~ Chapter 98 ~
Sunyshore Gym, Relighting the Fire
"My challenge atop the lighthouse sparked something in Volkner. A decision for him to give the gym one more try. The stakes were high. If I failed, I would be done my Sinnoh Journey early. I would be forced to give up, turn in my badges and return home. Volkner could shut down the gym, and be done with it all. But if I won, Volkner would be stuck to the gym for life. I didn't gain much for winning—I was getting the badge regardless if I won, so I couldn't add that as a term. I didn't need to earn anything thought, I just needed my badge, and I needed to help Volkner. Then, it was on to the Pokémon League."
Sam stood at the doors to the gym.
He held Garchomp's Poké Ball tight in his hand.
His entire career as a future Pokémon Champion rested on the backs of his Pokémon.
If Sam had been asked to bank his career on Garchomp months ago, he would have backed out in a minute, but now…Garchomp had become an integral part of his team.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Lucario, "Not to doubt you…but, I worry that we've run out of luck."
Sam laughed. "Never," he smiled, "But I know we've got this. We have to test out our training sometime, right?"
Lucario grunted but did not respond.
He too was worried.
Everyone entered the gym and was amazed by what they saw.
The gym was tall on the outside, but now Sam could see why.
The stands were high up above the ground, with elevators leading to them.
The gym and field were massive.
And massive gears and Tesla coils whirred, spun and zapped throughout the place.
Jutting out of the walls, out of the floor.
Sam wondered how this would work to Volkner's advantage; though he had a feeling it would become clear very soon, and be very painful he if wasn't careful.
His friends bade him goodbye, Alyssandra giving him a tight hug and a kiss for luck, while Sam and his grandfather stepped out onto the pitch.
Sam had entrusted the rest of his Pokémon with Jeremy, bringing only his Garchomp as promised.
Flint could be seen, a flaming red beacon of hair, sitting above in the stands, ready to support Sam.
Sam took a deep breath, and walked down onto the field.
Volkner was already waiting, but said nothing as the field shook, rattled and began to raise itself up to the level of the bleachers above.
"This man likes a good show," noted Aurelio, "Not very practical…his grandfather had a very simple wooden shack back in my day."
"It may not be practicaly, but it definitely messes with the opponent's head," added Sam, "I can see how someone can be nervous up here."
"Scared?" asked Volkner.
Sam laughed. "Never!"
Volkner threw his head back and laughed.
Suddenly the platform battlefield ground to a halt, and the gears and Tesla coils sprang to life. The walls whirred as the gears spun, and Tesla coils zapped and shocked the air around them, striking the field here and there.
"Does he know what he's doing?" asked Flint.
Jeremy shrugged. "Honestly, we've never known the answer to that question ourselves."
"Piikaaaaa," chimed in Pikachu.
"We just prefer to let him figure out and support him either way," noted Niya, "Eventually…he figures it out."
"Why?" asked Flint, surprised.
"It's more entertaining that way," smiled Alyssandra.
The referee called for the match to start, and Sam went all in with his Garchomp.
Volkner released a Raichu onto the field.
Volkner frowned a bit.
Garchomp was completely immune to Electric type moves.
Volkner would have to play things smart.
"Raichu, Signal Beam!" cried Volkner.
Sam was prepared.
"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!" cried Sam.
Garchomp roared, covered in light, shaped like a roaring dragon, and slammed itself into Raichu.
Raichu was thrown back and slammed into the wall, falling unconscious to the ground below.
Wordlessly, Sam sent his Garchomp off the edge to catch Raichu and return it to its trainer.
Garchomp gave a short growl as she returned Raichu and then returned to Sam, prepared to fight.
For the first time, Volkner actually looked a bit worried about this match and the deal he had made.
He hadn't expected Sam to be this strong, or his Pokémon to be that well trained.
Sam wasn't the same as the other amateurs coming through the door…this man had skill, and a ruthless battle strategy that left no quarter for failure.
Aurelio smiled proudly. He was proud his grandson could command Dragon Pokémon as well as he had in his prime. His training hadn't gone to waist.
Volker sighed and called on his next Pokémon: a Jolteon.
Volkner was banking on Jolteon's speed to bring down Sam's Garchomp down.
Jolteon was sent in, looking to slam a Quick Attack on Garchomp.
Sam sent Garchomp underground with Dig, burrowing beneath the field and avoiding the attack from Jolteon.
Volkner gritted his teeth, and quickly came up with a new plan.
He sent his Jolteon in to chase down the burrowing Garchomp, and called for an Iron Tail.
But Sam, without even communicating, sent his Garchomp in for another Dragon Rush, aiming to slam itself into Jolteon and bringing down the Pokémon.
The Iron Tail collided with the Dragon Rush…and ended with a victorious Garchomp parading itself before the unconscious Jolteon.
Volkner's frown deepened and his brow furrowed as he recalled his Jolteon.
"Sam's Garchomp doesn't even look exhausted," noted Jeremy, "Can Pokémon even fight that hard?"
"It's possible," noted Flint with a hint of worry in his voice, "But usually up at our level…how old is he again?"
"Sixteen," answered Niya.
Flint whistled in amazement. "Sixteen and he's got the skill of an Elite Four," he noted, "I'm worried now…I knew he was strong but damn. I'm going to have a tough battle ahead of me when he shows up at the league."
"Giving up yet?" Sam called across the field.
Volkner smirked. "Not even close!"
Volkner didn't wait to send out his next Pokémon.
A Luxray.
"Sam's got the advantage," smirked Jeremy, "He knows Luxray well. He's got one of his own."
"Then he should know Luxray are good at hiding tricks up their sleeves," smiled Flint, "They're versatile, and hardy…"
Sam nodded as he overhead Flint's words. "I learned that lesson during my last battle with Valentina."
If there was one thing a Luxray was good for, it was it's solid bite.
A good few bite moves on a Luxray could go a long way.
Whether it was Thunder Fang, to sent coursing bolts of electricity through the veins of your opponent, or Crunch, or even another bite-like move, Luxray could do it.
Sam was willing to bet Volkner's smile was for that reason.
If he had to guess, Volkner's Pokémon knew Ice Fang, something that would surely bring down Garchomp after a few hits.
Sam knew this.
Volkner knew this…but did he know Sam was aware?
If Sam had to guess, Volkner was the type to use his Pokémon for their strengths, and in doing so, Volkner probably had Thunder Fang and Crunch on his Luxray, followed by Ice Fang, and probably Fire Fang.
Lo and behold, Sam was right at least about one thing.
Luxray charged in, fast as lightning, for an Ice Fang attack.
Its fangs bristled with frost a thig fog emanated from the Pokémon's mouth, but Sam was unperturbed.
Rather than send Garchomp at Luxray like he had in the last two instances, Sam instead had Luxray fly into the open air above, soaring and gliding, shooting about like a fighter jet.
As the Pokémon lifted off the ground, she, on Sam's orders, unleashed a devastating Earthquake attack that churned the field like butter or a cake mixer.
The dirt folded over on itself, breaking and crumbling, catching the struggling Luxray.
The Pokémon tried to jump to the higher parts of the folding, churning fields, hoping to reach the top before it folded over again, but no matter how it tried, the poor Pokémon could not escape being trapped beneath the field.
Within moments, the field solidified again under the power of Garchomp, and the Pokémon waited for Sam's next orders.
"Garchomp!" cried Sam, "Dig!"
Garchomp understood Sam's intent, and dived into the ground, disappearing at top speed in a spinning cloud of dust.
Within moments, Luxray was forced out of the dirt, exploding from the field in a shower of earth and dirt.
It hit the field with a thud, a triumphant, dusty Garchomp roaring triumphantly over the unconscious, but still breathing, body of the Luxray.
Sam's tactics might have been harsh, but at this level, with this much to lose, it was do or die.
"When did Garchomp get this strong?' asked Alyssandra.
Niya shrugged. "He doesn't train with us as much anymore…he's been training on his own, getting stronger by himself. Keeping his plans and power secret…I didn't know he was working this hard with his Pokémon."
"Valentina better watch out," laughed Jeremy.
"I better watch out," added Flint, "He has to get past me first…"
"We better watch out," added Niya severely, "He's going to go back to practicing with us next…before he even hits the Pokémon League."
Everyone turned back to the battle.
Even Aurelio was in disbelief at how strong his grandson at become.
His command and mastery of his Pokémon.
His ability to know how far they could push their moves, their limits, and how far they could push themselves was unlike most trainers at his age or level.
"Is that all you can do?" smiled Sam, overconfidence building.
Volkner genuinely looked worried.
He had one Pokémon left.
He wasn't giving up, but he was sweating bullets for sure.
Recalling his Luxray, thanking the Pokémon deeply, and calling upon his final Pokémon.
His last resort.
A good resort.
Electivire.
A Pokémon that was hardy and could hit like a truck.
Its electric attacks were no joke.
No wonder Volkner had saved this Pokémon for last.
Electivire started with a Quick Attack.
Not a Pokémon known for its speed, though not a slow Pokémon by any means.
This was a tactic, a feint.
Quick Attack got Electivire close to Garchomp, who was caught off guard by the Pokémon's speed.
Then, a Giga Impact.
Garchomp just barely evaded the attack.
Sam called for Garchomp to take to the air.
It swooped low, striking at Electivire here and there, but backed out every time Electivire reached out for Garchomp.
But Garchomp's luck ran out.
Electivire grabbed Garchomp, slamming the Pokémon into the ground and holding tight onto the Pokémon's tail.
First, it slammed its fist into Garchomp's middle. Fire Punch.
It wasn't overly effective, but any damage was damage in Volkner's eyes.
Then, another Fire Punch.
Garchomp was winded, she cried out with a squeak,
Sam gritted his teeth, thinking of a plan, but before he could, Electivire slammed a Giga Impact into Garchomp.
His Pokémon cried out, and slumped onto the ground at Electivires feet.
Electivire cried out.
Volkner smirked.
Everyone was surprised.
"How?!" demanded Jeremy, "His Garchomp wasn't even that tired…is Electivire even that strong?"
Niya smirked. "Wait for it."
Jeremy looked at Niya, but she simply pointed towards the field.
Alyssandra had the same look.
"Well" whistled Volkner, "I'll admit I thought you had me beat but, my Electivire came out in the nick of time. I'm sorry, but them's the breaks kid. You were skilled…a shame you can't go any further."
Sam just smiled.
Volkner raised an eyebrow. "Why so happy? You okay?"
Sam shrugged and pointed to the field.
There, Garchomp unfurled itself with an earth-shaking roar, grabbing Electivire by the face, and dragging it underground with a Dig attack.
As Garchomp burrowed, the earth churned again with another Earthquake attack.
Garchomp dragged Eletivire through the ground, bashing it against the churning dirt to damage the Pokémon as he moved.
Finally, returning from its escapade, Garchomp burst from the ground once more, as it had with Luxray, and tossed the now unconscious Electivire to the ground at Volkner's feet, roaring triumphantly.
Aurelio laughed. "Took a page right out of Valentina's book, eh?"
Everyone cheered up in the stands, and Flint and Volkner merely exchanged looks of defeat and amazement.
"How?" asked Volkner, "Took a page out of your champion's book, actually. The Luxray of yours reminded me of something she did to me once…sometimes Pokémon battles are more than just physical, they're just as much about the mental game, and illusions."
Volkner merely burst out laughing, his shoulders heaving as he tossed back his head and laughed to the sky. "Son of a bitch! You clever bastard!"
Flint smiled. He hadn't seen Volkner this happy in months.
"Well, a deal's a deal you cheeky bastard," smiled Volkner, tossing Sam the Beacon Badge from across the gym, "I'd better get back to my gym…and you'd better get on to the Pokémon League."
Sam nodded, giving a half-handed salute to Volkner and returning his Garchomp to his Poké Ball with much gratitude.
"Thank you for the most exhilarating battle I've had in years," smiled Volkner.
Sam nodded and turned towards his friends and Pikachu who cheered from the stands.
Even Aurelio was jumping up and down in excitement.
Sam had done it.
He had all eight Sinnoh badges.
He was ready, and able, to take on the Pokémon League now.
He just needed to sent a Writ of Challenge and then wait for a rely, but once he had that, he'd be on the first ferry over.
The five hardest fights Sam was about to ever have in Sinnoh were on the horizon, and Sam knew now, more than ever, he was ready to fight them.
The kid from Twinleaf Town, who almost six months ago had set out with his friends, a Pokémon, an injured Starly, and a world of hopes and dreams, was about to challenge the Elite Four and Champion of the Sinnoh Region…and only time would tell if he would win or lose.
