Arata's POV
The bus slowed, screeching to a halt. I got up from my seat and stumbled slightly as Marrie leaned on me to rise from the other seat. The people on the bus gave us all a look; we were a ragged trio. I wore my mud-streaked red jacket, Marrie limped on a scavenged walking stick, her borrowed T-shirt hanging loose over bandages, and Maggie still looked beat up. Marrie limped to the door, the stick bearing most of her weight. We reached the front, the door opened,
I nodded to the driver, and stepped onto the pavement of the stop. Turning, I held out a hand to Marrie, who took it after a second, looking very pale, and got off the bus, wincing slightly as her feet touched down.
Her blood loss is more serious than I thought... I winced.
"Be careful, Marie... you're going to hurt yourself more," said the little girl who jumped off the bus behind us, pouting up at her sister in worry. Marrie smiled back indulgently, hiding her pain with practiced ease.
"I'm fine, Mags. You don't have to worry about me," she replied, adjusting her damaged backpack, leaning against the stick, and ruffled her sister's hair with her good hand.
She had insisted on carrying the bag even when I offered to carry it for her.
Truly a reckless and stubborn girl but...
Looking at the scene in front of me, it was obvious how much she cared about her sister. I shook my head.
"Let's get going, shall we? It's better to get you to the center. Medicated are great, but you never know..." I called out to the sisters, who nodded. Looking at the board where the bus had dropped us off, it was Palmer Street, the closest Pokémon Center in Viridian I could find. The building was just a block away, and we could see the red roof with the insignia of the Joy clan. It was bigger than the standard ones found in smaller places, boasting a solid six floors.
We moved slowly through the afternoon foot traffic, supporting her as Marrie leaned on me more with every step. Maggie stuck close to her sister's free side, her small hand brushing Marrie's hip as if she could hold her upright through sheer willpower. Looking at her condition, I was starting to get worried.
The automatic doors whooshed open.
The lobby was filled with people and Pokémon. It looked like a mix of a hotel and a hospital, with some people relaxing on couches looking at the large flat screen, and some people nervously waiting.
A nurse, her brown hair pulled tight in a bun behind a desk, looked at me, then at Marrie, then her eyes widened.
"Oh—oh dear." She was already moving, rounding the desk. "Miss, are you alright? Can you tell me what happened?"
Marrie opened her mouth, but the nurse didn't wait. She produced a handheld scanner from her pocket, ran it gently over Marrie's body, and her face blanched.
"Severe blood loss, possible organ failure!" She spun toward the back. "Stretchers! Now! And page Dr. Harlan!"
Marrie shifted, wincing, and pushed her ravaged backpack toward me. Her eyes, a little glassy and scared, locked on mine, then flicked to Maggie, who stood frozen beside me, small fists clenched at her sides.
"There's... money in there," Marrie whispered. "For... for whatever she needs. Please..."
Sighing internally at the situation, I nodded once. "I've got it... don't worry."
Two aides appeared almost instantly, pushing a gurney through the swinging double doors marked Emergency Treatment. The nurse helped Marrie ease onto it, movements gentle but efficient. Marrie winced again as they lifted her legs up.
"Wait..." Marrie fumbled at her belt with her good hand, unclipping Princess's and the Tangela's Poké Balls. She pressed them into the woman's palm. "Please... take care of them too."
"Of course." The nurse tucked the balls into her coat pocket, then turned to Marrie. "We'll get them patched up right away. You focus on resting."
She gave me one last pleading look filled with trust and gratitude before the gurney rolled through the swinging doors. They closed behind her with a soft thud. Silence settled around us despite the people around. Maggie stared at the doors where her sister had been taken.
I crouched to her level. "Hey."
She turned slowly, her lower lip trembling.
"Your sister's going to be fine," I said quietly. "The doctors know what they're doing and have the best equipment here. Marrie's tough, she made it this far, right?"
Maggie nodded, her lips quivering, but she put on a brave face, for which I offered a small smile, even as my heart clenched for the little girl who was left alone with an essential stranger.
I offered my hand. "How about we go upstairs and get some rest while we wait? They've got rooms for trainers and families. We'll be right here when she comes out."
She slipped her hand into mine; it felt small and cold, and we walked to the elevator together.
Up on the fourth floor, the trainer lodging wing was quiet. I booked a double room at the desk and led Maggie inside. Two beds, a small table, a window overlooking the city. Maggie sat on the edge of one bed, knees drawn up, staring at her shoes.
I could tell Maggie was closing up. I thought for a second and released Orin, who flashed out in a white light. He twitched his nose, looking around, and raised an eyebrow at me. I mentally apologized to him and sent him feelings of sadness and comfort, and nodded toward Maggie.
He looked contrite for a second but acquiesced. Orin was surprisingly the most compassionate Pokémon in my team, and his presence would help elevate her spirits. I gave her a smile and said, "Orin here was feeling a little lonely. Would you mind keeping him company?"
"Really... come here, Orin." She perked up a little and called over the little bear, who climbed on the bed and allowed himself to be brought into a hug.
I smiled and rummaged in my pack, pulled out the last of Delia's sandwiches and a couple of juice boxes. "Hungry?"
She shook her head at first, then her stomach growled, loud enough to make her blush.
I smiled. "Thought so."
We ate together. I set up some light food for Orin as well. When the food was gone, I cleared the wrappers and dimmed the lights. I could tell she was tired from all the travel and excitementof the past day. "Try to sleep a little. I'll be here when you wake up."
"Ok... Thanks, Arata..." She murmured as she settled into bed, still holding Orin's fur. I smiled a little as he gave me the side eye.
I watched her for a minute longer, something in my chest twisting, and giving me a warm feeling.
This is what it is to have a little sister, huh...
Then I let my own head tip back against the wall I was leaning against. I thought for a second and looked at Orin, letting him know to stay through our bond, then slowly left the room after receiving his confirmation.
I needed to know what Marrie's situation was. I didn't know if I had to call anyone; it wasn't something that was discussed, an unwise decision in hindsight. I needed answers. I pushed off the wall quietly, reached the ground floor, and approached the main desk. The same Nurse Joy from earlier looked up, her expression shifting from a professional smile to gentle recognition when she saw me.
"How can I help you..." she trailed off.
"Arata Ishida... how's Marrie doing...?" I asked with a dull smile.
She tapped a few keys on the terminal, her eyes scanning the screen. "She's stable now. We gave her a blood transfusion that finished about ten minutes ago. The Medi-Cade you used in the field probably saved her life. Her organs almost failed..."
I exhaled through my nose. "Good. That's... good."
"Hello there." A voice called to me from behind.
Whos this....
I turned to see two officers: a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair cropped military-short, broad shoulders filling out the dark blue Viridian Police fatigues,with reflective silver piping on the sleeves, badge gleaming at the chest, utility belt heavy with cuffs, radio, and sidearm. Beside him was a younger woman, maybe in her late twenties, who did not look friendly. I stalled, wondering why the police would be looking for me.
"My name is Officer Ken, and this is Officer Ainya," he introduced himself and the other officer, who gave me a narrow look. "We had a report about a young woman being brought in this morning, and we were hoping we could get a statement from you."
He glanced at Nurse Joy behind me. I glanced back as well. She busied herself with a clipboard, but the faint flush on her cheeks made me wonder, Did the center inform the police? Then again, I probably look sketchy.I looked down at the faint blood stains on my sleeves, then nodded to the officer.
"Of course, where would you like to discuss this?" I asked. He directed me to a corner couch, which was empty. We sat down facing each other. I looked at Officer Ken and tried to ignore the other one's stare.
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. "What can I do for you?"
Ken opened a small notepad, pen clicking. "This is just a routine inquiry, Mr. Ishida. We've had a string of reports lately of young women going missing or turning up injured along the outer routes, their memories wiped. Nothing concrete, but enough to make us cautious. We need to confirm the circumstances of what happened to Ms. Marrie."
I felt the first flicker of irritation. "Circumstances? And how did they know my name?"
Ainya leaned in slightly, voice cool. "You were the one who brought her in. Alone. With her little sister. We'd like to know how you came to be involved."
What is she insinuating...?
The way she said it made it sound like I'd orchestrated the whole thing.
I kept my tone even. "I was on Route 1, heading to Viridian. I heard a scream nearby and found the little sister being chased by Rattata. Then I found the older sister being attacked by more of them. My Pokémon scattered them. I patched her up as best I could in the field, camped overnight because of the storm, and brought them both here this morning. That's it."
Ainya's eyes didn't soften. "And why were you on Route 1? Alone?"
"Starting my journey. I left Pallet yesterday."
"Why Pallet?" she pressed. "You don't look local."
I felt my irritation rise.
I reached down to my belt, rolling my eyes at them tensing, and unclipped my Pokédex. The sleek black-and-red model hummed to life in my palm.
"Pokedex, identify."
The familiar cheerful chime rang out, loud enough to turn a few heads in the lobby.
"Hello. I am Dexter 2.07, Trainer ID: Arata Ishida. Registration number 004-231-KAN. Issued by Professor Samuel Oak, Pallet Town Laboratory. Status: Active Lab-Affiliated Trainer. Ranger auxiliary clearance: Junior Ranger, Vermillion Sector."
The mechanical voice cut off with a soft beep.
Ainya blinked, visibly thrown. Ken's mouth twitched.
"Ah," Ken said, closing his notepad with a soft snap. "Junior Ranger and a lab trainer. That explains a few things."
Ainya opened her mouth, probably to double down, but Ken raised a hand, gentle but firm.
"Calm down, Ainya. He's one of ours, technically." He turned back to me, tone shifting to something almost apologetic. "Look, we're not accusing you of anything. We just need the statement on record, and we'll need to file a formal report at the local Ranger HQ, standard cross-department protocol when a junior's involved in an incident like this. Makes things easier for everyone."
The irritation still simmered, but I let it cool. He wasn't wrong, and I wasn't about to make this harder than it had to be.
I nodded once. "You can consider this my statement. And I'll stop by HQ myself later to make it official."
Ken smiled. "Appreciate it. We'll take your contact info here, and someone will reach out to schedule. In the meantime..." He glanced toward the treatment doors. "Your friend's in good hands. You did solid work out there."
I shrugged. She's not a friend. "Just doing the job."
Ainya stayed quiet this time, though her stare did not lose its edge.
Ken stood, offering his hand again. This time I took it. Firm shake. "We'll let you go about your day. Give our regards to the little one and reach out to us if you require anything."
I nodded and watched them leave the center. I sighed, calming myself, cooling down my temper. It was strange; I was never one to have a loose temper, but these days... Shaking my head, I walked up to the desk to the nurse, who looked up at me with a sheepish smile.
"Hey... I just wanted to know when Marrie would be discharged and when her sister can meet her?" I asked. She calmed herself, seeing I didn't push back on anything.
"She is under induced coma now, but fine. We'll keep her overnight, but barring complications, she should be discharged tomorrow afternoon," she said, sliding a tablet across the counter with a stylus attached.
"This is the temporary guardian/advocate form. Since you're the one who brought her in and there's no parent or legal guardian on the patients record, signing as a responsible adult friend lets us update you on her status and make decisions if needed before social services gets involved."
So they are orphans... I had suspected, but...
I scanned the form, standard legalese, checkboxes for emergency contact, relationship to patient. I ticked Friend, signed my full name, the date, and handed it back.
She took it, gave me a small, tired smile. "Thank you. Most people just drop off and disappear. It makes our job easier that you stayed."
I shrugged, feeling oddly exposed. "Couldn't really walk away."
She nodded like she understood. "Her Pokémon are doing well too. The Pichu and Tangela are in recovery pods, resting. We'll have them ready to go when she is."
I nodded and made my way back to the room. I paused outside our room door, hand on the handle, thinking about the little girl asleep inside and her abilities. Was it Aura? A budding version of it? Whatever it was, it wasn't nothing. And in a world where powers like that could draw the wrong kind of attention—or the right kind, from the wrong people—it wasn't something to ignore.
I pulled my Ranger Nav from my belt, thumbed it awake, and dialed the one person who'd know what to do with this kind of information.
The line clicked after two rings.
"Arata?" Professor Oak's voice came through warm, a little surprised, a little pleased. "Everything alright on the road? Where are you?"
I leaned against the wall outside the door, keeping my voice low. "Hey, Professor. Mostly alright. I reached Viridian. Had an incident on Route 1 yesterday, rescued two sisters from a Rattata pack. Older one's banged up pretty bad; we're in the Viridian Center now, stable. Younger one's with me upstairs, sleeping."
A pause. "That's... quite the start to your journey. And you called because...?"
I rubbed the back of my neck. "The little sister, Maggie, she's got something. Aura, maybe? Or a variant. My Pokémon reacted to her strangely. Even Caesar was curious instead of dismissive, and Titania didn't attack when she reached out. She's five or six, Professor."
Silence on the other end, longer this time. When Oak spoke again, his tone had become thoughtful.
"That's... unusual. Very unusual. Are you sure it's Aura sensitivity? You're sure it wasn't just a coincidence?"
"I felt it too, through my bond with Caesar."
Another pause. I could almost picture him adjusting his glasses, staring at nothing while his mind turned.
"Keep an eye on them, Arata," he said finally. "Both of them. Make sure they're safe. I'll need to think about this. If it is something like your abilities or something adjacent, it could be important... and dangerous, if the wrong people notice."
"Understood. I'll have to leave for Pewter soon, but I'll try and figure something out."
"Excellent. And Arata?"
"Yeah?"
"You're doing good work out there. Not everything is just about badges. This... this matters too. Call me if anything changes. Anytime."
"Will do. Thanks, Professor."
The line clicked off.
I pocketed the Nav, took a slow breath, and eased the door open.
That went well...