According to Professor Oak's explanation, Rotom could freely inhabit various household appliances.
Including fridges, microwaves, washing machines, and more.
Truly a qualified little housekeeping expert.
Natsume couldn't help but glance at Gengar.
His own Gengar also seemed to have maxed out its housekeeping skills.
Natsume: "Let's hope they don't fight over chores..."
In reality, Rotom could inhabit any electronic device.
In the TV series, there were even instances of Rotom possessing phones, computers, and even becoming a "Pokémon Center Rotom"—truly miraculous.
Of course... now that Rotom had joined the team,
the possibility of upgrading Togepi's handheld console had just skyrocketed.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi tiptoed, reaching out toward the floating Rotom Pokédex.
Rotom levitated closer to Togepi, its screen displaying a big, cheerful smile.
"How may I assist you, Rotom~?"
"Doo-ee!" Togepi happily grabbed the Rotom Pokédex and began browsing through the upgraded data.
Rotom broke into a sweat.
"Beep! Cannot compute, cannot compute!"
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
See? No explosions this time.
"Let's head back to the lab."
Professor Oak smiled. "I'll help you upgrade the Pokédex's accessories too!"
On the way back to the lab,
Natsume asked Professor Oak about Rotom's specific habits.
Since Rotom was composed of electrically charged plasma,
it didn't require traditional raising—just a steady supply of electricity.
"So, the Rotom working at Pokémon Centers... their salary is...?" Natsume asked.
Professor Oak blinked. "Well... probably just the electric bill?"
Natsume felt a pang of sympathy as he glanced at the Rotom Pokédex floating beside him.
"Rotom? (⊙-⊙)"
Using its entire salary just to pay for electricity... that was rough!
Natsume: "Rotom can eat Pokéblocks too, right?"
"Of course, but like Pikachu, it still needs electrical currents to function."
Pikachu stored electricity in its cheek sacs, while Rotom absorbed ambient electrical ions.
In theory, household currents weren't enough to fully charge Rotom.
But Natsume remembered—
Last time, he'd gotten an Electirizer from Lt. Surge at Vermilion Gym.
That item could evolve Electabuzz.
Charging Rotom with it would be more than enough.
With that... no need to worry about electricity bills for now.
Natsume sighed in relief as they returned to the lab.
After syncing the Pokédex with Rotom,
Natsume's (scratch that)... Gengar's special Pokédex was officially upgraded to a Rotom Pokédex.
Even if Rotom temporarily left the Pokédex,
the upgraded version still contained far more detailed data.
Natsume exhaled softly.
Really... Professor Oak was too generous.
An enhanced version would've been enough, but he went and gave a power enhanced version—and with a Rotom, no less, a Pokémon once considered legendary.
In the XY arc, a Rotom in an abandoned hotel even had time-traveling abilities, rivaling Celebi.
Even if mass production had made Rotom less rare, it was still an incredibly precious gift.
Natsume wasn't one to hold grudges.
Besides, this was Professor Oak's goodwill—
"...I have to challenge Ash to a battle in Sinnoh!"
"By possessing different appliances, Rotom can change forms..."
Professor Oak explained. "It can even pilot cars, yachts, and helicopters autonomously!"
Natsume blinked, glancing at the Rotom Pokédex.
"You have that many skills?"
"Rotom~! I studied at the Rotom School in Alola for a long time! I even have full driver's licenses, Rotom!" Rotom replied proudly.
...Though it did tend to blow up vehicles afterward.
At that thought, Rotom drooped dejectedly.
Natsume didn't mind.
His own driving skills were painfully average—Steven's off-road driving was far better.
Now that he had Rotom, he could even use it as a chauffeur.
"Well then, guide me from now on~!" Natsume extended a hand toward the Rotom Pokédex with a grin.
"Rotom~~(˙▽˙)"
The Rotom Pokédex's screen lit up with a smile as it spun happily and shook his hand.
"Guide you, Rotom!"
...
On the way back to Saffron City,
Natsume now had a Rotom Pokédex floating beside him.
"Arcanine~"
"Rotom! (⊙-⊙)" Rotom remained spaced out.
Arcanine tilted its large head, staring at this "artificial simpleton" for a good while.
Then, Arcanine broke into a wise-looking grin.
This new little buddy seemed pretty easygoing!
In the chat group, members had learned about Natsume-sensei catching a new Pokémon.
"Rotom, huh?" Blue Oak, who'd heard about the one in the backyard, nodded slightly.
With Natsume-sensei's insight... he might uncover Rotom's true potential.
"Electricity is Rotom's primary food source,"
Brock said. "But moderation is key... Rumor has it an entire coastal city's power supply was drained by a Rotom, causing a massive blackout."
"That probably wasn't Rotom's fault..." Gardenia muttered under her breath, sweating.
That was entirely Leader Volkner's doing—he's the one who messed with Sunyshore City's power supply!
"If it's hungry, it can come to Mauville Power Plant!" Old Man Wattson boomed with laughter. "I've got the keys anyway!"
Natsume: "No need... Worst case, I'll just take it to Vermilion Gym."
Lt. Surge: "!?"
First you wreck my gym, now you're coming for my circuits?
Though to be fair, Lt. Surge had once used Raikou as a living generator.
"Hmph, I've got some expertise in this field!" Lt. Surge declared proudly.
"What about battle strategies?" Ash asked excitedly. "Can Rotom learn cool strategies too?"
"Hmm... actually quite a few."
A "Scarf Washer" could use Trick to swap held items, typically locking opponents into one move with a Choice Scarf.
A defensive "Heat Rotom" could serve as perfect team support with Will-O-Wisp and Foul Play.
Plus, Rotom could learn Volt Switch and Ally Switch—perfect for Natsume-sensei's tactical commands.
Natsume hadn't tested Rotom's actual battle performance yet.
But whether in washing machine or microwave form, they were textbook examples of competitive annoyance...
The group didn't press further.
Anyone wanting to learn could just spam gifts during Natsume-sensei's streams.
But Sabrina's eyelid twitched ominously.
"Somehow," she murmured, "I feel like this is going to be another disgusting strategy..."
Meanwhile,
Natsume arrived home in Saffron City.
"Rotom~!" Rotom was curiously examining its new home.
Seeing the uneven lawn, its OCD instantly triggered as it frantically searched for a lawn mower.
Must maintain properly, Rotom!
Natsume chuckled awkwardly. "That's from Arcanine practicing moves last time."
"Arcanine~! (｀0′)"
"That wasn't a compliment!"
Finding no mower, Rotom drooped dejectedly mid-air.
Watching this, Natsume considered.
Maybe... he should buy a lawn mower.
Having Rotom handle yardwork would be more convenient than hiring help.
Entering the house,
"Rotom! ∑(っ°Д°;)っ" Suddenly, Rotom froze in alarm.
Two ominous cannons were aimed directly at it, Hydro Pump at the ready.
"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)" The house-sitting Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses.
Oh, just a teammate...
Then it fired a small Water Gun, drenching Rotom completely.
"...Cannot compute~ Rotom! ∑(O_O;)"
"It's our welcoming ritual,"
Natsume said with a wry smile, arms crossed.
"At least this proves you're not a Ditto in disguise!"
Rotom tilted its head, then carefully examined Blastoise—its screen immediately displayed a sweating emoji.
Combat power is insane, Rotom!
Rotom then looked around at the other team members.
"Rotom!(???????)" Its "mechanical life" was profoundly shaken.
Do they train all night without sleeping?!
But then, Rotom shook its head.
Remembering Natsume's sincere gaze when they first met,
Rotom unlocked its screen and began drafting a meticulous training plan for everyone.
"Rotom!?"
I'll become Trainer's reliable helper too, and not let him down~ Rotom!
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