Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Inside the pristine Premier Ball, Sirfetch'd meditated peacefully.

Natsume smirked, a storm brewing behind his calm expression.

In Pokémon battles, mentality is everything.

And this bizarre duck?

A fellow foodie—bringing its own ingredients into battle!

Who cares about stats? Just let the carry do the work!

As the oppressive aura faded, Professor Oak chuckled.

"It seems quite taken with you."

"Yeah." Natsume sighed.

Every Trainer here is a monster.

No wonder it latched onto the one slacker!

"The bond between humans and Pokémon is mysterious," Oak mused—then paused.

"Ah, Natsume—any plans lately?"

"Uh..." Natsume clipped the Premier Ball to his belt.

Through the ball, Sirfetch'd and Squirtle locked eyes—

Both thinking the same thing:

This Pokémon... is my equal!

"What's this about?"

"The latest Pokédex batch is ready," Oak explained. "But there's only one Special Edition."

"Ash helped document several legendaries, so I'd like him to have it."

"He caught legendaries?" Crystal blinked.

"Witnessed and reported," Oak corrected. "The Pokédex will help with future research."

Natsume stiffened.

Ash is getting a Special Pokédex?!

Then again—as a 20-year protagonist (soon dethroned), he did deserve it.

"Another delivery job?" Natsume sighed. "But no gifts, please!"

"Not delivery," Oak said. "This is a Pokédex Holder evaluation. Ash needs a senior observer—someone like you."

"Me? Ash's senior?"

Natsume's grin widened.

Can't flex in front of Red?

Ash will do!

"What's the evaluation? Nothing dangerous?"

"Just escorting a handwritten manuscript," Oak said. "Ash is visiting Pallet Town soon—perfect timing."

So... glorified babysitting.

"Timing works," Natsume agreed—until Crystal piped up:

"But what about the P1 Fighting Prix?"

Natsume froze.

Right. That.

He glanced at Sirfetch'd's ball.

...It is a Fighting-type.

"No big deal," he muttered. "Total slacker. Nothing to worry about."

"Then decide after the tournament," Oak said. "Good luck!"

...

Sirfetch'd was the trip's biggest prize.

With its thick brows and glossy feathers, it was a culinary masterpiece—

Wait, wrong script.

Natsume pondered its training.

Typically, Sirfetch'd was a trick room sweeper—

But with 65 base Speed (faster than Sylveon), it could also run Choice Scarf or Tailwind.

Grassy Glide enabled infamous "sliding tackle" plays.

And with its signature leek, its crit rate soared—

Pair that with Leaf Blade's +1 crit, and every hit was a crit.

Add 135 base Attack...

"A Farfetch'd whose normal attacks are AoE and always crit?*

Would you like it?"

Natsume shuddered.

But now?

No more worries!

If this duck backstabs me, I'll eat its leek with sauce!

"Gengar!" Floating nearby, Gengar eyed the Premier Ball—

Then clenched its fists.

"Gengar! (??ω??)"

Can't let the newbie show me up!

Time to train harder!

...

Homecoming Protocol:

Step 1 – Initiate the new member.

Compatibility mattered more than strength.

After all... slackers are contagious.

"With Sirfetch'd around, maybe everyone will relax...?"

Natsume's confidence wavered.

Inside, the team stood in formation—welcoming committee ready.

"Squirtle!" Water Gun primed—

Gotta check for imposters!

"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ(●｀｀●)"

Waving a gift box proudly.

"Our new member," Natsume announced.

"Sirfetch'd—Galar's finest emergency ration!"

Light flashed—

Revealing the duck's majestic stance, leek held high.

Then...

Sirfetch'd: ((;??????;))

Bro... you said we'd slack together!

Look at your team!

This isn't slacker energy!

"Arcanine~（??﹃??）"

The massive fire-type loomed closer, baring fangs in a "friendly" grin.

Sirfetch'd: ???????

Despite its Scrappy ability (ignoring Intimidate), its webbed feet froze mid-step.

I've been scammed.

This is a hardcore training camp!

Slack off, and I'm dinner!

"They're getting along well," Natsume noted, pleased.

Phase 1 of Slacker Contagion: Success!

Trembling, Sirfetch'd bowed—knightly decorum intact.

"Arcanine!"

Then—SPLASH!

A Water Gun drenched it.

Sirfetch'd: (⊙??⊙)

Squirtle & Gengar: o(*≧▽≦)ツ

Togepi: ヾ(????▽??)ノ

Even Sylveon cracked a smile.

"Sirfetch'd?" Shaking off water, it turned to Natsume.

"House tradition," he explained. "Their way of saying welcome!"

...Really?

Straightening its feathers, Sirfetch'd solemnly nodded.

"Sirfetch'd!" (Thanks...?)

...

That night, under Sylveon's Yawn, Natsume slept soundly—

Mumbling about "leek pancakes".

Gengar tucked him in, then turned to Sirfetch'd—

Eyes gleaming with resolve.

"Gengar?" (Training?)

"Sirfetch'd!" Leek raised high.

No one trains harder than me!

Gengar: (￣▽￣)／

My kind of duck!

But internally, Sirfetch'd panicked.

One glance at Arcanine's muscles—

"Sirfetch'd! /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~"

I just wanna slack off!

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