Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Chapter 392 - 0393: Stop! Friendly Fire!

Thursday, February 11th, Cloudy.

Early in the morning, Natsume received a call from Professor Oak.

"The Rotom Pokédex can autonomously create training plans?"

Still drowsy, Natsume instantly snapped awake.

"Professor Oak, why didn't you tell me sooner!?"

"Haha, it's just a plugin. No need to get so excited."

Professor Oak chuckled. "Exercise volume, diet, heart rate... A Trainer can't monitor these things as precisely. The Rotom Pokédex fills that gap perfectly and adjusts training plans accordingly."

"With a scientifically rigorous plan, training efficiency will double!"

Natsume scratched his head.

I have a training plan?

Since when?

Then, he glanced around the empty room.

Slowly, everything became clear.

The new Rotom was in charge of adjusting the training plan.

Gengar handled the actual execution.

Sirfetch'd provided off-field guidance...

Sylveon tracked wild Pokémon.

Arcanine handled taunting.

Blastoise cleared the field with AOE attacks.

And Togepi provided adorable buffs...

Natsume looked up at the sky, feeling a little weird.

You guys don't even need me for team battles, huh?!

...

Rewind to last night.

The Rotom Pokédex was lying on its wireless charging pad, fast asleep.

Suddenly, it felt someone poking it.

"Rotom?"

Rotom opened its eyes—and froze.

A group of menacing "shadows" had surrounded it.

"Sirfetch'd!"

Sirfetch'd retracted the leek it had used to poke Rotom and nodded solemnly.

Helping the new little buddy is my sacred duty!

"Gengar!"

Gengar bared its teeth in a friendly grin.

After some communication, Rotom finally understood.

Midnight training sessions were a traditional art in Natsume's household.

But for Pokémon like Sirfetch'd and Arcanine, who excelled in sunlight-based moves, fighting at night meant they couldn't go all out.

As for Blastoise? It didn't matter what time it was—it was always busy doing push-ups on-site...

"We need to adjust the training plan!"

Rotom waved its Pokédex arms, then whispered, "I'll design specialized training for everyone! Rotom~!"

Instantly, pairs of glowing eyes lit up in the darkness.

Just as the howling was about to start, Sylveon bared its teeth menacingly.

"Sylveon! (#`皿′)"

Who dares disturb his sleep?!

Silence returned to the room.

Rotom slipped into the circuits and silently unlocked the door's passcode.

"Gengar!"

Gengar's eyes sparkled as it gave the little buddy a thumbs-up.

The crew lined up single-file, led by the Rotom Pokédex, and sneakily slipped out the door.

Togepi brought up the rear, waddling along.

"Togepi doo-ee~ ヽ( ̄▽ ̄)ノ"

Let's all train together~!

Time passed in a blink, and the sun rose as usual.

The little ones had learned a lot overnight.

Sirfetch'd trembled with rage, then burst into tears.

"Sirfetch'd! "

Originally, he'd wanted to set an example for the newcomers on their first night.

But after just one evening, their status had almost caught up to his!

This isn't fair~!

When the yawning little ones returned home,

they locked eyes with Natsume.

"Beep beep... Training plan completion: 130%, Rotom!" Rotom levitated forward, reporting proudly.

Natsume opened his mouth, then hesitated.

A single night had passed...

And Rotom Pokédex had already been assimilated?!

Wasn't it supposed to be that Pokémon grew to resemble their Trainer?

Oh, wait—your bonded target was... Gengar? Never mind, then!

Natsume had known the little ones would sneak out at night.

But suppression wasn't as good as guidance...

Having Rotom strictly control training hours was better than letting them stay up all night.

Natsume rubbed his temples and sighed. "Well then, I'll leave the planning to you, Rotom!"

"Roger that! ( ̇▽ ̇)"

Rotom Pokédex spun in a cheerful circle.

"I'll do my very best, Rotom!"

Weren't you completely unmotivated yesterday...?

Did making new friends suddenly make you more cheerful?

Natsume scratched his head.

But... this kind of thing happened often.

I mean, even Sirfetch'd—a total slacker—had started emulating Gengar!

Sirfetch'd: Sirfetch'd! That's slander!

Still, it was worth celebrating that Rotom wanted to be part of the family.

"Rotom!" Natsume called out, about to mention the lawn mower he'd just ordered for it.

But when he turned, Rotom was already on its charging dock, fast asleep.

"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi tugged its little blanket, climbed onto the desk with great effort, and draped it over Rotom's body.

"Togepi!" Togepi smiled, brimming with accomplishment.

Natsume watched the dozing Rotom and smiled.

If it's just a short nap, you don't need to plug in the Electirizer, right?

It's only been five minutes—how much electricity could it possibly use?

Unless you're some kind of ultra-fast charger that'll drain a month's worth in one go?

At that moment, the chandelier above Natsume flickered before stabilizing.

Natsume: "...No big deal!"

By noon,

Natsume had personally cooked a meal to welcome the new member.

At the lavish dining table, Gengar stood on the tablecloth, pulled out a microphone from who-knows-where, and cleared its throat.

"Gengar!"

I've prepared a special performance for everyone!

Natsume had been smiling cheerfully—

until Gengar started singing.

Crack!

A glass on the table shattered instantly.

Natsume's eye twitched as the screeching noise drilled into his ears.

"Noise pollution alert! Pollution alert, Rotom!"

"Sylveon! (〃>皿