Chapter 102: Thunder on the Lakeshore

Vermilion City was the largest port city in Kanto—bar none. Its thriving maritime industry had transformed it into a bustling metropolis.

The city's airport was also one of the most prominent in the region, but perhaps due to Vermilion Harbor's overwhelming fame, the airport was rarely mentioned in the same breath.

Today, however, the airport was packed to the brim with people. Countless young women, their eyes sparkling with excitement, waved banners and signs in eager anticipation.

Such a spectacle naturally drew the attention of passersby. The last time Vermilion had seen such a frenzy was when Kalos' Champion and superstar, Diantha, had visited.

Finally, a tall, handsome man with golden-blond hair and a sharp sense of style emerged.

"Ah! He's here!"

"He's so handsome!"

"He's way too hot… I'd have his babies in a heartbeat!"

A wave of delighted squeals erupted from the fangirls as they surged forward, pressing against the security barriers. Startled, the security team quickly formed a human wall to hold them back.

Amid the deafening cheers and the relentless flashes of camera lights, Volkner remained composed, his expression calm as still water. He simply raised a hand in greeting.

That single gesture sent another round of cheers rippling through the terminal, drawing curious glances from bystanders wondering which A-list celebrity had just arrived.

Volkner interacted with his fans briefly before slipping away under the protection of his bodyguards.

"Man, you're really popular! I had no idea you had this many fans in Kanto, too," his assistant and right-hand man, Dietmar, teased as they settled into the car.

"It's all thanks to the League," Volkner chuckled, shaking his head. "Honestly? I'd rather just be an electrician."

Gym Leaders and Elite Four members were the most public-facing figures of the Pokémon League. In recent years, the League had deliberately cultivated a polished, celebrity-like image for its trainers, aiming to make them role models for younger generations.

This strategy had resulted in the rise of "star Gym Leaders"—trainers whose appeal extended beyond battles and into the realm of pop culture. Volkner, Elesa, and Wallace were some of the most successful examples.

"So, should we swing by the Vermilion Gym first?" Dietmar asked.

He knew that Volkner and Vermilion City's Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, were both experts in Electric-type Pokémon and had previously agreed to a rematch.

Volkner absently touched the sleek, lightning-engraved ring on his finger before shaking his head. "Let's head to the hotel first."

The journey from Sinnoh to Kanto had been long, and he needed to rest before visiting the Berlitz Gallery.

The Berlitz Gallery was an elite art institute in Kanto, established by Sinnoh's most prestigious family—the Berlitz clan. Only the wealthy and influential had access to its halls, making it a hotspot for political networking.

Volkner's true reason for coming to Kanto was to compete for a position among the region's Elite Four. But to secure that title, strength alone wouldn't be enough—political backing was just as crucial.

And for that, he needed the Berlitz family's support.

Leaning back in his seat, Volkner closed his eyes, mentally rehearsing the upcoming exhibition matches on his schedule.

As the name suggested, exhibition matches were Pokémon battles performed for public entertainment.

The outcomes of these battles weren't as important as the spectacle itself.

Wins and losses were merely part of the performance—sometimes, even a defeat could be spun into an inspiring narrative with the right media coverage.

The primary goal of these matches was to boost popularity while simultaneously promoting sponsors.

Unlike life-or-death battles, exhibition matches thrived on dazzling, over-the-top displays. The flashier, the better.

As a star Gym Leader, Volkner was more than familiar with this kind of event. He had even developed a new set of Electric-type combination techniques—moves that were not only incredibly powerful but visually breathtaking.

And what better place to unveil them than in Vermilion City?

Suddenly, a sharp jolt ran through Volkner's body, as if he had been struck by a bolt of electricity. His lips trembled involuntarily, and before he could react, paralysis overtook him.

A sense of dread sank into his stomach.

With immense effort, he forced his eyes toward the rearview mirror, desperately trying to catch Dietmar's attention.

But Dietmar was too preoccupied with his phone, focused on reviewing their schedule.

Seconds crawled by.

Volkner sat motionless in the backseat, his eyes widening in terror as an unseen force invaded his body, seizing control bit by bit.

At last, Dietmar looked up from his phone and turned toward him.

"The first exhibition match is against Erika's younger sister—the reigning champion of last year's Kanto Grand Festival."

"Oh? Is that so? That should be interesting." Volkner's deep blue eyes met Dietmar's.

"Mm, Grass-type Pokémon are indeed well-suited for Pokémon Contests," Dietmar replied casually, not noticing the unusual gleam in Volkner's eyes before turning back to his phone.

The possession was a success.

Volkner—or rather, Lucius—glanced down at his own hands, subtly adjusting his posture and testing his control over the body, feeling the precise connection down to the nerve endings.

It had been three days since his last meeting with Lt. Surge. The Syndicate members who had boarded the ship in Vermilion City were now making their way to Cerulean City in separate groups. Meanwhile, he had abandoned Dolores' body and used the shadows of Vermilion City to infect and convert members of the underground—gangsters, criminals, and even drug addicts who had fallen into their own abyss.

With the Pokémon League preparing a large-scale purge of the city, these people were the perfect pawns. They would instinctively avoid the cleansing, making them ideal for planting his seeds.

As for Dolores, she had regained control of her own body. But like the rest of the Syndicate's agents, she had already become part of the Hive and was now en route to Cerulean City.

He had been waiting all this time for Sunyshore City's Gym Leader, Volkner, to finally arrive in Vermilion City.

"The Shining, Shocking Star."

That was how the original Pokémon canon described him. The people of Sinnoh called him the "Thunder of Sunyshore."

Now that Lucius had taken over, even he had to admit—besides his dazzling good looks, this man was a true genius.

As Sinnoh's strongest Gym Leader, he had long since reached the power level of an Elite Four member. However, with Sinnoh's Elite Four roster already full, he had remained a Gym Leader instead.

Using his intellect, he had planned the walkways of Sunyshore City, advanced the region's technology, and designed the Sunyshore Tower, which powered the entire city. He was a certified electrical engineering prodigy.

No wonder he always said he preferred being an electrician…

Yes, this was the best body he had possessed since his journey through different hosts had begun.

The car pulled up in front of the luxurious hotel.

Lucius entered the room that his assistant had reserved in advance.

Knock, knock.

A soft knocking came from the door.

Lucius opened it, and a delicate, slender figure dressed in pure white immediately threw herself into his arms.

"I've been waiting for you for so long."

Before he could respond, her cool, soft lips pressed against his, silencing whatever words he had intended to say.

-----

Want to read ahead of schedule? 

Join here for advance chapters: patreon.com / madbot635