[Chapter 1: The Voice of Arceus]
Darkness. Endless, suffocating darkness.
Zane floated through a vast, starless void. He felt weightless, as though his body no longer obeyed the laws of the world he once knew. Around him, time didn't seem to pass. No wind. No ground. Just... silence.
Then, a single light appeared.
Blinding at first, it pulsed with divine energy, forming the shape of a glowing ring encircling a majestic white creature. Its golden hooves didn't touch the ground—there was no ground to stand on. Its green eyes pierced straight through Zane's soul.
"Zane," a voice echoed—not from the creature, but from the world itself. "You have been chosen."
Zane's lips moved, but no sound came out. He didn't know where he was—or why this creature, this... god, was calling his name.
"The balance of the world is faltering. A storm is coming—one that will awaken those who should forever sleep. Only you can restore harmony. Seek the fragments of my light."
The golden wheel behind the creature flared, sending waves of warmth through Zane's chest. A strange mark burned into his hand—an ancient symbol glowing faintly.
Zane tried to speak, to ask questions. But as quickly as the vision came, it shattered like glass.
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Yellow Town – Zane's Home
Zane awoke with a gasp, drenched in sweat. His chest was pounding, and the image of the glowing creature lingered behind his eyes. He sat up, rubbing the strange mark on his hand, only to realize—it was still there.
"What... was that dream?"
His bedroom was peaceful, with rays of early sunlight streaming in through the window. Posters of Gym Leaders and Champions lined the walls, along with a framed photograph of Professor Jasmine—the leading Pokémon researcher of the Zhery Region—and his childhood idol.
Downstairs, his mom called up, "Zane! Professor Jasmine's looking for you! She said it's urgent!"
Perfect timing. Zane leapt out of bed and threw on his jacket. The memory of the dream still haunted him, but something inside told him today was the start of something bigger than himself.
---
At the Pokémon Lab – Yellow Town
Professor Jasmine stood near a large table, typing frantically on a console. As Zane walked in, her expression shifted to one of concern.
"I'm glad you're here, Zane. Something strange is happening. We detected a surge of dimensional energy in the mountains. It's unlike anything I've ever seen."
"Dimensional energy?" Zane asked.
She nodded. "It matches the same energy readings found in ancient texts—texts that speak of the creator of all Pokémon: Arceus."
Zane's breath caught in his throat.
Was it really just a dream?
"Before we continue, I want to give you something," Jasmine said, leading him to a table with three Poké Balls. "If you're going to investigate with me, you'll need a Pokémon partner."
Zane's eyes lit up as he stepped forward. His heart pounded. This was the moment he'd dreamed of for years.
Three choices. Three destinies.
Charmander – Fire. Fierce, determined.
Piplup – Water. Proud, brave.
Turtwig – Grass. Calm, grounded.
He reached out and grabbed the Poké Ball containing Charmander.
"I'll go with this one," he said confidently.
Jasmine smiled. "A fine choice."
Suddenly, the lab shook violently. Sirens blared, and the power flickered.
Outside, clouds swirled unnaturally, and a loud screech echoed across the skies. A dark airship loomed above Yellow Town, marked with a strange insignia—two silver snakes wrapped around a black star.
"Team Steam," Jasmine whispered.
Zane narrowed his eyes. "Team who?"
"They're an extremist group. Obsessed with controlling Legendary Pokémon. We need to stop them."
A voice echoed from the airship's loudspeaker.
"People of Zhery! The time has come for the world to be reborn under the power of the gods!"
Zane's hand clenched around his Poké Ball. His journey hadn't even begun, and already the world was in danger.
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End of Chapter 1
To be continued-