~ Chapter 51 ~
Veilstone City, Sam's First Defeat
"I should have listened to the Hiker Brothers' warning a lot closer than I did. I underestimated Maylene, and it cost me my winning streak. That's the funny thing about life though…you can't always win. In fact, you don't always win. Sometimes you have to lose, and that's okay too. It's important to lose sometimes in life. It's important to lose. It teaches you a lot about yourself; your strengths and weaknesses. I've learned more from defeat than any of my successes, hands-down, any day. No wonder Fantina was so insistent I learn this lesson before I fought her. If Maylene was that strong, Fantina would've crushed me so totally I might have actually stopped challenging the Sinnoh League. I'm glad she made me learn."
Sam stood before the Veilstone Gym.
Today was the day he was going to challenge Maylene, and win. He had all the confidence in the world he was going to do this. And he had the perfect Pokémon picked out for this match.
Of course, there was his Staravia. Old tried and true. Staravia was a Flying type Pokémon, making him the ideal pick to battle the Fighting type Pokémon of Maylene.
Next up on his roster was his Luxray. A secret weapon for dealing with Maylene's Meditite. Her Meditite was a well-known favourite of hers. With its Bite attack, Sam would be able to strike at Meditite's Psychic type affinity.
From what Sam had heard, her main Pokémon were her Machoke, her Lucario, and her Meditite. Though Sam didn't know what order she'd be using those Pokémon, he knew what Pokémon to prepare for.
Sam's final member of his roster was his Gabite. Though not ideal in terms of typing or moves against Fighting type Pokémon like Maylene's, its battle style and ability to hide underground made Gabite a tough appoint to hit. A bonus when fighting Pokémon that specialized in close quarters combat.
As Sam and his friends entered the Gym, Niya put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Maylene is surprisingly strong," she whispered to Sam, "Don't be surprised if it's overwhelming."
"I'll be fine," lied Sam.
Something he had no told anyone for the past few days was that he had this overwhelming feeling in his gut. Dread. Dread and fear. To a level and degree, Sam had never felt before. Something in the warning the Hiker Brother's had given him about Maylene was starting to hit him.
Sam shoved that down beneath his confidence once more.
Niya sighed and took her seat next to Alyssandra and Jeremy in the bleachers. "This isn't going to end well, is it?" she whispered to Jeremy.
He merely shook his head. He had a feel, just like everyone, that this fight was not going to be pretty.
Pikachu sat on Sam's shoulder, hoping to provide support from the front lines. Sam and Pikachu didn't always hang out together, as Pikachu often preferred Niya or Alyssandra—who often broke easier when it came to feeding Pikachu Oran Berries—but Pikachu was there to support Sam when he needed it. Now was such a time.
As Sam looked around, he noticed the place was empty. There was no referee, there was no Maylene.
Sam raised an eyebrow. He had an appointment to fight Maylene at eleven thirty today. According to his Pokétch, it was only eleven twenty-five. Sure, Maylene had five minutes, but, typically a Gym Leader would be there waiting. Ready to fight. Prepared.
Suddenly, a door in the back of the room opened, and a girl walked out. Dabbing sweat from her body with a towel. A Machoke followed her, drinking from a massive jug of water.
There was no mistaking it. This was Maylene.
Maylene froze as she saw Sam standing there on the field, ready to battle. "Uh oh," she blurted out.
Sam raised an eyebrow. This was the mighty Maylene of Veilstone?
Maylene was short. About five feet. With a slim frame. While Sam could see muscle tone, Maylene still looked like a bean pole to the untrained eye. Her hair was pink; short and cropped, flipping out on either side. She wore blue, fingerless gloves, a blue and black sports suit, and white shitabaki. Maylene was barefoot, which played true to her nickname as the "Barefoot, Fighting Genius."
The look on Maylene's face looked as if she was not expecting Sam at all. In fact, she looked as if she just finished an intense workout. "Are you my eleven thirty?" she asked.
Sam looked over at his friends. They had nothing. "Sam Accardi. We had a match just about now," he responded.
"Crap," panicked Maylene. She chugged an entire bottle of water and tossed it off to the side of the room, "Machoke can you battle?"
The Pokémon roared its name with confidence, flexing its multitude of muscles. "Machooooke!"
Maylene smiled, looking at Sam. She took her spot opposite him. She looked over at Sam's friends. "Um, I think I may have forgotten to book a referee for this match. Are any of you officiated?"
Niya raised her hand. "I am. My aunt taught me how." She left the stands, hopping the small wall that separated the bleachers from the field.
Maylene passed the flags to Niya as Niya took her spot in the referee's box at the side of the field.
"Your aunt?" wondered Maylene.
"Fantina Konstantinova," explained Niya as she prepared herself to referee.
"Oh!" beamed Maylene, "You must be Niya!"
"I am," smiled Niya nervously.
"Your aunt has mentioned you before. It's a pleasure," she smiled, "Anyway, forgive me! I have a battle to fight here!"
"Machoke!" cried Maylene's Pokémon.
Maylene closed her eyes and breathed deeply. There was a calm silence over the field. Suddenly, Maylene's eyes shot open. Her face totally changed as she prepared to battle Sam.
Sam felt the tension in the room. Hell, he could've sworn he felt the bond between Maylene and Machamp. Sam started panicking internally.
"Pika-pi!" cried Pikachu from his shoulder, sensing Sam's unnerved state.
Sam sighed, nodded, and cleared his head. He saw his grandfather standing behind him from the corner of his eyes.
"Easy there my boy," he warned, "Maylene's got the same crazy look in her eye that Valentina did during the Hearthome Tournament."
"I'll be fine," whispered Sam, "I've got this."
"There's honour in retreat too," muttered Aurelio, sighing, "Don't be afraid to pull out if it gets to be too much."
Sam gritted his teeth.
"Come beat me, if you can!" cried Maylene. She was ferocious.
Tossing his first Poké Ball in the air, Sam released his Staravia onto the field.
"Staravia!" cried the Pokémon fiercely.
"Staravia! Wing Attack!" cried Sam.
"What's wrong with Sam?" asked Alyssandra, chewing her lip.
Jeremy shrugged. "What do you mean?"
"Sam never rushes in head on like that," explained Alyssandra, "He just charged in without thinking. There was no strategy, no planning. Just straight up attacking. That's not normal."
Jeremy paused for a moment. "You're right. Is he going to be okay?"
Alyssandra bit her lip but couldn't respond. She knew the answer.
Maylene watched Staravia near her Machoke. She didn't react, merely waited silently. Her face had grown serious.
Sam smirked. Over confident. His Staravia's wings glowed brighter as the Pokémon neared the Machoke.
Machoke didn't respond. It stood there, gritting its teeth, waiting for Maylene's orders.
Maylene did nothing though. She waited. Sat there. Waited for Staravia to near Machoke.
"Sam pull Staravia back now!" cried Aurelio from his grandson's side. Aurelio had a feeling in his gut. A feeling that told him only bad could come from attacking Machoke head on.
Sam didn't listen in time.
"Machoke, Rock Throw!" cried Maylene.
Machoke reacted instantly. It slammed its fists into the ground, causing rocks and debris to fly into the air. Then, using its speed and massive strength, began hurling rocks at Staravia.
Sam couldn't react in time. His timing was off. He was unnerved, and he panicked. Staravia panicked too.
He tried dodging a few of the rocks, but most of the rocks hit Staravia head on. Slamming the Pokémon hard.
Staravia hit the ground, near unconscious and in pain. Its wings looked damaged, if not broken, and it clearly couldn't withstand anymore.
"Sam pull out now!" cried Aurelio, "That Machoke isn't going to stop. Maylene's ruthless!"
Niya bit her lip so hard it bled.
Jeremy covered his eyes.
Pikachu cried out in fear for his friend.
"Sam!" cried Aurelio.
Sam couldn't move, he just watched dumbly as Maylene had Machoke prepare a Drain Punch. The massive Pokémon ran towards Staravia, read to slam its glowing, green fist into Staravia.
"Sam, get a hold of yourself!" cried Alyssandra, "Forfeit now or your Staravia is going to suffer, badly!"
Sam snapped back into reality at the sound of Alyssandra's voice. Determination and pain on his face, he stepped back out of his trainer's box. With a sigh, he raised recalled his Staravia, just as Machoke slammed his fist into the ground where the bird Pokémon once lay.
"I forfeit!" cried Sam, "I give up…for now."
Maylene smiled. Then recalled her Machoke to her. Within seconds her face at changed from that of a determined, serious, silent battler to her happy, clueless state again.
"Yay! We won!" she smiled, cheering with her Machoke.
Sam sighed.
His grandfather put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You did the right thing, my boy. No shame in retreat. You and your Pokémon will live on, learn, and come back to fight another day."
"The challenger, Sam Accardi, has withdrawn his Pokémon and forfeited the match. The victor is Gym Leader Maylene and her Machoke," called Niya, raising her flag towards Maylene. Her face was heavy, and she looked at Sam with concern.
Sam looked down at the ground.
Maylene approached him, cheerily. "You okay?" she asked.
Sam looked up. He was speechless. "I just…wasn't expecting to lose so fast."
"I…I get that a lot," replied Maylene, "Not to brag! I don't even know how I do it really. I never expect to win…it just…happens."
Sam grunted in response.
"I'm sorry," she said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "I hope your Pokémon is okay. Let Staravia know I hope it gets better soon? I'm here whenever you're ready to challenge me again."
"Thanks," mumbled Sam before turning on his heel and walking out of the Gym.
Pikachu watched him from Sam's shoulder, while the rest of his friends thanked Maylene and scrambled after Sam.
Sam sat on the balcony of the Pokémon Centre, just outside of the group's room.
Alyssandra sat with him. Sam had been silent all day, still reeling from his defeat. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I…" was all Sam could manage.
Alyssandra placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping to reassure him. "This was your first loss since the Hearthome Battle Tournament," stated Alyssandra, "But I'm willing to bet this slump goes back to before today."
Sam looked at his friend with a sigh. "I…maybe?" responded Sam, "Maybe. When I lost at the Hearthome Battle Tournament, or when I forfeited I should say, I was able to remind myself that it was because my opponent was far too skilled for me to take on. Luxray Girl was a three or four-time champion of the Hearthome Battle Tournament. There was no way I was beating that."
"Fair point," nodded Alyssandra.
"My win against Mr. Victree restored my confidence but…" Sam paused, "The last few days, since we met the Hiker Brothers, I've been worried about my match with Maylene. Everyone kept telling me to be careful. Normally I wouldn't have panicked like I did and unnerved my Pokémon but…all the warnings started to get to me. I got rash, I charged. Maylene took advantage of that and Staravia hard. I panicked because of that…it was all downhill from there."
Alyssandra looked at Sam and placed a hand on the crook of his arm. "You weren't yourself out there," she added, "I saw it. But you challenged Maylene anyway."
"I was stupid," interjected Sam.
"Maybe. But you knew when to throw in the towel, and though your Staravia got hurt, things aren't as bad as they could have been," reassured Alyssandra.
"I guess," smiled Sam, "Staravia would've been worse off if that Drain Punch landed."
"Exactly!" smiled Alyssandra, "And hey. You can take this time to learn from your defeat and get stronger."
"And come back swinging," smiled Sam.
"Exactly," winked Alyssandra, "You're a good, strong Trainer. Don't doubt that. Even good Trainers lose."
"Just ask Rowan," chuckled Aurelio from the other side of the balcony.
Sam sighed, but smiled. His friends had managed to cheer him up.
"Your grandfather's here isn't he?" smiled Alyssandra, seeing Sam's sudden reaction.
"Don't lose heart, my boy. You'll get stronger, you'll win next time. Hell, even I lost sometimes!" added Aurelio, "It happens to everyone. And you know what? You're going to lose, but you'll learn so much more from failing than from winning."
"I don't know what he's saying, but he's right Sam," smiled Alyssandra, hands on her hips.
"All right, all right. I get the point," cried Sam. He stood up and walked over to the railing. He looked out over Veilstone City. It was big, but not as big as Hearthome or as urbanized as Jubilife. There were cars and sounds and lights and a night life that was lacking in Twinleaf though.
"I'm going to get stronger, and I'm going to beat Maylene," smiled Sam through gritted teeth, "And I'm not going to back down. And if I lose again? I'm just going to keep coming back until I win, or I get strong enough to go right to Valentina!"
Sam's mind had been made up. His passion had been reignited by his grandfather and his best friend. He might lose a hundred times to Maylene, or he might get his badge on the next try. But no matter what, he was going to keep learning, and keep pushing forward until he was at the Pokémon League, fighting the Elite Four and aiming for title of League Champion.
He'd be damned if anyone was going to try and stop him.
'Just let someone try,' smiled Sam, thinking to himself, 'Tomorrow's a new day!'
