The Champion's Box was filled with celebrating faces. Addison was blowing kisses down towards Ryan from the window. Mark and Lizzie high fived one another to commemorate Ryan's impressive victory over Cameron. Piper had flung herself into Chris and embraced him, before realizing what she had done and quickly pulled away from him, accusing him of being the one to initiate their hug. Julia held her hand to her mouth in joy as she realized that Ryan had reached his dream. It was all going perfectly.
She looked towards Michael, but he seemed to be the only one not smiling. He was deep in thought as he watched Cameron depart from the arena. She reached for his hand to talk to him. "Are you okay, Mike?"
Michael nodded. "Yup."
"But you don't look like you are" she told him.
Michael sighed. "There's no putting this off anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Ryan's made it farther than I think anyone thought he would" Michael told his wife, squeezing her hand tenderly. "All of it to get up to me in the Title Match." The Champion took a deep breath. "And he's ready for me." Michael kissed her hand before rising to his feet and quietly exiting the room. Julia watched as Michael left them all behind, her heart still wondering if this was the right thing for them to do.
No. This is something that needs to happen. For the both of us. She held her hands to her belly and beamed. Well, the three of us.
{Meanwhile}
Michael descended the steps that led to the Champion's Box and stopped at the foot of the staircase when he saw Cameron standing there and waiting for him. Michael nodded to her. When she didn't talk to him at first, Michael sighed to himself. I guess some defeats are easier to swallow than others.
"There's refreshments upstairs if you want, Cam" Michael told her.
Cam shook her head. "That's not what I want." She seemed to be keeping herself from crying.
"What is it then?"
Cameron pointed towards the arena floor. "Don't you have a match, Mike?"
"I'll get to it when I know what's up with you, Cam" Michael told her.
Cameron took a deep breath. "I don't want it to end like this."
Michael put his hands on her shoulders. "Hey. It's going to be okay."
Cameron, the toughest girl he'd ever known, looked up to him like she had when she was a little girl. "Is there any chance you guys could stick around?"
Michael laughed sadly. "Nothing lasts forever, Cam."
She flung herself into his arms. "I'm gonna miss you, Mike."
Michael hugged his cousin. "I'm gonna miss you too, Cam. But we'll be back. I promise you."
Cameron nodded and let go of her cousin, doing her best to make herself into the tough woman she had always been. "Make him earn it."
"I don't throw matches, Cam" Michael assured her. "Surely you of all people would know that." After getting this confirmation from him, Cameron hurried up the steps as Michael proceeded down towards the entrance to the Colosseum.
{Some Time Later}
Ryan returned to the Arena Floor, a nerve inside his stomach pinching him on the inside. Though this was the moment he had been dreaming of since he was a little boy, he felt completely unprepared for it. Michael was the strongest Pokémon Trainer in their part of the world. He had been the idol of thousands of little kids, including himself and Addison. He had stopped Giselle when she was a villain and had singlehandedly stood between Elezar's forces and the people of Arcana. But his cousin was content to pass the torch of leadership onto somebody. Many had believed it was to be Cameron, but now it seemed the burden was going to fall on him, as he had overcome his cousin by the edge of a knife in their match only a few moments ago.
He could feel his limbs shaking and every single slight breeze of wind felt as if it were a wicked hurricane whipping and lashing at his face. He tried to reach for one of the Poké Balls on his belt, but this only made his nerves feel even worse. No matter how he brought it up to himself, he was incredibly nervous. Even if the ending of the match wouldn't change anything between them, he couldn't help but feel as if all of this was happening too fast for him to process and control. He looked towards the Champion's Box, but couldn't see anyone looking down on him thanks to the reflections of the sun that hung above them.
The sun faded out of view for a second, as a shadow soared above the Colosseum. Ryan watched as his cousin arrived on the battlefield on the back of his trusted Dragonite. As Rhaegar landed on the Arena Floor, the entire stadium exploded in cheers and applause. The Dragonite let out a roar that many in the stands tried to echo as Michael climbed off of his trusted Dragon's back. Michael and his Dragonite waved to the thousands of spectators and even more who were watching at home on their televisions, before Michael recalled his Dragonite and made his way to the center of the ring. Ryan nervously did the same as he made his way to his cousin's side.
It didn't take long for Michael to realize something was wrong with the boy. "You okay, Ry?"
Ryan squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm sorry-but I don't think I can do this."
"Hmmm?"
"I don't think I can go through with this" Ryan explained. "My insides feel like jelly."
Michael laughed. "There's nothing to worry about, Ryan."
"Mike..." Ryan tried to continue, but he was too jittery to continue.
Michael put his hand on the boy's shoulders. "Look. No matter what happens here, nothing will change between you and me. You're still family and one of my closest friends in the world. And nothing is going to change that." Sensing that the boy was still shaking too much, the Champion nodded sadly. "Even if you don't want to do this, how is this any more difficult than you taking on Mewtwo? If you lose here, there's always next year. And if you win, then you've already surpassed every trainer in Arcana in terms of power. There's nothing to be nervous about. Remember what I told you last night, Ry. Even when we're apart, so long as we keep each other in our hearts, there's no barrier in the world that can keep us apart."
Ryan took a deep breath. "Ye-yeah." The boy shook his head. "No chance! We're gonna end this!"
Michael nodded. "Good. The last thing either of us needs is for the other to hold back." Michael took a step backwards as the Referee approached the two of them.
"Alright boys" the Referee said to the two of them. "The same rules apply as they did in the previous round. Your Pokémon have each been randomly assigned a number and you will send them forward to win each round. The one at the end of six rounds with the most wins is going to be crowned the Pokémon League Champion. And should you two tie, the panel of judges will make the decision."
Michael nodded. "I understand."
"Me too" Ryan answered.
"Then break a leg out there, you two" the referee told them jokingly. "The whole world is watching." As he departed, Michael and Ryan made their way to their designated spots. The two listened as the fans continued to scream their names and chant for them.
"Ladies and Gentlemen" the announcer proclaimed over the loudspeakers. "Welcome to the Title Match of this year's Arcana Pokémon League Championship! After overcoming the forces of evil, darkness, Crimson Madness and over thirty other contestants, Ryan Kingston now stands alone as the winner of this year's tournament. But to claim the title of Champion for himself, he must tackle Arcana's finest. The most powerful Pokémon Trainer in our recent memory and the original scourge of darkness our region has loved these past ten years. To take up the mantle for himself and become Arcana's Pokémon League Champion, he must defeat the Heart of Arcana, the Titan of the Colosseum and the God of the Battle, Michael Kingston!"
The fans cheered for the two of them, with Ryan being able to hear the girls behind him screaming about how they loved him. He nervously beamed at the sound of that.
"As for our iconic hero" the Announcer continued, "this will be the final time he will take part in this Arcana Pokémon League Championship, as Michael will follow through with his plans to retire, regardless of this match's conclusion. After all he has done for us, I think we should give our Champion one last rousing applause before he gives us what we came here for!" Michael watched as the stadium all hailed him for his deeds. Ryan couldn't help but admire his cousin for all that he had accomplished since returning to set things right. And now, he had earned his retirement. He would be able to spend the rest of his days with Julia and their yet to be born child. Let Cameron and he keep Arcana safe. And if they ever needed him, they knew Michael would be there to fight for his home once more. Goodbye didn't always mean forever.
Michael waved to all of the people he could see in the stadium, before returning his focus onto the Title Match. He looked over towards Ryan. "Just so we're clear, I'm not going to go easy on you. If you want to become the Champion of Arcana, you're going to have to earn it, Ryan. You and your Pokémon."
Ryan nodded. "I'd be insulted if you went easy one me. Give me all you've got!"
"You'd better do the same, Ryan" Michael warned him. "Or else I'll knock you out before you can even get settled."
"Let the Number Randomizer select the Number to take place in the First Round of the Title Match!" the referee declared. The numbers spun around on a seemingly endless wheel before stopping on the Number 3. "Number Three! Let those selections fight in Round One."
Ryan looked through his tablet and found that his Number Three this time around would be Terra the Sandslash. At least this time he would have one of his hardest workers to battle in the first round. Not that Cora wasn't a hard worker, but the way Terra had nearly one upped Cameron's Salamence, it seemed as though Terra was more than capable of taking on whatever Michael had to offer in battle.
"Let the Title Match, BEGIN!" the referee shouted.
"Go! Terra!" From out of Ryan's Poké Ball appeared his Sandslash, who let out a growl in a vain attempt to come off as intimidating. As Terra tried to show himself off, he soon found out which of Michael's Pokémon he would be up against: Mufasa the Arcanine. The enormous canine Pokémon let out a fierce bark as he stomped his front paws into the ground and a wall of fire sprouted from his steps.
Before Ryan could even begin to strategize his first move, Michael made the first call. "Mufasa! Use Sunny Day!" His Arcanine caused the suns rays to intensify, perhaps even hotter than the rays that Cameron's Venusaur had been able to in the previous round. After that, Mufasa simply stared at Terra and awaited his opponent's next move.
Ryan looked to his Sandslash. "Burrow Underground!" The Sandslash did as his trainer bid and hid himself under the ground to stay out of the heat.
"Use Double Team!" Michael ordered. His Arcanine made duplicates of itself to protect from potential danger. Ryan was confused by his cousin's strategy. He had powered up his Fire Attacks with bringing out the power of the sun, but at the same time, he was taking a more defensive approach. Did Mike already know which of his Pokémon was coming in next? Or was he trying to force him into an attack?
What is he up to? Ryan rolled his eyes and decided to make for an attack. "Terra! Use Dig!" His Sandslash burrowed towards where Mufasa was standing, but to his surprise, Mufasa leaped out of the way and the attack missed by a country mile. When the Sandslash surfaced, he was confused as to how his attack had missed so easily. Terra spotted Mufasa standing in the distance, still glaring at him.
"Mufasa! Use Heat Wave!" His Arcanine let out a burst of flames, which seemed to dramatically increase the temperature of the arena. Ryan continued to wonder why his cousin was doing what he was doing, until he took a good look at his Pokémon. His Sandslash was breathing heavily, struggling to keep to his feet. Michael was purposely increasing the heat around the stadium to wear down his opponent.
That's...ingenious. This is why Michael has been unbeatable for so long. If he was going to beat the Champion and take up the crown for himself, he was going to have to rethink his strategy a bit more. And be far more ambitious than he had been so far. "Terra! Use Earthquake!" Terra took a deep breath and let out a massive earthquake, but Mufasa simply leaped high into the air and landed right in front of Terra, before using an ExtremeSpeed to knock Terra to the ground. The Sandslash seemed like it wanted to fight more, but he remained on his back until the intense heat from the suns rays finished him off and ended the first round almost as quickly as it started.
"The First Round will go to the Champion, Michael!" the referee declared.
Ryan recalled his Sandslash and watched as his cousin's score went up one. Michael wasn't kidding when he said he wasn't going to hold back against him. As Michael recalled his Arcanine, he remained locked on their match and waiting for the second round to begin as if the first had been much closer. He wasn't grandstanding or acting supremely full of himself, which was a good sign. No Champion should ever strut his stuff if he's capable of being dethroned. And Michael was the strongest trainer Ryan was sure he would ever face.
Ryan looked towards the scoreboard and saw the Number Randomizer selecting the next round's Pokémon. When it stopped on the Number 5, Ryan thumbed through his list and found his Pyroar would be next. Nice! Simba will be a huge asset to my team to help turn this match around! He took down Cameron's Lucario, so I'm sure he'll help me out here too! But the look he saw on his cousin's face only made him sweat more. Michael didn't seem fazed one way or another with who he had been paired for. Facing him was like nothing he had ever done before. And Michael seemed determined to test Ryan for all that he was worth.
"Go! Simba!" His Pyroar emerged from the Poké Ball and let out a magnificent roar before slamming his paws down as Mufasa had done in the first round. With the sun's rays still crashing down from the heavens. Simba would be just as strong as Mufasa had been, if not stronger. Ryan awaited his cousin's second round selection that had been chosen for him.
Michael lobbed his Poké Ball forward, which opened to reveal his scruffy looking Obstagoon, who growled at Simba as she emerged from the Poké Ball. The two Pokémon stared at one another as the tolls for the second round began.
"Simba! Use Hyper Voice!"
"Marnie! Use Throat Chop!"
Before Simba could even prepare to let out one of his customary roars, the Obstagoon ran low on the ground like a ninja before leaping towards the Pyroar's throat and chopping at it, preventing Simba from letting out his roar. Simba stumbled backwards from the blow, growling on the inside as he couldn't let out his roar. Marnie leaped back in front of Michael and awaited Simba's next move.
Ryan gulped. Michael seemed to have a counter for every one of his Pokémon. Mufasa's weather power and now his Obstagoon prevented Simba from using his Hyper Voice and Snarl attacks. Which left Ryan with only one move. To take advantage of his cousin's weather moves. "Simba! Use Flamethrower!" His Pyroar lunged forward and spat out a stream of fire on the Obstagoon. The Obstagoon was caught in the flames and tumbled backwards, but was not taken out by the blast. Though her fur was singed by Simba's attack, Marnie growled playfully after taking the blast.
"Marnie! Use Bulk Up!" The Obstagoon began to power up, increasing it's Attack Power as well as it's defense. Knowing all too well that his Obstagoon would soon overpower him in another few turns of this, he sent Simba out to finish the job.
"Go! Simba! Scorch him again!" Simba spat out another stream of flames, but Marnie managed to block the blast by simply barking at it and waving up her arms.
"Nice Obstruct, there" Michael told his Pokémon. Marnie nodded towards her trainer after she had prevented Simba's attack.
Ryan grunted and passed a glance towards Simba. His Pyroar looked back towards him and Ryan noticed the bruise Marnie had placed on his neck was fading. The young trainer looked towards his elder and grinned. "Simba! Use Hyper Voice!"
"You can't" Michael warned him. "Remember the Throat Chop?"
Ryan laughed. "You spent so much time defending yourself that you failed to realize the blow went away."
"Clever" Michael remarked.
Simba stepped forward and let out a magnificent roar that sent Marnie backwards and bouncing off the walls like a pinball, until she fainted, securing Ryan the victory in the second round and evening up the scores between them. Michael recalled his fainted Obstagoon as Ryan did so with his Pyroar as the scoreboard depicted the two of them even.
"Impressive" Michael told his cousin. "Marnie doesn't lose for me normally. But you've got what it takes to take on the rest of the guys on my team."
"I'm still wondering if you are, myself" Ryan joked.
Michael lowered his head and grinned. "You've got a long way to go before I'm through. Don't forget some of the my friends here are far more dangerous than anything you've faced so far."
"Bring it!" Ryan declared as the two cousins stared each other down while the Third Round loomed for the both of them.
{Meanwhile}
The Champion's Box was filled with intensity as they watched Ryan and Michael squaring off below them. Julia was the only one still sitting in her seat, as everyone else was at the window, watching as the two best trainers in the region squared off. She found herself unsure of how to feel about the showdown below them. While she was overjoyed at the idea of leaving Arcana to spend the rest of her days with the man she loved, she couldn't help but feel that Arcana was still their home. Taking Michael from their home and leaving it in the hands of someone else might be a mistake. Nevertheless, she was supporting her husband, no matter what choice he made. Soon, it would be the three of them, spending their days in Kalos and living as a family.
Those at the window were far from united in their opinions on the final match of the Arcana League Championships. On Ryan's side were Addison and Piper, who longed to see their boyfriend and friend become the newest Champion of the Region. They felt increasingly isolated, though, as the Elite Four was emphatically supportive of Michael. Mark and Lizzie seemed to be hoping that Michael would change his mind to revive some kind of relationship with his family, but Michael was adamant that he was leaving the Kingston way of life behind when he and Julia left, though he promised to return to the region one day. Chris and Cam simply wanted their cousin to win another term and then go out on his own terms. Cameron in particular was still a bit steamed that Ryan had managed to edge her out and was trying to will Michael to a victory. But so far, the two were seemingly even on all fronts. One of them would have to give up their edge at this point.
"This is anyone's game, now" Chris spoke up.
"Yeah" Mark agreed. "These two really seem to be in a different league than the rest of us."
"I'll break into that group" Cameron vowed, seemingly to herself. "I'll find a way to become the next Pokémon League Champion! I swear it!"
"Easy up on those vows, Cam" Piper told her. "You're starting to sound like Elezar."
Cameron sheepishly lowered her head. "I'm just annoyed that I lost by a sliver to Ryan and now he's the one challenging Michael instead of me!" She sighed. "This was my last chance to prove myself to him, and I choked it in the last two rounds."
"Mike won't be gone forever" Addison assured Cameron. "He promised Ryan he'd come back one day." She looked back towards Julia. "He did mean it, right?"
Julia laughed. "Of course he meant it. And I'll affirm it, too. We still have family here. We just want to have some more time to ourselves."
"You know what's confusing to me?" Lizzie asked the group. "It seems to me like the two are forcing the other to think on their feet. They're not making any mistakes. It's almost like they're encouraging each other to battle with everything they've got! It's astonishing to see how strong the bond between those two has become."
"Ryan's probably the only person in the family who hasn't ticked him off" Chris told her. "Besides me, of course."
"There's certainly some connection between the two" Piper commented. "That's kind of why I hope Ryan wins. He's been bred to become a Champion like Michael, thanks to all of our input in some way. It would almost be like we all were the Pokémon League Champions at the same time." She put her hand on the glass as she looked down at Michael. "But at the same time, Mikey has been here since I was a little girl. I don't want to see him go."
"You'll be talking to us every day" Julia reminded her cousin. "It's time for the torch to pass to someone else."
"And Mike is certainly making Ryan work for it" Mark told the group. "I honestly thought Ryan would have to win both of the first rounds to have an edge, because Michael's Pokémon are only going to get more powerful from here. Rhaegar and Koopa are lurking, but I'm not sure who he's gone to for his last two spots."
"He has hundreds of Pokémon" Lizzie responded. "It could be any."
"Man, you guys don't know Mike as well as I thought you would" Chris proclaimed.
"What's that mean?" Mark asked his compatriot.
Chris folded his arms. "Michael wants whoever is going to take over for him to be ready for the responsibility. He's not going to bring some humdrum Pokémon to use in battle. These are going to be his best. The most fearless and dangerous Pokémon he has at his disposal. I expect his Nidoking is going to be among them, just to ensure that he has some kind of wild card on his team. But his sixth? Oh, I know all too well who he's selected."
"Who?" Addison asked.
"Think of it this way. Lizzie used Jirachi. Mark used Mew. I used Manaphy. Cam used Victini. Who does that leave Michael using?"
"He still has Celebi?" Piper asked. "I thought he let Celebi go."
"Celebi chose to stay with Michael" Julia explained. "The two have been together for so long, I'd have been shocked if Celebi departed easily." She smiled sadly. "Celebi seems to be filling the void in his heart that Icarus left behind."
"Add Celebi to Rhaegar, Rhino and Koopa" Chris concluded, "and Michael is throwing everything he has at Ryan. For Ryan's sake, I hope he's prepared."
"He is" Addison promised the others. "I know he is." She looked down at the battle as the Number Randomizer began to wheel through the numbers. "And he's ready for this."
{Meanwhile}
While the Colosseum continued to erupt in applause, the Number Randomizer stopped on the Number 4. Michael and Ryan continued to thumb through their lists of Pokémon and each found which of their Pokémon would be going up against one another. Ryan couldn't help but grin at the sight of Achilles's name as it appeared on his tablet. Achilles was very much his most powerful Pokémon and the one besides Sparks that he had the closest bond with. And now, Achilles was going to fight to give him the chance to stun his cousin and take the lead.
Michael continued to simply stare at his Pokémon and continued to show no signs of emotion or fear, which deeply unnerved Ryan. How could his cousin be so calm when he was up in the most important match of the year? Perhaps it was that coolness that was what made Michael the perfect candidate to be the Pokémon League Champion. Ryan knew he would have to gain some of that confidence if he hoped to succeed his cousin as Champion. But more importantly, he needed to take the decided advantage here.
"Go! Achilles!" His Gallade emerged from his Poké Ball and made himself ready in a fighting stance.
"Go! Koopa!" Michael's colossal Blastoise came out and let out a growl, his water cannons emerging from his massive shell. Ryan knew now, why his cousin was so calm for this round. One of his ace Pokémon was now looming in this round. "If you're going to be the Champion one day, Ryan, then you're going to have to face the very best that I have to offer. And Koopa will help me do that!" He activated the Key Stone on his wrist and allowed his Blastoise to Mega Evolve into Mega Blastoise. Ryan had seen this Blastoise before, when Michael used it's power as well as the Crimson Fury to defeat Courtney in their battle with The Syndicate. But to be on it's side was one thing. Being against it was unnerving. The twin cannons had combined into one massive cannon in the center of it's shell. That, combined with a Blastoise's generally sturdy defenses, would mean that Achilles couldn't just outmuscle this opponent as he had in the past. They needed to think their way through here. Fortunately, Ryan and Achilles had been developing their bonds as Addison and Galatea had. This would be their key to facing Koopa.
Without needing a vocal command from his trainer, Achilles began to power himself up with Swords Dance. Koopa only watched as Achilles drastically increased his own power without seeming to be interested. Michael looked towards his Pokémon and nodded. Koopa, in turn, used Iron Defense on himself to match Achilles's attack increase with a mighty defense increase of his own. Ryan sighed. It became all too clear to him that Michael would match him on this front too. He had to take the chance and strike.
Seeming to forget his own strategy out of frustration, Ryan gave away his plan to all present. "Achilles! Use Leaf Blade!" Achilles rushed forward, with blades on his arm that began to shine with the power of nature.
"Koopa! Use Dark Pulse!" Koopa spat out a sphere of dark energy at Achilles, who cartwheeled out of the way of the blast and thrust his blades into the Blastoise, who in turn had turned his shell to meet the blows and the two clashed like warriors in a battle. Achilles leaped backwards as Koopa spun about to prepare himself for the next attack.
"Brace yourself, Achiiles!" Ryan warned his Pokémon.
"Hydro Pump!" The Blastoise fired one massive torrent of water at Achilles, who tried to guard himself from the blow. He took the fierce blast in the head, but he stood his ground and did not give an inch to his opponent. Achilles and Koopa glared at one another to prepare for the next bout of blows between the two of them.
Having taken a second to recover, Ryan thought up his plan of attack and relayed it to Achilles. Achilles charged furiously towards the Blastoise, once more attacking with a Leaf Blade. The Blastoise let out another Dark Pulse as if he knew what his trainer would have wanted, this time the blow staggered the Gallade and forced him back from attacking. While Achilles shook off the stunning blow, the Blastoise charged more power for another Hydro Pump.
"Koopa! Use Hydro Pump!" The Blastoise launched another huge geyser of water at Achilles. Ryan was going to try and convince his Pokémon to dodge the blow, but Achilles surprised everyone in the Colosseum when he made another Leaf Blade and sliced through the Hydro Pump, sending the streams of water smashing into the ground beside him.
The audience let out a combined gasp at Achilles bold move. While Ryan's Pokémon was shaking after smashing through the immense Water Attack, he still held his ground. Michael, if he was surprised by the resiliency of the Gallade, he didn't show it. He simply observed as both Pokémon, who were beginning to show signs of tire, were preparing for one last bout between the two.
"LEAF BLADE!"
"HYDRO PUMP!"
Achilles lunged for Koopa, who's torrent of water was already firing from it's cannon. The impact of the two Pokémon colliding with one another caused a seismic shockwave and the entire Colosseum shook. When the dust cleared, both the Blastoise and Achilles fell to their knees. Achilles retracted his blades and fell face down, which made Ryan fear that the battle was a loss, but Koopa also fell forward and collapsed. It was a Double KO, just like with in his match with his father.
"The Third Round will end in a stalemate" the Referee declared. "Therefore, no points will be awarded to either competitor."
Ryan and Michael both recalled their exhausted Pokémon, a newfound respect growing for their opponent. Ryan had always idolized his cousin, but now was the moment when he truly understood just what it was that made Michael such a strong trainer. It was the same thing that he felt was a strength he possessed: a strong bond with his Pokémon. While Michael was quite a remarkable strategic mind and a fierce competitor, he cared immeasurably for his Pokémon and they gave him their top effort as a result. Ryan wondered if he was as far off from Michael as he initially thought. Perhaps he was ready to take over for him. After all, halfway through the Title Match and the duo was deadlocked at 1 point each.
"Let the Number Randomizer select the next matchup!" The Wheel spun around until it stopped at the Number Two. With his options limited, Ryan thumbed through his lineup and wondered which of his Pokémon was attached to the Number Two. To his surprise, it was Cora the Kingdra. She had proven to be invaluable against Cameron, his father and Mark, but now he would need her to go head to head against whatever Michael found himself able to throw at her. But he was sure that no matter which Pokémon it would be, Cora would be prepared.
"Come on, Cora!" His Kingdra emerged from the Poké Ball and sprayed water all over her trainer happily. Ryan sighed and shook himself dry. "Thanks, Cora."
Michael found his own selection and grinned. "Looks like I'm going to be going all out for his round. Go! Celebi!"
"CELEBI?" Ryan cried out. The audience seemed just as surprised as he was.
From out of his cousin's Poké Ball appeared his cousin's faithful Mythical Pokémon ally, the sprite Celebi. Celebi floated about the Colosseum for a second until he realized exactly why he had been called out. Despite being used mostly to soothe the power of the Crimson Fury, Celebi made no qualms about being a battler and he was one of the best Pokémon out there. Celebi looked down at the Kingdra on Ryan's side of the field and waved happily.
"He may be cute" Michael cautioned his cousin, "but don't take his power for granted. Celebi! Use Nasty Plot!" The Celebi made a smarmy grin and let out a cheery yell. In a rush of energy, Ryan could tell that Celebi had just become immeasurably stronger. "Nasty Plot makes my Celebi's non-physical moves significantly stronger. And Celebi's aiming his power right at you, Ryan."
"Yeah, I figured" Ryan said, dejected. He hadn't counted on his cousin using Celebi in the Finals, let alone that he still had Celebi after his brand was removed. But it seemed, just like with the Elite Four, the bond that Michael had made with the Mythical Pokémon was strong enough that Celebi felt safe sticking around him. And so long as Celebi was by his side, Michael was certainly among the most powerful Pokémon Trainers in the world. He just wished that Celebi wouldn't be showing up here, when he least needed him to. Oh well, time to go to work. What Type is Celebi? He looks like a Fairy Type, but that doesn't seem right. If it can use Nasty Plot, it might be a Dark Type. Nah. It couldn't be. I don't think it would have been the one to help Mike if it was. Could it be a Grass Type? I don't think so. I've made Type mistakes before and I can't afford to make one here. I have to take a chance. Ryan looked towards his Kingdra. "We'll just have to outmuscle that thing. Use Dragon Dance!" Kingdra sped about in the air and increased her power.
Michael thought for a moment. "I think we're going to need to show this Kingdra just how strong we are. Celebi! Use Dazzling Gleam!"
"Dazzling what?" Ryan asked.
Celebi let out a smile as he fired a beam of energy directly at the Kingdra, which struck it hard in the head and caused Kingdra to spin about. Despite it being a peaceful and elegant blast, it had taken a colossal amount of health from Cora, who was heaving heavily after the onslaught.
"Dazzling Gleam is a Fairy Attack" Michael warned his cousin. "I have to cover all of my options, you know."
Ryan gulped. "Well, if you're not going to hold back, then neither should I!" Ryan pointed towards his fatigued Kingdra. "Go! Use Ice Beam!" The Kingdra spat out a beam of frozen energy directly at the Celebi, who was struck hard by the blast, but simply floated back to position as if it had merely bounced off of him. Ryan sighed. "Well, I know where this is going."
"It's going to give me the lead" Michael responded. "Celebi! Use Energy Ball!" Celebi gathered a small ball of green energy in his hands and let it out towards Cora, who could not have withstood the blow even if she wanted to. She simply fell over and Michael was up in their match, 2-1. Michael recalled his Celebi and studied his cousin. "If I win another round, this battle is over. You do know that, right?"
Ryan nodded as he brought back his fainted Kingdra, but did not look down about his situation. "But don't think I'm out of this match, just yet. I proved to Cameron that she shouldn't underestimate me. I'll do the same for you, if I have to."
Michael smiled. "I couldn't have asked for a better answer, kid."
{Meanwhile}
In the Champion's Box, now even Julia was up and watching the battles alongside her friends. The match was more even than even she could have imagined, yet now, one slip up from either of them could end the battle. She was gripped by the exciting bout going on beneath her, so much so that she forgot the worries she had bore earlier about leaving Arcana without a strong leadership. Now, with how Ryan had proven himself in this battle, she was sure that if he were to win, Arcana would be in good hands.
"It looks like this match is going to go down to the wire" Julia spoke up.
"This is incredible" Mark said in response. "It's almost as if they really are the same trainer down there. And to think, Ryan has gone up against Mega Evolutions and Mythical Pokémon with his team and come out over them. It's astonishing."
"He's a Kingston" Cameron told her friend. "What did you expect? It's in our genes."
Addison, however, was silent. She seemed to be reflecting on what Julia had been worried about earlier. "He's definitely strong, but I'm worried there are some things about battling that don't come instinctively. I really want Ryan to win and I still think he will, but Michael definitely has the edge."
"It's not just that" Lizzie added. "If Ryan's still running the same team as he was against Cameron, he's in trouble if Sparks matches up with Rhino. Michael's Nidoking has been known as the backbreaker of Champions."
Cameron nodded. "That Nidoking absolutely throttled my Lucario in our last match."
"Rhino has always been Michael's wild card" Julia recalled. "He can do anything Michael asks him to. He trains him different before every season."
"Which means he's adaptable" Mark explained to Addison. "He can be defensive, offensive, speed related, pretty much whatever Michael thinks his team could need."
"And then there's Rhaegar" Chris opined. "That Dragonite is a terror. Who knows if he might be the one in the next round."
"No matter who lines up for the next round" Lizzie concluded, "we have to hope for Ryan's sake that his Jolteon won't be matched up with that Nidoking."
Addison folded her hands and looked towards her boyfriend. "Then let's start hoping."
{Meanwhile}
The Number Randomizer on the Scoreboard above Ryan and Michael stopped spinning as it landed on the Number Six. Quickly, both trainers looked down at which of their Pokémon had been assigned the Number Six. Ryan was doing his best not to show any emotions to his cousin, trying to keep something of a Poker Face on. But Michael was seemingly intrigued by his next Pokémon, as if the battle's conclusion was already founded. Ryan gulped as he looked down at his tablet. He gasped. Marahute! She could be just what he needed to turn this match around.
"Ryan" Michael called to his cousin. "This has been one of the finest Battles I've ever been a part of. But I think we have to end this, right here and now." He looked down towards his Pokémon Ball. "And this guy might be the one to do it for me. Go! Rhino!" His Nidoking emerged from it's Pokémon Ball and let out a shrieking growl. The purple reptilian looking creature stomped around as if he was already in a rage.
Ryan took a deep breath. It's now or never. "Go! Marahute!" His Pidgeot flew into the air and let out a caw when she saw she was up against the Nidoking.
Michael nodded. "Good. I was hoping for a matchup like this."
"You were?" Ryan asked.
"Rhino could use some target practice" the Champion replied.
"Well, let's see how he likes this as a target!" Ryan declared defiantly. He activated the Key Stone on his wrist and Marahute Mega Evolved into Mega Pidgeot. The Rainbow Winged Pokemon flew in the air above Rhino.
"I think he likes it plenty" Michael responded. "Use Thunderbolt!" The Nidoking let out a bolt of electrical energy directly at Marahute, who instinctively let out a Whirlwind to wipe the Thunderbolt aside.
"I think I'd better see what your Nidoking is made of" Ryan told his cousin. "Marahute! Use Air Slash!" The Pidgeot let out a slicing force of winds at the Nidoking, who was cut up by the winds but barked angrily at Marahute as he was cut up a bit.
Michael looked towards his Nidoking. "Alright, let's try something else. How about Smack Down?"! The Nidoking leaped high into the air and slammed his fist into Marahute's gut and causing the Pidgeot to plummet out of the skies. As Marahute landed hard on the ground, Michael grinned. "Looks like you've lost your flight advantage!"
"Then I'll just have to gain a Ground Advantage!" Ryan countered. "Marahute! Use Hurricane!" Marahute launched a horrific wind storm directly at Rhino, who spat out an Ice Beam to freeze the winds and prevent him from taking anymore damage. Ryan suddenly got an idea. That's it! I have this match in the bag! All I have to do now is keep this thing firing at me until it does what I need it to!
"Rhino! Use Thunderbolt!" Michael demanded.
That's not the move I need. Nevertheless, Ryan had Marahute fly high into the skies and soaring out of the way of the Nidoking's electrical attack. He looked towards his opponent. "You're going to have to do better than that, Mike! Marahute! Use Air Slash!" The Marahute sent another terrifying wave of harsh winds at the Nidoking, who was once more slashed about like it was being attacked with a sword. The Nidoking angrily spat another Thunderbolt at Marahute, but the blow missed Marahute thanks to the winds she had created.
"Ugh" Michael scowled. "Impressive. Your Pidgeot knows what it's doing."
"I learned how to battle from someone really good, you know" Ryan laughed.
Michael folded his arms. "Interesting. I hope your mentor was strong enough to know how to beat all types."
"You bet he is" Ryan remarked. "And I know no matter how this battle ends, he's going to be proud of me for making it this far."
Michael laughed. "I know you're right. But I know that he wouldn't want to pass up on one last moment to shine for all his fans." He looked towards Rhino. "Let's finish this, Rhino! Freeze that Marahute in place with an Ice Beam!" The Nidoking spat a beam of frozen energy directly at Marahute, who looked back at her trainer and nodded, as if she somehow knew what her trainer wanted her to do. Marahute absorbed the fateful blast and collapsed to the Colosseum Floor. The Referee was about to declare the match in Michael's favor, but Marahute let out a low caw and stumbled back to her feet. Michael couldn't help but laugh. "I guess Marahute still has one last attack in her."
Ryan nodded. "And one's enough to send this to one last matchup!"
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Oh yeah!" Ryan declared. "Marahute! Use Mirror Move!"
Michael gasped. "What the-"
Marahute took a deep breath and spun around like a whirlwind, until he threw an Ice Beam directly at the Nidoking. With it's heightened Special Attack from Mega Evolving, the blow had more than enough power to strike him in the head and knock out the Nidoking, once more evening the score between the two of them. As the Nidoking collapsed in front of him, Michael was thoroughly speechless.
"I-I-"
Ryan folded his arms. "I know. I'm good. You don't have to say it."
The Referee, who had also been stunned by Ryan's move, finally came to declare the winner. "Round Five is rewarded to Ryan!"
When the scoreboard showed that the two were tied, the audience cheered for their hero as well as one final round of the Arcana Pokémon League. Ryan recalled Marahute and took a long sigh of relief. I've made it this far. No matter what happens from here, I know I've earned the right to be called Arcana's Champion. He looked over towards his cousin, who seemed deep in thought. "What's the matter, Mike? You okay?"
Michael seemed frozen in space as his Nidoking returned to it's Poké Ball. But after a tense moment of silence, he folded his arms and nodded. "I'm fine, Ryan. I just thought I would give you a minute."
"I don't need to catch my breath" Ryan insisted.
"Not for that" Michael responded. "But to soak this all in."
"Huh?"
"You belong here, Ryan" his cousin said respectfully. "You've fought with everything you have. You're already Arcana's Hero. Now, you're well on your way to becoming the Champion of Arcana. And I want you to truly enjoy this moment. I didn't get the chance to when I became Champion. But I want you to absorb it all. Take it in. Know that every single person in this Colosseum knows that you have what it takes to lead Arcana in the future."
Ryan was touched by Michael's words. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to" Michael answered. "You have what it takes, Ryan. You've raised your Pokémon well, you listened when Julia and I taught you, you were encouraged by Addison and Holly and you've tamed every last trainer that has come your way in this Tournament. You're even one step away from defeating me and taking up the mantle of Champion for yourself. No matter what you may have thought otherwise, you are a Champion, Ryan. You do belong here. And it was from the strength of your heart as well as your will."
The Referee looked to Michael, wondering if he was going to concede. "Mr. Michael?"
Michael waved him on and reached onto his belt. "Indeed, in all of Arcana, there's only one being you still have to prove things to. Because, as you're about to find out, he doesn't like to lose."
A single bell tolls on the loudspeakers for the Colosseum. The audience let's out a euphoric cheer on behalf of the the Pokémon they know is about to arrive on the scene. Michael's ace. His long standing companion and friend. The Pokémon who's been by his side the longest of any on his team besides Mufasa.
Ryan nodded. "I knew this was coming."
"Go! Rhaegar!" His Dragonite appeared out of a Pokémon Ball and let out a thunderous roar. Many in the audience tried to echo his roar as the Dragonite loomed on Michael's side of the field. Even when he was up against someone he knew he could trust, Ryan couldn't help but be intimidated by the sheer power emanating from Michael's supreme Pokémon.
"Well, it's a good thing I've got one of my best friends left to look out for me" Ryan responded as he reached for his last Poké Ball. "Go! Sparks!" His Jolteon emerged from the Poké Ball and let out a low growl as he saw exactly which of Michael's Pokémon he was matched up with. Ryan dared a glance back up towards the Champion's Box and could see, for at least a quick moment before the sun's rays took it, the picture of Addison waving him on and encouraging him. Michael nodded and looked towards his cousin. "You ready for this?"
Michael nodded. "Are you?"
"Let the Final Round of the Title Match...BEGIN!" the Referee declared as the lone bell tolled one last time for Rhaegar.
"Rhaegar! Flamethrower!"
"Sparks! Use Thunder Wave!"
The nimble Jolteon easily leaped out of the way of the Dragonite's Flamethrower and let out a weak electrical charged towards Rhaegar and paralyzed him. Dragonite let out a furious growl as he realized what he had fallen for. To the surprise of Ryan, he chewed on something in his mouth and the Paralysis ended.
"Lum Berries" Michael laughed. "Got to love them."
"Speak for yourself!" Ryan answered. "Sparks! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Rhaegar! Use Bulldoze!"
The two Pokémon lunged for each other, with Sparks charged with the power of Electricity and Rhaegar landing hard on the ground with the intent of barreling over the Jolteon. Both blows connected with their targets, but Rhaegar seemed to be trucking through the blow while he pummeled the Jolteon into the ground. The two Pokémon clashed on the ground in front of their trainers, with sparks and blows flying left and right.
"Sparks! Use Double Team!" Sparks created copies of itself, which would allow it avoid more of Rhaegar's attacks.
"I thought as much" Michael responded. "Rhaegar! Use Haze!" Rhaegar let out a mysterious substance into the air and the copies of the Jolteon evaporated into thin air. "No dodging your way out of this one, Ryan. You'll have to beat Rhaegar head on!"
Ryan sighed. "Fine by me! Sparks! Use Pin Misslie!" The Jolteon showered the Dragonite in spiny quills that forced Rhaegar backwards, but Sparks was already winded by the ruthless Bulldoze he had endured.
Rhaegar swiped at the quills and knocked them off his nose, growling menacingly at the Jolteon. He let out a healthy stream of fire at Sparks, who leaped out of the way, but stumbled to the ground as he managed to dodge the blow.
"Sparks!" Ryan called to his Pokémon. The Jolteon, sensing his trainer's distress, rose to his feet and let out a bark towards Rhaegar, before raining more Thunderbolts out of the sky towards the Dragonite. As the Dragonite tried to tank the Thunderbolts, he fell backwards and growled angrily at his trainer.
"What do you want me to do about it?" Michael laughed. "You've got to focus and not get so easily rattled!" The Dragonite shook his head to clear his mind before he went back to work. Michael rolled his eyes. "You are impossible sometimes, Rhaegar. Use Bulldoze!" The Dragonite let out a vicious roar and charged at the Jolteon and pummeled Sparks into the ground, all while showering Rhaegar in Thunderbolts. After his onslaught was completed, Sparks was nearly buried into the ground, but shot more quills at the Dragon and caused him to fly backwards.
"Good move, Sparks!" Ryan called to his friend. Sparks stumbled back to his feet and nodded.
"Rhaegar! Use Flamethrower!" The Dragonite let out a ceaseless stream of fire in the area of the Jolteon. To Ryan's surprise, Rhaegar had missed. Before he could say anything about the missing, he knew that Rhaegar had intentionally missed. The flames encircled the Jolteon, trapping it in the spot it had just crawled out of. With his Jolteon pinned, Ryan knew that the end of this battle was coming.
"You've put up a good fight" Michael told his cousin, "but Rhaegar doesn't like losing." He looked towards his Dragonite, who was heaving in exhaustion from all of the attacks that Sparks had unleashed on him. "And he's got quite a bit of endurance." Rhaegar let out a roar and began to float high into the air above the battleground. Sparks was incapable of dodging a blow from Rhaegar thanks to the flames around him.
"Here it comes, folks" the announcer cheered. "Rhaegar's Signature Move!"
Rhaegar continued to hover in the air, completely drained of energy himself, though with enough power to let out one final ferocious attack. Michael looked towards his Dragonite. "Let's end this, Rhaegar! Use Draco Meteor!" The Dragonite opened his mouth and a searing ball of blue and white energy flung from it's gaping mouth and collided with the ground where Sparks had been standing. The blow was so massive, Ryan was flung onto his backside, while Michael fell to his knees. A huge column of blue flames engulfed where Sparks was standing. After the Draco Meteor hit, Rhaegar fell out of the skies and landed hard on the ground, drained almost completely of energy.
Ryan pushed himself to his feet and cried out for his friend. "Sparks!" He was about to run out onto the field, but he was stopped by the Referee.
"You'll be disqualified if you take another step forward" he warned Ryan. "You must wait until the battle is over."
"Come on!" Ryan snapped. "That blast-"
"Mr. Kingston-" the referee cautioned, prompting Ryan to stand down.
Michael slowly made his way to his feet and looked down at Rhaegar. "How are you holding up?" His Dragonite grumbled softly, seemingly about to double over and faint at a whim. The column of flames from the Draco Meteor finally began to die down to just cinders and ashes. It was taking all of the power of Ryan's self-control to keep him from rushing out to Sparks at this moment to tend to his friend. As the flames passed on and the smoke and debris from the blast cleared, Ryan looked desperately for his friend.
Michael looked over towards the where the blast had hit and folded his arms, awaiting the results of his attack. But when the smoke cleared and showed the sight of impact, he went as white as a ghost.
The audience let out a stunned gasp.
Ryan rubbed his eyes, but he still could not believe the sight that he now saw. Sparks was still standing.