Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 13

"The greatest moment in a student's life is when they can one day face their mentors and their teachers and be proud that they have something to show for all the years of learning. And for a teacher, their greatest moment is when they can be proud at what they have groomed their students to do and become.

Even though I am not there in person, I see myself as your mentor through the knowledge I have left you in these memoirs that I have kept through all of these years—and I can only hope you feel the same way in return.

I know that because of this, one day, when you and I finally come face to face in battle, it will be just as described above, a meeting between student and teacher, where both of us can be proud of you, and what you have accomplished."

* * *

Sam and the others shuffled into the Pokémon Centre with a feeling of great relief. The wilderness was fun, but a warm, soft bed was nice too. They gently piled their stuff in a small corner along the far-left wall until they could check in and get a room.

"Let's call home," Jeremy suggested.

It had been almost too long since they last spoke to their families. No doubt their families would be worried about them and wanting to see how their travels were going.

Sam started punching in numbers. "I'm going to call my grandmother first. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," said Jeremy. "Our families live next door to each other, if anything, you grandmother can invite my parents over."

"Hey, why don't you ever call your parents, Lyss?" asked Sam. "Don't they ever want to hear from you?"

Alyssandra shrugged. "They were on vacation last time. And now they've been invited to Valentina's villa at the Lake Valor Resort."

"You sound impressed," said Niya sarcastically.

Sam hushed the conversation as the phone stopped ringing. But the group was surprised to see, not a kind, old woman smiling on the other end, but Professor Rowan brushing cake crumbs from his beard and moustache.

"Oh, hello children! And it looks like you have a new friend travelling with you."

"Hello, professor, I'm Niya Konstantinova. I'm an old friend of Sam, Jeremy, and Lyss's, we grew up together in Twinleaf."

The professor pondered the name for a moment before it came to him. "Oh yes, you won the Sinnoh Grand Festival a few years back, and you won the Hoenn Grand Festival and Wallace Cup recently too."

"I've heard a lot about you too, Professor. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Professor, could I ask where my grandmother is?" Sam interjected.

"Oh, she's just out in the garden with Jeremy's mother. She's been coming over every day to help her out with the daily chores, and I've been visiting once a week, just like I promised."

Sam felt his chest grow warm with emotion. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Anything for Aurelio's family. I owed him anyway—several unpaid debts. Lost bests and the like. I should've known better after all those years."

Sam laughed. His grandfather would never miss a chance for a good wager—especially with a friend as old as Rowan.

"Actually, it's just perfect that I've run into you all," explained the Professor. "When you all received your Pokémon, I meant to give you a Pokédex, but I had no more at the time. However, I just received a new shipment of the latest model from Professor Oak in Kanto, and I'd like to send them over to you all, if that's all right."