The Long Sleep

a story by Golett-anon

I woke up much earlier than usual, somewhat startled by the grating sound of landscaping directly outside my bedroom window. Right... First Saturday of the month... What time is it...? I look over to my nightstand, where I miraculously left my phone the night prior as opposed to it being lost within the folds my comforters. Among the trinkets and keepsakes dotted on top of it, are a few rings that seem out of place for a young adult male's bedroom. I try to ignore them, a reminder of times in my life where desperation and escapism blended, bordering on schizophrenia and insanity. I reach over and take hold of my phone, clicking the power button to check the time. Ten past seven... again. Ugh. I get that it's their job, but do they have to start this fucking early every time?

I lay my head back down on my pillow and stare upwards at the ceiling fan in my room, running fast enough to circulate air, but not so fast as to make noise that could wake me. The landscapers move away from my room, the noise getting quieter as I'm left alone with myself. How many times have I done th- I cut the thought short. Repetition, my oldest enemy, rearing its predictable head once more to make a mockery of who I am. It's been a long time since this feeling plagued me. I wasn't ready for it to come back. Suddenly a torrent of repressed emotions surge their way into my head, making the act of passive thought unbearable. The loudest one was guilt. I sit upright and push my fingers through the blindfolds, to peek out the window and look at the driveway. Car's gone. Mom's out for work already. Another reminder, stressing on that feeling of guilt. I try to compose myself. Stop it. You know why it's like this, and it's not you. Upbringing, if you can even call it that, wasn't perfect, they weren't always there, and you're just making what you can of your circumstances. That's wishful thinking though, isn't it? No. It's the truth and you fucking know it. I let out a deep sigh, sinking lower into my bed than before.

I turn my head back to my nightstand and look at the rings. I reach out and take the one I'm most familiar with. Stainless steel with an inlaid design of two upright square crosses on each side of the band, with a black gemstone set at the top. A few years ago I was on the tail-end of a similar feeling of incessant repetition, and this tiny object helped me out, somehow. A stupid thing, really. Even now, I find it hard to reconcile why I did any of it. To make a long story short, I ventured into a part of the internet that was occult in nature, and made some purchases. One such purchase was for a ritual to bind a 'spirit companion' to a keepsake. Desperation. Since then, I have occasionally experienced inexplicable things, mostly in dreams. Mostly vivid. The one that still rattles my mind is from the evening before my first companion's ring came in the mail. A feminine figure sat at a table across from me, asking questions about me, who I was, what I've done, what I liked and disliked. When the questions ceased, the figure got up from the table, saying something along the lines of, 'See you soon.' Then I woke up and saw the e-mail that the ring had arrived, and sure enough, there it was at my doorstep.

Since then I've assumed that the dream was her reaching out to me from my doorstep. Online forums told me the same and that it was "a special connection." Part of me chalked it up to mental placebo while these online randoms were already too deep in the hole of make-believe. But one thing kept a spark of hope alive, that there was something more to this mundane world. That detail being, that I had no idea when the package would arrive. That my dream couldn't have been influenced by a known factor. That it was meant to happen. That I didn't waste scraps of savings on getting scammed when I was feeling hopeless. Pathetically, I slid her ring onto the ring finger on my right hand, as I had done many times before. What am I doing? Is it really that bad today? It was then that I noticed the shape of my hands. Another memory surfaced. Some time after perusing those forums and investing myself into some of what these people believed, I took an interest in things like astral projection and lucid dreaming. More so the latter. I found threads in this forum detailing the basics of lucid dreaming. From what I read, hypnotic suggestion is a very powerful tool that can be used for a wide variety of purposes, lucid dreaming, being one of them. After some studying, I decided to practice one night, repeating a mantra to myself, that if I saw my own hands in my dream, I would "'wake up' and realize that I am dreaming." To my surprise, it actually worked back then. Would it... work now...?

I pull myself upright, looking out to the rest of my room. My PC at the foot of my bed, storage closet to my right. In the middle, against the wall, a stand-up shelf with certain memorabilia assorted on one of the shelves. I reach for my glasses on my nightstand to see clearly, putting them on. That's... my old Pokémon stuff. Escapism. There sat my old DS Lite case, from when I owned one, at least. In it housed all my DS and 3DS game cartridges, bulging with hours upon hours of unexperienced content, not to mention my red 3DS itself. Laying next to the zipped-up case, rested my blue DSi XL, the device on which I spent most of my youth immersed in various video games, most of which, were Pokémon games. I had played most of them, but fell off the nostalgia train once they stopped making games for the 3DS. I tried to keep up with new Pokémon designs and the new gimmicks as the years went on, but the discourse over quality caused me to stray away from the series in general. My gaze drifts over to the paperback copy of the Gen 5 National Pokédex, filled with hundreds of pages of notes my younger self had scribbled about team compositions and lifehacks to perform within the games. All in all, good memories from a better time, if I can remember much at all. It's been so long since I've thought about these things... No. Right now I want to go back to bed. And I want to try to lucid dream again. I get swept up into different fixations every week, but right now I just want to relax.

I look down at my hands, palms faced upwards, staring back at me. With a deep breath, focused on the image of my hands, I begin repeating that mantra out loud by myself one more time. "When I see my hands within my dream, I will wake up, and realize that I'm dreaming... When I see my hands within my dream, I will wake up, and realize that I'm dreaming..." I repeat this for about ten minutes, a duration that I've come to expect, until the hypnotic suggestion settles in, causing me to enter a drowsy, trance-like state. With one final utterance of the phrase, I stop myself and lay back down in bed, pulling the covers over myself and closing my eyes to drift off to the realm of sleep once more. I'm quickly taken under the spell, separated from the world of the conscious...

My body feels heavy, like I haven't moved a muscle in a dangerously long time, and my eyes are slow to open. First I only see black, but over a few moments, I adjust to the dim light levels of my surroundings. I'm... sitting down... in a cave? I push against the ground and very slowly get up, as my footsteps on the stone floor echo in this vast space. A cavern...? Or... a chamber...? I look around myself and my neck feels oddly stiff. Taking in the view, I see stone statues lined up along all sides of me, seemingly no end to their solitude, as they sit just like I was, moments ago. Any identifiable features of them are hidden by the general darkness of this place. Looking further ahead of me, I see faint lights flickering in the distance. I take a step forward and my legs are noticeably heavier than I'm used to, but I manage to walk forward and around these statues. The sound of my footsteps seem to scrape against the stone floor while I get my bearings and head onwards. Minutes of walking past these relics goes by until a wall comes into view, gently lit by torchflame. I step up to the imposing wall and put my hand on it, as I look up above me. There's... an inscription here... what's... Are these...? ...! My eyes widen as I notice the peculiar, yet familiar shape of the inscriptions. It's a language of runes. And I understand it. These are... Unown runes. From Pokémon? Before I have a chance to read them with purpose, my gaze shifts downward to see my hand on the wall, and another revelation hits me. I notice that my hand isn't human.

I bring my other hand into view out of instinct. My hands... they're... blue. And I only have three fingers on each of them... Oh. Right. I'm... dreaming. Okay... take it easy. Don't want to startle myself awake over the smallest thing... I choose my next actions very carefully as to try not to stir my real self awake. I feel over my torso and on my shoulders, to find I have a very limited range of movement, but an odd sense of familiarity with my form crawls into my mind as I compare what I feel with what I know. I feel a tight leather strap crossed diagonally over my torso. On my chest, it holds a diamond-shaped stone plate in place. It's hard for me to look downwards without pivoting my entire body, so I can't really look at myself, but I feel around the stone edges of this armor-like carapace, tracing the grooves in the stone plate when it hits me. "Am I... a Golett...?"

"That's exactly right~," a high-pitched voice chimes from behind me, making me flinch in surprise. With a deep breath I slowly turn around to see... a small Klefki floating before me, it's keyhole-shaped face spread to convey what I can only assume is a friendly smile. Along its loop it holds a few keys, among them one that looks ancient, bearing a pattern similar to the Unown runes on the wall. "I'm so glad to see that you've awoken from your long sleep~ You must be tired from sitting dormant for so long~" What a vivid dream... I haven't had a lucid dream so vivid before... And I'm a Golett? Well, the Golurk line was my favorite... I better be careful with what I say. Don't want to prematurely force myself out... I decide to play along with the 'dream' for now. "Long sleep? I was... dormant? I don't... remember. Who am I? And who are you?" I try to play the role of an amnesiac that truly remembers very little of the world around him. The Klefki seemingly buys it. "You don't remember? Well, you hit the nail on the head a few moments ago... You're a Golett~ The first of thousands to wake up after The Long Sleep~! If you mean you don't remember that, then... I guess I should let myself explain... Oh! Speaking of myself, my name is Jangles~! Or... at least that's what I call myself~ Wait... do you not remember us, either...?" An air of sadness hangs off the air of Jangles' last sentence. The first of thousands? The Long Sleep? Jangles? What is all this...? I'm supposed to know you? The longer I'm conscious in this dream, the less sense all of it makes... though I guess that's to be expected...

I speak up once more, maintaining the façade. "S-sorry. No, I don't remember anything other than... what I am... and... what these markings on the wall are. These are... Unown runes. And we're... Pokémon... right? I'm a Golett, and you're..." The tiny metal Pokémon's face contorts to an expression of frustration as it flies around my head, its keys jingling behind, ringing around me in a discordant tone. Is it using Metal Sound on me...?! "Isn't it obvious?! I'm a Klefki~! A female Klefki~! Am I really that forgettable~?!" With a sigh, Jangles shakes off her demeanor and rests to a floating position in front of me. "No. I'm sorry. It's just... this is new for me too~ I woke up only a little bit before you did, it seems, and since you don't remember, I'll fill you in~" With that, she flies on over a few feet away from me and separates the loop holding her precious key collection, taking hold of the Unown-shaped key and inserting it into a hole in the wall before turning it with an audible click. She pulls the key back out and places it back on her loop before floating next to me as the ground starts to rumble. "You might want to step back a bit~" I do as she asks and take a few steps back as the wall in front of us appears to shift and shimmer with ethereal light. A bright yellow light fills intricate patterns along the floor lighting up the chamber, both in front and behind, as the shaking stops and the runes on the wall begin to faintly glow and gently shift in place, almost like... they're alive. Jangles floats up to the wall and speaks up.

"A very long time ago, a Pokémon unlike any other lived on this continent. Its name... was Regigigas~ When it pulled this continent into place, it created 3 children, sculpted from the various matter that makes up our world. With its hands, Regigigas carved pure metal from deep within the mountains. It was molded into Registeel, a being of the purest metal, built to withstand the greatest attacks of all Types~ With its hands, Regigigas scooped up heaps of snow from the coldest mountain peaks, packing them tightly into Ice. They were molded into Regice, a being of freezing crystalline icicles, built to stand watch over the coldest parts of the region, and turn away any who were foolishly unprepared for such climes~ With its hands, Regigigas smashed an entire mountain, shattering it into billions of rocks. It's said that it spent over a decade carefully choosing the most dense stones, molding them into Regirock, a being of the hardest rock the earth had to offer~ The legend says that Regirock has never suffered a single Scratch, and that it never would, for it's said that it's skin is harder even then diamond." Jangles turns around to face me before continuing. "Regigigas gave his creations dominion over the land, with Regirock presiding over the mountains, Regice guarding Blizzard Island, to the southwest, and Registeel ruling over the deep places of the region, where few Pokémon within their wits dare to go. The chamber we're in was built by Regirock. And it was by Regirock's hands... that you were created, as well as... them." Jangles faces the crowd of thousands of dormant Golett, now illuminated by the golden light coming from the floor.

I take a moment to breathe in the sight of all the dormant Golett. Most of them remain intact, though a large number seem to have not fared well in The Long Sleep, succumbing to erosion and falling into disrepair. Astounding that a dream could be so clear... so detailed. Countless of these Pokémon lay in wait here for... for what...? I turn to Jangles. "Okay... I think I understand... but what about me? About us Golett... What do we... do? Why were we built?" Jangles returns a mixed expression to me, one of uncertainty. "That's sort of the problem... You see, I never personally knew Regirock. Nor was I around when they built you... I come from a long line of Klefki that have passed down this Aegis Key for generations, waiting for the day one of you Golett would awaken. From what I was told by my predecessors, Regirock built the Golett Army in preparation for... something~" A dead pause hangs in the air between the two of us for a good few seconds. Jangles tries to put on her most unassuming smile. "Something?" I speak up. The Klefki simply nods and confirms my response. "Yep! Something~! I'd love to tell you more, but Regirock's message was lost in translation~ about four generations ago~ No one bothered to write it down either... so that's where we're at~!" What the hell? 'Something'? That's it? What kind of- Oh. I guess that's where the creative juices stop flowing, huh? I assume that this lucid 'dream' has met its end of reasonable plot conclusion and let out a sigh.

"Oh. Well, alright. Maybe I'll figure out what 'something' in another dream. This was fun, though, I never thought I'd get to experience what being a Pokémon is like. If I ever find a Klefki in a future playthrough, I'll be sure to name it Jangles after you." Jangles the Klefki tilts her head, looking at me with a puzzled expression. "Huh? What do you mean? Dream~? You're... awake, though." Something odd strikes me with her response, but I can't pinpoint what, exactly. Normally, referencing the fact that you're dreaming from within a dream, ends the dream or starts a new one, in my experience, but this 'dream' seems to keep going. "Oh. I guess I can explain, then, since you were so kind to do the same. See, I'm not... actually a Golett, I'm a human. This isn't real, I went to sleep trying to lucid dream, and this is that dream. It's really vivid for a lucid dream, I'm kind of impressed with myself. But... since my mind ran out of ideas for how to continue this story after that 'something' cliffhanger, I guess I'll be on my way. Any minute now. The last time I was in a lucid dream and I said that it wasn't real, the dream collapsed in on itself and shoved me into a new dream, so I'm just kind of waiting for something like that to happen. Other times I punch myself and that wakes me up." Jangles starts shaking with an emotion I can't really discern from her tiny face. "Waitwaitwaitwaitwait, what~? You're a... human~?! But... you're a Golett... Oh no... Oh nonononononono, this isn't what was supposed to happen~! This wasn't supposed to happen at all~!" She starts floating back and forth, as if she's pacing, unsure of what to do.

"Uh, yeah. I'm a human. I woke up early cause of landscapers running a lawn mower outside my window really loudly, and I went back to sleep trying to have fun lucid dreaming. Despite how I look, I'm not a Golett... I have a name. My name is... My name is..." What... what is my name...? I... I don't remember? What...? In that moment, a feeling of dread rushes into my mind, along with a bunch of other thoughts I've repressed since waking up within my 'lucid dream'. I notice that I haven't drawn breath once since waking up. I try to do so manually and... nothing. I don't feel any lungs expand in my chest. When I blink, I don't feel my eyelids close. Instead the light fades out of my field of view before fading back in as I open them again. I notice that as I speak, I don't feel my lips touching each other or the thrumming of my vocal chords. "I... I don't... what...? Haha... hahahaha... alright, this is a fucked up trick to play on me, brain, but really, I want to wake up now. I'm serious. What, do you want me to say the 'magic' phrase from the last time I did this? 'I know that this is a dream, because this place doesn't exist...' Alright... that didn't work... Time to hit myself, I guess..." As I start winding up my stony arm to hit myself in the face in an attempt to wake myself up, Jangles notices my attempt at rash behavior, and acts quickly. "N-no, stop it~!" Her voice reverberates within the large chamber and I feel my body seize up, making me unable to move.

I grunt in awe of how she was able to do that. "Ngh... h-how...? Was that... I-Imprison?! I can't... move..." Jangles floats in front of my stationary face, staring into my soul, as she speaks up, making herself loud and clear. "L-look, I don't know what's going on, but you need to listen to me right now, okay~?! You're not dreaming~!! Snap out of it, before you seriously hurt yourself~!" Jangles sighs. "Yes, I used Imprison on you to restrict your movement. I need you to be honest with me. Was all that stuff you just said true? Are you really a human~?" Am I really a human, what kind of a question is that, of course I am... Am I? "Yes, I'm... gah... I'm really a human! Would you please let me go? This is... really uncomfortable!" Jangles hovers in closer to look me in the eyes with serious intent. "Promise me that you won't hurt yourself if I let you go~"

"Alright, alright, I promise! I won't try to punch my way out of this... I'll... listen, just... let me go." The Klefki hangs on to my promise for a little longer after I conclude it, as if she's weighing its intent, before she finally releases me from her Imprison move. As she lets me go, I feel out of breath, despite not needing to breathe. This only confuses me further as I stand there, panting, my hands on my knees. Jangles stutters as she speaks up again. "I... I... I th-think... we should continue this... conversation... outside. Follow me." With that, Klefki begins floating down the hallway alongside the wall, before turning back at me, beckoning me over. "Come on, we don't have all day~!" Without a word, I move my legs to catch up to her and follow her pace until we reach a tunnel leading upwards. What the hell is going on...? "This tunnel will take us to the surface~" Jangles chimes at me.

"What about... the other Golett...?" I question as we start walking up the tunnel. Jangles' tone shifts to a somber one. "I don't think... they were ever... going to wake up. I think... you... are a special case~ From what little I've learned of the outside world in my time spent in that chamber... though it's only told in legends... this world has been known to bring humans into its boughs, transformed into Pokémon~" As she speaks, a light in the distance of the tunnel comes into view. "There~! The exit is just up ahead~!" A burst of excitement fills the Klefki, as she floats faster towards the exit, leaving me to pick up the pace behind her. I manage to catch up with her pace and the light pouring in from the surface envelops us as our eyes adjust to the change... When our vision returns, we're graced with the beautiful scenery in the distance. Mountain ranges spanning across the middle of the region, a landmark to the northeast, taking the form of a giant rock structure with waterfalls cascading down its side, even taller than the cliff we're standing on. Looking to the west, the shimmering coastline basks in the light of the sun, with a small mountain range hiding what seems like a town on the other side, judging from the outskirts that poke out from behind the cliffs. What...? I'm... speechless. No dream could replicate scenery this vivid. Am I really... in a world of Pokémon...? Jangles speaks up for the first time in what feels like an eternity as we take in the view. "This is... my first time seeing the surface in... I don't know how long~" She turns to face me, snapping me out of my trance. "I know this is probably a lot to take in. Forgive me~ I just... needed you to... understand~"

"N-no, I... I get it. I... wow... so I'm... this is really... real. I'm... I was... a human... I'm now... a Golett... in a world of... Pokémon." Well... It's not like I had a job to go to... I... I'm going to miss... my mom... my pets... my friends and my games... but... I don't... think I have a choice. I turn to face Jangles the Klefki. "So... what now? We're both... fish out of water... right? I... don't know how to... defend myself like this... and you haven't been to the surface in... a long time... what do we do...?" Jangles ponders for a moment, looking around and getting her bearings. Eventually she spots the outskirts of civilization that I silently noticed earlier. "Ah, there~ I suppose I had a... backup plan, of sorts~ In case my vigil over the Golett Army ever went on too long or if I couldn't find a successor. See the coastline to the west? I have a contact in civilization over there, a place called Treasure Town~ If they're still around, they could help us out~ As for your current situation, you happen to be in the presence of a Pokémon who has spent their entire life dedicated to knowing all there is to know about Golett and Regirock's other creations~! In other words, I could teach you how to be a Pokémon~! More specifically, a Golett~" Jangles takes a deep breath, her keys jingling in the breeze running through this cliff. "The journey will be long, but it would be a step forward for both of us~ What do you say... partner~?" Partner... Partners...? Yeah... I... suppose that's... what we are. I slowly start nodding my head. "Yeah... That's... a good idea. Lead the way, Jangles."

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Pub: 18 Nov 2024 07:22 UTC

Edit: 18 Nov 2024 16:50 UTC

Views: 607