Pokemon: A Gym Leader's Rise(SI)

The soft rustling of forest leaves and distant chirping of Pidgey accompanied Gladion's careful teleportation.

Four days of intermittent jumps had worn him down once again, but he had finally reached his destination, Vermillion City.

During his journey, he took strategic breaks to train his Pokémon especially Arsenal his Magby and to rest as well.

After a day of break, he searched the nearby forest for the entire next week using his Psychic powers and eventually he found the Pokemon that he was here for.

More specifically, an Elekid.

'Perfect,' Gladion thought. 'The last team member before I start challenging gyms. And quite an aggressive one too.'

Pidgeys who fluttered between branches, occasionally fell victim to unexpected electric discharges.

Something was causing chaos, and Gladion knew exactly what—or rather, who.

He found the Elekid in a small clearing that looked like it had been struck by lightning multiple times. The Elekid was mid-rampage, electricity crackling around its body as it targeted a group of unsuspecting Pidgeys. Each thunderbolt was a precision strike—not just an attack, but a performance.

[Take THAT!] The Elekid seemed to declare with each electrical discharge.

One Pidgey would attempt to fly away, only to be met with a perfectly aimed Thunderbolt that sent it spiraling. Another would chirp in terror, and Elekid would generate a small electric arc between its plug-like appendages, looking almost bored with the ease of his destruction.

The Elekid's behavior was fascinating. This wasn't hunting—this was pure, unbridled entertainment for him. Each electrical attack was calculated, precise, and delivered with a sense of artistic flair that suggested both intelligence and profound boredom.

Gladion observed carefully. An Elekid with this level of control and destructive creativity would be an exceptional team member—if he could be tamed.

"Quite the showoff, aren't you?" Gladion muttered, catching the Elekid's attention.

The Elekid spun, electricity intensifying around its body. Its eyes narrowed, sizing up the human who had interrupted its impromptu target practice.

[Who dares?] the Elekid's body language screamed, sparks flying more aggressively.

Gladion smiled. This wasn't going to be a simple capture. This was going to be a capture through battle. His first one too.

"Machoke, let's go!"

The muscular Pokémon materialized, cracking its knuckles. Years of training with Gladion had transformed it into a formidable Pokemon.

And the battle was over before it even began. Elekid launched a thunderbolt but Machoke dodged it with simple ease before closing in on Elekid and delivering a Fire punch to finish it off.

'It feels good to be on the other side of one sided battles.' Gladion thought with a smile.

Defeated but not broken, the Elekid stood up barely and looked at Gladion with a mixture of respect and defiance.

The Elekid was in genuine surprise. No prey had ever avoided his attacks so effortlessly and had beaten him with just one punch.

He wanted to be just as strong. And the only way for him to become just as strong was with the help of one who defeated him.

[You're strong,] Elekid said in Pokespeak, already knowing that the human could understand him. [I know why you are here. Many have come to capture me. But none were as strong as you. I'll join you. But I do what I want.]

Gladion chuckled. "Are not you a smart one?"

Elekid ignored him, already plotting which unfortunate Pidgey would be his next target.

A nearby Pidgey chirped nervously. Elekid's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"Don't even think about it," Gladion warned, already knowing the futility of his statement.

ZZZZZAP!

Another singed Pidgey spiraled dramatically through the air.

"We're going to have words about your Thunderbolt discipline," Gladion muttered, watching another bewildered Pidgey drop from the sky.

Zeus just sparked happily, clearly not listening.

'Another day in the Pokémon world,'Gladion thought with a mix of exasperation and excitement. 'Grandpa Maren would have found this hilarious.'

Some things, Gladion realized, were simply inevitable. His new Pokemon was quite an aggressive one and an eccentric one to boot.

'He would be a difficult one to control. But he would be perfect for my team. Electivire was my favourite electric type Pokemon and in my humble opinion, the strongest of it's type outside of Legendaries.' Gladion mused as he looked at his Elekid who was looking at the electricity that he was generating in his hands with pure glee in his eyes.

"You really like electricity, don't you?" Gladion said, arms crossed. Elekid stopped, nodded furiously, then raised its stubby arms to the sky like it was about to summon a thunderbolt.

A grin tugged at Gladion's mouth. "If you keep this up, people will start mistaking you for Zapdos."

Elekid grinned, sparks flaring in agreement.

Gladion tilted his head thoughtfully. "You know what? You deserve a name that matches that energy. How about... Zeus?"

Elekid froze mid-spark, its eyes going wide. It did not know what it meant but he kinda liked it.

Then, with a squeal of excitement, it ran over, nearly headbutting Gladion in its enthusiasm. Sparks flew everywhere as it hopped up and down in approval.

"Zeus it is," Gladion said with a rare smirk. "King of the skies, ruler of storms, the lightning god."

Elekid puffed out its chest proudly, holding its arms out to the sky again.

"Careful," Gladion warned, "get too excited, and we'll have to call you 'Static Shock.'"

Elekid spun around, grinning mischievously, and fired a tiny jolt at Gladion's arm.

"Hey!" Gladion yelped, rubbing the spot. "What was that for? That's not how Zeus treats his followers!"

Elekid giggled, clearly pleased with itself.

"You think you're funny, huh?" Gladion muttered. "One more of those, and I'm downgrading your name to 'Sparky.' Or worse, 'Buzzbutt.'"

Elekid doubled over laughing, tiny sparks crackling around it.

Gladion sighed but couldn't hide his amusement. "Alright, Zeus, you've got the name. Now you just need to train like the king of the gods."

Elekid raised its arms again dramatically, clearly imagining itself commanding thunder. Gladion rolled his eyes. "Fine, but if you start smiting random Trainers, I'm not bailing you out."

And with that Gladion launched a Pokeball towards Zeus who happily entered inside it.

-----------Author Note-----

Now you might be wondering, how can he have more than six Pokemons in his team? Well, it would be explained in the next chapter.

Thankyou Deividas Seputis and Lucien for supporting me!

Y'all can read 12 extra chapters on my pat*reon.

https://pat reon.com/mrmime24

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