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Chapter 85: Unexpected Additions to the team
🕑 Added 2025-02-07 18:40:29 +0000 UTC
Now, with the tension mostly dissipated, Gladion decided to take the next step in mending relationships between the two bug groups—and perhaps, solving a mystery of love once and for all.
Gladion called out to the leaders of the two feuding factions. On one side, the head Scizor—its metallic pincers clicking rhythmically—hovered with an air of wounded pride. On the other, the imposing Pinsir leader paced back and forth, its mighty claws flexing as if ready to strike. Both had calmed down after the earlier intervention, yet their eyes still burned with competitive fire.
“Listen up, you two,” Gladion began firmly, “I know you’re both desperate to claim the affection of that lovely Parasect. But if you’re going to decide who wins her heart, you should at least ask her what or rather who she wants.”
The Scizor clicked its mandibles uncertainly, and the Pinsir’s antennae twitched as if pondering this new idea. After a moment’s silence, the head Scizor spoke in a series of resonant clicks and hisses that Gladion translated with his psychic abilities.
[You think we should let her choose?]
The Pinsir rumbled in agreement, its voice deep and somewhat embarrassed.
[Our pride aside, her feelings matter too.]
The two leaders exchanged glances—half rivalry, half newfound understanding—while their underlings buzzed softly around them.
Gladion smiled at their reluctant consensus. “Good. Then let’s settle this the right way.” He motioned for them to follow him, and the bug leaders reluctantly trailed behind him as he made his way through a tangle of ferns and wildflowers deeper into the Safari Zone.
At a small clearing bathed in golden afternoon light, Parasect was busy munching on a leaf, her wide eyes downcast as if lost in thought.
The sight of the two formidable bug leaders and Gladion approaching made her pause. Sensing the significance of the moment, Gladion stepped forward and addressed her in a gentle tone.
“Parasect, I need to ask you something important. Both the Scizor and the Pinsir here want to know… who do you like?” he said, gesturing toward the two contenders with a raised eyebrow.
For a moment, Parasect’s large, bulbous eyes glistened with a shy, almost bashful light. Then, in a timid voice that was barely above a whisper—and with a slight stutter as she spoke—she said, [I... I really like... the Venonat.]
Before anyone could react, a small, timid Venonat emerged from behind Parasect, its large eyes widening as it stepped into the clearing. The moment was surreal: Parasect, looking as delicate and demure as ever, blushed deeply and leaned into Venonat. The two Pokémon cuddled in an adorably awkward embrace, their antennae gently intertwined.
A ripple of laughter and incredulous murmurs ran through the assembled crowd of bug Pokémon.
The head Scizor and Pinsir, previously so intent on proving their strength and dominance, suddenly looked as if they had been caught off guard by the unexpected revelation.
'Wait,' Gladion thought, suppressing a laugh as he watched Venonat’s startled expression. 'Really? Of all the possibilities, you choose a Venonat?'
The Scizor leader’s eyes narrowed in indignation, and the head Pinsir bristled with anger. Their earlier calm evaporated in an instant.
[What is this nonsense?] the Scizor huffed, its voice vibrating with frustration.
[We’ve been fighting with all our might for nothing! This little purple rat.....]
Without warning, the Scizor and the Pinsir lunged toward Venonat in a flurry of snapping pincers and clicking mandibles. Venonat, caught completely off guard by the sudden onslaught, darted behind Parasect, its body trembling in fear.
“Hey, hey, stop!” Gladion roared, rushing forward with his team. Guy stepped in beside him. Meanwhile, Collosus, the usually serene Pupitar who was calmly munching on a sizable rock at the edge of the clearing—until the commotion reached his ears.
Collosus stopped mid-chew, his round, stony face contorting into a look of pure annoyance. With a deep, rumbling growl that seemed to shake the very ground beneath him, he released his Alpha Aura—a powerful radiance spread like a sudden frost over the clearing. The bug Pokémon involved in the attack froze in mid-motion, their movements stuttering to a halt as if time itself had paused.
“Enough!” Collosus bellowed in a booming, authoritative tone that echoed off the surrounding trees.
[This is not the way to settle a matter of the heart!]
[I’m in the middle of my snack time here, and I don’t appreciate interruptions by squabbling over who gets to cuddle a Venonat. You must learn that true strength isn’t shown by snapping at those who are weaker than you—it’s shown by understanding, by discipline, and by, dare I say, proper manners when it comes to matters of love!]
A few of the immobilized Pokémon began to twitch as if stirred by Collosus’s words, and even Venonat peeked out timidly from behind Parasect. Collosus continued his speech.
[I’ve seen many battles in my time. I’ve seen the mighty and the weak clash in the name of honor. But love—true love—requires patience, respect, and a little bit of common sense. You should be apologizing to your would-be partner for causing a ruckus, not attacking an innocent Venonat!]
'Many battles? Dude, You are younger than me. Wait....... Don't tell me he watched all those romance soap opera shows that mom loves to watch. She promised me that she would not make any of my Pokemons watch that after the Mystique incident.' Gladion groaned as he realised that Collosus was speaking the same lines as the lead of one of those shows.
There was a brief pause as Collosus's words settled in. Then, as if in a flash of clarity, the Scizor and Pinsir leaders lowered their weapons—err, pincers—and looked around at their frozen comrades. Slowly, they shuffled toward Venonat, their expressions softening with remorse.
[We... we’re sorry, Venonat,] the Scizor leader mumbled, its voice tinged with regret. [I got carried away by my own pride.]
The head Pinsir echoed, [Forgive us, little one. We meant no harm.]
Venonat, still quivering behind Parasect, timidly peered out and offered a small, forgiving nod. The tension in the clearing dissipated into an awkward peace. The bug groups, now subdued and contrite, began to disperse and return to their usual activities, albeit with a few sheepish glances exchanged among themselves.
Collosus gave a satisfied nod and continues eating the half eaten rock.
Gladion sighed in relief, rubbing his temples with a wry smile. “Well, that’s one way to settle a love quarrel.” Guy gave an approving nod, and Nyx—whose eyes had flickered with both amusement and exasperation—simply shrugged and returned to her corner.
As the clearing slowly returned to its usual hum of bug activity, two Scythers, a brother and sister duo, lingered behind. Their eyes sparkled with determination as they watched Gladion. They had seen his skill, his leadership, and the way he managed to bring order even to the wildest of disputes. They exchanged a look of mutual admiration, then approached him hesitantly.
[Excuse me, Trainer,] the brother Scyther said in a series of rapid, excited clicks.
[We want to be just as strong as your Pokémon. We want to join your team.]
The sister Scyther chimed in, [Yes, please! We want to learn, to grow, and to someday be worthy of fighting alongside heroes like you!]
Gladion knelt down to their level since they were still young, a kind smile softening his usually stern features.
"I’m honored that you’d want to join me,” he said. “But right now, I’m focused on preparing for a big tournament and developing the skills of the Pokémon I already have. I won’t be able to properly train you until after that.”
The brother Scyther’s eyes widened, and the sister Scyther’s antennae drooped slightly in disappointment. [Really?] they asked in unison, their voices tinged with sadness.
“Listen,” Gladion continued gently, “I promise I’ll help you get stronger once I have more time. For now, why don’t you stay with my family? I guarantee you’ll get plenty of training and love from all of us.”
The two Scythers exchanged a glance, their excitement rekindled. [We accept,] the brother said, and the sister echoed with a cheerful, [Yes, thank you!]
'This mission proved not only entertaining but I got myself a good reward too. I can already see a Kleavor and Scizor in my team. Maybe I should start doing more of these missions.' Gladion thought with a smile.
-----------Author Note---------
It's finally time for the League. Next would be league. I would not be stretching the league by many chapters though since the story is about Gladion becoming a Gym leader. It wouldn't be small either too.
