Read up to 15 more chapters on my Pa_____tr___on at Pikatl.
-------------------------
Sam opened his mouth, but Cynthia leaned closer to the camera now, her expression turning sharp, eyes gleaming with disbelief—and something possessive and territorial just under the surface.
"You want her picture? What, gonna keep it by your bedside? Or do you want a kiss on it too?"
"What? No, Cynthia—"
"Unbelievable."
Her voice rose.
"I've been away for 1 week, and this is where your head's at? Diantha?"
She scoffed, then laughed bitterly.
"Of course. Tall, elegant, perfect little Kalos icon. Not enough that you've got me, huh?"
"Cyn, please—"
"No! You listen to me," she snapped, eyes flaring now.
"You're mine, Sam. Mine. And I don't share. I don't compete."
Sam winced. "It's not like that, I swear—"
"I don't care what it's 'like.' The fact that you even asked—"
She was practically vibrating with fury.
"Do I need to remind you who I am? Who are you with? Because the Champion of Sinnoh isn't enough for you."
"I wasn't thinking—"
"Damn right you weren't."
She sat back, crossing her arms, furious and fuming.
"I can't even look at you right now."
And just as she went to end the call—
"It's for Brock!" Sam blurted.
"He's obsessed with her! He begged me to ask! I didn't want to get dragged into this!"
Cynthia froze.
A long, beat-heavy silence filled the screen.
Then her arms slowly uncrossed.
"…You're serious?"
"Yes!" he said, looking like he'd aged ten years in five minutes.
"It's not for me. I don't even like her like that. Come on, Cyn."
Cynthia stared at him a while longer, then sighed and leaned back, rubbing her temples.
"…You should've said that first," she muttered.
"I was about to fly over there and burn your phone."
Sam managed a weak smile.
"Noted."
She gave him one last glare.
"I'm still not happy. And you owe me. Big time."
"…Fair."
"I mean it, Sam. You're mine."
"Yes, ma'am."
"…And delete that idea of keeping a Diantha photo for yourself, or I will find you."
He gulped.
"Noted."
"If I run into Diantha, I'll ask her for a signed photo. Just one."
Seeing her mood lighten, Sam grinned. He wasn't going to waste the opportunity.
"Y'know, baby, you're perfect in every way…"
"But…"
Cynthia's eyes narrowed.
"…there's still one tiny little flaw," he teased.
"Oh?" she said slowly, tucking her golden bangs behind one ear.
Her voice took on a syrupy edge.
"And what flaw might that be?"
"Well..." Sam pretended to hesitate, making a show of reluctance.
"It's just... I haven't been fed enough lately."
Cynthia raised a brow. "Oh?"
She caught on immediately. A blush rose to her cheeks, but she played along.
"Funny. I'm feeling a little hungry too~"
Sam's grin widened. "Then how about this? You come to Canalave City."
"There's this new place that opened up—they serve the most amazing ice cream. The vanilla popsicles there are their signature."
"When you get here, I'll treat you to one."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled for a moment, but she sighed softly.
"Tempting."
"Unfortunately, I'll be stuck on Valor Island a little longer. There's still work piling up."
Sam nodded in understanding.
"Then once you're done, you come find me."
"We'll go out for a proper meal. My treat."
"It's a date," Cynthia said, smiling faintly.
"And it better be a good meal."
"Only the best," he replied.
"Free, of course—just bring yourself."
They laughed together for a moment before Sam finally hung up the video call, still wearing that soft smile.
…
Not long after the screen dimmed, Brock came jogging over from the distance.
As always, his squinty eyes made him look like he was permanently smiling, but this time he was genuinely beaming.
He jogged up breathless.
"So? So?! Did it work?"
Sam chuckled at his enthusiasm.
"Yeah, it worked."
"Cynthia said if she sees Diantha, she'll get a signed photo for you."
"YES!" Brock fist-pumped the air like a kid who'd just gotten an autograph from a Power Ranger.
"Sam!" he declared dramatically.
"You and I—we're brothers now! I'd charge into battle for you! Storm a volcano! Dive into the deepest oceans!"
"I would risk it all!"
Nearby, Pikachu twitched an ear.
The little yellow mouse blinked up at Brock, then turned to Ash with a puzzled chirp.
"Pika?"
Ash paused mid-bite from his steamed bun, confused as well.
"No idea, buddy."
"Sam just has that kind of magic, I guess."
Dawn, sitting a little ways off with a cup of soy milk in hand, nodded slowly.
Her gaze drifted toward Sam, who stood under a nearby tree, arms crossed, watching the sky with a quiet smile.
"I dunno if it's just me…" she murmured to herself.
"But it kinda feels like Sam disappeared all night…"
She glanced down at her reflection in the soy milk, then back at him.
"…and somehow came back looking even more handsome."
After breakfast, Sam, Ash, and their companion headed to the Canalave Gym.
Just before stepping inside, Sam leaned over and whispered a few words into Ash's ear.
Ash nodded seriously with each word, taking them to heart.
"Don't worry, Brother Sam!" he said with determination.
"I'll remember everything you told me!
"I'm two hundred percent confident!"
"I will win the Canalave Gym Badge!"
This challenge wasn't just about earning another badge—it was Ash's way of testing everything he had learned so far.
"Go for it," Sam said with a smile and a nod.
"I will!"
Ash marched into the gym with confident energy.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town," he called out.
"And I'm here to challenge the Canalave Gym!"