Pokemon Regression

Chapter 41: Elite 4: Lorelei

It had now been about three months since our group started training under Red, and slowly the members who remained had become able to communicate simple ideas with their partners just by exchanging glances... But none of us had managed to do the same thing with the other soldiers.

I stared intently into the eyes of one of my co-workers, an older soldier named Garret. He'd been the first soldier after myself to show signs of being able to communicate with his Pokemon non-verbally.

'Hello Garret. How was your day.' I tried to tell him with my eyes, but he simply raised one of his bushy purple eyebrows at me in confusion.

"Cyan, what the hell are you doing?" He asked me with his gruff voice-The ban on talking had eventually been lifted once all the remaining soldiers were able to issue a command to their Pokemon non-verbally. A portion of training each day was still conducted in silence, but Red eventually relented on having the entire day be silent.

I sighed.

"I'm trying to talk with my eyes."

"You're still on about that?"

He laughed at my expense. A guttural laughter that was more annoying than contagious. 

"It's impossible Cyan. The bond between partner and trainer is the only reason we can even get close with our Pokemon. You wouldn't even be able to get it with any other Pokemon-Much less with a human being. Just stick to call signs."

I grunted, but Garret's attitude was more or less how the entire camp felt at this point. My display with Red a few months ago had caused them to stick it out and learn to direct their Pokemon, but everybody relaxed after achieving that, since it was clear Red wasn't going to discard anyone who had learnt the skill. I might be the only soldier still trying.

I wanted to argue, but as I opened my mouth the loudspeaker flared to life. Everybody in the room turned to look, but the loudspeaker only produced a few taps before shutting off.

"Honestly..." Garret sighed. "Couldn't he at least say something for the announcements?"

"4 Taps." I mumbled, ignoring Garret. "That's the strategy room, right?"

It wasn't long before we'd all gathered in the strategy room, where Red and a logistics officer named Amy were waiting for us. Amy had been brought in after a large number of the soldiers under Red's command had complained about cramming over a table or blackboard to read whatever announcement he had to make.

"Uh, it says..." Amy began, raising the sheet written by Red.

"Alright losers, as far as I'm concerned none of you are ready yet, but HQ says we've got to show results soon or they're cutting us off. Which unfortunately means I've really gotta hurry and pick a vice-commander."

Ah, of course. Red had been running everything by himself so far, but he was really supposed to have a second in command. I glanced over the crowd, wondering who it would be.

Amy frowned.

"Erm, Red? Are you sure this is correct?"

She handed the paper to Red, pointing to a section and whispering for a moment. "No, but..."

I gazed over the crowd, picking out faces who would potentially illicit that reaction from Amy. I heard a few noises of scuffle and confusion as I did so, but then I was jolted from my thoughts by a hand grasping onto my left shoulder.

I turned to look and it retreated just as fast, Red's hand was bone-thin, almost dainty. Though perhaps such a description would imply more health than was due to his appearance.