Where we Began (a Hoenn Story)

Nemuri was born in the Hoenn region and abandoned almost the same day she entered the world.

She was left on the doorstep of a house her mother believed would take in any child. The door never opened. Her mother never looked back. By nightfall, Nemuri was placed into an orphanage, where she stayed.

She grew up without siblings, without parents, without anyone who stayed long enough to feel permanent. The other children weren't kind. Some were cruel, some were loud, most were simply tired of sharing space with sadness. Nemuri learned how to make herself small. How to sit quietly, speak softly, and disappear without being noticed.

Her favorite place was the garden behind the orphanage. Wild Pokémon sometimes wandered close to the fence, curious and gentle in ways people weren't. She wasn't allowed to have one of her own, none of the children were, but they would sit nearby for a while before leaving again. That was enough to make the days feel less empty.

Loneliness settled in early, heavy for someone so young. Life moved on without her. The world spun, busy and loud, while Nemuri lived day by day in quiet stillness.

Then a new boy arrived.

Theo entered the orphanage full of noise and warmth and restless energy. He noticed Nemuri almost immediately, sitting alone like she always did, and decided, without asking, that she was his person. He followed her everywhere, talking about Pokémon, about travelling, about the world beyond the fence.

At first Nemuri only listened. Then she started imagining it. Slowly, without realizing when it happened, Theo's dreams became hers too. Not because she wanted glory or strength, but because they meant leaving. Because they meant not being alone.

For the first time in her life, something felt possible.