After his defeat, Reggie turned to leave.
He needed ti to reflect—to learn from this battle and improve.
---
"Mr. Reggie, wait a mont."
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, co find ."
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 mont—
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 co 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.
---
"Co 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 beco the norm.
---
Evening – Closing Ti
"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 sothing?"
---
She hesitated.
---
"It's okay. Just ask."
---
After a mont, 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 co 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."
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