~ Chapter 30 ~

Family

"Family is an amazing thing. They're always there for you when you need someone, and even when you don't. They'll always support you and have your back. Many times, I called my friends my family; and they were truly like brothers and sisters to me—except Alyssandra, I've always loved her as something more, ha-ha. But it was the day I fought Gardenia that I realized family was more than just those I travelled with. All of your friends are your family, and I truly learned that lesson that day. All of my friends came to support me, and even those who couldn't be there in person were still supporting me. I am, and was, truly grateful to have them there for me, and even if some of them are no longer with us, I still count them as my family."

The group sat at the table, eating their food. There wasn't as much as they would normally have liked, but Eterna City was still trying to get everything back together again, and much of the food and reserves in this city had been used up or stolen by Team Galactic, and whatever was left was rationed out carefully while new shipments of food were on their way from all over the Sinnoh Region.

Sam beamed as he thought of his upcoming Gym Battle. "I can't wait," he said cheerily, "I'm going to do great."

"Have you even chosen which Pokémon you're going to use yet?" asked Niya as she finished her small plate of food.

"Well, I know I'm going to use Staravia," said Sam, also finishing his meal, "Staravia's been doing great since its recovery from the battle with Jupiter, and I think it can get me through the battle."

"Are you sure it's wise to use Staravia for three battles in a row?" asked Alyssandra.

"Lyss is right," added Jeremy, "That might be over doing it a bit."

The group stood up and walked towards the entrance hall of the Pokémon Centre.

"What choice do I have?" asked Sam defensively, "Empoleon isn't the right type to battle against Grass type Pokémon, and Luxray is still out of commission from its last battle; it won't be healed in time."

"Well you could use Empoleon," said Niya as they gathered their Pokémon from the front desk, "But you would need to plan your moves carefully with him."

Alyssandra frowned. "I still can't believe your Prinplup evolved into an Empoleon already," she said, "My Piplup hasn't even evolved into a Prinplup yet…of course I'm not even sure if I want to evolve my Piplup yet."

The Nurse Joy that was handing back the group's Pokémon suddenly intervened in the conversation. "Excuse me," she said softly, "You're Sam Accardi, right?"

Sam realized that she was speaking to him. "I am, yes," he said, "Is something wrong?"

Nurse Joy smiled. "Oh nothing, it's just that you have a call," she explained, "Well, had, he said to call him back."

"Who was it that called?" asked Sam, partly hoping that it was Professor Rowan, or someone from home.

They hadn't spoken to anyone from home since they left Floaroma Town. Storms and long amounts of travelling in the wilderness had prevented that, and the debacle in Eterna just a few days past hadn't allowed them much free time to call either.

Not to mention Sam had been too busy training the past few days to call home.

"He said his name was Roark," said Nurse Joy, "He said he had something for you and to call him back when you could."

Sam instantly knew what it was about; he was getting back the revived Skull Fossil that he had given Roark so long ago.

Sam dashed to the videophones and punched in the number to the Oreburgh Museum. He eagerly waited, while the call connected, and after what seemed like an eternity of rings, Roark's face appeared on the screen.

"Hey, Sam!" greeted Roark, "Long time no see, you look great."

"Thanks," replied Sam, "Nurse Joy said you had something for me? I'm assuming it's the Skull Fossil I sent to you."

"That's right," said Roark, "I just revived it yesterday; you are now the proud owner of your very own Cranidos."

"Awesome!" Sam had been eager to find out what Pokémon would come from the ancient fossil.

Jeremy had said it was a Cranidos, but he wasn't entirely sure.

Sam was glad to see he was right, he was also glad that he finally had another Pokémon to add to his main team.

"I'll send it over now," said Roark.

Sam nodded as he disappeared from the screen. After several minutes Roark returned to the conversation. "I just placed it in the transporter, it should be over in a bit," he explained.

"Thank you," said Sam gratefully, "I appreciate it, and especially since you did it for free."

"It was nothing," said Roark, "Besides, I figured you could use another Pokémon on your team. You can't fight the Elite Four with just three Pokémon. Plus, it's a gift for beating me the way you did; very crafty. Let's hope it works as well against Gardenia. You're battling her today, aren't you?"

Sam nodded. "Yeah," he admitted, "Though I only really have one Pokémon that's a good type match up for her."

"That didn't seem to stop you when you fought me," said Roark.

"Well my Pokémon knew moves with a type advantage then," explained Sam, "Now, well, I'm not sure what I can do. Staravia can get me through this, but just in case Staravia isn't able to go through the whole battle I do have Empoleon. Its Peck might be able to deal with Gardenia's Grass types, and Metal Claw isn't at a disadvantage either. If only it knew Ice type moves, I'd be set."

Roark smiled at Sam with reassurance. "You'll do fine," said Roark, "You'll beat her, it's in your blood, and you have skill, your own skill. You'll be just fine, trust me. I'd come watch you if I could, but another Trainer's coming by today, unfortunately. Don't worry though, I'll be there to cheer you on when you fight the Elite Four, I want to see you go far."

Sam beamed with confidence. "Thanks, Roark," he smiled, "I look forward to it, good luck today too! Bye!"

"Bye!" said Roark, and the screen went black as the phone shut off. The others had gathered behind him, and as he looked back at them, he realized something.

"We should phone home," suggested Sam, "We haven't done that in a while, I'm sure our families miss us."

Before Sam could turn around and dial the number however, a gruff voice sounded from behind him. "That won't be necessary, my dear boy," said the voice, "We're already here."

The group turned around and was surprised to see Professor Rowan and Mrs. De Oliveira standing in the doorway of the Pokémon Centre.

Behind them stood a tall man in a long green trench coat that he wore over brown jeans and a white shirt. His hands were gloved, and his hair was blonde and wild, flowing all over the place like a lion's mane.

"Palmer?" asked Sam in amazement.

Jeremy and Alyssandra looked at each other and then to Palmer. "Is that Tower Tycoon Palmer?" they asked, "The one that owns and operates the international chain of Battle Frontiers?"

"You mean the one Sam used to have that man crush on?" joked Niya.

"It wasn't a man crush!" cried Sam defensively, "He was just a personal hero of mine."

"Man crush eh?" laughed Palmer, "Well, who wouldn't be enthralled by my charms?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "You haven't changed at all," laughed Sam, "How have you been? Why are you guys here?"

"We're here to cheer you on," said Professor Rowan, "We heard that you were taking on Gardenia—Jeremy called home a few nights ago and mentioned it. We figured we'd travel up here as a surprise. We missed your last Gym Battle, it only seemed fair."

"Is my grandmother here?" asked Sam, looking around for any sign of the white-haired woman.

Linda looked at him solemnly. "She's been feeling tired lately," said Jeremy's mother, "She's at home resting right now. Josh is with her making sure she gets whatever she needs. I hope that's okay."

Sam's face dimmed a bit, but he was still happy to see everyone else. "Well, I'm fine yes," Sam forced a smile, "She'll be fine soon I'm sure; and you guys are here so that helps too!"

"I just have one question," started Niya, turning everyone's attention to her, "Why is Palmer here? I mean, not that I mind him being here, it's just…he's the Tower Tycoon! Professor Rowan and Mrs. De Oliveira, I understand, but we haven't even met Palmer before."

Palmer laughed. "She's keen," he said, "That or she doesn't know yet."

"I don't think she does," said Alyssandra, "She wasn't there for the funeral, that's when we found out."

"Found out what?" asked Niya.

"My grandfather was Palmer's mentor," explained Sam.

"Taught me everything I know," smiled Palmer, "I was just a boy back in Twinleaf Town when I met Aurelio. I was ten, leaving on my Pokémon Journey and I came across your grandfather by Lake Verity. He was only forty-seven then, visiting his friend Professor Rowan here when he met me. I thought he was so cool; he and Rowan were battling it out like pros. It was so close; in the end, it was a draw. From then on, I begged Aurelio to train me, so he trained me, and would meet up with me during key points of my travels through the Sinnoh Region to mentor me. I'm the Trainer I am today because of him."

"Do you just know everyone?" asked Niya, unfazed by Palmer's story.

Professor Rowan laughed. "I remember that day," he smiled, "It was a long time ago, back when I was still in my prime."

Linda chuckled. "I heard stories about that before from Nancy," she said, "Rowan would have won that match if he hadn't sent out his Luxray in the second round."

Professor Rowan gave Linda a look, and everyone laughed.

While they enjoyed their laughs together, no one noticed that all of a sudden, the door whooshed open, and in ran a small girl with long green hair. Behind her stood a tall man with a round belly and muscled arms. His long grey hair was pushed back, and his broken nose was the main feature of his face.

Sam looked up, recognizing the man's kind eyes. "Rort?" he asked surprised, "What are you doing here?"

Alyssandra looked up as well, noticed Rort and waved at him.

"I hope I'm not late," he said, "I came to watch Sam battle my granddaughter."

"Your granddaughter?" asked Sam, "I'm going to be battling this girl here?"

Sam looked at the young girl with long hair. She looked to be at least five or six, and since she had come in with Rort, he assumed she was his granddaughter. But why he would have to fight her he had no idea.

"No, this girl is mine, actually," said Professor Rowan, "My son is out adventuring in the Unova Region, and so I'm taking care of my granddaughter until he and his wife return."

He picked the girl up in his arms and balanced her on his hip. "I'm Sakura," she smiled, "Nice to meet you!"

"She's adorable," fawned Niya.

Alyssandra agreed and the two played with the little girl while she sat on her grandfather's hip.

"Who's your granddaughter then Rort?" asked Jeremy.

"Gardenia," he explained, "She's my youngest's kid; her and my nephew Roark let me know you were battling her, so I figured I'd come see you."

"You're really related to Roark and Gardenia?" asked Jeremy.

"Aye," nodded Rort as he dabbed his forehead with a cloth, "His father is my little brother."

"That certainly explains how Gardenia spoke with Roark about Sam," added Niya, "She truly seemed interested in his battling skills, and no wonder. If Sam could defeat older cousin, and he was only the first of the Gym Leaders of the Sinnoh Region, then she would only want to know—naturally—how he could fare against her."

Sam's head spun as all of these relatives came to greet him.

Relatives and friends, and relatives of friends—it was almost too much, but Sam knew they meant well, and he realized they were all there for him, to support him and wish him well.

Sam smiled. "I…thank you, all of you," he smiled, "I know Lyss calls us family—you know the ones who travel. But seeing you all here, willing to support me and be with me when I'm taking on Gardenia—and it's only my second Gym Battle…I know that you're all my family. You're there for me like family, and you're supporting me like family…I know I've only known some of you a few weeks, and others for years, but no matter how long I've known you all you've all been there for me like family would, so thank you."

Everyone beamed back at Sam, and their smiles made him happy. "Now come on, my boy!" cried Rort, "Let's get to this Gym Battle, we're not getting any younger!"

"You're right let's go!" yelled Sam happily as he walked from the Pokémon Centre, his "family" behind him.