Pokémon: The Trainer Knows Best (for Aymer)

[nomoewoes]

It was a typical afternoon in the Pokémon World as all of the trainers are having a wonderful time training and battling in this new region. Well almost everyone. Our hero of this adventure has a camp set up in the middle of a forest. A tent is set up along with a small table for eating and handiwork if needed, a fishing pole resting over by the lake along with various other supplies for this adventure. Gardevior, Lucario, Cinderace, Meloetta, Tinkaton and Meowscarada are all out of their pokeballs and fully healed as they sat down on the floor dejected. They all haven’t been taking their training seriously and have been lazy in one way or another.

While their trainer has asked them in the past and warned them recently to step it up, it’s clear none of them listened. In their latest battle, it wasn’t even close. A 6-0 blowout with the other trainer not taking their trainer seriously as a threat afterwards. And if word goes around it can do serious damage to their trainers reputation. They were told to wait there and so they are but some are more blissfully unaware of the situation then others as Cinderace was kicking a fireball around, Tinkaton was looking for prey in the sky and Meowscarada was doing magic tricks

[Aymer]

Savannah knew that, this time, she had let things go too far. When she had only two Pokémon in her care, a rambunctious Riolu and a mischievous Ralts, things had been been a lot easier. She had been able to run a "tighter ship," and though her Pokémon occasionally found themselves wishing for a trainer who asked less of them, they had been more successful. As successful as a twelve year old and her two underleveled partners could be. But they had shown promise, and had spent a long time dreaming of future glory. She had even won a juniors tournament with them, winning her the grand prize of a headset that allowed to hear the words of the Pokémon as if they were her own speech.

Since then, though, things had changed. As their team had slowly expanded, it had become more and more of a chore to keep them all focused and in line. Somewhere along the way, Savannah had all but ceded control of her team, with predictable results. Their performance had plummeted. Slowly at first, and then noticeably, to the point where even normal ad-hoc battles on the road had become a fraught proposition. Her newer catches had been the first to show their rebellious side, but soon even her more longer-term companions had begun to shirk their responsibilities and good behavior, with now even her two original partners seeming to have lost any sense of purpose and responsibility. At 16, she had somehow less control than she did at 12.

Today, though, she realized that this couldn't be allowed to continue. She had known it all along, but today's humiliation was the final nail in the coffin. Something had to change. She made her way back to she small glade where she had left her team, a deadly serious look on her face. "Alright, all of you. Come here, now."

[nomoewoes]

As the newer captures blissfully were unaware of what was about to happen, Lucario and Gardevoir have seen that look on her face in the past and it didn’t end well. One time, when Lucario was a Riolu, he ran off to find some food for himself. The problem was it was past midnight and his trainer had no idea where he ran off to. It was hours later before he and Savannah finally reunited. But instead of warm hugs and happiness like he was expecting, he got quite the scolding from her and he was bent right over her knee. He would sport a red backside for quite a while after that, even in battle. He has never ran off far from camp since.

Gardevoir didn’t have a better experience. When she was a Ralts, she would outright ignore her trainers orders, often leading to forfeits. One day, Savannah had enough and Ralts was given the taste of a bare bottom spanking. Those are just a few examples of some of the spankings in the past. But ever since they evolved, they never had to be put over her knee. But that seems like it’s about to change.

At the order, the two more experience Pokémon stiffened up and practically ran to her call in instinct. The others were a bit more aloof and not caring. Meloetta slowly floated over while humming a song, Tinkaton was searching for prey in the sky, Cinderace was kicking a rock over like a ball and Meowscarada was continuing to practice magic

[Aymer]

In a way, the reaction of her team members hadn't surprised her. Lucario and Gardevior, who had each had plenty of experience sleeping on their stomachs, had evidently known what was coming and made their way over. Meloetta, who had been her third Pokémon, had been around when the threat of a "real punishment" was still invoked, even if it had never been used on her. The other three, though, it seemed had only ever known her more acquiescent side, and had never been truly called to task for their actions. The worst they had ever gotten was being sent to bed early in their Pokeballs, but no worse. Well, that was going to change.

She nodded to the three who had made the correct choice, before looking over at the three that remained. "Maybe you didn't here me. Come. Here. Now." Her voice carried a tone that it very rarely, practically never, did. A tone that seemed to imply that it would be a very, very bad idea to disregard her. They were already in serious trouble; making it worse seemed like the wrong way to go. She sat down her travelling pack, and the plastic bag she had brought back with her from the Pokemart, and waited.

[nomoewoes]

Lucario and Gardevoir were standing at attention, blushing crimson red. It was clear their fates were sealed but still, the aura Pokémon couldn’t help but try to get out of this. The trainer was given a headset from her professor when she started her journey, it was used to help her translate what Pokémon were saying to her. Since they knew what she was saying there was no need for translation. It would be extremely rare to see her without the headset. “S-Savanah… please…” he started to beg as the others stood there, Gardevoir equally as nervous as Meloetta was still humming.

Meanwhile, the other 3 newer Pokémon jumped at Savannah’s new call before they slowly began to make their way over after stopping what they were doing. As they’ve never been in this position, they were confused what the problem was. “What the problem? We’ll get them next time.” Cinderace said as the three of them joined the other Pokémon, saying the same exact thing he does after every loss with no evidence of changes ever made after he says it

[Aymer]

Savannah shot him a withering look. "We are a long way past please." It was clear that she was in absolutely no mood to negotiate. She had been soft on them for far too long, and it had been a disaster. Once a promising up-and-coming team, now they were close to being a laughing stock. Well, that had to change. And it was going to change today. Savannah had known from the beginning what the solution was. Her mother had had a Gothitelle who helped around the house, but who was frequently to be found doing penance in a corner with a bright pink rear on display. Still, she had never had the heart to be much of a disciplinarian, which was how she had allowed herself to grow so lax. But today, that changed.

She turned her face towards Cinderace, frowning at him. "That is what you keep saying, and yet nothing seems to change. I have done all that I can to train with you, to push you to be better, to pay attention in battles and show responsibility, but none of you have been pulling your weight. I realize that this is mostly my fault, since I'm the one who should be taking charge here. I'm sorry I haven't. But starting today, we are changing the way this team does business. Or rather, I should say, we're changing it back."

[nomoewoes]

Lucario couldn’t help but groan at the response as he looked at his feet and shuffled awkwardly. He never felt so small ever since he evolved then he does now. Both he and Gardevoir thought they were way past this but it was clear with her trainers current actions that it wasn’t the case. Gardevoir was about to defend herself too but with how quick Lucario was shut down, she thought the better of it and stood with her hands to her side.

Cinderace crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “It’s not like I’m not trying! I just can’t help myself when I see a perfectly good kickable rock…” Cinderace huffed, thinking about all the times he promised everyone that he would go train but they would find him kicking rocks hours later. It’s not like the others are better though. They’re all guilty and deserve what is coming to them

[Aymer]

Savannah shook her head, sighing. "Look, it's become clear that this team is completely out of control. To be honest, none of you have been doing what you need to, and you have all been at times, disobedient, lazy, and unfocused. So now, we're going to try a different way to get you all back on track." She looked towards Lucario and Gardevior. "Do you two recall how we dealt with these kinds of issues when we were just starting out?" Though the two of them had been with her the longest, she placed the most blame on them. They had allowed themselves to slip a long ways from the well-oiled machine they had used to be. The other four had in many ways just taken advantage of the general loss of control, but those two had had a hand in making that happen.

[nomoewoes]

Lucario and Gardevoir both hung their heads as they were given the verbal tongue lashing while the others were either in their own world or oblivious to the danger they were in, especially when the more experienced ones were singled out. When Savannah asked them how they were treated when they messed up in the past, the two of them immediately began to sweat bullets and tensed up. As their fears were confirmed, Gardevoir covered her rear with her hands in instinct. “N-Not that! We’re too old and experienced for that!” Lucario whined and complained childishly

[Aymer]

Savannah looked at them pointedly. "I asked you a direct question, and I expect an answer. Which you will give quickly, if you know what's good for you." She could tell that the other four were largely oblivious to the fact that this wasn't a standard debrief after another lost battle. This was a course correction for their team as a whole. One that, at least in the immediate future, they were really not going to like. "So, I'm going to ask you again. When you were less experienced, how did we deal with these types of problems?" She knew that, even given their recent behavior, the rest of her team looked up to Lucario and Gardevior, a bit like older siblings. This would certainly serve as a wake up call.