Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 37: Dazzling Voltage

The next morning, Nimbasa City was all lights, glass, and music again.

After the Ghost Train, the Battle Subway, the Anville Contest, and the strange phone from Yancy, I almost expected the city to run out of surprises. Nimbasa did not seem interested in doing that. Every street sign pointed to another attraction, and every crowd moved like the whole city was part of a show.

Pikachu sat on my shoulder, still wearing the confident mood he had picked up from the Musical Theater. His meaning brushed my cheek with bright impatience. "Gym next. Spark ready."

"I know you want to battle," I said quietly. "But I have to think about the whole team."

Pikachu's ears dipped, though his sparks did not fade.

Alice noticed before anyone else. "He understands, but that does not mean he likes it."

"I do not like it either," I admitted.

Cilan held the map with theatrical excitement. "Nimbasa Gym is famous for speed, spectacle, and Elesa's dazzling style. A Gym battle here is more than a battle. It is a full-course performance under electric lights."

Iris grinned. "So Ash has to battle and look cool?"

"That might be asking too much," Eve said.

"Hey," I protested, though Alice's quiet laugh made it hard to sound offended.

We finally arrived at the Shining Roller Coaster, which looked exactly like the kind of Gym Nimbasa would build. Tracks curved above glowing platforms, and the entrance sign flashed with bright electric patterns.

The Gym guide waved us forward. "To ride this roller coaster, the first step is to get in the car. Next comes the platform! There, you can change where the coaster is going. Sometimes you continue by riding the cars of opponents you defeat. That is how you aim for the back."

I stared at the track. "This Gym makes us ride before battling?"

Iris leaned forward with Axew in her arms. "That sounds fun."

Golly looked much less convinced. "A Gym challenge involving moving cars should have very clear safety checks."

The guide smiled nervously. "The system is inspected regularly."

"That is not the same as showing me the inspection records," Golly said.

Alice gently touched Golly's shoulder. "Maybe after the challenge."

We stepped into the first coaster car, and it shot forward before I was ready. The track twisted through lights and loops, carrying us from platform to platform while the others shouted behind me. Iris cheered, Cilan described the ride's "delightful acceleration," and Golly kept listing things that should have warning labels.

The first trainer waited on a platform under a sign shaped like a lightning bolt. He brushed his jacket proudly before stepping forward.

Rich Boy Rolan said, "Hey there! Are you cool riding a roller coaster? I am going to overwhelm you with the speed I learned riding the roller coaster!"

He sent out Blitzle, and I chose Krokorok.

"Krokorok, use Dig!" I called.

Blitzle raced forward with Quick Attack, but Krokorok vanished beneath the platform and struck from below. Rolan tried to answer with Shock Wave, but the Electric attack could not touch Krokorok. One Mud-Slap and a strong Bite ended the match.

Rolan recalled Blitzle with a smile. "Your way of battling is elegant. You have got style."

The next car unlocked, carrying us deeper through the track. We had to stop and press switches to redirect the roller coaster, sometimes overshooting the route and circling back through lights we had already passed.