Inside the Hotel Room.
As soon as the door closed, Cynthia spun around, her eyes narrowing.
She immediately began the interrogation.
"Speak!" she demanded, poking Sam in the chest.
"Why did Sabrina talk to you like that? 'I have grown,' 'I will be the Champion'... The reason she is fighting for this title is obviously because of you!"
Sam immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"Heaven is my witness! I am innocent! I don't know why she's acting like this either!"
Cynthia wasn't convinced so easily.
"Then why did she ignore everyone else? There were four of us standing there, but she only had eyes for you! Speak! Did something happen between you two again while I wasn't looking?"
"Your Honor! That's impossible!" Sam protested.
"You know my schedule! We have been together 24/7. When would I even have the time?"
Cynthia paused. She thought about it and realized he was right.
Since Sabrina's last defeat in Celestic Town, Sam had been with Cynthia constantly.
Even if he wanted to meet her, he had no opportunity.
"Hmph!" Cynthia crossed her arms, breaking eye contact but still pouting.
"Anyway, I don't care! I just don't like her! She's a snake!"
"If you ever dare to do anything with her," Cynthia warned, her eyes flashing with a possessive, slightly dangerous light, "I will defeat her again. And then I will defeat you."
"Don't worry," Sam said, hugging her from behind.
"There is only you."
"Good." Cynthia leaned back into him, relaxing slightly.
"You'd better remember that. I don't share."
She pulled away, still annoyed by Sabrina's presence.
"I'm going to sleep in Diantha's room tonight! We need to discuss strategy!"
With that, she stomped her foot like a little Stephanie, opened the door, and marched down the hall to find the Kalos Champion.
Sam was left standing in the middle of the room, looking dazed.
-----
The Next Morning.
As promised, the Champion Challenge began.
Vertress City was buzzing. A massive crowd of tourists and citizens from all over the Unova Region had gathered to witness history.
The Alliance stadium was overcrowded, the noise deafening. Everyone was looking forward to a battle that could crown a new Champion.
Alder arrived at the battlefield early. He was full of energy, his condition adjusted to its peak.
Although Alder had wanted to retire for a long time, he was a man of honor. He would not hand over the title on a silver platter.
He intended to fight with everything he had.
If Sabrina wanted the throne, she would have to take it by force.
At the same time, Sabrina arrived.
Unlike the spirited Alder, she wore her usual cold, expressionless mask. To her, this wasn't a glorious ceremony.
It was just another step. Another obstacle to remove on her path to Sam.
Sam, Cynthia, and Diantha took their seats in the VIP box.
The lights in the stadium dimmed instantly. Spotlights swept across the field, converging in the center.
A Host in a flashy suit raised his microphone.
"Dear viewers, hello everyone! I am your host for today's Championship Challenge!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
"Now, let's welcome the Challenger! From Saffron City in the Kanto Region... Sabrina!"
With the introduction, Sabrina walked out of the tunnel. She stood silently on her side of the field.
Her beauty was undeniable, cold, mysterious, and overflowing with Psychic power.
"And next, let's invite the current Champion of the Unova Region! The Defender... Mr. Alder!"
Alder jogged out, waving enthusiastically to the crowd, his smile bright and warm.
At the VIP Table.
Sam sat in the middle, with Cynthia and Diantha on either side.
"Sam," Diantha asked, leaning in.
"Who do you think will win?"
Cynthia also turned her attention to him, her eyes curious.
Sam analyzed the situation objectively.
"It's hard to say for sure. My impression of Sabrina is based on her last battle with Cynthia in Celestic Town."
"However," Sam continued, "Sabrina specializes in Psychic types. Yet, she managed to defeat Shauntal (Ghost) and Grimsley (Dark) during the Elite Four challenge. Both of them had Type advantages over her, and she crushed them. That implies her raw power has grown significantly."
Alder's main partner is Volcarona (Bug/Fire). Bug is effective against Psychic, but his other Pokémon are varied. There is no absolute restraint."
The two women nodded at his analysis. Even Cynthia had to admit that Sabrina's sweep of the Elite Four was impressive.
You don't beat a Dark-type specialist with Psychic types unless you are vastly stronger.
The Battle Begins.
"Round One! Go!"
Sabrina released her first Pokémon.
Flash!
A sleek, purple cat-like Pokémon with a red gem on its forehead appeared.
Espeon.
Through his sight, the data appeared in Sam's mind immediately.
[Pokémon: Espeon]
[Gender: Female]
[Type: Psychic]
[Ability: Magic Bounce (Reflects status moves back to the user)]
[Level: 69 (Champion Peak)]
[Potential: Champion Peak]
[Skills: Psychic, Future Sight, Dazzling Gleam, Morning Sun, Power Swap, Psychic Terrain...]
[Condition: Excellent]
"Champion Peak?"
Sam was slightly surprised.
The last time Sabrina visited Celestic Town to challenge Cynthia (and subsequently got crushed), this Espeon was only at the entry-level of the Champion rank.
Now, it had reached the peak.
It seems that after stabilizing her Psychic powers, both she and her Pokémon have improved drastically, Sam thought.
She really might win this.
Beside him, Cynthia saw the Espeon and felt the pressure increase.
She remembered that specific Espeon. She had beaten it into the ground with Garchomp.
But seeing its growth rate... Cynthia narrowed her eyes.
She leaned over to Diantha, whispering in a low voice.
"Diantha. Watch closely. That woman is dangerous."
Diantha blinked.
"Is she that strong?"
"It's not just strength," Cynthia hissed.
"She's persistent. She wants to take my place. I absolutely cannot lose to her in the Ranking Match."
----------
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