Chapter Text
The attic's door slowly opened, emitting a high-pitched creak as a blinding white light swept over the old room. You pulled yourself up from the stairs, using the dusty floor as leverage, while your phone remained in your mouth until you were sure you wouldn't stumble back and crack your skull open. Using the flashlight that came in your phone, you were able to quickly scan over the mountains of junk your grandparents called “Hidden Gems”.
Boxes.. Boxes.. Why were there so many boxes?
You skimmed over a strange pile of boxes. Barely missing the glint of a slightly familiar object from your childhood: a very, very old computer. Your feet gently patted against the old floor board, each step emitting a more uncomfortable cry from the wooden planks as you internally cringed. You hurriedly but carefully snatched the ancient computer up, holding it up like some trophy as your flashlight shined at it for dramatic effects. The moment quickly passes, leaving you in embarrassing silence before you scurried off with the computer wrapped “safely” in your arms.
—
You pressed the small beige button on the computer case, making it hum to life as you were bathed in a deep blue light from the computer monitor. For a few seconds the logo of a (probably) long-forgotten company appeared on the screen as soft chimes emitted from the speakers until you were at the starting screen, but strangely enough, you completely skipped over the part where you were supposed to type in the password. Guess that's one of the perks to having an old computer.
…
What was it you were looking for again?
Oh, right!
Not wasting anymore time, you clicked on the internet browser and started searching for pirated pokemon games or ROM hacks. It took you a while to find what you were looking for because oddly, most of the websites you visited seemed outdated. It was like everything was frozen in time.
It wasn't like this website was much different. At least it ‘allowed’ you to download stuff.
You stared at the computer screen, silently questioning whether you should trust the sketchy website and download the oddly small file that claims to have over ten ‘interesting and unique’ ROM hacks in it. This computer's due for a repair aways.. Might as well try it. You thought to yourself as you pressed down on the mouse, sealing your fate.
>Yes
N̶o̶
The screen remained frozen for a few seconds before abruptly turning off. This definitely would've given you a heart attack if it was night. As if nothing happened, the computer rebooted, once again skipping the password part and throwing you straight into the main screen. What greeted you wasn't anything new though.
Except the pokeball icon.