Gladion's voice rang clear in the tense League Hall. "I will handle the situation at Mt. Silver."
Giovanni's lips twitched, a tiny smirk he tried to hide. But Gladion caught it, a flicker of happiness in the man's mental waves, like a cat spotting a mouse.
'Stay happy, Giovanni,' Gladion thought, his confidence unshaken.'It won't last. Whatever your plan is, I'll uncover it. And if you're hoping Moltres takes me out, you're in for a surprise. That bird's not ending me today. It would be just an inconvenience for me.'
He knew legendaries were terrifying. Moltres could burn forests to ash with one flap of its wings. Even Collosus, his alpha Tyranitar, could fall in a fight this big.
But Gladion wasn't scared. This wasn't a one-on-one duel, it was a war. He had his full team to back him up, and they could gang up on the fiery bird.
Plus, he had a trump card. If things got ugly, his secret weapons were ready. Inside their Poké Balls, his big brother and sister, Latios and Latias, sent him a mental nod, their presence calm and steady.
If things were to go very dangerous, he would not hesitate to release them, consequences would be damned and they would not hesitate to help him.
"I'm coming with you, brother," Gwen said, stepping forward.
"I'm coming too, Gladion," Sabrina added at the same time, her eyes glowing faintly.
Gladion shook his head, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument. "Gwen, you're going to Lavender Town. It needs you. Lady Agatha will be busy with other crises, leaving Lavender without a protector. Sabrina, you're Saffron City's Gym Leader now. Your dad needs you there. And don't forget about the oath that you took to protect the city as its gym leader."
But Gwen and Sabrina weren't backing down.
"You're not just facing Moltres," Sabrina said, her voice calm but insistent. "The tide has Pokémon from all over Mt. Silver, Ursaring, Donphan, Steelix, maybe even Tyranitar. You'll need backup. You would be facing hundreds of the Pokemon along with the Moltres with what your at most dozen Pokemon?"
Gwen crossed her arms. "And don't forget Grandpa Maren's story and lesson. never face a legendary, even with a dozen Pokémon at your side. You know how that ended!"
Koga and Agatha stayed quiet but nodded at Gladion's decision. They'd recruited him into the Aura Guardians for this exact reason: his alpha Tyranitar, Collosus, could stand toe-to-toe with a legendary and hold it back long enough for others to act.
'The kid's got guts,' Agatha thought. *Kanto needed someone like him, brave, smart, and not afraid to face the fire.'
Gwen kept pushing, but Agatha cut in, her cranky voice softer than usual. "Gwen, your brother's made his choice. Stop worrying and wish him luck. He's fighting for Kanto, for all of us. That deserves respect, not fear."
Gladion gave Agatha a weird look. 'First time the old hag's said something nice. Usually, she's all grumbles and glares.'
Agatha caught his stare and snapped, "What, brat? I'm rude, not heartless. I lost my kids in the Infinite Pokémon War. I know the pain of losing someone you love on a battlefield. I know the courage it takes to walk into one anyway." Her voice cracked, just for a moment, then hardened with fire.
"You're young, Gladion, but you're carrying Kanto's hope on your shoulders. Don't you dare flinch. Fight with everything you've got, your Pokémon, your aura, your heart. Make that bird regret waking up today. Come back a hero, not a memory. We're counting on you."
The room went quiet. Even Lt. Surge stopped muttering. Brock wiped his eyes, thinking of his siblings. Agatha's words hit hard, raw, emotional, and fierce. They lit a spark in everyone and seemed to motivate everyone.
She added, "You won't be alone. Mt. Silver's got ranger bases and military outposts all around. They'll have your back, soldiers, flyers, healers. You call, they'll answer. They would fight with most of the other threats. Your main target would be holding back Moltres."
Gladion nodded, grateful. 'The old hag can be good with words when she is not cranky.'
He turned to Gwen and Sabrina, softening just a bit. "Don't worry, ladies. I've got some surprises up my sleeve." He winked, a quick flash of his usual confidence.
Gwen's eyes widened as realisation dawned on her. She remembered seeing Latios and Latias with Gladion once.
'Oh. That's his ace.' Some of her worry eased, and she smirked. "Don't come back dead, Glady! I don't want Dad crying buckets again, last time you got a scratch, he sobbed like a Baby Pokémon. And bring every single one of your team back safe, or I'll haunt you myself!"
Sabrina's lips twitched, but her mind was elsewhere. 'Could it be… has he finally.....?'
If it was what she suspected, Moltres would have a very hard fight. She didn't say it, just gave him a firm nod.
Koga spoke up. "Got enough Poké Balls, or need to teleport back for more?"
Gladion patted his belt, checking the ten balls there. not counting Latios and Latias. "I've got everything I need."
Lance stepped forward, his cape swaying. His voice carried deep respect. "Gym Leader Gladion, you've got my admiration. You're young, but you've got more bravery than most of us here. Facing a legendary like this? That's the heart of a true champion. Fight smart, fight hard, and stay safe. If you need backup, I'm a teleport away. Call, and I'll be there with Dragonite."
Gladion met his eyes and nodded, a silent promise. He patted Gwen's shoulder, then Sabrina's, his touch reassuring. Gwen grumbled but squeezed his hand. Sabrina's psychic hug wrapped him again.
His face hardened, eyes glowing faintly. The air shimmered, and in a flash of psychic light, Gladion teleported away to Mt. Silver.
-----Author Notes------
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