Chapter 44 – A New Spark

Press was everywhere. Massive crowds were milling around the gym and around the massive screens which had been put up to show the gym battle. Volkner looked around and smiled for the first time in a while. When Jill had come to his gym a week ago to challenge him, Volkner had been floored. The other hero of Sinnoh had materialized out of nowhere, and people were ecstatic. Flint moved in beside his old friend.

"Think you're ready for this?" the Elite asked.

"Seems a little much for just a gym battle really." Flint laughed.

"Perhaps, but its not everyday you get to battle a hero!" Volkner was grinning, but it was a grin that said he was anxious to get going. It had been a very long time since he had felt this way. A reporter broke away from the mass upon spotting the gym leader. Or perhaps it was Flint they had spotted with his flaming red hair.

"Volkner!" the reporter shouted. The gym leader recognized the woman as Erin from the Sinnoh News Networks sports division.

"Hello Erin" the gym leader replied.

"Mind if we grab a quick interview before the battle?"

"I can spare a minute." Erin smiled as her cameraman came up beside here. In seconds the red light blinked on.

"Volkner today is an auspicious day indeed!" Volkner smiled but said nothing. "You're about to be challenged by a young woman, some who claim she is a hero! How do you feel about this battle compared to others?"

"I think that today's battle will be the most intense battle I've had in ages. I believe I'm ready to challenge the Elite Four, so if Jill believes she is ready to challenge the League, then I welcome today's battle."

"Will you be challenging the League soon?" Volkner looked at Flint before responding.

"I'm not sure. Today's battle will certainly help in making that decision much clearer."

"And what do you say to people who are hailing this challenger a hero?" The reporter put her mic back towards the gym leader.

"I'd say that while this young woman has accomplished some amazing feats, this is still an official gym battle. I am not an easy opponent, nor will I be going easy. I just hope she's come prepared to face one of the strongest gym leaders in the Sinnoh region." Erin smiled before turning to Flint.

"And Flint I see you are here, but did you come as a representative to the League? Are you scoping out the next challengers to the league?" Flint gave his easy smile as the camera turned to face the Elite and placed a hand on the gym leaders shoulder.

"I am here to support a friend who I've known for a long time. I also enjoy watching out of this world battles and I think that this battle will definitely be one of the best Sinnoh has seen of late. As for new challengers, we always welcome those. However, it never hurts to be prepared for what people may throw at you."

"Thank you both and good luck out there today Volkner."

"Thanks Erin." Volkner was quiet as the reporter moved off. "You'd think I'd know to not stand in the open before stuff like this."

"Hey, try being an Elite. Can't go anywhere without the paparazzi following you around."

"Like you're that famous…"

The young woman wasn't prepared for what was awaiting her. She had managed to pass through the city without attracting notice, but seeing the gym was an entirely different matter.

"Whoa…" Barry breathed out upon seeing the crowds. "I definitely didn't get this reception when I battled Volkner."

"When did you challenge him?" Jill asked quietly as she took everything in.

"Once I got released from the hospital. I was pretty angry still and after everything that happened, I sorta took it out on Volkner. It was… pretty brutal. My dad was the one who took me away after the battle. Said that my emotions were too raw and I need to allow myself to heal." Jill nodded along understanding. Lucas was on the other side also scanning the crowd.

"There's lot of media here" the young researcher noted. Jill sighed.

"Guess we couldn't avoid them forever." The trio made their way down the street to the looming building. Volkner's gym was unique in that he had converted part of it to a power plant for Sunnyshore. As much as Cyrus and his Galactic corporation had helped the coastal city, Volkner wasn't far behind in outfitting technology to make life easier. The closer they got, the more Jill believed she may get through uncontested. How wrong she was. Somehow, a reporter seemed to notice her. There was a commotion as the woman and accompanying camera person rushed forward.

"Jill! Jillian Heart!" The young woman cringed as both Barry and Lucas took an unconscious step in front of their friend. At the shouting of her name however, the remaining reporters began rushing forwards as well.

"Ready?" The reporter asked the camera. There was a quick nod and the red light on top flicked to life.

"Today is quite an auspicious day!" the reporter exclaimed. "After nearly a year, the second person to help save Sinnoh has resurfaced! Jill, why stay hidden all this time?" A microphone was thrust into her face, while many other cameras jostled for position. The air was filled with clicking as the shutters on various other cameras went off, all attempting to capture the moment when Jill finally made a public appearance. For her part however, Jill was frozen, not sure how to respond. How do you tell an entire region your ran away because people thought you a hero? How do you tell the world that the reason everything had happened was because Jill hadn't been able to stop the man she'd encountered numerous times on her journey? That when she arrived back from an experience so harrowing, it had taken month's and the power of a legend just to sleep through the night?

Only one other person had been there to experience what Jill had. And she wasn't here now. Cynthia had told the world that Sinnoh had been saved. But that wasn't enough. People needed to see the other hero for themselves. They needed to consume that individual, to place her on a pedestal where few others were. It was in this moment that Jill wished the champion was here once more. But just like a year ago, this was Jill's battle.

"Sorry guys, but you know that gym battles have a set time. We need to get in there" Barry said with a wink towards Jill while he stepped more in front of her to block the camera. The feeling of relief that coursed through the young woman towards her friend was palpable. The blonde took the lead as the three trainers made their way inside the gym. Barry set a fast pace as he got Jill to the lobby and then towards the challenger's area of the gym. Here it was finally quiet and people weren't trying to accost her. However, they weren't alone.

"The prodigal hero returns." The man with fiery red hair was standing in the waiting area with an easy slouch and his hands in his pockets. Barry stopped short upon seeing him.

"You're Flint!" The man laughed.

"You must be Barry. You're the last person who Volkner said gave him a battle. He's actually become quite disillusioned in the past year."

"I think there are a few people who are struggling with that" Lucas said. The room went quiet for a moment before Flint responded.

"Normally I'd argue that. Sinnoh has peace again, people have pulled together. But you're right. Lucian told me about Spear Pillar." The Elite was looking at Jill as he spoke. Jill couldn't maintain eye contact for long, as she tried to put those feelings aside.

"I'd rather not talk about it" the young woman said quietly.

"Of course," replied Flint. "Sorry, wasn't trying to pester you about it. I just know that the entire region is still healing. The press is desperate for your take on things, but more importantly, they are the conduit in which people can see their hero."

"I'm no hero."

"You may not see it that way, but the people do. They need someone else to remind them what's normal. Cynthia can't do that alone. She was the champion before all of this. What she did, the heroics, I think people see that as the status quo for champions these days." Jill looked up at that. Cynthia had seemed so in control after Spear Pillar. To hear that she might have been fallible… Her thoughts were interrupted by Lucas' question.

"What do you mean by that? Is Cynthia alright?" Flint gave a small smile.

"Physically yes. Mentally, I think she's still healing. We all are. But you're here now." Flint directed his statement back at Jill. The young woman looked back up at those peculiarly grey eyes of the Elite.

"You think I can heal her?"

"No, I think you can heal the whole region." Jill grimaced again. Hadn't she done enough? "I know, you're thinking why me."

"She already saved the region!" Barry all but shouted.

"Yes, but this time she doesn't have to face a maniac. All she has to do is battle like she did back in Veilstone." Jill frowned at that. "I was there watching that match. The way you handled Maylene? That was some seriously impressive work. A battle like that, with the League's strongest gym leader? People will see that things can get back to normal."

"You think it's that easy?" Jill asked.

"I know it is. I know you hid yourself away for your own health. You found a way to come back. Now show the rest of the region that its possible. You don't have to believe you're a hero, you just need to be you."

"I'm not sure I am me anymore" the young woman said quietly, on the brink of tears. Flint smiled at that.

"I think you are. Sure, you've changed somewhat. You all have. No one can go through an experience like the three of you have and come out unchanged. But when you're on the battlefield, and its just you and your partners..." He paused a moment to reflect on that feeling. "Pokemon battles haven't changed. And I think if you go out there and give it your all, you'll find that old semblance of yourself you thought was gone." The three trainers were quiet, digesting what the Elite had just said. It all sounded so easy. To save the nation, all you had to do was battle. Was she really ready for this? A hand rested down on her shoulder. Jill looked at her childhood friend.

"We'll be cheering you on. You can do this. Because if you don't, there's going to be a massive fine on you for not making my run at the champion harder!" Jill burst out laughing, as did Lucas. Flint didn't get the joke there but a smile came across the Elites face anyways.

Jill looked around at the battlefield. Various Tesla coils were at the corners, and a low hum could be heard all around. But there was also the buzz of the crowd. The young woman looked around at the milling people. Many were pointing and flashes were going off like the flashes of firecrackers on the street. Camera lenses glittered from all the light. All eyes were on the field, where waited the younger man stood across the field. Volkner was wearing black pants with a blue windbreaker looking almost bored.

The young woman was nervous. She was still standing in the hallway, frozen. Here was the moment she had been dreading. Exiting this tunnel meant she was truly back. Emotions ran unchecked through her, threatening to scare Jill off.

"It's a lot isn't it?" a woman's voice asked from behind Jill. The young trainer jumped and whirled around. That startled the other woman in the hallway. "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to scare you!" Jill looked at the woman. She wasn't much older than Jill, and there was a beauty about this woman. Her chestnut brown hair hung down to her waist, tied back with a single blue ribbon. The woman was also only wearing a simple white and blue sundress.

"Who are you?" Jill asked, trying to settle her racing heart.

"My name is Jasmine. I'm the gym leader from Ollivine. I meant to take a seat in the crowd, but I seem to have lost my way with all these new renovations Volkner has done to his gym." Jill wasn't sure she believed the woman, but didn't argue it. Instead she looked once more towards the battlefield. Jasmine stood there, a seemingly solid and unmovable force. Something about her gave Jill a calm space to regain her confidence.

"I should have asked for no crowds again. I'm not ready for this." Jill thought aloud. Jasmine tilted her head ever so slightly.

"I don't think that's true." Jill turned to face the Olivine gym leader. "I think that you are ready."

"Thanks but…" Jasmine cut her off.

"Sinnoh faced a horrible crime last year. Johto and Kanto month's before them. And in every situation, there have been the select few who have risen to the occasion." Jasmine was looking out at the gathered crowds in the stands. "You were that person for Sinnoh."

"I didn't ask to be" Jill responded. Jasmine gave a small laugh.

"I don't think Arthur or Red did either. But you were all picked. There is something similar about all of you that the rest of us can hope to emulate. Your being here shows that hope."

"What if I'm not ready though? Everyone says these things, but I'm not sure I believe any of it." Jasmine felt for the younger woman. Time and time again, people like Jill were thrown into situations which forced them to be more that what they believed. But each time, that person wore the mantel as though they were born to it.

"You'll never know if you're ready if you stay here. There is no shame in choosing a different path. People would understand. But if you believe for even a second that this is the path you want to be on, then you need to seize it." Jill took a deep breath looking down. Jasmine watched the young woman steel herself, then without another word, stepped out onto the battlefield.

The roar from the crowd was unbelievable. Volkner was turned to his left staring at the people who were capturing this moment. This match felt more like an Elite match than a gym battle. And for the first time in a long time, at the rising crescendo of noise, the gym leader felt the faint spark of adrenaline. He turned to face his challenger. The other hero of Sinnoh. The two trainers made eye contact, Volkner's royal blue to Jill's sea-foam green. The young woman's hair was no longer streaked with blue, but fell in waves to her upper back. Her outfit was also simple, a burgundy shirt under a red windbreaker and white scarf and black pants.

"Jill Heart. It's an honour." Jill inclined her head at the gym leaders greeting. The roaring crowd was so loud, that she had to strain to hear his words. "You've inspired quite a list of potential trainers." Jill blushed at that.

"That isn't why you're here though. You're here for your eighth badge. However, this battle means something to me as well. I've decided if I win, I will be challenging the league." At Volkner's admission, the crowd went even more ballistic, which Jill didn't think was possible. The gym leader was smiling as he grabbed his first Pokemon. Jill began to mirror his actions. Before they could release their partners however, the ref stepped in.

"This match will be a 4 on 4 battle!" the young man yelled over the crowd. "Only the challenger will be allowed to substitute. Battlers ready? Begin!" Volkner wasted no time. The more the crowd was cheering, the more fired up he was becoming. To start things off, he decided that he would go with Jolteon.

Jill stared down at her Pokeball. This was it. Once she released her first Pokemon, she was committed. Her battle with Candice, while useful, had been nothing like this. While the ice-type gym leader hadn't held back, Jill had mostly let her team do the battling. They needed to get back to who they were as well. This battle though would be trainer and Pokemon together. All eyes were on Jill as she finally released her first Pokemon.

Caladan's appearance shook that ground somewhat. The Torterra was massive, one of the largest ones Volkner had ever seen. Jolteon may have the speed advantage, but the ground types bulk would take some effort to crack.

Caladan for his part looked back at his friend. Jill was looking somewhat nervous, but there was still that steel underneath. The grass type nodded his head slightly, which was returned by Jill. Cal knew why he had been picked for this occasion. He was her first Pokemon. It wasn't the type advantage for once, but that of all their family, Caladan knew Jill the best. He would be her rock and bring this gym down for her.

"I'm impressed Jill, but size won't intimidate me. Jolteon, iron tail!" The electric type barked at the command and leapt forward. Caladan didn't even try to move as the attack came in from his left side. His spikes covered his right flank, so the continent Pokemon was used to opponents coming after what they perceived as the exposed side. The attack from the opposing Jolteon crashed into Caladan with a good amount of force, but not enough to make him budge. The crowd was screaming wildly, both for and against Jill, but Caladan only focused on her voice.

"Earthquake." Caladan smiled. This was the first time Jill had commanded him to attack anything in almost a year. And this was what they had been training to do. Not to stop legendary Pokemon. A brief image of the monstrous Korabas' body flashed before Caladan. He almost wished the god of the other world was here to witness Caladan's power. Lurching up, the ground type crashed into the ground with enough force to send a visible ripple through the floor. One of the Tesla coils behind Caladan arced out a bolt of electricity as its casing was cracked. Most of the crowd was brought to their seats or the floor as the shock wave passed through. The screaming paused for a moment before renewing with frenzy. Volkner had been knocked down as well and stood both frowning and smiling. His Jolteon was unconscious and so the gym leader returned it.

"That was some power…" Volkner said quietly, reappraising his options. Jill was wearing a small smile on her face after the attack. That look, the quiet confidence of a challenger… it was something that Volkner hadn't seen in ages. He was feeling more and more fired up. Grinning, the gym leader sent out his second Pokemon, a Raichu.

"Speed again?" Jill said just loud enough for Caladan to hear.

"I didn't feel the first attack, this won't be any different."

"No he'll have some type of attack to trip us up." Jill waited to see what Volkner had planned.

"Go in with signal beam!" Volkner said throwing his hand forward. The Raichu shot off, its cheeks charging with a different colour. It released the attack which Jill had to say, she wasn't expecting. Signal beam wasn't attack most Raichu knew, and it also kept the electric rodent out of reach for Caladan. The beam stuck home, causing Caladan to grunt as it targeted his head.

"Cal, trip it up with rock climb!" The ground type pounded the ground, launching a spike up from underneath the floor. The Raichu scrambled up it and launched itself backwards off.

"Keep it up!" Jill called out. More plateaus were raised as Caladan attempted to trap the smaller opponent.

"Use quick attack to get around it and follow up with focus blast" Volkner said. In a blink the Raichu disappeared. Jill grinned knowing this was her shot.

"Earthquake again." Caladan had moved closer to the center of the field in an attempt to catch the Raichu and now he sent out another ground wave. Pillars of earth crumbled turning the normally flat battlefield into the remnants of a rock slide. Volkner had grimaced at the attack, knowing his Raichu hadn't been fast enough to launch off the focus blast. Returning his second Pokemon, people were surprised at how the battle was going. Jill's ground type was going for the sweep!

"That year off certainly didn't dull your battle skills" Volkner said as he prepared to send out his third Pokemon. Jill just shook her head at the statement. The gym leader smiled as he sent out his next partner, a Luxray. Jill sucked in a harsh breath while Caladan was smiling. This person clearly didn't know that Jill had also trained one of these lynx's and Cal was sure that Chase was more of a challenge that this Pokemon.

"Cal, come back." The grass type turned his bulk to appraise his trainer.

"What?" That deep gravely voice was surprised his partner would call him back when he had already taken down half of this gym leaders' team.

"I was surprised by the Raichu choice, because normally they don't have effective attacks against Pokemon like you. Volkner is the strongest for a reason and that Luxray must have some attack that is effective against ground types or he wouldn't use it." Caladan gritted his teeth as the feline gave a feral smile. While he didn't like it, Caladan followed the command. The thin red beam engulfed the continent Pokemon, returning him to the pokeball. Jill wore a small frown as she switched in Epona. The equine sounded off loudly, pawing one of her diamond hooves on the battlefield.

"That's an impressive Rapidash Jill!" Volkner called out. "I can only imagine you're hoping that speed will beat Luxray here?"

"There aren't many Pokemon who are as fast as Epona" Jill responded. The crowds cheering nearly drowned out the amplified voices of the trainers. Volkner for his part just smiled, an almost feral look just like the Luxray who was silently stalking the field. Both trainers were silent to start this match, Jill somewhat unnerved by the fact that Volkner didn't seemed fazed that he was two Pokemon down already. Jill grit her teeth before making the first move.

"Epona lets go." The equines mane burnt even brighter as she took off across the field, covering the distance between her and the Luxray in mere strides. Volkner's eye's widened in shock at just how fast this particular Rapidash was.

"Get in there and use crunch!" the gym leader yelled as quick as he could. Epona crashed into the lynx at almost a full gallop and engulfed in flames. The crowd winced at the impact but were quickly shocked at the brutality of the aftermath. The Luxray had gone into his hunting instincts, leaping at just the right second to get its jaws at Epona's neck. Jill watched in mute horror as claws marred the brilliant white hair with blood. Epona screamed out in pain and launched herself upwards. The force was enough to toss the Luxray off. And while the lynx was able to land on its feet, it wasn't quite fast enough to dodge one of the hooves. The kick sent Volkner's partner skidding away, while Epona reoriented herself, flames dancing across her body still.

Jill was in shock however. Time was standing still, the crowds roar dulled to a distant crash. The flicker of fire was a slow motion dance, each breath an eternity. And for all that she was taking in, Jill couldn't move. She watched once more as the lynx attacked, this time successfully bringing Epona down.

A/N: Once more I must apologize but life does happen. I am hoping over the next few weeks leading into the holidays I can post some more chapters. For those of you who have been keeping with this, I thank you.

As we near the end of this adventure, my next one will take us to the Unova region. I am still doing nuzlocke runs, but I'm also interested in using Pokemon that people would enjoy seeing fleshed out and written into the story. So if you have favourites from the next region, please let me know so I can begin team building.