Chapter 19

The weeks of training and preparation had flown by, and now the time had finally arrived—Alain and Dawn were heading to Unova for the Friendship Cup. Their last stop in Kalos was Professor Sycamore's lab, where they had taken a moment to say their goodbyes.

Dawn stood with her hands on her hips, giving the professor a bright smile. "Thanks for everything, Professor! We'll make sure to represent Kalos well."

Sycamore chuckled, nodding at her enthusiasm. "I don't doubt that for a second, Dawn." He then turned to Alain, his expression shifting to something a little more knowing. "And you, Alain—just remember that not everything has to be a battle. Enjoy yourself while you're there."

Alain gave a small nod, but Sycamore caught the flicker of hesitation in his gaze. There was always something weighing on him, but whatever it was, he wasn't ready to say.

Dawn reached out, taking Alain's hand with a reassuring squeeze. "We should go before we miss our ride."

With one final farewell, they turned and left the lab, stepping into the car that would take them to the airport.

The flight had been long, but neither of them could deny their excitement as they finally set foot in Unova. The moment they stepped out of the airport, Dawn stretched her arms above her head and took a deep breath. "Whoa, it feels so different here! The air, the scenery, everything!"

Alain, who had spent much of the flight in quiet thought, glanced around as well. The architecture, the vastness of the roads, even the way people dressed—it was all distinct from Kalos and Sinnoh. He wasn't one to express excitement openly, but he had to admit, there was a certain energy to Unova that made him take it all in.

Their driver, an older gentleman with neatly combed hair, approached them with a nod. "Welcome to Unova. I'll be taking you to Champion Cynthia's residence. Please, get in."

The car ride was smooth, and as the city faded into vast open fields and rolling hills, Dawn pressed her face to the window, watching the changing landscape in awe. "It's so different from Sinnoh's countryside. Everything looks so… open!" She turned to Alain, nudging him. "Come on, admit it—it's a nice view, right?"

Alain gave a small smirk, glancing out the window. "It's different," he admitted.

Dawn rolled her eyes but grinned. "I'll take that as a yes."

As the ride continued, Alain found himself growing quieter. At first, it was just the simple weight of arriving in an unfamiliar region, but gradually, something else settled in his mind.

Steven.

He had known for weeks that he would be seeing Steven again, but now that they were minutes away from Cynthia's house, the reality of it hit harder. Steven had met Lysandre. There was no telling how much he had learned since then. Had he looked into him? Had he connected the dots?

Alain's grip on his knee tightened slightly. He had spent so much time trying to leave that part of his life behind, but now, uncertainty crept in.

Would Steven confront him? Would he ask questions Alain wasn't ready to answer?

Dawn, still watching the scenery, didn't seem to notice his growing tension. He forced himself to take a slow breath, pushing the thoughts aside. He had dealt with worse before. Whatever happened, he would handle it.

When the car pulled up to Cynthia's estate, Dawn's eyes widened. "This place is amazing!"

The house was elegant yet welcoming, sitting atop a hill with a view that stretched far into the horizon. It was a mix of modern and traditional, with stone paths leading to the entrance and a spacious garden surrounding it.

Cynthia stood by the entrance, waiting for them with her arms crossed, a small smile on her lips. She waved as they stepped out of the car. "You made it. Welcome to Unova."

Dawn rushed forward with a cheerful grin. "Cynthia! Thanks for inviting us!"

Cynthia chuckled. "Of course. Come inside—there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Alain followed quietly, his mind still partially distracted. As they stepped inside, the air was warm with the scent of tea and something faintly floral. It felt… peaceful.

Then, they entered the living area, and there, sitting casually on the couch, was a familiar face.

Ash Ketchum.

He looked just as Dawn had described—black hair, a determined yet carefree expression, his Pikachu perched on his shoulder. Next to him were two trainers Alain didn't recognize, a girl with purple hair and a boy with green, both chatting animatedly.

Ash turned his head and grinned the moment he saw them. "Hey, Dawn! Long time no see!"

Dawn's face lit up. "Ash! No way, you're here too?"

Cynthia gave them a knowing look. "I thought it would be a nice surprise."

Dawn practically bounced forward. "Oh man, this is great! I haven't seen you since Sinnoh!"

Alain, meanwhile, stood slightly behind her, studying Ash with quiet curiosity. He had heard plenty about him from Dawn, but now, seeing him in person, he could see why she spoke about him so often. There was something about the way Ash carried himself—unshakable, confident, but not in an arrogant way.

Ash turned his gaze to Alain, his smile never wavering. "And you must be Alain! Cynthia told me about you. I heard you're a pretty strong trainer. Hope we get to battle sometime."

Alain smirked. "I look forward to it."

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Oh boy, here we go."

Cynthia chuckled, taking a seat. "You two will have plenty of time to battle. For now, let's all settle in and enjoy the evening."

The atmosphere remained light, with Dawn catching up with Ash and his friends while Alain stayed back, listening more than he spoke. For now, everything was casual.

But at the back of his mind, Alain knew the real challenges hadn't even begun yet.

As the evening stretched on, the group gathered around the large living room, where a fire crackled softly in the stone fireplace. The mood was relaxed, and Dawn was already deep in conversation with Ash and his friends, filling in the gaps of everything that had happened since Sinnoh.

"So you really caught a Snivy in Unova?" Dawn asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Ash grinned, scratching Pikachu's ear. "Yeah! She's a tough one, super independent. But she's got a strong fighting spirit."

Dawn smiled. "I'd love to meet her!"

"Sure! Maybe we can all have a battle while we're here," Ash suggested, looking between her and Alain.

Dawn nodded excitedly. "Definitely! I haven't battled you in forever!"

Ash then turned to Alain, his expression one of pure excitement. "And I'd still love to battle you too."

Alain met Ash's gaze, unreadable for a moment before nodding. "I wouldn't mind that."

There was no malice or challenge in Ash's tone, just a love for battle. It was refreshing, in a way. A rivalry based on skill rather than anything personal. Alain could respect that.

The front door creaked open, and Alain's posture immediately stiffened.

Steven Stone stepped inside, shaking out his coat from the evening chill. His silver hair was slightly windswept, but his usual composed demeanor remained intact. His sharp blue eyes swept the room before settling on Cynthia, who stood to greet him.

"Steven, you made it," Cynthia said with a slight smile.

"Of course," Steven replied smoothly, removing his coat. "I wouldn't miss it." His gaze then flickered toward Alain, and though his expression didn't change, Alain felt the weight of it instantly.

Steven knew something.

Alain sat still, keeping his face neutral, but the anxiety he had buried during the car ride came creeping back. Had Steven looked into him after their last meeting? Had he pieced together his involvement with Lysandre?

"Ah, Steven!" Ash spoke up, grinning. "Good to see you again!"

Steven's expression softened as he turned to Ash. "Likewise, Ash. You're still as energetic as ever, I see."

"Of course!" Ash laughed, then gestured toward Alain. "Oh, have you two met before?"

Alain knew he had to respond, or his hesitation would be obvious. He stood, keeping his tone level. "We've met briefly before."

Steven smiled slightly. "Yes, we have. It's good to see you again, Alain."

Nothing about his tone gave away suspicion, but Alain wasn't fooled. There was something in the way Steven looked at him—like he was assessing, waiting.

"Likewise," Alain replied carefully.

Dawn glanced between them, clearly picking up on something, but she didn't say anything.

Cynthia, sensing the shift in mood, clapped her hands together. "Well, now that everyone's here, let's enjoy the evening. There will be plenty of time for battles and training later."

The tension eased slightly as conversation resumed, but Alain couldn't shake the feeling that Steven was watching him.

And he had a bad feeling that this was only the beginning.

As the initial greetings settled, the group moved toward the dining table, where Cynthia had laid out a feast of regional dishes. Plates were passed around, and the air filled with conversation, laughter, and the occasional clink of silverware against porcelain.

Dawn and Ash were fully engaged in conversation, catching up on their past adventures, while Iris and Cilan chimed in with their own experiences traveling through Unova.

"This is your first time in Unova, right?" Cilan asked, looking at Dawn and Alain.

"Yeah!" Dawn said enthusiastically. "It's so different from Sinnoh and Kalos, but I love it already. The scenery on the way here was amazing!"

"It's certainly unique," Alain added, though his tone was more subdued. He wasn't quite in the mood for sightseeing, not with Steven's presence looming at the other end of the table.

Cynthia, ever the observant host, smiled. "Well, I hope you both enjoy your time here. Unova has a lot to offer, especially for trainers."

Steven, seated across from Alain, set his fork down and leaned back slightly. "That's true. And with the Friendship Cup coming up, you'll both have a chance to experience Unova's battle culture firsthand."

Alain met Steven's gaze. There was something unreadable in his eyes. It wasn't outright suspicion, but it was measured. Calculated.

Dawn, either unaware or choosing to ignore the underlying tension, nodded. "I can't wait to see what kind of battles we'll get to have! I heard there's a good mix of trainers, from new challengers to experienced ones."

Ash grinned. "Yeah! I'm hoping for some strong opponents. Maybe we'll get to battle each other there."

Alain gave a small nod. "I'd be up for that."

Steven's gaze lingered on Alain for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to his meal. But Alain felt it. A silent acknowledgment that this wasn't over.

As the evening stretched on, the group gradually migrated to the lounge area, where comfortable couches surrounded the fireplace. Pikachu curled up beside Ash, and Dawn settled in next to Alain, absentmindedly running her fingers through Piplup's feathers.

Steven eventually walked over and took a seat near Alain, his posture casual but deliberate.

"You've been working in Kalos lately, haven't you?" Steven asked.

Alain glanced at him, sensing the question had more weight than it appeared. "For a short time."

Steven hummed in thought. "Kalos is full of interesting trainers. And, of course, some… influential people."

Alain knew where this was going. He kept his expression neutral. "It is."

Dawn, noticing the slight change in Alain's tone, glanced between the two but didn't interrupt.

Steven took a sip of his tea. "It's always interesting to see where people align themselves in the Pokémon world. The connections they make. The ones they choose to keep… and the ones they choose to leave behind."

Alain's fingers curled slightly against his knee. There was no way that was an innocent remark.

Before Alain could formulate a response, Cynthia interrupted with a casual but well-placed remark. "Steven, I don't think now's the time for philosophy. Let them settle in before you start testing them."

Steven smiled lightly, a knowing glint in his eye. "Of course."

Alain exhaled quietly. He knew this wasn't over.

Later that night, after most of the conversations had wrapped up, Alain and Dawn stepped outside onto the balcony for some fresh air. The Unovan night sky stretched above them, dotted with stars, and a cool breeze carried the faint sounds of the forest beyond Cynthia's estate.

Dawn leaned against the railing. "So… what was that about?"

Alain exhaled slowly, his hands resting on the cool metal. "Steven knows something."

Dawn frowned. "About what?"

Alain hesitated. "Lysandre."

Dawn's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't press. She just studied him, reading the tension in his shoulders.

Dawn studied Alain's expression in the dim light of the balcony. The way his jaw tensed, the way his hands rested on the railing as if grounding himself. He was always like this—measured, controlled—but she had come to recognize the subtle cracks in his armour.

"You know," she said softly, "if Steven knows something, you could just tell me what it is. Then we can figure it out together."

Alain exhaled through his nose; his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's not that simple."

Dawn tilted her head. "Why not?"

A long pause. The wind rustled through the trees, filling the silence between them.

Finally, Alain spoke. "I used to be… angry." His voice was quiet but firm, as if choosing each word carefully. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I had to prove something—to myself, to others. But I was wrong."

Dawn blinked, absorbing his words. "Angry about what?"

Alain shook his head. "That doesn't matter anymore. What matters is… I'm not anymore."

Dawn searched his face, trying to read between the lines. He was telling her something, even if he wasn't saying it outright. She had seen pieces of this side of him before—the frustration, the weight he carried—but this was the most direct he had ever been about it.

She gave him a small smile. "Okay."

Alain turned to look at her, as if expecting her to press for more. When she didn't, his shoulders relaxed just a fraction.

Dawn nudged him lightly. "I told you I don't want you to be on edge around me"

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. "Yeah." Alain cupped her cheek, the pair stared longingly into each other's eyes, a mutual understanding of a growing bond and trust between the two.

A bond they sealed with a kiss. One deeper and more intimate than they had previously shared. Dawn placed her hand over his that was cupping her cheek. When they pulled apart their eyes were closed and foreheads touching, breathing in each other.

Dawn turned her attention back to the stars while leaning her head on Alain's shoulder. The night air felt cooler now, but in a way that was refreshing rather than chilling.

Whatever Alain was hiding, he wasn't ready to tell her everything yet. But that was okay. He was getting there.

And she would wait.

As Dawn was leaning her head on his shoulder, Alain threw his arm around her, keeping her warn from the night breeze. While she was staring at the stars, Alain couldn't help but gaze at her. I swear I'll do anything to keep you safe, he vowed to himself.

Inside the estate, Cynthia poured two glasses of wine, setting one down in front of Steven as she took a seat across from him in the dimly lit lounge. The house was quieter now, the others having retired for the night, leaving only the occasional creak of the building and the faint rustle of the wind outside.

Steven took his glass, swirling the liquid absently before speaking. "He's different from the last time I saw him."

Cynthia leaned back in her chair. "Alain?"

Steven nodded. "More guarded, but not in the same way as before. It's like he's distancing himself from something."

Cynthia took a slow sip of her wine. "You've had your eye on him for a while now, haven't you?"

Steven exhaled, setting his glass down. "When someone associates with Lysandre, it's hard not to."

Cynthia arched a brow. "And what exactly do you think he's done?"

Steven's lips pressed into a thin line. "That's just it—I don't know." He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "I've been trying to find something concrete on Lysandre for a while now. The man has influence, but he's careful. Too careful. Anything suspicious is buried so deep that even with my resources, I keep hitting dead ends."

Cynthia tilted her head. "And you think Alain could lead you to something?"

Steven's gaze darkened slightly. "If he was close to Lysandre, then he knows more than he's letting on. But whether he was just a pawn or something more… I haven't figured that out yet."

Cynthia studied him for a moment before offering a small shrug. "I don't think he's a threat, if that's what you're wondering."

Steven leaned back, considering her words. "You trust him?"

Cynthia's lips curved slightly. "I trust Dawn. And she trusts him."

Steven exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Dawn is young, Cynthia. And a little naive. She sees the good in people, which is admirable—but it also makes her vulnerable." He took a sip of his wine before setting it down with a quiet clink. "What if she's wrong about him?"

Cynthia's expression didn't change, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes. "She's stronger than you're giving her credit for."

Steven's frown didn't quite fade. "I hope you're right."

A silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft ticking of a nearby clock.

Finally, Cynthia spoke again, her tone thoughtful. "I could talk to Diantha."

Steven glanced at her. "Diantha?"

Cynthia nodded. "She has influence in Kalos, and if anyone has the reach to dig into Lysandre without raising suspicion, it's her. She might be able to help."

Steven considered it before giving a slow nod. "It's worth a shot."

Cynthia gave a small, satisfied hum before finishing off her drink. Then, with an easy grace, she reached across the space between them, taking Steven's hand in hers.

"We rarely get time together," she said, tugging him to his feet with a teasing smirk. "So let's try and enjoy it while we can."

Steven let out a quiet chuckle, standing as she led him toward the hallway. "Alright, you win."

For now, the conversation was over. But Steven's search for the truth was far from finished.