Pokémon Fool's Gold | Orre & Galar Fanfiction

Chapter 111: Champion Michael

There was a short break before the final battle. Empty seats filled. It wasn't every day fans saw Michael in action. Sometimes no-one made it past the Elite Four. In their locker room filled with copies of Michael's trophies, he took a moment to reflect. When the Orre League formed, he never thought this day would come. He expected Lyndon to return and defeat him. Some thought Zane wouldn't grow mature enough to get this far. Michael knew he would. Whether he could actually defeat his hero... that remained to be seen. The muffled crowd chanted Michael's name. He placed the last Poké Ball in his bag and headed for the elevator.

The VIP boxes were full. Leon's and Abbey's parents sat with them and, of course, Hop and Jovi. Guzma and Hau remained. Camden was fast asleep in Trip's arms. Gym Leaders and their Trainers, including Miror B. and Tierno, cheered. They weren't the only familiar spectators. The International Police watched from The Under on Pierre's laptop. Sherles watched with his only well-behaved prisoner, Alfie. Galar's Gym Leaders and Battle Tower bosses gathered around the TV at a pub in Hammerlocke. Sonia and Yamper watched with a bag of popcorn from their lab.

Zane squeezed his eyes shut as the doors opened. A copy of Michael's #10 jersey was on Zane's wall in Wedgehurst, amongst photos taken when other challengers faced him. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to finally see those photos come to life before his own eyes. Michael smiled. It was a reassuring smile, but one that still treated Zane as a challenger rather than a child.

'Welcome, Challenger Zane. I may be the Orre League Champion... but you've seen and felt things on your Pokémon journey I can't imagine. Show me! Show me all you've learned and the love you have for your Pokémon – and may the best man win!'

Zane finally smiled. He threw his first two Poké Balls as Michael threw his. He sent out Lapras and Breloom. Zane sent out Raticate and Volcarona.

'This is it, you guys! Raticate – from a smelly alley to this! Volcarona! From Mt. Battle to Citadark Isle! Use Quiver Dance! Raticate, use Return! He wants to see the bonds we've formed... so show him!'

Breloom swiftly hit Raticate with Mach Punch. It scuttled right back to ram its opponent with a powerful Return. Surprised fans cheered when Breloom stumbled. Lapras blasted Hydro Pump at Volcarona. It dodged in time with Zane's shout. He was sprayed instead. Breloom's punch propelled Raticate off its feet past Zane. He yelled encouragement as Volcarona powered up with another Quiver Dance. Raticate scurried back. Return knocked Breloom down. Michael's head turned.

'You OK, buddy?'

Breloom hopped back up. Hydro Pump abruptly hit Volcarona. It was battered and soaked. Michael knew Volcarona had to go down after two Quiver Dances. He commanded Breloom to hit Volcarona with its priority Mach Punch instead, even though it was ineffective, but it wasn't enough. Flamethrower blasted Breloom. It fainted. The applause was deafening. Zane's eyes remained, like Michael's, on their Pokémon. Raticate scurried around and under Lapras to slam it in the stomach. It was a critical hit. Lapras was winded. Hydro Pump missed. Michael sent out Moltres.

'Ga'an, Volcarona! Giga Drain! Raticate, use Return!'

Volcarona locked onto Lapras. It was left breathless as its health was drained. Moltres flapped its flaming wings. Air Slash sliced off tufts of Volcarona's fur. Raticate charged again at Lapras. It winced, but it didn't faint. Hydro Pump catapulted Volcarona into the stands. Scattering fans screamed. The rest cheered. Zane had to jog momentarily away from the battle for his Great Ball's beam to reach Volcarona. The scoreboard flashed. 1-1. He sent out Keldeo. Secret Sword cracked Lapras' shell. It fainted. Those luminous numbers announcing 2-1 made Zane nervous. Moltres blasted Flamethrower. Raticate yawped as it was set alight. It fainted. 2-2. As the scoreboard caught his eye again, he saw not only his fellow challengers and family cheering for him, but most notably Jovi. Michael was her hero, too. Zane wasn't sure whether it eased or increased his nerves that she chose to cheer for him instead.