The world of Pokemon! A spinning globe of wonderment home to an infinite array of creatures too varied to fully comprehend. Hundreds, perhaps thousands! Meticulously fashioned by the forces of nature in all its glory as only nature can, and no matter what corner of the world you find yourself, rest assured you'll find Pokemon there as well.
Soaring overhead, skimming the clouds and riding the currents undersea. Sharing the mountain's majesty and animating our many lush green forests. Happily making their homes in fields of grass, well even our spiralling cities are teeming with them.
People and Pokemon find common ground sharing the goal of victory in a Pokemon Battle, fighting to become friends, comrades and Pokemon Masters. Which now brings us to the next chapter in one trainer's journey.
Y/N L/N of Jubilife Village and his partner Zorua are working side by side, catching Pokemon and perfecting the art of the battle, all while trying to find a way home once and for all as for every new Pokemon he discovers a new adventure is just around the corner.
And that's just what is to come as deep within the Sinnoh region, a devious plot is taking shape, one that is said to change the very course of history forever.
****
Dusk had just settled as night was creeping in, looming over Veilstone City Prison, moonlight shuns down on a certain former Galatic Commander's cell, catching her attention. Mars peered out, getting a small glimpse of the outside world with a longwinded sigh. "How did this happen? A new world... It was so close; Cyrus would have had it in his grasp if it wasn't for those twerps."
Mars paused, sitting back down, deflated. "Cyrus. Why did you have to leave us? Why couldn't you take me with you?"
Curled up, Mars played around with her food as two correctional officers patrolled the area. "I wish you came back to us."
A sharp pain rippled through Mars' head, making her grunt. The room was spinning, or was it her imagination? She couldn't deny that fact for much longer as a small crack in reality appeared. Mars stood up, startled, keeping her distance. The crack was faint, fading in and out but there nonetheless. Not wanting to get any closer, Mars backed away only to hear a voice whisper.
"Fffff. Ffff."
Mars didn't want to jump to conclusions, but in her mind, she recognised it from anywhere. "Cyrus?"
"Fff- Free me. Free me."
The crack expanded, consuming the entire cell in darkness. Time came to a halt as Mars saw him; in her mind, she saw the man she'd follow to the world's end.
Team Galatic's leader Cyrus.
"Free me!"
The bars shattered with every cell in the block being freed. Mars was shell-shocked, stepping out one step closer to freedom. The alarms began to sound as other Team Galatic members started looking around. Each one noticed a Pokeball on the floor. Their partner Pokemon.
Mars picked hers up, cracking a sinister smile. "I hear you, I hear you. Consider it done; Team Galatic will rise again."
****
The fresh ocean air woke me from my slumber; the sound of wingull flying past was a welcome sound to ease me out of bed. I rubbed my eyes, yawning. "Land ahoy!"
I gasped, throwing my clothes on, hopping on one foot and getting my shoes on as Zorua ran around barking excitedly. Then, wrapping a scarf around my neck, I took a deep breath standing at the door. "Are you ready, Mimi? The Sinnoh region is waiting for us. Home, let's see what's changed!"
Swinging the door open, I was ready to start my new adventure. Dawn was already up looking on from the front of the boat with Turtwig sitting next to her. Turning around, she gave her usual bubbly smile waving. "Good morning, Y/N; how did you sleep?"
"Pretty well, surprisingly, I was half expecting not getting any at all, considering we were arriving this morning."
"That's understandable. We've been travelling for nearly a week now, it's a real shame we couldn't take a plane, but with the time distortions, all air travel has been halted."
I leaned forward against the railings looking at the Sinnoh region frowning. "I was kind of hoping I'd recognise it slightly?"
"We are docking from Sunnyshore City, it's the opposite side to Jubilife City, so I wouldn't be surprised if nothing came back to you yet." Professor Rowan informed meeting with us. "I'm sure most of Sinnoh will be unrecognisable to you, unfortunately. A lot has changed in 300 years."
Seeing the small city in the distance, I nodded, feeling silly for not realising that sooner. "Yeah, of course."
"Oh, but no need to worry!" Dawn shouted. "You'll fit right at home with the Hisui festival taking place right now!"
"Hisui festival?" I questioned, curious. "What's that about?"
"Every five years, we celebrate our routes and dedicate a month to our ancestors. We decorate the towns to fit the time, people dress up in Kimonos, and stalls are set up with food and games for the children. I even heard they've created a scale recreation of Jubilife Village for this year's event!" Dawn explained, sounding more excited with each word. "Although most of the events occur in Jubilife City, everywhere around the region does their part to join in on the celebrations."
"I couldn't have chosen a better time to visit then; hey, Mimi?" Zorua began wagging her tail, clearly ecstatic over the festival. "Oh, but will there be time to sightsee with the space-time distortions?"
"Do not fret, Y/N; I won't be working you sensually; besides, my lab is in Sandgem Town, we will have to pass through Jubilife City on the way, and until any occurrence happens, you are free to explore to your heart's content."
"Oh, sweet! Well, what are we waiting for?! I want to see it all."
The boat soon docked, and we were all escorted off and into town. Getting my first step back home was unreal. I instantly took out my scrapbook, turning to the map of Hisui I sketched out comparing. "If we came from the east of Sinnoh, this would have been the Cobalt Coastlands... Wow, I could have never guessed."
Professor Rowan took notice, inspecting my map. "That is quite an interesting map you got there. Do you mind if I take a look?"
"Sure, as a scout for the Survey Corps, I take pride in mapping out the locations in Hisui."
"Remarkable; you must let me scan these maps when we arrive at my lab. Such a detailed recording is priceless compared to what little information we have today."
"Of course, I have no problem sharing knowledge of Hisui. Can I ask, apart from being a dock, what else has Sunnyshore City got?"
"Well, there's the market where you can find items only sold in the heart of Sunnyshore; there's the gym. The leader, Volkner, would be quite a threat if you were to challenge his electric Pokemon. And just north of here is the Pokemon League, where trainers look to become legend. So are you going to take on the gyms while you stay? It shouldn't be difficult for a Champion Trainer like yourself."
"A Champion, did you say?" I turned around as a woman with long blonde hair approached. At that moment, I felt my heart race, something about her was...
Horrifying.
"Well, isn't this a surprise? What brings you to Sunnyshore City, Cynthia?"
Cynthia smiled, meeting the question. "Professor Rowan, it's good to see you again. I was looking to pick up some Yache berries while they were in stock. I heard you had just travelled from the Paldea region; is that correct?"
"Yes, it was a quick visit. In fact, Y/N here is the very reason we went."
Cynthia looked at me, surprised. "My, that Pokemon you call your partner, it looks so familiar; I don't quite believe my eyes but is that a Hisuian Zorua?"
"Y- yes." I spout out. "Mimi and I are best friends. I caught her during my first days scouting; we saved each other's lives and have been together ever since."
"Fascinating. And the colour, there's no doubt that it's shiny as well. So you must be the trainer I heard from Professor Rowan. The trainer who fell out of time. How is your return to Sinnoh?"
I look around, feeling overwhelmed. "Daunting, to say the least."
"I'm ever so sorry; I never introduced myself. My name is Cynthia; I, too, am a Pokemon Trainer who happens to be the Champion of Sinnoh; I suppose you didn't have such titles back in your time. It still stuns me to think you came from 300 years ago." She echoes, smiling. "I heard that Paldea recently gained a new Champion; I should have expected it would be you. To get to know each other better as Pokémon Trainers, I would like our Pokémon to have a match. Would you care to be my opponent?"
"You want to battle? Now?" I reply, dazed, feeling ever so more anxious.
"If it isn't too much to ask. It would just be a friendly battle, one Pokemon each. I would quite like to see what your Zorua is capable of."
I paused for a moment before nodding. "Why not? It's not every day you get to face off against a Champion. Nemona would be so jealous."
"Before I send out my Pokémon, my heart always begins to race... Interesting... My Pokémon in their Poké Balls are radiating a happy feeling. Are you the reason? What are you?"
Sinnoh Champion Cynthia challenges you to a battle. Cynthia sends out Garchomp.
"Go, Mimi!"
Jumping off my shoulder, Mimi readies for battle as I take a deep breath. While it would be a relief to face off against a Pokemon, I know finally... Unfortunately, it being a Garchomp doesn't make me feel any better.
"Show me the love for your Pokemon. Garchomp use Sword Dance."
Raising its attack sharply, I was led with no choice but to attack, not letting Cynthia raise the bar any higher. Stepping back, I shouted. "Mimi, quickly use bitter malice!"
The ghostly attack spread, consuming Garchomp and freezing it solid. I felt a sigh of relief sweep over me. Thank God, this gives me some breathing room to chip away.
"Remarkable; I can see now why Chairwoman Geeta was defeated. But do not think I'll falter so easily. Break free from your shackles, Garchomp!"
Garchomp instantly broke out, the ice shattering everywhere. Covering my face, I was thrown off by its sheer power. "Garchomp, show no mercy; use Dragon Rush!"
Zorua was swept off her feet and destroyed by a boosted Dragon Rush.
Critical hit; it was a one-hit KO.
I ran over, checking on Zorua, who gave me a faint bark of reinsurance. "You did great, girl, like always.
"That was excellent. Truly, an outstanding battle. You gave the support your Pokémon needed to maximise their power. The road before you is still very long, but never give up! You'll always have Pokémon at your side." Cynthia said with the same bold smile.
Holding Zorua in my arms, I sighed. "I can see why you're the Champion now; you're seriously in a league above the rest. I can't remember the last time Mimi and I lost together."
Cynthia shook her head. "That was just a friendly battle. I am sure if we used all our Pokemon and went all out, the tides of battle could go either way. I'm ever so sorry, but I need to go. But I would love to battle again sometime soon, Y/N. So when you believe you are ready, come to the Pokemon League. I'll be waiting."
Dawn stood next to me, watching Cynthia leave in awe. "Wow. Most trainers can't even land a single attack on Cynthia's Garchomp; you really are amazing, Y/N."
"I wouldn't go that far... I don't think I've faced a more powerful trainer before, though. Cynthia is amazing."
"She sure is; no one has bested her in battle for a long time. Lucas challenged her two years back, but even he couldn't win. Maybe you'll be the one to change that?"
"Well, if our detours are over, we should get going. We still have much to discuss after all." Professor Rowan reminded.
"You see that, Mimi," I whisper, stroking her head. "Cynthia, that's someone we're going to strive to beat. One day, one day."