After his defeat, Reggie turned to leave.
He needed time to reflect—to learn from this battle and improve.
"Mr. Reggie, wait a moment."
Sam called out to him directly.
"Are you interested in joining Viridian Gym?"
No hesitation.
Straight to the point.
"Join Viridian Gym?" Reggie was clearly surprised.
He thought it over briefly—
Then shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Leader Sam. I still want to continue traveling."
Sam smiled faintly.
He wasn't surprised.
A Gym could offer resources, connections, support—
But for a Trainer like Reggie, those benefits weren't enough.
And more importantly—
He wasn't from Kanto.
Still, Sam didn't let it go easily.
"If you ever change your mind, come find me."
He added calmly,
"You should know what Viridian Gym represents in Kanto. It can take you to the next level."
That line landed.
Reggie hesitated.
The next level…
For any Trainer—
That was hard to ignore.
He stood there in silence for a long moment—
Before finally shaking his head again.
"I appreciate it… but not now."
He still believed in his own path.
Like most Trainers—
He thought he could reach the top through his own journey.
Sam didn't push further.
"Then I wish you the best on your travels."
"Thank you. Goodbye… Leader Sam."
As Reggie left, Sam sighed.
Recruiting people is way harder than catching Pokémon.
With Pokémon—
You could fight, dominate, and make them submit.
With people—
That didn't work.
So much for those stories where people instantly swear loyalty…
"Raticate is unable to battle! Aerodactyl wins!"
Back to reality.
Another challenger stood in front of Sam—
Frustrated, fists clenched.
"Damn it…!"
He recalled his defeated Raticate, clearly struggling with the result.
Sam spoke calmly.
"You're stronger than most beginners."
"But you're still not ready for Viridian Gym."
"I suggest you travel more—then come back."
That was honest advice.
In most Gyms—
This level might earn a Badge.
But here?
Not a chance.
Viridian Gym wasn't built for beginners.
And Sam had no intention of lowering its standards.
"Come out—Pidgeotto!"
The challenger refused to give up.
Sam's eyes sharpened slightly.
Pokémon: Pidgeotto
Type: Flying
Strength: Entry Elite
Potential: Elite
"Good courage," Sam said coldly.
"But you still don't understand the gap."
"Aerodactyl—finish it."
He had no interest in dragging this out.
Aerodactyl grinned ferociously.
Pidgeotto froze.
Before Aerodactyl could even move—
It turned and fled.
Straight out of the battlefield.
Even Aerodactyl looked confused.
It had been ready to enjoy the fight—
And now?
Nothing.
It roared in frustration.
"Pidgeotto has lost the will to battle! Aerodactyl wins!"
Another challenger—
Entered confidently—
Left defeated.
That had become the norm.
Evening – Closing Time
"It's late."
Sam stretched slightly.
"Yellow, let's get dinner."
No response.
"Yellow?"
Still nothing.
"Yellow!"
She snapped out of her thoughts.
"Ah—sorry, Brother Sam!"
"You've been thinking about something?"
She hesitated.
"It's okay. Just ask."
After a moment, she spoke.
"Isn't a Gym supposed to help Trainers grow…?"
"Then why…"
She didn't finish.
But Sam understood.
He smiled faintly.
"No."
He raised a finger.
"I already taught them the most important lesson."
"The most important…?"
"Self-awareness."
His tone turned serious.
"Who gave them the confidence to challenge Viridian Gym?"
"This isn't a place for beginners."
"Do they think this is where they come to learn type matchups?"
He let out a short laugh.
"That's a joke."
He looked directly at her.
"Do you know how many Badges Viridian Gym has given out in the past five years?"
She shook her head.
"Less than fifty."
"Not even ten per year."
Yellow's eyes widened.
"Gyms like Pewter Gym or Cerulean Gym exist to guide beginners."
"But Viridian Gym?"
"It represents strength."
"Only Trainers who are truly ready deserve this Badge."
"If I hand it out casually—"
"I'd be insulting everyone who earned it the hard way."
---------------Author---------------
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