Want to read ahead. You know where
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Lucario's flight training had become routine.
For seven straight days, they stayed deep in Viridian Forest, keeping a close watch over him.
Every morning started the same: Lucario would take off, wings of aura energy straining as he fought for lift.
He'd push himself until his body gave out, landing hard on the mossy ground, chest heaving.
Sam would be there with water and food, letting him rest just long enough to catch his breath before sending him back into the air.
Again.
And again.
At first, Lucario's movements were clumsy, his balance awkward, his altitude shaky.
But over time, the wild, uneven flapping became smooth, controlled.
Soon he was weaving between treetops with an almost predatory grace, holding himself steady in the air before dipping into tight, controlled dives.
Sam watched with quiet satisfaction.
If Lucario could keep this up, his aerial combat skills would rival the top-tier Legendaries.
Darkrai, too, would gain an edge; speed and maneuverability could turn the tide in any battle.
On the seventh day, Sam finally stepped out of the forest's shadow.
Sunlight spilled over him, and the sight of rooftops and paved streets felt like stepping into another world.
He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
That's when his phone, silent for the entire week, buzzed in his pocket.
Cynthia's name lit up the screen, her messages stacked one after another.
[Cynthia: Baby, why can't I get through to you? Please reply.]
[Cynthia: Where have you been? Call me when you see this.]
[Cynthia: It's been three days… I'm starting to worry.]
[Cynthia: Did something happen? Please tell me you're okay.]
[Cynthia: Four days now. I'm really, really worried.]
Sam winced. No wonder she was anxious.
The past week had been during the Pokémon riots, and with cell towers in the forest likely damaged, his phone might as well have been a paperweight.
Pocketing it, he headed for the nearest hotel.
A quick check-in. A fast shower. Clean clothes.
He looked halfway human again.
He hit the call button, and Cynthia picked up almost instantly.
Her eyes scanned his face, the tension in her shoulders easing for a heartbeat.
Then her expression hardened.
"Where are you right now?"
"Why couldn't I reach you?"
"What have you been doing?"
"You ignored my calls on purpose, didn't you?"
The questions came one after another, sharp with worry and frustration.
Champion of Sinnoh or not, she was still just Cynthia, and right now, she wasn't holding back.
Sam grinned.
"Reporting to the commander," he said, his voice dropping into an exaggeratedly formal tone.
"Currently stationed in Viridian City, Kanto Region!"
"Contact with the commander was impossible these past few days due to… deep cover in Viridian Forest. No signal whatsoever. Every single day in there, I missed you terribly, but with the network down, I could only keep my loyalty in my heart."
"As soon as I made it out, I called to report my location. I swear—by the sun and the moon—I haven't been fooling around. My heart's always with the commander!"
He even raised his right hand in mock solemnity, like he was swearing an oath before a panel of judges.
It was ridiculous, and he knew it.
That was the point. Location report, reason for absence, heartfelt confession, loyalty pledge, the whole package, delivered like some perfect response in a drill.
Cynthia tried to keep her expression stern, but the faint upward curve at the corner of her mouth betrayed her.
"Fine," she said with a soft huff.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood. I'll let it slide this time."
The tension melted away, replaced by lighter teasing.
"Baby," Cynthia said, a hint of pride in her voice, "Garchomp's training has been going great. She's fully adapted to Mega Evolution. Next time we meet, I'm going to crush your Lucario."
"Oh?" Sam arched an eyebrow.
"Guess I'll have to work even harder then."
He didn't mention that Lucario had already hit lower-tier Legendary level, or that Garchomp wouldn't stand a chance now.
Better to save that little surprise for later, maybe he could even get her to wager something on the match.
"By the way," she asked, tilting her head, "why are you in Kanto?"
"I'm here to tame a Pokémon," Sam said without hesitation.
"A Pokémon in Kanto?" Cynthia's brow furrowed slightly.
"Which one?"
"Dragonite," he replied.
Her eyes lit up with interest.
"Dragonite's a great choice. High potential, broad movepool, extremely versatile… but finding one in the wild is nearly impossible."
"Lance and the Dragon Clan practically monopolize them. If you want, I could talk to him, maybe get you a hatchling."
It was true. Wild Dragon-types were rare to the point of being myths, and for good reason—too powerful, too coveted, too heavily controlled.
But Sam shook his head immediately.
"No need. I'm not after just any Dragonite."
In his mind, he could already see it, that Dragonite.
The massive, almost mythical one from the stories.
The kind of Pokémon people spoke of in hushed tones, unsure if it was even real.
And Sam intended to find it.