Anonymous {2nd Place in Miscellaneous (PWA 2018)}

Chapter 8: The First Mission

As Shin walked up to the department building, he couldn't help but stop to gape at as if time had stood still for him.

It seemed as if the building had carved so many memories into his heart over the years. He remembered having to pass it each day he drove to his high school, marveling at all its glory. The sun would glimmer off the metal golden star that was its pride with rays of white, orange, and amber, which danced in a mellow manner.

It slowly began to give off a sense up hope for the man, like a began of renewal and potential that was waiting for him to explore. He had always sought that sense of adventure and discovery as a child-- back when he was still too frightened of the consequences to take chances. The man tended not to dwell too long on those memories, as he refused to let anything stand in the way of his new fiery passion for the future ahead of him. He would, at last, get to take on the world like he would have on his trials, using his abilities to help others in dire struggles and hosting that collected, yet gallant stance that he had admired so long ago.

But, as if it were soldered into his mind, with the optimistic emotions that beheld him as he gazed at his destiny before him, he saw behind him the morbid pit of his past, biding its time to ambush him. There he stood in that hollow, the child of which he once was, desaturated and darkened by the torments of separation.

How he hated those times where he was trapped by the expectations of a minor. As much as he hated to admit it at that time, he had resented his treatment from his mother. It was only when Shin had come home that night, sobbing into his mother's arms about the events that took place that she finally considered letting the boy grow up and break free of his chains.

However, Shin noticed that scars remained branded onto his spirit each time he passed a trainer happy with their partners. It would feel like a dagger being agonizingly driven into his beating heart. Even when he had shared his room with Terry, the hurt never truly ebbed away as the other man and his feline companion laughed away life's problems.

Shin would just stare blankly at them, and he would soon find himself remembering that sweet smile... the rough pelt running through his small fingertips... the cerulean gems in which he watched grow in belief for days on end.

For six grueling years, the sight of his reminiscence would kill him silently from the inside.

And even so, he knew he had to continue forward through the cascades of his life. He had gotten this far, at least he could move forward as his friend had. Shin could choose to stay stagnant, floating in the abyss of his past or step forward into the new day that was the present. He was what he strove to be since that fateful day: A protector of Alola, just as he had dreamed.

For some reason that he could never seem to place, there was a small ember aflame within his soul, as if a force had been stirring him to continue down that path. Like a Volbeat to an Illumise's magnetic glow in the moonlight.

He felt as if there would be something significant there, waiting, growing ever impatient, for his presence...

"Shin! You coming?" Terry called from in front of him. The shorter male was already at the top of the stairs in front of the entrance, making himself look like a titan to Shin with his confident stance. Shin gently shook his head, letting the aggrieved taste from his mouth fade into his conscience.

He blinked away the thoughts. "Yeah, right behind you," he called.

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"Good morning, officers."

A gruff man with arms the size of a Machoke's marched in front of the room of men and women both rearing to take on the day. Veins protruded against his alburn skin and pulsed with experienced strength. Shin eyed his curly chocolate hair, sensing an odd recognition towards him. "First order of business, I'm pleased to announce that we have some new recruits in the room with us from the police academy at the neighboring town. Why don't you stand up?"