Space-Time Power was an esoteric concept.
Apart from Dialga, Palkia, and Arceus, Hoopa had undoubtedly mastered this ability as well.
After all, even the Spatial Deity Dialga couldn't escape the Space created by Hoopa in the movie.
Absolutely ridiculous.
The more widely known Pokémon capable of time travel was Celebi, the Guardian of the Forest.
Natsume recalled that there wasn't just one Celebi.
Aside from the one that met Professor Oak in Viridian Forest,
there was also the Celebi from Ilex Forest, the one that traveled with Ruby, and so on.
Celebi might exist in herds—or perhaps they were all the same Celebi from different timelines.
In any case,
when it came to wielding Space-Time Power, Celebi left a far stronger impression than those two dopey dragons.
"After all, Palkia and Dialga…" Natsume muttered. "People call them 'Mini-Jaw Lock' and 'Mini-Duraludon.'"
But Natsume remembered an episode in the XY arc featuring a Rotom capable of time travel.
This Rotom used an elevator to travel between past and present, even helping a Trainer chase off some troublemakers eyeing an inn.
Considering the metaphysical aspects, this had to be another application of Space-Time Power.
"Still quite scientific, really… Entropy increase and decrease are fundamentally quantum phenomena."
Natsume nodded slowly. "Makes perfect sense!"
Cynthia paused mid-scoop with her silver spoon, tilting her head slightly. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Can I have a bite of your ice cream?"
Cynthia glanced down at her spoon, cheeks faintly pink. "W-with this one?"
Natsume: "Never mind… that's kind of unsanitary."
Cynthia: "?"
A 'DANGER' symbol flashed over Natsume's head as he stiffened. "So, what are your thoughts on Lucian's ever-thinning hairline?"
Cynthia's brows relaxed, her smile turning playful. "Are you eating it or not?"
Natsume: "I think I'd rather— Mmph?!"
"How does it taste?"
"Cold." Natsume licked his lips. "Feels familiar somehow."
Suddenly, Cynthia's face flushed red as she averted her gaze toward the fountain in the square.
Under the cover of night, Natsume didn't notice, musing instead:
"I'll make you ice cream when we get back. What flavor do you want?"
"…" Cynthia frowned slightly, arms crossed, fingers tapping her chin as she fell into deep thought.
Satisfied, Natsume returned to his earlier train of thought.
Ah, right—the time-traveling Rotom…
"With Gengar learning Dark Void, plus Grandma Agatha's Double Team… he should be able to catch up to her Gengar, right?"
Natsume pondered. "As for Blastoise, the benchmark would be that Elite Four chef's Blastoise… Skip that."
A Rotom mastering Space-Time Power? Its battle prowess would skyrocket, rivaling a Saiyan's power-up.
Natsume pressed his lips together, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
At this rate, his team would soon have two or three Elite Four-level expenses…
Natsume: "So the movie was just setting up this grand scheme, huh?"
[?]
Still… it wasn't a big deal.
Natsume nodded resolutely.
Once Pokémon: FireRed officially launched, that pocket change would be easy to earn!
The quality might not be unprecedented, but it'd definitely surpass Diamond & Pearl Remakes!
Natsume decided that once he got Rotom's answer,
he'd load the two fragments into the Pokédex back home—no resource left unused.
If Rotom refused, he'd just ask Sirfetch'd to imbue its luck with a hint of "Space-Time Dao" (cough).
Given Sirfetch'd's burning desire to grow stronger,
it would surely accept with tears of joy and boundless enthusiasm!
"Sirfetch'd! "
The Premier Ball at his waist shook.
Natsume patted it reassuringly, sighing inwardly:
Who understands Big Brain better than me, Natsume?
True to his principle of fairness, Natsume always considered his other little ones.
And after Darkrai's dream trial,
he'd gained a deeper understanding of their ambitions.
Togepi, freshly hatched, had no real concept of strength.
Natsume just wanted it to be happy… and to learn fewer nonsense tricks from Mew.
Arcanine, loyal and simple, still carried its mother's heroic spirit.
Considering it was always the team's punching bag… that was pretty brave.
With Moltres' tail feather and the Rainbow Wing in his possession, he could probably make it even tankier.
"The only true frontline tank on the team," Natsume mused. "Blastoise is sturdy too, but damn, it burns through potions."
As for the ever-innocent Sylveon… its motivation was pure gratitude.
Yet in terms of battle instincts and adaptability, it was the team's standout.
Natsume stroked his chin, eyes glinting.
"Maybe… I should ask the big shots if they have any high-tier Fairy-type training methods?"
The Fairy type wasn't officially recognized until the Kalos era.
Here in Sinnoh, even Arceus lacked a Fairy-type Plate.
It was like trying to build Sylveon in a meta where it didn't exist—Natsume-sensei had no guide to follow.
Still, consulting the group chat's heavy hitters would surely yield something.
Natsume decided that once Sylveon reached Elite Four level and reestablished domestic dominance,
he'd retire peacefully in Sandgem Town.
Elite Four? Overrated.
Just this once!
...
Night draped over Alamos Town as the festival resumed.
But word of the events there had already spread like wildfire.
Temporal and Spatial Dragons. A battle for the ages. Darkrai. Any one of these would send shivers down a Trainer's spine.
And when that post surfaced, readers could only utter one phrase:
"Holy sh—!"
"Holy sh—!"
"Natsume-sensei commanded Darkrai and wrecked the Temporal and Spatial Dragons?!"
"Is there footage? No signal? Damn, that's a shame…"
"I was there. Natsume-sensei locked them down like it was nothing!"
"Bundle Play? Well, something is wrong with me..."
"True story. I was the Red Chain."
"Can confirm. I was Palkia."
"Eyewitness here. I was the Space-Time Tower's disc changer."
The thread spiraled into absurdity.
For a mortal to rival deities? Only a handful—Leon, Red—could claim such a feat.
Even if Natsume-sensei had long been equated with Champions in the public eye,
the post's contents still left everyone stunned.
Punching Regigigas. Restraining Palkia and Dialga.
What kind of god was Natsume-sensei?
Did he input cheat codes? Was he some eight-generation Champion in a past life?
Some dismissed it as hostage propaganda, while others laughed it off as rumor.
But those who'd witnessed it—who'd felt the primal terror of time and space colliding—
would never forget the sight of that man standing firm before the dragons.
The Sinnoh League didn't suppress the post.
They just flooded it with bots to make it seem like a joke.
After all, the Temporal and Spatial Dragons incident was too monumental.
Even with scientists' reports in hand…
higher-ups needed Champion Cynthia to return before drawing conclusions.
And that black-haired young man's silhouette was already etched into the Sinnoh League Chairman's mind.
"Why did he choose Sinnoh to reveal his strength?"
The Chairman steepled his fingers, glasses glinting.
"Does the Sinnoh League hold something he desires…?"
...
After Sunset in Alamos Town
As dusk settled, Alamos Town's communication signals finally flickered back to life.
Natsume's phone buzzed incessantly, chat notifications flooding in without pause.
"Empty fame," he sighed dramatically. "Nothing but empty fame."
Yet he couldn't resist stealing a glance at the messages.
He'd save the longer ones for later—something to chuckle over under the covers.
But Natsume had more pressing matters to attend to.
Namely, booking a hotel room.
For him and Cynthia. To share.
Natsume: "This is the only double room left. The others are being used for伤员."
Cynthia: "I could give you the room and sleep at the Pokémon Center."
Natsume froze, then deflated. "…I'll take the floor, then."
Cynthia, seeing right through him, smirked.
"One room," she murmured. "Just for tonight."
With the Temporal and Spatial Dragons incident being so critical,
Cynthia—no, Moe-Moe!—would need to return to the League tomorrow to deliver her report.
Natsume felt a pang of regret.
But after witnessing Leon, Steven, and Wallace in action, he'd come to understand a Champion's sense of duty.
Cynthia wasn't just his Moe-Moe!—she was Sinnoh's spiritual pillar, its strongest Champion.
"You don't want me to leave?" Cynthia's sharp gray eyes pinned him in place.
Natsume nodded honestly. "Who knows when we'll meet again?"
"Soon. At the Research Conference." Her smile deepened.
Natsume: ?
Cynthia said nothing, eyes gleaming.
This incident was a goldmine for her research on Legendary Pokémon.
Combined with her records on Regigigas, the lake guardians, and Natsume's ancient translations…
She now had the perfect thesis—one in a million!
"Practice is the sole criterion of truth."
Cynthia smirked at Natsume.
"Professors Oak and Rowan… I'm sure they'd agree."
Natsume: ??
"Anyway."
She tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, arms crossed, holding up one finger.
"I'll be aiming for the Gold Award at April's conference!"
Natsume: ???
"Why do you look pale?"
Natsume's lips were dry. "Old stomach issue. Doctor's orders—soft foods only."
"Should I get medicine?" Cynthia stood, concerned.
Before he could stop her, she'd already hurried off with Garchomp in tow.
Natsume watched her go, warmth flooding his chest as he stared at the sky.
I must be overthinking it.
Even with Moe-Moe!'s academic prowess, his translations,
and all those Legendary encounters…
No way could they beat Professor Oak's team.
That's Professor Oak we're talking about!
Natsume screamed internally: "You'd better bring your A-game, old man!!"
...
Pallet Town, Oak Research Institute.
"Achoo!" Professor Oak, dressed in a white lab coat, rubbed his nose.
Blue Oak, a young man with brown hair and a purple jacket, shot him a questioning look.
"Probably just a seasonal cold," Professor Oak muttered. "By the way, how's that paper of yours coming along?"
"It's fine," Blue Oak shrugged. "Good enough for the report."
"You…" Professor Oak sighed helplessly, waving him off.
Blue Oak stepped outside, pulled out his phone, and his expression turned serious.
[Blue Oak: Did you know? ]
[Red: Got it. ]
[Blue Oak: Thoughts?]
[Red: Very 'Natsume-sensei' of him.]
A faint smirk curled at the corner of Blue Oak's lips.
After all, ever since the Regigigas incident, he and Red had known the true strength of Natsume-sensei.
And even before that, Natsume-sensei had pulled off the miracle of saving the Tree of Beginning…
Suddenly, Blue Oak's brow furrowed deeply.
"Right after battling the Temporal and Spatial Dragons… How long will it take for him to recover enough for a full-power match against Natsume-sensei…?"
No.
Blue Oak abruptly lifted his gaze toward Mt. Silver, his eyes glinting faintly in the dark.
The itch to fight was too strong.
Tonight. He'd head up the mountain and battle to his heart's content!
Meanwhile.
Professor Oak draped an extra coat over his shoulders, fished out his old smartphone, and muttered under his breath:
"Lapras Youth Group, Lapras Youth Group… Ah, here it is."
He tapped into the group chat titled 'Lapras Youth Group', whose members included:
Samuel Oak, Mr. Kurt, the Pokémon Day Care couple, and Pryce and Agatha—who had left the group before rejoining.
"@Everyone."
Professor Oak cleared his throat and typed:
"It's that time of the year again. Everyone, remember to stay warm and don't catch a cold!"
Pokémon Day Care Grandpa was the first to reply: "Got it!"
"That brat Gold skipped work again today," Pokémon Day Care Granny fumed. "When I catch him, I'm dragging him into a Pokémon Battle!"
Professor Oak awkwardly tried to calm her down, saying Gold was still young and didn't know better.
Pryce replied coolly: "I always dress warmly."
Professor Oak: "…Well, good for you."
Mr. Kurt, having just finished carving an Apricorn Ball, chimed in with a laugh:
"Oh, Samuel, this message wasn't really for us, was it?"
"Nonsense," Professor Oak huffed. "Looking out for the group is the duty of the group owner!"
"Hahaha, alright, still as fake-earnest as ever," Mr. Kurt chuckled. "I'll get back to carving Apricorn Balls. Don't let me distract you!"
The group chat fell silent again, the screen dimming.
Professor Oak set his phone aside, made himself a cup of coffee, and returned just as the screen lit up once more.
[Grandma Agatha: Got it..]
Blue Oak walked back in just then, eyeing his grandfather:
"Why are you grinning like that?"
"A-Am I?"
"Don't do anything that'd upset Grandma." Blue Oak's gaze was eerily calm.
"W-What?! Hahaha, you're overthinking it!" Professor Oak scratched his head nervously, laughing loudly.
"I share Grandma's stance."
Blue Oak grabbed his coat from the rack and waved. "Respect your choices."
Professor Oak blinked, then called out in a panic: "Where are you going?!"
"Mt. Silver." The answer drifted back through the night.
"You're not coming back tonight?!"
"Depends on my mood!"
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