["…BRONZONG IS DOWN!!"]
With the commentator's passionate shout, a Bronzong collapsed heavily on the battlefield.
Opposite it, Garchomp landed steadily on the ground, barely injured. It did not roar in excitement after defeating its opponent.
["It has happened… After three long months of fierce competition, our Sinnoh Region Champion has finally appeared…
And she is…
CYN-THIAAAAAAAA!!"]
Thunderous applause erupted. Everyone in the arena stood up and shout wildly. They were witnessing history!
They had witnessed the birth of the youngest Champion in the Sinnoh Region!
At the center of the battlefield, Lucian let out a soft sigh and slowly recalled Bronzong.
Over the past few years, not only had he failed to close the gap between him and Cynthia, that gap had only continued to grow.
Seeing Cynthia so calm and collected, showing no extra excitement over winning, he felt nothing but helplessness.
'Fortunately, there's still someone out there who can handle her…' Lucian thought silently, then quietly walked off the stage, leaving all cheering and glory to Cynthia.
When Lucian returned to the preparation area, he saw someone sitting in front of the TV watching the live broadcast, smiling slightly, clearly in a very good mood.
"Hehe~ Here to pick Cynthia up?"
Lucian put on a smile and stepped forward to greet him.
The person turned his head and gave Lucian a nod. "…Yeah. Came to see her."
It was none other than Sato, who had come from Johto.
Looking at Sato, Lucian couldn't help sighing inwardly… 'This guy almost lose to me…
But barring any accidents… he would become the Champion of Johto next month.'
Just like no one in Sinnoh could stop Cynthia, no one in Johto could stop Sato either.
Especially since Lance had been transferred to the Kanto Region as an Elite Four, Sato had even less competition.
"Alright then, I'm heading out… Gotta go summarize my battle experience. Hopefully next time, I can cause your Cynthia a little trouble~"
Lucian mocked himself, waved, and headed outside.
"Mmh. Yeah, talk later."
What else could Sato say? His girlfriend's strength was overwhelming!
He felt pressure, too.
It wasn't that he had some "need" to be stronger out of pride… but because of something Cynthia told him three years ago, he still remembered it clearly.
She aimed for the Champion title, and he wanted it just as badly!
Clack... clack… clack~
The tapping of heels slowly echoed. After receiving cheers and praise, Cynthia soon returned backstage.
Sato brushed his distracting thoughts aside and smiled brightly as she walked toward him.
"Tsk tsk~ This time Garchomp only used about fifty percent of its power to beat Lucian's strongest Bronzong."
Cynthia walked to Sato's side, and their hands naturally intertwined.
"It was alright. Bronzong really did get a lot stronger, but…"
Cynthia didn't finish the sentence, but Sato understood well.
The gap between Elite Four and Champion was far greater than most imagined.
These three years, without Fujin's full guidance and the insane strengthening from Dark Energy… Zoroark and the others would never have broken through.
"Let's go. I found a restaurant in Sunyshore City with amazing lobster. If we fly over now, we can make it in time for dinner."
Sato pulled Cynthia outward, planning to treat his girlfriend with good food.
Even though she barely broke a sweat winning the Champion title…
He still had to do his boyfriend duty properly!
Soon, a dark silhouette soared into the sky. Honchkrow, now even larger, could carry several more people without affecting its flight.
Both Cynthia and Sato could lie on Honchkrow's back comfortably without feeling cramped at all.
"…Huh? It became a Totem?"
As soon as she got on, Cynthia noticed something different about Honchkrow. This dominant aura radiating from within was distinct from the typical Champion "presence".
"Oh… Yeah, it officially became the ruler of all Flying-type Pokémon in the Forest of Shadows recently. It's now a Totem Pokémon."
"Mm. Congratulations, Honchkrow~" Cynthia smiled and patted its broad feathers, thinking to herself that riding a Totem Pokémon felt oddly luxurious.
"Kro~ow!"
Honchkrow let out a light cry and flapped its wings to accelerate again, seemingly showing off a bit in front of Cynthia.
Sato watched silently, the corners of his mouth lifted in satisfaction.
Their Pokémon were all very familiar with each other.
…Some were even couples by now.
Umbreon and Glaceon already had children, and the newly hatched Eevee litter all had potential no lower than Ace level.
Influenced by their powerful parents, the young Eevee were all eager to meet their future Trainers and grow stronger!
…Perhaps even surpass their mom and dad.
Recently, the two of them had started looking for excellent young Trainers; hoping to entrust the little Eevee to someone worthy.
Gardevoir had also… bonded for life with Cynthia's Lucario two years ago, which left Joseph's Gallade heartbroken for quite a while…
Only for Gardevoir to crush him completely with one line: "Gally, I've always seen you as a cute otouto~"
And the final couple had left Sato and Cynthia both stunned…
Cynthia's Roserade had taken a liking to Sato's Cacturne, that prickly guy…
Was it the golden sparkle of its body!!!!?
But neither of them interfered. Seeing their Pokémon find a good match was something they were both happy to support.
---◓---
Champion Honchkrow was incredibly fast. From Lily of the Valley Island in the Sinnoh League to Sunyshore City, the trip took just over two hours.
They found the lobster restaurant Sato had mentioned, and the two of them ate to their hearts' content, fully satisfied.
With a bit of light disguise afterward, they strolled hand in hand through Sunyshore City's bustling night market.
This was their kind of unspoken understanding. Just like most couples, enjoying good food and window shopping, immersed in the crowd yet undisturbed.
Peaceful, relaxed, and comfortable.
"Hey, I've always been a bit curious. How exactly is a Totem Pokémon formed?"
As they chatted, the topic drifted back to Honchkrow.
"Well… that's hard to explain precisely, but… it's generally understood as a Pokémon with exceptional talent and potential who, upon reaching adulthood, gains the recognition of other Pokémon."
Sato thought it over and tried to explain as simply as he could.
"Oh…" Cynthia didn't dwell on the subject and instead asked, "Does it gain a big boost?"
"Mm. Quite a big one."
Sato nodded confidently. "The reason Honchkrow surpassed Weavile and Gardevoir to break through to Champion level first was exactly because it became a Totem Pokémon."
"Then-"
"It's very hard to train one on purpose. Honchkrow spent a long time living in the Forest of Shadows after hatching, and even back then, it showed signs of becoming a Totem Pokémon.
I once tried letting my Houndoom, who has extremely high leadership instincts, attempt to become a Totem Pokémon as well…
But no matter how large the pack Houndoom could lead, there was never the slightest sign of it transforming into a Totem Pokémon."
Sato could already tell what Cynthia wanted to ask, so he answered before she could.
"…Fine then."
Cynthia pouted slightly. Rarely showing this kind of sulky expression in front of Sato.
Sato found it irresistibly cute and tightened his grip on her hand, picking up the pace.
'Come on now, it's just a little stroll through the city… who says there's a time limit?'