Brock was trembling with excitement as he spoke to his idol.
However, after a few sentences, he realized something painful.
Diantha was polite, but she lacked interest.
She was responding with standard "idol-to-fan" courtesy.
Realizing he shouldn't overstay his welcome, Brock reluctantly handed the phone back to Sam.
"I'm sorry, Diantha," Sam said with a warm smile as he came back into the frame.
"I know you're busy. Thank you for finding the time to meet my friend."
"You are too polite, Sam," Diantha replied instantly.
"It was no trouble at all."
Seeing Sam reappear, Diantha's tone shifted unconsciously.
The professional, distant smile she had worn for Brock vanished, replaced by a sincere, lively expression.
Her eyes brightened, full of energy and warmth.
Brock, sitting on the side, felt the difference in his soul.
It was like night and day. When facing him, she was the "Grand Duchess."
When facing Sam, she was a close friend and a peer.
"Ugh..." Brock looked at Sam's handsome face, filled with envy.
"The difference in treatment is too cruel!"
Since Brock's wish had been fulfilled, Sam didn't intend to keep chatting.
"Alright, Diantha. Let's talk next time?"
Hearing that Sam was about to hang up, Diantha felt a pang of disappointment; she enjoyed talking to someone on her level, but she hid it well.
"Okay," she smiled.
"Goodbye, Sam."
"Goodbye."
Just as Sam was about to end the call, a piercing sound cut through the air.
SCREEECH,!
It wasn't a hoof beat, but the sharp, belligerent cry of a massive bird.
The sound was loud enough to make everyone flinch.
It was Cynthia's Zapdos.
The cry was filled with joy and overflowing excitement. Sam turned around quickly.
On the battlefield, Cynthia's Galarian Zapdos stood triumphant.
It had just defeated Red's Blastoise and Charizard in a sparring match.
Now, it was shouting at the sky, its aura climbing rapidly.
Sam knew that look. That was the sign of a breakthrough.
After a long period of training and defeating powerful rivals, Zapdos was leveling up.
SCREEECH!
Amidst the excited cries, Zapdos's momentum condensed and solidified. It had completed its metamorphosis.
The system data flashed in Sam's mind:
[Pokémon: Zapdos (Galarian Form)]
[Type: Fighting / Flying]
[Ability: Defiant (Attack stat rises sharply when stats are lowered by an opponent)]
[Level: 69 (Champion Peak)]
[Potential: Champion Peak]
[Condition: Excellent]
[Note: A belligerent Fighting Pokémon. Once it spots a Pokémon that looks stronger than itself, it cannot resist challenging it.]
"Champion Peak..." Sam nodded, satisfied.
"The speed of improvement is impressive."
Sam put the phone down on the bench, forgetting to press the 'end call' button in the commotion, and walked toward the battlefield.
The sparring match between Cynthia and Red paused to acknowledge the breakthrough.
"Sam!"
Cynthia ran over, her face glowing with happiness.
She wrapped her arms around Sam's arm, hugging him tight.
"Did you see? Zapdos advanced!!"
She was excited beyond words.
"Yes, I saw. Congratulations," Sam smiled, hugging her back and smoothing her hair.
It had to be said, Legendary Pokémon had innate advantages.
Their racial potential was absurd. Even without training, they would grow strong naturally.
But with the guidance of a Champion like Cynthia, that growth was explosive.
While the couple celebrated, the phone on the bench was still active.
Through the camera lens, Diantha saw everything.
She saw the Galarian Zapdos, she saw the happy couple... and then she saw someone else walking off the field.
"Red...?"
Diantha's surprised voice floated from the phone speaker.
Brock, who was still hovering nearby, picked up the phone.
"Brock," Diantha asked urgently.
"Why is Red there?"
Brock, ever the honest fan, explained everything.
He told her how Red had come to challenge Sam, how he had been easily defeated, and how Red had subsequently bowed to Sam and become his student to prepare for the Championships.
Diantha listened, her beautiful eyes widening in shock.
She wasn't surprised that Red had lost.
She had battled Sam in the Kalos Region; she knew firsthand that he was in a league of his own.
What shocked her was that Red, the silent, prideful Kanto Champion, had asked Sam to teach him.
Regional Champions were proud people.
stood at the pinnacle of their respective lands. For a Champion to lower their head and ask for guidance proved one thing: Sam's strength was not just "stronger."
It was absolute.
Red is acknowledging that the gap between him and Sam is a chasm, Diantha thought.
And he believes Sam holds the key to the next level.
A sudden idea sparked in Diantha's mind. It spread like wildfire.
If Sam could train Red...
"Okay, thank you, Brock! Goodbye!"
Diantha hung up the phone abruptly, her mind racing with plans.
Back on the field, the atmosphere was joyous.
Cynthia looked at her Zapdos, sparks of electricity and fighting aura dancing around it.
It had reached the peak of the Champion rank.
Now, alongside Garchomp, she had two absolute aces.
She felt fully confident about the upcoming World Coronation Series.
"Chirp! Screech!!"
Zapdos strutted around, feeling the surge of power in its legs.
Its physical fitness had skyrocketed, and its energy reserves had doubled.
Confidence began to swell into arrogance.
The Galarian Zapdos looked around the courtyard. Its eyes locked onto another powerful aura nearby.
Little Lugia.
With a belligerent, confident cry, Zapdos stomped forward, issuing a challenge to the young sea god.
'I'm strong now! Fight me!'
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