Chapter 40: Lucas vs. Volkner

Team Cosmic was gone. At least for now.

Lucas heard directly from Cosmic's leader himself, the enigmatic figure only known as 'The General', that the group was leaving Sinnoh. The last battle with Cosmic had been amongst the most fierce the young Trainer had ever faced. Everything had started so quietly before exploding into almost all-out war. After two months of being cutting off from the outside world, Lucas and Elite Four member Flint had gone into Sunnyshore City to investigate accusations that electrical problems were being caused by the city's Leader and Flint's best friend Volkner. The truth was the entire operation was a plot by Team Cosmic to forcibly recruit Volkner, widely acknowledged as a Trainer on par with the current Champion, to the evil organization's top ranks. When he refused time and time again, he was held captive in Sunnyshore's famous lighthouse until finally freed by Flint and Lucas. And that was when things got difficult.

Volkner led his rescuers back to the Sunnyshore Gym to both free his Junior Trainers as well as activate the new Tesla coil he had installed in the building as a signal to the waiting members of the Pokemon League positioned outside the city. Once the signal was given, the strongest Trainers in the region: current and former Elite Four members, Gym Leaders and even the Champion herself came in and battled the Cosmic hordes. League officials estimated there were between a thousand and fifteen-hundred grunts in the city and when the battle was over nearly seven-hundred of them were arrested and thousands of stolen Pokemon were returned to their grateful owners. It was a huge blow to the organization, but Lucas knew the battle with Team Cosmic was far from over. The General had said as much himself. But for now Sinnoh was safe from the demented Pokemon thieves and their twisted goal of destroying weakness, and life had no choice but to continue to move forward.

The city was beginning to return to normal. The harbors and roads were reopened, the citizens were once again free to roam their city and Trainers with seven badges and an ambition to become the Champion came flooding into Sunnyshore City to challenge Volkner. With crowds of stir-crazy Sunnyshore residents in the streets, traffic from backlogged shipments of goods coming in and out of the city and the constant line at the Gym, Lucas decided he was in no hurry to do anything, especially face Volkner. The blond Gym Leader proved in his fight against Cosmic, and specifically Cosmic commander Major Mathias, that he was every bit as powerful as his reputation implied. Something the tattooed young challenger realized would create a problem for his team. There was a secondary, more personal problem that affected specifically the Trainer. Lucas had developed a strong crush on the slightly older man, one that made it particularly difficult to speak to or even look in the eye of Volkner. It had been a long time since he developed an attraction so strongly, so fast. Though he had become attracted to the powerful Trainer Cynthia, it was more an admiration for her beauty and alluring maturity. With Volkner, it felt more like genuine feelings towards the man. Feelings he hadn't had so strongly since the pretty Coordinator Ashley in Hearthome City, the girl that inadvertently broke his heart and made him even more gun shy about approaching a person he liked. And during that time his awkwardness and idiocy ended up with him on the bad side of the city's Leader Fantina. This time it was the actual Gym Leader he had become smitten with. He was going to have to train himself just as much as his Pokemon.

Having seen at least part of Volkner's team in action, and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of electric-types, Lucas once again had to rearrange his team to give himself the most advantages he could possibly have. Franky, Sparky and Hotrod, cornerstones of his team, would have to be benched for this fight with their type disadvantages. Instead, he switched them with the Rhyhorn and Gabite he used for his fight against the Leader from Pastoria City, Barry, and the Steelix he caught on Iron Island. Lucas had a habit of only nicknaming Pokemon when he felt he had a good grasp of their personalities. Some Pokemon he would name right away, others he'd wait until he knew them better. Having fought time and time again with these creatures, he renamed his Gabite Jaws and his Rhyhorn Panzer. It would take some time to get these two to the same level as the rest of his team, but for Lucas, training was never tedious.

Over time the crowds at the Gym and rest of the city died down as things went back to usual and the teen boy's team was just at the point that they needed to be. Though Lucas' Pokemon had become far stronger, he himself still felt unsure. Even the anticipation for the match made his heart race, but no matter what he tried he couldn't seem to overcome that mental shutoff switch he seemed to have around people he liked. But his Pokemon had worked hard and he had waited long enough. Regardless of anything, it was time to face Volkner. He had waited months to fight in this Gym and though he had never faced someone he was attracted to in a Pokemon Battle, he was going to have to jump that hurdle just like all the others he had encountered on his Journey so far.

Moving once again through Sunnyshore City, Lucas could appreciate the size and scope of the bustling city. The pedestrian bridges that rose above most buildings provided shortcuts to the most important places in town. A valuable asset the teen could now see once he saw the real measure of Sunnyshore's population. Using one of these bridges himself, the tattooed young man walked from the Pokemon Center to the Gym, bracing himself and steeling his courage as he gripped the building's door. With Gizmo chirping his encouragement from his usual place on Lucas' shoulder, the teen marched forward to inside the Gym. Like the city, the Gym was not at its most amazing unless there were people inside. The crowds from successful and less successful badge campaigns were gone, but the Gym was still teaming with life from the numerous Junior Trainers and the Gym's full system was operational. He could understand how the Leader's previous upgrades had caused a strain on Sunnyshore's power grid, the Gym's puzzle worked like a self-guided train track. He would have to step inside a small caged platform and use the switches on the control panel to navigate the platform on the tracks until he could approach a Junior Trainer. Manipulating the platform was trickier than it seemed, as there were several junctions on the track, and not moving the switch at the right time would send Lucas on the wrong path. It required proper timing of the switches and trying to read the track beforehand in order to get to the desired dock. After fumbling for several minutes, the teen finally reached the first Junior Trainer.

It was the girl in the Pikachu costume, and upon seeing Lucas she waved her arms excitedly, "Hey, it's you! The guy that saved Volkner the other night. Thanks a lot for all your help. Volkner is really looking forward to fighting you, but I'm afraid you're going to have to face me first,"

Lucas swallowed hard at the girl's comment about 'Volkner looking forward to fighting him.' He knew perfectly well she meant the Leader wanted to face a strong Trainer in combat, but the small, irrational part of his brain thought Volkner might have wanted to see the boy for a different reason. He mentally chastised himself and brought his focus back to the battle at hand. He needed all thinking processes active for his strategies to work. He had finally developed his own style, and this close to facing the Elite Four, it was time to master it. The little girl sent out a Pikachu, Lucas responded with his Steelix. After another Pikachu and a Pichu, the little girl in the Pikachu costume was defeated. Going through the door behind her, he entered a new room with another new set of tracks.

On this level were two more Junior Trainers, an electrician and the musician with the lip piercings that had accompanied Lucas and Volkner to the control panel of the Tesla coil on the night of the Cosmic battle. These two had stronger teams than the little girl, with Voltorb, Magnemite and Electibuzz making up the majority of their arsenal, and with the musician throwing the teen for a loop with a Kricketune that badly confused his Gabite. After going back to the Pokemon Center for a breather, Lucas returned to the Gym's third level to face three more of the Junior Trainers, the little boy dressed as an Elekid, and two more electricians. The fourth level contained the final two Junior Trainers and just beyond the final door to the final level was Volkner.

Lucas was feeling more confident now, even with the bumps and surprises, the teen Trainer managed to get through the Junior Trainers relatively quickly and without any of his Pokemon actually fainting. He was no longer that rookie Trainer he was in Eterna City, making basic mistakes and not even able to catch a Bidoof. He was experienced and had become smart, and was finally to that point where even at a type disadvantage he could figure out a way to victory. Knowing the strengths of his team and himself he took a deep breath and entered the Gym's final chamber, sure that no matter what, he could face the Gym Leader. At least that's what he thought until he actually saw Volkner again.

Compared to how elaborate the rest of the Gym was, the final room was incredibly basic and low-key. It was just a basic stadium with cinder block walls painted white and a row of spot lighting at the ceiling. It almost reminded Lucas of the cell he had in Juvey. At the back of the room was the podium where the Gym Leader would stand, however, Volkner was lying down, his arms sprawled out and his feet to the side, a grim, irate expression on his face and his eyes glazed over in boredom. Flint was sitting next to the Leader, trying to cheer him up with cheesy jokes and bad impressions until Volkner noticed someone had entered the chamber. The blond's eyes flicked over first, and upon recognizing the Trainer, shot up to his feet with a big smile, "Ah! Lucas! I was wondering when you were going to show up. Do you know how many badges I've given out in the past week? Four. Can you believe it? All those Trainers and I've only given out four badges. I'm just about bored to tears. I'm glad you're here. Ever since the lighthouse thing I've been wanting to test your strength. It's time to impress me,"

As soon as the Leader looked at the boy with his smile, Lucas fell to pieces. He felt his face, ears and shoulders turn completely red, and could only respond to Volkner with a stupid, wordless nod. He felt his hand shaking as he tried to reach for his belt for his Pokemon. Gizmo tried to headbutt his Trainer back into reality, but it appeared the teen was too far gone.

Volkner was completely oblivious of Lucas' state, too entirely focused on the anticipation of a genuinely exciting Gym Match and began his speech without noticing that the teen was barely listening, "I am Volkner, leader of the Sunnyshore City Gym. I specialize in electric-types, a type all about speed and special attack. Even when a Pokemon may be faster, with a quick paralysis, the advantage immediately returns to me. I am the last wall before facing the final Sinnoh League badge and the right to face the Elite Four. So Lucas, prove to me you have what it takes to become the next Champion! Go! Luxray!"

The familiar beginning of a battle partially brought Lucas back to reality. He knew he had to react to the Pokemon or look like a complete fool in front of the handsome Trainer. With a cracking voice he summoned out his first Pokemon, "Go! Steelix! Us Rock Slide!"

"Luxray! Double Team!" Volkner immediately reacted. The feline Pokemon moved in a circle around the large rock-and-steel type, running faster and faster until it was practically a blur. The armored snake tried to keep its eyes on its opponent, thrashing its tail until a vault of stones were ripped out from the Gym floor and flung into the air. But the Pokemon's timing was slightly off, and the Luxray escaped the avalanche unscathed, "Now use Fire Fang!"

Lucas swallowed hard. That attack was not something his Steelix needed. His panicked brain tried to think of a counter move against the fire attack, but the teen felt like a deer in the headlights. Watching Volkner's exhilaration in battle and those serious eyes seemed to paralyze the boy as badly as if he were the one struck with an electric attack. He knew he could defeat Luxray, but his shyness threatened to overwhelm him. Luckily his Steelix had not been knocked out by the move, but the Trainer could see it was severely weakened. "F-flash Cannon," Lucas stammered quietly. The serpent-like Pokemon turned and cocked its head, having not heard the command. The teen clenched his fist and shouted louder, "FLASH CANNON!"

It wasn't until he made the command a second time that he realized what a mistake he had made. He had selected Steelix for his team for its rock attacks, not its steel-based ones. Steel-type moves were not very effective against electric-types, something Lucas realized when the Gym Leader gave him a puzzled look that made the teen cringe. Shaking his head, Volkner announced another Fire Fang attack and this time the Steelix was finished.

Lucas wasn't panicking yet, but he was mentally screaming at himself for the genuinely stupid move he had made. Pulling a second Pokeball off of his belt, he summoned his next Pokemon, "Go! Stella! Hi Jump Kick!"

"Luxray! Charge Beam!"

Stella was a match for the Luxray in speed and leapt high in the air and came hurdling down to do a devastating kick to the electric-type, but the Luxray's Double Team was still active. In the last second the catlike Pokemon swerved out of the way and the Lopunny went crashing to the ground. Hi Jump Kick was a highly damaging move—provided it actually hit. But when it didn't, it was the attacking Pokemon that would take the damage instead. With this missed move Stella was badly weakened, and now the Luxray was free to make its move. With a roar, and the crackling of electricity, a blast of power came off its body and sent Stella flying into the cinder block. Lucas cursed himself. He was now down two Pokemon and the Luxray didn't even have a dent. He needed to do some damage, "Go Donna! Use Swift!"

There was no escape for the Luxray now. Swift could never miss so long as the Pokemon was on the field without some kind of force-field like Protect. And Donna could be just as fast as Stella was. A blanket of star-like pieces of energy filled the field and collided spectacularly into the Luxray. Fortune was finally smiling on Lucas, the Espeon's attack landed a critical hit. Volkner's expression became hard to read, "Luxray! Crunch!"

Once again luck was on Lucas' side. The cat Pokemon missed and Donna could survive for another hit. The teen knew he could not count on luck for a strategy, he needed to start clearing his thinking if he was going to get his final badge. If luck didn't get him any of his badges this far, the strongest Gym in the League wasn't about to be won by providence either. "Donna! Use Swift one more time!"

Luxray was knocked out. The teen was finally making a dent, but Volkner's expression made the tide of the battle hard to interpret. He seemed annoyed, but he also didn't seem like he was discouraged either, "Go Jolteon! Use Signal Beam!"

"Donna! Psychic!" It was Eevee evolution versus Eevee evolution. Both Pokemon were of equal speed and both got hit with each others attack at the same time. Though not a type advantage, the Psychic attack inflicted heavy damage, but the Jolteon's bug-based attack wounded the psychic-type just as badly, and a secondary effect once again put the teen on the defensive. After the attack Donna began to walk with a wobble, careening across the Gym floor as she tried to gain her footing. At first Lucas assumed she was just trying to stabilize herself after being so badly hurt, but after she didn't immediately straighten out, he realized something worse had happened. His Espeon was badly confused. "Come on Donna, snap out of it! Use Psychic again!"

"Jolteon! Charge Beam!" Volkner ordered, the grim expression on his face only growing more severe. Lucas' order fell on deaf ears as Donna couldn't tell front from back. The other Eeveelution's attack hit directly and the poor Espeon collapsed with a limp thud.

Things were going very badly for Lucas. It was only the second round and half his team was gone. In his last Gym Match he had gone against Candice and not lost a single Pokemon. Now in this fight for the most important badge in the League, he was barely able to knock out his opponent's first Pokemon. It wasn't because his team was weak, or that his strategies were flawed, or even because he wasn't prepared, but because his crippling shyness around those he found attractive was binding his thinking like a mental straight jacket. That was when Volkner sat down. The expression on his face was obvious now, and Lucas suddenly understood the irritation and frustration the Gym Leader had. It wasn't because he was angry about his Pokemon being knocked out, it was because he was disappointed in the match.

Lucas had helped save Volkner against hundreds of Cosmic grunts and had been a useful ally with Flint, to the Leader it seemed as though he would finally face a worthy opponent who would give him that exciting match he so desperately craved. But in this Gym battle he proved he as was pathetic and weak as the flocks of Trainers that bored Volkner so badly he debated on leaving his Gym. The Leader had given up now, and was now just waiting for the match to come to its inevitable end. Before looking at Volkner and his carefree, cool smile and his serious eyes would make Lucas' heart race, but now looking at the Leader with his dejected body language and despondent expression made his blood boil. And it wasn't because he was angry at Volkner for being as disappointed in him as his family was, it was because Lucas was furious at himself. He was going to lose this Gym Match and let his Pokemon get seriously hurt because of a crush. Because of his desire for a person who he knew very well had no interest in him romantically. And even on the small chance he was, would in no way be impressed with him acting as big of a wimp as he was now. Lucas refused to let that happen. He refused to let his Pokemon suffer for his shortcomings, or for his chances to become the Champion and finally outshine his brother to be lost because he thought someone was hot. His shyness had developed from the hurt of rejection, but disappointing his Pokemon felt way worse.

With the seriousness and determination he felt in every other Pokemon Battle, Lucas sent out his next Pokemon, his voice finally loud and confident as it should have been since the beginning of the match, "Gizmo, it's time to bring the beat down! Use Shadowball!"

With a snarling 'Vii!' the Eevee leapt off of his Trainer's shoulder with a somersault and summoned a ball of black energy above his head and sent it blasting towards the electric-type. Volkner raised an eyebrow at sudden new attitude of his opponent. But with no new enthusiasm, he issued another command to his Pokemon, "Another Charge Beam, Jolteon,"

Gizmo was hurt by the blast, but the evolved Eevee took far more damage. Lucas knew he was close to knocking this one out, "Just a little more, Gizmo! Do a Bite attack!"

"Pin Missile, Jolteon!" The Eevee didn't hesitate, racing between the sharp, projectile hairs shot out of the electric-type's back and launching himself forward. The smaller Pokemon sank its fangs into the Jolteon's flank and the final bit of damage was enough to make it collapse. Volkner was suddenly standing again, a more determined look on his face. Like many before him, he underestimated what that small Eevee could do, "Good job, Jolteon. Come on Raichu! Get the job done! Use Thundershock!"

"Gizmo! Shadowball again!" The match was slowly turning around again. Though the Raichu's attack was powerful, Gizmo's ghost-type move also did a healthy amount of damage. Both Trainers seemed to realize that if they continued all-out assaults, both Pokemon would be worn out. Other strategies would have to be used.

Volkner was grinning again, a smug look on his face from some trick up his sleeve, "Raichu! Use Dig!"

"You use Dig, too, Gizmo!" Lucas ordered. Volkner's smile widened even further. For the first time in the match, the slower Pokemon had the advantage. When both Pokemon were underground, it would be the second Pokemon to attack that would get the hit. Though only just barely, Gizmo was slower than the evolved form of Pikachu and with the electric-type's weakness against ground moves, the Raichu was now down for the count.

Volkner seemed just about giddy now, the sneer on his face not hiding the excitement in his normally serious eyes. "This isn't over yet, go Electivire!"

Lucas remembered this was one of the two behemoth's Volkner and Flint used against Mathias at the lighthouse. It was a powerhouse of raw energy, and would take a lot of work, even with Pokemon at a type advantage, to see this Pokemon go down, "Okay Gizmo, nice work, return! Go! Jaws!"

The land-shark dragon-and-ground type eyed its opponent with glittering, determined eyes. Like Hotrod it was a fierce battler, but unlike the Charizard, it preferred to toy with its opponents rather than simply overwhelm them with strength. And for this battle, that was exactly what the teen needed. Volkner seemed unintimidated, "Electivire! Slam attack!"

"Jaws! Dragon Claw!" The Gabite swiftly moved towards its opponent with its arms raised to slash the massive electric-type, but despite its huge bulk, the Electivire was still amazing agile. The Dragon Claw move missed and with its large, sweeping arm, the Electivire slammed as hard as it could into the dragon-type. Lucas' jaw dropped in shock as Gabite was thrown onto the ground instantly unconscious. Though he expected Volkner's Pokemon to be strong, the fact that it could knock out a dragon-and-ground type with one move was beyond amazing. Even if Lucas had managed to gain the edge after his earlier faltering, he knew there was still a possibility he could lose. Even with all his training, Volkner still proved to be as tough as the rumors claimed. But the teen opponent was still not ready to back down. He was going to face the Elite Four and become the new Champion. He didn't need to beat the blond man just because he needed the final badge, but to prove to himself that he could face that final challenge. The teen still had two Pokemon left, even with the rough start of the match and recalling his downed Gabite, Lucas summoned the his next Pokemon, "Okay Panzer, just a little more and that badge is ours. I know you can do it!"

During training the Rhyhorn had evolved to a Rhydon, and standing on its back legs the ground-type could match eyes with Volkner's massive Pokemon. Volkner was almost frenzied with excitement, his fists clenched and his eyes alive with fire, but this time Lucas was matching his determination, the teen's brown eyes facing his opponent's directly for the first time since the two met. The only thought running through his head now was taking out that Electivire. "Elecitivire, Megapunch!"

"Panzer, Earthquake!" The electric-type hit first, walloping the ground-type in the face like a boxer. Panzer shook off the stun and with a roar the entire building started to shake. As Flint fell to the floor with a flop both Volkner and Lucas stood their ground, as did the Electivire. It may have still been standing, but the Pokemon did not escape unharmed. With both tough Pokemon, Lucas knew he just had to outlast his opponent. Once again a fight of raw determination and stamina, "Earthquake again!"

"Megapunch!"

"Earthquake again!" Lucas commanded again. Even with each super effective attack, the Electivire stayed standing. The teen knew the battle had to end now and switched tactics for a final time.

Volkner could sense an end was coming as well, but there was no disappointment on his face this time. Just continued determination to take out a strong opponent, the end of the match no longer clear cut in his eyes, "Electivire, do Megapunch one more time!"

Lucas waited until the huge electric-type was close to his Pokemon before issuing the next attack. He knew his move was risky and had a high chance of failure, but at this range and with the Pokemon rushing his, he had to take the chance, "Horn Drill!"

As the Electivire made contact for a final time, the Rhydon's horn began to spin wildly, and with a thrash of the massive Pokemon's head lifted his opponent off the ground. The attack made contact. There was only one way this last round of attacks was going to end. Once a Horn Drill attack worked, regardless of type, defense or amount of hit points left, a Pokemon could not withstand it and automatically fainted. The match was over. Despite all odds, Lucas had won.

Once again Volkner was smiling, the kind of cheery, beaming smile normally more familiar on his friend Flint's face. With an easy jump, he recalled his fallen Pokemon and hopped off of his podium to approach his opponent, "That was probably one of the best battles I've ever had. I can't remember a fight that thrilling since the current Champion challenged me two years ago. Even the four badges I've given out were no where near as much of a rush as what you've given me today. I've gotta admit though, you scared me at first. But for whatever reason caused your slow start, you turned it around in an amazing way,"

With the adrenaline of the fight subsiding and the focus on the battle gone, Lucas' shyness around Volkner returned, but he could feel it was not as bad as earlier. As he promised himself, he would never again get intimidated by an opponent he found attractive. Though he could feel his face flushing, and still had a knot in his throat, he could look the blond Trainer in the eyes and concentrate on what was happening, "Performance jitters I guess. They weren't kidding when they said you're one of the best Trainers in the League,"

"Well, I've finally met someone better, and it gives me great pride to present you with this," reaching into the pocket of his shirt, Volkner pulled out the prizes awarded to a victor, "This is the Beacon Badge. With it any Pokemon, whatever the level, will obey you without hesitation and allow you to use Waterfall outside of battle. I also present you with the TM for Charge Beam, a great electric attack that's become my signature,"

Volkner tipped the prizes into Lucas' shaking hands. For a moment he couldn't tell what was causing the trembling, whether it was because the Leader was so close to him, or because the gravity of the moment was just now hitting him. For once the teen was speechless not because of his crush, but because of what getting this badge meant. The teen tried to say something, but he could not break the silence. Instead, it was the brightly humored man with the Afro who spoke first, "Well, Volk, it's been a nice visit, but it's time for me to hit the road. Brohawk got his last badge, that means he's going to be coming after me next. I've got to get ready for that. Next time we hang out, let's not have it because you are being held prisoner by a bunch of psychotic Pokemon thieves, m'kay?"

"That's an idea I can get behind," Volkner laughed. With a final flash of the peace sign, Flint headed out the Gym. Volkner turned one more time to Lucas and said his own goodbyes, "I'm very happy I could meet you. I'm grateful that you believed I wasn't behind Sunnyshore's troubles, grateful that you helped save me and the city, and grateful you gave me the kind of Pokemon battle that keeps me a Leader. But I'm happiest that I get to say I was part of the Journey for the next Champion of Sinnoh. The rumors I've heard about you are just as true. There's really something special about you, kid. Knock 'em dead,"

Lucas still couldn't bring himself to speak, especially not after what Volkner just said. Instead he gave the Leader the most respectful bow he had ever given to anyone since becoming a delinquent and silently left the Gym knowing that the words the handsome Trainer had said to him would be ones he would never forget.