From The Ground Up (A Heart Of A Champion Prequel)

Chapter 7- Manalo Stadium

Sun POV

I woke up. December 3rd. It's the big day before the opening match of the beautiful Manalo Stadium. I flew down today to scope it out. I disembarked from Charizard in the Seafolk Village and walked down to Manalo Stadium. Kukui was already standing outside, hands on hips, looking forward at the stadium. I walked up behind him and put my hand on his shoulder, "How about that? Everything you imagined?" Kukui nodded, "Yeah... yeah it sure is... if you win tomorrow..." I chuckled, "bah, you worry too much. If I win tomorrow all you gotta worry about is the other Champions' excuses as to why we couldn't possibly be as good as them." Kukui nodded, "Yeah. Put on a good show tomorrow and we might just have a chance." I shook my head, "It's not just any chance, it's a foot in the door, I win, I bring up the fact that the Champions ducked me, we go home and watch them get flustered to prove me wrong." Kukui pointed at me, "I trust you, but take it easy on them, remember they do have to vote us in." I nodded, "Ah, right. I'll try."
I strolled around the outside and saw Mallow setting up something outside. "Mallow? Long time no see." Mallow looked up from her work and giggled, "Sun! Yeah, it has been." I tilted my head, "What's happening here?" She smiled, "There's gonna be a huge crowd tomorrow so I'm setting up a concession stand of sorts! It should bring in a lot of customers." I gave her a thumbs up, "That's a great idea Mallow! Thanks for the help!" She smiled and nodded, "Yeah! Good luck tomorrow Sun." I shook my head, "I know where your rooting interests are Mallow, heheh, but I still appreciate it." She scratched her head, "Eheh... yeah..."

I continued around and then stepped on the newly finished field for the first time. The field was made of sand, white lines were drawn in the shape of a pokeball at the center, with two boxes outlining where the trainers should stand during the match on the outside edges. I walked around slowly and turned myself completely around to look at all the seats and the layout of the stadium. It was beautiful. Now that I've played my part in making it by paying my half, I think it'll now be time for me to start saving up for a house...I'm about 16 now so maybe by the time I'm 17 or 18 I could have a really nice one.
I stood in the center and Kukui came out to join me. "Woo, those locker rooms sure are nice, but I like the field even better." I put my hands on my hips and nodded, "Yep, this is really what dreams are made of. I can see myself calling this place home for years to come... I want to win here so much that it ends up being nicknamed "The House Sun Built" Kukui smiled, "That's good to hear, I want that for you too." He chuckled and shook his head, "...y'know a World Championship trophy would really complete the look here." I nodded my head, "One day Kukui. If not me then someone else." I shrugged and then strolled outside.

I took a deep breath as I stood outside and took one last look at the stadium as the air filled my lungs. 15,000, sold out crowd. Gonna be packed tomorrow, I've never battled in front of more than maybe 800 before. Tomorrow is gonna be a big step that's for sure. I flew home and got to something I had been meaning to do, Christmas is coming soon and Lillie has to spend it all by herself, that's just awful...so I decided to send her a care package of sorts, since I only have a little bit of money right now, because all the rest is in the stadium, it isn't much. I like to think it's better than nothing though! I got her a copy of the picture rotom took in Hau'Oli City, I got her a few malasadas (I've been told that they're rather long lasting despite what you might think) I also got her a notebook with some nice paper in it and a few different colored pens. I also wrote her a letter and put it on my usual light blue tinted stationery my Mom got me a while back.

Dear Lillie,

Merry Christmas! I wish you were here to enjoy the holidays with me, but I figured I could at least get you something. It isn't much, I know, but hopefully it's enough to know I'm thinking of you. Since these things take so long to get delivered I'm actually writing this on December 3rd, tomorrow I've got a huge match as Champion against Hau, if I win... things are gonna be good here. That's if, as you know Hau has endlessly prepared to beat me. Hopefully things aren't too bad over there, I'm doing my best to still be my most positive self despite how bad I miss you. Hope I can see you sometime soon.

Your Friend
-Sun

I sealed it up and brought it over to the local post office, managed to get in right before it closed, now I'm on my way back to home to get my sleep. Tomorrow could make or break me, heck not just me, Kukui, the whole Region of Alola... if we want in this World Championship thing I gotta show that I'm a world class threat. I better not freeze when the pressure's on. I closed my eyes and drifted away to sleep to have a few hours away from all the pressure. You know what they say though, pressure makes diamonds, and I'm gonna need to be one.

I woke up early the next morning. I wanted to have a long day ahead before the match this afternoon. I'm gonna do some things to calm myself down, and then from there I'm gonna go over my game plan one last time before I put it all out there. I only get one chance at this first impression, and I'm gonna make it my best one if I can. clapped my hands and got up out of bed. I went down to the beach and watched the calm Alolan waves roll along the shore as the sunrise began over the horizon. The warmth on my face felt much more real in the early hours. I let my team out to relax themselves and do whatever they wanted, heck some didn't and decided to practice. They work so hard. I hope I can help them achieve their goals.

We flew out to Manalo Stadium and I decided to sit in the locker room and wait for the show to begin. I folded my hands and looked down at my lap. I began to take deep breaths to calm myself. To think of where I was mentally a year ago, I'm in a much better place now, I'm not 100 percent and I may never be, but I'm happy with where I am. Today I want to prove what I can do, and get my ticket to Kanto punched, but I suppose it might not be that easy, winning is only the first step. I heard my name get called after Hau walked out, it's time to go. Gonna try these stadium speakers out and make an entrance to remember.

Author's Note
The stadium we all know and love is built! Sun begins to find his love for showmanship here and now, and it's a love that will stick with him for the rest of his life.