After delivering the [Lunar Feather] and mooching a meal off Natsume-sensei, Flint waved goodbye.
Despite being reduced to tears by the spice, he had to admit—Natsume-sensei's cooking was top-tier, thanks to those Berries.
If Natsume-sensei ever joined the dark culinary world, he'd undoubtedly be famous for his "Spice Mastery."
Night fell, a gentle breeze drifting through the quiet town.
Natsume dialed Ash's number.
"Can you make it to Jubilife City by tomorrow morning?"
"No problem!"
Ash's energetic voice crackled through the receiver.
"Pikachu and I are already on the train! We'll be there by dawn!"
"Good." Natsume's tone turned grave. "This mission's difficulty is extreme. Aside from Red, you're the only one I'd trust with it."
"Stepping out of your comfort zone to master the unfamiliar—that's the essence of a true Trainer's growth!"
"Don't worry, Natsume-sensei!"
Ash, thoroughly hyped, clenched his fist with fiery determination.
"I will become a Pokémon Master!"
"Excellent. That's the spirit. See you tomorrow."
Natsume hung up and immediately called his next volunteer.
"Meowth here! Calls cost one gold coin, meow~!"
Meowth's lazy drawl was cut short by Jessie smacking him over the head.
"Idiot! It's the Executive!"
Rubbing his sore forehead, Meowth tearfully corrected himself. "S-Sorry, Executive! Didn't realize it was you, meow!"
"No worries."
Natsume chuckled. "Just reminding you about tomorrow's rehearsal in Jubilife City. Don't be late."
"Leave it to us!" The trio thumped their chests in unison.
Since it was just a rehearsal, the recording studio would only have Ash, Pikachu, and Team Rocket in attendance.
Natsume stroked his chin, intrigued.
What kind of sparks will fly when these longtime rivals team up?
"Gengar~!"
Gengar materialized out of nowhere, clutching a microphone and staring at Natsume with pleading eyes.
Natsume: "No. You are not singing tomorrow."
"Gengar~o(TヘTo)" Gengar's lower lip trembled.
Though disappointed, Gengar had no choice.
Jigglypuff's Sing might put people to sleep.
But Gengar's Perish Song? One slip-up, and everyone in the room would be wiped out.
Natsume patted Gengar's head reassuringly. "Gengar!"
"Don't worry. I'll find a proper stage for your vocals soon."
"Gengar!（`▽′)" Gengar brandished the microphone excitedly.
Until then, I'll keep practicing!
That night, under a sky of scattered stars and a bright moon, Natsume slept soundly. The curtains fluttered as sweet dreams wrapped around him—visions of lounging on a Dynamax Alcremie while a certain blonde Champion dripped with cream…
"Can't… eat anymore…"
His drowsy mumble went unnoticed as the little ones quietly slipped outside, heading for the research institute.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Gengar phased through the locked training grounds, flipping the switch from inside. The others filed in as floodlights blazed to life, illuminating the makeshift stage.
The audience—consisting of curious wild Pokémon—let out a chorus of barks, chirps, and howls.
"Gengar!"
Gengar raised its stubby arms, signaling for silence.
With a dramatic flourish, it pulled out a microphone.
Ta-daaa!
"Sylveon!" Sylveon's smile froze. It was the first to bolt.
"Bl-Blastoise…" Blastoise wiped its sunglasses nervously, sweat dripping down its face.
Rotom-Dex trembled. "D-Don't tell me… Gengar's holding a concert, Rotom!?"
The arena buzzed with anticipation as wild Pokémon—Bidoof, Shinx, Budew—gathered, eyes shining with hope.
This guy… looks like a pro!
"Gengar~(￣▽￣)／"
Gengar bowed theatrically, then tapped the mic.
SCREEEECH—
The feedback made the crowd flinch, but their excitement only grew.
Sylveon, already long gone, hummed to itself while scouting for unfortunate wild leaders to bully.
Suddenly, its [Lunar Feather] glowed. A bush rustled.
"Sylveon~!"
It beamed at a trembling Misdreavus.
Oh? Trying to put me to sleep, were you?
"Misdreavus!!" Misdreavus shook its head frantically, tears welling up.
Too late. Sylveon pounced, claws gleaming—
Back at the arena, Gengar cleared its throat.
"Gengar!"
"Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ" Togepi cheered from the sidelines, waving its tiny hands.
"Sirfetch'd~" Sirfetch'd slumped, using its shield to block its ears.
Arcanine wagged its tail obliviously. "Arcanine"
Then, Gengar began.
"GengarGengarGengar (≧▽≦)"
[Gengar used Perish Song!]
It's super effective!
The wild Pokémon's faces twisted in horror.
"ABORT! ABORT!"
"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIEEEE—"
Chaos erupted. A stampede seemed inevitable.
In this darkest hour, a white knight rose—eyes burning with righteous fury.
"Sirfetch'd! "
It lunged, leek-sword glowing crimson with Throat Chop.
Today, I shall overthrow this tyrant!!
[Throat Chop: Prevents the target from using sound-based moves via sheer, unrelenting agony.]
"Gengar!? Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Gengar teleported away just as the leek struck where no ghost should ever be struck.
The song cut off. The crowd gasped in relief.
"Sirfetch'd~"
Wiping its brow, Sirfetch'd basked in their grateful stares, striking a heroic pose.
Never underestimate the emergency rations, fools!
"Gengar~" Gengar grinned, hands on hips.
Good enough for tonight. Time to go home!
But since Sirfetch'd was so eager to spar…
Gengar nodded solemnly, conjuring a massive Shadow Ball.
I'll give it my all!
"Gengar! "
Sirfetch'd stared at the incoming doom, tears streaming.
"Sirfetch'd! "
…I regret EVERYTHING.
BOOM!
As dust settled, Blastoise peered into the crater where Sirfetch'd lay. Adjusting its sunglasses, it pulled out a Revival Herb and gave Gengar a thumbs-up.
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)"
No worries. The medic's got this.
Meanwhile, Sylveon continued its educational outreach in the wild, using the [Lunar Feather] to "teach" Misdreavus and Mismagius the meaning of pain.
"Togepi~" Togepi rode atop Arcanine's back, waving its arms like a seasoned concertgoer.
Touched, Gengar wiped away a tear.
"Gengar~"
As long as one fan understands my music… my soul will keep singing!
Under the moonlit sky, the little ones headed home.
And so ended this explosive night of battle and melody—
While Natsume remained blissfully asleep, lost in dreams of honey and cream.
"Really… can't eat another bite…"