Chapter Text
I was on my way home from work, the headlights of my car the only thing visible for miles on the country roads where I live, and it was positively chucking it down with rain. Combined with the near complete darkness of the Scottish countryside I could barely see more than 10 metres in front of me. It’s probably why I didn’t see the tree until too late. I slammed on the brakes and wrenched the steering wheel as hard as I could to the right, but only succeeded in locking the brakes and aquaplaning on the slick road. I slid into the tree, crumpling the left side of my car. My seatbelt didn’t stop me from being thrown around. I could see and feel my limbs smashing about the car. My head slammed into the steering wheel, leaving me dazed. My vision slowly darkened as I saw motion in front of my car, my headlights somehow still on. The sound of my car door being ripped off its hinges was the last thing I heard before passing out.
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Who knows how long later I woke up with a pounding headache and no feeling in my entire body. I slowly opened my eyes to find myself on my side at the edge of the road. Everything nearby was bathed in an orange glow from the inferno currently engulfing my car. I try to sit up, or move my head, to no avail. I move my eyes to try and see what, or who is around me, I know someone pulled me from my car, but I don’t know who. That’s when I heard a voice I hoped I’d never hear again.
“Well friend, what a mess you’ve found yourself in. Shame really, you could’ve been the best of us.” I tried to form some kind of response, but couldn’t think of anything, my head still foggy from the crash. I hear a sigh from somewhere behind me, “You probably don’t want me to gloat, so I’ll end this quickly for you.” I’m grabbed roughly and rolled over only to see a gun pointed in my face. I saw a bright flash and then everything went dark.
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You know, waking up to see an endless void is not the most comforting thing after being shot in the face. I wonder if this is heaven. If so I don’t see the appeal.
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Oh well, just me and the void now. Whole lotta nothing… nothing at all. Time feels odd here, like it's being sped up and slowed down simultaneously. Like seconds and years pass at the same time. Space too, I feel claustrophobic, but I don't see or feel anything near me. It’s just me, and the void. Oh, and the light in the distance.
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Light, light, how is there light? It grows larger. Or is it coming closer? Either way, whatever it is, it’s becoming more visible. The light keeps growing, becoming bright enough to hurt my eyes. I try to close them and look away, oh how I wish I still had eyelids. I can feel the light burning through my eyes, yet I feel no pain. The light begins to take shape. Odd, I don’t think light is meant to do that. First, four legs form, oddly reminiscent of a horse or a Llama. Next the body formed, still following the quadruped style. What’s different is a halo-like structure attached to its midsection, almost like a gold steering wheel. Then the neck is gradually formed, the light getting brighter and brighter as it nears what I assume will be the head. Suddenly the light flares to an unbearable level before dissipating entirely, leaving a very Llama looking… thing standing before me. It seems oddly familiar, but what it is exactly escapes me. It levels its gaze at me, which sends a shiver through the body I thought I’d lost.
“Welcome human, to the place between worlds” I hear a voice that echoes through my head, as if it were hollow.
“W-what?” I manage to croak out, it feels as if my voice hasn't been used in weeks.
“You have been chosen, human, do not waste this opportunity.” The voice urges.
“What? What do you mean, chosen? What are you?” The creature doesn’t respond right away, I can sense its feelings of confusion.
“Surely you have heard of I, The Creator. The Original one. Creator of time and space. The First Pokemon!” Pokemon? Pokemon. Pokemon! How could I forget??
“You’re Arceus!” I exclaim. I sense approval coming from Arceus.
“Good, now, remember. You have been chosen. DO NOT FAIL ME” Arceus’ voice reverberates throughout my body, making me feel as though my insides have been turned to mush.
“Wuh- fail? What do you-” I’m cut off by what feels like my body being flung away, Arceus slowly disappears from my vision before I’m thrown through what looks like a tear in reality. I fly through the air, high above what looks to be a large island surrounding a tall mountain. My vision blurs as I speed towards the ground, before I black out.
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I wake up for what feels like the millionth time. Thankfully I can hear faint sounds around me this time, things like the rustling of leaves in the wind, movement in undergrowth, I can feel the breeze ruffling my hair, the sun warming my skin. I also hear voices.
“I swear to you, I saw someone fall from the sky!” stated one voice.
“Yeah, after the last time you brought me out here, you can see why I’m struggling to believe you.” Another voice responds. I can hear the crunch of grass under feet coming closer and I try to push myself up. Only now noticing the pain radiating from everywhere on my body.
I groan as my eyes slowly open, rolling from my back onto my stomach, sending a wave of pain throughout my body. The nearby footsteps stop, before quickly starting back up at a much faster pace. I manage to get my eyes fully open, pushing myself up onto my haunches before plopping down on the grass, sending a jolt of pain up my spine. I look around, lifting an arm to cover my eyes from the sun’s glare. I don't see much in any direction, I’m at the edge of a clearing, I can see forest around me, and if I look to the canopy of trees above me, there's a large hole. As if something had come crashing through it. Odd.
Nearby, I can still hear people crashing through undergrowth, until suddenly a blue bipedal jackal, (Riolu? I think) and a mostly blue cat, (Is that Shinx?) burst through the undergrowth in front of me. The Shinx starts jumping up and down before turning to the Riolu.
“I told you I saw someone falling!” the Shinx excitedly turns back to me and starts trotting forward, a glint in its eye, before it’s Riolu companion pulls it back.
The Riolu has been standing there, slack-jawed since discovering me. I stare back.
“We’re getting the alphas” The Riolu quickly said before bolting back into the undergrowth, pulling the Shinx after it. I’m lucky it did, because a fresh wave of agonising pain, feeling like hundreds of knives stabbing me, spread through my body, pushing me into unconsciousness once again.
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I don’t know how much time passes, but when I wake up the sky looks much darker, filled with more orange than blue. And I can hear what woke me up, four or five voices, not too far away.
“I don’t know what you two think you saw, but I doubt it is this serious that you need us all here.” A deep voice rumbles out, “We’re telling you! A person fell from the sky!” That sounds like the Riolu from earlier.
A snort echoes through the trees, “Really now. And what's next, you spot a flying Turtwig. Or! Better yet, Arceus herself?” A lighter voice retorts, it’s a voice with weight behind it, like its seen and done more than anyone could hope to. While the conversation was going on, I slowly and painfully pull myself to rest against a tree, hissing in pain periodically.
A third voice pipes up, “Come now mother, why don’t we humour them? If nothing's there, then, well, no harm done!” At this, five pokemon push through the brush across the clearing from me. The riolu spots me first, “See! See! We were telling the truth!” At this the three larger pokemon following behind the riolu and shinx push past and spot me. Two lucario and a luxray. They freeze as one for a split second before pushing the younger ‘mons behind them and settling into defensive stances. One of the Lucario I can see looks quite old. They look at me in faint recognition and concern, I wonder- A snarl breaks me out of my thoughts, the luxray starts padding closer.
“Human!” It-no, he, at least, I assume it’s a he, growls out. “What are you doing on our territory?” He keeps padding closer, baring his teeth in a snarl. “I-I don-” Is all I manage to get out before a coughing fit leaves me doubled over in pain. One of the lucario steps forward, holding out a paw as if to stop the luxray.
“Ray, this one is of no threat.” The elderly lucario states, she, I’m assuming, steps closer to me, “Hello young one, what are you doing here?” She asks me. “I’m not sure.” I manage to croak out. “I don't know how I got here. I think I met Arceus? He said something about being chosen? It’s all a bit fuzzy” The elderly lucario shares a skeptical look with the other pokemon before looking back at me and nodding, “Lucius, help me with this one, he looks badly hurt.” The other lucario nods and steps over, offering me a paw to stand up. I take his paw groaning in pain when I’m lifted to my feet, nearly falling onto my face only for a spiked paw to shoot out and hold me up.
“Thanks” I manage to grunt out through the pain, the lucario just nods. I try and put my weight onto my legs before nearly crumpling in pain, my vision swimming. This time the Luxray saved me from a face full of dirt, “I’m not sure I can walk.” I grumble out, leaning my weight against the luxray. The elderly lucario chuckles, “Ray, can you carry him?” She asks. The luxray, Ray, snorts lightly, “Of course, Elder. Here, boy, climb on.” The luxray lowers himself so I can shuffle on, the lucario, Lucius I believe, stands next to me, making sure I stay on. Ray stands, lifting me up with ease. He nods to Lucius, letting him know I’m stable. At this, Ray started to walk forwards, I was surprised the luxray could carry me this easily, although he is over half my height so I shouldn't be too surprised. Before we move, the elder Lucario turns to the Riolu and Shinx who discovered me.
“Good job in alerting us, young ones. If it weren’t for your quick thinking, this human could have perished. I am proud of you, and I know the others are too.” They both perk up at the praise. “Now, I believe it’s time we head back.” Slowly, the luxray begins to amble forwards. As the rest of the group surrounded us, a wave of exhaustion washes over me. I try my hardest to stay awake, but I’m fighting a losing battle. I give in eventually and lie my head against the Luxray’s mane. The last thing I see before sleep pulls me under is the elder Lucario watching me with an unreadable expression.