Don't own Pokemon, and probably never will.
Champions
Prologue
Pokémon.
Hundreds of years ago, this name didn't exist. No sane person would call the monsters that roamed the earth "pocket monsters". These were magnificent, terrifying beasts, some as small as a nail, others the size of mountain ranges, and all more powerful than a human. A Joltik could kill as easily as a Wailord could. Every single one was to be feared. It did not matter who you were or where you were, one false move around these creatures, and you were as good as gone.
So what changed?
Blastoise, I choose you!
Why is it that in the present, kids as young as ten years old could have their very own Pokémon, one that could easily kill their whole family? How did massive cities with towers that reach the heavens arise from the hunting and mating grounds of these very monsters? How did humans, with their extremely limited physical and mental capabilities, become the dominant species on a planet that contained creatures that could be considered god-like?
Was it because of trainers?
Let's go, Dragonite!
As if. The average trainer in today's world wouldn't even stand a chance against most feral Pokémon. They'd be torn to shreds, poisoned, burned, drowned, before they even had the chance to turn tail and run. The only reason that trainer mortality rates are closer to 1 percent than 100 is because most aren't stupid enough to venture deep into Pokémon territory and tend to stick to established routes patrolled by Rangers and other trainers sent by the government.
Then what about Rangers?
Here's my partner, Metagross!
While most Rangers are definitely more capable than the average trainer, even they don't stand a chance against large packs of Pokémon. A group of them might be able to defend against a dangerous flock or herd, but if the group is too large or too powerful, then they must retreat. However this begs a serious question: How do cities prevent large groups of Pokémon from just trampling and leveling the whole thing? Many Pokémon have been traveling the same paths for generations, so if a city stands in their way, couldn't a large enough group just plow through?
The answer is quite simple: Gym leaders.
The gap between Gym leaders and trainers is less of a gap and more of a chasm. While a region usually contains hundreds of thousands, if not millions of trainers, most regions only have 8 Gym leaders. Eight of the strongest, most elite and versatile trainers that a region has to offer, each of which in charge of cities that contain tens of thousands. Don't be mistaken; they are truly the ones responsible for their city. The mayor is just a figurehead, he or she cannot and will not protect the city in times of crisis. Only a leader, with true monsters under their control, can defend such a massive area. Each one has fought hundreds of battles, experiencing and learning more than most people's lifetimes a hundred times over. Yet, each year, they are beaten by trainers, both old and new alike, testing their skills against some of the best in the world. Obviously the Gym leaders don't use their actual teams; it would be an absolute slaughter each and every time if they did. Their aim is to teach, to educate the next generation so they can grow stronger, more experienced, more ready.
But even Gym leaders, the teachers of the next generation, aren't strong enough to protect humanity.
Garchomp, battle dance!
They are primarily restricted to their city, and since most primarily train one type of Pokémon, if they face off against numerous enemies that have type advantage against them, the battle becomes much harder, even for such seasoned veterans. And while they can handle most singular Pokémon with ease, there are some monsters that exist in this world that even they would not dare attack. So if even Gym leaders have their limitations, then who can surpass even them to defend humanity?
The trainer at the top will find out.
Now Bouffalant, let's go!
If a trainer can defeat all eight leaders of a region, they are ready for their ultimate goal: The Pokemon League Conference. A tournament where hundreds of the most battle hardened trainers in the world battle, each of which whom have already proven their strength by qualifying in the first place. Yet, by the end, only one will remain standing, one victor out of a sea containing hundreds. For many, reaching this point would be the peak of their life. They had overcome Gym leader after Gym leader, hardened trainer after hardened trainer, all to reach the top and to stand as strongest of them all. But for those truly trying to reach the top, their journey is just beginning.
The Elite Four.
Four absolute monsters, in every sense of the word, that make Gym leaders look like your average Skitty lady. These trainers, with their full teams, could wipe out an entire region if they were inclined to do so. While every year they get challenged by the winner of the League Conference, a person who had proven himself to be above the rest of the competition, the League victor almost always loses. But it usually isn't a close loss like most battles are. No, it's a complete an utter decimation. Half a decade could pass before an Elite Four member finally has to recall a Pokémon, and even then, the times where a single member loses is few and far between. However, even these absolute demons on the battlefield can get beaten thoroughly, especially if one has Legends or Mythicals at their disposal. These times are extremely scarce though, as the last time a Legend showed up in any Pokémon League was 15 years ago when a trainer with an Entei stormed through the Kanto League Conference and thoroughly defeated both Lorelei and Bruno before eventually succumbing to Agatha's vicious Ghosts. However, this spectacular performance that has since yet been replicated did show something crucial: the Elite 4 were not immortal. Even though they seemed closer to Gods than actual people, they were beatable. And so, each year without fail they get challenged again and again. But if individuals as powerful as these Elites could be beaten, even though the requirements of doing so were momentous to say the least, then surely civilization would have been destroyed by a random Legend at some point. Yet, here human society is, thriving more than ever. So, why?
Go, Gardevoir!
If the Legends and Mythicals are the pinnacles of the monsters that roam alongside humans, then humans have their own, equal pinnacle.
Individuals with might comparable to even the very creatures that were so awe-inspiring, so breathtakingly strong that their might was passed down from generation to generation, eventually becoming legend.
They single-handedly are able to protect the lives of millions, as even the most fearsome threats from both Pokémon and human alike are struck in fear from the very thought of having to face them.
They are the sole reason why humanity hasn't just survived, but prospered.
...!
They are the Champions.
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"WAHAHAHAHAHAHA LANCE YOU DUMBASS! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FALL FOR THAT! IT'S A GODDAMN WHOOPEE CUSHION! OLDEST TRICK IN THE BOOK YOU OLD FART!"
"...Blue I swear if you pull one more of these pranks on me I'm going to take back Kanto's championship spot myself."
"Oi, at least he didn't do what he did to Steven. Look at him! The poor man's traumatized for life. I mean, Hoenn is pretty damn far from Unova, but I feel so bad for him that I'll visit a few times just to comfort him."
"ThebeefthebeefthebeefbeefbeefITSALIVE! ITS ALIVEEEEEEE!"
"Oh come you got to admit disguising a Ditto as a steak and having him eat it was fookin genius. If Red were here even he'd be impressed. Gotta be top 10 all time."
"...On second thought, you can keep that championship spot. Please stay at least 6 feet away from me at all times."
"Boys, am I right?"
"Yep, boys indeed. Also Diantha please please please go shopping with me tomorrow. I really need new clothes."
"...Cynthia, we went two weeks ago. You bought 6 dresses and 10 shirts."
"...I might of accidentally let out Gastradon on top of the pile."
...These are the Champions.