"Have you been keeping well? I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you, Lucas and Barry did on Mt Coronet when I could not…"
"Don't remind me!"
"Ah. It must have been hard on you, to see the man who'd sworn himself to protect you, fall to his demise, and then die. But the mere fact you have triumphed over your fear to face me is commendable."
"Actually, I'm just here to finish what Lucas started."
"…Anyway, I accept your challenge. At your ready."
Dawn is challenged by Champion Cynthia!
Champion Cynthia sent out SPIRITOMB!
Go! Angel!
Spiritomb spread about a silvery powder. The Silver Wind shot towards Angel, who deftly avoided every particle in the powder. Angel's Night Slash flew from his blade before Spiritomb could take note of this.
Champion Cynthia sent out LUCARIO!
Lucario placed his hands together, creating an Aura Sphere. The sphere blasted towards Angel in full force.
Go! TOGEKISS!
Togekiss closed her eyes, and used a Psychic attack. Lucario's energy was being blocked. Togekiss winked, and used an Air Slash.
Champion Cynthia sent out ROSERADE!
Roserade used a Toxic to start leeching away Togekiss' health. Togekiss tried an Air Slash, but, at the crucial moment, the blow missed. Roserade's Sludge Bomb finished the job.
Go! Alfa!
Alfa had experience in war to work with. Roserade's Toxic failed to hit Staraptor, as he plunged and aileron rolled his way through the poisonous spores, and eventually colliding. What a Brave Bird.
Champion Cynthia sent out MILOTIC!
Alfa wasn't ready to lie down just yet. He started to glow, and Milotic knew she had only seconds to work with. She prepared an Ice Beam, and fired it. She was faster, and Alfa's Sky Attack went unused.
Go! TORTERRA!
Torterra screeched out. Milotic tried another Ice Beam, only to be met by extremely fast growing trees. Several of them were frozen, and another was pulled from the ground. Still issuing his war cry, Torterra jumped up, and used his giant tree as a makeshift Wood Hammer. Milotic went down.
Champion Cynthia sent out TOGEKISS!
Togekiss used an Air Slash of her own. Torterra's trees were no match for the band of compressed wind, and he fainted.
Go! Yuki!
Yuki chanted, making the weather Hail. Letting out a tuft of energy and turning invisible, Togekiss's efforts were futile. Trying to use an Aura Sphere, he was outmatched by the Blizzard that Yuki had generated.
Champion Cynthia sent out GARCHOMP!
Dawn was in sheer terror at the thought of facing Garchomp. Choking back her concern, she touched her Battle Ring, and prepared another Blizzard attack. This time, what Yuki hoped would end the fight turned sour, as an Earthquake was launched, guaranteeing a hit on Garchomp's part.
Go! GARCHOMP!
The Hail dissipated, and it was just Garchomp against Garchomp. Cynthia's used a Dragon Rush, walloping Dawn's. Dawn's got up, and went up into the air. Instead of a hellish war cry, Garchomp elected to speak.
"Sorry, girl, but the fight must be finished."
Rocks on purple fire began to rain from the ceiling, as Garchomp, once terrified at the thought of a cave in, used the mightiest move at his disposal: Draco Meteor. Cynthia's Garchomp couldn't stand up to the carefully honed attack.
Dawn defeated Champion Cynthia!
"Dawn. Do you have any idea what just happened?" Cynthia asked.
"No."
"You are now the most powerful trainer in the Sinnoh region: The official Pokémon League Champion!"
"…I decline."
"But Dawn, you are already at the top! Surely you'd have thought about this sooner?"
"…A friend of mine started this quest. I went along because I liked the kid. And then he had to go and… and then… and I came here alone, to see the deed done."
"Dawn, I have absolutely no idea what you meant. Before you go, shouldn't you at least induct your Pokémon into the Hall of Fame?"
"…If it means you'll quit bugging me."
PKMN Trainer Lucas
389: TORTERRA
398: ALFA
445: GARCHOMP
409: RAMPARDOS
461: WEAVILE
452: DRAPION
PKMN Trainer Dawn
392: INFERNAPE
468: TOGEKISS
471: YUKI
334: ALTARIA
350: MILOTIC
359: ANGEL
So here we are, at long last... the end of High Road To Giratina.
So, after the Power of Intelligence chapter, we move on to the first of the two Unova region stories, What is Good, Really?. And man, is it good to finally use a question mark in the chapter name. The files that contain relevant splash and/or planning data aren't allowed question marks.
As for my delays, well, they might be nearly over. Sure, I've still got Sailor Moon on the mind, but I have nearly beaten the second quest in Wind Waker HD, and have everything in Mario Kart 8 but the Golden Glider. So, pretty much, I should have more time to devote to Unova... but remember, I have a stigma over Pokemon Black & White Versions.
It's about reaching for the sky, having the courage, and willing to try.