The orientation room was surprisingly cozy. Soft lighting, a polished wooden desk, and a pair of plush chairs made it feel more like a counselor's office than a bureaucratic checkpoint. A small machine with blinking lights sat off to the side, humming softly.
"Go ahead and sit," the man said, walking over to the desk and tapping on a touchscreen. "I'm Dr. Hensley, by the way. I help new arrivals get situated—make sure you're healthy, stable, and not secretly transforming into a ghost or something."
I gave a small laugh. "Good to know."
"Alright," he continued, still tapping away. "This won't take long. We just need a quick aura scan to make sure your energy's stable. You've probably already started developing some local traits. The aura here has gotten used to outsiders, so it shouldn't resist you too much."
He gestured toward the scanner. It looked like some kind of sci-fi dentist chair, with armrests and a curved arch that hovered over the head.
"Just sit here, relax, and try not to think too hard," he said. "It might tickle."
I sat down, trying not to look tense. The moment the scan started, a low hum filled the room and soft blue light swept over my body. A weird, fizzy feeling crawled across my skin—like carbonated water, but deep, brushing up against my aura. I could feel it responding, but not in a hostile way. More curious than anything else.
Mew stood nearby with her arms crossed, a small smile on her face. She hadn't said much since we walked in, but I could feel her watching closely.
The scan ended with a soft beep. Dr. Hensley nodded at the display.
"Interesting readings. You've already synced to the environment pretty well. Your aura flow is stable, though still adapting." He glanced at me. "I see you've already figured out how to use your aura. I assume someone taught you, keep doing whatever you're doing and you'll be fully adapted in a week."
I tilted my head. "Is that fast?"
"Yes, that's about twice as fast," he said with a small, amused smile.
He turned to Mew. "Your turn, Miss Miu."
"I'd like a sticker first," she said sweetly, but was already settling into the scanner chair.
Dr. Hensley chuckled and started the scan—but the lights barely flickered before the machine sputtered and died with a soft whine.
There was a long pause.
"...Huh," he muttered. "Didn't like her."
Mew just grinned like that was the best thing that could've happened.
"Never mind," Hensley said, shaking his head. "We'll just skip the scan."
I raised an eyebrow. "That's allowed?"
"It doesn't really matter. That part's usually left blank in most people's records anyway," he said with a shrug.
Mew stood up, smile widening, hands clasped behind her back like she'd just gotten away with something.
■■■SAVING■■■
The whole process took about two hours. Mew and I were officially registered as Fallers in the League's database, complete with actual IDs.
We also had to stop by the Center to get vaccinations. It was just a single shot that supposedly immunized me against most diseases in this world. Easy enough.
Dr. Hensley even helped us get a hotel reservation for the week. That should give me enough time to figure out a stable source of income. Honestly, though, everything here was cheap—ridiculously cheap. I could probably live off what Officer Jenny casually handed us for at least a month if I was careful.
The next day, Mew decided to explore the city on her own, saying she had someone to meet. Probably one of her legendary friends, if I had to guess.
As for me, I headed back to the Center—partly to train with my Pokémon, and partly to see if I could find Terra. She should've arrived by now.
The training grounds were lightly populated. A few trainers were scattered around, practicing techniques and running drills. One scene in particular caught my eye: a red-haired teen stood between a Machop and a Makuhita, acting as a referee. Both Pokémon were probably his.
The Makuhita looked strong and well-trained. Its movements were precise and grounded, and every punch it threw had serious weight behind it. The Machop, by comparison, was smaller and visibly struggling, probably newly caught. Still, it refused to back down. It kept dodging and countering with wild determination. One of its jabs managed to land a solid hit on Makuhita's side, but the bigger Pokémon barely flinched before responding with a forceful palm strike that knocked Machop off its feet.
The red-haired trainer didn't intervene, though his tanned hands glowed with a deep red aura—ready to step in if needed. That was something else I had to adjust to. No one seemed surprised by the glowing aura, which told me that aura users were way more common in this world than the games or anime would've suggested, either that or aura was only visible to aura users.
Still, I had a goal in mind.
After a few more minutes of looking around, I spotted her.
Terra stood at the far end of the training grounds, tossing clay disks into the air while training her Pokémon. She had changed her clothing from the last time I saw her. Her black hair was tied up in a messy bun under a wide-brimmed hiking hat, and she wore the weathered orange jacket over a beige T-shirt, cargo shorts, and worn-in boots with thick socks.
At the moment, she was working with an Alolan Graveler, trying to improve its aim.
"Okay Graveler, try again. Hit the disks!" she called out, tossing two clay targets into the air in quick succession.
Graveler's rocky arms crackled with electricity as it charged up two bright yellow orbs, then released them as two focused beams. The attack shot past both targets entirely—one bolt sizzled a tree trunk, the other slammed into a distant boulder and sent chunks of stone flying. The disks fell and shattered on the floor.
Terra sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as her Graveler rumbled apologetically and scratched its head.
"Okay then. Rest a little, and we'll try again," she said with a tired smile.
Then she turned—and noticed me.
The tiredness on her face seemed to vanish, and she began to jog to me.
"Ren! Good to see you," she paused and looked around, confused, "where's your sister?"
"Good to see you as well, and don't worry about Miu, she went to see the sites." I said, waving at her worries.
Her frown deepened, "Are you sure that's safe? She doesn't have any Pokémon does she?"
"Yeah it's all good," I said, before changing the topic, "soo, Alolan Graveler aye? I assume he's your ace for the gym?"
If she noticed my balance change in topic, she didn't speak of it, she nodded at my inquiry, "She, but yes, my Graveler may be weak to Misty's water types, but hopefully her electric moves would help." She said before puffing up proudly, "Of course it's not my only plan, I have other cards up my sleeve."
"I agree with that, it's definitely a bad idea to fight someone with only one plan." I responded, I hadn't really gotten in a situation that required excess planning like a gym battle, but I'm sure it's not as easy as the games say.
"Anyway, I told you I'll treat you when you get here right? So let's go, I know a nice restaurant around the corner," she said, returning an amused Graveler and turning to walk back to the Center, "Just gimme a minute, I have to change."
I stood there, wondering if I should remind her she technically made the promise to Mew as well, something told me that's a bad idea.
I heard two clicks at my sides, Skitty came out of the ball and instantly leapt into my arms, Vulpix on the other hand climbed onto my shoulder.
Skitty had a small grin on her face, as if she knew something I don't, Vulpix looked like she was holding back a laugh.
"What?" I asked, confused by their behavior.
That seemed to snap Vulpix out of it, she looked at me in confusion, before a look of realization dawned on her. She quickly made a few yipping sounds to Skitty, apparently, even with my aura training, I can't understand what a Pokémon is saying unless they want me to hear it. Whatever Vulpix said wiped the smile off Skitty's face and caused her to look at me in concern.
Before I could ask more, Terra came back.
■■■SAVING■■■
Ren pov:
The restaurant Terra led me to was tucked into a cozy side street just a few minutes' walk from the Center. It had a traditional Johtonian vibe, wood-paneled walls, warm lighting, and the faint smell of grilled meat and spiced rice wafting through the air.
We took a booth near the window, and a server quickly brought us menus.
"You've gotta try the chicken skewers here," Terra said, practically bouncing in her seat. "They're juicy, sweet, and salty all at once. And they've got berry-infused tea that'll blow your mind."
True to her word, the chicken was amazing. Skitty and Vulpix were sitting nearby with Terra's Sandshrew, all happily munching on their own little bowls of Pokémon-friendly curry and dry poffins.
As we ate, we chatted about training.
"I'll probably challenge Misty after another week," Terra said, wiping her mouth. "Graveler needs to refine her aim, and Sandshrew could use more practice dodging ranged moves."
I nodded. "Makes sense. Gym leaders aren't pushovers."
She raised an eyebrow at me, then grinned. "So, what's your plan? You gonna go for the gyms too?"
I paused, poking at a piece of grilled bell pepper. "Honestly? I don't know yet. I kinda just got here. Haven't figured out my direction."
She leaned back, arms folded behind her head. "Well, if you're not sure, maybe look into becoming a sponsored trainer. That's what I'm aiming for."
I blinked. "Sponsored trainer?" That's a thing here?
"Yeah. Basically, you find a company or group that wants to boost their image using trainers—maybe a gear company, a food brand, even Pokémon Centers. They pay you to wear their logos, talk about their stuff, maybe attend events. In return, you get a salary, maybe even equipment or items. It's stable, and it lets you travel without worrying about money."
That... actually made a lot of sense.
I leaned back, considering it. "I've already got someone in mind."
She smirked. "Really now? Color me curious. Who?"
I shook my head. "I'm not sure they'll accept, but I'm feeling optimistic."
Terra snorted and reached for her tea. "Well, I hope they give you a cool jacket or something. Sponsored trainers with boring designs just look sad."
She pulled out her phone—I really need to get one—and showed me a bunch of silly pictures of various trainers. One guy from last year got sponsored by the Pokémon Center and had to wear bright pink clothes anytime he had an official battle. It wouldn't have been as funny if he wasn't built like Jotaro Joestar.
Terra and I spent the rest of the day laughing at more funny pics, with the Pokémon joining in soon after.
I hadn't actually felt this peaceful ever since I got my memories back. That pressure on my chest faded a bit—not gone, but it didn't feel like it was crushing me anymore.
Vulpix must've felt my mood. She came over and rolled onto my lap, completely silent.
Eventually, it got late and we had to leave. Terra headed back to the Center, and I made my way to the hotel.
________________________________________________________________________________
AN: So yeah, here's chapter 12, I don't really have much to say here, if the story feels a little weird so far, I apologize, I'm doing what I can to make it work.
If anyone has some ideas or advice on how to improve my writing or the story in general, please inform me