Kalos, Past? (3)

Great.

Fucking great.

I was lost.

Again.

I let out a long, exhausted sigh, running a hand through my hair as I stared at the endless stretch of wasteland around me. The sun was merciless, beating down on my back like it had a personal grudge against me. The wind, dry and dusty, carried nothing but regret.

"Of course," I muttered, kicking at a rock. "Of-fucking course this would happen."

All I had wanted was a quick look around, maybe figure out where these villagers kept disappearing to. Instead, I followed some footprints, they split into four different directions, and now here I was—standing in the middle of nowhere with absolutely no clue which way led back.

I rubbed my temples, trying to push down the growing frustration. "Alright, come on my guy. Think. You got yourself into this mess, you can get yourself out. Easy peasy."

I turned on my heel, scanning the horizon. Nothing looked remotely familiar. Every direction was the same stretch of cracked earth and dead silence.

A sinking feeling settled in my gut.

Yeah.

I was so, so lost.

With a groan, I reached for my Pokéballs, ready to let one of my Pokémon out to help me navigate—then hesitated. If there was a reason no one let their Pokémon roam in that village, there had to be a reason why. Something about this place felt... off. And if that was the case, maybe letting them out here wasn't the best idea either.

"Great," I muttered. "Guess I'm soloing this one."

I took another step forward, then paused.

Wait. Was this forward? Or had I just turned myself around?

"...Fuck."

Yeah… I just kept walking in a direction.

Don't ask me which one, though.

And as for the cursing?

Bro, I almost died. Now I'm lost in the middle of nowhere, with that creepy-ass village still fresh in my mind, no food, no clue where I am, and my patience hanging by a damn thread. How long do you think I can hold myself together?

I let out a deep sigh and trudged forward, kicking up dust with every step. The sun was starting to dip toward the horizon, staining the sky with hues of orange and purple. Beautiful? Sure. Did it help my situation? Not one bit.

And my dumbass? Didn't bring a single thing to eat.

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. Seriously, why am I like this? A whole week in that village, and I still didn't think to carry supplies? I was really letting myself down.

Just as I was about to start spiraling into more self-roasting, something caught my eye—a silhouette in the distance. A lone figure, steadily approaching.

A man.

Oh? Are we about to be saved?

Or—hold up.

Are we about to be robbed?

My body tensed as my brain immediately started running a hundred different scenarios. Maybe he was some kind of guide, here to show me the way back. Maybe he was a wandering merchant with food. Or maybe—and this was just my luck—he was some wasteland bandit ready to mug my already starving ass.

Great.

I straightened up, brushing the dust off my clothes as casually as I could, but my hand instinctively hovered over my Poké Balls. Alright, mystery man. Let's see what you're about.

—-

Chomp, Nom nom, Slurp, Gulp,

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, exhaling in satisfaction. "Damn, that hit the spot."

The man across from me was still chuckling, shaking his head in amusement.

"Are you serious? How long has it been since you last ate, my guy?" he asked, smirking.

I leaned back, patting my stomach. "Long enough to make me forget table manners, apparently."

He laughed again, watching me with curiosity. "You looked like a starving Growlithe just now."

"Hey, survival instincts kicked in, alright?" I shot back. "Food first, dignity later."

This guy was definitely not another emotionless drone.

"By the way, name's Lucas. Lucas Fuladari," he introduced himself, his voice steady, carrying a slight roughness—like someone who had seen more than his fair share of trouble.

I exhaled sharply. Alright, which name should I go with—ah, fuck it. No point in overthinking.

"Nova Zyx," I replied.

Lucas tilted his head slightly, as if turning the name over in his mind. "Nova, huh? That's an unusual name."

I smirked. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

He hummed in thought. "Names carry weight, you know. A name can tell a story, sometimes even before the person does."

Till now, in the few meaningful conversations I'd had with the people here, they always told me one thing—a name tells a story.

I never really put much thought into it. To me, a name was just… a name. A label people slapped onto you the moment you entered the world, something you carried whether you liked it or not. But here? It seemed like names meant something deeper. Like they weren't just identifiers, but pieces of a past that held weight.

Lucas watched me, as if waiting for a reaction. I shrugged. "That's what people keep telling me."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "That's because it's true. A name carries the weight of history, lineage, and purpose. It holds power, even if the one who bears it doesn't see it yet."

I clicked my tongue. "Sounds like a lot of pressure for just a few syllables."

Lucas let out a low hum, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "Perhaps. But pressure forges strength, and strength shapes destiny."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, well, my 'destiny' is currently me wandering around like a dumbass, so I'd say the pressure isn't working out too great."

Lucas laughed at that—actually laughed. It was a deep, rough sound, but genuine. "You've got spirit, at least. That counts for something."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smirk tugging at my lips. "Yeah, yeah. So, what's your story, then? Since names are so important and all."

Lucas's smile faded slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "That… is a long tale. One that I don't think you're ready to hear just yet."

I raised an eyebrow. "Cryptic much?"

He simply shrugged. "Some things are better left unsaid for now. But in time, you'll understand."

Silence settled between us, a quiet understanding in the flickering glow of our small fire. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting the world into darkness. The only sounds were the occasional whisper of the wind and the crackling of burning wood. We were preparing to rest for the night, though the thought of proper sleep in a place like this felt almost laughable.

I shifted, my fingers absentmindedly grazing one of the Poké Balls at my belt. My Pokémon had been cooped up inside for days now. It wasn't just unfair to them—it felt wrong. Every instinct I had screamed that they should be out here with me, keeping me company, standing by my side. But… I hesitated.

Because there were no Pokémon here.

Not just in this particular spot. Anywhere.

I hadn't seen a single wild Pokémon since arriving. No rustling in the brush, no distant cries at night, not even the fleeting shadow of a bird passing overhead. Just an eerie, unnatural emptiness.

Lucas must have noticed my expression because he spoke up, his voice quieter now. "You're wondering why it's so empty, aren't you?"

I nodded. "Yeah. It's been gnawing at me. A place like this should have something—even scavengers, at least. But it's just… nothing."

Lucas sighed, resting his hands on his knees. "Most of the Pokémon that once roamed these lands are gone. Not because they were hunted or captured, but because something drove them to the brink."

A chill crept up my spine. "What do you mean?"

"They changed." He met my gaze, eyes dark with something almost like regret. "Became something they weren't meant to be. Unnaturally aggressive, feral in a way that no trainer or even wild kin could calm. Some say they were cursed, others claim the land itself rejected them. Either way, they left."

I frowned. "Left? Where?"

Lucas gestured vaguely. "The ones that could still move with some sense went north—to the mountains—or south, toward the sea. But no one's seen them since. Not a single soul. Just... vanished."

That was unsettling. "And the ones that didn't leave?"

His expression darkened. "They died."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Here in the wastelands, nothing survives for long. The ones that remained either fought each other until nothing was left, or they starved. Any new Pokémon that do appear?" He shook his head. "Thinking about them alone is enough to get you killed. Because if you see one, it's already too late."

The weight of his words pressed down on me. I had been so focused on myself, on my situation, that I hadn't truly processed just how wrong this place was.

No Pokémon. A dead land. And whatever was left out there, unseen, was something even the people here refused to speak of openly.

"What about you? You don't even know what is happening in these lands. How far are you from?"

Lucas's words cut through my thoughts like a blade. I glanced up, meeting his gaze, and there it was—that quiet scrutiny, the kind that came from someone who'd seen too much, who could tell when something didn't add up.

Lucas didn't move, didn't blink. Just waited.

I exhaled through my nose. "Far enough that I had no clue what the fuck was happening here. That's all you're getting."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "A vague answer, but an answer nonetheless." His expression shifted, something thoughtful behind his otherwise amused tone. "But I suppose I should've known. Anyone from here would already understand the weight of that question."

That sent another uneasy chill down my spine. The way he said it, the way the firelight flickered in his eyes—it wasn't just casual curiosity. It was knowing. A truth that people here had learned the hard way.

I shifted, resting my arms on my knees. "And what about you? You talk like you've been around long enough to really know this place."

Lucas tilted his head slightly, considering my words before answering. "Long enough to know what was lost. And to understand that some things aren't meant to be found again."

There was something in his voice, something old and heavy. Like he was speaking from experience.

I didn't press further.

Because honestly? I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

—-

The dawn came swiftly, painting the sky in muted shades of orange and pale blue. Another figure moved through the wastelands, her steps steady but weighed with uncertainty.

Aria had set out the moment the first light touched the horizon, the cold morning air biting at her skin. She didn't know where this path would lead her—of course, she didn't. But what choice did she have?

The wind howled across the barren land, sweeping up dust in swirling patterns. The silence here was different from the quiet of the village. It was vast, endless, the kind that threatened to swallow her whole if she let it.

She also reached the point where the footprints diverged into four. But she remembered words.

The one to the most right is the right one

… yes it doesn't sound right but it's right.

So she continued to her right.

—-

Ok. Seriously.

What.

The.

Fuck.

Ha… haha… hahahahHAHAHA. Yep. I'm done. I'm so fucking done.

I was standing in the middle of a goddamn battlefield. Yep. Battlefield. Pokémon were out, tearing into each other like this was some historical reenactment that went way off-script. And these weren't just wild ones—nope, they were thrown from older-looking Poké Balls by the guys on the opposite side.

Lucas had one of those too. And get this—he's rocking a Goodra. But not just any Goodra. A Hisuian Goodra. Its appearance was all bulky, steel-coated, and just oozing with that prehistoric, I'll-squash-you-if-you-look-at-me-wrong kind of energy. Where did that whole story of Pokemon killing humans go here dumbass? You are carrying a fucking dragon in your pants. pause.

I thought Pokémon were completely gone, wiped out from this place. But nope. Apparently, they've got Poké Ball technology, even if it looks like something straight out of a history textbook.

Oh.

Wait.

Right. The Legends series. Those old-ass Poké Balls made out of wood and metal? Guess it makes sense they'd have something like that here. Still feels like bullshit, though.

Lucas and I had been stumbling our way through the desert for weeks. Just wandering, surviving, bitching about how my throat was sandpaper half the time. Completely lost. Then, this morning, we just happened to walk straight into a battlefield.

Like, two armies of people just—poof—spawned out of nowhere.

And before I could even open my mouth to ask what the hell was happening, we were getting dragged into it. No hello, no hospitality, just straight to murder-mode.

Guess it all started with that piece-of-shit old man. The one who told us the "right is right" crap.

Thanks, buddy. If I don't get roasted alive by some oversized Arcanine, I'm gonna find you and kick your senile ass.

"Nova! Quit daydreaming and get behind cover!" Lucas's voice snapped me back to reality. He was crouched behind a half-buried stone, the Hisuian Goodra towering over him, already looking like it was ready to bulldoze through half the battlefield.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I was just… you know, questioning the meaning of life and all that," I said, ducking beside him.

He shot me a look. "Well, if you don't move your ass, it's gonna be a short life."

Fair point.

We scrambled behind a busted-up cart, Lucas shouting orders to his Goodra like this was just another Tuesday. Meanwhile, I was doing my best impression of not dying.

The air was thick with the sounds of battle—Pokémon roars, people yelling, metal clashing. It was like a medieval war but with dragon beams and hydro pumps. And I was right smack in the middle of it, with absolutely no clue how we ended up here.

"Lucas!" I shouted over the noise. "Mind explaining why we're getting ambushed by two armies that just decided to exist?"

He grunted, his eyes never leaving the chaos. "Welcome to the wastelands. Conflict is pretty much the only thing that's guaranteed. Just… stick close, alright?"

"Yeah, sure. Because that's been working out so well for us so far."

I could feel sweat dripping down my back, mixing with the fine dust that clung to everything. My fingers curled around my Poké Balls, the urge to let my Pokémon out clawing at me. But the last thing I wanted was for them to get dragged into whatever the hell this mess was.

The fighting was getting worse. More Pokémon—some I recognized, some I didn't. Their appearances twisted and rough, like they'd been dragged through hell and somehow made it out stronger but feral.

Lucas's Goodra roared, its steel-coated body smashing into a massive Rhydon, sending it sprawling. Meanwhile, I was left clinging to cover like my life depended on it. Which, you know, it kinda did.

"Got any bright ideas?" I asked, glancing over at Lucas, who looked way too calm for a dude in the middle of a warzone.

He just smirked. "Yeah. Don't die."

"Fucking fantastic advice."

We needed to get out of here. Fast. But something told me this was only the beginning of the bullshit parade.

Yeah. And a beginning it fucking was.

Guess there's no better time to let out my Pokémon than smack dab in the middle of a goddamn warzone, right? Because, you know, I might die. And I'd rather go down swinging than cowering behind some busted-ass cart.

"Fuck it," I muttered, fingers tightening around the Poké Balls I'd been clutching like lifelines. My hesitation was gone. Fear replaced with that same reckless impulse that always got me in trouble.

I released my Pokémon, the flashes of light cutting through the dusty air. Gabite, Larvitar, and Aegislash appeared before me, their presence grounding me in a way nothing else could.

Gabite growled, claws twitching with anticipation, its gaze locked onto the madness unfolding all around us. Larvitar looked pissed—probably picking up on my stress and deciding to match it with his own grumpy energy. And Aegislash… Well, Aegislash just hovered there, regal and ready to slice anyone dumb enough to try something.

"Alright, guys. Looks like we've got ourselves a clusterfuck."

Gabite snarled in agreement. Larvitar stomped his little feet, like he was ready to throw hands—or claws—with anyone. Aegislash just floated there like, Really? You're dragging me into this bullshit?

"We're not here to win. Just to not die. So, uh… try not to die."

I gave them all a nod, and we pushed forward, weaving through the chaos. Lucas was still holding his own with that Hisuian Goodra of his, its metallic tail swiping through anything that dared come close.

"About damn time you joined the party!" Lucas shouted, his voice straining over the roar of battle.

"Yeah, well, I figured why not go out with a bang?" I shot back, voice heavy with sarcasm.

Gabite lunged forward, slicing through enemy Pokémon with Dragon Claw like a hot knife through butter. Larvitar was going feral, charging at anything that moved, and Aegislash... Aegislash was just mowing down threats like it was slicing through wet paper.

But it wasn't just a brawl—it was a stampede. More of them kept pouring in, like this fight was the only damn thing keeping the wastelands alive. And from the way Lucas kept glancing over his shoulder, I could tell he was thinking the same thing.

"This isn't gonna end!" I yelled, ducking under a wild swing from some brute's Rhyperior. "We need to bolt before we get crushed under all this testosterone!"

"Way ahead of you!" Lucas barked, tugging on Goodra's arm and pointing towards a gap in the fighting. A narrow path winding between the combatants, just wide enough for us to slip through if we were quick.

"Gabite, Larvitar, Aegislash—fall back! We're making a break for it!"

They didn't hesitate, snapping back to my side like they knew what was coming. We darted after Lucas, Goodra bulldozing a path ahead of us with sheer brute force. The noise of the battlefield became a twisted, chaotic backdrop to our mad dash for freedom.

And then, suddenly—nothing.

The noise cut off like someone hit mute.

We stumbled out of the carnage and into…

"What the fuck…" I breathed, eyes wide.

A lush, green field stretched before us, the grass so vibrant it hurt to look at. Flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their colors so bright they felt like hallucinations after the dust-choked wastelands. The air was crisp and clean, tasting like actual oxygen instead of sand and blood.

Lucas stopped beside me, looking just as dumbfounded. "This… wasn't here before."

"No shit. Unless the battlefield's got a five-star garden section I didn't notice," I snapped, but my voice was more awe than sarcasm.

Goodra let out a low rumble, its gaze shifting nervously. Gabite and Larvitar were on edge too, their eyes darting around like they were expecting the grass itself to turn hostile. Aegislash floated in place, its blade gleaming warily like it was expecting something to pop out and start throwing hands.

Which, given our luck, wouldn't even be that surprising.

But the weirdest part? The silence. No howls, no clashing steel, no screaming orders. Just… peace.

"Lucas," I said, my voice dropping. "What the hell is this place?"

His eyes narrowed, suspicion etched into every line of his face. "I have no idea."

—-

{Aria's POV}

The right's right was right.

I kept those words close, clinging to them like a lifeline as I trod across the footpath of the desert. The barren wastelands stretched endlessly behind me, the harsh, scorching air gradually giving way to something cooler, and gentler.

When I first stepped onto the grass, it was like breathing anew. The air was fresh and clean, filling my lungs with a crispness I hadn't felt in what seemed like ages. The dull ache in my limbs softened, and the heaviness that had settled in my chest lightened, if only a little.

I traveled with a single companion—a Fairy-type Pokémon. It had proven itself capable enough in battle, but I remained cautious. A Fairy alone could only carry me so far. Its delicate nature was a contrast to the harshness of the wastelands, and I was careful not to overburden it.

The land ahead unfolded like something from a dream. Verdant plains, glistening rivers, and thick forests teeming with life. It was hard to believe such a place existed so close to the desolation I'd left behind.

But the beauty of this place came with its own dangers. Some wild Pokémon were as hostile as those driven into madness back in the desert, while others were simply territorial. Yet I pressed on, my determination unwavering.

Days turned into weeks. The journey was grueling. I rationed my food carefully, foraged when I could, and relied heavily on my Pokémon's guidance and instincts. The nights were cold and restless, the air thick with sounds unfamiliar and daunting. But I endured.

My goal was clear—to find my father. Lucas Fuladari.

After a month of trudging through the endless greenery, I found myself venturing deeper into the forest. The air grew cooler still, and the towering trees knitted above me like a living canopy, filtering the sunlight into soft, dappled hues.

Eventually, I came upon a clearing. It was a place unlike any I had encountered before.

Stones of varying colors and shapes lay scattered across the ground, polished and glimmering as if touched by the light of a thousand sunsets. The grass was lush and vibrantly green, swaying gently even without a breeze.

And there, at the heart of the clearing, lay two figures.

My breath hitched.

Father…

He was there, slumped against the base of a large stone, unconscious but alive. Beside him, sprawled out with a lazy sort of carelessness that only he could manage even when unconscious, was Nova.

I released a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around the Poké Ball in my grasp. Relief washed over me, tinged with frustration.

I crossed the clearing, dropping to my knees beside my father first. His chest rose and fell slowly, steady but weak. Whatever happened here... it left him drained.

Nova, on the other hand, looked like he'd passed out mid-sentence. Mouth slightly open, hair a mess of white tangles—he looked like some wayward ghost who'd given up haunting halfway through. Would've been funny if he wasn't unconscious in the middle of nowhere.

"Nova." I crouched beside him, giving his shoulder a shake. "Wake up, idiot."

No response. Typical.

I tried again, a little rougher this time. "Come on, Nova. If you died in the middle of this forest, I'm going to find a way to revive you just so I can kill you myself."

Suddenly, he shot upright like he'd been jolted by a Thunderbolt. And then—

"AaaaaaaAAAAHHH!"

A high-pitched, absolutely undignified scream tore from his throat as he scrambled backward, arms flailing wildly as if I were some vengeful spirit who had come to collect his soul. He ended up huddled against a rock, eyes wide and frantic, clutching at his chest like he'd barely escaped death.

Our eyes met—his filled with panic, mine with pure, baffled surprise.

"Okay… Seriously?" I deadpanned, folding my arms as I stared him down. "What the hell was that?"

He blinked, clearly disoriented, but his expression shifted from terror to something more familiar—annoyance mixed with embarrassment.

"Don't… don't sneak up on me like that," Nova snapped, trying and failing to smooth his hair down. "Thought you were—" He hesitated, eyes flicking around the clearing. "Thought you were something else."

"Oh, sure. Like I could ever compare to whatever nightmare you just conjured up in that thick skull of yours." I rolled my eyes, the tension easing slightly. "What the hell happened to you two? Why are you out cold in the middle of a forest like a pair of overgrown toddlers who wandered off during nap time?"

"Uh…" He glanced to his side, finally noticing Lucas's unconscious form. "Shit."

"Yeah, 'shit' is right. You two look like you went ten rounds with a Garchomp and came out the losers."

Nova let out a groan, rubbing his head as he tried to piece together whatever disaster they'd walked themselves into.

"Look, all I remember is... there was a battle. Big, messy, and way above my pay grade. We were trying to get away and then… I dunno, everything just went dark." He scowled, clearly irritated at his own lack of memory. "Damn it. How long have we been out?"

"I found you two a couple of minutes ago. As for how long you've been here? No idea."

Nova's shoulders sagged, the exhaustion finally hitting him. His eyes drifted back to Lucas, concern flickering across his face.

"He's breathing, just so you know." I added, my voice softer this time. "But whatever you two got yourselves into… it clearly took a toll."

"Sounds about right," he muttered. Then, like a switch flipped, he glanced around with a more serious expression. "Wait. How far did you come? Where even are we?"

I gestured to the colorful stones surrounding the clearing, their polished surfaces gleaming in the sunlight. "Found this place after weeks of trekking through forest and plains. You guys are lucky I even spotted you here."

"Lucky, huh?" Nova gave a weak chuckle before leaning his head back against the stone. "If this is luck, then it has one hell of a sick sense of humor."

His gaze drifted past me, eyes narrowing slightly. "Hey, Aria. What's with the Fairy? Looks new."

I glanced down at my Fairy-type Pokémon, who was peeking shyly from behind my legs. "Yeah. Found her along the way. Only thing that kept me sane in this hellscape."

Nova's lips twitched into something resembling a smile. "Well, aren't you the little savior?" he said to the Pokémon, who cooed bashfully in response.

"Save the flirting for later." I snapped my fingers in front of his face. "You good to walk, or are you gonna pass out again?"

He groaned, rubbing his temples. "I'll manage. But first… we need to wake up Lucas. And maybe figure out how the hell we ended up here in the first place."

"You think I have answers?" I scoffed. "I've been lost for weeks, Nova. Just stumbled across you two by sheer dumb luck."

"Yeah, but you're not the one who got knocked out cold in a magic rock garden."

"True. I prefer not being a complete idiot."

He chuckled despite himself, but the amusement faded quickly as he looked back at Lucas. "Help me get him up. And… maybe be ready. If we were chased here, then someone's bound to come looking."

"Perfect," I muttered. "Just what I wanted. More morons trying to kill us."

"Welcome to my life." Nova shot me a wry grin before dragging himself over to Lucas's side.

And if you're wondering how Aria's talking to me so casually—well, I'm not some random NPC who'd just ignore someone I'm interested in. Yeah, I went out of my way to get to know her.

Kinda regret it now, though. She was way more tolerable before we actually started talking.

—-

Author's Notes

Yo!

This one's more of a filler chapter. Wanted to get something out quick after all those days of not posting.

Yeah, yeah—more mysteries. But don't worry, I'm cooking up something big. The next chapter's gonna be the largest one I've written so far... aiming for around 15k to 20k words. That chapter alone should cover about 75% of this arc. Or maybe I'll just write until I hit that 75% mark.

In case you're wondering how far we've made it so far? Probably around 15 to 20%. Yeah, it's a long arc, but I'm telling you, the end is gonna be worth the read. At least I hope so. So keep reading and let me know if it paid off.

Also, shoutout to my guy NB for coming in clutch with a fast edit this time. Seriously, drop a 'HIP HIP HOORAY NB, HE THE GOAT' in the comments. Let's get him out of that depression, yeah?

Signing off,

SG

Editor's Note:-

HIP HIP HOORAY I AM THE GOAT.

NB