*art not mine*

After saying goodbye to Zloria City, the six of us began our trek back to Grandisle City.

"I can hardly wait for our battle!" Elsu said.

"Same! I remember watching you battle when fending off the Houndour, Houndoom, Poochyena, and Mightyena," Eric said, "I can't wait to test my strength against you!"

Elsu grinned and nodded at Eric. That's when Elsu's Fletchinder hopped out of its Pokéball and chirp-like cry.

"Looks like Fletchinder is excited as well!" Rina said.

Elsu chuckled and held out his arm, only to have his Fletchinder perch itself.

"I know, buddy," Elsu said, "I'm excited, too! Win or lose; we're gonna have loads of fun!"

I couldn't help but laugh at Elsu's enthusiasm. Once we arrived at Grandisle City, a gentle breeze swept past, making the others and I smile.

I remember Grandma Eli once said that if you enter someplace new and a gust of wind blows, you might meet someone new, possibly, hopefully, a new friend.

The six of us continued to chat as we walked toward the Pokémon Center. Once inside, we gave Nurse Joy our Pokémon and waited.

"So, are you going to take us on one at a time?" Eric asked.

"Yeah! My four Pokémon against each one of you," Elsu said, "Do you wanna join in, Rini?"

"No, thank you," Rina said, waving a lazy hand, "I'd rather watch you guys battle."

The others and I nodded to our friend with smiles. When we retrieved our Pokémon, the six of us headed out to the battlefield. Upon our arrival, we saw a battle already taking place. It was between a Magnetzone and a Glaceon. I pulled out my Pokédex and scanned the two Pokémon.

"Magnezone, the Magent Area Pokémon. It evolved from exposure to a special magnetic field. Three units generate magnetism. There have been many mistaken reports of UFO sightings when Magnezone flies through the night sky."

"Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokémon, and the evolved form of Eevee. By controlling its body heat, it can freeze the atmosphere around it to make a diamond-dust flurry. It lowers its body heat to freeze its fur. The hairs then become like needles it can fire."

The battle was so intense that the others and I were captivated by it.

"Flash Cannon!" cried Magnezone's trainer.

The Magnezone warbled a cry as it gathered its light energy. It then fired a silver beam at the Glaceon.

"Dodge!" cried Glaceon's trainer.

When the Glaceon avoided the attack, the Flash Cannon redirected itself and hit the Glaceon.

Is redirecting a move like that even possible?

Magnezone's trainer flipped his green hair as he walked up to his Pokémon.

"Good battle, my friend." he said.

Glaceon's trainer smiled and nodded as he returned his Pokémon.

"Good win." the trainer said.

The trainer waved goodbye before pushing past us to the Pokémon Center. The green-haired trainer smiled and placed a hand on his Magenzone.

"Wonderful work out there, Magnezone!" he said.

The Magnezone warbled and spun around. The trainer chuckled before turning to us. I saw that he had silver eyes with bright yellow glasses shading them. His skin was fair, and he wore Unown earrings. His suit was a cranberry color with bits of yellow and white.

Wow, he looks very sophisticated.

The young man walked up to us with his Magnezone in tow.

"Liked the show?" he asked.

"Yeah!" Nina said, "Your Magnezone is really strong. I've never seen a move like Flash Cannon being able to be redirected like that!"

The trainer chuckled with a fond shrug of his shoulders.

"Well, what can I say?" he began, "My Magnezone is extraordinarily special!"

His Magnezone warbled a cry, agreeing with its trainer.

"Oh! Where are my manners? I didn't introduce myself," he said, "The name's Caps, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"I'm Eragona, and my friends, Kat, Nina, Eric, Rina, and Elsu," I said, "Nice to meet you, too, Caps."

Caps smiled before retracting his Magnezone.

"So, what are a bunch of kids like you doing here?" Caps asked, placing his glasses on his head.

"We're here to have a battle, but then we saw you and your Magnezone." Kat said.

"And you were captivated by it, I'm sure."

Caps grinned and flipped his green hair.

Quite the boaster, isn't he?

"Would you like to stay to watch us?" Elsu asked.

"I suppose I could give you some of my time," Caps said, "It's tough work being a champion and all."

The six of us looked at one another, then back at Caps.

"You're a champion?" Kat asked.

"Sure am! Champion Caps, at your service!" Caps said with a deep bow, "Many call me the Cosmic Champion since my award-winning team reflects the beautiful night sky."

A look of frained disgust adorned my features.

There's no way this guy's a champion.

"What region are you the champion of?" Nina asked.

"Oh, you've probably never heard of it," Caps scoffed, "Not many people have. I can only say that it's far from this adorable little region."

He barely even answered the question...

"What are the typings of the Elite Four of your region?" I asked.

"Simple," Caps began, "Ice, Steel, Flying, and there's one more..."

Caps hummed in thought as he tapped his foot.

"Fairy?" Rina asked.

"Yes! Fairy! That was it!" Caps said.

I promptly rolled my eyes as the others, Caps, and I stepped onto the battlefield.

"So, who do you wanna battle first, Elsu?" Kat asked.

"Why not you, Kat?" Elsu suggested with a smile.

Kat grinned and took her place on the battlefield. The others and I stood on the side and waited with excitement.

I can't wait to see what these two have in store!

Elsu pulled out a Pokéball and threw it out onto the battlefield.

"Yanma, I choose you!" Elsu cried.

At his command, the Clear Wing Pokémon came out with a friendly buzz. Kat smirked and threw out her Pokéball.

"Chikorita, let's go!" Kat said.

After Kat's cry, out came the Leaf Pokémon.

"Wait. Chikorita is a Grass-type, and Yanma is a Bug/Flying-type," Eric commented, "Kat's at a clear disadvantage."

"What is she planning?" Rina asked, "She must know that Chikorita won't be able to hold out for long."

I agree with the others, but they haven't known Kat as long as I have, and I learned not to underestimate that girl.

I took out my Pokédex and scanned the little Pokémon for its moves.

Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, and Tackle. It's a pretty decent move set for a Pokémon like Chikorita. Let's see how Kat utilizes them to her advantage.

"Yanma, Quick Attack!" Caps ordered.

Yanma let out a cry before charging toward Chikorita at incredible speed.

"Tackle, Chikorita!" Kat cried.

Chikorita let out a cry before charging at the incoming Yanma. When the two Pokémon collided, they both got blown back by the impact.

"Chikorita, are you okay?" Kat asked.

The Leaf Pokémon stood up and shook off the pain, letting out a confident cry in response to its trainer.

"Use Razor Leaf!" Kat cried.

When Chikorita swung around the leaf on its head, it launched sharp-edged leaves at the Yanma.

"Sonic Boom!" Elsu cried.

The Yanma buzzed before releasing a destructive shock wave.

"Dodge and use Vine Whip!" Kat said.

Her Chikorita obeyed and quickly moved out of the way of the attack. Chikorita then extended two slender, whiplike vines towards the Yanma, grasping it by the wings.

Great strategy, Kat!

"Razor Leaf!" Kat said.

Chikorita swung around the leaf on its head, launching sharp-edged leaves at the Yanma.

"Get out of there, Yanma!" Elsu cried.

His Yanma struggled to get out of Chikorita's grip, but it was no use. When the attack hit, Yanma was free from the vines. Yanma let out a strained buzz-like cry as it hovered over the ground.

"Are you okay, Yanma?" Elsu asked.

Yanma shook its small red head before buzzing out a bold cry. Then, small, glowing rocks started forming around Yanma.

Is that... Ancient Power?

The Yanma let out a cry and launched the prehistoric power at Chikorita.

"Dodge!" Kat said.

Chikorita bounced from side to side, trying to avoid the prehistoric rocks.

"That was Ancient Power; I knew it!" I exclaimed.

"Wow! And so quickly, too!" Nina said, "This could turn the tides."

I turned to Caps to see him quietly observing our friends' battle with a fond grin.

He hasn't said anything this entire time. What could he be thinking?

"Ancient Power, once more!" Elsu exclaimed.

When Yanma buzzed out a cry, more glowing rocks started forming. Then, Yanma began to glow.

"No way!" Elsu exclaimed.

"Is Yanma...?" Kat questioned.

"It is!" Rina said, "It's evolving!"

Yanma grew bigger and bigger until the light finally died down. In its place was a large, dark green Pokémon. I took out my Pokédex and scanned the newly evolved Pokémon.

"Yanmega, the Ogre Darner Pokémon, and the evolved form of Yanma. It prefers to battle by biting apart foes' heads instantly while flying by at high speed. This six-legged Pokémon is easily capable of transporting an adult in flight. The wings on its tail help it stay balanced."

Whoa! Yanmega looks so cool!

Yanmega let out a deep cry before launching its attack at Chikorita.

"Dodge!" Kat cried.

Chikorita obeyed and managed to move out of the way.

"Quick Attack!" Elsu said.

Yanmega let out a cry before speeding toward Chikorita at incredible speed.

"Tackle!" Kat said.

Before Chikorita could react, the attack hit the small Pokémon, blowing it back.

"Chikorita!" Kat cried.

When Chikorita touched the ground, the Leaf Pokémon was unable to battle.

"Chikorita is unable to battle," Caps suddenly said, "The victory goes to Elsu and Yanmega."

So he was acting as the referee. That's why he's been so quiet.

"Awesome work, Yanmega!" Elsu cried excitedly.

Yanmega hovered down to Elsu's eye level and let out a friendly cry. Kat picked up Chikorita and cradled it in her arms.

"You did great, Chikorita," Kat said, "You gave it your all, and I couldn't be prouder."

Chikorita's eyes fluttered open and let out a cry as it smiled at its trainer. I smiled as I walked up to my two friends.

"You guys were amazing!" I said.

"Thanks, Eragona!" Elsu said.

His Yanmega let out a deep cry and flipped in the air. I laughed and turned to Kat.

"You two were awesome," I said, "You guys held out for a long time."

"Thanks, Era," Kat said, "I just wanted my little one to get some battle experience."

Chikorita shifted around its trainer's arms and looked up at us with a smile.

"Chikorita did amazing for its first battle, Kat," Nina said, "And it will get even stronger as we continue to travel and train with one another."

Kat chuckled with a fond smile.

"Thanks, Nina." Kat said.

Then, Caps walked up to us and slowly clapped his hands.

"That was a wonderful battle, you two," he said, "As a champion, I can see that you have raised your Pokémon with such tender love and care. Keep up the amazing work!"

He's right about one of those things, at least.

"Kat, was it? May I see your Chikorita for a moment, if you do not mind?" Caps asked.

Kat grimaced, and her grip around her Pokémon tightened.

"I won't hurt it; I just want to heal it," Caps said.

"With what?" Eric asked, "We have berries and potions in our bags."

"Trust me; you'll want to see this."

Kat swallowed hard before handing over her Chikorita. Caps took the Leaf Pokémon in his hands and smiled. That's when a purple aura surrounded his hands and Chikorita.

What in the world is he...?

When the aura subsided, Chikorita let out a happy cry. It then leaped out of Caps' arms and pranced around the battlefield.

"There! All better!" Caps said with a smile.

"How did you do that?" Kat asked, "What did you do to Chikorita?"

Caps held up his hands in defense and chuckled.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! One question at a time, please," he said, "What I did is heal your Chikorita. You're welcome! I was able to do that with my psychic abilities."

"Psychic abilities?" Rina asked, "Meaning you can control things with your mind and communicate telepathically?"

Caps snorted a laugh and nodded as Rina's eyes sparkled.

"Yup! Watch!" he said.

He aimed his hand toward Chikorita, and the purple aura from before encapsulated his hand. A similar aura surrounded Chikorita, and it began to float. Chikorita let out a happy cry and moved around in the air.

"Whoa! That is so cool!" Elsu said.

"That is really cool!" I said, "Life must be so much easier having abilities like these at your disposal."

"Oh, it is," Caps said, setting Chikorita down, "I don't know when I acquired these psychic powers, though, nor do I know their full extent. I guess you can say that when I use them, I must be mindful of how much power I use."

He has a point. He might as well be able to create a black hole or open a portal to another world, something along the lines.

That's when one of Caps' Pokémon leaped out of its Pokéball. Out came an adorable little pink Pokémon. Kat pulled out her Pokédex and scanned the little Pokémon.

"Cleffa, the Star Shape Pokémon. Because of its unusual, starlike silhouette, people believe that it came here on a meteor. Many appear when the night skies are filled with shooting stars. They disappear with sunrise."

"Aw! It's so cute!" Rina said.

"Thanks," Caps said, picking up Cleffa, "This little one always likes to hop out whenever I talk about my powers."

"How come?" Kat asked.

Caps sighed as he held Cleffa close to his chest.

"Cleffa always wanted to visit the stars, to be among them. I had promised that one day I would take it there, no matter what it takes."

Cleffa let out little cries with a wide smile. Nina chuckled before pulling out a Pokéball.

"Clefable, come on out!" Nina exclaimed, tossing the Pokéball in the air.

At her command, Clefable appeared with a friendly cry. Cleffa's eyes widened, and squeaked out a friendly cry. Clefable smiled and let out a cry in return.

"Clefable is the final evolution of Cleffa, right, Nina?" Eric asked.

"Sure is, but for Cleffa to become a Clefable, it needs to evolve into a Clefairy and then be exposed to a Moon Stone."

Cleffa let out multiple cries as it reached out to Clefable. Caps grinned and handed Cleffa over the Fairy Pokémon. Clefable smiled and took the Cleffa in its hands, happily tossing the small Pokémon in the air.

"They're so cute together!" Kat said.

Libby, Angel, and Snubbull all let out happy cries, agreeing with Kat's statement. Yanmega let out a deep cry before scooping Libby and Snubbull onto its back, doing aerial tricks, making our Pokémon let out joy-filled cries.

"You guys have some incredible Pokémon, y'know?" Caps commented suddenly, "All of them are so kind to one another, even towards other trainers' Pokémon."

"That's how this group rolls," I said, "Once you're part of this team, you're part of this family!"

And I can't wait to add more Pokémon to my family!

Caps smiled and nodded.

"I like that mentality a lot," Caps said, "Where are you guys headed after this?"

I took out my phone and scrolled through the upcoming events.

"Tomorrow night, there's gonna be a Minior Shower, and the best place to see it is atop Mount Haven," I said, "Wanna tag along with us to see it, Caps?"

"I'd love to!" Caps said excitedly, "Cleffa, dear, would you like to see a Minior Shower tomorrow night?"

Cleffa turned to its trainer and nodded with a broad smile. Caps took his Pokémon from Clefable's hands and hugged it tightly.

"This may be the closest we could ever touch the stars," he said, "Our dream is slowly coming true!"

Cleffa uttered an adorable cry and nuzzled its little face against Caps' chest. I couldn't help but smile at the pair.

Caps may be lying about him being a champion, but his dream is as true as you and me. With enough determination, their dream will certainly be within reach!