They stepped into the lighthouse once more.
This time, with the lighthouse's keeper present, the place was brightly lit, no longer shrouded in darkness like before.
"Wow! So many fossils!"
With the light shining, Ash noticed a corner he hadn't paid attention to before.
It was filled with fossils and oddly shaped stones.
"Mr. Bill here is actually a leading figure in fossil Pokémon research in the Kanto region," Natsume introduced while pulling Bill forward.
"Well then, let me reintroduce myself." Bill straightened his clothes and continued,
"I'm Bill, a fossil Pokémon researcher."
"Researcher?" Brock was a little puzzled.
"With your level, shouldn't you already be a Pokémon Professor?"
Giselle looked up at Bill curiously.
"Hahaha, I've devoted myself to research, so I don't have time for empty titles," Bill shook his head.
"Mr. Bill is still very capable. He's had many opportunities to earn the title of Pokémon Professor, but he never pursued it," Natsume added.
Bill glanced at him, swallowing back what he was about to say.
"When I was out at sea searching for ancient Pokémon fossils, I accidentally encountered a giant Pokémon," Bill explained.
Soon, everyone had a basic understanding of Bill, and also realized why such a promising researcher would willingly stay in this desolate lighthouse.
"Really, Mr. Bill? You mean that mysterious giant Pokémon might appear tonight?"
Ash's eyes lit up, excited for another chance to learn something new.
"In that case, maybe one day the Kanto region could really link with the Galar region's Dynamax system—if developed properly," Brock said.
Beside him, Giselle's eyes sparkled. As the daughter of a major corporation, she thought of the profits first.
The economic potential of Kanto connecting to a new system was immeasurable.
"Wait, why is everyone being so optimistic?" Misty suddenly spoke up, worried.
"What if that giant Pokémon turns out to be dangerous? Wouldn't we all be doomed?"
At her words, Bill chuckled.
"Don't worry. I synthesized a mating call based on the giant Pokémon's cry to lure it here."
"Hey, hey, hey! What if it realizes it's being catfished? Won't it just get angrier?" Misty complained weakly.
The atmosphere fell silent. Bill didn't respond.
Misty: "…"
These researchers seemed more unreliable than the last. Maybe it wasn't too late for her to run.
"But…" Bill's expression grew conflicted.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It might never come again."
Natsume patted his shoulder.
He knew just how important each discovery of a Dynamax Pokémon was to the Kanto region, and how it could mean a breakthrough for any researcher.
Of course, Bill's greatest drive was still his dream.
"Get in touch with Professor Oak. See if the League can send over an Elite Four-level Trainer for support," Natsume reminded him.
"You're right!" Bill's eyes lit up, and he immediately got up to contact Professor Oak.
Suddenly, he stopped and turned to Natsume with suspicion.
"Wait a second, then what are you planning to do?"
"Borrow your lab for a bit," Natsume said casually as he walked up toward the second floor of the lighthouse.
"No way! Nothing can go wrong tonight!"
Bill blocked him, afraid he'd take a single step into his lab.
"Hmm…" Natsume scratched his head.
"My Pokéball Rotom can be upgraded. Professor Oak should've told you about some of its special traits."
Bill was startled at the mention.
If they could temporarily seal that giant Pokémon, this might become a major breakthrough in Kanto's Dynamax research!
"…Fine. Just make sure you know what you're doing."
Bill handed a key to Natsume.
"The original lab was moved. There's a hidden door there—open it and you'll find it."
Natsume rubbed his nose, not bothering to ask why the lab was built so secretly.
Following Bill's instructions, he soon arrived at the rebuilt laboratory.
He took out an Great Ball, his face showing a trace of nervousness.
It had been nearly a month since Mt. Moon.
The circuitry design for Rotom's Great Ball form was etched clearly in his mind.
Even without blueprints, the Great Ball in his hands flowed in his thoughts as smoothly as if he were reading schematics.
"Rotom!"
Natsume called sharply.
*Roto!*
A golden spark of electricity shot into the Great Ball in his hand.
He stood silently by, watching Rotom merge with the Great Ball.
Now, it all depended on Rotom's proficiency.
Outside a lighthouse window, three figures lurked in the shadows.
"Did you hear that? A giant Pokémon, meow!" Meowth whispered excitedly.
"If we capture it for Boss Giovanni to study and crack Dynamax ahead of them, Team Rocket will monopolize everything, hahaha—"
Before Jessie could finish laughing, James covered her mouth.
He pointed seriously at the hall below, where Bill was contacting Professor Oak.
"We can't let them call the Elite Four, meow!"
The thought of Lance still left Meowth deeply shaken.
"Yeah!" James shivered, then suggested,
"How about we just cut the phone line?"
"Good idea! Let's do it!" Jessie agreed.
Inside the lab, perhaps thanks to prior experience, Rotom's fusion with the Great Ball went much more smoothly this time.
Before long, under Natsume's gaze, an Great Ball Rotom with a blue top and white base was born.
He eagerly pulled up the system panel to check its status.
[Rotom (Great Ball Form) (Lv.55)]
[Type] Electric/Psychic [Base Stats (560)] HP:180, Atk:20, Sp. Atk:40, Def:150, Sp. Def:150, Speed:20 [Moves] Curse Sphere, Healing Ball, Doomspear, ???, Protect [Ability] Pokéball: Exerts strong suppression over other Pokémon
Compared to Pokéball Rotom, Great Ball Rotom had 40 more base stat points and an extra move.
Curious, Natsume tapped on the unknown move.
[???]: Absorbs one opposing Pokémon to drain energy, then immediately releases it. If the absorbed Pokémon is Dynamaxed, its Dynamax turns are reduced by 1. If Mega Evolved, Mega Evolution enters a 3-turn countdown. If Terastallized, Terastallization enters a 3-turn countdown. PP: 2.
At the same time, he noticed Healing Ball had also changed:
[Healing Ball]: If Rotom has drained energy, the released Pokémon receives an energy infusion, granting 1 turn of Mega Evolution/Dynamax/Terastallization. PP: 5.
After reading the two entries, Natsume nodded in understanding.
In short, the new move could shorten the opponent's Mega Evolution, Dynamax, or Terastallization duration.
He named it *Rob the Rich, Aid the Poor Ball*.
As for Healing Ball's new effect, it could briefly grant his own Pokémon the power of Mega Evolution, Dynamax, or Terastallization after using *Rob the Rich, Aid the Poor Ball*.
"Haah…" Natsume sighed with a touch of sadness.
From Pokéball to Great Ball, Rotom still hadn't gained a single high-power move—only these troublesome, annoying tricks.
That really didn't match his sunny and cheerful personality at all.
You can read more (around 50+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https ://ravenarchives .com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.