Sunyshore City was a place of elevated highways and ocean winds. Because it bordered the sea, its terrain made conventional roads inconvenient—so the city had been built with massive overpasses connecting district to district.
And at its heart stood the Sunyshore Gym.
Its leader—Volkner—was one of the most popular figures in the Sinnoh League.
Known as Sinnoh's Shining Star.
The strongest Gym Leader in the region.
His strength was so overwhelming that challengers rarely posed any real threat. Over time, he grew bored of ordinary Gym battles. At one point, he had even considered challenging the Elite Four himself—and had once left his Beacon Badge displayed outside the Gym out of sheer apathy.
It was even rumored that he once challenged an Elite Four member from another region. The outcome was never publicly stated.
Which only made the story more intriguing.
Compared to Flint, perhaps Volkner was the true second-strongest battler in Sinnoh.
That thought alone ignited Aiden's fighting spirit.
When he and Cynthia arrived in Sunyshore City, Aiden headed straight for the Gym. Cynthia wore sunglasses as light disguise—though in this world, disguises were almost comically effective.
After all, Team Rocket changed outfits daily and were rarely recognized.
When they entered the Gym, a staff member approached—
But Aiden calmly presented his credentials.
"I am a Gym Evaluation Officer appointed by League Headquarters. I am here to conduct the official evaluation battle of Sunyshore Gym. Is Leader Volkner present?"
The staff member's expression shifted instantly.
They hurried off to summon Volkner.
Moments later—
Volkner himself stepped into the battlefield.
Tall, confident, electric-blue hair swept back. His eyes sparkled the moment he sensed something different about today.
And when he spotted Cynthia standing beside Aiden—
He understood.
Even in disguise, he recognized the Sinnoh Champion instantly.
"Oh?" Volkner smirked. "The Champion herself came to observe? Then this evaluation officer must be interesting."
He didn't know Aiden personally.
But he had already heard whispers.
The Sinnoh League Headquarters incident.
The Elite Four's defeat.
Though he hadn't followed details closely, he knew one thing—
This wouldn't be boring.
"The purpose of the Gym Evaluation," Volkner stated casually, "is simple. If I defeat you, my strength requires no further proof."
"And if I lose?"
"Then at minimum, I must demonstrate Elite-level capability to retain my position."
"If I fail even that, League Headquarters replaces me."
Volkner grinned.
"Let's begin."
The referee raised the flag.
"Battle—Start!"
Red light burst forth.
A powerful blue lion-like Pokémon emerged, black mane crackling faintly with electricity.
Ding!
Pokémon: Luxray
Level: 75
Ability: Intimidate
Type: Electric
Aptitude: Gold
Moves: Electric Terrain, Roar, Crunch, Wild Charge, Thunderbolt, Thunder Fang…
Champion-tier mid-level.
Volkner wasn't exaggerating.
Aiden smiled faintly.
"Then I'll match you properly."
"Aggron."
Red light answered.
A massive golden Aggron stomped onto the field, steel armor gleaming like forged sunlight.
Level 75.
Steel/Rock.
The moment the two locked eyes—
They both recognized it.
A worthy opponent.
Volkner's grin widened.
"Finally."
"Luxray—Thunderbolt!"
Luxray roared, releasing a streak of intense blue lightning—brighter and denser than ordinary electric attacks.
Aiden responded calmly.
"Aggron—Iron Defense."
Metal shimmered.
Golden armor hardened further, reflecting light like polished steel.
The blue Thunderbolt slammed directly into Aggron's body.
Electric energy exploded across the arena—
But the steel titan stood firm.
Not a step moved.
The evaluation battle—
Had officially begun.
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