March 28th, Sunday. Cloudy.
Yesterday's water speed race had been uploaded online by some busybody, causing quite a stir.
"It's in the bag. Gyarados was leading by dozens of lengths—how could it lose?"
"Holy—Natsume-sensei's Blastoise launched like a rocket!"
"Stop fighting! This isn't even a speed race anymore!"
Adhering to the principle of "knock out all other contestants, and I'm the winner,"
Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses, punched Gyarados into oblivion, and intimidated the rest with a single swing.
Then, under the camera's flawless tracking, Blastoise casually swam past the finish line.
"Someone drug-test this Contestant!"
"Blastoise? More like Rocket Tortoise!"
Giovanni felt personally attacked and gave that comment a like.
Slipping out during work hours to slack off and join a fan tournament? Totally on-brand for Natsume-sensei.
But to dominate so effortlessly against strong Gym Leaders?
Fans couldn't help but sigh: "When it comes to stomping noobs, Champion Natsume is a professional."
The prize, a Water Stone, had already been pocketed by Natsume, who planned to toss it into his fish tank as decoration.
Sure, liquid funds were tight, but using Never-Melt Ice to chill cola and Water Stone as decor?
Peak "boring flex" energy.
Moreover, Natsume had already decided that once the Wallace Cup wrapped up,
he'd go back to focusing on game development—and make a fortune!
Natsume patted his own shoulder cheerfully:
"From rags to riches—just you wait!"
...
Morning. The sky was gloomy, thick with the stifling heat of an approaching storm.
Natsume stood by the window, coffee in hand, watching the gathering rain clouds.
"Feels like rain today." He took a sip.
"Gengar~!"
Gengar stood beside him, tiny hands clutching a mug filled with cola, nodding in agreement.
"Well, today's contests are indoors anyway."
Yawning, Natsume plopped onto the sofa and checked his phone for the schedule.
Today was the third day of the Wallace Cup.
After today's performances, the four finalists would be decided.
The winners would advance to the main venue for the final showdown over the Aqua Ribbon.
"The main venue isn't at Lake Valor? Gotta travel another dozen kilometers…"
Natsume sipped his coffee, scanning the text from Wallace's assistant, deep in thought.
Thought this would wrap up this week… Now there's overtime?
I'm the guy who saved the Tree of Beginning and calmed Regigigas—a "food/gaming" content creator!
Chat Group Log:
Ruby brought it up with Natsume, laughing:
"The Alamos Town is one of the most historic and glamorous contests! Even Master had to pull strings to book the arena there."
"It's a town steeped in history!"
Gardenia, who'd practically grown up in the Eterna City Museum, finally seized her chance to chime in:
"Alamos Town is famous for its ancient melodies that soothe Pokémon, plus its stunning architecture—gardens and towers straight out of a fairy tale!"
For once, Gardenia didn't feel invisible.
"Melodies? Now that's my specialty!" Lt. Surge flashed a grin.
Roxie scoffed: "Sounds like another Unova tall tale. Zero proof!"
Natsume interjected: "In Unova, they've got the 'Relic Song' tied to Meloetta's legend. That one's actually documented."
Steven, currently mining in Unova, wiped sweat and lime dust off his chiseled face. Pressing his Bluetooth earpiece, he added warmly:
"True. Matches what I've heard here."
No wonder Natsume-sensei was so well-informed.
As a scholar of ancient languages, legends were his bread and butter.
"So what's the deal with Alamos Town's melody?" Yellow tilted her head, curious.
Natsume paused. The name tickled his memory.
Was it from some music-themed storyline?
"Rotom, pull up Alamos Town's archives," he ordered.
"Roger that~Rotom!" The Pokédex pirouetted mid-air, extending mechanical arms. "Beep… Found it! Alamos Town—a quaint tourist spot famed for scenic views, plus gardens and towers designed by the architectural genius Gaudí!"
"Tourist spot?"
Natsume rubbed his chin.
"No wonder Wallace picked it as the main stage."
Realizing he'd been overcomplicating things, he muttered:
"Now dig up anything music-related."
Rotom scratched its head. "Beep, nada, Rotom!"
A shame. Natsume had hoped for a moe-moe date spot.
A romantic getaway with melodies, architecture, and vistas? Perfect.
But even without music, a historic town was plenty charming.
Time to ask her out.
He groaned inwardly: "Overtime without Moe-Moe!? Pure agony!"
Red's phone buzzed as he gazed at Mt. Silver's sky.
"Music-themed towns… reminds me of Lavender Town."
That eerie vibe, the haunted radio tower, the ghostly whispers…
Young Red's darkest phobia—until he'd faced his demons.
"Alamos Town's way cheerier," Ruby assured. "This year's venue got rave reviews from Coordinators!"
Natsume nodded.
The name did ring a bell, but with so many locations across games, shows, and spin-offs—who could keep track?
Even if Regigigas crashed the party, he'd brawl it into submission! (Then politely ask for its giant sword.)
"Let's go, Gengar." Natsume stood. "Showtime."
"With me judging, Jessie's definitely making semifinals!"
"Wobbuffet~!" Gengar mimicked a salute.
"STOP copying Wobbuffet's voice, Gengar!!"
...
That day, the Wallace Cup Semifinals.
Natsume served as a judge.
Chairman Contesta, visibly awkward around him, claimed he was feeling unwell and couldn't attend.
A young, handsome Top Coordinator replacing the stuffy middle-aged man naturally drew cheers from the entire audience.
Wallace, wearing a white hat with a flowing white cape behind him, crossed his legs and smiled at Natsume in greeting.
Natsume sat beside him and whispered, "Mr. Wallace, may I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Who do you think is more handsome—your Master Juan or Steven?"
Wallace was caught off guard. He coughed into his fist, then answered with a straight face:
"In terms of elegance, Master is particularly popular with older women."
"From that perspective, Steven and Master are quite similar, wouldn't you say?"
Natsume let out a disappointed "Oh."
Wallace's eye twitched. This Champion seemed… unusually playful.
Or maybe, like his apprentice Ruby, he enjoyed reckless antics—never playing it safe until he was on the brink of defeat?
But Wallace wasn't sure if he could actually beat him. Clearing his throat, he smiled and said:
"Natsume-sensei, the location for the main stage has been finalized."
Natsume nodded slightly. "I have a friend who'd like to attend."
"Of course, that's no problem."
Wallace paused, studying Natsume's expression, then understood.
He couldn't help but recall his own lost-and-found white swan, Winona back in Hoenn, and smiled warmly:
"I look forward to her arrival, Natsume-sensei."
The performances continued. When Contestant Jessie took the stage, she nervously pumped herself up.
Outside, Meowth and James cheered for her.
Natsume's gaze lingered on Jessie's uneasy demeanor.
Truthfully, Jessie was deeply insecure.
She had the strength to reach the Top 4 in the Kalos Master Rank Coordination battles, yet she always believed it was due to foul play rather than her own skill.
In addition, she'd also had a Chansey friend and a secret crush on Doctor Waite, but they both eventually choose to leave alone.
Without James and Meowth, Jessie might not be as cheerful as she was now.
Or perhaps, it was the Team Rocket trio's mutual reliance—none of them could truly live without the others.
As Natsume mused, the performance ended. Jessie stood nervously.
Wallace smiled and gave her a high score, securing her advancement.
"You did it, Jessie!" James and Meowth cheered from the audience stands.
What surprised Natsume was the final Contestant of the Wallace Cup.
The photo in the profile showed a girl in a white hat, thigh-high socks, and a red scarf around her neck.
"Dawn!?" Natsume blurted out.
Wallace glanced at him. "You know Platinum?"
Natsume paused, realizing this was the Special Editions world—she'd be called "Young Lady" here.
In a way, this "Young Lady" was Dawn's alternate-world counterpart, equally skilled in Coordinating.
But Platinum was also a Pokédex holder, born into an obscenely wealthy family.
Many nearby hotels and even a seven-star lakeside restaurant were technically under the Platinum Family's name.
Natsume watched the black-haired girl in a gown at the center of the stage, sighing inwardly.
If I can't be a Coordinator, I'll just go home and inherit billions!
Nearly identical to Dawn in appearance but far more logical, Platinum had already heard of the "Strategist" from Professor Rowan.
Now, seeing Natsume-sensei in person, Platinum held her breath and steeled herself.
You can do this, Platinum!
Her performance was a resounding success, securing her a spot in the Top 4.
As the day's events concluded, Platinum sought out Natsume backstage.
"Natsume-sensei!" The girl in the white hat bowed formally, then looked up at him.
"I'm a Pokédex holder from Sinnoh. I never got the chance to visit you before!"
Natsume looked skyward.
He had been slacking off during the Wallace Cup, rarely making appearances…
He coughed. "It's fine. I know who you are. Join the group chat, and you'll fit right in."
"Group chat?" The Young Lady sounded confused.
Natsume sighed. If only Ash were here—he wouldn't have to pull out his QR code himself.
"Oh, and if you see Diamond and Pearl, ask them if they're interested in a job from Natsume-sensei."
"What job?"
"Starting a comedy duo. They'd handle the performances—stand-up, crosstalk, smoking, drinking, perms… wait, no." Natsume coughed.
Platinum's eyes sparkled. She smiled brightly. "Their dream is to become professional comedians!"
"I'll let them know! Thank you, Natsume-sensei!" She bowed deeply again.
Compared to the Kanto group's "passion," the Johto group's "strategy," and the Hoenn group's "romance,"
the Sinnoh Pokédex holders were best summed up by "friendship."
Meanwhile, the Unova group, symbolizing "dreams," had already taken charge of Pokémon Company's entertainment promotions under BW Productions.
Natsume stared at the sky.
Using Pokédex holders as tools… Is that really okay?
Eh, it's a modified timeline anyway. Just hug the Moe-Moe! and move on!
As night fell, Platinum showed keen interest in the group chat.
She was already familiar with several Sinnoh Gym Leaders, chatting animatedly with Maylene and Candice.
Natsume returned to his hotel. In the dim room, his phone screen suddenly lit up.
He answered, hearing a gentle yet crisp voice:
"My grandmother is sending me on a business trip soon."
"Where to?"
"Alamos Town first." Cynthia said. "There's a scientist there researching local legendaries."
Natsume paused, then smiled. "Then I'll see you there."
"Are you surprised?" Cynthia asked suddenly.
"Should I be?" Natsume replied. "Maybe it's because I'm heading to Alamos Town soon too."
Cynthia laughed. He could picture her golden hair swaying as her eyes curved into crescents.
"Because I watched the Wallace Cup and knew you'd be going to Alamos Town next."
Natsume chuckled. "So you 'volunteered' to go there first?"
"Praise me," Cynthia ordered.
"No matter how time flows or space shatters, my love for you only grows."
"And?"
"Arceus as my witness, I'll only ever love three women: Cynthia, Cynthia, and Moe-Moe!."
Cynthia's voice cooled. "Who's Moe-Moe!?"
"Moe-Moe! is Cabbage."
Natsume paused. "Wait, that makes four…"
Silence. Then, a soft laugh from the other end.
Gengar, grinning mischievously, poked Natsume's side. "Gengar~"
"Hey, no eavesdropping, kid!"
"Gengar! (/ω＼)"
"Gotta go. I need to fight Gengar now."
Cynthia stifled a laugh. "Go easy on him. Use Shadow Punch!"
The last part was louder—meant for Gengar.
"Gengar! (`▽′)" came the spirited reply.
"Ground rules—only Lick is allowed—ah hell, Rotom, save me!"
The call cut to static.
Cynthia smiled, tucking her phone away. Her gaze fell on the documents before her.
Under her golden hair, her gray eyes turned serious—cool, calculating, and deep.
She dialed her grandmother again. Carolina's voice was grave:
"Spatial rifts are appearing in multiple locations—Jubilife City, Oreburgh City… all affected."
"I've contacted Researcher Tony in Alamos Town."
"Once you've assessed the situation, move to the next city immediately." Carolina took a sharp breath. "This is urgent, Cynthia. Stay alert."
"Understood."
Cynthia nodded. She hadn't told Natsume—she intended to handle this alone.
"Oh, and tell that boy I said hello. Grandmother misses him."
Cynthia blinked, then laughed softly. "I will."
"It might just be faulty data."
Carolina coughed. "But better safe than sorry."
"Just in case, take the two orbs from the Museum… They might help stabilize the rifts."
Cynthia frowned. "But I don't have the power to use them—"
"It's fine. You and Natsume recovered that artifact last time…"
Carolina leaned on her cane, her gaze shifting to a faintly glowing cube.
"The key."
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