Night fell, a gentle breeze brushing against the summer port. "That's a Finneon." Cynthia, draped in a black trench coat, gazed at the shimm
Night fell, a gentle breeze brushing against the summer port.
"That's a Finneon."
Cynthia, draped in a black trench coat, gazed at the shimmering dark sea, elegantly tucking back her golden hair.
"They inhabit the deep ocean, surfacing with whirlpools, giving trainers a chance to catch them."
"At least it's not a Tentacool," Natsume remarked.
"There are several other Water-type Pokémon that glow," Cynthia smiled, raising a finger. "Like Chinchou, Lanturn, Starmie, and so on."
The lighthouse of the sunyshore city cast its beam, sweeping across the sea.
"Do you think there are undiscovered Pokémon in the deep sea?"
"Such as?"
"Giant squids, or octopuses afraid of ships."
Natsume's mind conjured up a few poorly designed Pokémon and said,
"Even something as un-Pokémon-like as Dhelmise has been discovered. There's bound to be new species."
The shifting light played across Cynthia's sharp, delicate profile as the two of them fell into a shared sense of awe and mystery toward the colossal deep-sea Pokémon.
"Weren't you going to train later?" Cynthia murmured, feeling the warmth of his hand.
"I usually leave that to Gengar."
"What about that Larvitar you just caught?"
"I'll take you to see it in a bit."
"I can stay a little longer."
The sea reflected their swaying figures, gradually drawing closer, the sound of waves mingling with the distant cry of a Wailmer.
Cynthia rested her head on Natsume's shoulder, her black hair ornaments brushing against his temple, feeling his hand gently stroke her smooth golden hair.
After a long silence, the lighthouse beam continued its endless rotation. A faint smile curved Cynthia's lips.
"We could go see the summer fireworks in Sinnoh."
"Like last year in Tokyo?"
"Yeah…" She let out a soft sigh in the night. "Has it really been that long already?"
"And then?"
"And then play the newly released game, prepare for the Lily of the Valley Conference, hand out the Champion's award…"
"Then I'll definitely become Champion," Natsume said with a frown.
Sorry, Ash. Try harder next region!
Cynthia's arm looped around his neck, her long lashes lowering as a tender laugh escaped her.
"Then you'd better give it your all."
"This time, for sure," Natsume nodded.
"Alright."
Cynthia naturally withdrew her arm, stretching lazily before walking ahead. She turned back with a smile.
"Let's go see that Larvitar of yours!"
"It's at the battle grounds in the sunyshore park."
Natsume watched as she moe-moe! tied up her hair with effortless grace, then followed after her.
"I left Gengar to keep an eye on it. Shouldn't be a problem…"
...
This trip to Sunyshore City had an extra purpose—Cynthia had brought a gift for Larvitar.
A manual passed down from Celestic Town's Dragon-type heritage: Dragon Dance.
Since Garchomp couldn't master Dragon Dance, the manuals Cynthia obtained had gone unused.
But Larvitar could learn the move via Technical Machine, so she decided to bring Dragon Dance as a gift for Natsume.
It was also her way, as Sinnoh's Champion, of thanking the trainer who had saved the region multiple times.
The park at night was empty—swings, rocking horses, slides, all deserted.
Except for a few little ones playing here, having chased off the wild Pokémon that usually lingered.
(Wild Shinx: Meow!!Translation: Damn you, Sylveon! We'll be back!)
"Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"
Togepi slid down the slide with glee, then immediately scrambled back up for another go.
"Gengar~" Gengar levitated, using its tongue to lift Togepi midair, saving it the trouble of running.
"Sylveon~" Sylveon had wrapped its ribbons around the swing, swaying happily with a bright smile.
But the moment it spotted Natsume, it leapt down, puffing its chest proudly.
Hmph~ So childish. I wasn't even playing on the swings.
"And this is…?" Cynthia pointed at the conspicuous turtle shell in the center of the park.
"That's Blastoise." Natsume rubbed his forehead. "It's practicing aura control using the Calm Mind technique Lucario taught it."
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully, then smiled and tossed out Poké Balls in one smooth motion.
"Come out and play, everyone."
Instantly, the quiet park was filled with Pokémon cries.
Gastrodon lazily trudged across the sand, leaving a trail of slime in its wake.
The shy Spiritomb tucked itself into its keystone, pretending it didn't exist.
Togekiss soared overhead, Lucario sat meditating, and Garchomp extended its scythe toward Natsume.
"Garchomp!"
Natsume blinked, then pulled out a case of Pokéblocks.
"Big bro, want a snack?"
Garchomp grinned, approving of his attitude.
Well, I can't stop him anyway… Might as well get some treats out of it!
Larvitar was playing in the sandpit with Arcanine.
"Arcanine…"
At first glance, it looked like Arcanine was babysitting—but really, it had dug itself a cozy hole and was lounging inside.
"Larvitar…" Larvitar, meanwhile, was fully absorbed in building a sandcastle.
"Looks like a Palossand," Natsume remarked.
"It's quite skilled with its hands," Cynthia said with a soft smile.
Soon, the sandcastle took shape—a miniature palace-style ruin.
Larvitar's eyes gleamed as it opened its mouth wide—
"Larvitar! (￣～￣)"
Natsume: "..."
So you built a sandcastle just to make the sand tastier?!
Give me back my childhood wonder, dammit!
After observing Larvitar, Cynthia's eyes shimmered with intrigue.
Its breeding and training were flawless.
She felt even more confident about it mastering Dragon Dance.
"This is my gift for Larvitar."
Cynthia handed Natsume a purple USB drive, her tone serious. "You must accept it."
Natsume hesitated. "It's that important?"
"It's my thanks for saving Sinnoh multiple times."
Cynthia frowned slightly, lowering her voice. "You know I don't like owing people."
"Then don't thank me. I'd rather have you." Natsume waved it off.
Cynthia shot him a look.
Unfazed, Natsume took the USB drive and asked casually,
"What's on it?"
"A Technical Machine—Dragon Dance." Cynthia smiled.
Natsume: ?
Would Dragon Dance make Larvitar eat even more?
No.
But it would make its demolition efforts faster and more destructive.
Dragon Dance was a top-tier Dragon-type move, perfect for Tyranitar's attack-focused build.
Yet Garchomp had never been able to master it.
Maybe that was why Moe-Moe! had passed it to him—to make up for that regret.
"Celestic Town has always nurtured Dragon-type trainers."
Cynthia recalled her grandmother's words.
"The Unova Region's Dragon-type Elite Four member, Drasna, also hails from Celestic Town."
"This records the 'Dragon Dance' move passed down in Celestic Town."
Cynthia said, "It should be helpful for breeding your Larvitar."
Natsume was conflicted.
A mental image flashed before him—Gengar singing, Little Rotom providing accompaniment, and Larvitar dancing…
The scene was somewhat bizarre and carried a faint whiff of money.
Still, Moe-Moe! had gone out of her way to come to Sunyshore City and carefully prepared this gift for Larvitar.
Of course he had to accept it—the only question was where to train.
Natsume pocketed the USB drive containing the "Dragon Dance" move, thinking:
After the Gym battle, I'll ask Leader Volkner to borrow his arena.
Training at home was out of the question.
Professor Rowan was very kind to him, but his backyard wasn't always available.
The only option was to scout out Gyms and rent venues like this…
Seeing Natsume accept "Dragon Dance," Cynthia couldn't help but smile.
"What now?"
"W-what do you mean?" Natsume blinked.
Noticing Cynthia's amused expression, Natsume slowly understood.
"Impossible. I have a match against Volkner tomorrow morning!"
"It's fine~ I rarely have free time… just play with me for three hours?"
"One hour!"
"I'll pay."
"Money doesn't matter."
Natsume walked into the night, waving his hand, his firm voice carried by the wind.
"Mainly… I just want to play games with you."
...
As everyone knew, being a Gaming Buddy was one way to earn some extra pocket money.
Perhaps this was just… a quirk between these two Champions.
The Next Day.
Flint stood in the hallway, loudly chatting on a video call:
"Whoa, Natsume-sensei's battling today, but you don't have to get this worked up!"
Lucian, dark circles under his eyes from staying up all night, weakly waved a hand.
"Think whatever you want… Just hurry back and take over for me."
"Relax."
Flint grinned. "Once I finish watching today's match, I'll head straight back to Lily of the Valley Island!"
A door creaked open.
Ash, with heavy dark circles and a drowsy Pikachu on his head, greeted:
"Mornin', Senior Flint…"
"You pulled an all-nighter too?" Flint blinked.
"Nah." Ash yawned. "Just couldn't sleep 'cause I was too pumped to duel Leader Volkner!"
Flint let out an "Oh," just as another door swung open.
Ash and Flint turned in unison toward Natsume-sensei, exclaiming together:
"Natsume-sensei, you didn't sleep either?!"
"What do you think?"
Natsume rubbed his dark circles.
A rustling sound came from the room as a golden-haired beauty stepped out from behind Natsume, smiling gracefully.
"Good morning, Ash. Flint."
Instantly, Flint turned to stone, his jaw dropping with an audible crack as the wind whistled past.
"Y-Y-You— Th-This— C-C-Cynthia?!"
His eyes darted back and forth between them, then to the room behind, piecing it together with Natsume-sensei's earlier words.
Flint grabbed his afro, his eyes glazing over as if his brain was rebooting.
"Champion Cynthia!"
Ash's eyes widened. "Did you and Natsume-sensei train together all night?!"
Cynthia tapped her chin, then smiled. "Something like that."
"In that case!"
Ash's eyes burned with determination as he clenched his fists. "Before my battle with Leader Volkner, have a match with me, Champion Cynthia!"
"Pikachu~!"
Cynthia blinked her long lashes, seemingly considering whether to accept.
Natsume grabbed Ash's head and sighed.
"The tournament's about to start. Stop causing trouble!"
"Mmph— I'm Ash from Pallet Town! I'll beat Paul and become the Champion!" Ash shouted.
Flint's brain finally rebooted. He stammered at Cynthia:
"D-Do I need to… forget what I just saw?"
"Hm?" Cynthia paused. "We just played games all night."
"Got it!"
Flint nodded vigorously, repeating:
"Just played games all night!"
Cynthia tilted her head slightly, a thought flashing through her mind.
Glancing at Natsume, who was still talking, her lips curled.
At the very least… he'll have to confess properly during the fireworks festival.
Wait.
Doesn't that mean… an engagement?
"I-I need to… go back to Celestic Town first!" Cynthia suddenly thought, flustered.
After saying her goodbyes, she hurriedly mounted Garchomp and soared into the clear blue sky.
Flint scratched his afro.
Even I can tell something's up with those two!
But… Flint mused, Dating seems like such a hassle.
Battling Volkner is way more exciting!
Once the Gym Open Tournament wraps up, maybe we can team up and crush some noobs in the Battle Section!
Flint grinned.
Now I get why Natsume-sensei's always so happy!
Natsume, meanwhile, was pondering the finer points of Dragon Dance as he asked Ash:
"What's your match order?"
"Uh, I think I'm one of the last few."
Flint slung an arm around Ash and Natsume-sensei, laughing boisterously.
"C'mon, let's go find Volkner! This is gonna be good!"
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