Prologue: The Scientific Definition of Magic
On a starry Autumn night, down the torch-lit cobbled streets of Ecruteak City a single second-story window was left open with the curtains gently drifting on a cool breeze. As cold air filtered in, the scratchy sound of low-quality voices filtered out. An archaic television sat atop a dresser, playing a VHS tape deep into the hours of the night to an audience of one. The singular viewer had finally managed to fall asleep in her bed, with far too few hours left in the night, to the educational ramblings of Dr. Samuel Oak.
"It's a commonly held sentiment that 'magic', as many folk like to call it, is simple science that we haven't understood yet." His raspy voice spoke in a dry tone, but one that held high much he loved to teach. "In fact- it's a very favorite saying of my Johtonian colleague, Dr. Sequia."
In her bed, the sleeping spectator stirred with quiet mumblings. She was restless, and her hypnopompic hallucinations were all of Pokémon she'd never meet. The selections available to new trainers from licensing facilities were volatile to an almost absurd degree. No one truly knew who they would be meeting until the day came.
But that didn't stop her dreams from being haunted by all possibilities. Living through mornings where she arrived to only her most adored of species, all enamored with her, begging to be her new best friend. Mornings where she awoke to the most putrid of Pokémon, all already swarming around her bed, with desperate cries for attention. In those dreams, her pilgrimage would be over before it began.
A mischievous smile crossed the recording's face as it continued, apathetic to her tossing and turning.
"I often bring that saying up to her in jest. I say- I've finally gotten you to admit that magic is real!" He chuckled. "After all- when it comes to Pokémon, there's boundless things we don't understand yet. Which means that for today, it's magic. And tomorrow…" He tried to wink playfully, but the charisma wasn't quite there.
Random chance… Her entire future, her new best friend, would be determined entirely by random chance. The unconscious thought made her squirm more, throwing her sheets halfway off of the bed. A stuffed Smeargle fell from beside her and bonked its head on the floorboards.
"Take, for example, the mutation phenomena. In which a Pokémon exposed to great stress- or, some speculate, holding a particularly deep desire- can display altered abilities that allow them to relieve that stressor."
Red eyes, accentuated by a slight glow, slowly rose up over the windowsill.
Something had drawn it to investigate the open window. Perhaps it was the flailing girl. Or perhaps Dr. Oak's sultry tones leaking to the quiet streets. Or maybe, most likely of all, the Misdreavus had been captivated by the familiar flow of the curtains on the wind.
"Some such phenomena are well documented. Like rare and specific Darmanitan entering a strange form, capable of weathering long stretches of time when needed. Others, we still don't understand one bit. And so, in spite of our friendly rivalry, I actually quite agree with my colleague. To the common man, those things we cannot explain are as good as magic!"
The sleeping girl pulled herself back to the center of her bed, grasping the last pillow standing like something would fly in through her window and steal it away from her, taking the last vestiges of sleep with it. Perhaps she sensed the presence floating into her room. Drifting ever closer and staring at her with wide, curious eyes.
Misdreavus were tormentors by nature. They weren't malevolent, but they fed on fear and surprise. To poking and prodding. Pulled hair and children scared awake. The orbs composing the Misdreavus's necklace shone a bit brighter in the moonlight as it basked in the slumbering girl's unrest.
"And that my friends, is why we say that each and every Pokémon trainer is as much a researcher as myself! One never knows, interacting with Pokémon each and every day, what new 'magic' they'll unearth.
"So, to all of you wondering 'Can I really make a difference as a trainer, too?', the answer is, unequivocally, yes! I urge you- each and every one of you- to never forget that the bonds we form with our Pokémon are the key to unlocking the mysteries of the world we live in. The key to understanding that 'magic' for our-"
With a white flash the screen went blank, and the peaceful stirring of the autumn breeze regained its place as the dominant sound in that room.
Misdreavus withdrew its hair tendril from the power button and hovered back over towards the window. It stole a final glance at the sleeping girl.
She had fallen into deeper rest, now. Finally sleeping in harmony with what pieces of her bed she had yet to upend. Perhaps she would awaken with at least a bit of rest, now. Certainly that would help with first impressions, to her new best friend.
Misdreavus spared a small smile, its orbs shimmering with the delicious torment it had consumed. The alluring flap of the curtains stole its eyes for just another moment, before it vanished off into the open air.