"Ring! Ring! Ring!"
"Ugh, I hate school," I muttered to myself, slowly prying my eyes open. I glanced at the clock and my heart skipped a beat. It was already 7:35 AM. "Shoot! I woke up way too late! I've got to hurry!"
I scrambled out of bed, threw on some clothes, brushed my teeth in a blur, and sprinted out the door. I hopped on my bike, legs pumping furiously. To my surprise, I actually made it. It was only two minutes before the bell, but I wasn't late! I slipped into the classroom just as the final chime rang and slumped into my seat, catching my breath.
"Hey, why were you almost late again?" Paul whispered, leaning over.
"Sorry, I overslept," I hissed back.
"You always sleep too long," Paul teased with a quiet laugh.
"No, I don't!"
"Whatever. Anyway, how about we hit the mall after school?"
"Sounds great!" I replied.
Paul was my best friend; we had known each other for nine years. The rest of the school day crawled by without anything special happening. When the final bell rang, I packed my bag and met Paul at the front gates.
"Come on, let's go," Paul urged. "I heard there's a new comic store I want to check out."
"Alright, alright, I'm coming," I laughed.
We entered the mall and were walking toward the shop when, suddenly, a sharp crack echoed behind me. Then another. Screams erupted. I saw people diving for cover and running in every direction. My blood ran cold as I spotted men with guns firing into the crowd. I locked eyes with Paul, and we immediately bolted in the opposite direction.
But then, out of nowhere, a searing, sharp pain exploded in the back of my head. My legs gave out. I hit the floor hard, and my vision began to spiral into a cold, dark void.
The next time I opened my eyes, I was floating in a black abyss. I couldn't feel anything—not my arms, my legs, or even the ground beneath me.
Did I just die? I wondered, panic rising in my chest. Is Paul okay? What happened to him? Please, let him be okay...
Suddenly, a blinding light pierced the darkness, shining directly into my face. I struggled to keep my eyes open as the abyss transformed from pitch black to a brilliant, endless white.
"Hello, wandering soul," a voice echoed, vibrating through my very being.
"What? Who's there?" I called out, shielding my eyes.
"Fear not, young one."
"Tell me who you are!" I demanded, my voice trembling.
"I am Arceus, and I am here to grant you a new life."
I froze. "What do you mean, 'new life'?"
"As you know, your time in your world has ended," Arceus explained calmly. "I am here to grant you a second chance in another dimension."
"Where?"
"I shall reincarnate you in my world—the world of Pokémon. You shall take on a new name and a new form."
"A new form?" I stammered.
"From this moment on, you shall be known as Celebi! I wish you the best of luck."
"No, wait! I have so many questions!" I shouted, but the light intensified until it swallowed everything. My consciousness faded once again into the unknown.