That night, the moon hung bright while the stars were scattered thin across the sky.
Milotic was still talking with Feebas, offering quiet reassurance. Feebas stayed close, listening without interruption.
After learning from Shion that a sick Arcanine was being cared for here, Cynthia decided to visit it. She needed Austin's company to do so.
Arcanine would only allow Joy and Austin Black near it.
In a way, Arcanine had once been Cynthia's comrade in arms. During the battle against Team Galactic at Mt. Coronet, she had fought alongside many Arcanine from the police force as Sinnoh Champion, and she still carried that sense of responsibility.
"I had heard about Arcanine's condition. I was relieved when I learned it was cured, but I didn't expect…"
"It's not serious. It just needs regular exercise. I take it for a run every morning," Austin replied.
Arcanine gently licked his palm. Cynthia let out a small breath of relief.
"That's good."
Like Austin, Cynthia felt Arcanine did not need to return to any formal role. A quiet life suited it better now. It had already given too much.
As if recognizing Cynthia, Arcanine turned and began licking her hand as well.
"That tickles. Good boy, whose a good boy." Cynthia went down to ruffle Arcanine's fur, who responded with more licks. "You are doing well. From now on, just live happily."
"Arcanine!"
From his voice, Austin could feel it slowly opening up again.
"He really trusts you," Cynthia said as she got up.
Austin nodded once. "Yeah."
. . .
The next day.
It was a rest day, and Cynthia slept in.
She pulled open the curtains of the second-floor Kalosian window and leaned slightly toward the open upper pane.
The courtyard below was already active.
Garchomp was sunbathing and rolling in the sand pit.
Gastrodon and Milotic moved freely through the water.
Two Lucarios were already sparring in a controlled match.
Cynthia's own Lucario held back its strength, matching pace rather than overwhelming.
"Catch it, Arcanine. Togekiss."
Frisbees spun through the air in wide arcs.
Two Arcanine dashed forward like released arrows, reading the trajectory early and leaping at the perfect moment to bite them cleanly from the air.
Togekiss and Braviary circled above, diving in smooth lines to secure their catches.
Originally, there had been six Pokémon, but Furfrou and Eevee had been taken back by their Trainers.
Both preferred staying here, but their Trainers' finances preferred otherwise.
"Good work. Rewards."
Each successful catch earned them a perfect grade Oran Berry Pokéblock.
Cynthia's Togekiss and Braviary blended into the rhythm without effort.
"Puff."
"Pichu."
Jigglypuff and Pichu clapped from the side, clearly enjoying the pace of the game.
Their smaller size meant simpler activities suited them better.
Dai Yui and Incineroar stood at opposite ends of a rope, ready to start.
"Ready."
"Puff. Jigglypuff."
"Chuu!"
"Three, two, one."
Dai Yui and Incineroar began turning the rope at a steady rhythm.
Cynthia watched the timing carefully.
Dai Yui's appearance suggested strength, but his movements were controlled and precise, almost careful in how he handled the game.
Cynthia exhaled lightly, a faint smile forming as she stretched.
"What a good morning."
There was no Champion duty waiting, no urgent reports, no pressure around Garchomp's routine.
"Maybe this is why Blue insisted Arcanine stay here."
Last night, Austin Black had explained that it was Blue who originally suggested he take responsibility for Arcanine.
Cynthia's gaze drifted toward the calm water where Feebas stayed.
"I hope you find your strength again."
Feebas had already started responding to Milotic. That alone was progress.
The first step was always the hardest. From there, recovery depended on time and environment.
Breakfast was simple. Sandwiches with cold cuts of meat paired with chilled Smoked Oran Berry Juice prepared by Austin the night before.
Cynthia was the only one eating at the table.
The heated room kept the cold away, making the iced drink feel balanced rather than harsh.
The juice was close to flawless.
One sip was enough for Cynthia to feel fully awake, the last trace of fatigue fading.
She immediately decided to include it in her daily routine.
Regrettably, as the Champion, Cynthia could not stay here permanently.
Otherwise, she would have stayed and drunk that juice every day without hesitation.
Thinking about it, she found herself wanting to retire more often lately.
Even the idea of stepping away like Steven crossed her mind.
But she could not.
Steven had Wallace take over responsibilities.
Sinnoh did not have that luxury.
Without Cynthia, the region would be left without a true Champion.
Lucian was strong, but not Champion-level.
With her present, everything remained stable. Without her, hidden threats would start to move again.
Roro, you need to work hard and surpass me. Cynthia thought after taking a sip of juice.
Far away on Iron Island, Rolanda paused in her research and sneezed.
"It cannot be my sister again, right?"
At times like this, Austin also came to Cynthia's mind.
From his Pokémon lineup to his Pokéblock craftsmanship that now rivaled top-tier specialists, Austin already had the foundation and potential to surpass her.
Still, it did not seem like he wanted the position.
Cynthia did not force people into roles they did not want. She also did not shift her burdens onto others.
Since the day she became Sinnoh Champion, she had carried everything herself.
She still had goals anyway. Becoming the strongest Trainer and uncovering the ancient myths tied to the world's hidden history.
Stopping was not an option.
. . .
After breakfast, Cynthia stepped into the courtyard.
Garchomp and the others were staring at the food in Austin's hand with intense focus, almost like they were facing an enemy.
"Is your Pokémon food always this good?"
Hearing Cynthia, Austin turned slightly.
"Only my poffins are average at the moment; hopefully, it gets better with all my practice."
His skill was still developing, but it was steadily improving.
"Nice optimism."
"Maybe I picked it up from my dad," Austin replied with a shrug.
Thinking of Leon, Cynthia could not help but smile. That kind of optimism was rare in people.
"Make some poffins when you have time. I want Garchomp and the others to try them. A change of flavor might be good."
"I can do it this afternoon after I finish filming the Mapo Tofu video."
"Alright."
. . .
By eleven o'clock, Austin Black was preparing to groom Garchomp.
He put on specialized gloves before starting.
Garchomp's care routine was different from most Pokémon. It required a fine salt sand bath under sunlight to maintain the proper texture of its skin.
Unlike Zenith, which needed a smooth and polished surface at all times, Garchomp required controlled roughness and dryness.
Cynthia observed from the side, ready to intervene if Garchomp showed discomfort.
But she quickly realized it was unnecessary.
With perfect-grade Pokéblocks as motivation, Garchomp considered cooperation a reasonable trade.
Austin handled the process well.
"Chomp~."
(So comfortable.)
. . .
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