Pokémon: Above the Top

The situation in Boshire Town felt absurd, yet at the same time, everyone couldn't help but feel worried for it.

Who would have thought that Guso's selfless efforts had not only failed to earn forgiveness, but the people had gone even further, passing that grudge down to Guro to repay, and now it had fallen to Komachi.

But a single person's strength would eventually run out. If one day Cherrim were to die along with Guro, and Komachi couldn't control Gliscor and Floatzel…

Then Boshire Town would very likely disappear from the Sinnoh map in an instant due to its complete lack of defense against outside threats.

"Boss, what should we do?" Mark didn't think too deeply; he just knew to ask Sato at a time like this.

Sato gave Mark a look, hinting that he should figure it out himself, then turned his gaze toward Komachi and Gliscor.

With Cherrim's healing, the defeated Gliscor quickly regained consciousness.

"Gli~"

Once awake, Gliscor was extremely on guard. It took quite a bit of coaxing from Cherrim and Komachi before it finally began to calm down, though its eyes still held a trace of fear when looking at Sato.

Sato slowly walked forward. Even though Weavile wasn't at his side, Gliscor instinctively took two steps back.

"Heh~ What a coward," Sato chuckled, grinning.

"Gli!"

This Gliscor had once belonged to Guro and had lived in human society for quite some time, so it clearly understood that Sato was mocking it.

So, Gliscor forced down its fear and raised its pincers, whipping them through the air with an intimidating flourish.

Sato just stood there. Gliscor looked around and realized no one was reacting, and finally dropped its pincers awkwardly, ending its "tough-guy" act.

"Just keep protecting Boshire Town the way you always have. Keep following Komachi's orders. Only when she says you can leave, will you be allowed to go."

Sato spoke sternly, using a commanding tone with Gliscor. He had commanded Weavile to defeat it, and even though he hadn't caught it, Sato's words still held heavy weight in Gliscor's mind.

"Gli…"

Gliscor wanted to argue, but realized Sato likely wouldn't understand what it was saying. Left with no choice, it lowered its head in silence.

"…Gliscor, I don't know what kind of Trainer Guro was to you. But for you to have protected Boshire Town for so many years… I doubt you had no feelings for him at all, right?"

This time, Sato softened his voice, speaking from the heart.

"Gli…"

Gliscor sat down, tilting its big head upward slightly, as if recalling all the moments it had spent with Guro.

["Hey Gligar, if you lose, you're coming with me!"]

["Gligar, my dad had a really strong Gliscor. So I know exactly how to help you get stronger fast…"]

["Dummy, Gliscor is your evolved form. As soon as you evolve, you'll be way stronger than you are now!"]

["Gligar, wear this Razor Fang. It's the key item you need to evolve."]

["Gliscor, don't be afraid. I'll always be with you…"]

["Gliscor, I'll do everything I can to make both you and Floatzel into Totem Pokémon!"]

["…Gliscor, please protect Boshire Town… and protect my daughter…"]

"Scoooor Scooor!"

Gliscor suddenly cried out and shook its head with all its might, trying to fling away the tears welling up in its eyes.

Sato stood in front of Gliscor and continued patiently, "I believe there must have been a final promise between you and Guro. I wonder… have you fulfilled it?"

"Scor! Scoor!"

Gliscor swung its massive pincers and roared at Sato. Even though Sato didn't understand what it was saying, he could guess a thing or two from its agitated behavior.

"Right… Guro is already dead, yet he left you and Floatzel tied to that promise, shackling your lives to this little place called Boshire Town."

"Gliii~"

Gliscor fell silent again. Clearly, Sato had struck a chord.

As a Pokémon with Pseudo-Elite Four strength, Gliscor was far stronger than most wild Pokémon.

Conquering territories, reigning over mountains, living freely… that was the life it truly longed for. And yet, it had been trapped here by a single promise.

On one hand, there was its Trainer's final wish; a binding vow. On the other hand, was the uncertainty of what kind of future it would face if it broke free.

Whether it was Gliscor or Floatzel, both were torn and confused over this exact question.

That's why they were still keeping the promise and protecting Boshire Town to this day.

But each day was filled with torment. They felt no emotion toward Boshire Town, or Komachi…

"I have a suggestion, maybe you can consider it," Sato said once Gliscor had calmed down. He called Komachi over and began explaining in detail…

-----

"Boss, are you sure this plan will work? Will Komachi actually follow through with it?" Mark couldn't help but ask as they headed down the mountain.

"Even if Komachi doesn't do it, Gliscor will eventually attack the town itself. It's the only way it can gain freedom without guilt!" Joseph answered before Sato could.

Mark pursed his lips and gave a thoughtful nod.

"Of course relying on Komachi alone isn't enough. Luckily, Boshire Town isn't completely isolated. I'll try contacting Flint later, he's local, and he might be able to help," Sato added.

"…But seriously, Sato, you're really gutsy saying stuff like letting Gliscor initiate a wild Pokémon assault. Miyu's been nothing but good to us," Mark muttered, pushing the limit.

"People always focus on the damage from wild Pokémon attacks, but they never understand it's a natural and inevitable phenomenon.

These assaults reduce the wild Pokémon population pressure and also remind humans to respect the power of wild Pokémon.

They even help spark the growth of Trainer-related careers, accelerating development across many aspects of society […]"

Joseph began lecturing seriously, going on and on in a rapid stream of analysis.

Sato had originally planned to scold Mark, but couldn't even get a word in.

By the time the three of them reached Miyu's house at the foot of the mountain, Mark finally found a pause in Joseph's monologue to interject.

"Don't forget, there's still one left in the sea!"

They stopped in their tracks, exchanged glances, and all turned toward the coast.

Whether persuasion happened sooner or later didn't matter… but the battle had to happen.

With such a good challenge waiting, it would be a shame not to use it to help their Pokémon level up!

But reality struck them hard. Floatzel never came ashore. And among them, only Sharpedo and Lapras could battle in the water… maybe Arbok if they stretched it.

And once Floatzel realized it couldn't win, or that the fight would drag on too long, it simply ran away, refusing any proper battle.

But really, this… this was exactly how a wild Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon should act!

Not every opponent is a fool, rushing to be someone's "stepping stone".

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150 PS - 1CH

P4tr3on/Romeloff