(Ash's POV)
My knees buckled, the relentless surge of battle fading at last. Pikachu, fur singed yet eyes blazing, perched steadfastly on my shoulder. We had done it – Tapu Koko lay defeated. The crowd roared, a vibrant, deafening blur. Victory tasted sweet, mingled with the iron tinge of exhaustion.
The onslaught of questions began. Reporters surged forward, a thicket of microphones bristling towards me. "Ash, how does it feel?" "What was your strategy?" "Were you confident?" My words tumbled out in a hoarse rasp. It all felt surreal: Alola Champion.
On the verge of collapse, Kukui bulldozed a path, his triumphant grin splitting his face. "Clear the way! This champ needs a breather!"
Before I could protest, he thrust his phone into my hands. "Special delivery of congratulations!" The pixelated image resolved: Cynthia's knowing smile, Steven's intrigued gaze, Wallace's elegant poise... and then those sharp red eyes that always cut right through me. Lance.
"Heard you took down the guardian," Lance stated, a flicker of challenge in his voice. "Nice work for a 'rookie'."
Kukui practically erupted. "Hold on there! Rookie? This kid beat the Orange Islands ages ago! Who remembers that?"
The video call rippled with surprise. Cynthia blinked, visibly taken aback. Even Wallace's eyebrows rose. The reporters, sensing a juicy angle, pressed closer, cameras flashing.
Lance cleared his throat, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "Seems there's more to this 'rookie' than meets the eye."
Then Leon, ever the showman, crashed onto the screen, nearly knocking the phone from Kukui's hand. "Blimey! Two-time Champion and nobody tells me? Ash, lad, you're a force to be reckoned with!"
The fight drained from me, replaced by a rush of awe. The legends of the League knew my name, remembered our battles. I wasn't just some newcomer anymore.
"That's how you make an entrance, Ash!" Leon boomed, his laughter booming from the tiny speakers. "What do you say we make it official, eh? Galar Stadium, a proper welcome for the newest member of the club!"
A whirlwind of emotions crashed over me – exhaustion, excitement, and a sliver of fear I quickly shoved down. Leon's Charizard materialized in my mind, an unstoppable wall of flame.
"Okay, Leon," My voice sounded distant, even to me. "But just so you know... we're coming for you."
Leon's grin could have lit up the entire stadium. "Mate, I wouldn't have it any other way."
YOU ARE READING
How to Act as a Pokémon Champion
FanfictionAsh's grin was sharp and confident. "Let's finish this, Greninja! Water Shuriken!" He mirrored his Pokémon's stance, the strange synchronicity of their bond sending a ripple of anticipation through me. "Charizard, Max Knuckle! Meet it head-on!" Ener...
