Auntie Lorelei clicked her tongue when she heard Natsu was competing.
"I thought he was joking..."
She had watched Natsu's exhibition match against Leon on YouTube.
From commands to strategy—
Even as an Ice-type Elite Four, Lorelei couldn't find a single flaw.
Which ant if Natsu-sensei went all out, even she might lose.
For a master-level competitor to enter the Indigo Plateau Conference...
Lorelei adjusted her red-frad glasses. "Well, that's Natsu-sensei for you!"
"How did you all know he was competing?" Blue Oak asked.
"I saw it myself."
Ash sent a [wide-eyed emoji]. "Professor Oak even registered him!"
Natsu, silently lurking in the chat, sighed.
Decision made. When I go to Sinnoh, I'm teaching this kid a lesson.
Inspector Lance sipped tea in his office, enjoying an executive's peaceful day.
After skimming the group chat, he suddenly froze.
Wait… Is Natsu planning to win the conference and then challenge the Champion League?
That would explain why he's competing!
Still, Lance took another leisurely sip.
If Natsu did join the Champion League and take over as Kanto Champion…
That wouldn't be so bad.
Red, Blue Oak—they'd all abandoned their duties.
After years of fighting cri, even a justice-driven man like Lance needed a break.
But knowing Natsu, if he beca Champion, he'd probably be like Steven…
Lance sighed wearily.
Even after the rger, Kanto and Johto will still be my responsibility!
"At Indigo Plateau, right?" Gold chid in. "I can fly over on Togebo~!"
"Togekiss!" A fierce cry ca through the voice chat.
"Private aircraft are banned during the conference to avoid interference," Silver said flatly.
"After all these years, you still haven't even qualified for the main event, have you?"
"You only got in by stealing badges!" Gold growled.
Before Natsu could react, Red muted them both.
"I was wondering if I should register Natsu-sensei through the school's channels," Erika said, covering a laugh.
"Turns out he's already signed up."
Natsu sighed. "I didn't expect it either..."
"There'll be a lot of visitors during the conference, right?"
Green's eyes turned into "$" as she snapped her fingers. "Decision made—I'm setting up a stall!"
"Sister Green, I'll co support you~!" Yellow cheered, ever the loyal fan.
"Ah-ha! I'll bring my new fishing rods too!"
"R-really?!" Yellow gasped.
Red, who had been scamd before, sweatdropped. "Are they… actually good quality?"
"Don't insult my professional pride, you jerk!"
Natsu smirked.
Too bad I already had the Trio prepare for this. Trying to steal business from them?
Not even Joseph Stone from Devon Corp. could pull that off!
"Will there be a livestream?" Roxanne, the twin-tailed Gym Leader from Rustboro, asked.
"My students really want to watch Natsu-sensei's battles."
Natsu-sensei: "There should be… If not, I'll just have Gengar film it."
Roxanne: [Pikachu bowing.jpg]
As the chat buzzed, Lt. Surge DM'd Sabrina.
"How strong is Natsu-sensei's ga Evolution?"
Sabrina didn't reply—she just sent a photo.
Lt. Surge opened it to see the ruins of Saffron Gym and burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! Looks like Vermilion Gym wasn't the only one wrecked!"
Sabrina: "?"
Lt. Surge quickly recalled the ssage, muttering, "I did warn you to use psychic barriers..."
"I did."
Sabrina rubbed her temples. "They still couldn't withstand that Blastoise's aura."
"???"
Lt. Surge froze.
Even Sabrina's barriers failed?
Rembering how effortlessly Blastoise had handled Brock, a cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
What kind of monster has Natsu-sensei been raising?!
...
Natsu scrolled back through the chat logs.
So out of everyone here…
I was the last to know I was competing?
Scratching his head, Natsu left Saffron Gym, heading ho.
"Gengar~! (￣▽￣)／"
Gengar waved at Sabrina, who crossed her arms and nodded with a faint smile.
Then she turned to the wrecked gym and sighed.
Fighting Natsu-sensei in an official Gym battle now would be risky…
The place might get demolished!
The setting sun cast a golden glow over Silph Co.'s headquarters.
In Pokémon: FireRed, the building hid a secret Ga Freak developnt team.
Players controlling Red could battle the team's boss—a fight on par with Champion Lance.
Natsu mused that if Pokémon Company followed Nintendo's path…
What if he made his own Pokémon: FireRed?
He could even appear as the ga's hidden boss.
As for the long-planned PTCG online version—
According to Oleana, Pokémon LEGENDS would launch around February.
Right when the Indigo Plateau Conference began.
Combined with the Trio's physical card sales, it'd be perfect cross-promotion.
Natsu smirked.
One step closer to spoiling the Sinnoh Champion!
Back ho—
"Gengar!"
Gengar dragged Sirfetch'd outside for urgent training.
"Togepi doo-ee~~" Togepi happily followed. The most update n0vels are published on ⓝovelFire
"Arcanine!!" Arcanine bolted past, knocking over a ceramic cup.
Clatter—
Natsu picked it up, dusted it off, and sighed.
Better let the hyper mutt burn off energy outside than wreck the house.
After so many fan tournants, Natsu felt no pressure.
Settling on the couch, he reached for Sylveon—
"Sylveon~"
—only for it to fluidly slip away.
"Hmph."
Grumbling, Natsu opened a video call to his traveling parents.
"Alola!" His father, Makoto, grinned under a giant straw hat.
"Did you eat yet?" His mother, Misuzu, fretted.
Natsu coughed. "Mom, Dad, I won't be back for the holidays. Got a tournant—Indigo Plateau Conference."
"Are you sure you ate? Skipping als hurts your stomach—"
His father blinked. "Indigo Plateau Conference? What's that?"
If it were the Touran Conference, he'd know, but other regions were hazy.
"Just a fan event," Natsu said. "Don't worry about . Enjoy your trip."
"Alright, but tell us when you're coming back."
"And EAT PROPERLY!"
After more small talk, Natsu hung up and stared at the ceiling.
Three days until the tournant.
With check-in a day early, he'd head to Indigo Plateau on the 24th.
It was west of Viridian City—not far from Saffron.
Plenty of ti to laze around at ho.
"…Or I could study."
Natsu nodded decisively.
"Finish those books I've been putting off."
Just then, his phone buzzed.
[Cynthia: "Log on."]
"?"
...
Sinnoh, Eterna City
The villa rented from Caitlin was piled high with mythology tos from various eras.
The golden-haired beauty set down the heavy volu in her hands and stretched lazily.
"Haa..." Cynthia reached out beside her, fingertips brushing against a cool presence.
"Glaceon~" The Glaceon dozed sleepily on her lap.
"That's enough for today."
A faint smile graced Cynthia's lips.
With research temporarily concluded and tournant preparations left to Lucian's capable hands, this rare mont of leisure was her well-earned vacation.
Lying back on plush velvet bedding, she checked her phone's notifications.
An invitation from Caitlin to visit Battle Castle for a match against Grand Duchess Diantha.
Cynthia's golden hair fanned across the pillow as she typed, her slender fingers moving gracefully over the screen.
"No ti right now," she replied with a smiley face. "I'll visit Kalos after this busy period."
Scrolling down, she found a link shared by Shauntal:
[Indigo Plateau Conference Approaches - Trainers Rally for Competition]
Cynthia blinked, then chuckled in realization.
"Thanks, Shauntal. I've been too preoccupied lately."
"No biggie~" ca the instant reply. "Just rember to invite to the wedding."
Cynthia: [Garchomp's nacing glare.jpg]
Shauntal: [Gengar's shit-eating grin.jpg]
Setting her phone aside, Cynthia gazed at the softly glowing chandelier before quietly slipping out of bed.
"Garchomp, have you seen my handheld?"
"Garchomp?"
"Lucario, could you use your aura to locate it? Thanks~"
"...Lucario."
Soon after, Cynthia stretched her fingers with a satisfied smile.
"Logging on."
[Opponent is typing...]
"?"
...
It was Natsu's favorite gaming ti again.
Though the timing—always when he planned to study—left him perpetually unprepared.
Checking his watch and the deepening dusk outside, Natsu ntally prepared for an all-nighter.
"Gengar, brew so coffee!"
"Gengar~(￣▽￣)~"
"Togepi, seen my handheld?"
"Togepi doo-ee?"
"Never mind... keep playing. I'll use the backup."
As the voice chat connected, Cynthia's gentle tone flowed through.
"Best of how many?" Natsu asked.
"Three rounds first."
"I won't lose!"
While battling with his signature Perish Song Gengar team against Cynthia's Swords Dance Garchomp squad, Natsu curiously asked:"Why free today?"
"Just today," she corrected, her words slightly muffled like a small animal nibbling treats. "Champion League etings tomorrow..."
"So you ga whenever free?"
"I co find you whenever free."
"I'll always have ti for you."
"Focus!" Cynthia lightly chided. "Your turn tir's running!"
"Crap, distracted!"
Fortunately, through Natsu's valiant efforts...
He still managed to lose spectacularly.
"So close!" Natsu sighed in relief.
"Tell ..."
Cynthia suddenly asked, "Are you joining a League Tournant soon?"
"You know too?" Natsu blinked.
"Shauntal sent news about the Indigo Plateau Conference."
Cynthia smiled. "I thought you'd never miss such events."
"Ahem!"
Damn it, she's not wrong!
"Win or lose doesn't matter," Natsu coughed. "Mainly going for Indigo Plateau's scenery."
Cynthia's knowing silence spoke volus.
After several more matches (ending 2-3 in Cynthia's favor), she yawned softly.
"If I recall, League Tournants are broadcast region-wide?"
Natsu pondered.
"Only semifinals and finals get full coverage. Earlier rounds just air on Goldenrod Radio."
"Jubilife TV shows the finals too?"
"They do."
"Then do your best."
Cynthia's eyes curved like crescent moons. "It's unfair to the rookies... but I'll look forward to the finals!"
Natsu raised an eyebrow.
The Sinnoh Champion taking interest in Indigo Plateau feels suspicious...
But with things already set...
"Don't worry."
He nodded firmly.
"I'll crush them all!"
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