Pokemon: My Trainer Simulator

Night.

The Quicksand Squad Headquarters Building.

The highest-ranking officials of the organization gathered, their faces tinged with worry.

"Thirteen people on the first day... this result is worse than ten years ago."

Yugo, a silver-haired elder at the head of the table, sighed deeply.

Even as a second-rate organization, the Quicksand Squad was declining with each generation, inevitably heading toward collapse.

The number of new recruits made this evident.

Over a hundred participants joined on the first day, but only one-eighth passed. Was the trial really that difficult?

"I think we should give it some time; after all, you know what happened..."

Chester, a thin man with long hair, smiled faintly. "It might just be the result of setbacks caused by that patron."

The trial site had suffered massive collapses due to the wrath of the Spiritomb, leaving many unlucky participants buried alive.

Excavating them took considerable time and effort.

But there was nothing anyone present could do about it.

After all, the patron was the benefactor—the financial backer behind the scenes.

The Quicksand Squad had once been little more than mercenaries stationed in Iron Town, hired to secure mining resources. To put it bluntly, they were "security guards."

It was only due to Iron Town's unique circumstances that the squad had transformed into a special force.

This didn't mean they could sever ties with their benefactor—on the contrary, they relied even more heavily on its backing to avoid being swallowed by other forces.

"A setback, huh? Funny coming from you. Isn't the culprit one of your subordinates? If you can't manage your people properly, let's see how you explain this to the boss when he's back from Silicon City!"

The muscular man across the table sneered.

Chester's expression stiffened, his smile turning forced. "No need for you to worry, Lord Soushirou. I'll handle it myself."

"Hmph! You'd better!"

Soushirou turned away with a snort.

The hostility between the two was as real as it seemed—barely kept in check by the boss of the Quicksand Squad.

Half an hour later.

The unpleasant meeting concluded.

Chester returned to his office and opened the door to find a man pacing anxiously inside.

"Lord Chester!" The man suddenly straightened up, looking revitalized.

"Stone..."

Chester sighed. "Go home."

"But Lord Chester! My nephew is still lying in the ICU, unconscious! The doctors say even if he's lucky enough to wake up, he won't be able to walk for years!"

Stone shouted in frustration, "I have to avenge him!"

"Shut up!"

Chester's voice was low but thunderous.

"Do you realize what you're saying? Your nephew Shibata brought this on himself! Revenge? Do you have any proof? Just speculation and Pokémon reports?

"Even I can't make any rash moves about this. And let's not forget—you've already made your own mess! I'm taking a huge risk even meeting with you today!"

His words struck like lightning.

Stone stared at Chester in disbelief, unable to respond. "But..."

But this was all done under your orders!

He didn't dare voice the thought, instinctively feeling that saying it aloud might cost him his life.

"Listen, you've been with the Quicksand Squad for years, and you've worked under me for just as long. I won't leave you out in the cold.

"But the situation is unstable. We need to prioritize the bigger picture for now."

Chester patted Stone's shoulder.

"The bigger picture..."

Stone's face twisted bitterly.

The bigger picture was Chester's favorite phrase. He often used it to suppress dissent and force others to compromise.

As one of Chester's subordinates, Stone had admired and tried to emulate him.

Who could have guessed that the hammer would one day fall on his own head?

But what could he do?

That damned man had caught the attention of the higher-ups.

If Stone, a mere squad leader, didn't want to risk losing everything, he had no choice but to endure.

Nephew turned into a vegetable?

Endure!

Rhyhorn gravely injured?

Endure!

Stone bit his lip so hard it nearly bled.

With heavy steps, he left the office.

Unnoticed by him, a malicious-looking Stunfisk appeared briefly in the shadows before vanishing.

The dangerous glint in Chester's eyes faded.

Coming to me with complaints after messing up? Know your place!

If not for concerns about unsettling his other subordinates, Chester would have disposed of this incompetent fool long ago.

What a waste!

Hospital Room.

Kashiwagi sat in a standard blue-and-white hospital gown, staring out the window with boredom.

During his examination, he discovered that in addition to external injuries and bruises, one of his legs was fractured.

For now, he was recuperating.

Fortunately, Orre's medical technology was advanced. A fracture was considered a minor injury, and he would be discharged in a few days.

To his surprise, Shibata had ended up as a comatose vegetable.

Though Kashiwagi would have loved to grind Shibata's bones to dust, he hadn't anticipated this outcome when facing off against the Rhyhorn.

He's still alive!?

Unfortunately, the Rhyhorn had gone berserk at the time, leaving Kashiwagi no chance to finish him off.

He deeply regretted it.

What puzzled him more was Shibata's uncle, Stone, the Quicksand Squad squad leader.

On his first visit, Stone brought a group of thugs, threatening Kashiwagi with death, making him think they might attack him in the hospital.

But then they left.

On his second visit, Stone came with a completely different attitude, bearing gifts, chatting amiably, and preaching reconciliation.

Like I'd believe that nonsense!

Why the sudden shift?

When Shibata chose to kill him, it became a life-and-death struggle.

Stone's initial killing intent had seemed genuine, making his current behavior a transparent facade.

A facade meant to lull Kashiwagi into carelessness.

Whatever Stone's motives, Kashiwagi realized he needed to find a way to deal with him soon.

And with Shibata, too.

But who was backing Stone?

Could there be someone higher up involved—someone Kashiwagi didn't even know?

The lack of information frustrated him.

Kashiwagi shook his head and glanced at the other bed in the room.

Aron was sleeping soundly.

The doctors had confirmed it was a wild Pokémon.

After a brief stay at the Pokémon Center, it was returned to him.

Now it rested in a large incubator-like tank, snoring softly.

Its external injuries were healed, though its internal condition was uncertain.

The doctor mentioned it was malnourished and recommended feeding it iron or even alloyed steel.

A metal-eating beast.

Kashiwagi doubted his wallet could withstand the strain.

Hopefully, the allowance for official members would help.

"Guu."

A faint sound drew his attention.

Aron opened its eyes slightly.

"You're awake? Don't worry, this is a hospital. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Kashiwagi smiled, lifting the incubator's glass cover.

Aron froze for a moment before springing out and leaping into Kashiwagi's arms.

It nuzzled him repeatedly, like a playful puppy.

"Urgh!"

Kashiwagi grunted, feeling as if his ribs might crack under the weight.

Despite the pain, he was surprised by Aron's display of affection.

"Good, good… as long as you're okay."

He had expected to need more time to bond with it.

But things had gone much smoother than anticipated.

An opportunity?

While stroking its head, Kashiwagi decided to seize the moment.

"Aron, would you… like to be my partner?"

"Guu?"

Aron tilted its head, unsure of his meaning.

Kashiwagi continued softly, "If you don't dislike me, I'd like your help. No—let's support each other and face this world together."

"This might be sudden, but I desperately need your strength. I truly hope you'll stand by my side."

He placed Aron on the ground and squatted down, extending his hand.

"If you agree, please shake my hand."

Aron didn't hesitate.

Raising a paw, it placed it firmly in his hand.

"Guu-do!"

Of course!

It nodded seriously, as if answering an obvious question.

"Ah… thank you."

Kashiwagi couldn't help but smile broadly.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Make Sure to give a Review!

If you enjoy, add this to your library (Collection)!

Send Power Stones! 

-----------------------------------------------------------------