Stepping out of the Solaceon Ruins, they were greeted by daylight once more.
Natsume shielded his eyes from the sun, feeling oddly sentimental.
So bright…!
"Gengar~" Gengar stared solemnly at the newly acquired "puzzle cube" in its hands.
The [Spear Key] was safely tucked in Gengar's pocket, its energy perfectly contained—
Though Natsume-sensei couldn't help but worry that Gengar might just eat it one day…
Really, who wouldn't be tempted by a legendary artifact capable of balancing Temporal and Spatial Dragons?
"Gengar~ (ˉ﹃ˉ)" Gengar occasionally tugged its pocket open, peeking inside with drool nearly dripping.
Meowth translated: "It's asking, Can I lick it? Just one little lick?"
Natsume: "That'll give you a stomachache!"
Cynthia smiled. "Oh, it's fine. It's not ice cream—it won't melt~"
Gengar, with an air of solemn duty, nodded and extended its long, crimson tongue, grinning.
"Gengar! " (Bon appétit!)
([Spear Key]: STAY AWAY FROM ME!!)
Cynthia was a laid-back and gentle Champion—stern enough to crush the Champion League, yet warm like the pretty girl next door when she smiled.
After these past few days together,
Natsume had gained a deeper understanding of her moe-moe! personality.
As for Natsume himself?
During Baby Cup matches, he usually went easy. When serious… he still stuck to Baby Cup.
Leaving the Solaceon Ruins, they followed their planned route.
Natsume and Cynthia continued driving toward Celestic Town.
Gengar, delighted with its new toy, licked the [Spear Key] happily.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon in the back seat had been swapped out for the Team Rocket Trio, now stored in their Poké Balls.
"Will the Museum… really take us in?" The Trio fidgeted nervously.
"Of course," Cynthia reassured them. "It's just some simple work."
Natsume, stroking Sylveon in the passenger seat, added offhandedly:
"You're underestimating yourselves. You're the all-purpose Team Rocket!"
The Trio exchanged glances, suddenly fired up, eyes blazing.
"Ooooh, I'm pumped!"
"Don't worry, we'll work hard—no days off!"
"Funding! It's all for the funding, meow!"
Natsume suddenly felt a little sad.
This must be how those self-help gurus trick people into overworking…
These three were way too easy to recruit as laborers.
Though, gotta admit, Pokémon Company benefits are pretty good.
Aside from the universal baldness, they're practically industry role models…
Under the bright sun, the wilderness stretched lush and green, with Miltank grazing lazily in Solaceon Town's pastures.
Meowth pressed against the window, staring outside before turning back.
Meowth quickly corrected itself, "Natsume-sensei, how long are you staying?"
Jessie and James gasped. "Meowth, language!"
Natsume coughed lightly. "Not sure… maybe two or three days?"
"My grandmother can be… a little eccentric," Cynthia admitted, slightly uneasy.
"You might need to… brace yourselves."
In her memories, her grandmother had always been a strong-willed figure.
And with age, she'd grown even less welcoming to strangers.
Cynthia half-expected her to greet Natsume by swinging her cane at him…
"Don't worry. Your grandmother is my grandmother now," Natsume declared solemnly.
Cynthia blinked, eyeing him suspiciously.
But his expression was so earnest—completely no-joke—that she just raised a brow.
In the back, the Trio munched on metaphorical popcorn, glancing between them.
"As expected of the Executive," Meowth whispered. "Even the Sinnoh Champion is no match!"
"Rare to find a woman prettier than me," Jessie mused proudly. "She passes!"
"They look so sweet together…"
James grinned dopily—until thoughts of his own fiancée made his face crumple.
He hesitated, then glanced at Jessie.
"What're you staring at?!" Jessie snapped.
"Nothing," James sweatdropped. With her temper, it's a miracle Meowth and I haven't run away…
As dusk painted the plains gold, the white SUV sped onward.
Staraptor soared overhead, Aipom swung through the trees, and Shinx darted across the fields.
"Beep… New Pokémon data detected. Beep… Detecting—"
"Rotom, you're so noisy," Natsume grumbled.
Rotom fumed silently before loudly announcing:
"Beep… Destination approaching: Celestic Town!"
...
Celestic Town—a place preserving Sinnoh's history and ancient traditions.
Tiny and sparsely populated, its only claims to fame were the Museum and the Celestic Ruins.
Yet this unassuming town had birthed both Sinnoh Champion Cynthia and Kalos' Dragon-type Elite Four Member, Drasna.
Though not closely related, they shared distant blood ties.
Night fell gently.
Inside the Celestic Town Museum,
A white-haired grandmother in sunglasses and punkish attire hunched over, scrutinizing the centerpiece exhibit—
A flawless, pearl-like orb bearing Palkia's symbol.
The Lustrous Orb.
"That girl Cynthia… why isn't she back yet?"
The grandmother adjusted her round-framed sunglasses, muttering. "So many scammers out there… What if she gets tricked?"
Today was Cynthia's scheduled return.
But Professor Carolina paced restlessly, her cane tapping the floor. Still, no sign of her granddaughter.
"Ugh! So frustrating!"
She whacked her cane down, grumbling as she shuffled out of the research institute.
"Even as Champion, she's still just a girl… Can't even clean her own room…"
The night breeze was soft.
Cynthia, hands in her pockets, stood under the moonlight, her black coat blending into the dark.
"Celestic Town."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm home."
Natsume, gripping the [Adamant Orb]'s briefcase, stood beside her—suddenly tense.
"Why are you shaking?"
"Just… cold."
"Not nervous?" Cynthia teased.
"Ha! Your grandmother should be the nervous one!"
Cynthia arched a brow as Natsume stepped behind her, declaring:
"Lead the way!"
With an exasperated smile, she summoned Garchomp and strode gracefully into the night.
Natsume turned to the Trio, whispering:
"Set up camp nearby. I'll regroup after scouting the situation."
The Trio nodded like covert agents, even more jittery than him. "R-roger!"
Watching the Executive leave, Meowth stammered:
"W-wait, this is a m-meet-the-parents mission?!"
"Executive, you got this!!" Jessie clenched her fists.
James: "So jealous… My fiancée's parents weren't this intense… o(╥﹏╥)o"
...
The Museum loomed in the darkness.
Spotting the familiar, hunched figure pacing ahead,
Cynthia smiled—a tender, homecoming expression that made Natsume pause.
Then, together, they approached.
"Grandmother."
Cynthia's voice softened with affection. "I'm back~"
"Oh, good."
The old woman had been fretting over her granddaughter being swept away by some scoundrel. Now, she relaxed—
Until her sharp eyes landed on the figure behind Cynthia.
"And this is…?"
Natsume opened his mouth to answer—
Then froze.
The grandmother's cane shot up, pointing accusingly.
"Aha! So you're the rascal trying to steal my cabbage!"
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