Chapter Eight: The Journey Starts Today

Prologue

Six years had passed since Cynthia's heated argument with her grandmother and saying goodbye to Steven. Unable to leave without her grandmother's permission, she spent the years caring for and training her Pokémon. Not much changed for Gible; he never took to training, always wanting to play or relax. Her efforts with Feebas were not wasted, as it evolved into a beautiful Milotic.

At sixteen, Cynthia was now of legal age to begin her Pokémon journey with Gible and Milotic by her side. Now free to pursue her dreams with nothing holding her back, she would start her journey immediately.

Present Day

Six years later, the morning sun cast a golden glow over Magefyre Manor, its warmth seeping through the windows and stirring Cynthia from her sleep. She sat up, stretching and smiling at the sight of her Pokémon. Gible, still as energetic as ever, stood by her side, while her Milotic glided gracefully in its tank. Today was the day she had waited for, the day she could finally begin her journey as a Pokémon Trainer.

Cynthia stood and reached up to open the curtains, her impressive height accentuating her commanding presence. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, framing a face that had matured into striking beauty. Her vibrant grey eyes held a spark of determination and wisdom beyond her years. She had become known not just for her looks but for her strength and intelligence, traits that made her a force to be reckoned with.

Reflecting on the past few years, Cynthia remembered the day she found Feebas and the care and dedication it took to help it evolve into the magnificent Milotic it was now. Much like her own growth, Feebas's transformation into Milotic was a testament to patience, perseverance, and hard work. The bond between them was a mirror of Cynthia's evolution from a determined girl into a formidable young woman.

She dressed quickly, her heart pounding with excitement and a touch of nervousness. She had been preparing for this moment for years, training with her Pokémon and studying every book on Pokémon battles and strategies she could find. She knew she was ready.

At breakfast, Cynthia approached her grandmother, who was reading the morning paper. "Grandma, it's my sixteenth birthday today. You know what that means," Cynthia said, her voice steady but filled with anticipation.

Her grandmother looked up, a mixture of pride and concern in her eyes. "You've become so strong, Cynthia. But with Team Galactic around, it's still dangerous out there."

As if sensing the tension, Milotic glided over to Cynthia and wrapped its long, elegant body around her in a protective stance. Its tail hit the ground with a gentle but firm thud, showing its readiness to protect Cynthia at all costs. The sight of Milotic's protectiveness brought a look of reassurance to her grandmother's eyes.

Cynthia's expression hardened. "I understand the risks, Grandma. But I've trained hard, and I have my Pokémon to protect me. I can't stay here forever."

Her grandmother sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I knew this day would come. I just hoped… I hoped it wouldn't be so soon. But you're right. You're of age now, and I can't stop you. But if you're going to Canalave City, you need to know the best route."

Cynthia leaned in, eager to listen. "Tell me, Grandma."

"The quickest way is to head west to the entrance of the cave at Mount Coronet. From there, you'll travel through the cave and emerge near Eterna City. It's a well-travelled path, but still, you must be cautious. There will be no shortage of eager trainers, but I'm sure having a water type will give you a good advantage. Just make sure not to be overconfident just because of type advantage."

"I know, Grandmother," she replied with a gentle laugh.

With her grandmother's reluctant blessing, Cynthia packed her bag with essentials: potions, Poké Balls, a map, and the book Steven had given her on rare Pokémon. She hugged her grandmother tightly, feeling a pang of sadness but also a surge of excitement. "I'll be careful, Grandma. I promise."

"I know you will, Cynthia. Just remember, you can always come back home if you need to," her grandmother said, her voice thick with emotion.

Cynthia nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "I will. And I'll come back with stories and knowledge that will make you proud."

With that, Cynthia set off down the familiar path that led from Magefyre Manor, her heart racing with the thrill of the unknown. Gible and Milotic flanked her, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

The journey to Mount Coronet was long but filled with moments that tested and honed Cynthia's skills as a Trainer. She battled wild Pokémon, helped fellow travellers, and grew closer to her Pokémon with each passing day. Her confidence soared with every victory, and she felt more prepared than ever to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Finally, after several days of travel, Cynthia stood at the entrance of the cave at Mount Coronet. The towering peak loomed above her, its snowy cap glistening in the sunlight. She took a deep breath and stepped into the cave, her heart pounding with anticipation.

The cave was dark and winding, but Cynthia navigated it with the help of her Pokémon. Gible's natural senses detected any potential threats, and he seemed like a fish in water. This didn't go unnoticed by Cynthia. Originally, she assumed Gible was most likely a dragon Pokémon, but seeing how well it adapted to the cave made her think it could be a rock or ground type. Perhaps that's why it hatched in the cave, she thought.

As she progressed deeper into the cave, she noticed a middle-aged, tall man with striking blue hair blocking one of the paths. He stood motionless, staring intently at cave paintings on the wall. Cynthia sensed a bad aura emanating from him, her instincts screaming danger. Without drawing attention to herself, she quickly took another path to avoid him.

Milotic did all the fighting, both wild Pokémon and trainers, and already she had proven to be a formidable force. During her battles, Gible clung to her leg, unsure of what to make of the battles. After each battle, Gible seemed slightly more curious, sneaking glances from behind Cynthia's leg. While Cynthia couldn't see what Gible was doing, she could feel the Pokémon clinging to her leg. She could only hope Gible was watching the battle to learn instead of keeping his eyes closed.

After hours of traversing the labyrinthine cave, they finally emerged into the bright daylight near Eterna City. Cynthia shielded her eyes against the sudden brightness, a sense of accomplishment washing over her. She had made it through Mount Coronet, and now Eterna City lay before her, another step closer to Canalave.

While determined to get to Canalave City as quickly as possible, she knew her Pokémon had earned a well-deserved rest. So, off they set, looking for the nearest Pokémon Centre. While waiting for her Pokémon to be healed, an old man approached her.

"Hello, my dear. I don't believe I've seen you here before. On a Pokémon journey, I presume?" he said in a friendly manner.

"You assumed correctly, sir," she replied gleefully. Cynthia was glad someone had approached her. While she had no problem holding a conversation with anyone, she did take issue with starting one. Her isolated childhood left her with insecurity and a shyness she had yet to overcome.

"Well then, when you are ready to leave here, you should stop by my house. I offer help to new trainers by showing you a way to make your Pokémon much stronger." And with that, the old man turned and left the Pokémon Centre.

Cynthia was not quite sure what to make of the offer. The old man seemed friendly, but she was wary of his abrupt departure. She sat silently, weighing her options, unsure if she was wise to stall and find the old man or continue to make haste towards Canalave City.

Then she remembered her grandmother's warnings of Team Galactic. Perhaps trusting the old man would be her wisest option if it could strengthen her Pokémon.

It was decided; she would go to the old man's house.