“Aaand done!” I exclaimed, throwing the Switch down the window as the rattling of my door grew louder, foreshadowing what was about to happen.

I slumped in my chair, thinking about what my life would be if things were different, mmm yes, I should have stayed at the school. I would be headmaster by now and not awaiting my death at the hands of revolutionaries, no matter how justified they are.

"Aaah." I shouldn't have let comfort dictate my life, but the offer was so good. As the Governor's secretary, I only hide his shit for an hour, and the rest of the time I spend playing games that, in hindsight, make corruption grow and distract people from the cause. I kind of deserve what is coming.

The door burst open to reveal a pair of armed men who proceeded to shoot me. As the bullets that signalled my death approached, all I could think in relief was, "At least Mum will get out of this mess.”

---------

Darkness creeps over me. It's comforting, like a mother's embrace, warm and moist. I open my eyes and find myself in a grove, lying on the grass. "What?" I pat myself on the back as my heartbeat gets louder. "I'm alive." I breathe slowly to calm myself, a technique particularly useful when dealing with conceited politicians, only to feel the grass on my legs as I realise I am wearing blue shorts and a lack of muscle in my calves. "Not my body, okay, I would never wear shorts." A loud screech jolts me out of my reverie. "What the fuck was that?" Then I saw it drinking sap from one of the trees. That loud motherfucker, a Ninjask.

I watched the Pokémon until it finished and then disappeared from my sight in an instant. It seems I hadn't realised how fast that thing could move, I stared at the tree for a minute before sitting for a while, maybe two, with the tree as a support.

My daze was shattered by a Taillow, with whom I promptly engaged in a staring contest.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Tai?”

I victoriously turn my gaze back to the juicy emptiness that begs for my attention.

“Taillow!”

The little swallow get off the tree and stand by my side, but my daze is more important right now.

"Tail?"

It chirps lowly as it gives me a few gentle pecks. Of course, I slump more and continue to daze.

"Taillow." she declares before flying away. Now, without interruptions, a nap may help clearing my head.

“Mmmm, good nap.” I comment as I stretch a little, yet I am still in this place.

"At least the sun's eased up a bit." I think to myself as I stand up, a couple of Zigzagoon fooling around and a Skitty napping in the shade like me - a valuable clue, I might add.

The shock has made me a little numb to the fact that I am in one of the best or worst worlds to be in, depending on who you ask. Let's hope for the better and think about where I am. Hoenn, that much is obvious due to the Skitty presence, I should be east of Rustboro. Thank God I managed to sneak a Switch into work.

This is why I wasn't attacked while sleeping in the wild. People must use Pokemon here. Now that my body has transformed like this, I need to find someone who can take me to an officer. I look at my childlike self and hope I can ask for help.

I move forward to where the charismatic trash pandas were playing.

“Excuse me.” I call them.

“Zig?” “Zigza!” Both turn to me.

I am lost. Can you tell me where to find humans, please? I plead with an awkward smile.

“Zig Zigza" smiled, and one of them pointed to my right, “Zig Zigzagoon.”

“I see.” I did not. “Thanks, sorry for bothering." With a smile, they return to their play.

Despite my lacking comprehension, going right seems like my best, so off I go.

---------

After a while, I spotted a green building with an orange roof. 'Oh boy,' I thought, 'neither of my bodies handle trekking well.' As I approached the door, a sign came into view: Tunnelers Rest. That settled any doubts about my location.

I opened the door and muttered, “Sorry.” I hoped my acting skills were up to the task as the three men inside turned to see me.

“A boy?” the older man commented.

“What else, old man.” said the scruffy man at his side with a grin.

“Quiet, you two,” he added. The well-built man approached me and said, “Hello there, can I help you?” while leaning.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“I need help. I woke up in the grove and don't know where I am.” I hunch over myself as I speak to them.

As his eyes widen, he reassures me, "Don't worry, you're safe here. I'll contact the rangers, just wait, my name's David, by the way," David says before walking over to a phone in a counter near the table they're sitting at.

“Mine’s Cormack kid, this one is Kyle. Come sit here." The old man waved at me.

“Thanks, may I ask where we are?” I ask the men.

“Aren’t you polite? We are on Route 116." Kindly tell Cormack.

“You look weary, kid. Want something to eat?” Ask Kyle before I respond.

“I am fine, but can I ask for a drink?” Shyly, I ask.

“Ha ha ha, no problem, lad, wait a sec." Laugh, Kyle, despairing behind a counter.

"I contacted the ranger station, they will send someone to all this. What's your name, boy?" David asked me to sit down when he came back from the call. But why are they contacting the rangers so close to Rustboro? Shouldn't the police handle it?

“Kid?” David, break my thoughts.

“Sorry, I am Marcus Poplar.” I reply truthfully.

“A pleasure, Marcus. How did you end up in the grove, by the way?" Inquired, David.

"I don't know, I just woke up there,' I reply, looking down.

"Must be an Abra, he must have stumbled on it and teleported, it has been known to leave you shaken if not done properly." Cormack theorises, stroking his chin.

I forgot about the psychics, that could be a problem. I wonder how the laws are obeyed, hopefully being a child will get me a free pass.

"Don't worry, kid, here, this might help." Say Kyle comes back and puts down a cup of green tea with an anpan. I think I forgot I was in a Japanese equivalent.

“Thank you.” I tell Kyle, nodding.

"You're too stiff, kid. Relax and enjoy your snack." Kyle reassured me with a grin.

I take a sip of the bitter tea, before turning to them, and I ask "Em, can you tell me what this place is?”

David and the others tell me about the tunnel and the workers' hut. Apparently, Devon Corp. is building the tunnel so that Rustboro can be connected to Verdanturf, but more importantly to Mauville, without having to fly Pokemon or go through Slateport, thus improving the town's economic prospects.

However, this means that I'm before the game's canonical timeline, as the project was cancelled and Wally's cousin's boyfriend was working alone at the time, which is where the Aggronite came from. It also turns out that David and Cormack are running the lodge, while Kyle is their cook.

Speaking of the Aggronite, I still don't know if I'm in the original world or the remakes, and checking Ash's existence will clarify if I'm in the anime.

As you listen to the idle chatter, the door opens to reveal a black-haired man in a Ranger uniform. "Excuse me, I've come for a call about a lost child."

"Yes, I made the call, this is the one." David stands up and tells the ranger, prompting me to do the same.

“Marcus Poplar, sir.” I say, clasping my hands below my navel.

"Trevor Hartman. You seem fine, come on, I'll take you to the officers in Rustboro." He said, analysing me.

"OK, thanks for everything.” I say to David and company with a bow.

"Hahaha, don’t worry, kid.” Kyle laughed.

“Think nothing of it.” Cormack reassured.

“Come visit if you are close, Marcus.” David says.

"Will do, goodbye." I wave as I leave with Trevor.

-------

Once outside, he told me to wait while tossing a Pokéball, revealing a Skarmory.

"I'm going to Rustboro, come on, I'll help you climb," he says, holding out his hand and smiling, his eyes gleaming.

"..." I look at his expression, then at the Skarmory, which is proudly holding its head high, then at him, who hasn't moved his hand, and back to the Skarmory, which is just as motionless as he is.

Showing off? Is he that green? Well, I'm not much of a priority, considering this place is pretty safe, so a newbie makes sense. Ah, he's still not moving, his arm's starting to shake. Better do something.

"Sorry, it's just the first time I've seen a Skarmory up close." I said after shaking my head.

"Oooh, I see, but don't worry, despite what it looks like, it's perfectly safe to ride." He said as he nodded, "So, up you go."

"Eh.” Trevor grabs me and puts me on the Skarmory before climbing behind me.

"There's no saddle, so be careful," he commented, guiding my hands to grab the Skarmory.

Careful? This is the knife bird! Why don’t you have a saddle? Aren’t rangers the embodiment of safety?

“I, *gulp*, this is going to be the first time I will be flying.” I hopefully tell.

“Then you are in for a treat, Stella go.” he commands.

"Skaaaaa." The Skarmory began to fly as I steadied myself and grabbed its lower neck.

My heartbeat increases as the wind begins to deafen me and I tighten my grip, whether it is the adrenaline or another reason, I can clearly see the meadows and groves that make up Route 116, Pokemon roaming and Trainers fighting, then it hits me. I am in the world of Pokemon, even if I wish the awe wasn't dampened by the speed of the flight.

-----

After 5 gruelling minutes, we finally reach Rustboro and land in what appears to be the designated spot for flying Pokémon.

Having spotted us, two officers make their way towards us before I can process my disappointment at the absence of Jenny. Trevor picked me up from Skarmory and set me down on the ground, where my knees decided to give out after such a flight.

“I don’t want to fly again.” I managed to whimper.

"Maybe I overdid it a bit, Stella is a show-off after all." He has the nerve to say that when he sees my shaking and sorry state.

"Skar.” Your input is unneeded.

"Ranger Trevor, we got the message from your post. I assume this is the child. Is he OK?" The older officer asks as his younger subordinate helps me to compose myself.

"Yeah, it was his first time flying and I wanted to get there quickly." Trevor apologised, scratching his head.

"We'll take it from here, thank you for your service," the officer said with an icy glare.

"A pleasure to serve, goodbye, Marcus." And with a salute, he climbs onto his metal bird and flies away.

"Calm down, everything's fine now." After the departure, I can finally turn my attention to the gentle officer patting me on the back.

"Are you calm now?" The young officer has brown eyes and hair and a gentle disposition. He is the type to marry early.

"We are Officer Rolf Malcolm and Nathan Jacobs. Don't worry, we're going to the police station to deal with your case." The old officer, despite his demeanour, said this to me with a grandfatherly smile that matched his grey hair and black eyes.

"Ah! Marcus Poplar, thanks for the help." I presented myself, standing up on my wobbly legs, only to grab Nathan's arm to keep him from falling.

"Only our duty, son, come this way." And so Officer Rolf led us to our destination.

When we reached the station, I finally let go of Nathan's sleeve, now that I had regained the strength to walk on my own. Once inside, Rolf excuses himself while Nathan takes me to the reception area, where Officer Jenny is, and after a smile she starts talking to Rolf.

"This way." Nathan urges, leaving Rolf with the mythical officer, who was a little different from what I remembered, but to be fair, I hadn't watched the anime in a long time.

Nathan opened the door to what looked like an interrogation room - a little more cosy than I'd expected. Still, money in a public institution is something you never expect. I sit down at the table.

"Now I'm going to ask you some questions." Nathan said in that gentle tone of his as he took a seat in front of me.