Enormous marble pillars flanked a staircase leading up the magnificent pyramid at the heart of the Pokémon League. The ceiling of the underground chamber was pitch black, save for an array of twinkling, moving lights to give off the impression of a luminescent night sky. At the top of the pyramid, just barely visible from the base, sat a throne: the seat where Unova's champion awaited her challenger.
For any other trainer, the dazzling display might leave them staring in awestruck wonder. But for Juan, it was a minor distraction from the monumental final challenge set before him. A challenge which he intended to overcome.
Unsurprisingly, Juan's first round match against Chyna had proven to be the most difficult battle of the entire tournament. Without his rival's uncanny knack for good fortune, every other battle had gone exactly as Juan had predicted, with an easy win on his part. After the pomp and circumstance of winning the Pokémon League Tournament, the upcoming trainer next had to face the Elite Four, which proved to be a much more substantial challenge; Juan had a particularly close battle of wits against Caitlin and her Pokémon's psychic abilities, but in the end the blue-haired boy prevailed. Juan Burgans always had a plan. His power of forethought was unmatched. He had gone toe-to-toe with the cool and calculated leader of Team Plasma. He had handily defeated the strongest trainers in the entire Unova region. With enough training and preparation, Juan could never lose. And his final battle would be no different.
Ascending to the flat top of the pyramid, Juan came face to face with the final obstacle in his path. Not much older than her 12-year-old challenger, Champion Iris's feet barely touched the ground while she sat on her throne. Juan couldn't tell which would swallow her first: the massive weave of hair on her head or the pink, ceremonial outfit, so fluffy that she could barely hold her arms at her sides. Despite appearances, Juan knew that the wannabe princess was an equally skilled prodigy and should never be underestimated.
"Welcome, challenger!" the Champion hopped off her throne as Juan took his position at the other end of the battlefield. "Those who make it here are Trainers who desire victory with every fiber of their being! Together with your Pokémon, there is no doubt that you have overcome countless battles, and today, one final test of your abilities remains! So, without further ado, I, Pokémon League Champion Iris, accept your challenge!" with one arm outstretched, Iris struck a pose, and her first Pokéball rolled from her sleeve into her hand.
"I accept your challenge," Juan automatically answered, remaining stone-faced during the entire formal spiel. Already, the chess pieces in his mind were being put into place. He was prepared to adapt to whatever was thrown at him. There was no doubt that he would win.
Before the match could start, however, Iris had one more thing to add.
"Hey Juan! Good luck!" she cheerfully called over and gave him a wink. "Let's make this fun, okay?" The friendly gesture from a cute girl made Juan's legs feel noticeably weaker.
"Uh…. R-right…" the preteen felt his face heat up. In his head, Juan scolded himself for losing focus, only adding to his self-consciousness and making his cheeks even redder. Iris giggled.
"C'mon, Juan! This is no time for love! Let's gooo!" Chyna hollered at the one-way window that provided a view to the champion's chamber. She sat among a select few League officials and those chosen by Juan to spectate the live match. Sitting next to her, Spade raised an eyebrow, whilst his camera was silently stolen by a certain Zoroark.
"You know he can't hear you, right?" he cautioned, but his words only encouraged Chyna to scream louder.
"GO JUAN!"
A hundred miles from the Pokémon League, the White Forest Pokémon Center was a hub of activity, having been converted to the base for the ongoing effort to save people from the formerly frozen Treehollow. Inside, several patients, nurses and employees were gathered around the lobby television that was currently displaying the championship battle. Behind them, a dark-haired volunteer stopped dead in his tracks.
"Hey, I know that kid," Seth, the ninja wannabe, mumbled to himself. He dropped his things and joined the others on the couch. Eyes glued to the TV, he eagerly nudged the nearest person with his elbow. "You know, I got to fight that guy in the Treehollow! And I almost won!"
In Castelia City, hundreds of people had packed into central square to view the final match of the Pokémon League on a giant projected screen. Among the crowd, Charles, Dent and Argent sat at a café table, eating their Casteliacones as they watched.
"Ten bucks says Juan wins," Dent offered, only to be scoffed at by Juan's old travelling companion.
"Psh, as if." Argent's dismissal received a glare from the other two.
"You know, the guy did kinda help save the entire region," Charles said pointedly. "The least you can do is wish your friend a bit of luck, for once."
Argent rolled her eyes, prompting the other two to shake their heads and leave the girl to her sulking. However, once their attention was turned away, the coldhearted girl mumbled a quick "Good luck, Juan," under her breath.
1,000 feet below the sea, Grey Gainsboro helmed a miniature submarine, barely large enough for himself and a small extraction crew. Every member of said crew, save for Grey, was currently gathered around a miniscule TV, which still inexplicably had a signal despite the depth.
"Mr. Gainsboro, the champion's battle is about to start. Want to come over and watch?" Grey's hands tightened around the controls in annoyance.
"Ha, as if I would waste my time on something so trivial," he said sourly, fully aware of who was challenging Champion Iris. Instead, he focused on maneuvering the sub through the submerged Plasma Frigate and toward Kyurem's chamber. "I have much more important things to attend to."
"Let the Full Battle between Champion Iris, and Juan Burgans of Striaton City, begin!"
"Hydreigon, let's go!"
"Scolipede."
The two towering monsters hit the field with a roar. Iris's three-headed dragon gave a menacing growl, exhaling smoke from all six of its nostrils. Its opponent screeched in reply, pawing the ground like a bull ready to charge. Juan's eyes narrowed, studying the matchup and preparing to enact his strategy. If all went well, it would be the first instance of a 6-0 win against the champion in League history.
With a single hand motion from its trainer, Scolipede was off. It raced toward Hydreigon with the force of a locomotive. Just before it could connect, however, the levitating dragon shot into the air, forcing Scolipede to stop in its tracks and skid to a halt at the edge of the battlefield. Juan watched closely, gauging the other Pokémon's agility and power.
"Fire Blast, Hydreigon!" The Dark type crossed its arms and launched a kanji-shaped fireball down at Juan's Pokémon.
"Dodge with Agility." Scolipede sprang to life and rocketed away from the incoming attack, letting it harmlessly scorch the stone ground. "Swords Dance." As the Bug type circled the perimeter of the field, its antennae clacked together, doubling Scolipede's attack.
Unperturbed, Iris pointed at the fast-moving centipede. "Focus, Hydreigon! Fire Blast, again!" The Brutal Pokémon fired off another attack, only for Scolipede to duck and run under its opponent, dodging it once again. With a roar of frustration, all three of Hydreigon's mouths shot a series of rapid-Fire Blasts in the direction of the Megapede. The insect zigzagged across the floor, letting each attack explode next to it in a plume of smoke. Soon, the air was so filled with smog that neither side could see whether or not Scolipede had been hit. Having finished its fiery volley, the Champion's Pokémon floated in the air, breathing heavily and trying to spot its adversary.
Without warning, Scolipede leapt out of the haze, antennae glowing with a Megahorn aimed directly between Hydreigon's wings. Unable to dodge in time, the Dark/Dragon type suffered a direct hit in the back. It howled in pain as Scolipede sent it tumbling across the ground. Eventually it rested at Iris's feet, knocked unconscious by the single hit.
Were it not for the soundproof glass, Juan would've heard a deafening shout of joy from his companions in the peanut gallery. They were joined by a general cry of astonishment across the Unova region, unused to seeing the challenger taking the lead without suffering a scratch. The only people who didn't look surprised by the events was Juan, relieved to see things go exactly as planned, and Iris, who couldn't be more excited to see her challenger succeed.
"That was fantastic!" the bushy-haired woman complimented, and Juan blushed in spite of himself. "I can see how you got through the League so easily. But don't think it's over yet, we're just getting started!" she wagged a finger at the boy and produced another Pokéball. "Aggron, you've got this!"
The metal-plated dinosaur materialized onto the floor, nearly cracking it in the process. Juan carefully considered his options. Should he put the final steps of his operation into motion, or wait for a better opportunity?
Juan's Scolipede, like an Elektrike on speed, ran circles around the metal beast, inching ever closer with each pass. The slow-moving Aggron struggled to follow its movements, occasionally taking a swipe at the bug, only to miss by several feet. Each scrape of its armored plates against each other let out an ear-piercing creak.
Finally, Juan decided to reveal his hand. "Scolipede, Baton Pass!" his Pokémon stopped suddenly in its tracks, and a glowing baton appeared above its head. Juan quickly switched out his Pokémon, choosing his one and only partner as a replacement. Juan's Luxray leapt into the air and caught the baton, endowing it with Scolipede's accumulated boosts. The lynx landed and let out a mighty roar, electricity coursing through its fur. Juan's face brightened. Was this it? Was he really about to sweep the champion with a single Pokémon? Had he truly earned a flawless victory-
"Aggron, use Roar!" While Juan had been busy enacting his plan, the Champion had formed one of her own on the spot. Her Rock type released a deafening soundwave across the room, sending black-haired Pokémon backwards skidding towards its trainer. Luxray tried in vain to dig its claws into the ground, but inevitably, it was recalled to its Pokéball, all of its hard-earned stat buffs gone.
Without Juan's consent, another ball on his belt opened, sending his Garchomp onto the field. The normally intimidating land shark looked dazed and confused, matching the expression on its trainer's countenance.
"…How did you predict that?" Juan asked, and Iris laughed good-naturedly.
"Aggron was my test," she explained. "Either your Scolipede would attack, or I guessed that it would try Baton Passing to another one of your Pokémon. I suppose I just got lucky!"
Juan blinked, impressed by the girl's quick thinking. He should've known that becoming champion wouldn't be as easy as passing a Swords Dance and sweeping. Regaining his composure, he ordered, "Garchomp use Earthquake." But Iris was already one step ahead.
While Juan's dragon started to make the ground tremble, it was the Champion's turn to make a switch. One dinosaur was replaced by another as Iris's Archeops flew into the air, just in time to avoid the Ground type attack.
The preteen frowned but refused to give in to the mounting pressure. He had lost a lot of momentum in just a few turns, but now was not the time to get flustered. As one of his most powerful Pokémon, Garchomp was more than capable of picking up the slack. Furthermore, Juan had far more tricks up his sleeve to fall back on, and right now, they all required the Mach Pokémon to take down Archeops in a one-on-one battle.
"Get up there." Garchomp nodded at its trainer and took to the skies, using its fins to glide upwards toward the opposing Pokémon. The jet engine-esque Pokémon proved to be much more maneuverable than the prehistoric bird, who mostly flew in place, flapping its wings clumsily. At high speeds, Garchomp flew towards the ceiling, baring its fangs as it prepared to take another pass.
"Archeops, Acrobatics!" Iris yelled as Garchomp descended. Her Pokémon smashed the Flying Gem clutched between its talon and shot forward, headbutting its opponent in the abdomen. Before Garchomp could fight back, it was grabbed by the shoulders with Archeop's talons and launched toward the cold, hard floor.
"Recover and use Dragon Rush!" Just before hitting the earth, Garchomp extended its arms and barely avoided crashing, its back fin brushing against the ground as it flew. The Mach Pokémon soared back into the air and smashed its tail into Archeops, sending it spiraling across the room.
"Use Dragon Claw!" the Champion's Pokémon righted itself and prepared to strike with the super effective move. Garchomp proved too agile, however, as it dodged each swipe and responded with several slashes across Archeop's body. The First Bird Pokémon groaned as its Defeatist attitude began to take effect.
"Use Roost, Archeops!" Iris called for her Pokémon to take a rest. Archeops dodged another swing from Garchomp and dropped to the ground. Juan wasn't about to let that go unpunished.
"Use Dragon Rush." While the fossil Pokémon perched and restored its health, Garchomp rocketed back towards the earth. Vitality restored, Archeops easily flew away from the impact site, forcing Garchomp to cancel the attack and just barely avoided colliding headfirst into stone. Without respite, the land shark was met with a divebomb Rock Slide attack, dropped directly onto its head.
As Iris's hit and run strategy forced the battle to drag on, a new idea formed in Juan's brain. "Garchomp, get back up there and use Dragon Rush." His Pokémon flew upwards once more at the Rock/Flying type. Juan waited for his opportunity.
"Go around him, Archeops! Acrobatics!" Like a deft trapeze artist, Archeops swung around Garchomp's incoming tail and scratched its talons across the exposed back. While Garchomp snarled in frustration, the bird attempted to fly away once again.
"Quickly, use Crunch on its tail!" Juan swiftly ordered, just as the dinosaur's rat-like tail passed by Garchomp's snout. Juan's Pokémon reacted immediately, clamping down on Archeops and preventing its escape. Now it was Garchomp's turn to swing Archeops around and send it plummeting towards the ground.
"Use Roost!" Iris desperately called to her Pokémon.
"Not this time; Use Earthquake!" Garchomp followed its foe as it crashed in a heap on the floor. The dragon landed feet-first, directly on top of Archeops, and released a devastating Ground attack. The foundation of the Pokémon League shook as the Earthquake spread out through the room, with an unfortunate Archeops at its epicenter. Garchomp stepped off its unconscious opponent with a relieved sigh.
"Woo! Juan is on a roll!" Chyna cheered. Her companion nodded in agreement.
"From what I remember, Iris's strategy is to play fast and loose with her challengers," Spade said. "Juan's ability to revise his own strategy seems to be what's keeping him ahead so far."
On the field, Iris recalled her Pokémon. "Archeops, return. You did great out there. Now, Druddigon!" One flash of light later, and Juan's Garchomp was faced with the grotesque, cave-dwelling beast. Though weakened by its previous battle, Garchomp's malicious snarl matched that of the opposing dragon. After making introductions, the pseudolegendary's trainer took the initiative.
"Dragon Rush." Garchomp barreled forward, its entire body shining with draconic energy.
"Use Hone Claws!" Iris said in kind. Druddigon struck its claws together and crossed its arms, bracing for impact. The incoming Mach Pokémon crashed into Druddigon and pushed it back towards Iris's edge of the battlefield. The Champion's Pokémon hardly flinched as it dug its claws into the ground and held its position against Garchomp. The two locked arms and pushed against each other in a contest of sheer strength.
A foot taller than its opponent, the land shark raised its head, preparing to chomp down on the Cave Pokémon's skull. In response, Druddigon raised its own mouth and blasted Garchomp with a Flamethrower attack. Juan's Pokémon balked in pain and surprise, allowing Druddigon to break the grapple and ram into its adversary, knocking Garchomp back to the center of the room.
Juan glared as Garchomp shook off the flames, which had left a nasty burn across the side of its face. Between that, and his Pokémon's wounds from the previous fight, he knew that he had to take out Druddigon swiftly. "Use Earthquake!"
"Dragon Claw, Druddigon!" Before Garchomp could release another seismic tremor, the Cave Pokémon ran forward with elongated nails. The Ground type was forced to call off the attack as it struggled to avoid the increasingly furious swipes.
"Garchomp, get out of range of its claws!" Juan shouted. Garchomp barely dodged a fifth strike and hastily leapt backwards, panting heavily from effort. Once the sufficient distance had been reached, Juan made his attempt to finish the fight. "Now, use Dragon Rush!"
Once again, Garchomp jetted forward with the intent of slamming its opponent with a super effective move. But this time, Iris and her Pokémon were ready. "Dodge and grab its tail, Druddigon!" At the last second, Druddigon stepped out of the way and firmly grasped the tail end of Garchomp's body. Before either Juan or his Pokémon could react, the monotype Dragon used its strength and momentum to swing Garchomp back over its head and onto the ground. Garchomp groaned weakly, the stone floor cracked underneath its body, and was promptly lifted upwads again. Druddigon swung its helpless prey around again, slamming it multiple times as if it were a limp fish.
"Finish it with Superpower!" Even Juan had to wince as his Pokémon was raised up and brought down on Druddigon's knee. The battered dragon dropped to the ground, unmoving.
Without a word, Juan returned Garchomp to its Pokéball. Perhaps he should've known better than to compare dragons with a type expert. If he wanted to maintain his lead, he needed to get rid of the ferocious Druddigon standing in his way, and fast. After a moment of contemplation, the preteen settled on one of his most reliable partners.
"Dewott." Juan released the unevolved Water type. What the small mammal lacked in stats, he more than made up for in determination. At least, that was the expectation.
"Aw, it's adorable!" Iris cooed, and both trainer and Pokémon's expressions hardened. Dewott unsheathed its scalchops and beckoned its opponent forward. The dimwitted lizard bellowed its name in response.
"Use Aqua Jet, then Razor Shell!" Juan said, and Dewott sprang into action by surrounding itself with a veil of water and shooting forward like a bullet. The Champion's Pokémon held its ground as Dewott closed the distance.
Immediately, the size and power difference between the two became apparent. The sea otter's attack bounced harmlessly off Druddigon's rocky hide, leaving the Dragon type towering over its foe. Without missing a beat, Dewott slashed with its two glowing shells, only for Druddigon to block each strike with its massive arms. After delivering a series of useless scratches, a kick to the stomach was all it took for the Discipline Pokémon to be knocked away.
Undeterred, Juan unveiled the special surprise he'd been saving for the champion. After all, there was a reason that he brought an unevolved starter to such an important fight. "Dewott, Ice Beam!" His Pokémon cupped its hands together and released a beam of frozen energy across the room. Iris's eyes widened in surprise, though the Champion was too experienced to be taken completely off-guard.
"Quick, Flamethrower!" Druddigon countered with its own stream of flames, meeting the Ice Beam in the middle of the field and creating a beam war between the two Pokémon.
As the room filled with steam due to the melting Ice type move, the center of balance shifted back and forth between both attacks. In the audience chamber, Chyna and Spade frantically wiped rapid condensation on the window to see the outcome of the contest.
Eventually, Druddigon's strength and experience proved superior. The Flamethrower broke through the ice attack and coated Dewott with fire. The mammal grimaced and backed away from the flames, but was given no respite as Druddigon immediately followed up with a Dragon Claw.
"Detect!" Juan ordered. Dewott's fighting instinct took over as Druddigon approached. The small otter did a flip over the first Dragon Claw, then rolled under the second. Desperately, it performed a series of acrobatic dives and stunts, barely staying ahead of the growing ferocity of the incoming attacks.
"Don't let up!" the Champion encouraged her Pokémon. It was all Dewott could to do continue avoiding each swipe.
"When you see an opening, use Razor Shell," Dewott heard its trainer order. It vaulted over Druddigon's left arm and raised its scalchops to strike, only to be caught off-guard by the right. The two shells were backhanded from Dewott's grasp, leaving it completely vulnerable to the gigantic figure standing over it.
"Superpower!" Dewott received a full-force punch to the face, knocking it off its legs and sending it tumbling toward Juan's feet. The Water type's eviolite fell from under its fur, cracked in two by the dragon's fist. Dewott did not attempt to stand again.
Juan sighed at the defeat. In spite all the preparation he'd underwent, things did not bode well. Shaking his head, the young trainer took out his starter's Pokéball to return it.
"Wait!" Iris suddenly cried, pointing at the downed otter. Juan snapped his attention to the Champion, then back at his own Pokémon, who had suddenly begun to glow. And then grow! Juan stumbled backwards in shock as Dewott's appendages grew into strong, sword-wielding legs, and a horned helmet appeared on its head. Slowly, the newly evolved Samurott rolled off its back and stood upright.
"…I don't believe it…" Juan stared, openmouthed, at the turn of events. For some reason, his opponent seemed more excited at this most recent development than he was.
"Congratulations, Juan! You and your Pokémon must have a special bond if they'd evolve on the spot for you." Samurott turned and gave a determined nod to its trainer, breaking Juan out of his stupor. Whether it be dedication or luck, Juan was just now handed a golden opportunity. The blue-haired boy returned the gesture and sent his fully evolved starter back into the fray. The battle was back on.
"Druddigon, Flamethrower!"
"Use Ice Bea-" Juan began to issue a command, only for Samurott to take a different approach. The Formidable Pokémon galloped forward, its helmet glowing with the same energy as Scolipede's antennae. It jumped to the side of the Flamethrower and, without slowing, attacked the stunned Druddigon with a newly learned Megahorn. The move pierced its target's lower abdomen, and the Cave Pokémon was flung toward the ceiling. As Druddigon fell, Samurott completed Juan's order and blasted it with Ice Beam.
Normally, Juan would've scolded his Pokémon for blatantly disobeying him, but when a frozen and unconscious Druddigon crashed onto the floor, he chose to make an exception at that point. Another nod of approval was all the tired Samurott needed to know that it had done its job satisfactorily.
"Thank you, friend. You did a fantastic job," Iris commended, returning her Pokémon. The Champion looked over a Juan with a smile, "Incredible work so far! Your Pokémon must truly care for you." Juan shrugged in response but refused to let his ego get the better of him. He now had a two Pokémon lead, but only due to an extremely lucky break. From that point forward, he knew he would have to carry the day on his own volition.
Iris chose her next Pokémon, sending out her previously untouched Aggron. Once again, Juan was faced with the decision of whether or not to enact his winning scheme. Despite its evolution, Juan's starter was standing on shaky legs, after all the damage it had taken. Either he could push its endurance to the limit, or save Samurott in case things went south. Eventually, a decision was made; it would cost him a free move, but Juan chose to recall Samurott for a well-deserved rest.
"Switching out, eh? In that case," Iris put on a confident smirk, "Aggron, use Automize!" While Juan switched his Pokémon, the bulky Steel type began tramping in place, growing faster and lighter with each step. After carefully considering his options, Juan grabbed his fifth Pokéball.
"Solrock." The cosmic Psychic type levitated above the field, expressionless in the face of its type-advantaged opposition. Having been caught fairly recently near Undella Town, it was not one of Juan's frequent battlers.
"I didn't know that Juan had a Solrock," Chyna commented. Spade, even less acquainted with Juan than Chyna, put a hand to his chin in contemplation.
"Considering his fast-paced battle style, it's not a Pokémon that I thought Juan would use. He must have some specific idea in mind…"
On the battlefield, the Champion was ready to take action. "Aggron, use Iron Head!"
"Reflect," Juan directed. The meteorite's eyes flashed, and a transparent barrier appeared in front of it. Against 400 lbs of speeding metal, however, it proved to be of little use. Solrock was launched backwards like a spinning baseball, with Aggron quick to pursue using its newfound speed. "Solrock, use-" Juan started, but balked upon seeing his Pokémon flinching from the super effective attack, unable to hear his commands.
"Iron Head again!" Aggron grabbed the rocky protrusions on Solrock's body and smashed the meteor into its gleaming, horned forehead. With a pathetic hum, Solrock fell to the ground, a crack running down its middle, the light faded from its eyes. Chyna and Spade blinked at the uncharacteristic shortness of the battle, but Juan did not appear to be bothered. While the Champion congratulated the Steel type, the unphased preteen recalled his Pokémon and instantly produced another.
Juan's Lilligant took the stage, blissfully twirling about in the face of the lumbering beast before it. Ever since catching this go-lucky Pokémon in Pinwheel Forest, the prodigal trainer had been developing a strategy which utilized Lilligant's special abilities. Now, the stage was set to enact it.
"You know what to do," he said quietly, and the Grass type bounced with excitement. Once they were ready, Iris gave the first command.
"Finish it quickly, Aggron! Double-Edge!" The Champion's Pokémon stomped forward for a full-body tackle, and Lilligant promptly snapped to attention.
"Dodge it." Juan said, and his Pokémon attempted to swerve out of the way. However, the Automized Aggron proved too fast, quickly closing the gap and ramming Lilligant with its shoulder. The Flowering Pokémon left a cloud of pollen in its wake as it was sent flying backwards and rolled several times before resting in a heap at in front of its trainer. Juan maintained his stoic expression.
"Ha, nice one!" Iris grinned at the direct hit. The smile was short-lived, however, when the Champion heard a grunt of effort from the downed plant. Iris watched in astonishment as Lilligant struggled, and eventually succeeded, in getting back on its feet. She stammered in disbelief, "H-how can that thing still be standing?" and Juan flashed a smirk of his own.
"Turns out that Lilligant can survive at least one powerful hit with some support from Reflect," he explained casually. "I knew that my Pokémon could withstand at least one attack, giving her just enough time to put your own 'mon out of commission." The trainer gestured towards Aggron, whose head was surrounded by the blue spores left by Lilligant before being hit. Iris's face fell. The Iron Armor Pokémon yawned deeply, teetered back and forth, and finally crashed onto its stomach, rendered unconscious by the Sleep Powder.
This was the moment Juan had been waiting for. His long-awaited strategy was finally revealed to the public, and it worked exactly as planned. All he had needed was an opportunity to put one of the Champion's Pokémon to sleep, and then go in for the kill. "Quiver Dance!"
To herself, the Iris had to commend her challenger for putting one past her. Truly, she hadn't seen this coming. But it didn't make her situation any less distressing. As Lilligant pirouetted about the room, Iris desperately called to the snoring dino, "Aggron, you have to wake up! Please!"
"Too late," Juan muttered under his breath. When his Pokémon had sufficiently increased its stats, he gave the order, "Giga Drain!" Lilligant raised its leaflike arms and drew bright orbs of energy from the Rock/Steel type. Aggron groaned in its sleep but could not wake as its power was sapped away.
One Giga Drain later, and it was all over. Aggron was left unable to battle, while Juan's Pokémon was prepared to sweep. Chyna, Spade and the region-wide viewing audience gazed in wonder at the child prodigy, on the brink of taking the championship.
"…Most impressive," Iris had to admit as she returned her Pokémon. "No matter who comes out on top, today, I can tell that you're entirely deserving of my position… But don't let that go to your head!" the Champion revealed a familiar confident expression under her mass of hair. "It's when we're backed into a corner that we fight the hardest!" Juan let his smirk drop, reminding himself not to give in to overconfidence.
"Right. Send out your next Pokémon." In spite of his disinterested appearance, Juan started to feel himself becoming fully engrossed in the battle, the one that would decide the entirety of his future as a trainer. More than a mere stepping stone to his final goal, the battle was turning into a genuinely engaging experience.
"Lapras, let's go!" Iris sent out her second-to-last Pokémon. Having seen the Champion's main partner on television many times, Juan guessed that the bulky Ice type was meant to deal enough damage for the next 'mon to finish Lilligant off. He would not let that happen.
"Use Blizzard!" Lapras opened its mouth and summoned a gale-force wave of snow and sleet, coating the field in a sheet of ice.
"Brace yourself! Use Quiver Dance!" Juan yelled over the howling wind. Lilligant began rapidly spinning in place like a top. The super effective attack washed over the plant, turning the entire room a blinding white and forcing both champion and challenger to cover their eyes against the wind.
Within the mist, Iris's Lapras narrowed its eyes, searching for the frozen popsicle that used to be its opponent. It crawled forward on its flippers, eventually coming across a mound of frozen, motionless snow. The Transport Pokémon raised itself to finish things off with Body Slam, only for two bright green eyes to appear in the mound. Lapras cried out and fell on its back as it was hit with a doubly-boosted Giga Drain. By the time the room cleared enough for their trainers to see, Lilligant stood proudly over yet another downed Pokémon.
"Lapras, return," while Iris's Pokémon was recalled, Juan folded his arms and tried not to show any excitement. Of course, he never once doubted that he'd become champion one day, but the prospect of being so close to seeing his hard work paid off was close to exhilarating.
As she unveiled her final Pokéball, Juan got a clear look at the Champion's face. On it, an expression of clear determination. A resolve to win in spite of the 4-1 lead. And the most intimidating part, Juan found, was that he fully believed that his adversary could overcome such a monumental challenge.
"You've done incredibly so far, Juan," Iris acknowledged, then threw her Pokéball onto the field. "I wish you the best of luck with this next one!"
"None needed," Juan answered quietly, as the shadow of the Champion's Haxorus fell over him. He knew that it meant business; no battle cry, no taunting, just a raw desire to win on behalf of its partner.
Iris shot her hand forward. "Use Dragon Dance!" Haxorus began vigorously stomping its feet, sending sparks of red and blue electricity coursing across its body. This could be the deciding move of the battle, Juan realized. If he didn't put a stop to Haxorus now, its boosted attack and speed would be more than enough to turn the tables.
"Sleep Powder!" Juan called, and the green lizard opposing him prepared to dodge. But he and Lilligant had prepared for this moment; they wouldn't be missing today. Not this time. With a flourish, the Flowering Pokémon began twirling in place, faster than it ever had before. A puff, then a plume, then a stream of blue powder was released from the flower on its head, covering the field with pollen. There was nowhere for Haxorus to run. The dragon stumbled forward, tripping over its own feet, and began to fall forward. Juan's stoic heart leapt at the prospect of victory.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. Between Haxorus's claws was a small green fruit. With the last of its strength, the Pokémon threw the Lum berry into its mouth and swallowed it with one bite. Immediately, its eyes shot open with full clarity. "NO!" Juan heard himself cry in disappointment.
"Yes! All right!" Iris cheered in response. "Now let's do this! Haxorus, Brick Break!" Her Pokémon raced toward Lilligant with a determined roar.
"Quick, Sleep Powder again!" Juan tried to recover, but it was too late. Before he could comprehend what was happening, the Dragon type stood menacingly over Lilligant. Its arm came down, shattering through the translucent Reflect like it was paper, and onto the Grass type's head.
"Now use Outrage!" Before the Flowering Pokémon even reach the ground, it was hit with a strike to the stomach by Haxorus. Then another, squarely in the face. Then another. And another. Eyes glowing red, the Axe Jaw Pokémon pummeled Lilligant until it was a pile of wilted, quivering leaves.
On the sidelines, Chyna mouthed a silent "Oh no." Her companion gave a solemn shake of the head. This wouldn't be the first time they'd seen the incumbent and her partner turn the tables on their opponent. Juan, meanwhile, returned his Pokémon and considered his next plan of action. There still had to be a way to end things quickly, or at least weaken Haxorus with one of his three remaining Pokémon. In spite of the opposition's raw power, the Outrage attack had put it in a frenzied state. That would make Haxorus unable to think clearly, and vulnerable to attack…
"Samurott." Juan released his starter Pokémon once more. Though newly evolved sea lion was severely worn out from its previous battle, its resolve was stronger than ever. Juan and his Pokémon nodded at each other, aware that one super effective hit was all it would take to carry the day.
Having wandered to the edge of the battlefield, Iris's dragon turned toward its next foe with a glare. "Outrage!" its trainer said, and Haxorus charged forward.
"Finish this. Ice Beam." Samurott opened its mouth and released a crackling line of freezing energy across the field. Haxorus continued on its path recklessly, and Juan half-expected the lizard to take the super effective move head-on.
Across the room, the Champion raised an arm and snapped her fingers. Both the challenger and his Pokémon's eyes widened as Haxorus effortlessly broke from its confused fervor and sidestepped to the left, all the while maintaining its blinding speed. Not even Juan had imagined such a level of discipline and focus. Thinking fast, he tried to counter.
"Use Razor Shell!" Samurott unsheathed one of its scalchop-turned-swords and raised it to slay the dragon.
"Brick Break!" Iris ordered as the sword came down. Haxorus raised a glowing arm of its own and blocked the attack, putting the two Pokémon in a deadlock, one that heavily disfavored the wounded Samurott.
"Use your other shell!" Juan said through gritted teeth. The Water type shakily stood on its hind legs and grabbed its second sword to strike, only to be blocked by Haxorus's other arm. Both Pokémon hissed at each other as the balance of power shifted back and forth.
Standing on its back legs, Juan's Samurott's height aided it in the deadlock, however its advantage soon faded once the exhausted Pokémon's strength began to train away. As Haxorus gained the upper hand, Samurott was pushed further backwards, until it was at risk of falling and leaving its vulnerable underside exposed. Something had to be done.
"One more time, use Ice Beam!" Samurott struggled to open its mouth to land a point-blank, super effective hit.
"Use Iron Tail!" Neither Juan nor his starter had seen their adversary's tail snake its way between the two Pokémon until it delivered a devastating uppercut to Samurott's jaw. Choking on its own attack, Samurott was knocked onto its backs, and was shortly followed by an Iron Tail to the stomach. The Water type's swords clattered uselessly by their fainted owner's side.
Juan wordlessly returned Samurott to its ball. The Champion had taken down half of his remaining team, all without receiving more than a glancing blow in return. But while the opposing Pokémon was virtually unharmed, the same could be said for Juan's remaining two teammates. He still had some semblance of a plan left. All he had to do was weaken the dragon before his strongest Pokémon delivered the finishing blow.
"Scolipede." Juan's Bug type was one of the few Pokémon that was a match for Haxorus, in both size and ferocity. The two monsters screeched war cries at each other, eager to battle.
"Outrage, Haxorus!" Iris maintained her tried and true strategy of steamrolling into the opponent. This time, Juan decided to take a more offensive approach.
"Attack with Megahorn!" Scolipede's legs thundered forward to meet Haxorus in the center of the battlefield. Both trainers began to sweat as their Pokémon came closer and closer to a collision of epic proportions.
Just as they were about to collide, with inhuman reaction time, Haxorus sidestepped to the left once again. Juan's hands balled into fists as Scolipede's Megahorn just barely flew past the Dragon type's shoulder. But Haxorus wasn't finished, quite yet. The Champion's Pokémon crouched down and lifted the 400-pound Megapede into the air, using its own momentum against it. The result was a full-on piledriver from Haxorus, sending both Pokémon sprawling across the ground and shaking the foundation of the Pokémon League to its core.
The preteen couldn't help but stare in awe at the Iron-Jawed dragon rose before him, unharmed. Behind Haxorus, Scolipede uncurled itself and attempted to get up. Without even looking back, Haxorus raised its tail and delivered a casual Iron Tail onto the centipede's head. The bug gave a weak groan and fell unconscious.
"Tough break," Spade commented, glancing at Chyna. "It looks like our guy might've lost his touch. Do you think his last 'mon can go toe-to-toe with that monster?"
"Of course I do! If any Pokémon can stand up to that thick-skulled salamander, it's Luxray!" Chyna showcased an unending confidence for her rival.
While Scolipede was silently recalled, the Champion took one last opportunity to speak freely to her challenger. "Hey Juan, no matter what happens, I just want to thank you for this battle. It's not often that my abilities are tested like this!"
"…Yeah, likewise," Juan said slowly, coming upon a similar realization to himself. Never before had he truly been backed into a corner like this. At that moment, the entire region, and much of the world, was judging him based on whether he would crack under pressure. For the first time in a long time, Juan's skill and methodology was being put to the test. And he would prevail. Because he always has a plan.
Without another word, Juan unleashed his final Pokémon. A Pokémon who needed no introduction. The Shinx that was given to him by his adoptive parents at the start of his journey. The one 'mon present for all of his Gym Battles during his short career as a trainer. The partner who had saved him, multiple times, from the threat of Team Plasma and countless other dangers. His true ace in the hole.
The Gleam Eye Pokémon took the field once more, determined to finish the fight, one way or another. An intimidating glare was sent towards the Haxorus across the field, who bared its fangs at the Electric type.
"If you're ready, let's wrap this up," Iris said. "Haxorus, Outrage!" For the third time, the Champion's partner Pokémon rushed forward with glowing eyes.
"Get ready to listen to my orders," Juan said in a low voice to his Pokémon, and Luxray's tail flicked in recognition. The previous two battles had been a valuable learning experience for the blue-haired teen. His keen eye had picked up on a sequence that he hoped to exploit. Aloud, Juan commanded, "Use Wild Charge!"
Like Scolipede before it, Luxray bounded toward the incoming dragon, fur crackling with electricity. As the two Pokémon ran closer and closer, time slowed for Juan. He eyed Haxorus's legs as it approached. Every time it was commanded to charge, Iris's Pokémon followed the same pattern. Juan could only watch and pray that his observation held true for a third time.
When Luxray's front paws crossed the Pokéball etching at the center of the battlefield, Juan suddenly shouted, "Step to the left and pounce!" He had witnessed Haxorus dodge the previous two attacks in the exact same manner. Sure enough, the Dragon type attempted to sidestep the initial attack, only for Luxray to abandon its Wild Charge and leap directly into its foe. Haxorus was thrown onto its back and pinned under the large electric lion. "Now, use Ice Fang!" Luxray's mouth filled with frozen mist before it bit down on Haxorus's shoulder, causing the Iron Jaw Pokémon to scream in pain.
"Haxorus! Throw him off!" Iris called out in distress. Her Pokémon began violently thrashing under Luxray's weight, but the Electric type held firm, pressing its paws on Haxorus's body and holding tight with its freezing jaw. Unfortunately for Juan, the Champion was even faster at improvisation. "Use Dragon Dance!" Haxorus's uncoordinated attempt to escape became much more deliberate as it wiggled on the ground. Draconic energy coursed through its body and into Luxray's mouth, forcing Juan's Pokémon to release its teeth from its prey's shoulder. Haxorus seized the opportunity and clawed at Luxray's face, then kicked the opposing Pokémon off its body.
"Iron Tail." Juan wasted no time in pressing the advantage. Luxray righted itself in midair, landed gracefully on all fours and sprang forward once more, this time with a gleaming metallic tail.
"Use Iron Tail as well, Haxorus!" Iris's Pokémon stood just in time for Luxray's assault. Both Pokémon swung around and clashed steel tails together like broadswords. Its deflection successful, Haxorus pushed its opponent to the edge of the battlefield and charged with Outrage.
"Discharge, Luxray!" Juan's Pokémon released a massive shockwave across the field. Haxorus effortlessly plowed through the attack and into Luxray, whose attempt to retreat was cut short by the dragon grabbing it by the neck. The vicious Pokémon drug Luxray across the ground and tossed it aside, forcing the cat to tumble several times before regaining its footing.
Within seconds, both trainers sought to retake the offensive. "Iron Tail!" Champion and Challenger yelled simultaneously, and soon both their Pokémon were off. Inspiration suddenfly flashed in Juan's mind. As Haxorus's tail went low for a leg sweep, Juan commanded his Pokémon to jump in the air to use one of its special moves.
"Use Burning Tail!" Luxray immediately understood. It touched the star-shaped tip of its own Iron Tail with Haxorus's, then unleashed a Discharge attack. Rather than send out a shockwave, the Steel type move acted as a conduit to directly transmit the attack into its opponent. The Champion's Pokémon screeched and writhed in agony as Luxray continued to send volts of electricity coursing through Haxorus's body.
Juan and Luxray had spent many hours perfecting the powerful combination attack. So powerful, in fact, that Juan gaped in disbelief as Haxorus forced its eyes open and proceeded to deliver a Brick Break directly into Luxray's gut. While Juan's Pokémon doubled over, the lizard stood straight as if nothing had hurt it. "Use Outrage!" Iris called, and Haxorus followed up the attack with a vicious assault of claws and blades.
"Dodge it!" Juan cried. At this point, he carelessly gave orders without any semblance of a plan. No matter how much he strategized and schemed, Iris's last Pokémon just wouldn't go down. He had dismissed the Champion's confrontational approach to battling as a simple show of brute force. And yet Haxorus's sheer constitution willpower facilitated its trainer's battling style perfectly.
Luxray ducked under swipe from the enraged dragon and Wild Charged into its side. Unphased, Haxorus knocked its adversary back with Brick Break, but was forced to retreat from the threat of an Ice Fang to the leg. Juan instructed his Pokémon to maintain distance with Discharge, but the move was interrupted as the Iron Jaw Pokémon ran headfirst at Luxray, swinging the blades on its head and neck.
Chyna, Spade and thousands of people across Unova sat, enraptured by a match of pure endurance. Juan and Iris fired off commands in rapid succession to their increasingly battered Pokémon, fully aware that one mistake could mean the end for either trainer.
"Luxray, use Wild Charge!"
"Iron Tail, Haxorus!"
"Ice Fang!"
"Use Outrage!"
"Counter with Spinning Iron Tail!"
"Brick Break!"
"Use Ice Fang!" Breathing heavily, Luxray nearly tripped over itself as it dove toward Haxorus, and there, Iris made her move.
"Use Brick Break! Full power!" Her Pokémon's eyes followed the trajectory of Luxray's leap as it flew towards the green dragon. With extraordinary precision, Haxorus threw out a fist, directly at the Electric type's head. Its aim was spot-on. The Brick Break landed squarely in Luxray's open jaw, cancelling the Ice type move and leaving the cat suspended in midair, choking on Haxorus's arm. Juan cringed and tried to come up with a retort, but it was too late. "Haxorus, use Outrage!" The Dragon type grabbed Luxray by its flailing back legs and swung the lion over its shoulder. Luxray landed with a crash and was swiftly thrown into the air again for another back-breaking slam.
Juan helplessly watched as his partner and strongest Pokémon was tossed about like a ragdoll. Even if he could think of something, anything, to stop the beat-down, Luxray was far too wounded to carry it out. Far too exhausted. Far too weak.
Finally, mercifully, the pummeling ended. Luxray was dropped on the ground at the center of the battlefield. Miraculously, the Gleam Eye Pokémon was still barely conscious. With shaking paws, Luxray attempted to sit up, only for its adversary's foot to come down on its neck, pinning the lion to the floor. Haxorus, also looking quite worse for wear after the prolonged battle, glowered at the floor with flashing eyes.
It was over. After all of his struggles, all the countless hours of training and strategizing, the places he'd travelled and the people he'd met, it wasn't enough to win the championship. Not even with his strongest Pokémon and a detailed plan of action. It was all Juan could do not to drop to his knees in defeat. Across the room, Iris exhaled in relief.
"…Let's end it, Haxorus. Outrage." Her partner nodded, and raised its foot one last time…
It hurt itself in its confusion!
"…What?" Iris questioned in bewilderment, while Juan's bowed head whipped upwards. Just in time to see Haxorus lean too far back, fall over and slam its head on the stone floor. Unconscious.
Dead silence filled the room for several seconds. Then, before Juan could register what had just happened, an announcer's voice filled the room. "Haxorus is unable to battle! Victory goes to the challenger, Juan Burgans of Striaton City!" Juan flinched as triumphant music filled the room, commemorating the new champion of the Unova region. The blue-haired trainer stood stupidly in place while Iris knelt next to her partner, giving Haxorus words of encouragement. Was the Champion's Pokémon acting through confusion this entire time? And it just happened to hurt itself at the end? Did Juan truly snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat by mere happenstance?
Champion, or Former Champion, Iris approached Juan with a somber, yet genuine, smile. "Like I said, no matter who won today, I could tell that you're worthy of becoming champion. Through this battle, you, myself, and our Pokémon got to know and learn from one another. So, I'm happy to hand over my title to you!" Juan could barely muster a limp-wristed handshake with the girl.
"I can't believe it…" he said. "I only won on a fluke… I got completely lucky." There was no strategy, no plan, no greater power involved, just… Dumb luck. And yet, Iris's smile only grew wider.
"That's the beauty of a Pokémon battle, isn't it? Sometimes there are things we just… can't take into consideration!" Juan had little time to consider that final piece of advice before he was tackle-hugged by an ecstatic Chyna and Spade, followed by the Elite Four and crowd of spectators.
At some point amidst the congratulations and commemorations, Juan managed to weave through the throng of people and reach his championship-winning Pokémon. Barely conscious, Luxray tilted its head up at the trainer, curious to see its partner's reaction.
"…That'll do," Juan eventually said, giving the Electric type an awkward pat on the head. "For now." In spite of the phrasing, the message seemed to get through. Luxray purred contently while Juan scratched behind the cat's ears.
After returning his Pokémon, Juan stood off to the side and received an enthusiastic play-by-play of the battle he'd just participated in from Chyna and Spade. Juan lent an absentminded ear, still in shock that he had just become the most powerful trainer in the Unova region. At a certain point, he was approached by a familiar face with a notebook.
"Mr. Burgans," Shauntal of the Elite Four said as she scribbled on the pad. "You've just attained the most prestigious title in the Unova region! The world wants to know, what do you plan on doing now?" For once, Juan found himself at a loss for words.
"…I guess I don't know," he finally answered. "…I never planned ahead this far." The interview was interrupted by Iris, motioning for Juan to join her in entering the Hall of Fame. The preteen received a pat on the back from his former travelling companions.
"We'll wait outside for you to finish up," Chyna said. "Just don't forget about us during your victory tour!"
As Juan walked with Iris to the next room, ready to be recorded in the annals of history, the boy considered Shauntal's question, and Chyna's proposition. Right now, he was on top of the world. His lifetime goal was fulfilled. So what came next?
Perhaps… he didn't need to think up some convoluted plan for the future. For now, he could celebrate with his Pokémon. He could go home and finally rest. Later on, maybe, just maybe, he could start on a whole new journey with some of his friends. See where the wind takes him.
After all, who knows what could happen next? The possibilities are endless during a Journey through Unova.