"Hated by Latios…?"
Joy Snow stood there, stunned.
"Stay in the office and reflect on your actions."
Nurse Joy shook her head and left.
She hoped this failure would finally force her niece to grow—
To become a Gym inspector people could truly respect.
"Don't worry, everything's been handled."
"Sorry, Professor Oak. I caused you trouble again."
"No, this was my oversight… Ah—wait! My ramen's going to overcook! I'll talk to you later!"
The call ended.
Sam couldn't help but grin.
"Having connections is amazing, huh?"
"As if I don't have any backing."
He wasn't the type to let things slide.
If someone tried to bite him—
He'd crush them completely.
That idiot won't be showing up again anytime soon.
Thinking about Joy's punishment—
Sam felt even better.
Sometimes happiness was simple:
Your enemies suffer—you smile.
Ding.
The familiar system notification rang out.
"Gym Mission 2: Sorry, this is Viridian Gym."
"After the Gym Leader change, many challengers are attempting to take advantage of the situation to obtain the badge."
Mission Requirement:
Defeat all challengers decisively and prove that while the leader has changed—the standards have not.
Difficulty: S Rank
Reward: Unknown Flying-type Pokémon Egg
A Flying-type egg…
Sam didn't need more Pokémon right now.
But—
That didn't mean it was useless.
He glanced toward Yellow.
As his only apprentice—
How could she not have a Flying-type Pokémon?
Originally, Sam had planned to take her out to catch one.
Now—
The opportunity came straight to him.
He checked the time.
Almost opening time.
Viridian Gym – Battle Arena
"Hey! Why haven't you sent out your Pokémon yet?"
"Scared?"
The challenger laughed arrogantly.
"If you're afraid, just hand over the badge. I might let you go!"
Sam stared at him.
Twelve years old, at most.
And holding…
A Caterpie.
Sam rubbed his temples.
Now I understand Lt. Surge…
Some Trainers didn't need guidance—
They needed a reality check.
After taking several deep breaths—
He finally calmed down.
"Well? Are we fighting or not?" the boy snapped.
"I've got other Gyms to challenge!"
"Other Gyms?" Sam sneered.
More like rushing to get crushed.
He waved his hand.
"Yellow, come here."
"Me?"
She pointed at herself, surprised.
She hadn't expected to be sent out for the very first Gym challenge.
"Brother Sam…" she hesitated.
"Relax."
Sam gave her a reassuring look.
"You could win this without even giving commands."
She glanced at the Caterpie—
Then nodded confidently.
"Okay. I'll do it!"
"Are you done yet? Hurry up!" the challenger complained.
Sam just smirked.
This kind of kid needs to be taught properly.
He gestured to Yellow.
Go all out.
The Battle Begins
"Come out—Omanyte!"
The boy blinked.
"Omanyte? I've never seen that Pokémon before."
"Wait… isn't this supposed to be a Flying-type Gym?"
Sam sighed.
"Who said a Flying-type Gym can only use Flying-types?"
"Fight—or leave."
Even Giovanni never limited himself to one type.
So why should he?
"Caterpie—use String Shot!"
The boy shouted loudly—
As if volume alone would win battles.
It didn't.
The String Shot was weak—
Slow—
And completely harmless.
Sam could probably beat that Caterpie himself without Pokémon.
"Omanyte—Water Gun," Yellow commanded.
She lacked experience—
But this was more than enough.
A stream of water shot forward—
Clean and direct.
Hit.
Caterpie didn't even get a second chance.
It collapsed instantly—
Unable to battle.
Silence fell over the arena.
The result was obvious.
A complete—
And effortless—
Victory.