While the two field researchers and several others contained the rampaging bug types while Mary went off somewhere to not get implicated with the barrage of words Anthony was about to get from Prof. Oak, the boy himself, his Pokemon, Professor Oak and the owners of the Miltank that almost caused a stampede of angry parent Pokemons walked towards the lab, they used a lab-owned car once they were outside the forest to continue their journey as the lab is near the bay.
Anthony, who's regretful of his burst of reckless abandon, can't help but reflect on his actions.
_Sigh... man, I'm one wrong move away from being a horror story... really, its bad enough for me to forget that I'm dealing with then unknown assaults against young Pokemons because of me enjoying the battle too much, I even failed to get out of the situation before my Pokemon showed signs of exhaustion, leaving both of us unable to put up a resistance other than the SOS against the impending stampede, and even though the situation is ultimately mitigated, again, I would have been a main character of an awareness seminar this very month..._
Anthony sighed again as he touched his Pokémon's Poké Ball.
_I don't know that even my adult self can be inflicted with such uncontrolled adrenaline. This matter is so dangerous and no matter how much I try to justify it as me being a child at heart and wanting to command Pokemons to battle all this time, this is still unacceptable... I have to be more careful._
Anthony inwardly clenched his fist, promising himself to prioritize his and his Pokémon's safety.
_Even though mom and dad didn't give me a warning about this rookie mistake, I wonder if they were naturally calm... nah, my mom defeats children in battles using her level 100 full percentage, and I wonder if it achieved mega evolution or has a Z-Move Charizard, no way someone like that is calm..._
As if to console himself, Anthony started imagining how the first wild battle of his parents went before Prof Oak and company arrived at the parking spot of the lab. During the time that the vehicle is traversing the mid-sized Pallet Town, they already told how the battle-ready Miltank is isolated and often attempts its escape, making them lose a lot of money on repairs of its specialized fence alone.
Professor Oak also made his two cents on the matter, emphasizing that the key to maintaining a battle-ready Miltank is to rent a trainer's Pokémon and have the Pokémon battle with it regularly, every day, even, to expend its energy as much a possible. Professor Oak even said the famous anecdote of Pokémon Evolution expert Professor Elm: A battle-ready Miltank is just a Miltank that wanted to use its energy, as opposed to a domesticated one that can use its energy but would rather not.
_Does that mean if a battle-ready Miltank is born in the wild, it won't be rampaging about, challenging a lot of Pokemons at once?_
Anthony sighed at this as two Lopunnies went and opened the door towards the lobby of the Lab. Prof. Oak made the owners of the battle-ready Miltank sit whilst waiting for the tea and manjuus. Anthony also sat down, feeling pretty relieved that he was allowed to be in the conversation between the 3 adults.
After all, he was serious when he said he wanted to have a Pokémon like Miltank.
_I wonder if they are willing to let a child be in the reins of their impulsive Miltank's training..._
As Anthony watched the non-researcher staff bring a teapot and a plate of manjuu, Anthony thought, and when Prof. Oak went back from his office to remove his lab gown, he immediately stood up in front of the 3 adults and bowed deeply.
"Before the talks regarding the Battle-Ready Miltank start, I would like to apologize for my impulsive behavior. Because of my judgment being clouded by my excitement, I wasn't able to assess my surroundings and almost implicated my and your Pokémon in harm's way."
This gesture made the 3 adults shocked, after all, as mature as Anthony might look, reinforced by the fact that he was qualified to become an intern of such a mentally taxing job, he was still a kid. It's one thing and is common for a kid to lose control of his 'maturity' in certain stimuli, especially if this stimulus is something he enjoys inherently; this attitude is normal, but it's a rare thing for a kid to acknowledge this before even an adult reprimands them.
This made Prof. Oak, who wanted to say some words of wisdom and show off to the son of his former students, unable to say anything; thus, it is a good thing that the son of the old man who co-owns the battle-ready Miltank beat the Prof. to it.
"Oh no, it's fine, apparently this is normal for children who want to be trainers from the start. It's like being in the zone, when I want to become a Breeder, I also was able to ignore my surroundings for an extended period of time to read books."
The owner flashed a gentle smile, which made Anthony relieved that he didn't need to say sorry that much; this means that he has a lot of room for negotiations. Prof. Oak nodded at this with satisfaction, though a little awkwardly, before looking at the two owners of the battle-ready Miltank.
"Well, I will give you this treatment free since Miltank is treated in the lab... well, you know if you're part of the government, an important one, you can give certain treatments to other people..."
Prof. Oak smirked a little before again turning serious.
"But, from this incident, I think you understand the urgency of finding a permanent solution to this battle-ready Miltank. Either go on a contract with a trainer to make one of his or her Pokémon battle it every day, sell it, or gift it to a trainer."
The two owners frowned at this, obviously weighing the options. Anthony also frowned at this.
_It's winter, meaning the mammary glands of Miltanks are shriveled up and are unable to produce milk. If they wanted to rent a trainer from this time, then they might be very close to the red in terms of finances. After all, renting a Pokémon to battle your Pokémon daily is not a trivial matter. First of all, the rent is of course per day, the food will be the cargo of the renter, the battlefield can't be in the farm, and more..._
_This leaves them with two options, one is to butcher the Miltank and sell its meat for a one-time profit... this is where they will most likely to lean, after all, they are businessmen and are not related to me, so they won't consider gifting me the Pokemon..._
Looking at Prof. Oak and understanding why he let Anthony be with the adults during the conversation, he slowly raised his hand whilst the two men in front of Prof. Oak and him were whispering with each other.
"Uhm... misters... what were your names again?"
Anthony realized that he didn't know the two men, which made him somewhat embarrassed. The old man smiled.
"I'm Zaldy, and this is my son Ellis. Please do speak up, young man."
The two adult farmers are, of course, open to any more suggestions, which made Anthony quite guilty as he was about to coax them and give them their Pokémon, though of course, Anthony's rather blank face protected this guilt as his only secret.
"I... I don't know if you two will take this in a good way, especially since, from a business standpoint, selling the meat of a battle-ready Miltank is the wisest choice; however, I would like to propose the third option. You see, my parents have a daycare, and I am quite trained to handle battle-seeking Pokemons. If you want, you can give your demands or things you want me to achieve for you to agree to this proposal."
Prof. Oak acted shocked and looked at Anthony alongside the two old men, who, again, were not used to children asking them such big favors brazenly.
_I know you wanted to see, old man._
Anthony mocked Prof. Oak silently as he waited for the two gentlemen's answer.
_Indeed, what he wants normally would not be beneficial... but, apparently, his name is Anthony Dover, son of the two famous retired trainers, known to have broken records, and he only didn't become a champion because they don't want to. It is even rumored that they were resented by the Indigo Plateau champion because of this..._
It was as if the father and son were thinking the same thing, a more logical investment than just butchering their supposed golden goose because of them being unable to control them. They knew what an intern officially recognized by Prof. Oak, capable of raising a Pokémon, is capable of; furthermore, the son of two of the strongest trainers of recent times.
Anthony smirked a little in his heart.
_Ultimately, a farm is a business, and a business needs endorsers. I can ask my mom and dad for a favor every once in a while..._
Again, he thanked whoever put him in this body for being a nepo baby, though this is the reason why he was guilty; again, an adult has enough thick skin to endure guilt. Like the two men in front of him, for example, Zaldy slowly spoke.
"We can agree to this request, young man; however, we adults have different considerations other than, well, seeing a Pokémon grow strong. Our condition is for your parents' faces to be the logo of our farm; a simple wooden cutout is enough for us."
They obviously didn't dare to go too far; Hana Dover is known to have quite the bad temper, after all. Anthony looked at the two adults in front of him and then at Prof. Oak, as if asking him if his parents had a chance of agreeing with this, understanding this point. Prof. Oak smiled and said.
"This should be good enough, though the two didn't allow their faces to appear on products, I think they have an almost certain chance of agreeing, considering it's their son's request."
Anthony then raised his hand.
"Then, I will talk to them. If not, I can ask my father to be Miltank's sparring partner at a discounted price. If you can't gift me this Pokémon, then at least don't kill it."
Anthony showed some naivety before going to the PC in the lobby area, and unsurprisingly, after some talk with him and reassurance that Anthony is not getting duped by adults, his parents agreed.
_Apparently, this is their first endorsement in a while._
Anthony was relieved as well as the two adults, his parents and the owner of the battle ready Miltank then made an agreed upon poses, basically, the two couple will use a photoshop in Fuchsia City and then send the photo to the two farmers, they knew someone good at these kind of cutouts so the two doesn't need to go personally for a picture.
Additionally, the pictures should have their autographs to appear authentic.
"Now, only the consent of Miltank is needed."
Anthony and the two adult men, Zaldy and Ellis, nodded at what Prof. Oak had said before going to the ward area of the lab. Miltank is in there in a daze while the nurse (not Joy) gave back Zubat's Poké Ball to Anthony.
"Mii?"
Miltank suspiciously looked at its two owners, knowing that they might lock it up again. This caused Zaldy and Ellis to shake their heads at the same time before saying.
"Miltank, I know that your life hasn't been pleasant in our care, as we are locking you up to repress your true nature. In this regard, with our own and your benefit in mind, we decided to trade you to this young trainer, who was able to battle you using his Pokémon for a long time to the point of exhaustion. If you are to consent, the Pokémon of his will be yours to battle almost every day."
The Miltank's eyes shone for a moment; however, it didn't immediately step out of its bed. Instead, Miltank looked at the two farmers who had always chased it to no end when he was about to ask for a fight. Miltank then looked at its soon-to-be trainer, who had a rather blank yet expectant face.
Miltank stood up slowly, and as if its not an irrational one that always escapes its contains, it walked towards its farmers and hugged their waists one by one before looking at the boy, Miltank then nodded its head to Zaldy and Ellis who unconsciously had tears flow out of their eyes as if thinking that the days where they have to repair the unique place of Miltank has been fun.
Anthony didn't say anything to dampen the mood; he silently watched Miltank walk towards him slowly and nod again. He carefully patted its head.
Miltank (Unofficially) acquired.