Gladion went to the backyard as with a grin, he tossed a Poké Ball skywards, "Let's roll, Greeny!"
A flash of light erupted, and Eldergreen, his massive Tropius, materialized in all its towering glory.
Unlike typical Tropius, Eldergreen was a behemoth, his leafy wings spanning wider than a Dragonite's, his fruit-laden neck swaying with the gravitas of age and battle scars. His green hide gleamed, and his brooding eyes scanned the field with a mix of wisdom and grumpiness. He was very old and well very green thus Gladion gave him the name Eldergreen.
'Why would I catch only weak baby Pokemon when I can have old powerhouses in my teams who are going to live for centuries more?' That was the thought and the reason why Gladion decided to catch this particular Tropius.
Gladion chuckled, patting the giant's flank. "Time for an adventure, Greeny." Eldergreen gave a deep, rumbling nod, lowering a wing as Gladion teleported onto the Tropius's broad back.
With a powerful flap, Eldergreen took to the sky, the gust scattering leaves and sending a nearby Pidgey flock scattering.
Gladion guided Eldergreen in a wide arc over Moonwood Town, the wind whipping through his hair as the town unfolded below—a thriving hub of shops, cafés, and training dojos, all booming thanks to his gym's fame.
Eldergreen's massive silhouette cast a shadow over the streets, and townsfolk looked up, their faces lighting with recognition and gratitude.
Eldergreen was no common Pokémon; his size and Hoenn origins made him a signature of Gladion's team. Gladion has even posted about this Pokemon on his social media.
Shopkeepers waved, kids cheered, shouting, "It's Gladion!" "He's patrolling!" A baker hollered, "Keep us safe, champ
Gladion saluted, his smirk softening. 'They know I've got their backs—Moonwood's stronger with me up here.' The sight of Eldergreen soaring overhead reassured the town, a living promise that their Gym Leader was on guard against wild Pokémon, poachers, or Team Rocket's schemes.
Eldergreen banked toward the outskirts, heading for the ranger station nestled at the edge of Moonwood's dense forests. The station, a sturdy wooden outpost ringed by berry bushes, was a hub for rangers protecting the region's wilds.
As Eldergreen's massive form loomed in the sky, his wings blotting out the sun, the rangers below snapped to alert. Hands reached for Poké Balls, eyes squinting at the unfamiliar silhouette—Hoenn's Tropius was rare even in its native region, and Eldergreen's sheer size was unheard of and well they were not much active on social media.
A young ranger stammered, "What is that thing? Dragonite? No—bigger!" Another gripped a radio, ready to call for backup, until Gladion leaned forward, his black jacket and necklace unmistakable in the sunlight.
"It's Vortex!" the ranger shouted, relief washing over the group. Poké Balls lowered, and nervous chuckles replaced the tension.
Eldergreen landed with a thud that shook the ground, his wings folding as Gladion slid off, landing with a practiced ease. The rangers, a mix of grizzled veterans and eager recruits, approached, their Pokemon at their sides.
"Morning, folks," Gladion said, his tone casual but commanding. "Just checking in—how's the forest holding up?" The rangers greeted him warmly, their initial wariness replaced by respect. "Good to see you, Gym leader Vortex!" a veteran called.
"That Tropius of yours nearly gave us a heart attack!" Gladion grinned, patting Eldergreen, who snorted, unimpressed. [They're jumpy, huh?] the Tropius rumbled, earning a chuckle from Gladion. 'Anyone would be with your size buddy.' Gladion telepathically said to which Eldergreen replied, [Even the ladies liked my size.]
This made Gladion almost stumble on his feet before he managed to maintain his composure.
The Ranger Commander, a weathered woman named Captain Harlan with a scar across her cheek, stepped forwar.
"Gladion Vortex—Kanto's new legend," she said, her voice gruff but warm. "Heard you humbled Pryce—good riddance. Old man was a Johto supremacist, always sneering at Kanto rangers like us. About time someone showed him up." Gladion smirked, nodding. "Just doing my part, Captain. Pryce underestimated me—won't happen again." Harlan laughed, clapping his shoulder. "Damn right. Moonwood's lucky to have you."
Gladion's expression softened, his voice earnest. "I should be thanking you, Captain—and all of you. You rangers work in the shadows, keeping Moonwood's forests safe, guiding young trainers who'd get lost in a beedril swarm without you. That means a lot to me and the town."
The rangers' faces warmed, their chests puffing slightly at the praise. A recruit whispered, "Didn't expect the kid to be this cool." Gladion continued, "With the League season starting next week, my gym's gonna draw a lot of rookies—foolish ones who'll wander into the woods chasing a shiny Caterpie and end up facing a Scyther. Keep an eye on 'em, yeah? I want 'em safe enough to challenge me, not stuck in a Beedrill nest."
Harlan nodded, her Luxray purring approval. "We've got it covered, Gym Leader. Those kids'll make it to your gym in one piece—though I pity 'em when they face your big bois." The rangers chuckled, and Gladion grinned, "My Pokemon'll go easy on them… maybe."
The camaraderie was palpable, a bond forged between the Gym Leader and the rangers who shared his duty to protect.
Gladion leaned forward, his tone shifting to business. "Anything I can help with? Pokémon trouble, poachers, Rocket grunts?" Harlan's face grew serious, her voice low.
"Actually, yeah. We've got a problem at Mt. Moon. Geodude and Golem have been pouring down the slopes, more than usual—smashing trees, wrecking trails, scaring off smaller Pokémon. It's causing havoc, and we can't figure out why they're leaving the caves. Can you check it out? Calm 'em down, send 'em back up? Your Pokémon seem… persuasive." She glanced at Eldergreen, who snorted, wings twitching as if ready to intimidate a mountain.
Gladion's eyes glinted with resolve. "Consider it done, Captain. I'll head to Mt. Moon, see what's got those rockheads riled up, and get 'em back where they belong." He patted Eldergreen.
Harlan clasped his hand, her grip firm. "Knew we could count on you, Gym leader." Gladion nodded, exchanging contact info with her—a direct line for emergencies.
"Call me if anything else pops up. Moonwood's got your back." The rangers saluted, their respect for the young leader cemented.
As Gladion climbed back onto Eldergreen, the Tropius's wings unfurled, stirring a gust that sent ranger hats flying— "Hold onto those hats!" Gladion called, smirking.
Eldergreen took off, soaring toward Mt. Moon.
----Author Notes------
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