Pokèmon Legacy (Pokèmon Watty Awards 2013)

Chapter 11 - Dawn of a New Era

“I…won?” I gasped. I couldn’t believe it – to beat Toby after him having the advantage the whole battle – I couldn’t begin to describe the feelings inside me.

Headmaster Rowan, who looked set to have a heart attack from the excitement of the battle, suddenly stood up and shouted into the Announcer’s microphone “The Graduation Exam has ended! Sam Kenealy wins!”

With this announcement of a winner, the audience shook off the shock of the final moments and stood up to applaud not only me, but Toby as well. I glanced over to Toby, and was surprised to see him smiling happily – there was no sign of disappointment anywhere on his face.

“Great battle, Sam! Congratulations!” He beamed at me. I nodded back and smiled.

The whole stadium was still clapping as me and Toby headed to the centre of the battlefield to meet Headmaster Rowan, who commended us on our battling skills.

“Hey, Sarah! Maybe you should go and give Sam a victory kiss.” Olivia Taylor smirked at her sister.

“Shut up, Olivia!” Sarah snapped back. Olivia merely laughed as her sister’s face turned bright red. 

“Congratulations, you two. You have undeniably given us the best final match in the history of the Academy!” Headmaster Rowan beamed at us. “Sam, as winner of the Graduation Exam, I would like to present you with this Medal of Honour.”

The Medal of Honour, a beautiful silver object engraved with the Academy logo, was given to me. Attached to the medal was a wooden block that featured a pure gold plaque. On the plaque, I could read the words ‘Scions of purity and impurity are guided by their heart's true calling…’ I wondered what it meant, but decided it was probably just some old quote from ancient times.

Headmaster Rowan suddenly turned to Toby and smiled. “Toby, as award for doing so well yourself, I’d like to present you with the special prize I spoke of.”

“Wow! Thanks!” Toby replied, before frowning when he noticed that Headmaster Rowan had not moved at all to get the prize. “Uh…what is it?”

“Oh, it’s the Victini you have right there!” Headmaster Rowan chuckled. “The little pest escaped his Poké Ball when you two were battling the first time, but since you and Victini have formed a bond already, I decided you should keep it.”

“I get to keep Victini?” Toby asked, looking down at his sleeping Pokémon.

“Yep! Take good care of it.” Headmaster Rowan smiled, handing Toby Victini’s Poké Ball. Toby grabbed it, and opened the Poké Ball to let his new Pokémon go inside. 

“Ladies and Gentleman!” Headmaster Rowan exclaimed, appealing to audience. “The two finalists – Sam Kenealy and Toby Grazier!”

Ripples of applause erupted again from within the audience. Everyone was standing, and smiling happily – Lyra, Owen, Skyra and Ayshe, the Elite 4 themselves, Sarah and Olivia – everyone was applauding us in acknowledgment of our skills. As the Academy anthem boomed out across the stadium, I knew I wouldn’t forget this moment in my lifetime…

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Now that the Graduation Exam had ended, and our time at the Pokémon Academy over, it was time to finally set on our own journeys across the regions. Me and Toby had already decided to travel across Kanto together, taking down Gym Leaders along the way until we finally faced the Elite 4.

“So tomorrow’s the day, huh?” Toby said quietly, staring at the magnificent building of the Pokémon Academy. “Tomorrow we finally start own journey.”