Joshua isn't sure how long he's id in this spot.

  The sun on his face, the fresh breeze cool against his skin, the soft sand comfier than any bed. Scents of salt fill his nostrils, and the sound of shifting waves makes him truly wonder if he's found Heaven.

  It's not a field of grass he's id on, just a small patch that tickled his neck. An odd coincidence that is, though he supposes finding himself on a beach instead of a grassy pin is a nice change of pace.

  Everything is so… bright.

  Everything is so… colorful.

  Everything is so…

  Alive.

  He doesn't know when his crying turned to ughter, a hysterical bellow of relief that seemed to be a cry of triumph from his soul.

  He did it.

  Holy fuck.

  He DID it.

  The warmth in his chest isn't fluctuating anymore. It used to almost respond to him sometimes, but instead now it's just a solid constant hum of heat that he can only feel if he focuses.

  He takes that as confirmation.

  He made it out!

  His stomach hurts from ughing, but he can't bring himself to care.

  The aches in his body and the ck of sleep are yelling at him to take a nap, but he doesn't care.

  Joshua did it.

  He made it out.

  He SURVIVED.

  “Are you alive, my boy?”

  Joshua didn't notice the approaching figures, but their voice cut through the manic giggling.

  He's stunned into silence, habitually his hand reaches up to his chest at his cross.

  Turning his head he sees…

  Pokemon?

  “You gave me quite the shock, falling from the sky like that…”

  Behind them is a dark-skinned man wearing some kind of b coat, with a buttoned vest and striped trousers underneath. A bck bow tie is sat at his neck.

  And also the weird… blue… beanie? With a white fluffy ball ‘thing’ on the top.

  His face is quite round, with stubble on his face, the man reminds Joshua of a teddy bear.

  “But thank goodness, you seem unharmed”

  The man dusts off Joshua's shoulders and helps him sit up, his back protests with a dull ache, but since when has Joshua cared about his health?

  “What strange garbs… are you a warrior of some kind?”

  Joshua, who has been stunned that he's actually face to face with another human for the first time in a week, is taken out of his stupor and chuckles.

  “Something like that…”

  He looks around, a smile still spread on his face. A small coast sits around him, with a pin wooden pier and simple shack nearby.

  “So… where am I?”

  “Why, this is Prelude Beach, of course”

  Ah. Right. Neighbor to ‘Prologue Pza’.

  He seems confused for a moment, studying Joshua before his face settles to a sort of… realization.

  “Dear me, did the shock of your fall somehow addle your memory?”

  Why is he talking like that?

  With a firm hand, the man helps Joshua up to his feet.

  “Though I must say, your clothing is… unusual. You wouldn't happen to have an acquaintance in these parts, would you?”

  Joshua almost ughs at that, but he doesn't want to ugh in the face of someone's good will.

  “I doubt it”

  “I see… you seem to be in a bit of a pickle”

  He rubs his chin.

  “Might I offer some directions? Do you have somewhere around here you could stay?”

  Joshua looks along the grass, spotting the weathered red and white paint of pokeballs.

  “Excuse me for a moment” He says.

  Walking over, he quickly snatches the three of them up (...when did he get three?) and attaches them to his belt.

  Seeing that the pokeballs are alright, a sigh of relief leaves him, he turns around to meet the curious gaze of the man.

  “What strange pokeballs…” He mumbles.

  “I… No. I don't have anywhere to stay, can't say I know exactly where I am either”

  “So you don't know anyone here, and you don't even know where to spend the night…”

  The man hums to himself, a bit disgruntled.

  “Well… this is a proper pickle indeed. Are you quite sure you'll be able to survive?”

  This time, Joshua does ugh.

  Looking around.

  Joshua knows he shouldn't let hubris get to him, and he won't, but compared to the Nightmare World, this pce seems…

  Peaceful.

  But judging by the Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott at the man's feet (he finally remembered their names), he figures he shouldn't let down his guard too much.

  This is a Pokemon world.

  But he can't seem to recall… where. He's pyed the games, but after a certain Gen he fell out of the loop for the more modern games.

  So where is he?

  His eye catches something in the far distance.

  A tall, sprawling mountain with an icy peak.

  And a strange, fantastical storm spirals above it, like a cut made into space itself.

  Oh.

  At first, Joshua thinks that his luck somehow got worse.

  But as he thinks about it…

  This… isn't too bad, is it?

  “I should be fine”

  The man crosses his arms, in deep thought as he stares at Joshua for a while.

  “Are you… sure?”

  “Thank you, but I'm sure I'll be fine”

  The man's lips go thin.

  “Well… I see. But no gentleman would abandon a person in need!”

  He pulls out a small strip of paper and writes something down on it. Handing it to Joshua, he can see it's a note of… entry?

  “There is a humble vilge not far from here. It is called Jubalife. If you ever need entry, give this to the guardsmen and tell them I sent you”

  He smiles as Joshua puts it away.

  “Thank you”

  What a kind dude.

  Joshua holds out his hand to the man.

  “Joshua Abrams”

  The man blinks, then csps his hand with a strong grip. The smile on his face spread wider.

  “Oh my apologies, I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Laventon… I am a… Pokemon Professor, of sorts! I study Pokemon!”

  “The Pokemon that are running away right now?”

  “The… pardon?”

  He snaps his head around, seeing the three Pokemon quickly run into the distance.

  “Wait- NO!!!”