Pokemon: A Gym Leader's Rise(SI)

The morning sun cast long shadows across the route leading to Vermillion City.

'Its time to head out to Vermillion City for the next gym battle. We have had enough training and I guess it would do me good to stay on route for some time. I don't really have any other Pokemon to catch. Well, One final thing to do before we leave for Vermillion city.' Gladion thought

He stood with his Pokémon, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. His Squirtle, Hydros, looked up at him with expectant eyes.

"So," Gladion began, a mischievous glint in his eye, "you think you're ready to become a Wartortle?"

Hydros puffed out his chest, a mixture of excitement and bravado radiating from his small blue form.

Unlike many trainers who rushed their Pokémon's evolution, Gladion had insisted on building a rock-solid foundation. Hydros was ready to evolve when they started the journey but Gladion wanted him to hold back his evolution for some time.

"We've covered everything," Gladion explained, kneeling down to Hydros's level. "Basic water techniques, defensive strategies, mobility drills. You know all Water moves that you can learn like the back of your hand, Withdraw is your second nature, and you've even mastered Iron Defence. Your fundamentals are rock solid."

Hydros chirped happily, remembering the countless hours of training. From learning to control the precise trajectory of Water Gun to understanding the nuanced timing of Withdraw, they had left no stone unturned.

"Ready?" Gladion asked.

Hydros nodded excitedly as Gladion took out a camera to record this moment.

The evolution was nothing short of spectacular. A brilliant white light enveloped Hydros, his body expanding and transforming. When the light faded, a larger, more mature Wartortle stood before him. Longer ears, a more robust shell with intricate patterns, and an air of confident maturity replaced the previous form.

"Well, hello there, big guy," Gladion laughed, scratching behind Wartortle's ears.

Their celebration was short-lived though.

Since they were doing the evolution on the route, a trainer emerged with challenge written across his face. "Hey! Are you going to stand around all day or battle?"

Gladion recognized the type - young, eager, overconfident. The kind of trainer who thought every encounter was an opportunity to prove themselves. The kind who thought that after winning one gym badge that they could win every battle.

But it was not the trainer's fault. He was a kid. A ten year old. Even if people mature faster in this world, it still takes time.

'The fault lies in the parent who let's the kid go on a journey even if they know they are not ready. Mom and Dad knew that me and Gwen were ready once we are ten because of our education, aura powers and a strong Pokemon to protect us. This kid is not ready.' Gladion thought with a sigh.

His Psychic senses picked up the trainer's emotional state - a mixture of bravado and underlying nervousness.

"One-on-one?" the trainer challenged.

"Sure," Gladion responded coolly.

The battle was almost comically one-sided. The trainer sent out a Rattata, its purple fur bristling with misplaced aggression. Wartortle didn't even need to move. A single, perfectly aimed Water Gun by Wartotle sent the Rattata tumbling back, knockout complete in seconds.

The defeated trainer looked shocked. "How... how did you do that?"

Gladion simply smiled. "I have trained and cared for my Pokemon relentlessly. It's a slow process but if you are patient with your Pokemon, they would be just as strong."

The Kid's eyes sparkled at that as he nodded as he excitedly said "Thankyou".

He handed out two 100 Pokedollars notes which was the standard reward for winning challenges between trainers.

"Now onto one final task before we actually move towards Vermillion City." Gladion muttered as he threw one of his Pokeballs on his belt.

The Mankey that knew Curse came out of the Pokeball looking confused before realisation dawned on him.

The Mankey looked like it had eaten something extremely sour and was ready to fight the entire universe. Its chest was puffed out so dramatically it might as well have been auditioning for a Pokémon bodybuilding competition. He glared at Gladion and rushed towards him.

[YOU!] He screeched, pointing a tiny, trembling finger at Gladion, [I AM THE KING OF THIS FOREST! THE SUPREME WARRIOR! THE—]

Before he could finish its epic monologue and take another step towards him, Gladion raised an eyebrow.

The Mankey's dramatic pose froze mid-gesture, looking like a constipated action figure. Its muscles, previously tensed for an epic battle, suddenly started twitching involuntarily. It was as if an invisible puppeteer had grabbed its strings and decided to play a particularly cruel game of marionette.

[Wha-what's happening?!] the Mankey squealed, its tough-guy act crumbling faster than a sandcastle in a tsunami.

Gladion's psychic powers manifested with all the subtlety of a comedic spotlight. The Mankey began to hover slightly off the ground, spinning slowly like a confused, furry disco ball. Its limbs flailed comically, arms and legs moving in a synchronized swimming routine that would make an Olympic team weep with laughter.

[HELP!] the Mankey wailed. [I'M BEING ATTACKED BY INVISIBLE GHOST WIZARDRY!]

'Oh, this mankey knows what Wizardry is but doesn't know about Psychic powers?' Gladion thought amused

The Mankey's epic rage transformed into pure, unadulterated panic. It went from "I am the mightiest warrior" to "I am a floating potato" in approximately 2.5 seconds.

Gladion's voice rang out, calm and slightly amused. "Are you ready to join the team? Or would you like another spin?"

The Mankey's eyes went wide. [NO! NO MORE SPINNING! I SURRENDER! I'LL DO ANYTHING!]

With a gentle mental nudge, Gladion lowered the Mankey, who landed with all the grace of a drunk Psyduck. Its fur was standing on end, looking like it had been electrocuted by a particularly mischievous Pikachu.

[I... I will follow you,] the Mankey whispered, looking utterly shell-shocked.

Gladion knelt down, trying desperately to hide his smirk. "Welcome to the team. We'll become strong together."

The Mankey nodded vigorously, still looking traumatized. In its mind, it had just met a wizard. Not a trainer. Not a psychic. A WIZARD.

[But no more spinning, right?] he asked weakly.

Gladion's smile was pure mischief. "No promises."

Gladion felt pity for the Mankey. He did not want to use force but he knew Mankeys were not known for their obedience and often rebelled. They thought of humans or trainers in general as weak and beneath them. Thus Gladion showed Mankey that he could deal with him without the help of his Pokemon on his own.

'With time, he would get used to me and the others. There would be no need for further aggressive methods in the future.' Gladion thought looking at the scared Mankey

"You're part of the team now," He told the Mankey firmly. "No more random attacks, no more unnecessary aggression."

The Mankey nodded, still processing its new reality but had grudgingly accepted its new circumstances.

"Don't be sad now. I would make you one of the strongest Pokemon out there. You are a legend in the making." Gladion said which managed to cheer up the Mankey a little bit.

-------Author Notes------

Y'all can read 12 extra chapters on my pat*reon.

https://pat reon.com/mrmime24

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