noticing by now that the chapters are on the shorter side...

also realized that .txt files already display preview, but putting it in description just in case, I guess?

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The Water-type had actually been in a state between sleep and consciousness from the moment he had hit the surface of the pond...

A voice penetrated the mental fog... "Are you okay?"

*Not really... I'm really tired, and I feel odd somehow...*

"Please open your eyes," it implored...

*...who exactly is that? I don't recognize that voice... they seem worried about me, though...*



He tentatively opened his eyes right as the ground shook wildly, knocking the Charmander off his feet and startling the Mudkip, albeit not enough to make him do more than close his eyes in fright.

"Are you okay?" the Fire-type asked again, after the tremors had subsided and he had staggered back up.

"Y-You're talking..."

"So?"

"Pokémon aren't supposed to talk... maybe Psychic types, but still not out loud..."

"Look," Charmander started, "this is a really weird prank, -"

"I guess I must be dreaming..."

"but I don't get how you right out of the sky as part of this-"

"but in the real world, humans and Pokémon can't really talk to each other-"

"wait-" the Fire-type said; "WAIT-" the Mudkip half-shouted, much more agitated...

"You've seen humans?"

"do I ache all over on one side because I FELL OUT OF THE SKY??" He attempted to get up, presumably to start pacing, but instead clumsily fell over into the water, partially got up again, and half-crawled toward a clearer, deeper part of the lake, partially curious to see just what was causing his lack of coordination and partially dreading what he would find...

"I've t-turned into a Mudkip..." he said in an almost questioning tone, hyperventilating at this point. "Please try to calm down," Charmander pleaded, not sure what to think about the Mudkip's origin, but knowing that the panic was genuine. After a few deep breaths, he concurred, "well, I guess there's no reason to be worried in a dream- ...wait a second... I've been blinking normally this whole time..." The Water-type seemed to be on the verge of fainting in shock now, but steeling himself again, he just said, "might as well just deal with what's right here and now..."

The conversation was rather effectively stopped by a nearby cry for help; the two 'mons came to a silent agreement and headed towards the sound, putting away their confusion for now...