Diantha arranged a private jet the moment Cynthia planned her trip.
Getting to Galar wasn't hard for someone of her status, but she still insisted on handling the arrangements personally.
Outside Diantha's manor, the captain and several staff members moved quickly around the aircraft, performing last checks as the engines hummed to life.
The cold morning air carried the smell of fuel and fresh grass, mixing strangely well with the quiet tension in the air.
"How long have you even been here? And now you're already leaving again…" Diantha sighed, holding Cynthia's hand with reluctant fingers.
Cynthia squeezed back gently, her smile soft.
She understood the feeling; leaving good friends behind never got easier.
"Once I tame Zapdos and the championship ranking matches are over, I'll come back and spend proper time with you. Promise."
The two women, similar in age and both champions of their regions, shared a bond that came from battles, victories, and impossible schedules.
They didn't need many words to understand each other.
"Fine…" Diantha muttered, lips pressing together.
She knew Cynthia too well; once this woman set her sights on something, especially a legendary Pokémon, nothing would stop her.
"But when you finally catch Zapdos, you'd better call me. I've never even seen one up close."
"I will, I will," Cynthia laughed lightly.
Then, glancing sideways, she tugged Diantha a few steps away from everyone.
Sam stood near the boarding ramp, checking something on his Rotom Phone.
Cynthia made sure he wasn't paying attention before leaning close to Diantha's ear.
"Want me to get you a boyfriend from Galar?"
Diantha shoved her back instantly, face flushing a sharp pink.
"Stop messing around!" she hissed.
"Don't say things like that out loud!"
Her raised voice quickly caught Sam's attention.
She quickly spun toward Cynthia and practically shoved her onto the plane.
"Go! If you delay any longer, Zapdos will fly off!"
Cynthia walked up the steps with a teasing grin that only made Diantha more flustered.
The engines roared, and the plane taxied forward.
As it lifted into the sky and became a shrinking speck, Diantha's smile slowly faded.
She stood there alone on the runway, the wind tugging at her coat.
Despite all her accomplishments, Grand Duke of Kalos, beloved celebrity, Kalos Champion, there were still moments like this where her chest felt strangely hollow.
She was strong, famous, and admired everywhere she went.
And yet… all those impressive titles came with limits.
Only other champions or equally elite trainers ever stood on her level.
And she believed that, with enough work, she could surpass most of them someday.
--------
High above the clouds, the cabin was quiet except for the soft hum of engines.
Cynthia settled into the seat beside Sam, her long hair brushing his shoulder as she leaned closer to study the map in his hands.
"You already planned our route?" she asked with raised brows.
"Just double-checking the weather patterns," Sam replied.
"The Crown Tundra can get rough without warning. I'd rather not land in a blizzard if we can avoid it."
Cynthia chuckled. "You and your over-preparedness. But it's sexy."
Sam folded the map and leaned back.
He didn't mind the teasing; Cynthia's tone always carried warmth beneath the sarcasm.
"How's your team feeling?" he asked.
"Rested. Garchomp keeps staring out the window like she wants to race the jet." Cynthia smiled.
"Once we land, they'll be more than ready."
Sam nodded.
"Good. Because Zapdos won't be easy by yourself."
Cynthia stretched slightly, letting her shoulder press into him.
"I have handled worse."
He couldn't argue with that. They had.
A moment passed in comfortable silence before Cynthia tilted her head toward him.
"You know," she said softly, "I'm glad you're coming with me. This trip would be boring alone."
Sam smirked. "You? Boring? I doubt that."
"Well, not boring boring. Just…"
She waved her hand vaguely. "Less fun."
He reached over and gently took her hand.
"I'm here. Don't worry."
Cynthia didn't blush easily, but her smile softened in a way she didn't show many people.
"…Thanks," she murmured.
----------
Want to read ahead.
You know where
patreon.com/ PikaTL (Remove the spaces)