Pokemon Regression

Chapter 28: Cerulean Days

Day 53:

In light of Chee's recent injuries I expected her to want to stay at home, but she continually insisted on following me where I went. To my surprise however, she was relatively quiet and didn't make any complaints as long as she was allowed to come along. 

I began to suspect that despite her outwardly cheerful demeanour, she was actually still pretty shaken by all the events in Mt. Moon, and just wanted to be around me. Either that or she still felt like she should be extra nice to me since I'd just had my birthday. 

Regardless, I spent the day doing some investigation for rumours and information about the Gym Leader of this town-My experience with Brock had taught me that while not totally reliable, local information on the Gym Leader could be useful. 

Unfortunately as I combed over my notes at the end of the day, I began to notice a lot of inconsistencies between the different accounts that I'd been given about the Cerulean City Gym Leader. 

They were a trainer who specialised in water types, and a young woman. All accounts agreed on that much. After that however, things became more scattered. Some people described the Gym Leader as kind and sweet, others as self-absorbed and frivolous. Some told me she was a beautiful lady, others said she was a tomboy who spent no time on her looks.

I frowned over my notes at the end of the day. The contradicting accounts almost sounded like they were different people entirely. I made a note to start inquiring by name instead of by 'Cerulean City Gym Leader'. Perhaps the Gym had changed hands at some point in the past. 

Day 54:

Chee's recovery was already progressing well, and she told me that the pain was starting to become less noticeable. To avoid putting too much strain on it, I decided to spend the day training in the field behind the Pokemon Centre instead. 

There were a few trainers there who I was able to do some practice battles with, which helped since Yeller and I were still a little out of sync after I'd had to use Chee's Bulbasaur in the caves of Mt. Moon. 

Something I only now realised I'd never told her about. 

I was quiet as we re-entered my room in the Pokemon Centre, but we both could tell there was something on my mind. She tilted her head to me questioningly, and I finally burst.

"...I'm sorry." I started. "When we were in Mt. Moon... Yeller got injured, and I wound up using your Bulbasaur to fight wild Pokemon, and help me find you... I forgot to tell you until now!"

Her eyes widened, and she suddenly pulled out the Pokeball that Bulbasaur had been kept in. I couldn't blame her, she probably felt very betrayed by my revelation. Borrowing someone's Pokemon without their permission was never an act to be taken lightly. 

...You used my Bulbasaur?

I nodded quietly, feeling somewhat ashamed.

And it listened to you?

I frowned. "Um... Yeah? Sort of..."

She looked down at the ball in her hand, then released the Pokemon contained within. The green quadruped nearly leapt for joy, nuzzling it's head affectionately into Chee's gloved hands. Once again, it's vision had completely clouded over and I couldn't understand a word of what it was thinking.

Chee stared at the Bulbasaur for a few moments, then back to me. 

...How did you get it to listen to you?

I blinked a few times, not sure why she was asking. "Well, after I told it you were in danger, we worked together to rescue you... When I first tried it attacked me, but I managed to sort that out before it could knock me out."