What happens when you defeat the champion of a region, aside from winning the title? Do you assume the previous champion’s role? Also, I know of someone from Hoenn who beat Steven Stone at the league once and… Steven was still the final trainer you needed to battle after the Elite Four , whilst the trainer I knew went and continued their journey. Is it a choice to take the champion’s spot, or is there more to being champion than just beating the strongest trainer?

Actually, that first half of your question is spot-on. Beating the champion is a prerequisite. After that, as part of your registration into the Hall of Fame, you’re given the option to become the next champion. You could forfeit the title and continue onward, but as the title tends to be the end goal for many trainers, most will end their journeys there.

A champion can also use these rules to retire or take a break from their duties as champion. Red from Kanto, for example, retired by issuing a challenge for his title and being defeated by Lance. Steven Stone, meanwhile, did something of the same to take a sabbatical for several months before challenging and defeating his own successor, Wallace.

The latter was quite dramatic, although the former sparked quite a lot of outrage among the Kanto gym leaders. Or, well. Mostly Blue.