The sun rose to the cries of Spearow.
I woke to the sound of snoring and the weight on my chest—there lay Mew, curled up in her Pokémon form.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I slowly reached up to pet her. She stirred slightly but didn't wake.
I glanced around the hotel room we had rented. There was a desk and chair near the bed with a small lamplight. The bed was tucked into the corner, its headboard and left side pressed against the wall. Across the room stood a modest wardrobe, and beside it, a door led to the bathroom. It was a plain, minimal space—but that was typical for a hotel.
My gentle petting eventually roused Mew, though I had a feeling she'd been awake for a while already.
She silently floated off my chest, letting me sit up. We stared at each other in silence. Her face held an unusual frown, something I hoped not to see. I couldn't explain it, but I had a sinking feeling, whatever she was about to say, I probably wouldn't like it.
Mew exhaled a long, tired sigh.
"You're not okay," she said softly, her tail wrapping protectively around her midsection.
I flinched. I knew it was true, this whole situation was getting to me, but I thought I was managing it well enough.
"Just because you're not curled up in a corner or screaming like a lunatic doesn't mean you're handling it," she said. She was definitely reading my mind. "Bottling everything up like this is dangerous—especially now that you're psychic."
"What do you expect me to do?" I snapped. "I got ripped away from my old life and dropped into the body of some mentally disabled kid in a world that was supposed to be fiction. So, yeah—sorry if I'm not doing too well."
The anger I'd been pushing down was starting to boil over.
Mew didn't respond right away. Her frown deepened, but her tone stayed calm.
"You think I don't get that?" she said gently. "Ren, I've been around for centuries. I've seen people go through things like this—being torn from everything they knew. I've watched them drown in grief and rage. You think you're fine, but I can see it. Right now, you're okay, but soon… you'll break."
My hands clenched into fists. "So what, you're here to give me a lecture now?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm here because I care about you. And... Skitty and Vulpix are worried too. They can tell something's wrong."
I froze. I hadn't considered how they might be affected. But now that she mentioned it—it made sense. Vulpix was a mild empath. She would've sensed something, and of course, she'd tell Skitty.
"I'm not with you just because I'm bored or curious," Mew continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I've been alone for a long time. I've seen so much… and lost more than I'd like to admit. I can't stand by and watch you destroy yourself because you think you have to pretend you're okay."
I turned away, jaw tight. "What else am I supposed to do? If I let it out, I'll fall apart."
Mew floated closer, her tail brushing lightly against my arm. "Then do it. Just a little. Let it out. You don't have to carry all of this by yourself."
I clenched my teeth, fighting the growing pressure behind my eyes. I didn't want to cry—not now.
She sighed at my stubbornness. "Okay… let's start small," she said. "Write it down. All of it. Whatever you're feeling. Whatever you've been through. Don't worry about how it sounds—just get it out. And talk to me, too. I'm here."
The silence between us stretched.
"You're really serious about this," I said at last, finally looking her in the eyes.
"I am." She smiled faintly, a sad little laugh escaping her. "I know it might seem sudden, but I honestly see you as a brother. I care about you. A lot. If something happened to you..."
She trailed off.
My chest ached at her words. The lump in my throat swelled.
She gently landed in my lap. "Go on," she whispered.
I wrapped a hand around her small form as the tears finally came. I curled up on the bed and let them fall. Two soft clicks echoed through the room, and I felt the warm bodies of my Pokémon nestle into the embrace.
■■■SAVING■■■
I don't know how long we stayed like that—me, curled up with Mew, Skitty, and Vulpix—but eventually, the tears ran dry. My breathing evened out. The storm passed, leaving behind only a tired kind of quiet.
I sat up slowly, wiping at my eyes. My team shifted with me, staying close but giving me space. Mew hovered just off the bed, watching with a small, knowing smile.
"Feeling a bit better?" she asked gently.
I nodded. "Yeah… I think I needed that."
"I knew you did." Her tone was soft, no teasing or smugness, just warm reassurance.
We were quiet for a little while after that, the kind of silence that didn't need to be filled. Then, eventually, I stretched, my body sore from all the tension.
"I should probably figure out what I'm doing today," I said, pushing my hair back.
Mew tilted her head. "Any ideas?"
I gave a small nod. "I'm thinking of going to the Fallers Association. I want to register as a League Trainer. They can probably help with that."
Her brow lifted. "Already?"
"Yeah. I've been reading a lot," I explained, motioning to my bag in the corner. "Dr. Hensley gave me a couple of books when we left. One of them was about different professions in the region. It had a whole section dedicated to Trainers and how the League works."
She floated a little closer, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "So, what did it say?"
"Well," I began, sitting back, "League Trainers are different from casual ones. Official Trainers are usually registered at regional Pokémon labs, but the Fallers Association is a sort of exception to that. Once accepted, you're allowed to challenge gyms for badges, compete in ranked tournaments, and—if you go far enough—challenge the Pokémon League itself to try for Champion."
Mew nodded slowly, her interest clearly piqued.
"On top of that," I continued, "League Trainers get access to special privileges: private training websites, trainer-only auctions, supply discounts, even access to rare resources and research centers. Stuff regular people don't get."
Mew stared at me for a long moment. "You got all that from some books?"
I shrugged. "I've been reading a lot. It helped me narrow things down. Out of everything I could do, this is the only path that makes sense for me right now."
"And the requirements?" Mew asked.
"They're not too strict," I replied. "You need to show a decent level of battling skill and a strong bond with your Pokémon. They'll revoke your license if you lose ten battles in a row, abuse your Pokémon, or end up in jail. But as long as you're responsible and improving, you're in."
She nodded slowly, thoughtful. "That actually sounds… fair."
I agreed with a nod, then stood up. "Alright, girls, we've got to get moving. I want all this taken care of soon."
The girls hopped off the bed, stretching before going through our morning routine. I wiped them down with a damp towel, cleaning off the dirt and grime from yesterday's adventures. I really need to get a proper grooming kit soon.
Once they were taken care of, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up, mentally preparing for the day ahead.
By the time we were done with our morning routine, the sun was peeking through the blinds, painting warm stripes across the hotel room floor. I finished packing my things, balled the Pokémon and slung my bag over my shoulder, casting one last look around before turning to Mew—now in her human form.
She twirled a lock of pink hair idly between her fingers, eyes bright. "Ready?"
I gave a determined nod. "Let's go."
The city was already buzzing with life as we made our way through the streets. Morning vendors called out from behind colorful stalls, Pokémon darted playfully through the crowds, and delivery drones hummed quietly overhead. Miu walked beside me, her arms folded behind her back, humming softly to herself.
The Fallers Association building looked busier than before. Through the glass doors, I could see a few more people moving about—clerks in uniform and a couple of trainers filling out forms, and screens displaying live tournament footage. I wonder if those trainers were fallers like me.
Inside, the smell of polished tile and paper greeted us. Miu looked around, taking it all in with interest. I spotted Dr. Hensley at his usual desk, tapping away at a tablet. His eyes flicked up as we approached.
"Back again already?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded, a little nervous. "Yeah. I want to register as a League Trainer."
That made him pause. He put the tablet down and gave me a long, assessing look. "You sure about that? League Trainers don't exactly live a stress-free life, Ren. You'll be evaluated, challenged, and monitored constantly. And if you lose too many battles, or step out of line…" He made a chopping motion with his hand. "That's it. License revoked. And you be hard pressed to get any jobs after that"
I met his gaze and gave a steady nod. "I know. I've read the materials you gave me, and I've thought about it. This is what I want."
Hensley sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Alright then. If you're set on this path, there are a few steps we need to go through first. Standard procedure. First, your Pokémon will need to undergo a basic health screening. It won't take long, but we need to confirm they're fit for League activity."
"Okay," I said.
"And your sister here," Hensley continued, glancing toward Miu, "if she's going to be traveling with you, she'll need to be registered as an official trainer companion."
"Oh," I blinked. "Yeah, she wants to come with me."
"I'm an excellent moral support," Miu said with a grin, patting her chest. "And I can cook."
Hensley gave her a flat look before scribbling something onto his datapad. "Fine.."
He tapped a few buttons, then looked back up at me. "Now for the last part. You'll need to pass a written quiz in a few days. It's mostly to test basic trainer knowledge—type matchups, handling protocols, safety rules, that sort of thing. Pass that, and you'll get your license."
"Got it," I said.
"Oh, and one more thing…" I hesitated, then added, "I want to apply for a sponsorship."
That made him pause again. He stared at me, brows drawn. "A sponsorship?"
"I figured it'd help," I said quickly. "Travel, training gear, equipment—I won't be able to afford all of it with just prize money and odd jobs. I read that the Association supports certain trainers if they show promise."
Hensley rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You don't waste time, do you…"
"I'm serious," I said firmly. "If I pass the quiz, will you at least consider it?"
He studied me for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. If you do well on the exam, I'll take you to speak with the Director. No promises beyond that, understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Welcome to the start of your journey, Mr. Ren." He offered a hand, and I shook it firmly.