"It's the pressure of entering Pokémon tournaments for a living," Simeom answered Beryl. "Professionals high enough in the Pro Club get appearance fees just for playing in big events. The qualifying season for Pro Tour Castelia only has one more open event after this one, and Esmeralda and MacKenzie aren't qualified yet--they're short just a few Pro Points. They needed to make top four to qualify for the last invitational event that feeds that particular Pro Tour. To them, this event isn't about the prize money--this is about them qualifying for the Pro Tour. That's why they've been so on-edge." The Champion paused to let it sink in for a bit.
"I'm already qualified for Pro Tour Castelia. I battle strong Trainers like you every single week. I just want to get ready for this big tournament. I'm sure you heard it from the announcers, but I'm the highest-rated Trainer in the world without a Pro Tour top 8. I actually want to retire from the professional scene for a couple years and just relax. A win at the Pro Tour would give me the money to do that. When how you do in tournaments affects your very way of life, each tournament means a lot more. It's why I tell people going pro isn't what it's made out to be. Anyway, are you ready for our battle?"
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
Beryl and the former Champion having returned from their battle, they arrived just in time to see the start of the finals. Though it appeared Michael had a type advantage, Dawn was the number one seed--she didn't get there without some tricks up her sleeve. The number of Pokémon packing U-Turn gave her tremendous flexibility in her angle of attack, and she had many odd move choices that made her difficult to predict, even with the lists public.
Michael took an early lead with an unboosted direct Outrage from Garchomp, playing around Talonflame's Taunt and quickly achieving a 2-Pokémon lead. Toward the middle of the battle, Dawn carefully traded her Pokémon 1-for-1 with the Dragoon. Michael was in great position to win the battle after he watched Dawn's Mega Pidgeot fall to a well-timed Ice Beam from Dragonair shortly after losing his Charizard to a pinpoint Hurricane. He still had half his team left, when he realized she had been saving Serperior for the end of the battle. He started sinking to the bottom of his Trainer's Box when he realized Froslass and Charizard had been spent earlier in the battle. All he had left was a Lapras, Kingdra, and wounded Dragonair--nothing anywhere close to the grass-type's speed. When he saw Serperior using the Dragon-type move Outrage to perform a clean sweep on the rest of his team, Michael let out an ear-splitting cry of distress.
"Lapras is unable to battle. Dawn wins the match, and the League Championship. Congratulations," the head judge declared the knockout and Dawn the Champion. Everyone watching could tell Michael was holding back powerful emotion to prevent himself from being thrown out of the venue after such a turnaround on Dawn's part.
---
Later that night, the top eight Trainers assembled in Centre Stadium, the gallery cheering loudly for the closing ceremonies and presentation of the Ageos Cup. "The tournament has concluded," the MC announced, "and we will now award prizes and crown our new Champion!" He gestured toward the eight Trainers on the podium, raised in four tiers based on placement.
"Commending our top eight finishers! Billy Audun, Esmeralda Leona, Marcus Jones, and Rocco Entre! All four of them will receive checks for pY 40,000 and one 2014-15 Pro Point!" The head judge handed each person in top eight their checks individually, Billy raising his hands and waving to Josh and Geoff in the gallery.
"Next, our top four finishers! Give it up for last year's Champion, Simeom Cobb, and the Knight of Winds, Beryl Liam! Both of them will be receiving checks for pY 75,000 and two 2014-15 Pro Points! Both shall be commended for their outstanding performance this week!" Josh and Geoff shouted Beryl's name, but they doubted they could be heard over all the applause from the gallery.
"Next, our runner-up--our region's very own Celeste Gym Leader, Michael Shun! For his second place finish, he will receive a check for pY 125,000 and four 2014-15 Pro Points!" The section of Dragoons in the gallery held up their spears in triumph for his second place finish, though he was clearly not happy about it.
"Finally, Dawn. Dawn served as interim Gym Leader during the Serpent Crisis that delayed the start of this very tournament, while Gym Leader Victoria battled on the front lines protecting her hometown of Laurel City. With an incredible comeback victory in the finals, we present to you the 2015 Ageos League Championship trophy! You are the new Champion!" Camera flashes flooded the arena with light as the young Leader hoisted the large trophy above her head. "We also present you with this check for pY 250,000, seven 2014-15 Pro Points, and an invitation to Pro Tour Castelia later this year! Ladies and gentlemen--presenting the Ageos representative at Pro Tour Castelia and League Champion--Dawn Edwards!"
---
After the festivities died down, Josh arranged a meeting of the four Chosen on the outskirts of town, their four legendary Pokémon present as well. Swift broke the silence of the late night first. {You understand what time it is for us sacred Pokémon now, right?} he mentally spoke to the four in a somber voice.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
{That is correct,} the Water-type legendary Pokémon answered. {Not now, but soon....what say you this? What about one more day with the heroes, with no imminent threats to face? I say we let the true heroes--you four--enjoy one last day with us.}
{But wouldn't the Great One be upset at us? Our job is done. We don't belong here anymore.}
{If the Great One gets angry for returning one day late from our mission, I will take full responsibility,} Suicune assured the others before turning back to Beryl. {We let you four get some sleep, then we'll take you back to the mainland and we can just enjoy ourselves together for one day before we have to leave. What say you?}
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
"Thank you," Josh gratefully replied to the two Beasts. "But I think we should get some sleep. It's almost midnight, you know." He was holding back excitement, as well, but he would be able to enjoy the last day with his Pokémon of unparalleled speed more when fresh.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
The next morning, the four met up at the same location on the outskirts of Trinity City. "We have one day to enjoy with the legendary Pokémon," Josh reiterated. "Anything special you wanted to do? We should make it count--make this a day we'll never forget."
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
"A day we'll never forget..." Beryl seemed to latch on to those words. "Say, think the shops are still open? I was thinking we could buy some of those little pocket cameras. Travel around to all the places we've visited in Ageos. All the places we had to fight to defend from the serpents. I'm curious to see how everyone is doing, and after I return home, I definitely don't want to lose those memories...not of Ageos itself, not of anyone I've met."
"That's a wonderful idea," Josh agreed. "Another idea I had was maybe sitting passenger for a change. It'd be fun seeing you control Swift...or Entei, even, if Billy's willing to." Entei turned toward Beryl and smiled. "We'd need Suicune's Ice Beam to lead the way back to the mainland, of course, but we could definitely have fun traveling the roads we used to travel, in a more peaceful time."
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
"Seems like I'm letting Josh's curiosity get the better of me," Beryl said, walking over to Entei and making sure to keep the tip of the Crystal Lance pointed in the opposite direction. "I just hope you don't melt the ice under your feet!" She looked over at Geoff and Billy. "How about you two... Suicune, would you mind allowing one of them a try?"
Suicune allowed Billy to climb aboard, Billy surprised at how different it felt being aboard a Beast that was more lithe. It felt easier in one way, and harder in another. Geoff stuck to Articuno, skittish about getting anywhere near a Beast again after his experience with Swift. Josh swalked next to Entei for a bit before vaulting aboard behind Beryl. "Entei is so much bigger than either of the others...man!"
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
For Beryl, too, Entei's broad frame was a vast change from the lithe and sleek Suicune. After plotting out a course around Ageos -- which would take them through Twilight Isle, Crimson City and the Razor Peak Mountains, Harlequin City, southeast to Russetton, northeast to Cerise City, then Shire Town -- the start of their journey, how far away it felt -- north into the Emerald Forest, west to Slate City, through the Mines, around the Avalon Coast to Magnolia, then Celeste City, the Antearanae Ruins, and El Ectri Town in succession, southwest to Wisteria Town before cutting across the water to finish up at Lazuli Isle -- she turned to the rest of the group, to see if they wanted to propose any modifications.
Josh agreed with the route, ready to take off as soon as Billy and Geoff returned with the suggested pocket cameras. "This is a wonderful idea, Beryl. That way we'll never forget about any of our journey. I can't wait to show my friends back in Goldenrod all this." Though he was at Beryl's mercy, riding passenger this time, he was excited to possibly switch places with her at a later part of the regional tour.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
Geoff and Billy returned around twenty minutes later, distributing the disposable cameras the others had requested. Once all four were ready, Geoff and Articuno took to the air, Billy flipping himself onto Suicune's back and Raikou ready to run alongside one of them on his own. "I'm ready!" Josh braced himself, expecting riding Entei to be a learning experience all over again. He flipped his helmet visor down in anticipation. Billy and Suicune rushed ahead, ready to fire an Ice Beam at the water at any given moment.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
Beryl turned around to take a few final pictures of Trinity City. She let Suicune race a little bit ahead to build up enough of an ice path for them to run on, then dug her heels into Entei, anxious to see what the Beast of Fire's racing style was like.
The moment Entei touched Suicune's ice bridge, its running stroke picked up, Josh and Beryl being bounced around higher and rougher than Swift or Suicune ever did. They could hear the sound of the ice bridge melting rapidly behind them, a big cloud billowing behind the two from rapid condensation and evaporation. To Josh, it felt like one of his Pokémon was pushing itself hard toward the end of a race. It was jarring for him, and he realized it would only get rougher as Entei sped up. Its natural running speed seemed to be in between the two Beasts that Beryl and Josh were familiar with, but with far more power. He certainly had a new-found respect for Billy's strength and tenacity already, without Entei even having to try.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
After being landbound for the past several days, riding on Entei was like a shock to Beryl's spine. It took all her concentration to keep ahold of Entei as she and Josh bounced up and down. She was going to have to dismount at Twilight Isle to catch a breather, though she didn't intend to stay too long -- the island had a spooky vibe, she remembered.
Josh was starting to breathe harder, as well. He could tell Entei was hardly trying, and it was already overwhelming him. Thankfully for the two, the mist-cloaked island was coming into distant view. Of course, it wouldn't be so distant for long. He could have sworn he saw Billy and Suicune suddenly jump--they must have hit landfall on the island. Josh himself had very few memories of this island--it was little more than a pit stop on his journey.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
"So, how was the ride on Suicune?" Beryl asked Billy after she dismounted. The island itself was not very large, and she took note of the highlights: the mossy rock, the coast where she met her Lapras, and the docks... where she found Mystic. She snapped a picture of the sea, clear and calm, at the latter location.
"...Not as awesome as I thought it'd be," Billy answered, "but I think I'd enjoy it more once we're on the mainland. Then I can actually do some turning--Entei can't really turn well, especially not on ice." Josh took the chance to catch his breath. The island itself was rather empty, many of its inhabitants still at the Ageos League tournament site. There were a few dark-type Pokémon wandering about, but overall it was pretty quiet on Twilight Isle.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
Crimson City was a place Josh didn't spend much time at on his journey, either--since he had mainly land-bound Pokémon, he obtained most of his Badges on the east side of the mainland. The second time Beryl had Entei take off, it was much easier, since he knew what to expect. The only thing that concerned him was Entei's ability to turn--especially on Suicune's ice paths. They were wide, but Josh had his doubts. He had seen plenty of pileups watching races involving tracks with ice patches on them. Beryl was talented and much more careful than he was, though--if anyone could do it, she could.
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A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
After nearly colliding with a wall during the opening ceremonies, Beryl knew to be much more careful than she normally was. Riding on Entei was like riding a bigger, faster Arcanine -- leaning into each and every turn was going to be very important. She glanced up from time to time to keep an eye on Suicune. The sleek legend seemed to glide effortlessly along the icy path.
"I'm already qualified for Pro Tour Castelia. I battle strong Trainers like you every single week. I just want to get ready for this big tournament. I'm sure you heard it from the announcers, but I'm the highest-rated Trainer in the world without a Pro Tour top 8. I actually want to retire from the professional scene for a couple years and just relax. A win at the Pro Tour would give me the money to do that. When how you do in tournaments affects your very way of life, each tournament means a lot more. It's why I tell people going pro isn't what it's made out to be. Anyway, are you ready for our battle?"
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Michael took an early lead with an unboosted direct Outrage from Garchomp, playing around Talonflame's Taunt and quickly achieving a 2-Pokémon lead. Toward the middle of the battle, Dawn carefully traded her Pokémon 1-for-1 with the Dragoon. Michael was in great position to win the battle after he watched Dawn's Mega Pidgeot fall to a well-timed Ice Beam from Dragonair shortly after losing his Charizard to a pinpoint Hurricane. He still had half his team left, when he realized she had been saving Serperior for the end of the battle. He started sinking to the bottom of his Trainer's Box when he realized Froslass and Charizard had been spent earlier in the battle. All he had left was a Lapras, Kingdra, and wounded Dragonair--nothing anywhere close to the grass-type's speed. When he saw Serperior using the Dragon-type move Outrage to perform a clean sweep on the rest of his team, Michael let out an ear-splitting cry of distress.
"Lapras is unable to battle. Dawn wins the match, and the League Championship. Congratulations," the head judge declared the knockout and Dawn the Champion. Everyone watching could tell Michael was holding back powerful emotion to prevent himself from being thrown out of the venue after such a turnaround on Dawn's part.
---
Later that night, the top eight Trainers assembled in Centre Stadium, the gallery cheering loudly for the closing ceremonies and presentation of the Ageos Cup. "The tournament has concluded," the MC announced, "and we will now award prizes and crown our new Champion!" He gestured toward the eight Trainers on the podium, raised in four tiers based on placement.
"Commending our top eight finishers! Billy Audun, Esmeralda Leona, Marcus Jones, and Rocco Entre! All four of them will receive checks for pY 40,000 and one 2014-15 Pro Point!" The head judge handed each person in top eight their checks individually, Billy raising his hands and waving to Josh and Geoff in the gallery.
"Next, our top four finishers! Give it up for last year's Champion, Simeom Cobb, and the Knight of Winds, Beryl Liam! Both of them will be receiving checks for pY 75,000 and two 2014-15 Pro Points! Both shall be commended for their outstanding performance this week!" Josh and Geoff shouted Beryl's name, but they doubted they could be heard over all the applause from the gallery.
"Next, our runner-up--our region's very own Celeste Gym Leader, Michael Shun! For his second place finish, he will receive a check for pY 125,000 and four 2014-15 Pro Points!" The section of Dragoons in the gallery held up their spears in triumph for his second place finish, though he was clearly not happy about it.
"Finally, Dawn. Dawn served as interim Gym Leader during the Serpent Crisis that delayed the start of this very tournament, while Gym Leader Victoria battled on the front lines protecting her hometown of Laurel City. With an incredible comeback victory in the finals, we present to you the 2015 Ageos League Championship trophy! You are the new Champion!" Camera flashes flooded the arena with light as the young Leader hoisted the large trophy above her head. "We also present you with this check for pY 250,000, seven 2014-15 Pro Points, and an invitation to Pro Tour Castelia later this year! Ladies and gentlemen--presenting the Ageos representative at Pro Tour Castelia and League Champion--Dawn Edwards!"
---
After the festivities died down, Josh arranged a meeting of the four Chosen on the outskirts of town, their four legendary Pokémon present as well. Swift broke the silence of the late night first. {You understand what time it is for us sacred Pokémon now, right?} he mentally spoke to the four in a somber voice.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
{But wouldn't the Great One be upset at us? Our job is done. We don't belong here anymore.}
{If the Great One gets angry for returning one day late from our mission, I will take full responsibility,} Suicune assured the others before turning back to Beryl. {We let you four get some sleep, then we'll take you back to the mainland and we can just enjoy ourselves together for one day before we have to leave. What say you?}
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!