He had only one Pokémon left. If Lance put this one down, his dream would be shattered. He couldn't lose now. He had beaten the first three of the Elite Four and now he had the chance to win. Don't worry, Ash, he told himself. His last Pokémon against Lance's last. You've saved the best for last. You can't lose now.

Without further hesitation, Ash called his Pokémon. “Pikachu, I choose you!"

“Pika!" The electric rodent jumped down from the podium onto the field and stared into the Dragonite's face. Sparks flew from his cheeks. He knew he could win. He and Ash had been waiting for this moment for nearly six years, since the day they defeated those Spearows together. The Dragonite didn't look to strong, Pikachu tried to convince himself, even though the truth was to the contrary.

“Pikachu, agility!" Ash yelled.

Misty, Brock, Professor Oak and Delia Ketchum watched from the stands. They were the only crowd in the dark stadium, Master-level battles being held too important for non-essential spectators. No one outside the Elite Four, Ash, his Pokémon, and the people closest to him, knew what was taking place within the circular arena walls.

All were panicking. One Pokémon each, however Lance had the elemental advantage. Misty sat tense with all the worry in the world. He couldn't lose now, not after all the hard work he had put in lately. She just stared at the handsome young trainer, knowing that she couldn't do anything to help.

Back on the field, as Pikachu began to speed around the floor, Lance called out his first move. "Dragonite, Fire blast!" The fire erupted from the dragon's mouth and headed straight towards Pikachu, but with an acceleration in another direction, he dodged the flames easily. "Damn," the master said to himself. "This kid is pretty good, but he won't defeat me." He raised his voice to call out his second command. “Blizzard! Take that rat down!"

Ever obedient, the Dragonite carried out the attack. This time Pikachu's speed didn't save him. He was struck down by the ice. But, ice attacks not being overly effective against electric types, the small Pokémon was able to bounc back up and continue his sprint.

"Pikachu, try swift!"

Pikachu ran towards his opponent and struck it with a powerful blow. It was injured, but far from beaten.

“Now hit it with your Thunderbolt." Ash hoped that although it was a dragon type, the fact that it poccessed ice-type attacks would mean it was weak against electric. That was his best option against the towering Pokemon.

The little rodent yelled his name, and a flash of yellow lightning rose from his body and struck Dragonite. This time the assault was more powerful. The Pokémon fell onto the ground for a moment before gaining it's composure again.

“Dragonite, Hyper Beam!" came Lance's order.

“Hyper Beam!" Misty screamed in the stands. “Pikachu may not be able to survive this attack," she said to the others in utter shock. “What can Ash do?"

Hyper Beam, Ash said to himself. I can't let this hit. Coming upon an idea, he shouted as loud as he could. “Pikachu, Agility again then Thunder!"

Pikachu knew he only had a few seconds before the blast hit. Ash had come up with the best strategy to evade this attack. He ran with all the speed he could muster from the place where the beam was heading, and then with a loud yell, let out the most power attack he had ever accomplished. Again, yellow lightning flew from him and hit Dragonite with an almost terrifying violence. The large Pokémon fell back to the ground, knocked out; unconscious.

An awkward hush fell over the stadium. No one was quite sure whether it had ended or not. Then slowly, answering everyone's uncertainty, Lance raised his arm and recalled his Pokémon.

Ash, watching Dragonite return, could feel the excitement rising within him. Was this true? Had he really won?

Lance walked over to the teenager and bowed. “Congratulations, Ash. I knew you were someone special when you came into the gym and now I can see that the rumours about you were correct." He raised his voice and announced to the few present in the gym, “Another name has been entered into the Hall of Fame. Ash Ketchum is now a Pokémon Master, one of the elite trainers. He has entered a class that only a few belong to. Tonight he will be sworn in and from then on his name will reverberate around the world. Welcome, Ash, to your future." With a bow and a smile, Lance walked away from the young, new master, leaving the field with the other three defeated trainers.

In the stands, Ash's friends and family sat in awe. They knew Ash was a great trainer but were unsure if he would ever make it this far. Misty was the first to break the cessation, getting up from her seat, jumping over the rail that blocked the front row from the battle field, and running to where Ash stood in silence.

When she reached him, she grabbed his hands and pulled them close to her. “Ash, you did it. You're a master."

Ash, breaking from his inner confusion, looked to his friend. “I can't believe it. I won. Yes!" he screamed, only beginning to come to terms with what had just occured.

Misty, unable to contain her excitement, hugged her friend as tightly as she could. He held her back and the two began to jump together with joy. When they broke from the embrace, they saw three figures approach to offer their congratulations.

“That was an awesome battle, Ash," Brock said.

“Oh, I can't believe my little baby won," said a tearful Delia.

“Well done, Ash. You've truly proven yourself," Professor Oak congratulated.

“Thanks, guys." He then looked around to see where Misty had disappeared too. She was still standing by his side, but had knelt down to pick up Pikachu. She held him gently in her arms, stroking his chubby red cheeks. “But Pikachu and the others are the real victors. Without them, I'd get nowhere. They've made me a champion."

"Pika," Pikachu jumped from within Misty's arms to his trainer. The tired Pokémon liked Ash's chin.

“Thanks, Pikachu. Thanks to you and the others." He raised his head to his friends and family. “And thank to you guys for believing in me."

“That's what friends are for," Misty returned.