Chapter 1 - "Where am I?"

The soft warm breeze of the wind flew past my face as I laid there. Unconscious. My long brown hair moving in the wind as my pale white body was embedded into the grass. My clothes were old but very torn for some reason. 

The shade of the tree above me provided some protection from the sun. However, eventually, the sun's bright rays broke through the thick leaves and landed on my face. My face twists and converts as I become uncomfortable in this new state. My eyes soon squint a little tighter as the light hits my closed eyelids, causing my sleepless body to slowly awaken from its slumber. 

I soon slowly open my eyes, being blinded by the bright environment around me. My chocolate coloured eyes eyed the tree above me before its trunk. I then turn my head down to look at the grass I was laying on. It was long but also soft to the touch. 

My mind then finally woke up and it began to race as many questions flooded my mind. I then jolt up into a sitting position as one question stood out from all the rest. 

'Wait... where am I?!'

I look around at my surroundings. I seemed to be in a forest of sorts with trees scattered everywhere, me being under one of them. There were flowers, shrubs and other greenery littered around and I could hear the sounds of the animals around me. I soon started to collect my thoughts. The last time I remember, I wasn't in the middle of a field, nor was my memory this foggy. I couldn't remember anything previous to my awakening.

"What in the hell..." That is all I could mumble before I shook my head, hoping this was all a dream. Though I knew deep down, it was too real to be one.

I soon slowly stood up and that was when I noticed something. The trees were extremely bigger and wider than normal trees. I have never seen trees being like this before, ever. I was a very adventurous person from what I remember, and I don't remember trees being like that. 

I eventually explored the area and discovered various plants, flowers, animals and even some fauna that I never had seen before. This caused my heart to race as this made me guess I wasn't in my world anymore. 

This only made me worry as lingering thoughts and doubts entered my mind. 'Is this world dangerous? Safe? Are there humans here? Or have they been all killed off? Were humans even in this world, to begin with?' I gulp, soon suppressing everything to attempt to calm down. Maybe I was just getting ahead of myself. I could still be in my world. Maybe my roommate brought me to this place in my sleep to scare me or something! 

I smile in hopes this was the answer when deep down I knew it wasn't plausible. I soon look around and decided there must be someplace out there safe for me. So I began to walk in a straight line in hopes to spot maybe a town, or a path to go off on. If there is the slightest chance I could be in a different world. Where there are intelligent species that could be friendly. I have to find them.

After some walking, I soon stumble across a forest clearing that led out of the forest. Within it were a beautiful pond, benched tables and a path. Attached to the path were these lamposts, similar to those you'd see on streets. I could see from where I was standing, this seemed to be a sort of park. I was so relieved to see all of this, as it indicated there might be civilization or even a town nearby.

I slowly left the treeline and circled the pond towards the path. I then head down it to try to find help. As I walked, I watched as the tops of a city started to form in the distance. I smiled, being filled with relief as I was finally getting somewhere. 

When getting closer to the city, I noticed a sign ahead of me. I quickened my pace and stopped in front of it. It read, "Tropical Moon - A place for all Pokemon big and small!!" with a weird character standing on two legs beside the name of what I guessed was the city. I also was very happy to see my own language in this world. Maybe humans really were in this world! 

Now, the character on the sign was a sight to behold. It was coated with brown fur, it had a bushy tail that has a cream-coloured tip, and a furry collar that is also cream-coloured. It also had brown eyes, big ears, and pink paw pads. It looked like an animal, but if combined with a human. 

That's when an idea popped into my head. If this was a different world like I previously guessed, would this thing be one of the species in this world? Or was it just the city's mascot? All my questions would be quickly answered if I just head into the city. So I continued my walk.

I soon enter the city and walk down a sidewalk past all the very tall buildings. The more I walked, the more my heart sank. I look around, noticing more and more of all of the city's residents. All being very much not human. They all kind of resembled the character I saw on the sign, but they all differed with colours, size, shapes and... species? Most of them being much bigger than I was.

I became more nervous the more I walked. All the buildings seemingly looking normal to me. Office buildings, shops, markets, apartments, all sorts. Some buildings being bigger than others, but not in the way you think I mean. I mean some had bigger windows, entrances and doors. Most likely for the different sized creatures.

I soon stop in front of a cafe and look up at its brand name. I tilt my head and soon move over to a store, looking at its brand name as well. That's when it clicked, these names, I had never seen before. This only added to my stress. I mean, if those names of businesses were different. What is to say everything else is different?

During my walk, I kept passing more and more of these creatures by the minute. Some giving me looks, mostly due to my clothing, but others minded their own business. I began to panic, feeling the centre of attention. This made me quicken my pace before dipping into an alleyway. 

My breathing began to quicken as I started to have a panic attack. I quickly found a spot in between two dumpsters. I soon crouch down in between them both. I put my hands over my head and began to have a breakdown. My head tried to process everything, but I was overcome with fear and loneliness. 

I was alone in a new world with new creatures I had never seen before. On top of that, I didn't know if their spoken language was the same as mine or not. Were they even friendly to begin with? What if they ended up attacking me? Or even killing me?! What if--

"Hey... Ma'am? Are you okay? You look stressed." 

A soft and calm voice spoke just metres away from me. I snapped back to reality and shot my head up at the speaker. It was dark, but not too dark to see him. He was tall, and I mean tall. I was 5'6'' and I could tell he was a good 6' or even taller from where I was sat down. He wore a dark blue hoodie, some dark trousers and some black shoes and socks. 

He was covered in dark orange fur, having these bifurcated ears which were brown on the outside and yellow on the inside. The ends of the ears ending in a distinctive curl. He had a dark brown nose and on both of his cheeks was one circular yellow marking. He had very human-like hands, though aside from the fur and the short claws at the end of each fingertip. He also had a long, thin tail that had a lightning bolt-shaped end, sharing the same colouring as the yellow on the inside of his ears. 

I just sat there, looking up at him in total shock. I was both confused about who he was and why he came to me. Did he see me and follow me into the alleyway? But why? Is he going to kill me? Or was he... actually showing concern? I seriously didn't know. For all I know, it could be anything. 

I soon remember he had asked me a question. I was too shy and scared to answer back, so all I gave him was a slow shake of my head before looking down and sinking lower into more of a fetal position. 

I could hear him think to himself for a moment, seemingly processing my behaviour and response to his question. He also didn't seem to care about my clothing's state. He soon silently came closer to me. I watch as his legs come in front of me before stopping. He then squats down. 

"Right... Are you feeling sick or anything? Did anything happen to you?" He started to question in his calm voice. Being very mindful to not be very threatening towards me. This did make me feel a little better, getting me to slowly look up at him after his questions. He smiles warmly, showing no threat to me. 

"I..." I mumble softly, unable to explain how I was feeling or what even happened to me. "I... don't know..." I say, starting to break down. Not caring if he saw me cry or not. 

This causes him to react quickly, "Woah Woah! Don't cry! What happened? Did someone hurt you?" He asked, trying to get an idea of what happened to me. 

"No... I just..." I stutter, the tears coming out as my true thoughts came out in the open. "I don't know where I am..." I say, choking on my tears. 

When seeing my show of emotion, they soon came closer to me. Though I didn't care if they were going to hurt me. I just wanted to go back home. I was alone, vulnerable and scared. Anything could happen to me in this world and--

My thoughts were stopped by a soft and gentle embrace of the fuzzy creature. I slowly stopped crying as his big arms wrapped around me. Locking me in his soft hug. I soon dug my face into his shoulder before continuing to cry it out. 

He soon shushes me softly, rubbing my back gently as he tried to calm me down the best he could. "It's going to be okay, don't cry. I'm here. Okay?" He says before smiling, moving back to be face to face with me. He soon wipes my tears with his soft hands before smiling. "I'm Sparky. What's your name?"

Sparky. A weird name for a person, but I wasn't going to judge. This was a different world after all. Though, even know I only just met him, I could tell he was trustworthy. His eyes showed genuine concern and kindness. 

"I'm... Amy. My name is Amy." I reply softly, looking up at Sparky. He seemed to smile more at my reply, happy I was seemingly opening up to him.

"Amy, it's nice to meet you." He said, moving back a little. "Please, can you tell me what happened?" He asked, trying to figure out what happened to me.

"I... I'm not from here... this world, I mean. I've never seen something like you or anyone here for that matter. I'm... just so lost..." I then sunk back into a ball. "I just... want to go home..."

Sparky seemed to process this information. He had never seen something like me before, so he could tell I wasn't from around here. So the idea of me being from another world didn't really phase him, but at the time, I thought he wouldn't believe me. 

"I know you might not believe me... but plea--" I started.

"No, I believe you, Amy. Don't worry." He smiles softly, rubbing my shoulder. "It's obvious you're new to this world if you're acting like this. So come on, get up." He said, encouraging me to stand.

I nod and soon tried to stand, but my legs were weak. Sparky noticed this and helped me up. When on my feet I held onto Sparky's arm as if I were a lost kid. He smiles and embraces me once more. 

"Amy, there is nothing to really worry about. Everyone here won't hurt you. So please calm down a little, okay?" He assured me before leading me out of the Alleyway. "I think it's best if you come back with me to my place. To help you recover. It's also getting late, so I'd rather not leave you out here at night." 

He was right. I hadn't noticed, but the sky was dimming down closer to sunset. It also started to get colder. Though, his offer, his kindness showing no bounds. We only just met and he was offering me to stay at his home. I couldn't really decline this offer so I accepted. "That would help, thanks Sparky," I say with a smile as he led me down the streets of the city. 

"Please, you can just call me Spark." He said with a chuckle, which caused me to smile. I stayed close to him, our hands still holding. We got weird looks from passersby, but I stayed calm. Picturing them all as normal people did help a little. 

***

We soon reach this apartment complex which was a good ten minutes away from where Sparky first found me. He soon leads me up the dimly lit stairs. At that time, it had got dark, very dark. Though the street light did give off enough light for me to look around as we ascended the stairs. Soon we reach a door labelled, "63". 

Sparky soon lets go of my hand to quickly pull out his keys to unlock it. He goes inside and I soon follow, the door is closed and locked behind me. I then slowly take off my shoes to realise I had no socks on. I became embarrassed, hoping Sparky didn't notice. That's when I realized Sparky might not even care as he wasn't a human.

From where I stood, I could see into the apartment. I stood on a darkly coloured carpet, it being rather clean and soft. I soon look ahead down the hall that seemed to lead into a larger room with one side being a kitchen, living room and dining room. There being three doors, which I guessed were for the bedroom, bathroom and such. 

"A-are you sure you don't mind me staying in here?" I ask, looking back at Sparky as he approaches from behind. 

"Not really." He replies before walking past me and into the main room. "But anyway, it's getting pretty late. You should try getting a quick shower. I'll sleep on the couch, you can take my bed." He also adds, going into a room. 

I gingerly peek my head into the room to see it was his bedroom. "S-spark?" I asked, looking at him as he was fixing up his room a little. Seemingly getting it ready for me.

"Yeah?" He asked, looking over at me.

"I don't want to steal your own bed from you. If you want, I can sleep on the couch instead." I smile, trying to return at least a bit of his kindness. 

"You sure? We could always share it." He suggests the bed is quite big enough to fit both of us on it. After a short look at the bed and then Sparky, I nod shyly before stepping into the room. Sparky grabbed a towel and some spare clothes for me to wear. He then gives them to me. "Then it's settled then!" He said with a smile. "Now, quickly take a shower whilst I make you something."

I tilt my head once he mentioned making me something. "Making me something? Do you mean food?" I asked

"Yeah, I was thinking maybe a quick snack would be enough to last you until the morning." He said with a smile, being awfully too kind to me.

I could only nod before leaving the bedroom and heading into the bathroom. It was fairly big, but I recognised what everything was at least. I soon got undressed, bathed and soon dried up. Having used Sparky's shampoo and shower gel. I soon slip into the clothes that Sparky had given me. He had given me some soft PJs which were orange with brown stripes all over the shirt and bottoms. When I put them on I realize they were a bit big in size but I didn't complain. 

I soon brushed my hair with a clean hairbrush before soon leaving the bathroom. I look over at the kitchen to see Sparky cooking up something with this electric cooker. It reminded me of those triangle sandwich cookers you could buy. I soon walk up to Sparky. That's when I noticed Sparky was now wearing the same cute PJs I was wearing.

"H-hey, what're you cooking?" I asked, trying to peek around him for a look. 

"Some cheese on toast." He replied, turning around to face me. "How was the shower?" 

"It was good, though I did use your shampoo. And your shower gel..." I say softly, hoping he didn't mind.

"No, it's fine! I can always buy more. Though you do look much fresher after a shower and in some new pair of clothes." He smiles, looking at me from head to toe. "I mean, your old ones were... torn." 

"Yeah, they were like that when I woke up here. I don't know how or why they were like that though." I say, thinking back before I had woke up here. My memory is foggy, but I do remember my clothes not being torn. 

Sparky shrugs and soon turns back "Weird..." He soon opens up the electric cooker before quickly place two slices of cheese on toast onto a small plate. He then picks it up and gives me it. "Here you go, Amy."

I smile and take the plate. "Thanks, Spark." I smile before going over to the dining table, taking a seat before beginning to eat. As I do, I watch a Sparky cleaned up the cooker, seemingly not making himself something. I felt bad so after finishing my first slice, I look over at Sparky.

"Hey, Sparky. Come here." I say, which in turn he came over. 

"Yeah? What's wrong?" He asked, looking at me, the food, then back to me. 

"I want you to have the last slice, you're not making yourself anything and I feel kind of bad," I say, moving the plate towards him. He smiles warmly and looks at me.

"Amy, I've already eaten today. I also don't know how long you've gone without food. So please, just enjoy it. Okay?" He said with a chuckle, soon patting me on the head. 

"Okay," I say before he moved the plate back towards me. I soon ate the final slice and by that time, Sparky has cleaned and put away the cooker. When putting it away. I cleaned my plate before putting it into the drainer. 

Sparky looks at me and smiles before standing up straight. "Ready to head to bed Amy?" He asked, walking past me and towards the bedroom. 

I nod and soon we both go inside. I soon close the door behind me as my heart raced. I not long met Sparky, and now I was going to sleep in the same bed as him. Did he feel this same nervousness too? Or was it just me?

We soon slipped into bed, he faces me, being on his side. "Try to get some rest, okay? We'll see what we can do for you in the morning." He suggested before smiling. 

I nod before yawning. I looked at him, his soft fur, his soft and gently embrace from earlier. I missed it. So I nervously edged closer and closer until I was right in front of him. He was confused at first but smiled, nodding in approval. 

I smile and soon we hug. He nuzzled my face and my neck as we both got comfy. I held onto Sparky like the lifeline he was to me. If I lost him, I would be alone in this world. I didn't want to lose him. Ever. 

"Get some sleep, Amy." Are the only words I remember before my eyes drooped and closed. Finally drifting off to sleep.