Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 98: Sunyshore Gym, Relighting the Fire

"My challenge atop the lighthouse sparked something in Volkner. A decision for him to give the gym one more try. The stakes were high. If I failed, I would be done my Sinnoh Journey early. I would be forced to give up, turn in my badges and return home. Volkner could shut down the gym and be done with it all. But if I won, Volkner would be stuck to the gym for life. I didn't gain much for winning—I was getting the badge regardless if I won, so I couldn't add that as a term. I didn't need to earn anything thought, I just needed my badge, and I needed to help Volkner. Then, it was on to the Pokémon League."

Sam stood at the doors to the gym.

He held Garchomp's Poké Ball tight in his hand.

His entire career as a future Pokémon Champion rested on the backs of his Pokémon.

If Sam had been asked to bank his career on Garchomp months ago, he would have backed out in a minute, but now...Garchomp had become an integral part of his team.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Lucario, "Not to doubt you...but, I worry that we've run out of luck."

Sam laughed. "Never," he smiled, "But I know we've got this. We have to test out our training sometime, right?"

Lucario grunted but did not respond.

He too was worried.

Everyone entered the gym and was amazed by what they saw.

The gym was tall on the outside, but now Sam could see why.

The stands were high up above the ground, with elevators leading to them.

The gym and field were massive.

And massive gears and Tesla coils whirred, spun and zapped throughout the place.

Jutting out of the walls, out of the floor.

Sam wondered how this would work to Volkner's advantage; though he had a feeling it would become clear very soon and be very painful he if wasn't careful.

His friends bade him goodbye, Alyssandra giving him a tight hug and a kiss for luck, while Sam and his grandfather stepped out onto the pitch.

Sam had entrusted the rest of his Pokémon with Jeremy, bringing only his Garchomp as promised.

Flint could be seen, a flaming red beacon of hair, sitting above in the stands, ready to support Sam.

Sam took a deep breath and walked down onto the field.

Volkner was already waiting, but said nothing as the field shook, rattled and began to raise itself up to the level of the bleachers above.

"This man likes a good show," noted Aurelio, "Not very practical...his grandfather had a very simple wooden shack back in my day."

"It may not be practically, but it definitely messes with the opponent's head," added Sam, "I can see how someone can be nervous up here."

"Scared?" asked Volkner.

Sam laughed. "Never!"

Volkner threw his head back and laughed.

Suddenly the platform battlefield ground to a halt, and the gears and Tesla coils sprang to life. The walls whirred as the gears spun, and Tesla coils zapped and shocked the air around them, striking the field here and there.

"Does he know what he's doing?" asked Flint.

Jeremy shrugged. "Honestly, we've never known the answer to that question ourselves."