Chapter Text
Within the world of pokemon, just east of Galar, stood the Torren Region. A region rich with a mysterious history and wondrous adventures, but like every other region, it has its dangers. Dangers that lurked in the sky, in the sea, and in the shadows. About a year ago, on an ordinary day, the people of Torren were reminded how dangerous their beloved region truly was.
A crowd gathered around a small stage within Helios City. Soft murmurs buzzed among the people as they waited. Tension weighed heavily in the air. All voices were hushed and news reporters pointed their cameras at a man stepping up to the podium. His long blonde hair was styled in a low ponytail that swayed in the warm breeze. The man wore a regal white and gold suit with jade green dress shoes along with dazzling gems around his neck.
“Thank you all for coming,” he began, a frown tugged on his face. His emerald green eyes surveyed the crowd before him. “My friends, we live in dark times. A great loss has recently befallen us all. The Augur, a trainer truly unmatched with a burning desire to protect us all. Not only was he a hero but also the best leader the Torren Region has ever known.”
He then hung his head, his blond bangs shadowed over his eyes. A still silence had befallen over the crowd with a few citizens crying.
“Like many of our neighboring regions, they have evil teams and organizations, however radical cults, who will stop at nothing to shape the world into their image, have made their home here in the Torren Region,” the man went on. “To protect us, the Augur defeated and disbanded over half of the cults that infested our home.”
He then sighed into the microphone and stared ahead at the cameras. “Unfortunately, a week ago, our Augur went searching for one of the remaining cults and has not returned since then.”
A moment of silence swept through the crowd, allowing his words to sink in. “People of Torren!” the man called out, “Like many of you, I do not believe the Augur is dead. I assure you, I will look tirelessly, high and low, until I find him again.”
A spark of hope ignited within the people. Though a few were reasonably skeptical of the man, they continued to listen to him speak. “And though it is with a heavy heart, I, Jaern, shall take the burden as the second Augur until his return. I will use every bit of my power to not only search for the First Augur, but to keep all of you safe from danger!”
Jaern raised his fist in the air and yelled, “We will stand strong! We will not allow these cultists- these insurgents split apart our families and destroy what we hold dear! Long live the Torren Region!”
The crowd cheered, raising their fists into the air, and chanting, “Long live the Torren Region!”
His eyes gazed over the smiling faces of the people. He grinned, spreading out his arms at their approval, but his smile faintly faltered when he locked eyes with one individual in the crowd. A young girl glared at him with tears flowing from her violet eyes. She gritted her teeth and her lips were curled in a sneer. Something churned in his chest as Jaern watched the girl disappear from his sight.