The elevator rises to the next floor. The hallway is longer than normal and each step increases my heartrate. Before entering the Champion's room, I recover my Pokemon and take a few moments to calm my nerves. But the rushing inside my body won't stop. So I walk in and the room is lit up with futuristic lights and the overall colors are black and grey. There in front of me stands the one who I can call friend, Cynthia.

"Uh, I made it." I said sheepishly.

"I told you we'd meet again." Cynthia said smiling.

"Yeah."

"Have you been keeping well?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Thank you for Mt. Coronet and the Distortion World. I'm truly grateful."

"No problem, I was just doing what needed to be done."

"I thought so. Together, you and your Pokemon overcame all the challenges you faced, however difficult. It means that you've triumphed over any personal weaknesses, too."

"Heh, I wouldn't say that but okay."

"From the first time we met, compared to now, you've gotten stronger. The power you learned...I can feel it emanating from you. But that's enough talk, let's get with why you're here. I, Cynthia, as the Pokemon League Champion accept your challenge!"

"Here we go…"

I didn't know what to expect so I send out Piplup as my first Pokemon. Cynthia's first of all Pokemon is Spiritomb. Immediately, Piplup and I freak out. This is the Pokemon that almost killed me! Piplup attacks relentlessly with Hydro Pump in hopes of knocking it out ASAP, but it's futile. Spiritomb uses Dark Pulse, sending a wave of dark aura towards us.

"Stop!" I yelled in pain. It seems the dark aura affected me too, but why? Could it be the trauma from before? "It hurts!" Cynthia felt bad seeing me like this, but the fight had to go on. Piplup fought for me and defeated the ghost Pokemon. "Are you okay?" she asked. I nodded. "I think so, this just hurts." Cynthia decided to halt the battle for a moment to find out what's wrong with me. She's so sweet!

"Where do you hurt?" she asked.

"Right here." I said pointing to my chest.

Cynthia didn't know what to do for that, other than to try and relax me. She held onto me in hopes of it making me feel better. "Thanks. This helped." I said smiling. With that, we return to the battle. Her next Pokemon is Roserade. I still think I have a chance so I keep Piplup in. Our foe uses Energy Ball knocking Piplup out. Well, that worked. I send out Staraptor and use Fly. When he lands, he scores! Cynthia's next Pokemon is Milotic so I switch out with Roserade.

"I like your taste in Pokemon!" she commented.

"Thanks!" I said smiling.

"Don't get cocky!"

Roserade uses Petal Dance while Milotic uses Ice Beam. Oh, duh! That's why I switched out with Roserade: to avoid that weakness but I couldn't. Whoops! Still, we hang in by a thread and in the end knock out Milotic. Next up is Togekiss so I switch out with Luxray. We attack with Spark, leaving our foe paralyzed. Still he manages to hit him with Aura Sphere. But we're not done yet! All it takes is one more Spark!

"Is that all you got?" I asked.

"Don't think you've won just yet, Lucario!"

Cynthia sends out Lucario and uses Extreme Speed. Barely in, Luxray uses Spark as one final attack before being knocked out. I send out Staraptor and use Close Combat. Thankfully that took care of him. Our Champion sends out her best Pokemon, Garchomp!

"I can't remember the last time I was put into a corner like this." she admitted.

"It's not over though, but no matter what happens, you will always be a Champion to me." I said.

"Thanks! Stay sharp my friend because the battle is still on!"

While Staraptor fights, I revive Piplup and switch out with him. He uses Ice Beam and somehow she's still in. "No, not yet! This battle is too much fun to end right now!" I'm sorry Cynthia, but it seems victory is mine. Garchomp comes in with the famous Giga Impact while Piplup uses Ice Beam. Our attack freezes the dragon and knocks her out.

"We...won?" I said in complete shock.

"Yes, just a few moments ago you were the strongest challenger. Now you are the strongest Trainer in Sinnoh. You're the new Champion!" Cynthia announced.

I was blown away, me the Champion?! Impossible! "I...don't know what to say." Cynthia smiled and walked towards me.

"You've defeated the entire Pokemon League. Now you're the new Champion." she said smiling.

"Yeah, but...I can't be the Champion." I confessed.

"What? Why?"

"I'm not from here! Besides, I want you to remain the Champion of Sinnoh. The only reason I came here was to see you. I fought my way here because I knew you'd be here waiting for me."

"Spoken like a true Pokemon Trainer. Rebekah, I thank you for always staying true. Still, I think it's only fair we register you and your Pokemon into the Hall of Fame."

"Sounds good to me. Will you remain the Champion?"

"Of course. Follow me."

Cynthia and I take the elevator up to the Hall of Fame. Walking on the red carpet to a hall of statues felt amazing. Beyond where I'm standing is the Hall of Fame. Suddenly, a familiar old man walks in to congratulate me on the last battle.

"Oh, hello, Professor Rowan." Cynthia said rather shocked.

"Hm. A child I enlisted for my Pokedex project has come this far. It's only natural that I come and witness the child's crowning glory."

"Uh, Professor Rowan, I may have won, but Cynthia will remain the Champion here." I informed.

"Oh is that so? Still, I feel that I shouldn't call you a child anymore. You have grown into a real Champion."

"Professor, you still enjoy the enthusiasm kids bring your research, don't you?"

It seems these two share quite a bond. Well, Cynthia did explore the Sinnoh region herself. The two take me into the Hall of Fame where a floating machine with six holes remains. I think that's where I register my Pokemon.

"It's been a long while since I last entered this room." Rowan said admiring his surroundings.

"If your last time here was when I became Champion, then yes, that would be quite a long time ago." Cynthia giggled.

"So Rowan was originally Champion?" I asked.

"Yes, Rebekah, welcome to the Hall of Fame."

I walk up to the machine and place my Pokeballs there. On a touch screen, I register my name and it takes a photo of me. Now that I'm registered in the Hall of Fame, it's time I head home. Twinleaf Town? No, Earth, silly! It's time I go to my REAL home! My job here is finished! Still, I feel as if I want to stay. Perhaps there IS unfinished business to take care of.

"Cynthia, thank you." I said giving her a hug.

"I should be thanking you for that battle. You've grown strong Rebekah, don't deny that."

"I'll do my best."

*flash*

It appears Rowan photographed this moment. He gives me the picture and thankfully my eyes were not closed. When I get to my home in Twinleaf Town, I'll frame it. A lot has happened up to this point and it seems there's still a lot more adventures to come. As the journey continues...