Read up to 15 chapters ahead on Patreon - patreon.com/PikaTL
-----
After seeing Cynthia off, Sam made his way to the Celestic Laboratory under the warm mid-morning sun.
The familiar building was peaceful as always, filled with old texts, scrolls, and tools of research. But as soon as he stepped inside, a familiar voice called out.
"Sam!" Professor Carolina waved at him from across the room, her face lit with excitement.
Sam walked over, returning her smile.
"Where's that little girl?" Carolina asked playfully, clearly referring to Cynthia.
"She said she'd be staying at Lily of the Valley for a while," Sam replied.
"To take care of League work... and do some special training."
Carolina chuckled, shaking her head fondly.
"Let her go, then. The Champion's duties never end."
Then, without missing a beat, she grabbed Sam's arm and pulled him toward her private office.
"Come with me—I have something exciting to show you!"
Sam let himself be dragged in, already sensing the enthusiasm radiating off her.
Inside the office, Professor Carolina pulled out a set of ancient documents—weathered scrolls and stone rubbings marked with primitive script.
Her eyes gleamed behind her glasses.
"With your help, we finally deciphered the ancient Hoenn documents sent by Steven Stone!" she said, voice rising with excitement.
"And what we found is... incredible."
She lowered her voice and leaned closer, eyes twinkling.
"These records speak of a powerful being, a god that sleeps beneath the hottest volcano in Hoenn..."
Sam already knew where this was going—but for her sake, he played along, nodding with a curious expression.
Professor Carolina's voice dropped even further, filled with theatrical mystery.
"The god that controls the very earth itself. Do you know its name?"
Sam raised an eyebrow, deliberately feigning confusion.
The Professor gave a dramatic pause.
"It's called... Groudon!"
Sam blinked and nodded with mock surprise, though inwardly he added with a smirk:
'And it's also known as... the Earth God That Can't Fly.'
"It's said that when Groudon awakens," she continued, "the sun grows hotter... the land begins to burn… and the earth itself expands with every step it takes."
She tapped one of the old stone rubbings on the desk.
"These ancient records are likely the missing pieces that connect the legends of Hoenn's primal energy. With more study, we might uncover truths never recorded in modern history."
Her eyes softened as she looked at Sam.
"And all of this was possible because of you."
Her praise wasn't flattery—it was genuine.
Professionally, Sam was already her most talented student.
More than that, she'd raised him like a grandson.
In both study and life, Professor Carolina had always admired his curiosity and confidence.
Sam smiled quietly.
Then, after a moment of thought, he said, "By the way, Grandma… if there's nothing urgent for now, I'd like to head out on a journey."
Professor Carolina blinked in surprise, then nodded thoughtfully.
"Oh? Deciphering ancient text wasn't enough adventure for you?" she teased.
Sam chuckled. "I've mastered the ancient language now."
"I think it's time I traveled the world."
Professor Carolina leaned back in her chair and gave a satisfied sigh.
"Makes sense," she said.
"The rest of the research is routine now—we've broken the code."
She stood, resting her hand gently on his shoulder.
"Everyone should see the world at least once," she said warmly.
"There are Pokémon out there that don't exist in textbooks. Experiences that can't be found in scrolls."
Sam nodded, deeply grateful.
"I'll bring back anything I find. Clues, artifacts, ancient stones—whatever might help you."
"Just bring yourself back safely," she replied, smiling.
They shared a quiet moment, the room filled with the warm scent of old parchment and sunlight.
A new chapter was beginning.
After finishing his chat with Professor Carolina, Sam stepped out of the Celestic Laboratory and took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air.
The quiet streets of Celestic Town welcomed him like always, the breeze carrying the faint scent of herbs and moss-covered stone.
It was time.
Time to return home, pack his gear, and set out into the world.
He had barely walked a few steps before a sudden beep echoed inside his mind.
A calm mechanical voice followed.
[God-Level Trainer System Loaded.]
Sam's eyes lit up.
[The Novice Gift Pack has been distributed. Would the host like to open it?]
He didn't hesitate. "Open it!"
The system responded instantly.
[Congratulations, host. You have obtained: "Eye of Detection."]
[Remark 1: Allows detailed insight into any Pokémon's full Attributes, typing, strength, and evolution potential.]
[Remark 2: Also allows limited insight into a human's emotional state—specifically their thoughts and feelings toward the host.]
[Congratulations, host. You have obtained: Rare Candy ×20.]
[Note: Each Rare Candy increases a Pokémon's level by 1. Usable up to Champion level.]
[Congratulations, host. You have obtained: Steel Gem ×1.]
[Note: A unique crystal that amplifies the potential and growth rate of Steel-type Pokémon when used correctly.]
Sam blinked as a new tab opened in his mind—the system interface hovering like a virtual screen only he could see.
Within it, the items neatly appeared in a system warehouse: glowing Rare Candies stacked neatly, a translucent silver gem pulsing with light, and the newly activated "Eye of Detection" icon blinking.
He grinned.
"The system is... seriously generous," he muttered to himself, eyes full of anticipation.
This was it—the beginning of a real journey.
But far away from Sinnoh, in the high stratosphere above the Hoenn Region, something stirred.
Above the clouds, beyond the troposphere, within the ozone layer itself—where no normal being could ever hope to reach—an ancient guardian slowly awakened.
A colossal serpentine figure, over a hundred meters long, bathed in streaks of glowing green light.
Its emerald scales shimmered with celestial brilliance.
Twin horns framed its narrow dragon face.
As its golden eyes opened, a ripple of power surged through the atmosphere like a silent storm.
Rayquaza.
The Sky Pillar Guardian.
The Soaring Lord of the Skies.
The Legendary Dragon of Hoenn who ruled the winds and pacified the clash of land and sea.
The air itself trembled as the ancient god of the heavens stirred from slumber.
It blinked once—then twice—and peered through the layers of space and weather.
Across vast distance.
Across mountain and ocean.
Across the heavens themselves.
And it saw him.
Sam—still walking through Celestic Town below in the distant Sinnoh Region—completely unaware of the attention he had drawn.
Rayquaza's eyes narrowed, and an ancient thought echoed across the skies.
"So you've awakened..."
"My Inheritor."
The wind howled in response, streaking across continents.
Something was beginning.
And nothing would remain unchanged.