Well hi! Back! Final chapter time - and omvhbejdfjsbvh it is long. You wanna know how long? Twenty pages in point-ten Verdana. Specifically? I didn't do this on purpose, believe me, but it came out to be exactly 11,111 words long. It's longer than the thing I did last summer with more than a hundred (albeit very short) chapters. I'm not kidding. You might wanna pull up a chair.
Anyway, hopefully it'll clear up some things, wrap up some loose ends, and hopefully it'll be entertaining. I think I like how it came out. Little note before we start though, there are a few things to look forward to in the final A/N, so look out for that. So uh, here we go!
Whenever there was a change in Champion, certain things had to happen.
Imposter did not know how other regions handled it - it was only just now learning how Kalos did - but once the last one is defeated, the first thing to occur is the Pokémon League shuts down for a brief period.
That is, challengers are no longer accepted until the new Champion is good and ready for it: forty-eight hours minimum, one hundred twenty maximum. During that time is often when the region is most susceptible to outside threats, but that goes for any change in leadership. This is time the new Champion uses to sort out his or her position. To get further acquainted with the Gym Leaders and Elite Four, and to make some changes, if necessary. Of course, to keep things fair, this was a long and complicated process requiring the agreement of many people, and Imposter just could not be bothered to get into it.
So it rode out its first few days as Champion with as little care as it could about its new role in management. The rest of the League, Calem included, was eager to continue on as if nothing ever happened, stopping only if the Ditto expressed a desire for it.
The teen was the one who took it the worst, of course. Incredulous that he lost his title so soon, and to a Pokémon to boot, he spent those days scouring the oldest parts of the region for any legal statements saying that the Champion had to be a human. He always returned fruitless except for a better understanding of Old Kalosian.
Nearly halfway into Imposter's first week was one of the largest celebrations Imposter had seen - and it was all in honor of it, Kalos's newest League Champ.
The festival was held on Vernal Avenue in Lumiose City on the first sunny day after its victory. The street was closed off for anyone in vehicles that day, and an enormous stage was set up for Imposter and its affiliates for a proper presentation to the region.
Being the middle of July, the sun was beating down on the street so hard that most Pokémon were kept in their balls so their bare feet would not be burned. The smell of salted street food wafted about the area, and the sounds of people milling about mingled with those of wild bird Pokémon chirping overhead. Street performers sang and danced and played their music, hats and guitar cases filling quickly with the tips of kind strangers. Photographers were taking it in too, accommodating the crowds of tourists looking to remember the experience. It was a pleasant scene for anyone who appreciated the Lumiose City celebratory culture.
Even better, everyone Imposter knew was there: Grace, Serena, Shauna and its other friends, Sycamore, Sina and Dexio, the Gym Leaders and Elite Four, and all past Kalos Champions who bothered to attend such a celebration so soon after attending Calem's. Even notables from other regions made an appearance to congratulate the Ditto - or simply to verify that, indeed, a Pokémon had become Champion.
Everyone seemed to have varying levels of concern for the fact that Kalos was now being led in part by a Pokémon, but then, the two Champions preceding it were each less than two decades old at the time of their initial Hall of Fame induction. Besides, there was a time and place for everything - and for the naysayers, it was not now.
All Imposter had to do here was stand up on the stage, letting the public take it in. Reporters crowded in the front, their cameras locked on the new Champion. It looked around; people lined the street up and down, gaping in awe of the Ditto that surpassed who last week was the strongest trainer in the region.
Joining it on stage were Froakie, Serena, Shauna, Tierno, and... Imposter would remember the shorter teen's name later. Sycamore took center stage, spewing some type of speech - Imposter was not listening. There was so much talking, and everything was so loud.
Next in line was Calem: the trainer unfortunate enough not only to lose to it, but to have to advertise the loss to the whole region. One could tell his resignation speech was likely written just this morning, perhaps in the limo taking him here. That meant it was short, sparing the rest of Kalos from his annoyed laments and allowing the celebration to return sooner.
It let the fame wash over it for a while. Not being able to speak, while incredibly frustrating ninety percent of the time, meant it was not expected to make a speech. All the interviewers, the reporters, the curiosity of the region - Imposter was responsible for satisfying exactly none of it.
Serena's speech was next, but the way she delivered it was mildly confusing. She clearly looked happy to be standing up there; she and Shauna were credited with stopping Team Flare along with Imposter, with the two boys as backup. They each took turns recounting the story, albeit dressing it up considerably. The public did not need to know that their new Champion had left the heroine Serena under the town of Geosenge.
But her face also showed something else. It was not resentment... Imposter had seen enough of that to know what it looked like. This was something else - determination, that was it! Rivalry! Whenever she spoke of Imposter, her words carried an air of superiority. She was coming for it next, and she was going to make sure it knew that.
Serena stepped back from the mic and returned to her place in line, shooting Imposter a playfully stuck-up smile. It blinked in response.
Sycamore, apparently the one in charge of all this, stepped back up and addressed the crowd. "Thank you, Serena," he said calmly. "Now, normally I'd ask our new Champion up here to say a few words," he started sheepishly, "but that wouldn't get us very far today, would it?"
Oh, good - of all the times to start listening, Imposter decided to tune in right in time for a joke about its muteness. Its eyelids fell halfway in disappointment. It could not talk, sure, but if it wanted to it could try to gesture at least some of what it wanted to convey-
Wait a moment. In its bag, there should have still been... It checked, subtly. Yes. It was still there. Once it got a free moment, Imposter would be sure to take it out.
"So, I'm going to bring this part of the celebration to a close," Sycamore went on. "But we won't be leaving until much later tonight! Feel free to stay as long as you want!"
With that, he clicked off the microphone, turned around, and rounded up the trainers on stage. They all filed off, and walked into the crowd.
Of course, Imposter and Serena were immediately overrun by newscasters and journalists sent to cover the event. Sycamore did his best to ward them off, but only when a certain bystander took notice and stepped up did they start to disperse.
"Hey now, easy on the cameras... Easy on the mics," VW insisted, following the trainers with an older man in tow. "Move along, move along, we need some space here, guys... Got some big important Champions coming through here."
That seemed to do after a while, long enough for the group to congregate on the sidelines with only minimal autograph-seeking from the trainers crawling under the velvet rope meant to contain them.
Serena sighed in relief. "Hah, thanks, Dad. Who knows how long they would have kept at us if you hadn't shown up?"
"I don't want to think about that," VW said. "You should have seen my Champion Celebration all those years ago. Believe it or not this old man was pretty hot stuff back in the day!"
"Da-ad."
The man to VW's left seemed like he had something to say. He looked older than him, though not elderly; nearly fifty, if Imposter had to guess. His light blue hair had taken on a silvery glimmer around the edges, and the lines of his face were slightly more defined than those of younger men, but that was the most age his face dared betray. He was dressed just as formally as the man to his right, and if one looked closely, they would be able to pick out similarities between the outfits - as if one incorporated elements from the other. VW's silver cuffs were more elegant on this man's sleeves, and they each wore their Key Stones on special stickpins - VW's clipped onto his tie, this man's onto his vest. He crossed his arms, looking flatly to VW, and spoke up. "Oh, don't be that way. It wasn't that long ago."
"Wait, wait, wait, waitaminute, hey!" Serena hollered, "Yes, um, excuse me, but is that Steven Stone?"
"In the flesh," this Steven responded. "Wallace couldn't make it; busy with his contests or something. So you're Serena?"
"N-Never mind who I am, let's talk about who you are!" Her eyes were bright as stars. "You were the Champion of Hoenn all throughout my childhood - you're the guy my dad could never beat! Oh, the stories I've heard about you."
"Now now, heheh," VW butted in, "No need to talk about all that, it's behind us. What we're here for is to celebrate this fella." He gestured to Imposter.
But it was still curious about who all these people were. Not one for attention, it made a show of looking Steven up and down, searching for an elaboration.
The man snapped to meet its eyes, then reached out for Imposter's hand, which it curiously shook. "Yes, I'm Steven, nice to meet you," he greeted. "Just became a Champion, I hear. And you're... a Ditto?"
Imposter figured it would be hearing this a lot more often now. It nodded.
"Could have had me fooled," he said with a smile. "What a story that must have been. Becoming a trainer and taking the League challenge... It isn't easy for full-time humans, so I'm sure it was only that much harder for you."
Imposter shrugged. It would not know.
"Anyway, you've already met Vito here, right? You know he hails from the grand region of Hoenn?"
Vito... That was right; VW had responded to that name before, Imposter remembered. The only one who used it much was his wife, whom it met during its time back home. Froakie had said that was what the V stood for.
It nodded. Many good people and Pokémon came from Hoenn, it knew. Maybe it would visit once.
"Well, now that we're introduced," Steven requested, "would you mind catching me up here? I never did meet your daughter, V."
Vito walked over to the girl, flung an arm across her shoulders, and announced proudly, "My pride and joy, Serena Valorie Winstrate." She squinted in embarrassed pride, and he closed his eyes in casual explanation. "She's done pretty well for herself here in Kalos, I understand."
Serena shrugged. "Took down an evil organization, mastered Mega Evolution, found seven shinies in as many weeks. Nothing big."
Vito stepped back. "Seven shinies? You didn't tell me about that!"
"Only caught six, though," she muttered. "And I don't tell you everything."
Her father shook his head in disbelief. "Oh, boy, what a family mine is..."
Imposter was feeling rather left out, not knowing what was going on. Thankfully, Sycamore was still listening, and seemed just as confused.
"So, er, how do you two know each other?" he wondered aloud. Vito and Steven shared a look.
"Well, twenty or so years ago, I was Champion of the Hoenn League," Steven recapped, "just like Serena here said. And her father, boy, he was my most persistent challenger, by far. He wanted to become Champion so badly, I almost felt sorry for defeating him so often."
"Okay, that isn't true," Vito interjected, "It was like... twice."
"Yeaahh... twice," Steven agreed with a subtle wink in Serena's direction. "Anyway-"
"Anyway, around when this young one was seven," Vito cut in again, much to Steven's chagrin. "I had gotten fed up with losing to him, and after some long thinking, decided to go far away to train. That took me to Kalos and a Pokémon League that was much easier... Experience Share, and all that."
He and Steven had a good laugh at that. "Anyway, I ended up becoming Champion of the League here, instead of in my home region, and found myself stuck here for the five years I carried out my Championship. I was only able to reach the rest of my family by phone calls and video chat, but we made the long-distance thing work. We wanted Serena and my wife to come here if I did win the League, but she ended up being too involved in Hoenn to leave when it happened. She'd just taken over the Mauville City Gym after the previous Leader retired, and I didn't even know until it was too late.
"Other than that though, I did enjoy being Champion here. It's such a beautiful region. It was bittersweet stepping down when that woman Diantha came in, but it meant that I could go back home with my family, so I was happy to let a younger person take over. That was around three years ago.
"Eventually, with reports of a villainous team taking hold in Kalos, the League here invited me back over to help deal with them, if I could. I missed the region anyway, and had been wanting to show it off to my wife and daughter. The former'd since resigned from Gym Leading to become a traveling Veteran trainer like me, so we were free to come over. We didn't want to let our daughter out into the world when Team Flare was so ubiquitous, but Sycamore here convinced us otherwise. And we sure are glad he did!"
Serena giggled. "I would have found a way to go about it anyway," she admitted. "You know me. I've been wanting to train Pokémon since... I can't remember. It's in my blood."
Steven held a curious look on his face. "Hey, Vito, where is your wife? Haven't seen her around yet."
"Oh, she's-" Vito stopped. "Can you guess?"
"Boutique Couture."
"On the nose. She'll be out shortly. Probably at some point this week."
The two snickered like a pair of old friends recalling embarrassing memories of each other. The rest of the group looked on, feeling a bit excluded. Sycamore was standing in surprise. "Is that all true? Serena - you're the daughter of a Gym Leader and a Champion?"
"Former and former," she corrected, "but yes. That's why I want to become Champion myself so badly; it's kind of a Winstrate thing, that's what I'm told."
"Well, it's still an admirable ambition to have," the professor agreed. "But it looks like you'll have to get through this guy for it now."
He squeezed Imposter's shoulder proudly. The Ditto shook with the attention.
"Heh, yeah," Serena agreed. "But I'm not worried about that too much. Actually, the person I want to battle right now is this one!"
She pointed to Steven, eyes glimmering. "I want to see if the stories are true about you and your Mega Metagross! If your Skarmory really can fly higher than the legendary Rayquaza, if your Carbink is tougher to chip than a Mega Steelix!"
Vito looked at her skeptically, traces of a blush appearing across his cheeks. "Woah, woah now, honey, I didn't say-"
Steven laughed. "Oh, it's all alright," he said, "You want to battle me? You know I'm no longer a Champion, and winning wouldn't net you a fancy title."
"I don't care!" Serena was rhythmically tapping her fingers across a Ball in excitement. "If Dad says it's okay, I'd like to spar. As long as you're here in Kalos, I mean, this is like a dream for me."
Steven held his hands up. "I didn't say I wasn't going to. Okay, let's battle. We just need to find a place that's out of the way."
He was right; tens, probably hundreds of people were milling about through the street, checking out the Vernal Avenue businesses as the kids played games and snacked on galettes. Most of the middle of the street was open for walking, however, and some ameteur trainers were even practicing against each other.
Seeing this, the trainers decided it would be okay to face each other there. It would surely create a spectacle, but neither of them minded. Vito could be seen shaking his head in doubt as his daughter stepped onto the field across from the trainer he had tried so hard to defeat, yet never did.
Imposter watched them in curiosity. Steven led with Skarmory, and Serena with Charizard, both exuding intimidating auras. The Ditto could be sure it heard an intense piece of theme music accompanying the battle, which Froakie noticed too: "Hey, does anyone else hear trumpets?"
But Imposter was torn away from this thought when it felt a tap on its shoulder. It was Vito, holding expectance in his eyes.
"When they're done..." he began in a low tone, still watching the trainers, "What do you say we have a battle of our own? I once held the torch you now carry as Champion of Kalos, and I've dedicated myself to battling each of my successors at least once after their induction. Besides, I'm rather curious about you. What do you think?"
Imposter blinked. Mesmerised by the situation, it nodded.
"Grand. Now, let's stop talking. I need to see how this goes!"
"Okay! This is fine! We can do this!"
Serena's hair was frazzled, and her eyes crazy, as the battle neared its end. "I am going to win! Somehow..."
Imposter thought it saw how Serena was when she was losing before, but never this badly. She had just called Chesnaught back, who was easily defeated by Steven's Mega Metagross and its Zen Headbutt move. Imposter was not paying much attention, but it thought both trainers were each defending with their last.
"Yeah! I've been saving this last one just for you!" Serena said loudly. She threw in her Absol.
"You knew this was coming," she insisted, shakily smiling. "Absol - Mega-Evolve!"
It was this that made Imposter snap to attention, watching the battle in awe. Absol's Mega Evolution was always the most elegant, in its opinion.
"Yeah - we got this-" Serena drawled. Next to the Ditto, Vito was holding his face in one hand out of embarrassment.
"Good, now use Night Slash!" Serena ordered desperately. "Gogogo!"
Mega Absol charged forwards, landing the attack expertly - even getting the critical hit that could decide the match. But Metagross was still ready to fight.
"Okay, it's down! Now just survive this hit... this one hit, and this'll be ours. Please!"
She was begging. Vito looked on in fascination, a glimpse of hope splashing across his face.
"Go, Serena!" he shouted. "You might actually be able to-"
He stopped short when Mega Metagross moved again. This Hammer Arm was devastating - leaving only a few winks of life left in Absol's ability to fight. But he was still standing.
Serena beamed. "Yes! You took it! Absol, you're the best! Everyone, my Absol is the best! Now use Night Slash, for the win!"
Absol, slowly recovering from the attack, reared up. His wings were matted together, his horns crooked. His breathing heavy, he swept forwards.
Steven smirked.
"Metagross, use Bullet Punch."
Metagross did exactly as it was told, coming in quickly and shaving off whatever was left of Absol's health.
"Absol-!"
Serena rushed down beside her Pokémon. The battle was officially lost, although very closely.
"I-I'm sorry," she whispered. "You can come on back, now."
Absol dematerialized, leaving his trainer sullenly kneeling in defeat. With reluctance, she got up. "Man, I thought I had you," she complained. "But I guess I didn't really expect to win in the first place, so I can't be so disappointed. At least I got to battle you myself and meet your team in person! It's an honor, sir!"
Her opponent chuckled. "Sir? You can just call me Steven. Heh, members of your family can even go as short as Steve."
Serena giggled deliriously. "Well, I don't know about that, but thanks for the chance to battle you, Steven!"
"Likewise. I enjoyed myself. Your father should be proud."
"Heheheh. Thanks."
With that, the trainers headed out of the street, meeting up with Imposter, Vito, and Sycamore. Serena looked stunned by her father's short congratulatory hug and Sycamore's approving pat on the head. Imposter smiled at the scene.
Vito finished his spiel to Serena, then turned to it: "Anyway, are you ready, Champion?"
Imposter nodded. Ready as it would ever be.
The next two battlers took the center of the street. "Okay," Vito declared, cracking his knuckles. "I'm up next."
Imposter heard Serena and Steven cheering him on enthusiastically, dampening its spirits a little - until it heard the other voices.
"Whoo, go Imposter! Go Ditto! Yeah, you can do it, man! Or, not-man - thing? I don't know - but you got it!"
It spun around, and leaning against the velvet rope was the speaker, Shauna, pumping her arms in the air. Less exuberantly standing next to her was Grace, its very own trainer. She looked every bit as proud as Imposter expected.
This made it smile brightly before turning back around. Now it was ready.
Vito reached down to his left hip, where a silver hoop hung off of his corduroys. On the ring were attached three standard Poké Balls, one of which he was fingering now.
With a determined nod, he unclipped the Ball, tossing it back and forth between his hands and finishing with it in his right. "Whenever you're ready, Champ."
Imposter nodded as well, one of its own Balls in hand. To Shauna's incessant rooting, it threw the contraption onto the field.
To Serena's, Vito did the same.
You are challenged by Veteran Vito!
This would be the first battle Imposter had since the one against Calem, the one that gave it its prestigious title. This would be its first chance to show the region how its new Champion battled.
Here went nothing.
The Pokémon took the field; Vito's first was the one he used for Flying on, Swellow. Onlookers 'ooh'-ed as Imposter's Ditto copied it gene for gene.
But not molecule for molecule. Ditto was not holding an item, but Swellow was adorned with the same blue Scarf that a certain Team Flare Admin's Braviary wore. That Braviary was tough. Imposter knew from the start that this would not be easy.
"Swellow, Return."
At first it thought Vito was calling his Pokémon back to switch out, in which case he could have used U-Turn to cause some damage: the smarter move, even Imposter knew. But no - this was the move called Return, a Normal-Type attack that Imposter did not expect to be so powerful. But Ditto was still up.
"You do that too, Ditto."
Swellow took almost as much damage as Ditto did; that would not have surprised Imposter if it knew that Return's power was based on friendship. It would also remain unsurprised when Ditto fainted to the next one.
But Imposter did not know that, and so it was surprised. And a battler taken off-guard at the beginning is usually not the one in control by the end.
Understanding this at least, Imposter let the cheering of its friends ring in its ears and pull it back to reality. It sent another.
Who took the Return well, and dished another for the finishing blow. Each trainer now had one down.
Vito's next was another Pokémon the Ditto recognized from watching his battles with Serena - it looked similar to an upside-down Poké Ball, but much larger. The opposing trainer called it an Electrode. Clipped underneath its face was a small, polished stone - an Electrodite, perhaps, Imposter realized with dread.
"Light Screen."
But the Pokémon did not Mega-Evolve; this set Imposter on edge more than if it had, it would bet. Electrode set up the screen, giving Imposter a second to command a move in return. Which happened to be the move it commanded.
Electrode rolled backwards, comically moving about the field with its face constantly hitting the ground. "Now, Discharge."
Poor Ditto did not stand a chance. Next in.
Vito smirked. "Okay, now, I think it's time. You ready? Big move."
Imposter gulped. The last time it heard that phrase it was referring to Sheer Cold, a One-Hit KO move. With a mockingly determined face, Electrode started shaking, rapidly losing color. The stone it held began glowing too.
The Normal Gem strengthened Explosion's power!
Vito's eyes darted around, and he began to shoo off bystanders he determined to be too close. Then his Pokémon... exploded.
The blast was huge; Imposter knew it could probably have been a lot larger if there weren't so many people here. It placed a foot back for balance, hardly staying upright itself. When the dust cleared, both battlers were fainted.
"Oh... Ditto..." Imposter cooed. That attack was brutal. It called its friend back.
Now it was time to get serious. Vito thanked his Pokémon, then called his next: "Go for it, Darmanitan!"
Imposter realized how much it was losing, and knew - there was one Ditto for this job.
"Do it, Limber."
Vito's reaction when this one failed to Transform immediately was similar to Calem's, although less amused. "It needs to spend a move to Transform," he realized in a whisper. He smirked. "Okay, Darmanitan. Belly Drum!"
That was Vito's grave mistake in this battle.
For when Limber did Transform, both Pokémon's Attack stats were raised to the maximum, and they were evenly matched in Speed. But now Darmanitan's health was cut in half, while Limber was still kicking at full.
Observing this, onlooking Ace Trainers gasped and journalists furiously wrote down the details. Vito seemed to slowly realize his mistake. He ran a stressed hand through his green hair, muttering his regret.
Imposter stayed blissfully oblivious to its advantageous position, however, not fully comprehending how this situation played out. So instead of gawking at Limber's newfound power, it commanded a move.
"Stone Edge."
Much like Siebold's Gyarados, Imposter felt truly bad for the opponent unfortunate enough to receive this attack. Although seeing the victorious look on Limber's face with the knockout made it forget any guilt.
"Imposter, that was amazing!" it was saying. "I feel so alive! So there are situations where my ability can come in handy, who knew?"
Imposter was beaming too. "Yeah, good job!"
Meanwhile Vito was brushing his hands across his available Balls, clearly lost in contemplation. Finally he decided on one - a Pokémon Imposter had seen before, mainly while battling Team Flare grunts: a Swalot.
Vito's face showed worry, but his voice showed conviction. "Earthquake!"
"Limber, Fire Punch!"
"On it, boss!"
Swalot was not a fast Pokémon, and both trainers knew it. Limber had no problems taking it out quickly, before even the first seismic wave could shake the ground.
Vito bit his lip; Imposter formed a fist. Limber snickered. Behind them, Shauna and Grace were going crazy.
"I guess... I can't risk Ala... This is a hard decision, but tss, go, Shiftry."
A large Grass-Type appeared, swinging his leafy fans with elegance. Atop his head was something that resembled a crown; a King's Rock, Imposter realized after a second. "Quickly - Fling!" Vito ordered.
Imposter spluttered. "Fire Punch again."
Limber was unstoppable - Shiftry too fell beneath it. Vito shook his head.
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this," he said. "But you leave me no choice... I still want to win! So here's my ace! I really hope this works!"
There was one more Ball on Vito's ring, which he grabbed with gusto. "I'm not losing to you," he insisted, then threw in his last.
It was an Alakazam. Imposter had seen that before too - how could it forget? This one was monstrous, however. Even Limber looked off-put by the majesty he exuded.
But if the Ditto thought they were afraid before what happened next, they had another thing coming.
The opposing Alakazam's Alakazite is reacting to Vito's Mega Tie!
The Key Stone clipped onto his yellow necktie glowed in succession with the Mega Stone tied around Alakazam's neck. The Pokémon was now imbued with psychic power comparable to that of the legendary Mewtwo. Whether or not the Ditto knew this, they did know that he had the power to turn the battle around.
It was Imposter who recovered first. "F-Fire Punch again!"
"Alakazam - Psychic!"
Limber had been in such a roll; but this was where it had to end. Alakazam had moved first, and the Ditto's psyche could not have been prepared for an attack from something that powerful.
Limber collapsed to the ground, helpless. Hand flying to its mouth in shock, Imposter dared not to even look. It called it back wordlessly.
Vito breathed a visible sigh of relief. But Imposter still had one friend left. It was down to these two: the Ditto could still win.
It smirked as Ditto Transformed. It always had luck with this, when it came down to who moved first. "Shadow Ball," it said. "Do it!"
Vito had the same idea. Alakazam and his copy prepared the moves, their trainers wishing in suspense for their success. The people watching and cheering on were now holding their breath in anticipation.
The opposing Alakazam used Shadow Ball!
Ditto tumbled to the ground in defeat, gasps of shock echoing throughout the surrounding crowd. A soft murmur of disbelief rippled through it; their new Champion, after only a few days, was now standing beaten by an old one.
The trainers called back their Pokémon. Vito stepped up to his opponent, smiling warmly.
"That was a good battle," he admitted. "Don't feel down about losing. I've known Alakazam ever since we were both very young; it isn't easy to beat a combination like that. And you had me worried there! I'll remember not to make that Belly Drum mistake next time, you bet."
Imposter looked him in the eyes. He just beat the Kalos Region Champion in a Pokémon battle. That made him the new one; right?
"Oh, me?" he went on, "Oh, I know I can take over the Championship once the League starts accepting challenges again. But I don't think I will. I've done my time there, and now I have to make it up to my family. You enjoy your seat for as long as you can, y'hear?"
Now it was grinning. It nodded. That was a plan.
"Winstrate?"
Vito's vision darted sideways to where Steven was stepping past the rope. "Y-Your daughter convinced me," he started. "Let's do this tournament-style. I know we both just won each of our own, but if you're up for one more battle... I'd like to settle this."
Imposter looked between them, trying to read their faces. Cautiously, it stepped back, and made its way to Shauna and the others.
Vito nodded. "As long as you'll let me heal up my team. Although I've never beaten you before; we already know who will win."
Steven stepped up close to explain quietly: "These people all want a show."
Vito's eyes swept over the crowd. "Ah, I see. In that case, you'd best not go easy."
Steven chuckled. "I could say the same to you! Go heal your team, then let's get to it!"
At this point, someone was tapping Imposter on the shoulder. It whipped around to see who but Diantha, the woman it had been expecting to meet in the Pokémon League.
"H'llo, boy," she greeted. "I just wanted to say congratulations on becoming Champion. I certainly didn't expect it, but here we are."
Imposter glowed with pride. At these words, it was able to forget its lost battle and focus again on its recent accomplishment.
"Actually, I do have to wonder what things are going to be like from now on. With a Pokémon leading the country. Are you sure you're up for that? I hope you understand what you've gotten yourself into."
The look on Imposter's face must have given it all away. Diantha raised her eyebrows. "Well, for one, you now manage the region's Gym Leaders and Elite Four, and you're the greatest line of defense against things like Team Flare..."
At this, she trailed off. She looked around rapidly, held onto its shoulders, and went on quietly. "Actually, there is something I want to make sure you do. You remember when Lysandre - nearly destroyed the region? You were almost completely on your own, I heard. That was because everyone else was captured, Imposter. They were keeping us shut up in Team Flare's headquarters, otherwise we would have been out there with you. But Calem wasn't with us - he later told me that one of the Elite Four members had trapped him at the League. As it turns out, Malva's an admin in the group, who'd infiltrated the League. That's more than enough grounds to revoke her position, and I've been pestering Calem to do it ever since then, but apparently he's never 'gotten around to it'. So can you just take care of that for me? I no longer have the authority to make those changes, but I do care about the region. And someone needs to do it.
"Of course, there's also the issue of who would replace her... I'm sure you know some trainers that are strong enough, and willing to take the position. Don't you?"
As a matter of fact... Imposter did.
Immediately it grabbed Diantha's hand and pulled her in the direction of whom it had in mind. She was not to far away, so as uncomfortable as the walk was, it did not last long.
Serena did not even notice the two walking up, she was so engaged in the battle her dad was having. So she was startled out of her mind when Imposter grabbed onto her sides, yanked her off the ground, and plopped her in front of Diantha.
The girl stopped her yelping and flung herself around to get a good look at who had picked her up, deflating significantly when she saw whom it was.
"Oh, it's just you," she sighed, relieved. "Did you two want something from me?"
Diantha looked her up and down. "Imposter, her?" She giggled. "Well, I don't see why not, I guess - I really was hoping you'd say I could do it, though."
Serena looked around. "Do what?"
Diantha made strong eye contact with her. "Serena, the Kalos Pokémon League is in dire need of some rearranging," she explained. "You-know-who is finally going to get her what-for, and the Champion here decided you would make a good replacement. If you'd like to join the Elite Four, I think it's saying you're welcome to."
Serena gasped and faced Imposter. "The Elite Four!?" she repeated, "Me? I-I mean, I'm - flattered by your offer, but wow, the Elite Four..."
She lightly touched her chin in thought. I mean, I've always been aiming just a little higher, to be Champion. But I've been losing so often that you beat me to it, so now I'm not so sure it's gonna happen-"
She shook her head. "No, what am I saying? One day I will become Champion, but until then, I guess being on the Elite Four is the next best thing. If you'll have me, miss, I'll accept."
Diantha shook her head, amused. "Don't tell that to me, tell it to the Champion. I don't have that kind of say anymore."
Serena spun around. "Heh, yeah, I guess that's right. You're the Champion now. It's going to be so weird thinking of you as a superior, but.. I don't really have a choice right now, do I? Anyway, my answer is yeah. Sign me up for the Elite Four."
"Great." Diantha clasped her hands together. "See? We just did in five minutes what Calem couldn't do in five weeks. Well, there's still a lot of paperwork to take care of with something like this, but at least we're getting it done."
She sighed and shook her head. "Oh, it's just a petty little thing. Calem and I are old rivals from a few years ago. Until recently, I thought I'd beaten him for good when I defeated your father and became Champion first, but it wasn't the end for him. That whole time, he kept training to beat me, and I was so unprepared that I couldn't defend my title when he showed up that day. It's just a shame it happened so soon before the whole Team Flare incident."
"Well, at least the region's cleaned up nicely," Serena reminded her. "That's all behind us; we don't need to talk about it. Say, where is Calem anyway?"
Diantha craned her neck, scanning the area. "Right over there." She pointed. "Not far."
The three turned; there he was, seeming bored, apparently being chatted up by a confident-looking Shauna.
"So, you're a human, right?" she was inquiring, casually leaning against a lightpost.
"I am nineteen years old," was his only response.
"Oh."
Serena shook her head amusedly, clicking her tongue. "Yep, that's our Shauna."
Diantha snickered while Imposter stood in silent confusion. Some things it would never understand.
A shout directed the trainers' attention back to the nearby battle. Steven's Aggron was head-to-head with Vito's Shiftry, duking it out like it was the last battle of their lives. Serena, Diantha, and Imposter were mesmerized by their form, eyes immediately glued to the scene.
But Froakie, who was not a trainer, had something else in mind. "Hey, 'Pasta."
He was still nestled on its shoulder, so it only had to turn its head to make eye contact.
"So, I was jus' wondering... what now? You going to run the region or something, that what Old Lady Haircut was saying? 'Cause I don't think that's whatcha want, is it?"
"W-What?"
"I mean, this fancy title, this celebration - they ain't giving you all this for nothin', you know. She made it sound like you've got a lotta responsibility now. Do you want that?"
Imposter mulled it over. "I... was just doing this because everyone else was," it explained. "It just seemed expected. Not that I'd actually win, but... why wouldn't I want to? I love battling! And Champions do that all the time, right?"
"Well, you can talk it over with some of the others here, what they thought of it. I'm just looking out for ya. Just 'cause we've met a lot of people and some Pokémon who don't seem to like, well, a Pokémon being a trainer and all. I'm actually kinda worried for you. For your life."
This made Imposter's eyelids shoot up. "For my life? Froakie, I think you might be overreac-"
"I shouldn't have said that, okay?" he cut it off. "But it's already happened once. If there are more people like Lysandre out there... who knows. And, also, not to be this way but everyone you're leading now just saw you lose a battle. Which Champions aren't - supposed - to do. It's sending a bad message about your ability to protect them, you know?"
Imposter turned back to the battle, quickly thinking it over. "Well..." it started, "Yeah. I think you're right. Heh, I've got no idea what I'm doing here anyway."
It buried its face into one hand, concealing delirious laughter. Vito's Shifty fainted. Froakie frowned.
"But hey, you should still enjoy this too. It's all for you, ya know. What everyone was sayin' about you being impressive, I-"
He paused. "-I really think so, too. I dunno what it's like to be a Ditto. But assimilating into the culture of another species, well enough to become their Champion, I couldn't do that. I know I've said some nasty stuff to you, but don't take it ta heart. Yer something special."
Imposter gave him a sideways glance. "Thanks for that, Froakie," it said, genuine gratitude in its eyes. "Now I know it must be true. Coming from you."
They turned back to the battle. Aggron was long defeated, and replaced by Aerodactyl, against whom Swalot was putting up a good fight.
"'Pasta."
"Yeah?"
"Wasn't there that thing..?"
Thing? Oh-
Imposter shoved its hand into its pocket, where the paper remained sloppily folded. It had forgotten about that for a while. It subtly pulled it out.
It knew the message scrawled indecipherably across the slip in dark blue ink; it put those words there itself. Whether or not anyone else would know... that was the curious thing.
It sighed. No; it needed attention for this, and would wait until the battle was over. That was probably polite.
The opposing Metagross fainted!
Vito stood in awe, heart pounding, gripping his Poké Ball so tightly his knuckles turned white. The hot Kalos sun was not the only reason he was sweating. And there Steven was, bent over his last Pokémon, stroking it. So this was what he looked like when he lost.
The feelings bubbling up inside of Vito boiled over into his face, where a wild smile grew. Suddenly something like a Body Slam rammed into his side: it was his daughter, squeezing him in congratulations. He did it. He won. Against him. That had never happened before.
In exuberance, he picked up his girl by the sides and spun her around, then turned to his Darmanitan, who had landed the finishing blow. He affectionately ruffled the fur on his head in thanks.
"Well, you've done it, old man," Steven teased. "How does it feel?"
"How does it feel?" Vito repeated. "I've been training for thirty years for this day!"
Steven closed his eyes. "Well, I sure do hope it was worth it," he said. "Well-played, old friend. Sorry I'm not the Champion of Hoenn anymore, or else you'd really have all you wanted."
Vito shook his head. "No, no, this'll do just fine," he decided. "I've had five great years as Champ already, I have my family and my team, and with this victory... I couldn't ask for more. Thanks for being my opponent."
He turned to the side, snorted a little, and added under his breath, "...Steve."
Steven smirked, then shook his head. "And to think this all is possible because a Ditto became Champion of Kalos. What a world it is."
With this, attention shifted back to Imposter. Champion of Kalos... after Froakie's words, that phrase sounded more like a sentence than a title. Imposter shivered. It would figure something out; all would be fine in the end.
"I still can't believe it," Diantha admitted, incredulous. "A Pokémon, Champion."
"And of all the Pokémon, our very own Imposter!" Serena added. "Who would think?"
Nods came from everyone surrounding it. Now that Imposter had a better look, the group had a lot more people it recognized than it thought at first - Calem and Shauna had made their way over, as did Steven and Vito; Sina and Dexio had made an appearance, as well as Trevor and Tierno. Grace addressed it first. "What do you think of that, bud?"
Oh, Grace. The amount of support it got from her was unparalleled by anyone else, human or Pokémon. It loved her for that, like any child would love a parent.
"Ditto... Dit-Ditto-"
It stopped and sighed. Its tongue was alien to them anyway. But it really wanted to say this, so it would try again.
"Dit-Dit-"
No, that was stupid. No matter what it did, it could never be understood by them, not vocally.
"...itt..."
It hung its head. Sycamore raised an eyebrow. "Imposter, use your words."
That was what it was trying to do, and failing horribly. Unless he meant-
That was it. It shoved its hand into its pocket; the folded piece of paper! It had only jotted this down a while ago, but had already forgotten it.
Mouths formed inquisitive circles when their owners saw this. Like solving a puzzle, Imposter meticulously picked at each side until it was unfolded enough that the message was visible.
It then dropped the slip, in its clumsiness. No one was particularly surprised. It picked it up; then, realizing the paper was doing no good in its hands, handed it off to Sycamore. He was the only one who could read its scrawling, anyway.
"What is this?" he asked curiously, looking straight at the Ditto before gazing down at the paper. He smoothed it out in his hands and peered at the scratches, clearly hard at work determining the meaning. Those around him looked on too, in equal wonder.
"Oh," Sycamore said, indicating a breakthrough. "Imposter... my word, that is so sweet."
Variations of "What?" and "What does it say?" sounded throughout the group. Sycamore cleared his throat.
"I... It says, I think, 'thanks for letting me be like you'. Imposter, you came up with this all on your own?" He placed a hand gently on his chest. "I... don't know what to say. I know you meant it to all of us, but... woah."
Serena hummed; Diantha nodded; Vito crossed his arms and shifted his weight; Sina snickered; Trevor smiled fondly; Calem coughed; Grace teared up. Imposter looked down, blushing wildly.
It nodded. That was exactly what it wanted to say.
Calem was the one to step up first. "Hey, you can write? That seems like a pretty easy way out of the whole not being able to speak thing. Anyway, it's not like I had much of a choice. You could have been anyone, you know. You could have been Mom. Or your girlfriend here."
With that, he gestured to Shauna, who was looking very timid; being in the presence of two Imposters was apparently making her heart beat at double the speed of the one. "Oh, um, no, we-we're not... he's - the kid is a Pokémon, let's be real."
This was said mainly to Calem, in an attempt to shut him up. "Not that there's anything wrong with that-" she added, flustered. "Pokémon are cool! Awesome, even! But I'm not dating one, eheh."
Calem rolled his eyes. So Shauna went on. "Uh, well, I hope I made it - interesting for you. Or better in some way. I-I'm bad at this stuff, so I guess uh, if you're saying thank you, I'll say you're welcome, I think? Yeah, that's the polite thing to say, isn't it?"
General affirmation from the crowd followed, so Shauna nodded. "Well, you're welcome then, I guess. And congrats again."
"Yeah, g'job, man!" came Tierno's words of praise. "Boy, I was surprised, but I'm not really perceptive like that."
Trevor chuckled. "I am," he cut in. "And I didn't suspect a thing. A mastermind, you are. I mean that in a good way."
Imposter was sure he did. Eyes fell on Sycamore, whose turn was apparently now. "Well, what do I say here?" he asked awkwardly. "Other than I'm glad to have helped you in any way I could! And thanks for all you did to stop Team Flare. And sorry, on behalf of Lysandre. I'd never thought of him as the genocide type..."
"Well, all that is behind us now," Diantha repeated. "Hopefully we shouldn't have anything to worry about now. To many peaceful years here in Kalos!"
Yeahs rippled through the crowd. The next ones to step up were Imposter's acquaintances from Route Thirteen. Dexio was playfully (but forcefully) punching it in the arm, while Sina stood on the other side, administering a noogie. It hurt, but only for a second.
"You just keep doing what you're doing," Dexio said. He briefly lifted up his aviators, allowing the Ditto to see his eyes. "We'll be watching you the whole time."
"In a non-creepy way..." Sina specified, elbowing her partner ("Ow!") a little.
Then it was quiet; "Well, I suppose it's my turn now," Vito decided. "I can't say I know you quite as well as everyone else here, but I do think you're very interesting. And I think I like what you're doing. Look after the region for me, okay, Champ?"
Although unsure of how long it would be doing that, it nodded. While it was Champion, it would do that as best it could.
"So, Imposter."
The Ditto turned. Serena was strutting up very slowly, confidently.
"You've slowed me down my entire adventure. You broke my friend's heart. You made me lose a shiny white flower Flabébé when it disappeared into your bag. You stood there and did nothing while I saved your Froakie from Team Flare, after you neglected to watch him. You delayed my acquisition of the Mega Ring. You needed me to save you when you tried to help out at the Poké Ball factory. You pestered me with battles we both knew you weren't going to win. You stole all the glory of taking down Team Flare, and when I went back to help the hurt legendary Pokémon, you left me underground without a second thought. You're the reason a broken wrist kept me from challenging the Pokémon League for a month after I became eligible. You trapped me in my own house when I tried to go to Victory Road myself. You punched my beloved Chesnaught in the face. You swept the Elite Four, and the Champion, on your first try, after I had been attempting it for a whole week. When I had the chance to finally make a name for myself, to stop living only in my parents' glory, you took that away too. Yet..."
Now she was inches from Imposter's face. "Yet, I don't hate you. Not even a little bit. That type of behavior would be inexcusable for a human, but you had no clue what you were doing when you did all that. Just that you were able to be a trainer at all, and become one of us... you were also after a big dream. And I have to respect that. So good job; but don't expect to be Champion for long! When you're done, it's gonna be my turn to fulfill the ultimate dream!"
Using her splinted hand, she mirrored Dexio in playfully socking Imposter in the arm; she made sure not to hurt it, though. She tilted up the brim of her hat with a smile, added, "But you're not half bad," and sauntered away.
Imposter knew there was one person who had yet to speak, and why she was waiting to go last. This woman fumbled a bit with the jacket tied around her waist, and cleared her throat.
"It's... It's one thing to be a mother who can say her son is the Champion," Grace began, "and another to be a trainer who can say her Pokémon is the Champion. No one here... No one can know how proud I am to be both. I love both you and Calem so much, it's hard to believe you two are mine..." With her forearm, she wiped her eyes. "I do miss you two when you go out for so long, you know, but I understand; I used to travel as a trainer too, in my prime. Just, whatever it is you're doing out there, please keep good old Grace in your mind?"
A sympathetic smile grew over Imposter's face, the kind one gives when they are moved to speechlessness and the smile is the only thing they can muster. Calem stepped up from behind and placed a hand on his mother's shoulder, himself not being too shy to wipe away optical moisture with the other one.
"D-Ditto," Imposter replied. "Ditto."
Hardly a week later, Imposter was standing firm in its new home in the Pokémon League's Transform Chamber. Light purple curtains fell down from the ceiling, surrounding it in the familiar color of its species. It was tranquil here. It liked that.
It closed its eyes and breathed in deep. So this was what being a Champion was like... in times of peace, that was. It was rather lonely here, though. The only company standing Champions got in here were challengers wanting to battle or League members requesting help. And their Pokémon, of course, but trainers were discouraged from letting them roam the chamber unless in a battle.
Speaking of which...
Imposter yelped loudly when something heavy yet moist landed on its head, gripping onto its hat and hair for dear life. In its surprise the Ditto failed to recognize the blue arms before they clamped themselves over its eyes; their owner then slid down the back of its head, settling on its neck. Imposter was writhing in shock the whole time.
"Hey. Guess who?"
It only started to calm down at the sound of that voice. Heart gradually calming, it started to grin.
"Oh, come on, don't do that! You really got me! Where did you even come from?"
"Well, who am I first?"
"Fine, fine, I'll guess. Serena?"
"Don't flatter me, cousin."
"Shauna?"
"No, but I can see where you'd be confused."
"Hm... Limber?"
The voice inhaled as if about to speak again, when Imposter cut it off. "No, I know it's you, Froke. Could you get off of my head?"
"Say the magic word."
"The magic word is please, right?"
"Nope."
"Abra Kadabra? Alakazam?"
"C'mon, you know what it is."
Imposter sighed. "It's Sitrus, isn't it?"
"Heh. No, it was Starf, but that idea's okay too. Forget the magic word. Gimme a Sitrus Berry, and I'm out of your hair."
Imposter hummed. "You drive a hard bargain... but I appreciate the wordplay, so I'll stoop just this once. You're lucky I know where to find them without looking..."
As its hand exited the bag with the fruit, something else fell out and clattered to the ground. Froakie, needing his hands to accept the berry, lifted them off Imposter's eyes and allowed both to peer down at the object.
Froakie stuffed a bit of the berry in his mouth to free up his forelegs, and jumped down. They both recognized the object the second he turned it over.
The Poké Ball they received on Route Thirteen. It still had the signature of Vito Winstrate scrawled onto it, only the V and W immediately legible. Imposter furrowed its brow.
"Huh. How'd that get into my key items pocket?"
"You keep your Sitrus Berries in key items?"
"Isn't that where they go?"
Froakie shook his head and dropped the subject. Both gazed at the object in thought. "You know," Froakie started, seeming distracted.
"You know... I've been in a Ball before. It wasn't bad, I just didn't feel comfortable with you having it right after I met you; that's why I destroyed it."
Imposter eyed him suspiciously. "What - are you saying?"
"I'm sayin', you've become Champion without actually catching a single Pokémon. Is that something you wanted to do? 'Cause... being wild is fun and all, but this not evolving thing is really eating me up. If it's okay with you..."
He gingerly touched the Ball as if it contained everyone he ever loved. "...I think I'd like to go in here."
Imposter's eyes grew. "Oh."
It squatted down, and Froakie started munching his berry. "I mean, you do know how to catch a Pokémon, right?"
"Uh... I-I skipped through all the tutorials, so... no."
Froakie shook his head between subtle giggles. "Well, I was paying attention, so I can give it to you now, if you'd like. It's simple."
Imposter eyed him. "...Okay..."
Froakie nodded; "Good. Now, you can do this with any Pokémon, but in this case, I'm going to ask you to please... deform."
Unsure where Froakie was going with this, it was reluctant to do so, but trusted him well enough to go for it anyway. It shrugged its bag off, stepped out of its real clothes, and did so.
"Alright, now we're talking," Froakie said quietly. "What I bet you didn't know is that when you capture a Pokémon... you hafta battle it first!"
Imposter smirked. "A battle, you say?" Its body swished into the air, and by the time it landed, it was Froakie's identical copy. "I'm down."
"Alright!" Froakie raised a fist. "But before we begin, I have to warn you - if you knock me out completely, the Ball won't recognize me as a Pokémon, and won't take me. The trick is to get me down as far as possible before that happens... but we're friends, right, so feel free to go easy, lest I go full-force on you too!"
Imposter nodded. "Alright, I think I have it down. You just tell me when."
"To start? Now's good!"
That was not what Imposter meant, but it had to focus now.
A wild Froakie appeared!
Imposter had been Froakie before once or twice, but never actually battled using his body. This would be interesting.
The obvious move would be Hydro Pump: even though it was not very effective, it was still Froakie's strongest move and gained a boost through sharing its Type with the user. But Imposter changed its mind at the last second - Double Team, because it had a strong desire not to be hit with that kind of move.
It danced around the room - its room - copies of itself, and by extension of Froakie, flying around all sides of him. Imposter did not itself know, but it could not help guessing how disorienting that must have been for him. Good. That meant it was working.
It felt its back right foot getting wet - the Hydro Pump had just barely missed, and the Ditto frantically rolled forward to ensure the dodge. Satisfied with its odds now, it went for its own Hydro Pump.
This one hit, leaving Froakie panting on the ground. "Whew, that's strong..." he breathed. "Okay. This is working. We're good."
He pinpointed Imposter's location, sprinted up, leapt, and performed an expert Double Team of his own.
Imposter looked up and cracked its neck. Froakie was so nimble, so agile. It forgot for a minute about his superior jumping ability, but seeing him in action reminded the Ditto of its own acquired skills in that field.
Its legs were like springs, carrying it up a little past the halfway point to the ceiling. Bounce, what a move! It had no clue Froakie could go that high! In its extasy it hardly noticed that Froakie had followed it up, sailing past it, snickering smugly. He maneuvered himself in the air as gracefully as if he was swimming; they both knew he was showing off by now. He reached for Imposter and grabbed hold, placing both back feet upon its chest, and kicked off.
The wild Froakie used Smack Down!
While he was sent even higher into the air, Imposter was sent hurtling to the ground at breakneck speed.
It landed on its back; the fall was a hard one, but Pokémon were durable, and it was no exception. Wincing a bit, it scrambled to its feet. Froakie... was still up there.
Imposter finally saw him dangling from the transparent curtains flowing out from the ceiling. "'Pasta!" he was crying, "I messed up! This is too high for me! Quick, human up again and grab that Ball - this rag ain't so stable up here!"
Imposter processed these words as they came. It knew 'rag' was unnecessarily insulting to its lovely lavender curtains, but that mattered not right now. It shifted as quickly as it could while being thorough, and snatched the Ball from the ground.
"Okay! Now when I get close enough, I mean really close enough, you just throw the Ball at me. It needs to hit, or else this drop - could knock me out."
Imposter did not know what to say to that, so it said, "Okay, jump!"
"Alright, three - two - one!"
That he leapt at 'one' rather than 'go' gave Imposter some pause, but seeing its friend approaching the floor so rapidly snapped it out of it. It knew how to throw a Poké Ball, of course, but its aiming ability was certainly questionable. Froakie was relying on it, though. It had just the one shot at this. Thinking more clearly now, it jogged up to the point directly underneath him, waited just a second longer than it would have liked, and tossed up the contraption.
Froakie must have seen this, as he swam through the air toward it. The Ball's central button pressed in against his chest, and up it opened.
Imposter never expected to see Froakie, of all Pokémon, dematerialize into a Ball; but then, it never really expected to win the Pokémon League, and here it was. Froakie, in the Ball now, continued falling at a much more controlled pace.
Imposter raised its arms and caught it, then brought it down to eye level for sentimental contemplation.
In its hand, the Ball shook wildly, causing the Ditto drop it in shock. Was that supposed to happen - did that mean it was working, or was something wrong? It rocked again. Imposter bit its lip. A third wobble. A sensation of uncertainty fell over Imposter that filled its insides with dread.
Then the shaking stopped, and a clicking sound emanated from the Ball. The chamber was silent.
Gotcha!
The wild Froakie was caught!
Imposter released a breath it had not realized it was holding. Okay. It had just successfully became the first Pokémon to catch another as a trainer, its friend being the first to be caught by a Pokémon. Imposter was relatively certain of that, anyway.
It knew Froakie knew how to operate the Ball - as he said before, it was not his first time, and he even knew how to release a Pokémon. So if he wanted to, he could come out at any second. Not wanting to disturb him, Imposter decided just to wait until then. It started by changing back into its real clothes.
Not until Imposter could be caught boredly experimenting with the functions of the human tongue did Froakie choose to make his appearance. "Whoo, what a rush," he declared. "That was something, boy. Cozier than I remember. How long was I out?"
Imposter snapped to. "Um, I dunno. Not long. Ten minutes?"
"Ten minutes!" Froakie repeated. "I thought it was closer to three! Looks like I have to get used to how time goes by in there."
"Wanna know a secret?"
"What'sat?"
"You never get used to that."
The two laughed and laughed. Imposter was the one to continue first. "So I guess that means you're stuck with me."
Froakie quirked his head. "Huh?"
"Well, I'm your trainer now. That means we're attached at the hip, if you know what I mean. You can't just run away and live in the wild, if that's what you wanted when this all ends. I mean, I'm all for giving you your space, but... in the long run, I'm talking about."
Froakie nodded. "Dude, did you think I was just going to up and leave one day? I knew what I was doing, asking you to put me in a Ball. Been thinking it over for weeks. I think the bigger issue here is, you're now stuck with me!"
Imposter grinned. "We'll see who's stuck with who. Anyway, you wanted to evolve, right? All we need to do is get your level up once or twice. You ready for some training?"
Froakie looked at it skeptically. "I think you know how I'd rather go about that."
Imposter blushed. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"'Paaastaaa..."
"Uh, are you talking about noodles? I don't see any noodles!"
"Come on, don't tell me-"
"D-D-Don't tell me what?"
"Did you eat all the Rare Candies?"
"Wh- I-"
"You did, didn't you?"
"Th-There were only four..."
Froakie disappointedly shook his head. "Ffffine. But only because I would have done the same thing."
"Hey? That's not cool. I shared one with Limber, at least-"
"But not with me?"
"Limber is an important member of the team who needs the levels for the sake of battling better."
Froakie gazed at it flatly.
"...And it caught me doing it, so I had to in order to keep its mouth shut."
"That sounds about right." Froakie rocked back onto all fours. "Anyway, so what do you do in here now that you're Champion? Stand around waiting for challengers?"
"Pretty much, unless something interesting's happening. I think. I'm new at this."
One could almost hear Kricketot chirping in the following silence.
"That's - really it? That's what everyone's been after so much?"
"Well, I know Champions will travel around their regions at their leisure, when they aren't busy, but the League said they wanted me here for now. For the sake of safety, probably."
Froakie nodded. "It's - awfully quiet in here."
"Oh, dreadfully quiet." Imposter slouched. "I'm so glad you showed up. Not talking to anyone was getting to me, and my feet..."
It lifted one boot, and allowed it to start dripping purple ooze to the floor. "I've been standing for so long. I do like how peaceful it is here, but don't ya think they could afford a chair, or let us take out our Pokémon? It's kinda - boring."
Froakie shook his head. "You're so needy," he sarcastically observed. "Now be a good Champion and stand there like a statue without moving or speaking. Do it now."
This time, Imposter was at least able to make out the exaggeration in his words. It exhaled amusedly. "You always know what to say."
The two's conversation was cut short by a sound coming from the front of the room. A clicking; then the large circular elevator making up part of the floor began to fall.
Froakie and Imposter exchanged glances. That only ever happened when someone was coming. They gulped in simultaneous anxiety.
When it returned, the floating platform did in fact carry a human - a trainer, to boot. Imposter stood a bit taller. It knew very well what was about to happen.
"Hey. Long time no see," the challenger quipped. "Anyway, you know what I'm here for. Let's cut the words. Nothing personal... but I am going to be Champion no matter who stands in my way. I am going to win now."
A battle, then! Imposter fingered its Poké Balls, ready to start. "Ditto," it said through a determined smile.
"Hey, 'Pasta..."
It was Froakie. Imposter turned around. "Yeah?"
"...Good luck."
It smirked, and nodded. "I won't need it."
And that battle marked the end of the Pokémon's time as Champion.
~End of Part Ten~
Uughh is it over? It's over! Longest individual chapter I've ever written, capping off the longest story I've ever written, totaling up at over 117,000 words. What a crazy number. I am never writing a Pokémon battle again! Most likely.
(By the way, the challenger at the end is whoever you want it to be. Serena or Calem or anyone else you think should proceed Imposter - it's open for interpretation.)
And yep, there's the big mystery resolved. I think someone did guess Winstrate pretty early on, so good job to that person - everyone else, he's an NPC in the Hoenn games. Ace Trainer Vito, found in Victory Road. I've wanted to do something with him, ever since I realized he was the Winstrate brother who was talked up so much by his family. By the by, every Pokémon he has here he's used in one of the games, although his Alakazam was a Kadabra. (And everything that happened in this story isn't actually my headcanon for him, just an excuse to include him here... for fun, I guess.)
Anyway, thanks for reading! For anyone who reviewed, it wasn't a lot of you, but I appreciate your support especially. So, now I have a few things to say.
Remember when I said there was going to be a few extra things happening with this chapter? Well, for anyone who liked this pet project of mine enough to stick around to the end, or if anyone happens to be bored enough to care, here they are. The first is a link to the Google Doc containing my outline for anything and everything having to do with this story. It's a new thing I decided to do, and it's helped me out so much - so if you're interested in seeing a complete breakdown like that, or the extra tidbits of information/clearer explanations of things it has, or perhaps even my own snarky commentary on the events of the piece, you're welcome to it. Just remove all the spaces and fix the dot-com-slash thing, 'cause FFN hates links.
docs . google [dot-com-slash] document / d / 11TpioCaOdiSzaMOlHc59SgLw6kPnkQhM68HQ4JfoFGU / edit ? usp = sharing
The second thing is something I was a little more hesitant to put out, but have anyway - you see, I've been on kind of a drawing kick lately, and the amount of Imposter-related doodles and whatnot I've accumulated is somewhat embarrassing. They, as well as the concept art for Vito (and the redesigns for Sina and Dexio), are now on my previously-barren deviantart. My name there is theWGPM, can't miss it, for anyone in need of something to aim their eyes at now that this is finished. Just warning you, the art is bad! XD
Er, I think that's it. No pressure to see either or anything, just thought it might be nice. Anyway, yo! It's done! Now I can take a breather for... a week, before school starts. ^^'
Well, I can't say I know if or when I'm coming back here, so let me leave you with these words. Carpe Diem!
