Chapter Text
I looked out the window, watching the snow building up to blanket the forest floor. My room was quite warm, plushies of various pokémon littered my bed and nearby table. There was a large amount, gathered across the 16 years of my life, ranging from water types like buizel to fire types like growlithe however basic it is. My favorite type has always been normal however, with powerful pokémon like Kangaskhan, Ursaluna and of course the myths of Arceus. Despite their boring appearances to most, they have held a deep spot in my heart. Eevee in particular has been particularly interesting, both for being a popular choice for beginner trainers, but also as a popular media icon - starring in many popular shows. I never had an actual team of my own, and especially did not have one currently, previously having owned a shinx called Lumi who had recently fallen ill, resulting in him being taken for overnight care although it had started to stretch into nearly a week, only furthering my anxiety of his condition.
With a heavy sigh, I stood up to walk to the door, feeling the cold metal brush against my fingers as doubt filled me. After a moment which seemed to stretch on for months, I pressed down, leaving my room for the first time since learning of Lumi's worsening condition. As the heat from the hallway hit me, my steps became hard and stuttered, leading me to a staircase when I heard a familiar call. It was one of my cousins, Barry. He was a quite established trainer with 6 badges to his name from across Kalos. I took a few steps down, meeting him on the bottom floor.
Lifting his hand, I heard the familiar warmth in his voice, though a wave of grief pierced it. “Hello, Axel.” I returned the wave, taking a seat next to him after grabbing a bottle of fresh lemonade. “You said you didn't plan on coming here. It is a holiday after all.” My voice stays blank, as if rehearsed beforehand. As much as he denied his plan to see me and my mother, there was always a nagging in my mind that he would find his way here. Placing his drink down, his gaze met mine, eyes somber and refusing to meet mine, he spoke again. “I was speaking with Nurse Joy down by Anistar City. She has an update about Lumi.”
“Lumi‽ Is he okay‽” My voice rose, almost knocking my drink off the counter as my hand pressed against it to stop myself from falling backwards. His condition had been the only thing on my mind for the past few days, which only caused my mother to worry as I hadn't seen her for those worry-filled days, eating during the night and wrecking my sleep schedule. Taking a needed pause, my attention returns to Barry instead of my recent mess of a life, my voice calming somewhat. “What did she say?” Watching his expression turn from amusement to grief hurt more than the following words.
“It doesn't look like he will recover, unless a miracle happens.” Those words.. they stung… tugged at my heart deep down, buried beneath layers of fear for my dear partner. I could only imagine Barry had a similar feeling, as Lumi was one of his pokémon originally but was given to me once I was young, as a way to protect me, and to remind me of him when he wasn't around. Tears pricked the sides of my eyes, followed by arms wrapping around my back, a sob barely escaping my throat, my head rested on warm shoulders. Seconds seemed to stretch to hours before I managed to finally push off my cousin, standing and returning to the stairs, each step heavier than the last as I moved to my opened door. My eyes shut, sending tears onto my rug before I grab my coat and a satchel, wrapping it around my shoulder.
Giving one more look at a framed picture of me and Lumi when I got him. Seeing his tail curled awkwardly around his paws only hurt more, making my decision swift and concise. Putting on some thick boots, I move to the window, opening it to hit me with some fresh air to clear my mind. Moving back down the stairs, I look back at Barry. “Are you okay Axel?” His words had care behind them, though they failed to influence my decision. I would see Lumi before his condition got worse, no matter what. “I am fine, I.. am going to see Lumi. I might not get to see him again if I don't.”
After a long pause, Barry's voice broke through to me with a simple question. “Do you need me to come with you? Going down the mountain to town would be dangerous without a pokémon to protect you.” Barry was right. I didn't have a pokémon with me, but that wouldn't stop me. Although his expertise would be helpful, I needed to prove to myself that I was capable. If I wasn't able to get to my own partner without outside help, I might as well not be a trainer. “No, I will be fine. I should know the area well enough to be safe.”
Placing my hand on the door handle, my breath slows to a pause as I pull up my hood, shivering while the door opens and sends cold air blasting into my face. With my decision being final, I step out with snow crunching under my feet, the air being crisp to smell. Oh Lumi. I am sorry. I'll see you soon. My thoughts were the only thing that mattered now as I let my legs guide me, taking the sights in. I didn't pay much attention on the flight up as the Talonflames were very quick, even with all the luggage. The mountain is safe to traverse once the common snowstorms subside, so I didn't feel a need to look around. While I peer around a nearby tree, I feel a set of eyes pinned on me with malice.
It was a strange feeling. I was used to being watched. Cousins teased me for years, and classmates tormented me for petty reasons. This was different. A feral hunger resonated through me, hairs on my arm standing on edge. I sped up, my gaze flickering across the landscape. Each bundle of snow hiding threats. Pokémon who wish to feast. It never gets portrayed on the news, but they don't live off just berries. They eat other Pokémon, and if the situation is dire enough - or one is particularly brave - it results in humans being killed and eaten.
Holding onto my satchel tighter, my pace quickened more. I found myself running, each step heavier than the last before I hit something. My body tumbled, my head hitting a large rock hidden under the thick blanket of snow, staining the gentle whiteness a painful crimson, only growing with each step I took after pulling myself up. Even with the warm jacket, the snow still snuck inside, dampening my shirt, tightening my muscles with the cold. Feeling the eyes on me again, my feet continued to speed up and move more down the mountain.
Lumi.. My thoughts kept repeating his name. He was the reason I wanted to explore. His affection brought me through so much, from school to just getting through days with playing and training. Pain seared through my legs as I was forced to kneel down, staring down the mountain, spotting a nearby path. Approaching with haste, I feel my bootts stop crunching as stone rests below my feet. With a thankful glance, I slow down, making my way to a small cave, planning to stop and catch my breath inside.
As I walk in, I smell the huge amount of dust and grime, making me feel slightly lightheaded once I sit on the rocky floor. Looking through my satchel, I grab some bandage wrap, tightening it around my head, awkwardly parting my hair for a good grip. My chest felt heavy, my head resting on my knees as my eyes felt heavy, my breathing laboured. I know I need some rest, but resting in a cave full of wild pokémon is a stupid idea. As I look to the outside of the cave, an idea forms in my mind.
If I managed to get to a small outpost before the storm started again, I could rest and get to see Lumi after it stopped. Pushing against the rocky wall, I place the bandages back into my satchel, limping slightly as I exit, the air crisp with my blood. Each step felt light, yet the gaze of the wild pokémon from before still branded my neck. I knew the area roughly from the flight up, but walking down felt confusing… rocks popped up where they weren't before, and trees seemed to disappear.
I held my head, my chest tightening as my legs buckled under me, sending me tumbling down the path before I stopped. My hands burst through snow as cold invaded me, preventing my movement. I tried to move my fingers, but agonising cold crippled through my hand, clawing its way through my arms to my chest, to my neck.
Struggling to breathe, I was forced to lay on the ground as the world around me lay silent, eyes fluttering closed while darkness crept up on me. Throughout all of the cold and inability to move, predatory eyes still rested on me, feeling saliva drip on my neck before a shocked gasp escaped me, my eyes shooting open to see a meadow. There were no towns or pokémon in sight, only endless fields of grass interspersed with flowers.
Pushing myself up, I felt weightless, managing to climb to my feet with ease. My head spun, trying to find any semblance of life. I wasn't near Anistar City, nor anywhere in Kalos from my knowledge. A small speckle of orange bounced along the wind, before stopping in front of me. A sweet scent of fresh apples reached me as the speckle spun, words being heard before a form was seen.
“Axel.” I pause as I hear my name, letting the being continue. “It seems you couldn't reach your partner in time.” Lumi! I hadn't thought about him, still trying to figure out where I was. “No! Bring me back! I need to see him again!” My voice turned to a wail, begging to the unseen voice. “You don't need to see a dead body.” Pausing, the words hit like a truck, Lumi.. was alive. Barry said his condition was worsening sure, but he was still alive.
“Quit lying and bring me back! I need to see my partner.” My voice broke with each word, spitting in the direction of the noise before I simply knelt down, unable to muster the courage to face this thing which only served to tell me of horrid news. “His fight resulted in a loss. As did yours.” The creature paused, the once sweet smell becoming rotten with my eyes shutting, trying to wake up from this horrid dream.
Once my eyes opened, the orange blur materialised. Long red ears resembled a V, a paler body under it with a dull grin plastered on its face. Hope sparked in its eyes once I stopped to stare. I think I recognized the pokémon before me. Victini. Although they aren't from Kalos, stories have been carried on. Whoever held their favor won confrontations and battles, however sightings have been limited as of recent years.
Too many thoughts invaded my mind, from being the first person to see Victini in years, to being told Lumi was dead, to being told.. I had died. As my head began to hurt, my attention fell to the Mythical again, their voice like syrup, smelling of fresh apples once again. “I don't come to you for no reason. There is a goal, one which you have been selected for.”
“Goal?” I spoke slowly, unsure if I had heard them correctly. There were stories about legendary and mythical pokémon entrusting tasks to trainers, but they were pokemon like Arceus, Palkia or Dialga. “What do you mean? What goal?” I pressed with my gaze fixated on the pokémon before me. After a moment, their voice broke through the silence again.
“There is a place. Far from here. It has fallen into disrepair, the world's heart has shattered. The pieces changed pokémon. More malicious, more heartless, more bloodthirsty.” There lay a brief pause in their words, eyes shining with fury as they continued. “You are human, able to gain my favor. It will be up to you to restore balance.”
I stood there, staring at the pokémon before me, thinking about their words. My voice was calm, yet confused. “How? You told me I was dead.” Seeing them solemnly nod, I sigh, realising there was a plan despite my unfortunate current situation. “Yes, you are dead here. But that is only a minor inconvenience. You can be reborn in a new form.”
“Reborn? New form? Wouldn't it be easier to complete this as a trainer?” Watching them stall made a shiver run across my spine. “No. You would stand out too much.” I blinked, processing the words from Victini. “This world is not one where humanity evolved. Pokémon live as the sole inhabitants. You will be given a fitting form.”
Giving a sigh, the situation caught up to me. My voice was simple and calm, rubbing my head. “What form?” I questioned them, wanting to know if I could choose at least. Being something like a Tyranitar would make this goal much easier than something like a growlithe. “Sadly, I cannot choose what your heart wishes. I can only tell you that you will be given a form suitable.” Watching them smile gave me some hope, their words turning more gleeful.
“There will be a dear friend to accompany you. They won't recognise you, but will help you in your quest.” Having already given up going against the Mythical's wishes, I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. My thoughts got interrupted as they continued. “Well, it seems our conversation is coming to an end. Go forth my champion. May we meet again.” Hearing their words end caused me to look around, watching the landscape start to collapse, flowers wilting and the grass followed soon after.
The rocks beneath my feet started to crumble, leaving me to reach out into the darkness, attempting to grab at things that didn't exist anymore. I could only wait, drifting into the shadows before a deep pain shot through my chest, as if falling onto a stalagmite, forcing my eyes shut as consciousness escaped me.