Sam didn't expect to run into Ash, Brock, and Misty here. It really felt like he and that trio were destined to keep crossing paths.
Honestly, meeting them wasn't a bad thing.
Everyone knew Ash had a strange knack for encountering Legendary Pokémon. Instead of searching blindly, sticking with him might actually lead Suicune right to them.
Inside a private room at a restaurant in town, Ash was already on his third bowl of rice, eating like a storm.
The dishes on the table were disappearing at an alarming rate.
Watching him devour everything, Misty could only shake her head helplessly.
"Slow down, Ash," Sam said. "No one's fighting you for the food."
Brock had already finished eating. He set down his chopsticks and turned to Sam.
"Sam, are you here in New Bark Town because of Suicune too?"
"Yeah," Sam nodded. "I heard a group of poachers is targeting Suicune. I came to see if I can track them down."
His tone turned cold at the mention of poachers.
He had absolutely no tolerance for people like that.
"I see," Brock said, understanding immediately.
That made more sense. A Legendary Pokémon alone wouldn't normally be enough to bring someone like Sam all the way here. The poachers were the real reason.
"I'm full! I'm full!" Ash finally declared, leaning back in satisfaction after finishing three bowls.
Then he suddenly looked serious.
"Sam, since you treated us to this meal, let us help you track the poachers."
"We're not the same as before—we can help now."
His words carried a quiet determination.
Back then, when they faced poachers, all they could do was run.
That frustration had stayed with him.
Misty and Brock exchanged a glance but didn't argue.
They felt the same way.
They weren't kids who could only run anymore.
This time—they wanted to help.
Seeing the resolve in all three of them, Sam didn't refuse.
"…Alright," he said.
"But we'll start tomorrow. Tonight, get some proper rest first."
That Night
Standing on the balcony, Sam looked up at the full moon.
He had a feeling—
They would find the poachers very soon.
At his feet, Absol lay quietly.
Lately, Absol hadn't been in good condition. It had been waking up from nightmares every night.
Sam didn't ignore that.
Absol wasn't the kind of Pokémon to panic for no reason.
If it was sensing something—
Then danger was definitely approaching.
And yet—
Sam wasn't afraid.
If anything, he was excited.
After facing Rayquaza and Zapdos, he was curious what kind of opponent could still threaten him.
His heart raced—
Not from fear—
But anticipation.
A Trainer's life wasn't meant to be calm.
It was meant to be full of challenges.
The Next Morning
After a quick breakfast, Sam set out with Ash, Misty, and Brock to search for the poachers.
In the wilderness outside New Bark Town, Sam released a Pokémon.
An Arcanine.
It had been sent to him by Lance and had previously tracked poachers. It could recognize their scent.
"Amazing—it's Arcanine!" Ash said excitedly, immediately pulling out his Pokédex.
The device responded in its usual mechanical voice:
"Arcanine—the Legendary Pokémon. Its beautiful mane has captivated many. Known for its swift and majestic running, it inspires admiration wherever it goes."
While Sam and the others searched the wild—
Someone else had just arrived in New Bark Town.
It was Goh.
This was his first real journey, and his first time seeing a place as lively as this.
The moment he stepped into town, he froze.
The sheer number of people stunned him.
He had never seen a place this crowded before—not even in the hometown of Champion Leon.
Voices filled the streets:
"Suicune info! Suicune sightings! Only 500!"
"You've all seen the video, right? It's incredible! If I could catch Suicune, I'd give up ten years of my life!"
"Hey, did you hear? Sam from the Viridian Gym arrived yesterday. He's definitely here for Suicune too!"
Hearing that name—
Goh's eyes lit up slightly.