Chapter 4 - Orientation
"Wake up, recruits!" A voice yelled into the room.
Alex jerked awake. Deputy Raticate was standing at the door. On the other bed, Caleb stretched and slowly stood up.
"Is it morning already? It feels like I barely slept." Alex groaned.
"It's one hour before sunrise. Get up so you can sneak in with all the other applicants this morning. It should keep the suspicion off you two for a bit. Bring the gear you brought with you. It will make you look like you got here at the same time as everyone else." Deputy Raticate said. Seeing Alex lag in getting up, he pulled the blanket off him. "Get up! This ruse is for your safety and convenience, Recruit Abra!"
Alex sat up. "My name's Alex, though. Right?" he asked. He kept his eyes closed. It seemed easier, somehow.
"Not to me, it's not. You're a recruit, and you have to earn my respect for me to use a chosen name. In any case, you'd better get used to being called 'Abra,' unless you want to deal with the hassle of everyone knowing that you're human and wanting miracles from you. Your choice. Now, get moving!" Deputy Raticate barked.
Alex stood up and sleepily walked to the door, where Caleb waited. He squinted to see where he was going. Alex's limbs were stiff from his long exertion yesterday. Deputy Raticate took them to the elevator, where Hoist Gurdurr was waiting for them.
"Deputy Raticate, welcome back. Mornin', you two," Hoist said to Alex and Caleb. The trio got onto the elevator
"Ground floor, Hoist Gurdurr," Deputy Raticate said. He started to let the rope down, grabbing it in his hands rather than letting it slide. Alex watched the colors of the floors go through the colors of the rainbow, ending at dusky purple.
"Follow me, Recruits, and keep up!" Deputy Raticate said, hopping off the elevator as soon as it stopped moving. Alex and Caleb followed, with the former stubbing his toes on the landing.
"In case you hadn't figured it out, you're going to sneak into the group of applicants today. We're going out a back way, so you will have to circle around the Rainbow Mesa to the west and come in on Sunflora Road. Machop, you were coming here anyways, but Abra, you will have to make up a story for how you got here and why you're applying. Have Caleb help come up with a backstory for you if you don't want to deal with all the attention humans get. After this, I haven't seen you before. You will just be another recruit to me," Deputy Raticate said.
Alex nodded. They passed though many hallways, lit with the same crystals as the night before. Beside the doors to go outside, a pack was left on the ground.
"Alex, this is for you. There's food inside for you both, and it will make you look like you came from a far off place with Caleb. Don't lose it, it's yours to keep," Deputy Raticate said.
Alex picked it up. It seemed to be made out of a sturdy canvas and was dull green or brown in color. As weak as Alex was, it took effort to put on and position it comfortably on his back, just barely resting on the base of his tail.
"T-Thank you, Deputy Raticate," he said.
Deputy Raticate glanced at Alex. "Go. The Academy opens the gates at sunrise, and stops taking applicants an hour after. Good luck."
Caleb looked at the path in front of them, which split into two directions. He squinted at the horizon, where one edge had begun to get lighter.
"Come on, Alex. This way!" he said. Caleb said. Alex looked back and saw the door had already closed, leaving no way to go but forward.
Alex shifted his new pack on his shoulder pads and slowly started walking. Caleb waited until Alex had caught up with him, and walked beside him. As the two left the base, the way became dark, lit only by a half-full moon and the stars.
"Hey, what kind of food did they pack for us?" Caleb asked. Alex stopped as Caleb opened his back and started shuffling through it. He pulled out a bundle wrapped in cloth. "It looked like there was adventuring stuff in there under this. I couldn't really see it, though, it's too dark," he said. Caleb unwrapped the bundle. Alex saw a rounded, long shape as well as several disks.
"Looks like we got sausage and bread, Alex. I hope you're okay with meat." he said, tearing the cylinder in half.
"What's wrong with meat? Aren't animals- Oh. T-This is made from Pokemon, isn't it?" Alex asked. He could smell it now that the casing was open, salty and strong.
"Yeah. A lot of Pokemon have to eat meat, but they have to be careful to not eat civilized Pokemon. It's a pretty common way to get a bounty put on you, hunting Pokemon without checking if they can think. Some predators only eat Pokemon from Mystery Dungeons, since even ferals can think and form groups. Mystery Dungeon Pokemon don't have anything like that," Caleb said. He passed a few pieces of bread to Alex. "Still want some?" he asked, holding out the other end of the sausage.
"I guess. It's already been killed, so I'm not hurting a Pokemon to eat it. I hope I don't have to hurt any Pokemon, though."
Alex accepted the meat and bread. The bread was dry, crumbly, like a common trail ration. Still, it was filling, and a few minutes later, he had eaten it all. Alex then started on the meat. The casing was tough, and Alex had to peel it off to get to the softer center. Abra gnawed at it in small bites. It was dry, only slightly more moist than jerky, made for preservation and travel more than taste. The fat in the meat helped his mouth water from the bread he had choked down before.
All the time Alex and Caleb were eating, they kept walking down the road. Each of them would occasionally stumble from a divot or stone in the road that was hard to see in the half-light of dawn. Soon enough, the road turned, hugging the base of the Rainbow Mesa, which towered above them for a hundred feet.
As they walked the shorter side of the mesa heading to Sunflora Road, Alex spoke up.
"What kind of story should I have? Wouldn't others guess I'm human if I just say I have amnesia? And with the marks on my back, I'll stick out a lot. I don't think I can keep that secret forever," Alex worried.
"It doesn't have to be kept secret forever, just long enough for the 'mons at the Academy to get to know you without knowing you're a human. How about we both come from the same town I came from, Granite Quarry? We both want to join the Academy to become explorers and help Pokemon. You don't have to answer any questions you don't want to. I know everything about that town!" Caleb said.
"But what about when they ask about my powers? I teleported once yesterday, but I don't know how do it again. I'm not going to have to show what I can do in front of everybody, will I? I still hate how I couldn't even walk up the stairs yesterday," Alexsaid.
"Oh, darn. I know they test you before you enter the Academy to see if you're healthy and stuff. We're guaranteed to get in, because of the Code protecting you, but Deputy Raticate really wants you to be a secret. He'll figure it out. He keeps the Academy in order, so I bet that won't be an issue," Caleb said.
Alex continued to worry. It didn't help that it was all he could do to keep his eyes open and keep walking. He wished he could go back to bed for a few hours… but that wasn't what explorers did. Surely he would have to wake up this early nearly every day if he wanted to succeed. So he endured, pushing his body on and his aching legs to walk.
Alex and Caleb came to what had to be Sunflora Road, a cobblestone street that went along the front side of the Rainbow Mesa. Alex recognized it from the evening before, when they first came into town. There wasn't anyone on it currently, but some of the food stalls that lined the street were opening up, with fire belching out of the stoves as the workers started their workday. As they walked, a Pokemon with a small head on its tail snapped out at them. Alex and Caleb jumped.
"Stop that, Kuro," the Girafarig said to her tail. She had been ordering food from one of the early morning vendors, and turned around to face Alex and Caleb.
"I'm sorry. My tail literally has a mind of its own, and it's nervous with all the new Pokemon around. It didn't bite you, did it?" she asked.
Caleb laughed nervously. "Not really, no. It just startled me. Me and Abra are on our way to the Academy to join up." he said. "We got up super early to be the first in line."
"Oh, you're applying too? I was on my way, and I didn't pack enough food for this morning, so I stopped here. Something simple to keep my strength up."
"Oi! Quit eating the display food!" a voice yelled behind her. Girafarig's tail had started chomping at the fried pastries on the shelves, with an irate Frogadier swatting at it with a long spoon.
"I'm sorry! I'll pay for this!" she panicked, digging in her saddlebags.
"Um, we'll see you at the Academy." Alex said, keeping far away from the tail that was still staring at him. Girafarig continued apologising to the shopkeeper as she pulled coins out of her bags onto the counter.
"Come on, Caleb. We'll see her later." Alex said, backing away from the awkward situation. Caleb followed after a moment's hesitation. A few minutes later, they came to the entrance of the Academy, where a Monferno and Baltoy waited, sitting on benches Alex hadn't noticed last night.
Alex and Caleb sat down on the benches opposite them on the path. Alex took his pack off, putting it on the ground beside him.
"A-Are you two joining the Academy too?" Alex asked.
"I'm here to show everyone that I'm going to be the best explorer, and that you don't need to partner with a human to be the best! But no one ever wants to give me jobs unless I'm part of a guild, so here I am. Stay out of my way, and I won't run you over," the Monferno said.
"You won't have to worry about that. I-I'm not going to get in your way." Alex said, unnerved by her bravado.
"Wow, you're already evolved, and joining the Academy? I bet you're really good at battling!" Caleb said.
"You know it. I'm the best fighter in my village, except for the adults. And they won't teach me anymore, because 'I'm not ready,'" she said while making a mouth gesture with her hands. "Cowards. They're just afraid I'll beat them."
Eager to change the conversation, Alex turned to the Baltoy, somehow balanced on its point in the dirt. "Are you joining too?"
"Affirmative. I seek knowledge and new techniques to create with. Interested in enchanting objects," the Baltoy's voice was a monotone buzzing, that somehow manifested without any movement of their mouth. "Question: Abra, why do you not float or teleport while coming here? Psychics like us utilize psychic power to optimally move."
"Um, I'm training my muscles. Yeah, I heard the Academy trains us on fitness, so I want to be ready," Alex lied. Somebody's going to see through me! I don't act like a normal Abra! But I don't know how to do that!
"I have not heard of this, but it sounds logical. Relying too much on psychic power could be a weakness in exploration," Baltoy accepted.
Introductions out of the way, Alex closed his eyes and dozed off. The bench he sat on wasn't the most comfortable, but it didn't matter next to how tired Alex felt. Caleb followed suit.
A few minutes later, Alex thought he heard somebody approaching. Opening his eyes, he saw the Girafarig from earlier trotting up the path. "They didn't open the gates yet, did they?" she panted. "Everything's going so wrong this morning. I almost overslept, and Kuro keeps misbehaving…"
"Calm down, girl, we're still waiting. Even if you were late, I doubt they could think less of you," Monferno said smugly, slouching on her bench.
"What's that supposed to mean? Of course punctuality is important. What kind of students would we be if we came to class barely on time?" Girafarig said.
"Normal ones, that's what we would be."
Before the conflict could escalate, a voice came from the street.
"Pardon me, is this the entrance to the Academy? I'm looking to apply to their medicinal programs," a small plant said. Hehad a flower on his head and scythes for arms.
"Yeah, we're all waiting here! Come on down!" Caleb called.
"Thank you very much. I am Traveler Fomantis, at your service," he said as he got closer. He was smaller than even Alex or Caleb, while Girafarig towered over them all.
"How many 'mon usually join each month?" Alex asked.
"I think it depends. There's probably more in spring and summer, when it's easier to travel. I don't think there'd be more than ten at once, though," Caleb said.
"That makes sense, I guess." Seeing that none of the other Pokemon were keeping a conversation, Alex closed his eyes again, dozing off.
Alex felt a nudge on his shoulder. "Come on, they're opening the gate," Caleb said.
Alex saw the Combusken from the night before touch the crystals on each side of the gate,, causing them to stop glowing. The sun had risen above the horizon, casting the mesa and landscape in a bright red glow.
Deputy Raticate exited the gate and sized up the recruits. "Applicants! I am Deputy Raticate, the second in command to Principal Blastoise. I will be your guide today through assessment and orientation. Follow me!" he commanded.
As the recruits stood up and gathered their packs and gear, the sound of flapping was heard. "Wait! I'm here! I'm not late!" a voice squawked. A Murkrow descended clumsily before landing on the path.
"I'm Scout Murkow! I'm here to apply to the Academy!" he said. "I'm not late, am I?"
"You are very close to being late. Fall in with the rest of the applicants, Murkrow," Deputy Raticate said.
Monferno jostled to be at the front of the line, with Girafarig behind her. Alex and Caleb took up the middle, with Baltoy behind them. Fomantis was next, with Murkrow guiltily taking up the rear.
Deputy Raticate led the group into the Academy, moving at a speed that made most of the smaller Pokemon have to trot or jog to keep up. Fomantis dropped to his belly to scuttle along the ground. Deputy Raticate led them to the stairs Alex had struggled with the night before. He groaned.
"Up the stairs! On to the blue floor! Hut- two- three- four!" Deputy Raticate commanded. Monferno leaped each stair, showing her strength and agility. Girafarig used the larger stairs to match her taller frame.
If I could use my psychic powers, this would be easier. I don't think this body is supposed to be walking like this. Alex thought. He took a deep breath and started the climb. Caleb walked beside him. After a few steps, Alex looked back. Baltoy did a strange kind of hopping motion on their foot. Fomantis looked at the stairs, each one coming halfway up his legs.
"Do you need help?" Alex asked.
"That's not necessary, Abra. I'm used to making my way over obstacles." Fomantis said. He used his scythes to pull himself up the stairs with his legs barely reaching the top of each stair. It looked more like Fomantis was crawling up the stairs rather than walking up them.
Murkrow simply hopped on the stairs. Alex stayed by Fomantis, making sure he was making it up the stairs.
"You don't have to make me hold you up, Cal- Machop." Alex said, almost saying his partner's name. If the other applicants heard that they had human names, they would get attention they were trying to avoid. "You can go ahead, I'll make sure Fomantis makes it."
"I told you, this is unnecessary. I can climb unassisted," Fomantis said.
"Sorry, I just thought-" Alex started.
"What's the hold up!?" Deputy Raticate yelled from the top of the stairs. "Get up here, or turn around and leave!"
"Sorry, Deputy Raticate! I'm making sure that Fomantis can make it up!" Alex yelled back.
"He can make it his own! I want to see his strength, not yours!" Deputy Raticate yelled.
Alex went back to Caleb and walked up with him. At the top, the rest of the group was waiting for Fomantis, who took longer to climb than even Alex.
After they had all made it up the stairs to the blue floor, Deputy Raticate addressed the applicants.
"We're all finally here! Keep up this time!." Deputy Raticate said. He led them to a room with a set of shelves carved into the wall. "Listen carefully! I'm going to give you a list of instructions, and I expect you to follow them! Leave your gear here. It will be searched for contraband, but returned to you later, after your assessment. Go into that room, take a seat, and you will be called forward individually to be assessed. Trained healers will ask you questions and check your body to make sure it's within normal limits. Afterwards, you will have a chance to demonstrate your physical abilities and skill in battle. Assuming you all pass, there will be a short break for lunch, then an orientation."
"What do you mean, contraband? What kinds of things is the great Academy afraid of? Monferno asked.
"Weapons of all kinds, status inflicting seeds and berries, wands, and more are items not permitted to be carried in the halls of the Academy. If you are on an expedition to a Mystery Dungeon, these types of items have their uses, against the hordes of crazed Pokemon there. Here, we are civilized, and have no need to use destructive items or fighting implements," Deputy Raticate said. "If you do have them, we will keep them safe, and return them to you if you need them. But for the next month at the very least, none of you will be going anywhere where you might need them."
"What's the point of battling if you can't use all your resources? You shouldn't let what's fair limit your strategy. I mean, that's how you lose fights," Monferno said, smirking.
"Are you challenging me, Monferno?" Deputy Raticate said, an edge creeping into his voice.
"I don't see why not. What kind of place puts a Raticate in charge? You're so common-"
Deputy Raticate flashed faster than Alex could see. There was a loud crash, and Monfero was slumped against the wall. Raticate stood over her, leaning on her chest.
"Rule number one of the Academy: Species does not determine destiny! Never, ever judge a Pokemon by their species. Any Pokemon can excel, if they work. And any Pokemon can fail, especially if they're cocky." Deputy Raticate said. "Do you understand me, recruit?"
Monferno gave a hacking cough. "Ugh. Fine."
Deputy Raticate leaned in. "What did you say, monkey? I'd better hear you use my full name, or I might think you're challenging me again," he said, glaring at her.
"I understand, Deputy Raticate." Monferno said.
"Good." Deputy Raticate stepped off her. He looked at the group staring at him. Alex watched in fear at how fast and hard Deputy Raticate could attack with little warning. Others looked at the sheer strength contained in such an unassuming body.
"Quit watching and get to it! The examiners are waiting inside!" Deputy Raticate yelled.
Alex and Caleb put their packs into one of the alcoves carved into the wall. The rest of the recruits followed suit. Monferno slowly stood up, bracing herself against the wall. The recruits then went into the room, where cushions were placed on the floor in neat rows, and a set of doors against the far wall. No sooner had Alex sat down, than Psychic Musharna floated in front of him.
"Abra, you're first. Come with me." she said. She floated to one of the doors, not looking back to see if Alex was following.
Alex was hoping to rest after the dramatic scene in the hall, but he followed a few steps behind her. They entered a small room, almost a booth, with a flat slab of wood on the ground and papers on top of it.
"You may sit down, most of this is a series of useless questions," Musharna closed the door behind him. "I'm here to make sure you're healthy enough for the Academy, but in your case, it's a formality. If there's time, I'll teach you a move or two for battle later." She laid down in front of the slab, clearly a desk made for quadrupeds.
Alex sat down.
"I'm going to start by asking you questions to make sure you know who you are and where this is. Makes sure you're not just delusional. First question: What is your name and species?" Psychic Musharna asked.
"I-I'm Alex. I'm supposed to be a human, but I'm in the body of an Abra," he replied.
"Good. Do you know where you are?"
"I'm at an Academy, in a place called the Rainbow Mesa,"
"Yes. Do you know what season we are in today?"
"I don't know for sure. The sun was pretty hot yesterday, so are we in summer or fall?" Alex asked.
"Good, you've got your head on straight, no major delusions or problems with perception," Psychic Musharna said. "Well, I knew that from entering your mind last night, but Bookkeeper Metang won't accept this unless I answer every single question, no matter how trivial."
"How old are you? How many winters or years have you seen?"
"I… I don't know. I can't remember."
"That question is more for physical maturity, anyway. Hmm, you look like you're around three, four years old. Your height is about right for an adolescent for your species." She looked down at her paper again.
The questions continued. Alex didn't know how to answer many of them, asking detailed questions about his anatomy and health. Psychic Musharna tested his sight, hearing, and all his senses. After that, Alex had to stand in various poses for Musharna to see his flexibility and strength. Eventually, Psychic Musharna finally stopped after checking him head to toe for a final time.
"You're as healthy as any Abra I've seen. And after talking with the other physicians here, I've determined that the scars on your back are closer to birthmarks than anything from an injury. If they aren't hurting you, and aren't limiting your movement, I see no reason to treat them. The riff raff will talk, but they were going to do that anyway," Psychic Musharna said.
"I am concerned that you haven't used your Pokemon abilities since that one teleport you told me about last night. If that Machop is to be believed, you teleported over five miles in unfamiliar territory, but that's very far for an Abra. One your apparent age can teleport three miles to a place familiar to them, and less in strange territories." Musharna said. "Hmm, I wonder if you have a Hidden Power that can be activated…"
Psychic Musharna opened one of her eyes and stared at Alex. "I have one last test for you. Every Pokemon has access to an ability called Hidden Power. It is an attack available to every Pokemon, therefore I can teach it to you. You will need to have some way to attack, especially since the next test involves battle. Now, take a deep breath," Psychic Musharna said.
"Wait! I'm going to have to fight? I don't even know how!" Alex cried.
":Quiet, child. I'm trying to help you not get trampled by all those physical attackers out there. As an Abra, your muscles will be no match for theirs, so you will have to fight another way. Now, take a deep breath, and find the core of your being."
Feeling nervous, Alex breathed in, smelling the scent of dust and clay in the air.
"Good. Focus on your breathing, and find the energy inside you. It may be bright green, the color of growing plants, or fiery red, or a different sensation. Now take that energy, and thrust it out of yourself towards me. I am far older and stronger than you, it will not harm me," Psychic Musharna said.
Alex closed his eyes, and felt for this energy. He had no memories of meditation, but it seemed to come naturally to him. With each breath, an orb or source of energy ebbed and flowed in him. It was grey, swirling with purple, enticing him the mysteries of knowledge and power it held. As he breathed in, the orb grew, and with a breath out, Alex willed it to move out of his hands where he pictured Psychic Musharna to be.
A high pitched ringing sounded in his ears, then a sound of things breaking, and a crash. Alex opened his eyes to find dust in the air, the wooden desk cracked, and the door blown open on its hinges. Psychic Musharna stared at him in shock, a purple mark drawing a line across her face..
"Ghost-type… And your marks… I should have known. You're not a hero. You're an outcast, transformed into a Pokemon as punishment, and marked for your sins. We should never have trusted you. You're not here to save the world, but to bring it to darkness under your rule," Psychic Musharna pronounced.
"W-What did I do wrong? I didn't mean to break anything!" Alex cried. Psychic Musharna floated out of the room, hovering unsteadily as she left the room.
"Be silent! I won't be drawn into your schemes! Principal Blastoise and the Deputy must be warned at once!" she yelled. Passing the other recruits, she looked at them. "Beware the human Abra! His Ghost essence spells doom for us all!"
The other in the group stared at her. "What, the Abra's a human? I thought something was off about him," Murkrow said.
"He did not use any psychic abilities, nor did he use any psychic senses to determine his surroundings," Baltoy confirmed.
"Yes, yes! I sensed his Dream last night, and his marks concerned me. But his Hidden Power is Ghost, the type of trickery, lies, and manipulation. His own soul is marked with death. Listen to him at your peril!" Psychic Musharna said. She floated out the door, ranting to herself the whole way.
The other booth opened its door, where a Golduck popped his head out, followed by Caleb.
"What's going on? Did that human break something?" he asked. He looked at the dust swirling out from the room where Alex still stood, stunned.
"Oh. Great, a Pokemon with the power of their evolutions, but no control. That'll be fun for your mentor to fix. Let me guess, she wanted to know what kind of Hidden Power you have?" Golduck said.
"Y-Yes. She told me to find the power in myself and push it out. I didn't know what kind of attack it would be. Am I going to have to fix that room? I don't have any money, and I don't think Caleb has much either," Alex said.
Golduck sighed. "It's not your fault, kid. I've worked with Musharna for years, and she's always followed the superstition about Hidden Power determining your fate or personality. I think it's just her seeing what she wants to see in it. Ghosts can be nice as much as anyone, they just have different diets and disable their foes without physically wounding them. Anyway, did she finish checking you?"
"I think so. I'm not sure what else she wanted to check," Alex grabbed the papers from the now-cracked desk and handed them to the Golduck. "Is that everything?"
He shuffled through the papers. "Yep, looks like you're done. Machop, you're finished too. Send the Fomantis in here next. May as well get some work done before half the administration gets down here to panic," Golduck said. He yelled out to the five Pokemon sitting in the room.
"Hey! I know today just got weirder than you expected, but unless you want to deal with the Principal or Deputy rejecting you, you'd better hold off on the harassment on these two. Abra here is probably more scared than you guys are. Are we clear?"
The five Pokemon glanced up at Golduck before turning back to themselves, whispering.
Turning back to Alex and Caleb, he said, "Alright then, you two can sit down. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. Don't forget to send in Fomantis.
Alex and Caleb walked away from the two booths.
"So much for having a story to keep your secret. Sorry, Alex. You can still let me do all the talking, if you want," Caleb said as they walked back. As they approached, they heard the five other applicants talk among themselves
Girafarig spoke up. "Umm, he seemed more scared than anything this morning. I mean, if he wanted to take over the Academy, he wouldn't be hiding behind Machop. If I wanted to lead a coup, I'd be in the front, showing off. N-Not that I want to take over the world!" she said, shaking her head. Her tail snapped its jaws in agitation.
"Indeed, the Abra seemed to seek approval to a fault. I was perfectly capable of climbing up the stairs by myself. Perhaps he wanted to buy my loyalty?" Fomantis wondered.
"It doesn't matter who he is, or what kinds of moves he knows. He better not get special treatment 'cuz he's human. I'm still stronger than all of you, and I'll prove I'll be the best explorer out of this Academy!" Monferno boasted.
"Umm, Fomantis? Golduck wanted to see you next. He's in the room without the broken door," Alex said.
"Very well. Was there anything unusual he tested on?" Fomantis said.
"It was mostly a bunch of health questions and then checking your joints and that you can move right. I didn't have to do any moves, like Alex did." Caleb said.
"Excellent. I will go now." And with that, Fomantis walked to the booth Caleb had been in, and closed the door behind him.
Alex and Caleb sat down, Alex on the edge of the rows of benches, while Caleb sat between him and the rest of the group. Alex closed his eyes, hearing and sensing the gossip that was taking place mere feet away from him. But to confront it seemed impossible. A doctor had just told all his peers what was supposed to be secret, and added fuel to the fire of gossip and rumor. Was he really cursed? Who was he as a human? Other humans didn't sound like they were marked the same way he was.
A voice broke into his thoughts. "Hey, Alex. Do you need me? I don't know what you're thinking right now, but it's probably not good." Caleb leaned against Alex's shoulder. "No matter what anyone else says, I'm sticking with you. And I'll tell you if you do something mean. All humans that come into this world have a partner, and for you, Alex, that's me. I'll be here until you find what purpose you're here for."
Alex let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Even if he wasn't here to save the world, he could do something. And if he could get his memories back, Alex could find out why he was here. But until then, the Academy might be the best place for him. Food, shelter, and training, until he was ready to adventure out with Caleb. Alex dozed off for the most restful nap he'd had so far in this world.