"Well that was over quickly," you mumbled while the last Elite Four member, Drake, was staring at his defeated pokemon critically.
"I guess you should move on to the next room," he said, sighing.
"Thanks."
After rolling your neck and healing your pokemon, you took a deep breath and exited the room. The familiar staircase did nothing to ease your reluctance as the usual thoughts plagued your mind. Am I going to win this time? Did I prepare enough? Will I be able to go home? But most of all, you couldn't shake the feeling that this is not what you're meant to be doing. I have no choice, if I don't do this, I can't go back home. But all thoughts disappeared instantly when you saw the face of the young Champion.
"Hello, Steven."
"COME ON, MILOTIC!" you shouted in exasperation as the pitifully tired pokemon made a half-assed attempt at the move surf. Steven's Metagross seemed almost reluctant to finish the poor thing off, but after a nod from its owner, used psychic. You held your breath and covered your face as the move hit the mark, causing Milotic to finally faint. Dammit, and he only had one left, too!
"Perhaps you'll do it next time," said Steven, returning Metagross to its pokeball.
"Aha," you replied, doing the same with Milotic.
"I have to say, you're the most persistent trainer I have ever met, it's almost as if we're old friends!"
"Oh don't rub it in," you said, though in truth, you didn't really care. You were just so tired of doing the same thing over and over…
"It wasn't meant as an insult, it's pretty impressive that you've beat all my colleagues… what was it? Ten times?"
"Thirteen," you corrected, rubbing the space between your eyes with your thumb and forefinger. "Thirteen times."
"Ah. Well then, how could someone have almost beaten me thirteen times without coming to have a cup of tea?"
You opened one of your eyes in surprise. "Come again?"
"Nothing fancy, just a post-battle beverage," he answered, pressing something on a device which was undoubtedly made by devon corporation. A steel bridge slid out of the platform from the left side, connecting with the wall as part of it opened up to reveal a plain looking office.
"Well, the more you know," you said, thoroughly surprised. Steven grinned and beckoned towards the slightly unnerving bridge. Before you could take a step, however, an intrusive ringing filled the air coming from your pocket.
"One moment please," you sighed, grudgingly taking out your phone to see who was calling. "Typical," you said under you breath. "Hello?"
"Where are you?" said your adopted father, the very one who told you to not return until you had defeated the Champion, who was, by the way, watching with an expression of mild interest.
"Um, the Pokemon League…" you said, wincing.
"I see, have you defeated the Champion yet?"
"Well… about that…"
He hung up with a beep.
"Ouch," you sighed, putting the phone back in your pocket.
"Who was that?" asked Steven, eyebrows raised.
"My 'manager'," you replied sarcastically.
"Very funny, is he your dad?"
"Adopted father."
"Hmm…" Steven stroked his chin as if thinking, "okay then. Do you still want tea?"