Three months had passed since Skylar saved Cynthia.
He had returned home to Sunyshore, resumed his training with Flint, and spent many evenings replaying that day in his mind. He tried to push it aside, to focus on his development, but Cynthia's words—"I feel like we were supposed to meet"—lingered like a song stuck in his head.
Ralts had started to hum when her name came up.
Growlithe tilted his head every time Skylar paused in the middle of a sentence, clearly distracted by thoughts of the blonde girl and her fierce Gible.
Skylar didn't understand it fully yet—but he felt it too.
Fate.
Now eight years old, Skylar stood before the tall gates of Sinnoh's Regional Trainer Academy, located on the outskirts of Jubilife City. This wasn't a typical school. Only children of notable Trainers, Gym Leaders, or with exceptional scores from early testing were accepted.
Of course, being Flint's son made his name known.
But his scores, battle analysis, and mysterious bond with wild Pokémon had earned him his own reputation.
Students murmured when he walked past.
"That's Flint's kid…"
"He tamed a wild Ralts without a Poké Ball…"
"I heard even Growlithe listens to him like a veteran officer Pokémon."
Skylar ignored the whispers. Fame didn't interest him.
He was here to grow.
The courtyard was wide and beautifully landscaped. Training fields lay beyond, and Pokémon could be seen roaming freely under the careful supervision of teachers and guards.
Skylar adjusted the strap of his backpack and made his way to the orientation hall.
And then… he saw her.
Standing near the fountain, dressed in a clean white and black school uniform, her golden hair glinting in the morning sun.
Cynthia.
His breath hitched. She hadn't changed much, except for the confident way she now carried herself. Gible stood beside her, looking healthier, sharper—its eyes scanned the crowd like a miniature guardian.
She turned, almost as if she felt his presence.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, everything around them faded.
No other students. No noise.
Just the memory of fire, claws, danger—and the boy who stood between her and the Mankey.
"Skylar," she said, walking up with a slow grin. "Didn't expect you here."
"Same to you. You look like you're ready to take over the League."
She laughed. "One step at a time."
They stood in silence for a beat, the tension between them oddly pleasant.
Then Cynthia extended her hand.
"I owe you a real battle, remember?"
Skylar took it. "Anytime."
The orientation ended quickly—speeches from Professors, safety guidelines, and a declaration that all first-years would be ranked in a friendly tournament next week to assess skill levels.
As students dispersed to explore the campus, Cynthia found Skylar again.
"Want to tour the place together?" she asked, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Skylar nodded, trying to keep calm. "Lead the way."
They wandered through the battle arenas, the Pokémon habitat domes, and even the high-tech simulation chambers. Students trained in open fields while others studied matchups in classrooms with touchscreens and Pokédex interfaces.
"This place is amazing," Cynthia said.
"It's more than I expected," Skylar admitted.
They paused at the edge of a raised terrace that overlooked a valley filled with wild Pokémon habitats. Dozens of students were below, working on bonding exercises, guiding baby Pokémon, or conducting type resistance tests.
Then Cynthia spoke, quieter now.
"I meant what I said before… the day you saved me."
Skylar turned to look at her.
"I felt something. Something bigger. Like… destiny?"
Skylar blinked.
She feels it too.
"Yeah," he replied. "I've felt it since that day."
She smiled. "We're going to shake this world, Skylar. I know it."
"Together?" he asked.
She nodded. "Let's make them remember our names."
That night, back in his dorm, Skylar sat on his bed with Ralts curled beside him. He stared out the window at the stars.
Something deeper had begun.
Not just a friendship… not even a rivalry.
Something ancient, like two flames pulled toward each other by the winds of fate.
Skylar didn't just want to be the best Trainer anymore.
He wanted to grow alongside her.
To stand as her equal when the time came.
"Cynthia… Champion of Sinnoh."
He smiled.
"Let's see if I can keep up."