Pokemon Regression

Chapter 44: Trainer Specialization

"You kids did great trying to chase after him, but leave this matter to the adults, okay? We'll make sure to catch that thief!"

I stared dumbfounded at the blonde blue-eyed soldier for a solid few moments before I caught myself.

"Ah-Yes, sir?"

"Good lad!"

The soldier gave me a hearty slap on my back, which stung just a little. I rubbed my back softly as Surge pulled the Raichu slung over his back up to his shoulder by her tail, resting her there softly.

Well, at least now I know why Blue thought I'd be able to help...

"Oh? You two don't look familiar, but you seem decently competent... Are you two Gym Challengers by any chance?"

The black-haired girl by my side nodded hyper-enthusiastically, her eyes glimmering with life-And locked on the Raichu leaning against Surge's head unsteadily.

The Raichu was a particularly plump specimen, shaped less like a healthy mouse and more like an orb with the characteristic traits of a Raichu painted onto it's surface or stuck on with sticky tape. The yellow cheek pouches, long curved ears with a yellow centre, and wire tail ending in a lightning bolt were all present, but they were muted by the sheer girth of the Pokemon.

Chee reached hesitantly towards the creature, who sniffed her hands briefly before leaning against surge again.

"Uh-Yeah, we are."

"Quiet black-haired girl, and a serious boy with a splash of white in his otherwise steel blue hair... I see! You must be the interesting pair Brock and Misty wrote about!"

He let out a hearty laugh and slapped my shoulders. "Welcome welcome! Sorry if you went to the Gym and I wasn't there, I have a lot to do about town. Did you want to go now?"

"We were waiting for a friend-"

Surge held a palm up to my face, cutting me off.

"Ah hold on, gotta do something first."

I tried to answer but the blonde man was immediately distracted, hoisting the defeated Miltank over his head with a grunt. He waltzed right past me, letting out a few huffs but not appearing slowed even with the large ball of flesh hovering over his head. His Raichu dropped to the ground and was immediately met with even more attention from Chee.

"Milton!!" A voice called from back the way Chee and I had come from.

An older looking lady rushed towards the scene, nearly tumbling over her own feet.

"This your Miltank, ma'am?"

"That's my Milton...!"

Surge set the Miltank on the ground, and it leapt towards the lady, pressing it's face into her side.

"Keep a better eye on it next time, don't let some kid swipe your partner!"

"Yes! Thank you Surge..."

The man turned to us again, placing his hands on his hips. "Alright! Now, you were saying something?"

I glanced over at Chee, who was still enraptured by the Raichu, squeezing it's belly and watching it spring back into shape.

"...We were going to challenge it with a friend, but he's holed up in his room."

Surge placed his chin between his finger and thumb, nodding thoughtfully.

"Alright! Well, you could at least come do the test before the battle! Seeing what you did just before, I'm sure you two will have no problems!"

...