[Pokémon: Mudkip (♂)]

  Type: Water

  Ability: Torrent

  Friendship: Trust

  Level: 5 (Beginner)

  Moves: Tackle, Growl, Water Gun, Mud-Sp, Take Down

  Held Item: None

  August took out a Pokéblock and handed it to Mudkip.

  "Ye?"

  Mudkip sniffed the delicious scent before gulping it down in one bite. Then, it nuzzled its head against August’s arm.

  Looking at how well-behaved it was, August couldn’t help but think of his other Pokémon—the crafty Magikarp—and sigh.

  Why was there such a huge difference between Pokémon?

  Magikarp, can’t you learn from Mudkip? Stop giving me so much trouble!

  With a lively new Mudkip on his team and a successful deal with Devon Corporation secured, August was feeling twice the joy.

  Gary was the first to take his leave, saying he didn’t want to keep his girlfriends waiting outside.

  Before leaving, he even challenged August to a battle in the future, saying he wanted a proper match.

  Watching Gary walk off, August sighed.

  "All I did was speak the truth. Does he really need to hold such a grudge…?"

  But since Gary wanted to get beaten, August was happy to oblige.

  Patting Mudkip on the head, he said, "You better grow strong soon. Next time we see them, let’s give them a surprise!"

  "Ye!"

  Mudkip called out enthusiastically.

  After Gary left, August handed the meteorite to Steven for further examination.

  However, given the limited resources on hand, Steven couldn’t analyze much more.

  "It’s a shame. Without proper equipment, I can only get so far with just my eyes," Steven said, reluctantly handing the rock back.

  "It’ll take time to research this properly… and I still have pressing matters in Hoenn. There’s trouble with both Team Magma and Team Aqua."

  At the mention of those two organizations, Steven’s expression darkened.

  August could understand why.

  Compared to Team Rocket, which was purely criminal, Team Magma and Team Aqua were delusional.

  They cimed to be pursuing "great ideals," but their goals were outright insane.

  Who in their right mind thinks waking up Kyogre to flood the nd is a good idea?

  "Once you figure out what this meteorite is made of, let me know," Steven said before preparing to leave.

  The deal was done, and the prizes had been handed out. It was time for him to return to Hoenn.

  There were rumors that Team Aqua had set their sights on Devon Corporation’s research, and Steven needed to be there to handle it.

  Watching him leave so quickly, August opened his mouth as if to say something—

  But then stopped.

  I have no idea how to analyze this rock… but I have to keep up my researcher act, so…

  "Guess I’ll just figure it out slowly!"

  With Steven gone, only August and Blue remained in the room.

  August turned to her. "You okay?"

  Blue’s hand, which had been gently stroking Torchic’s head, hesitated for just a fraction of a second.

  "I’m fine," she replied.

  "You didn’t look fine during the battle."

  Hearing that, Blue tensed up briefly before rexing again. "So… you noticed."

  "Yeah. Want to talk about it?"

  Although August already knew about her fear of bird Pokémon, he wanted her to open up about it on her own terms.

  Blue didn’t hide anything. She told him about how she was kidnapped by bird Pokémon as a child and had feared them ever since.

  "I kept telling myself that I’d overcome it… but in the end, I just couldn’t," she admitted.

  Saying this, she pulled out her newly issued International Police badge and reluctantly pced it in front of August.

  "I should just quit. Someone like me doesn’t belong in the International Police."

  August picked up the badge, then—under Blue’s confused gaze—tossed it back to her.

  "I never agreed to your resignation," he said. "Do you know how hard it is to find someone as talented as you? No way I’m letting you go that easily."

  "Your fear of birds? Simple. We’ll deal with it." August waved his hand dismissively.

  Blue felt touched by his words.

  Then, she saw him release Gardevoir.

  "…What are you doing?" she asked, confused.

  "Obviously, we’re fixing this. Gardevoir, lend a hand."

  Gardevoir was still sulking from the whole copying endless Pokéblock formus ordeal and ignored him at first.

  But after August expined Blue’s situation through telepathy, she eventually let it slide and walked up to Blue.

  Pcing a hand gently on Blue’s forehead, Gardevoir’s eyes glowed blue as she activated her psychic abilities.

  August expined from the side,

  "My Gardevoir has a natural talent for treating psychological trauma. Back in the Safari Zone, she was the one who helped heal Pokémon that had been traumatized by poachers."

  "…?"

  Blue was skeptical.

  Wasn’t there a huge difference between treating Pokémon and treating people?

  Sensing her doubt, August grinned. "Rex. A human’s mental structure is just a bit more complex than a Pokémon’s. In a way, humans are just another type of Pokémon."

  Blue was still unsure.

  Five minutes ter, Gardevoir’s eyes returned to their normal red hue. She withdrew her hand and nodded at August.

  Receiving the psychic feedback, August reyed the result:

  "Good news—no permanent damage."

  "This means all you need is desensitization therapy."

  "…Desensitization?"

  A new term. And it did not sound good.

  "Yup," August confirmed. "Basically, you slowly expose yourself to the thing you fear. You start with something manageable, then gradually increase the intensity until you’ve completely overcome it."

  "So… I have to actively interact with bird Pokémon?"

  Just hearing that made Blue tense up.

  "Exactly."

  Her hand trembled slightly. "…Is there another way?"

  August didn’t answer her directly.

  Instead, he said, "I know the process is tough. But the result will be worth it. I believe in you, Blue!"

  "…"

  For a moment, she just stared at him.

  Then—

  "…Thanks."

  Tears welled in her eyes, but this time, they weren’t from fear or frustration.

  August smiled.

  Today had been a very productive day.