~ Chapter 97 ~
Top of the Lighthouse, Volkner's Ambition
"After we bid farewell to Katelyn and Jasmine, we returned to our hotel and discussed how best to reignite Volkner's ambition. In the end, it was settled that I would challenge him to a battle atop the lighthouse. A high stakes battle for the badge in an unconventional setting for a Gym Battle. Hopefully it would work…thought I had a feeling my inventive and strategic method of battling would help Volkner…I hoped anyway. Thank goodness for Flint, the member of the Elite Four of Sinnoh, because without him, this wouldn't have been possible—though he says the same about us."
Sam stood before the lighthouse.
The breeze from the sea touseled everyone's hair and clothing as they stood atop the sea shelf.
Sam took a deep breath and entered the lighthouse with his friends.
The remainder of the trip to the top was an unfortunately anti-climactic elevator ride that moved at a snails pace.
There were some pauses, a few people got on and off.
Niya couldn't help but break down in laughter by the time the last person left the elevator.
"What an anti-climactic march into battle," she smirked as she wiped away a tear, "After the whole Team Galactic thing this is a bit of a let down, I must say."
"We should've taken the stairs," grumbled Sam as the elevator finally dinged at the top floor.
Sam had to admit the sight was beautiful.
He had the whole view of Sunnyshore Cape.
The whole city, the entire coast line, the beaches, the ocean; it was beautiful, but that wasn't why they were here right now.
Sam walked across the circule room with the light in the centre.
Went out out to the balcony, and came face to face with a very somber Volkner.
He stood there, wind tousling his hair, staring at the horizon of the ocean, a catatonic look on his face.
"Volkner?" asked Sam, steeling himself.
The man grunted.
"I've come to challenge you for my Beacon Badge," he started.
Volkner turned and scoffed. "The gym is closed. I'm not going back. I'm done with that noise."
He sounded like a man who had given up.
"Why?" demanded Sam, "Does the League even know you've abandoned my duties?"
Volkner snorted. "Yeah, and Flint won't get off my ass about it. Says he refuses my resignation and won't let me retire."
"Then legally, you have to continue your gym," concluded Sam.
"I'm allowed four weeks vacation a year," shrugged Volkner, "I'm taking it."
"You have to leave the Gym in the hands of a deputized, capable trainer," added Niya, "I should know, my aunt is Fantina of Hearthome."
Volkner let air hiss from his mouth like a snake in frustration. "Except in times when no trainer can be found. I've got no one I can trust to be strong enough and defend my Beacon Badge. I'm a little higher up on the chain than Fantina, so finding people to cover the last badge before the Pokémon League isn't easy. Surely you know that part of the rule book, hm?"
Niya's mouth clamped shut immediately.
She'd forgotten.
Volkner knew the rules better than she did, though that was no surprise.
A man this committed to not going back would've known what he could get away with inside and out.
Then Niya got an idea. "What about the Pokémon League," she demanded, "They have to send someone competent! If a Gym Leader cannot find a competent replacement, they must request one from the Pokémon League."
"Couldn't find anyone good enough to beat me," smirked Volkner, "Kicked everyone's ass, wasn't even a challenge. Had them downed in a minute flat. Then some kid came in from Pallet Town, trying to use a Pikachu in an Electric gym. Idiot boy; sent him packing back to Kanto real quick. What the hell did he expect was going to happen, friendship would outweigh type match-ups and everything would be okay?"
Niya was got.
The Pokémon League couldn't do anything, Volkner did want to do anything, finding all the loopholes and exposing them for everything they were worth.
"So, your problem is that you haven't found anyone competent?" asked Sam.
Volkner shrugged. "Yup."
Sam smirked. "You seem like a gambling man."
Volkner raised an eyebrow. "Once, long ago. Why?"
"How about an interesting wager?" asked Sam.
Volkner turned to face Sam seriously. "What do you mean?"
"A battle at your gym," explained Sam, "If I win, you go back to your gym,and you stay there until you retire."
"No deal," started Volkner, but Sam cut him off.
"Wait," he stated, "I wasn't done."
There was a pause, and Volkner motioned for Sam to go on.
"If I lose, and you beat me, I'll give up," explained Sam, "Release my Pokémon, return home, and give up on my Pokémon Journey, and the League Challenge. And you can do as you please with the Gym—I'll even make sure the League accepts your resignation."
"How's a kid going to do that?" snorted Volkner.
"My sister is Valentina, the Champion," explained Alyssandra, "And Sam knows her too. I'm sure we could pull some strings."
"Champions higher up the chain that old Flint," chuckled Volkner, "He can't say no to her…"
There was a pause.
Sam tried not to celebrate too soon, but something in his gut told him he'd not only hooked Volkner, but he'd reeled him in.
Then, he added one finaly cherry on top of the prize. "I'll even do it with a single Pokémon."
Everyone looked at Sam worried, but he shooed them off. "How's that sound? High enough stakes for you?"
"You got yourself a deal," stated Volkner, he put his hands in his pockets and walked towards the elevator, "Meet me at my Gym in one hour. You'd better bring you're a-game."
With that, Volkner disappeared, and Sam was left smiling, proud of himself.
"You did well," smiled a man who came in from the dark corners of the room.
He had fiery red hair that poofed out into a massive tangle of curls. A flaming red afro, as some would say.
This man was Flint, of the Elite Four of Sinnoh. Fire Type user and master.
He was an old friend of Volkner who sought to help reignite his friend's fire of passion again.
He had reached out to Sam the other night, after Jasmine directed the Elite Four member to Sam.
The Olivine Leader believed in Sam's ability and skill, and had a feeling his skill could spark the fire again in Volkner's heart.
Flint seemed to believe the same.
He had known Valentina had pegged Sam as her hopeful to take the League this year…and though he had his own hopes on who would take it, the more he had spoken to Sam, the more he liked the boy, and the more he knew Sam could very well be the one to take the League and help Volkner.
"Thank you," laughed Sam, "I had a feeling he'd bite."
"Well you certainly sweetened the pot with that last bit," smirked the man.
"That wasn't part of the script," hissed Niya, "Do you know what you're doing, and challenging a Gym Leader with a single Pokémon is dangerous. You have no back-ups; you have nothing else to rely on if something goes wrong. You're also putting a lot of strain on your Pokémon…"
Sam looked at Niya with a warm smile. "I know, but I'm not worried," explained Sam, "I've been working on endurance training with my Pokémon. We need to learn to be strong enough that a single Pokémon could take on the Elite Four if needed."
"What do you mean?" asked Jeremy.
"I have to fight the Elite Four, back to back, with no breaks or chances to heal in between except for what I bring with me," explained Sam, "If I rely on each of my team to take out a single Elite Four member I won't have any Pokémon left to fight Valentina…and that's if I even make it that far."
"So you've been working on endurance training to make your Pokémon able and strong enough to battle a single member of the Elite Four, huh?" asked Flint. He let out a laugh, "You're one tough kid, planning that far ahead. I do sincerely hope, for your sake, you make it past Volkner…that and I want a chance to fight you myself."
Sam smiled. "I promise I will, and I'll make it the fight of your life."
Flint let out a booming laugh, throwing his head back. "I'm going over to see Volkner. I'll get him softened up for ya, make sure he keeps to his word. You'll be there, quick, yeah?"
Sam nodded. "Soon as I can."
With that, Flint winked and left the lighthouse. "Thanks for the help," he stated as he departed.
Sam looked at Niya, Alyssandra, Jeremy and Pikachu.
They looked worried.
They had faith in Sam's skill, and they believed he could do it, but he was also risking a lot on a prayer.
His entire Pokémon Journey, put on the line, for the sake of a tired, broken, jaded Gym Leader.
"I really hope you know what you're doing, love," sighed Alyssandra, "You've put everything into preparing for the Elite Four and the Pokémon League…I don't want to see you give it all away. You need to be sure of everything you do."
Sam smiled. "I'm ready. I promise."
"You've got this, my boy," Aurelio said, standing behind Sam, placing a hand on his grandson's shoulder, "I believe in you. You are one of the strongest trainers I've met since Palmer…even stronger than your grandmother. If you can't do this, then I've failed you as a mentor."
Sam smiled, hiding his tears at his grandfather's words.
There was a lot riding on this, but also a finality, as Sam realized that this would be his last Gym Battle.
His last badge earned.
The final gym in Sinnoh waited.
Few who left their homes to travel the region made it this far…fewer made it past the Elite Four to come.
But that was another battle that would come much later…first he had to jump this raging river at the bottom of a massive chasm.
But with his friends and grandfather—and more importantly, his Pokémon—at his side, Sam had a feeling he could pull this off.
