The Sinnoh countryside was quiet in the early spring.
Fields of yellow wildflowers swayed in the breeze, while distant flocks of Starly chirped under the afternoon sun. Skylar walked calmly down a forest path just outside Solaceon Town. With Flint allowing him short solo excursions, he took every opportunity to sharpen his instincts—and more importantly, deepen his connection with the Pokémon world.
Ralts floated beside him, always quiet. Growlithe padded a few steps ahead, ears twitching and nose sniffing the wind.
Then it happened.
A scream.
"HELP! Someone, PLEASE!"
Skylar's eyes widened. That was a child's voice—a girl's voice.
Without thinking, he sprinted toward the sound.
Branches snapped against his clothes as he pushed deeper into the woods. Ralts darted behind him, and Growlithe took off in a blur.
Skylar burst into a clearing and froze.
A girl stood defensively in front of a small Gible, both trembling. Her long blonde hair was messy, her white dress torn at the knees. Tears welled in her amber-gold eyes. In front of them, three wild Mankey snarled, claws ready to strike. Gible looked exhausted—its breathing ragged, its stance unstable.
The lead Mankey raised a claw to strike.
"HEY!"
Skylar's shout cut through the clearing. The wild Pokémon turned as he stepped between them and the girl, arms wide, eyes blazing.
"Back. Off."
Ralts hovered beside him, eyes glowing with psychic energy. Growlithe growled deeply, fire already forming at the edges of its mouth.
The lead Mankey didn't hesitate. It lunged.
"Confusion, now!"
A wave of psychic force slammed the Mankey mid-leap, throwing it into the dirt. Skylar didn't give the others a chance.
"Growlithe—Ember, spread it wide!"
Flames burst forward, forcing the remaining Mankey to screech and retreat, dragging their unconscious comrade with them.
Silence.
Skylar let out a slow breath, then turned to the girl.
She was staring at him, wide-eyed.
"You okay?"
She nodded slowly. "Y-Yeah. Thank you…"
Now that things were calmer, Skylar had a moment to look at her. Blonde hair. Golden eyes. Gible.
Wait… no way. It's her.Cynthia. Future Champion of Sinnoh.
He blinked, stunned. The Cynthia. He'd seen her in games, anime, battles with legends like Giratina—an icon in every universe. But here she was. Seven years old. Shaken, but standing.
This moment… it's before everything. Before she becomes who she's destined to be.
"You shouldn't be out here alone," Skylar said gently.
She pouted. "I wasn't alone. I had Gible."
Skylar raised an eyebrow, then knelt beside the dragon-type, offering a small potion from his bag. "Brave little guy. But three-on-one was too much."
The Gible blinked up at him, grunted, and let itself be healed.
"Thanks again," the girl said.
"Skylar," he offered with a smile.
She nodded. "Cynthia."
Yup. 100% confirmed.
He tried to stay cool, but inside he was freaking out.
As they walked back toward the trail, she kept glancing at him.
"You're not from around here, are you?" she asked.
"Sunyshore. I'm training under my dad."
"Trainer?"
"Flint."
Her eyes widened. "As in… Elite Four Flint?!"
Skylar nodded. "The one and only."
"That's incredible," Cynthia whispered, awestruck.
Skylar studied her. She had that same intense energy she'd carry as Champion—focused, curious, determined. It was in her eyes, even now.
So this is where her journey really starts…
"Your Gible's got good instincts," he said. "Needs polish, but there's power there."
"I've only had him a few weeks," she admitted. "But we're going to be the best."
Skylar smiled. "I believe it."
She looked at him, really looked. "You're different, you know that? I felt it when you showed up."
"Good different or weird different?" he joked.
She laughed. "Both."
As they reached the trail, she paused.
"Hey… Skylar?"
"Yeah?"
"I owe you one. So if you're ever near Celestic Town… look for me."
Skylar nodded. "Count on it."
She hesitated, then stepped closer. "You saved me. And I don't forget things like that."
Her voice was soft now, almost uncertain.
"I don't know why, but… I feel like we were supposed to meet."
Skylar blinked.
No… you're not wrong.
And just like that, she turned and disappeared into the trees with Gible close behind her.
That night, Skylar sat by the fire, staring into the flames.
He'd just met the girl who would one day become the strongest Trainer in Sinnoh. He could have treated it like a game-changer—a cheat code to history.
But he didn't want that.
He wanted to grow with her.
To forge his own legacy, not ride hers.
Still, as he lay under the stars, Ralts curled beside him, he couldn't stop thinking about her eyes.
Golden. Bright. Full of destiny.
"Cynthia…"
A smile crossed his lips.
"This world's going to remember us both."