Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 31: Eterna's Gym Leader

"Having all of my close friends watching me at my second Gym Battle...made it possibly even more nerve racking than the first one. I could feel the pressure of having to live up to their expectations, and I understood that if I messed up, lost my cool, or lost the match I'd disappoint them—or so I thought. Despite my fears, there was this part of me that knew they would be there to support me no matter what. They were friends, practically family, and they would be there to support me no matter what, that's why they had come there to watch my Gym Battle, and for that I was and still am, truly grateful."

Sam stood in front of the Gym door. His friends were behind him, silently watching him as he prepared to take his first steps into the second Gym Battle of his life.

Sam could feel the pressure mounting; even Pikachu—whom Jeremy had brought out on the way to the Gym—seemed to add more weight to the situation.

Sam breathed heavily, and then, with all the strength he could muster, he walked through the sliding glass door, and everyone else filed in behind him.

Sam and Gardenia locked eyes as Sam walked out onto the field. It was different from the rock and dirt field that he battled Roark on, this field was covered in grass and shrubbery, and a tree or two lay littered across the edge of the field. It appeared that Gym Leader's based their battlefields upon the element that they specialized in.

Sam knew this would get interesting.

Gardenia looked away from Sam long enough to watch his friends file into the stands that were raised on either side of the field. "I see you've brought some spectators with you," she said, "Even my uncle Rort is on your side too...impressive."

"How so?" asked Sam, noticing how the talk with Gardenia seemed to calm him.

"Well, to think that you have this many people who believe in you," she smiled kindly, "And these are some big names too. Professor Rowan, Palmer the Tower Tycoon. But you also have your friends, that woman, my uncle Rort, and that child there. I'm sure my cousin Roark would even be here if he could. That's quite the accomplishment; congratulations."

Sam smiled and placed his hand on his ball belt. "Thank you," he said, drawing a Poké Ball, tapping the button in the middle that caused it to grow in his hand, "Shall we get things started then?"

"Pushy, are we?" asked Gardenia, drawing her first Poké Ball as well, "Very well, I suppose you did come for a Gym Battle after all. Judge read him the rules."

The judge stepped out onto the field, standing at the Centre of the field on the left side, out of the harm's way of the upcoming battle.

"The battle between Gardenia, the Leader of the Eterna Gym and Sam Accardi of Twinleaf Town is about to begin," he announced grandly, "Remember, this is a three on three Pokémon battle, and only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions. The battle is over when one person has defeated all three of the other's Pokémon. Are both participants ready?"

"I was born ready!" called Sam with determination.

"Let's do this then," said Gardenia, her girlish smile being replaced by a sudden look of concentration.

"Very well then," said the judge, "Begin!"

Sam and Gardenia tossed their Poké Balls into the air, releasing their Pokémon.

Gardenia's Pokémon landed on the field; a small Turtwig, similar to how Jeremy's had once been. This one seemed as fierce as Gardenia had become at the start of the battle, but Sam was prepared.