April 2nd, Friday.
Alamos Town, freshly rebuilt after the disaster, welcomed its first major festival—the Wallace Cup Finals.
Breaking News: Kanto's dark horse contestant, Jessie, narrowly misses the podium, finishing in the top four amid tears.
Sources say her family—including a talking Meowth—offered encouragement post-match.
Now, about that talking Meowth... Let's dive into today's special report!
Natsume closed his phone screen and nodded slowly.
"This dungeon... seems cleared safely."
Aside from the spacetime fragments, Gengar was on the verge of unlocking Dark Void.
Sure, the move was banned—but Legendary trainer Tobias had a Darkrai in a Poké Ball.
So his Gengar learning Dark Void? Totally justified.
Plus, forming a bond with Darkrai meant... another ally to call upon.
"Still owe Regigigas a spa day, though..."
Natsume gazed skyward.
"At least I'm not at the point of summoning Mini-Jaw Lock and Mini-Duraludon."
The closing ceremony was tonight.
The usual fare: Wallace's speech, award-winning contestants sharing their journeys...
But after the Temporal and Spatial Dragons' spectacle, everyone was still hung up on Darkrai and Natsume-sensei's heroics.
This Wallace Cup had been underwhelming—but passable.
"Gengar's still training with Darkrai, huh..."
Natsume muttered, "Guess I'll let Ash and the others leave first. I'll stick around a few more days."
Outside, sunlight bathed Alamos Town's red-brick buildings in gold.
Spring had arrived. The post-disaster town brimmed with renewed energy.
Natsume smiled, glancing back.
Snow-white Sylveon lay sprawled on the bedsheet, ribbons swaying, long ears drooping.
It peered out the window, then—with a flick of its pink ears—haughtily lifted its chin.
"Sylveon~"
Natsume scooped up the 20kg fluffball and plopped it onto his lap for scritches.
"Sylveon! (╬ ò﹏ó)"
The little one's ribbons glowed faintly with move energy.
Natsume rested a hand on its head. Instantly, it squinted blissfully, ribbons coiling around his arm.
"Sylveon~"
"Technically, Sylveon's canine..." Natsume mused while petting. "But if it acts like a cat... who cares?"
Cat or dog? Cuteness is justice!
"Sirfetch'd!"
By the window, the snow-white Sirfetch'd turned, gaze sharp as its leek blade.
Natsume: "...Emergency rations don't need to be cute."
"Sirfetch'd?(⊙ˍ⊙) "
Sirfetch'd's eyes shimmered. A single duck tear fell.
Then it glanced at the rice cooker brimming with Space-Time Power beside it—and froze.
Natsume stroked his chin.
"Next time, let's have Rotom try Sealing Wave. No way a rice cooker can't learn that."
The lid clattered open. A mechanical voice protested:
"Sy-system overload, Rotom! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
The room was cramped. Natsume had requested a high chair from the innkeeper.
Togepi sat in it, engrossed in a handheld game.
"Don't sit too close. You'll ruin your eyes," Natsume said offhandedly.
A boom sound effect played. Togepi raised the console triumphantly:
"Togepi doo-ee~(′▽｀)"
With a sigh, Natsume headed downstairs to borrow the kitchen—intent on using his newly upgraded Legendary Cookware to prepare a thank-you feast for Darkrai, Professor, and Gengar.
"Shortens marinating, stewing, preserves freshness..."
He marveled at Rotom's new functions, then called over his shoulder:
"Sirfetch'd! Stop daydreaming. Chop these scallions!"
"Sirfetch'd! "
The sous-chef Sirfetch'd clutched its shield and leek blade behind its back.
A stare-down ensued.
Finally, with the resolve of a martyr, it extended its leek.
"Sirfetch'd!"
Natsume: "...Never mind. Go play with Blastoise."
"Quack Sirfetch'd~!"
It waddled off, webbed feet slapping the floor, laughing like... well, a duck.
Natsume frowned.
That dream where Sirfetch'd fought Zacian—what was that about?
Did it land three crits on Zacian, then evolve mid-battle?
"My Sirfetch'd isn't that strong," he chuckled. "Just a top-lane tank, really."
...
Lunchboxes packed, lids sealed, insulated bag ready—
Natsume transformed into a rocket delivery rider, takeout in hand, marching toward the Pokémon Gardens.
"Natsume-sensei!"
A yellow-haired girl in a straw hat waved from atop a Dodrio.
"Yellow! Heading out?"
"Yep!" Her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I'll tell Senior Red all about this trip!"
"Like what?"
"How you fought two-on-one and saved Alamos Town!"
Natsume laughed awkwardly. Rumors were like zubats—swarm you till you stopped caring.
Besides, Red was AFK training at Mt. Silver, playing Idle God Simulator.
Ash? Classic Gym Badge Collector RPG.
As for himself...
"Gacha life?"
"Go on ahead. I'm staying a bit longer."
"Then... what's next for you?" Yellow fiddled with her ponytail.
"First, collect my judge's fee from Wallace."
Natsume grinned. "Then back to Sandgem Town to focus on game development!"
"Hooray~" Yellow beamed.
"No hoorays."
"Eh?"
"Nothing... If Ash is leaving too, tell him—"
Natsume paused. "Train hard. Don't lose to Paul in a 6v6 later!"
Yellow saluted. "Got it!"
...
The setting sun cast long shadows as twilight enveloped Alamos Town.
Jasmine held her Magnemite, dressed in a white gown, walking softly.
Yellow strolled alongside Dodrio, glancing back at Alamos Town, wanting to etch this unforgettable journey into memory.
Ash, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder and a backpack slung over both arms, also turned to look.
Clang—clang—clang—
The massive pendulum of the Space-Time Tower swung, its majestic chimes resonating.
The dusky hues of Alamos Town stretched across the cliffs, shadows swaying like a cape in the wind.
The camera panned out, zooming in on the pinnacle of the twin towers.
Darkrai stood atop the clock tower, wreathed in swirling white mist, its piercing blue eyes cold and enigmatic.
At that moment, it almost seemed like Darkrai's signature theme music began to play.
Ash grinned. "It's Darkrai!"
"It really is okay after all." Yellow pressed down the brim of her straw hat as the breeze fluttered by.
"A mysterious and powerful Pokémon." Jasmine smiled faintly.
Ash, with Pikachu balanced on his shoulder, waved vigorously at Darkrai while bidding farewell to Alamos Town.
Darkrai's gaze remained aloof, its aura unapproachable—yet inwardly, it was puzzled.
'Where's Natsume's takeout…?'
'It's almost evening, and lunch still hasn't arrived?'
...
Meanwhile, in a remote wilderness.
"Rotom, why is the navigation still wrong!?"
"This is the shortest flight path calculated using 3D modeling and airspace parameters, Rotom!"
"Good guy, just admit you wanted to fly a helicopter."
"Long live understanding, Rotom! (✧ω✧)"
"You wish! Switch to proper navigation now!"
"Rotom Navigation, at your service. Destination: 'Pokémon Gardens'—"
"So we really have to take the water route… I Choose You, Blastoise!"
"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"
"There are no sea mines here—no need for aura detection!"
...
Back at the Space-Time Tower's main venue, as twilight deepened.
Wallace stood on the red-carpeted stage, contemplating the closing ceremony's schedule.
A call came through. Wallace tapped his Bluetooth headset, hearing a composed voice.
"I heard about what happened in Alamos Town." Steven's tone was grave. "You and Natsume-sensei—are you both alright?"
"Barely." Wallace exhaled deeply. "But we made it."
Steven fell silent, then echoed quietly, "Glad you made it."
Wallace shrugged, flashing a carefree smile. "Like I told you before…"
"What?"
"I… owe Natsume-sensei a favor."
Steven paused, realizing Wallace meant 'Natsume-sensei saved him.'
His voice turned sharp with surprise. "Actually, what I wanted to ask about was that rumor going around…"
"It's true." Wallace spoke slowly. "I was there."
"Natsume-sensei genuinely restrained the Temporal and Spatial Dragons and drove them back."
A long silence followed on the other end.
"You're certain?"
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"That's… beyond what I imagined." Steven said. "Did Natsume-sensei hold them off for long?"
"No, less than a minute. But a Legendary Pokémon—Darkrai—was present."
Steven gave a faint nod, his eyes glinting like polished ore.
"That explains it."
Due to certain circumstances, that Darkrai couldn't leave Alamos Town.
Natsume-sensei had to re-train his Pokémon from scratch, yet his instincts as a Champion-level trainer kept him undefeated…
"You sound almost happy," Wallace remarked.
"Because Natsume-sensei didn't last as long as I did." Steven chuckled.
"Only because Ruby and Sapphire helped you!" Wallace retorted.
"I worked 22 days straight, though." Steven teased. "Want to try that?"
Wallace enunciated each word: "Is that why you handed the Hoenn Champion title to me?"
Steven: "Hello? Bad reception here in the mines. Gotta go."
Wallace blinked—the line had already cut to dial tone.
"That insufferable workaholic."
Gritting his teeth, Wallace hung up, then pondered how to properly thank Natsume-sensei.
After such a battle, challenging him to a full duel now seemed unreasonable.
And for Champions like himself, Steven, and Cynthia…
Money was just a number—hardly worth mentioning.
The only meaningful gift would be sharing his Water-type expertise.
Besides…
Wallace crossed his arms, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"According to Steven… Natsume-sensei's Sylveon must have been recently trained."
"In that case, maybe I should consider…"
His eyes brightened as he recalled an upcoming visit from a Fairy-type specialist.
"I could introduce Valerie to Natsume-sensei."
"When it comes to Fairy-type breeding and training techniques… I'm sure they'd have plenty to discuss!"
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