Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 24: Tranquil Depths

We returned to Eterna City with the sound of Oracion still hiding somewhere in my chest.

Alamos Town already felt like a dream behind us, but the Ribbon case in my bag proved it had been real. My second Sinnoh Ribbon rested beside the first one, and Lillie's Forest Badge shone beside her Coal Badge whenever she checked her case.

The road back to Eterna felt shorter than the road that had led us toward Alamos. Maybe it was because none of us wanted to say too much about Darkrai, Dia, Palmer, and the pieces of themselves that had almost destroyed a town.

Dawn walked with Piplup in her arms, still talking about the Contest stage. Daniel kept glancing at Gothita, as if he was still getting used to another Psychic partner beside him. Tox stayed quiet, though Croagunk kept one eye on him.

The Pokémon Center lobby was busy when we arrived, and almost everyone was watching the television.

Lucian's Bronzong floated on the screen, its body shining as Flash Cannon fired straight toward Cynthia's Garchomp. The attack filled the screen with silver light, but Garchomp crossed one fin in front of the blast and stepped through it like the power had only been wind.

Dawn grabbed the back of a chair. "She blocked it like that without moving?"

Daniel leaned forward with wide eyes. "Uncle Lucian is strong, but Cynthia is Cynthia."

Cynthia gave one calm command on the screen, and Garchomp rushed forward with Giga Impact. Bronzong hit the battlefield with enough force to shake the camera, and the announcer shouted that Cynthia had defended her Champion title again.

The whole lobby broke into applause.

Buizel stared at the screen with the same awe he had shown Lucian before. I could almost feel him measuring the distance between strong and stronger, but this time he did not look crushed by it. He looked hungry to understand it.

A Trainer near the healing counter said Cynthia had been seen near the Almighty One statue. That was enough to make all of us move at once.

When we reached the statue, Cynthia was exactly where the rumor said she would be.

She stood in front of the ancient stone with an ice cream in one hand, studying the carving like it was both history and an old friend. Beside her stood Emily, Cynthia's daughter, holding an ice cream of her own.

Seeing Emily there made the whole place feel less distant. We had known her since childhood, back when Cynthia's visits meant Champion stories, old myths, and Emily following beside her with the same calm confidence.

Emily waved before Cynthia even turned. "I wondered when you six would find your way back to Eterna."

Dawn laughed while Piplup waved at Emily. "After Alamos, I am happy the road only got us lost once."

Cynthia turned with a warm smile. "It is good to see you all traveling together."

Lillie looked from Cynthia to Emily. "It has been too long. I did not know you were in Eterna too."

Emily held up her ice cream proudly. "Mom said she was only stopping for research. I knew that meant research, battle watching, and probably ice cream."

Emily's smile turned softer when she looked at each of us. "It still feels strange seeing all of you traveling like this. When we were little, everyone talked about what kind of Trainers you might become."

Gladion crossed his arms. "Some of us heard those predictions too many times."

Tox gave a small cough. "Some of them were medically unrealistic."