It was the finals of the Pokémon Contest Spectacular. Everyone in the city was gathering around, excited to see what kind of tricks each Trainer's pokémon would use in order to try and take home the gold.

Everyone, it seemed, but me; my eyes were set on the outskirts of town. There was a super spooky mansion there, and I wanted to see what kind of neat things lay within. The vibes I got from it reminded me of the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town, before it was replaced by the Radio Tower. Rumors told of the ghost of a dead pokémon that haunted the premises, and some people actually got possessed! Eeeeee, it sounded so exciting! I wish I could have gone!

Well, now that I was a Pokémon Trainer, I wasn't going to miss a chance to visit any eerie areas because I was 'tOo yOuNg'—and that included now. Maybe I'd find belongings from the previous owner, or run into some cobwebs, or even find an actual ghost to befriend! I was already shivering with anticipation.

A sudden shout towards the entrance of the Contest caught my attention, and I looked to see what caused it. Apparently, two people had gotten into an argument, and a fight was breaking out? Well, I thought, it's definitely a good thing that I'm not heading over th—

That's when life as I knew it would irrevocably change forever.

In my inattentiveness, I tripped over myself, crashing into someone. I fell into the stranger, who managed to keep their footing, holding me up with their body.

"I—" I started as I looked at them, words failing me. My heart thudded; my mouth went dry; my breathing quickened; my stomach turned in knots. It had been so long since I'd felt human touch.

My mind knew that I was falling much, much too fast. My heart didn't care. In that moment, I felt It: the bonds of Destiny pulling at me, demanding to get to know the person before me.

I moved back, meeting their eyes. "H-Hi," I said in a meek, but appreciative voice. "Thank you for not letting me fall. I really… really appreciate it."