The helicopter ride over Sinnoh was amazing. The only times I had flown were with flying Pokemon on important missions. Now I could appreciate the beauty. I had to let my Pokemon see this. Only one Pokemon could though. I took a PokeBall off my belt and threw it out the window. "Go Swellow!" Swellow burst out of the ball and the ball came back to me. Swellow looked overjoyed and kept up beautifly with the copter. I looked down the right side of the helicopter and saw the seemless never ending ocean. I sat and passed the time with Pikachu for an hour. "Pikachu its time, our time. We proved ourselves worthy in that extreme battle with Cynthia, and now we have to show people that we can keep this position. This challenger and all the others to come are going to be tough every single time. Let's do our best and win!"

"Pika!"

"Swellow!"

"Let's do this!"

The helicopter began to descend feet. "Please buckle up Mr. Ketchum, same with your Pikachu and Swellow."

"Oh right. Return Swellow!" I aimed the ball at Swellow and it came back into its Pokeball. Down below us was Victory road. I remembered that journey. It was tough, and that is where I almost lost Pikachu. The memories were horrible but we still got out alive and to the Pokemon League healthy. The helpicopter landed on the roof of the Pokemon League building and I climbed out with Pikachu next to me. "Thanks!" I ran off waving to him behind me and climbed down the stairs into the building. In the lobby I asked Nurse Joy to heal my Pokemon. This challenger was going down! I sat down on a couch and waited, then I remember I had promised Brock I would call him when I got a challenger. I walked over to the phone and dialed him up. The screen blinked on and Brock's face was on the screen.

"Ash! Good to see you. You got a challenger pretty fast I see. Goodluck."

"Hey Brock, yah you guessed it. So how are things with your family?"

"My siblings are doing fine, and they all missed my cooking the most, even more then me." He laughed.

At the mention of Brock's cooking my mouth began to water, "Nah, they love you Brock, and your cooking equaly!" We laughed at my small joke.

"So who is your challenger?"

"I'm not sure yet, I'll wait until the battle comes."

"What? Ash if you're going to keep your position as Sinnoh champion you have to stay prepared and know who your going up against! You can't afford to be reckless."

"It's fine Brock, I won't lose."

"Ash you have to-" A dish broke in the background. "Look I have to go, good luck and don't get to cocky with your new clothes." The screen blinked off and I went back to the couch.

Maybe researching my first challenger was a smart thing to do. But what was the fun in that? No, I will win! I went to the counter and Pikachu was waiting for me with the rest of my PokeBalls on a tray. "Thank you." I bowed and took my PokeBalls and Pikachu climbed onto my shoulder. I went through the door next to the counter and walked down the hallway. Through this hallway was where I fought Cynthia. Her Garchomp was so strong. Pikachu couldn't even defeat it. Thanks to Staraptor we won the entire fight. Staraptor went off to lead its own kind in the Sinnoh region, and Swellow was there for me. Inside of the end door, was the large room. Four power columns were in the corners of the battle arena. Benches were aligned around the edge on a balcony to protect the crowd. I went to take my position on the other side of the arena. I stood there and thought about my battle with Cynthia. The biggest surprise in my battle with her was that it could have gone completely the wrong Staraptor hadn't gotten a lucky break and the paralyzation from Pikachu stunned Garchomp. That battle was legendary and on magazines and TV all over Sinnoh, Kanto, Johto, and Hoen regions. I couldn't get people to stop congratulating me and calling me. That's mostly why I made my own cabin on the east coast of Sinnoh, to avoid people. Only private calls could be made to me now. Friends, family, the police, and profesors were the only ones aloud to call me. It was a little more lonely, because Dawn was the top co-ordinator in Sinnoh, and Brock went back to Kanto to take care of all of his many siblings. Traveling was so much fun with those two.

I shook my head. No time for this, I have to get in the zone. As if like magic the challenger showed his face.

I looked on in disbelief. He had lost to Cynthia before me and was steamed about it.

I put on the best smug smile I could muster. "Long time no see, Paul."