The heavy snow had finally stopped.
"Pikachu~" Pikachu scratched its head and stuck out its tongue, looking at the soot-covered group.
Gold somehow pulled out a comb and frantically fixed his bangs, wailing, "I just styled my hair today!"
"Even if you did, no one would notice," Lorelei muttered gloomily.
"I noticed," Silver said flatly. "Looks like a Dartrix's hairstyle."
A vein throbbed in Gold's forehead. Channeling the spirit of Nohara Misae and Shin-chan, he drove his fist into Silver's temple. "Take this!"
"So childish… Ow ow ow!"
"Are his bangs really that important?" Lance whispered to Crystal beside him.
Crystal nodded softly. "According to Gold's mom, he spends half an hour in front of the mirror every morning."
Natsume glanced up at the sky, picturing a Dartrix in his mind, then looked back at Gold for comparison.
"Pfft." Yellow was the first to stifle a laugh, her face turning red.
"Hey! It doesn't look anything like that!"
As the party neared its end, the group made their usual routine of teasing Gold, filling the air with lively cheer.
Brock, wearing an apron and holding a rag, began cleaning up.
"We didn't help much earlier, so let us handle this," Red said.
"It's fine," Brock chuckled. "I'm used to it."
"Gengar~!" Gengar cheerfully flicked its rag and summoned several Substitutes to help tidy up.
Brock blinked in surprise.
Natsume's Pokémon… even their household skills are maxed out?
"Everyone."
Lance, cloaked in red, mounted his plump Dragonite. "I'll have to take my leave first."
"Your schedule's still packed today?" Red asked in surprise.
"Well, who do you think passed the Champion title to me?" Lance shot Red a glance.
Red scratched his head awkwardly, while Blue Oak crossed his arms and subconsciously touched his nose.
Not to brag, but I was once the Champion too…
Still, Lance, with his strong sense of justice, genuinely enjoyed the profession.
Cracking down on crime, occasionally raiding a few hideouts for fun—life had its own thrills.
One could say it was his sense of duty and packed schedule that kept him going.
But then… Lance glanced at Cynthia.
She was happily licking an ice cream cone, chatting with Shauntal, while Caitlin stared intently at Natsume.
Caitlin: Stare—
Natsume blinked. "Does your eye hurt?"
Caitlin stiffened slightly. Remembering his closeness with Cynthia, a pang of jealousy shot through her.
But then, the memory of being utterly crushed in battle flashed in her mind.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her Inner Focus.
No… If I lose to him here, I'll never live it down!
"Champions and Elite Four from other regions…"
Lance crossed his arms, baffled. "Are they all this free?"
Seriously, out of all the Champions here, I'm the only one who has to work overtime?!
"I'll go with you," Lorelei adjusted her glasses. "The Sevii Islands are a long trip. Or just lend me a Flying-type."
"I only brought Dragon-types," Lance frowned.
"Don't lie," Lorelei laughed, nudging his shoulder. "I know you too well!"
Lance: "..."
Yellow leaned in, kindly reminding him, "Mr. Lance, Dragon plus Flying… is still a Flying-type."
"Huh? Where? A Flying-type?" Ash's eyes lit up. "Can I challenge you with my Swellow?"
"In the forests near Pallet Town," Natsume said dryly. "Like your Pidgeot, for example."
Ash paused, then grinned. "Oh, I know! Once things settle down, I'll go get it!"
Lance and Lorelei left first, followed by Misty, Erika, Sabrina, and the others.
Gold lazily rested his arms behind his head. "Man, I never wanna leave when the party's over."
"But… thanks for hosting us today, Natsume-sensei!" He blew his bangs up with a grin.
Silver, silent as ever, nodded. "Same."
Natsume smiled faintly, glancing around. Cynthia was busy with her best friends.
Not wanting to disturb her, he found a dry patch of grass and sat down.
Above, the stars flickered in and out of sight.
"Sylveon~" The Sylveon in his lap tilted its head, big blue eyes blinking up at him.
"You're not thinking about how to train Moonblast, are you?" Natsume teased.
"Sylveon!" It nodded eagerly.
"..." Natsume stroked its snowy fur and sighed.
Green was carefully removing ornaments from a Snover. Noticing Natsume's gaze, she explained, "Just worried they might swallow them!"
You sure you're not saving them for next Christmas?!
Natsume coughed. "Hey, Green, what kind of mushroom was in that broth earlier?"
Recalling the rich flavor, he licked his lips, his chef instincts kicking in. "I wanna try cooking with it again."
"Right? It's super rare!"
Green grinned proudly. "Not only is it delicious, but it also boosts Pokémon's strength!"
A cold night breeze swept past.
Natsume froze.
Green continued, "It's a special mushroom only found in Galar. I think it's called… Max Mushrooms?"
"That broth would be called Max Soup in Galar!" She smiled. "You've got great skills, Natsume-sensei!"
"…Give me a second."
Natsume raised a trembling hand to his forehead.
Max Mushrooms—when made into Max Soup—could unlock a Pokémon's Gigantamax potential.
He distinctly remembered… his Pokémon's System Pokédex originally had no Gigantamax marker.
And earlier… hadn't Gengar and Squirtle both had some of that Max Soup?
His expression twisted. Pulling up his Pokédex, he scanned Gengar and Squirtle.
Then he sucked in a sharp breath.
"So if they Dynamax now… they'll turn into Gigantamax forms?!"
"Not just that," Green held up a finger, smiling. "Max Soup boosts their stats too. See how energetic Gengar is?"
"Gengar!" Gengar flashed a thumbs-up, teeth gleaming with a 'ding!'
"..." Natsume exhaled.
Just came for a meal… and I still get hit with this?!
But for frugal Green to share such rare ingredients… she really must cherish everyone.
"Whatever, not a big deal," Natsume muttered. "I'll just… avoid Dynamaxing!"
"Is everyone gone?"
Professor Oak walked over, slurping a bowl of instant noodles spiced with leftover broth. His face was flushed from the heat.
"Professor Oak… is your stomach really okay?" Natsume asked, concerned.
"I'm fine!" Professor Oak beamed. "Today's a happy day!"
"He seems in high spirits," Green whispered.
"Yeah," Natsume agreed quietly. "Probably met an old flame."
"Oh, Natsume, one more thing."
Professor Oak wiped his mouth with his sleeve and waved Ash over. "Perfect timing, Ash."
Once Ash jogged over, Pikachu on his shoulder, Professor Oak said, "Ash, remember what I said about earning the Special Edition Pokédex? You'll need to pass an evaluation…"
"I know!" Ash grinned. "Win the League or beat the Elite Four, right?"
Natsume silently looked up at the sky.
At this rate, you won't get that Pokédex for another decade…
Professor Oak cleared his throat. "Neither. I need you to retrieve a document for me—from the castle north of Mt. Moon."
"For safety, Natsume-sensei will accompany you."
He turned to Natsume with a smile. "And when you return, I'll have a thank-you gift for you too!"
Natsume's face paled.
"No, really, that's not necessary!"
"No need to be polite."
Professor Oak clapped him on the shoulder, laughing.
"We'll talk after New Year's. Everyone deserves a break!"
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