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Chapter 183: Proof
🕑 Added 2025-08-17 17:42:25 +0000 UTCGladion led the procession toward Vermilion City's docks. He was followed by the citizens of Vermillion city, police force of the city and the reporters.
As they approached the docks, Goldmane leaned close to Gladion, his voice was low and threatening. "You'll pay for this, kid. You don't know who you've messed with. You won't find anything, and when this is over, you'll realize what it means to cross me."
Gladion didn't flinch for a a second as the mayor threatened him. Someone who had looked a Zapdos, a legendary Pokemon in the eye when he was 10 and was actively hunting down team rocket members.
Goldmane smirked as no response came from Gladion thinking that he had scared the boy.
Gladion projected his cold voice into Goldmane's mind, 'You know that I could make your brain explode right now? But where's the fun in that? I want to see you despair, everything you've built crumble. Start walking, Mayor, because your freedom to walk freely is coming to an end.'
Goldmane froze mid-step, fear spreading on his face, but he quickly masked it, striding forward.
'Got you spooked,' Gladion thought, 'But damn that was so cringy. Watching all those movies with cringy dialogue is paying off.'
On their way, a towering figure blocked the path, his military-style jacket and buzz-cut unmistakable.
Officer Jenny saluted sharply. "Gym Leader Lt. Surge!" Surge's eyes locked onto Gladion and Goldmane.
"Officer Jenny, what's going on here?" he demanded, his voice gruff. Jenny explained, her tone professional. "Gym Leader Gladion has accused Mayor Goldmane of smuggling rare Pokémon through Vermilion Port and colluding with terrorist organizations. We're investigating." Surge's gaze shifted to Gladion,"Kid—no, Gym Leader Gladion—why didn't you inform me of this? It's protocol and basic etiquette if you are doing arrests in other gym Leader's territor."
Gladion met his glare, his voice calm but firm. "I didn't have time. And I was worried he'd have someone in your gym reporting your movements to him."
'And I'm still not sure if you're Team Rocket or not,' he added internally.
Surge's eyes narrowed, his face filled with irritation, but he turned to Goldmane, his voice hard. "Victor, if what Gym Leader Gladion's saying is true, you and I are gonna have a long chat."
Goldmane stiffened, but he nodded curtly. He did not want to piss off the army officer.
They reached the docks. Officer Jenny's squad fanned out, combing through crates and warehouses.
The crowd and reporters watched, their murmurs growing louder, cameras flashing. Goldmane stood tall, his confident facade unshaken, but Gladion sensed his unease.
'He's banking on them finding nothing. He must have planned something for such situations. He was probably stalling when we searched his house,' he thought.
Jenny returned and reported, "We found no illegal Pokémon or supplies anywhere," she said, her voice tight. Goldmane's eyes lit up, his sarcastic smile aimed at Gladion. "Told you, boy."
Gladion's expression didn't shift, "Let's wait for my Metagross," he said simply.
Ultron, hovering above with glowing blue eyes, floated down, its telepathic voice resonating in Gladion's mind. [Master, there is a blank spot that I am feeling. Everything else I can sense pretty easily but this spot is inside a warehouse. It must either be a psychic Pokemon or something else.] Gladion grinned.
'Jackpot.'
"Follow me. My Metagross found something interesting," he said, leading the group to a nondescript warehouse.
Goldmane's pupils dilated slightly, his face spiking with panic.
'He knows he's screwed,' Gladion thought.
"Officer Jenny checked this warehouse. Why are you checking it again, boy?" Goldmane said.
Gladion's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Just a second check for my satisfaction. Mayor, you don't have to worry—it seems you're really innocent."
Gladion walked to a corner of the warehouse, where wooden planks covered the floor. His eyes glowed, and he used telekinesis to lift them, revealing glowing symbols etched into the ground.
Surge muttered, his face intrigued, "A psychic barrier, huh?"
Ultron's eyes pulsed, disabling the barrier with a psychic wave, revealing a hidden staircase descending into darkness.
Goldmane's breathing quickened, his movements frantic.
Gladione gave the Mayor a slight push.
"Let's go Mayor."
They descended, Ultron leading in case of any danger.
There were a dozen men there. Well, Dozen criminals to be precise who panicked at seeing two Gym leaders and the police.
They reached for their Poké Balls, but Ultron's Psychic snatched them away, suspending the men in midair.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Gladion said, his voice cool as he eyed cages filled with exotic Water Pokémon—Milotic, Seadra, Vaporeon, Staryu, Lapras, Totodile, Squirtle, Marill, Lombre, and a Mudkip.
These Pokemon looked weak, frightened and trapped.
Surge glared at Goldmane, who opened his mouth to speak, but Surge's fist connected with his face, knocking him back. "Save it, Victor," Surge growled.
Jenny's squad moved in, detaining the men. Gladion wandered the basement, his psychic senses probing for more evidence. At the back, he spotted a secured cage covered with a cloth.
His curiosity spiked, and he lifted the cloth with a flick of his mind. His eyes widened, stars practically sparkling in them as he saw the Pokémon inside.
'No way,' he thought as he tried to control his excitement. 'Now how do I illegally smuggle an illegal Pokémon from an illegal smuggler?'
