December 29th, Tuesday
Celadon City Trainer Academy
Natsu's return to lecture was t with student excitent rivaling holiday celebrations.
Though... perhaps the random UR card giveaways during his classes played a part.
"Natsu-sensei, what strategy are we analyzing today? Ally Switch?"
"Ally Switch?" Natsu blinked. "I never use Ally Switch."
"Natsu-sensei! Let's duel!"
A student with flowing hair dramatically presented his deck. "I've collected all three Legendary Birds of Kanto!"
Natsu raised an eyebrow.
Those cards had abysmal drop rates...
Unless...
You're using that traitorous 'Orisis Moltres' too?
No matter.
Natsu had secretly built a Hoopa deck.
Just five assembled pieces ant instant victory!
The duel began!
When Togepi "randomly" drew all five Hoopa pieces for Natsu's opening hand, the student turned ashen.
"Natsu-sensei... how could you use such a broken deck?!"
Natsu chuckled.
As the founder of Pokémon TCG, using ta-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, Natsu properly lectured for two periods.
Gladion, Wally, and Giselle—his personal students—listened intently.
They knew Natsu-sensei's next class might be weeks away.
Ding-dong—
As the bell rang, Wally caught Natsu 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 rember your teachings!"
His eyes shone with newfound confidence.
This boy who'd beco a ruthless breeding-and-releasing machine in another tiline might now walk Ash's path of bonds.
Natsu wasn't sure if this was better—but the choice was Wally's to make.
"No weak Pokémon, only weak Trainers," Natsu ruffled Wally's hair. "So disagree, but I believe it."
"I'm competitive, but I cherish bonds too. A battle world of cold optimization would be... dull."
"When Pokémon et Trainers who believe in them... miracles happen."
Wally tilted his head at so terms. "Have... unpopular Pokémon really reached world stages?"
"Yes."
Natsu smiled. "A world-champion Pachirisu. A runner-up Eevee. Wherever Trainers and Pokémon et... new possibilities bloom."
"That's our magic."
After thoughtful silence, Wally nodded.
"Got your Pokédex?"
"Always!"
"Contact 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?!"
Natsu paled—Gengar was missing.
A cold sweat ford.
Every. Damn. School. Visit.
...
The renovated training room proved surprisingly durable.
Sirfetch'd's Close Combat left re white scratches.
"Gengar..." Gengar shook its head at Arcanine's excavation efforts, Giovanni's manual in hand.
More training required.
"Arcanine~~!" The Arcanine resud its demolition with renewed vigor.
Erika arrived with Natsu, blinking. "Your Pokémon are... quite dedicated."
Natsu 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.
Natsu'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...
Natsu's brow furrowed.
Togepi's Life Dew could shine in doubles, especially combined with Follow .
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." Natsu 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 puzzlent.
Wherever Natsu goes, business follows...
Maybe I should get the whole family into this line of work?
Returning ho, Natsu found a ssage from Oleana.
According to Pokémon Legendary's developnt schedule, the ga would launch by mid-January.
"Guess it's ti to get moving," Natsu murmured, preparing to accompany Ash for his evaluation.
When Natsu called, Professor Oak chuckled, "Perfect timing! After completing this task, you'll be back in ti for the League Tournant!"
"Professor Oak... I haven't even collected all my badges yet," Natsu coughed.
"Really?" The professor rubbed his chin. "Well then, best of luck with that!"
Natsu: ???
"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?"
"Caran Palace, I believe?"
The na rang faint bells in Natsu's mory, though he couldn't place it.
"Don't worry," Natsu nodded firmly. "I'll take good care of Ash!"
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