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Something was off. She felt weightless yet she still struggled to move her limbs. Was she in water? No, that couldn't be it, she could still breathe after all. She couldn't be in the air, humans couldn't fly without assistance. She couldn't even tell if her eyes were open or not due to the vast void she was in. A bright golden light flooded the void, blinding her. Everything after became a blur.
---
‘Arceus…’
“Wake up!”
‘Pokémon…?’
“Do wake up, won’t you?”
Luz groaned, her eyes fluttering open. She was practically face first in the sand but she could make out bits of the strange creatures before her. There were three of them, each seemingly worried about her.
To the far left was a quadrupedal creature with dark blue fur on their back to their head, and a light yellow on the underside. Bursts of fire came from their back as if it was nothing.
‘Cyndaquil.’ Her mind provided, yet she didn't know how she knew that.
In the middle was a round bird-like creature with sandy-colored feathers and a darker white underbelly. There was an area of brighter white around their eyes, which were black with white pupils. Their beak was white on top and orange on the bottom. Their legs were short orange talons. On its chest, it has a small ‘bow’ in the form of two leaves.
‘Rowlet.’
The last, on the far right was a bipedal, mammalian sea otter-like creature. They had furs covering its entire body, with white fur on its face and arms, light-blue fur on its chubby torso and a dark blue tail, feet and ears. They had freckles on each cheek and a tan-colored scallop shell attached to its stomach.
‘Oshawott.’
“Please be alive, young one.” Luz looked up and found a strange woman behind the creatures. They were a tall, slender, middle-aged woman with ivory skin and mint green eyes. She had a dark navy hair color that was straight near the top but became fluffy and curly near the bottom. There was a single grey streak. She had on a pair of glasses and wore a long sleeved pale green shirt under a brown leather vest, an ankle-length maroon skirt and brown high-heeled boots. Luz slowly got up as they continued. “You gave me quite the shock, falling from the sky like that. But thank goodness you seem ok.”
‘Falling from the sky?’ How was Luz still alive? From the sound of it, Luz fell a long distance but the most she felt was the uncomfortable feeling of sand. Luz pushed that confusion aside and tried to focus on the woman before her.
“Who are you?”
“I’d like to ask you the same! Your clothing is rather… unusual- you wouldn't happen to have an acquaintance in these parts, would you?”
Did she? She didn't even know where she was. Luz shook her head. “I don't know.”
“I see…” the woman said, “Maybe I can offer some directions? Do you have somewhere around here you could stay?”
“I don't know.” She repeated, starting to feel downcast.
“So you don't know anyone here, and you don't even know where to spend the night.” That’s right. It seemed to be sunset, meaning night was near. She could feel the chill of the ocean, not helped by the fact she was only in a tank top and shorts. “Are you quite sure you'll be able to survive?”
“I don't know!” She wanted to pull at her hair, out of frustration.
“I see…” The woman seemed to think something over. “Well, I can’t just abandon a person in need!”
The creatures began to cheer as if happy the woman was going to help.
“Oh my, I’d completely forgotten! I had just caught up to these three runaway Pokémon when you tumbled out of the sky. It’s almost as if they knew you’d appear here! But do you even know what a Pokémon is?”
A Pokémon. They were like animals but they had a kind of special ability. How did she know all of this though? She couldn't even remember where she lived or if she had family. That wasn't what the woman asked. Luz nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
“My, that is a relief! Though you fell from the sky, it seems we have some common ground. These three Pokémon belong to me, mysterious creatures that they are! Oh, and what might your name be?”
That she knew, no questions about how. “Luz Noceda. And you are?”
“Oh, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Lilith Clawthorne. I am something of a Pokémon professor. That is-”
“You study Pokémon for a living!” Luz said excitedly.
Lilith seemed amused by Luz. “Yes, Pokémon such as these three-”
The professor went to gesture to the three starters (starters? Where did that come from?) only for them to take off, Rowlet in the lead. “My Pokémon! Why do you run from me again? I’m terribly sorry, but do you think you could help me round them up?”
“Sure, Professor.” Luz grinned.
“Come back you three!” Professor Lilith ran off after the Pokémon.
Luz followed the dirt path, only to get distracted by a shimmer of light. She looked off in the distance to find Lilith throwing something. Luz was sure a quick pit stop wouldn't hurt. The source of the light was a phone. It had what seemed to be an Arceus Phone case. It couldn't have been hers, Luz’s phone had a purple bat case, she was sure. Maybe it was Lilith’s. Luz grabbed the phone and was startled by a sudden message.
I bestow upon thee this Arc Phone and thy mission: seek out all Pokémon.
There wasn't a sender and tapping the message did nothing. She pocketed the phone for the time being and made her way to the Professor.
“Another miss!” Lilith groaned and faced Luz. “I’m glad to see you caught up, Luz. I tried catching my little runaways by tossing Poké Balls at them, but I can’t seem to get it right. You can give it a shot but perhaps I should tell you about these three first?”
“No need!” Luz smiled, pointing to each Pokémon. “That one is Cyndaquil, the fire type. Oshawott, the water type, and finally, Rowlet, the grass type.”
“You already know typing?”
“Yup!”
“You are full of surprises. Now the most crucial thing- how to go about catching Pokémon!” Lilith handed Luz a handful of odd Poké Balls. They were a bit crudely made and wooden but Luz shook it off. “Here you are, my girl, Poké Balls!”
Luz didn't even wait for Lilith to finish speaking, too excited. She spotted Cyndaquil and wounded her arm back. She stepped forward, allowing herself to put her whole body into it and threw. The Poké Ball bonked the fire mouse Pokémon on the head. The Poké Ball opened and Cyndaquil turned into a blue energy that entered it. The ball jumped into the air and landed, setting off a firework.
“Oh! Looks like you didn't need an explanation. You've quite the aim, Luz. A good skill to have around here.”
“Yeah, but I should apologize later. That might have hurt them…” Luz didn't linger on that thought for long. She still had Pokémon to catch after all. The second closest was Oshawott, conveniently facing away from her. She followed the same process of how she caught the fire type and let the Poké Ball fly. It hit Oshawott right in the back and in they went. Three hops, then fireworks. “Nice!”
“Incredible! Many people fear to even approach Pokémon- never mind catch them.”
That didn't make sense to Luz. Who could fear these adorable creatures? Oh well, one more to go.
Rowlet wasn't too far away but adding the hill made Luz nervous. She could likely get them from where she stood but she’d rather not risk it. She got a touch closer and threw. Luz groaned when the owl Pokémon broke free.
“That can happen… If you had let me explain you’d know Poké Balls are hardly 100 percent foolproof.”
Luz winced, having felt this was a common lecture for her. “Sorry, Lilith. I’ll get them this time!”
With the final Pokémon caught and returned to the professor, she seemed to relax.
“Thank you, Luz. These rascals have only just arrived at the village to help with our research. They don't listen to anyone yet and they bolted from the village almost as if they knew you’d come.” Lilith seemed deep in thought. “I will admit, I was taken aback by how well you use Poké Balls. How is it you can catch Pokémon so well when you've only just got here?”
Something beeped and Luz jumped. She chuckled and pulled out the phone.
“Right, I forgot. I found this phone nearby and wondered if it was yours.” She turned the screen to Lilith as if the case wasn't recognizable enough.
“‘Arc Phone’? ‘Seek out all Pokémon’...? What an odd device, I feel I would remember if it was mine. Could it be yours?”
“Maybe… I can’t really remember.” Luz put it away. If Lilith didn't know about phones then it might be hers.
“That’s an interesting task though. Reminds me of a dream I have- to compile this region’s first complete record of its Pokémon!”
“You're making a Pokédex!” Luz gave up trying to figure out where she learned these things for the time being.
“Yes, but in order to properly document Pokémon, one must, of course, catch them. And there lies the problem. Poké Balls have only just been invented, and not many have mastered the skill of using them. Enter you- a person with a clear talent for catching Pokémon!”
“If you're asking me to help, say no more! I want in.”
Lilith was just as happy as Luz. “Then whoever and wherever you come from, I welcome you with open arms! We’ve a Pokédex to complete! First things first- let’s get these Pokémon back to the village! Then we’ll sort out your lodging and find you some proper clothes, food, and all that. Onward to Jubilife Village!”
Jubilife? The name was familiar but she shrugged it off for the time being.
---
Jubilife was a rather small place, not matching the grand city that Luz had imagined. The guards let them in with little issue once Lilith vouched for her. The professor was explaining how the town came to be but Luz was a touch distracted by the various whispers that followed them. Luz straightened up. She was the brave one after all.
The brave one? Of who? Lilith stopped, pulling Luz to the present. “I need to go and report that we successfully recovered the escaped Pokémon. Could you wait for me at the canteen? The Wallflower.”
“Sure.” Luz smiled. Lilith ran off, Luz standing there for a second. “And I have no idea where I’m going…”
The phone began to beep insistently. She pulled it out and noticed a map was pulled up. There was a white symbol not far away. She tapped it and ‘The Wallflower’ appeared next to it.
“Cool!” Luz followed the map, ignoring the building with the oddly familiar symbol. The Wallflower had a single table outside the shop with pillows on each seat.
“Well now, aren't you suspicious?” An older man said, his hair a maroon color, eyes sea green, wearing an apron with a cat-like figure on it. “The Wallflower’s for Galaxy Team folk only. We don't have seats for outsiders. Move along!”
The old man turned away from Luz and she scowled. He didn't need to be rude about it.
“Who in the world are you? And what’s with those clothes?” Luz turned to find a girl about her age with green hair and gold eyes. “A Pokémon could slice right through those flimsy clothes!”
“I don't think I wore them for Pokémon.” Luz murmured, fiddling with the gray tank top. They didn't seem like everyday clothes to her, maybe nightwear then?
“I've never seen you before so someone had to vouch for you. Who was it?”
Luz gulped, slightly intimidated by this teen who was barely taller than herself. “Uh… Professor Lilith. I helped her with some Pokémon.”
“Her Pokémon ran off again? She usually has a better hand on them… unless she’s in the midst of research.”
“Guessed it in one, Amity.” The professor walked up to them, causing the girl to jump.
“Professor Clawthorne! Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped.”
“Didn't Hettie tell you to take it easy after that nasty thunder shock?”
“You got hit with a thunder shock?” Luz asked.
Amity huffed. “I’m fine. Cleared to work too.”
Work? Was she helping with the Pokédex too? Looks like Luz might have gotten her rival then.
“Don't push yourself too hard, you have a new partner to rely on now.” Lilith told her.
“New partner?”
“Luz here has agreed to help us with the Pokédex!”
Lilith rested her hand on Luz’s shoulder, causing the girl to stand straighter. She waved at Amity, a touch nervous.
“She’s going to join the Survey Corps? I know she helped you but is that a good idea? We can’t just take in anyone who wanders in!”
“It’s been allowed.” A man younger than Lilith but older than the teens said. He was wearing a uniform similar to the guards.
“Steve, what are you doing here?” Lilith asked.
“Captain Hunter was busy, so he asked me to relay his message. He’s allowing the stranger to stay the night, but,” Steve looked Luz in the eye, “if they want to stay the must prove themself worthy.”
“Sounds like the Captain.” Lilith nodded. “Oh, Steve, would you like to join us for a meal?”
“Thanks Professor but the captain asked me to get his food. Lots of paperwork to do.”
Lilith nodded and waved to the old man. “Frewin, three orders of Potato mochi!”
The old man grunted.
---
Ok, so maybe Frewin was rude, but he was an excellent cook. Luz could deal with jerks if it meant good food.
“Where’d you find this stranger in the first place, Professor?” Amity questioned.
Luz would have said something but she was busy chowing on the mochi. She felt as if she hadn't eaten in days, and with her brain as foggy as it was she may not have.
“Our friend here seemed to have fallen out of the great hole in the sky. The space-time rift. I believe.” Lilith responded.
“You're joking, right?”
“I wouldn't joke about such matters.” Lilith shook her head. “Now, as you know, Hisui is the home to many Pokémon.”
Hisui? Luz had never heard of that place before. Then again she may have forgotten.
“And it’s up to us in the Survey Corps to study them and figure out what kind of creatures they are.”
“Well, we know this much, Pokémon are terrifying creatures!”
Luz swallowed her mouthful and frowned. “I know some species are powerful but I wouldn't call them terrifying.”
Amity looked at her as if Luz had said the sky was falling. Lilith shook her head.
“Luz, the Pokémon you caught are far more tame than wild ones. While it is impressive you caught all three in such quick succession, it will be different out there.”
“I doubt I’ll be running into, like, Mewtwo this early on.” Luz joked. “Most Pokémon can be pretty cool. I’m sure of it.”
“Mewtwo…?” Amity and the Professor seemed equally confused. Luz furrowed her brow. She wasn't sure where that had come from, but it was the first strong and semi-dangerous Pokémon she could think of. Thinking of them more brought a pixelated pink cat-like creature that stood on its hind legs and was the size of an adult.
“Never mind.” She grumbled. “The point is, you're being paranoid.”
“Either way, with Luz here, maybe we can make real strides in our Pokémon research.” Lilith rained them back on topic.
“She’d still have to fend off attacks.” Amity argued.
“Does the Survey Corps really have the leeway to be enjoying a leisurely meal with this outsider?” Frewin snarled at Luz, who shrugged. She’d deal with his comments so long as he kept the food coming. Frewin moved his gaze to the other two. “Your captain just ordered 10 whole portions of potato mochi, you know. The slow progress on that Pokédex of yours clearly has him on edge.”
It wasn't Luz’s place to say anything. She had no clue who the Captain was, just a stranger who might become her boss. Lilith said something to the chef that the teen didn't really care to catch.
---
Steve showed back up by the time the group finished eating, to lead the girl to the place she’d be staying. The building reminded Luz of a single floor apartment building or motel and the one Luz had been given seemed like a large room. A large sliding door separated it into a living area and a sleeping one.
In the center of the living area was exposed dirt, wood stacked in a way that told Luz it was meant to be lit. A pot hung over it, waiting for someone to cook with it. A trunk the size of a table sat near the door, a small desk at the other end of the same wall. The sleeping area was equipped with a wardrobe, a full body mirror, and a mat on the ground with blankets and pillows. Luz assumed that was the futon Lilith had mentioned.
Despite her kitchen ‘sink’ being nothing more than a large vase filled with water with a wooden lid, the place had running water in the form of a shower. That was an odd joy to Luz, who laid on the futon after a warm one. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but the teen fell asleep with ease after a long day.
---
Luz stood on a mound of dirt, wearing striped clothing, a hat, and a single large leather glove. In her ungloved hand was a white ball with red stitching, about the same size as the Poké Balls Lilith had given her. Before her was a faceless teen, dressed only slightly similar to her. Behind them was an adult, crouched down, wearing black padding and a wired mask that blocked most of their face.
The teen’s bat wriggled in an almost taunting motion. Luz pulled her arm back, taking the same stance she had when catching the starters. She put all her strength behind her throw, the base ball flying with great speed. The faceless teen swung.
When the bat and ball met there was a loud thunderous crack.
---
The thunder had woken Luz up. She didn't know where she was and, in the moments before she remembered, she panicked. The unfamiliar room was darker than she’d have liked, each shadow seeming to want to swallow her.
“Krooo!”
“Ack!” If it wasn't for the fact Luz was sleeping on a futon, she’d be sprawled onto the floor from her flailing. There was a fluttering of wings and something landed on her lap once she had calmed down. Her eyes adjusted enough to make out a round bird. “Rowlet?”
“Kroo!” They spread their wings, happy she recognized them.
“What are you doing here?” She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, the panic forgotten. “Does Lilith know you're here?”
The bird remained silent and that was all Luz needed. Before she could tell them they needed to get back before Lilith freaked, another loud boom of thunder came and reminded her of the storm.
“I supposed just you is better than all three running off again. You can stay the night but only because the storm seems so bad.” They chirped excitedly. She rolled her eyes and laid back down. “Make yourself comfy, I guess.”
She could hear and feel Rowlet moving around. They settled down, snuggled into her side. It was strange how she felt so calm with someone sleeping with her, even if they were a Pokémon. Luz fell back asleep with a bit of ease.
---
“Hey, you in there!” Someone knocked on her door. “Professor Lilith’s Rowlet ran off again. We might have time to find it before your trial.”
Luz groaned, “Have you checked the attic?”
“There’s no attic to check! Come on, Luz!” She sat up and looked at her side. The owl Pokémon slept on her futon, softly trilling.
“I’ll be out in a minute.” Amity must have accepted that cause she went silent. Luz nudged Rowlet’s side to wake them. They opened a single eye and gave her a tired look. “Time to get up. Do you know if there’s any food here?”
She didn't know why she was asking them, why would they know? To her surprise, they nodded and lazily took off. She watched as they went behind the trunk and came back with a small burlap bag. Luz looked into the bag and found round blue berries. She pulled one out and looked at it carefully.
“An Oran berry?”
They cooed.
“Is this safe for me to eat?”
They chirped and nodded. She shrugged and offered Rowlet one of the berries. The two took a moment to enjoy the berries together and finished getting ready.
Luz walked out with Rowlet on her shoulder. “Look who I found!”
“Rowlet was with you?” Amity asked, eyes widened at the sight of the Pokémon. Luz shrugged. “Whatever, saves us time. We don't want to keep Captain Hunter waiting.”
The other teen didn't even wait for Luz to respond as she ran off to the large building next door. Luz looked at Rowlet, “Is he really that bad?”
The owl didn't respond.
---
“Amity! Have you found our little stray?” Lilith was the one to meet them inside the Galaxy building. Luz almost laughed at how the professor didn't seem to realize Rowlet was on her shoulder.
“I think your stray likes me.” The girl smiled, Rowlet chirping from their spot.
“Rowlet went to you?” Lilith asked, confused.
“Yup, I guess they didn't want to leave me alone.”
“I see…” Lilith tapped her finger against her chin, deep in thought. “I was going to let you choose which Pokémon to help you with your trial but he seems to really like you. So, Luz, do you want Rowlet as your first partner?”
Luz looked at the owl. “Do you want to help me?”
Rowlet trilled and rubbed his cheek against her own.
“I’ll take that as a yes! Welcome to the team!”
Lilith gave her Rowlet’s Poké Ball and gestured to the closed double doors before them. “We’ve stalled you long enough. It’s time to receive your trial.”
---
With the way everyone seemed to act, Luz was expecting a big intimidating man with a no nonsense attitude. What she got was a teenage boy, maybe two years older than her, with ash-blond hair and brown eyes. There was a notch on his left ear and claw-like scars going from the bridge of his nose to his right cheek.
Luz looked at Lilith. “We’re here to meet the Captain, right?”
“Yes?”
“Who’s the teenager?” She pointed at the boy.
“I’m the Captain, and I expect to be treated with respect.” He had a tooth gap. He had a freaking tooth gap between his front teeth.
“You're barely older than me!”
He slammed his hands onto the table. “I have worked hard to reach this position and won’t have a stranger from the sky questioning my work ethic. Keep in mind who gets to decide if you can stay. Or be thrown to the Shinx.”
Luz stayed quiet. It was still weird to think a boy almost the same age as her was in a powerful position. Hunter cleared his throat and made his way around the desk. His eyes were sharp as he spoke.
“If you wish to join the Galaxy Expedition Team, prove that you won’t be dead weight by going out into the Obsidian Fieldlands and catch three different species of Pokémon: Bidoof, Starly, and Shinx.”
“Three species, right away!?” Amity spoke up, clearly concerned. “But none of us have ever managed that!”
“Didn't the stranger catch three different Pokémon yesterday? My trial should be simple enough for her- if the Professor wasn't exaggerating things, that is.”
“Of course not!” Lilith pressed her hand against her chest, offended.
“The point is, the Galaxy Team doesn't have the means to provide for someone who only takes without giving. If you wish to stay, you must prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ll be an asset to our cause.” Hunter held a satchel out to Luz. “I will lend you one of our Survey Corps satchels to carry whatever you may need in the field.”
Luz tied the bag around her waist. It didn't really seem to fit very well with her clothes.
“We really need to fix your clothes.” Amity muttered.
“Amity.” The girl stood taller. “I’ll expect you to step in if anything goes awry.”
“Yessir!’
“Don't worry, Hunter!” Luz grinned, “Owlbert and I got this.”