Pokemon Regression

Chapter 19: Brock's Secret

I sat thoughtfully propped up against a wall outside the Pewter City Gym. Chee probably would have stood a chance fighting back against the bouncers who had thrown us outside, but there wasn't any point trying to talk to Brock about it when he'd thrown us out as a response. 

"...It doesn't add up." I mused. "He acts like he has to make money at all costs, but the way he behaves means that almost nobody actually falls for the tricks he's set up... What's the deal?"

The upside-down head of my female black-haired friend bent over to meet me with a furrowed gaze. ...Shouldn't you get up before asking that?

Okay so technically I was the one who was upside-down, I'd been sent for a bit of a spin when the bouncer who'd grabbed me had thrown me outside, and the weight of my body was currently rested on my shoulders. With a grunt, I pushed off the ground with my arms and rotated myself upright. The act was easier than I'd expected-a lingering aftereffect of boosting my strength using the system earlier. 

So, what now? Chee's eyes prodded at me. 

"Well..." I began, enjoying her undivided attention. "I think it's pretty clear there's something fishy going on, so we need to find a way to figure out what it is."

The girl tilted her head helplessly at me, hoping for advice. I found it mildly reassuring that despite her intelligence, she still needed my help when it came to a problem like this. I still had uses.

The first idea that came to my mind was to try and wiretap Brock's phone and bug his house, so that we could listen for any telltale conversations. Unfortunately, doing something like that was not only highly illegal, it was also technology that neither Chee nor I had any means of obtaining. 

It was probably still worth trying to sneak around a bit, but there was something I wanted to check first. To that end, we'd have to leave the Gym. But I also wanted to keep an eye on Brock, which would require stealth and agility...

I stared up at a smallish air vent visible from outside the Gym. We may not have any fancy technology, but we were still small and light children. 

I glanced at my agile mute black-haired friend. She stared back at me curiously. 

"...Do you think you can try following Brock, without me?" I held up my PokeDex, pointing at the air vent. "And text me anything you overhear."

She was quiet and contemplative for a moment, but she nodded gently. I can do that, but what are you going to do?

"I've got a few more questions I need to go ask."

...

The PokeCenter wasn't particularly active in the middle of the day like this, most trainers were either out on the road travelling to or from here, or they were out in the back using the fields like Chee and I had done yesterday. 

At the desk a young nurse with brown hair was filling out and sorting paperwork with a furrowed brow, every few seconds she would stop and consult a sheet by her side before continuing. 

"Having trouble?" I asked to open the conversation. 

"Kyah!?" The nurse jolted back with a start, scattering a few pages of paperwork onto the floor. "Ah..."

She answered me only once she'd gathered the scatters pages back together and placed them back on the table, letting out a deep sigh as she did so. "Yes, sorry... I'm covering for one of the other nurses, but I'm not very used to working here... I'm only doing the morning shift, so if you wait until the afternoon a more experienced staff member can help you. Otherwise... Well, is there anything I can do to help?"