As the reporters finally dispersed under the gentle but firm guidance of the army personnel, Gladion felt a small wave of relief wash over him. He had answered their questions for nearly an hour.
His throat was dry, his patience was thin, and all he wanted was a few minutes of quiet and wanted to go home and spend some time with his family and Pokemon.
Yet even that small wish was denied. Before he could walk away from the area, Agatha appeared beside him with her usual frown and sharp eyes.
"Boi," she said in her rough, cranky voice, "you hid the fact that you had knowledge of Mega Evolution and now two legendaries. Did not Maren teach you to respect your seniors and tell them all your secrets?"
Gladion looked at the old lady with a tired expression. In his mind he thought, 'Why would Grandpa tell me to share my secrets with someone like you? He knows your cranky old self would have used every piece of information to gain advantage over me or turn it into some kind of leverage.'
Out loud, Gladion answered with a small, cheeky smile. "I only hid it because if I revealed everything earlier, I would have had to ask for much bigger payment than just a Riolu and some political support. I could not have exploited my elders so much, could I?"
A thick vein popped on Agatha's forehead. Her eye twitched. "You cheeky little brat!" She stomped her foot hard on the rocky ground. She huffed angrily, crossed her arms, and glared at him. But she did not say anything more.
She simply turned her head away and muttered something under her breath that sounded like "worse than his grandfather."
Koga walked up next. Unlike Agatha, he did not waste time on questions about legendaries or Mega Evolution. He went straight to business. "Do you think we caught any Team Rocket leaders here?"
Gladion asked back in a calm voice. "Do you think we did?"
Koga gave him a long, knowing look. "I do not think so. Whoever truly leads Team Rocket would have at least put up some fight even against your legendaries. There was nothing like that here. No one with that level of strength. I will personally interrogate the captured members. We will get to the bottom of this."
Gladion nodded. "Good. Also, make sure to ask them about a woman who escaped. A strong Alakazam teleported her away just before we finished. She might be important."
Koga gave a short nod and walked away with Agatha. Both of them disappeared into the crowd of officials who were now securing the area.
Gladion stood alone for a moment. He felt someone approach from behind. He turned slowly. His face showed no emotion. No surprise. No warmth. Just calm emptiness.
Giovanni walked up with his usual confident stride. Persian walked beside him, tail flicking lazily.
"Ah, Gym Leader Gladion," Giovanni began in a smooth voice. "I have only praise for you. You saved Kanto from the wrath of Moltres. Then you destroyed a major Team Rocket base single-handedly. Truly impressive. The region owes you a great debt."
He paused for effect and continued. "Not many trainers could stand against a legendary bird and live. Fewer still could turn the tide so completely. Then festroy a team rocket base. And to do it while most of your own team was recovering from earlier injuries? Remarkable. You are proving yourself to be one of the most capable young leaders Indigo has seen in generations."
Gladion said nothing. He simply listened.
Giovanni's smile widened slightly. "And then there was Mega Evolution. Quite something. I have read old reports from the Infinite War about similar phenomena in Kalos, but seeing it in person is different. Your Tyranitar became a true titan. And now the Eon duo. Latios and Latias themselves. I never thought I would witness such a sight in my lifetime."
He shook his head slowly, as if in genuine wonder. "Legendary dragons under the command of a single trainer. Not borrowed. Not tamed. Truly partnered. That kind of bond is rare even among the greatest masters. You have achieved something most people only dream about in stories. The Blackthorn Clan must be having very interesting discussions right now. And the people of Indigo… they will talk about this day for decades."
Giovanni's tone remained polite, but there was a faint edge underneath. "You are truly something, Gym Leader Gladion. You uncover new revolutions in Pokémon evolution. You command legendary Pokémon. You create new business opportunities that change entire markets. And you do all of it while still so young. I almost envy your luck… or perhaps your talent."
Gladion stayed silent. He let the words hang in the air.
Giovanni smiled again. "I wonder what else you know. And how you find such information. It is… impressive. Ah well, I will take my leave now since you look tired."
He extended his hand for a handshake. Gladion took it. The grip was firm on both sides. Giovanni leaned in close so only Gladion could hear.
"Good luck finding the Team Rocket leader," he whispered. "Oh wait… you already have found him. I meant finding the evidence of him being Team Rocket."
A cold chill ran down Gladion's spine. Goosebumps rose on his arms. Giovanni's smile never faltered. He pulled back, gave a polite nod, and walked away with Persian at his side.
Gladion stood completely still for a few seconds. His hand stayed in the air where the handshake had ended.
'I am sure of it now,' he thought. 'He knows that I know he is Team Rocket. He knows I suspect him. He is not even trying to hide it anymore.'
Gladion took a slow breath. His eyes hardened.
"Well," he thought. "I am too tired to think about it right now. It is a problem for tomorrow's Gladion. Yeah, fuck future Gladion."
He looked at the sky for a moment
Then he turned and walked back toward his Pokémon. Right now he needed private time.
-----Author Notes------
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