Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 51: Veilstone City, Sam's First Defeat

"I should have listened to the Hiker Brothers' warning a lot closer than I did. I underestimated Maylene, and it cost me my winning streak. That's the funny thing about life though...you can't always win. In fact, you don't always win. Sometimes you have to lose, and that's okay too. It's important to lose sometimes in life. It's important to lose. It teaches you a lot about yourself; your strengths and weaknesses. I've learned more from defeat than any of my successes, hands-down, any day. No wonder Fantina was so insistent I learn this lesson before I fought her. If Maylene was that strong, Fantina would've crushed me so totally I might have actually stopped challenging the Sinnoh League. I'm glad she made me learn."

Sam stood before the Veilstone Gym.

Today was the day he was going to challenge Maylene, and win. He had all the confidence in the world he was going to do this. And he had the perfect Pokémon picked out for this match.

Of course, there was his Staravia. Old tried and true. Staravia was a Flying type Pokémon, making him the ideal pick to battle the Fighting type Pokémon of Maylene.

Next up on his roster was his Luxray. A secret weapon for dealing with Maylene's Meditite. Her Meditite was a well-known favourite of hers. With its Bite attack, Sam would be able to strike at Meditite's Psychic type affinity.

From what Sam had heard, her main Pokémon were her Machoke, her Lucario, and her Meditite. Though Sam didn't know what order she'd be using those Pokémon, he knew what Pokémon to prepare for.

Sam's final member of his roster was his Gabite. Though not ideal in terms of typing or moves against Fighting type Pokémon like Maylene's, its battle style and ability to hide underground made Gabite a tough appoint to hit. A bonus when fighting Pokémon that specialized in close quarters combat.

As Sam and his friends entered the Gym, Niya put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Maylene is surprisingly strong," she whispered to Sam, "Don't be surprised if it's overwhelming."

"I'll be fine," lied Sam.

Something he had no told anyone for the past few days was that he had this overwhelming feeling in his gut. Dread. Dread and fear. To a level and degree, Sam had never felt before. Something in the warning the Hiker Brother's had given him about Maylene was starting to hit him.

Sam shoved that down beneath his confidence once more.

Niya sighed and took her seat next to Alyssandra and Jeremy in the bleachers. "This isn't going to end well, is it?" she whispered to Jeremy.

He merely shook his head. He had a feel, just like everyone, that this fight was not going to be pretty.

Pikachu sat on Sam's shoulder, hoping to provide support from the front lines. Sam and Pikachu didn't always hang out together, as Pikachu often preferred Niya or Alyssandra—who often broke easier when it came to feeding Pikachu Oran Berries—but Pikachu was there to support Sam when he needed it. Now was such a time.

As Sam looked around, he noticed the place was empty. There was no referee, there was no Maylene.

Sam raised an eyebrow. He had an appointment to fight Maylene at eleven thirty today. According to his Pokétch, it was only eleven twenty-five. Sure, Maylene had five minutes, but, typically a Gym Leader would be there waiting. Ready to fight. Prepared.

Suddenly, a door in the back of the room opened, and a girl walked out. Dabbing sweat from her body with a towel. A Machoke followed her, drinking from a massive jug of water.

There was no mistaking it. This was Maylene.

Maylene froze as she saw Sam standing there on the field, ready to battle. "Uh oh," she blurted out.