~ Chapter 61 ~

Lakeside Resort, No Time to Rest

"We didn't get to spend as much time on Route 213 as we wanted. But that was probably for the best in hindsight. We received an invitation from Valentina to come spend time with her at her Champion's Villa. Her Villa was nearby, located at the Valor Lakefront Resort. A common vacation destination for families and young couples; it was located atop a cliff that overlooked the beaches of Route 213 below, and the South Sinnoh Sea. Niya and I read between the lines of her phone call. She had caught wind of the goings on in Pastoria City through the Pokémon League and wanted to talk to her sister and friends about it. Whether or not she had heard about the group's plans to take on Team Galactic and bring them down remained to be seen, but it was likely. Niya and I deduced that she was either going to berate us or pledge her support to us. But our visit to Valentina was cut short by the antics of Team Galactic. While staying at the Valor Lakefront Resort, we discovered Alexios and a small group of Galactic Grunts hiding out from the authorities after the explosion at the Great Marsh. We gave chase to them, all the way to the Valor Lakefront, but Alexios managed to escape with most of his grunts. We still got one of the grunts he left behind, but he gave us nothing that could've possibly helped us with taking down Team Galactic. I'll admit though, if it wasn't for Cynthia, he would have escaped too"

Sam, Jeremy, Niya, Alyssandra and Pikachu entered the reception of the Valor Lakefront Resort.

The entire resort sat upon a raised cliff that overlooked Lake Valour's wooded lakefront, and the South Sinnoh Sea and Route 213. It was close enough in proximity to both these waterfront locations that people could go and enjoy either.

At the same time, the Lakeside Resort had countless villas and rental properties with their own pools and hot tubs, as well as countless other amenities.

It was one of the two luxury vacation spots of Sinnoh—the other being the Resort Area in the Battle Zone.

The group waited patiently on the soft leather couches giving Pikachu an unending wave of belly rubs as they waited for Valentina to come meet them, so they could gain entrance to the resort.

Sam couldn't believe how secure this place was. If you didn't have a reservation, or a key proving you were already staying there, they wouldn't let you past the front gate.

The entire raised area of the Valor Lakefront Resort was walled off with hedges and bushes, and the only ways in or out were through the two buildings that formed the reception area.

A front desk with well-dressed young men and women behind them were the staple of the reception area.

Tiles, marble, curtains, fancy old furniture, and even carousels of brochures and postcards were also mainstays of the buildings.

It wasn't much longer before Valentina strode through the entryway, coming from inside the resort.

Everyone gave a small bow as she entered, and several of the managers and staff flocked to her to make sure her every need was met.

No wonder, she was probably one of their most esteemed guests. The Champion led the region and kept it and its people safe. They were the single most important person in the entire region.

And she chose to make her home at the Valor Lakefront Resort.

The operators were not going to let her want for anything—if only to increase their own prestige and standing.

It wasn't long before Valentina had warded off all of the throng of people surrounding her with a few sharp, but veiled words.

She approached her sister and her friends happily, hugging them all, and bringing Pikachu onto her shoulder as the Pokémon looked to her for more Oran berries.

Valentina obliged the Pokémon as she looked upon the tired-looking group. "You've had a long trek?" she asked.

"Yes and no," replied Sam.

"We rushed right over after we got your message," Niya responded flatly, "The opportunity to stay at the Lakefront Resort was not to be passed up. No one else will admit it, but I'll tell it like it is."

Everyone smiled sheepishly at Valentina as she laughed towards Niya's remark. Embarrassed as they were, Niya wasn't wrong.

"We can only sleep in a tent so many times before we start missing the luxuries of home," exclaimed Alyssandra, "And Pokémon Centres are nice— "

"But the linens are itchy," added Jeremy, "And it isn't the same as home."

Valentina smirked. "It's okay, I get it," she stated simply, "Though I would've imagined if I was travelling around on Accardi money I'd be staying in some fancier places."

Sam's face went red and Valentina doubled over laughing. "I'm just kidding, don't worry. You have nothing to prove to me. Come on, let's get going to the villa."

Valentina led her sister and friends through the exit from the reception building, and out into the Lakefront Resort.

It was beautiful.

Mosaic tiles of blue and white formed the walkways and pathways and sidewalks of the resort.

The homes and villas were fancy carved marble, and clay, painted with frescos and mosaic designs across their sides.

Shrubbery, statuary, marble idols and fountains as far as the eye could see. Children, parents, families, even Pokémon, could be seen everywhere. It was a paradise.

Hot tubs and pools, gazebos and beautiful gardens and flower bushes dotted the backyards of the homes and the visitors.

"If the regular places look this nice," stated Sam, stopping to sniff a rose bush, "I can't wait to see what the Champion's Villa looks like."

"It's nice," noted Valentina, "But I'll be honest, it's a little crowded—though it has a fantastic view of Lake Valor. Too many neighbours far too close. I've been considering selling and upgrading to a villa in the Resort Area. Plus, it's a little closer to the Pokémon League."

"A lot of challengers?" asked Sam, partly worried the chance to beat Valentina would be taken from him.

"Not really," replied Valentina, "But the more badges you get the closer I need to be to the League to defend it. The last thing I need is you showing up to ransack the place without me there to defend my title. Of course,…you'd have to get through the Elite Four first. I'd love to see you try and get through Bertha."

"She's been a part of the Elite Four for a long time, hasn't she?" asked Niya, "Since before Cynthia."

"She was inducted as a member of the Elite Four by Adelaida De Oliveira herself," confirmed Valentina, "She was already a veteran Elite Four of a few years by the time Cynthia took over."

The rest of the walk went silently.

It wasn't long before they reached the edge of the cliff that overlooked Lake Valor.

It really was a beautiful sight. A sapphire blue lake, bluer than the sky, that was polished and calm like a mirror, perfectly reflecting the sky.

"There's no island in the middle of the lake?" wondered Alyssandra.

"Not at Lake Valor," explained Valentina.

Lake Verity and Acuity were known for their island caves in the centre. Well, caves were a strong word. The islands held a small rocky mound on them. Within them were said to live the Legendary Pokémon of the Lake.

The entrances to these mounds were non-existent though, and no one was ever sure how the Pokémon got in or out—if they even existed. No one had ever seen them to verify their existence.

"Scientists say that they have discovered a small landmass beneath the water at the bottom of the lake," explained Valentina, "But, I've never seen it myself so what do I know. It might be best that way—the Legendary Pokémon doesn't need people bothering it."

Valentina unlocked the door to her villa—a beautiful stuccoed and frescoed building with a pool around the side, statuary guarding the doorway, pillars, two floors, and mosaic-tile walkways.

The lot was guarded by tall stone walls and hedges.

It was beautiful.

As they stepped inside, the group was greeted by travertine and marble floors, and beautifully painted walls.

A sitting room sat off to the left, and a library to the right. The ceilings were high, and everyone's voices echoed.

"Leave your shoes on," waved Valentina, as everyone put down their bags and tried to pull off their shoes, "I haven't mopped the floors in a few days. They're due again soon anyway."

Valentina led everyone into the small sitting room and waited until they were all seated to drop the bomb everyone was expecting. "So," she smiled, "Lassoing a Team Galactic grunt and dragging him across the city, huh?"

Sam's face turned bright red, but he stood strong. "He," started Sam, "At the time it didn't seem so bad. Between the explosion at the Great Marsh and the rocket launcher…"

"Yeah I heard about that," added Valentina flatly, "But did you really have to drag him across the city?"

"At the time it seemed like a good idea," said Sam defensively, "Besides, after everything Team Galactic's done to people and Pokémon, it's the least they deserve."

Valentina raised an eyebrow. "If you keep going after all the bad guys in Sinnoh I'm going to be out of a job."

"Isn't that the point?" replied Sam with a wink.

Valentina threw her head back and laughed.

But the seriousness of her voice returned very quickly. "I really hope you know what you're doing," she warned, "Team Galactic doesn't mess around. They've shielded themselves with legal technicalities, money and skirting around the law. But beneath that they are cruel, violent, and vindictive. Local and international police alike have gone missing or shown up dead after investigating them."

"Didn't they hijack and abandon a cruise ship full of Pokémon and people a few years ago?" wondered Jeremy.

"We can't prove it was them, but the evidence points that way," explained Valentina, arms crossed, and brows furrowed, "Cynthia tried everything she could but there was never enough substantial evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was them. Courts won't take circumstantial evidence."

"And what about what they did to the Pokétch Company, Eterna City or the Valley Windworks?" continued Niya.

"We couldn't catch them at any of those locations, but that would be enough to jail them all for years," nodded Valentina, "But the Valley Windworks…apparently they still own a majority share of it under a shell corporation. They've been masquerading an energy company for years to the public."

"I don't care what you say," warned Sam, "I'm not backing down. None of us are."

Everyone's face echoed the resolve in Sam's voice.

Valentina raised an eyebrow as she watched Sam and his friends. Their faces said it all. "Well I clearly won't be able to stop you," she admitted, "But I'm going to insist that you be careful. Please. I don't need to pick any of you up in a body bag because you got yourself in too deep."

"If anyone's going in a body bag it's going to be Alexios," grumbled Sam through a clenched jaw.

"Pardon?" asked Valentina, not sure if she heard Sam clearly.

"Alexios, the old professor from Pokémon School in Twinleaf," clarified Sam, "He works for Team Galactic. He's part of their science team, performing sick experiments on people and Pokémon alike."

Valentina frowned. "Hmm," was all she could return in response.

Alyssandra changed the subject. "Sis, did you call us here just to try and stop us from taking on Team Galactic?"

Valentina smirked wryly at the teenagers. "Partly," she admitted, "But at the same time, I also had a little update you might be interested in."

"And what would that be?" wondered Niya.

"Well, the Black Claw Gang really doesn't put up much of a fight. Shortly after our announcement we received an unaddressed letter from one Black Helm. He deemed it 'not worth the trouble' to continue his operations in the Sinnoh Region. Between the exposure they gained by kidnapping you, to my announcement the other week on the radio, it seems the Black Claw Gang have pulled their operation out of the Sinnoh Region—though we're going to maintain a constant vigil just in case this is a ruse, or they choose to return one day."

Sam remained silent. He wanted to believe Black Helm. He had only met him once, but he seemed a man able to keep his word.

At the same time, there was no doubt he'd be making further incursions into Sinnoh in the future—but how far into the future was currently unknown.

"I'd say that's smart," agreed Sam, "Who knows when their mysterious leader will choose to brave the wrath of Sinnoh again."

"Oh, I completely agree," began Valentina, "In fact—"

Valentina's response was cut short by a scream, and several cries from the street followed by a loud, room-shaking explosion.

The group wasted no time in rushing out the front door to see what was wrong. What they saw confused, angered, and inspired them.

Several Team Galactic grunts had escaped from a house down the street that was now a smoking, burning pile of rubble and destruction.

At the head of the group of grunts was a tall man in a black overcoat, with long red hair and a beard.

Sam was certain it was Markus Alexios. That meant that these grunts were the remaining culprits of the explosion at the Great Marsh from the other day.

They had been hiding out in the Lakefront Resort.

Sam let out a roar as he charged after the grunts and Alexios.

Jeremy joined him, without a second thought.

Meanwhile, Valentina organized Niya and Alyssandra into a response unit, looking into anyone who had been injured by the blast.

The redheaded leader of the Team Galactic fugitives turned back as Sam roared after him—there was no mistake to Sam at that point. That man was Alexios.

Sam and Jeremy ran side by side, their legs pumping and chests burning. They were already sweating.

They had chased Team Galactic all the way to the actual Valor Lakefront. They were a few hundred yards from the lake itself.

"We're gaining!" cried Jeremy as he and his friend

"Keep running!" responded Sam, refusing to be distracted from his goal.

Jeremy glared hard at the grunts. Something occurred to him as he did. Those grunts would sacrifice themselves to save Alexios…if that meant distracting and battling Sam and Jeremy to buy Alexios time to escape—which was the most likely option—they would happily stop running if commanded to do so.

"Sam! Go on without me!" cried Jeremy, reaching for a Poké Ball at his side.

"What?" asked Sam, confused as to what Jeremy meant.

Jeremy didn't respond, and instead sent out Buizel. "Buizel!" cried Jeremy, "Ice Beam on those grunts!"

Buizel responded quickly and craftily, jumping in the air as it ran alongside Jeremy, blasting white lightning currents at the grunts, freezing them in their place at their feet.

Several grunts fell over, several more fell backwards, but they were stuck where they were, unable to provide the needed distraction for Alexios.

"Go!" cried Jeremy to Sam, "Don't worry about me! I'll buy you some time instead, just get Alexios!"

Sam nodded and thanked Jeremy internally. He hoped Jeremy would be okay against these grunts, but he didn't have time to focus on that.

Sam charged past the grunts, after Alexios, with the speed of an angry Tauros. "Alexios!" he cried, but the red headed man kept running.

He looked panicked, and desperate. Sam had to be careful.

But before Sam could catch up to Alexios, the man stopped and turned, pulling a fun from his coat pocket, aiming it towards Sam.

Sam froze on the spot.

He looked hard, locking eyes with the man who used to be his teacher. Someone he looked up. Now…now he was staring down the barrel into the eyes of a killer and a desperate man.

Sam did the only thing he could think of, with a gun pointed as his head. He tried to talk his way out of this. "So, this is how it all ends?"

Alexios cocked back the hammer of his revolver. It reflected evil off the black gunmetal as the sun caught it through the branches. "I've got no choice."

"You sure about that?" wondered Sam, "You once told me everyone has a choice. Every day. We make little choices and big choices—everyone has a choice, but we also have consequences."

"Shut up!" roared Alexios, his hands clammy and shaking, pointing the gun harder at Sam.

Sam remained calm, but his stomach churned within. He wanted to puke. He had never been this close to death. Not even the Black Claw Gang—for all their muscle and guns—were ever going to kill Sam. He was far too valuable for them.

But Markus Alexios had become a man who was so desperate he was willing to do whatever he had to…

And that's what worried Sam the most.

"Why, Professor?" was all Sam could think to ask.

"I…I spent my whole life, working on trying to bring scientific credence to the old legends of Sinnoh," explained the ex-Professor, "I tried so hard…I tried to follow in the footsteps of Professor Silas Yarrow before me, and his family, and you know what I got for it?"

"You got banished," answered Sam, "Kicked out of the scientific community and ostracized."

"I was laughed at! I was mocked and ridicule!" roared Alexios, "I was treated like I was crazy! Why? What was so different between my predecessors and me? What made me the laughing stock?"

"I honestly couldn't tell you…maybe something to do with your sick experiments and the lengths you were willing to go to," replied Sam coldly, "From what I learned from Professor Rowan you were willing to steal artefacts, hold people at gun point, and bully them into giving you long forgotten, protected secrets. You'd blow countless grants on fruitless expeditions that went nowhere…you sent people to their deaths up on Mount Coronet….and you embezzled money from these grants and invested it into a company known as Galaxy Energy Corporation. A front for Team Galactic."

"I did what I had to do to get my research funded, believed, published and furthered!" roared Alexios, "You have to do whatever you need to get anywhere in this world. You have to make tough choices no one else will—how else do you achieve greatness? How else do you get remembered by history?"

"By not being a crazy fucking git," bit back Sam, his temper rising.

Bad move.

The gun fired, smoke billowed from the muzzle, the chamber rotated over to the next round and the bullet whizzed past Sam's head so fast he could feel the wind it created.

Sam's heart jumped.

Alexios smiled and cocked the hammer back again.

"What happened in the Great Marsh?" asked Sam, "What was that explosion?"

Alexios didn't answer.

"Tell me," he asked, almost begged, trying to make Alexios believe he was in charge and thus, put him at ease.

"That was the Galactic Bomb," explained Alexios, "It's necessary to our plans. The Great Marsh was a test run...and it was a success. We needed that."

"What do you mean?" asked Sam.

"Our failure in Eterna was not well received by our leader or Our Lord," explained Alexios, "They…we were severely punished for losing Eterna City, and for failing to stop you and your friends. My continual failures to discover anything more about the ancient Pokémon of Sinnoh, as well as the Guardians of the Lake have cost me dearly."

"So, you put everything you had into the Galactic Bomb you tested on Pastoria City," finished Sam, "And if that was a test…that means you've a made a second, and you plan to unleash that upon the region as well."

"Naturally," smirked Alexios, "Too bad you won't live to see it—good for Team Galactic you won't be around to stop me."

Alexios took aim.

"You're going to kill me and try and get back in your leader's good books," Sam concluded, "That explains why you were practically abandoned by Team Galactic after the explosion at Pastoria City. It worked…but it caused too much of a scene. The heat is on Team Galactic now. It wasn't discreet…and we captured one of your men. I bet your leader didn't take that well either. And now you're scrambling to get back to your headquarters in Veilstone where you'll hopefully be safe."

"Don't take it personal," quipped Alexios, "It's only business. I have no choice left."

"Of course," smiled Sam, "But I hope you know I won't be going down without a fight."

Bang.

Jeremy had been lucky.

His battle against the Team Galactic grunts almost ended badly.

Although his Buizel had evolved into Floatzel, he soon found himself surrounded, outnumbered, and backed into a corner by the Galactic grunts.

It had only been due to the arrival of Cynthia and her Garchomp that he had managed to take down the grunts and place them under arrest until the authorities arrived.

Jeremy and Cynthia had just finished up restraining the last of the Team Galactic grunts when the gunshot sounded.

Jeremy's face was instantly panicked, and Cynthia's didn't seem to show much more confidence.

Jeremy rushed out into the forest ahead of him, Pikachu at his side.

Cynthia remaining behind to keep an eye on the Galactic grunts.

Jeremy's only thoughts were what had happened to Sam.

He followed Pikachu's nose to the direction Sam had gone, which meant he was going the same way Alexios had gone too.

The only real question…which of the two of them lay at the end of this road, and which one was dead.

Jeremy stopped as he slammed head on into Sam, the two of them tumbling over in a tangled heap.

Pikachu's speed allowed him to avoid disaster and nimbly escape the crash.

"Sam!" cried Jeremy, "Fuck! You're alive!"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Sam forced a smile, but his face was grim.

"Are you okay? I heard a gunshot," explained Jeremy, "I thought maybe—"

"I'm fine," was all Sam said.

"But the gunshot—" continued Jeremy, trying to make sense of what had happened.

"Alexios fired at me and ran, used the distraction to flee," shrugged Sam, "Bastard. We'll catch him soon enough."

Jeremy raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue further.

"How'd it go with the grunts?" wondered Sam, trying to move on from the subject.

"They almost got me, I'll admit. But Cynthia showed up and saved my ass—though my Buizel evolved, so," smiled Jeremy. He was clearly pleased with himself.

Sam smiled softly. "I'm glad. Come on, let's get back. The girls might need help—or at least want to make sure we're safe."

While Sam tried to seem fine on the outside, inside, he was shaken a bit.

Alexios had shot himself instead of Sam…blew his brains out right in front of Sam.

Sam hated the man…but the small part of him that remembered Professor Alexios as a child, always being there to encourage and help mentor Sam towards the person he was today…

The man who had killed himself was not the same Alexios, but it was the same body…he had come from the same person. That was hard to separate…no matter how hard Sam tried.

Sam had enough respect for Alexios to bury him, using Gabite's Dig.

But that didn't stop Sam from being shaken from the whole ordeal.

He had never seen a life ended so quickly in front of him before…and he had never seen someone he knew die in front of him so violently…

This would be a moment Sam would not forget for a long time.