Unova Region. Vertress City.
A private jet touched down on the tarmac. As the engines powered down, the stairs descended.
A man and two stunning women walked down slowly.
"Professor Sam! Miss Cynthia! Miss Diantha! Welcome!"
Alder, the current Champion of Unova, stepped forward happily, his signature poncho fluttering in the wind.
"Mr. Alder, long time no see."
Sam smiled and extended his hand.
Cynthia and Diantha followed suit, greeting the older Champion with respect.
The trio had come to Unova primarily to watch Sabrina's challenge.
Originally, Sam hadn't wanted to come; he sensed trouble brewing, but he couldn't beat Cynthia in an argument.
She had insisted they come together. Diantha, eager to learn from Sam, simply tagged along.
(The Ash trio stayed behind in Sinnoh to prepare for the League, and Red was busy with his special training, so the Celestic Town group had temporarily split up.)
"Haven't seen you in ages!" Alder grasped Sam's hand tightly, shaking it with the vigor of a man half his age.
"You look well!"
"Mr. Alder seems to be in a good mood," Sam noted, retrieving his hand.
"Hehe! Indeed!"
Alder beamed, stroking his red hair.
"After waiting for so long, someone might finally be able to take my place! I can finally unload this burden!"
Sam smiled wryly. He knew the situation in Unova well. The Unova Elite Four was... unique.
Shauntal (Ghost) was an introvert who preferred writing novels to administration.
Marshal (Fighting) was Alder's apprentice. He was a great warrior, but he lacked the political skill to coordinate the Alliance.
Grimsley (Dark) was a gambler at heart. The Alliance dared not give the top seat to someone who treated life like a roulette wheel.
Caitlin (Psychic) was a proud, high-maintenance lady who spent half her time sleeping.
Although Sam knew that Iris, the dragon prodigy, would eventually grow up to be the Champion, right now she was still too young and training in the Dragon Village.
So, Sabrina's sudden emergence was a godsend for Alder.
If she won, he could retire early and wander the world.
"I have already prepared a suite for you," Alder said enthusiastically.
"Please, follow me."
"Trouble for you, Mr. Alder."
As Sam moved, the two women naturally fell into step beside him, one on the left, one on the right.
Alder glanced at Diantha curiously. He knew Cynthia and Sam were engaged.
But why did the Kalos Champion also seem to revolve around Sam?
Alder had lived a long time. He caught the look in Diantha's eyes and chuckled internally.
'Ah, youth.' (A/N: No harem)
Led by Alder, they soon arrived at the hotel.
It was a five-star establishment funded by the Alliance, specifically used to host visiting executives.
However, at the entrance of the hotel, a figure was waiting.
She stood quietly, her long, dark purple hair flowing in the breeze. Her presence was cold and distinct.
Sabrina.
From a distance, Sam and the others spotted her. Everyone's reaction was different.
Alder was delighted; he saw his successor. Sam was surprised.
Using his Aura, he could clearly perceive Sabrina's condition. Her psychic power was overflowing, yet perfectly controlled.
She had grown terrifyingly strong. Cynthia became instantly hostile.
Her hand unconsciously tightened around Sam's arm, pulling herself closer to his body, swearing sovereignty over her man.
Diantha was just curious. She had never met the Kanto Gym Leader; she had only heard the rumors.
"Come! Let me introduce you!"
Alder, oblivious to the tension, stepped forward enthusiastically.
"This is Gym Leader Sabrina! She is the challenger for the title." He turned to Sabrina.
"And this is Professor Sam, Miss Cynthia..."
"I know who they are."
Sabrina cut him off. Her voice was cool and devoid of emotion.
She ignored Alder. She ignored Cynthia. She ignored Diantha.
Her gaze locked onto Sam, and Sam alone.
"Sam," Sabrina said, staring directly into his eyes.
"I have grown a lot during this time."
She took a step forward.
"Next, I will become the Champion. Then, I will participate in the World Series. And I will vie for the World's Strongest title."
She didn't explain why. She didn't need to.
The implication hung heavy in the air, referencing the news report about the wedding.
'I will get the title. I will meet the condition.'
After delivering her declaration, Sabrina turned and walked away gracefully, her hair whipping behind her.
Alder stood there, scratching his head in embarrassment.
"Uh... I take it you guys know each other?"
"More than acquaintances!!"
Cynthia gritted her teeth, her fingers pinching the tender flesh of Sam's inner arm.
"I knew it!" Sam wailed internally.
Sabrina just poured gasoline on the fire! Why does she always have to provoke Cynthia?
Diantha sensed the atmosphere was dangerous. She quickly grabbed Cynthia's other arm.
"Mr. Alder, please lead the way to the rooms."
"Ah~ Haha~ Right this way!"
Alder, sensing he had stepped into a minefield, gave Sam a look that said: You lucky, unlucky bastard.
Inside the Hotel Lobby.
Cynthia walked behind Sam, her lips pursed in displeasure.
Diantha knew her "little sister" was in a bad mood, and it was obviously because of the woman they just met.
"Cynthia," Diantha whispered curiously.
"Why do I feel like you really dislike Sabrina? What is your relationship with her?"
Cynthia rolled her eyes at Diantha, who was completely oblivious to the romantic warfare.
"Sabrina and Us are in a hostile relationship!" Cynthia hissed.
"Us?" Diantha blinked, confused.
"Did you, Sam, and Sabrina have a conflict in the past?"
Cynthia laughed, though it sounded a bit angry.
"I mean US!"
She pointed at herself, then at Diantha.
"It means you and me! She is an enemy to both of us!"
Diantha was even more confused.
"Why is she an enemy to me?" Diantha asked innocently.
"I've never even met her."
Cynthia looked at the beautiful, elegant, and hopelessly dense actress.
"Your friends' enemy is your enemy."
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