A new world, a new nightmare in waiting

Chapter 1

(First person perspective, Y/N's POV)

"Y/N, wake up dear! Your sisters Maria and Carly are back to see you before you leave!" A high, soft voice rang.

My eyes opened as a woman with warm dark skin stared down at me. She had a soft smile and long curly hair that grazed the tip of my nose. I didn't recognise her yet she knew my name. The concern rose in my mind as I sat up, rubbing the back of my head. She smiled at me adjusting the bandana that held back her thick locks.

"Good morning darling! How are you feeling, it's finally time for you to leave to travel the world like you've always wanted! Happy 20th birthday dearie!" The woman chimed with a honeyed voice.

Such a warm tone was unfamiliar to me, yet welcome. She pulled me out of bed by my hand and ushered me towards the bathroom. On the toilet were clothes folded, bright and holding my attention as if I was in a trance.

"Go, get dressed sweetheart. I saw you staring at them in the boutique windows we pass so I decided to get you a little something before you left... I'll be downstairs."

The door shut behind me as the woman left, sniffling. Smiling to myself, I looked out the window. I had no idea where I was, yet I felt loved... for once. Quickly, I shucked my clothes off my body, stepping into the shower. The warm water hammered against my bare chest, rolling down my thighs as I relaxed. I looked around trying to find the shampoo and shook the bottle once it was in my hand. The cold vanilla-scented shampoo hit my palm and I rubbed it into my scalp, moving my hands down my hair as I went. Rinsing my hands under the water briefly, I lathered my body in body wash before washing off and promptly jumping out. I wrapped a towel around my body, drying off as fast as I could to get dressed. Stepping out, I noticed the various potted plants on the counter. The glossy pots were in the shape of various Pokemon heads. Miltank, Eevee and Pikachu. How cute, these people must like Pokemon too!

The clothes that I pulled on were cosy and soft. A dark turtleneck clung to my form, covered by a baggy cropped warm yellow jumper decorated with clouds. Dark, soft leggings covered my lower half, rising to the bottom of my ribcage. Pale legwarmers sat just over the shoes I had slid on. The outfit fit as if it was tailored to me, clinging to my curves unapologetically. Although not what I usually go for, something felt different. If it really was my birthday, why shouldn't I do something different? Swallowing my insecurities, I dusted myself off and left the bathroom.

The bedroom I had awoken in was warm and felt like my own yet I knew it couldn't have been, it was simply far nicer than I could even afford to make my bedroom. The walls were coated in white paint and decorated with various posters, of different Unovan Gym leaders. I don't remember ever owning these posters, or ever seeing them being sold but they were a welcome addition to my life. The bed was covered in a warm yellow bedspread and an array of pumpkin-orange round pillows. Unlike my usual room, the floor was polished wood, only covered by a warm cream rug that rests half under the bed. If this was some sort of dream, I wished I'd stay there forever.

The warm honeyed voice from before called my name from downstairs and I jogged to follow it. Multiple people stood in the kitchen I approached. One of them sat on a stool at the kitchen island, a mug of coffee in her hand. From her belt rested multiple strange balls, the top a warm red and the bottom a cool white. They looked like Pokeballs, but it was probably just a coincidence. She had curly brown hair that bounced as she bobbed back and forth, a large black bow holding some of her hair back. Her hazel eyes met mine as she turned and grinned widely.

"There's the birthday girl! You ready?"

"Ready for what?"

The woman's eyes widened and she laughed glancing at the blonde beside her. The other girl tightened the hairbands holding her pigtails in place. Her pale blue eyes looked down at the box in the middle of the kitchen island. She grabbed the box and held it out to me.

"It's your birthday, so it's time for you to get your first Pokemon."

"Wait what? Pokemon?" I muttered to myself, feeling something brush against my leg.

My eyes fell to the floor beside me to the small yellow mouse. The Pichu looked up and me and squeaked running to climb onto the kitchen counter. Everything started to make sense now, yet at the same time only grew more confusing. I was no longer in the world I had grown up in, I really did die. That person I must've spoken to... yes, it must have been Arceus himself. I couldn't believe that those small creatures I had grown to love as a child were actually real now. Or maybe they were always real, just not in my reality. But, despite my hesitant acceptance of reality, I was more than willing to stay in such a warm and nostalgic place.

"Haha dearie I know it must be shocking getting your first Pokemon, it was when I was a little girl myself. But, since you first started talking to me after I adopted you, you were obsessed with the idea of leaving on your own journey. I can't believe you're finally going, I still see you as the young girl I scooped up all those years ago," The woman sniffled, a bittersweet smile on her face displaying the gap in her front two teeth.

I opened the box and an Ultra ball stared back at me. The woman holding it ushered me to take it and I promptly held the smooth metal in my hand.

"Go on dear, let 'em out!" She laughed, clapping in excitement.

I stepped back and looked down at the pokeball, pressing the button in the centre. The ball clicked open and fell to the floor, a red light jumping out of it. A small greyish-blue creature looked up at me, its dark eyes staring into mine. It was a gible. I excitedly scooped the small Pokemon into my arms, giddy over seeing one of my favourite Pokemon in person. The small dragon bit my finger playfully, letting out a cry before snuggling into my arms.

The woman, who I assumed was my mother, wiped tears from her eyes with a large grin. She handed over a large shoulder bag decorated with various Pokeballs. Inside was anything I could have needed, in the bottom of the bag there was a spare change of clothes and a wallet full of 10,000 pokedollars. Many pokeballs rested in a pouch and opposite was 10 potions. My eyes widened at the gift and I looked up at her. She just threw her arms around me, kissing my temple.

"Dearie, you are the best thing to ever happen to me after I lost my dear Albert and Grace," She looks over at a picture on the wall with her and two other people, a man and a little girl. "Thank you for filling the void they left. I'm so proud of you for braving the real world alone, you better call often!" She pulled away from the hug with a confident smile.

The other two girls put their hands on my shoulders and spun me around, ushering me towards the front door. The brunette grinned widely while the blonde had a deadpan expression.

"Come on! Auntie Carly will take you to the Nimbasa train station so you can go explore!" The brunette laughed.

"Wait isn't that the battle subway? I don't think that's a good idea for me and Gible!"

"Don't worry, the brothers who run it burnt a hole in the floor of one of the coaches so they're taking a break for now. It was on the news earlier."

"Oh... that's a shame, those two must be devastated that the train got damaged. They love their trains."

"Why do you say that? Do you know them? I thought you haven't left Castelia city yet?"

"Oh uh yeah, I hear about them online, people love talking about the battle Subway!"

"Really? I thought people didn't like them that much... I've heard people call them creepy," The blonde muttered.