Gladion watched Frogadier, who had recently evolved from the Froakie he had rescued from poachers.
The Pokémon sat a short distance away with his own cup of ice cream. Frogadier tried hard to keep an angry scowl on his face. He wanted to look tough and distant.
But every time his long tongue flicked out and touched the cold, sweet treat, his eyes closed halfway and a small, happy expression appeared.
His cheeks puffed out with satisfaction. The angry mask slipped for a few seconds before he caught himself and forced the frown back. It was a losing battle. The ice cream was winning.
Gladion could not help but smile at the sight. Frogadier would glare at him between licks, as if blaming Gladion for making something so delicious.
Then another lick, and the glare softened again. The Pokémon's body language told two different stories at once. His shoulders stayed tense and defensive, but his tongue moved eagerly.
A tiny contented croak escaped him once or twice before he quickly covered it with a cough. Gladion leaned back against the bench and watched the internal war play out on Frogadier's face. It was almost funny how hard the Pokémon tried to stay mad.
'This guy is really a persistent one,' Gladion thought with a sigh. 'He still hates me for whatever reason.'
Gladion decided to speak to Frogadier. He kept his voice calm and steady. "Oi, in the future, when the border between Kalos and Indigo opens, you can visit your family. Heck, for all I care, you can stay with them permanently."
Frogadier froze mid-lick. The ice cream dripped onto his chest. He looked at Gladion with genuine surprise. [But why? I thought you wanted me in your main team.]
Gladion set his own cup down and leaned forward so Frogadier could see his face clearly. "I can find myself another Greninja when the border opens. For now, I want you to train and become stronger. Strong enough that no one can kidnap you again. Strong enough that you can travel alone to your family if you choose. Strong enough that you never have to rely on anyone who might hurt you."
He paused for a moment to let the words sink in. "I did not bring you here to force you to stay. I brought you here to give you a choice. You were taken once against your will. I will not do the same. Train hard. Grow powerful. When the time comes, decide for yourself. If you want to go home to Kalos, go. If you want to stay and keep growing with us, stay. Either way, you will be free to choose."
Frogadier stared at him. The angry frown was gone now. In its place was a look of confusion mixed with something softer. Gladion kept speaking.
"You have potential, Frogadier. I have seen it since the day I took you from those poachers. You fought even when you were scared. You evolved out of pure determination. That kind of will is rare. Use it. Become someone no one can control. Become someone who protects what matters to you. Whether that is your family in Kalos or this team here, that choice is yours. But do not waste what you have. Train. Grow. And when the border opens, walk through it on your own terms."
Gladion leaned back again. "Or, maybe you will understand the power of youth and stay with us after you see how strong you have become." He laughed lightly. "Hahaha."
Another Water Pulse shot toward him. Gladion raised a quick psychic barrier. The water splashed harmlessly against it. Frogadier huffed and puffed. His cheeks puffed out again, but this time there was a small smile hidden in the corner of his mouth.
Gladion looked across the yard and saw Riolu bowing respectfully toward Guy.
Guy had been training the young Riolu since the day the Aura Guardians gave him as a welcome gift. Riolu never once complained about the hard routine.
He followed every instruction with pure focus. He practiced punches until his paws ached. He ran laps until his legs shook. He listened to Guy's loud speeches about youth and spirit without rolling his eyes.
'Thankfully he has not taken after Guy and Lee,' Gladion thought. 'He is not screaming 'youth' every minute. He is more like Neji. Quiet, focused, determined. I guess I know what to name him when he officially joins my main team.'
Gladion thought further. 'I should train them properly and bring them up to the standard of my main team. They deserve that chance.'
His eyes moved to Craggy (Kleavor). The Pokémon walked slowly toward Tengen's spot. Craggy held his own ice cream cup carefully. He scooped a small spoonful with his claw and offered it to his brother.
Tengen looked at the scoop, then at Craggy. His eyes softened. He leaned forward and took the bite. Craggy's face lit up with quiet happiness. He scooped another bite and fed Tengen again. No words passed between them. Only the small, careful action of one brother caring for another.
Gladion felt a lump in his throat. He thought about Tengen's missing arm and the way the Scizor had smiled even through the pain.
'I also need to start funding research for Pokémon prosthetics,' he thought. 'It is not only for Tengen. Something like that would be a huge help for other trainers, especially military personnel and rangers. Many of their Pokémon lose limbs in the line of duty. If we can create safe, strong replacements, it would change lives.'
He watched Craggy pat Tengen's shoulder gently. The two brothers sat together in the sunlight, sharing one cup of ice cream.
Gladion thought about the Blackthorn Clan. They would soon make their move after the reveal of Latios and Latias. But they would not try anything drastic. Lance would make sure of that.
Still, Gladion wondered how someone as reasonable as Lance was born into such an arrogant clan. The Blackthorns were proud of their dragon heritage. They believed only their bloodline deserved to command dragon power. Now a trainer from Kanto had two legendary dragons. That would sting their pride.
Ultron floated closer. His voice came telepathically, calm and clear. 'Sir, the fossil Pokémon research is going well. The machine to revive them will soon be ready. Your father's Alakazam is quite excited about it.'
Gladion chuckled. "Dad's Alakazam is a scientist at heart. Of course he is excited."
He looked at the sky. "But I do not think we will revive and sell fossil Pokémon during this League season. We already have Mega Evolution stones to sell. We will use the fossil Pokémon maybe in the next League season. After all, Gladion Vortex reveals something extraordinary every time."
Ultron's eyes glowed slightly. 'Before that, we also have a match against Miss Sabrina at the start of the new League season. Can I ask to be a part of the team for that match, sir?'
Gladion raised an eyebrow. "Sure, but why?"
'I want to test myself against other strong psychic types,' Ultron answered.
Gladion smiled. "Very well. Sabrina's Pokémon are quite strong. You will enjoy the battle."
-----Author Notes------
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