides.
What is this place? How far did that portal take me?
I don't have time to think about it too much. If I'm going to figure out what's happening, I need help. I need to find someone who can tell me where I am and how to get back to the village, back to my mom and Aunt Cyllene. The thought of them makes my chest tighten. Given that I have no idea where I am or how I got here, what if I can't find my way back to them?
With a deep breath to steady myself, I start walking toward the 'village'. My mind is racing, each step feeling heavier than the last. The cold wind picks up, cutting through my clothes, and I pull my vest tighter around me. Despite the cold, I push on, knowing I can't stay out here alone.
As I get closer, the 'village' looms larger, its size intimidating. It's bustling, with many people moving about, and machines unlike anything I've ever seen whizzing by on the black, rough-looking path. The noise is overwhelming, a cacophony of sounds that makes my head spin. I feel like I'm in a dream, or maybe a nightmare, with everything around me moving too fast to understand.
I make my way in, my eyes wide as I take in the sights; buildings stretch into the sky, some made entirely of glass, bright signs flash with colors I've never seen, advertising things I can't understand.
People hurry past me, dressed in strange clothes that are nothing like the simple tunics and vests we wear in Sphalas and that I saw in Hisui. And what are those small rectangular plates in everyone's hands?
I try to catch someone's eye, but everyone seems too busy, too wrapped up in their own business to notice the lost boy in old-fashioned clothes.
I wander through the city for what feels like hours, my mind racing with questions. Every now and then, I stop to ask someone for help, but they either ignore me or give me strange looks before hurrying away. Why won't these people just help me? Why are they all so rude?
After a while, I notice a few people pointing in my direction, whispering to each other. I try not to let it bother me, but my anxiety grows with each passing moment. Finally, a group of men in fancy-looking uniforms approach me. Their expressions are serious, and I can feel my stomach drop.
"Excuse me, kid," one of them says, his firm voice matching his chiseled face, but neither are unkind. "We've had a few reports about a… suspicious person matching your description. What's your name?"
"S-Suspicious?" I question, my voice shaking slightly. "No. No, I'm Ren. Ren Hayashi. Please, I-I'm lost. I don't know where I am. I need to get to the Galaxy Team headquarters and help my friend! He's in trouble!"
The fancily dressed men exchange confused glances. The one who had spoken before frowns, seafoam green eyes studying me closely. "Galaxy Team? Kid, there hasn't been a Galaxy Team for years. You mean Team Galactic, right?"
I feel dread pooling in my stomach. "Team Galactic?" I repeat, my voice barely a whisper. Did they remodel or something? That quickly? "No, that's not right. It should be the Galaxy Team. They're explorers and researchers in Hisui…"
Now they look even more puzzled, starting to whisper to themselves in hushed tones. The guy I had been conversing with notched a brow and shook his head. "Hisui? We're in Sinnoh. I think you might be confused. Where are your parents, kid?"
Sinnoh. The name hits me like a punch to the gut. Sinnoh isn't the name of any village or province I recognize, hell, not even in Sphalas! If the strange name and even stranger clothes are any indication, then I'm extremely far from home.
A bead of sweat trails down the side of my face despite the weather, and my hand tightens around the capture device that I still carry.
I think I'm fucked.
Short note here, figured since this is my first chapter of my first story, I might as well drop one at the end. This won't be a recurring theme in future chapters though, I'll probably just give a note if I have something important to announce and whatnot.
So anyway, let me know what you guys think of this first bit. Good? Mid? Hot garb? I need some critique so I can improve on my writing, and some knowledge that people want this to keep going. If people aren't liking it and I get more flame than criticism, I'll move on to another story idea. Cuz trust me, I've got plenty.