REN POV:
The dirt path stretched ahead, lined with tall grass, with trees scattered here and there as far as I could see along Route 3.
I quickened my pace as the sun dipped lower.
"We should've left earlier," I muttered.
Mew flitted around, chasing a Pidgey, probably as a game. Hopefully.
The occasional Rattata darted onto the road before vanishing back into the underbrush. Not that I minded; I wasn't exactly eager to deal with wild Pokémon right now… no matter how cute they looked.
I froze mid-step.
The Rattata in front of me did look kind of adorable. Its large, soulful eyes locked onto mine, whiskers twitching—
"Ooooh, have you got a partner already? What am I, chopped liver?"
Mew's voice screeched directly into my ear. The startled Rattata bolted with a squeak.
A pang of disappointment hit me before I shoved it down and turned to glare at the pink gremlin hovering behind me.
Mew let out a nearly mute giggle before floating up to me and poking my nose.
"Aww, don't be like that, I'll get you a starter pokemon real quick when we get to Pewter city," Mew said, puffing her chest out.
I looked at her confused, "You can get me a starter? How?"
"Don't worry about it, I got you covered." Mew responded, a small grin on her face, which did little to reassure me, I just hope it's nothing illegal.
Mews giggle at that thought doesn't reassure me.
■■SAVING■■■
REN POV
Pewter City came into view as the sun dipped low, bathing the stone buildings in orange and gold. It was cozy and quiet, with cobbled roads, mossy walls, and the occasional Rattata darting between alleyways.
Just before we reached the city gates, Mew shimmered beside me and transformed in a flash of pink light. In her place stood a twelve-year-old girl with bubblegum-pink hair, oversized sleeves, and a skirt that defied practicality. Still barefoot. Classic.
"Tada~!" she chirped, twirling. "Now I'm your totally normal, not-at-all-legendary little sister, Miu!"
I sighed. "We're gonna get arrested."
Cue the entrance of Officer Jenny.
She strolled over, sharp eyes sweeping over us. "Hey there. Are you two heading to town?"
"Yes, ma'am," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Got any IDs?"
"…No."
"Our bags were stolen!" Mew added, looking ready to cry on command. "We're just trying to get to town safely…"
Jenny eyed us for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Come with me. Just need to run a quick check."
■■■SAVING■■■
Pewter Police Station
The place smelled like instant noodles and dust. Jenny led us to a side room with a sleek-looking scanner. "This'll check for anomalous aura patterns, I just want to confirm something."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Just stand still, it won't hurt," she said, tapping a few buttons.
A soft pulse of light swept over me. The screen beeped.
'Faller Detected. Dimensional Origin: Unknown.'
Jenny gave me a look that was more sympathetic than surprised. "I figured. You don't move like a local," she looked to my hip, "no Pokémon either."
I swallowed. "You're not going to lock me up, right?"
"No," she said. "Actually, I might know someone who can help."
I tilted my head in confusion, "Really?"
That's when she told us about the Fallers Adaptation Group—a group dedicated to helping fallers adjust to this world. It turns out that dimensionally displaced people were more common than I thought—at least five a year, this group was formed for them. Their headquarters were in Cerulean City, a few miles east.
"You should head there when you're ready," she said, handing me a folded map of Kanto, a book labeled 'Know Your Region!' and a small pouch. Inside were a handful of Pokéballs.
Mew peeked inside and gasped. "Oooh, freebies!"
Jenny smiled. "I figured you might want to catch your own partner before heading out. There's some tall grass near the southern gate. It's mostly safe—wild Pokémon here usually run rather than fight."
"And those that don't?" I asked.
Jenny shrugged, "They're probably hoping for a trainer, they won't hurt you."
■■■SAVING■■■
South Pewter Fields, Ren pov:
The grass was just tall enough to tickle my knees. A warm breeze rustled the blades as I stepped through, Pokéball in hand, heart thudding. Mew walked next to me.
"Remember," she said, "no sneezing. Some Pokémon are scared of sudden movement. Or weird faces. Or… you, possibly."
"Thanks for the encouragement."
Minutes passed. I saw a few Nidoran and a sleepy-looking Hoppip drifting on the wind. Though they either ran away when they noticed me, or ignored me all together.
Then I heard a soft meow.
I turned to see a small, pink Pokémon peeking out from the grass. Squinted eyes. Puffy tail. Twitching ears.
"A… Skitty?" I blinked. "That's not even a Kanto Pokémon."
Mew snorted. "This world's not exactly like the games, genius. Regional boundaries are fuzzier."
The Skitty tilted her head at me, then trotted over with a curious chirp.
I crouched down slowly. "Hey there. Um… you wanna come with me?"
The Skitty paused, then gave an approving purr, and gently bumped her head against the Pokéball in my hand.
Click. Ping.
I stared at the ball in my hand. "Did… did I just get chosen by a cat?"
Mew grinned. "She thinks you're cute. You've been blessed."
■■SAVING■■■
Pewter city, Ren pov:
Back in the city, we passed by the local market, but didn't buy anything save for some sweets Mew made me buy.
"You're gonna spoil that cat," she teased as I cradled the now-snoozing Skitty in my arms.
I rolled my eyes but said nothing. She wasn't wrong.
With arms full of candy bags and a sleeping Pokémon, we finally found a quiet little hotel tucked between two mossy stone buildings. It wasn't much, but it was home for the night.