Later that day after having some rest and scrolls through the tweets and memes on Poketwitter, Galdion decided to spend some family time.
He'd promised to spend time with his younger siblings. Lila and Milo, the two five-year-old twins who were as fiery as their Vortex bloodline.
Their relentless pleas to learn Pokémon battling had worn him down, and Gladion, sensing their determination, knew they were set on becoming trainers.
'Here we go,' he thought, his smirk wry as he watched them bounce with excitement.
Milo was already play-tackling a straw dummy, shouting, "Take that, Team Rocket!"
Gladion crossed his arms, "You two sure you want to be Pokémon trainers? It's dangerous, you know. Wild Pokémon, shady trainers, long journeys—scary stuff."
Lila puffed out her cheeks, hands on hips. "Nothing scares a Vortex! Gwenny said we should scare away anything that tries to scare us!" Milo nodded, brandishing his toy Poké Ball like a sword. "Yeah! I'd punch a Gyarados in the face! Rawr!"
Gladion sighed with exasperation. 'Gwen's teaching them all the wrong things. Punch a Gyarados? Scare things that scare you? They are not ghost type Pokemon.'
He chuckled, ruffling Milo's hair. "Alright, tough guys, but being a trainer's more than punching Gyarados. It's strategy, care, and not getting roasted by your own Pokémon." Read full story at nοvelfire.net
Lila grinned, undeterred. "We're ready, Glady! Teach us everything!" Milo jumped in, "Yeah, make us awesome like you! I wanna have a Tyranitar bigger than Colossus!"
Gladion raised an eyebrow. "Bigger than Colossus? Kid, you'd need a mountain to house it." Lila giggled, "Milo's head's already a mountain—full of rocks!" Milo stuck out his tongue. "Your face is a rock, Lila!"
Gladion groaned as Nyx, lounging nearby, buzzing with amusement. [They're worse than Zeus and Arsenal.] Nyx purred. Gladion muttered, "Don't remind me."
"Alright," Gladion said, clapping his hands. "Today, I'm teaching you how to care for Fire and Electric-types. And we've got your favorites—Zeus the Electivire and Arsenal the Magmortar." He released the two Pokémon, their massive forms casting shadows.
Zeus sparked, his antennae crackling, while Arsenal's cannons steamed, his molten hide glowing. Milo sprinted toward Arsenal, shouting, "Arsenal! My hero!" Lila bolted for Zeus, hugging his leg. "Zeus, you're the coolest!" The Pokémon, used to the twins' antics, exchanged a weary glance, their rivalry simmering. 'Just like the kids,'Gladion thought, smirking. 'Always bickering.'
The twins' rivalry flared instantly. Milo, arms crossed, taunted Lila, "Arsenal's gonna fry Zeus in a battle! Fire beats Electric!" Lila stomped her foot. "Nuh-uh! Zeus'll zap Arsenal into a campfire!"
Zeus sparked smugly, while Arsenal puffed smoke, glaring. Gladion raised a hand. "Enough, you four. No battles today—just learning." But Milo, undaunted, grinned at Arsenal. "Hey, Arsenal, do you have anyone you love? You gotta hurry up and get a lover, ya know. You're getting old, and girls don't like old Pokémon!"
Arsenal's red face flushed brighter, steam billowing from his cannons, his embarrassment palpable. Gladion, mid-sip of water, choked, spraying it across the field. "Milo!" he spluttered, coughing.
Nyx cackled [Kid's got no filter!]
Gladion, wiping his chin, stared at Milo. "Why do you want Arsenal to have a lover?" Milo grinned, oblivious to the chaos. "Duh, I want a Magby as my starter! Arsenal's strong, so his kid'd be super strong. But for a kid, he's gotta do the stuff Dad does with Mom!"
Gladion froze, his psychic aura spiking with dread. "What… stuff?" he asked, voice tight. Milo rolled his eyes, as if explaining to a Slowpoke. "You know, the sounds Mom makes, like 'Yes, yes, Ben!' or 'You can do it, Ben!'"
Lila nodded sagely. "Yeah, we hear 'em through the walls at night. Grown-up stuff." Gladion's face paled, torn between laughing and crying. "How do you know what those sounds are for?" he demanded, his voice cracking.
Milo scoffed, hands on hips. "I'm five, not stupid, Glady!" Lila chimed in, "We asked Gwenny, and she said it's how you make babies. Duh!"
Gladion's jaw dropped, his psychic bond with Arsenal buzzing with shared horror. Arsenal's cannons drooped, steam fizzling, while Zeus snickered, sparks dancing. Gladion muttered, "I'm having a serious talk with Mom, Dad, and Gwen."
Nyx purred, [Good luck, master. Your family's a circus.] Gladion shot her a look, then turned to the twins. "Okay, no more baby talk. Let's focus on Pokémon care, or I'm locking you in with Chansey for a week."
He guided Lila and Milo through caring for Fire and Electric-types, his tone firm but patient. "Fire-types like Arsenal can burn you if you're careless," he explained, gesturing to Arsenal, who was still sulking, his cannons dim.
"When cleaning their hide, use a heat-resistant brush—long strokes, avoid the vents." He handed Lila a brush, showing her how to glide it over Arsenal's arm, dodging a stray ember. "Don't get too close to the cannons; they flare when he's moody."
Arsenal huffed, a puff of smoke singeing Milo's hair. "Hey!" Milo yelped, patting his head. "Arsenal, chill!" Gladion smirked. "Told you. Stay alert."
For Zeus, Gladion demonstrated Electric-type care. "Don't touch the antennae or tail—they're live wires," he warned, guiding Milo's hands to Zeus's back, where the fur was safe. "Use insulated gloves for grooming, and check for static buildup." Lila, brushing Zeus, giggled as a spark zapped her glove, making her hair puff up like a Jolteon. "I'm a thundercloud!" she squealed. Milo laughed, "You look like a Voltorb!"
Zeus, enjoying the attention, sparked playfully, nearly zapping Milo, who dodged with a dramatic roll. Gladion sighed, 'They're a handful, but they're learning.'
Later, as the twins practiced, Gladion checked his mails, finding a new email from Professor Oak. His eyes lit up—Oak was a legend, a former Champion with deep influence pockets and even deeper pockets. The email read:
Subject: Urgent Research Discussion (and a Magmortar Meet-Up!)
Your exploits at Moonwood Gym are the talk of Kanto! I'd love to meet and discuss a research collaboration—your fossil revival project has piqued my interest. My lab's working on ancient Pokémon genetics, and I hear you've got a knack for unearthing relics. Plus, I'm dying to meet that Magmortar of yours—Arsenal, right? Bet he's hotter than my Charizard's Flamethrower! Bring him along, and maybe we'll swap stories over some MooMoo Milkshakes (my treat, unless you're buying, ha!). How's next week at Pallet Town?
P.S. Tell me what an Alpha tyranitar eats his habits, how does his skin behave in different conditions.
Gladion was buzzing with excitement. Nyx, sensing his mood, purred, [You're gonna charm the old man, aren't you?] Gladion grinned, tossing her another Poké Puff. "Bet I'll have him funding a new gym wing by dessert."
---Author Notes------
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