The stadium fell silent as the last of the smoke from Rhaegar's ferocious Draco Meteor cleared. Everyone had anticipated this to be the final action of the battle and that Michael would have ended up victorious for yet another tournament. That even though he had proven himself against the likes of the Gym Leaders, the Elite Four and the Syndicate, the Champion would be too much for Ryan to overcome. And that while he would be Arcana's Hero now and forever, his turn would come at some day in the future. But here, at this moment, was the crescendo that all had been expecting to come years in the future. The moment for someone to, for the first recorded time in history, defeat Michael Kingston in a battle and take up his position as the Champion of the Arcana Pokémon League. And that moment was in twelve year old Ryan Kingston's hands. To not only win the title of Champion, but to upset the greatest trainer of his age in a pitched battle. All he would have to do is have his Jolteon declare an attack and he would win.
Sparks was smoldering from the attack that Rhaegar had launched on him, but the tenacious little Jolteon was still standing. His legs wobbled violently and he was breathing heavily, but Ryan's oldest Pokémon friend was still standing. And opposing him was a completely exhausted Dragonite. Rhaegar slumped onto his rear end, unable to even stand up to oppose the slightest bit of an attack from Sparks.
Ryan could not believe it. Is...is this really about to happen? He was one attack away from ending this battle with a victory. All of the hard work he had put into becoming the next Pokémon League Champion, from the moment he and his friends set out from Parlor Town, to his sealing of Mewtwo inside the Master Ball and ending the Syndicate's evil, was about to pay off. He was about to become the Pokémon League Champion. He looked to Sparks, who despite looking like he was about to fall over, was still standing and awaiting the next order from his trainer. But something inside of Ryan was causing him to hesitate. He looked towards his close friend and couldn't help but picture little Icarus, who had died after exerting all of his strength to protect his trainer. The Espeon's death had set Michael down a dark path that it took him fifteen years to recover from. He wasn't even born when his cousin's tumultuous journey had begun, but he felt that through his own experiences, he had felt the pain he had. And seeing his Jolteon, almost incapable of even standing on his own legs, only made Ryan afraid that he was going to follow on Michael's footsteps and sink into a darkness that would take him years to recover from.
If I attack, I can win, Ryan told himself. But if I push Sparks too far...I may never get to celebrate with him. This was the single toughest moment for Ryan since this tournament had started. If he sent Sparks forward and his Pokémon was never the same afterwards, could he forgive himself? On the other hand, if he gave up this chance to go for the win, would he forever be living in Michael's shadow, unable to remove the stigma of being forever second place to his older cousin. He looked towards the Pokémon that had fought for him and Addison during the Gyarados attack by Mt. Heatmor, who had protected him from Matthew's Flareon. who had helped him win Gym Badges against Tori, Erin, Shannon and Renee as well as staring down the mighty Kyogre without flinching and shook his head sadly. Sometimes, there's more important things than winning.
"Sparks" Ryan called to his Pokémon. "Come on back, buddy."
Michael was caught off guard by his cousin's move. "But Ryan..."
Ryan shook his head. "You know what it's like to lose someone you love, Mike. I don't think I'm strong enough to do that myself. If anything happened to Sparks because I overexerted him, I would never forgive myself." He gestured for Sparks to come back to him. "Come on, buddy. It's okay. You did your best."
"Ryan" Michael answered sadly. "You don't have to do this."
"I know" he told his cousin. "But if I push my Pokémon beyond what they're capable of doing, how am I any better than the Syndicate was?" When he noticed that Sparks wasn't moving, he whistled to his dear friend. "Come on, Sparks."
The Jolteon looked back towards his trainer and cocked his head to the side, as if he was confused by what Ryan was asking him to do. He let out a weak bark as his legs nearly gave out on him, but he remained still. He then dared a look at the exhausted Dragonite and looked as if he was ready to pounce on him.
"Come on, Sparks" Ryan said for a third time. Ryan was stunned when his Jolteon looked back at him and seemed to be winking at him. When the Jolteon returned his full attention towards Rhaegar, he began to spark with the power of Electricity. Sparks was channeling all of his inner strength to let out one final Thunderbolt at Rhaegar, but was struggling to gather the power to do so. Ryan was about to rush onto the field, but was again cautioned by the Referee to stand where he was until the battle was over. Ryan could only watch as his Jolteon continued to try and summon enough power to let out one last attack and win his trainer the title he had been dreaming of since boyhood.
Michael was silently watching as the Jolteon crackled with the smallest bits of electricity he had ever seen. He shot looks from Sparks towards Rhaegar, who was so exhausted, there was no chance that he could avoid the attack if Ryan got it off. Rhaegar wasn't even looking at Sparks while he rested, breathing so heavily he knew that his Dragonite would need at least a few days of rest before he could come out for another battle. There was nothing he could say or do to prevent what might come to pass. If that Jolteon of Ryan's launched a successful attack, it would be all over for him. But Sparks even seemed incapable of making the move, as it's eyes fluttered open like the lights inside a car with a failing battery. This attack, if launched, would take all of the energy the poor Jolteon had left.
Sparks crackled and surged with the last remnants of electricity he had in him. Ryan couldn't bear it anymore and reached for Sparks's Poké Ball to recall him. But as his index finger neared the button to recall him, Sparks shot a small jolt of electricity towards Rhaegar. The bolt seemed to do little damage to Rhaegar, but the blow was enough for the Dragonite's eyes to widen for a second, before falling over and fainting.
The entire Colosseum was in stunned silence. It even took the Referee a moment to officially declare the winner. "Rhaegar the Dragonite is unable to battle. The Winner is Ryan Kingston!"
The spectators were silent for a good long time after the Referee's declaration. Even the Announcer had been stunned into silence. From behind Ryan, he thought he could hear a faint and slow clapping from someone behind him. The near silent claps soon began to grow in size, from a polite applause to a frantic one. A dozen clappers soon became a hundred. A hundred became three hundred. Three hundred became three thousand. Three thousand became ten thousand. And within a few seconds, the entirety of Arcana Colosseum had completely erupted into cheers, applause and celebration.
Ryan's first instinct was to rush towards Sparks and offer the completely drained Pokémon a Hyper Potion, which he eagerly drank up. When the bottle was emptied, Sparks let out a happy bark and leaped into his trainer's arms. It didn't sink in for Ryan that he had just defeated Michael until Sparks had landed in his lap and licked his face. He did his best to hold Sparks without skewering himself. He could feel the well of tears of joy swelling inside of him bursting and he finally let it all out while Sparks continually licked his face.
Michael recalled his defeated Dragonite and slowly made his way towards his equally exhausted cousin. He knelt down to his side and smiled down on him. "Now, I think it's safe to say, you're the best in all of Arcana."
"RYAN!" a voice cheered for him. Ryan was barely able to push Sparks off of him in time before Tommy and Holly Queensbury fell onto him and hugged him. His two close friends were endlessly babbling at him, with Tommy recounting every moment of the match to him and Holly insisting that she knew that he was going all the way the moment he overcame his doubts and bested her in the first round.
"I knew you would do it, Ryan!" Holly proclaimed. "I knew it!"
"I'm friends with the Champion!" Tommy cheered as he pet the Jolteon.
"Can I get some room to breathe, please?" Ryan laughed as he tried to push the two off of him.
"Better get used to that" Michael cautioned. "Because you've got more people coming."
Holly took Ryan's hand and pulled him to his feet, only seconds before Chris descended on the boy and cheerfully messed up his cousin's hair. "Ha! Ha Ha! I knew it! I just knew it! I knew this little squirt had what it took!" He laughed as Ryan did his best to restore his head of hair back to what it had been and affixed his bandana atop his head. Chris put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Congratulations, buddy!"
"Thanks, Chris!" Ryan said, before he saw even more people coming for him. Mark and Lizzie both took turns to congratulate him and cheer that he had become the new Pokémon League Champion. After they had taken their shots, Giselle came by and surprised everyone by being the first person to kneel before the new Champion.
"A promise is a promise, Ryan Kingston" she responded politely. "Should you still need a trainer to fill out your Elite Four, I accept."
"How come she has a spot and not me?" Chris demanded jokingly.
"I thought you were hesitating" Ryan laughed.
"Aw, I can't hesitate when duty calls" he insisted. He followed in Giselle's footsteps and knelt before his cousin, causing the boy to blush nervously. "Just as I served under Mike, I'll continue to serve as one of your Elite Four, if you'll have me."
"Oh gosh, I-." Before Ryan could complete his answer, he was caught off guard by someone picking him up and giving him a wicked bear hug.
"That's my boy!" Robert cheered. "My son is the Pokémon League Champion!"
Before Ryan could free himself from his father's grasp and breathe, his mother came in front of him and showered her son in kisses, much to the young boy's embarrassment. "Mom! Come on! People are watching! Dad! I can't breathe!"
"I'm so proud of you, sweetie!" Alison cried out, ignoring her son's complaints. "You're the new Champion!"
Ryan sighed. "Thanks, Mom."
"My son, the Champion" Robert called. "I'm so proud of you, kiddo!"
As Robert finally dropped his son, Ryan spotted Cameron walking over to him, a solemn look on her face. The two stared at each other for a moment, before Cameron closed her eyes and fell to her knee in front of him. "If you'll have me, Champion, I'd like to continue to serve as I did beneath Michael. My team is yours, as are any bits of wisdom and counsel I might be able to give you."
Ryan nodded. "It would be my honor to have you by my side, Cam." He rushed over towards his cousin and hugged her. She laughed to herself before she hugged him back.
"Congrats, kiddo" she concluded as the two parted and she stepped aside.
The crowd of people surrounding him parted ways for the Queen of Arcana, Piper Pines. She curtsied politely in front of Ryan. "As the Queen of Arcana, it's my honor to congratulate you on being named the newest Champion of the Arcana Pokémon League, Ryan." She winked at the beaming boy in front of her. "And I look forward to working with you in the future." She leaned forward and kissed the boy on the cheek. "Congratulations, Ryan."
Ryan's throat became dry at the sight of the Queen in front of him. He was now on equal terms with Piper. "It's a pleasure, Your High-uh, I mean, Piper."
She nodded and stepped beside Chris as Julia walked past her. "Ryan, I don't know what I can say. I'm truly at a loss for words. You've done what I would have thought a few months ago would be impossible. Congratulations on being named the new Pokémon League Champion. And I'm more proud of you than you'll ever know. You and Sparks went from being two young and inexperienced little tykes all the way to succeed Michael."
Ryan raced for Julia and the two embraced. "I couldn't have done it without you, Julia. Thank you for everything."
The two came apart as Ryan spotted Addison racing towards him. Ryan caught Addison and spun around with her in his arms. He had barely put her down before she plastered a kiss on her boyfriend's face. When it ended, she clung to him happily. "You did it, Ry. You really did it! I always knew you would. You're really the best in Arcana!" She rested her head on his chest took a deep breath. "I'm the Champion's girlfriend!" She looked over Ryan's shoulder and stepped back when she saw someone approaching. Ryan turned to see the now dethroned Michael Kingston.
"If you don't mind, everyone" Michael told the group, "I need to take the new Champion for a moment. He'll be back in a moment." Michael used a Max Revive on his Dragonite and Rhaegar shook off his fatigue with relative ease. Before Ryan could wonder what his cousin's plan was, he put the boy on top of Rhaegar's back and climbed up behind him. Ryan was only barely able to recall Sparks in time before his cousin climbed up behind him.
"What's going on?" Ryan asked.
"You know where to go, Rhaegar" Michael called as Rhaegar took off like a rocket into the skies above Arcana Colosseum. The Dragonite continued to fly out of Arcana Colosseum until he landed in front of the Pokémon League HQ. After landing, Ryan and Michael climbed down off of his back and entered the League HQ. Ryan was doing his best to contain his excitement about what was to come. At the end of the League HQ hallway was an elevator that would lead to the second floor. When Ryan looked towards his cousin, Michael urged him forward.
"What is this?" Ryan asked.
"Something only Champion's get to do, Ryan" Michael told the boy. "Head inside. There's something I have to show you."
Ryan did as his cousin said the two entered the elevator. Ryan pressed the only button to go up to the second floor. Before the elevator would continue, a voice system started up. "Vocal Verification, please."
"Uh...Ryan Kingston?" Ryan said nervously.
"Is that how you want the system to recognize you?" Michael laughed.
"What was I supposed to say?" Ryan asked.
"Something heroic? You don't get to rerecord it when it recognizes you."
"Vocal Verification, please" the system repeated.
Ryan took a deep breath before the words came out of his mouth. "Ryan Kingston!" he proclaimed, with confidence.
"That's better" Michael said.
"Welcome, Ryan Kingston!" the voice proclaimed. With that, the elevator doors closed and the lift carried them up a floor.
"Now, the elevator will only recognize your voice" the former Champion explained.
"Until when?"
"Until the end of your reign" Michael answered. With that, the doors flung open and Ryan found himself being brought into a dark room, with the only parts with light being the elevator room and a weird healing machine on the other side of the room. He did notice eight holographic display machines that were flickering to life as the two entered the room, with four on each side of the room.
"What is this place?"
"The Hall of Champions. Only winners of The Arcana Pokémon League are even able to see this room." The first side of four holographic projectors began to activate and displayed an image of a portly and elderly man with thick glasses and a plaid-colored shirt. The three projectors beside him began to display his team of Pokémon, which included an Armaldo, a Manectric and a Samurott. After a few seconds, the images changed to reveal three additional Pokémon: a Talonflame, an Exeggutor and a Tyranitar.
Ryan nearly let out a squeak of shock. "Is-is that-"
"Grandpa" Michael answered his cousin, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Somehow, I think he's looking down happily, upon seeing you continuing on the real family legacy."
"The real legacy?"
Michael sighed. "What the Kingstons used to be best known for. Back before Grandpa died, being a Kingston meant more than just being a leader in politics and being wealth hoarders. We always fought for the people, to protect them from all kinds of trouble and danger. As a family, we lost our way after Grandpa died. I tried my best to follow what I hope Grandpa would have done, but I don't think I did a good job of succeeding him."
"Of course you did" Ryan told his cousin. "You're the best."
"Maybe I was a good champion" Michael continued, "but I don't think I was as good as Grandpa. But you, Ry? You've done so much for Arcana in only one year of being a Pokémon Trainer. I think it means you're going to be destined for greatness, more than you've already gotten." He gestured to the other side of the room, where the other holographic projectors shined with the images of Giselle and her team of Pokémon. Giselle's profile picture was of her from about fifteen years earlier, when she was a fourteen year old Syndicate Snatcher.
Ryan couldn't help but be mesmerized by her profile. When she was around Ryan's age, she was absolutely stunning. "Wow. I see what Julia meant."
"What do you mean?" Michael asked.
"She told me that she was jealous of Giselle because she was everything you ever wanted in a partner" Ryan revealed. "She was afraid that-"
"She had nothing to fear" Michael answered. "Giselle was-okay, she was stunning. When I was a kid, just getting a passing glance from her would have made me melt like butter. Kind of like how you are with a certain Queen of Arcana."
Ryan blushed. "Come on, Mike."
"Either way, I idolized her. But I never felt what I have with Julia in her. Giselle was gorgeous, but Julia was, is and will always be the only one for me. I meant what I said at our wedding about her. She saved me from the darkness in my heart." He tapped his cousin on the shoulders. "Perhaps, when you're older, maybe Addison will save you from some kind of darkness."
"I'd like to hope that darkness is gone forever" Ryan admitted.
"I wish it were true" Michael said sadly. "But so long as people seek power above all else, we'll still have evil to face in our lives."
"Then it's my job to clean it up" Ryan puffed out his chest. He looked in surprise and saw that their Grandfather's team was vanishing. "Hey! Grandpa's gone!"
"Oh, he'll be back" the former Champion promised. "It's just changing to another Champion. One I think you'll recognize."
Ryan watched as his Grandfather's profile shifted to that of Michael. His Pokemon also changed into the team that Michael had been best known for using: Rhaegar, Koopa, Rhino, Mufasa, Marnie and Celebi.
"If you ever need to see Grandpa, me or any other Champion, all you have to do is be in this room. All of the history of Arcana's Champions are here. Any one who has ever reigned as Champion will be pictured here. Be careful though, the further back you go, the more likely the holographic image will be more rendered and CGI like than the others." Michael then continued up towards the machine at the end of the room. "There's one thing we have to do before we leave. Come here, Ry."
Ryan followed his cousin and stood beside him as he introduced the machine. "This machine will signal the dawn of a new era in Arcana. Place your Pokemon inside the machine and press that button on the left side."
One by one, Arcana's newest Champion took the Poké Balls off of his belt and placed them in the machine. The first was the one containing his newest member, yet one of his most endearing. Ever since he had saved the Shiny Litleo cub from Hunter in the Arcana Safari Zone, Simba had become an invaluable member of his team. The Pyroar had come into his own against Billy and Jon, while also helping to protect Tommy and his friends as they fled from the ArcTV Studios and the Syndicate. And Simba had again proven himself against the Pokémon League's best. Without Simba, he couldn't have hoped to complete his journey.
Following Simba's Poké Ball came his Wonder Trade gift from the heavens, Cora the Kingdra. He always feared that trading the Cyndaquil Julia had given him would have come back to haunt him, but Cora also proved herself one of his fiercest and most powerful Pokémon. Though he wasn't a fan of being drenched by her every time he called her out, he knew that was the Kingdra line's way of showing their affection. And without Cora, he could not have hoped to help Michael defeat Courtney or even match up well against Mark's Goodra. He happily placed Cora's Poké Ball next to Simba's.
The third belonged to a Pokémon that had once been his and Addison's personal charge, Terra the Sandslash. He had hatched the small Ground Type Pokémon from an egg after an encounter with the Pokémon's mother and Lily and Lena, but it took a while before Terra was ready, as the newborn Pokémon enjoyed sleeping and eating above all else. But after training with Terra with Big Mike's help, his Sandshrew proved to be yet another fiercely loyal and powerful Pokémon, without whom he could not have hoped to protect the others from the Crimson Branded soldiers at Mewtwo's beck and call. And he could not have imagined his Sandslash not being on this journey with him.
The fourth belonged to the first Pokémon he ever caught: Marahute the Pidgeot. He had been with Marahute almost as long as he had with Sparks. She had been as big a part of his successes as any of the other team members, securing critical victories over Lily and Lena, Victor and even Michael's Nidoking. Her and her Mega Evolution had saved him and the others on many occasions and he knew that he could count on her for anything he could set his mind on. She was about as strong a member of a team as he could ever ask. He gently placed hers in the fourth slot below Simba's.
The fifth was his matching Pokémon with Addison: his Gallade named Achilles. The bond he formed with his Gallade proved to be immeasurably powerful, with the Pokémon capable of sensing what his trainer wanted him to do with a simple telepathic link. Achilles had done wonders for Ryan since he caught him as a Ralts outside of Kingston Castle. Had it not been for the relationship between Achilles and Addison's Gardevoir named Galatea, he might never have been able to break her free from Matthew's control. Achilles was arguably the closest bond he had with anyone of his team members and knows that the two of them were destined for heights that only Michael and Rhaegar had reached previously, together. Achilles's Pokémon Ball fit perfectly below Cora's and next to Marahute's.
The sixth and final Poké Ball belonged to his own Icarus. His best and closest Pokémon relation. His Eevee that Julia and Michael had given him had wormed his way into his heart on the first night they had together camped outside of Pocus Town. Ever since then, the two had become the best of friends, looking to each other in moments of worry and doubt. Sparks had saved his, Addy and Ralph's lives against the Gyarados by Mt. Heatmor, helped him defeat his Aunt Erin and Aunt Shannon and was the deciding factor between him becoming Champion and him going home as the runner up. Without Sparks, he would never have had the adventure he'd gone on. And it was a fateful encounter Ryan was sure he would never forget, so long as he still lived. He placed his Jolteon's Poké Ball into the machine and pressed the button. A blinding light shout out of the machine and momentarily stunned Ryan. When he had regained his eyesight, the machine was lighting up and let out a quick bell noise to signal that it's work was completed.
"And so ends the reign of Michael James Kingston" Michael said.
Ryan looked towards his cousin in confusion. "Mike?" He watched as Giselle's Profile and her Pokémon disappeared from the holographic displays on the right side of the chamber. The Pokémon Display screens filled with his own Pokémon. First came Simba, then Cora and then Terra. After that, their images exchanged with those of Marahute, Achilles and Sparks. And the fourth display shined with an image of himself. Ryan couldn't help but smile as he saw himself in his full splendor in the display.
"And so begins the reign of Ryan James Kingston" Michael concluded. "Congratulations, Kid."
Ryan was silent for a moment. "It's a little hard to swallow right now."
"It's going to be like that for a while" Michael cautioned. "That's what the offseason is for." He put his arm around Ryan's neck as he led the boy back towards the elevator. "If I had any advice to give, listen to Cameron. She may be plotting to take you down next season, but for now, you're going to need her to learn how things work. I was grooming her to take up after me, never imagining that someone else could rise up and take her place." The two entered the elevator as it descended.
"I'll be sure to remember that" Ryan told his cousin. "You know, Mike, I have an opening on my Elite Four. And I was wondering if-"
"I'll have to decline, Champ" Michael told the new Champion as the elevator doors opened. "Maybe someday, if I ever return to Arcana for good, I might take you up on that offer if it's still active. But until then, I have a family to raise and a wife I owe the rest of my life to."
"Where should I look to for my fourth member?" Ryan asked.
"You're really ignoring the rest of the family?" Michael asked, before breaking out in laughter. "Come on, Ry. That's a rookie mistake!" As the two made it outside of the Pokemon League HQ, Ryan found his Cousin picking him up and placing him on his shoulders. "But enough about that rookie stuff for now. I know you're going to do a great job, Ry. But for now, we have to celebrate."
"What did you have in mind?" Ryan asked as he clung on to his cousin like he used to as a toddler.
"You're the Champion, Ryan" Michael told him. "It's all your call."
"How about we go to Titanio Park?"
Michael nodded. "Alright. Let's go!" Ryan laughed as his cousin jogged while he carried him down the path of the Pokémon League HQ and back towards the Arcana Colosseum.
{Some Time Later}
For the remainder of that day, Ryan and his friends were in the massive Amusement Complex at Titanio Park. Ryan, Addison, the Queensburys, Jeremy Lockhart, Michael, Julia, Piper, Mark, Lizzie, Chris, Cameron and Giselle could be found at any of the particular entertainment sites within the massive Amusement Park that was celebrating the coming coronation of the next Pokémon League Champion. With only one night for all of them to enjoy each other's company left, they all agreed to make it count.
Upon arriving at the amusement park with all of his friends, Ryan set off to complete the Twelve Labors of Heracross, the twelve most thrilling rides in all of the park. Whoever completed them all in succession would win a special prize. Joined by Tommy, Holly and Addison, the quartet managed to tame nine of the rides as a group:
The Heracross Hammer, The Tauros Stampede, The Hitmontop Blitz, The Dodrio Run, The Sandaconda Way, The Octillery Throw, The Arcanan Scream Machine, Flight of the Zapdos and The Tangrowth Tango
They would have completed more as a quartet, but Holly ended up losing her lunch on the Tangrowth Tango and thus had to recuse herself from the rest of it. Addison elected to sit beside her, seemingly thankful to be out of the run of the intense rides. Despite this, Ryan and Tommy substituted in Jeremy and Chris in for their last few rides to win the challenge:
The Empoleon Ice Slide, the Salamence Swarm and the Rage of Heatran.
Tommy and Ryan were rewarded with special T-shirts commemorating their successful taming of the Twelve Labors, while also having the opportunity to have their names displayed in the Fireworks Bonanza that took place that night. After completing it, the two boys spent the next few moments with Holly and Addison getting sick into their own buckets.
In the thrilling Skill Games Alley, after he helped his friends complete the Twelve Labors, Chris joined up with his cousin, his sister and the Pines women to see how well they would perform and what they could all win. To the surprise of many there, after Piper had failed to win on the Archery Games, Chris took up the remainder of her game and hit three bullseyes in a row, winning Piper the best prize available: a Togepi Egg. Michael and Cameron challenged one another to their personal favorite: Whack a Trio. Despite both playing for seven consecutive rounds for playing even, Cameron finally came out on top in the last leg by hitting the last Dugtrio bumper that popped up, winning herself the Salamencite on display. Despite losing out on something else, Michael found nothing but happiness from his wife and the two disappeared to spend time with one another. To their surprise, Cameron had abandoned her brother to spend some time with Mark and Lizzie over by the Isle of Food (Court), which let Piper and Chris spend a decent amount of time together. Eventually, the four found themselves looking over the romantic Swanna Boat Rides. Chris and Piper jokingly dared the other to ride it, before Michael and Julia practically forced the two onto it. The young awkward adults went along through the ride, with romantic songs playing all the while.
As the sun began it's descent on their last day together, all of the friends decided to band together for one last ride: The All Star Go-Kart Course. Teams of Two linked together for the 5 Lap Race for First Place on the final race of the day. With everyone fighting over joining up with either Michael or Ryan, the two stunned everyone by claiming they would be racing as a team, forcing on many unexpected matchups. Lizzie, who admittedly didn't have the same drive to race as the others, watched on one of the bridges the karts would drive under as the teams gathered for their race:
Michael and Ryan
Julia and Addison
Holly and Jeremy
Tommy and Mark
Chris and Piper
Giselle and Cameron
The six raced as hard as they could, taking daring shortcuts and quick turns to deke out one another and see out of all six groups, which of them would come out on top. Despite gaining an early lead and holding it for the first lap, Jeremy was distracted by a kiss from Holly before he let Addison and Julia pass him and collided with the a jelly wall and spun out. Despite their defeat, the two simply shrugged it off and accepted finishing in last. Julia and Addison. with neither of them being as competitive as the others, were the only ones who never ended a single lap in first place and ultimately finished in fifth place. As they were the least compatible team of the two, Giselle and Cameron were unexpectedly finding themselves in first, until Mark and Tommy shocked them by skimming on their side, and crashing the two rivals into their spot. After the crash of Giselle and Cameron, Chris and Piper came up again and took the lead, but the two were neck and neck with Michael and Ryan. But to the shock of everyone, Tommy's relentless stomping on the gas managed to overwhelm the others and give him and Mark a much deserved victory, while Michael and Ryan finished in second and Piper and Chris ended in third.
{Some Time Later}
As the night skies darkened above Titanio Park, the groups made their way toward the Klingklang Wheel to watch the Fireworks Bonanza that Jon and Annie had orchestrated for the celebration. This time, Giselle sat out and parked herself on top of Mr. Mime's Fun House while the others saddled up into the Ferris Wheel into groups of three and two.
"Who's going to get paired off with who?" Julia asked.
"We can mix things up" Cameron suggested.
"How about a few groups of three?" Mark agreed with Cameron's idea.
Michael pulled Julia to his side. "I've got the only ride partner I need." He then kissed his wife on her cheek. "That is, if you'll have me."
"Now and always" Julia giggled.
"Get a room, you two" Lizzie joked. She then looked towards Mark and Cameron. "How about we band together to avoid the couples?"
"If I have to hear anymore from these lovestruck people" Cameron replied eagerly, "I might throw up. Count me in"
"I think Giselle's rubbing off on you, Cam" Ryan teased.
"Watch it" Cameron shot her cousin a glare. "You haven't been crowned yet."
Ryan shrunk away from his intimidating cousin until Addison wrapped her arm around him. "Don't let her scare you. You're the Champion, no matter what."
"Who says I'm scared?"
"Besides the puddle beneath your legs?" Chris laughed. He leaned down to his cousin's ear. "Relax. She's scared me my entire life and she's my sister."
After the ride had cleared of passengers, Cameron, Mark and Lizzie were the first to get into their Gondola and took off, with the second one coming down right behind them. Michael allowed his wife to pass him first and the couple took up the second Gondola. As they're ride took off, a third appeared right behind them. prompting Chris to make a realization.
"Those Sevipers!" he snapped.
"What is it?" Addison asked him.
The once fully bearded Elite Four Member turned towards the Queen beside him. "They're doing it again!"
Piper quickly counted the remaining people in the group and leaned down towards Tommy. "Hey Tommy, how would you like to ride with the Queen of Arcana?"
Tommy surprisingly turned down the Queen. "I want to ride with my Sister."
"Wow" Chris joked. "You got turned down by an eight year old." Piper flicked him in the nose at that response, though it was more playful than it had been previously between the two.
Holly was apoplectic. "Now Tommy, come on. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity." She seemed eager to have some alone time with Jeremy, but her little brother would no doubt sabotage that time they could spend together.
"I want to ride with you guys!" the boy insisted.
"Tommy-"
"Oh come on, Holly" Jeremy shrugged. "He's not going to interrupt anything."
"That's easy for you to think" she grumbled. "He's not your little brother."
"If it's that much of a worry to you, Holly" Ryan told his friend, "Tommy can ride with Addy and I."
"No, it's fine Ryan" Jeremy told him. "We're more than capable." Taking his girlfriend's hand, Jeremy led Holly and Tommy onto the Gondola, where they took off, with Holly bearing an increasingly bitter look on her face.
Piper and Chris looked towards one another, each sharing a look of contemplation, derision and a bit of excitement. "That's another one we owe them for" she told him.
Chris rolled his eyes. "Well, considering we want stability for our new Champion, we may as well play along with what Michael and Julia are scheming, or at least pretend to."
Realizing the flaring emotions on display, Addison stepped up. "How about we split up? I'll ride with Chris and Ryan and Piper can ride together?"
Piper smiled, but shook her head. "No thank you, Addy. One of the things you're going to have to learn about being a member of the Pokémon League is that there's a lot of political intrigue. Sometimes you win, most times you lose." As the next Gondola was readied for them, she wrapped her arm around her faux suitor. "Besides, it just means that's another one that the ex-Champion and his wife owe me." The two then made their way onto the open Gondola, leaving Arcana's newest power couple for the last of them.
Ryan offered his arm to Addison. "M'lady?"
Addison eagerly took it and the two climbed into their Gondola and watched as the fireworks took off in the distance. She laughed to herself as they were raised higher and higher into the air.
"What's so funny?" Ryan asked her.
"What Piper said" Addison explained. "I'm officially a part of the Pokémon League, even if it's just through you."
Ryan put his arm around her as the fireworks shined in the distance. "Don't worry. I have a feeling that next season, you're going to be right up there with her in becoming the Queen of Arcana." He then took his own turn to laugh. "There's perks of dating the Champion, after all."
She shook her head and kissed his cheek. "Not a chance. You earned your title. Now, it will be my turn to earn my own." She tapped his chest where his heart was. "Then again, I might need a dashing young rogue who might be able to help me perfect my techniques. And Galatea could sure use one as well. I might have a spot for you in my routine, but only if you behave yourself. No more foolhardy stunts. At least without my consent."
Ryan nodded. "Agreed. We're in this together. For as long as we can be." The two then sat engrossed in each other's company as the fireworks blared in the distance.
{Meanwhile}
"Do you think we're doing the right thing?" Julia asked Michael as their Gondala made another trip around the skies of Titanio City on the Klingklang Wheel. "I want to spend as much time with you as possible, but is Arcana really ready for us to just up and depart like this?"
"Arcana is going to be in good hands, Jules" Michael assured her. "Ryan proved that, didn't he?"
"It's not just Ryan I worry about" she confided. "What about the Research Facility? I know Amanda is capable of a lot of things, but is she ready to be on her own?"
"Piper is going to be there to help her" Michael pointed out. "And I'm sure your Grandmother would be more than happy to finish up Amanda's teachings if she feels she needs it. But considering what you three did to help the family, I don't think she'll need it. Amanda is more than capable of doing things on her own."
"What about Piper?" Julia continued to worry. "This will be the first time since we went in search of you that she won't have either of us there with her."
"I thought that's why we were trying to get her and Chris together" he recalled.
"I just want Piper happy" she remarked.
"She will be happy" Michael promised her, putting his hand on top of hers. "Jules, it's going to be more than just the two of us soon. I love Piper more than almost anything, but I know she's perfectly capable of carrying on without you and me. And besides, we're only going to be a call away." He put his hand on her belly. "Any kicks yet?"
"Not for a few months" she promised her husband. "It's not an overnight process, you goof."
"It's a rest of our lives, process" Michael responded. "And I, for one, cannot wait to become a father."
She rested her head on his shoulder. "Someday, Mikey. Someday." The two looked out into the distance and noticed the Fireworks in the distance were spelling out something. "Looks like Jon has his A-Game on for this celebration."
The couple waited for what the words would spell out. When they played out in the air above them, Michael let out a single tear of unrelenting joy and kissed his wife. High above Titanio City in the blaring fireworks were spelled the words:
Thank You For Everything, Michael!
{Some Time Later}
As the late bells of night sounded in Titanio City, many in their group had left for their homes. Jeremy flew Holly and Tommy home on the backs of his Tropius, while Ryan and Addison took off back for Parlor Town and their homes. Outside the gates of Titanio Park, remained Michael, Julia, Piper, Mark, Cameron, Lizzie, Chris and Giselle. Giselle sat back from the rest of the group as her former adversaries warmly bid their farewells to one another.
Julia hugged both Mark and Lizzie at the same time. "I can never thank you two enough for all that you've done for Michael. I don't think he'd be back with us if he hadn't have met you two."
Mark shrugged it off. "No sweat. Mike's our friend. And so are you, Julia."
"You promise to call when you guys are settled in?" Lizzie asked Julia and Michael.
"You can count on it" Michael promised for the both of them. "And you let us know when you make it back to Mauville,"
"Deal" she responded happily. The two friends warmly embraced, before they gestured for Mark to enter. "Come on, you too."
Mark rolled his eyes and joined in on it. After the trio came apart, Michael felt a tear drop from his eye. "This isn't forever, you know."
"Not at all" Mark assured him. "I'll be sure to head to Kalos to make sure you don't get too soft in retirement. I do intend on beating you one of these days, Michael." He looked at the watch on his wrist and sighed. "Well, my plane leaves the airport in a couple of hours. Goodbye everyone. I'll miss all of you." With that, Mark climbed atop his Charizard and flew off for Titanio Airport.
Lizzie nodded. "My flight leaves in the morning. I'm afraid I'm going to miss you two leaving for Kalos. But I love you guys. And you're always welcome in Hoenn. Drop by anytime." She pulled out her Poké Ball containing her Salamence, clambered up his back and took off for Titanio Hotel to get some rest before her flight would depart in the morning. As she vanished into the chilly nighttime air, Michael turned to see Piper weeping by their side.
"What is it, Piper?" Michael asked her.
"You guys are really leaving" she said, almost choking on her own sorrow. "What am I going to do without you?"
Michael held out his arms to her. "Come here, you." She jumped into his arms. "Come on, Piper. You're going to do amazing things here in Arcana. I have no doubt in my mind. If I did, trust me, we wouldn't be leaving." He held the shaking Piper in his arms and then bent down and kissed her head. "You're a lot stronger than you think you are."
Piper shook her head. "Sometimes, I don't think I am." Nevertheless, she leaned up and kissed Michael on the cheek before turning towards her cousin and beginning to well up again. "And there's nothing I can do to make you guys stick around a bit longer?"
"I'm afraid not" Julia told her, a happy yet simultaneously sad look on her face. "But you know we're only a call away if you ever need us. And I know you'll be in Kalos for when you're going to become an Aunt." The two cousins, who had been closer than sisters their entire lives, ran into each other's arms and held onto one another for a long moment before kissing each other's cheek.
Michael, meanwhile, looked towards Chris and Cam. "You two...I could not have asked for better wingmen, friends, family, partners, whatever. Forget those words. You two are the best brother and sister I could have ever asked for. And I know that you'll be there for Ryan just like you were there for me when I needed you." He looked down towards Cameron first. "First or second. Your choice."
Cameron answered her own question by running forward and hugging Michael right then and there. "I promise you I will make you proud while you're gone, Michael."
Michael shook his head. "You already have, Cam. Never forget that." He then kissed her forehead as he did Piper, before pulling Chris into one of their big bear hugs. When the two pulled apart, Michael looked sternly at the boy who was practically his brother. "You'll look after them for me, right?"
"You know it, bud" Chris assured him.
"All three of them?"
"Naturally."
"You're the best brother a guy could ask for" Michael said as he wept and pulled Chris in for one last embrace. "I'm gonna miss you as my wingman."
"I'd miss me too" Chris said, weeping into his cousin's shirt. "I'm an interesting guy."
"The most interesting guy in the world" Michael laughed as the two pulled apart one last time.
Chris then turned towards Julia. "Take care of him for me."
Julia nodded. "Of course."
Cameron came up to her brother's side. "Me too. He means way too much to me."
Julia hugged the two happily. "You two have been two of my closest friends. I am so thankful for knowing you all. And I know that these friendships will last long beyond the boundaries of land and sea." She kissed Chris on his cheek and did the same to Cameron. "Thank you guys for being there for Mikey when I couldn't be." She then looked back to Chris one last time. "Would you be able to do me a favor, Chris?"
Chris sighed. "Everybody get's one, Jules." He walked over towards Piper. "Your Highness, I'll be your escort back to your Penthouse for the evening." Piper, too emotional to care if her face was reddening, took Chris's arm and the two made their way up the road towards the Titanio Hotel. As she watched her brother and Piper depart, Cameron climbed onto her Salamence and saluted both Michael and Julia, before taking off for the Pokémon League HQ.
"All of this lovey dovey nonsense is going to make me sick" Giselle remarked.
Julia paused when she realized her former nemesis was still here. "And why are you still here?"
"I asked her to stay for a moment" Michael told his wife. "Her and I have one last piece of unfinished business." He kissed Julia to soothe her concerns. "It'll only be a moment, Jules."
"Relax, Julia" Giselle folded her arms. "Married men aren't my type."
Julia nodded and called out her Altaria. "I'll see you at home, my love." With that, Julia climbed atop her Dragon's back and flew off towards their home one last time before they left tomorrow afternoon.
"What was it that you needed of me, oh former Champion?" Giselle mockingly saluted Michael.
"Ryan told me about what you said to him" Michael told his former foe. "About wanting to give me an honorable battle to prove that you're becoming a better person."
"If he wasn't the Champion" Giselle scowled, "I'd wring that kid's neck. I told him that in confidence."
"Battling me wouldn't change a thing between us, Giselle" Michael told her. "I know you changed. I hoped for it when I went to meet you before the battle with the Syndicate. But when I saw what you did for Ryan, I knew you really did have some good inside of you."
"What I did for the kid?"
"You saved my cousin's life" Michael reminded her. "During the fight with Hunter."
"I know I'd get blamed if the kid ended up dying" she lied.
"You've always been a terrible liar" Michael told her.
"Then I don't need to do a thing to prove myself?" Giselle asked him.
"Not exactly. I do have something I would like you to do for me."
"You may as well tell me" Giselle told him. "We don't have all night."
Michael took a deep breath. "Ryan means the world to me. I've watched that kid grow up from a timid little toddler into the Pokémon League Champion. Part of me looks at him like he's my son or my little brother. I never want him to go through any more nightmares like the Syndicate. He's been through enough in his life already." Michael put his hand on Giselle's shoulder. "Look after him for me. Please."
Giselle was shocked by Michael's sincerity. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
"What do you say, Giselle?"
She nodded. "You have my word. I'll look after him like you were still here."
Michael nodded. "Thank you. I knew I made the right call."
"I'll do it" Giselle reiterated, "on the condition that when you return to Arcana, I get that battle I still owe you."
Michael gave his former nemesis and flame a thumbs up. "You have my word, Giselle."