2 (II) Welcome to the World of POKÉMON!

"Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Samuel Oak! People call me the Pokémon Professor! This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon! For some people, Pokémon are pets. Others use them for fights. Myself...I study Pokémon as a profession..."

A destroyed television set played an old program from the wreckage of a small building.

The night sky was dark as the countless clouds littered the skies blocking the light from the moon as rain pelted down fiercely. Lightning would crack illuminating the rubble of the small village, thunderous booms, drowning out the screams from the inhabitants.

Shadows flew through the sky, invisible to the naked eye. If it weren't for the shadows stopping to unleash another barrage of attacks, their presence would have been impossible to track.

As the torrential rains beat down on the rubble, the water had finally dripped down to the busted television.

"...Your very own Pokémon legend is about to unfold! A world of dreams and adventures with Pokémon awaits! Le-"

The TV quickly shut off, as the rain short-circuited it with a loud 'bzzt!'

From underneath the debris, a blinding light erupted from between the cracks, and soon after the pile began to shake.

『WARNING! 』

Red translucent signs continued to flash in front of Isaac's face. He groaned from beneath the remains of the building. His body did not have the strength to free himself. He tried screaming for help but no one came to his rescue.

『WARNING! 』

The flashing hazards and alarms baring inside his head were giving Isaac a headache. Wincing through the pain, he thought, 'What is going on? Where am I?'

『WARNING! 』

'What is that?' Isaac thought, looking at the notices stacking up and blocking his vision no matter where he turned his head.

"UGH!!!" He groaned in frustration, 'I wish these annoying stupid things would go away!' He thought and at once all the semitransparent windows disappeared from his sight.

With some of his vision restored, he looked around and could see the rubble covering him. He tried to push up off the ground, but his strength was lacking and he collapsed once more with a huff as the pile settled further on top of him.

"HEEELLLPPP!!!" Isaac shouted repeatedly as he struggled from beneath the destroyed building. His breathing increased and became shallow as he began to hyperventilate.

He began flailing around as he screamed more desperately and tears began streaming down his face as his mind began to imagine his death underneath the rubble.

Right as his mind settled on his survival being bleak, Isaac heard people's voices coming closer. With renewed vigor, he tried to shout for help but the dust in the air and the weight had taken their toll, and only a hoarse, dull guttural noise escaped his lips.

"Look around for survivors! Take anything valuable, the boss does not like laziness so get moving and start searching!" A loud booming voice was heard by Isaac.

He tried to move or shuffle the debris on top of him but couldn't move an inch. Suddenly the pressure on his body increased dramatically as the wind was knocked out of his lungs.

Above the rubble, a large bird with plumage from its forehead that reached far beyond its tail feathers was standing and looking around alert.

『WARNING! 』

The alarms began blaring in Isaac's ears once more as the red flashing hazards returned. 'What is going on..?' He thought, grinding his teeth together as he winced in pain.

The hazards all gathered in the center of his narrow field of view, combining and revealing a new window.

『System Configuration is not complete. 』

『System Will now go into Sleep-Mode until Configuration is complete.』

'Wait, what? No! Don't go!! HELP!!!' Isaac cried inwardly.

『Generating Temporary Quest...』

'Temporary Quest..? What is that? What are you?!' The trapped man thought, but no reply came. After a brief silence that felt like an eternity, another window appeared.

『Temporary Quest Received!』

『You have been removed from your world and transported to another. Unfortunately, your arrival has been disrupted and you are trapped. Escape from your situation and escape!』

『Primary Objective: [Escape the rubble on top of you], [Escape the destroyed village]』

『Secondary Objective: [Investigate the attackers], [Identify the attackers]』

『Failure: [Located by the attackers], [Captured by the attackers]』

『Time Limit: 2 Hours』

『Reward: ₽5,000, ???, ???』

『Penalty: [Death]』

Isaac looked at the large screen in front of him as he read the contents of the quest. His heart began to pound in his chest and a high-pitched ringing resounded in his ears. His eyes were hyper-dilated, locked as he stared at the penalty.

『System is going to sleep...』

『Update in progress: 0%』

『Time Remaining: 1:59:59:99』

Instantly the screens disappeared and Isaac panicked and immediately tried to recall the information. Adrenaline was pumping through his veins and he was having a hard time recalling everything, the only thing that was seared in his mind was that if he failed it would mean his death...

***

The World of Pokémon is not as it is portrayed in the video games or anime. Pokémon are wild creatures of this world and as such, it's very dangerous for people who do not have pokémon of their own. Death was commonplace for both people and pokémon alike.

Long centuries of fighting amongst the regions in large-scale wars had left the world fragmented. This lead to the leaders of the regions to create the Pokémon Association and bring everyone together. Each region was given a Pokémon League and the Gyms and each region's Elite Four were established.

The Pokémon Association had all but completely curbed the dangers for the common folk, but the rare incidental accident being reported on the news no longer shocked the populace. Almost immediately, fighting between the regions became bloodless and the wars ceased.

Soon, discrimination began running rampant in every region as a hierarchy system naturally developed. Those with pokémon lorded over those who did not, creating a strict caste system where nepotism ran unbridled as families began to carve a place for themselves and their families.

Decades later, conflicts were settled through peaceful pokémon battles and the death toll rapidly declined. Society as a whole accepted the Pokémon Association and praised their strict rule over the world.

***

Isaac heaved as he struggled to take air into his lungs. He didn't know how much time had passed but finally, the large bird on top of the rubble lifted off from the command of someone unknown.

He tried to listen to the talking amongst the group of unknown men but they did not reveal any information. After they disappeared from the vicinity, Isaac found that the rubble was not as heavy as before and he could wiggle himself more freely.

He grunted as he used all his might to push some of the debris away from his head as he extended his arms. The pile gave way as the rubble above came tumbling down, allowing Isaac to push himself off the ground and rise from the destroyed building.

The lone man stood amongst the ruins, coughing as he wiped the soot from his face. He was alone in some forest and despite the storm still pouring down rain, there were dozens of raging fires throughout the village.

He could hardly make out the shadows of people and monsters alike laying siege on the village. His heart started pounding once again as he witnessed the carnage around him. Having never witnessed anything like this in his life, Isaac fell to his knees unable to stand.

His heart rate was pounding rapidly in his chest as he winced in pain, squinting his eyes and grabbing his chest as he gasped for air, unable to control his breathing. After the initial wave overwhelmed him, Isaac slowly came to grips with his new reality and began looking around.

He turned his head and looked behind him, seeing nothing but darkness under the canopy of trees and clouds. To the left and right, more darkness. In front of him lay the unspeakable horrors the group was unleashing on the village.

He thought if he was ever in a situation to try and help he would but the only thing he could think of was 'run' and that is what he did.

Isaac turned around as he stood and began running away from the village as fast as his legs would carry him. Numerous times he was tripped by hidden roots and fallen logs in the underbrush, but time and time again he rose and continued running.

"I'm sorry..." He whispered under his breath as streams of tears flew from his face as he ran.

———

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