December 29th, Tuesday
Celadon City Trainer Academy
Natsume's return to lecture was met with student excitement rivaling holiday celebrations.
Though... perhaps the random UR card giveaways during his classes played a part.
"Natsume-sensei, what strategy are we analyzing today? Ally Switch?"
"Ally Switch?" Natsume blinked. "I never use Ally Switch."
"Natsume-sensei! Let's duel!"
A student with flowing hair dramatically presented his deck. "I've collected all three Legendary Birds of Kanto!"
Natsume raised an eyebrow.
Those cards had abysmal drop rates...
Unless...
You're using that traitorous 'Orisis Moltres' too?
No matter.
Natsume had secretly built a Hoopa deck.
Just five assembled pieces meant instant victory!
The duel began!
When Togepi "randomly" drew all five Hoopa pieces for Natsume's opening hand, the student turned ashen.
"Natsume-sensei... how could you use such a broken deck?!"
Natsume chuckled.
As the founder of Pokémon TCG, using meta-defining decks two expansions early was only natural, no?
"Gengar!" Gengar side-eyed its trainer.
A duelist who stacked decks and skipped shuffling? Trash tier!
After the interlude, Natsume properly lectured for two periods.
Gladion, Wally, and Giselle—his personal students—listened intently.
They knew Natsume-sensei's next class might be weeks away.
Ding-dong—
As the bell rang, Wally caught Natsume in the hallway.
"I... I must return to Hoenn after New Year's," the frail green-haired boy said softly before brightening. "But I'll remember your teachings!"
His eyes shone with newfound confidence.
This boy who'd become a ruthless breeding-and-releasing machine in another timeline might now walk Ash's path of bonds.
Natsume wasn't sure if this was better—but the choice was Wally's to make.
"No weak Pokémon, only weak Trainers," Natsume ruffled Wally's hair. "Some disagree, but I believe it."
"I'm competitive, but I cherish bonds too. A battle world of cold optimization would be... dull."
"When Pokémon meet Trainers who believe in them... miracles happen."
Wally tilted his head at some terms. "Have... unpopular Pokémon really reached world stages?"
"Yes."
Natsume smiled. "A world-champion Pachirisu. A runner-up Eevee. Wherever Trainers and Pokémon meet... new possibilities bloom."
"That's our magic."
After thoughtful silence, Wally nodded.
"Got your Pokédex?"
"Always!"
"Contact me in Hoenn then. I expect great things."
"I won't disappoint you!"
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the training grounds.
Giselle rushed out. "What was that?!"
Natsume paled—Gengar was missing.
A cold sweat formed.
Every. Damn. School. Visit.
...
The renovated training room proved surprisingly durable.
Sirfetch'd's Close Combat left mere white scratches.
"Gengar..." Gengar shook its head at Arcanine's excavation efforts, Giovanni's manual in hand.
More training required.
"Arcanine~~!" The Arcanine resumed its demolition with renewed vigor.
Erika arrived with Natsume, blinking. "Your Pokémon are... quite dedicated."
Natsume sighed.
Dedicated to destruction, maybe.
Today's visit was supposed to involve Gengar training the youngsters with Giovanni's techniques.
"Togepi doo-ee~"
Even Togepi joined, using Life Dew to heal everyone.
Natsume's eye twitched.
Life Dew to restore HP lost from training Life Dew?
An infinite loop?!
"Squirtle...ヾ(?■_■)"
Squirtle adjusted its shades, observing the water droplets.
What if Life Dew channeled Mystic Water's power?
One Mystic Water per use, but exponentially stronger healing...
Natsume's brow furrowed.
Togepi's Life Dew could shine in doubles, especially combined with Follow Me.
But...
Don't hatched Pokémon resemble their Trainers?
He stared at his hardworking Togepi.
This isn't slacker behavior!
Sirfetch'd spared him a glance mid-lance thrust.
If not for fear of becoming roast duck, who'd train this hard?
"...Carry on." Natsume coughed. "I'll call the construction crew... again."
...
The evening sky darkened as the renovation team finished their work at Celadon Academy.
The foreman scratched his head in puzzlement.
Wherever Natsume goes, business follows...
Maybe I should get the whole family into this line of work?
Returning home, Natsume found a message from Oleana.
According to Pokémon Legendary's development schedule, the game would launch by mid-January.
"Guess it's time to get moving," Natsume murmured, preparing to accompany Ash for his evaluation.
When Natsume called, Professor Oak chuckled, "Perfect timing! After completing this task, you'll be back in time for the League Tournament!"
"Professor Oak... I haven't even collected all my badges yet," Natsume coughed.
"Really?" The professor rubbed his chin. "Well then, best of luck with that!"
Natsume: ???
"The nearest flight departs from Vermilion City Airport," Professor Oak continued. "If you hurry, you might catch the holiday festival at that castle."
"Which castle exactly?"
"Cameran Palace, I believe?"
The name rang faint bells in Natsume's memory, though he couldn't place it.
"Don't worry," Natsume nodded firmly. "I'll take good care of Ash!"
--------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 420+ Advanced Chapters!
👉 Support now: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------