Want to read ahead. You know where
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In the Hoenn Region, Sam had become a legend.
The one who stood with the mighty Rayquaza.
The one who shattered the meteorite that threatened the world.
His name spread across every corner of the Pokémon Alliance, a hero who saved Hoenn from destruction.
But for Sam, none of that glory really mattered.
Fame came too easily after that.
Everywhere he went, people whispered, pointed, and tried to get a glimpse of him.
And Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion, drew even more attention.
A savior and a champion, walking together?
It was impossible for them to move unnoticed.
Even a simple stroll through Slateport City would cause a crowd to form.
Reporters, fans, and challengers, peace was a luxury neither of them could afford.
With no other choice, Sam and Cynthia decided to leave Hoenn behind and return to the Sinnoh Region.
Their destination: Celestic Town, their hometown, and the quiet refuge where they had built a private villa.
There, away from the public eye, they could finally breathe.
The afternoon sun bathed the villa's training ground in golden light.
A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of blooming flowers.
Cynthia stood across the field, her blond hair swaying slightly in the wind, eyes focused and sharp.
"Garchomp!" she called out, voice steady but fierce.
"Defend carefully!"
"Roar!!"
Her partner answered with a low growl, hot air snorting from its nostrils as it raised its bladed arms in a defensive stance.
Its crimson eyes locked onto its opponent, a small, silver-white figure floating gracefully in the air.
Sam stood a few steps behind the little Pokémon, calm and composed.
"Silver," he said, his voice soft but firm, "use Aeroblast."
"Lugiaaa~!"
The small Lugia spread her wings, her aura flaring like a storm.
Energy gathered in front of her, twisting into a sphere of blinding light. Then,
Boom!
The blast tore through the field, slamming into Garchomp with overwhelming force.
Dust and wind exploded outward, shaking the training ground.
When the air finally cleared, Garchomp struggled to rise, trembling slightly, a stubborn growl escaping its throat.
Cynthia clenched her fists, biting her lip.
"Ugh… no way! I still can't hold against that!"
Her expression turned into a pout as she sighed and recalled Garchomp back into its Poké Ball.
The championship ranking matches were approaching, and Cynthia had been pushing herself harder than ever.
Every day, she trained with Sam, and every day, his Pokémon pushed hers to the limit.
It wasn't just that Sam was strong.
His battle sense, timing, and adaptability were uncanny, almost like he could read the flow of battle before it even happened.
Cynthia often wondered if that was what made him special, the strange, calm confidence he always carried.
But for now, all she could focus on was the fact that she still couldn't beat any of his Pokémon.
That massive Dragonite of his, for example, even if she sent out all of her main team, the result was the same.
Dragonite didn't care about being outnumbered.
One powerful Dragon Claw, and the battle was over before it began.
Even Silver, the smallest and youngest of Sam's team, wasn't any easier to face.
When Cynthia's Garchomp Mega Evolved, she could trade blows with Silver for a short while.
But once Silver unleashed that devastating Aeroblast, all resistance ended.
No amount of speed or raw strength could counter that pure, unstoppable power.
Cynthia let out a long breath and glanced at Sam, who stood there with his usual quiet smile.
"You didn't hold back again, did you?" she asked, half accusing, half amused.
Sam chuckled.
"Wouldn't be training if I did, right?"
She crossed her arms and gave him a playful glare.
"You're impossible."
But deep down, she was grateful.
Training with him always reminded her why she loved battling, not for fame or victory, but for the thrill of growing stronger, together.
Sam walked over, extending a hand to help her up from the ground.
Their eyes met for a brief second, a warm, unspoken understanding passing between them.
The world outside might see them as legends.
But here, in this quiet corner of Sinnoh, they were just two trainers chasing strength, side by side.
Cynthia sat off to the side, arms crossed, her expression a mix of pride and annoyance. She wasn't furious, just pretending to be, in that way only she could.
Sam glanced at her with a small smile.
"Silver, go get some more practice," he said casually.
"Lugia~!"
The little Pokémon nodded, spreading her wings before gliding off to the other side of the field to continue training.
Once Silver was gone, Sam walked over to Cynthia.
Without saying a word, he slipped his arms gently around her from behind.
"Ah, is someone in a bad mood?" he teased softly.
"Come on, one day you'll beat me."
Cynthia huffed and pulled away, her face puffed slightly in mock irritation.
"Yeah, right. A man's promise is worth about as much as a Magikarp's roar," she said, half pouting, half laughing.
She turned toward him, her eyes gleaming with both frustration and affection.
"You always say that, but your Pokémon are monsters. How am I supposed to win? You've got legendaries, and even your normal Pokémon are stronger than most elites! My poor team doesn't stand a chance."
Sam couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright, alright. It's all my fault, okay? My bad, Miss Champion."
He leaned forward a little, voice dropping playfully.
"How about I make it up to you with some homemade vanilla ice cream later?"
Cynthia tried to stay mad, but her lips curved into a faint smile.
"You're lucky I like sweets," she muttered.
He reached for her again, pulling her back into his arms.
"Come on now, don't be mad. You know I hate it when you're upset."
Cynthia made a small show of resisting, but it didn't last long.
After a few seconds, she relaxed against his chest, her voice turning soft and lazy.
"Fine. But I want more than just vanilla ice cream. I want honeydew nectar, taro pearl pudding, and a white chocolate cake too."
Sam laughed quietly.
"Alright, alright. Whatever you want. My kitchen's yours."
Cynthia tilted her head back, looking up at him with mock seriousness.
"That's right. And while we're at it, you're not allowed to run off and get stronger again without telling me. Every time you go out, you come back even stronger! It's infuriating."
Sam raised his hands in surrender.
"I'll behave. Promise."
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"You'd better. I'll keep you locked up in Celestic Town if I have to."
He grinned.
"A fair trade. I stay home, train with you, and cook for you. Sounds like a good deal to me."
Cynthia rolled her eyes, pretending to look unimpressed, though the faint blush on her cheeks said otherwise.
"Good husband," she murmured, leaning in just enough to brush her lips against his cheek.
Sam smiled, a warmth spreading through him.
Moments like this, peaceful, teasing, simple, meant more than all the glory in the world.
Cynthia leaned back slightly, her golden hair glinting under the sunlight.
"You know," she said softly, "I really don't mind losing to you. As long as you're the one standing beside me."
Sam chuckled.
"That's not losing, Cynthia. That's what it means to grow together."
Her lips curved into a satisfied smirk.
"Still, you'd better not slack off in the kitchen after saying all that."
He laughed, pretending to sigh.
"Yes, ma'am. Chef, sparring partner, emotional support, I do it all."
Cynthia raised an eyebrow.
"You forgot one."
"Oh?"
She leaned closer, her voice a whisper.
"The one who makes me happy."
For a moment, neither spoke.
The sound of Silver's wings fluttering in the distance and the faint hum of the Sinnoh wind filled the silence.
Then Cynthia tapped Sam lightly on the forehead with one finger.
"Now go make lunch before I change my mind about forgiving you."
Sam grinned. "Yes, ma'am."
As he turned toward the kitchen, Cynthia watched him go, her expression softening.
The sunlight caught in her eyes, eyes that once held the fierce determination of a champion, now warm and calm.
She smiled to herself.
For someone who had once carried the weight of an entire region, this quiet life, the laughter, the teasing, the shared meals, was its own kind of paradise.
Sam glanced back, catching her gaze.
He smiled, and she returned it without words.
Just like that, the two continued their peaceful afternoon in Celestic Town, a hero and a champion, training, laughing, and preparing lunch together in the calm after the storm.