Later That Night – Pewter Hotel
The room wasn't fancy, but after everything, it felt like luxury. Two twin beds, a little TV, and a window overlooking the sleepy city streets. Mew immediately belly-flopped onto one of the beds, arms spread wide.
"I call this one!" she declared.
Skitty bounced up beside her and curled into a purring ball. I let out a breath and dropped my new backpack by the door.
The bathroom mirror caught my eye.
I walked over and paused. Really looked at myself for the first time since I arrived.
"…Oh."
My reflection stared back: a boy about fourteen, with soft features, lavender-pink eyes, and hair just a shade off from Mew's—shorter, messier, and a little less bubblegum, but still very not-normal. The purple shirt I'd been wearing had a loose collar and stitched trim. My brown pants were scuffed from travel, and my once-white shoes had taken on a permanent muddy-red tint.
It was me. But also… it wasn't.
I could see why Jenny hadn't questioned Mew's "little sister" claim. We looked like siblings. Like we were made to match.
Behind me, Mew poked her head in through the doorframe. "Told you we make a cute pair."
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean you made yourself match me."
"Pfft. Details," she said, already climbing up onto the other bed. "Now c'mon, lights out. Supply run tomorrow."
I stared a moment longer, then nodded to myself.
Whatever this new life was, whatever I looked like now, it was mine.
And that was enough.
I flicked off the light and crawled into bed, Skitty hopping over to curl up beside me this time. Her purring was soft and steady, like a heartbeat.
Mew yawned loudly. "Night, big bro~."
"…Good night, gremlin."
■■SAVING■■■
The next day, Ren Pov
I tugged at the hem of my purple shirt and sighed. "Well, at least I don't look completely like a Mew clone. Just… mostly."
Mew flopped back on the other bed, still in her twelve-year-old disguise, grinning like a gremlin. "You got lucky getting your body aye? You're adorable~!"
"I'm not adorable," I muttered.
Skitty, now curled up at the foot of my bed, let out a happy mrrrow and rubbed her head against my leg.
"Et tu, Skitty?" I said, defeated.
Mew rolled over, laughing. "Face it, Ren. You're the human equivalent of a plush toy."
I groaned and flopped back, staring at the ceiling. "How am I supposed to survive in this world looking like this? I'm not even intimidating to Magikarp."
"Well," Mew said, now floating above me upside down, "good thing you've got me. And Skitty. And anyone else who decides to join us."
I sat up. "Right. Supplies, food. And then Cerulean City."
Mew saluted. "Aye aye, Captain Ren!"
■■SAVING■■■
The streets of Pewter were lively but peaceful. Children chased after Growlithe, trainers chatted outside the Pokémon Center, and the scent of fresh bread drifted from a nearby bakery. It all felt weirdly… normal.
After exchanging a few coins Jenny had given us, we stocked up at the Poké Mart—healing items, a proper backpack to replace the one I haven't even used(spacial expansion is awesome), some snacks, a sleeping bag, and even a guidebook to Kanto's native Pokémon, though there wasn't much in detail. Mew insisted on picking out a ridiculously colorful water bottle "because hydration is cute."
Skitty rode in my arms most of the time, purring contentedly. She got a red ribbon collar that she seemed far too proud of.
The city wasn't huge, but it had charm, stone buildings, mossy statues, and cobbled streets that gave it a timeless feel. It all seemed to wind toward the looming silhouette of Pewter Gym, though I wasn't anywhere near ready for that battle, not that it mattered without a trainer license.
In this world, anyone could battle with Pokémon, but the gyms were different. Official League gyms only accepted licensed trainers, those who had registered through the League's system. Without that, you couldn't aim for badges, or the regional championship.
As I wandered the streets, I spotted a missing person poster taped to the side of a building. The boy in the picture looked to be around my age. I didn't want to be rude, especially not about someone who was missing, but… there was something oddly blank about him. Dull brown hair, lifeless gray eyes, pale skin like he'd never seen the sun. A plain gray hoodie and jeans. Nothing stood out, like he was a character model someone forgot to customize. Even his posture slouched, like he didn't really belong in the world around him.
Skitty snoozed in my arms as Mew and I stared at the poster. Something about the boy tugged at the back of my mind, familiar, but distant. I shook my head and turned to leave. Mew lingered a little longer, her expression unreadable, before following after me in silence.
■■SAVING■■■
The day had been long, but productive. With our bags packed and supplies ready, tomorrow we'd begin the journey east toward Cerulean.
I stood by the window, watching the street lamps flicker to life, casting golden halos on the road below.
This world still felt surreal. Like a dream I wasn't quite ready to wake up from.
Behind me, Mew was already curled up under the covers, murmuring soft nonsense in her sleep.
Skitty had claimed the spot between our pillows, her tail twitching with every tiny snore.
I, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. For the first time in days, things were quiet enough for my thoughts to catch up.
Strangely… I felt fine. Really fine. Apart from the whole meeting a mythical Pokémon who now calls herself my sister thing, nothing about this world felt wrong. My memories from before the fall—heh, falling—were hazy at best, like half-forgotten dreams. But the ones I was making now? Clear. Vivid. Real.
I looked at Mew and Skitty, both sleeping so peacefully, like they belonged here.
And maybe… maybe I did too.
I don't know much, but I know this: this world is full of wonders. And I want to see them all—every last one—alongside my friends.