"Funny how we only have time to relax like this on the night just before the big day."
"I'm not complaining." Jasmine replied to her husband's words as she sat right beside him on the very edge of the West Forest facing the sea, her head resting on his shoulder and his arm around her waist.
From here, they can see the numerous stars lighting up the night sky and the light from the Glitter Lighthouse lighting the way forward for ships arriving and departing Olivine. She did not spot the moon and she isn't sure if it is hidden by the clouds or if it is because it happens to be a new moon tonight, but it doesn't really matter that much to her.
"Will you be alright?"
"Will you be alright?" Her husband returned her question back at her. "Archer will be coming over to Olivine. He's no pushover."
"My dashing and multi-talented husband not only stationed Lorelei right in my city, but also somehow got the future Hoenn Champion to help defend my city tomorrow. I think I will be more than fine." She half-teased while pulling at his cheek with her fingers before her face shifted to a slight frown.
"You on the other hand, will be at Indigo Plateau trying to free Mewtwo."
"I will not be fighting alone tomorrow." Her husband reassured her right away. "Elesa will be helping together with Lance and his Elite Four. Six Pillars against a legendary that is unwilling to take orders from Team Rocket, I'd say those are pretty good odds."
"There are still too many assumptions made for me to be comfortable with it. This Mewtwo… it's made to be even stronger than Johto's Legendary Beasts combined."
"Nobody in this world is invincible, nothing is infallible. We had prepared all we can, so I am confident that we can get Mewtwo out of that M2 Bind before it can do any serious damage." Volkner replied. "What I'm more worried about is the fact that Team Rocket had very likely already captured Kanto's Legendary Birds. Capturing them is one thing, but if they managed to tame them somehow, then we are in serious trouble."
"At least Eusine had managed to locate Suicune and get it to help us should things go awry. And if Suicune is involved, the other two won't be far behind. We will be fine." She reminded her husband, who merely remained silent until he spoke up again.
"If only we know for sure if the Tower Duo will be here tomorrow, then maybe we don't need to keep playing the guessing game."
"They are Johto's guardians. I believe they will be here."
"I certainly do hope so." Volkner muttered before they fell into another comfortable silence, watching the peaceful night view in front of them.
"I have been giving a lot of thought about the prophecy as of late."
"What brought it up?" Jasmine asked in both curiosity and concern.
"Everything. This Rocket mess, how the times are changing, the current world affairs, how the legendaries themselves are starting to get themselves involved in our mess when it hasn't been that way for centuries." Volkner admitted. "I'm starting to think that there is very likely some sort of truth behind it. I'm starting to think that even the interpol will not be enough, not when they are like this right now."
"You are thinking of joining the interpol once this is over?"
"I don't want to, but that thought had been crossing my mind more and more often as of late, and not because I was actively thinking of it. It just kept popping back up whenever my mind was idle." Volkner admitted. "But I'm tired, Jas. I'm so tired of getting called on to clean up messes of epic proportions whenever something inevitably goes belly up on a national scale. I'm tired of people always calling on me to help them in things which they claim is "the end of the world", only to find that it is a minor issue and a big waste of my time. I'm just… tired."
"That's what you get for being too good at your job. I told you during our Kanto trip, that you are an overachiever." She said with an amused yet proud sigh while still leaning on him.
"But, Volk?"
"Hmm?"
"Go for it."
"Now now, I did say that thought crossed my mind but that doesn't mean that I'm going to join for certain."
"It's not just that, Volk. Like you, I am starting to feel that the prophecy really has some substance to it. Compared to what the prophecy entails should it come true, this Rocket crisis felt like a warning for what is to come if the world doesn't unite to resolve this problem together. Call it a gut feeling, but my gut feeling is very rarely wrong."
"You never told me that you are a gut feeling type of person."
"You learn something new about me everyday, just like how I learn something new about you everyday." She said cheekily while looking up at him. "Things are more romantic this way, don't you think?"
"You know what's more romantic? If we can fall asleep here like this without having to wake up early tomorrow to go fight a war."
"We can do that after we finish fighting the war?"
"Definitely."
"It's not just you who has been having doubts recently, Volk." She spoke up after another brief period of silence. "I… I really have been considering quitting my position of Gym Leader for good."
"Why though?"
"Mainly because I want to have children soon. We are not getting any younger." She admitted. "I know this is one reason why you do not want to join the interpol, because starting a family when you are a member of the interpol will be impossible when we are separated once more and there's no way we could take care of a child with my duties as a Gym Leader. Right now, what is more important to me is the both of us and what we envision for our future. Olivine can do without me now that I have Eusine as my possible replacement, so…"
"As long as you are sure about it." His hold on her tightened a little to let her know that she is not alone, a gesture that she appreciates. "In that case, why not let's follow Akamu's and Mary's example? Tour the world until we are tired of it. Money's not an issue anyway, we have enough of it to last us several lifetimes."
"What? You plan for us to go on a double date with them?"
"Actually… You know what? That sounds like a great idea. I mean, sure, why not? They are both nice people and we can bond over our shared pain of having to deal with our respective Leagues."
"Maybe Mary can teach me how to finally cook a proper meal."
"If you can cook a proper meal then my worth in the house will diminish. Nah, nah, my beautiful wife shouldn't waste her time in the kitchen. Let her dashing husband do it for her instead. Whatever she wants to eat he will cook for her. If he doesn't know how to cook it he will learn how to cook for her. All she needs to care about is to be as beautiful as she can be."
She cannot help but laugh.
"Keep praising my beauty and I might grow an inflated ego. Keep spoiling me and I might grow to be an unreasonable tyrant."
"So what? Treating my wife like a queen is my job. Anyone who has anything to say about that can try to fight me. I will put them in place."
"Now, now, is something as violent as that something an ex Gym Leader should say or do? Tsk tsk, I'm disappointed in you, Volk."
"I'm retired."
"People still look up to you so act the part."
"What did that saying go? Ah, something like this, right? Never meet your heroes. There."
"Volk."
"Being an ass is much more carefree and less tiring than trying to be a hero you never wanted to be. Sometimes I really wonder why people look up to me in the first place."
"Oh? Are you doubting my judgement too? I will have you know that I am among one of those countless people who look up to you."
"Only the Iron Wall could withstand the sun's blinding glare and look up at it properly for what the sun really is, so the Iron Wall doesn't count. If the Iron Wall wants to look up to the sun, then it is within her rights to do so."
"Nice save."
Volkner wagged his eyebrows at her in response.
"How much would you rate it out of a hundred?"
"Just fifty, and that is because I am feeling generous today. You are very lucky today."
"I did manage to get you to marry me. I'm one lucky man alright."
"Uh huh. And I'm lucky to have met you too." She nodded. "That's why we will both be fine tomorrow. We are both lucky people."
"Did my beautiful wife just talk around in circles for the past two minutes or so just to lift my spirits up? Because if so, she did a splendid job at it."
"How much would you rate it out of a hundred?"
"A thousand."
"Is that because you are feeling generous today?"
"If I'm feeling generous it will at least be at a million."
"So you are feeling stingy today?"
"You know that I'm never stingy when it comes to you."
"Hmm. Another nice save." She said while nodding her head in satisfaction. "Do you plan to compile your words of wisdom into a book? I think there are many guys out there who will buy it to save their skins when they really need it."
"Why would I? I need them myself to save my own skin like how I did twice tonight."
"Makes me wonder how many girls you had fooled with that sweet tongue of yours before you met me. Now I'm jealous."
"You wouldn't believe me even if I said zero, right?"
"Probably not."
"I thought so." Volkner said with a dramatic sigh.
"So fess up. How many girls had your glib tongue fooled before you met me?"
"Zero, but the cruel Iron Wall wouldn't believe me anyway. What can the sun do?"
She leaned into him and whispered into his ear.
"I don't know, but rumours have it that if the sun gives the Iron Wall a kiss she might just forget all about it immediately. You didn't hear this from me though. Like I said, this is just a rumour."
She saw how a small grin broke out across his face. He leaned back down to whisper in her ear.
"So how accurate do you think the rumours are?"
The both of them cannot help but sport that silly grins on their faces. She feels a little bolder than usual today, so she took the initiative and whispered into his ear once more.
"I don't know, why don't you verify it yourself?"
'How is everyone?'
'We are as prepared as we can be. They are all waiting outside the front door.' Myst replied.
I hummed an acknowledgement as I stood in my room, checking the kevlar shirt that I had been given for this mission. Kevlar isn't exactly 100% stab proof or bulletproof but eh, better than nothing. At least this one is definitely a lot more durable yet not as restrictive compared to the model that I am used to wearing during my time as Sunyshore's Gym Leader. The PWL really does provide their agents some of the best gear the world has to offer.
"Jarvis. Link me to Skye."
I continued to check my gear while Jarvis helped me to ring up Skye. Utility belt? In working order. Knife? Check. Mega Stones, Key Stone and its corresponding bracelet? Present.
"Hello?"
"Hey McWings, hope I'm not disturbing you. Is it convenient for us to talk right now?"
"McWings? What kind of stupid nickname is that? But yeah, nobody is around at the moment. What is it?"
"Just checking up on you and telling you to relax if you happened to be all jittery about what will happen later. Aren't I a nice friend?"
"Yeeeeaah. Reeeeal nice." I can feel the figurative roll of her eyes when Skye said that. "Well, thanks. You coming over to Indigo Plateau?"
"Will be teleporting there within the next five minutes. How's it looking at the moment? Like, what do you see in the Indigo Plateau right now?"
"Honestly? It feels normal. If you didn't warn me beforehand of the kind of shit that will go down later I wouldn't have suspected a thing."
"Good. Keep it that way. We will be screwed if Giovanni somehow got wind of our plans. The League did all they could to not draw his attention, all for today."
"We will be removing them for good, yeah?"
"That is the whole point."
"Looking forward to it. So, any other heads up for what I may need to expect later? So that I could, you know, prepare?"
"You will probably be very busy saving people."
"Very helpful of you."
"Why, what else were you expecting when you are a Ranger?"
"Point."
"And oh, Mewtwo will be there at Indigo Plateau later too. Just saying."
There was a brief pause from the other line. Wait for it…
"AND YOU DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ME ABOUT THIS EARLIER?!"
There it is.
"Just remembered about it." I made my reply with a grin as I quickly wore the kevlar shirt over my undershirt. With practiced ease, I wore the utility belt around my waist, strapped the knife on my person somewhere that couldn't be easily seen, and wore the mega bracelet around my right wrist.
"MEWTWO, VOLKNER! MEWTWO!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Why else do you think I'm heading to the Indigo Plateau too?"
"You-! Argh! Whatever. Anything else that I really should know?"
"That's it, really." I said with a yawn as I turned to look at the article of clothing that is currently hanging on the clothes rack in the bedroom. I haven't been wearing it ever since I quit being a Gym Leader and I never thought of wearing it ever again, but Jasmine took it out to sew and wash a few days ago, saying that The Sun of Sunyshore wouldn't be the Sun that the world knows without his trademark blue jacket.
Couldn't disagree to that.
"If that is all I need to end the call now. I need to head off and join my squadron soon."
"Got it. Stay safe and help us keep an eye out on any anomalies. If you aren't sure who to inform, then just inform me directly. Jarvis will keep an eye out for any messages from your end too."
"Roger that. See ya."
"See you."
With that, the call ended with a click. I took my blue jacket off the clothes rack and with a casual swing, easily slipped my arms through the sleeves. Heh, I used to practice this motion so many times just to impress Jasmine because it looks cool, not like I will ever admit that to her.
I walked down the stairs only to be greeted by the silence hanging around the living room. There's nobody in the house right now. It's not a bad thing. Jasmine and I do love our peace and quiet. A part of me is relieved that I no longer have to host the interpol here in our little haven and sanctuary.
Another small part of me do crave the company the interpol members provided during their short time here but meh, Jasmine's and my quiet lives are more important. We've been separated for long enough and I will do anything to ensure that it stays that way. There's only so many seven years I can afford to give and once is enough. I am also human like everybody else, I have my own life to lead too.
It was never my intention to be a hero that shines brighter than the sun.
With Myst and Jarvis beside me, we walked out of the front door and a smile formed on my face when I saw my fellow friends and comrades already out here waiting for me.
"So, do you guys need me to give a pep talk before we go or something? We are going up against a Legendary Pokemon."
They gave me a collective roll of their eyes. Guess that's a no.
"Seriously? And here I thought that you guys might need it so I spent an hour or two last night to draft up a morale boosting speech right up here in my head. You guys don't want to hear it?"
Simba gave me a dismissive snort on behalf of the entire team.
"Fine, fine. What's with pokemon these days? Can't even appreciate the lengths in which their trainers go for them." I gave a dramatic sigh as I reached for their pokeballs. "Well, one last thing before you guys disappear into your pokeballs."
Seeing as I now got their full and undivided attention, I continued.
"Whatever happens, don't die."
With that, I recalled them back into their pokeballs, leaving Jarvis and Myst by my side. Jarvis helped me lock the front door and entered my poketch soon after.
"Myst, to Indigo Plateau."
I didn't ask to be a Gym Leader, but I somehow found myself as one. I didn't ask to be a hero whose existence is like the sun, but I somehow found myself as one. I didn't ask to be involved in the affairs of another region, but I somehow found myself in one.
Life is never smooth sailing, I get that. That doesn't make accepting it any easier. And then that stupid prophecy crap. First, the one about the end of the world, then the one about the Seven Sages that Nova told us about. What does it even mean? That it is my predestined fate to help save the world alongside the other six? I'm no hero, I'm a mere mortal and mortals have their limits.
I don't know what the future entails or if there really is a bigger meaning behind my existence in this world. What I do know is that like it or not, I am the Sun of Sunyshore, and right now the Indigo really does need the Sun to chase its darkness away.
So, back to business it is. There's no way I could sit still and watch when all the lives within the Johto region is now in danger. With great power comes great responsibility… bah. I really hate that quote with a burning passion ever since I became a Gym Leader but even I have to admit that there is some wisdom to it.
I wouldn't say that I am a firm subscriber to the notion that the strong are obligated to protect the weak, because nobody ever owes anybody else such a thing and nobody can ever protect everybody, but the strong should never use their power for evil, that is what I firmly believe in.
To never abuse your power and use it for evil. That is the definition of responsibility that I interpreted within that famous quote that I now hate so much. That is why Kain and Giovanni are now officially on my shitlist. They really had gone too far and whatever they are doing or had already done goes against everything that I believe in.
If I have to be the Sun once more to quell this mess, then so be it. I'm not obligated to help protect Indigo and there's no way I can save everybody today, but this time, this is simply the right thing to do.
So, this time, I shall do the right thing, because whether I liked it or not, I am the best suited person for the job given to me.
I am Volkner Tide, and I am many things. I am Jasmine's dashing, multi-talented and loving husband. I am Flint's best friend and greatest rival. I am Kayla's big brother figure. I am the asshole among my colleagues. I am the reluctant 42nd Gym Leader of Sunyshore that was appointed to the position against my will and also the strongest Gym Leader in Sinnoh within my time. I am the big brother to the kids in the orphanage which I grew up in and also the fun and cool teacher to the kids that I taught in school.
I am also the Sun which the darkness fears, the existence that shines brighter than anyone else even if I never wanted to be such an existence. This time, I will do the right thing which I loathe doing so much.
I am Volkner Tide, the Sun of Sunyshore.
I will stop Team Rocket even if it means to die trying.
Pokemon and trainer list:
Volkner Tide: Ex Gym Leader of Sunyshore, Electric Specialist
Titles, Accolades and Achievements: Tie for First Place with Flint in the 521st Lily of the Valley Conference, Sinnoh's strongest Electric Specialist, The Sun of Sunyshore, The Yellow Flash
Pokemon Team:
1. Electivire (Franky), male
2. Luxray (Simba), male
3. Jolteon (Jo), female
4. Magnezone (ISpy), genderless
5. Gallade (Myst), male
6. Rhyperior (Tec), male
7. Probopass (North), female
8. Gyarados (Puddle), male
9. Raichu (Squeaky), female
10. Pachirisu (Scrat), male
11. Heliolisk (Bask), male
12. Ampharos (Fluffy), female
13. Vikavolt (Vik), female
14. Eelektross (Whirr), male
15. Lanturn (Glowy), female
16. Rotom (Prime), genderless
17. Porygon-Z (Jarvis), genderless
18. Alolan Golem, (Toss), male
19. Electrode (Boomer), genderless