The Crystal Chronicles. Chapter 4: Future Down Under
October 23, 2043. Perth, Australia. We see Brendan lying on the floor of a rundown pharmacy. A young boy about the same age as Brendan looks upon him. He also has red hair and wears a denim jacket with denim light blue jeans with brown boots on his feet. He looks like something out of a glamorized Hollywood cowboy movie. He’s shocked as Brendan’s eyes finally open starring up at a ceiling.
“G’day mate! Are you alright?!” The boy asks excitedly. He has a light Australian accent that could pass for an American one.
“Huh...uh...yeah.” Brendan replies. “?! He takes a quick look around with his head still pinned to the cold floor. Glass and broken furniture litter the ground. Medicine bottles and drugs are scattered along the counters. He then realizes that something is missing...
“?! Nardi?! Where’s Nardi? Arceus?!! Jacques?!! What’s going on, where are they all!?!” Brendan exclaiming with his arms in the air.
“Whoa, mate calm down. I don’t know what happened to ya, but I’ll explain as best I can. “Found ya outside Perth here in Western Australia passed out; starring lifeless in the sky. It was 36 degrees centigrade out there when I found ya! Any longer, and you woulduh been fried bacon roastin' in the sun if you know what I mean! You’ve been in a coma-like state for days now. I had taken you to the Perth Infirmary, but it was attacked by--”
“What?!? Australia??!! Brendan abruptly interrupted in shock. What are you talking about? I was in France with Jacques before Arceus...”
“You met Arceus?” The boy asked.
“Yeah he said something about being the “god of all Pokémon” and changing the fu-...wait...What’s today?”
“ October 23. A Monday.” The boy replied.
“...What year?” Brendan said.
“The year 2043 of course. what, the year's almost over and still haven’t adjusted to writin' the date?” The boy replied.
Brendan’s stomach sank. It felt as though as it was in a knot. Twisting tighter and tighter around the realization of what had happened. He was not only in another part of the world, but in a totally different time period.
“T-this is just too much...” Brendan broke down... “I-I’m a Pokémon trainer from the year 2008 and you’re telling me I’m here in Australia 35 years into the future?!”
“Ha ha! That’s a good one! Brendan; haven’t heard that one before!” The boy chuckles a bit but quickly stops realizing he’s the only one laughing. Brendan has a blank look on his face, confused.
“Arc-Toxin...I bet.” The boy replied.
“...What?” Brendan asked.
“You met Arceus, no? His power as a Pokémon is incredible and can alter human perception of thoughts and memories. If you’re near him, they say people can experience amnesia and end up in this state; uh, like you are. Sometimes a severe case can cause people to faint and such upon contact; like you did. That’s what’s known as Arc-Toxin.” The boy replied. “Don’t worry mate, the toxin wears off after a while. I’ll help you get your memory back; no worries!”
“Th-thanks.” Brendan said. “Who are you anyway?”
“Me? Name’s Tye. I’m a local pharmacy intern here in Perth although I grew up on the eastern side in Melbourne. What about you?
Brendan paused to get a better look at Tye. He stood up and finally said. “Brendan...my name’s Brendan Bonasera. You know... you look a lot like me.”
“Heh! I think it’s just the red hair Brendan! Ha! I was surprised too a bit when I saw ya! “Where are you from?” Tye asked.
“...New York City, but I was vacationing in Nice, France when all this took place. I-I just don’t know what to make sense of it...”
“I’ll help you get your memory back in no time; no worries mate!” Tye said. “I’m sure you ended up here for a reason! Now, Let’s go see that Pokémon that was with you.”
“?! You mean Nardi; I mean Pikachu!? Is he ok?!”
“Slow down, man. Ha ha! Nardi’s a nice name. He’s your Pokémon?”
“YES!” Brendan practically screamed.
“Wow! You’re remembering stuff already; cheers! I checked him into the local Pokémon center here in Perth. It’s one of the few places that haven’t been harmed.”
Brendan looks around at the smashed Pharmacy for a moment and replies:
“What happened here?”
“...I think its best I explain all that on the way to get your Pokémon, Brendan. Talking bout' it may help jog your memory after all.” Tye confidently replied.
“Alright, well let’s go!” Brendan said.
The two headed off to see Nardi. Tye does not see the whole picture of Brendan’s predicament, and Brendan does not understand the world he’s been thrown into. One thing’s for sure, he’s found someone that may be able to help him in right direction in uncovering the truth behind Arceus and his new found world...