Friday, February 27th.
Given Mount Coronet's magnetic interference with the [Adamant Orb], air transport was out of the question.
Cynthia rented a white SUV—spacious enough for their teams, though bulkier Pokémon like Arcanine would have to sit this one out.
"Arcanine?" I can run alongside the car! Three days straight, no problem!
Natsume recalled Arcanine without hesitation.
The seating arrangement:
Front row: Driver and passenger
Back five: Gengar (holding Togepi), Garchomp, Lucario, Blastoise, and Sirfetch'd
Natsume cradled Sylveon while surveying the chaos behind him. "This is a zoo field trip!"
"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd perched on the seat, its plump body obscuring its duck feet entirely.
"Gengar~" Gengar mimicked buckling its seatbelt with a cheeky grin.
Seatbelt's on! Drive already!
"Do you have a license?" Cynthia asked.
"I do, but Rotom can take over." Natsume shrugged. "It's got an F1 racing certification."
"Wait, seriously? Is that... safe?"
Rotom zipped into the dashboard as electricity crackled:
"Rotom-SUV Form activated! Navigation systems engaged!"
Natsume: "Sweet! Self-driving and GPS!"
Reclining her seat, Cynthia drowsily petted Sirfetch'd. "We'll reach Hearthome City by afternoon... booked a hot springs inn."
"Lunch will be campfire curry." Natsume gestured to the trunk. "Packed portable ingredients."
Cynthia's drowsiness evaporated instantly.
"Sirfetch'd" Sirfetch'd shuddered at the sudden malice in the air.
Natsume glanced at the leek and shield in the backseat.
Sirfetch'd weighed a solid 120kg—and that sword-and-shield combo probably accounted for 100kg of it.
Compared to Zacian and Zamazenta, who could casually carry their Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield in their mouths—
Now THIS is what you call a real Legendary Rusted Sword and Shield Pokémon! (Natsume leaned back dramatically.)
Early spring sunlight bathed the scenery as distant mountain ridges raced past the windows, picture-perfect.
Cynthia: "Aren't we... over the speed limit?"
"F1 Champion license, Rotom!" Rotom boasted.
To bystanders, the SUV was a blur of flaming tire marks, occasionally airborne.
Natsume slammed the dashboard. "This isn't Initial D! Safe driving, NOW!"
"Aye aye, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
The would-be racer downshifted to a leisurely countryside crawl.
"Gengar~(￣～￣)"
In the backseat, Gengar munched on chips, one arm cradling Togepi.
"Togepi doo-ee~(′▽｀)"
Togepi kicked its tiny feet, happily gripping a handheld console as it played Plants vs. Zombies.
Garchomp and Lucario leaned in, watching Togepi's screen.
"Garchomp…"
Garchomp licked its lips, poking at Gengar's chips.
"Gengar?"
Gengar blinked, then grinned mischievously, waving the bag just out of reach.
Want some? Trade me a move for it!
"Garchomp!"
Garchomp fumed.
Why are this trainer and his Pokémon so alike?!
Meanwhile, the supposed star of this trip—the [Adamant Orb]—sat ignored on the seat.
"Blastoise…ヾ(?■_■)"
Blastoise stared rigidly at the safe.
No mistake this time… That's definitely a bomb inside.
Natsume glanced back, curious. On a whim, he pulsed a ripple of aura toward the safe.
Instantly, his expression twisted.
The [Adamant Orb] responded—roughly translating to: So nice More, please
"Guess Dialga isn't as dignified as I thought."
Natsume sweatdropped. Who would play bondage?!
(Note: Cyrus once bound the Temporal and Spatial Dragons with red chains at Spear Pillar.)
With Rotom handling the driving, Cynthia took out a book on Mythology and began studying intently.
The warm spring sunlight fell on her profile, her black hair accessory swaying slightly.
Noticing his gaze, Cynthia turned her head and smiled softly.
Natsume didn't disturb her. Instead, he played with the Sylveon in his arms, basked in the sunlight streaming through the window, and scrolled through his feed for a while.
In the Chat Group:
Ash said excitedly, "I saw Suicune today!"
Misty sighed wistfully. "Suicune is such a gentle yet powerful Legendary Pokémon."
Misty had once earned Suicune's recognition, making her one of the few Trainers it acknowledged.
As the most prestigious of the Legendary Beasts, even 'The Capturer' Crystal had once been humbled by Suicune, losing her drive to catch it.
Not to mention, Johto had its own obsessed fan—'Mr. Eusine'—who had spent over a decade chasing Suicune's shadow.
"Yeah, it was so cool!" Ash's eyes sparkled. "It even saved my life!"
"Because Suicune appears before Trainers with pure hearts," Crystal said. "It's a shame Mr. Eusine has pursued it for so many years without ever getting a response."
Gold: "Who's Eusine?"
"Some creep obsessed with Suicune, right?" Lt. Surge mused.
Gold: "Oh, now I remember!"
"I've always preferred Entei, myself. (Smiles)" Blaine adjusted his sunglasses. "Why don't you all talk about the Pokémon you love?"
"Ah, awkward silence again, huh? Hahaha!" Blaine awkwardly replied to himself.
Natsume skimmed the chat and blinked in surprise.
He remembered this episode.
Ash had encountered the North Wind incarnate, Suicune, and was saved by it after falling off a cliff.
Ash had ridden plenty of Legendary Pokémon, but Suicune's prestige was among the highest—easily the most dignified of the Legendary Beasts.
Come to think of it… was Ash sure he wasn't secretly a cameraman?
Push him off a cliff, and unless it was Groudon, any Legendary Pokémon would probably appear out of nowhere…
Between the chat group, cuddling Sylveon, admiring the scenery, and stealing glances at Cynthia.
Natsume's spring outing was just this simple, unremarkable, and dull.
Lunch was set up on a plain not far from Mount Coronet, where vast fields of rapeseed flowers bloomed brilliantly, stretching like a golden ocean.
"Sirfetch'd, grab the ingredients from the trunk!" Natsume unfolded a portable table and called out.
"Sirfetch'd~! (′⌣`σ)" Sirfetch'd, realizing it wasn't being used as an ingredient, sighed in relief.
Thank goodness, Sirfetch'd is saved!
Cynthia crossed her arms, resting a finger against her chin, then suddenly declared: "Speaking of camping—"
"Speaking of camping," Natsume picked up, "the best ingredient is Farfetch'd!"
"Sirfetch'd! (′⌣`σ)" Sirfetch'd, holding the ingredients, trembled in its duck feet, tears welling up.
No… I celebrated too soon!
"Oh, you know this bit?" Cynthia said, pleasantly surprised.
"It's a comedy routine from Sinnoh, right?" Natsume replied casually. "Like Touran's three-and-a-half-liners."
Cynthia nodded, her eyes curving into crescents. "I know two juniors who love doing comedy routines. They're quite the comedic duo."
Natsume had a good idea who she meant.
Pearl and Diamond—the protagonists of Diamond and Pearl Special Edition—whose hobbies included smoking, drinking, perms, and performing comedy.
Natsume-sensei was rather fond of that pair.
If the chance arose… he might even run into them in Sinnoh.
Under the bright spring sun,
Cynthia stood atop a steep slope beside the rapeseed fields, hands tucked into the pockets of her black coat.
The breeze tousled her smooth golden hair as she swept it back with one hand, her black trench coat fluttering behind her.
Glancing back,
for some reason, a faint smile touched her lips.
"Just a little longer, it'll be ready soon!" Natsume called. "Making Cheri Berry curry—Charizard-grade!"
"Got it~!"
Cynthia leaped down the slope lightly, her golden hair swaying, the black hair accessories on either side looking especially charming.
"Garchomp, go grab some!"
"Garro?!"
Cynthia giggled as she nudged Garchomp. "If you don't hurry, Gengar's gonna finish it all!"
"Gengar~! (⊙‿⊙✿)" Gengar was already licking the plate clean. Locking eyes with Garchomp for a second, it sped up its long tongue.
"Garchomp! Σ(°△°|||)"
Dammit, save some for me—how is it almost gone already?!
Bathed in the warm spring light, Natsume—wearing an apron—stirred a pot over a portable stove.
The vast golden rapeseed fields stretched brilliantly under the sun, while white windmills turned lazily in the distant wilderness.
Cynthia chased after Arcanine, her carefree laughter so breathtaking it was hard to look away.
Suddenly, Natsume realized—
one of the biggest reasons he'd loved Diamond and Pearl back then was because of this generation's Sinnoh Champion.
"Cynthia!" Natsume cupped his hands around his mouth.
"What?" She swept back her golden hair and called back.
"You're beautiful!"
Cynthia paused, then smiled radiantly.
"Thank you—so are you!"
And how could Natsume not be beautiful? A Trainer whose looks rivaled even Steven and Lance.
Standing together, they might as well have stepped out of a painting.
Golden rapeseed fields, winding streams, a clear blue sky, the distant peaks of Mount Coronet, and Pokémon playing freely—
It was a scene destined to be etched into memory.
Natsume couldn't help but smile.
They set off again, heading toward Hearthome City.
Night fell gradually, the hot springs resort now just within reach.
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