Chapter 1: Where Am I?
"Darn, I'm dead, aren't I? But how did it come to this?" I thought, my mind racing as a cold shiver ran down my spine.
Let me tell you a little story. My name is Alex Riziero, and I've just turned 24. I'm what you'd call a NEET—not in Education, Employment, or Training. Someone who's always shut indoors, with no job, lost in virtual worlds.
After my parents passed away in an accident when I was 10, I bounced between foster homes until I turned 18. There were five homes in total, each with its own set of rules and faces. Some were kind, while others felt like a prison. I learned to adapt, keeping my emotions locked away.
One home stood out – the Smiths'. They took me in for six months when I was 12. I remembered the warm dinners where the air was thick with the scent of rosemary and baked bread, the cosy living room that seemed to hum with laughter, and the daughter, Emma. She was 8 then, with a bright smile and spiky blonde hair that caught the sunlight like a halo. We didn't talk much, but her kindness lingered like a gentle melody.
When I inherited my parents' savings on my 21st birthday, I finally had the freedom to escape. No more shared rooms, no more awkward family dinners. I moved into a cheap, run-down apartment with creaky floors and perpetually damp walls, and started living off my inheritance.
My days blurred together in a haze of gaming, anime, and manga. Pokémon: FireRed was my go-to game. I'd spent countless hours exploring Kanto, catching Pokémon, and battling Gym Leaders. The thrill of adventure, the rush of victory – it was my escape, a digital world where I was in control.
But today was different. For the first time in a while, I decided to step out. A little stroll in the park. The evening air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves. The sun was setting, casting a warm, ominous orange glow over the empty benches and whispering trees swaying in the gentle breeze. I settled into my favourite spot, hoodie up, and began watching a FireRed speedrun on my phone, the familiar chiptune melodies filling my ears.
The air was heavy with an eerie stillness like the world held its breath. Suddenly...
SCREECH!
The screech of tyres ripped through the quiet, jolting me from my focus. I glanced up, heart pounding, to see a truck careening out of control – right into the park. A girl jogging with headphones on was oblivious to the danger.
She was petite, her short, spiky blonde hair glistening like spun gold in the fading light, and her piercing blue eyes sharp with determination. Her blue sports jersey and white sneakers made her look like a college athlete. She looks familiar.
Shit.
My legs moved on autopilot, the ground a blur beneath me. I dashed forward, my heart thundering in my chest, and tackled the girl to the ground.
THUD.
We hit the ground, the impact jarring, just a few feet away from where the truck would've flattened us both. The truck crashed into a tree with a deafening CRASH, sending shards of glass and metal flying through the air like lethal confetti.
In the chaos, my hand landed awkwardly, and I realized with horror that I'd grabbed onto something soft. Her eyes widened in shock as she gasped.
"Whoa, hands off, mister!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing as she pushed my hand away.
"Sorry, sorry!" I stammered, my face heating up like a furnace. "I didn't mean to—uh—cop a feel!"
Her initial shock gave way to a curious glance, and a flicker of recognition passed across her face. "Alex? Is that you?"
I blinked, the recognition hitting me like a ton of bricks. "It can't be... Emma?"
She let out a laugh, a mix of disbelief and relief. "Of all the places to run into you again, it had to be under a truck!"
"I guess I always had a flair for the dramatic," I replied with a sheepish grin.
Emma shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You haven't changed a bit."
Before either of us could say more, the air crackled with energy, a prickling sensation that raised the hairs on my arms.
"Do you feel that?" Emma asked, her eyes wide, reflecting the charged air around us.
"Yeah, I—" My words were cut off as a bright flash seared the sky.
CRACK!
A lightning bolt struck us out of nowhere, a blinding flash searing my vision. I reached for Emma instinctively, our hands meeting in a moment of shared fear.
Everything went black, the world dissolving into an all-consuming void. As I lost consciousness, I caught a glimpse of Emma's terrified expression, etched in stark relief against the darkness.
***
Hidden Journal Entry
Observation Log: Entity "Erebus"
Subject: Emma Smith (Primary Vessel) and Alex Riziero (Unintended Consequence)
Date: 23rd February 2023
I've located the ideal vessel for my influence: Emma Smith. Her innate resilience, athleticism, and determination make her an optimal candidate.
Initiating the summoning ritual, I focused on Emma's energy signature. However, an unforeseen variable emerged – Alex Riziero.
Alex's proximity to Emma and their shared past created an unintended resonance. The lightning bolt's energy signature merged their fates, drawing Alex into the summoning.
This complication alters my initial plan. Alex's gaming knowledge and strategic mind may complement Emma's abilities, but his involvement also introduces unpredictability.
Adapting to this new dynamic, I will monitor Alex and Emma's progress. Their intertwined fates will shape the course of events in the Pokémon realm.
***
End of Chapter 1