Chapter 87 – The Kanto League Finals
I couldn't believe we were here again – Indigo Stadium! After several weeks of intense training, I felt I was ready for the battles ahead! May, Martin, and I, as well as our Pokemon, arrived just in time to see the caravan arrive with Mr. Goodshow and the runner carrying the flame of Moltres. 2 years ago, May and I each had the chance to carry the torch at least part of the way. Trevor met us at the Pokemon village. He had flown in on his Pidgeot. He was still a champion Rapidash racer, but had started to catch other Pokemon, as well, including Pigeot, Dodrio, and Raichu. His Rapidash looked as strong as ever and Fierymane was sure happy to see him again. We all decided to stay at the same hotel we had stayed at 2 years ago, even renting the same rooms! May's and my parents arrived that evening, and we all met for dinner. Everyone was very supportive of me, and kept saying I could win this. Apparently, everyone in Crimson Town was rooting for me. My parents told me that Brushfire, the Crimson Town Elementary School mascot, was doing very well and had really grown up. Also, my Stantler, who my Dad nicknamed Stampede, was also doing good and enjoyed helping Mom with hanging laundry and other yard chores.
The next day, Professor Oak and Simon both arrived, just in time for the opening ceremonies. I was among the trainers inside the stadium while the torch was lit, but I could see my parents, May's parents, May, Simon, Martin, Trevor, and Professor Oak all seated together in the bleachers. I knew that tomorrow would be my first field battle. At the registration building, my first field and first competitor were randomly selected, just like 2 years ago. My first battle was on the Ice Field, against a 13 year old trainer named Allison. She used Dewgong, Jynx, and Slowbro for the battle, and I used Jolteon, Arcanine, and Flamefox. MY first battle was an almost too easy victory! The following day, I battled a 10 year old trainer named David, on the Rock Field. He used Machoke, Dugtrio, and Golem. Tauros was my powerhouse for this battle, successfully taking out both Machoke and Dugtrio, and Vaporeon had no difficulty defeating the Golem. The finals felt much different this time. The psychic bond between myself and my Pokemon had become so strong, that battling felt almost effortless. It felt like we were truly a team, and together, we could overcome anything. Anyway, we had dinner each night with May's and my parents, Martin, Trevor, Simon, and Professor Oak. The third day, I battled on the Grass Field against 20 year old Joy Benson. She used Vaporeon, Clefable, and Tangela. She had a coach, too, another trainer named Michelle Carey. As fate would have it, Michelle and I would end up being opponents on the Water Field. But anyway, I used Arcanine to defeat Clefable, Jolteon to defeat her Vaporeon, and Flamefox to battle her Tangela, who was nicknamed "Thunderblah". When I asked her after the battle why she chose such an odd nickname, she said that when she caught Tangela, she accidentally said, "I caught Thunderblah!" We all laughed, since it was kind of funny. The fourth day, I battled Michelle on the Water Field. She used Golduck, Victreebel, and Gyarados. Martin and May had been coaching me throughout all of my battles and today was no exception. After Jolteon had an electrifying win over Golduck, Arcanine successfully defeated Victreebel, and then it was down to Jolteon and Gyarados. Jolteon was tired from the previous battle, but I just knew he could do it, and he finally defeated Gyarados with his thunder! The crowd cheered when it was announced that I would be in the final battle, the decided battle of who will face the Elite Four this year. This time, my fifth round opponent was Mandy, a rather well known Pokemon trainer who liked to do magic tricks, but was very arrogant. In fact, before the battle, I introduced myself and offered to shake hands with him, but he said, "My hands are for pokeballs, not for people! You'll be no match for me." He used Starmie, Exeggutor, and Mr. Mime for his Pokemon. Although he was a tough opponent, my Pokemon and I still prevailed! Jolteon took out Starmie, Flamefox took out Exeggutor, and Arcanine defeated Mr. Mime. Finally, my sixth round battle was against none other than Ryan, formerly an old rival, now an old friend. He used Electrabuzz, Ditto, Muk, Magmar, Venusaur, and Cloyster. It was one of the most difficult battles of my life, not to mention my toughest battle in the League finals, but my Pokemon and I succeeded, as a team! The crowd, as well as my friends and family, cheered loudly as it was announced that I would be facing the Elite Four a second time!
Once again, the Elite Four battles were a closed door affair – 4 battles over the course of 2 days. Lorelei, Bruno, Lance, and Agatha were still the Elite Four. A new Elite Four is voted every four years. The Elites used the same Pokemon types they used two years ago, but some different Pokemon. All of them remembered me from the last time. My Pokemon battled well, and we once again defeated the Elite Four. I was this year's Kanto League champion! I was honored at a ceremony later on, just like the last time. It was considered special this year, since it would be the last official Kanto League championship – as of the next League start, this would be known as the Indigo League.
With the League Finals behind us, Martin returned to Mahogany Town, Professor Oak and Simon returned to Professor Oak's lab, Trevor returned to racing for a while, and May's and my parents returned home. As for May, myself, and our Pokemon, we opted to return to Professor Oak's lab, so that I could pick up Firestorm and Inferno and bring them home. May let Flamefox come home with me, since we would both see each other again at the big celebration we were having at my house in Crimson Town. It was a huge party, and everyone came, including Professor Oak, Sage Li, Simon, and Trevor, as well as several of our Pokemon. Stampede was happy to see me again, and Mr. Murphy brought Brushfire to visit, as well.
As the weeks passed while we awaited the birth of Inferno's pups, May and I took the placement test for Pokemon gym leader / breeder academy in Goldenrod City. We each placed so high on the tests that we only had to attend the 2 year program before we could open our gym / breeding center. Usually it was at least a 4 year program. May and I decided that both of us should take the gym leader and breeder courses so we could help each other out in our respective duties. We were excited, and decided we would go once the pups were born and had been found good trainers and breeders to raise them.