March 6th, Saturday.
The early spring sunlight was perfect for morning runs, petting cats, and reading.
Natsume sat on the wicker chair of his second-floor balcony, dressed in a thin white hoodie, gazing at the sparkling shores of Sandgem Beach.
In a few weeks, when the weather warmed, the beach would be crowded with visitors. The hills along the coast, now dotted with fresh green and pale yellow, would soon be in full cherry blossom bloom.
Wingulls would soar across the blue sky; Cherubi would hide shyly among the cherry trees; Gastrodon would lazily sip water by the shore.
"This place is perfect for retirement."
Natsume grinned, reaching out toward Sylveon as the idyllic scene played in his mind.
"Sylveon~" Sylveon nimbly dodged Natsume's grab, landing gracefully on the wooden deck and stretching its front paws.
Its pink ears, adorned with white bows, basked in the sunlight—irresistibly tempting to squish.
Gulp. Natsume swallowed hard.
Too cute!
But Rotom was busy cooking and couldn't take the hit of an Iron Tail for him.
With the tsundere Sylveon refusing cuddles, Natsume scooped up Togepi instead.
"Togepi"
Togepi, engrossed in its handheld console, suddenly found itself suspended mid-air. After a brief pause, it kicked its tiny legs happily.
Up we go! Up we go! ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ
At just four months old, Togepi's Everstone had been replaced—after Blastoise shattered its original one.
Even Saiyans would be impressed by that power surge.
"Morning, Mew."
Natsume blinked at the video call still active on his console. "Have you been online this whole time?"
"Mew~!" The pink kitten on-screen let out an energetic laugh.
The backdrop showed the crystalline Tree of Beginning, tangled with wires—Team Rocket's DIY Wi-Fi setup for Mew.
Natsume figured if Gengar could sign up for online classes, Mew ordering toys wasn't far-fetched.
Worst case, the delivery guy drops them at the tree, and Mew just transforms to sign for it...
"Togepi! ヾ" Togepi resumed its card game with Mew.
Natsume stood and leaned over the balcony railing.
"Food's ready!"
"Arcanine" Arcanine threw back its head with a majestic howl, its fiery mane radiating authority.
Yet the yard lay in ruins behind it, and its goofy, wise-eyed expression screamed husky energy.
Natsume sighed. "Gengar, mow the lawn this afternoon."
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar gave a thumbs-up.
Leave it to me!
Nearby, Sirfetch'd—snow-white fur, gaze sharp as its leek blade—faced Blastoise in a spar.
"Blastoise." Blastoise removed its sunglasses, wary of its "mentor's" guidance.
Its shell gleamed with metallic sheen as Iron Defense activated instantly.
First move: full defense!
"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd stood unfazed, staring Blastoise down.
Blastoise frowned, using its aura to scan for weaknesses.
All openings… yet none at all?
"Blastoise!" Another Iron Defense!!
"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd's eyes gleamed brighter—
Clang.
Natsume watched the stalemate, deadpan.
"Are you two reenacting The Duel at the Kyoto Imperial Palace? Blastoise of the West, Leek of the East?"
Despite its Scrappy ability, Sirfetch'd trembled internally.
"Sirfetch'd!"
It's just staring at me… I can't attack!
Someone sub me out, please!!
...
During their three days in Celestic Town, Sirfetch'd had grown remarkably—especially under Cynthia's Togekiss's brutal Brave Bird drills.
As one of the strongest Flying-type moves, mastering it was no small feat.
Natsume's team had no fliers, and Flying moves were practically taboo.
If Sirfetch'd succeeded, it'd make history…
"But how do you take off without guardrails?"
Natsume muttered. "Even a true protagonist couldn't survive that fall."
Red, for instance, "flew" by having Aerodactyl drag him by his backpack straps—
A Spartan method worthy of "The Battler."
By noon, the Rotom rice cooker shuddered. Ding!
"Done, Rotom!"
"Coming." Natsume-sensei entered the kitchen. "Thanks, Little Rotom."
Rotom sighed. I, Rotom, once dreamed of being a racer…
The Pokédex held my dreams. The rice cooker holds my life.
"Oh, I prepaid six months of your electric bill."
Natsume added, "Just don't blow up the house."
"Long live understanding, Rotom! Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ"
After a quick gourmet lunch with the little ones, Lance called that afternoon.
"The operation went smoothly."
Lance's cape rustled over the headset. "Cynthia joined too."
"She wasn't hurt, was she?"
"Hurt? She's Sinnoh's Champion."
Lance scoffed. He'd lost to Cynthia and Garchomp countless times.
A few poachers were nothing—
Then he realized this was lover's concern and coughed. "Just ask her yourself."
"Got it. Bye."
Lance: ???
That's it?!
"Team Rocket also participated," Lance added, frowning.
"Someone might've leaked intel…"
"Outrageous!" Natsume feigned fury. "We must root out the mole!"
"Though Team Rocket helped significantly…"
Lance, oddly, defended them. "Maybe an officer sympathizes with them."
"Ah, could be."
Natsume nodded sagely. "After all, 'absolute justice' doesn't exist."
"Sometimes," Lance mused, "it's about achieving justice through… alternative means."
"You've grown from a 'hero of justice' to its messenger." Natsume smiled.
Lance paused, then chuckled.
"I'll take that as praise."
Natsume recalled how Sinnoh's Regigigas rampage and lake deities' wrath tied to poachers.
Stopping them served Lance's justice, freed Cynthia's schedule, and gave Team Rocket's trio credibility.
Truly, I've worked tirelessly!
...
Ash suddenly popped in.
"Can I invite a senior to join?"
"Senior?"
Gold immediately felt his status threatened. "Can I beat them in battle?"
Ash hesitated. "Probably... not?"
" I demand a wild battle showdown right now!"
Natsume came online, curious. "Which senior are we talking about?"
"Sinnoh's Elite Four member."
Ash scratched his head, glancing at the blue-haired man in purple suit quietly reading beside him.
"Psychic-type Elite Four, Lucian."
Natsume blinked in recognition.
Ah. The balding Elite Four!
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