Boom!
An intense gym battle raged inside Sunyshore Gym.
However, the opponents were Ash and Flint, while Volkner simply stood in the spectator seats, watching coldly.
"Hey, you! Watch closely!" Flint laughed loudly. "This is what a real Flamethrower looks like!"
Magmortar raised its cannons, unleashing a scorching blast that instantly vaporized Buizel's Hydro Pump and knocked it out.
Ash, undiscouraged, shouted, "Pikachu, I choose you!"
Pikachu dashed forward in a brilliant flash of electricity, its Volt Tackle somehow withstanding Magmortar's attack.
Volkner's eyes flickered as he recalled his own starter Pokémon, Pikachu. For the first time in a while, his fighting spirit burned.
But soon, Ash lost the match 0-3.
"Not bad, kid!" Flint whistled, grinning.
"That was a fine battle," Volkner said, clapping lightly with a faint smirk. "Next, I'll be your opponent, Ash."
Ash's eyes lit up.
Flint chuckled, waving as he turned away. "This old man's got a date, so I'm outta here!"
"Stay and watch till the end," Volkner said coldly.
"Tch, what a pain." Flint folded his arms behind his head, muttering, "But hey, at least you've got your fire back. That's rare."
"I've made up my mind." Volkner stared at his hand, slowly clenching it into a fist. "Instead of hesitating… I'll get stronger. Then I'll challenge the Elite Four."
"Now that's what I like to hear!" Flint laughed, punching Volkner's shoulder. "I'll be waiting for you in the Champion League!"
Volkner scoffed before stepping forward to battle Ash.
Three quick matches later, Ash gritted his teeth. "Still… not enough, huh?"
"Keep going, Ash," Volkner said. "I'll look forward to our next duel."
Ash adjusted his cap brim and nodded firmly. "no problem!"
Then, Volkner turned to Flint. "Do you know any notable trainers in Sinnoh?"
Flint blinked. "You planning to challenge them?"
"No. Just sending out invitations."
"Phew, for a second I thought you'd stopped being a gym-shut-in."
Flint counted on his fingers. "There's Riley from Iron Island, the rising star Tobias, and… Natsume-sensei."
"Handle it." Volkner waved dismissively. "If you find them, invite them to Sunyshore Gym."
"Hey! Don't dump everything on me!" Flint grumbled.
Ash perked up. "Oh! If it's Natsume-sensei… I talk to him pretty often."
Flint and Volkner both froze, turning to Ash.
"If it's okay… I could deliver the challenge for you." Ash clenched his fist excitedly. "I'd love to see Natsume-sensei battle you, Volkner!"
Volkner smirked. "Not a bad idea."
He pulled out two gleaming Beacon Badges, handing one to Ash.
"I'll keep the other until the day you defeat me," he said. "Take this one as proof—an invitation for Natsume-sensei to visit Sunyshore City."
"Leave it to me!" Ash thumped his chest.
"Let's battle again in a week." Volkner's gaze shifted to Flint's retreating back. "Wait."
"What now?!" Flint threw up his hands.
"Take one more Beacon Badge." Volkner's tone turned serious. "If you meet a worthy trainer, pass it on with my message."
"Fine, fine."
Flint pocketed the badge, muttering,
"Now I'm really leaving. Got people waiting."
The red-afro'd man turned, waving at Ash with a booming laugh. "Later, kid!"
Ash grinned and waved back. Volkner watched Flint leave, expressionless.
Humming, Flint stuffed his hands in his pockets and boarded a ferry headed for Resort Area.
International Police agent "Handsome" was supposed to meet him there—with his superior in tow.
Wonder who it could be…
Definitely not someone he knew.
Flint spun the Beacon Badge between his fingers as the ferry sailed toward the distant island.
...
April 18th, Sunday.
After bidding farewell to Natsume, Cynthia mounted her Garchomp, ready to return to Lily of the Valley Island and take over Lucian's duties.
Meanwhile, Natsume packed his luggage, preparing to head to the meeting spot arranged with 'Handsome.'
In the chat group, Ash—currently challenging the Sunyshore Gym—caught Natsume's attention.
Mentioning Sunyshore City naturally brought to mind scenes from the TV series.
The entire city was lined with vast solar panels and transmission systems, greatly enhancing the port's energy supply and transport capacity.
All of this was the handiwork of Sunyshore Gym's Electric-type Leader, Volkner.
A tech enthusiast obsessed with electrical devices, Volkner often caused "city-wide blackouts." And due to the lack of strong challengers, he had grown increasingly lazy—frequently closing the gym and even giving away the Beacon Badge for free.
To sum it up in one sentence: "A tech otaku who can't be bothered with strangers and treats being a Gym Leader as a side hustle."
"Is slacking off just the norm in the Sinnoh Region?"
Natsume shook his head, lost in thought.
Electric-type Leaders all seemed to share the 'mad scientist' archetype… Not just Volkner, but Lt. Surge, Elesa, and Clemont—all of them loved decking out their Gyms with flashy tech.
Or perhaps it was precisely because of this passion that they specialized in Electric-types in the first place.
Natsume mused to himself:
"Ash probably can't beat Volkner… but then again, Volkner might just hand him the Badge outright..."
If things played out like last time—where he ended up returning Lt. Surge's Badge—he'd be in serious trouble!
[Badges Collected: (7/8)]
Staring at the final Badge needed to complete the quest, Natsume stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"I'd better keep an eye on Ash..."
...
Sinnoh Region, Resort Area.
A small island on the outskirts of Sinnoh, neighboring the region's battle facility—the Battle Frontier.
By sunset, Natsume arrived at the Resort Area's airport, where the nearby beaches were still crowded with tourists.
"I remember Steven sold a mansion to Platinum around here too..."
Passing by the scenic estates and rows of villas, Natsume reached the open-air café where he'd agreed to meet 'Handsome.'
Settling at a small white table under a parasol, he ordered desserts for his little ones and gazed into the distance.
The sunset cast long shadows, and the faint sound of waves rustled in the air.
Foreign tourists stole glances at Natsume, whispering curiously about whether he was some celebrity or model.
Before long, an aged man in a brown trench coat approached, accompanied by a man with a red afro.
"Tell me, Officer Handsome," Flint grinned. "Who exactly is this 'superior' you mentioned?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Handsome replied, looking ahead. "Ah… this is the café."
Flint, hands in his pockets, casually glanced over—then froze.
His eyes landed on a striking black-haired young man gently stroking the Sylveon at his feet. The Sylveon turned away tsundere-style: "Sylveon~o(′^｀)o"
"W-wait, that's—!"
Flint's expression twisted into shock and disbelief, as if he'd seen something terrifying.
"Natsume-sensei!?"
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