April 26th, Monday A cool drizzle fell from the sky, creating ripples across the pond as a Lotad peeked above the water's surface. The water
April 26th, Monday
A cool drizzle fell from the sky, creating ripples across the pond as a Lotad peeked above the water's surface.
The water's reflection showed a trainer riding past on his bike, the ding-ding-dang-dang of its bell ringing out as he splashed through puddles.
With a stylish drift, Natsume brought his Rotom Bike to a stop and glanced at Gengar, who was holding an umbrella.
"Did we take a wrong turn?"
"Gengar..." Gengar scratched its head and tapped the dozing bike handlebars.
The handlebars suddenly blinked its "eyes" awake as Rotom's navigation voice chimed in:
"Beep... Arriving at Sunyshore City shortly, Rotom!"
Today, they were heading to Sunyshore City for a trip.
The fired-up "Fourth" Volkner had invited several trainers to participate in Sunyshore Gym's open tournament.
Ash, Flint, and Natsume-sensei were all on the list.
Of course... the main reason was that Natsume's house was still under renovation.
So, he decided to take Larvitar out for some "foraging" (scratch that)—training instead.
Riding through the wilderness in this light rain, enjoying the breeze with his Pokémon, had its own charm.
"As long as I don't run into Ash while biking," Natsume thought.
Taking a short break at a bus stop, Natsume sat on the bench and sipped some mineral water.
"Gengar~" Gengar sat beside him, munching on chips and occasionally offering one to Natsume.
Sylveon stretched its ribbons to pluck berries from a nearby bush, handing them to Larvitar and Togepi.
The two little ones hopped excitedly at the sight of the fresh, dewy berries.
"Sylveon~" Sylveon shook its damp fur, its baby-doll eyes glimmering as it allowed itself a small smile.
After the break, they set off again.
Togepi, sitting in the bike basket, waved at Larvitar. "Togepi~"
Larvitar's eyes widened. It climbed onto the bench, closed its eyes, and leaped toward the basket. "Larvitar!"
THUD!
At 72 kg, Larvitar's impact bent the basket completely out of shape, startling Rotom out of the bike.
"What happened, Rotom?!"
Larvitar landed on its rear, looking up in innocent confusion.
"Gengar, pack up the broken bike," Natsume said calmly, still sipping his water. "We'll get Ash to pay for it next time."
"Gengar~" Gengar grinned and pulled out a shadow-woven bag, stuffing the bike inside.
Togepi, meanwhile, was unharmed.
Thanks to Metronome summoning Bubble, it was safely encased in a floating bubble, rolling through the air like a game.
Natsume popped the bubble and caught the giggling Togepi.
"Let's walk the rest of the way. Sunyshore City is right ahead."
CRACK—
CRUNCH. CRUNCH.
Larvitar casually picked up a loose cobblestone and munched on it, cheering in response. "Larvitar!"
...
"So, did you win?"
In the chat group, Flint was asking about Ash's battle results at Lake Acuity.
Ash frowned unusually hard before finally saying: "I don't know how to put it... but maybe even Paul has things I can learn from."
"So you lost then?" Gold asked.
Ash slumped before suddenly shouting: "Aaaah! I won't lose next time!!"
Low emotional intelligence: I lost.
High emotional intelligence: Paul has things worth learning.
Natsume chuckled and couldn't resist asking: "You didn't use your old Kanto team, did you?"
When Ash confirmed this, Lt. Surge scoffed: "Then you deserved it, Ashrookie."
Ash lowered his head: "I wanted to prove that even with just my Sinnoh team, I could beat him..."
This was the disadvantage of being "The Bond Person" - always trying to overcome level gaps with friendship.
Natsume shook his head. But the Lake Acuity battle was an important growth moment for both Ash and Paul.
Just like when Gold lost to Silver at Lake of Rage.
"As long as you learn from defeat," Blue Oak said, "losing isn't unacceptable."
Red blinked, suddenly imagining Boss Giovanni in his black trench coat. Shaking his head, he encouraged:
"Keep at it, Ash."
Fire reignited in Ash's eyes as he rallied: "I will! My next goal is earning Sunyshore City's badge!"
"Starting today, there's going to be an open tournament at Sunyshore Gym," Flint said while scrolling through his phone. "That guy really leaves himself no retreat... planning to battle Ash, Tobias and Natsume-sensei back-to-back."
The Sunyshore Gym tournament had drawn significant attention across Sinnoh.
After all, Volkner hadn't appeared publicly in ages, with the gym remaining closed to challengers.
Yet despite this, Sunyshore Gym was still officially recognized as Sinnoh's "eighth gym" - a testament to Electric-type Leader Volkner's strength.
Many insiders believed Volkner was fully qualified to be an Elite Four member.
If not for being countered by Ground-type Elite Four member Granny Bertha, Volkner would have already succeeded the soon-to-retire Bertha as Sinnoh's new Elite Four.
This revitalized Volkner was now seen as a strong contender for the next Elite Four position.
"I've met that young man once," Old Man Wattson said while stroking his stubble. "Quite skilled with electronics and machinery."
"Tch," Lt. Surge waved dismissively. "Just some rookie."
Green covered a laugh: "Well, Lt. Surge did once use Raikou to power a maglev train."
"HAHAHA!" Lt. Surge grinned widely. "And Zapdos for electricity too!"
Natsume's eye twitched.
Classic electricity thief Lt. Surge!
"Wait... could I catch one to charge Rotom too..."
Natsume quickly shook his head and coughed.
Possible, but too shameless to actually do.
"I wonder if Larvitar can eat circuit boards," Natsume mused. "Sunyshore Gym must have plenty..."
After arranging to meet Ash at the Pokémon Center (with Flint saying he'd arrive soon), Natsume noticed Larvitar inspecting the polished marble tiles, tapping them as if deciding where to start.
"Those tiles aren't food!" Natsume quickly intervened.
"Larvitar..." Larvitar clutched its stomach as it growled pitifully.
"Gengar~" Gengar magician-style produced a coal chunk and tossed it up.
"Larvitar! (￣～￣)" Larvitar leapt to catch it midair, crunching happily.
Nearby trainers turned to watch.
Yet watching this pseudo-legendary baby's bizarre antics... was actually kind of adorable!
"That's Natsume-sensei, right?" someone whispered.
"He must be here for Leader Volkner's Gym Open Tournament."
"Why not Sunyshore's doubles competition?" another murmured. "The prize is rare ores - perfect for Larvitar... I bet Natsume-sensei is actually here for the Baby Cup."
With his enhanced Aura of Ripple hearing catching this, Natsume paused.
Before battling Volkner... maybe some appetizers for Larvitar first?
Before registering, Natsume scanned Larvitar's move list through his system.
In just three days, Larvitar's progress had been at Extreme Speed levels.
Credit went to Oreburgh Gym's training... plus "Giovanni's Techniques" and all those expensive minerals.
"Well, it did eat an entire house..." Natsume thought wryly.
New moves included Dig from "Giovanni's Techniques", Rock Throw from Oreburgh Gym, and the Dark-type STAB move Bite.
Larvitar: (￣～￣)
Natsume eyed the coal-chewing Larvitar.
Hmm... reminds me of Ash's bite-happy Gible!
"Bite is OP though," Natsume mused.
In the anime, Ash's Gible had crunched through Team Rocket's giant mecha, even chaining Bite into Draco Meteor.
Given Larvitar's jaw strength... probably similar potential.
"Giovanni's Techniques" also mentioned expensive items like Smooth Rocks and Soft Sand.
The rare ores from Sunyshore's doubles competition must relate to this.
Pay-to-win training works!
"Larvitar?"
Larvitar blinked up at Natsume patting its head.
"Later we'll battle some rookies... I mean, get some snacks," Natsume said. "Just do your best - Togepi's got your back if needed."
"Togepi doo-ee! ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"
Togepi popped out with surprising Sylveon-like "big sister" energy.
Natsume looked heavenward.
Gold, look what your Togebo taught my Togepi!
Hearing about food, Larvitar's eyes lit up before nodding vigorously:
"Yoji! (｡♥‿♥｡)"
If Sirfetch'd's growth was "I Just Want to Slack Off",
Then Larvitar's was "Eating Makes Me Stronger."
As long as I stand on earth, I can keep eating!
Not starving counts as success!
For Larvitar's first official battle (and meal ticket), Natsume checked his phone and found the "Sunyshore Doubles Competition" registration.
The prize was a Hard Stone that boosted Rock-type moves - allegedly dredged from the seafloor during Regigigas' continental shifts. Also... edible.
"Teams of two?" Natsume blinked.
Makes sense for doubles, but where to find a partner—
"Natsume!"
Ash came running in, Pikachu waving from his shoulder:
"Pikachu~!"
After catching his breath, Ash clenched his fists, eyes burning: "Leader Volkner's tournament is tomorrow!"
"I can't wait to earn my eighth badge!"
"That's secondary," Natsume said, showing Ash the registration form.
Ash blinked: "Huh?"
"First, join me for a Baby Cup... I mean," Natsume facepalmed, "a doubles match!"
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