The Headquarters of the Unova League.
Sabrina's inauguration ceremony was underway.
Alder introduced Sabrina to the relevant personnel of the Unova Alliance and began the formal reading of the Champion's responsibilities and rights.
The atmosphere was solemn and political.
"Cynthia," Diantha whispered, leaning close to her friend.
"That woman made such a challenge just moments ago. Why are we staying for her inauguration?"
Diantha couldn't understand it. Sabrina had openly declared she would fight Cynthia for the Number One rank and for Sam.
By staying, it felt like they were giving Sabrina face she didn't deserve.
Cynthia smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on the stage, but her posture was relaxed and regal.
"It's about bearing, Diantha," Cynthia whispered back.
"If I leave in a huff just because of a challenge, wouldn't that make me look petty? I am the Champion of Sinnoh. I don't run away."
Cynthia glanced at Sam, who was standing tall beside her. Her eyes softened with deep affection.
"Besides," Cynthia continued, her voice filled with absolute confidence.
"Sam is excellent. He is like the sun. It is destiny that people will admire him and covet him. Even without Sabrina, there would be others. I can't stop the world from finding him attractive."
"But I don't need to stop them, because I already won," Cynthia said, turning to look Diantha in the eye.
"Because I trust him. And I trust myself."
"Sam chose me. He loves me."
Cynthia's grip on Sam's hand tightened slightly, and he squeezed back instantly without looking, a subconscious gesture of connection.
"I don't need to be a jealous guard dog barking at everyone," Cynthia concluded elegantly.
"I just need to be the woman he loves. No one can take him away from me. Sabrina can try, but she will only find disappointment."
Diantha blinked, stunned by Cynthia's grace and security.
She looked at the couple. They stood together, radiating a bond that felt unbreakable. Diantha smiled, feeling a bit silly for worrying.
"You really are perfect for each other," Diantha admitted.
"I envy that kind of trust."
Stage
"The duty of the Regional Champion is to guard the peace of the Region," Alder read from the ancient scroll.
"To oversee, coordinate, and assign various departments within the Alliance. To lead the Region on the path of peaceful development..."
Alder's voice was steady. This was the passing of the torch.
"I, Sabrina, pledge allegiance to the Unova Region," Sabrina recited the oath, her face expressionless.
The ceremony was concluding. The era of Champion Alder was ending, and the era of Champion Sabrina was beginning.
Bang!
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the hall were thrown open.
An intelligence officer rushed in, his face pale, sweat dripping from his forehead.
He ignored protocol, running straight toward the stage.
"Bad news! Emergency!"
The chanting stopped. The music cut out. Everyone turned to look at the intruder.
The officer stopped in front of Alder and Sabrina, panting heavily. He looked between the old Champion and the new one, unsure who to report to.
"Speak!" Alder commanded, his authority snapping back instantly.
"Just now, we received a distress report from Opelucid City Hall!" the officer shouted.
"The Opelucid Gym has been attacked by Team Plasma!"
The room erupted in gasps.
"The scene is chaotic with heavy casualties! The Gym has been destroyed!"
"And according to the report... Drayden, the Gym Leader of Opelucid City... his status is unknown! He is missing!"
The uproar was deafening.
Team Plasma? An evil organization daring to openly attack a Gym in broad daylight?
And the Gym Leader, one of the strongest Dragon masters in the world, was missing?
This wasn't a crime. This was an act of war. It was a public slap in the face to the Unova Alliance on the very day of the Champion's inauguration.
"Team Plasma!!"
Alder was furious. Smoke practically poured from his ears. He was supposed to be retired as of five minutes ago, but he wouldn't let terrorists destroy his home.
Sabrina was new and unfamiliar with the emergency protocols, so Alder took charge immediately.
"Send the order down!" Alder roared.
"Alert the Elite Four! Raise the vigilance level to Red! Guard Vertress City!"
"Notify Officer Jenny! Send investigators and medical support to Opelucid City immediately!"
"Contact all Gym Leaders surrounding Opelucid! Tell them to lock down their cities and scan for Plasma activity!"
"YES, SIR!" The Alliance personnel scattered, moving to execute the orders.
Alder turned to Sabrina.
"Miss Sabrina, this is your first test. Come with me to Opelucid City!"
"Understood," Sabrina nodded, her face cold.
This was an emergency. The personal rivalry was put on hold.
Sam stepped forward, flanked by Cynthia and Diantha.
"Mr. Alder," Sam said seriously.
"We are coming too."
"Team Plasma threatens the peace of the entire world, not just Unova," Cynthia added, her eyes sharp.
"As the Sinnoh Champion, I cannot sit idly by."
"I will help as well," Diantha said firmly.
"We won't let them get away with this."
Alder looked at the three powerful trainers and nodded gratefully.
"Thank you! Your help is invaluable."
Alder didn't waste another second. He ran to the balcony and threw a Poké Ball.
"Braviary! To the skies!"
"SCREECH!"
Alder jumped onto his giant eagle, and the group summoned their own flying mounts, rushing toward the smoking ruins of Opelucid City.