After claiming the last gym badge, both Tsumugi and Simon have gained the final clearance needed to face the Pokemon League together. With their combined team work, the two of them walked down Victory Road and went and battled against the Elite Four, defeating the likes of Lorelei, Bruno and Agatha. And soon, defeated the dragon master Lance and his Dragonite. After that battle...came one last challenge.
"Well done...congratulations. You've defeated the Elite Four but...neither of you are champion yet." Lance said.
"In order to do that, we'll have to…" Simon started.
"Battle each other. Yes. See, there is only one champion spot. You two will proceed to the next room to battle against one another. Whoever emerges as victor will be crowned the new champion of the Kanto Region." Lance said.
"I see. Thank you." Simon said as he and Tsumugi entered the final room and stood on opposite ends of the battlefield. "So...it's come to this then."
"So it seems. You know. This journey really has taught me a lot." Tsumugi said. "I never realized how much my past had really haunted me until I actually set foot here. But that's all changed now. I'm not that Tsumugi anymore. No need to hide behind that mask I set for myself. I'm ready to show everyone who I really am."
"I would have to agree, during this journey, I've forged many friendships with my Pokemon, and most of all, Cheshire and Absol. As long as they're with me, I'm never alone." Simon said.
"Okay boy and girl. Here's how this will go. You will each battle in a single battle format using all six of your pokemon. The battle is decided when all of one side's pokemon is unable to battle. Now...are we ready to begin?" Dan asked.
"Yes." Simon said.
"I'm ready." Tsumugi said.
"Now...begin!" Dan said.
(Cue- Gabriel- Drakengard 3)
"Here goes… First up is Sandslash!" Tsumugi said sending Sandslash out.
"Give it all you got, Splasher!" Simon called sending Splasher out. "Go with Hydro Pump!" He called as Splasher fired two high pressured beams of water from his cannons at Sandslash.
"Use Defense Curl!" Tsumugi said.
"(Seems that only dealt half the damage.)" Simon thought.
"Go right at him with a Drill Run!" Tsumugi said.
"Pour down with Waterfall!" Simon called as Splasher countered. The attack managed to knock Sandslash out.
"Return! Excellent job. Now, you're up Victreebel!" Tsumugi said switching to Victreebel. "Go for a Power Whip!"
"You only got one shot for this, Splasher, use Skull Bash!" Simon called as Splasher bashed his head on to Victreebel.
"Not enough, I'm afraid." Tsumugi said as Victreebel's Power Whip hit.
"You did good, Splasher. Let's heat things up, Pyro!" Simon called out as he brought out his new Pokemon, Pyro the Charizard.
"Hmm… Interesting choice. Not much I can do except...Sludge Bomb!" Tsumugi said.
"Counter with Flare Blitz!" Simon called as Pyro flew towards Victreebel and began spinning before being covered in fire as the flames burned away the poison and defeated Victreebel.
"Return!" Tsumugi said. "(I may have lost Victreebel, but he still took recoil damage. I'll have to stay on my toes with this one.)" she thought. "You're up, Lapras!"
"(This might be a challenge.)" Simon thought.
"First, use Confuse Ray!" Tsumugi said.
"Stay focused, Pyro!" Simon said.
"Now, wash him away with Surf!" Tsumugi said.
"Fly, Pyro!" Simon called as Pyro took to the air.
"(He's going for a dive-bomb. He'll be unable to control his speed coming down…)" Tsumugi thought.
"Use Air Slash!" Simon called as Pyro launched blades of air from his wings onto Lapras.
"Now, Dragon Pulse!" Tsumugi said as Lapras fired a blast of energy at Pyro, hitting him dead-on.
"Take it easy, Pyro, let Nature bloom in full splendor, Bulba!" Simon called sending out Bulba. "Use Solar Beam!"
"It's going to take a while to charge. Hit him now with Ice Beam!" Tsumugi said. The attack was very effective, but Bulba was able to hold on.
"Solar Beam, fire now!" Simon said as Bulba launched the attack as it overwhelmed Lapras.
"Return, Lapras! Excellent job. Now, let's see how you handle Ninetales!" Tsumugi said sending Ninetales out.
"Oh no…" Simon muttered.
"Go, Fire Blast!" Tsumugi said as Ninetales shot a star-shaped flame at Bulba.
"Very good, Bulba. Alright Spike...let's rumble!" Simon called as he sent out Spike. "Use Bonemerang!" He called as Spike threw his Bone at Ninetales as it hit her dead on.
"Hang in there. Use Dark Pulse!" Tsumugi said as Ninetales fired a sphere of dark energy.
"Spike managed to hold on from that, but he won't go down that easy. Use Earthquake!" Simon called as Spike slammed his bone into the ground, causing the area around Ninetales to shake.
"You did well, Ninetales. Return!" Tsumugi said returning Ninetales. "Now… Time for my trump card!" she said as she brought out Butterfree.
"This'll be interesting." Simon said.
"Use Shadow Ball!" Tsumugi said as Butterfree launched a ball of ghostly energy.
"Dodge and counter with Iron Tail!" Simon called as Spike jumped into the as his tail became coated in steel as he came flying down.
"Got you right where I want you. Use Mega Drain!" Tsumugi said.
"Oh no, hang in there, Spike!" Simon said. "Use Double Edge!" He called as Spike launched a sacrificial attack on to Butterfree before fainting himself.
"Seems we're down to just two Pokemon now." Tsumugi said.
"Seems so." Simon said. "It's all or nothing from here on, huh? In that case...Let's rock, baby!"
(Shift- Fly me to the Moon(Infinite Climax)- Bayonetta)
"Alright, here we go...Absol!" Simon called sending out Absol.
"This should be interesting. Use Bug Buzz!" Tsumugi said.
"Razor Wind!" Simon called as Absol launched a raging gust of wind onto Butterfree.
"One last shot. Hyper Beam!" Tsumugi said.
"Protect!" Simon called as Absol defended himself as the attack hit.
The smoke cleared as Absol was seen standing.
"Absol managed to survive that." Mayumi said.
"Yes, but Butterfree is now exposed. Once Hyper Beam is used, it takes a while for her to get her energy back." David said.
"Alright, Absol, wrap it up with Psycho Cut!" Simon called as Absol launched a wave of Psychic energy at Butterfree.
Tsumugi then returned Butterfree. "Butterfree… You've been a key part of my team ever since we've met. I wouldn't have gotten this far if it weren't for you. But fear not, I will not let this go to waste! Pikachu, it's up to you!" she said as Pikachu came up in her Belle outfit. "Now, Thunder Punch!"
"You did good Absol. I knew from when we first met in Paris, I felt we would have a bond stronger than steel, thank you for sticking with me all the way." Simon said before looking up to Tsumugi with a determined expression. "Alright, this is it...hold nothing back, and give it everything you got...CHESHIRE!" He called bringing Cheshire out. "It's time for the climax."
"It's come to this… Cheshire vs Pikachu." Hope said.
(Track Change: Pokemon XY Main Theme (Rock Cover)- NateWantstoBattle)
"Alright...here we go. Cheshire, Baddy Bad!" Simon called as Cheshire glowed a black aura and launched a chibi spirit version of Umbreon as it flew towards Pikachu.
"Icicle Crash!" Tsumugi called. Pikachu, with the aid of her outfit, summoned an icicle as the attacks collided.
"Sappy Seed, let's go!" Simon called as Cheshire glowed a green aura and launched seeds underneath Pikachu.
"Keep it together. Use Brick Break!" Tsumugi called. Pikachu punched Cheshire with all his might before the seeds exploded.
"Now Cheshire, use Glitzy Glow!" Simon called as a purple aura formed around Cheshire as he launched a sparkling purple light onto Pikachu. When the lights dispersed, Pikachu was on her feet for a moment before collapsing.
"..." Simon stayed silent as the crowd erupted into cheers. "Does this mean...I won?" He asked before walking over to Tsumugi and held his hand out to her.
Tsumugi took his hand and shook it. "Well, looks like I lost. That was still a great battle, though. I was on my feet from start to finish."
"Yes...you have won. Congratulations...you've just become champion." Dan said. "Now...follow me into the next room." he said leading Simon into the next room where they approached a strange machine. "Now this is the Hall of Fame...where you and your Pokemon will be recorded as a record of your victory."
"I see, so I just place my Pokemon onto these slots?" Simon asked as he placed each of his Pokeballs onto the slots as they lit up and a picture of Simon along with his Pokemon were seen.
"Well...it's official now...you're the champion." Dan said.
"It would seem so." Simon said. "And I guess all that's left is, keeping our promise to Bill and Professor Oak."
"You do know that promise is capturing all 150 pokemon in this region, right? And there's only 15 days till the tournament starts." Dan said.
"Since when have those kinds of odds stopped any of us?" Hope said noticing some of the ones with links leaving. "Hey where are you going?"
"We already wasted most of our training time following Tsumugi and Simon cause of your idea. We'd like to get in time of our own in our own way." Starlight said.
"Can't argue with that." Hope said.
"And you aren't sweet talking us into doing another side quest." Bakugo said. "You're on your own in that department."
"Well, guess I'm on my own then." Hope said as the others left in different directions to start training. "Everyone's so fired up about the tournament coming up…. Can't say I disagree. I'm not gonna fall behind, and I'm sure as hell not gonna lose."
A screech was heard as Lunala flew down and landed near Hope.
"Yeah, I know I kept you waiting long, girl." Hope smiled petting her head. "C'mon… let's not fall behind on training. We're gonna win this… you and me."
"(...I just hope this doesn't end up like the Grand Prix…)" Simon thought as he looked to the remaining group.
"Well...we best be off." Flamberge said leaving with Zan and Francisca.
"See you guys later." Francisca said with a wink.
"Where are you three going?" Hope asked.
"They're going bird hunting. For those legendary birds." Zoro said.
"Don't worry Simon, this won't turn out like last time. We're gonna have fun." Hope said.
"Well...I think I should go with them at least. What will you do, Tsumugi?" Simon asked.
"I'm gonna search for potential Perfect Links for my classmates in addition to my training. Our match made me realize I still have a lot of work to do." Tsumugi said.
"...I'll see you later." Simon said before he ran after the Mage Sisters.
"What I don't get is where most of everyone else is going?" Hope asked.
"Across this world to the other regions to train." Jexi said. "With 15 days left, we're in a real crunch time."
"Guess you're right. Let's get to it then." Hope said.
Over the course of the next two weeks, everyone with Perfect Links began training across the Kanto Region and beyond into the other regions. As their training was getting underway, many people across the universes were beginning their own prep work as many powerful opponents would soon appear during the Perfect Link Tournament. As for the tournament itself...it would be one to be remembered for many many years to come.
To be continued...