Chapter 149: Morning in Moonwood Town's Gym

It was early morning in Kanto and Gladion was already awake, his black jacket swapped for a lightweight training vest.

Gladion's morning routine was sacred: train his Pokémon, sharpen his psychic skills, and prepare for the League season's relentless pace.

He jogged toward the field, his boots crunching on dew-kissed grass, a smirk tugging at his lips as he spotted his Machamp, Guy, already at it.

Guy was working out as always, his four arms pumping through a set of one-handed push-ups, sweat glistening on his gray skin, each rep punctuated by a fervent mutter of "YOUTH!"

Gladion chuckled, his psychic bond with Guy warm with amusement. 'Up before dawn, as always. Guy's more dedicated than half my staff.'

He gave the Machamp a nod, and Guy grinned, flexing all four arms. [Morning, boss! Ready to ignite our YOUTHFUL spirits?]

Gladion rolled his eyes. "Save the speeches, Guy. We've got work."

Next came the challenge: waking his not-so-morning Pokémon, the troublemaker duo—Zeus the Electivire and Arsenal the Magmortar.

Gladion approached their sleeping area, a reinforced barn with heat-proof walls and lightning rods, built to contain their destructive moves which they unleashed sometimes when they wake up on the wrong side of the bed.

Inside, Zeus sprawled across a pile of hay, snoring like a malfunctioning generator, sparks crackling from his antennae.

Arsenal was slumped against a wall, his cannon-like arms steaming faintly, muttering in his sleep about "burning everything."

Gladion thought, his psychic senses bracing for resistance. He grabbed a metal rod—kept handy for this exact purpose—and banged it against a steel drum, the clang echoing like a Thunderbolt.

"Rise and shine, you lazy sparks!" Gladion shouted, dodging a stray ember from Arsenal's twitching arm.

Zeus jolted awake, his yellow fur bristling, eyes bleary with rage. [Who dares disturb the king of thunder?!] he growled, static crackling, only to trip over a hay bale, landing face-first with a zap.

Arsenal groaned, his molten hide glowing irritably. [Five more minutes, or I torch this barn!]He aimed a half-hearted Flamethrower at Gladion, who sidestepped, smirking.

"Missed, hothead. Up, both of you!" Zeus, still tangled in hay, zapped the ground in protest, muttering, [Stupid morning… stupid rod…] Arsenal rubbed his eyes, smoke puffing from his cannons. [Why's it always us? Wake Nyx for once!]

Gladion crossed his arms. "Nyx doesn't try to electrocute me. Move it!"

The duo shuffled out, grumbling like cranky toddlers, Zeus flicking sparks at Arsenal, who retaliated with a puff of smoke.

Gladion herded them to a blast-proof training arena, his psychic aura nudging their reluctance. "You two are in for a treat today—power training, special moves. Zeus, you'll hit Arsenal with Thunderbolt. Arsenal, match it with Flamethrower. Strongest move wins; loser gets shocked or burned with fire."

Zeus perked up, grinning wickedly. [I'm frying you, cannon-boy!]

Arsenal snorted, flames licking his arms. [Dream on, spark-plug—I'll melt your face!] Their bickering escalated, Zeus mimicking Arsenal's cannon pose, Arsenal puffing smoke in Zeus's face, both nearly starting a fight then and there.

Gladion raised a hand, smirking. "I am not leaving youunsupervised, you maniacs. Chansey!"

A bubbly Chansey waddled in, her pink fur bouncing, egg pouch swaying. She was one of the five chanseys that Gladion had on the ranch. They were not only to heal his Pokemon after training but also to heal his gym Pokemon whenever they are injured, Pokemon of his challengers for a fee as well as take care of any Pokemon eggs.

"Take care of these two. Make sure they don't kill each other. Be extra strict."

Chansey's smile turned devilish, her eyes glinting with an unsettling glee. She cracked her tiny knuckles, pulling out a whistle that looked suspiciously like a weapon.

[Oh, boys,] she chirped, her tone syrupy but menacing, [step out of line, and I'll make you taste my Chansey special berry soup!] Zeus froze, sparks fizzling. [She's… scary.]

Arsenal gulped, flames dimming. [Did she just threaten us?] Chansey blew her whistle, a piercing shriek, and pointed at the arena.

[TRAIN! NOW!] The duo scrambled, Zeus muttering, [She's worse than Nyx,] Arsenal nodding>

Gladion laughed as he moved to the endurance training zone, where his grandpa's Rhyperior and his Colossus awaited, their massive forms like living mountains.

Rhyperior, Grandpa's evolved Rhyhorn, rumbled contentedly. Colossus, a towering behemoth, yawned, sand trickling from its joints.

"Endurance training today," Gladion announced. "You're punching bags for Guy and Lee." He called for Lee, his Annihilape, and Guy, who bounded over, grinning.

[Alright, my youthful student!] Guy declared, slapping Lee's back, nearly knocking him over. [Let's show our BURNING YOUTH and shatter their mortal shells with PASSION!]

Lee though after evolving into an Annihilape had developed his own ego.

Lee, rubbing his shoulder, glared. [Chill, meathead—your 'youth' gives me a headache. I'll break 'em my way, with style and my rage.]

Guy gasped, clutching his chest.

[Style? YOUTH is style! Watch and learn, disciple!]

The training began. Guy unleashed a Dynamic Punch on Rhyperior, the impact booming, while Lee's Shadow Punch struck Colossus.

Rhyperior stood unmoved, snorting as Guy's Fire Punch singed its hide. [Is that all, youthful fists? Show this old man more of your Youth.]Rhyperior taunted, its drill-arm twitching.

Colossus, weathering Lee's Ice Punch, rumbled. Just gave a look that said that did not even tickle.

The two fighting type kept on using different moves to try and at least make the two tanks feel at least some pain.

Gladion left them to it, heading to his psychic training.

Ultron, his Metagross, hovered within, its steel body gleaming, red eyes pulsing with data. Gladion's psychic aura synced with Ultron's, ready for mental drills—telekinetic lifts, psychic barriers, mind-probing exercises.

But Ultron's telepathy cut through"Before we begin training Sir, I have intriguing information from the Team Rocket prisoner."

Gladion's eyes sharpened. "Go on."

---Author Notes------

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