"It's about to end."
"Yeah. Tyranitar is too old, it's running out of strength."
Silas and the others could see it clearly. Between Mega Garchomp and Mega Tyranitar, Mega Tyranitar was actually slightly stronger.
But it had a fatal weakness, its age.
As it grew older, its stamina could no longer keep up. It simply could not sustain such an intense, high level battle for long.
Even at sixty, no matter how strong its fighting spirit was, the decline of the body could not be ignored.
"Rumble…"
A deep, thunderous explosion erupted across the battlefield, and the raging sandstorm that had been sweeping through the arena suddenly came to a halt.
Mega Tyranitar's massive body staggered back several steps. A flash of light flickered around it as it could no longer maintain its Mega Evolution.
"Garchomp, finish it with Dragon Rush!"
In the next moment, Mega Garchomp slammed its feet into the ground and launched itself high into the air.
A massive surge of Dragon-type energy enveloped its entire body, its killing intent locking firmly onto Tyranitar. With a furious roar that shook the heavens, the blue purple dragon began its downward dive.
"Tyranitar, use Giga Impact!"
The aged Tyranitar let out the loudest roar of its life, its voice filled with pride and unwavering resolve.
The scars across its green armor gleamed under the sunlight, each one a mark of countless battles fought. It forced its massive body forward, pouring every last bit of strength it had into its claws.
A white green aura surged around it, the embodiment of its all out Giga Impact. Even the ground beneath its feet sank slightly under the force.
Tyranitar charged forward to meet Mega Garchomp head on.
With a deafening crash, the blue purple Dragon Rush and the white green Giga Impact collided violently at the center of the battlefield.
The shockwave blasted outward instantly, sending shattered stones flying in all directions. Even the railings around the spectator stands trembled violently, and the entire arena shook along with it.
Silas instinctively shielded Litten in his arms while pulling Diantha closer.
Dragonite tensed its body and stood in front of Silas, blocking the flying debris as the stones bounced harmlessly off its round belly.
"Litten, Dragonite, are you okay?"
"Meow!"
"Draa~"
Both Pokémon shook their heads. Litten even nuzzled affectionately against Silas's hand.
Only after checking on his Pokémon did Silas turn to ask Diantha, who was leaning against him.
What he received in return was a glare. She lightly punched him, her jealousy obvious.
Even though she turned her head away, a sweet smile lingered at the corners of her lips.
Through all the little details in their time together, Silas had started to value her just as much as his Pokémon.
Her place in his heart had risen.
Did that mean there was a chance she might surpass them one day? Diantha could not help but let her imagination wander.
At the very least, things were already much better than before. In the past, Silas might not have protected her at all, it would have been a blessing if he did not just toss her out as a shield.
"It's over."
Within the fading shockwaves, the two clashing energies gradually dissipated. One of the auras weakened significantly.
Moments later, the smoke cleared.
Tyranitar lay on the ground with spiraling eyes, a fresh wound now carved across its green armor, left behind by Mega Garchomp's scythe-like claws.
"ROOAR!"
Garchomp threw its head back and roared, its presence visibly rising. It was the aura of countless victories, an invincible will forged through battle after battle.
Both sides recalled their Pokémon.
With their ace Pokémon gone, the two trainers were now evenly matched.
Five against five.
Without Garchomp to anchor the field, everything now depended on Cynthia's real time command ability.
The battle remained incredibly close, and from a spectator's perspective, Silas gained a great deal from watching.
Though to call it a battle was not entirely accurate.
It felt more like a teaching match.
The former Sinnoh Champion was personally instructing Cynthia, guiding her, helping her fill in her final weaknesses.
Watching this, Silas, Diantha, and Leon all felt a twinge of envy, quietly learning from the sidelines.
…
As Excadrill was struck down by Aura Sphere and collapsed to the ground, losing its ability to battle, Chairman Goodshow announced the result in a loud voice.
"Excadrill is unable to battle. Lucario wins. Cynthia's champion challenge is successful!"
Clap! clap! clap!
"WOOOO!"
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the stadium as everyone stood to offer their congratulations.
"The Champion passed down everything he had learned to Cynthia. Looks like he's ready to retire."
Silas nodded slightly, holding Litten's little paws and making it clap along as he applauded Cynthia.
"Seems like it. Let's go find her later."
"Okay."
The two sat back down, waiting for the final ceremony to conclude.
Silas fell silent, thinking about his own future plans.
Honestly, there was not much to consider.
If being an Elite Four member was really as busy as Diantha said, then he would absolutely skip that step and go straight for the Champion title.
And if Diantha wanted to challenge for it later?
They were practically family. He could just give up the position.
He would still get the title of League Champion and a retirement allowance to support his Pokémon. That sounded pretty good.
After all, becoming a League Champion had only ever been a side pursuit for him. Achieving it once would be enough, just to fulfill a small childhood dream.
He still remembered the promise he made with Serena.
When that little girl grew up to become a trainer, she would be able to brag about her big brother to other trainers and Pokémon.
She could say things like, "My big brother is the Kalos Elite Four of so and so type," or "My big brother is the Kalos League Champion."
Serena might not remember it now, but Silas remembered it clearly.
Every time he thought about it, he could not help but smile.
It was because of that promise that he had stayed on the path of a trainer.
A sister loving brother would never break his word.
That was what it meant to be a siscon. Hmph.
After Cynthia's successful challenge, the following handover process would take more than just a day or two.
Silas and Diantha briefly spoke with her, personally congratulated her, and then took their leave.
There was still plenty of time, so Silas was not in a hurry to return to the Pokémon Center. Instead, he eagerly pulled Diantha along to explore Lily of the Valley Island.
The island was not large. It took less than an hour to walk around its coastline.
After making a full circle and returning to their starting point, Diantha gave him a sideways glance, her expression slightly suspicious.
"Silas, were you tricked? We just walked all the way around the island and didn't see even a trace of Shaymin."
Scratching his head awkwardly, Silas quickly changed the subject. Rarely taking the initiative, he reached out and held Diantha's hand.
"I mainly just wanted to walk with you. There's a bench over there, let's go sit and rest for a bit."
Diantha's cheeks flushed slightly. The warmth from his hand made her heart race, and most of her annoyance disappeared instantly.
"Fine. But you have to massage my feet, I'm exhausted."
The two sat down on a bench by the roadside.
Litten and Perrserker jumped out of their Poké Balls and ran toward the nearby beach to catch fish.
Dragonite leaned back against the bench, looking like a giant third wheel.
Silas took off Diantha's shoes and held her foot with one hand while using the other to press along her joints, easing the soreness from walking for so long.
Neither of them spoke.
One closed her eyes and quietly enjoyed the moment.
The other patiently took care of her.
Under the golden glow of the setting sun, neither of them noticed a small white figure flying in from the distant sea.
A tiny Shaymin had just returned from its faraway new home.
Today was an incredibly important day for it.
It was supposed to be the day it would meet Silas for the first time in the Flower Paradise.
Its heart was filled with sadness as it flew slowly with its head lowered.
He had promised to stay with it.
But then, out of the corner of its eye, it caught sight of something on the island below.
The little Shaymin's eyes widened in disbelief.
That was… Silas?
(End of Chapter)