The day of the League.

Bronze clutched his Brick, waiting anxiously for his turn to battle. The Chairman was only just starting the introduction speech, and Bronze was nearly vomiting from suspense. His skill being evaluated before hundreds of thousands wasn't his concern, it was the shame of losing, and realizing that he had failed on his journey. Bronze focused on his strategies, and listened to the Chairman continue speaking.

"Now, I fully present to you...the official beginning of the First Rorian League Pokémon Tournament! For the moment we have all been waiting for, I will now introduce our chosen Champion and Elite Four!"

"First, the Fairy-type trainer Majorie! Her captivating Pokémon will always best the reckless foe!"

"Second, the Poison-type trainer Nox! Don't breath too deeply while he's fighting, or you might just get something!"

"Third, the Fighting-type trainer General Crunch! A veteran of the Terramist Wars, he won't back down from any strain!"

"Fourth, the Ice-type trainer Hardcastle! His dangerous frost can pierce to the soul!"

"And for the Champion, I present to you...the one, the only, the Champion of Roria, TITUS ORION!"

Bronze could see on the Holo-cam that a young man dressed in futuristic wear had come from the shadows of the entrance hall and was now waving to the crowd. Bronze had heard of Titus before, apparently he was a developer of the Holo-Caster system, but no one had known he was such a skilled trainer that he could be appointed Champion.

The Chairman continued. "And that is it all for our beloved Elite Four and Champion! But we have to introduce our contestants as well! All of these incredible trainers have successfully defeated all of Roria's eight Gym Leaders and received their badges! Introducing our twelve contestants:"

"Hex Maniac Valerie!"

"Die Hard Revan!"

"Z-Ring Wielder Touko!"

"Mega Evolution Successor Harry!"

"Pokedex Holder Bronze!"

"Gentleman Stanley!"

"Berry Wizard Hyperion!"

"International Police Officer Richard!"

"Jungle Lady Ovleia!"

"Solider Unger!"

"Ultimate Move User Lydia!"

"Spirit Caller Nahum!"

"And these are our challengers! Give them a hand! Watch them triumph, fall, and rise again! Whether any of them will take the position that Titus now stands in is up to skill and skill alone. Our first match is Stanley versus Unger-"

Titus cleared his throat. "Chairman, if I may have a word about my position? I intend to make it quick." The Chairman was surprised at being interrupted, but gave the floor to Titus. "Yes, Champion, of course you may say what you wish."

"Thank you, Chairman. Now, I have some rather unusual news, but I believe it is best for Roria, myself, and others. First and foremost, above being a skilled fighter, I am a man of technology, and wish to fully continue this pursuit. I believe that the being in the position of Champion would impede my ability to do so, along with my duties as Champion."

"As such, after this League, I will be stepping down from position of Rorian Champion." Mutterings and gasps broke out among the crowd, and the Chairman blinked rapidly. Titus continued explaining himself.

"Once I give my terms, you will not think that such a decision is against any established rules. I would be succeeded as normal, if I was defeated. In the case that I am not, I will give my personal pick of what trainer is most skilled to succeed me, and who can continue as a improvised Champion. My decision may be overturned at will by the Association, so I do to believe there is any risk of me overstepping my boundary's and picking a favorite. In case I do not judge anyone to be worthy, I will remain Champion until the next Rorian League. Thank you for your understanding."

This was great news. Now, Bronze may not necessary have to win, he could gain Titus's approval by fighting the hardest. This improved his chances drastically.

The Chairman took the stage again, and continued his announcements. "We have consulted the rulebooks, and we cannot find any serious objection to our Champions proposal, other then that it has never been done before. We will take his decision into account. For the first battle, Stanley versus Unger! Take your positions!"

Stanley and Unger moved to the separate sides of the arena, and stared each other down. The Chairman spoke again.

"And the battle will commence...NOW!"

Stanley and Unger sent out their Pokémon.

It had begun.

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Tess was watching the whole thing as the two elite trainers began to battle. Due to being in a contestants party, she was awarded box seats with high-powered viewing scopes, enabling the best view of the battle.

She didn't know how Bronze was taking the revelation that at least someone would become a new Champion, but knowing him, he would put it into his battle strategy.

After the first battle was over, Stanley had been eliminated. Lydia was up against Harry, but Bronze was apparently going to face off against Revan in the next battle. Tess found that guy creepy, but that could just be his theme. He would definitely be a tough opponent.

Someone was moving through the aisles to Tess's right, and she turned to see that it was Crystal. "Hey, Tess! Good thing I just happened to see you here." Crystal sat next to Tess, and looked through the binoculars at the battle.

"Hey, Crys, why did Titus go and say that he wasn't going to stay Champion just before the League started? It didn't look like the Chairman knew. Is he just trying to up the stakes at the last minute?"

Crystal put down the binoculars and looked at Tess. "I would assume so, or he could have just recently settled on it, and wanted to tell everyone at once. Either way, it's a odd move, coming this late. I can't help but think he may have a ulterior motive. Still set on your decision about the Pokedex? Professor Oak still believes that you are capable for the job."

Tess firmly declined. "No. I think a person like Bronze is better suited for that responsibility. Speaking of Bronze, there is something about him that I am concerned about and curious at the same time." Crystal blinked. "Oh? What's that?"

"You see how everyone has six Pokémon, right?" Crystal nodded. "Of course. Six Pokémon is considered the maximum number that a trainer can pay attention too and pay attention too. Any higher and they become disparaged and banned from professional tournaments."

"Exactly. But Bronze...he only has five. That puts him at a serious disadvantage. I asked him about it, and he just said it was taken care of." Crystal rolled her eyes. "Well, if he thinks so, I think you should trust him." Tess wasn't convinced. "Why can't he just tell me? If he has another Pokémon, then I haven't ever seen it!"

"Sometimes people have the strangest reasons for doing things, even ones you know well. Or at least thought you did..." Crystal closed her eyes and gave a empty smile. "Sometimes, things are just worth fighting for, even if it seems impossible."

Tess thought she had hit a nerve. "Crys, what exactly do you fight for? Why bother stopping Team Eclipse, other then that they're evil? You've been through a lot, so what really have you gained from that? I want to know, and Bronze would too if he weren't out there."

Crystal opened her eyes. "Really? Well, I have always fought, first and foremost, for the children. Kids can't grow up in safety knowing that people like Team Eclipse are out there, trying to destroy their world. And it isn't just Team Eclipse. Too many people are willing to take anything and anyone's life to get what they want. And then there is virtue, love, courage, self-sacrifice. These are things I want to keep in the world, not some new one. I've met Arceus myself, and it made me think that maybe when Arceus became sorry it ever created us, it was partially because we gave up on its own creation."

When Tess heard the name Arceus, she remembered Bronze talking about the issue in the Sinjoh Ruins, years ago. "Arceus? What did you think? I mean, did the stories live up to the expectations of what it was like?"

As Crystal was about to answer, a voice from the back row interrupted her. "Dear child, I would not be so sure you have even seen Arceus."

The two spun, and saw a small old man in monks robes, with a Starly on his shoulder. "I noticed, Catcher Crystal, that you believe you have seen Arceus. Am I correct?"

"Yes, it is. I have seen Arceus and the Plates with my own eyes, and it is definitely the most powerful being in existence. I don't know what your talking about when you say that I haven't seen it."

The old man huffed. "What you saw was a entity called Arceus. The one that always appears in legends, the one who had its plates ripped from it, and very recently, returned. The one who nearly destroyed humanity in its anger and despair. The one that allowed itself to be chained, not out of weakness, but as a test. Is this truly the Original One who breathed alone in the formless wastes of Chaos?"

"What you saw was mere simulacrum of Arceus. Borne to earth to be a object for the test of man. This is not the creature you should base what Arceus's true nature is on! The Original One is above all. Limitless, boundless, omnibenevolent. Even the great Enemy in the legends of old is not equal to it. For the equivalent of that beast is not the One, but the righteous lords Dialgia and Palkia."

"I've met them too." Crystal said. "I think that they were very much the same as Arceus, although extremally powerful." The old monk chuckled. "Seeing is not believing, young one. Believing is seeing. What did you truly perceive? Another simulacrum. Only can a imperfect being be perceived by imperfect creatures, at least in this world. Take it into your heart that although what the One gives us to see is a inferior vision, fallen with the rest of the world, that he will endure forever, and we with him. That is why I bless your fight against those who claim to be greater then the One. They will fail, but only if those willing to fight the dark of this world unite to face them."

Tess was very interested in what else the old monk had to say, but a massive wave of cheers broke him off. Lydia had defeated Harry's last Pokémon, and now Bronze was up against Revan.

Crystal was deep in thought, but Tess's mind was now concentrating on Bronze and Revan, who had just gotten into position. Whatever would happen here could decide her hopes and dreams.

"And...battle START!"

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Bronze sent out Steelix, while Revan sent out Tentacruel. Steelix rammed into the aquatic creature, but was put down by Toxic and Fury Swipes. Steelix rammed the Tentacruel with a Iron Tail attack, and then fainted from a wave of Brine.

Revan laughed. "Well? Lets see your other little pets. It was foolish of you to enter with only five-" His gloating was cut of by Tentacruel fainting from a Thunder Punch from Electrivire.

"Don't speak to much, or you'll lose focus." Bronze said. Revan scowled, and sent out Dragalge. Electrivire grabbed it by the plant-like tail, and swung it around and around, slamming it into the grassy floor. In response, it started to use Outrage, forcing Electrivire back, stricken by the frenzied blows.

The Dragalge continued flailing its body, but Electrivire was able to fend of the worst of the attack with Protect. The sea creature was now confused, giving Electrivire the opportunity to counterattack with a wave of Discharge. Dragalge ate a berry, and gained just enough strength to use Outrage again, severely injuring Electrivire. Dragalge fainted, but Bronze saw that Electrivire was not holding up well.

"Electrivire, good job, but come back! Magnezone, go!" Revan sent out a Gigalith, and screamed out orders. "Conserve your energy! Brace!" Magnezone used Gyro Ball, nearly defeating Gigalith.

Revan growled, but Gigalith was able to use Earth Power just before it was sent back. Magnezone held its ground, although the move injured it heavily. Revan sent out Magamortar, and started gloating again.

"Yes, yes, keep switching! Run like a scared child! Why are you so afraid of power? LAVA PLUME!" Magamortar created a massive cloud of hot gas, making Magnezone faint. Bronze switched it out with Absol, and ordered it to use Shadow Claw. Magamortar took heavy damage, but was able to get a Fire Punch in. Absol stumbled back, and then used Night Slash, making Magamortar drop unconscious.

Revan screamed, and sent out Gigalith again. Before Absol could use Night Slash again and finish it off, Revan used a Hyper Potion, bringing the rock creature back to full stamina. Absol hurt itself slamming into the enemy Pokémon, and then was defeated by another Earth Power.

"Only one left! Ridiculous, believing you could defeat me, Revan! Lets see that final one before I gain my victory! Your Electrivire is on its last legs anyway." Bronze sent out Charizard, and Gigalith readied for another Earth Power.

But it never came. Rather, Charizard swooped down before it attack, and gave it a light tap. Revan laughed, but saw that Gigalith was staggering and hitting itself. "WHAT? How?! Gigalith, use Earth Power! Defeat this brat!"

"Confuse Punch! You should have never let Charizard touch Gigalith! Strategy matters over brute force! Charizard...RETURN!"

Gigalith was thrown nearly to the arena border, unconscious. Revan tore at his hair and sent out a Beedrill. Charizard blasted it with flames, making it faint almost as soon as it was sent out.

Revan seemed to reach a new extreme of rage. He sent out his last Pokémon, a Alolan Golem. Charizard tried to hit it with Dizzy Punch again, but the enemy was ready. The Golem launched a electrically charged boulder at Charizard, the doubly effective attack, knocking it out.

"Ha...only one tired Pokémon left. I will make a far better Champion then you, anyway. Show the world your last Pokémon!" Bronze gripped a Poke Ball, and started to speak.

"What do you mean? What would you do if you were Champion anyway? What would you fight for?" Revan gave a nasty leer. "Stalling, are we? I will, however, answer your questions. You see, what I fight for...is money!"

"Wait, what?!"

"Yes, money! With money, I can make people do whatever I want, whenever I want! It makes the world go around! The position of Champion offers nearly unlimited funds, and other perks such as fame, power, and women. The only meaning in life is to experience as much pleasure as possible! You, a insufferable noble Pokedex Holder, couldn't possible put to use all the abilities that you would get! What can you say to that, boy?"

Bronze was quiet for a few seconds. Then he gave his answer.

"What I say to that...is that I can never allow a man like you to become Champion! Now, you will see my SIXTH Pokémon!"

Bronze sent out a Pokémon, but it wasn't Electrivire.

It was Sharpedo.

Using a mighty attack of Splash, Golem was dazed due to it not expecting any other Pokémon then Electrivire. Sharpedo gave one last ferocious attack, and Golem fainted.

Revan howled, and the bell dinged, signaling the battle end. "Bronze is the winner, as all of Revan's Pokémon are unable to battle. Our next fight is Ovleia versus Hyperion."

Bronze was shaking with exhaustion. He watched the stricken Revan walk out of the arena, in a daze. Bronze himself walked back to the waiting room, and wondered what Titus thought of him stopping a greedy, hedonistic person like Revan from having a chance at being Champion. Tess would also be shocked that he had a sixth Pokémon.

As on cue, Tess ran into the room with Crystal. "Bronze! You have a sixth Pokémon? But you only registered five! That's a crime, not to mention how in the world did you catch a Sharpedo?"

Bronze gave his answer. "Actually, I re-registered my Pokémon four days before now. I was just lucky that Revan only read the old reports, so he didn't know. I found Sharpedo twelve days ago...we had just arrived in at the stadium, so I decided to go around and experience the sights after registering my Pokémon. I walked by a inlet to the sea, and I saw a Sharpedo attacking some Magikarp. I stopped it by capturing it, and later saw that it was wounded. It bonded with me instantly, and I decide not to re-register until I trained it a little."

"But why didn't you tell me?" Tess said. "It would have been nice to know! You got me worried then!" Bronze scratched his head. "Uh...I only didn't tell you in case someone was somehow eavesdropping, or you accidently let it slip. And you know, it was a good surprise, am I right?"

Tess groaned, and Bronze just gave an infuriating smile. Crystal tried to save Bronze from Tess's further indignation. "Well played, Bronze. We should probably leave about now, right Tess? There are still many matches before Bronze fights again." Crystal dragged Tess out of the room, and Bronze started to heal his Pokémon.

The other matches went on much as the first two. Hyperion beat Ovleia, Touko defeated Valerie, and Nahum crushed Richard. Later, Touko beat Valerie, Lydia was defeated by Hyperion, and then Bronze was up against Unger.

As the two were about to start fighting, a crash coming from the stadium entrance made them pause.

The crash sounded again, now having a crackling, tearing quality to it. It continued, and the Chairman paused the round to allow the staff to investigate it.

After a few minutes, the staff came running out, frantic. "EVERYONE, GET DOWN! THERES SOME MACHINE THATS ABOUT TO GO ON-"

A astounding flash of light illuminated the arena, and then a wave of staticky energy blasted over everyone and floated up into the sky. Bronze tried to clear his eyes form the afterimage of the flash, and then saw that nothing had been harmed, aside from a small hole being created in the Charimans box, with the energy coalescing in the sky into a rift.

Screams broke out, and the startled Chairman tried to maintain order. Bronze and Unger sent out all their Pokémon, no longer interested in fighting each other. The rift was like the small one that had appeared over Frostveil, although many times wider. It started to slowly spread, opening a portal to a dark void.

The crowd started evacuating, but far too slowly. As the gigantic rift continued to spread more and more sluggishly, three beam of light came out of another special vortex, right above the arena center.

Kyurem was flying in the air, with Ho-Oh and Lugia beside it.

"Citizens of Roria," Came Cypress's booming voice. "You are about to witness the creation of a new world!"