Sitting on the plane bound for Sinnoh, Cynthia looked out the window at Cinnabar Island, a soft smile on her face.
Lowering her head, she gently stroked Shellos in her arms.
"Sam… he's a very interesting person, don't you think, Shellos?"
Shellos clearly agreed. At the mention of Sam's name, its eyes curved into happy crescents.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
It wiggled excitedly in her arms.
The plane lifted into the sky.
Until next time, Sam.
---
With the Volcano Badge secured, all eight Badges required for the Indigo Plateau Conference were finally in Sam's possession.
That meant only one thing—
He had officially qualified.
There was no longer any reason to stay on Cinnabar Island. It had been too long since he'd gone home.
It was time.
---
In a detached villa on the outskirts of Viridian City, Sam unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The familiar scent of home greeted him.
Nothing had changed.
He released his Pokémon one by one.
"Come out, Bangila, Gengar, Dratini, Lapras, Clefable, Charizard."
Aside from Bangila, it was the first time the others had seen this place. They looked around curiously.
"Don't be shy," Sam said with a smile. "This is your home too."
Hearing that, the Pokémon relaxed and began exploring freely.
Sam lay back on his own bed later that night, letting out a long breath.
No matter how comfortable a hotel was—
It never felt like home.
---
It had been seven months since he arrived in this world.
Seven months to go from confusion to complete immersion.
At first, he had only Bangila.
Now, his house could barely contain all his partners.
His current team consisted of:
Bangila (mid-level Champion)
Gengar (high-level Elite)
Scyther (mid-level Elite)
Venusaur (high-level Gym)
Charizard (mid-level Gym)
Clefable (mid-level Gym)
Aerodactyl (mid-level Gym)
Gyarados (Elite beginner)
Lapras (mid-level Elite)
Dratini (high-level Normal)
The Indigo Plateau Conference was approaching.
Based on past tournaments, most contestants used Elite-level Pokémon, with a few reaching Gym level.
For fairness—and strategy—Sam decided his primary lineup would be:
Dratini, Lapras, Aerodactyl, Clefable, Charizard, and Venusaur.
The Elite and Champion-level Pokémon would remain in reserve unless absolutely necessary.
Using them outright would be overkill.
It wouldn't be "crushing the competition."
It would be like using a cannon to eliminate ants.
---
With the plan set, Sam retrieved the Pokémon he had left at Professor Oak's lab and headed toward Viridian Forest for intensive special training.
This was his second time entering the great forest.
The first time, he had felt overwhelmed.
Now—
He walked in calmly, like returning to an old friend.
By the familiar stream sat the same middle-aged man, half-squinting as he fished peacefully.
Nearby, Yellow was playing in the shallow water with a young Omanyte.
Pokémon: Omanyte
Type: Water / Rock
Strength: High-level Normal
Potential: Champion
Sam blinked in surprise.
Champion potential?
He was tempted for a moment.
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
He already had more than enough high-potential Pokémon. What he truly needed now was training—not collecting.
And besides—
He would never take a Pokémon from Yellow.
"Brother Sam!!!"
Yellow spotted him immediately.
She scooped up Omanyte and splashed toward the shore.
"Slow down!" the fishing uncle called helplessly. "You're scaring the fish again!"
Yellow stuck out her tongue playfully—but ran even faster.
Her laughter rang out like silver bells.
Even Sam and the uncle couldn't help smiling.
Her trousers were soaked, but she didn't care.
"Brother Sam, did you bring Midori back?"
Midori.
Scyther.
Sam chuckled. Of course he remembered. Bringing Scyther back to visit Yellow had been one of his reasons for coming.
"Come out, Scyther."
The towering green figure appeared.
Larger than most of its kind, blades gleaming, body radiating strength.
Yellow stared at it.
Though its aura had changed completely—
She recognized it instantly.
To her, it would always be the Midori who trained day and night in Viridian Forest.
"That's wonderful… Midori," she whispered softly.
After all the words she wanted to say, only four remained.
"Long time no see."
"Cha."
Long time no see.
No dramatic shouting.
No exaggerated reunion.
Just calm words filled with genuine warmth.
Yet Sam could see it clearly—
Both girl and Pokémon were overflowing with happiness.
And watching them—
He smiled.
This feeling…
It was good.
---------------Author---------------
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