The soft hum of the airplane engines filled the cabin.
Outside the window, the skies stretched endlessly—blue and bright, with wisps of cloud drifting lazily below. The Kanto coastline was just starting to appear on the horizon.
Skylar sat in a window seat, back straight, heart pounding. His fingers brushed the edge of his jacket—a custom design in black and silver, marked with a subtle aura symbol on the chest.
Beside him sat Gardevoir, elegant and calm, her gaze fixed on the clouds. She glanced at him occasionally, sensing the shift in his emotions.
He was quiet.
Not because of nerves, but because he was remembering.
Eight years.
That's how long it had been since the Oak Camp ended.
In that time, Skylar had trained harder than ever.His days were divided between rigorous aura meditation, advanced battle simulations, and sparring matches with his father Flint, who made no effort to go easy on him.
He had trekked through Sinnoh's wildest regions, studied ancient scripts with Cynthia's grandmother, and even sparred with seasoned Rangers in snow-covered caves.
Each night, he meditated beneath the stars.Each morning, he woke with purpose.
All of it… leading to today.
The official start of his Pokémon journey.
A soft voice stirred the memory.
"You'll do great. I know it."
Cynthia's voice—crystal clear, even though she wasn't with him now.
He leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes.
One month earlier, they had met at Lake Verity, their usual spot.
They had known for a long time this conversation was coming.
"So…" Skylar said, watching the ripples on the water. "Are we starting together?"
"I thought about it," Cynthia said softly, brushing her silver hair behind her ear. "I really did. But I think… we'd hold each other back."
Skylar frowned. "You mean like slowing each other down?"
She shook her head. "No. I mean, we've become too dependent on each other. We need to grow on our own now. As Trainers. As Champions."
He stayed silent.
"You'll go to Kanto," she said, looking at him firmly. "And I'll stay in Sinnoh."
"That's a long way apart."
"Not forever," Cynthia smiled. "Just enough for both of us to become everything we're meant to be."
Then she stepped closer, taking his hands.
"Let's promise each other something."
"Anything."
"We'll meet again… as Champions."
Skylar smiled, his throat tight. "Yeah… let's."
They kissed beneath the stars, the lake reflecting the light around them like diamonds in motion.
Their journey would not begin together.
But it would end with both standing at the top of their worlds.
The intercom buzzed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our descent into Pallet Town Regional Terminal. Please remain seated and ensure your Pokémon are secured."
Skylar opened his eyes as Gardevoir turned to him.
He nodded with a smile. "Let's go."
She reached out gently, touching his arm.
A soft pulse of aura flowed between them.
She didn't speak. She didn't need to.
They understood each other perfectly.
As the plane descended, Skylar looked down at the land he had only seen briefly once before.
Now, it would be his starting ground.
His story as a Trainer—his real journey—was finally beginning.