Hi! I thought I'd try my hand at writing a fanfic, so, well, you get this. Let me know if there are any typos/spelling/grammar errors!
Chapter 1
Rain pattered against my window. I watched the drops mount up, coalesce and then slowly slide down the pane, gathering speed as they picked up more water until they dropped out of sight below the sill. Sigh. I was bored. Bored, bored, bored. It was meant to be the middle of summer, but you’d never know it by the weather; threatening grey clouds loomed overhead, and the rain had kept up its incessant chatter for three days.
I’d been really looking forward to the summer holidays, but this weather was putting a downer on everything. It didn’t help that my friends had all gone abroad to exotic locations, whilst I was stuck at home. My Mum said that with the new baby and Dad out of work we just didn’t have enough money for a proper holiday, and so here I was.
Not that I’m complaining about Ella, mind you. She does cry an awful lot but that’s only to be expected; and she makes up for it the way she smiles at me and grabs my finger. But today Mum had taken her to the Mother and Baby group so I was all alone.
I turned away from the window to look for something to do. Books? Read them all. DS, Wii? Nothing I really felt like playing. Guess I’d just watch some TV, then. I flicked through the channels, before settling on some antiques programme. I’m not all that keen on antiques, but there was nothing else on.
Ten minutes later and I was beginning to zone out. The red team had managed to get minus £250 at the auction which was pretty impressive, but not really spectacular enough to drag me out of my doldrums. I was about to turn the TV off when I suddenly thought I heard a noise, a kind of buzzing sound.
“Hello?”
The empty house made no reply, and I felt a bit sheepish. Deciding it had been my imagination I flicked the TV off and stood up to go and make some lunch, when I heard it again; this time there was no mistaking it. It was a high pitched buzzing, but I couldn’t tell where it was coming from.
“Is anyone there?”
As I spoke out the noise got louder, until I was clasping my ears in pain.
“Stop it! Hello!? What is this?”
Unabating, the noise pierced into my head, driving a pneumatic drill into my brain. I screwed my eyes up and dropped to the floor as it reached its crescendo, culminating in the worst sound yet and a flash of brilliant light that almost burned through my closed eyelids. Panting, I opened my eyes, only to blink in shock.
Where I’d expected to see the dull grey of our living room carpet, instead I could see a riot of green spikes, which I recognised belatedly as grass. The light was also brighter; more like midday sunshine on a proper summer’s day than the gloomy energy saving bulb in our lounge. Somehow I’d got outside. I tried to stand up and look around, when I got my second nasty shock; I couldn’t move! I was lying facedown on the ground, but when I tried to push myself up it was as though my arms and legs didn’t exist. The command left my brain, then just stopped somewhere on the way to its destination. Had the noise paralysed me, as well as bringing me outside? I was felling pretty scared now and shut my eyes again, hoping this was just a waking dream.
Arms and legs. I could imagine moving them, picture it so clearly, but nothing happened. Maybe if I concentrated hard enough I could force a signal through to them? I envisaged my arms, not particularly strong but mine, capable of pushing me up, and my legs, knobbly knees, smelly feet and all. If I could just move! Suddenly there was a rush of sensation as feeling came back to my limbs. Almost crying, I opened my eyes and sat up; I could move again! Just as I’d imagined, I could push myself up, and… whoa! Where were my clothes!?
I took my first good look around me. I was sitting, naked, in a grassy clearing with tall trees all around. The midsummer sun beat down above me; there was no way I was still in rain stricken Cheltenham. I blushed scarlet; it didn’t look like there was anyone nearby, but still, this was hideously embarrassing! I had to find some clothes, and fast. Standing up, I quickly made my way to the trees, trying to put my horrible paralysis behind me and wondering where on earth I could be.
It looked as though the forest stretched on for quite a way, and there was no sign of a path I could see. On the one hand this meant there was less chance of anyone seeing me like this, but on the other hand it meant I was unlikely to find any clothes lying around. Shrugging mentally I decided I may as well start walking; with all directions looking the same, one was just as good as another.
I winced as I left the grassy area; I’d forgotten about my bare feet. The forest floor was littered with fallen pine cones, sticks and long-dead leaves, with stones pushing up through the ground here and there. Not ideal to wander around barefoot in. Trying to grit my teeth and bear it, I started out more carefully, making sure to watch where I was going.
As I travelled the silence of the forest began to unnerve me. I’d been walking in the woods fairly frequently at home, and it struck me that one thing was conspicuously missing; the birdsong. Usually you’d get a cacophony of different calls and songs, but here I could only pick out one cooing call and nothing else. I tried to catch sight of the bird making the noise, but couldn’t manage to see them. I’m quite fond of bird watching, so I should at least have been able to tell if it was a local species, but the dense foliage hid them too well.
After about an hour’s trek I came upon what seemed to be a manmade path. Finally, civilisation! Realising I’d rather be embarrassed than lost for any longer I turned down it. All paths have to lead somewhere, right? The going was easier underfoot, too. Hoping I could reach somewhere before it got dark I hurried along, when I heard voices up ahead. I slowed down and thought about my appearance once more. Anyone would be startled if a naked boy suddenly jumped out at them… Perhaps I could approach and keep my dignity intact? The path was flanked by tall ferns here, which might offer some concealment. Turning aside I ripped up several plants to fashion some rough clothing from, hoping the people didn’t get too far away. Thus attired I set out after them.
Hurrying forward, I thought about what I could say to them. Hello, I accidentally mislaid my clothes; could you tell me what country I’m in? It occurred to me they might not even speak English, but I decided to cross that bridge if I came to it.
Rounding a corner, I abruptly came upon the two travellers. They were a girl and boy, about the same age as me. Both of them had good quality backpacks on; they’d obviously come prepared for a hike in the woods. I nervously began.
“Um, excuse me…”
They turned round, and I saw their eyes widen in surprise.
“Is that… a hula skirt?”
I mentally thanked the brainwave that had led me to use the ferns. At least now I was met with mere bafflement that someone would come outside in just a grass skirt, rather than screams and an arrest for public indecency. And they spoke English! My luck was really in! Well, if you don’t count the being teleported to a mysterious forest and paralysed.
“Ah! Um, well, not really. I, uh, woke up and all my clothes were missing… You wouldn’t happen to have any spare, would you?”
They were obviously surprised and a bit wary of my request, but the boy replied that yes, he had some spare clothes I could use. Thanking him profusely I struggled into them, as they turned away to give me some privacy.
Whilst I hurriedly dressed I thought about the two people. It was certainly kind of them to help out a complete stranger like me. Both of them had straight brown hair, the boy’s cropped short whilst the girl’s hung down to her shoulders. There was something slightly Oriental about their appearance, but not anything I could place as a specific country; and their accents were pretty normal. Maybe a slight American twang? The boy had been quick to offer help and seemed kind; the girl seemed like she was struggling to contain a fit of the giggles… Well, I couldn’t really blame her. I finished dressing and told them it was okay to turn back around.
“You really helped me there. I’m really grateful.”
“Don’t mention it,” said the boy. “How did you manage to lose your clothes, anyway?”
“Um, like I said, I woke up in a clearing and they were gone. This might sound odd, but… Where am I?”
“You’re kidding, right?” The girl said. “How could you fall asleep and not notice someone taking your clothes? And how could you not know where we are? This is Viridian Forest!”
Uh huh, I thought. Viridian Forest.
“Um, when you say Viridian Forest… Do you mean, like in Pokémon?”
“Well, there are Pokémon in it, but it’s not in Pokémon… Honestly, what’s wrong with you?” She said.
“Wait, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that this is Viridian Forest, and there are really Pokémon in it?”
“Well, of course! There are Pokémon everywhere! Sheesh.”
“Are you alright?” The boy asked. “Maybe we should take you to a hospital or something…”
“No, I think I’m okay. Just give me a minute.”
So, according to this girl, I was in the world of Pokémon. Well, after being transported here in a flash I could believe almost anything, but this?
“Do you… have any Pokémon?”
“Of course we do! We’re Pokémon Trainers!”
“Well, we only just started,” the boy interjected. “But yes, we’ve got one each.”
“Watch this!” said the girl. “Charmander, go!”
Grabbing what definitely looked like a Pokéball from an inside pocket, she hurled it to the ground.
“Char! Charmander, Char!”
A Charmander. A real, fire breathing Charmander, in front of me. I felt like I was going to faint.
Chapter 1
Rain pattered against my window. I watched the drops mount up, coalesce and then slowly slide down the pane, gathering speed as they picked up more water until they dropped out of sight below the sill. Sigh. I was bored. Bored, bored, bored. It was meant to be the middle of summer, but you’d never know it by the weather; threatening grey clouds loomed overhead, and the rain had kept up its incessant chatter for three days.
I’d been really looking forward to the summer holidays, but this weather was putting a downer on everything. It didn’t help that my friends had all gone abroad to exotic locations, whilst I was stuck at home. My Mum said that with the new baby and Dad out of work we just didn’t have enough money for a proper holiday, and so here I was.
Not that I’m complaining about Ella, mind you. She does cry an awful lot but that’s only to be expected; and she makes up for it the way she smiles at me and grabs my finger. But today Mum had taken her to the Mother and Baby group so I was all alone.
I turned away from the window to look for something to do. Books? Read them all. DS, Wii? Nothing I really felt like playing. Guess I’d just watch some TV, then. I flicked through the channels, before settling on some antiques programme. I’m not all that keen on antiques, but there was nothing else on.
Ten minutes later and I was beginning to zone out. The red team had managed to get minus £250 at the auction which was pretty impressive, but not really spectacular enough to drag me out of my doldrums. I was about to turn the TV off when I suddenly thought I heard a noise, a kind of buzzing sound.
“Hello?”
The empty house made no reply, and I felt a bit sheepish. Deciding it had been my imagination I flicked the TV off and stood up to go and make some lunch, when I heard it again; this time there was no mistaking it. It was a high pitched buzzing, but I couldn’t tell where it was coming from.
“Is anyone there?”
As I spoke out the noise got louder, until I was clasping my ears in pain.
“Stop it! Hello!? What is this?”
Unabating, the noise pierced into my head, driving a pneumatic drill into my brain. I screwed my eyes up and dropped to the floor as it reached its crescendo, culminating in the worst sound yet and a flash of brilliant light that almost burned through my closed eyelids. Panting, I opened my eyes, only to blink in shock.
Where I’d expected to see the dull grey of our living room carpet, instead I could see a riot of green spikes, which I recognised belatedly as grass. The light was also brighter; more like midday sunshine on a proper summer’s day than the gloomy energy saving bulb in our lounge. Somehow I’d got outside. I tried to stand up and look around, when I got my second nasty shock; I couldn’t move! I was lying facedown on the ground, but when I tried to push myself up it was as though my arms and legs didn’t exist. The command left my brain, then just stopped somewhere on the way to its destination. Had the noise paralysed me, as well as bringing me outside? I was felling pretty scared now and shut my eyes again, hoping this was just a waking dream.
Arms and legs. I could imagine moving them, picture it so clearly, but nothing happened. Maybe if I concentrated hard enough I could force a signal through to them? I envisaged my arms, not particularly strong but mine, capable of pushing me up, and my legs, knobbly knees, smelly feet and all. If I could just move! Suddenly there was a rush of sensation as feeling came back to my limbs. Almost crying, I opened my eyes and sat up; I could move again! Just as I’d imagined, I could push myself up, and… whoa! Where were my clothes!?
I took my first good look around me. I was sitting, naked, in a grassy clearing with tall trees all around. The midsummer sun beat down above me; there was no way I was still in rain stricken Cheltenham. I blushed scarlet; it didn’t look like there was anyone nearby, but still, this was hideously embarrassing! I had to find some clothes, and fast. Standing up, I quickly made my way to the trees, trying to put my horrible paralysis behind me and wondering where on earth I could be.
It looked as though the forest stretched on for quite a way, and there was no sign of a path I could see. On the one hand this meant there was less chance of anyone seeing me like this, but on the other hand it meant I was unlikely to find any clothes lying around. Shrugging mentally I decided I may as well start walking; with all directions looking the same, one was just as good as another.
I winced as I left the grassy area; I’d forgotten about my bare feet. The forest floor was littered with fallen pine cones, sticks and long-dead leaves, with stones pushing up through the ground here and there. Not ideal to wander around barefoot in. Trying to grit my teeth and bear it, I started out more carefully, making sure to watch where I was going.
As I travelled the silence of the forest began to unnerve me. I’d been walking in the woods fairly frequently at home, and it struck me that one thing was conspicuously missing; the birdsong. Usually you’d get a cacophony of different calls and songs, but here I could only pick out one cooing call and nothing else. I tried to catch sight of the bird making the noise, but couldn’t manage to see them. I’m quite fond of bird watching, so I should at least have been able to tell if it was a local species, but the dense foliage hid them too well.
After about an hour’s trek I came upon what seemed to be a manmade path. Finally, civilisation! Realising I’d rather be embarrassed than lost for any longer I turned down it. All paths have to lead somewhere, right? The going was easier underfoot, too. Hoping I could reach somewhere before it got dark I hurried along, when I heard voices up ahead. I slowed down and thought about my appearance once more. Anyone would be startled if a naked boy suddenly jumped out at them… Perhaps I could approach and keep my dignity intact? The path was flanked by tall ferns here, which might offer some concealment. Turning aside I ripped up several plants to fashion some rough clothing from, hoping the people didn’t get too far away. Thus attired I set out after them.
Hurrying forward, I thought about what I could say to them. Hello, I accidentally mislaid my clothes; could you tell me what country I’m in? It occurred to me they might not even speak English, but I decided to cross that bridge if I came to it.
Rounding a corner, I abruptly came upon the two travellers. They were a girl and boy, about the same age as me. Both of them had good quality backpacks on; they’d obviously come prepared for a hike in the woods. I nervously began.
“Um, excuse me…”
They turned round, and I saw their eyes widen in surprise.
“Is that… a hula skirt?”
I mentally thanked the brainwave that had led me to use the ferns. At least now I was met with mere bafflement that someone would come outside in just a grass skirt, rather than screams and an arrest for public indecency. And they spoke English! My luck was really in! Well, if you don’t count the being teleported to a mysterious forest and paralysed.
“Ah! Um, well, not really. I, uh, woke up and all my clothes were missing… You wouldn’t happen to have any spare, would you?”
They were obviously surprised and a bit wary of my request, but the boy replied that yes, he had some spare clothes I could use. Thanking him profusely I struggled into them, as they turned away to give me some privacy.
Whilst I hurriedly dressed I thought about the two people. It was certainly kind of them to help out a complete stranger like me. Both of them had straight brown hair, the boy’s cropped short whilst the girl’s hung down to her shoulders. There was something slightly Oriental about their appearance, but not anything I could place as a specific country; and their accents were pretty normal. Maybe a slight American twang? The boy had been quick to offer help and seemed kind; the girl seemed like she was struggling to contain a fit of the giggles… Well, I couldn’t really blame her. I finished dressing and told them it was okay to turn back around.
“You really helped me there. I’m really grateful.”
“Don’t mention it,” said the boy. “How did you manage to lose your clothes, anyway?”
“Um, like I said, I woke up in a clearing and they were gone. This might sound odd, but… Where am I?”
“You’re kidding, right?” The girl said. “How could you fall asleep and not notice someone taking your clothes? And how could you not know where we are? This is Viridian Forest!”
Uh huh, I thought. Viridian Forest.
“Um, when you say Viridian Forest… Do you mean, like in Pokémon?”
“Well, there are Pokémon in it, but it’s not in Pokémon… Honestly, what’s wrong with you?” She said.
“Wait, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that this is Viridian Forest, and there are really Pokémon in it?”
“Well, of course! There are Pokémon everywhere! Sheesh.”
“Are you alright?” The boy asked. “Maybe we should take you to a hospital or something…”
“No, I think I’m okay. Just give me a minute.”
So, according to this girl, I was in the world of Pokémon. Well, after being transported here in a flash I could believe almost anything, but this?
“Do you… have any Pokémon?”
“Of course we do! We’re Pokémon Trainers!”
“Well, we only just started,” the boy interjected. “But yes, we’ve got one each.”
“Watch this!” said the girl. “Charmander, go!”
Grabbing what definitely looked like a Pokéball from an inside pocket, she hurled it to the ground.
“Char! Charmander, Char!”
A Charmander. A real, fire breathing Charmander, in front of me. I felt like I was going to faint.
P) but I couldn't stop reading this. I'll be honest, when I saw that you were giving away free flawless dittos just for reading this I thought I'd just be able to get away with reading a chapter of it but somehow I found myself totally immersed in the story. Good job!