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Chapter 133: Securing the mine
🕑 Added 2025-05-16 19:15:39 +0000 UTCGladion stood at the entrance of the newly secured cave, his psychic aura humming with satisfaction. His necklace, holding Colossus and two mystery Pokémon, swayed as he turned to the two Golem who’d guided him. Hydros loomed nearby, cannons glinting, ensuring the rock-types stayed in line.
“Alright, you two,” Gladion said, his voice firm but fair, psychic senses brushing their gratitude. “This area is your home again. Keep the caves safe—no more rampaging down the mountain. And some humans might come here, Don't you darm harm them. Understood?"
The Golems nodded terrified, their stony eyes gleaming with relief. Gladion considered using them to mine the metal—'Free labor,' But he dismissed the idea with a smirk.
'Too risky, too slow, and probably illegal. A proper mining company’s safer, faster, and keeps the League off my back.' He patted Hydros, who snorted, [Smart move, boss—let’s not turn these rockheads into miners. They’d probably eat the metal!] Gladion chuckled, recalling the Golem to their posts with a psychic nudge. “Stay put, guys. I’ll handle the rest.”
His first stop was the ranger station at the forest’s edge. Eldergreen, his massive Tropius, soared him there in minutes, landing with a gust that sent berry bushes swaying. Captain Harlan, the Ranger Commander, greeted him with a nod, her Luxray purring at her side. “Problem solved, Captain,” Gladion said, his psychic aura radiating confidence. “The Golems are back in the caves, and Mt. Moon’s calm—for now.” Harlan’s scarred face broke into a grin. “Damn, Vortex, you work fast.” Gladion smirked, “Just doing my job. Keep an eye on the area—any trouble, you’ve got my number.” Harlan saluted, and Gladion took off, Eldergreen’s wings carrying him to the naval base along the coast.
The base, a fortress of steel and cannons overlooking the ocean, buzzed with activity. The Navy Commander, a burly man named Admiral Kors, met Gladion on the docks. They exchanged contact information and pleasantries. With his patrol complete, Gladion returned to the gym, his mind already on the next step: securing the mine.
Back in his office, Gladion fired up his computer and drafted an email to the League’s Department of Resource Management and Allocation (DRMA), the body handling mining rights and discoveries. His fingers flew, his psychic focus sharpening every word.
Subject: Discovery of Rare Metal Deposit in Mt. Moon
Dear DRMA Officials,
I, Gladion Vortex, Gym Leader of Moonwood Town, report the discovery of a significant rare metal deposit within Mt. Moon’s cave network, identified during a patrol addressing a Geodude/Golem disturbance. The deposit, suitable for producing Metal Coats (Onix → Steelix evolution), spans deep into the mountain and is of substantial scale. I have neutralized the threat (a wild Steelix) and restored order.
As per League regulations, I request formal recognition of my claim to the mining rights, leveraging my authority as a Gym Leader. I propose to establish a mining operation, with a League-approved company, to extract and process the metal for commercial use. Please advise on next steps and any required approvals.
Sincerely,
Gladion Vortex
Moonwood Town Gym Leader
Within an hour, a reply pinged his inbox, the DRMA’s seal prominent. Gladion leaned forward, his smirk widening as he read.
Subject: Re: Discovery of Rare Metal Deposit in Mt. Moon
Dear Gym Leader. Vortex,
The Department of Resource Management and Allocation congratulates you on discovering a valuable rare metal deposit in Mt. Moon, a significant find for Kanto’s Pokémon training communities. Your swift resolution of the associated threat is commendable.
As Moonwood’s Gym Leader, you are provisionally granted ownership of the mine, effective as long as you hold your position. The League will claim a 10% share of all profits generated from the mine’s output. However, per regional jurisdiction, your claim requires approval from Pewter City’s Gym Leader Flint and Mayor Henrietta Voss, as Mt. Moon falls within their administrative purview too. Should no settlement be reached, the League will mediate impartially.
A meeting is scheduled today at 3:00 PM at the Indigo Plateau Conference Hall, with Senior League Official Marcus Brant as mediator. Attendees will include yourself, Gym Leader Flint, Mayor Voss, and DRMA Head Clara Stein. Please confirm your attendance.
Best regards,
Elliot Grayson
Director, DRMA
Gladion’s psychic senses flared with anticipation. 'Two hours? Perfect.' He confirmed his attendance, his mind racing.
'Flint and the mayor’ll want a piece of my mine, but I’m not handing over a pebble easily.' He prepared to teleport to the location.
The Indigo Plateau Conference Hall was a grand chamber, its oak table polished to a mirror shine. Senior League Official Marcus Brant, a stern man with a Kadabra at his side, sat at the head, exuding impartiality. Gladion, in his black jacket, necklace glinting, faced Flin and Mayor Voss, a sharp-eyed woman in a tailored suit.
Clara Stein, the DRMA head, took notes, her Alakazam scanning the room’s auras. The air crackled with tension as Brant opened the meeting. “Let’s settle the Mt. Moon mine claim. Mr. Vortex, you discovered the deposit. Gym Leader Flint, Mayor Voss, state your positions.”
Flint leaned forward as he said “Pewter’s got history with Mt. Moon—our miners, our caves. That metal’s in our backyard, and we’ve got the infrastructure to extract it. I want 50% of the profits to fund Pewter’s gym and city projects.” Voss nodded, her tone calculated. “As mayor, I represent Pewter’s economic interests. A 50% share ensures jobs, security, and growth for our people. Moonwood’s too new to handle a mine this big—Pewter’s got the experience.” Their arguments leaned on tradition, proximity, and Pewter’s established mining legacy, painting Moonwood as an upstart.
Gladion listened, his psychic senses catching their bluster—Flint’s desperation, Voss’s greed. When they finished, he leaned back, his voice calm but laced with authority. “No.” The word landed like a Stone Edge, silencing the room.
“Gym leader Flint, your gym’s falling apart—cracks in the walls, outdated gear. You can’t afford repairs, let alone a mining operation. Where’s the capital? You gonna have your Onix dig with their tails?” Flint’s face reddened, but Gladion turned to Voss, his psychic aura pressing subtly. “And you, Mayor—if you’re so eager, fund the mining yourself. Hire security to fend off Team Rocket or wild Pokémon. But don’t cry to me when Rocket kidnaps your family for leverage or blackmails you into handing over the mine. They play dirty—you ready for that?”
The room froze, Brant’s Kadabra twitching at Gladion’s ruthlessness. Flint sputtered, “You cocky kid—” but Gladion cut him off, his smirk icy. “I found the mine, killed the Steelix in it, secured the caves. Moonwood’s got the resources—or have you forgot that I am one of the richest person in the entire Indgo region? I’ll hire a top-tier mining company, protect the site, and turn that metal into Metal Coats for trainers across three regions. You want a cut? Earn it.” His psychic presence loomed over them pressurising them, a silent reminder of the boy who’d crushed Pryce.
Voss, sensing the tide, softened her stance. “Perhaps… a 5% share for Pewter’s cooperation? We’ll waive any jurisdictional claims.” Gladion tilted his head, considering, then nodded. “Five percent. Done.”
Flint, outmaneuvered, grumbled but relented, his gym’s dire state leaving him no leverage. Brant nodded, impressed. “Agreed. Mr. Vortex retains 85% ownership, Pewter City 5%, League 10%. Meeting adjourned.”
As they dispersed, Stein whispered to Brant, “That kid’s terrifying—not just in battle, but in business too.”
