Heart of Champions

by stringdog

Dreams have been achieved, what needs to be won has been won, but now there is a burning question that needs to be answered; what comes next? That is a question that Ash and Dawn will soon have answered in this fifth and final installment in 'Hearts' series. One thing is certain though, going forward they will need all the heart they have to rise to what is coming. Pearlshipping.

12. Part CCI: Best of the Best

Well, here it is, the twelfth part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. Ash's party has been interrupted by the arrival of Charles Goodshow and one of the Mr. Contestas but what could they want with everyone present? Well it's time to find out and what the implications of their news will have for everyone as it could change everything and set the tone for the coming year right as Ash is celebrating his ascension to the rank of Champion. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and as there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer I will leave this off here but do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all. That is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CCI: Best of the Best.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Part CCI: Best of the Best

"Best of the best?" Ash asked as the two men walked up to where he, Dawn, Lance, and Cynthia were while everyone but the cooks made their way over as well seeing as this was clearly important though the cooks were listening as this did apply to all of them as well. "What do you mean?"

"Just what we say." Charles said as he and Mr. Contesta stopped in front of the Champions of Kalos, Kanto, and Sinnoh. "We want to know who the best Pokémon trainer is in the world and the Contest Committee, well I'll let them explain it in a moment as it's a bit different but certainly similar to what we're going for."

"Thank you Charles." Mr. Contesta said as everyone else reached them and grouped up to hear what the men had to say. "My explanation is a little easier so why don't you go first."

"Right, can do." Charles said with a nod as he looked at them though his focus was on the three Champions in front of him. "For years there have been talks by the various leagues, except the Paldea League which has opted to sit this out and wait for the next one as their system is a little different from the other regions, about who the best of the best was. Yes we know the recognized best trainers in each region but Johto and until recently Alola via the acknowledgment of Champions of those regions, but who is truly the best? Are Elite Four members in one region better than another region's Champion? There are a lot of questions and as many of you have seen there is a lot of speculation on that front."

"For the most part Leon is considered the best in the world as he's never lost an official battle even though there is no Elite Four in Galar." Lance said. "But I know that many wonder who is better between myself and Cynthia while Diantha and Alder have gotten consideration in the past though now that Diantha has lost to Ash that will change, same for Wallace before he lost. With their wins and the changes they caused this year or a few years ago Ash and Steven are now in the mix as well so there is a strong debate."

"Precisely and that is why the Pokémon League as a whole has decided to once and for all settle the matter with the inaugural tournament, the first of its kind ever created and what will become a quadrennial event." Charles said as he paused for effect before announcing the name of the event. "The Pokémon World Championship!"

"That would certainly put things to rest." Lance said as everyone processed it. "A global tournament to decide who is the best in the world and to add to it it's not annual so there is time between tournaments to improve. My main question is how will it work?"

"The format is simple though the logistics are a little complicated." Charles said. "The PWC will be a 512 trainer tournament held in Galar one year from the announcement where the best from around the world will gather to find out who the World Champion is in a single elimination tournament, the precise rules and how the bracket will work will be revealed at the tournament though naturally full battles will begin when there are only 16 left."

"Makes sense, at this point all Conferences but the one in Alola and Hoenn do it like that." Cynthia said. "Sinnoh moved to top 16 the other year, as did Unova and Kanto while Hoenn starts it in the round of 32."

"Same for Kalos." Diantha said. "Though that was this recent one as the Conference that Ash won was the first one to start the full battles in the last 16."

"Why Galar?" Ash asked though he was already excited for it especially because it gave him a reason to go there with Dawn. "I get the format I just don't get the reason."

"Because one of the rules is that trainers will be able to either Mega Evolve, use a Z-Move, Dynamax or Gigantamax once per battle." Charles explained. "And the last of those can only occur in Galar because the energy needed for that phenomenon is only found there with the kind varying depending on Pokémon I think. Also, that region has multiple big stadiums and the way the tournament is structured the 8 cities with gyms will serve as host cities, especially now that Spikemuth is expected to complete their Dynamax stadium that the new gym leader there will run by the time of the PWC, until the final 8 which will be held in Wyndon Stadium but that is all the structure that I can say as of now."

"I think that kid from Galar we met explained a bit about how that region as a unique thing only available there but I definitely want to learn more about it." Ash said. "And if this maxing phenomenon can only occur in Galar then it makes sense to host this event in that region. Count me in, how do I qualify for this?"

"Oh you've already qualified Ash." Charles said causing Ash, and a few others, to blink at that. "In fact, several people here have also automatically qualified though only Ash, Lance, and Cynthia have been placed in the tournament without the need to formally claim their slots as they are regional Champions. The others who have filled slots are Steven, Alder, and Leon."

"So it's a right reserved for Champions." Cynthia said. "Makes sense and with the only challenge to reach the Champion this year being in Kalos you, well Galar is automatic but Leon didn't lose it, you waited for the result of Ash's battle with Diantha to determine who got the slots."

"Correct in the sense that there were going to be 6 known trainers before the announcement but there are actually 8 slots that will be filled without the need to register." Charles said surprising most of them. "There are two more spots that can only be filled by Champions but given the nature of Alola that will not be filled until after the newly crowned Champion faces the winner of the second Alola Conference and the winner of that full battle will get one of the top 8 slots while the tournament to select the Johto Champion is scheduled to take place in 9 months' time."

"Come again?" Ash asked now really confused. "I thought Lance was the Johto Champion as well?"

"At the moment I am but Charles is right, that will change soon." Lance said. "I see that it is time to tell people of this as well."

"It's for the best as it too will be announced when the PWC is announced." Charles said and he didn't wait for a response before he continued. "After much discussion the Pokémon League, following lobbying from the Johto League, has decided that it is high time Johto had their own Champion rather than share with Kanto."

"Really?" Ash asked.

"With the decision to name an Alola Champion it was determined that Johto was entitled to their own one as well." Charles said. "Lance has graciously accepted this decision and will oversee the tournament to select his replacement though he will naturally retain his title as Champion of Kanto. This will occur after the next winner of the Silver Conference challenges the current Johto Elite Four just in case he or she can beat any of them. Then the Johto Elite Four will have a full battle, group stage style tournament to decide who the new Champion will be. That person will take the 7th slot and the 8th will go to the Alolan Champion when we determine rankings."

"Well it is about time." Cynthia said. "Now there will be 8 regional Champions for the 8 regions that are participating in this and no doubt Geeta out in Paldea will keep a close eye on the whole thing. I take it that there is more to these 8 slots than just recognizing the Champions."

"You'd be correct there because right before the PWC there will be a special exhibition tournament held in Wyndon to really hype it up." Charles said. "As well as to show off how it will work as the exhibition tournament will use the same rules as the main tournament. The one difference is that the whole tournament will be a 3 on 3, single elimination tournament and it will also determine the seeding for the 8 Champions in the main tournament though you will be seeded for the exhibition tournament and for the moment those seeds have been tentatively determined."

"They have?" Ash asked. "So what's my seed then?"

"You are currently the 6th seed Ash and for the purposes of global rankings that will be used for the PWC that is also your rank while Lance is the 2nd seed and Cynthia the 3rd." Charles explained. "Leon has the top seed, Alder 4th and Steven 5th while the new Johto Champion will be the 7th and the Alola Champion the 8th seed."

"That makes sense and is in line with current perceptions of the Champions." Cynthia said. "Ash beating Diantha was big of course but 6th is fair for him while I accept 3rd, it gives me motivation. I take it the other rankings will work differently."

"They will." Charles said. "Everyone else will have to earn their rankings from 9 to 512 for the tournament and that includes those who are automatically eligible should they exercise that right, it's just the 8 Champions who are different. Oh and for Lance and Cynthia, if either of you are beaten in challenges from your own Elite Four this year then you will naturally be replaced by them in the top 8 with any replacements being placed at the lower end due to time as Champion though you are automatically in the tournament regardless due to be Champions at the time of announcement."

"That makes sense." Lance said accepting the rules as they did make a lot of sense. "You've mentioned other automatic slots though, how are those working?"

"Right, those slots are open to the following trainers who qualify for them though they must fill out the proper paperwork to claim them." Charles said. "Some cases it's a slot for a specific position such as the active Kalos Queen which is one of the few that doesn't require more than a simple acceptance from Aria to make her eligible. However, the other slots do and this applies to Diantha, the members of the Elite Four, and all the active gym leaders here including Cilan despite the strangeness of the Straiton Gym."

"Wait, so we're eligible for this tournament?" Misty asked now really interested in it. "How?"

"By virtue of being a primary gym leader, that is a sign of recognition by the regional Pokémon Leagues that you are skilled enough to run and gym and thus the Pokémon World Championship has a slot for you should you decide to accept it." Charles said. "The same applies to all current or former members of a region's Elite Four and all former Champions like Wallace and Diantha. I will note that former is only for Elite Four and Champions, former Gym Leaders like Brock don't count, nor do secondary or backup ones. The only exception to this is the Spikemuth Gym Leader Piers as he's stepping down before the PWC for his younger sister so both have been granted spots."

"What about Frontier Brains?" Lucy asked. "I am taking a sabbatical due to my engagement but we are seen as the same as Gym Leaders."

"You are and after discussions with Scott and the owner of the Sinnoh Battle Frontier we've decided that all current Frontier Brains will be granted a slot should they wish to take it as well and yes you are included in that as you've not formally retired." Charles said. "Though your former associate Brandon doesn't as he formally retired a few years ago when he moved to Sinnoh. Also there is a ban on the use of legendary or mythical Pokémon in the tournament."

"Makes sense." Cynthia said. "I recall Tobias."

"Yeah his Darkrai and Latios were something else." Ash said. "A great challenge but it was almost unfair to face them."

"I didn't like that you lost like that." Dawn said and a few others nodded at that.

"Tobias is actually one of the reasons for that rule as anyone who's won a Pokémon League Conference but failed to join a regional Elite Four is eligible to claim a spot as well and yes Tobias can exercise that right." Charles said. "That is a right that they will be given for their wins. For the most part when a trainer wins a Conference that is their peak so this gives them a chance to remind us why they won. Of the categories this is the most nebulous and the main reason why we have a time period to apply for spots so that we know precisely how many will be in it before deciding the wildcards."

"I presume that the winners of the next Conferences and the Galar Cup will also qualify as well." Lance said. "That would only be fair, right?"

"Correct they will so 8 slots are blocked off for those winners regardless of whether or not they are at the cutoff point in the global rankings." Charles said. "And as an aside on that, if they end up facing a member of the region they won's Elite Four in the PWC then they will be entitled to use that as a claim for their spot as the formal challenges with the exceptions of the Johto challenge and the battle between the Alola Conference winner and the Alola Champion will be delayed until after the PWC given that this will be an event that lasts for 1 month."

"Given all that is going on that is for the best." Cynthia said with a nod.

"How long do we have to secure our spot?" Korrina asked. "Because I want in already."

"Same." Misty said with a nod.

"There's no way that I'm not competing in this." Lucy said. "A massive tournament like this is too good to pass up."

"I'm sure we all do." Drasna said. "Right?"

There were nods from those around whom this applied to as well as affirmations from Siebold, Cilan, and Clemont in the cooking area as all three were interest in it as well. There was no way that any of them turned down this opportunity, which was just what Charles was hoping for.

"The portal to sign up will after the announcement and remain open for one month." Charles said. "And this isn't just for those who can reserve a slot, this will also apply to those who wish to seek a wildcard slot, that is to say the slots left over when the month-long registration window is over as we expect there to be plenty of slots available."

"How will those slots be filled?" Ash asked curiously. "I presume you have a way to determine it."

"We do." Charles said. "All of those in the PWC be it the ones with automatic slots or the ones seeking them will have a special app installed on their Pokedexes that affixes their registration status to their trainer cards and will remain through the final League Conference. This app will track their wins over others in the competition and assign a points score based on various factors that will be used to determine the wild card slots as well as the overall rankings from 9 to 512."

"Will this apply to standard gym battles?" Misty asked. "You know how those have to be and I'd like them to not affect my ranking if I can avoid it."

"No they won't." Charles said which reassured all the gym leaders present. "While you have that slot you will be expected to compete in Pokémon World Championship qualifying battles for your seeding in the tournament though so you can challenge others in it to a PWC battle which will be a two on two battle, well for the most part as there are some exceptions, and you aren't constrained by any limitations."

"Understood." Misty said and the other gym leaders nodded. "Thank you for clearing that up."

"I take it this applies to the Elite Fours as well." Wikstrom said.

"It does though for you lot you're already assigned a certain number of points based on your current standings and histories so with the exception of Raihan who's included you'll all start out in the top 50 ranked participants." Charles said. "Same for the former champions and members. For example, as of right now Diantha would likely be ranked 9th given that she just got knocked out of the ranks of regional Champions. There is a complex algorithm for this that will be applied once the registration period is over but if you want to really boost your rankings face other Elite Four members both here and abroad to do so. Hell, you can do so against Champions so expect some informal challenges there."

"Well I was hoping to travel so that's fine with me." Ash said with a grin. "And to face other regions' Elite Four members will be fun, I've never faced them in proper battles though I've battled Drake and Bertha informally."

"Champions are expected to have exhibition matches against members of other regions' Elite Four or in the gym leaders of Galar as they don't have an Elite Four so that makes sense." Lance said. "And it will keep us sharp for the tournament so I too relish this chance, it has been a while since I was really tested in battle and the PWC sounds like the perfect place for it."

"Well I guess I won't be fully stepping back just yet." Diantha said with a smile. "I won't challenge the Kalos Elite Four but if I start at the 9th ranking slot, well I'd want to keep it as this does sound fun so I'm going to register for it as well."

"I take it the regional Conferences will also count for wildcard rankings." May said. "My brother will want to do this but he'll want some reassurance just in case he can't win in Kanto."

"They will, all those who enter a Conference and have registered will have their battles monitored and ranks reflected should they face off against another registered trainer in the Conference." Charles said. "This is just a general overview, once the signing up period is over there will be a more detailed explanation of things as well as how many slots are available as we are projecting there to be between 350 and 375 wildcard slots available."

"So this is just an overview, got it." Ash said as he tried to figure it all out even though he didn't need to do so. "Still I can't wait. The chance to be the best in the world, I know what my goal is now."

"That's the spirit." Charles said with a smile. "That's what I had to tell you and the formal announcement will come within a week which will also be when the registration period opens. Now I will hand over to Mr. Contesta to explain things as there is one direct tie to the PWC with what he has to say and there are some here who his thing applies so you should know it as well."

"Yes and I am aware that one of our Top Coordinators is dating a Champion so this will actually be important on another level which we can deal with after the formal announcement." Mr. Contesta said as he took over and now it was Dawn, May, Serena, and Miette's turn to be the focus but everyone was listening to him. "Now onto what the Contest Committee has decided to start doing. We waited to see how the first year of expansion worked and it went really well and so we've decided to officially implement a new, special event that will be held yearly and rotate through the regions starting with Hoenn where Contests originated followed by Sinnoh, Kanto, Johto, Kalos, Unova, Galar, and Alola in that order."

"So like the Wallace Cup?" Dawn asked she was getting keen to hear this because she did love Contests and wanted to do more but as a Top Coordinator it was seen as disrespectful to compete after gaining that title and she wouldn't do that. "Just one where Top Coordinators can compete without dishonor?"

"In a way yes but it is a little more complex than that." Mr. Contesta said with a smile. "You did hit the nail on the head there though, there is a stigma associated with competing in Contests after becoming a Top Coordinator. It's not disallowed but it's seen as wrong as you've already achieved it so let someone else do it and most opt to retire once they achieve Top Coordinator status which can be hard as those who get to that point truly love Contests and competing in them. That is why we've decided to come up with a way to allow Top Coordinators the chance to compete without that stigma by creating our own international tournament; the Majestic Festival."

"The Majestic Festival?" Dawn asked confused and she looked at May. "May, you said there were rumors that would determine your plans, is this it?"

"I'd heard rumors of a first of its kinds international Contest for Top Coordinators but that's it." May said as she listened intently as her hopes for said tournament were being confirmed. "Working with the committee to set up the expansion regions allowed me to pick up some things but it was just rumors though I naturally wanted them to be true. It seems like it's going to happen though which is great. I presume that there is a special qualification requirement though."

"There is and you may have heard whispers of it but now it is official and will be announced in the coming days when the new Contest season begins." Mr. Contesta said. "To qualify for the Majestic Festival you must have attained the rank of Top Coordinator and then met one of the two qualification requirements to participate in it. This is the Festival above a Grand Festival to find the best of the best so naturally qualification is going to be tougher but it does come with a new trophy and title. Those who win the Majestic Festival will be awarded the Contest Cup and become Supreme Coordinators."

"Which by the way is an auto slot for the Pokémon World Championship." Charles chimed in. "That is the crossover we have. The winner of the Majestic Festival, so long as it's not someone like Juan, Fantina or Wallace who are already eligible due to other reasons, there is a reserved slot for the Supreme Coordinator this year as well as for any others who become one between now and the next PWC as the PWC is every 4 years while the Majestic Festival is annual."

"Yes and like a Grand Festival once you qualify via the first qualification route you qualify forever for it and there is no time limit on it on how long you need to qualify for it." Mr. Contesta said. "The second qualification route is a special one off qualification that would apply to Serena and Miette as they are active coordinators but not Dawn or May who are Top Coordinators."

"So you don't have to already have the title to qualify?" Serena asked as while she was still a Performer first and foremost she was going to continue coordinating for at least one more year to get better at being a Performer and, well, she wanted to be Kalos Queen one day and you needed a winning drive for that so why not aim for this Majestic Festival as well this year. "Despite it being for Top Coordinators? I don't get that."

"Well it is only for Top Coordinators but the second route is special because it honors the newest Top Coordinators." Mr. Contesta said. "The 8 coordinators who win the upcoming Grand Festivals at the end of the coming season and thus become Top Coordinators will get a onetime qualification to the Majestic Festival for the year they became Top Coordinators. Think of it as a right similar to a Conference winner's right to challenge a regional Elite Four in a way. You get a one off shot but unlike current Top Coordinators who have to use the first route to qualify you don't auto qualify for any future Majestic Festivals, after your first you must re-qualify via the first route."

"I see, that does make sense and makes it fair while also honoring the newest Top Coordinators." Miette said. "And it will add to Top Coordinators avoiding active Grand Festivals and Contest Circuits."

"Well there will be Top Coordinators in normal Contests this year due to the first route but once they win in a region they will be barred from any more Contests in that region." Mr. Contesta said causing them to blink so he elaborated. "How did you think the first route would be? This is still a Festival so to qualify like you would for a Grand Festival only all current Top Coordinators must attain 8 ribbons and they must be from all 8 regions that host Conferences and have a Grand Festival."

"Is the barring new?" Miette asked. "I didn't think Top Coordinators were barred from normal Contests."

"They're not but if they chose to go for the Majestic Festival they will be once they've secured a region's ribbon." Mr. Contesta said. "Following the announcement of the Majestic Festival Top Coordinators must win one Contest in the 8 regions to compete and once they win in a region it will be noted and they can't enter as they'd have a special coordinator card for it. This also means that none of your former ribbons count. That is what is needed for the first route. Once achieved you are eligible for the Majestic Festival for life so this year will be hectic but it can take years if you want to qualify at a slower pace."

"Wait a sec." Dawn said her eyes wide as it all hit her, between her and May she'd always known she'd be a coordinator so a year without it had been a lot harder on her than May in some ways and had been part of why she'd taken up performing to fill that void. "I, I can compete again?"

"Correct." Mr. Contesta said. "If you wish to participate in the Majestic Festival then you will have to get those 8 ribbons somehow. Oh and for those Top Coordinators who are aiming for the Majestic Festival, the Contest Committee will pay for flights between regions as we understand the scope of what we're asking."

"Likewise the Pokémon League has stipends for Champions and Elite Four members for similar travel expenses though we're expanding it to PWC hopefuls who want to try to qualify by challenging other hopefuls and not focus on the Conferences." Charles said. "So don't worry about that either."

"That will be useful." Ash said looking at Dawn. "Because we're going to need it as we now have reasons to travel now, your Contests."

"Be wary Ash." Lance said. "Traveling as a Champion means a lot. I know you will travel so you'd better be prepared for a lot of challenges and exhibition matches."

"Are you kidding me, I can't wait for them." Ash said with a grin. "Man we get to see Alola and Galar this year, it's going to be great."

"Yeah we have to go to them." Dawn said seriously. "There's no way I'm not trying for this Majestic Festival. I've not been in a proper Contest in a long time, I can't wait to get back on the circuit and this new one sounds really interesting."

"Same." May said grinning. "And with Top Coordinators all over the world entering it's going to make the circuits even more competitive than before."

"That it will which is a good thing." Mr. Contesta said. "And as this is an open festival, you just need to register for it and you're good to go. Just submit expense reports for your travel costs. Oh and as Top Coordinators you will still be expected to judge Contests in expansion regions while you are there. It may be best to judge at least one as well as winning one just to make up for it."

"Of course, that's the respectful thing to do." May said and Dawn nodded at that. "And this will be in Hoenn at the end of the year, that does make sense as it is the birthplace of Contests. Let me guess, Lilycove City will be the city that hosts it."

"Correct, Lilycove is the city where Pokémon Contests began so it is only fitting that it host the first Majestic Festival while it's already been decided that the second will be in Hearthome City in Sinnoh." Mr. Contesta said. "Naturally the finite details on the advancement and how the battles and appeals will go will not be revealed until time in no small part because we don't know how many will qualify via the first route though we expect many will. Also, Mega Evolution will be allowed in normal Contests this year but the details are still being worked out so expect an announcement on that soon."

"Oh that's good." Dawn said. "Alright all this makes sense, I for one can't wait to get back into Contests again."

"Hang on." Miette said. "I just realized something. What does this mean for the Wallace Cup? That is a Contest with no set region who's ribbon counts to any region so how would that work if say a Top Coordinator wins the Dawn Ribbon this year?"

"The Wallace Cup is fair game to Top Coordinators this time around." Mr. Contesta said with a smile as Dawn started to realize something. "But it will only count for the region that hosts it if a Top Coordinator wins it. As it will be in Unova this year, if a Top Coordinator claims the second Dawn Ribbon then he or she can only count it towards their Unova slot whereas a non-Top Coordinator can count it to whichever region they want should they travel to Unova for it."

"So let me get this straight." Dawn said as it all hit her. "I can once again enter the Wallace Cup, the very Contest that bears my name on the ribbon following my three-peat and which has Piplup's face as the crest?"

"You can." Mr. Contesta said. "I realize that it wasn't expected you'd enter it again after becoming a Top Coordinator and giving Wallace permission to change the ribbon but now you can enter it again and try to win the Dawn Ribbon."

"I'm going to look like such a narcissist if I win it." Dawn said with a sigh. "But I'm going to try because it's Contest I've done the best in so I can't not enter it now that I've got the chance to do so."

"I lost to you three times Dawn." May said. "I won't lose a fourth."

"Hey, I won the first Dawn Ribbon." Serena reminded them while also conveniently leaving out how she had an easier bracket, Ash defeated all 3 favorites, and she won on a one hit KO though even with all that the Wallace Cup had helped Serena develop her style that would take her to the Grand Festival final and almost win it. "And I chose Unova for my first region outside of Kalos because it will host the next Wallace Cup so I don't intend on giving up that title anytime soon."

"I would interject as a rival of all of you." Miette said. "But I'm going to be in Kanto all year so I'll just watch the fun on TV."

"That's what the Committee likes to see." Mr. Contesta said. "Very well, that is all that we have for you so we will take our leave."

"Stay tuned for the announcements as there will be more details in them." Charles added and with that the two men turned and left.

The moment they did there was an announcement from Siebold that food was ready, they'd worked through the revelations of the international tournaments and would have invited the men to say but they'd already left. That didn't matter though as everyone, especially Ash, was hungry and he really wanted to try Siebold's cooking so they all made their way to the eating area to get food and discuss the news they'd received as the Pokémon played around them.

This was a celebration of Ash's victory of Diantha and ascension to Kalos Champion and they'd do that but there was another thing to discuss, well two things, as it seemed that Ash, Dawn, May, and many others now had their goals set for the year. Be they trainer or coordinator they all now wanted to enter and compete in the Pokémon World Championship or the Majestic Festival and naturally they all wanted to win it. That was the goal and their journeys to those events and what they entailed had now begun as they settled in to eat as the festivities resumed.

Well at long last the full goals of Champions has been revealed and Ash and Dawn know what they now have to aim for this year. The next chapter will officially be the start of the Gen VIII and Champions's story with this concluding the wrap up of Winning with what is on the docket for the coming year. As you can tell, I took inspiration from the World Coronation Series but it is not the same as it mainly in how Ash has not only already qualified for the massive season ending tournament (which itself is different) but he will officially enter it as the number 6 ranked trainer in the world behind the other Champions with only the Alola and eventual Johto Champions behind him. Naturally that ranking may change in time so stay tuned for that as well but all in due course. I know that there was at least one incarnation of the World Coronation Series before the one in Journeys but in a rare deviation from canon I will not be dealing with that or its history but rather doing my own new thing with inspiration from the World Coronation Series at times. Of course the big change though is that the impetus for global travel in Champions is not Ash but Dawn who now has to travel the world and secure those 8 ribbons so yes, Champions will take place in all 8 regions revealed before Paldea (Paldea will not appear in this story) and there is a lot that could happen across them and many adventures to have with new and old friends and foes as Ash and Dawn travel. May is of course in the same boat as Dawn and the other established Top Coordinators are there as well so they're going to be around to so a lot to look forward to as the story shifts into the main plot and our heroes decide their course of action. Don't worry, Ash won't be idle during this as he is still a regional Champion so he's going to have his own share of fun along with Dawn as they now set out on their greatest adventure together. That is all that I have for this important Part as we shift generations and start the story if Champions properly so I will leave this Part off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.

Stringdog