Chapter 413: End of Emerald/Battle Frontier Arc!
~Azure S. POV~
[Hoenn Region, Battle Frontier – Hotel]
The Battle Frontier Hotel was alive with the hum of excited chatter and the clinking of champagne flutes. As I stepped inside the grand ballroom, the luxurious interior was bathed in soft golden light, the tables adorned with elaborate centerpieces of Poké Balls and medals.
I'd officially conquered the Battle Frontier—something no one had ever done before. Everyone had gathered to honor my achievement, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and disbelief as I took it all in.
Pikachu and Eevee, my two constant companions, were enjoying the party alongside Pichu (Mew), excited. I could almost feel their energy radiating through the ball's surface. Green, my date for the night, had a soft smile on her lips as she took in the party with me.
Her presence made the moment even more special, and I couldn't help but glance at her from time to time, still a bit in awe that she was with me. The Battle Frontier Brains—Noland, Brandon, Greta, Tucker, Spencer, Lucy, and Anabel—stood nearby, clinking glasses and offering their applause.
Scott, the leader of the Battle Frontier, had already made a speech, praising me for bringing new attention to the Frontier with my unique style. He even mentioned how many more people had started challenging the Brains since my victories, and I couldn't help but notice the way my name was bouncing around the room like a trophy.
Sapphire, my student, was laughing with her boyfriend, Ruby, near the dance floor, and to my surprise, there was even a tiny Pichu darting around, clearly not a real one. It was Mew in disguise.
The little Pichu (Mew) had been hiding in plain sight, and I was just about to ask Scott why he allowed the charade to continue when the Frontier Leader himself approached me, a knowing smirk on his face.
He said excitedly, his voice calm but warm, "Congratulations, Azure. Let's have a chat, shall we?"
I nodded, not expecting the turn this celebration was about to take. As I followed Scott to a private corner of the ballroom, the noise of the party subtly faded into the background. He gestured to a pair of plush chairs, and I sat down, the plush cushions giving slightly beneath my weight.
Scott poured himself and me a drink, both of us sipping in silence for a moment as the warmth of the evening air seeped into the room. He was the Battle Frontier's leader, after all, so I was curious what he had to say.
Before I could ask, he spoke up, his voice calm and measured, "First off, I want to thank you for participating in the Battle Frontier. Your performance was... impressive. Not just your skill, but how you adapted to each brain's style. It's not often I see someone challenge the Frontier this thoroughly and come out on top."
I shrugged, modest as always, as I replied casually, "I was lucky to face some of the strongest trainers in the world. I didn't know I'd be the first to make it through the entire Frontier, but I guess it just worked out."
Scott chuckled, shaking his head as he pointed out excitedly, "It worked out because of you. The footage of your battles has already sparked a lot of interest. The media coverage is huge—your title as the 'Uncrowned Champion' has people talking."
He handed me a tablet, and I looked at the glowing screen. There were videos of my matches, my dynamic strategies, and even fan discussions of my style.
It was surreal to see my journey being dissected by others, but it also reminded me of how far I'd come. I took a sip of my drink as I watched the clips, and I admitted, "I just wanted to challenge the best and prove myself. I never really thought about how much people would care."
Scott leaned forward, his expression turning more serious as he stated bluntly, "That's what makes you unique. You have ambition, but you don't let it consume you. That balance is rare in a trainer."
He paused for dramatic effect before adding, "That's why I'm offering you a position as a new Frontier Brain."
I nearly choked on my drink. I asked, surprised, "Ack! Wait, what?"
Scott gave a wry smile as he explained himself, "I know it's a big ask, but the Frontier is changing, and we need someone like you to help shape its future. You can design new challenge styles and test trainers in ways that push them beyond the norm."
I stared at him, my mind racing. Being a Frontier Brain would mean an end to my journeying, to traveling and discovering new routes through the world of Pokémon. I'd always wanted to see more, to face more challenges.
Still, the offer was tempting. After a long pause, I shook my head with a small smile, politely declining Scott's offer, "I appreciate the offer, Scott, but I think I'm going to keep traveling for a while. I still have a lot of places I want to see, and I'm not ready to settle down just yet."
Scott nodded, unfazed by my answer, as he grinned, stating, "Fair enough. I respect that. But if you ever change your mind, the offer is always open."
I felt a sense of gratitude welling in my chest as I replied, "Thanks, Scott. I'll keep that in mind."
He gave me a final nod before returning to the party. As I leaned back in my chair, I couldn't help but wonder what the next chapter of my journey would look like.
As Scott stepped back into the main party, I let out a slow breath, the weight of the conversation settling over me. The offer had been unexpected, but it had also reminded me of how far I had come.
Three League Championships. The conquest of the Battle Frontier. I had gone from a boy transmigrated into this world, clueless and searching for my place, to one of the most renowned trainers in the Pokémon world…
And yet, despite the titles and recognition, I still didn't feel like I had reached the end of my journey. I thought back to my earliest days, the strange sense of dissonance I had felt when I first awoke in this world, my mind still filled with memories of my old life.
I had thought I would never fully belong in the Pokémon world, that I would always be an outsider looking in. But time had changed that. My journey had shaped me, molded me into something new.
I had forged bonds with my Pokémon, not just as partners, but as true friends. Pikachu had been with me since the beginning, and together we had grown into an unbreakable team. And then there were the others I had met along the way—Sapphire, who had become my student and ally; Green, the strong-willed and brilliant girl who had captured my heart; and the countless others who had helped me along the way.
Each victory had been a stepping stone, pushing me further, challenging me to become stronger not just as a trainer but as a person. And yet, even with all I had achieved, I still felt restless.
The world was vast, filled with mysteries still waiting to be uncovered. The Frontier had been my greatest challenge, but it wasn't the end. There were still places I hadn't seen, battles I hadn't fought, and I could not let that drive fade.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: I would not stop now.
Just as I was caught up in my thoughts, the soft squeaking of tiny feet broke through my reverie. I turned my head toward the sound and spotted Green coming in, a familiar grin on her face.
She was holding Pikachu, Eevee, and the Pichu—though the last was clearly not what it seemed. The little Pichu (Mew) wiggled in her grip, its eyes darting in all directions like it was trying to escape.
I chuckled, stepping forward, "Still pretending to be a Pichu, huh?"
Green smirked as she stated cutely, "Seems like it's stuck with that act."
As if sensing the tension of being caught out, the creature scrunched its face, pretending to yawn. I reached out and gently lifted the tiny Pokémon from Green's arms, causing it to flinch. I said calmly, pretending to scold it, "Nice try, but you're not fooling anyone, you little imp. I mean it. If you keep doing this, I might just return you to Jirachi and say you're not a good guest anymore."
The Pichu (Mew) blinked in mock innocence, then sneezed all over my hand. I sighed in exasperation, but couldn't help the grin spreading across my face. I should have known it would be this mischievous.
Green watched the exchange with amusement, a soft smile playing on her lips. She teased, "You really spoil that Pokémon, don't you?"
I shrugged as I helplessly replied as 'Pichu' struggled to get out of my grasp, "It's not my fault if Mew sees me as the perfect playmate."
She chuckled, resting her hand on my shoulder as she said happily, "Well, as long as we actually get to see you for a while, you can keep playing with it."
I turned to her, my expression softening. There was something truly meaningful in her words, and I knew that time together was something I needed to cherish while I could, as she's still here.
Green and I sat in a quiet corner of the hotel, far from the deafening noise of the party, the soft glow of fairy lights casting a warm ambiance over the small space. She leaned back against the wall, holding the still-mischievous Pichu (Mew) in her lap, while I casually placed a hand behind my head, still grinning from the earlier antics of Mew.
The silence between us wasn't awkward, though; it was comfortable, natural, like two people who had found solace in each other despite the chaotic world around them. Out of the blue, she sighed, shifting slightly.
Green said softly, her voice light but with a hint of melancholy, "I guess this is temporary. My break doesn't last forever, Azure. As much as I want to stay here with you, I can't push back my responsibilities."
I frowned a little, nodding in understanding. Green had always been one of the most skilled and dedicated officers of the International Police Force, and I knew she wouldn't trade that duty for anything. I said calmly, keeping my voice steady, "I get it. It's just hard to imagine us not being together when the time comes."
She looked at me, her eyes searching mine as she confessed honestly, "It's hard for me too. I've never been good at this—being in a relationship, I mean. I've always been focused on my work, and then... You came along. And somehow, I suddenly wanted to see what it was like to have something more."
I felt my chest tighten with emotion. I admitted in a helpless voice, "I didn't think I'd be here. I didn't even believe in the idea of relationships. But you... You've shown me what it feels like to care for someone beyond just being a partner in battle."
She gave a small smile, and for the first time, I saw a vulnerability in her that was beautiful. She teased lightly, her voice a little lighter, "You've made me soft. I used to think love was a weakness… but now, though? I don't know. Maybe it's just... another strength I didn't expect to gain."
I reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently. I said firmly, "Then we'll make the most of the time we have. Because if there's one thing I've learned on this journey, it's that you never know when moments like these will pass you by."
She squeezed my hand in return, and in that quiet moment, I felt more certain than ever that, no matter what the future held, I would fight for her and for our love. As we sat together, the silence between us was filled with thoughts I wasn't used to feeling.
Love had always been something I thought belonged to other people—something I hadn't considered in the early days of my journey. I had come to this world as an outsider, chasing strength, victory, and a way to prove that I belonged.
Love had never been on my radar. And yet, now it felt like the most important thing I had to figure out.
I still wasn't sure what being in a real relationship meant. I knew what friendship was, what training and partnership required—but this was different. I wanted to do right by Green, to be the kind of boyfriend she deserved.
I wanted to make her feel safe, appreciated, and loved. But every time I tried to think of how to do that, the words and actions didn't come as easily as they did in battle. I had mastered the art of strategy and timing, but when it came to love, I was flying blind, hoping I wasn't making the wrong moves.
I had never seen my old life through the lens of relationships. I had always been alone, focused on my goals, and even now, after all I had achieved, this new responsibility—this new kind of challenge—frightened and excited me at the same time.
But Green wasn't pushing me. She wasn't telling me I had it all figured out, or that I had to be something I wasn't. Instead, she looked at me with eyes full of warmth and understanding, like she saw the real me—not just the champion, but the boy who was still learning.
She leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper as she said softly, "You don't have to have it all figured out, Azure. I don't either."
And at that moment, I realized the truth in her words. Maybe love wasn't about perfection or knowing every answer…
Maybe it was about growing together, step by step, hand in hand. And if I had learned anything in this journey, it was that I would fight for what I believed in, no matter how difficult the path.
As the night wore on and the party continued in the background, I found myself gazing out at the vast sky above the Battle Frontier Hotel. The stars shimmered like tiny Poké Balls scattered across the heavens, each one a reminder of the countless journeys I had taken and the ones still waiting for me.
This victory, the celebration, the offer from Scott—it all felt like just another moment in the grand story of my life, one that had begun with uncertainty but had led to something incredible.
Pikachu sat on my shoulder, his tiny cheeks crackling with electricity as he poked at the Pichu (Mew) in my other hand, while Eevee nestled at my side, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the fairy lights around us.
Even Mew had finally given up on its disguise of a Pichu, curling into a small ball in my grip, its ears twitching in exhaustion. These Pokémon had been with me through everything (except Mew)—through battles, triumphs, and even the quiet, meaningful moments between friends and lovers. They were part of my family, and I was grateful for every one of them.
Green was beside me, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder as we shared this moment. She looked up at the sky too, her eyes alight with the same distant wonder I felt. She asked, her voice soft, almost dreamlike, "So what now?"
I smiled, glancing at her before looking back up at the night sky as I replied honestly, "Traveling. Challenging the unknown. Maybe even finding new places where no one has ever been before."
I turned to her, my expression warm with a grin, stating knowingly, "And along the way, I'll keep learning. About myself, about this world, and about being the kind of person you deserve."
She squeezed my hand, her eyes reflecting a quiet strength as she whispered, "Then let's keep moving forward, together."
As we sat there, surrounded by the quiet hum of a party and the stars above, I felt something deep in my chest settle.
No matter where this journey took me, I knew I wouldn't be walking it alone. And for the first time in a long time, I felt ready for whatever lay ahead…
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A/N: Finally we reach the end of the Battle Frontier/Emerald Arc! I hoped you guys liked the Arc as I hoped. But after this... we go back to Hisui!