We left the Growlithe tribe behind, stepping back into the filtered green sunlight of the forest. The air felt lighter—less tense—but the entire team was buzzing with questions.
Pidgeotto flew overhead, keeping an eye on the canopy.Mankey marched proudly beside me, as if he personally negotiated with Arcanine.
Our goal had been the Caterpie–Metapod cluster, but after checking the sun's angle through the trees…
"We won't make it before lunch," I said, adjusting my bag. "We'll go straight to the Miltank pasture instead. It's open ground—safe to camp nearby."
The team nodded and began moving.
For five whole minutes, there was silence.
Then Captain Sethi spoke—direct, calm, but carrying the question everyone else was holding back.
"Sir… why Tanisha?"
Everyone slowed slightly.
Even Mama.
Tanisha's steps faltered for a moment, but she kept her eyes ahead.
I didn't turn around—I kept walking, but raised my voice so they all could hear.
"I understand my decision isn't obvious. So let me explain."
The drone shifted closer for a better angle.
Chat exploded instantly:
[YES FINALLY ANSWERS]
[CAPTAIN ASKED WHAT WE WERE THINKING]
[WHY NOT GIVE HIM A GROWLITHE THO??]
[TANISHA SUPREMACY??]
I spoke clearly, not as a friend this time—but as the leader of the Pokémon Department.
"First, all of you need to understand something important. You are part of the Pokémon Department now… but only temporarily."
They exchanged confused looks.
I continued:
"After this one week of forest training, all of you will return to your original branches—police, army, forest, fire brigade. You'll train others. Spread knowledge. Build teams. After that, you'll officially take your roles here."
It clicked for several of them at once.
"So," I said, "I already have Pokémon in mind for each of you. Not randomly. Based on your job, temperament, and long-term responsibilities."
I pointed at Kadam—not calling him Mama this time.
"Police Inspector Kadam is a frontline officer. Public security. Crowd control. City patrol. Anti-crime response."
Growlithe padded beside him, perfectly symbolic.
"So Growlithe is the most suitable partner, as I explained yesterday. Loyal, disciplined, excellent senses, fearless. A natural police Pokémon."
Kadam nodded firmly.
Captain Sethi listened quietly, waiting for the next part.
I continued.
"The next most suitable person for Growlithe… was Constable Deshpande."
Rohan practically choked on his breath.
"ME?? I was SECOND CHOICE???"
"Don't get excited." I said dryly. "You're not getting one."
Laughter rippled through the team.
Even chat joined in:
[ROHAN SIT DOWN][BRO GOT EXCITED TOO QUICK][L + RATIO + NO GROWLITHE FOR YOU]
Rohan sulked behind Meera.
Then all eyes turned to Captain Kabir.
I met his gaze.
"As for you, Captain… a Growlithe isn't the right match."
He raised an eyebrow.Not offended—curious.
"Why?"
"Because you're military," I said simply. "You need a Pokémon that is not just disciplined… but fierce, aggressive when needed, fast on offense, relentless in pressure, and durable in harsh terrains."
Everyone nodded slowly.
Kabir's aura wasn't gentle obedience.It was battlefield command.
"But that's not the only reason," I added, glancing at Tanisha and her small Growlithe pup trotting behind her.
"Yesterday, the Queen Beedrill gave me honey. And that Growlithe—the younger one—shared something else."
Tanisha froze.The others leaned forward.
"That Growlithe has a very rare ability: Flash Fire(Fire Absorb)."
Oxygen left the clearing for a heartbeat.
Meera murmured, "It can absorb fire…?"
I nodded.
"Flash Fire makes it immune to fire damage. And occasionally boosts its fire power when hit by flames."
Chat exploded:
[FLASH FIRE BABY]
[THAT'S A TOP TIER ABILITY WTF]
[THIS IS HUGE]
[SHE GOT A RARE STARTER LET'S GOOO]
Captain Kabir narrowed his eyes.
"And… why does that matter?"
"Because my original plan," I said, "was to pair Tanisha with a Water-type partner."
The fire officer blinked.
"Me? A Water-type?"
I nodded.
"Search and Rescue specialists like you deal with floods, fires, and unstable terrain. Water-types fit those roles perfectly."
Tanisha swallowed.That made sense.
"But…" I gestured toward the young Growlithe, "after discovering Flash Fire, I changed my decision."
"Why?" Kabir asked.
"Because Water Pokémon aren't ideal first partners for new trainers."
That made several people pause.
"Water Pokémon," I continued, "tend to be harder to handle, require large open spaces, and aren't as easy to travel with. Their temperaments vary widely. Some are gentle. Some are unpredictable. And many need constant water access."
Rohan blinked. "So Growlithe is easier to raise?"
"For Tanisha? Yes. For her lifestyle? Yes. For her job? Absolutely."
I looked directly into the camera.
"And for this Growlithe? Tanisha is perfect. Flash Fire means she can safely work in fire rescue, and the Growlithe can accompany her without fear."
Slow murmurs rose among the group.
Captain Kabir folded his arms.
"So your decision was based on… logic?"
"And instinct," I added. "Both matter when forming long-term teams."
He nodded once—firmly.
"I understand."
Even the drone seemed to hum approvingly above us.
Chat poured in:
[PROTAG LOWKEY A GENIUS]
[HE DOESN'T PLAY RANDOMLY EVERYTHING HAS REASON]
[CAPTAIN RESPECTS HIM THAT'S HUGE]
[TANISHA AND FLASH-FIRE PUP = PERFECT]
I faced the entire group again.
"Growlithe is just the beginning. I have Pokémon planned for each of you—based on your future roles."
Mama raised an eyebrow.
"Like what?"
"You'll see soon enough," I said with a smile.
Pidgeotto screeched overhead, drawing our attention forward.
The trees began to thin.
Warm sunlight splashed through the leaves.
The smell of grass and milk drifted faintly on the wind.
I pointed ahead.
"We're almost at the Miltank pasture. Stay alert. This area is peaceful… but full of new Pokémon."
Growlithe on both sides barked proudly.
By the time we stopped, the sun had climbed straight overhead.
12:30 PM.
We were still about half an hour away from the Miltank pasture, but everyone was tired enough—physically and mentally—to need a break.
I raised my hand.
"We'll stop here for lunch."
The team dropped their packs with visible relief.
The drone hovered, waiting.
I pointed at it. "Ritu, cut the live feed."
"Ending now." She tapped the tablet.
Chat flooded the screen with a final burst:
[NOOOOO LUNCH BREAK AGAIN][BRO FEEDS POKÉMON BETTER THAN HIMSELF][POSTING MY PIDGEY PIC RN EXPLAIN IT PLS][WHAT DO WE DO WHILE YOU EAT?]
I spoke into the mic before the feed cut off entirely:
"Post your questions or pictures of any Pokémon you came across. I'll answer them after lunch so you know how to safely approach—or avoid—the creatures."
Stream ended.
Silence settled over the group.
Well… almost silence.
Mankey flopped onto the ground dramatically like he was dying of hunger.Pidgeotto glared at me like a disappointed mother waiting for dinner.
Meanwhile the humans began unpacking MREs—standard military rations meant to last a week.
Not the most appetizing, but filling.
I dug into my own bag.
Time to make lunch.
I placed a wooden bowl on the ground.
Gathered the berry mix Pidgeotto had collected earlier—Oran, Sitrus, Cheri, and a few small forest fruits.
Then I uncorked the honey bottle.
A thick golden ribbon poured out, coating the berries like molten sunlight.
The smell was intoxicating.
I barely used two spoonfuls and already half the bottle was gone.
The team stared.
Imran whistled. "Sir… that's like using gold as salad dressing."
Pidgeotto landed immediately, feathers puffed.
Mankey vibrated in excitement.
Even the two new Growlithe crept closer, tails stiff but curious.
"Alright, alright," I laughed. "Everyone gets some."
I mixed everything and placed four separate bowls:
One for PidgeottoOne for MankeyOne for Kadam's GrowlitheOne for Tanisha's Growlithe
Pidgeotto and Mankey immediately dug in like starving royalty.
Growlithe's took their bowl next to their trainers before starting eating. Sign of a bond already forming.
Growlithe's eyes sparkled with happiness—they both let out soft satisfied growls, tails wagging in perfect sync.
Tanisha whispered, "He likes it… he really likes it…"
Kadam rubbed his partner's head proudly. "Good boy. Eat well."
The team watched the scene with a strange mix of awe and tenderness.
Even Captain Sethi cracked a smile.
Fire-type pup eating honey-berry salad in the middle of a military operation.A sentence nobody had ever imagined.
After finishing my own MRE, I stood up and clapped my hands.
"Okay. Trainers. Come forward."
Both Kadam and Tanisha walked over, still looking nervous but excited.
"Time to see what your Growlithe can do."
Growlithe perked up immediately.
I crouched and faced them.
"Show us your moves."
Since my system hadn't unlocked the move-scan feature yet, I had to rely on observation.
But Growlithe understood.
Move demonstrations:
Both Growlithe started with Tackle, dashing forward with surprising burst speed.
Then Bite—sharp, controlled, practiced.
Then Ember—small flames puffed cleanly with good form.
"Good control," I nodded. "Neither overusing fire. That's good."
Next:
Odor SleuthTheir noses twitched, eyes sharpening as their senses heightened.
HowlBoth pups raised their heads and let out coordinated howls—boosting morale, energy, confidence.
The team looked impressed.
But then—
"Now… your special moves."
Kadam's Growlithe stepped forward confidently.
A gentle glow spread across its body, warm and golden, like sunlight gathering around its fur.
"Morning Sun…" I whispered.
"Morning Sun is a rare move. It uses sunlight to restore health. Usually inherited. It's incredibly valuable for frontline officers."
The team gasped.
Ritu whispered, "Wait—he can heal himself?"
I nodded, stunned.
Kadam looked at his Growlithe in disbelief, then knelt and hugged him tightly.
"You're… amazing. Absolutely amazing."
Growlithe barked proudly.
Next up—Tanisha's Growlithe.
It crouched low.
Then—
WHOOSH
It blurred into motion, circling Tanisha in a rapid zigzag pattern.
"Agility," I confirmed. "Speed booster move. Perfect for rescue operations."
Tanisha's Growlithe came to a stop in front of her, panting, tail wagging wildly.
She knelt down and gently cupped its cheeks.
"You're perfect. Thank you for choosing me."
The Growlithe barked and licked her face.
Even the team melted.
Mama grumbled, "Brat somehow picks perfect pairs… unbelievable."
after lunch I told team to rest for half an hour, while I told Ritu to start live stream for the Q&A session.