Chapter 90: I Want to Become Stronger
Deep in the night, in the Royal Palace courtyard, Alan finally saw Gligar fly out of the house. His guess was correct. For Gligar to go from Lv. 25 to Lv. 40 in two years, the daytime training at the Pokémon Academy was not enough.
"As expected, secret training," Alan murmured, splashing some water from the fountain on his face to wake himself up. He then stealthily followed Gligar into the night.
Liz was too busy with war preparations to notice the change in Gligar, but Alan couldn't ignore it. Constant training day and night was something not even Ash would attempt. In this era, with its primitive medical care, such overwork could lead to irreparable harm. Alan had to find out the reason for Gligar's new obsession.
He followed him to the grasslands, where Gligar spotted a group of five Sneasel and began to descend, treating them as prey.
"Fighting five at once? And they're Ice-types? Are you out of your mind?" Alan cursed inwardly.
Sneasel were dangerous opponents, especially for Gligar, who had a quadruple weakness to Ice. They were cunning, vicious, and natural team fighters who thrived in the dark. A single Gligar fighting five of them at night was suicide. Alan knew he should let Gligar suffer a bit of a loss to learn a lesson.
He landed silently in the tall grass and watched.
The five Sneasel were all around Lv. 35. Even with a level advantage, Gligar couldn't handle their coordinated assault.
"Gligar~" he cried out as he was beaten back. He tried to flee, but the Sneasel were too fast, pouncing on him and pulling him down.
"Now you're panicking," Alan sighed, deciding it was time to step in. He didn't even need to attack. The sight of his massive form rising from the grass was enough to scare the Sneasel away.
Gligar was startled at first, but when he saw who it was, his eyes immediately welled up with tears. He was stubborn, though, lowering his head to cry to himself, not wanting Alan to see. Alan's intention to scold him vanished. He gently bent down and picked up Gligar, walking quietly back towards the Royal Capital.
"Gligar~" the little Pokémon whimpered, covering his eyes with his pincers.
"I'll put some medicine on you when we get back. It won't hurt anymore."
"Gligar..." he choked out, and then, he began to tell his story.
It had happened a year ago. He had befriended a small Pidgey that was being bullied by a flock of Spearow. The two became fast friends and often played together. Gligar was lazy and playful, barely Lv. 30 at the time. How could he possibly protect anyone?
One day, while escorting Pidgey home, they were attacked by a powerful Fearow. It was too strong and too fast. The timid Gligar panicked, not knowing whether to fight or run. Pidgey, knowing she couldn't escape, told Gligar to flee while she held the Fearow off. In his helpless state, Gligar listened and flew away as fast as he could.
But after a short distance, he came to his senses. 'I flew away, but what about Pidgey?'
He rushed back, but it was too late. All he found was what was left of his friend. That scene had a huge impact on him, making him realize for the first time the consequences of his own weakness. Weakness... was a sin.
From that day on, Gligar changed. He didn't want that to happen ever again.
"Gligar (I want to become stronger)," he mumbled through his sobs, tears and snot flowing onto Alan's chest. His body was bleeding and bruised, but he no longer felt the pain, only the unwillingness to be weak.
Alan stopped and looked down at the little purple creature in his arms.
"Gligar... Gligar! (I want to become very strong... I want to protect everyone!)" If he had been strong enough then, Pidgey wouldn't have died. He never wanted anyone else to die because of his weakness again.
Alan gently wiped the tears from Gligar's face and placed him on the ground.
"Since you have realized your own weakness, then you must become stronger," Alan's voice was firm. "This path is not an easy one. Have you thought it through?"
Gligar looked at Alan's tall, dependable back. He wanted to become a Pokémon like that.
"Gligar," he nodded heavily.
[Inorin Note:
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