A brilliant streak of light descended from the sky, leaving the wild Hydreigon no time to react. With a thunderous crash, the light smashed against its back. The dragon screamed in agony before collapsing heavily to the ground.
Dragons are ferocious creatures, and their battles are nothing short of brutal. Against the fangs of its own kind, Hydreigon's resistance crumbled instantly. The strike had hit with double the weight, and in the blink of an eye, the mighty beast was defeated, lying motionless in the dirt.
Nearby, a lone Deino froze in shock at the sight of its fallen kin. Panic flashing in its eyes, it turned to flee once more. But this time, Caitlin would not let it escape.
"Sigilyph, Air Slash!"
Rippling distortions shimmered through the air as blades of compressed wind descended like guillotines, sealing every path of retreat. The final wind blade slashed across Deino's back, sending the little dragon tumbling helplessly to the earth.
Already battered from its reckless flight, the Deino no longer had the strength to resist. Caitlin wasted no time—she hurled a Poké Ball, capturing the dragon. When the ball stilled without struggle, she finally allowed herself to breathe in relief.
Her gaze then shifted to the figure that had brought down Hydreigon—a towering, battle-hardened Garchomp, radiating unshakable vitality and power.
No two Pokémon, even of the same species, are perfectly identical. Just as no two golden retrievers are ever truly the same, every Pokémon carries unique features. But this Garchomp… it was nearly indistinguishable from one particular legend.
It was the twin sibling of the Garchomp that won the 15th Indigo Conference, the one that became the symbol of a Champion. Twin Garchomp were so rare that no human records even mentioned such a phenomenon. Yet here they stood—one the Champion of Sinnoh's signature partner, the other standing tall as the Champion of Kanto's symbol of strength.
Few families could ever take pride in such a legacy.
"Another Dragon Dive, Cynthia? Can't you use a different move for once?"
Now that the danger had passed, Caitlin's voice regained its lazy elegance. She smirked playfully as Cynthia descended from a cliff, carried gracefully down by her Lucario.
A flicker of embarrassment colored Cynthia's usually composed face, her pale cheeks tinged pink. But she quickly smoothed her expression, her gentle, intelligent smile returning.
"Does it matter which move I use, Caitlin? As long as it wins battles, it's good enough. That's still better than the state you're in right now, isn't it?"
An elegant woman with sharp wit—Cynthia's tongue was no less sharp than her strategies.
Caitlin, by contrast, was a mess. Her soft pink gown was stained and tattered with mud. Her golden hair, once flowing and lustrous, was tangled into knots, sweat plastering strands against her cheeks. Dirt smudged her fair skin, and scars of past battles showed faintly along her arms.
The path to Champion had not been kind to her.
The Caitlin of the past would have thrown a tantrum at such a sight—disgusted at the dirt on her clothes, horrified at looking so disheveled. But the Caitlin standing here now kept her poise. With the grace of a blooming white rose, her voice carried elegance as she said softly:
"…Without hardships, without storms, how can anyone truly grow?"
"Once, Cynthia, you told me these very words. Back then, I didn't listen. But now, I finally understand."
Her refined aura radiated nobility. At last, Caitlin truly embodied the dignity of her heritage, a lady who had endured, adapted, and grown stronger.
"You really have changed, Caitlin," Cynthia admitted with a smile. "For a moment, I barely recognized you."
The two blondes met each other's eyes and shared a laugh before embracing warmly. Cynthia's heart swelled with pride—her closest friend had grown.
"Was it worth it, Caitlin? To push yourself this hard, to suffer, to stake even your life… all just to give him a Champion's gift?"
Cynthia's voice carried gentle reproach.
"This isn't about worth or not worth it!" Caitlin answered, eyes blazing with sincerity. "I'm already a year and a half late in giving this gift. Without Logan, my life would still be trapped in darkness. He was like the morning star in the night sky—bright, guiding, impossible to ignore. I'll spend my whole life chasing that light!"
Her eyes sparkled like starlight itself. Cynthia could only sigh—
There was no cure. Caitlin wasn't just an admirer—she was a fanatic, an idol-chaser willing to risk everything.
Still, seeing her friend's devotion, Cynthia couldn't help but feel conflicted. She owed Logan gratitude for pulling Caitlin from despair into brilliance. But this change was overwhelming, almost frightening.
"…Fine. I don't understand your obsession. But I'm sure he'll be delighted when he sees this Deino."
"Mhm. And Cynthia, when will you find yourself a boyfriend? Keep this up and you'll end up a lonely old maid!" Caitlin teased lazily.
"I'm barely nineteen, Caitlin!" Cynthia laughed in disbelief. "I'm not exactly ancient."
Her words carried the warmth of lighthearted friendship.
"Will you head to Kanto now, Caitlin?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"No. Actually, Cynthia, I'll need your help. Please, deliver this Deino to Kanto in my stead."
Cynthia's eyes widened. "Why not you? Wouldn't it mean more if you delivered it yourself?"
But Caitlin shook her head gently, determination burning in her eyes.
"For the past year and a half, Logan's name has hardly surfaced in Kanto. He must be training in silence, working harder than anyone. I was already so far behind him. If I don't seize every second to train, how can I ever hope to catch up?"
Her voice softened but carried firm conviction:
"A Trainer who doesn't strive forward is like a boat against the current—they will only drift backward. Every great Trainer sharpens themselves every moment. Everyone is improving."
Her eyes lifted, a smile tugging her lips.
"In Unova, I've seen so much. I've watched Trainers hit their limits, struggle against bottlenecks, and finally give up—falling into mediocrity. I refuse to become one of them."
Her tone carried unshakable resolve.
"The new Champion of Unova—I've seen his strength firsthand. He's far beyond me for now. To stand alongside you, Cynthia, and Logan as Champions, I'll need time. My first step? To defeat at least one of the Elite Four. Even if it's the weakest of them, I must rise to that level. Only then will I deserve to face Logan again."
"If I give up effort for fleeting happiness, the future me will drown in regret. So please, Cynthia—just this once, help me deliver this Pokémon."
Cynthia stood silent for a moment, Caitlin's words echoing deep within her.
And suddenly, for the first time in years, she felt fear.
Caitlin had surpassed her past self—driven, burning with purpose. And Cynthia realized… she herself had slowed. After becoming Champion, she had trained, yes—but without the desperate hunger she once carried. If she continued in comfort, one day even Caitlin would surpass her.
"Thank you, Caitlin," Cynthia whispered earnestly.
The words puzzled Caitlin. "Eh? What are you thanking me for?"
Cynthia only smiled. "Don't worry about it. And yes—I'll take this Deino to Kanto for you."
"Really? Then I'll hold you to it!"
Caitlin's lips curved into her trademark lazy smile, while Cynthia's was one of elegance and resolve.
In that moment, two champions-to-be found new strength in each other's determination.
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