March 14th, Sunday.
Jubilife City bustled with life, its skyscrapers towering over the crowded streets.
As Sinnoh's most modern metropolis, Jubilife thrived in both commerce and entertainment.
Jubilife TV, renowned for broadcasting Pokémon Contests and Champion League matches, enjoyed high ratings across all regions.
Compared to Goldenrod Radio (once hijacked by Team Rocket) and Mauville Radio (whose former owner was Archie), Jubilife TV had a spotless record.
"Then again, villainous teams do love taking over local stations…"
Natsume mused, staring up at the massive screen displaying live battles.
"Well then, this Jubilife TV station shall be claimed by us, Team Rocket, meow!"
Meowth leaped up, dramatically thrusting a paw into the air.
Passersby shot curious glances. Jessie and James facepalmed in unison—We don't know this guy.
Natsume's eye twitched. "Meowth, I get that you're excited…"
"But a talking Meowth is weird anywhere. Tone it down!"
Meowth clapped both paws over its mouth, then mumbled, "S-Sorry, Executive! Got carried away, meow~!"
The thought of releasing its own album after this mission had kept Meowth awake all night.
Teaching the twerp to sing? Piece of cake!
"Where is the twerp?" James glanced around. "Is he late?"
"How dare he disrespect the Executive like this!" Jessie's hair practically bristled with rage.
"Relax, Ash'll be here soon…"
Not that I'm worried about Ash—I'm worried about you getting blasted off again!
Natsume, long accustomed to Ash's tardiness, gestured toward the building.
"Let's head in. Matori's already reserved the studio."
"The melon-head glasses girl?" the trio echoed.
Natsume nodded.
Thanks to the "Mentor Program's" success in Sinnoh, Boss Giovanni had grown more lenient with delegating authority.
High-ranking Mentors like Natsume could now directly task Matori, the administrative secretary.
And thanks to the "Rainbow Initiative," Team Rocket's public image was slowly improving.
Meanwhile, Giovanni happily tinkered with his video channel, occasionally DM'ing Silver…
…while also pestering Natsume to buff his in-game Pokémon further.
"Make the new players suffer."
Natsume could already imagine the horrified faces of trainers facing "Giovanni of the Earth" in Silph Co.
But first—lure them in with this MV.
"Whoa… Fancy digs, meow~"
The group entered the studio, Meowth gawking at the marble floors, Sudowoodo potted plants, and the Audino receptionist.
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar waved at the pink Pokémon.
Audino tilted its head, beaming.
Meowth translated: "It says, 'Nice to meet you all~!'"
Natsume: "Yeah, it's gonna regret that soon."
Guided by Audino, they headed for the elevators—
—just as Ash's voice echoed through the lobby.
"NATSUME-SENSEI! SORRY I'M LATE!!"
"Pikachu~!"
Ash sprinted toward them, Pikachu perched on his shoulder, cap nearly flying off.
Whispers erupted among the staff:
"That's Natsume-sensei?!"
"He's even cooler in person!"
"Good luck in the Lily of the Valley Conference!"
Natsume acknowledged them with a nod before ushering everyone into the elevator.
Ash grinned. "Natsume-sensei, they know you're entering the Baby Cup too!"
Natsume glared. "There is no Baby Cup. I don't do Baby Cups."
Ash scratched his messy hair with an embarrassed grin.
"Overslept this morning... that's why I'm late."
Then his eyes lit up as he noticed the three figures behind Natsume.
"Are these the voice coaches you mentioned?"
An awkward silence filled the cramped elevator.
Ding.
The doors slid open, revealing the trio in casual wear, a bead of sweat rolling down their foreheads.
Natsume gave Ash a strange look. "You... really don't recognize them?"
Ash crossed his arms, stroking his chin thoughtfully before shaking his head.
"Nope!"
THUD.
The trio dramatically faceplanted.
Natsume wiped his brow.
Classic Ash. Can't recognize Team Rocket without their uniforms.
"Here's a hint, meow!"
Meowth—dressed in a tiny brown trench coat, cap and sunglasses like some miniature detective—cleared his throat.
"We've known each other forever!"
Natsume's eye twitched.
If he still doesn't get it after this...
Or was Team Rocket's [Disguise Lv.MAX] passive skill just that effective against Ash?
Ash squinted at the sweating Jessie and James, who promptly looked away.
"Uh... Senpai, who are you guys?"
Click.
Like a triggered trap—
SWOOSH!
Meowth dramatically shed his coat, striking a pose between Jessie and James.
"Prepare for trouble—"
"Enough." Natsume shoved them forward. "We're on a schedule."
The trio deflated. "Yes..."
Ash blinked. Then—
"TEAM ROCKET?!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu's cheeks sparked to life.
That reaction time... impressive.
Natsume sighed.
The man's a master of reverse battles. That physique? Came at the cost of brain cells.
"No Pikachu-stealing today, meow!" Meowth declared.
James crossed his arms proudly. "We're your singing instructors!"
Jessie produced a fan with a flourish. "With my star-quality training, you'll debut in no time~"
"Now quit stalling and follow Meowth's lead!"
Meowth herded a bewildered Ash and Pikachu toward the recording booth.
"Wait—so my teachers are..."
Ash paled.
"TEAM ROCKET?!"
Ash: "hate this feeling~~"
Trio: "Asshole, don't steal our lines, damn Twerp!!"
As Team Rocket dragged Ash inside, Natsume exchanged looks with Gengar.
"Gengar! ︿(￣︶￣)︿" Well that happened.
Natsume mirrored the gesture with a wry smile. "Let's go. We're heading in too."
"Gengar?" Gengar pulled out a microphone, twirling it suggestively.
"No way. Too many people here. Save it for Sirfetch'd at home."
Natsume pondered.
Wasn't there something about playing music for wagyu to improve its texture?
If so, wouldn't the same logic apply to Sirfetch'd?
"Gengar~" Gengar waved dismissively and stuffed the microphone back.
You're impossible~
But hey, last night's karaoke marathon was enough. Today, he'd just spectate!
...
Inside the recording studio, the space was divided into the booth and the control room.
Natsume sat outside, wearing monitors, looking every bit the professional musician.
Through the glass, Ash and the others could be seen marveling at the high-end setup.
Voices filtered through the headphones:
"Twerp, can you even sing?"
"W-well, I hum in the shower a lot…" Ash replied uncertainly.
"Hmm… We'll start with basic scales," James said.
"Relax! With Meowth here, you'll learn in no time~" Meowth crossed his arms, oozing confidence.
Natsume spoke into the mic:
"The sheet music's on the table. It's tough, so take it slow."
The original series' OP, Aim to Be a Pokémon Master!, was performed by Ash's VA, Rica Matsumoto.
For Ash to recreate it in the Pokémon world? A monumental challenge.
But hearing him sing it again fulfilled a tiny, nostalgic wish for Natsume-sensei.
Am I recreating Pokémon games, anime, and MVs… in the Pokémon world?
He shook his head just as Ash's excited voice crackled in his ears.
"Natsume-sensei, these lyrics… they're amazing!"
Meowth scanned the sheet. "Fits the Twerp's journey perfectly, meow~"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded vigorously in agreement.
[Farewell, Pallet Town.
I'll travel with my partner. (Pikachu!)
…
No guarantees
That I'll always succeed. (Obviously!)
…
To become the world's number one Pokémon Master—
This goal will be mine!]
"Aim to be… a Pokémon Master…"
Meowth rasped the lines under his breath.
"So simple. So pure!"
James dabbed his eyes. "I—I suddenly get the Twerp!"
"D-don't get sidetracked!" Jessie barked. "We're here to teach!"
Ash clutched the sheet, sharing a look with Pikachu.
"Alright!"
Flames of determination lit his eyes as he clenched his fists.
"I'll shout my dream for everyone to hear!"
Corny? Absolutely. Cringe? Maybe. But in this moment, Ash looked… cool.
How could someone ashamed of their dream ever become a Pokémon Master?
Ash wore his on his sleeve—and chased it relentlessly.
Ash from Pallet Town, aiming to be a Pokémon Master.
Natsume-sensei felt a surge of nostalgia. "No rush. Practice first. A live band's coming in two days."
"A band?!" The group froze.
"What?" Natsume blinked. "I'm good, but I can't play seven instruments and mix tracks solo."
"That's exactly what I thought, meow."
"Professional bands cost a fortune…" James gulped.
Natsume glanced upward, recalling Oleana's project plan.
She'd connected with BW Talent, a Unovan film agency, partnering with its president, Brycen.
Games, MVs—all would be promoted in Unova through them.
Brycen also recommended a band:
Unova's Poison-type Leader, 'Poison Notes' lead singer Roxie.
Natsume blanked out for a solid minute.
Because BW Talent was essentially the joint business venture started by the male and female protagonists of Special Edition: Black & White.
Though he'd never met them, their paths had crossed in this bizarre way.
Perhaps this was what Professor Oak meant when he said Pokédex holders were drawn to each other.
Speaking of which... Besides electric guitarist Roxie,
Galar's Dark-type Leader Piers was also dedicated to music as a tenor vocalist.
The only reason Natsume remembered Piers was because his little sister Marnie was just too damn adorable...
"Roxie?"
Jessie thought for a moment before exclaiming, "That punk-rock Little girl!"
James stared. "Jessie, since when do you follow Unovan bands?"
"It was in Lumiose Fashion Weekly," Jessie said. "Diantha was on the cover two issues ago, then that Little girl last month."
"If the Poison Notes are coming..."
Ash's eyes sparkled. "Does that mean I can challenge Roxie to a Gym battle?!"
Whack! Meowth leapt up and smacked Ash's head with a rolled-up newspaper.
"Learn the damn SONG first, meow!"
"Ow! Fine!"
Under Meowth's glare, Ash cleared his throat with the sheet music in hand:
"I'll start singing now~"
Outside the recording booth, Natsume stood arms crossed, dead serious.
"All set! Gengar, positions!"
"Gengar~!" Wearing DJ-style headphones, Gengar flashed an OK sign.
"Yo yo yo, Rotom Radio, drop that rap, yo!"
The Rotom Dex floated inexplicably midair, blaring autotuned rap.
Since when did this phone get so hyper?!
Natsume gave Ash a solemn nod.
Under Team Rocket's anticipatory gaze, Ash roared with full force:
"Pokemon, Get☆Daze!"
Natsume's eyes lit up.
Now that's the spirit!
But Team Rocket immediately clutched their ears in agony.
"Make it STOP, meow!"
"He's in the ZONE—we're doomed!"
Natsume's hair stood on end as the monitors delivered Ash's vocals. He ripped off the headphones.
Hell. This was absolute HELL.
To describe it? Like a Muk's three-day swamp concert, plus Meowth's nails on a chalkboard, layered with Machamp's death metal growls!!
"Gengar..." Gengar slumped over the console, headphones on, seeing stars.
"Hang in there! Take them OFF!"
"Gengar!" Gengar tore off the headphones, trembling.
Ash finally stopped, scratching his head innocently.
"Was it... bad?"
"No." Meowth shook his head.
"Oh good—"
"It was ABYSMAL, meow!"
"Oh..." Ash looked to Pikachu, deflated.
"Pikachu~"
Pikachu nodded firmly and tapped the sheet music with its tail.
"Right!"
After a beat, Ash reignited, flames of determination blazing behind him.
"I'll MASTER this song!"
Because these lyrics? They were his and Pikachu's SOUL!
The Trio stared at Ash and Pikachu, their eyes turning to wavy lines.
"Pikachu wants Ash to chase his dreams, meow!" Meowth bawled, wiping tears.
"Leave it to us!"
James clenched a fist, radiating maternal energy.
"We'll make Ash sing this song PERFECTLY!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Ash paled at the Trio's burning 'mom aura'.
"You, you guys, don't come over here!!!"
Natsume watched from outside, twitching.
So this was...
Team Rocket becoming Ash's hype squad?
Inside, the Trio patiently drilled Ash on basic scales.
"Copy Meowth, meow—"
Ash: "Meow—"
Whack!
"Just say 'LA', you twerp!"
"You didn't SAY that!"
Natsume left them to their... bonding.
"Roxie's band arrives tomorrow. Three days to whip Ash into shape..."
Creak.
The door swung open.
A pink balloon wobbled in and politely shut the door.
"Jigglypuff!"
Noticing Natsume's stare, it puffed up, tiny arms akimbo—one gripping a microphone.
Natsume froze.
The TV series' most elusive Pokémon, always near Ash yet never caught.
A singer and artist who'd saved Ash countless times...
"Jigglypuff?"
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