Chapter 34: Results and Rewards

Although Pokémon lived in harmony with humans, there were times when wild Pokémon would attack human settlements for various reasons. Therefore, most towns or cities had a Mayor who served as the governor of the said town or city and its protector.

"Hello, young trainers."

Pokémon Trainers were differentiated by their Trainer License. Where F-class was for Novice Trainers, A-class was for trainers at the top of the pyramid. Gym Leaders and Ace Trainers were all A-class Trainers; however, Gym Leaders were stronger than Ace Trainers except for the captain of Ace Squad as he, Atlas Derlick, stood shoulder to shoulder with Gym Leaders in terms of strength. He was also stronger than a few young Gym Leaders as well.

Mayors were A-class or Ace Trainers, and within their governing town or city, they had more political power than a Gym Leader, if there was any.

The Mayor of Greenwich Town, Gideon, was an old man who had once served in the Ace-squad of the Kanto Region. Despite his age, he had an overbearing presence, which made it hard for people to look him in the eye; despite the warm smile on his face.

Every trainer in the central plaza looked at him respectfully and remained quiet as he spoke.

"If you do not win, don't be sad; if you have answered more than 20 questions, you can be proud of yourself. [PKC] has always been tough; very, very tough." He stressed his words towards the end. "Many famous Pokémon Trainers and Pokemon Professors who made great contributions to the world could not win it when they were as young as you all." No one older than twenty could participate in the competition.

"Very few people have won [PKC], but I think this is the golden age of Pokémon Trainers."

"Princess Cynthia Shirona, Lady Sabrina Salvador and Sir Steven Stone. These three are the last three winners of [PKC]; young yet talented."

The last three winners of [PKC] were all extraordinary, and undoubtedly they would become the Champions of their regions. It was just a matter of time. And thus, the old man Gideon had dubbed it the Golden Generation of Pokemon Trainers; many more promising trainers were rising each day. More than ever, more than in any other generation.

Iris of Unova, Alain of Kalos, Goh from Galar and many more. He was old, and watching young trainers fight for supremacy made his old life more enjoyable.

Mayor Gideon looked at all the trainers before a smile appeared on his face as every word he said now came as a surprise to all the people present, along with those watching the streams.

"Therefore, it is an honour of this old man to present to you the 69th winner of [PKC]." He turned around and looked at the screen before him, where a face of a handsome young man with glasses was shown along with Cynthia, Sabrina and Steven. However, his name was at the top since he had set a record for the fastest clear ever.

1: [Aeron Duskborn: 1 Minute and 9 Seconds]

The world became silent as they looked at the name of the 69th winner of [PKC]. Everyone was dumbfoundedly staring at the massive screen as they compared the record time with the previous top three record holders.

2: [Cynthia Shirona: 1 Minute and 11 Seconds]

3: [Sabrina Salvador: 1 Minute and 12 Seconds]

4: [Steven Stone: 1 Minute and 19 Seconds]

"..."

"..."

"..."

"WOOOOOOOOOH!"

Cheers enveloped the central plaza, and the same reaction was shown by the rest of the viewers watching the stream.

"Who would have known there would be a new [PKC] winner!"

"Who is he? Where does he come from?"

"Ah, Aeron Duskborn. He ranked 69th in this year's regional exam."

"Hmm? 69th at regionals and now 69th winner of [PKC]? Also, 1 minute and 9 seconds equate to 69 seconds. Is it a coincidence, or is he a man of culture?"

While the crowd was busy looking for Aeron's information, Nessa and Misty were dumbfoundedly staring at Aeron, who had a silly smile on his otherwise serious face, but then he suddenly let out a painful scream.

"Ouch! What the heck, Nessa? Why would you pinch me like that?"

"I was just trying to see if this was a dream."

"Then why would you not pinch yourself?"

"Because it might leave a bruise on my otherwise beautiful skin?"

"Really?" Aeron could not help but shake his head before he felt her enter his embrace.

"Congratulations," Nessa whispered in his ear, and a smile formed on Aeron's face as he hugged her back.

"Thank you so much!" He did not shy away and looked into her ocean-blue eyes.

"I GOT THE LAST ONE WRONG!" Misty fumed like an angry Gyarados as she checked the results.

"That's still great." Aeron ruffled her short orange hair before looking her in the eye with a teasing smirk. "It's alright, Miss 1st Rank in Regionals!"

"I hate you! Hmph!" The girl turned to a side, causing Aeron and Nessa to laugh. The duo looked at the stage where Mayor Gideon gestured to the attendants to bring over the rewards.

"Hmm?" Aeron looked at the youngest Waterflower, who had locked her arm in his before she whispered.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

As the crowd's enthusiasm died down, Mayor Gideon spoke once again.

"I would like to call Trainer Aeron Duskborn to the stage and receive his reward."

The whole crowd of young trainers started clapping and cheering rather boisterously. The camera immediately focused on the handsome young boy approaching the stage.

"Congratulations, bro!"

"He is so handsome!"

"You are the G!"

"Do you use Pokegram?"

"Good job, dude!"

"A true man of culture!"

Young trainers congratulated Aeron from where ever he passed, and some female trainers squealed as they saw his handsome face. In a few, the Duskborn was standing beside Mayor Gideon, who had a warm smile on his face.

"Congratulations on winning the [PKC], Trainer Aeron Duskborn." The Mayor shook Aeron's hand, but his words made the boy wonder.

"I present you the Winner's Badge." The old man clipped the badge on his jacket before an attendant came forward with other rewards. The Mayor handed them to Aeron one by one. "The highest quality [Fire Stone] and an egg of a Kanto Pokémon."

Aeron politely accepted everything. Even though he was feeling giddy at getting the highest quality [Fire Stone], he did not show any emotion on his face. His eyes were as calm as ever, with not even a ripple, and they landed on the Pokémon Egg he was presented with.

The standard reward for [PKC] has always been an Evolution Stone and a Pokémon Egg.

His eyes landed on the egg, a yellow surface with brown patterns atop it. 'An Electric-type?' It was a rough guess but a most likely one.

"It is one of the best eggs from its species and will hatch in a month. We presented a [Fire Stone] since you would need it in future." The old man had a knowing smile on his face. "I hope you make good use of it."

It was not hard to find what kind of a Pokémon he owned; after all, [PKC] was organized by the League, and they were the ones who gave him the Growlithe. They must have knowingly given him a [Fire Stone].

"Thank you so much." Aeron politely bowed to the old Mayor; having the best quality [Fire Stone] would make it easier for him to choose an item from the league.

Mayor Gideon patted him on the shoulder while saying some encouraging words and then turned toward the crowd before giving one final announcement.

"With this, we conclude the [PKC]. Good luck to all the young trainers who are on their journey. Bond with your Pokémon as they are the ones who give you strength, and they are the ones with whom you make memories." He was like an old grandpa teaching young kids. "Ah, I forgot to mention one last thing."

"Sir Aeron Duskborn is the one who will be fighting Gym Leader Jason Raige on Saturday. Make sure you cheer for him." He patted Aeron's back before walking off the stage, leaving Aeron to be the centre of attention of the huge crowd. 'This will help him adjust to being looked at by many people.'

Aeron watched the old man leave, and he understood why he had shared his identity of being the one for which Jason Raige was holding the big concert. A grateful looked appeared on his face before it quickly disappeared as he turned toward the crowd.

"Thank you so much. I hope you will cheer for me during my first Gym Battle."

He walked off the stage after those words leaving behind the stunned crowd that immediately got hyped.

"LET'S GO!"

Under the crowd's excited cheers, Aeron walked down the stage, but people immediately surrounded him. Trainers...Female Trainers, reporters and a few more as they tried to ask personal questions and tried to hope for a short interview.

He suddenly felt a small tug on his jacket and looked at Nessa and Misty standing behind him.

"Get ready."

Before he could even think what they meant, an angry Gyarados appeared among the crowd causing a commotion.

"Run!"