Want to read ahead. You know where
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The morning sun spilled through the curtains, painting the room in a soft golden glow.
Sam stood in the kitchen, humming to himself as he flipped the last batch of pancakes onto a plate.
The smell of sweet maple sirup filled the small cabin.
He peeked into the bedroom with a smile.
"Cynthia! Time to get up!" he called, voice light and teasing.
"Come on, I made your favorite, pancakes."
Silence.
He tried again, louder this time.
"Hey, if you don't get up now! We'll miss our flight!"
Still nothing.
With a sigh, Sam wiped his hands on a towel and headed inside.
The air in the room was warm, and Cynthia lay tangled in the sheets, her platinum-blonde hair messy but beautiful even in sleep.
Just as he approached, she stirred, sitting up slowly and rubbing her legs with a little wince.
"What's wrong?" Sam asked, frowning.
Cynthia gave him a mock glare and thumped her calf.
"My legs… they're sore. I can't even stand right now."
Sam blinked, half-concerned, half-amused.
"You're not feeling sick, are you?"
He reached out to check her forehead, but Cynthia batted his hand away, cheeks faintly pink.
"It's not that," she muttered, pouting.
"You made me ride all night yesterday. My legs are jelly."
Sam couldn't help but grin.
"Hey, that's not on me! You were the one who kept asking for more practice!"
Cynthia smacked his shoulder lightly.
"Yeah, yeah. Just help me up already."
"Alright, alright."
Sam crouched down in front of her, and Cynthia draped her arms around his shoulders.
As he helped her to her feet, she leaned closer, whispering in mock complaint,
"You know, sometimes I think I'd be less tired if you weren't so competitive."
Sam chuckled.
"I'm loyal, you know. You're the only one I've got, and the only one I want."
Cynthia's lips curled into a smile, though she quickly covered his mouth with her hand.
"Okay, okay! No more sweet talk, or I'll never recover from last night."
She climbed onto his back, laughing softly as he carried her to the table.
"You're impossible sometimes," he said, shaking his head.
"But you still love me," she teased.
After breakfast, Cynthia leaned back in her chair, rubbing her stomach.
"I ate eight pancakes coating… and two cups of milk. I'm stuffed!"
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Eight?"
Cynthia flashed him an innocent smile.
"Well, the sirup is the best part. You can have the pancakes."
He groaned quietly, looking at the pile of empty bun skins on his plate.
"You're unbelievable."
Cynthia giggled, her eyes sparkling.
"Yeah, if your stomach can take it," he said, stacking the dishes.
"Come on, we should get going soon."
"Nooo," Cynthia whined, her tone half-playful, half-sincere.
"My legs are still weak. Carry me, please?"
Sam turned around, speechless.
"You can't be serious."
But Cynthia's expression was pure charm, eyes wide, lips slightly parted in a pleading smile.
He sighed in defeat.
"Fine. But just this once."
"Mm-hmm," she chimed, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifted her up again.
As he straightened, she rested her chin on his shoulder, voice soft as a whisper.
"My husband is the best."
Sam smiled, his tone gentle but teasing.
"I really can't say no to you, can I?"
The morning sunlight followed them out the door, warm and bright, another quiet start to their adventure in a world full of Pokémon and endless possibilities.
After breakfast, Sam and Cynthia packed their things and left Celestic Town, heading toward Jubilife City to catch their flight.
The crisp morning air smelled faintly of pine, and a flock of Starly scattered as they walked down the trail.
Cynthia's hair fluttered behind her in the wind, and Sam adjusted his backpack, checking the Pokéballs on his belt out of habit.
"Next stop, Kalos," he said, grinning.
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"It's been a while since I last saw Diantha."
When their plane finally landed in Lumiose City, the heart of Kalos, they stepped out into a bright, elegant cityscape that seemed to sparkle under the afternoon sun.
And there, waiting by the terminal, was a woman who immediately drew every eye around her.
She wore a white cape over sleek white shorts and matching leather boots.
A pink satchel hung at her side, and her wavy golden hair shimmered in the light.
Graceful, composed, and radiant, she was unmistakably Diantha, the Champion of Kalos.
"Cynthia, over here!" she called with a warm smile, waving.
"Diantha!" Cynthia's face lit up, and she hurried forward.
The two Champions met halfway, embracing tightly like sisters reuniting after a long time.
"It's been too long," Cynthia said with a laugh.
"I missed you!"
"You always say that," Diantha teased, smiling back.
Sam stood a few steps away, watching them.
The sight of two of the world's strongest Champions laughing together, one in black, one in white, was enough to make heads turn.
Even he couldn't help but stare a little.
Cynthia noticed and gave him a playful glare before introducing,
"Sam, this is Diantha. Diantha, this is Sam."
Diantha turned toward him gracefully, extending her hand.
"So this is the famous Professor Samuel. I've heard plenty of stories about you. It's nice to finally meet in person, and I see the rumors about your charm weren't exaggerated."
Sam shook her hand lightly, smiling politely.
"The pleasure's mine, Miss Diantha. You look even more radiant than on TV."
Diantha chuckled softly.
"You flatter me. But really, Cynthia's the one who outshines us all."
Cynthia groaned, nudging her.
"Oh, come on, don't start that."
"Alright, alright," Diantha said with a laugh.
"You both must be exhausted. Let's get you somewhere comfortable. You can rest at my estate tonight."
Cynthia let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank Arceus, I barely slept on the plane."
Diantha's smile turned just a little teasing as she glanced between them.
"Ah, I see."
Cynthia flushed immediately, waving her hands.
"It's not what you're thinking!"
Diantha gave her a knowing look that said I didn't say anything.
Cynthia groaned, muttering under her breath,
"It's all your fault…" and gave Sam's arm a light squeeze.
Soon, a sleek black limousine arrived at the curb.
The three of them climbed in, and the ride through the city was smooth and quiet, the streets lined with cafés and boutiques that glimmered under the afternoon sun.
The car stopped in front of a grand manor surrounded by trimmed gardens and white marble fountains.
Servants moved quietly about, tending to the grounds as the gates opened.
"Welcome to my home," Diantha said warmly, stepping out first.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable. Think of it as your own."
"Thank you, Miss Diantha," Sam replied, bowing his head slightly.
The manor's halls were wide and decorated with portraits, flowers, and a few rare Pokémon sculptures.
Cynthia wandered ahead, curious, while Sam followed behind, quietly impressed.
Diantha had always carried herself like royalty, graceful, confident, perfectly poised.
In the Kalos Region, she wasn't just a Champion and an actress; she was also the Grand Duchess of one of the oldest noble families in the region.
As the group settled in, Diantha ordered tea to be brought to the lounge.
Cynthia stretched on the sofa, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Finally… some peace."
Diantha smiled faintly.
"You've earned it. Though I imagine peace never lasts long for people like us."
Sam nodded. "You're right about that."
But while laughter filled the halls of Diantha's manor, far across the city, in the shadows beneath Lumiose's glittering lights, another story was unfolding.
Deep inside a hidden underground base, one draped in red and black banners, Sird, a high-ranking officer of Team Rocket, stood before a holographic display.
Across from her, the tall, sharp-eyed Lysandre of Team Flare regarded the same map.
"The Kalos energy network is nearly complete," Sird said calmly.
"Once the core is stabilized, we can use it to locate the Infinity Energy source you've been chasing."
Lysandre's eyes glimmered with ambition.
"And with it, a new world can be born… one without imperfection."
Sird smiled thinly.
"Let's hope your 'new world' leaves room for us, too."
Outside, thunder rumbled over Lumiose City.
Neither the Champions nor Sam yet knew that the peace of Kalos, and perhaps the entire Pokémon world, was about to be shaken.