Want to read ahead. You know where
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Hotel
Sam sat back in a cushioned chair, savoring a thick, juicy steak.
He sighed quietly.
'Too many desserts with Cynthia... My blood sugar's probably through the roof.'
Across the table, Cynthia ate gracefully, dabbing her lips with a napkin after every bite of her baked lobster.
Melted cheese clung to the shell, and she delicately scooped a piece into her mouth, clearly enjoying herself.
She rested her chin on her hand, watching him with a playful glint in her golden eyes.
"Babe~," she purred sweetly, mischief in her voice.
"When you're free… let's have a match. A real one."
Sam paused mid-chew, eyebrow twitching slightly.
"Match?" he repeated around a mouthful of steak.
He swallowed and leaned back, grinning faintly.
"Sure, I'm down for a battle. But..."
He flicked his fork lazily in the air.
"I think it'd be more fun with a little something extra on the line. Otherwise, I might not be too motivated."
Cynthia raised a brow.
"Oh? What kind of 'extra' are we talking about?"
Sam smirked as a particular image flashed in his mind, one from earlier that day at a boutique.
A certain Teddiursa-themed one-piece pajama set.
She'd look way too cute in that…
"Hmm~"
He drawled.
"How about this? If I win, I get to choose what you wear. And I'll buy it."
Cynthia's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no real resistance, just amusement.
She saw right through him.
"You just want an excuse to dress me up in something ridiculous, don't you?"
she said, smirking. But then she shrugged.
"Fine. But if I win… you'll do whatever I say. No questions asked."
Sam clapped his hands together in mock seriousness.
"Deal."
They both raised a hand and exchanged a clean, confident high-five.
After Dinner, they arrived at the Pokémon Center shortly after and booked a private battle room.
Inside the glass-walled arena, the atmosphere buzzed with tension and anticipation.
The polished floor gleamed under the lights as the two trainers stood at opposite ends, readying their Poké Balls.
Cynthia tilted her head, expression calm.
"You know everything about my team. Who are you sending out?"
Sam had already unclipped a Poké Ball from his belt. He didn't waste time.
"Let's make this quick. The boutique closes in an hour, I've got a Teddiursa onesie to buy," he muttered under his breath.
"Wait!" Cynthia held up a hand.
"Let me think for a second!"
She narrowed her eyes, mentally sorting through Sam's known team.
"Not Darkrai. Not. That stupid Dark Void strategy is bullshit," she muttered, arms crossed.
Memories of their last battle flashed through her mind, being put to sleep on the first turn and steamrolled without mercy.
"And not that Lugia either…"
She tapped her fingers against her elbow.
"He might be small, but those signature moves are unpredictable."
Eventually, her eyes landed on a familiar option.
Lucario...
Of all his Pokémon, Lucario was his oldest, but manageable.
Plus, Garchomp had a natural advantage against it.
"Alright," she declared.
"I pick Lucario."
Sam nodded approvingly.
"Luca, let's go."
With a sharp toss, he released his partner.
A flash of red light materialized into Lucario's lean, battle-ready form.
The Aura Pokémon landed lightly on its feet, immediately scanning the field with focused eyes.
"Luka~!" Lucario growled, its stance already set.
Sam gave a calm nod.
"I'm counting on you."
Cynthia reached for her belt and unclipped a Poké Ball, her eyes glinting with challenge.
"Let's go, Garchomp!"
With a flash of red light, her ace Pokémon emerged, letting out a deep roar that echoed through the battle room.
"Roooaaar~!"
Garchomp stood tall, eyes locked on Lucario.
Despite having known each other since they were younger, this was the first time the two would face off seriously.
Neither of them held back.
Tension crackled in the air, both Pokémon radiating pure fighting spirit.
Cynthia smirked.
"This time, babe… I'm the one who's gonna win!"
Sam just gave a slow, amused smile.
"Is that so?"
He tilted his head slightly, eyes half-lidded, calm.
He made no move to order an attack, simply waiting.
Though Cynthia often showed her softer, more playful side around him, Sam was well aware of her strength.
She wasn't Sinnoh's Champion for nothing, and she didn't speak with confidence lightly.
If she was this sure of herself, then it wasn't just type advantage she was relying on.
And sure enough…
As if answering his unspoken thought, Cynthia stepped forward and rolled up her sleeve, revealing a glinting band with an encrusted keystone.
She pressed the gem at its center, her voice sharp with command.
"Garchomp, Mega Evolve!"
"Roooaaaar!!"
Garchomp's form began to shift, its body glowing with brilliant, searing energy—the transformation was completed in a flash, less than three seconds.
When the light faded, Garchomp stood taller and bulkier than before.
Five jagged white spikes jutted from both sides of its torso, and crimson blades extended from its knees.
Its entire form seemed designed for destruction, brutal, overwhelming, and merciless.
Sam let out a soft whistle, tilting his head to one side with a faint smile.
"Oh? You found Garchomp's Mega Stone already?"
Cynthia's golden eyes gleamed with pride.
"You gave me the clue, remember?"
"The moment I got back to Sinnoh, I started searching. And when I found it… Garchomp and I trained together in secret for ten straight days."
She crossed her arms, exuding confident energy.
"Thanks to Mega Evolution, her power's increased by at least thirty percent."
She pointed at Lucario with a sly smile.
"Your Lucario can't compete with my Mega Garchomp."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
The smile on his lips didn't fade; in fact, it only grew.
"…You sure about that?"
Cynthia blinked.
"Huh?"
Sam stepped back slightly, his voice relaxed.
"You think Luca doesn't know how to Mega Evolve?"
The moment the words left his mouth,
"Luka!"
Lucario let out a sharp, piercing cry.
In an instant, his aura exploded outward, surrounding his body in a brilliant, focused energy.
His form began to shift rapidly, growing sleeker, more streamlined, and far more dangerous.
Cynthia's eyes widened.
"Wait, what?!"
The Mega Stone embedded in Lucario's collar pulsed brightly.
Within seconds, Lucario had completed his Mega Evolution.
The air grew heavier, the pressure around him sharp and intense.
It was clear: he had long since mastered the transformation.
"You… you had a Lucarionite this whole time?!" Cynthia's voice cracked in disbelief.
Sam gave a lazy shrug, utterly unbothered.
"It's just Mega Evolution. What's the big deal?"
His tone was light, but Lucario's eyes locked onto Garchomp's with unwavering focus.
He was ready and confident.
Across the field, Cynthia stood frozen for a moment, processing the reversal.
She had walked in ready to surprise him.
But instead, Sam turned the tables with a casual flick of the wrist.
She blinked, then burst into laughter.
"Tch… You're impossible."