Unsanctioned (Gladion X Fem! Reader)

The Chase

"Sweetie, you're really leaving so soon?"

Just as I was about to walk out the door, I turned around to find my mother standing behind me with a frown on her face. It was just a few days since the party, and I had spent them recuperating at home with her and Meowth. Having been gone for a while, it was nice to spend some time with her, but I wanted to visit Gladion at Aether paradise. He had told me he was going to take over as president for his mother while she and Lillie traveled to Kanto.

"Mom!" I yelled, slightly startled by her presence. My reaction did not seem to phase the tan woman, whose hands were planted firmly on her hips. "I'll be back tomorrow at the latest! I'm just going to go visit my... friend!"

"Friend?! You mean the blonde haired boy you were with at the festival?" She asked as she crossed her arms.

"How did you-"

"Sweetie, I see everything," she smiled warmly, suddenly changing her tone. "Well, it's alright with me. Just come back soon, ok? It's lonely when it's just Meowth and I."

"Yes Mom!" I exclaimed as I ran over to hug her. I made sure to shout a loud "Love you!" to her just as I turned the doorknob to leave.

Once outside, I let out a small sigh as I fumbled through my bag for my ride pager. The sun was just setting outside, the sky a beautiful pink-orange hue. With the click of a button, Charizard appeared in front of me, ready to go wherever I wanted.

"To the Aether foundation," I commanded, patting the dragon on the head as it swooped into the air. The cool evening breeze felt nice against my cheeks as we made our land on the platform outside of the pristine white building.

As I was unbuckling my helmet, I noticed that something was off about the place. And no, I don't mean in the usual weirdness of the whole organization. It felt like something was off. As I entered, I found out my suspicion was correct.
The whole floor was littered with Team Skull grunts, all seemingly standing around.

"What?!" I yelled out loud, piquing the interest of a nearby grunt. There was nary an Aether Foundation employee to be seen. Did they have them captive somewhere? "What are you guys doing here?!"

"You see, little lady," the grunt said, making exaggerated hand gestures,"we remnants of Team Skull came here from Po Town to get a little revenge on this here foundation. Especially that little Gladion chump. He went behind our backs, ya know?!"

I felt my whole body stiffen at the grunt's words, unsure of how to react. Was Gladion in danger? The grunt held up a pokeball as if he wanted to battle, but he suddenly froze. "Yo, you the champion, right?"

Without responding, I ran off toward the nearby elevator. Though it had been a while since I had been here, I still remembered the layout of the building relatively well. I punched the B2F button, memories of being held there against my will flooded my mind as I made my descent to the dark floor. He had to be down there.

Unfortunately, it seemed as if all of the grunts were aware of my presence. A line of them stood before me, all tossing around balls in preparation for battle. I nodded and pulled out the ultra ball housing my Arcanine. One by one, I defeated each grunt's team.

"You're too strong, kid!" The final one exclaimed as he called his unconscious salandit back to its ball.

"Whatever," I scoffed. "Where are you hiding Gladion?!"

"You'll see soon, yo!" The grunt laughed dryly. I blinked, and the hallway was empty. The grunts seemed to vanish into thin air.

After standing there awestruck for a few moments, I suddenly continued running down the hallway. I felt my heart stop beating as I made it to the final room, my heart thumping as I turned the doorknob.

The room was empty.

Well, no, not completely. The room was a standard Aether lab, save for the note sitting atop the desk, completely out of place. I snatched it and held it close to my face to read it.

(Y/n)-

I'm not sure what will happen to me, as the grunts have locked me in here. Whatever you do, don't come looking for me. Stop here. I beg you. There's so much more I would want to say, but they're going to take me away any minute. I love you so much, you are beautiful and I am so lucky you are my girlfriend. Please don't forget that.

Love,
Gladion

I folded the note up and stuffed it into my bag, quickly sprinting down the dark hallway. There was no way I wouldn't go looking for him. And what was with that not? Worry surged through my veins as I boarded the elevator once more.

I rode up to the second floor conservatory, which was eerily bright. From somewhere in the distance, I heard a sea of loud voices. I strode to the spot where I met Lusamine, and by pure chance, I had found Gladion. But it was the worst thing I could have imagined.

He was kneeling on the ground, his arms bound behind his back. Around him stood 3 grunts, forming a semi circle around him.  I turned my head and saw a crowd of grunts standing nearby, watching the commotion.

"Alright yo!" A grunt yelled, trying to settle the crowd down. Thankfully, no one had noticed me yet. "We got here our old enforcer, Gladion. Now, this boy is the worst. He betrayed us! So it's bout time we get him what's comin for him."

Loud cheering ensues. Gladion has a blank stare, his gaze fixated on the white flooring. My heart feels like it's about to stop. One grunt throws a pokeball, releasing a Silvally. But it isn't just any Silvally; it was his. I noticed it looking at me out of the corner of its eye. They were going to use it against him, to beat him up and laugh at him.

I throw out my Lycanroc, it pouncing out onstage. The grunts watching let out shocked cries, unsure of where the mystery Pokémon came from.

"There will be no lesson being taught," I yelled, suddenly coming into the crowd's view. "Not if I can help it."