Volkner

"The Shining, Shocking Star!"
Volkner
Species	Human
Hair color	Blonde
Eye color	Blue
Base	Sunyshore City
Debut	Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Versions

Volkner is the eighth and final gym leader of the Sinnoh region who is battled in Pokémon: Diamond, Pearl and Platinum Versions. He specializes in Electric-type Pokémon,

Background

Volkner was the gym leader of Sunyshore City. He had an affinity for electric-type Pokémon ever since he used a Thunderbolt move to win his first gym badge, so that he would never forget how happy he was when he won. Volker was known for being good friends with Flint of the Elite Four as well as for being Sinnoh's top gym leader. However, Volkner eventually lost his passion for Pokémon battling due to a lack of good challengers coupled with problems caused by Sunyshore's blackout. This led him to begin renovating the gym, although this also caused some of Sunyshore's residents to complain that he was wasting too much electricity on the gym when the city needed it.

In Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, Flint enlists the aid of Lucas/Dawn in re-igniting Volkner's passion for battling. Volkner would be found by the trainer at the top of the Vista Lighthouse and agree to let them challenge him. However, due to his need for thrilling battles he declared that if this battle could not restore his passion he would leave Sunyshore because it did not need him and go on to challenge the Elite Four. Volkner lost the battle to Lucas/Dawn, but it was successful in restoring his battling spirit. He remarked never that he could not remember having as much fun in a battle and felt sure the trainer's team would keep on going to new heights, giving the victor the Beacon Badge and TM 57: Charge Beam.

In Platinum, he would later appear at the Battle Zone in its grand opening, having been roped into coming by Flint. Volkner and Flint would engage Lucas/Dawn and Pearl in a double battle upon their arrival to test them. After being defeated, Flint was left speechless while Volkner spoke for him congratulating them on their progress and then leaving to escort Flint home. Atferwards in Platinum he would possibly appear in the Battleground, where he could be challenged to a rematch. He and Flint would also visit the player's villa on random days, and Volkner would comment about ideas to renovate the gym, his background as well as his relationship to Flint, simply saying that there was "no love lost" between the two.

Pokémon Roster

Volkner uses the following Pokémon for the Gym Challenge in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum:

• Raichu
• Ambipom (Diamond/Pearl only)/Jolteon (Platinum only)
• Octillery (Diamond/Pearl only)/Electivire (Platinum only)
• Luxray

Out of those Pokémon, Volkner uses Luxray, Jolteon and Electivire during the double battle with Flint in Platinum. In Platinum, Volkner uses the following Pokémon in Battleground rematches:

• Jolteon
• Raichu
• Luxray
• Lanturn
• Electivire

Other Appearances

• Volkner was introduced in two subsequent episodes of the Pokémon anime. The first episode showed his past, and that he had been rivals with Flint since childhood and that they had grown into friends. He was shown to be responsible for most of Sunyshore's technological advances, but eventually became bored with battling and began giving out Beacon Badges for free until Ash convinced him to accept his challenge by battling Flint. The next battle centered on Ash's battle with Volkner until it was interrupted when Team Rocket stole Sunyshore Tower. Ash was able to defeat them, but he and Volkner than agreed that they would wait until the gym and tower were repaired to have a rematch. A later episode showed the rematch, which Ash was able to win.