Johan – Gym Challenge!

Tuesday, clear weather.

Sinnoh, Sunyshore City.

The warm winter sunlight bathed every corner of the city, casting a golden hue over Sunyshore.

As Sinnoh's most famous port city, Sunyshore serves as one of the best routes to reach the Sinnoh League on Lily of the Valley Island, with its ferry service being a prime choice for travelers.

Built on a narrow cape, the city compensates for its limited space by constructing elevated walkways lined with solar panels, providing energy for the entire city.

It is said that Sunyshore wasn't always like this. Although it was a port city, its geographical constraints made development difficult.

It wasn't until Volkner became the Gym Leader and heavily invested in the city's electrical and high-tech infrastructure that Sunyshore transformed into the thriving metropolis it is today.

The name "Sunyshore's Thunder," belonging to Volkner, now resonates throughout Sinnoh.

Walking down Sunyshore's smooth streets with his hands in his pockets like a laid-back wanderer, Flint sighed in admiration.

"Every time I leave and return, I feel like this city has changed so much."

As a fellow native of Sunyshore and Volkner's close friend and rival, Flint had chosen a completely different path.

Volkner stayed behind, dedicated to developing Sunyshore, elevating both the city and his own reputation.

However, Sunyshore had become both Volkner's achievement and his cage—he was bound by it.

Meanwhile, Flint ventured beyond Sunyshore, experiencing different landscapes, battling different trainers, and constantly challenging stronger opponents to grow.

It wasn't a matter of which choice was better.

The fact was that Flint encountered increasingly powerful trainers, and through repeated setbacks and breakthroughs, his passion for battle only intensified.

Meanwhile, Volkner could only face the challengers who came to him. As his strength reached a certain level, those challengers could no longer ignite his fighting spirit—eventually, he even grew weary of battling.

And yet, Sunyshore remained Sinnoh's undisputed "Eighth Gym," and Volkner was widely regarded as one of the strongest contenders for the next Elite Four position.

This alone was enough to prove Volkner's remarkable strength.

In fact, in the animated series, manga, and special editions Johan had seen, Volkner was consistently recognized as being at an "Elite Four level." It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to say that Sinnoh could have five Elite Four members in the future.

That was Volkner—the fourth-generation powerhouse.

"Compared to Volkner, I feel like a complete failure," Flint muttered self-deprecatingly.

"Pfft."

Buck snorted. "For once, you're actually self-aware."

"But lately, Volkner…"

Flint didn't argue with Buck's teasing and instead sighed, clearly more concerned about his friend's condition.

Buck, seeing this, softened his expression slightly.

"Well, Johan's here now."

Both men turned toward the railing, where Johan was feeding Wingull alongside his Gengar and Ninetales.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar grabbed a handful of food—throwing one piece to the Wingull and shoving three or four into its own mouth.

Was it feeding the Wingull, or just feeding itself?

"Buffet?" Johan shook his head. "Let's not go to a buffet."

Gengar had spotted a buffet restaurant earlier and suggested "teaching the owner a lesson," but Johan figured—

One should be kind.

Buffets are dangerous places.

The Wingull hovering nearby looked on helplessly.

Come on, feed us already!

—

On the way to Sunyshore Gym.

Flint, eager, asked, "Johan, how do you plan to 'fix' Volkner?"

Fix him?

Johan had been pondering that very question the entire trip.

Unlike Pokémon, humans have more complicated thoughts. He could try replicating Ash's method from the anime, but…

He wasn't Ash.

So…

"Beat him up first, then ask him what's wrong during the battle?" Johan muttered, rubbing his chin.

After all—

Words don't work as well as Pokémon battles.

"A battle?" Flint's eyes lit up. "Maybe we can do a Double Battle—you and Buck versus me and Volkner!"

Johan blinked.

A Double Battle?

That could work.

Buck also seemed intrigued.

"Or, we could give Volkner a demonstration first. I'll battle Johan, then Buck will battle Johan, and finally, Volkner will—"

…

Wait.

Are you trying to "fix" Volkner, or are you "fixing" me?!

A gauntlet match against me, huh?

"I refuse!" Buck immediately shot down the idea.

"If you want to fight Johan, don't drag me into this!"

He shot a glare at Flint. "You should just challenge Volkner one-on-one."

Flint widened his eyes. "Buck, we're partners! We've been through life-and-death battles together!"

As the two bickered, the trio arrived at the Sunyshore Gym.

The doors were tightly shut.

But next to the entrance sat a box overflowing with Gym Badges—all Lighthouse Badges.

Anyone could just take one.

And yet, despite this, Volkner remained the Gym Leader—testament to his overwhelming reputation and strength.

Flint stepped forward and banged on the door.

"Volkner! It's me, Flint! Open up!"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar reached into the box, grabbed a Lighthouse Badge, and flashed a victorious hand gesture at Johan.

Yes! I got a Lighthouse Badge!

"Pika?"

The noise drew out a yellow mouse from a side door.

"Pikachu!" Flint grinned.

"Pika~~"

Volkner's Pikachu recognized Flint immediately, waving in greeting.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar noticed Pikachu and grinned, waving back.

Long time no see, buddy!

Pikachu squinted at Gengar for a moment before realization struck.

Wait… wasn't this… the Gastly from back then?!

Its eyes lit up, and it rushed forward.

Flint squatted down with a big smile—only for Pikachu to zip past him and high-five Gengar.

Buck smirked at Flint's frozen expression.

"Idiot."

Flint fumed. "Buck! Let's battle right now!"

Buck scoffed. "Tch."

They had battled countless times before. Flint had challenged Cynthia more, but still—

Their win-loss record?

Fifty-fifty.

Flint's performance fluctuated, while Buck remained consistent.

"Pikachu, where's Volkner?" Johan asked.

"Pika…"

At the mention of Volkner, Pikachu's ears drooped.

It pointed inside the Gym, indicating that Volkner was working on some electrical projects and hadn't noticed the commotion outside.

"That guy…"

Flint gritted his teeth and pounded on the door again.

"Ka-kaah?"

As he knocked, Flint noticed Gengar sticking its head through the door, scratching its head in confusion.

Flint looked at the closed door.

Then at Gengar inside.

"…"

"Guess we'll have to take a more 'direct' approach." Johan sighed.

He turned to Rotom.

"Rotom, open the door."

"No problem! Roto~!"

Rotom zipped out of Johan's Pokédex and dove into the Gym's electrical system.

Click—

With a hiss, the heavy Gym doors slowly opened.

Zzzt—

Golden electricity crackled along the doors and walls.

"Pika!"

Pikachu immediately warned them—it was a security grid! Stay back!

But before Pikachu could finish—

The electric arcs vanished.

In fact, the Gym's power seemed to—

"Lo-lo-lo-lo~ Hic~"

Rotom re-emerged, glowing golden and letting out a satisfied burp.

"Pika?"

Pikachu blinked, a giant question mark forming over its head.

Did… did it just eat all the electricity?!

Even Buck was startled.

This Rotom wasn't even Johan's main Pokémon… and yet, it devoured nearly all of Sunyshore Gym's power?

And considering Gengar's bottomless appetite and the fact that Johan's Dragonite was twice the size of a normal one…

What kind of Pokémon does he even train?!

"Let's go!" Flint strode in confidently.

But—

A second door blocked their way.

"Volkner's security is something else," Buck muttered.

Johan calmly said, "Tinkaton."

A red flash—Tinkaton landed beside him, hammer in hand.

Johan patted its head.

"Smash it."

"Cha!"

With a grin, Tinkaton took a deep breath, raised its hammer—

BOOM!!!

The metal door shattered.

Inside, a voice finally called out—

"Who's there?!"

Johan smirked.

"Gym Challenge!"

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Powerstones?

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