The Moonwood Town gym hummed with quiet anticipation, its polished floors gleaming under the morning light filtering through high windows.
Gladion, Kanto's newest major Gym Leader, leaned back in his office chair, the sprawling desk before him littered with reports on his burgeoning empire—gym operations, Pokémon training schedules, and profits from his social media ventures and other local businesses.
The new League season loomed, and with it, a flood of challengers eager to test the region's first General-type gym.
But Gladion's focus was on the two 12-year-olds standing before him, their voices steady as they briefed him with a professionalism that belied their age.
The boy, Kai, wiry with sharp green eyes, flipped through different papers, detailing gym maintenance costs. "The psychic barrier system's running smooth, boss—cost us a chunk, but no glitches since the celebration. Pokémon food stocks are high, but Arsenal's burning through Magmar-grade pellets like they're candy."
The girl, Mira, her dark hair tied back, held a clipboard, her tone clipped but confident. "Patrol reports are clean—no Rocket grunts or poachers near Moonwood this week. Colossus and Eldergreen's training's on track, but Zeus keeps zapping the sparring dummies to ash—might need sturdier ones." Gladion smirked, nodding. "Good work, you two. Keep Zeus in line, or I'll have Eldergreen toss him skyward again."
Kai and Mira weren't just any kids—they were street orphans Gladion had found three years ago in Hoenn, a chance encounter that had shaped their lives and his. His mind drifted to that day, a vivid flashback pulling him back to a dusty Hoenn forest near Rustboro City.
*Three years ago, Hoenn outskirts.*
Gladion, then 12 himself, trekked through the woods, Zeus who had recently became an Electrivire bounding at his side, sparks crackling. He'd been chasing rumors of a rare Pokémon for his team, but the trail had gone cold.
A commotion caught his ear—shouts, wingbeats, and the squawk of angry Pidgeots. Curious, he sprinted toward the noise, emerging into a clearing where two scrawny kids, no older than nine, faced down a pair of furious Pidgeots. A boy with matted hair wielded a stick, shielding a girl clutching a bloodied Ralts. Another Ralts, male, stood at the boy's side, firing weak Confusion blasts.
Scattered Pidgey corpses littered the ground— he realised that the kids were hunting for food, judging by the kids' gaunt faces and tattered clothes.
The Pidgeots dove, talons gleaming, but the kids didn't flinch. The boy shouted, "Mira, get your Ralts to push left!" The girl nodded, her Ralts glowing, knocking one Pidgeot off-course.
The boy's Ralts fired another Confusion, clipping the second bird. It wasn't enough—the Pidgeots regrouped, ready to strike. Gladion acted fast. "Zeus, Thunderbolt!" A bolt of lightning arced, scattering the Pidgeots, who fled with indignant screeches.
The kids whirled, eyes narrowing with suspicion, their Ralts bristling. The boy, Kai, gripped his stick tighter. "Who're you? Tryin' to steal our food?" Mira stepped forward, her Ralts in her arms.
"We don't need your help—we were fine! Back off!" Their distrust was palpable, honed by years on the streets, scavenging and dodging danger. Gladion raised his hands, smirking. "Easy, I'm not here to rob you. Name's Gladion—saw you take on those Pidgeots. Gutsy move for a couple of kids with half-starved Ralts."
Kai scowled, unconvinced. "What's it to you? You some fancy trainer lookin' for a fight?" Mira's eyes flicked to Zeus, wary.
"Your Electabuzz looks tough—bet you're just gonna bully us for kicks." Zeus snorted,
[Electabuzz? I'm an Electivire, kid—get it right!] Gladion chuckled, shaking his head. "Bullying's not my style. I'm impressed—you hunted Pidgey, survived Pidgeots, and your Ralts are scrappy. Ever think about training for real? Not just surviving?"
The kids exchanged glances, suspicion lingering. Mira hugged her Ralts tighter. "Why should we trust you? People don't help for free." Kai nodded, "Yeah, what's your angle? You want our Ralts or somethin'?" Gladion crouched to their level, his voice earnest.
"No angle. I grew up hearing stories of my grandpa Maren helping folks who needed it—warriors, strays, anyone with fight in 'em. You've got that fight. Come with me to Moonwood Town in Kanto—I'll train you, feed you, give you a home. Your Ralts'll grow strong, and you'll be more than scavengers. You'll be trainers."
Kai's eyes narrowed, but his grip on the stick loosened. "A home? Sounds like a trap. Nobody's that nice." Mira bit her lip, glancing at her weakened Ralts.
"If you're lying, my Ralts'll blast you—deal?" Gladion grinned, unfazed. "Deal. Zeus here'll zap me himself if I'm lying—right, buddy?" Zeus flexed, [You bet, boss—though I'd rather zap Pidgeots!] The kids hesitated, then nodded—Mira first, then Kai.
"Fine," Kai muttered, "but we're watching you." Gladion stood, tossing them a Sitrus Berry each. "Good. Let's get outta here before those Pidgeots bring friends."
--- The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel⟡fire.net
Back in the present, Gladion studied Kai and Mira, now healthier, sharper, their Ralts evolved into Kirlia, clipped to their belts along with two more Pokemon each.
Three years had transformed them—Kai's wiry frame was lean muscle, Mira's cautious gaze now confident. Their tenacity had only grown, and Gladion saw them as more than protégés—they were his right hands.
"You two," he said, leaning forward, "I'm making you my assistant trainers. When I'm out—chasing Rocket goons or battling in Ace Challenges—you'll hold the fort. Patrol the region, keep poachers and wild Pokémon in check, train the gym Pokémon, handle one- to three-star challenges. Oh, and yeah—deal with the paperwork I'm too lazy for."
Kai raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Paperwork? You just want us to do your boring stuff, huh?" Mira elbowed him, grinning.
"He's lazy, Kai, but he's right—we can run this place. My Kirlia's ready to scare off any trouble." Gladion laughed, "Lazy? Strategic delegation, Mira. You're tough enough to keep Zeus from frying the gym—paperwork's nothing."
He leaned back, thoughts turning serious. Betrayal wasn't a concern—not with Kai and Mira.
He'd found them at their lowest, starving and cornered, and given them a home, training, purpose. 'Loyalty's forged in moments like that,' he mused. 'Team Rocket taught me one thing—help someone when they're down, and they'll follow you to the end.' He chuckled, picturing Giovanni sneering, "Loyalty's cheap when you buy it with berries and a roof!"
'Nah, Giovanni'd probably bribe 'em with gold-plated Poké Balls—me? I just gave 'em a shot and some Sitrus Berries. Worked better than his shady deals!'
Kai and Mira exchanged a look, their Kirlia humming softly, sensing Gladion's trust. "We got your back, boss," Kai said, tossing his tablet onto the desk. Mira nodded, "Yeah—no one's messing with Moonwood while we're here."
Gladion's smirk returned, the League season's promise burning bright. With Kai and Mira at his side, the gym was more than ready.
-------Author Notes------
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