Pokémon Fool's Gold | Orre & Galar Fanfiction

Chapter 110: Zane's Challenge

Tyranitar toppled again. It didn't move. Vander crept hesitantly in. His whistle blew.

'Tyranitar is unable to battle. Challenger Cassia is defeated by Elite Four Seth.'

Cassia felt as if her heart snapped in two. After all she'd done... all they'd done to get this far... she didn't even make it to Michael, or Lumir, or whoever Seth stood in the way of. It wasn't even Wes... but she stopped that train of thought. Looking back on immaturity would only make the memory of her loss sting more. Seth wasn't Wes. He didn't need to be Wes. He was worthy of his Elite Four title in his own right.

'Well, Seth... there's no shame in that loss.'

She shook his clammy hand. He smiled.

'No, there isn't. You almost turned the whole battle around. I thought I was going down. If luck had favoured you, not me, you would've won.'

'Yeah, but... we can't rely on luck as Trainers, can we? We can only rely on our strength... and the bonds we've formed with our Pokémon. Clearly... yours were stronger than mine.'

'No. It really can come down to luck. I made a good prediction that might have cost me another day. The bonds you've forged with your Pokémon are just as strong as ours. That's what'll bring you back to challenge me... and maybe beat me next time. I hope you will.'

'I will. And I will win next time. Not on luck. On strength!'

She, too, managed a smile. 'I don't need to beat the champion, not anymore. I have a score to settle with you!'

Olivia shook her head. Raihan shared his daughter's resigned smile. She was just like him. It didn't matter whether Leon was champion or not. Even becoming champion himself didn't mean as much as finally defeating Leon... whenever it happened.

Once Cassia was alone, away from the prying eyes of journalists with only her parents to judge her, she broke down. Olivia and Raihan didn't say anything. They just hugged her, along with her Pokémon, until she cried out every tear her eyes could hold. She knew it was true there was no shame in her loss. It still hurt.

Amber reached the summit at sunset. Orange broke through clouds. The crowds of departing journalists told her the result of Cassia's challenge. She had no idea where to find her friend. The Pokémon Center was empty. Her phone remained blank. She barely slept in the darkness of the vacant dormitory. At 5:53AM, she gave up. She jogged up and down the bridge over the crater and back to the elevator with her Pokémon. Doors opened at 6AM. Parvor emerged from the elevator. He followed Amber inside. They were surprised to find staff already registering two others. Jaxon was first in line. Zane said nothing when his eyes fell on his friends. He wore a stern and focused scowl. Amber wished him luck. He only nodded.

Battles began at 9AM. After losing to a Veteran, Grason returned to Gateon Port. Reed and Kody had only just arrived. No-one else would reach the summit before midday. Jaxon paced in the locker room. Zane sat, staring at his wringing hands, in silence. Parvor forced himself to take deep breaths. They gathered to watch Jaxon's battles on the reception area's vast screen. He trounced Chobin. Lovrina put up a fight, but he won. He lost to Eldes.

Staff escorted Zane to the elevator. He silently faced Chobin. Volcarona and Lucario took down all of his Pokémon but Tropius. It knocked Lucario out. Reuniclus didn't get the chance to attack. Volcarona finished Tropius off. Lovrina stomped from the elevator.

'I am so not letting a single other one of you little challengers past me!'

Raticate and Sylveon took out Gardevoir and Hypno. Tsareena's High Jump Kick knocked Raticate out in one hit. Zane sent out Lucario. He clasped a chain around his neck. Amber smiled. He hadn't lost his friendship locket after all. A Key Stone glowed. Lucario Mega Evolved. Tsareena knocked Sylveon out with Trop Kick. Volcarona promptly scorched it unconscious as soon as Zane sent it out. Lucario's Meteor Mash smashed through the remains of Lovrina's Pokémon.