Want to read ahead. You know where
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"So, how's your Garchomp's training coming along? Has she adapted to Mega Evolution yet?"
At the mention of her partner, Cynthia's expression brightened.
She set down her fork and spoke with pride.
"Of course. After a round of training, Garchomp has completely adapted to her Mega form."
Her voice carried confidence, but as the words left her mouth, Cynthia's eyes flicked to Sam.
She remembered his own team of Pokémon, how much stronger they seemed compared to the ones she sparred with.
Training in isolation at Lily of the Valley suddenly felt… lacking.
Why not just ask him to be her partner in training?
The proud look on her face softened, replaced with a faint pout.
She leaned back in her chair and spoke in a deliberately accusing tone.
"You know, this time I nearly got attacked by a swarm of giant Tentacruel. And honestly… it's your fault."
Sam blinked, a black question mark practically forming over his head.
(O_O)?
"…What? How on earth is that my fault?"
Cynthia crossed her arms, clearly enjoying his confusion.
"If you hadn't given me the clue about the Garchompite, I wouldn't have been so overconfident. And if I wasn't overconfident, I wouldn't have marched right into that Tentacruel swarm with just Garchomp at my side."
Sam stared at her in disbelief.
"…"
This woman could twist logic into a pretzel.
Before he could argue, Cynthia leaned in again, her gray eyes glimmering with mischief.
"So? How are you planning to compensate me?"
"Compensate…?" Sam repeated numbly.
He could already see the trap forming behind that smile.
Cynthia tilted her head, lips curling into the kind of grin that screamed schemer.
"I want you to be my training partner. Help me sharpen my Pokémon before the Championship rankings."
So that's what she was after.
Sam narrowed his eyes at her, remembering how she had cornered him into this conversation.
If she wanted to play tricks, then maybe it was time for him to push back a little.
He rubbed his chin, pretending to hesitate.
"Training partner, huh? Well, it's not impossible… but you know I only have four Pokémon right now. I still need to catch two more. With my travel, I'm not sure I have the time…"
He trailed off, watching her closely.
Cynthia didn't miss a beat.
She leaned forward with that natural charm that made half the trainers in Sinnoh swoon and said in a sultry tone:
"Baby~ even if you're busy, you can still train with me, right? If I manage to get a higher ranking, won't that make you proud of your future wife?"
Sam nearly choked on his drink.
This woman really knew how to turn the tables.
Cynthia leaned in, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Come on, Sam. Don't you feel proud when I look at you like this?"
Her voice carried that playful charm that could disarm just about anyone.
Most trainers would have surrendered instantly under such a gaze.
But Sam wasn't most trainers.
If she thought he would crumble so easily, then she was underestimating him.
'Do you think you can shake my heart just like that? Impossible.'
Sam crossed his arms, forcing a calm smile.
"Even if you put it that way, the timing really doesn't work. It won't be easy."
But Cynthia wasn't giving up.
"Sam~" she purred, drawing out his name in a singsong tone.
Her heel tapped lightly against the floor, and then, without warning, she slipped it off.
A bare foot stretched under the table, brushing lightly against Sam's leg.
"Hiss!"
Sam sucked in a sharp breath.
His so-called unbreakable heart wavered instantly, a crack forming right down the middle.
Cynthia's voice dripped with playful persistence.
"Baby~ promise me, won't you?"
The dam he had built in his mind was already breaking apart when she leaned closer and whispered the final blow.
"If you agree to be my training partner… I'll help you relax after."
Sam froze. His composure shattered like glass.
'Cynthia, you devil.'
He buried his face in his hands, defeated.
Cynthia leaned back, satisfied, her smirk saying everything.
"Hmph~ men really aren't that hard to deal with."
--------------
Celestic Town – A Week Later
Time slipped by quickly.
It had already been a week since the Tentacruel swarm attack in Kanto.
Sam and Cynthia had returned to Sinnoh, settling in Celestic Town for training.
On the training grounds, shouts and battle cries echoed across the valley.
"Garchomp, use Dual Chop!" Cynthia commanded, her voice sharp and confident.
"Rooaaarrr!"
Her Mega Garchomp roared as energy surged through its massive frame. With terrifying speed, it swung its scythe-like arms down at its opponent.
Across from it, Sam's Lucario stood ready.
"Luca, counter with "
But before Sam could finish, his head suddenly throbbed.
A faint, otherworldly voice brushed against his mind.
"Chosen one… can you hear me?"
Sam froze. His focus slipped for a fraction of a second.
"Luca!" Lucario cried out, waiting for a command that never came.
In desperation, it crossed its arms, barely managing to block the incoming strike.
Boom!
The clash sent Lucario skidding back across the dirt, his paws digging furrows into the ground.
Sam winced, rubbing his temples.
His vision swam, and the strange voice still echoed faintly in the back of his mind.
"Luca… spar on your own for now," he said quietly.
"Garchomp, same for you," Cynthia added, noticing his distraction.
She let the two Pokémon continue sparring on their own, then hurried over, concern written on her face.
"Sam, what's wrong? You don't look well."
Sam forced a small smile.
"It's nothing serious. But… Cynthia, I think we should go to Unova."
Her brows knit in confusion.
"Unova? Why so suddenly?"
Sam's eyes gleamed with quiet conviction.
"I have a feeling. There's a powerful Pokémon waiting for me there. One I need to find."
He didn't say more, but the weight in his voice left no room for doubt.
Cynthia studied him for a moment.
She knew Sam well enough to understand, once he had decided on something, he wouldn't back down.
"…Alright," she said softly.
"If that's where you need to go, then I'll go with you. I'll book us a flight."
She pulled out her phone, already tapping away at the screen.
Sam stood silently, gazing off into the distant horizon.
'The Dragon of Truth… Reshiram.'
'So it was your voice I heard. Are you calling out to me?'