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Chapter 184: From Joy to Horror
🕑 Added 2025-08-19 17:55:23 +0000 UTC
As Gladion's eyes locked with the Pokemon in the cage, he immediately covered the cage back the cloth to prevent people from knowing what Pokemon was in it.
The Pokémon inside—a Froakie—sent a thrill through him.
'A Kalos starter? And that too Froakie of all Pokemon! I have just hit jackpot!' He reached out telepathically to Ultron.
'Ultron, I'll distract everyone by changing focus to the Mayor. When they're focused and when there are no eyes looking at that corner of the room, teleport that cage to the gym and return in an instant.'
Ultron's telepathic voice was calm,
[Master, Are you trying to smuggle an illegal Pokémon? While arresting the Mayor for the same? Is this the human hypocrisy I've read about in your 'Ethics for Dummies' book?]
Gladion's eyebrow twitched, a pang of guilt hitting him. 'Ouch, Ultron's hitting where it hurts. And he is not wrong but Froakie is just too cool to give up on.'
"Sometimes we have to be hypocrites to get what we want, Ultron," he replied telepathically, his tone firm. "This Pokémon's a once-in-a-lifetime find, and I want it."
Ultron's voice was filled with curiosity, ["What's so special about this one, Master? Is it a shiny Charizard? Or did you finally find that Pikachu lookalike you've been whining about since you were twelve?]
Gladion stifled a laugh, "It's a Froakie, from Kalos. A regional starter. It evolves into Greninja—one of the coolest Pokémon, especially for a guy like me. Think of him as Koga but more cool. He can throw water shurikens. Shurikens!"
Ultron's eyes flickered, [ The name Froakie sounds like a frog? You're risking jail for a frog Pokemon? Master, I'm questioning your taste.]
Gladion just sighed, 'Just do it,'
[Understood, Master. Frog heist in progress,] Ultron replied.
Gladion thought greedily. 'A Riolu from the Aura Guardians and now a Froakie? Future Lucario and Greninja? They would be my two personal guardians in my future. My pokegram followers are going to jump a bit after I post their photos together. I'm living the Pokémon geek dream!'
'Though, I wonder how he managed to get a Froakie. Hmm, Team Aqua might have found him in international waters. They might have travelled closer to Kalos and might have found it on some isolated island. It would not be a suprise if team Aqua has a base in Kalos.' Gladion though as he
strode toward Goldmane.
"This is proof you've been doing business with Team Aqua," Gladion said, gesturing to the caged Pokémon in the front.
"What do you have to say now, Mayor?" Reporters surged forward, their cameras zooming. A reporter with spiky hair shouted, "Mayor Goldmane! Did you know about these Pokémon? Are you working with Team Aqua?"
Another, clutching a notepad, chimed in, "How long have you been smuggling? What's your cut of the profits?"
A third, holding a microphone, pressed, "Mayor, is it true you've been funding terrorists? What do you say to Vermilion's citizens?"
Goldmane's face was filled with panic, but he raised a hand, "These accusations are baseless! I've served Vermilion for decades!"
Gladion cut him off, his tone mocking. "Please, don't say you weren't aware or involved. Or will you claim these Pokémon are forged too?"
He stepped closer to him,"It's clear—Team Aqua's supplying you with exotic Water Pokémon, and you sell them for profit. Dealing with terrorists, smuggling illegal Pokémon, breaking international capture laws, money laundering—the list grows, Mayor. You're looking at twenty years in jail. Name your clients and partners. You might get a reduced sentence."
The reporters scribbled furiously, their cameras clicking. A woman with glasses shouted, "Mayor, who's buying these Pokémon? Foreign gangs?"
Another yelled, "Are you tied to Johto poachers too?"
As attention locked on Goldmane, Ultron acted. Its eyes glowed, and the Froakie's cage along with Ultron vanished. They reappeared in Moonwood Gym and Ultron was back within two seconds.
Gladion's psychic senses caught it, his face neutral despite the urge to grin like he'd just won a shiny Charizard at a claw machine.
A reporter piped up, "Mayor, how do you explain the psychic barrier? Did you set it up?"
A voice cut through. "Gym Leader Surge, Gym Leader Gladion, we have a problem!" Officer Jenny called, her face tense as she stood by a crate, her squad gathered around.
Gladion and Surge walked over, the crowd and reporters trailing behind.
A rotting smell hit Gladion's nose, 'Please don't be what I think it is,' he thought, his stomach twisting like he'd eaten a bad Pecha Berry.
Surge's eyes flashed with recognition, his face grim. 'He knows that smell and I think I do too,' Gladion thought.
Jenny opened the crate, revealing two rotting human bodies.
Gladion's joy over finding Froakie vanished, his face heavy with horror. All his excitement from finding a Froakie disappeared in an instant.
