On the echoes of Faye's words, I sent my first Poké Ball flying. It spun through the air in a graceful arc, the motion detected by the sensors within causing it to release the creature it contained. Where I would have sent out Orbit first to scope out initial moveset patterns and set up Light Screen, the memory of Belle's Synchronoise kept that plan at bay. Instead, Maverick was the one to stretch her wings.

   "Challenger always gets the first move," Faye stated in a singsong fashion.

   I nodded. "Maverick, let's start this with an Agility!" Maverick raised her Speed, her feathers twitching in anticipation of her chance to attack.

   "Belle, set up a Light Screen!" A familiar pink-tinted sheet of energy was raised along the center of the arena.

   From that I could glean what Faye might do next. Belle's purpose was most likely to set up status buffs. If she had Light Screen, she'd probably have Reflect, perhaps even something like Calm Mind to keep her on the field longer. "Maverick, use Night Slash!" My Skarmory flung her wings up, dark energy cloaking them. She shot off across the arena, eyes locked on the tiny Psychic-type ahead of her.

   "Belle, Light Screen!" Faye commanded. Belle was hit by Maverick, both ends of her long body folding over the Steel bird's wing with a snap as the move made contact. The Chimecho slid off Maverick's wing, hitting the ground as the light that triggered Light Screen flashed brightly. The psychic shield wasn't activated in time to possibly save Belle, and she fainted. One Pokémon down, five to go.

   A pink rabbit-like Pokémon with large blue eyes was the second of Faye's team. I recognized it as Guilda, Faye's Wigglytuff. From the Special Attack and Defense training I got from Faye, I knew Guilda knew Flamethrower, so I swapped Maverick out for Orbit. I needed to set up Light Screen anyways. The wall of light was erected and Guilda responded with Sunny Day.

   Expecting Guilda to use Flamethrower next I commanded, "Orbit, use Earth Power!" The ground beneath Guilda erupted, jagged shards of stone stabbing into her and throwing her skywards.

   "Guilda, Flamethrower!" As the Wigglytuff pin-wheeled through the air, flames rushed from her mouth, turning her into a wild ball of flame that rained red-hot embers down onto Orbit. She then landed, rolling forwards to a stop.

   "Orbit, use Hyper Beam!" They unleased a pulverizing beam of pure, white light that blasted Guilda across the arena. Faye had to jump to the side as her Pokémon was thrown past her, where the Fairy-type collided with the far wall. Guilda collapsed, and a short tan and black Pokémon with a gnarled-toothed maw attached to the back of its head made its appearance.

   "Missy, don't waste any time and use Solar Beam!" The mouth on the back of Missy's head opened widely, a green-white light gathering within it. The glowing particles created by Guilda's Sunny Day were sucked into Missy's oversized jaw, rapidly providing the charging attack with fuel. Orbit couldn't move due to Hyper Beam draining their energy for a turn, and they were forced to endure the full force of Solar Beam. The Light Screen Orbit had set up wasn't enough and they fainted, spinning out like a top and hitting the cracked floor.

   This Pokémon surely wasn't a Grass-type. Was it a Normal or another Fairy-type? Playing it safe, I sent Vinya out. "Vinya, use Amnesia!" Her gaze grew distant, the golden light of her eyes fading in order to raise her defenses. The extra Special Defense plus the Light Screen and Vinya's partial Grass-typing would be enough for her to withstand a Solar Beam.

   "Missy, use Stockpile!" Missy's body glowed bright white before the light moved to gather in the center of its being.

   "Amnesia again!" This wasn't enough, I needed more information to work with!

  "Now use Iron Head!" The dubiously-typed Pokémon ran at Vinya, its head shining a silver hue.

   "Quickly use Ancient Power," I countered.

Vinya's eyes turned from gold to a mystic shade of blue, more pieces of the battlefield being ripped apart and hoisted into the air by ancient energy. The rocks were lobbed at Missy who dodged each one skillfully. One managed to smash into it but it didn't seem fazed and it completed its attack, which hit Vinya back with enough force to knock her over.

"Vinya, please get up!" I pleaded. Vinya hauled herself upright her tendrils drooping from her lack of energy. Missy had hardly taken any damage from Vinya's move. Was it a Steel-type? "Energy Ball?" I commanded with a frightening sense of uncertainty.

   "Iron Head again!" Faye called. Missy swatted aside the ball of telluric energy like it was nothing and head-butted Vinya into the wall behind me. The dull thump mixed with the sound of tile cracking told me that Vinya wouldn't be able to get up this time.

   I recalled her, mind racing. What type was my opponent? The moves it displayed to me so far could be learned by a variety of Pokémon. It resisted both of Vinya's attacks, was it actually a Grass or Steel-type? And I hadn't even considered the implications of its jaw. Did it know any biting moves? Those were mostly Dark, was it a Dark-type? A duel-type? And I couldn't hesitate for too long, then Faye would think I was backing down!

   In the back of my mind, I knew I was beginning to panic. I had to calm down or risk making more mistakes and ruining the battle. My mind told me to just break down and use Meteor for his Mega Evolution, but my gut told me to use River. I couldn't do that though, the type-advantages were against me. Then the strangest idea came to my mind. It was a ludicrous plan, and I knew I would be taking a huge risk with this, but I felt as though it was the best thing to do. Trusting my instincts, River was the next of my Pokémon to be sent out.

   "You really don't have something to counter a Mawile?" Faye asked, surprised. "Fine, then. Missy, use Crunch!"

   There was the Dark move that could have put Meteor on thin ice had he been sent out. "River, try to dodge it!"

Missy ran at River, who stayed where he was and waited for his opponent to reach him. Right before the Mawile would hit River head-on, it flung itself into a lopsided twirl, its large jaw opening to deal the attack. River jumped back, narrowly missing the jaws that slammed shut inches from his torso.

"River, use X-Scissor!" I wasn't trying to deal any real damage now, I was biding my time. River was the one to run at Missy this time, launching from a backwards skid into a lumbering run. He slashed at the Mawile who ducked beneath his hacking, green-tinted claws.

   "Missy, use Iron Head!" Missy used her crouching position to propel her attack, pitching herself into River. He was struck in the chest and was sent flying head over heels backwards, rolling along the ground until he came to a stop at my feet.

   "River, can you keep battling?" I asked. He pushed himself to his feet, nodding and giving me a small salute. Reassured, I decided to carry out my plan, praying that it would work. "Okay. River, now use Brine!"

   "Missy, use Stockpile!" River pelted his opponent with small, bullet-like jets of water as it raised its defenses again. Even after all of the chip damage I had done, a powered-up Brine still wasn't enough. "Now, Iron Head again!"

   "Use Brine one more time!" This was going to work! Part of me thought it would, the rest of me was going to as well. Another barrage of water bombarded Missy just as it ran at him. It started its attack running confidently into the storm but began to slow down within seconds. River didn't cease his attack and kept expelling water. The water soon proved to be too much for the Mawile, and it was blown back. Sopping wet, it finally collapsed. My plan had actually worked!

   Faye smirked, returning Missy and taking up another Poké Ball in her hand. "Not bad, I didn't expect something like that. I hope the rest of our battle stays this interesting! Fable, you're up next!" The evolution of the famous Pokémon Clefairy, Clefable, was her fourth Pokémon. As the name suggested, it was a Fairy-type. I switched River out for a Pokémon more suited for dealing with Fairy-types along with surely out-speeding Fable.

   "Maverick, use Agility!" I couldn't help but have Maverick use Agility again. It was one of those moves you couldn't go without using at least once in a battle.

   "Fable, shock 'em with Thunderbolt!" The small wings upon Fable's back glowed yellow before a bolt of lightning spawned from thin air. Maverick's Speed let her dodge it and she took off, fluttering about my end of the arena.

   "Maverick, use Steel Wing!" Without hesitation she fell into a dive, her wings shining the color of cold silver.

   "Thunderbolt again!"

   Maverick sped past every bolt thrown at her, streaking towards Fable screeching a wild melody of a battle cry. From where I was I could hear the loud smack Maverick's wings conjured when they hit Fable. The Clefable cried out in surprise and pain, toppling onto its back. As it struggled to get up, Maverick flew up, ready to make another pass. And I was happy to give her that privilege.

   "Go in for another Steel Wing!"

   "Fable, try to grab Maverick!" The pained look in Fable's eyes sharpened into somehow adorable menace, and it jumped at Maverick, catching one of her legs in its nubby hands. Maverick squawked and began yanking free of the Clefable. "Don't let go!" Faye yelled. Fable nodded and reeled the bird down into a tighter grip. I realized what Faye was trying to do and told Maverick to attempt an Night Slash to escape Fable's persistent hold.

   "Thunderbolt!" Maverick was consumed in electricity, the arena flashing with white light as the attack carried on. Fable refused to release Maverick, and only when the Steel-Flying-type fainted did it drop her. I recalled her, praising her for how well she did. Hoping to take advantage once again of River's boosted Brine, I sent him out. Luckily he was faster than Fable. One hard-hitting Water move later and Faye's battle-ready Pokémon count was reduced to two.

   Faye's penultimate Pokémon was the one I hadn't had the pleasure of training with, the behemoth of a Normal-type, Synth the Exploud. I responded with my own bipedal beast, Silvette.

   "I'll have you know Synth has finally trained up his Hyper Voice!" Faye announced cheerily. "But before you see it, Synth, use Power-Up Punch!" Synth was faster than I expected and dashed at Silvette with reckless abandon, his fists pulsing with energy. I took note of his actions and another idea sprung to mind.

   "Silvette, prepare an Iron Tail before meeting Synth halfway through the attack!" Her tail started glowing, the light brightening the closer Synth got. When Synth was in punching range I yelled, "Now hit Synth's legs!" Silvette swung her tail around to collide with Synth's lower legs, forcing them out from under him. The Normal-type hit the floor face-first. The moment he got up I knew Faye would have him try to use Power-Up Punch again. I had to strike while the iron was hot. "Use another Iron Tail!"

   "Synth, Power-Up Punch, and make it hit!" With one energy-charged fist Synth flung himself onto his side while lashing out at Silvette with the other. The blow pushed Silvette back, but she didn't react too the super-effective move too badly.

   "Silvette, use Rock Slide!" I commanded. Silvette stomped her foot, causing a mini earthquake. The remaining rocks from the past Earth Power and Ancient Power were then thrown into the air by small crags of what was once the intact battlefield. They seemed to hover in the air before falling down towards their target in a rush of earth.

   "Synth, break those up with Hyper Voice!" The Exploud's already partially opened mouth stretched as wide as it would go, and from it issued an explosive percussion of a howl that burst every last falling rock into dust and buffeted Silvette. Without missing a beat, Faye issued Synth's next move. "Go in for another Power-Up Punch!" After which Synth's fists pulsed with light that seemed to shine brighter than the first time he used the move.

   "Stop him with Heavy Slam, Silvette!" Though Synth was faster than Silvette, she had more strength and weight behind her movements, making her usage of Heavy Slam a brutal one. Amazingly taking the Power-Up Punch, she smashed into Synth with her shoulder, putting all of her strength into the blow. Her momentum drove the duo into a wall. "Finish it with Iron Tail!" Her claw firmly planted on Synth's chest, Silvette swung around and smashed her tail into her opponent. Synth couldn't fall to the ground to signal his defeat, he was buried in the now-ruined wall.

   Despite having one Pokémon left, Faye seemed oddly content. "We're already at this point, huh? I guess I should have seen it coming, though," she mused, rolling a familiar pink Poké Ball in her hands. "If this ends how I know it will, then it'll end in a blaze of glory. Stella, let's end this!"

   Neither Faye nor I had to say how this battle would finish, our gazes flashing to our respective Key Stones said it for us. Taking Meteor's Poké Ball in hand, I let it fly with stoic grace, a stark contrast to the torrents of exhilaration that swam through every part of my being. The uncertainty I felt before entering Faye's arena was but a memory, the excitement of the here and now all I could focus on. Will you do me the honor of assisting me in this battle? I asked my partner jokingly.

   It would be my pleasure!

   I removed my Mega Stickpin from my jacket, smiling. I had a feeling you would say that. "Meteor, Mega Evolve!"

   "Stella, Mega Evolve!"

   Twin bursts of light engulfed our partners, concentrating and seemingly solidifying as the beings within changed forms. The ethereal shells cracked and broke, revealing the transformed Pokémon they briefly housed. Identical double-helixes wisped above their heads, proving that what they had undergone was the definition of DNA-twisting.

   "Stella, start with Dragon Dance!" Wreaths of purple fire and energy swirled around the Mega Altaria, boosting her stats. I knew there was no point in using Iron Defense to scope out her moves. I already knew two of them, and I had a feeling the others would be shown in the very near future and that they wouldn't be Physical.

   "Meteor, use Meteor Mash!" Meteor and I had to strike with all the strength we could, not knowing what other moves Faye had to counter us.

   "Dodge it and use Fire Blast!" The white and blue bird zipped out of range. An explosion of flame in the shape of a letter-like symbol exploded from Stella's beak, impacting and scorching Meteor. I heard him choke back a cry and he lashed out blindly at Stella. One of his claws caught her in the side of her head, smacking her senseless. "Don't let him get close to you! Use Fire Blast again," Faye shouted to her dazed Pokémon.

   "Meteor, Psychic!" Stella was paralyzed by Meteor's attack, his psychic energy so potent that she couldn't move a muscle. "Start using Meteor Mash and hold her as long as you can!" Two of his arms extended to hold Stella in place, his other two began glistening in preparation for the devastating Steel-type attack.

   Unfortunately, Faye wouldn't let her Pokémon take the blow. "Stella, use Dragon Pulse!" A ray of purple energy exploded from Stella, impacting Meteor in the face. This didn't stop him from trying to attack, but the force generated by Stella's Dragon Pulse pushed her away from Meteor and out of Psychic's hold.

   My heart dropped, a stab of alarm striking me. "Don't let her use another Fire Blast. Meteor, Meteor Mash!" My partner rushed at Stella, his claws curled with a hastily-gathering power.

   "Fire Blast!" Stella leaped back into the air, unleashing a brilliant blaze from her weakened body. This time, Meteor's screams weren't held back. They were so loud and profound that they made me want to emit my own cries of pain.

   But he didn't stop his attack.

   All four of Meteor's fists made contact with Stella, hitting so hard that a small shockwave resulted from it. Meteor crashed to the ground as Stella hit the wall, dust flying up from the impact. Faye and I waited in uneasy silence for the dust to settle, and when it did, the verdict was revealed.

   Meteor and Stella lay on the ground, still Mega-Evolved. Then their bodies began to emit light that would revert them to their normal forms. Meteor went first... then Stella. Everything stuttered to a halt for me. Meteor changing back meant one thing, he had fainted first. And if he fainted first, then...

   I... I lost? The thought seemed unreal to me, something I had decided that would not transpire before I entered Faye's arena. Was this a nightmare? Had I forgotten to wear my Lunar Wing before falling asleep and one of my greatest anxieties was brought to life?

No, no it wasn't. This was real.

My legs gave out, and I fell to my knees, my eyes staring blankly at Meteor's fainted form.

   I-I'm sorry, Steven, Meteor whispered softly after a moment, his voice cracking with pain. But I hardly heard him, my thoughts were screaming too loudly.

   Failure! my innermost self jeered. Useless! Pathetic! it mocked joyfully. You could have won. You could have made Dad proud. But you didn't. You. Have. Lost! I found myself incapable of reacting further. I didn't even have the will to cry, a reaction that I despised but displayed often.

   "Steven, are you okay?" I heard Faye ask. Did she really ask that? I had to take a second to comprehend that because I wasn't sure if I had heard her correctly. Did she really just ask that?! Anger suddenly formed within me, and my hands clenched into circulation-stammering fists. I had lost. I had lost the most important battle of my life, and she was asking if I was okay?

   "What do you think?" I said quietly, my voice a frightening jumble of anger and despair.

   "I thought you'd be acting differently, considering you won."

   "How could I have won?" I hissed in disbelief. "Meteor had fainted first. He was my last Pokémon. You won."

   "No, he wasn't. You still have another Pokémon. You have River." Faye watched my expression change from disbelief to confusion. "He took a lot of damage, but he never fainted," she explained.

   I still have River? Unsure if Faye was somehow lying, I took out River's ball and sent him out. He appeared in the usual flash of light, and though he was battered from top to bottom, he was still standing.

The true reality of the situation hit me, taking its sweet time to sink in as I gaped at my last conscious Pokémon. I won? I looked up at Faye as if for more confirmation. She smiled and nodded. My anger and despair drained from me, happiness slowly replacing them. The corner of my mouth quirked up into a smile of my own, unstable and trembling before forming into a genuine one.

   Faye held out her hand to me, her eyes sparkling with glee. "Congratulations, Steven Devon Stone. You are the Hoenn region's new Pokémon League Champion."

   I accepted Faye's hand, letting her pull me to my feet. Champion... I was finally the Champion! I had done it! My head was spinning, and I could hardly think straight through the euphoria flooding my body and mind, but the fact remained clear to me.

I was the Hoenn Champion.

   "There is one thing you have to do before you can fully be recognized as a Champion." Faye looked to the door across the arena. "Follow me."

   We picked our way across the remains of the battlefield, skirting around pools of water, burning embers, and ragged fissures. Faye pressed a button on a panel, and the door glided open. We stepped into a hallway with marble walls and floors, all so perfectly polished that they were like earthen mirrors. As we walked down the hall, I gazed in awe upon what decorated the walls.

   Pictures. Rows of pictures covered the walls, each depicting a similar but different image. The landscape-shot pictures contained a picture of a Trainer standing among their team. The portrait-style photos were of each Trainer with one Pokémon that was most likely their lead teammate.

   "This is the Hall of Fame," Faye explained. "Every Champion has walked this corridor, and they were each memorialized here with their Pokémon."

   We reached the end of the hall where a machine similar to the one used to heal Pokémon was placed. On the wall above the machine was a screen that showed an image of Faye and her team. I exchanged a wondering look with her, and she nodded.

I placed my team's Poké Balls in the machine's six slots. Faye then pointed to a card-sized slot in the machine's front, telling me to insert my Trainer ID. I did so, and the machine began scanning its content. A moment later the image of Faye and her team changed, showing the photo from my ID along with icons of my Pokémon. Welcome, new Champion, the screen proudly displayed. My heart swelled with pride when I read those words.

   "Congratulations, Champion!" a voice cried joyfully. Faye and I turned to see the members of the Elite Four, headed by Helena, walking down the hall towards us. "You were right, Ari! You said he'd become Champion and what do you know? He's being registered in the Hall of Fame!" She looked down at me, smirking. "Guess we're coworkers now, huh?" she said with a laugh.

   "I suppose we are," I said, still partially in shock that this was even happening.

   "Before we do anything else, we need you to contribute to the gallery here," Brynn said, holding up a camera.

   "Oh, I almost forgot to bring it! Thank you for covering for me," Glacia said, sighing in relief.

   "Send out your Pokémon, the recording machine healed 'em!" Drake informed me. One by one my teammates joined me in the Hall of Fame, each already seeming to know what was happening. I called for them to gather near me for the picture and they did so happily.

   "Smile!" Brynn called over the din my Pokémon created. We did and the photo was snapped. The next shot was to be of Meteor and me, as he was my lead Pokémon. The camera was then connected to the recording machine and the pictures flashed up on-screen.

   In the team shot, Meteor stood behind me, protectively looming over me. Silvette stood to Meteor's right, Orbit suspended in the space between them so the Ground-Psychic-type was just barely visible. Maverick was on Meteor's left, playfully tugging on my hair. River and Vinya insisted on standing in front of me, so I had to shove past them a bit so I would actually be visible for the photo. It was as every bit chaotic as the scene before it was taken, but I loved it.

The second one was even better. It was so simplistic, just Meteor and me standing beside each other. I was giving the camera a calm smile while Meteor had the widest, goofiest grin plastered across his face. It was the first picture that had been taken of us, and I was glad it was taken now. It wouldn't have been the same without the eight badges and Mega Stickpin on my jacket or Meteor being fully evolved.

   "There we are!" Drake announced. "Now there's our new Champion!" The others agreed and I felt myself blush. It was both awkward and amazing being in the spotlight like this, but I kind of liked the attention. I knew as soon as there was a break in the commotion, I would race home to tell Dad and Mom the news. The thought of their reactions, especially Dad's, made me unimaginably happy.

   This whole time Helena had been taking to someone through her earpiece. "Perfect timing!" she cheered, hanging up her call. We all looked at her and she grinned. "The reporters are here!" she announced.

   My heart dropped, unease striking me. "Reporters..?"