I returned to camp after the Poliwhirl incident, brushing lake mist off my sleeves. The team looked energized, Pokémon buzzing around them like excited children exploring a fairground.
"Alright everyone," I said, raising my voice. "Take a break. Interact with the friendly Pokémon, explore the area, but don't go near the deep side of the lake. I'll be working for a bit."
They nodded.
Mankey immediately tried to spar with a Bellsprout.
Tanisha sat cross-legged with the Pichu gathering around her.
Mama cautiously approached a Slowpoke… who forgot he existed between blinks.
I turned to Ritu.
"Ritu, take over the livestream commentary. Show close-ups of the Pokémon. Answer basic questions. Nothing advanced."
Her eyes lit up.
"Yes, sir!"
The drone dipped to her height as she started walking closer to the lake's edge, narrating like an energetic nature host.
"Okay chat! Let's look at these Staryu up close—look at the gem glowing—oh my god they're spinning—AH WAIT IT'S COMING CLOSER—" It just spat water on her and returned to it's group. "Oh it's gone. "
She handled the panic well.
"Pidgeotto," I said, turning to my partner.
She straightened immediately.
"Keep watch over everyone. Land contact. Air surveillance. Alert me if anything unusual happens."
Pidgeotto chirped and launched upward, circling the camp like a guardian hawk.
With the perimeter secured, I entered my tent.
The moment the flap closed behind me, I pulled out my phone and opened a blank document.
Time to get serious.
Training Plans: Drafting
Tap-tap-tap.
I typed nonstop.
Mankey's training plan:
• Agility drills
• Branch movement practice
• Controlled Rage technique
• Early steps toward Karate Chop mastery
Growlithe (Kadam):
• Scent tracking
• Ember precision
• Pack-minded endurance drills
• Fire Fang basics
Growlithe (Tanisha):
• Rescue agility drills
• Flash Fire synergy training
• Controlled flame output
• Terrain navigation
Pichu (all four):
• Static discharge control
• Tail-strength exercises
• Reflex games
• Safe spark usage
Eevee back home:
• Adaptability tests
• Balanced stat conditioning
• Socialization rounds
• Evolution suppression monitoring
I paused.
Tangela's name blinked on the screen.
But… I didn't write anything.
Tangela wasn't meant to be part of my team.
He was scared, lonely, clinging for safety—not looking for battles or adventure. He'd be happier at home, with my parents taking care of him… playing in the garden, soaking sun, maybe helping Grandpa with plants.
I deleted the empty Tangela section.
Thirty minutes later, the plans were complete—clean, organized, and labeled for each trainer.
I stepped out of the tent, stretching my fingers.
Team members were scattered around the camp, bonding:
• Tanisha feeding Pichu bits of chopped berries
• Mama's Growlithe teaching Baby Pidgey how to "pounce"
• Meera taking photos of Hoppip
• Arjun sketching the terrain
• Slowpoke… staring at a rock
Perfect.
"Everyone gather up!" I called.
They formed a semicircle instantly.
"Mama, Tanisha, Ritu—I've sent training plans to your devices. Open the documents."
They checked their phones.
"I want you to follow these schedules every day—morning and evening sessions. I've also included move-training modules. Your Pokémon should be able to learn at least one new move within a few days."
The three looked stunned.
I continued:
"And there's training for you, too."
"Us?" Mama blinked.
"Yes. Command discipline. Situational awareness. Ability to read your Pokémon's condition mid-battle. Your Pokémon can only be as good as your instructions."
They stood straighter.
"You're not just Pokémon owners," I said.
"You're trainers now."
Imran, who had been listening earnestly, suddenly pulled out his phone and frowned.
"There's… nothing in my inbox," he said, confused. "Aakash, where's my training plan?"
I turned to him.
"You don't need one yet."
He blinked. "Huh?"
"Right now your entire job is to make Slowpoke remember you."
Slowpoke, sitting beside him, stared at a leaf.
Then blinked.
Then stared again.
I continued.
"If you can get it to remember your face, your voice, and your presence—even after ten minutes—you've achieved step one."
Imran nodded slowly.
"After that," I said, "teach it to release Heal Pulse intentionally. Not by accident. Not out of instinct. On your command."
He swallowed.
"That sounds… difficult."
"It will be," I admitted. "But the reward is worth every second. A medic with instantaneous battlefield healing? That's priceless."
Imran's eyes hardened with determination.
"Yes, sir. I'll do it."
I clapped my hands once to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone. Since we're near the mountain boundary, this is the last stretch of our expedition."
The team straightened.
"From here on, only five of us will proceed:
Me, Mama, Arjun, Captain Sethi, and Ritu."
A ripple of shock went through the group.
Meera frowned. "Why only you all?"
Bhavesh looked disappointed.
Kavya raised her hand timidly.
I answered calmly.
"The mountain paths are narrow, steep, and impossible to defend with a large group. Visibility is low. Escape routes are limited. I can't risk everyone."
They understood immediately.
I continued.
"Tanisha—take care of the Pichu. Electric types on rocky slopes are unsafe. One slip and they'll tumble."
She nodded, pulling the tiny mice close. "Don't worry, they'll be safe with me."
"And the rest of you—focus on bonding, recovering, and watching over the Pokémon that gather here. I'll be back by evening."
I turned and whistled.
"Pidgeotto!"
She dove down from the sky, landing smoothly beside me.
"Anything happen in the last half hour?"
She chirped a report.
"…Poliwhirl came out twice to challenge her again."
Mama sighed. "That frog is a battle addict."
"It's like Mankey," I said dryly. "Just with more water and fewer tantrums."
Chat exploded:
[POLIWHIRL = LAKE MANKEY CONFIRMED]
[BATTLE FREAK]
[I RESPECT IT]
I crouched.
"Call him out. I need to talk to him."
Pidgeotto nodded and shot toward the lake with impressive speed.
A few seconds later—
SPLASH!
Poliwhirl emerged, spinning its fists eagerly, ready to fight right here, right now.
"No, no." I held up my hands. "Talk. Not battle."
Poliwhirl paused.
Then tilted its head like a confused child.
I pulled out a handful of berries and offered them.
It sniffed.
Accepted.
Munched.
Good.
"Poliwhirl, are you enjoying these battles with Pidgeotto?"
"Poliii—whirl whirl!"(Very! Others in lake weak. Slowbro no fight!)
I chuckled.
"Okay, listen. I'm taking Pidgeotto to the mountains. You can't fight her till evening."
Poliwhirl deflated slightly.
"But," I added, "when I return, you can battle Pidgeotto as much as you want."
The frog's eyes sparkled instantly.
I leaned closer.
"But I need one promise."
It straightened like a soldier being addressed.
"Defend my team while I'm gone. If any wild Pokémon cause trouble, you protect them."
Poliwhirl puffed out its chest and slapped it twice proudly.
"Poli! Poliwhirl!"(Leave it to me!)
"And one more thing—important."
It leaned forward.
"If there are any younger Pokémon in the lake—Shellder, Poliwag, even Staryu—bring them to battle the Pichu and Pidgey. Low-level training for them. Gentle battles only."
Poliwhirl thought for a moment.
Then nodded firmly, eyes shining with excitement.
"Good," I said, standing. "You're in charge until I return."
Poliwhirl saluted.
Then dove back into the lake with a dramatic whirlpool spin.
I sighed.
"Great. I just hired a frog as a temporary security guard."
The team laughed.
Chat screamed:
[AAKASH IS HIRING WILD POKÉMON AS STAFF]
[POLIWHIRL: LAKE SECURITY CHIEF]
[BATTLE ADDICT WITH A JOB LMFAO]
[THIS FOREST IS TURNING INTO A SMALL CIVILIZATION]
I looked toward the mountains.
Sharp ridges. Narrow paths. Unknown Pokémon ahead.
"Alright," I said quietly.
"Time to finish our exploration."