Eterna City Outskirts, Pokémon Center.
"Please heal my Buizel, thank you!"
Ash handed his Poké Ball to Nurse Joy.
"Of course."
Joy smiled, then exclaimed in surprise, "If I recall correctly, there was a very strong Buizel near the streams here."
"That's the one! I caught it."
Ash grinned, then slumped slightly. "But it won't listen to my commands."
"Once you build trust, it'll respond to you."
After a while, Joy returned the Poké Ball to Ash with a smile.
"Every strong Trainer starts somewhere."
Ash thought back to when he first met Pikachu and when Charizard evolved, nodding quietly.
Having conquered the Battle Frontier, Ash wasn't a weak Trainer by any means.
But if friendship levels were too low, disobedience could still happen.
Ash gazed at the Poké Ball with determination. "I will earn your respect!"
"Elite Four Lucian's commands are flawless!"
Suddenly, the TV screen hanging on the wall caught Ash's attention.
Onscreen, a blue-haired man in a wine-red suit held a hardcover book in one hand while adjusting his glasses with the other.
His Bronzong's eyes glowed blue with Hypnosis, instantly plunging a ferocious Rhyperior into deep sleep.
The young challenger looked dismayed.
Lucian swept his arm forward. "Bronzong, Psychic!"
A crushing wave of psychic energy engulfed Rhyperior in blue light.
An overwhelming victory—the crowd erupted in cheers.
Lucian adjusted his glasses, smirking.
"Once again, Elite Four Lucian defends his title in this year's Champion League!"
The commentator's excited voice still echoed through the Pokémon Center.
"So strong..."
Ash stared blankly before clenching his fists.
"If I challenge him, it might motivate Buizel!"
A calm voice suddenly spoke beside him.
"You want to challenge me?"
Ash whirled around to see the blue-haired man in the wine-red suit smiling at him.
"Wha—Elite Four Lucian?!"
Ash gaped. "Why are you here?"
"Because I finally got a day off."
The overworked Lucian sighed wearily. "Came here to relax."
Ash blinked, then his eyes burned with excitement.
"In that case, battle me!"
"Technically, I can't accept."
Lucian adjusted his glasses, eyeing the brash youngster.
"To challenge me, you must first qualify for the Champion League."
"Champion League?" Ash, whose best record was Top 8, looked lost.
"Only the Lily of the Valley Conference Champion can enter the Champion League. The winner may choose to replace an Elite Four member."
Lucian's glasses gleamed ominously.
"With enough strength, you could even become Sinnoh's next Champion."
Ash's breathing quickened—until Lucian added wryly:
"Though defeating Champion Cynthia would be... difficult."
"Champion Cynthia..."
Ash nodded thoughtfully.
"Even Natsume-sensei might not beat her."
"Natsume-sensei?"
Hearing the familiar name, Lucian stiffened.
"Pardon me, but who is he to you?"
"My... mentor, I guess?"
Ash scratched his head. "Also the Group Owner!"
Lucian pushed up his glasses.
So... this boy was Natsume-sensei's personal student.
He didn't understand the "Group Owner" part, but—
Helping Natsume-sensei's student = Gaining Natsume-sensei's favor = Owing Cynthia a favor—
Lucian's eyes lit up.
Being Elite Four wasn't about battles—it was about connections!
"Let's go!" Lucian grinned. "I'll battle you!"
"But you said technically—"
"Technically no means practically yes. Enough talk—show me your skills!"
...
Ash used his newly caught Sinnoh team.
Lucian won easily but recognized Ash's raw talent.
"Your Buizel is strong. Your commands just need polish."
Lucian smiled. "You don't need Natsume-sensei's level of skill—just play to your strengths, and Buizel will acknowledge you."
"My strengths..."
Ash recalled Gastrodon's swirling mud during Natsume-sensei's exhibition match against Leon.
As a specialist in type reversals, Ash rarely strategized—yet now, he pondered deeply...
During lunch break,
Lucian treated Ash and asked about his goals.
"I'll collect Gym Badges, then compete in the Sinnoh League."
Ash mumbled through a mouthful of curry, eyes blazing. "After hearing about the Champion League... how could I ignore it?!"
Lucian crossed his legs, flipping his book.
"I hope you defeat me in the Champion League..."
Maybe someone else can take my Elite Four spot... Early retirement sounds nice.
"Oh, Elite Four Lucian."
Ash swallowed his rice. "Wanna join the Chat Group?"
"Chat Group?"
Lucian adjusted his glasses. "Some kind of forum?"
He frequented Trainer forums, often answering questions anonymously.
Being an actual expert, his insights were highly valued.
Aside from reading, forum lurking was his only hobby.
"It's just a normal fan group."
Ash pulled out his phone, then looked up. "Natsume-sensei already approved!"
"Natsume-sensei's... fan group?"
Lucian eyed the invitation, conflicted. "I'm an Elite Four..."
Sure, Natsume-sensei was powerful—Flint and Aaron still had PTSD from their battles—
But an Elite Four joining a fan group? So undignified.
"Just join! You'll see!" Ash grinned.
"Fine... but I might leave."
Lucian clicked accept, maintaining an air of aloof pride.
Then—
His expression froze. He barely managed to swallow.
After double-checking the usernames and group name, Lucian's eye twitched.
You call this a FAN GROUP?!
[Member 'Ash' invited 'DefinitelyNotLucian' to join the Chat Group!]
Natsume-sensei: Group Rep -1
Lance: Group Rep -1
Red: Group Rep -1
...
Lucian stared at the perfectly aligned chat messages, his hand trembling slightly as he adjusted his glasses.
Having several Sinnoh Gym Leaders here was one thing...
But wasn't Lance the Champion of Kanto?
They'd just collaborated days ago on a cross-border poacher bust.
So even you're one of Natsume-sensei's fans?
And this account "The Battler"... it's actually real?!
This is beyond ridiculous!
His fragile ego from earlier now lay shattered.
Lucian took a deep breath, pushed up his glasses, and typed with practiced calm:
"Newbie here, please go easy on me!"
Steven glanced at the chat during a break, mildly surprised.
He'd heard of Sinnoh's Psychic-type Elite Four member Lucian.
But...
If even Elite Four members were considered "newbies" now, the group's standards had skyrocketed.
As he sent a welcome Red envelope, Steven muttered:
"No wonder Natsume-sensei always calls these 'fan tournaments'..."
"Turns out he knows most Master League participants personally."
[Member 'I got first place in the end (Mining DND)' sent a welcome 红包! Grab it fast!]
Gold: "Why did Natsume-sensei get 'Luck King' this time?!"
Natsume-sensei: "Too bad! I had Togepi open it for me!"
Maylene: "I-I missed it! o(╥﹏╥)o"
The cash-strapped Gym Leader sighed mournfully.
If only... one more Berry for dinner...
"Lucian actually has time for chat groups?"
Natsume scanned the messages, eyebrows rising:
"Seems his workload isn't heavy enough!"
With Cynthia back handling official duties and recent operations focusing on poaching rings—
Plus Team Rocket and League Officers assisting—
Lucian had somehow gotten rare time off.
Still.
With major threats looming, how dare he slack off?!
As daylight remained...
Natsume prepared to ask Cynthia about "suitable assignments" for Lucian.
Just then, Rotom's notification chimed.
"Incoming call, Rotom!"
The caller ID showed promising developments...
Onscreen appeared a weary-looking Matori.
"We've successfully concluded the Lake Valor operation."
"Good work."
As Team Rocket's category leader, Natsume offered consolation: "I'll have Boss Giovanni raise your salary."
"That's not the issue."
Matori's voice turned accusatory: "The poachers used extensive Spikes and Minimize strategies—your influence caused significant complications."
Natsume froze. This was undeniably his fault.
"How'd you resolve it?"
"Fortunately, the Jennys weren't squeamish—they sent six Pokémon using Beat Up."
Matori sighed. "Our Team Rocket squads relied on SubProtect Toxic tactics... mostly members who gift your streams."
Natsume's expression twisted.
Well then. Fighting fire with fire!
Though he was accumulating quite the karmic debt...
The mastermind was himself?!
"Your efforts are appreciated."
Natsume coughed awkwardly. "Mission accomplished."
"Not entirely. One target remains."
Matori's brow furrowed.
"Codename: Pokémon Hunter J."
...
Near Lake Valor, Sinnoh Region.
Under Lance's command.
The inspection team, led by Officer Jennies, was carrying out the final crackdown on the poaching syndicates.
The clear waters of Lake Valor remained undisturbed.
Dark clouds loomed ominously overhead.
Hoarse commands, fierce clashes, the roars of Pokémon—all sound vanished, as if swallowed whole by those oppressive clouds.
A red-haired man in a cape lifted his head, his stern gaze fixed on the overwhelming sight.
Those were no ordinary clouds.
It was a massive flock of Fearow, Skarmory, and Staraptor—
Countless Flying-type Pokémon shrieked as they dove toward Lance, their talons gleaming with a deadly light.
Beside Lance stood a young man in an open jacket, his bangs swept to one side.
Falkner, the Flying-type expert and League Officer.
Faced with this suicidal assault, Falkner remained calm, awaiting Lance's decision.
"They're all injured," the red-haired man said.
"If they refuse to obey, their trainers will only abuse them further."
Falkner's voice was grim. "This is mercy."
Lance closed his eyes.
Even justice couldn't save every life.
All I can do… is act without regret.
When his eyes opened again, they burned with draconic fury—unyielding and fierce.
With a swift motion, Lance flung his cape aside and shouted, his voice icy:
"Dragonite—"
"DRAGONITE!!"
Through the thick clouds, a dark figure plummeted, Extreme Speed trailing a blazing red contrail.
"Draco Meteor!"
BOOM—
As Dragonite descended, the sky itself seemed to tremble in fury.
The dark specks in the air grew larger.
Meteors, wreathed in flames, tore through the flock, ripping gaping holes in the swarm.
Sunlight poured through the openings as countless Flying-types crashed into Lake Valor.
Both Pokémon hunters and officers froze, awestruck by the sheer power.
The poachers, however, still fought desperately.
"Spikes!" one roared.
"Skarmory!" A falling Skarmory let out a piercing cry, its blade-like feathers launching outward.
The sky turned into a storm of razors, raining down like lethal hail.
"A cheap imitation."
Falkner smirked coldly and commanded:
"All flight teams—prepare!"
Officer Jennies raised their Poké Balls. Beams of light shot into the sky as Pidgeot swiftly formed ranks.
"Use Whirlwind!"
"Pidgeot!" With synchronized wingbeats, the Pidgeot summoned a raging tempest, scattering the poachers' formation and hurling the deadly feathers into the lake.
Amid the chaotic air battle—
A Salamence with blood-red wings tore into a Pidgeot's wings, roaring furiously.
"SALAMENCE!!"
Pokémon Hunter J, standing atop Salamence with her goggles on, spoke coldly into her comm:
"Minimize Team—Use Toxic!"
Grimer hidden in the forest emerged, encircling the battlefield, their corrosive sludge ready to spew.
The Celadon City Jennies swiftly regrouped. Their leader raised her comm and barked:
"Growlithe—Use Safeguard! After the chorus—"
A pause. Then, sharply:
"Use Beat Up!"
HISS—
Toxic splashed against the Safeguard's barrier, sizzling as it evaporated.
"Growlithe!" The Growlithe's roar was so fierce, it sent tremors through the Grimer.
In the next instant, six Poké Balls opened at once.
Growlithe, Houndour, Herdier—a grand spectacle.
Though they had tightened formation, they now had the poachers surrounded!
"Arcanine!!"
A majestic Arcanine, bathed in crimson light.
The mother of Natsume's Arcanine.
Once too afraid to join the fight.
But now, surrounded by allies and thinking of her distant, striving child—
Her Justified ability flared to its peak, like divine retribution, as she charged into the enemy ranks!
The poachers' faces twisted in horror.
"Since when do Jennies gang up on us like this?!"
"You're stealing our dirty tactics!"
"Natsume-sensei's strategies aren't working!"
"Of course not—the other side learned from him too!"
"So WE'RE the bad students?!"
Above the clear sky, contrails crisscrossed.
Pokémon Hunter J, still atop Salamence, glanced at her struggling "allies" and smirked.
"Salamence—we're leaving."
With a furious roar, Salamence beat its wings and fled the battlefield.
"That's… the boss?!"
"She's running?!"
"Stop fighting—I surrender!"
The red-haired man crossed his arms, watching Salamence disappear into the distance, his cape billowing behind him.
"Not pursuing?" Falkner asked.
"I still have cleanup here."
Lance's voice was low. "Natsume-sensei's Beat Up team was a great help."
Falkner gave a wry smile. "But Spikes and Minimize were his ideas too, weren't they?"
"That wasn't his intention."
Lance gazed at the sky. "He teaches without discrimination."
Strategies were just tools—neither good nor evil.
Some mastered them to perfection, becoming revered mentors.
Others lost their way from the start.
The weight of his cape felt heavier than ever. Then, Lance paused, pulling out his vibrating phone.
"Falkner, handle the aftermath."
"Understood!" Falkner saluted and left.
Lance glanced at the new group message—Lucian had joined. He casually sent a "Group Status -1" reply.
Then, he murmured to himself:
"Right… Lucian can track down the one who escaped."
Codename: Pokémon Hunter J. She seemed to be heading toward Snowpoint City.
Her plans were unknown.
But Lucian, the Psychic-type Elite Four member, was Sinnoh's strongest trainer.
With that thought, Lance opened a private chat.
"Cancel your vacation."
"I have a job for you."
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