"Yes, your order is ready. Thank you for your patronage. Please come again..."
The street vendor handed over the ice cream, still a little dazed. This was a rather odd trio. If Ash had been paying attention, he would have immediately recognized them—Team Rocket's classic trio in disguise.
"Did that girl... really just spend a whole hour deciding which ice cream flavor to pick?"
Jessie stared in disbelief.
James nodded in agreement. "Exactly! And even though she was just standing in front of us, I felt this overwhelming pressure from her presence."
"Meowth feels it too! That girl's definitely different, nya!"
Meanwhile, Cynthia took her ice cream and walked over to the ancient stone murals. She reached out, gently brushing her fingertips across the weathered carvings of Dialga and Palkia.
"You seem quite interested in these murals."
A voice suddenly broke the silence beside her.
Cynthia blinked, slightly surprised.
It had been a long time since someone had casually struck up a conversation with her like this.
She turned to see Ash standing beside her, his expression calm yet curious.
Cynthia smiled warmly, her usual composed demeanor softening. "My grandmother has always been passionate about history, especially ancient ruins. Because of her influence, I've developed a deep interest in historical sites. Whenever I have free time, I like to visit and study them."
Her golden locks shimmered under the sunlight as she took a small bite of her ice cream.
Hearing her words, Ash felt a sense of nostalgia.
No wonder Cynthia had so many admirers back in his previous world—her combination of kindness, wisdom, and sheer strength was truly captivating.
"You must be Ash, right? Lucian has mentioned you before," Cynthia said, examining him with interest. "Defeating his Bronzong in a straight battle… You must be quite the talented trainer. I take it you've traveled from another region's league to challenge Sinnoh?"
"That's right. I wasn't able to claim the championship in my previous leagues, so I decided to come to Sinnoh to test my skills."
"Pika!" Pikachu chimed in from Ash's shoulder.
Meanwhile, word had spread quickly through the town—the Champion was here!
A crowd began to gather, murmuring excitedly among themselves.
"Whoa! It's really Cynthia!"
"I can't believe the Champion actually came to this town!"
"Those ancient murals? I barely understand them, but she seems completely absorbed in studying them…"
"Wait, who's that guy standing next to her?"
At the same time, Dawn and Anabel were still at the Pokémon Center when they heard the commotion. Without hesitation, they rushed over.
When they arrived, they saw Ash casually conversing with Cynthia.
"Ash actually knows Champion Cynthia?!" Dawn gasped, eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Incredible," Anabel added. "But… I think they just met. I don't recall Ash mentioning her before."
As a strong trainer herself, Anabel understood how incredibly difficult it was to reach Cynthia's level.
That was why she, too, couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect for the Sinnoh Champion.
Just then, a familiar figure with violet hair stepped through the crowd.
It was Paul.
He had come to this town after hearing that Cynthia would be visiting.
But he hadn't expected to run into Ash here as well.
"Tch. That guy's here too?" Paul muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes.
He shook off the thought. His focus was on one thing only.
Paul stepped forward and addressed Cynthia directly.
"Champion Cynthia, I'm Paul from Veilstone City. I'd like to challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
His voice was calm and direct. Despite his usual cold demeanor, he still showed respect when speaking to the Champion.
The crowd erupted.
Challenging the Champion?!
Cynthia tilted her head slightly, observing Paul with interest.
Another trainer traveling from a different league?
And he seemed to be acquainted with Ash.
Was he at the same level as Ash?
Cynthia gave a small nod. "I see. You must also be a talented trainer. Very well—I accept your challenge."
The Champion had agreed to battle!
The gathered trainers gasped in shock.
No one expected Cynthia to actually accept!
"This is insane!"
"He must be crazy! Who challenges the Champion to a battle knowing they're going to lose?"
"He's got guts, but this is just reckless!"
Amidst the murmurs, Ash watched silently.
As expected.
In the original timeline, Cynthia had accepted Paul's challenge too.
And then... she completely crushed him.
Paul, unfazed by the attention, remained composed.
"Thank you. Would a full six-on-six battle be acceptable?"
A full battle against Cynthia?
The crowd was in uproar.
Cynthia merely smiled. "That's fine with me."
It made no difference to her whether she was battling one Pokémon or six.
Paul's challenge had drawn even more attention.
"How arrogant!"
"That kid's crazy! A full battle against Cynthia? He's done for!"
Paul ignored the whispers. His focus was on one thing—winning.
"Fly high into the sky—Garchomp!"
"Rooooar!"
Cynthia's Garchomp landed in the battlefield, its overwhelming presence sending shivers through the audience.
Paul, unshaken, made his move.
"Chimchar, you're up!"
"Chaaaar!"
The Fire-type Pokémon landed on the battlefield, its flames burning intensely.
Ash's eyes narrowed.
Paul chose Chimchar against a Ground-Dragon type?
Cynthia's expression remained unreadable. "A Fire-type against my Garchomp? An interesting choice."
Paul didn't respond.
"Flame Wheel!"
Chimchar surged forward, spinning into a fiery vortex!
Cynthia didn't issue a command.
Garchomp simply raised its arm—
And blocked the attack effortlessly.
The flames barely left a mark.
"Chimchar, Dig!"
In an instant, Chimchar burrowed underground.
Cynthia's eyes gleamed slightly. "Garchomp, use Dig as well."
With a powerful leap, Garchomp disappeared into the earth.
RUMBLE!
A sudden explosion of dirt—
Chimchar was launched out of the ground, sent flying!
Paul gritted his teeth.
The battle had only just begun...
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: p@treon.com/PokePals