Pokemon: A Gym Leader's Rise(SI)

"I'm not the protagonist of some kid's show," Gladion whispered to himself, a bitter smile forming under the Pikachu mask that he carried with him for apparently no reason.

But as he watched Zapdos fight, another calculation formed. Having a legendary Pokémon in your debt wasn't just an advantage—it was an investment. Legendary Pokémon were beings of immense power and ancient honor. A debt from one of them could be worth more than all the gym badges in Kanto.

'Damn, Zapdos is somehow interfering with the space barrier. I can't teleport myself near the child. Is her aura just that strong, making teleportation near her useless? That explains why no team rocket Psychic Pokemon have launched a sneak attack on Zapdos by teleporting to her blind spot.But this complicates things.' Gladion thought

The teleportation barrier surrounding the area complicated things. Zapdos's electromagnetic field was so intense it disrupted any attempt at psychic transportation within a hundred meters of her position. He'd have to do this the hard way.

Gladion released three Poké Balls, his strongest teammates materializing before him. Guy, Mystique and Collosus

"Listen carefully," he projected telepathically to his team. "What we're about to do is incredibly dangerous. This isn't a gym battle or a trainer fight—these are criminals who won't hesitate to kill us. If any of you want to sit this out, I won't think less of you. Oh and there is a legendary Pokemon that can kill each of us in a second."

The response was immediate and unanimous. Guy punched all four fists together, radiating determination without shouting Youth to Gladion's relief. Mystique coiled around Gladion to reassure him. Colossus simply nodded

"Then let's do this smart," Gladion continued. "Guy, you're our heavy hitter. Mystique, crowd control. Colossus, you're our shield. We move as one, strike fast, and get that baby out."

They crept through the chaos, Gladion's psychic abilities helping them avoid the main clusters of Rocket grunts. He teleported himself and his Pokemon where ever he found blind spots. Their first encounter came quickly—a grunt with a Sandshrew, separated from his group who was looking over his dead comrades in fear and shock.

Mystique moved like liquid silver, wrapping around the grunt before he could shout. A precise constriction to the carotid artery, just as they'd practiced, and the man slumped unconscious. Meanwhile, Guy's Dynamic Punch found the Sandshrew's jaw with surgical precision. The ground-type never knew what hit it.

"Note to self," Gladion muttered, adjusting his makeshift mask, "invest in actual stealth gear if this hero stuff becomes a habit." He couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity. "Seriously, who fights crime with their face exposed? That's just asking to have your mom targeted in some dramatic season finale."

Gladion remembered some stupid protagonists who would go around doing heroic stuff, defeating criminals without hiding their identies only for the entire criminal organisations to hunt them down or even target their families.

As they neared the baby Zapdos's location, Gladion reached out telepathically to its mother who now had one eye locked on them.

With the most devoted telepathic voice he could manage, he addressed the Zapdos "Great Zapdos, I mean you and your child no harm. I am not with these men. I can help get your baby to safety while you deal with these intruders."

The response nearly knocked him off his feet. Zapdos's mental voice was like thunder given consciousness, ancient and powerful: [WHY SHOULD I TRUST YOU, TINY ONE? ALL HUMANS BRING IS PAIN AND CAPTURE.]

"Because I'm not trying to capture you, I don't have a death wish," Gladion responded, pushing through the mental pressure. "I'm trying to help you. All I want is your debt, not your servitude."

[I SENSE NO MALICE FROM YOU. BUT YOU ARE A CLEVER LITTLE HUMAN,] Zapdos's mental voice held a note of grim amusement. [YOU SEEK TO BIND ME WITH HONOR RATHER THAN BARS. AT LAST, A HUMAN WHO DOES NOT HIDE BEHIND PRETENSE. YOU REMIND ME OF THE ANCIENT ONES, WHO WOULD BARGAIN WITH US OPENLY, SEEKING FAIR EXCHANGE RATHER THAN DOMINION. VERY WELL—SAVE MY CHILD, AND YOU SHALL HAVE YOUR BOON. FAIL...] Lightning crackled around her form. [AND YOUR DEATH WILL BE QUICK, AT LEAST.]

Gladion nodded, sweat beading on his forehead. "I'd expect nothing less from a legendary. Now, if you could provide a little distraction..."

Zapdos answered with an ear-splitting shriek and the largest Thunder attack Gladion had ever seen. As Team Rocket's forces scrambled to respond, Gladion and his team made their move toward the baby's hiding place, ready to either save a legendary Pokémon's kid or run after trying. Or worse case scenario, die at the hands of team rocket or by Zapdos.

During his telepathic exchange with Zapdos, Gladion felt the raw emotions behind her thunderous voice—waves of maternal fury mixed with desperation and pain. Each injury she'd sustained burned in his psychic awareness like hot brands.

'Jeez, I know how this usually goes. The hero saves the legendary Pokémon out of the goodness of their heart, then gets some mystical blessing or learns a valuable lesson about friendship. But I'm not that guy." Gladion thought

Images flashed between them—Gladion's memories of watching the anime in his past life, mixed with his current plans for business empire and gym leadership. His encounter with bandits and how dangerous this world was.

'I'm helping her because it's a good investment. She is a legendary Pokémon. Her word is literally her bond. Having her owe me a favor is worth more than any risk I'm taking right now.' Gladion was determined now. But he had another thought in his mind that was troubling him now.

'She talked about people of old that communicated with her. Who was she talking about? Wait.... Was she talking about aura Guardians? So are they all dead? Or hiding in shadows? I wonder if they would give me a Riolu. I really want one.' Gladion quit his daydreaming and focused back on his mission. If he failed, he would be electrocuted to oblivion.

"Why did I want to become a trainer again? I should have considered the safer options. Really should have gone into something safer. Like professional Tauros wrestling or squeezing the milk out of a miltank in a miltank farm." Gladion sighed at his life choices before heading towards the baby Zapdos.

--------Author Notes------

Thankyou Luci alarri, Benjamin, Z, Alan Lopez and Galaxy Pheonix for supporting me!

Y'all can read 12 extra chapters on my pat*reon.

https://pat reon.com/mrmime24

[No Space]