March 10th, early morning, light snow.
After last night's celebration banquet, Natsume had collapsed exhausted into bed.
The newly acquired [Babiri Berry] would have to wait until he returned home before he experimented with new recipes.
Midnight.
Gengar led the group outside to admire the snowfall, standing on the hotel's open-air terrace as crystalline flakes drifted down.
"Gengar~"
Gengarn exhaled a white puff of air, its red scarf wrapped snugly around its body.
Watching snowflakes melt against its stubby hands, Gengar couldn't help but grin:
"Gengar! ヾ(^▽^ヾ)"
Cynthia sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathed in warm orange lamplight as she read.
The glow accentuated her elegant nose and the cool, regal beauty of her features.
But when she lifted her golden-haired face to gaze at Gengar outside, her lips curled into a tender smile.
"Apprehending poachers, facing Regigigas..."
Cynthia murmured softly to herself:
"He must be exhausted too."
On the table before her lay a sketchpad crammed with crossed-out item names—evidence of her chronic indecision.
Even at this hour, the perfectionist was still agonizing over what league reward to request.
"Roserade~"
Roserade extended a fragrant blossom, offering a steaming cup of coffee.
Clutching the warm mug, Cynthia slid open the glass door and stepped onto the terrace.
"Gengar?"
Gengar turned with a wide grin before waving enthusiastically at Spiritomb behind Cynthia:
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／"
The shy Spiritomb folded its fan-like body slightly in response:
"Spiritomb...( ///_ゝ///)"
"Glaceon?"
Glaceon shook its pale blue fringe, scattering ice crystals, but Sylveon was nowhere to be seen.
"Sylveon...(♥`ω´♥)"
At that moment, Sylveon lay curled against Natsume in the darkened room, lazily yawning.
After such an eventful day, even without using "Yawn," sleep came easily tonight.
A hazy mist levitated through the night like velvet draping over dreams.
Cynthia lifted her chin, disappointed to find no stars visible.
Sirfetch'd, its snowy fur gleaming, tugged her coat hem before brandishing its leek:
"Sirfetch'd!"
A powerful gust erupted from the leek, scattering clouds and snowflakes momentarily.
Under the "Defog" effect, starlight briefly flooded the terrace before vanishing again.
"Sirfetch'd! "
Sirfetch'd bowed gallantly, shield and leek at the ready.
"Beautiful."
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Sirfetch'd."
"Sirfetch'd!?o(////▽////)q" Sirfetch'd blushed.
"Lucario."
The noble fighter nodded approvingly at Blastoise's back.
Having witnessed both the shell's battle scars and its courage against Regigigas, Lucario regarded this junior with deep respect.
"Garchomp."
Cynthia's sudden call made Garchomp turn.
The black hair ornaments framing Cynthia's face mirrored Garchomp's own dorsal fins—a deliberate design choice symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
Much like how a certain scheming trainer paired perfectly with a hypnotic Pokémon...
Smiling, Cynthia announced: "I've decided on the reward item."
"The Lunar Feather—a mystical feather that dispels nightmares and brings sweet dreams."
Cynthia mused, "I believe it's the perfect reward."
[Lunar Feather] was a legendary-grade resource collected by Sinnoh League, extremely precious.
Yet two major incidents' contributions far outweighed this single feather.
Crossing her arms, Cynthia chuckled ruefully.
"Somehow... the debt keeps growing..."
...
Dawn broke over a sunlit Snowpoint City, fresh snow glittering gold.
Whoosh—
Natsume suddenly opened the curtains, and the white snow came into view full of energy.
Through the window, scaffolding around Snowpoint Temple's reconstruction was visible.
"The Sinnoh Forms renovation team..." Natsume muttered,
"...works frighteningly fast."
"Arcanine!"
In the courtyard, Arcanine rolled joyfully through snowdrifts like an oversized Alaskan malamute.
Its body heat quickly melted surrounding snow.
"Thanks to Natsume-sensei's idea," Candice said, leaning on her shovel,
"using Arcanine for snow removal helps tremendously."
"Whoa! Is that a special training technique?"
Ash's eyes sparkled before tossing his shovel aside.
"Let me try!"
He imitated Arcanine's enthusiastic snow-rolling.
"This..." Candice blinked at Lucian.
The Elite Four member adjusted his glasses resignedly.
"He's always like this. Just ignore him."
"Oh... okay." Candice nodded blankly.
By noon, Snowpoint Gym reopened as the city regained vitality.
Natsume and Cynthia observed Ash's rematch against Leader Candice.
"Chimchar, Flame Wheel!"
Ash's command rang out.
"Chimchar!"
The monkey Pokémon became a spinning wheel of golden fire, slamming into Abomasnow.
"Abomasnow!!"
Abomasnow skidded before collapsing, eyes swirled.
"Abomasnow is unable to battle! Rotom!"
The Rotom Dex waved a flag cheerfully:
"Winner—Ash from Pallet Town!"
"Yes! Icicle Badge get!"
Ash cheered, spinning hand-in-hand with Chimchar.
Natsume's eye twitched. "She went easy, right?"
"Not 'easy,'" Lucian said sagely.
"It's about building trainer confidence."
"Besides, Ash already qualifies for the League Tournament!"
Fair point.
Natsume mentally grumbled: If tournaments still used Red's format with legendary spammers—Darkrai? Latios?
Ash could one-punch them all effortlessly!
"You're returning to Sinnoh League?"
Natsume asked Cynthia.
She nodded purposefully.
"I can't keep having you handle my duties."
"As Champion, certain responsibilities are mine alone."
Natsume: "Just make Lucian work overtime."
Cynthia paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm... that could work..."
Ultimately, she decided to personally report the incident and request the [Lunar Feather]—
A surprise for Natsume.
Though slightly disappointed, Natsume quickly recovered.
Right now, recuperating in Sandgem Town took priority!
Both Blastoise and Natsume felt drained after Mega Evolution.
Since Bond Power drew from trainer-Pokémon emotions, deeper bonds meant greater strain—
Natsume's single Mega Evolution cost others three or four uses. Caution was essential.
Before departing, Natsume asked:
"Ash, you're not coming back?"
Ash grinned determinedly.
"I'm training at Iron Island with Mr. Riley!"
He clenched his fists.
"I'll prove to Paul that Chimchar, Staraptor—all of us—have an unbreakable bond!"
You'd crush Paul instantly with your old team...
But this was the "Bound Person's" chronic habit—using only new Pokémon each region.
Recalling Professor Oak's words—"A title is both gift and challenge"—Natsume understood.
Even the "Battler" had fought alone against Elite Four schemes.
The "Bound Person" forging bonds through new partners made perfect sense.
Which reminded him...
Natsume gazed skyward.
As the "Strategist," having higher Hypnosis accuracy and mastering Ally Switch is totally justified!
"I should... return to Sinnoh League too."
Lucian's pale lips trembled.
"Go get 'em."
Natsume flashed a grin:
"Make sure to defeat that challenger!"
Look how excited he is!
Lucian: "Ha... haha!"
Cynthia departed aboard Garchomp, nodding farewell to Natsume.
As Garchomp's contrail faded, Natsume turned to Gengar:
"Let's go home."
"First thing—a good long sleep..."
He called to Ash:
"Ash! I might need your help soon—keep your schedule open!"
Ash responded energetically:
"Roger that!"
...
"To Iron Island, Mr. Riley!"
Ash vibrated with excitement to test his skills.
Riley exchanged an amused glance with Lucario.
Beyond Ash's aura potential, another reason compelled Riley to mentor him.
Recalling the Regigigas battle, Riley frowned thoughtfully.
Even as an advanced aura wielder, he couldn't decipher Natsume's aura—
It resembled primordial ripples from the Tree of Beginning itself.
Suddenly, Riley's eyes widened.
Staring at Natsume's distant figure, he whispered hoarsely:
"So that's why I couldn't sense it..."
"Natsume-sensei... has been concealing master-level aura all along!"
Meanwhile...
Natsume crushed a [Special Upgrade Voucher], boosting his "Aura of Ripple" to advanced tier.
"Yo!"
Testing the intensified blue glow, he cheered:
"Now it's a proper spotlight!"
While intermediate tier struggled with legendaries,
Advanced tier should make even deific negotiations smoother.
Pleased, Natsume gave Gengar an experimental aura pulse.
"Gengar!"
The suddenly energized Gengar licked him violently.
"Stop! Rotom, help—!"
...
In the chat group...
Members discussed Snowpoint City's upheaval.
"Regigigas returned to slumber?"
Blue Oak sighed in relief.
"Professor Oak nearly sent me there."
Red simply smiled.
"With Natsume-sensei present, the outcome was never in doubt."
Natsume grimaced.
We almost got wiped out! Not everyone can solo a legendary!
Ash declared: "Natsume-sensei's Mega Blastoise forced Regigigas back!"
Natsume paused.
Technically true—though Blastoise got knocked out of Mega Form...
But Ash's version wasn't entirely wrong?
The chat fell silent.
Repelling a legendary matched Champion-caliber achievements!
Gold gasped: "Damn!"
Lance murmured: "You went to arrest a hunter... and casually fought Regigigas?"
Something felt off, yet the facts fit.
Natsume sent a 'Pikachu nodding' sticker.
Yellow: [Too intimidated to speak.jpg]
New member Candice added: "Thanks to Natsume-sensei, Snowpoint Temple will be rebuilt."
With a Gym Leader's confirmation, Ash's claims gained credibility.
Everyone imagined Natsume suppressing Regigigas—
"Is this... a Touran Champion's legacy?" Silver whispered.
Comparable to Red versus Mewtwo or Steven quelling Groudon and Kyogre!
On Mt. Silver's peak, a red-jacketed figure smirked beneath his cap.
"Things just got interesting."
The chat brimmed with elite discussion vibes.
Natsume felt something was amiss.
Fortunately, as classified league intel, this wouldn't spread.
Otherwise, headlines like "Natsume-sensei Subdues Regigigas!" might appear.
Clearing his throat, Natsume typed:
"I'll be resting in Sandgem Town."
"Understandable."
Erika replied gracefully.
"Battling such a Pokémon requires recovery."
Lt. Surge suddenly exclaimed: "Wait, Natsume-sensei defeated Regigigas?!"
Brock gasped:
"What, Natsume-sensei fought off Regigigas without any damage!?"
...
Team Rocket HQ, New Island.
Giovanni reviewed Matori's report.
"Sinnoh delivery volume increased 12%..."
Thanks to their Mentor, Team Rocket's Sinnoh reputation kept improving.
Compared to Team Galactic's fanaticism, Rockets prioritized pragmatism.
More importantly...
Giovanni frowned at the Snowpoint Temple report.
"Verified?"
"By Leader Candice and Pyramid King Brandon themselves!"
Matori confirmed. "Mentor quelled Regigigas's rage!"
Giovanni closed his eyes, envisioning Natsume battling the deity.
Even the crime boss felt stirrings of admiration.
A rare smile crossed his weathered face.
"You... always manage to surprise me."
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