Want to read ahead. You know where
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North of the Whirlpool Islands.
A secluded island, standing quietly apart from the rest.
As the waves lapped gently at the rocky shore, a voice broke the calm.
"Cynthia. Long time no see."
The red-haired woman standing ahead turned, a playful glint in her eyes.
Lorelei, Ice-type Elite Four member of the Indigo Plateau, gave Cynthia a quick once-over and smirked.
"Haven't seen you in a while, and look at you, so rosy. Someone's been glowing lately."
Her tone carried a teasing lilt as her gaze drifted, not subtly, toward the man beside Cynthia.
Cynthia's cheeks warmed immediately, though she tried to play it off.
She released Sam's arm with a slightly bashful laugh and stepped forward to wrap Lorelei in a friendly hug.
"You're one to talk. You've gotten even more beautiful, Lorelei."
Lorelei raised a brow, grinning.
"Oh? And you've grown more charming by the day. Someone's been showered with love."
The teasing in her voice was unmistakable.
Their banter was light, familiar.
It was obvious that these two shared a close friendship, the kind formed through battles, travel, and shared secrets.
"Oh, stop~" Cynthia laughed, flustered but happy.
Lorelei chuckled, waving a hand.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing… for now."
Then she looked toward Sam with curiosity.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your companion?"
Cynthia straightened a bit, pride softening her voice.
"This is Sam, my fiancé."
She gestured toward her companion, then turned back.
"And this is Lorelei, one of Kanto's Elite Four and a dear friend."
Sam offered a polite nod and extended his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Lorelei."
"Same to you, Sam."
She shook his hand with a smile, then arched a brow at how quickly he pulled back, a gentlemanly gesture, yes, but cautious.
Lorelei turned back toward the coast and pointed into the distance.
"Alright, Lapras Island is just up ahead. Follow me."
The island ahead, nicknamed Lapras Island, had been partially funded and protected under the Sinnoh Alliance's conservation efforts.
Sam and Cynthia walked behind her, the salty breeze in their hair as they approached the sanctuary.
They hadn't been on the island long.
From the surrounding sea, Lapras began to surface.
One by one, then dozens more.
They came from all directions, elegant, gentle creatures with soft eyes and musical voices.
And all of them were converging… on Sam.
"Woooo~"
"Woooo~"
Soft, melodic cries echoed from the waves.
The Lapras were gathering around him, calm, reverent.
It wasn't fear or curiosity. It was recognition.
Gratitude.
Their cries grew in harmony, resonating like a song across the water.
Then, from the middle of the pod, a large, dignified Lapras raised its head and let out a powerful call.
As if on cue, the entire group lifted their necks and released dozens of synchronized water jets high into the air.
Streams of crystal-clear water arced into the sky like fountains, catching the sunlight and shimmering like glass.
A sacred display.
The Lapras's highest form of greeting.
A gesture of honor for the one who had once saved them.
Sam watched in awe, his chest tightening slightly at the memory.
Then he felt it.
A nudge.
A small Lapras, petite compared to the others, was pressing against his side.
She rubbed her slender neck gently against his arm, letting out a soft, affectionate cry.
"Woo…"
Sam looked down, a smile tugging at his lips.
Through the familiar warmth of her aura and that unmistakable affection, he knew.
"It's you…" He murmured, reaching out to stroke her neck.
"The little one from the beach…"
The last time he'd seen her, she was helpless, washed ashore, injured, and afraid.
Now, she was healthy, strong… and radiant.
"I can't believe it's only been a month. You've grown so much…"
She let out a soft trill in response, clearly overjoyed to see him again.
Lorelei approached from behind, arms crossed but smiling.
"For over a month, I've done my best to take care of them," she said.
"But I've never seen them act like this. Not even once."
She gave a theatrical sigh.
"And I'm just a humble breeder, too. So much for my pride."
Cynthia laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"You've worked hard. I'll treat you to something nice, popsicles... no, wait, ice cream."
She changed course mid-sentence, realizing something cold and sweet would be the better reward.
Lorelei's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Then I'm ordering the most expensive one!"
Cynthia waved her off like royalty.
"Get whatever you want."
The three shared a laugh as Lorelei turned toward a path winding into the heart of the island.
"Come on, I'll give our noble guests the full tour of Lapras Island."
She began walking but added, with exaggerated formality.
"You are something, Lorelei," Cynthia said, grinning.
She lunged suddenly and poked Lorelei in the side, catching her off guard.
"Ah! Stop it, Cynthia, no fair!" Lorelei cried, laughing as she twisted away.
"I told you not to tease me~"
Their playful exchange soon dissolved into a friendly scuffle, fingertips jabbing, laughter echoing, strands of blond and red hair catching in the wind.
Two elites.
Two sisters in arms.
A scene that even the Lapras seemed to enjoy, their cries rising in amusement as they watched the humans dance in joy.
Sam stood nearby, smiling quietly.
In a world of legends and battles, it was these small, silly, human moments that made everything worth it.
For the next few days, Sam and Cynthia stayed on Lapras Island.
The sea breeze was soft, the mornings quiet, and the evenings filled with the gentle calls of Lapras singing under the moonlight.
Peaceful moments passed like waves, slow and steady.
But as with all moments, peace never stayed forever.
One morning, Sam stepped out of their cabin to find Cynthia closing her travel bag, brushing a few strands of golden hair from her cheek as she zipped it shut.
She turned to him with a wistful smile.
"Sam... I'm heading back."
Her voice was gentle, but the reluctance in her eyes was obvious.
After nearly two months of traveling and resting together, the Champion's duties had come calling again.
The paperwork, the battles, the press, all waiting for her return.
Sam, meanwhile, had no pressing responsibilities.
At least, none he couldn't delay.
"I'll stay here a little longer," he said.
"Thought I'd explore the Whirlpool Islands while I'm at it."
Cynthia gave him a soft, almost exaggerated pout, crossing her arms as if trying to look stern.
"When I'm gone, you're only allowed to think of me exactly 86,400 times a day."
She held up a finger, warningly.
"Not a thought more than I'll be thinking of you."
Sam laughed under his breath.
"Got it," he said, smiling.
"Not one more."
Cynthia, pleased with the answer, leaned in close, her voice dipping into that playful, teasing tone of hers.
"You'd better mean it."
Before she could say anything else, Sam gently pulled her into his arms.
His hand brushed her golden bangs aside, and he placed a light, tender kiss on her forehead, lingering.
Her breath hitched slightly.
Behind them, someone made a gagging noise.
"You two are too much," Lorelei called out, arms crossed, eyes practically rolling out of her head.
"I am still here, you know."
Cynthia didn't even flinch.
She grinned mischievously and tightened her arms around Sam's neck.
"Let's ignore her," she whispered, eyes sparkling.
"Baby~ One more kiss, okay?"
Sam raised a brow, amused.
"Just one?"
Cynthia didn't answer.
She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, stealing a kiss without giving him a chance to resist.
Soft. Sweet.
The sour scent of love filled the air, enough to make Lorelei dramatically groan.
"Ugh, can you please save the drama for the romance channels?" Lorelei complained.
"Cynthia, go! You'll miss your plane at this rate."
Cynthia finally pulled away, sighing.
"Fine, fine... I'm going."
Her voice had a reluctant lilt. As much as she liked to tease, the truth was she didn't want to leave either.
Still, duty came first.
After one last tight hug, Cynthia turned toward the docks with Lorelei beside her.
The two, one from Sinnoh, one from Kanto, vanished into the distance with the rising sun at their backs.
Sam stood there, watching them go until their silhouettes disappeared.
He exhaled slowly.
Back to quiet.
Now alone, Sam wandered deeper into Lapras Island, letting the rhythm of the waves guide his pace.
There was something calming about the place, something gentle and honest.
Maybe it was the Lapras, perhaps just the quiet.
But he wasn't truly alone.
In a quiet corner of the island, hidden between a line of rocky outcrops and a shallow lagoon, a pair of round eyes peered out from behind a patch of seagrass.
A silver-white bird Pokémon, elegant and otherworldly, watched him with quiet curiosity.
It had been observing him for days now, from a distance, never daring to get too close while Cynthia and Lorelei were around.
But now...
Now it inched forward, cautious but intrigued.
Its feathers shimmered like the sea under moonlight.
Its wings were tucked close, almost blending into the breeze itself.
Those round eyes blinked slowly.
It was time.
It would finally reveal itself.
And Sam, already keenly aware of the aura in the air, turned slightly, sensing its presence before even seeing it.
A soft smile touched his lips.
"…I've been waiting for you," he murmured.
Because in this world, nothing appeared by accident.
Especially not Lugia.