'They're desperate to recruit us,' Gladion thought, his smirk sly. 'Let's see how far I can push them.'
Agatha's voice was grumpy as ever, "You understand that it's a great honour to be part of the Aura Guardians. You'd be protecting the region from threats. You'd be in children's stories as heroes defending Kanto."
Gladion rolled his eyes, his aura buzzing with defiance. "Do I look like I need to do more to prove I protect Kanto? I just saved Moonwood from a Gyarados attack and exposed traitors in the League."
'I'm already a hero, old hag,' he thought.
Agatha's eyes narrowed, but she conceded, "Point taken."
She snorted, her aura crackling with exasperation. "If your grandfather was here, he'd spank you for rejecting this offer, but he's not here to set you straight, you greedy little Muk." The rightful source is NoveI(F)ire.net
'Maren could've kicked the bucket after teaching his grandson some manners,' Agatha thought, her lips twitching with irritation she didn't voice. She knew that it would make recruiting Gladion harder if she insulted his grandpa.
Gladion could hear the irritation in her voice . 'She's pissed, but she knows I've got the upper hand.'
Koga on the other hand was analysing every expression on Gladion's face. This ability came with as a master shinobi. 'He knows we need him more than he needs us. His psychic powers would let us gather intel without torture, help in Pokémon negotiations, but he's aware we could get that from Sabrina. What we really want is his social media capability of gathering data and intel and also economic support.' Koga's eyes locked on Gladion. 'This kid's a shark.'
Sabrina, sensing the tension, spoke up, her voice firm. "I'm with Gladion on this one. I'll only join if he does."
'If Glady's negotiating, I'm backing him up,' she thought, her smirk mirroring his.
Koga's eye twitched, his thoughts racing. 'There goes our other psychic. Negotiating with this boy won't be easy—he's got a business mindset, and our status as Elite Four and Gym Leader won't intimidate him.'
He sighed, his voice steady. "Fine, let's negotiate. We'll offer you, Gladion, a Riolu. They're rare, but after Hoenn's borders opened, we secured a deal with a Lucario clan. They've agreed to send one Riolu per year to Aura Guardians. You get this year's quota."
"Besides that you can rely on other aura guardians including us if you ever face another threat like the Gyaradoses attack that Moonwood faced. We would reinforce you and provide support."
Gladion's brow rose, "Please, don't take me for an idiot. You'd help with threats like the Gyarados attack anyway—it's your job as Aura Guardians. That's not an extra perk; it's just what I'd get by joining."
'They think they can bribe me with basics? Nope,' he thought. Agatha clicked her tongue in annoyance. "So what do you want, brat?"
Gladion leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "I want some of your Aura Guardians stationed in Moonwood Town. I've got a target on my back, and I'm fine with that. But my family, the town that raised me, my companies, employees, and gym—they need protection."
Agatha's eyes widened, "Are you crazy, brat? Station Aura Guardians? Do you know how few we have? Every one's a skilled trainer. We can't waste them like that!"
"Take it or leave it." Gladion gave the ultimatum.
'They need me. They'll cave,' he thought.
Koga spoke,"Fine. We'll spare three Aura Guardians for Moonwood, but they'll also monitor Mt. Moon. It's a hotspot for Pokémon activity that could lead to Pokemon tides. We would not be able to spare more aura guardians for it if we leave three stationed here." Agatha glared at him, her face spiking with irritation.
'Koga, you soft fool,' she thought, but said nothing. She knew that Koga had caved because he took left people looking after his daughter who had managed to crack Koga's tough exterior.
Gladion's eyes flicked to Sabrina, his thoughts shifting. 'She's been wanting a Beldum forever, but Devon Corp's got most of them locked down. They'd never sell to me after that iron mine fiasco—price would be insane.'
He turned to Koga and Agatha, his smirk sly. "Get a Beldum for Sabrina." Sabrinas face spiked with surprise, a small, excited smile breaking across her face.
'A Beldum? Glady, you're the best,' she thought, her eyes sparkling. Agatha and Koga exchanged quick military hand signs.
"Agreed," Koga said, his voice clipped.
Gladion leaned back, his aura buzzing with satisfaction.
"So, now we have a deal?" Agatha asked.
"What's the rush?" Gladion's smile turned devilish.
"One last thing. Koga, you're a major Gym Leader. Agatha, you're Elite Four. I'm a major Gym Leader, and Sabrina's about to be one. I want your help with some League votes when the time comes."
Agatha's jaw tightened, her aura flaring with outrage. "You brat…"
'He's asking us to sell our votes for whatever crazy scheme he's planning,' she thought, her cane tapping furiously.
Koga was resigned but impressed. 'This kid's dangerous.'
Gladion's smirk grew. "My grandpa might not have taught me manners, but he sure as hell taught me how to play politics with old hags."
Agatha sighed, her aura deflating as she glanced at Koga, who nodded. "Agreed," she said, her voice grudging.
Gladion's smile widened with triumph. "Now, do we get some cool cloaks for joining the Aura Guardians?"
------Author Notes------
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