"So, can you let us in now?"
Ye Qing recalled Infernape and Lairon, then walked over to Electivire with Kirlia.
"Haku."
Electivire sat on the ground without a word. Electricity crackled along his two thick tails, which left patches of scorched black marks as they swept across the ground.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes."
Ye Qing knew he was bitter about losing, but so what? He had only himself to blame for talking so big.
Watching Ye Qing and Kirlia walk away, Electivire rose angrily and turned toward the young couple nearby, rubbing his hands and cracking his knuckles.
Just then, dark clouds suddenly covered the previously clear sky. Deep thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed through the clouds.
Seeing the weather change so abruptly, Ye Qing couldn't help quickening his pace.
At the end of the path, Ye Qing was a little surprised to see that the Electric-type Gym was integrated with a power plant.
Atop the power plant, a massive lightning rod reached high into the sky. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought it was a device for drawing down lightning.
The automatic doors opened, but the brightly lit lobby was deserted. There wasn't even a receptionist.
"Hello? Is anyone here?"
Ye Qing called out, but there was nothing except his voice echoing around him.
"Riruru."
Kirlia shook her head, indicating that there really was no one inside.
"Strange. How could a perfectly good Gym have no one in it?"
Ye Qing was puzzled. No matter how few challengers came to the Gym, it shouldn't have been completely empty. At the very least, the staff should have been there.
Just then, torrential rain suddenly began pouring outside. A thick bolt of lightning struck down and was instantly absorbed by the lightning