Chapter 51 – Remembrance

"The last time I stood here, it was to inform your predecessor that I believed you had what it took to become Sinnoh's youngest Champion" the gruff voice said off to Cynthia's right. The Champion was standing just before the mid-point of her battlefield awaiting the destiny she knew was coming. A small smile crept across the Champions face as Rowan's words sunk in.

"He never did tell me what you had said to him before our battle. Is it you we should blame for when us Champions are uncrowned?" Rowan laughed.

"If you recall, I was here when you faced your first few challengers in those early years. I never felt the need to speak on behalf of them, as I never believed you had found your match. However, this time does feel different." Cynthia finally opened her eyes, realizing that it was just her and the professor in the room.

"It does. Jill has what it takes to become the new Champion." Rowan nodded at that. A low rumbling noise indicating the arrival of crowds told the Champion and the Professor all they needed to know about the battle below them. Rowan placed a hand on Cynthia's shoulder. The Champion looked back at the elder man.

"This battle will be talked about for a very long time Cynthia. Best of luck my dear." Cynthia still smiling nodded to the Professor. She faced back forward once more and closed her eyes as people began filing in.

It was feeling like the longest elevator ride Jill had ever been on. Slowly, she rose to the top of the cathedral that the League called home. And more importantly, she rose up to face her final challenge in her bid to become Champion. After and eternity, the low rumble stopped and the doors hissed open. A long, empty hallway faced the young woman. The lights were bright and the double doors at the end seemed to be holding back what was inevitable. But she had finally made it. Slowly Jill walked forward. Almost half way through the hallway however, she stopped. Reaching down, Jill grabbed one of her pokeballs, and stared at it. As if reading her thoughts, six bright lights burst forth and all at once, her entire family was surrounding her.

Icarium looked around at his family. This group who had accepted him in, made him whole. From a scared little Ralts, Icarium was now a tall, proud warrior. He had trained exceptionally hard to help this team get this far. And he was ready to face off against the strongest trainer yet. He looked down at Jill who was staring back at him, then stepped forward. She placed a hand on Icarium's chest and the psychic type could feel her emotions running through her. There was nervousness yes, but there was also that battle calm then entire team had come to know of their trainer.

"I remember when we first met." Icarium smiled at the memory that came up.

"If I recall, fur brain over there tried to eat me."

"You were too scrawny to eat!" Chase called back. Caladan's low voice rumbled as he laughed along.

"You said that you wanted to become stronger though" Jill commented through the laughter.

"And because of you, I have." Jill's eyes were welling up, but Icarium smiled and sent through his emotions of pride and belonging. It was true back in that glade he had been lonely. But here, now, he had a family. He belonged.

Sphyrna was surveying the doors before her. Just beyond was the battle she had been growing towards since she had first met Jill. She had been told most of her life that the only way to get stronger was to battle the other nests. Fighting was a way of life in the caves. But out here, travelling with a human, Sphyrna had found a new way of living. A new way of becoming stronger. The dragon sensed her trainer moving up beside her. Sphyrna had barely said a word through all the Elites they had battled. She knew that Jill was relying on her because Sphyrna was one of the strongest team members. The dragon bent down, leveling one of her amber eyes to Jill's brilliant green ones.

"I know you're ready Sphyrna" Jill said.

"As are you." Jill smiled.

"I've always admired your fighting spirit you know." Sphyrna bared her fangs in a grin.

"When we first met, I didn't believe you could get stronger travelling with a human. Hardly any ever dared wander close to our nests. But when I battled Caladan, I knew we would be the best."

"We could have never got this far without you."

"I know." Jill burst out laughing while Sphyrna nudged Jill's shoulder with her head.

Urim watched as Jill stepped towards him. He remembered how long ago it was when he had hatched. There was a sense of sorrow but also family, such a strong bond had brought the small hatchling out. Through their travels, Urim had always been the happiest and most curious of the team, someone at one point that everyone had protected until he had grown strong enough to fight alongside everyone.

"When you hatched Urim, it was amazing. I didn't know what to think, especially having just lost Star…" Jill trailed off remembering the hard feelings of losing a team member.

"It was your loving family that allowed me to hatch" Urim replied in his soothing voice. The avian could feel the confidence surrounding him, as though they were all destined to come together and be a family.

Epona studied the group around her. They had become strong indeed. Destiny called forward through those doors. And while the fire type usually held to a loftiness and an air of speaking quietly, she would do anything for this family. Jill placed a hand on her neck.

"Our destiny awaits through those doors" Epona said quietly. The young woman smiled.

"Was this what you were hoping to experience when you stopped in that valley?" the trainer asked.

"When I saw you standing there, I knew it couldn't be a coincidence that we crossed paths. I had been wanting to see more for some time, only to come across a trainer. To be here now…" Jill gave a small laugh.

"I know what you mean. It seems like so long ago. But we're finally here." The fiery steed nodded at that. A convergence of fates all coming forth.

"I believe that we will prevail. But it will prove difficult."

"That belief is all we need."

Chase was prowling behind the team. Jill was connecting with each team member before heading inside to battle for the championship. This was what everything boiled down to for everyone here. No more fights to the death, no more gods, just two powerful teams ready to battle it out until a new victor was crowned.

"You know, you've always been the mischevious one" Jill said to the lynx. Chase smiled that feral grin.

"Can't help it blue." Jill laughed again. It had been some time since Chase had used that nickname for her. Unconsciously, the young woman brushed her hair back. "Gotta say though, its been quite a road." Jill couldn't help but nod.

"We've been through more than I ever imagined we would."

"We knew we'd make it though." Jill saw her electric type thinking back through their journey. Chase had been the first Pokemon she ever caught, and because of that he was always going to have a special place in her heart.

"I think you and leaves should take this one" Chase finally commented. The rest of the team turned at that and looked to the electric type. "We've all found our way thanks to you Jill, but this team, it's been you and Cal since the beginning."

"Did he just say something intelligent?" Sphyrna asked. Everyone was silent for a moment then burst out laughing. Still smiling, Jill returned her team one by one until the only one left was Caladan. Jill walked up to her massive grass type, the Pokemon she had first started her journey with. She had a word for everyone on her team up until now. Standing before the Torterra, Jill was overcome with emotion. Every hardship, every success, Caladan had been there it was true. The bond between Pokemon and trainer was more powerful than Jill had realized it would become.

It is this that makes you worthy. The powerful ancient voice reverberated around the empty hall. Both Caladan and Jill faced the door which just beyond waited Cynthia. Their shadows stretched out in front of them, rising up into the dark mass of Korabas.

"Korabas?" Those gleaming red eyes bored into Jill's.

I failed to understand for so long. There is a power within you mortals. Your bond has a strength I have never known. Take faith in this as you approach your destiny. The one who awaits you, there is a power there as well. Jill smiled at the ancient being.

"Yes well, Cynthia may be my cousin, and she may be the Champion, but I'm ready." Caladan looked up at the young woman he cared so deeply about.

"Let's do this!"