17 Chapter 17 : Cynthia and *Hidden*

Sinnoh Region, Celestic Town

One of Sinnoh's most preserved towns to date, rich in history, if not its oldest town. It was a good place to go to if one wanted to learn about Sinnoh's history or anything related to its legends in general. It was built inside of a dense forest, splitting the town in half by a river of trees.

To the south was open toward the general populace. It also had a Contest Hall, one that was ruled by Lila in the past. She was said to be Johanna's rival as Coordinators, before quitting down the road to become a Professional Stylist. Her store is currently present here for people to explore.

Celestic Town also housed many libraries too. On top of that, at the northern end, was the Celestic Town Historical Research Center. It was an institute that served to research Sinnoh's history, especially after finding the Celestic Ruins, of which the building was built around. The Celestic Ruins, which contained ancient carvings of Sinnoh's legends that depicted Dialga and Palkia, was situated out back. Though it was closed off to those that don't have reservations to view it. It was also said the Lustrous Orb was excavated from this very site, as it was locked away inside the Research Center.

As to who created this institute, it was none other than the grandmother of a future Sinnoh Champion, who went by the name Carolina. Carolina was actually Cynthia's grandmother. Cynthia would eventually become Sinnoh's top Champion, going undefeated in every way, very similar to Galar's Champion, Leon.

Not only that, Cynthia was undeniably one of the prettiest girls in the whole Pokemon franchise. She was not meant to be underestimated either. It was even rumored she was well in her thirties by the time Ash's group met her.

But that mature Cynthia currently isn't present. In fact, at this very moment, she appeared a lot, lot, younger than her original counterpart.

Outside the Research Center, two figures could be seen.

One was an older woman, who had blonde hair that was turning gray, an obvious sign she was turning old. She wore a pink blouse and a purple dress. A white lab coat covered most of her body. This was Professor Carolina, Cynthia's grandmother.

Her research focused mostly on Sinnoh's legends, and was quite different from Professor Rowan, who studies the evolution patterns of Pokemon. Her background laid in more along the lines of Professor Juniper from the Unova region, who also studies Pokemon Mythology.

She could be seen in front of the research center with a smaller girl in front of her, only appearing that of seven to eight years old. Yet her blonde hair was far from that of a typical child's. It was long and wavy, and covered the left side of her face, only revealing her large right eye. It flew down well past her shoulders, closer to her waist. She was wearing a one piece black loose dress, and black leggings.

This little girl was indeed none other than the future Champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia!

Also at this moment, despite holding a small letter in her hand, she had a look of disinterest in her eyes. There was actually a smaller figure down next to her who seemed to hold the same feeling as her. It was a cute little land shark. However this one didn't have its typical teal skin and red underbelly, it had a more vibrant blue and a yellow underbelly instead.

"Must I really go to this Summer Camp, Grandmother? It sounds boring. I like spending time researching with you more at your lab."

"Gible!", the cute land shark yelled out in acknowledgment. That's right, a Gible was currently standing next to Cynthia. It appeared it was Shiny too!

Itsuki wasn't the only individual to receive a Pokemon before he turned fifteen. He wasn't the only exception. It appeared Cynthia received a Pokemon early on too, and it was her very first partner, a Shiny Gible, a ground/dragon-type Pokemon.

Carolina only laughed seeing Cynthia act like this.

"Haha, spending too much time cooped in there does you no good, Cynthia. You need to learn take a breather, spend some time with others. You haven't proactively made an effort to become friends with anyone here in Sinnoh yet despite turning Eight earlier, so I'm making the decision for you."

"But I don't need friends. I got you and Gible. Right, Gible?", Cynthia said without much emotion. (A/N : I'm not too sure what exactly Cynthia was like as a kid, but I'm making her one with no friends or much expressions. She'll grow out of it and become the champion we know and love)

Cynthia then turned toward Gible, and picked him up.

"Gible!" Gible said happily, enjoying her hug.

Carolina sighed seeing Cynthia respond like this.

"See? It's a shame I have to raise you along with your little sister, since your parents are no longer here. It's great and all that you want to follow in my footsteps, but you're still a child, Cynthia. You ought to play with children more your age, and Professor Oak's Summer Camp is a perfect opportunity for that, seeing as you've haven't been proactive in doing so here in Sinnoh."

"But...", Cynthia replied, trying to protest once more.

"No buts, Cynthia. You're going to it. And to be honest, I'm surprised that Professor Oak contacted me with this invitation, it's been a while since our last chat. He invited me too of course to attend his seminar, but also extended an invitation to you to partake in his Summer Camp after learning the fact I have a granddaughter now. Quite an interesting group of children this time around. I'm sure you'll fit right in."

"An interesting group of children? But what will I do once I'm there? I haven't really spoken with anyone till now..."

"I'm sure you'll figure that out! Turns out that old coot is raising a genius too, much like you, Cynthia."

A glint of light finally streaked across Cynthia's eyes, becoming q bit interested now.

"A genius like me...Did the Professor tell them their name?"

"Oh? Little Cynthia finally caught onto something she found interesting eh? Professor Oak did tell me that young kid's name. He's even three years younger than you are! Not only that but he already has a Pokemon of his own too while working with Professor Oak. He didn't give much more than that besides telling me his name. As I recall, the kid's name is Itsuki!", Carolina said, observing Cynthia as she did. She found Cynthia completely observing her now, which she found interesting.

"Itsuki, is it? That's such a funny name!", Cynthia replied with a rare smile.

"Well, does it interest you enough now to partake in Professor Oak's Summer Camp? He'll be going to it too you know."

"Yes. I'm just not sure if I'd fit in we since there will be multiple children on top of him..."

"Just be yourself, Cynthia. I'm sure they'll come to like you. You're all set to depart right?"

"Yes. But why are we still in front of your research center, Grandmother? Shouldn't we be at the airport? We're going to Kanto aren't we?", Cynthia asked, confused.

"That's the conventional way of travelling, besides going by sea to another region. But I'm anybody but that! Don't forget your Grandmother used to be a Dragon-type Trainer too. Come on out, Salamence."

Suddenly reaching into her lab coat, she brought out a Pokeball. A huge red beam escaped from it after Carolina tossed it into the sir. Cynthia looked on with interest.

"Salamence!", Salamence yelled out, revealing its huge body. The ground even shook a bit. Thankfully no one was within their immediate surroundings to notice.

Yet unexpectedly, a few figures suddenly started to rush out from inside the center with worried looks.

Carolina saw this, and spoke out to Cynthia quickly.

"Cynthia, quickly get on Salamence. We're cutting this short."

"Okay?" , Cynthia asked, but proceeded to jump onto Salamence's back. Carolina then threw their luggage onto his back as well, and joined her.

"Salamence, you know what do right? Cynthia, hang on tight!"

"Okay!", Cynthia acknowledged.

Salamence let out a loud roar, then started to flap his wings. It took off, raising itself into the air.

"Come back, Professor Carolina! You still got meetings to attend!", one of the researchers yelled out, finally reaching the two. Carolina only laughed before speaking out one last time as Salamence soared into the air with Carolina and Cynthia on his back.

"Hahaha! I'll be back in a week or two! I leave the Research Center in your guys' care till we're back.", Professor Carolina said with a laugh.

The few researchers who came out only let out defeated sighs, watching Salamence soar into the clouds above.

Cynthia and Professor Carolina were on their way to Professor Oak's Lab to join the others!

Unova Region Nuvema Town Oceanside Airport

Nuvema Town, the starting town in the fifth region of the Pokemon World. The region's laboratory to receive a starter Pokemon to start a Trainer's journey could be found here. It was run by a young woman who always liked to tie up her hair into a large upward bun, Professor Juniper.

But Professor Juniper wasn't present at her lab. She could currently be seen at the Airport Docks, with crowds of people waiting to board different planes. A cool thing about this Airport was that it rested on the ocean itself, meaning planes would land on top of water while landing. The scent of the ocean breeze was strong here.

Professor Juniper could be seen more toward the middle of the docks, waiting to board the giant double decker plane in front of her, patiently waiting. It looked like she was prepared for a long flight.

That made sense, as Unova was one of the father regions away from Kanto, and Professor Juniper had way more than enough funds to enjoy a luxury flight on the way.

"Has it already been five years since the last one? Time sure flies. It'll be great to catch up with Professor Oak again.", Professor Juniper said to herself.

"He seems to be kicking this Summer Camp up a notch this time around too. Five extra participants, across multiple regions. Six kids from Kanto, one from the Orange Islands, one from Johto, one from Hoenn, two from Sinnoh, one from Kalos, Alola, and Galar, and one from even that super far away Orre region...", Professor Juniper continued to say.

"Unfortunately it seems like there wasn't a lucky winner from my Unova. At least Professor Oak said it was fine for me to go. He said there will be something to look forward too, perhaps he was referring to that genius kid he mentioned?", Professor Juniper asked herself.

As she went into her own thoughts, time passed before she knew it and the line was quite a way ahead of her now. It was almost her turn to board the plane.

Yet at this time a tall shadow suddenly enveloped her figure, seemingly to come from right behind her. Funky music also started to spread out, before a male voice spoke out.

"Hey, hey, little lady! You seem to be boarding the same plane I'm getting on, so could like, not dampen the groove?"

"Eh?"

Hearing this voice, Professor Juniper finally snapped out of her thoughts, and saw a large gap between her and the rest of the line ahead.

"I-I'm so sorry about that, I was just talking to myself for a bit...?", Professor Juniper said, apologizing. She then grabbed her bags, only to turn around. She was suddenly taken aback as she saw a figure towering over her. This figure belonged to a very tall man, probably well over seven feet in height. Yet Professor Juniper only got confused looking at him, as all he was carrying was a juke box and a silver metal case.

As for his appearance, this man appeared as if he came right out of a disco club. He sported a giant red and white afro and a shiny purple leather jacket that was fully open, which revealed his whole chest. He wore purple dress pants and high yellow heels.

Professor Juniper could only stare blankly at the guy's afro for a good moment, as he appeared very out of fashion compared to the rest of the crowd.

"Umm, who the heck are you supposed to be?"

Hearing Professor Juniper ask that, the very tall man suddenly jerked his hip a bit, before doing a spin. He then let out a strange laugh before speaking again.

"Fuhohoho! Well if you must insist, little lady, you can call me B. A travelling trainer of sorts. If you won't get you're groove on, I'll go on ahead, 'kay?", B said, briefly said introducing himself.

"Uh-uh....", Professor Juniper responded with a daze.

Seeing her not move, B decided to take the spot ahead of her and slowly vanished from sight, and headed into the plane, after struggling to get in. He had to turn off his music.

Professor Juniper finally snapped out of it, and walked again.

"Such a strange fellow...", Professor Juniper uttered to herself. She proceeded to board the plane heading to Kanto.

Thankfully she had first class, but as luck would allow it, the strange fellow B she had just met also had a first class seat, and was seated right across of her.

She could only let out a defeated sigh. That B person shouldn't disturb her during the whole flight, right?

Either way, both Cynthia, Professor Carolina and Professor Juniper were on their way to the Kanto region, along with this mysterious B person! Just who exactly was he?

*

A/N : Aht here. Here is the next chapter!

Cynthia is here! Let me know if you like her child appearance or not!

And B is exactly who you guys are thinking, I'm bringing in Miror B and you can probably guess who one of the remaining four slots will belong to!

(Shadow Pokemon will be a thing too)

Don't forget to drop those stones lets still try to reach that 500!

Chapter title : Cynthia and Miror B.!