Terrence immediately backed down, rolling onto his back and sprawling across the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling...
Early the next morning, Officer Jenny arrived at the Pokémon Center with her Growlithe in tow.
At Nurse Joy's request, she had specially brought along a sky-blue, fleece-lined jacket with a Piplup printed on the chest.
Nurse Joy happily accepted it and turned to Caleb, "Come on, let's see if it fits!"
With that, she lifted Caleb from the sofa and set him down in front of her, then slipped the jacket onto his tiny arms.
Nurse Joy looked at the well-behaved little boy with satisfaction... his fair skin tinged pink, his big eyes bright and clear, his soft black hair slightly messy from just waking up.
And now, paired with this adorable jacket... Nurse Joy couldn't resist planting a kiss on his cheek.
Caleb stiffened.
Beside them, Terrence covered his doggy mouth, shooting Caleb a teasing look.
Officer Jenny gave Nurse Joy a disapproving glance before saying, "Last night, we found no trace of those people. Our initial suspicion is that they may have already left Snowpoint City using some special means."
Nurse Joy frowned, "Then what about this child? Can we find out where he's from?"
Officer Jenny: "That might take some time. We've already contacted the police departments in several other cities to check if there have been any reports of missing children."
"...As for the child, we can have Grandma Isa take care of him for now. I'm sure he'll like it there."
"Grandma Isa?" Nurse Joy thought for a moment before nodding, "That might be the only option for now."
Having reached an agreement, the two women turned to look at Caleb.
Caleb: ^Weak, pitiful, and helpless.jpg^
....
An hour later, Officer Jenny's motorcycle skidded to a stylish stop in the snow outside a worn-down courtyard on the outskirts of Snowpoint City...
Three-year-old Caleb and Terrence, who had insisted on tagging along, looked up at the wooden sign hanging by the entrance.
After locking her motorcycle, Officer Jenny took Caleb's hand and led him inside, explaining, "Don't worry. The director of this orphanage, Origin Orphanage, is a very kind grandmother. She'll take good care of you until we find your home."
As she spoke, the group passed through the gate and entered a cozy wooden house.
A heater sat in the center of the room, and an elderly woman in a dark green coat sat on a stool nearby.
The woman smiled warmly at Caleb, "Is this the little one who got lost?"
Officer Jenny nodded, "We'll leave him in your care for now, Grandma Isa."
The old woman shook her head, beckoning Caleb closer, "Come here, child."
Officer Jenny crouched down and ruffled Caleb's hair gently, "Go on. Don't worry about anything else. We'll definitely help you find your home!"
Caleb nodded and walked over to Grandma Isa, turning back to wave at Officer Jenny, "Goodbye, Onee-san..."
Officer Jenny smiled, "Goodbye Terrykins."
The real Terrence shuddered at the nickname.
Caleb, however, remained unfazed. Once Officer Jenny had left, he turned and obediently greeted, "Hello, Grandma."
Grandma Isa pulled over a stool near the heater and felt Caleb's cold hands, "You must be freezing! Sit here and warm up. Later, I'll introduce you to the other members of our nursery."
Caleb sat down, while the confused Terrence asked, "Nursery? But isn't this an orphanage?"
Grandma Isa looked at Terrence in surprise, "A Smeargle that can speak human language?"
Only then did Terrence realize he had slipped up again and quickly corrected himself, "Woof!"
Grandma Isa turned to Caleb and asked, "Is this your Pokémon companion?"
Caleb nodded, borrowing Team Rocket's Meowth's backstory to cover for Terrence.
Grandma Isa nodded in understanding, "Sacrificed the ability to use moves to learn human speech... I see... Pokémon capabilities truly are marvelous!"
Relieved that she bought it, Terrence shot Caleb a grateful look.
Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside. Three children of around six or seven years old, rushed in:
"Grandma, Grandma! This Pokémon is hurt! Please save it!"
The oldest of the three carefully placed a Shinx in his arms near the heater.
Caleb glanced over... the Shinx's body was stiff, its neck and abdomen were covered in severe wounds. Its eyes were tightly shut, its fur matted with melted snow, and its breathing faint...
Grandma Isa took the Shinx and examined it, her expression growing serious, "This won't do. The injuries are too severe. It needs to be taken to the Pokémon Center immediately."
"I'll go!" the oldest child immediately volunteered.
His face was pale from running, his fluffy hair and patched clothes dusted with snow, which was rapidly melting into water under the heater's warmth.
Grandma Isa walked to the door.
In just that short time, the snowfall outside had grown heavier. The nursery stood in a forest far from Snowpoint City. Riding a bicycle in this weather would be far too dangerous.
But walking would take too long... there might not be enough time.
Grandma Isa's wrinkled face twisted in conflict. As someone who loved Pokémon, she couldn't bear to watch this Shinx die. But she also couldn't bring herself to send one of her children out into such a storm.
The room was so quiet, that Caleb could hear his own breathing.
Unable to take it any longer, Terrence leaned over and whispered, "Bro, do you have any flying Pokémon?"
Caleb nodded, then cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
He stood and walked over to Grandma Isa. Looking at the unconscious Shinx, he said, "Let me handle it."
The three anxious children only now noticed the Smeargle and the little boy in the room.
Grandma Isa and the others were momentarily stunned.
But before they could react, Caleb stretched out his arms and placed his hands on the Shinx's stiff body. A surge of vibrant green energy flowed into the Shinx, rapidly healing its injuries.
Everyone stared in amazement at the miraculous sight.
Terrence's tail wagged wildly in excitement, his voice trembling, "V-v-viridian power?!"
Only then did the others snap out of their daze...