As tense as the questioning was, it was only protocol: name, date of birth, parents, do I know where I live, what happened, that sort of thing.
Fortunately, I remembered that in Japan they use the number of the month instead of a name. Unfortunately, I could only lie about the other things, I can only hope for the best.
[NATHAN POV]
"What do you think, sir?" I ask Rolf, who is frowning as he reads the child's interrogation report.
"I need to ask the Captain something. Wait here." Rolf hurried out of the room and into the Captain's office.
Unlike her daughter, Captain Jenny is quite straightforward: this must be serious. But why? The child is withdrawn, but that is understandable. Who wouldn't be after turning up in a unknown place?
And just to be dragged by that reckless idiot Trevor, I bet he tried to show that he was shaking and could barely walk when he brought the kid.
We need to find his parents. I'd like to bring a Kadabra, but breaking the rules to even find the boy's home is going to be such a mess.
I feel Misha rattle in her pokeball, "It's OK, I'm not worried about it yet.
*steps* *steps*
"That was quick." I said to Rolf as he opened the door just as I saw Jenny dash in behind him.
“What happened?” I ask.
"She will register the boy and then go to the orphanage." Rolf said as he sat in his chair.
“What?" I was baffled as to where this was coming from.
"You see, and keep this to yourself: the kid is a faller."
"I."
"Allow me to finish." I close my mouth.
"A Faller is an individual who comes from another world, the cause is something only the international police know, and even then there is much mystery, much less why it happens."
“But how can it be now that this is the case with Marcus and not a psychic mishap? There are precedents.”
"While we cannot psychically peer into his memories, the station Kadabra was able to confirm that he has no anomalous psychic TE."
"What is the procedure in this case?" I ask crestfallen.
"Fallers are rare, so there is no standard. Taking into account that he is 10 years old, he can stay in the local orphanage until he is 16 and get an education before he goes on a journey.”
"I see, fortunately it's not like in the past." We're sorry, but there's nothing more we can do. I am relieved that at least he will have a place to stay.
"One of the few things the Unovans did right." Rolf stopped writing for a moment before continuing, he remembers the war better than I do.
“In any case, go break the news to the kid and take him to the orphanage. Jenny will be waiting for you there.” Rolf dismisses me.
“Yes Sir.”
-------
Walking towards the orphanage. I took the opportunity to look around the town, especially at the stone buildings. It was a strange but charming sight. I had never seen anything like it before. Pokemon's role in society must be widespread to make such projects possible.
But I couldn't enjoy the sights to the full. My mind kept going back to what Nathan had told me before we left.
Faller... How did they come to this conclusion? I know they exist, but doesn't the international police have them by the throat? Maybe Mohn hasn't published his findings yet?
The situation still doesn't make sense, why am I being taken to an orphanage?
With the journey starting at the age of 10, I was convinced they would just register me at a Pokémon Center, give me a Zigzagoon, pat themselves on the back and be done with it. Maybe the league season hasn't started yet.
“Marcus, we have arrived.” Nathan said grabbing my attention.
A big two-story building, I wonder why an orphanage would be that big, you might think that children are more likely to die in the Pokémon world.
As we walked through the town, I noticed a few children wandering around. You would expect more given the time of day. I thought as I watched the sunset from the windows.
Nathan led me with familiarity to a door on the second floor before knocking on it.
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“Come in.” An elderly voice answered.
"Matron." Nathan said with a smile as he opened the door.
"Nathan! It's good to see you, Jenny's told me all about you. Are you Marcus?" the grandmotherly woman asks me.
"Yes, ma'am." I bowed.
"What a polite boy. Have a seat. We will deal with your papers in a moment." She said before starting to search for the papers on her desk.
“I’ll be leaving then. Take care Marcus” Said Nathan.
"Always in a hurry, aren't you? Come and visit more often." The matron reprimands him lightly, unable to hide a smile.
"I will, goodbye." As Nathan left, the Matron put the papers on her desk.
"Well, I think introductions are in order. My name is Teresa Harper and I am in charge of this lovely place.”
"Marcus Poplar, nice to meet you." Although she already knows that.
"The officers have already informed me of your circumstances... I can't ask you not to worry, but we are here to help." She tried to reassure me.
"Thank you." I replied, looking at the ground.
"So, first of all, let's make you a citizen of Hoenn." She regained her cheerfulness as she grabbed a pen.
"Let's start. Give me your full name, Marcus." She asks.
"Marcus Poplar, Mrs Harper." I mentally prepare for the interrogation.
“Now, when is your birthday.”
“22 of the fourth month.”
“Place of origin, let’s put Rustboro here with an addendum.” Better for me.
“Age?”
“10”
“So, year 185 it is.” She said, after taking a moment to think.
“Year 185?” Where came that number from?
"This is the year you were born. Where you come from, it was different?" She clarifies.
I nod at the question.
"I see. The current way of classifying the era is based on the invention of the pokeball."
"I see."
"That should be all from you, I can fill in the rest myself. But before I show you around, I need to ask you something."
"What?" I ask, confused by the sudden seriousness of her voice.
"Do you like Pokémon?" She gives me a smile as she asks.
“Eh?”
"You see, Marcus, the orphanages were opened by the Hoenn League during the war." Which ones? Pokémon has a few.
"Thanks to that, kids like you have easy access to trainers schools, or if you want a civilian career, we can transfer you after the first 3 years of training." She explains slowly.
“…”
“Marcus?”
"Can I find out how the trainer school works?" I ask, confused. What does she mean by 3 years?
"Of course. After completing basic education, a 10-year-old can enrol in a trainer school to further his or her education in fields related to Pokemon over the next 6 years. 3 of general education and 3 of specialised courses, to be precise".
I feel my freedom slipping away.
"The school year started a month ago, so you won't be far behind your peers."
"Thank you."
"Don't worry, dear. Now let me show you where you will be staying." She gets up and we leave her office.
-------
As I lie down on the bunk bed, I am overcome with exhaustion. It's been quite a day, and tomorrow promises to be just as exhausting.
At least I have the room to myself. I look at the other bunk bed at the side of the room and feel relieved of my loneliness. Mrs Harper put me in this room because of my status as a faller. Of course, this was only possible because there are not many children in the orphanage at the moment.
After all, the war orphans have grown up and the region is generally peaceful. Of course, accidents can happen, so the place is not completely empty. The children at dinner were noisy, but respectful enough.
I better go to sleep. Mrs Harper is taking me shopping for clothes tomorrow, and thanks to, God? Arceus? that we get a small stipend for our needs outside of the basics that are provided. I have a hunch that means sweets for the children.
…
Alone, huh?
There is no mother to nag me, no uncle to rely on, no stepfather to hate, and no sister to ignore.
This time, I am on my own.
As the tears slowly fall from my eyes, I can't help but think of the irony of me rejecting the idea of pets out of responsibility, and rejecting the concept of a couple because I don't want to invest time in others.
I have fallen into a world where the bonds you make with magical creatures mean everything.
I don't know if I have what it takes. I just don't want to compromise who I am for some empty comfort.
Not again…
My uncle and master would be proud. Let's hope my resolution holds.
And with that, I let myself be carried away by drowsiness.