Pokemon: A Gym Leader's Rise(SI)

The battlefield fell silent after Hydros's decisive victory against Onix.

Flint threw out his next Pokemon "Since you requested a three-badge match," he began, his voice carrying a hint of warning, "I'll bring out Graveler instead of a Geodude. I hope you don't regret your decision."

Flint still thought that Gladion was an overconfident rookie but Gladion would make sure to change that opinion of his.

The Rock type Pokémon materialized. Compared to the previous Onix, Graveler appeared more compact but no less intimidating.

Gladion's Squirtle, Hydros, stood ready. The small water Pokémon had already proven its mettle, but this battle would demand everything he had learned.

"Graveler, Defense curl!" Flint's command rang out.

The Graveler's body compacted together increasing its defensive capabilities significantly and lowering the damage it would receive from super effective water type moves.

"Rollout!" Flint followed up.

Graveler transformed into a spinning projectile, gaining momentum with each rotation. The attack would become progressively more powerful with each successful rotation.

Hydros waited for Gladion's command. "Withdraw!" Gladion commanded when Graveler was just near him.

The Squirtle retracted into its shell. The Rollout attack struck, but Hydros's shell absorbed the impact perfectly as it was launched and collided against a rock.

Squirtle came out of shell without any damage surprising Flint.

'Squirtle's defense capability is one of the main reasons for me choosing it over Charmander.' Gladion thought with a smirk as he gave out his next command.

"Water Pulse!"

A concentrated burst of pulsating water erupted from Hydros that struck Graveler. But the defense curl move that Gladion used previously decreased the damage.

"Shell Smash!"

In a daring move, Hydros rushes towards Graveller who responded with a powerful Tackle, but Hydros's did not go for a clash of power. Instead he dodged the Graveller while cancelling his shell smash mid way.

And responded with a hydro pump right at Graveller's back knocking Graveller of it's feet with significant damage.

Gladion had taught him how to respond in certain situations without commands.

Then came the moment that would define the battle. Seeing that Graveller was going to lose, Flint used his final move.

Flint's eyes narrowed. "Self-Destruct!"

It was a last-resort move designed to take out both Pokémon. If successful, the battle would end, and given Gladion's earlier "mistake" of using a fire-type against a rock-type, Flint could easily justify not awarding the gym badge. He did not want a overconfident Rookie trainer to win just like that.

The Graveler began to glow, energy building for an explosion that would obliterate everything in its immediate vicinity.

But Gladion was prepared.

'Jeez, Who would have thought that he would use the self destruct move?' Gladion sarcastically thought

"Protect!" he shouted.

A translucent energy barrier materialized around Hydros just as the Self-Destruct attack detonated. The massive explosion dissipated harmlessly against the protective shield, leaving Hydros completely unharmed.

Protect was more than just a move—it was a strategic marvel that few trainers truly understood. While most Pokemon learn it with the help of TMS, squirtles can learn it without one. And unlike Pokemon who use it with TMs, their protect was way stronger and can be used twice simultaneously unlike Pokemon who can't use two Protects in a small interval of time.

Most Squirtle trainers focused on offensive moves or basic defensive techniques. Protect, however, was a game-changing ability that could completely nullify an attack, even a devastating Self-Destruct.

Flint stared in disbelief. Not only had this young trainer survived his most desperate attack, but he had done so with a move most trainers wouldn't teach a Squirtle.

The referee's voice broke the silence. "Graveler is unable to battle. The victory goes to Challenger Gladion Vortex!"

In the aftermath, Flint approached Gladion. His initial skepticism had transformed into genuine respect. He was also embarassed about the fact that he thought Gladion was just an overconfident Rookie trainer.

"Protect on a Squirtle," Flint muttered, shaking his head. "Not many trainers would think to do that."

"Thankyou Sir!"

A young seven-eight years Brock stepped forward who was watching the match silently from the audience stand, a Boulder Badge gleaming in his hand. "You've earned this, Trainer Vortex. Your strategic thinking goes beyond type matchups. You understand that Pokémon battles are about more than just type advantages."

Gladion accepted the badge, feeling the weight of his first true achievement in this world. It wasn't just a badge—it was validation of his approach, his training, his understanding.

"Thank you," Gladion responded, his voice steady. "This is just the beginning."

"Ah, This is my son, Brock. He wants to be a Pokemon trainer when he grows up." Flint said

"I want to travel the whole world!" Brock declared, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Not just as a gym leader, but as a Pokémon breeder. I want to understand every single Pokémon, learn their secrets, help them grow!"

Gladion's heart sank slightly. He knew the brutal truth that Brock's dreams would be cut short—his father's responsibilities would force him to become a gym leader much earlier than he anticipated.

"That's an incredible dream," Gladion responded carefully, a hint of sadness in his voice that Brock couldn't understand.

Brock continued, oblivious to Gladion's inner thoughts. "Imagine discovering new breeding techniques, understanding how Pokémon truly develop! I want to travel to every region, meet every type of Pokémon!"

Flint watched the interaction, unaware of the deeper meaning behind Gladion's melancholic smile.

"Sometimes," Gladion said softly, more to himself than to Brock, "dreams take unexpected paths."

Gladion's heart had skipped a beat when he first saw Brock. Here, standing before him, was not just another child—but the first person he truly recognized and met from his previous life's memories of the Pokémon anime and games.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The Brock he knew—serious, responsible, passionate about rock-type Pokémon and Pokémon breeding—was drastically different from this bright-eyed, dream-filled child. This Brock was pure potential, untouched by the responsibilities that would later define him.

Memories flooded Gladion's mind. Hours spent watching the anime, seeing Brock's unwavering dedication, his comical pursuit of love, his deep compassion for Pokémon. The character who had been a constant in countless adventures was now a real, living child standing right in front of him.

His psychological reaction was complex. Part of him wanted to laugh—to find humor in the surreal moment of meeting a fictional character in real life. Another part felt a profound sense of connection, like meeting an old friend who didn't yet know him.

"Are you okay?" Brock asked, noticing Gladion's intense stare.

Gladion realized he had been staring, his emotions clearly visible on his face. He quickly composed himself, a smile playing on his lips.

"I'm fine," he responded, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and nostalgia. "Just... thinking about how interesting Pokémon journeys can be."

The irony wasn't lost on Gladion. Here was Brock, dreaming of traveling the world and becoming a Pokémon breeder—a dream he would never fully realize due to family obligations. Gladion knew Brock would soon be forced to take over the gym, sacrificing his broader dreams for family responsibility.

In that moment, Gladion saw beyond the cheerful child. He saw potential, sacrifice, and the complex path of a trainer's life. Brock represented more than just a character from his past—he was a living testament to the unpredictable nature of dreams and destiny.

His hand unconsciously touched the newly won Boulder Badge. Another reminder that in this world, nothing was quite like he remembered.

"Dreams are funny things," Gladion muttered softly, more to himself than to Brock.

Brock, oblivious to the deeper meaning behind Gladion's words, continued chattering about his aspirations, his eyes bright with unbridled hope and imagination.

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

Thankyou Al for supporting me!

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

https://pat reon.com/mrmime24

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