Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 99: Ferry to the Pokemon League

"The Ferry to the Pokémon League was bittersweet. As we left, the fireworks show went off at the Grand Arena in Sunyshore City. The Sinnoh Grand Festival had begun as we left, and Lyss was forced to watch the festivities disappear into the horizon as the ferry we took sailed towards my future...and left her dreams behind"

The group looked on from the railing of the boat, out to the city of Sunyshore on the horizon.

The sun was beginning to set, and fireworks were exploding over the city, coming from the Grand Arena.

The Grand Arena of Sunyshore, home of the Sinnoh Grand Festival.

It was the prize, the goal, of all Coordinators.

And Alyssandra, who now stood there, nestled up next to Sam, sighing as she watched the festivities begin without her.

The parade had ended and could be heard across the city as they marched to the Grand Arena.

The group heard as they went to the ferry and boarded.

Now, they could see the Grand Festival opening ceremony begin, with a massive bang of fireworks that exploded into the visages of Pokémon.

The sights grew smaller as the ferry peeled away from the port, and the sounds of the announcer and the crowd petered out as they got farther from the city.

Sam's stomach did a backflip once they were out on the open ocean.

In two days', time they would be at the Pokémon League, perched atop a massive cliff face in the middle of a lake that led to a waterfall crashing into the sea.

It was a grand statement.

And it was also the site of the strongest trainers in the Sinnoh Region; the five strongest trainers and the Sinnoh Government that's lead by them.

Alyssandra sighed as she turned from the balcony, Sunyshore shrinking in the distance.

It wasn't easy for her, seeing her dreams and goals, which she had proclaimed to the world when she set out from Twinleaf Town, slowly slip away onto the horizon, unable to participate because Team Galactic ruined her chances by attacking Celestic Town.

But, despite feeling somewhat defeated, she refused to give in, and it steeled her resolve to try again next year.

She refused to give up...and somehow; dating Sam had only made her stronger. She refused to be outdone by her boyfriend...if he could beat Valentina and take the League, she could win the Grand Festival.

Having high achieving friends helped too—Niya won two Grand Festivals and a Wallace Cup, and she was younger than Lyss when she did.

And Jeremy was about to become a Pokémon Ranger.

There was no slacking off.

Everyone supported her in her endeavours, and Alyssandra kept putting work into new appeals to prepare for next year.

"You'll get there next year, Lyss," Sam added, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She turned around and smiled, a fire burning in her eyes. "Oh I know I will," she exclaimed, "I'll practice my ass off until then, and when the next Contest Season starts, I'm retravelling Sinnoh and getting that last ribbon, and every ribbon I can get after that until I prove to myself and everyone else that I have earned that Grand Festival trophy and ribbon."

"I'm here to help if you need it," smiled Sam.

"And me!" cried Niya.

Jeremy smiled. "I wish I could say the same but...I may not be here."