"Haah... It's over."
Flint panted, hands on his knees.
The sheer pressure from that Heatran had been overwhelming. Its Flash Fire ability had completely nullified his proudest flames.
A war of attrition might've worked... but whether he'd have walked away intact was another question.
His grateful gaze drifted toward the black-haired young man.
Natsume was helping the injured middle-aged uncle to his feet. "You alright?"
"Nothing serious." Handsome grinned, leaning on Natsume's shoulder. "Just scratches. Used to it."
"Arcanine!" Arcanine chimed in, its singed mane making it look especially dopey.
Natsume eyed the now-quiet seal-stone, recalling the Magma Storm with lingering dread.
In Pokémon Generations, Heatran's awakening had been triggered by Team Galactic remnants trying to control it. Back then, International Police agent "Handsome" had resolved the incident solo.
But this time...
Probably spacetime distortions loosened the seal, Natsume mused. And with the volcano's energy fueling it, this one fought even fiercer.
"Entei is a volcano Pokémon too," he muttered. "With terrain advantage and Flash Fire, no wonder it countered Flint so hard."
Tch. Cheating with field buffs—what kind of hero does that?
After confirming his injuries weren't critical, the uncle staggered forward.
"Detector readings are stable now." He picked up the dust-covered device. "I'll have Psychic-types reinforce the seal later. They're best for this."
"Should've just made Lucian work overtime," Flint grumbled, tugging his scorched afro. "Psychic powers would've sealed that rock way faster."
Natsume blinked. ...That's actually a solid point.
"Maybe Lucian didn't expect Flash Fire to be its hidden ability," he said offhandedly.
Both men shot him suspicious looks.
"...How did you know it was the hidden ability?" the uncle asked carefully.
Flint's eyes narrowed further, now half-convinced Natsume-sensei had a Heatran stashed at home.
Explains why he handled the eruption better than me—a damn Fire-type Elite Four!
Natsume mentally facepalmed. Right. Heatran's dex entry isn't public yet.
"Because—"
Natsume-sensei explained matter-of-factly:
"I won the Gold Award at a scientific research conference. My thesis was on Sinnoh's legendary Pokémon."
Flint & Handsome: "..."
Not jealous at all.
Just feeling the vast, crushing gap between mortals and this guy...
Ahem.
"I'll submit a full report to headquarters, Mr. Police Consultant," the middle-aged man coughed into his fist. "Regarding subsequent rewards from HQ, I'll notify you as soon as—"
Natsume's eyebrow arched dramatically. "Funding is irrelevant... Upholding justice is what matters."
"Understand?"
Handsome snapped to attention, eyes shining with moved respect. "Yes, I understand!"
He'd fully expected demands for additional budget allocations...
How small-minded I'd been!
Satisfied, Natsume turned to heal Arcanine with Aura of Ripple.
Flint checked on Infernape's injuries while casually remarking:
"That flame from Arcanine earlier... felt suspiciously like the legendary Sacred Fire."
Natsume: "You were seeing things."
Flint: "..."
Noticing Natsume's pointed stare, he nodded vigorously. "I was seeing things."
Natsume gazed skyward meaningfully.
Better keep Arcanine's "questionably obtained" Sacred Fire under wraps.
Sacred Fire—Ho-Oh's eternal flame—was said to never extinguish, even possessing resurrection properties. That gentle white fire had been what countered Heatran's Magma Storm.
Moreover, the volcanic energy had significantly boosted Arcanine's capabilities.
The Aura of Ripple feedback confirmed it—Arcanine's power level had skyrocketed again.
After falling behind the first-tier powerhouses, Arcanine had finally caught up to the (house-destroying) squad!
"This is problematic..." Natsume muttered grimly. "Not sure I can restrain them now..."
The cavern's darkness was broken only by lava's glow.
"Arcanine?" Arcanine wagged its soot-blackened tail cheerfully.
"Pokémon Center can handle these burns," Flint said, recalling Infernape. "Let's head—"
His fingers brushed against something cold in his pocket.
Oh right. That.
Natsume stood, confirming the seal-stone's stability.
From it emanated something almost like... fear?
For a Heatran that's lived this long,
Judging character is an art form.
And the secret to longevity...
Shaking his head, Natsume's gaze fell upon Arcanine's Rainbow Wing—now charred and dim, its glow reduced to faint flickers at the base.
This routine again?
He channeled Aura of Ripple into it—then stiffened.
"No effect?!"
The feather remained stubbornly dull. When lifted, it fully "blacked out"—switching from power-saving mode to complete shutdown.
Natsume: "..."
Are you trying to mess with me, aura wielder?!
After several failed attempts, Natsume thought to himself:
"Could it be… the energy's drained?"
The Rainbow Wing originally had an effect similar to a revival token, achieved through the 「Sacred Fire」 of Ho-Oh contained within it.
With Arcanine's original strength, it couldn't fully withstand Heatran's Magma Storm.
It was only thanks to the Rainbow Wing that Arcanine emerged unharmed and even managed to break through its limits.
But now… with its energy depleted, the Rainbow Wing had naturally "shut down."
"Do I really have to go find Ho-Oh to recharge it…? That's way too dangerous!"
Natsume felt mixed emotions, a familiar chill running down his spine.
It was said that a Rainbow Wing losing its light… would bring calamity and disaster.
In the movie I Choose You!, when the Rainbow Wing "darkened," Ash was attacked by Marshadow, the 「Guardian of the Rainbow」, and ended up in such a sorry state that only his cap remained. He was only revived thanks to Ho-Oh.
Natsume stared at the dim Rainbow Wing in his hand, cold sweat dripping.
Buddy… this thing's bad news!
Then, he quickly reassured himself—
That only happened because the Rainbow Wing was held by "someone with ill intentions."
This time, it was just drained of energy.
It shouldn't attract that Marshadow… probably.
Tucking the dim Rainbow Wing back into his pocket, Natsume steadied himself and nodded.
"Right now, the most important thing is to stay wary of Ash."
"As long as I avoid the Giratina storyline… things should be fine!"
In the distance, a faint light appeared at the cave's exit.
It could be the starlight over the wilderness or the weak electric glow of a Shinx at night.
Natsume relaxed slightly, glancing at the loyal Arcanine beside him with a faint smile.
"You did great this time."
"Arcanine~!" Arcanine grinned, proudly lifting its big head.
The Handsome watched the scene with a smile.
He looked down at his partner, the Croagunk wearing a police cap.
"Croagunk~" Croagunk chuckled, raising a hand for a high-five.
The next second, the handsome man clutched his cyanotic right hand, expression twisting:
"Don't use Poison Touch, Croagunk!"
The Handsome's pained cry echoed through the wilderness.
Flint, hands in his pockets, grinned as the fresh breeze hit his face.
"Oh yeah, Natsume-sensei, Volkner has a challenge for you."
"A challenge?"
"That guy's inviting strong trainers to challenge the Sunyshore Gym."
Flint smirked. "Maybe that kid Ash fired him up! This old man's looking forward to going all out against him!"
"So," Natsume said, "he wants me to go to Sunyshore City?"
"Yep." Flint scratched his head. "He'll cover lodging and food… You'll see the rest when you get there."
Sunyshore City = Beacon Badge.
Beacon Badge = Gracidea.
Gracidea = Giratina's movie.
The equations flashed through Natsume's mind. He shook his head.
"I'll pass on Sunyshore City. Tell Volkner I can't make it."
"Really…?"
Flint said, "Well, at least take the challenge letter. That way, I can give Volkner an answer."
Considering he should refuse politely, Natsume nodded slightly, lost in thought.
Come to think of it… What does Volkner, who looks like the Fourth Hokage, even look like?
Curious… but I can't go. No unnecessary risks!
Flint handed the "challenge letter" to Natsume-sensei with a grin.
"Here, you can keep it as a memento if you want."
In that instant—
Natsume froze.
At the same time, the System's notification chimed in his ear.
[Ding! Quest Updated]
[Badges Collected: (8/8)]
[Mission Reward: Gracidea ×1!]
Natsume: ?
"You call this," Natsume stared at the gleaming Beacon Badge in his hand, voice dry,
"A challenge letter?"
"Yup."
Flint said casually, "It's the best representation of the Sunyshore Gym!"
"Besides, you might need it for the Lily of the Valley Conference." Flint elbowed Natsume with a sly grin. "Pretty thoughtful, right?"
Natsume: "..."
Flint watched as Natsume-sensei glanced around, puzzled. "Natsume-sensei, what are you looking for?"
"My Poké Ball—where's Gengar's Poké Ball?"
"Why do you need Gengar's Poké Ball?"
"Indiscriminate wild battles." Natsume said darkly.
Flint: "..."
Flint: "Hah! Natsume-sensei, you're such a joker!"
Natsume took a deep breath, walking ahead as he said slowly:
"I'll head to the Sunyshore Gym in a few days… Tell Volkner to be ready."
"Eh?" Flint blinked. "But you just said you weren't going."
"I changed my mind!"
Natsume walked under the cold night sky, his figure thin, his back aching faintly.
I was a fool… Thinking only of Ash.
I never considered Flint and Volkner being besties—or that he'd carry a Beacon Badge…
"Tch—" Natsume sucked in a sharp breath, flipping open his notebook.
Afro Flint, Fourth Hokage-lookalike Volkner…
This grudge… I'll remember it!
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