Want to read ahead. You know where
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The room fell silent after Cynthia's question.
Olympia finally spoke, her voice calm and distant, like an oracle delivering fate itself.
"I come from an ancient family," she said, folding her hands in front of her.
"In every generation, one among us is born with psychic power. It's a gift, or perhaps a curse, passed down by the gods themselves."
Her violet eyes glimmered faintly as the crystal ball on the table pulsed with light.
"This gift exists for one reason," she continued.
"To foresee the moment when the Cocoon of Destruction awakens… and to warn the world before the God of Destruction rises again, consuming all life."
The glow from the crystal dimmed, leaving the room in heavy silence.
"What you saw just now," Olympia said, "is the future that awaits us if nothing changes."
She paused, her gaze turning toward Cynthia.
"As for your second question, Miss Cynthia, about Xerneas…"
Her lips curved into a faint, helpless smile.
"That is beyond my sight. Even I cannot see everything."
Diantha, standing beside Cynthia, looked pale.
As someone born in Kalos, she had heard of the Olympia family, prophets known for their visions that often came true.
Staring into the crystal ball, her voice trembled.
"Then… Yveltal truly defeats Xerneas?"
Her shoulders sank.
"That's the disaster facing Kalos right now."
The weight of her words filled the air.
But Olympia, strangely, smiled.
"Grand Duchess Diantha," she said softly, "you need not despair. A solution already exists."
"...Huh?" Diantha blinked, confused.
"Wait, what do you mean?"
Olympia didn't answer.
Instead, she turned her gaze toward the young man sitting quietly on the sofa, Sam.
For a moment, her psychic aura flared faintly around her, and then faded as she rose, adjusting her cloak.
Without another word, Olympia turned and left.
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
"...What just happened?" Diantha muttered, wide-eyed.
Cynthia crossed her arms, frowning.
"I have no idea. She didn't even explain herself."
Sam, however, sat still, his expression thoughtful.
His eyes followed Olympia's departing figure.
Deep inside, he could still feel the faint psychic thread she had linked to his mind, and the message she'd left behind.
An address.
One that immediately caught his interest.
So that's what she meant… Sam thought.
He leaned back, letting out a quiet breath.
'Psychics really are something else. One moment they're talking about the end of the world, and the next, they claim everything's fine.'
Cynthia noticed his faraway look and nudged him lightly.
"You okay?"
Sam smirked.
"Yeah. Just thinking… people with psychic powers have their own way of doing things."
Cynthia sighed, crossing her legs on the couch.
"Tell me about it. I can never figure out what's going on in their heads."
Their casual chatter lightened the mood a bit.
Diantha, still uneasy, tried to shake off the lingering dread.
"Well," she said with a small smile, "if Olympia says there's a way, I suppose we should trust her. She's never been wrong before."
Her expression softened as she turned to Cynthia.
"Anyway, enough about prophecies and destruction. How's your training going for the Champion Ranking Tournament?"
Cynthia's eyes immediately sharpened, her usual confidence returning.
"It's going great," she said.
"This time, I'm aiming for the top four, at least."
"Oh?" Diantha raised a brow, half-impressed, half-teasing.
"Top four already? Someone's confident."
She and Cynthia were both newly crowned regional champions, still climbing the ranks among the world's elite trainers.
Compared to the veterans, like Leon from Galar, Red from Kanto, and Lance from Johto, they still had a long way to go.
If Cynthia was confident she could break into the top four… did that mean she believed she was already stronger than Diantha herself?
Cynthia caught her look and smiled faintly.
"Top four is just a start. I've been pushing myself harder lately. With a bit more luck… the top three isn't out of reach. Maybe even number one."
Diantha laughed softly.
"Listen to you, so bold. I thought you'd been too distracted lately to train seriously."
Her eyes flicked toward Sam, amusement glinting in them.
"Guess I was wrong. Seems someone's been inspiring you."
Cynthia's cheeks colored slightly. She gave Diantha a pointed look.
"Focus on your own training, Grand Duchess."
Diantha chuckled. "Touché."
The air relaxed again, the earlier tension fading into warm laughter.
But in Sam's mind, Olympia's voice still echoed faintly, like a whisper that refused to fade.
A location. A warning. And perhaps… an opportunity.
Whatever awaited him at that address, he knew it wouldn't be simple.
"Hey~"
Cynthia shot her friend a knowing look. Diantha was clearly teasing her again.
Her cheeks flushed faintly, but instead of shying away, Cynthia boldly slipped her arm through Sam's.
"Love and training don't get in each other's way," she said, smiling confidently.
Diantha groaned dramatically.
"Alright, alright! I get it, you're having your sweet couple moments. Just don't rub it in front of me, a single girl, okay?"
Cynthia laughed softly while Sam chuckled beside her.
Diantha crossed her arms and changed the topic.
"Anyway, the next Championship Ranking Tournament will be held in the Galar Region. Leon will have the home-field advantage."
Her tone grew more serious.
"His Charizard is ridiculously strong when it Gigantamaxes."
"Gigantamax?" Cynthia tilted her head, looking slightly unimpressed.
"So, Pokémon just grow huge and hit harder? That's it?"
Diantha nodded.
"Pretty much. When they Dynamax or Gigantamax, their power surges for a short time; it's a sight to see."
Cynthia leaned back with a confident smirk.
"Honestly, I find it boring. Just pumping up a Pokémon's size and energy doesn't make a battle exciting. It's flashy, sure, but it lacks depth."
Her eyes glimmered as she continued, "Compared to Mega Evolution, Gigantamax is nothing. Mega Evolution changes everything, type, ability, even how a Pokémon fights. That's where real strategy lies."
She gave Sam's arm a little squeeze and turned toward him.
"Right, Sam?"
Sam smiled gently, meeting her gaze. "You're absolutely right."
He shared her opinion completely.
Dynamaxing gave Pokémon a huge burst of strength, but it also made them slower and predictable.
It turned battles into raw clashes of energy instead of tactical duels.
Mega Evolution, on the other hand, demanded timing, coordination, and bond, the essence of a true partnership between Trainer and Pokémon.
Cynthia's smile widened at his agreement, her eyes softening.
Then, unable to resist showing off a little, she added,
"By the way, my Garchomp's already mastered its Mega Evolution form. It can handle it perfectly now~"
Diantha groaned again. "Show-off."
Diantha chuckled and leaned forward, her tone playful.
"Impressive. In that case, how about a battle? I'd love to see for myself how strong the world's number one Cynthia has become."
Cynthia's confident look faltered for a moment.
"No."
Diantha blinked, clearly surprised.
"No? Why not?"
Cynthia waved her hand dismissively.
"I'm tired. Didn't I tell you I didn't sleep well last night?"
Diantha paused, then nodded knowingly. A trainer's mental state was crucial before any serious match, she understood that well.
"Alright," she said, smiling softly.
"Tomorrow then. Once you've rested, we'll have our battle."
Cynthia, however, had another idea. A mischievous glint lit up her eyes.
"I might not be in my best condition right now," she said sweetly, "but my dear Sam can take my place."
"Huh?" Diantha's eyes brightened immediately.
"Can he? I've heard Professor Samuel is quite the trainer himself."
Sam blinked, caught off guard, but before he could answer, Cynthia clapped her hands once.
"Of course he can! No problem at all."
Diantha turned toward Sam, eyes shining.
"Really? You'll battle me?"
"I said no problem!" Cynthia declared firmly, before Sam could even open his mouth.
She then smiled at him with mock seriousness.
"At home, I'm the boss, remember?"
Her playful tone made Sam sigh with a small grin.
"You're right. You're the boss."
"Exactly!" Cynthia said proudly, giving his hair a gentle ruffle.
"Good answer."
Diantha laughed at their dynamic, the way Cynthia bossed him around so naturally, and how Sam didn't seem to mind one bit.
"Then it's settled," she said, standing up with a bright smile.
"Let's start now!"
Sam exhaled softly, rising to his feet.
His calm eyes met Diantha's determined gaze, sparks of anticipation flickering between them.
Cynthia stepped back with an approving smile, her Garchomp's Poké Ball glinting faintly at her waist.
She didn't need to say anything; her faith in Sam was clear in her eyes.
As they moved outside to the practice field, the air buzzed with energy.
The sun hung low over the horizon, painting the Kalos skyline in gold.
Another battle was about to begin, not just between two trainers, but between two worlds of style, confidence, and willpower.