The Sunyshore Gym stood very close to Sunyshore Tower, the landmark of Sunyshore City. It was a round building with a ring of solar panels on its roof, another of the city's defining features. Since all of Sunyshore City ran on solar power, these panels could be seen on every building.
"Welcome!" A mechanical voice sounded as he reached the entrance. "How may I help you?"
"I'm here for a Gym Challenge!" Liu Qing knew the electronic voice was probably prerecorded, so he stated his purpose directly.
"Welcome to the Sunyshore Gym Challenge. Please come in!" As the electronic voice spoke, the Gym's doors slid open to either side. The first thing he saw was an enormous battlefield surrounded by rows of spectator seats. At the far end, in the Gym Leader's position, stood a man wearing a black, open-necked undershirt, a blue jacket, and brown trousers.
"Hello, my name is Liu Qing. I'm from Saffron City in Kanto, and I'm here to..." As Liu Qing walked inside and spoke, he caught sight of the Gym Leader's face and looked startled. Aside from his hair color, the man looked at least halfway like an older version of himself. Still, Liu Qing's mental fortitude allowed him to recover quickly, and he continued, "Mr. Volkner, I'm here for a Gym Challenge!"
"Liu Qing, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Today, let's have our fated showdown!" Volkner's heart was anything but calm. Remembering what that man had told him, he had tried hard to keep his emotions under control. Yet now, he couldn't suppress his desire to battle, or another feeling he couldn't quite identify. Was it hatred, or jealousy?!
Why does this Gym Leader seem even more eager to battle than I am? Liu Qing found it slightly odd,