Bianka returned Golduck and Ambipom to send out Mismagius and Noctowl. Without realising, Amber cracked her knuckles and shoulders like Leon before she sent out Empoleon and Sandslash. Mismagius used Nasty Plot to increase its power. Noctowl tried to send Sandslash to sleep with Hypnosis, but it dodged and buried Noctowl in Icicle Crash. Feathers dusted the floor. Amber smiled. Even if she didn't win, it was a fair game this time. Empoleon fired Scald at Mismagius. It was burned. Shadow Ball sent Sandslash skidding back. Hypnosis put Empoleon to sleep before Sandslash knocked Noctowl out.
By the time Amber's yells woke Empoleon up, it was too late. Bianka sent out Coalossal. That was risky. It was doubly effective against Sandslash, but doubly weak to Empoleon's Scald. Mismagius shot Shadow Ball at Empoleon. Sandslash charged at Coalossal. Bianka was startled. She didn't realise it knew Drill Run. Coalossal was hammered into the ground. It forced itself to stand only to be blasted by Scald. It fell with a crash. Bianka sent out Ambipom. Its speedy Low Kick flung Sandslash past Amber. She returned it before it rolled into the river. Shadow Ball instantly knocked Empoleon out. Both Trainers smiled.
'You know, Bianka, as much as you were a total arse to me, it inspired me to get stronger.'
'And you really have... but I'm still going to beat you.'
'You think? Let's show her, Dragonite! Lurantis!'
Ambipom rammed Lurantis with U-Turn and returned to Bianka. Abomasnow replaced it. Mismagius blinded its opponents with Dazzling Gleam. Dragonite's Dragon Claw slashed it unconscious. Icy fur cracked as Lurantis slammed its scythes onto Abomasnow with Brick Break. Bianka sent out Golduck. Amber returned Lurantis and sent out Espeon. Dragonite used Protect. Abomasnow's Ice Shard was blocked by the protective barrier. Espeon unflinchingly took Golduck's Ice Beam. Amber switched Dragonite out. Ice Shard hit Charizard instead. The jagged crystals melted as they touched its skin. Espeon tripped Golduck up in Grass Knot. Its Ice Beam grazed Charizard before it melted. Abomasnow used Protect. Golduck winced but survived Grass Knot. Charizard's Flamethrower was absorbed by Protect. Hydro Pump brutally blasted it. It tumbled to the floor. Amber stood over it with a distant smile. It knew what her eyes said: All I expect from you is to do your best and I know you will. It stood with renewed enthusiasm. Grass Knot swept Golduck off its feet. It struggled back up. The Orrean sun was strong as ever. Charizard barely needed to take in sunlight to fire Solar Beam at Golduck. It fainted. Abomasnow's Ice Beam ripped a gash in Espeon's side. It teetered and fell motionless to the floor.
Amber sent out Lurantis. Bianka sent out Ambipom. Abomasnow used Protect. Ambipom whacked Lurantis with U-Turn, though it couldn't return to Bianka now her last two Pokémon were in battle. This time Amber predicted Protect. When Charizard's Flamethrower didn't knock Ambipom out, Lurantis finished it off with Brick Break. Abomasnow feebly flung Ice Shard at Charizard. It was enough to knock it out after Hydro Pump. Bianka breathed out relief. Abomasnow was dazed when Lurantis' scythes hit it, but it didn't faint. Amber sent out Dragonite. It battered Abomasnow with Extreme Speed. Ice Shard cut it in several places. It landed to ease the pain before flitting back into battle. Brick Break failed to knock Abomasnow out. Ice Shard took down Dragonite, but Abomasnow couldn't take another hit from Lurantis. It fainted. Amber won. She hugged Lurantis.
'Uncomfortably close, but we did it!'
Bianka's smile was resigned. 'There was no shame in that loss, I guess. I almost had you.'
'You certainly did! I've really gotta train up if I want to get past the Elite Four, let alone Michael.'
'We all have. But that's what the Eclo Canyon trek is for.'
She released her unconscious Pokémon to revive them. The mention of lunch cheered them up. Amber, Seth and Cassia walked on. Grason, the oldest challenger and an ex-Cipher Peon himself, challenged Jaxon before they crossed the river. They didn't want them to catch up. The canyon walls took on every colour of the sun, from white to yellow to red. Wild Pokémon flitted between mesquite trees. Amber contemplated suggesting they stopped under one for dinner, but when she narrowly dodged a Rufflet dropping, she resumed walking. A tumbling Geodude grazed Cassia's arm. They knew they were growing closer to Eclo Town when clusters of Ace Trainers and Veterans, congregating around campfires, seemed to await their challenges. Amber asked one if they were employed by the Orre League. He laughed.
'We're volunteers. It's great training, though. I've lived here in Orre all my life, but I'm not tired of this ol' Big Ditch!'
One of his friends nodded. 'Y'all still got a long trek ahead. Climbin' up outta here is harder than it looks and since you beat me, Seth, I'll tell y'all there are more of us on that unforgivin' trail. I'd rest, if I were you. Don't overdo it.'
It was tempting to continue, but they knew no-one could walk as far as they did and exit the canyon that night. They pitched their tent amongst the others. Amber fell asleep on Charizard's shoulder. It gently wrapped her in her sleeping bag. She was exhausted, but raring to go the next morning. Retrieving her phone from Electivire who charged it, she attached a short video for Camden to a text to Trip.
Almost there! See you soon!
The signal was patchy. It was midday when she received the reply he sent three hours prior.
Don't rush it!!!!!! We're all good
She struggled to load the video, but she saw Leon holding Camden before a Gardevoir using Psychic on Seth's Heracross distorted the signal further. That was good enough. She battled every willing Trainer and wild Pokémon. Cassia was quieter and more serious than usual. There were times she didn't seem especially bothered about whether she became Champion or not, but it was clear she would allow nothing to stand in her way then. Seth, of course, had an entirely different mission. He had to defeat Wes to take his place in the Elite Four.
'I don't know how I'd feel about that,' Amber mused over their lunch of tinned mac 'n' cheese, 'I'd wonder if I could be Champion.'
'Well, if I do beat Michael, someone else will just have to take dad's place. Gorigan, maybe? If he's recovered from getting totally destroyed by Lovrina.'
There was a loud crack. Seth's bag shook.
'The Egg!'
He scrambled to remove it. The shell crumbled. A pink foot emerged. Clear wings were revealed as a chunk fell away. On the dry soil beneath the Egg, vibrant flowers bloomed. Wide, grass-green eyes peered out. The little Pokémon's arms shook off the remnants of the shell. Gazing up at Seth was a shiny Celebi. He shook off his awe to offer it a Premier Ball. It accepted, but it didn't want to stay inside. It wanted to see its new world. Seth carried it in his arms. As curious as it was, he got the feeling the Time Travel Pokémon had somehow been here before.
The Celebi that watches over the Relic Forest, the one who only trusted grandpa and my mom... I was able to summon it, so it must see me in the same way... but I don't think that's the only reason it gave me this Egg. They say Celebi only appears in times of peace, so its presence means happiness and prosperity in the years ahead. That's probably true for the near future, but... I think it gave me this Egg because it knows Orre, not just me, will need its power in years to come. Though... it still chose me to wield it, so... maybe I should stop doubting myself.