Chapter Text
“Wake up! Oh… do wake, won’t you?” I open my eyes and there are three Pokemon in front of me as I’m laying on sand. My head feels funny, but then I hear a voice along with the sounds of the beach coming in.
“Huh?” I look up and see a worried man in a lab coat behind the Pokemon. I stand up rubbing my head.
“You gave me quite the shock, falling from the sky like that… But thank goodness, you seem unharmed!”
“Where am I?” I look around the beach concerned.
“Why, this is Prelude Beach, of course.” I blink at the name. “Dear me, did the shock of your fall somehow addle your memory?” He then looks me over. I was wearing a tee-shirt, shorts, and sandals. “I must say, your clothing is… unusual. You wouldn’t happen to have an acquaintance in these parts, would you?”
“I doubt it.” I mumble to myself.
“I see… you seem to be in a bit of a pickle. Might I offer some directions? Do you have somewhere around here you could stay?”
“No, nowhere.”
“So you don’t know anyone here, and you don’t even know where to spend the night… Well… this is a proper pickle indeed. Are you quite sure you’ll be able to survive?”
“Somehow, I guess…” But in reality, I had no clue.
“I see… well, no gentleman would abandon a person in such need!”
“And neither will we.” I blink and look down at the pokemon who just spoke.
“Oh my, I’d completely forgotten! I had just caught up to these three runaway Pokemon when you tumbled out of the sky… It’s almost as if they knew you’d appear here!” This man then looks at me. “Ah, but do you even know what a Pokemon is?”
“Of course I do.”
“My, that’s a relief! Though you fell from the sky, it seems we have some common ground, eh? Yes, well, these three Pokemon belong to me, mysterious creatures that they are! Oh yes, and… what might your name be?”
“Oh, um… I’m Kaylub.”
“Kaylub. That name has quite the ring to it! I imagine it must have some lovely meaning. Oh, but I do apologize! I haven’t even introduced myself! My name is Laventon. I am something of a Pokemon Professor. That is to say, I’m a scholar seeking to deepen our understanding of Pokemon. Yes, pokemon such as these three here, wi-” And the three run off. “Oh, blast and bother! My darling Pokemon! Why must you run from me again?! I’m terribly sorry, but do you think you could help me round them up? I beg you!” He then runs off after the three. I blink, but decide to follow him seeing as there’s nothing else to do.
On my way over, I spot something glowing and beeping on the ground. A phone? My phone? It kinda resembled Arceus in color and with the gold handles on the sides. A text appears on screen. ‘I bestow upon thee this Arc Phone and thy mission: Seek out all Pokemon.’
“Well… okay then.” I then continue on to find the Professor. I see him throw what I think is a Pokeball and miss Cyndaquil.
“Alas… yet another miss!”
“Professor?”
“Aha! I’m glad you’ve come to my rescue, my new friend from the sky! I tried catching my little runaways by tossing some Pokeballs their way, but I’m not the best at this sort of of thing, you see… I’d love to give you a go at it, but perhaps I should tell you a bit about these three first?” He goes on to inform me about Rowlett, Cyndaquil, and Oshawatt. “Oh my! I nearly forgot to cover the most crucial thing– how to go about catching Pokemon!” He pulls out what seems to be an old-fashioned Pokeball with a clasp and what seems like a whistle top. “Here you are, my boy: Pokeballs! Throw these at Pokemon to catch them.” He hands me a few so I can catch the three runaways. “Ah, but that won’t do for an explanation, will it? I do apologize. Let me be more thorough. Now, I’ve mentioned already that Pokemon are strange, marvelous creatures. What’s so strange about them you might ask? Well, each and every Pokemon is able to shrink itself down to a miniscule size! And that’s where Pokeballs come in! Pokeballs are a recent invention, you see. Throw one of them at a Pokemon, and… why, the Pokemon will shrink down and fit inside the ball, comfy as can be. And with that, you’ve caught a Pokemon! I know we’ve just met, but I’m afraid I’ve no one else to turn to. I’d be awfully grateful if you could catch my three runaways.” I nod and head off.
I throw a ball at Cyndaquil and catch him with ease.
“It seems you’ve quite the knack for this Pokemon-catching business, Kaylub! Jolly useful skill to have around here. Only two left. Still, this is most unusual. You don’t seem fearful of Pokemon in the slightest.” Why should I be afraid? I then catch Oshawatt with one Pokeball as well. “I can hardly believe it, Kaylub! Unbelievable! You know, many people fear to even approach Pokemon– never mind catch them. Bravo, indeed! Just one more to go. Let’s wrap this up sharpish, shall we?” Rowlett decided to be a bit more troublesome and break out. “Ah yes, I’m afraid that can happen… Pokeballs are hardly 100 percent foolproof. Give it another go!” I do and Rowlett remains this time.
I head back over to the Professor and deliver the Pokemon back.
“Thank you very much, indeed! Oh, what a relief to have them all back. You see, the three Pokemon you caught have only just arrived at the village to help with our research. They won’t yet listen to anyone. And as I mentioned, they bolted from the village almost as if they knew you’d come falling… But I must say, Kaylub, I was taken aback by how well you use Pokeballs! How is it that you catch Pokemon so ably when you’ve only just arrived here?” I wonder whether I should bring up where I’m from or not. “One can’t help but think there’s a reason you appeared here and now…” I pull out the Arc Phone and show him the message. “‘Seek out all Pokemon’. What an odd device. Could it be… guiding you somehow? If you’ll indulge me for a moment, there’s something I’d like to share with you. You see, I have a dream– to compile this region’s first complete record of it’s Pokemon! We in the field call such a catalog a Pokedex. Yes, a propeller Pokedex is a wonderful work of research, containing detailed records of all the pokemon to be found in a region. But… in order to properly document Pokemon, one must, of course, catch them. And therein lies the rub, I’m afraid. Pokeballs have only just been invented, and not many have mastered the skill of using them.” He finally looks back at me after staring at the sky. “Enter you– a person with a clear talent for catching Pokemon! Your goal is to seek out every Pokemon, and mine is to have all those Pokemon caught. A situation ripe for teamwork, don’t you agree? Come now! What do you say? Shall we help one another out, my boy?” He smiles at me as I think about it and nod.
“Okay, I’m in.”
“Then whoever or from wherever you may be, I welcome you with open arms! We’ve a Pokedex to complete! First things first– let’s get these Pokemon back to the Village! Then we’ll sort out your lodging and find you some proper clothes and a meal and all that. Follow me, then! Onward to Jubilife Village!” As I follow him, I look up to the sky and see a rather strange sight above the largest mountain. “Kaylub!” I look over to where he’s waiting and follow.
We arrive at a gate not long after and there’s a guard there.
“Thank you for your tireless work keeping us safe, my good guardsman!” The guard’s eyes were on me. “This young man was of great assistance to me and my Pokemon, so I hope you’ll forgive my bringing him into the village for a bit!” The guard nods and allows us in. I stop and stare in awe at the old village and lively people. “This way, if you please!” I nod and follow him, but whatever he was trying to tell me isn’t heard as I can feel the town folks' judgmentful gaze on me as they speak about me in hush whispers.
“Kaylub?” I looked up at the Professor who looked worried.
“Yes?”
“I need to go report that we successfully recovered the escaped Pokemon. Might I ask you to wait for me at the canteen? It’s just past this bridge here, then to the left. The Wallflower, it’s called!” He smiles and then rushes off. I sigh and my phone goes off. I pulled it out and now it has a map function. Convenient. I quickly made my way over to the Wallflower, but there’s a man standing outside the door. He turns and studies me.
“Well now, aren’t you awfully suspicious?” I open my mouth to inform him that the Professor sent me, but he’s quick to continue with a glare. “The Wallflower’s for Galaxy Team folk only. We don’t have seats for outsiders. Move along!” He then goes inside and slams the sliding door. I look down. Why didn’t I appear in clothes appropriate for this place?
“Who in the world are you? And what’s that bizarre garb you’re wearing?” I turn to see a boy, slightly taller than me, dressed in mostly blue and a red cap. “A Pokemon could slice through those flimsy excuses for clothes!” I’m starting to get tired of being insulted. “Hm. For you to get in here, someone must’ve vouched for you.”
“Yeah it was-”
“Was it Professor Laventon? Do you two know each other? He’s from a region a long way off. Not the most reliable sort, though–letting Pokemon run off and give him the slip and all… Three more of ‘em got away just a while ago! If I hadn’t been resting up after some Pokemon drubbed me with a move called Thunder Shock, I’d have corralled ‘em for sure. But the Professor, well…” I noticed the Professor arrived.
“Unfortunately it’s just as Rei says… I’m a clumsy sort of fellow, to put it mildly.” Rei panics, spinning around to find the man behind him. He smiles at me and walks over. “But everything will be quite all right now! Kaylub here has agreed to help us with our Pokedex.” Rei looks between the two of us.
“As in… he’s going to join the Survey Corps? What makes you think that’s a good idea? We can’t just take in any misfit who wanders out of the wilderness!”
“I’ll allow it.” Another person enters the conversation. She has blue hair and an emotionless face with gray eyes. “Assuming the individual can contribute to the Survey Corps, that is. I am the captain of the Galaxy Team’s Survey Corps. You may call me Cyllene.” I nod. “Professor Laventon has told me how you helped secure his Pokemon when they slipped his control. And now it seems he would like us to feed and house you in exchange for your ongoing labor. Hmm. You look to be 15 or so. Quite old enough to work for your keep. But we can’t simply take on a stranger who wanders in among us, without any idea of their skills or origins. Tomorrow we shall see if you can prove yourself worthy.”
“Oho! A most reasonable decision, Captain. Now, would you care to join us for a meal? I’m sure you’ve got plenty of questions for our visitor!”
“That’s quite all right. I prefer to eat alone so I might appreciate my meals without distraction.” She leaves first.
“Aloof as always, I see.” He smiles. “Well, no matter! The rest of us can share a meal and some pleasant conversation, then, eh?” He smiles at me. “Beni, old chum! The usual potato mochi, if you please–but make it for three today!” We sit at a table outside and Beni arrives only to stare at me while delivering the food.
“Wonderful stuff, Beni! Much obliged. Your potato mochi never fails to please!” He nods and leaves.
“Where’d you find this stranger in the first place, Professor?” Rei asked like I’m not sitting across the table.
“Ah, well, you know that great hole in the sky? The one people call the space-time rift? Our new friend fell right out of it.” It’s quiet.
“...Was that a joke?” Laventon looks at Rei with a serious gaze.
“Come now–I am a scientist! My job is to observe and explain any and all phenomena. I concern myself only with facts. Now, you already know there are many Pokemon here in the Hisui region.” Hisui? That’s new.
“Sure, they’re all over the place. In the grass, in the forests, in the ocean… It’s up to us in the Survey Corps to study them and figure out what kind of creatures they are.” Laventon looks back at me.
“Well, we know this much… Pokemon are terrifying creatures! It’s all but impossible to know what kinds of powers they might possess or what sorts of wondrous things they can do! But that’s where Kaylub will come in! He successfully caught three Pokemon! Three of them in quick order, you understand! Nobody in the Galaxy Team is capable of a feat such as that. This means we can finally begin our Pokemon research in earnest!” Rei now looks at me with wide eyes.
“That’s really something. We count ourselves lucky when we manage to catch a single wild Pokemon while fending off their attacks.”
“Ah, well, to be perfectly fair, the Pokemon that fled to the beach weren’t on the attack. But the key to catching Pokemon is getting close enough to aim your Pokeball well. And it seems our new friend is fearless enough to do just that!”
“Does the Survey Corps really have the leeway to be enjoying a leisurely meal with this outsider?” Beni was back and glanced at me before focusing on the Professor. “Your captain just ordered 10 whole portions of potato mochi, you know. The slow progress on that Pokedex of yours clearly has her on edge.”
“I’m sure we’ll start to rein in the good captain’s stress eating soon enough. Now, have your fill, Kaylub! And think. If you make it into the Galaxy Team, you’ll never have to worry about a meal again. The team provides for all its members’ needs– even if said members fell out of the sky!” I give a nod and eat along with the two.
“That was quite delicious!”
“You’re awfully relaxed about all this. You do know that we won't get to have Kaylub join the Survey Corps unless he passes a trial?”
“Not to worry! I have complete confidence in Kaylub’s skills.” I feel glad to have one person on my side.
“Let’s hope it is not misplaced.” Cyllene had excited the Wallflower. “Kaylub, was it? For tonight, at least, we will provide you with a place to sleep. You may use our quarters there.” She points to the house on the other side of the large building. It was the first in the row. “But if you fail to pass the trial we put to you tomorrow, you must move on. You will be expelled from the village to meet your fate–and perhaps your death–in the wilds.” She then leaves as I blink. Is it really that dangerous here?
“Captain Cyllene’s like Hisui, in a way–they’re both plenty harsh.”
“Now now, she simply puts on a stern front to help keep us all safe. At any rate, I think it’s time we turn in for the night, eh?” I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up to the Professor. “It’s a good thing one can’t fall out of the futons we sleep in here. I imagine our friend has had enough falling for one day! And with that, I bid you both a good night!” He then leaves with a squeeze to my shoulder.
“Yeah, sleep tight!” Rei then looks up to the hole in the sky. “Still… people falling from the sky? That’s some kind of story.” He then leaves me as I look to the hole in the sky as well. Yeah, a story.
I head over to my sleeping quarters and find myself looking around the old-timey room. I find the futon in the back and walk past it to the window and looked up.
“Arceus, why me? But since you brought me here, the only choice I have is to find you again. If I want an answer.” My gaze was on the hole in the sky. “This isn’t what I expected when I said I wanted to go on a Pokemon Journey.” I wonder if dad realized I’m gone? What will he do? I hope he isn’t too worried. Can’t stress about it too much, need sleep for tomorrow.
When Kaylub turned away to go to sleep, blue sparks surged across the sky before opening a small wormhole and striking the ground near a large tree. Kaylub turned in curiosity but found nothing. He then went to sleep.