Want to read ahead. You know where
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The uneasy alliance between Team Rocket and Team Plasma was quietly forming in the shadows.
Neither Sam nor Cynthia knew the full scope of it yet, but the storm was already brewing.
At this moment, the two of them were sitting in the home of Alder, the Champion of Unova.
The clash between Sam and N had taken place just outside Icirrus City.
The shockwaves of their battle had rippled far and wide, impossible to ignore.
A fight involving a Legendary Pokémon wasn't something that could be hidden.
Soon enough, Unova's elite trainers, led personally by Alder, had arrived to investigate.
Once Alder learned what had happened, he immediately brought Sam and Cynthia back with him, insisting they rest and recover at his home.
"Samuel, Cynthia," Alder said warmly, setting down a tray with a pot of steaming tea.
His weathered face creased in a smile as he poured them both a cup.
"The tea isn't anything special, but please, enjoy."
Sam accepted the cup casually, blowing on the surface before taking a sip.
The flavor was earthy, slightly bitter at first, but it left behind a gentle sweetness that lingered in his throat.
For ordinary people, this would be rare tea.
For Alder, it was simply what he had on hand.
Cynthia, sitting gracefully beside Sam, lifted her cup as well.
She preferred sweets over tea and rarely cared for the finer details, but she politely took a small sip.
Alder leaned back slightly, his eyes clouded with thought.
He let out a long sigh before speaking.
"This time, we truly owe you, Professor Sam. If not for you, we would still be blind to the truth that Team Plasma has control over a Legendary Pokémon."
His words hung heavy in the air.
For most of Unova, Team Plasma still appeared to be nothing more than a group of idealists preaching about the liberation of Pokémon.
Their true nature and the danger they posed had yet to be exposed.
Alder's tone grew more serious.
"I always believed they were just fanatics who wanted to protect Pokémon… but now…"
He shook his head, frustration flickering across his expression.
"They're growing stronger by the day, and as Champion, that responsibility falls on me."
Sam noticed the guilt in Alder's voice.
Despite being the Champion, Alder was not known for involving himself in the daily affairs of the Unova League.
Years ago, he had lost his beloved partner Pokémon to illness, and the grief had nearly broken him.
Since then, he had carried a quiet emptiness, one that left him drifting further from the duties of a leader.
Age, too, was catching up with him.
The room fell silent. Cynthia glanced at Sam but didn't speak.
Both of them could feel the weight in Alder's words.
Alder forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood, but his following words were even heavier.
"For years now, I've been searching for someone worthy to take my place. Someone with the strength and the heart to protect this region. But…"
He trailed off, his voice tinged with regret.
"Unova lacks such talent."
He lifted his gaze, studying Sam with quiet intent.
After a pause, Alder spoke again, his tone probing yet hopeful.
"Professor Sam… would you consider taking being the Champion of Unova?"
The room went still.
Champion?
Sam nearly choked on his tea.
Of all the things Alder could have said, this was the last he expected.
Him? A Champion?
He looked at Alder, stunned, then let out a breath.
No way.
Sam had no interest in holding such a title.
Being the Champion of a region sounded like a grand title to most people, but Sam knew better.
In reality, being Champion was the same as being the region's figurehead, weighed down with endless duties.
Meetings, public appearances, and League events were less about battling and more about politics.
He only had to glance at Cynthia to know the truth of it.
She was constantly being pulled into responsibilities back in Sinnoh, managing tournaments, guiding challengers, and attending League ceremonies.
For someone like Sam, who wanted the freedom to travel and study ancient ruins across the world, the position would be nothing but a shackle.
Just as he was about to refuse, Alder leaned forward, his tone earnest.
"Professor Samuel," Alder said, eyes hopeful.
"Imagine it, Unova's Champion, Professor Samuel Lockwood, and beside you, Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia. The two of you together would be a story sung throughout the League!"
Sam froze, blinking. He hadn't expected Alder to bring Cynthia into this.
The truth was simple: Alder had already been trying to retire for years.
Three years ago, he'd filed his request with the League, ready to step down.
But each time, the answer had been the same: Unova has no worthy successor.
They refused to let him go.
Now, having seen Sam tame Reshiram and even earn Rayquaza's recognition, Alder thought he had finally found the perfect candidate.
To him, Sam wasn't just strong; he was the answer to the burden Alder had carried for too long.
But Sam only smiled faintly.
"Mr. Alder, I appreciate the kindness. Truly. But I've grown too used to living freely. I'm not someone who does well under restraints."
His words were calm but firm.
He didn't hesitate, nor did he leave any opening for persuasion.
Alder's shoulders sagged. He let out a long, weary sigh, disappointment etched across his face.
"Ah… what a pity."
Cynthia reached out under the table and gently poked Sam's arm, her lips curving into a soft smile.
Her eyes seemed to say, You really just turned down being Champion?
Sam only shrugged in response. He wasn't going to change his mind.
After chatting a while longer, Sam and Cynthia excused themselves.
They left Alder's home just as the evening sun dipped low, painting the Unova sky in warm shades of orange.
By the time they reached the city streets, their stomachs reminded them it was dinner time. They ducked into a cozy restaurant with lanterns glowing at the entrance.
Cynthia, as always, passed the menu straight to Sam.
She leaned her chin on one hand, watching him with relaxed eyes.
"You choose," she said.
Sam chuckled. With Cynthia, it was always like this.
She didn't need to think twice when she was with him.
No matter the situation, she trusted him to handle the details.
He ordered a few local Unovan specialties, along with Cynthia's favorite desserts, ensuring she'd have something sweet to end the meal with.
Once the waiter left, the two settled into quiet conversation.
Their talk was interrupted when the restaurant's television caught Cynthia's attention.
She tilted her head toward the screen, her eyes lighting up.
"Sam, look!" she exclaimed softly.
"It's beautiful!"
Sam turned to see what she meant.
On the TV, footage played of a dazzling meteor shower.
Countless streaks of light tore through the night sky, their blazing trails painting a spectacle across the darkness.
For a moment, it looked less like falling stars and more like fireworks celebrating some unseen festival.
The news anchor's cheerful voice carried through the restaurant:
"According to reports, last night a meteor shower dazzled the skies over several cities in the Hoenn Region. Over thirty small meteorites were confirmed to have landed, creating a breathtaking scene."
The broadcast switched to clips of adventurers searching crater sites, holding fragments of glowing rock in their hands.
"Experts predict that in just two nights, at eleven o'clock, an even larger meteor shower will sweep across the skies of Hoenn. This rare event will be visible across the entire region."
The anchor's tone grew excited.
"Already, treasure hunters are flooding into Hoenn. Many fragments recovered from the last shower contained Fire Stones. Devon Corporation has announced that it will be purchasing meteorites containing rare metals at high prices. Any trainers or collectors who discover unusual fragments are encouraged to bring them to Devon's facilities for evaluation."
Cynthia's gaze remained fixed on the screen, her expression full of wonder.
The sight of the meteors fascinated her, as though the sky itself was opening a path.
Sam, however, watched in silence. His eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful.
Meteor showers. Meteorites.
The image of fiery stones raining down from the heavens stirred something in his mind.
He wasn't just seeing a beautiful natural event.
He was calculating, wondering what kind of mysteries, and dangers, those falling stars might bring.
He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought as the glow of the television flickered across his face.