Chapter 8: A Name Without Memories
The Pokémon League building was quieter than Aarav expected.
Not silent—but controlled. The kind of place where voices stayed low and footsteps were measured. Trainers passed through the halls with purpose, some accompanied by Pokémon, others alone. Everything about the space suggested order.
Which made him feel even more out of place.
Aarav sat on a padded bench outside a medical room, feet barely touching the floor. His clothes had been cleaned and replaced with a simple League-issued outfit, but he still felt like someone who didn't belong anywhere yet.
A League official stood nearby, speaking softly into a communicator.
"…Yes. Juvenile. Found in the northern forest sector. Memory loss reported… No registered trainer ID on him… Yes, we're running identity verification now."
Aarav looked down at his hands.
They didn't feel like his.
Not because they weren't attached—but because they didn't carry history. No familiar scars. No remembered habits.
A door slid open.
"Alright," a calm voice said. "You can come in now."
Inside, the medical room was bright and clean. A Chansey stood near the wall, humming softly as it organized supplies. A League medic gestured for Aarav to sit.
"This won't take long," she said. "Just routine checks."
She scanned him with a handheld device, asked simple questions, tested reflexes. Chansey pressed a cool paw gently against his forehead, eyes narrowing slightly as it focused.
After a moment, it gave a satisfied nod.
The medic smiled.
"Physically, you're fine," she said. "A little malnourished, mild fatigue, but nothing serious. No head trauma."
Aarav hesitated.
"Then why don't I remember anything?" he asked quietly.
The medic softened.
"Memory loss doesn't always come from injury," she said. "Shock, grief, stress—sometimes the mind protects itself."
The word grief lingered.
Aarav nodded, though he didn't feel anything specific attached to it.
He was led to a different room afterward—smaller, more official. A long table. Two League officers. A device projecting faint blue light.
One of the officers smiled gently.
"Don't be nervous," he said. "We're just going to ask a few questions and verify some information."
Aarav sat.
"Can you tell us your name?" the other officer asked.
"Aarav," he answered immediately.
That much felt solid.
"Last name?"
Aarav opened his mouth.
Nothing came.
"I… don't know," he admitted.
The officers exchanged a glance.
"That's okay," the first said. "We ran a regional search based on your name, age estimate, and physical data."
He tapped the console.
A hologram appeared.
IDENTITY MATCH FOUND
Name: Aar A.
Age: 12
Residence: South Paldea – Cortondo outskirts
Status: Civilian
Parents: Deceased (Recent)
Aarav stared.
"Aar…?" he repeated softly.
The officer nodded.
"Your registered name is Aar," he said. "You were reported living alone after your parents passed away earlier this year."
Aarav's chest tightened unexpectedly.
Not pain.
Absence.
"…I don't remember them," he said.
"We know," the officer replied gently. "That's not uncommon in cases like this."
The second officer continued.
"Our records show that you were last seen leaving your residence alone three days ago. A neighbor reported you heading toward the nearby woodland."
Aarav frowned.
"The forest?"
"Yes," the officer said. "You were found much farther in than expected."
A holographic map appeared.
Routes highlighted.
"The most likely scenario," the officer explained, "is that you entered the forest, became disoriented, and continued moving without realizing how deep you were going."
Aarav listened carefully.
That explanation fit.
At least on the surface.
"And no Pokémon?" the officer asked. "No companion?"
Aarav shook his head.
"No," he said truthfully. "I didn't have any."
The officer nodded.
"Alright."
There was a pause.
"Given your condition," the first officer said, "the League will escort you home and arrange follow-up care. You'll also have access to counseling if needed."
Aarav nodded again.
Home.
The word felt unfamiliar.
---
The house was small.
Single-story. Modest. A bit worn.
It sat on the outskirts of Cortondo, surrounded by low fencing and patches of overgrown grass. A few neighbors watched quietly as the League vehicle stopped out front.
Aarav stepped out slowly.
This was supposed to be his home.
The door opened with a faint creak.
Inside, the air smelled faintly of dust and old food. Furniture was simple. A few framed photos sat on a shelf.
A League worker guided him gently.
"We'll leave you with some supplies," she said. "Food, clothing, emergency contacts. Someone will check in tomorrow."
Aarav nodded, barely hearing her.
He picked up one of the photo frames.
Two adults stood beside a younger version of himself—smiling, arms around each other.
His parents.
He felt… nothing.
No sadness.
No warmth.
Just the awareness that something important was missing.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, not sure who he was apologizing to.
The League workers left quietly.
The door closed.
Silence settled.
Aarav stood alone in the living room, sunlight filtering through the curtains.
He sat down slowly.
This body had lived a life here.
Gone to school.
Eaten meals.
Grieved.
And now he was here instead—carrying no memories of it, but all the responsibility.
He glanced down at his arm.
The Poké Ball tattoo was hidden beneath his sleeve.
A secret no one else knew.
A reminder that his life hadn't simply gone blank.
It had changed.
Aarav leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes.
"I'll figure it out," he murmured. "One step at a time."
Outside, the city continued on.
Inside, a boy with no memories and a future full of danger sat quietly in a house that was his—
Whether he remembered it or not.