Pokemon: Alexandrite & Topaz

Chapter 53: The End of the Beginning

Kimyona was speechless. Her mouth was hanging and her eyes were shrinking. She licked her lips and looked around, trying to believe she lost. Kimyona recalled Garchomp and sighed. She put herself back together and clapped for Sentoki. Hikaru exhaled through her nose and got up, clapping for Sentoki. "Congrats kid, you did it. You fucking did it."

Sentoki looked around, listening to the cheering and applause from the entire stadium. "I... I did it? I did it." He turned back towards Rambo who was looking back at him. "No, we did it." A huge smile grew on his face. He released his Pokemon and they all had a brief moment of celebration on the battlefield.

Subarashi stood with his hands behind his back, nodding his head in agreement. "He did do it. He did it after all."

Jinsoku was clapping profusely, believing that Sentoki would be the winner after all.

Once the cheering died down, the announcer said, "All participants of the Pokemon League please make your way to bullpen. We are going to begin our closing ceremony."

Sentoki put all his Pokemon back in their Pokeballs and went back to the bullpen. Everyone was congratulating him on his victory. "Wow Sentoki, that was such an awesome battle!" "That was so cool!" "You're one of the best trainers I've ever seen!"

Kimyona walked to the entrance of the room and swallowed, unsure of what the other Pokemon trainers will think of her. Kimyona stepped into the room and was immediately applauded for her excellency. "Kimyona you did so good! You're better than all of us, you made it the farthest!" "Your Garchomp is so powerful, please teach me your skills!" Kimyona was smiling and realized second place is not so bad after all.

Sentoki turned and they met eyes. They walked towards each other. "Congrats on the victory, ya big bastard," chuckled Kimyona as she friendly punched Sentoki in the shoulder.

Sentoki laughed, "Hey, we both made it this far. We're a team, this is our victory." Sentoki held his hand out and Kimyona gladly shook it.

"Hey Sentoki!" said Jinsoku from behind.

Sentoki, startled, turned around and said, "What's with you and coming from behind?"

Subarashi and Jinsoku congratulated Sentoki on his victory, praising him for the show his Pokemon put on. They then congratulated Kimyona on how far she came and how one day they want to train with her. That's when Kimyona had an idea. They said goodbyes and wished each other luck in the future and shook each other's hands. When Kimyona and Jinsoku shook hands, they felt sparks go off between them. They looked down at their hands and looked up, making eye contact. Jinsoku pulled back and started to laugh and blush and Kimyona giggled at him.

Soon everyone was separated into groups. Then, they began to process out and back onto the field. By then, it was already almost sunset. People were tired from the length battle between Sentoki and Kimyona but the event was so incredible that it was worth the watch. Everyone was on their feet, cheering for all the Pokemon trainers who fought valiantly. All the participants who didn't make it after the first round came out first, followed by the people who made it until the second round, and so on. Each participant was given a badge, signifying their participation in the Pokemon League. Finally, it was time for the top four. There were stairs for the top four. Subarashi took his place on the fourth place and was giving a badge. Jinsoku then took his place on the third place and was given a slightly bigger badge.

Kimyona and Sentoki looked at each other. Kimyona shrugged, "Well, looks like it's my turn." Kimyona's name was called and she took her place. The crowd cheered wildly for her. And distinctly, you can hear a girl shout, "You go Kimyona!" Kimyona smiled, knowing exactly who it was. She put her hands on her lap and took a bow and a friendly wave. She was given a large decorative plaque which said "Indigo Plateau Conference: Second Place."

"And now, this year's Indigo Plateau Conference Champion: Sentoki!" The cheering grew louder, much louder. Sentoki exhaled quickly and stepped up onto the first place step. He looked around, letting everything sink in.

"We did it. We fucking did it." Sentoki put his hands up in a piece sign. An official came up to him and handed him a large trophy with a Pokeball on the top with wings protruding from it. Engraved on the base: '2016 Indigo Plateau Conference Champion.' Sentoki smiled and kissed the Pokeball, holding the trophy high in the air.

After the awards and recognition, everyone took a seat in the bleachers to prepare for the firework show. Sentoki and Kimyona joined Hikaru on the bleachers. She gave them both hugs, "My little champions!" The lights dimmed and the fireworks show began. The trio sat together, looking at the sky and thinking about their entire journey together; from the day they met until then.

"What comes next?" asked Hikaru. Their journey was over. Afterall, the plan was for Sentoki to find his family and for Hikaru to find her way back to the future. Sentoki won the Pokemon League and found his family, which signified the end of both Sentoki and Hikaru's endeavours. Kimyona's goal was over as well; to collect all eight badges and win the Pokemon League, except she didn't win. Hikaru remembered something. "All I had to do was join Sentoki on his quest and that's it. That's when she'd come back for me." Hikaru suddenly turned her read to the top of the stadium. A little green colored fairy was hovering and suddenly disappeared. Hikaru turned around and exhaled deeply through her nose.

"What's wrong?" Kimyona nudged Hikaru's shoulder.

"Oh nothing, nothing," Hikaru said, knowing what was to come eventually.

Bringing Hikaru's question back into the subject matter, Sentoki said, taking command, "We keep going. Together."

"I mean, there are more regions to explore," Kimyona added with a smile.

"That's a possibility," Hikaru finished.

The fireworks show finished and Moltres' flame was extinguished, ready to come back to life for next year's competition. Everyone left the stadium and our heroes made their way out. They stopped outside, getting food from a vendor since they were starving and haven't eaten in almost ten hours. Conversations about the battle filled the air. People stood around, conversing and eating food when suddenly all the talking came to a halt. Sentoki, being observant, questioned, "Why's it so quiet all of a sudden?"

All the talking stopped and all you could hear was the sound of the street lights, fireflies, breeze, and footsteps.

Hikaru looked over Sentoki's shoulder. She recognized him from the zoo.

"There's someone behind me isn't there," Sentoki said, slightly afraid. He turned around and looked at the guy from the bottom up.

Red and black shoes with blue pants. He wore a red jacket with black cutoff sleeves. He had brown hair and a red and white hat. On his shoulder, a Pikachu. Sentoki recognized him immediately.

"Red."

"Congratulations on the victory, Sentoki. That was quite a show you put on," Red commented, awesomely. He put his hand out and Sentoki, still starstruck, shook it firmly.

"Pika pika," Pikachu nodded, agreeing with Red.

"Since you won the Pokemon League, that gives you the privilege of taking on Kanto's Elite Four," Red rubbed his chin in a thinking manner, "But, since I was so amazed by you and your Pokemon's performance, I'd like to challenge you to a battle." Red reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "When you're ready, let me know. I'll be waiting." Red handed Sentoki the slip of paper and Red walked away without any other word.

The trio watched as Red left. Then, the conversations resumed as if nothing happened. Sentoki looked down at the paper and smiled with a nod. He put it into his pocket.

"Red wants to battle you, eh?" Kimyona asked.

"Guess so," Sentoki said as he looked to the direction Red walked away in.

They finished up their food and went back to their hotel room. They freshened up, changed clothes and went to bed, exhausted. Kimyona immediately knocked out. Hikaru stared at the ceiling for a while, waiting for her guardian to come and bring her back to her time. Sentoki laid on his side, admiring the trophy which was on his nightstand. Sentoki then got up and went to a drawer. He opened it and pulled out the paper that was given to him by Red. He got his cellphone and called the number. Hikaru, who was about to fall asleep, heard the movement coming from Sentoki's room and listened.

"Red, it's Sentoki. I'm ready."