"Since you are going to start battling with my main team, I think it is finally time for me to give you your names," Gladion said as he looked at his two exhausted Pokémon.
Both Lucario and Greninja were still catching their breath after their evolution battle, their bodies covered in scratches and dirt, but there was obvious pride in their eyes.
Gladion first turned toward Greninja. "Greninja, you are basically a ninja Pokémon, so I have narrowed it down to three choices. Sasuke, Itachi, or Kakashi. All three are names I think would suit you, although I have to admit that I spent more time thinking about this than I probably should have."
Greninja tilted his head as he listened to the strange names. [I do not understand who any of these people are, but you seem strangely pleased with the choices, so I assume they are important.]
Gladion chuckled and pointed toward him. "I have chosen Sasuke for you because, out of those three, you remind me the most of him. You were kind of a brat when you were younger, you had a habit of acting like you were too cool to care about anything, and you always looked like you were planning something whenever I turned my back."
Sasuke slowly narrowed his eyes at Gladion. [I was not a brat. I was simply confident in my abilities and unwilling to waste time pretending that I was weaker than I was. And you kidnapped me from my kidnappers.]
Gladion's smile became wider. "That explanation somehow makes you sound even more like the person I was thinking about."
Sasuke looked away with an offended expression, although the slight movement of his mouth suggested that he was actually amused by the name.
Gladion then turned toward Lucario. His expression became a little more thoughtful as he studied the newly evolved Fighting and Steel type. "Lucario, you are different. You have always had the heart of a guardian, and even before evolving. You are strong, disciplined, and loyal, so I wanted a name that felt fitting for that role."
Lucario looked at Gladion with quiet curiosity. Gladion smiled and placed a hand against his shoulder. "I am naming you Saber. You are going to be one of the guardians of this team, and I think that name suits you far better than any random nickname I could have chosen."
Saber looked down at the blade like spikes on his paws before looking back at Gladion. [Saber. I like it. It sounds like a name belonging to someone who protects others while still being capable of fighting.]
Gladion nodded. "Exactly. I knew you would understand."
Before Gladion could say anything else, Hydros suddenly raised both flippers into the air. [Since they have both evolved and received their names, I believe this is the perfect moment for a celebration. Bring out the alcohol!]
Gladion slowly turned toward his Blastoise. "You were remarkably quiet throughout the entire naming ceremony, and somehow the first thing you say afterward is a request for alcohol."
Hydros looked completely serious. [I was allowing you to finish the important emotional part before reminding everyone about the important celebration part.]
Zeus immediately raised his arms and shouted, [Alcohol! Alcohol! We have two new members of the main team, and this is clearly a moment that requires proper celebration!]
Arsenal joined him a moment later, lifting his enormous hands into the air as he happily roared, [Alcohol! Alcohol! If we are celebrating the evolution of our brothers, then we must celebrate properly and make sure nobody forgets this day!]
Gladion stared at his Pokémon for several seconds. 'I have created monsters,' he thought while rubbing his forehead. 'I gave them good food, comfortable places to sleep, expensive training equipment, and occasionally some of the best drinks money can buy. Apparently, I have also accidentally taught them to expect alcohol whenever something important happens.'
He glanced toward the gym workers who were already watching the chaos with confused expressions. "Fine, but nobody is getting so drunk that I have to carry them back to their rooms. We have training tomorrow, and I refuse to explain to my staff why half my Pokémon cannot remember what happened during a celebration."
The gym workers soon returned carrying several large containers filled with drinks made from different berries.
The drinks had been prepared specifically for Gladion's Pokémon, using berries from different regions and carefully mixing their natural juices through a fermentation process. The result was surprisingly good. The sweet taste of the berries remained strong, while the alcohol gave the drinks a warm and sharp flavor that several of the Pokémon clearly enjoyed.
Gladion took one cup for himself and looked around at his team. "All right, everyone, tonight is for celebrating. Saber and Sasuke have earned their place in the main team, and I want everyone to make them feel welcome. Just remember that tomorrow we go back to training, so try to keep some sense of responsibility."
Guy immediately raised his cup with all four hands. [To Saber and Sasuke! May their youth burn brighter than ever before, and may their training become so intense that even their future opponents will question their life choices!]
Gladion stared at him. "I am starting to think you use every possible occasion as an excuse to give a speech."
Guy proudly lifted his cup higher. [A great warrior must always be prepared with a speech because nobody knows when the spirit of youth will demand to be heard.]
Collosus gave a low growl while holding his own cup carefully between his claws. [You have given a speech every time we have eaten dinner this week.]
Guy nodded proudly. [That is because every dinner is an opportunity to celebrate life and strengthen the spirit.]
Collosus simply shook his head before taking a drink.
Sasuke looked at the drink in front of him suspiciously. [What exactly is this?]
Gladion explained, "It is a berry drink that has been fermented. It is not meant to be consumed quickly, so take your time and do not drink too much."
Sasuke carefully took a small sip. His eyes widened slightly before he looked toward Gladion. [That is surprisingly good. I understand why everyone was shouting about it.]
Hydros immediately looked smug. [I told you that the important matters of life deserved proper celebration.]
Saber took a cautious sip as well. [This is much stronger than I expected.]
Gladion laughed. "That is why I told you to take it slowly." Saber looked toward the others, many of whom were already enjoying their drinks.
Zeus was already halfway through his second cup and looked perfectly pleased with himself. [There is nothing to worry about. I have an extremely strong tolerance.]
Arsenal looked at him and gave a proud roar. [You said that before your last celebration and then tried to challenge a training dummy to a wrestling match.]
Zeus paused with his cup halfway to his mouth. [That training dummy was disrespecting me.]
The entire group burst into laughter.
-----Author Notes------
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