- Part 3: Forward! -

Milotic couldn't move.

The convulsions continued. Its cries were strained. It kept gasping.

Vulnerable. Why did Cynthia switch? Was it because she knew Roserade wouldn't be able to endure another blow from Rhyperior, had it landed? She could have taken that risk. Perhaps that would allow her to have a clean switch to Spiritomb, but would it be enough? Rhyperior was healthy. It was not an easy Pokémon to take down. Just from a mere glance, Cynthia could see the vest it had worn over its body. It almost blended in with its natural armor.

What do I do from here?

She didn't think it would be a question that would cross her mind. There was no panic, but with every attempt to search for a way out, her mind came to a blank.

She couldn't switch back to Roserade. It wouldn't be able to withstand a heavy blow from Rhyperior. Even if it somehow managed, Trick Room was active. The laws of physics were broken. Roserade would be knocked out before it could do a thing.

The only Pokémon that could take advantage of the twisted dimensions was already wounded as well. It would only throw away her advantage of numbers. She has to tread carefully.

Her Garchomp? No. Far too risky. Rowan had two other Pokémon on standby. They both surpassed Garchomp in speed for as long as the altered field remained in effect. She needed the dragon to be at its strongest if she wanted to stand a fighting chance against his signature Pokémon-

I am actually worried? Is there really no way out of this?

That can't be possible. That can't be...

Again, she ran through a mental list of scenarios in her head. They all came to the same conclusion every single time. Could she take the risk and send out Garchomp now? Could she do that, knowing the toughest opponent was yet to come out in the light?

Rowan had her.

Cynthia shook her head with a foolish smile.

He had her.

"What troubles you, Champion? We are waiting on you," Rowan called.

Rhyperior's face hasn't changed. It laughed again and beckoned Milotic forward. A challenge. A dare. It was as if it was saying: "I would like to see you try."

Milotic staggered before its body locked in place again. Its eyes shifted towards Cynthia. Despite the pain it was experiencing, there was a determined glare. Cynthia knew what it meant.

She came to her answer. It was the only answer.

"This is fine," Cynthia finally said. "Milotic is a lot stronger than this! She won't fall as easily as you would like!"

"It is only to be expected, Champion," Rowan said. "Let's see your next move."

"My next move." Cynthia was no longer able to mask the excitement in her voice. "Don't you realize what you just did? Maybe I am at a disadvantage, but I am not a stranger to taking huge gambles! Maybe Milotic doesn't have Marvel Scale, but what we do have is Trick Room!"

Rowan chuckled. "So you do."

"I believe in Milotic! I know she can pull through with this! We are going to turn things right around, isn't that right?!"

Milotic threw its head back with a scream. It was almost as if the paralysis wasn't there. The battle cry rang strong in everyone's ears. The audience were in awe. Rhyperior roared in response.

"Milotic, pull through!" Cynthia shouted. "Unleash your Scald at full power!"

"That's if she can move without a stagger!" Rowan shouted back. "Rhyperior! Thunder Punch!"

The giant rushed forward, fist raised high and crackling with bolts of electricity. Milotic drew back, its jerking body shifting the sand. Its mouth snapped open, and pressurized water shot out. It flew across the field and slammed against the beast.

Rhyperior bellowed and staggered. It threw one foot in the air and stomped it through the sand, followed by the other. Fangs clenched, eyes squinted, the giant stood firm against the scalding water that drenched its armor. Heavy clouds of steam rose from its body. It swallowed the field like a thick curtain.

Scalding. The mist was almost scaling. Cynthia didn't mind, no. The heat was Milotic's power...its resolve. She was quite comfortable with it, even as the steam obscured her surroundings. It didn't matter. The audience was a mere afterthought.

At that moment, it was just her and the battlefield.

A dull boom was beneath her feet. Cynthia tilted her head back, and her eyes locked on a massive figure that blocked out the sun.

Rhyperior had launched itself from the ground. With its body drenched, and fist clenched tight, it made its descent.

Cynthia recoiled back. Milotic pulled its body back. It was a slow reaction. The fist hammered down atop Milotic's head. The air buzzed. Lightning burst in a loud crack that sliced through the air. A pulse of electricity shot through Milotic's body, and it was sent through the ground. A wave of sand flew in a shockwave. The steam was blown away.

Cynthia was forced to guard her face against the wind. Once everything settled and the air cleared, Rhyperior stumbled back. It dropped to one knee, already winded, and its body coated with steam. It still held the energy to fight.

"Hah... Of course. I should have known better. He used an ability capsule...of course."

Milotic's slump form twitched. It lifted its weak body halfway before it was swallowed by angry bolts. Bruised and battered, it still held on. Even as it teetered, it adjusted. It stood upright. It held on. It toughed it out because Cynthia believed it would, and it answered.

Cynthia couldn't stop smiling.

Rhyperior pushed itself to its feet. It still held on to its grin, but it was masked over with volumes of pain. The steam displayed no signs of fading...no. It intensified into a thicker cloud. The smallest moves it made brought it a new wave of pain.

Burned.

It was burned.

"Outstanding. She answered your call." Rowan praised her through a smile. "No other Pokémon would have endured that, I can assure you. This doesn't surprise me, no. This actually pleases me. Everything about this battle has grown so compelling, it would be a shame if it were to end as soon as it started."

"You're implying I might lose?" Cynthia saw that his face didn't change.

He meant every word.

"Then by all means...we would like to see you try it!"

Milotic screamed in response to Cynthia's challenge.

"Forward, Rhyperior!" Rowan's shout was answered by Rhyperior's roar. The giant charged with its fish cloaked once more.

Milotic took in a sharp breath. It prepared to fire again.

Then, its body locked. The water it fired halted and rained down as Milotic's stiff form collapsed.

Above, Rhyperior crashed down. Another roar of thunder. Milotic's scream was cut short.

Its form was withdrawn inside its pokéball. Rhypeior let out a victorious roar.

Cynthia patted the top of the pokéball. "Thank you, Milotic. You did what you needed to do."

So she couldn't land the final blow. It didn't matter, no. She could take advantage of the field now.

"It appears I'm in a slight predicament. But this works perfectly in my favor! Spiritomb!"

The keystone sunk into the sand, and the ghastly form spilled out. It crackled like a mad man as it soaked in all the energy it was sensing. It was almost contagious. Cynthia was on the verge of giving in to it herself.

Silence hung over the crowd. They perhaps thought both Trainers were mad. The wicked grins on their faces were near identical.

"I must thank you, because now my Spiritomb is the fastest Pokémon in the field! Dark Pulse, Spiritomb!"

Rowan swung a finger forward. "Rhyperior! Rock Slide!"

The dark rings slammed against Rhyperior's solid body, and it was sent crashing through the sand. The boulders rained down on Spiritomb, who retreated inside its keystone in the nick of time. The boulders flung past, rolling and sinking into the sand.

"Heheheh. That's perfectly fine by me," Rowan said. "I was far more concerned with Rhyperior staying grounded."

Rhyperior moved. Although it was trembling in pain, it stood strong. It held on to a thread of its consciousness and stood, defiant.

"I can do that too," it seemed to say.

Cynthia almost laughed at the position she was in. The twisted dimensions Dusknoir created before were settling back to normal. She could hear the crashing waves nearby.

He used his Rhyperior to hold on! The assault vest turned that attack into a joke!

He was stalling! He was stalling out the Trick Room!

"Thunder Punch!" Rowan shouted.

And he's not taking any more chances. Yes! I completely understand that feeling!

"Spiritomb!" Cynthia called.

Thunder roared. Rhyperior had sunk Spiritomb into the sand. Slowly, it withdrew its fist and stepped back.

Spiritomb's form spilled out the keystone. It lifted its body, and it made an effort to move forward.

It slumped into the sand. It retreated back inside.

The crowd lost it. Cynthia's breath was caught.

This is...

A deep breath.

He evened out the field...he actually...

Cynthia called Spiritomb back.

"Roserade!"

Roserade was back in the field. Despite Rhyperior towering over its form, it didn't back down.

"Any other attack won't knock this Pokémon down, so you know what to do! We'll take that risk!"

Her Roserade was ready.

"Leaf Storm!"

Roserade leaped high in the air as every rose petal became cloaked in a bright-green light. It swung both arms back.

Rowan crossed his arms over his face as the storm of leaves swallowed his Rhyperior. An angry vortex sliced clean through the air

The storm slowed to a breeze as the leaves fluttered down on the sand. Rhyperior stood, its body decorated with countless scratches, and its gaze fixed on the sky.

It chuckled, and it fell face-first to the ground.

Rowan withdrew its form back inside its pokéball. He placed his other hand on the surface and took a deep breath. He switched them out and threw it above his head.

"Dusknoir! I'm counting on you!"

His Dusknoir had returned. It shot a glare towards Roserade, who returned an exhausted grin.

Wait. Something changed here, Cynthia realized in her thoughts. It was on the verge of collapsing before. Why has it suddenly regained energy...?

She saw the seed pit fall from its hand.

A berry...? Stronger than sitrus! It was holding a berry! A single Shadow Ball might not be enough here! I'll have to chance it!

The two Trainers shared a look, then came to orders:

"Leaf Storm!"

"Trick Room!"

Dusknoir was blown back and sent crashing. It was called back in an instant.

Cynthia pushed her hair back with a graze of her fingers. A twinge of disappointment tainted the joy she was feeling. "Did you believe that would work twice in a row?"

"Of course not, but what other choice did I have? In the slightest chance Dusknoir endured, the field would be in my favor, would it not?"

Cynthia watched as he reached inside his jacket.

"But as it seems, I've been reduced to one final Pokémon."

Cynthia almost held her breath as he displayed the final capsule in the palm of his hand. It looked identical to all the others, but she could feel the energy radiating from inside. It carried that same powerful presence it did all those years ago.

Her Roserade was ready.

"We may be on our last leg, but this battle isn't over!" Rowan tossed the capsule high."PORYGON-Z!"

Cynthia clenched her fists. "So there you are."

The pokéball popped open, and the brilliant light spilled to the ground. As it broke into countless specks of light, Porygon-Z took its place. Small as it was, its very presence filled the air with dread. It was a Pokémon few people understood. Modified by man, few were willing to approach it, but only one mind braced its chaos.

The moment of fear had vanished. It was as if the crowd found their voice again. Cheers pierced through the air. Bodies leaped in waves. New and old eyes were witnessing the presence of a signature Pokémon, one that was recognized through the papers, through the records, in everyone's hearts.

Nothing changed about it.

"You look rather cautious, Champion." Rowan placed his fists below his hips. His Porygon-Z twitched in front of him, incapable of remaining still.

Cynthia planted her feet. "Let's just say it's been a while since I've faced your partner in a battle like this. It gave me a hard time when I was a child."

"So it has."

"But Roserade won't fall easy! She still has energy to fight! Leaf Storm! Let's give it our all!"

Her Roserade lunged from the ground. Rowan smiled.

What could he possibly-

"Trick Room!"

"What?" Cynthia watched as Porygon-Z twisted its body around the storm of leaves. The flurry flew past and weakened to a mere breeze.

It missed.

As the dimensions changed, Cynthia spoke. "Just what are you planning?

Rowan sent his next order.

"Charge Beam!"

"Charge Beam?" Cynthia watched the glitchy Pokémon gathered bolts of electricity in front of its twitching beak.

But from Rowan's confident face, he knew exactly what he was doing.

Cynthia knew the best move she could make was chip Porygon-Z down.

"One more, Roserade." She turned to her partner with an assuring smile. "One more Leaf Storm, and you can rest."

Roserade gave her a single nod. It kicked itself from the ground again, creating the angry vortex of leaves once more. It lacked the radius and the power, but the passion was still there. Roserade let out a scream as it sent the wave towards its target.

Porygon-Z fired its blast. The bolts were like a cluster of snakes as it shot through the air.

The two attacks collided and swarmed to both sides. Cynthia and Rowan were forced to shield their faces. The nearby crowd drew back with panicked shouts.

When everything settled, Porygon-Z shook the few leaves that stuck to its body.

Roserade was down.

It was called back inside its pokéball. Cynthia rested her other hand on the surface. She took a deep breath, and held it.

On one end, she was overwhelmed with joy.

But on the other hand...

With a long exhale, she focused.

"Fine. You have my attention."

The crowd was tense. There was a sharp change in the tone of her voice. Scarcely was it ever heard outside the league. It was known at that moment that she was pushed back. Her heart wouldn't settle. It hammered a thousand miles in her chest. Wild and untamed energy pulsed from the very pokéball held in her hand. She felt it flow through her veins. She felt it in her very core.

"Not yet...this is not over yet..."

Cynthia tossed the pokéball with all her might.

"Now! GARCHOMP!"

Brilliant and blue, the light spilled and grew. A heavy body crashed down on the sand, claws pointed and teeth bared. The moment the beast opened its sharp and yellow eyes, the pressure of the atmosphere tripled.

Garchomp threw back its head and released a roar that could be heard for miles. It commanded silence.

Not a single peep came from the crowd.

At the other end, Rowan's smile transformed into a grin. His Porygon-Z's body spun in the opposite direction as its head.

"Absolutely enthralling!" he exclaimed. "When was the last time I've felt this way?! The bonds people share with Pokémon...I can feel it radiating at its strongest in this very moment!"

As if the voice snapped her from a trance, Cynthia lowered her hand from above her head.

"But you stand at a disadvantage," Rowan warned her. "How will you escape from this? I can only wonder..."

How would she escape? At first, she didn't quite understand what he meant, until she took the time to think.

Every motion Rhyperior did was to stall out the twisted dimensions.

His Dusknoir baited in the Trick Room to force Roserade's hand into weakening its strength.

His Porygon-Z came forward to plant the distortion again. The last attack it used to knock out Roserade, it only strengthened its power.

Pressure clutched her heart. It was harder to breathe.

Her Garchomp wouldn't have the advantage of speed.

Rowan chuckled. "You were the one who challenged me, Champion."

Cynthia couldn't keep the wild fire from building in her chest. As she blinked, she was no longer at the beach. She stood in the cold and dark battlefield of the Champion's room, where Rowan stood at the other end.

It was just like that, too. Her Garchomp against his Porygon-Z. The final straw. The moment that determined everything.

"That's the look of someone who feels their title is threatened," Rowan said. "I know that feeling all too well. It's rejuvenating, isn't it?"

"You never changed!" Cynthia couldn't decide if she was offended or overjoyed. "You have the audacity to use such a fickle strategy against me!"

She let out a low chuckle.

"It was like this all those years ago, too. It's so strange. I should be worried about the state of things, but instead...I find myself overcome with nostalgia. Who knew getting backed into a corner could be so much fun?"

I'm backed into a corner again...for the first time in years.

And of course, leave it to you to do it, professor.

"Trick Room or not, Garchomp and I will prevail!" Cynthia declared. "Isn't that right?!"

Claws slashed the air. Garchomp roared towards the skies again.

Rowan returned the same energy. "Then by all means, come at us with everything you have to offer! Things have not changed, you are absolutely right!"

Cynthia felt her boots sinking into the sand. Garchomp!"

Her Garchomp screamed.

"Dragon Rush!"

Purple draconic energy engulfed Garchomp in a wild spiral. It lunged from the ground and towards the sky. Rowan followed its path with his eyes.

"Porygon-Z! Ice Beam!"

"It won't be that easy!"

Porygon-Z's head spun like a ball as it gathered the bitter-cold energy just above its beak. It locked on and fired the icy strands. As it hissed through the air, frost followed. Snow cloaked the strands into one solid blast.

Garchomp zipped around the projectile in a spiral, and it dove straight down.

Rowan laughed. "We won't fall in a single blow, either! Porygon-Z!"

Porygon-Z zipped back, and Garchomp plowed through the sand instead. A large cloud burst in the air, one that Garchomp immediately flew out of as it returned to the skies above.

"Keep going, Garchomp! Strike when you can!"

More dodging. Garchomp always did well. Even as her reaction shriveled, she still did so well...

"Don't lose sight of your target! Aim high and low, Porygon-Z!"

The crowd has doubled in size. The salty air of the sea was strong. The rays of the sun made no difference against the relentless cold.

The stinging cold.

Cynthia felt it stabbing her being. Garchomp's cry flooded her ears.

High above, the dragon tilted in the air, having lost control of her flight. One of her arm fins was encased in ice.

Cynthia gasped. In a corkscrew spiral, Garchomp's body plowed in the sand. Cynthia almost bolted towards her, but she anchored her feet instead. It was cold, cold to the bone. She shivered.

It hurt.

A dorsal fin poked through the dust, then the rest of Garchomp's body. On her feet, the dragon hissed before she roared. The dragon's fury seeped deep in Cynthia's heart. It took everything in her power to not let it claim her mind.

One look at the professor, and she saw no mercy in his eyes.

He said two words:

"Ice Beam!"

Garchomp wouldn't be able to launch herself into the sky in time. The ice that swallowed her arm weighed her down, but it made no difference in the twisted dimensions. There was no way to dodge it.

As the frozen blast shot forward, Cynthia almost growled.

"Flamethrower!"

Fire.

It fired from Garchomp's maw and met the Ice Beam halfway. As the two elements clashed, a thick cloud of fog spilled and stretched across the field.

The heat. It melted the chills that layered Cynthia's skin. Her body was illuminated orange, and it casted a shadow over her intense eyes.

"You anticipated this all the way through!" Rowan shouted over the clash. "Taught the dragon to breathe fire to counter me! Typical of you!"

Cynthia raised her head high. "A Champion is prepared for anything, Professor! Does this really surprise you?!"

"Not at all! I'm actually quite glad! All the more reason this battle will go on!"

The ice pushed back harder, almost piercing through the flames. It was as if it had a mind if its own, not caring about the very element that was meant to destroy it.

But I know we can pull through!

We have always pulled through!

Ice turned into liquid as it ran down Garchomp's arm. Her fire was pushed back further, but her eyes were no longer straight ahead.

She looked at Cynthia.

And she smiled.

"Dragon Rush!"

Garchomp closed her maw and swung to the side. The ice flew past her torso, missing her by several inches. It frosted her chest, but the sting was ignored. With her wings outstretched, she charged forward. Draconic energy cloaked her body. Low on the ground, she used the fog as cover. She lunged from the cloak like a shark out of water, jaws wide open towards her target.

Porygon-Z had been caught off guard.

Rowan took one step back, jaws clenched.

"HYPER BEAM!"

Cynthia recoiled back. "WHAT?!"

Garchomp's eyes went wide as orange and purple light illuminated her body. Porygon-Z stared right into her as it fired.

A deafening explosion erupted. Both Trainers flew off their feet. Through the sand, their bodies tumbled. Shouts and screams from the crowd turned into panic as sand flew in every imaginable direction.

A second, bigger explosion erupted from deep underground. Another wave of sand shot towards the sky. More screams swelled in the air as the panic grew. Gravel and sand rained back down in a loud hiss. Hands covered heads as people crouched low on the ground.

Cynthia rolled to her knees before she wiped the sand off her face with a single sleeve. She coughed and spat out the sand that got in her mouth. It was enough for her to make the mental note to not do a full battle anywhere near a beach again-

Garchomp!

Cynthia had forgotten everything else. She shot to her feet and swung her arms in a frantic effort to clear the sand faster. Once she realized it made no difference, she was forced to stand and wait in silence.

A shadow, anything...she searched for a sign of her partner. She searched for the dreaded silhouette of Porygon-Z. There was neither, just an endless cloud of sand.

What was a couple minutes felt almost like an hour. Cynthia's breathing remained erratic. She couldn't take her thundering heart.

A visual at last. Porygon-Z still hovered from the ground. Its body twitched with far more jagged motions. Its head was slump and lacked the will to rotate.

Garchomp was on the ground.

The world froze.

Garchomp twitched. With a soft wheeze, she propped one foot up, then a claw. A low rumble reverberated from her chest as she pushed her body from the sand.

She collapsed. A cloud of sand blew from in front of her nostrils. Again, she tried to rise.

She fell again.

As Cynthia locked eyes with her opponent, she almost couldn't recognize the professor.

- 0000 -

"Garchomp! Garchomp! Come on! You have to get up! Get up!"

Garchomp's body shook in response to volumes of pain she had never felt before. Her eyes were fixed on the ground. The pleas of her Trainer remained unanswered.

The young girl turned to the opposing force that stood at the opposite end. The Porygon-Z twitched in wicked motions. Behind it stood an immovable force with his head held high, and his coat worn like a cape over the shoulders. He was no longer her mentor, but a Champion with a strong and intimidating aura.

He no longer saw her as a child, but a threat to his title-the usurper of his throne.

Young or old, every threat was treated the same.

Mercy did not exist. The world was unforgiving.

Cynthia's tears were insignificant.

"Come on, Garchomp! You can do it! Get up! Get up, please!"

- 0000 -

But things have changed.

Garchomp trembled on her feet. As unbalanced as she was, she looked back at Cynthia and gave her a determined nod.

And it's all thanks to you...Champion.

There, it was faint, but she caught a glimpse of it.

The tiniest of smiles from the professor.

"Porygon can't move," Cynthia told him. It was a fact, a true fact that everyone knew...but she had to say it. She didn't know why, but she had to say it.

"It can't move," Rowan repeated.

Cynthia looked back at her Garchomp. Her gaze was still fixed on her.

"When a Trainer and Pokémon do battle, they fight as one entity."

"Garchomp..." Cynthia felt how nervous the crowd was, but she didn't care. There was no reason to contain herself anymore. Her Garchomp listened. She almost mirrored her. "Raise your claws and strike it down!"

Garchomp took an unsteady step forward with a low growl. She fought against her body's pain, a horrible pain that her Trainer understood. With a roar unleashed, she kicked herself forward, a claw raised high.

"Brick Break!"

The order was a roar, and Garchomp answered. Blinding energy gathered to her claw. It engulfed her fin. She held it above Porygon-Z's head, and swung it down like an ax.

"Hold strong!" Rowan screamed.

The air cracked. Porygon-Z's form shook as the impact shoved it through the ground.

Garchomp almost dropped. A violent shake of her head was followed by a strained roar. The second roar was louder. The third was furious.

Cynthia clenched her chest. It was on fire.

Porygon-Z's body twitched. It rose from the sand and struggled to hover more than a few inches of the ground. Its face was incapable of showing pain, but from how limp its body was, it was clear it was also hanging by a thread.

Rowan let out a laugh. Porygon-Z had answered his call.

It was perfect for Cynthia. It was too fun to end the fight in one blow.

But no words had to be exchanged. They both knew it-they felt it. The next move would determine the outcome of everything. That knowledge alone was why they had to unleash everything.

They didn't resist the surge anymore.

"The more difficult the battle, the stronger the link becomes."

At that moment, Cynthia and Garchomp shared one breath. She felt the bitter remnants of ice that stung her skin at the slightest breeze. She felt the unforgiving pain that stung every muscle in her body.

Her eyes were locked on the Porygon-Z that had the audacity to switch things to its favor.

Her Garchomp roared with renewed vigor.

"It is when the most powerful of Trainers are the most in-sync with their partners."

"Garchomp! GARCHOMP!" Cynthia clenched her fingers and shot it forward. "Unleash all of your energy! No holds BARRED!"

The swirling draconic energy engulfed Garchomp once more.

"FORWARD! DRAGON RUSH!"

"Hm! So that's your final move? Then we will return your efforts tenfold! Ready?!" Rowan sliced the air with a harsh swing of the arm. "Porygon-Z! Take no chances! HYPER BEAM!"

Both Pokémon lunged and unleashed their attacks. The sky streaked with a comet of purple, and a blinding ray of light. Both Trainers had their eyes locked on their opponent. The thrill of battle was etched all over their faces.

"You can scarcely tell them apart."

The Hyper Beam was right in front of her.

Her body twisted. The heat of the blast scorched her face. It scorched her torso, and burned the claws of her feet. The blistering pain shot through her spine.

Then there was Porygon-Z, stiff as it fired its blast. A wary eye shifted and met hers as she raised a heated claw above its head.

Eyes ablaze and fangs glistening under the sun, her mouth snapped open. Savage from her soul, her roar slashed through her target

Ear-splitting screeching was followed by a muffled explosion. The Hyper Beam shot towards the sky and split into five wild streaks. Within seconds, it frizzled into nothing. Sand rained down for the last time. Silence hung in the air as people approached with caution.

Porygon-Z was twisted across the sand, its head seemingly detached and displaced far from its artificial body. The light of its eyes had gone dull.

It was unconscious.

The air felt shallow as Cynthia fought to catch her breath. She pressed her hands against her knees. A stagger almost sent her to the ground. She realized that her Garchomp had collapsed on the sand at last. Whether or not she was conscious was difficult to determine. Still, she found the energy to aim the pokéball and withdraw Garchomp from the physical world. She held the capsule against her chest.

Thank you...

Cynthia took in a sharp breath. It wasn't enough.

Thank you...

The adrenaline wore out as a strong wave of fatigue overtook her. The pokéball slipped from her fingers and sunk on the ground.

The world tilted, and Cynthia could see the sky. The dull sounds of panic swelled in the air. The blue above...it faded in blackening waves.

What a shame. It was a beautiful day...

- 0000 -

"Professor!"

Fatigue forgotten, the child raced across the damaged battlefield. It was slippery with ice as she scrambled for her footing. The moment she fell, she crawled her way through, not caring about how it chilled though her knees.

"Professor! Professor!"

She made it across. The pokéball had rolled out of Rowan's hand. His form slumped across the ground. With all the strength she still had, she rolled him to his back. She shook his shoulders. Panic flooded her head.

"Wake up! You have to wake up! Please tell me you are okay! I didn't mean-I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to-"

"Just...allow me some time to lie here, child..."

Cynthia pulled her arms back, startled by his worn voice. He hadn't opened his eyes, but he lifted a single hand and waved her concerns away.

"But you...I saw you...I thought..."

He chuckled. "I'm not going anywhere. Just exhausted...give me five minutes."

It didn't settle all of her worries, but Cynthia gave him a nod as her response, even if he couldn't see it. She crawled back to give him some space, and she sat down. The ground was cruel with chills.

It felt a lot longer than five minutes before Rowan sat up. He took a deep breath and rested his arms across his legs.

"You are a prodigy without the slightest doubt," he said, his voice still worn. "Your battle was absolutely splendid. I don't remember the last time I had to fight so hard just to keep anyone at bay, and you still pushed your way through."

"But..." Cynthia glanced around. There, Garchomp was on the ground, her body coated with frost. "Garchomp fainted. She's unable to battle anymore."

"Hm, yes. But the difference is...Porygon fainted first."

Careful, he stood. He almost slipped on the ice, but he controlled his footing in an instant.

"Your Garchomp...she didn't let her body give up until she knew for sure that Porygon was incapable of fighting a moment longer. She had already won."

Cynthia's mouth hung open. "Wh..."

"Do you know what that means?" Rowan smiled. "You are Sinnoh's newly-crowned Champion. Congratulations."

The words didn't register at first. Cynthia stood, stiff as a statue as the events of the battle spiraled in her mind. Rowan's smile was genuine, like a proud father.

Champion...

"I...we..." Cynthia took an unsteady step forward.

Garchomp lifted her head from the ground. She had no time to comprehend anything before her Trainer tackled her back to the ground.

"WE DID IT! WE DID IT, GARCHOMP! WE WON! WE WON!"

Cold. Garchomp's body was cold. The dragon didn't protest against Cynthia's warm embrace. She returned it, mindful of her claws.

Rowan was just beginning to dust off his clothes when he saw the child running at him in a reckless blur. His startled shout was cut short as he was assaulted by a heavy tackle. He hollered as his boots skated backwards before he slipped back down. His back skipped across the surface until friction slowed the momentum. He lied there, his head throbbing. But, he didn't scold her. She had every reason to celebrate.

There was a loud clatter of hard plastic. Next to her, her pokédex had fallen from her possession. It had snapped open, which revealed the screen inside.

Porygon-Z's image blinked on the screen. It had been recognized and registered as a new species. Paperwork that could wait until later.

"Come now, child. Calm down." Rowan was gentle as he pushed her back. He hadn't realized she had been crying. "This strong, and you're shedding tears? For what reason? You've won."

"I...I'm just s-so happy," Cynthia choked through a sob. "But I'm also sa-ad. You're not...you're not...you...won't be Champion anymore..."

"Ah, I said that title won't linger forever, did I not? No one is invincible. We had this discussion before." Rowan helped her to her feet. "Now it's your turn. You will have plenty of people who will flock for that title. It's your job to defend it with all the power you have, just as I did, just as every Champion who came before me did."

Cynthia nodded. She rubbed her eyes.

"Come." He offered a hand. "It's time to record this record. Up the lift. This way."

"To the Hall of Fame?" Cynthia already knew the answer. She took his hand and followed him.

"To the Hall of Fame."

The duo headed to the lift, with Garchomp limping behind them.

- 0000 -

"Gaaargh."

"Gaaaargh!"

Cynthia opened her eyes. The sky. It was still there.

"Gargh! GARGH!"

She jolted up with a start. She looked up to her right. Yellow eyes stared down at her. The fangs parted in a smile.

"Oh...sorry, Garchomp. I didn't mean to worry you-ACK!"

A heavy head brought back down to the ground. She laughed as she pressed her hands against the dragon's body.

"I said I'm alright! Let me get up first!"

Cheers exploded. Garchomp stopped her celebration as she looked towards the crowd. Careful, Cynthia pushed herself back to her feet as several people leaped and cheered.

"I see that you've recovered."

Cynthia turned around. Professor Rowan approached, his arms behind his back once more. His lab coat was tarnished, but he seemed too tired to care.

"I...might have gone overboard there," Cynthia apologized.

"No, no. You had every reason to react the way you did," the professor said. "For a brief moment, I was convinced I was looking at two Garchomp instead of one."

She was too tired to laugh. All she could manage was a smile.

"Well then." Rowan made a weak effort to dust off his clothes. He offered his hand. "That was a fine match. You've done well."

"And so have you." Cynthia took his hand. "I must thank you for giving me such a rare opportunity."

The cheers grew as both Trainers shook hands.

"I was battling for my life there," Cynthia said. "A reminder that even those who lost their titles still carry the incredible strength of a true Champion."

"I was hardly a threat to your title. Not since you've claimed it from me," Rowan admitted. "But if I frightened you for only a moment, I suppose that does mean I haven't lost that battling instinct after all. My Pokémon quite enjoyed that match."

"Hardly a threat? Have you not heard what I just said?" Cynthia asked, baffled. "Don't lie to me and say you weren't an inch away from actually defeating me!"

"So very modest."

"You haven't gone rusty, have you? You've been training in secret!"

Rowan chuckled. "What you call training is merely assuring my Pokémon don't go out of shape, Champion."

"That's training! Training!"

That was when he laughed.

... ... ...

A warm plate of food was settled on the lab kitchen's table. Cynthia gave Professor Rowan her thanks before she picked up her utensils to dig in. Next to her, her Garchomp was already scooping food inside her mouth as if there was a risk it would grow legs and run away.

The professor stood at his computer, wrapping up his latest report. His lab coat was draped over his chair, coated with a miserable shower of sand. Next to him, his Porygon-Z and Honchkrow seemed to be having a conversation of some sort.

"The next time I come here with a reckless challenge, perhaps it would be done better where the ground isn't so loose," Cynthia said.

Rowan turned from his desk. "You're implying that we will do battle again in the near future?"

"I..." Cynthia sighed. "How inconsiderate of me. It was...just a thought. I shouldn't have barged in the way I did earlier today. So if you wish to decline at any time, it's completely understandable. You shouldn't feel pressured-"

"Of course. I'll be ready if you wish to do battle with me again," Rowan said.

"I'm...what?" Cynthia gave him a puzzled look.

"After I lost my title, I found that I had all the time in the world to conduct more research. So naturally, overtime, I've drifted further away from battles until I did them no more."

"You had so much to do," Cynthia said. "It's not like you stopped the practice on purpose."

"It wasn't on purpose, no. But today made me realize just how strained I've become."

Honchkrow bounded over with half-open wings. It opened its beak, and the professor dropped a berry for it to catch.

"You've reminded me of just how thrilling battles can be. Perhaps in the future, I will make time to do battle with you again. But next time, if you ever need anything, try not to beat around the bush about it."

Cynthia chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

The lights flickered. The equipment buzzed, almost as if it was in pain.

While Cynthia checked the windows for bizarre weather, it was Professor Rowan who spun on his heels.

"No! No Porygon! That's not for you to touch!" He ran across the room with arms falling. "Drop it, Porygon!"

Cynthia stood from her seat. To her horror, Porygon-Z was dematerializing. It thinned its body into a pixelated ribbon of light, and it shot through the computer cords.

"Oh, no."

She and Garchomp exchanged looks. They raced across the lab. Panic flooded the room as the lab assistants scrambled to every electronic available in the room.

"Porygon, expel yourself! Important data is hosted in that computer!" The professor gripped the monitor and peered inside the disc drive. "Porygon!"

"How do we get it out?!" Cynthia asked. "Has it done this before?!"

"Plenty of times before it evolved, but now it could very well-don't touch that! Porygon!"

The cursor on the screen was hovering towards a browser icon. It clicked, and the screen changed. Several tabs were already open, but a new one was added to the collection. Letters formed across the search bar:

https

www

Pokébook

The room went still as the professor's home page appeared on the screen.

"Porygon...listen to me." Professor Rowan started. "Let's close the window. Come back out. I have a bowl of your favorite food waiting on you. Let's not-no...no...."

The cursor hovered over the empty box. It became a blinking text cursor as soon as it clicked. Words flooded the box faster than any human could type. Four blank boxes were attached-loading images.

"What is it doing?" Cynthia was more curious than anything.

"Porygon!" The professor gasped. "I do not type the L-O-L! Get rid of that-where did you get these images from?! Did you steal them from other users?!"

Cynthia covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. The arrowhead cursor took its time floating towards the "submit" button.

"Don't you dare." Professor Rowan stared down the cursor, which looked comical by itself. "Away from that box, right now!"

The cursor inched closer.

"Don't toy with me, Porygon! Come out this instant!"

Two inches closer.

"Porygon-Z!"

It froze.

To everyone's relief, the cursor floated back. It headed towards the X that would close the page. A few assistants sunk to the ground with an exhausted breath.

"Now..." the professor sighed. "Come right out, and let's just-"

The cursor flew across the page and clicked.

"PORYGON-Z!"

... ... ...

*Ding!*

Professor Rowan shared a new post!

"Hm?"

Hands set a stack of papers down on a wooden desk. Legs kicked the floor and it gave the momentum the office chair needed to roll across the floor to reach the computer. Fingers hovered over the keyboard before typing.

"He doesn't post often, not unless it's something he can't help but share. Let's see...eh?"

"To my friends.

And the friends of my friends.

And the friends of my friends of my friends...

I am absolutely thrilled to share with you these great moments I've shared with my once-apprentice, now Pokémon Master over the years. From the moment she entered the lab, to the moment she entered the Hall of Fame, I've watched her grow as a Trainer and a person.

We've had quite a wonderful battle today. The first one we had since that decisive battle. She has grown stronger. But in the end, she stood victorious, as always.

I believe this battle has taught me something. No matter how many years ago, you are never too old to share battle with anyone. Your Pokémon too, will always be thrilled to accept such challenge.

This was written by yours truly, Professor Rowan. Not Porygon. Lol."

A small laugh escaped him.

"Professor, I told you that Porygon was going to be a lot of work for you. Not bad. The typing style is a bit odd, but not bad. It almost sounds just like you!"

He laughed.

"It seems to be expressing your words for you. Pokémon have such intuition. But Porygon can be a bit of a mischievous bunch. I wonder where these pictures came from?"

On display were four separate images:

The first was Cynthia as a child presenting her Gible towards the camera. The dragon seemed to be ready to eat it.

The second was the same child holding up a trophy as physical evidence of her championship. Her Garchomp grinned behind her, and a younger Professor Rowan appeared pleased.

The third image was a fully-grown Cynthia caught ordering ice cream from a stand. She held a triple-scoop in both hands. One was offered to her Lucario.

And finally, at the final image, it was the one that was taken from the beginning of their match: Rowan and Cynthia standing off by the sea, pokéballs in hand.

The keyboard clicked as he typed his response. It was posted after a quick read.

"This really does bring me back, old friend."

... ... ...

*Ding!*

Someone posted a reply!

"Hmmm this does appear to be an authentic post from the Sinnoh professor. Nothing strange here!

I'm glad you had fun. You still have the heart of a Champion, I see! Perhaps one day, we should have a battle as well! I'm quite interested in testing your strength!"

-Signed, Prof. Oak

END.