Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 99: Hall of Fame

The stadium at Lily of the Valley Island felt different from the League final, even before anyone spoke aloud inside.

There was no roaring crowd this time, no tournament bracket, and no announcer trying to fill every breath with excitement. The stands were quieter, but the pressure felt heavier because everyone there understood what this battle meant.

This battle was not about applause anymore. It was about whether everything we had learned in Sinnoh could stand in front of the person who had protected this region before we even understood how deep its wounds were.

Mr. Goodshow waited near the center platform with Cynthia beside him. Tobias stood behind her with Verity and Emily, and both girls looked proud and nervous at the same time.

Cynthia's eyes softened when she saw us. "I take it both of you defeated the Elite Four."

"We did," I said, opening the medal case.

Lillie opened hers beside mine. Bug, Ground, Fire, and Mind shone together, proof that Aaron, Bertha, Flint, and Lucian had all accepted us as challengers worthy of reaching Cynthia.

Those medals felt heavier than Gym Badges because they had not only tested whether we could win. Aaron had tested beauty under pressure, Bertha had tested observation, Flint had tested controlled fire, and Lucian had tested the mind behind every command.

Mr. Goodshow smiled beneath his mustache. "Since this is the first time the Sinnoh League has recognized two winners from one final, both of you will face Champion Cynthia. The Hall of Fame will record each victory separately."

He looked at us carefully, already knowing the answer. "Your wish remains the same, correct? Hall of Fame registration, not taking the standing Champion title."

Lillie nodded first. "Cynthia is Sinnoh's Champion. We want to prove we can defeat her, not take her place."

I closed my medal case. "And after this, I already know the next League I want to challenge."

Cynthia's smile became calm and bright. "Then let us begin properly."

We walked toward the battlefield. Dawn, Gladion, Tox, and Daniel stayed near the side with Tobias, Verity, and Emily. Their faces reminded me that this was not only another battle. This was the last peak of Sinnoh before every road changed again.

I could feel the hidden badges, the League trophy, and the Elite Four medals sitting behind us like footprints. None of them would fight Cynthia for us. They only proved that we had earned the right to stand here and be tested without excuses.

Dawn held Piplup close. "Ash and Lillie are really facing the Champion."

Tox's voice was quiet. "They need focus, breath control, and no denial of fatigue."

Daniel adjusted his glasses. "They also need to remember that Cynthia studies people as deeply as Pokémon."

Cynthia stepped onto her side of the field, her coat moving in the stadium air. "Have you been keeping well? Thank you for Mt. Coronet and the Distortion World. I am truly grateful."

Her gratitude did not make the battle softer. It made it feel more honest.

Cynthia had seen Cyrus's emptiness, Giratina's world, Team Galactic's collapse, and the way Sinnoh kept healing even after people tried to twist it. If she thanked us now, it was not because she planned to go easy on us. It was because she believed gratitude and challenge could exist together.

"Together, you and your Pokémon overcame difficult challenges," Cynthia continued. "That means you triumphed over personal weakness too. I can feel the power you learned. But that is enough talk. As Pokémon League Champion, I accept your challenge."