1: More Than Just a Dream
OOC: Finally it's time to get this show on the road! Here's my first post!
"Ow…my head…"
Chocolate brown eyes flickered open as the tall, lithe young man slowly regained consciousness. He sat up slowly, mindful of a throbbing headache, and raised a hand to his temple. "What happened…?" he asked no one in particular. As reality came back into focus, he realized that his other hand was touching sand, and a salty breeze swept his raven-colored bangs out of his eyes. "A…beach?" He shadowed his eyes with one hand and squinted as the sun beat down mercilessly from a blue, cloudless sky. Crystal blue water lapped onto the shore in gentle, rhythmic waves along the deserted beach. The young man chuckled to himself. "Well, if I had to wake up in the middle of nowhere, at least I have a nice view."
Just then, a roar sounded from behind him, along with an unfamiliar male voice. Anton, thank goodness you're all right! The young man, apparently named Anton, turned his head only to sigh in relief when he recognized who was approaching. Griffith, his faithful Charizard, lumbered across the sand to his side and lowered his head to give his trainer a good onceover.
"Griffith, don't worry. I'm fine," Anton said, waving his Pokemon away and getting to his feet. "But who was that speaking just now?"
Griffith gave Anton a perplexed look. You mean you understood me?
Anton gave a surprised start and whirled to face his partner in bewilderment. "Hold on now, that was YOU? Since when can you speak inside my head?"
I'm…not sure, Griffith replied in genuine confusion. I don't even know how we got here.
"Yeah, last I remember, we were at the Pokemon Center in Sandgem Town," Anton said. Then he remembered. "Oh right! That stupid dream again!" He snapped his fingers together in annoyance. "I thought it was just indigestion the first time."
Griffith cocked his head to one side. You mean that dream about all the Legendary Pokemon?
"Yeah, they were saying something about destiny and special powers and some other mumbo jumbo that I don't even remember," Anton muttered. He crossed his arms over his chest as he racked his brain trying to remember. "Then while I was dreaming, there was this freaky bright light, and that's the last thing I remember before waking up here." He took stock of his surroundings again and raised one eyebrow. "Speaking of which, where is 'here' anyway?"
You're in the Sun Region, Anton Chesnokov.
For the second time that day, Anton gave a surprised start. "Holy…! Now who in the world was that?" He pinned Griffith with an accusing look.
It wasn't me! Griffith objected, holding up his front claws in a plea of innocence.
The same deep male voice spoke inside Anton's head again. Do not be afraid, Anton. I am here to help you.
"Who are you?" Anton called. "And how do you know my name?"
I am Lugia, the Pokemon that spoke to you in your dreams.
"Lugia…one of the Legendary Pokemon from Johto…" A thought drifted unbidden through Anton's mind. 'Father…' His hand clenched into a fist seemingly of its own accord. He gave a sarcastic laugh. "So you're the one responsible for those crazy dreams. And I guess you have something to do with why I'm suddenly hearing voices in my head?"
The voices you are referring to prove that your special power has awakened, Lugia answered in that same infuriating calm tone of voice. You have the gift of Telepathy, so now you can hear and speak to any Pokemon with your mind.
Ah, so that's why you can suddenly hear me, Griffith realized.
"Is that also why I can hear you now, Lugia?" Anton asked. Even though now he knew that he wasn't going crazy, he was still completely confused as to what was going on.
Partly, yes, but there is another reason. I am also your Guardian, so our souls are now connected. An image flickered across his mind's eye, and Anton caught a brief glimpse of the massive, silver-colored Pokemon perched calmly in a dark, underwater cavern, regarding him with a gaze that seemed to pierce to the deepest recesses of his soul. Anton could almost feel a second heartbeat next to his own, along with a strange hum of warmth in his chest. The feeling was both enthralling and unnerving at the same time.
"Okaaaay…so you're my Guardian, I'm suddenly some nutcase telepath, our souls are connected, blah blah blah… Why exactly am I here anyway?"
You, along with six other Pokemon trainers, have been chosen to put a stop to Team Falling Sun and their plot to enslave all Pokemon and subjugate this world, Lugia answered. Here in the Sun Region is where Team Falling Sun makes its headquarters.
"Heh, so I guess the rumors about them were true," Anton mused out loud, thinking back to the reports in Sinnoh of countless Pokemon disappearing without a trace. "And you expect me and six other people to bring down a criminal syndicate like Team Falling Sun? Yeah, okay, whatever you say," he added sarcastically.
You will understand in time, Anton, Lugia replied cryptically. Until then, I am here if you need my assistance. Then his voice fell silent.
Silence pervaded for several moments. "Well that was weird."
Just then, Griffith raised his head and sniffed the air uneasily. Anton, I think we should seek cover. This place is too open for my tastes, and if Team Falling Sun is really that dangerous, then we don't want to be an easy target.
"Yeah, yeah I hear you," Anton replied, running a hand through his messy, windblown hair. "Let's get outta here." Griffith crouched down so Anton could climb onto his back and settle in the space between the Pokemon's shoulder blades. Once he was situated, Griffith lifted his wings and gave several powerful downward thrusts to gain altitude. Within moments, he was flying high above the beach heading inland, giving Anton a spectacular view of the Sun Region.
The Sun Region was unlike any region Anton had ever visited. There were no mountains in sight. Instead, the land was covered with dense forests and rolling plains as far as the eye could see. He could see tiny specks in the distance that indicated the presence of a city, but after Lugia's warning, he was hesitant to enter it.
I wonder… Griffith mused, breaking the silence. Why don't you try using the Telepathy that Lugia mentioned? Being able to communicate silently would give us a strategic advantage in battle.
"Huh? O-kay, here goes nothing." Anton closed his eyes and concentrated. 'So…is it working?'
Rumbling chuffs of laughter emanated from Griffith's chest. Yes, I can hear you just fine. Though I think closing your eyes is going a bit overboard.
Anton opened his eyes and rolled them. 'And here I thought you were the serious one.' Bringing his mind back to the present, Anton looked down and noticed that they were approaching a forest with a dense canopy of green, leafy branches. 'Hey, see if you can land in that forest. That should work as cover.'
Hold on tight. Griffith banked sharply on his right wing and spiraled downward to pass through a gap in the branches. The ground rushed up to meet them, and he back-winged abruptly to land in a small clearing covered with soft soil and leaf litter.
Anton slid off Griffith's back and glanced around the clearing. They seemed to be alone, but what set both their nerves on edge was how utterly quiet it was. No human voices…not even the sound of a single wild Pokemon. The thick, humid air closed around them like a too-thick blanket, and Anton resisted the urge to shrug out of his black leather jacket.
"So…now what do we do?" Anton asked aloud. Unfortunately, he received no answers, only more questions…
OOC: Hope it wasn't too cheesy and that you liked it, KillehKiwi!