Chapter 99: The Dream Shield of Midchu
The first round of battles had all concluded, and dusk was settling.
"See you tomorrow, everyone!"
After commentating all day, the host's voice carried a hint of fatigue.
Yet, under all eyes, he removed his suit to reveal a promotional T-shirt underneath.
Printed on it were a Ursaring and a tent.
Immediately, his voice rang out again, full of enthusiasm:
"Friends coming from afar, don't worry—there are tents available at the venue for free!"
"Ursaring Tent, circle the stars, hug your dreams, sleep soundly!"
"Ursaring Tent, round-pattern night watch, bear-protect your adventures, a must-have for travel!"
...
**In the prep area**
"What? The host is advertising too?" Giselle looked puzzled.
"Well, this is a privately organized tournament. Without official funding, attracting sponsors is normal," Brock replied while wiping down Geodude.
"This host is quite versatile," Ash said, looking up as the big screen began playing short Pokémon skits.
The skits ran every ten minutes, followed by a one-minute advertisement. The ad only showed a logo on the screen, while the host standing on the Magnezone described it verbally—a real workhorse.
"Hmph, compared to serious league matches, these private tournaments have their own charm," Misty said, carrying a stack of boxed meals.
"When I rented a tent, I saw curry bentos being sold—let's eat," she said, handing them out.
"Thanks, Misty," Giselle replied, tilting her head. "But I still prefer league battles. At least no trainers use the match to advertise."
"That's not always true, Giselle," Natsume said. "A certain champion from Galar had sponsor logos all over their cape."
"Galar region?" Ash leaned in.
"When you become a champion, you can wear the custom battle robe I make for you!" Natsume ruffled Ash's hair.
"Hehe, really? You believe I can be a champion too, Natsume?" Ash grinned foolishly.
"Yeah, right. As if." Giselle scoffed.
"Hey, I've got five badges already!" Ash retorted.
Watching their usual bickering, Natsume shifted his gaze to Midchu.
*Pika!* Midchu felt a chill on his back and lifted his curry-covered face from the bento.
His face was smeared with curry and grains of rice.
*Pikachu~* Pikachu silently wiped it with a tissue, treating Midchu like a younger brother.
"Don't worry, there's still a match tomorrow," Natsume said, patting Midchu's head.
*Pika!* Midchu sighed in relief. Before he could bury himself in his food again, Natsume's voice came quietly:
"So tonight, surprise training."
"Ash, do you know how to drive a Jeep?" Natsume turned to him.
"Uh, of course not."
"Don't know? Perfect—Midchu can teach you."
"How can Midchu teach me?" Ash looked at Midchu, confused.
*Pika!*
Midchu collapsed in despair.
...
**That night, in Midchu's dream world**
"Midchu, don't run—face your fear!" Ash's shout echoed.
A crooked Jeep raced along while a Pikachu fled in panic.
Hearing Natsume's training plan, Ash felt uneasy.
But when Natsume explained the principle behind Midchu's tactic of wearing enemies out by sleeping during the day, Ash was relieved.
Training in dreams could still make you stronger.
"Midchu, isn't this exactly the way you've always wanted to get stronger?" Ash's shout echoed.
Midchu's laziness didn't concern Natsume, but Ash watched nervously, trying to motivate him with Pikachu's help. The only reply he ever got was: *Unless sleeping makes me stronger, I won't train.*
"Midchu, don't be afraid! Face your fear bravely!" Ash shouted from the Jeep, letting go of the wheel to cheer him on.
*Pikapi!* Midchu turned, utterly terrified. Unlike Natsume, who mastered driving, Ash's Jeep was completely unpredictable.
Midchu couldn't anticipate where it would land, and with just one Jeep, dodging was nearly impossible.
"Maybe we should just bring Ash along for special training from now on," Natsume murmured from the other stationary Jeep, watching Midchu flee in panic.
Facing a nightmare, Natsume had given Midchu two choices: **evade it, or smash it**.
"At this rate, his evasion skill will max out before his willpower does," he muttered. One nightmare can be dodged, but two? Three? What if the entire dream world is filled with nightmares? Continuous attacks would only create an endless stream of nightmares.
To maintain the dream sanctuary long enough, Natsume preferred training Midchu's will so he could shatter nightmares, rather than simply dodge them. But for now, the training was making Midchu favor evasion.
Natsume had to forcibly strengthen his will, but after a few days, the effect was gradually diminishing.
*Pika!*
Up ahead, the crooked Jeep was about to crash into Midchu. Natsume's focus manifested as deep blue particles, ready to correct the incoming *disaster*.
*Pika!* The Jeep's headlights loomed, and Midchu panicked. A milky heat rose from his head, condensing in his paws into a small shield.
"Eh?" Natsume jumped to his feet.
Midchu instinctively raised the shield in front of it.
*Thud!* The tiny shield collided with the Jeep with a heavy sound.
The shield shattered, and Midchu flew like a kite with a broken string.
*Pika!*
He rolled several times, lying motionless on the ground.
*Pika* A weak voice sounded as he saw Natsume and Ash's will forms appear.
"Midchu, are you okay?" Ash peered curiously at the battered Pokémon. This wasn't quite the disaster Natsume had described.
*Pika*, Midchu whispered faintly. Strange—why hadn't the trainers picked him up yet?
"Stop lying there. You didn't turn into a pancake this time," Natsume's telekinesis swept repeatedly over Midchu's will form.
*Pika?* Midchu stood up, confused.
Oddly, he hadn't turned into a two-dimensional form as expected.
Looking down, he realized, to his amazement, that he was still alive.
You can read more (around 100+ 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.