Want to read ahead. You know where
-----
Happy times always seem to pass too quickly.
With Groudon finally retreating to Mt. Chimney, the strange events in Hoenn had come to an end.
The crisis across the Hoenn Region could now be considered completely resolved.
After spending a few relaxing days in Slateport City, Sam and Cynthia returned to their home in Sinnoh.
In their room, Cynthia stood in front of the mirror, wearing a sleek black dress.
She turned slightly, adjusting the hem and glancing over her shoulder.
"Sam," she called out, half-distracted by her reflection, "what do you think about this dress?"
"Does it suit me?"
She had been invited to serve as a guest at the annual Hearthome Festival held in Hearthome City, one of the region's most celebrated events.
As the Sinnoh Champion, her appearance at such festivals always drew attention.
Sam, lounging on the couch nearby, was just about to reply with something teasing,
But suddenly, a strange voice echoed in his mind.
"… can you hear me?"
It was faint, whispery, like wind rustling through leaves.
It didn't sound like a system prompt, nor was it an aura link from a Pokémon's thoughts.
It felt… different. Ancient.
In the blink of an eye, the voice vanished, leaving no trace.
No lingering aura. No sound. Just silence.
Cynthia noticed the shift immediately.
She turned from the mirror and walked over, placing the back of her hand gently against his forehead.
"Sam?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.
"You don't look right. Are you feeling okay?"
Sam blinked, snapping out of the moment.
When he met Cynthia's worried eyes, his first instinct was to reassure her.
He smiled softly and pulled her into his arms.
"What's wrong?" she asked again, her voice quieter this time.
Sam leaned in with a playful smirk.
"Nothing at all. I was just pretending to get your attention."
"Caught you," he added mischievously, before reaching out to tickle her sides.
Cynthia yelped, laughing as she squirmed.
"H-Hey! That's not fair!"
"You tricked me again, Sam!"
"Well then, take this!"
She retaliated without hesitation, launching her tickle attack in return.
The room filled with laughter and playful wrestling until they finally collapsed side by side, out of breath and smiling.
But even as he laughed, Sam couldn't entirely shake the memory of that voice.
Someone, or something, was calling him.
Not a person.
A Pokémon.
------------------
Hearthome City, Sinnoh Region
The streets were alive with color and cheer.
Banners fluttered overhead, lanterns swung from shop fronts, and the air buzzed with excitement.
Festival was in full swing.
Locals and tourists flooded the streets, browsing vendor stalls filled with sweets, rare Poké Dolls, and handmade accessories.
Children ran past holding balloon Pokémon, while trainers in formalwear prepared their partners for the spotlight.
Walking alongside Sam, Cynthia gestured toward a tall display screen showcasing highlights from previous festivals.
"The Hearthome Festival has two main events," she explained.
"First is the Hearthome Collection. It's a special format, duo performances."
"Two Pokémon working together to show off beauty, grace, and synergy."
"In the final round, it becomes a double battle contest, performance and battle fused."
Sam nodded, his attention drawn briefly to a vendor selling Lum Berry-flavored shaved ice.
"And after that?"
"There's the Tag Battle Competition," she continued.
"Teammates are randomly selected by draw. It's more about showing how well strangers can coordinate under pressure."
She smirked a little.
"That part usually gets chaotic."
"And we're just here for the Collection portion, right?" Sam asked, turning to her.
"As guests of honor, yeah," Cynthia replied.
"We've been asked to open the event with a performance."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"You mean I have to go on stage and perform?"
Cynthia gave him a sideways glance.
"You're Sinnoh's most famous history professor and my fiancé. Of course you do."
He sighed dramatically, but there was amusement in his eyes.
"Alright then," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Guess I'd better make sure I don't embarrass the Champion."
Cynthia smirked.
"Don't worry. I'll carry the performance if you mess up."
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."
As they strolled through the festive streets, Sam scanned the faces in the crowd.
Everything looked normal, joyful even.
But in the back of his mind, the memory of that voice lingered.
Something waiting.
"Contest performance?" Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Nope," Cynthia replied honestly, smoothing out a wrinkle in her dress.
"We're not competing."
She tapped his forehead with a playful finger.
"You're not even in the rankings, so just toss out two moves and wing it."
Sam gave her a sidelong look.
"You mean... just mess around?"
Cynthia smiled sweetly and leaned in, taking his arm.
"Honey~ the whole point is to look good together. That's the mission, okay?"
Sam looked skeptical.
"I was going to follow your lead, you know. But now it sounds like you didn't even plan anything."
"Of course I didn't." She grinned.
"It's a performance, not a battle. Besides, I'm not Wallace."
Sam let out a sigh.
"Still, if we flop up there, people will talk."
Cynthia pouted, blinking her wide golden eyes.
"But if you say no, I'll be sad."
She was already turning on the charm full blast.
And despite himself, Sam cracked a smile.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Alright, alright. I'll do it."
"But I'm warning you now, I'm probably going to mess it up."
"No way," Cynthia said with a bright laugh.
"My babe is the best! You'll be amazing."
Her mood now restored, she spotted a vendor selling cute accessories and skipped over.
She picked up a small, yellow earring shaped like a Lopunny's curled ears, holding it up to her head.
Turning back toward him, she tilted her head coyly.
"Well?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"What do you think? Cute, right?"
Cynthia usually gave off a graceful, mature vibe, but with the earring on, there was a softness to her look, something playful.
Sam didn't answer right away.
That would be too easy.
Instead, he slowly walked around her, looking her over like an art appraiser.
Finally, he nodded with mock seriousness.
"It looks great."
"The yellow goes with your hair. Makes your skin look even paler and brighter. And yeah…"
He grinned.
"You're even cuter than usual."
Cynthia's face lit up with a pleased smile.
Flashing him a mischievous glance, she leaned in close and whispered,
"What if I buy the matching Lopunny outfit?"
She brushed a finger along his collar.
"Role-play? After you finish your performance?"
Sam's mind short-circuited for a moment.
"Buy it," he blurted.
"Buy it now."
"No, wait, I'll buy it!"
He whipped out his wallet and passed a few bills to the vendor without another word.
"I'll take the earring!"
Contest performance?
He'd give the audience the best show of their lives if it meant Cynthia was promising that as a reward.
Cynthia watched him in amused silence, then giggled behind her hand.
Her Champion image wasn't much help when Sam got flustered like this.
While he was still paying, a familiar voice piped up nearby.
"Sam?"
He turned and saw a young girl in a white beanie running up with a smile,
Dawn, holding her ever-energetic Piplup in her arms.
"Hi, Sam~ What a coincidence!"
Piplup raised its flippers cheerfully.
"Pip-pip!"
"Hey!" Ash called out, waving from behind her.
Pikachu was perched on his shoulder, giving a cheerful "Pika~!"
Sam nodded in greeting.
"Didn't expect to see you three here."
Suddenly,
"Sam!!!"
A loud voice nearly startled him.
Brock came charging over like a wild man, eyes gleaming, smile too wide to be trusted.
He looked like a starving wolf that had just spotted fresh prey.
"Sam!" Brock shouted again, eyes practically sparkling.
"Tell me, please tell me, you're here with Cynthia!"
Sam braced himself. Here we go again.