The night enveloped Celestic Town in tranquility.
The trio arrived with bubbling excitent.
Passing through the museum's backyard led to Cynthia's residence.
Warm orange light spilled from the windows, illuminating the chaotic training grounds where Blastoise still diligently perford push-ups.
Blastoise cautiously lifted its gaze, scanning the newcors with aura-enhanced perception.
Only after confirming their identities did it nod in approval. "Blastoise."
"What's it saying?" Jessie asked curiously.
"That we're not Ditto imposters and can go in, ow!"
Jas wiped sweat as Blastoise's cannons slowly retracted.
Executive's Blastoise... way too cautious!
Inside, Natsu concluded the day's training session.
He entered the kitchen where Gengar produced their portable [Rotom · Oven Form].
Natsu prepared freshly baked bread—also known as Pokémon Poffins—
Functionally similar to Johto's Pokéblocks or Galar's Pokémon Curry, essential coursework for any Breeder.
Moreover, Natsu fully embraced his identity as Chef Supre.
Precisely on schedule, he assud command of the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Splash—
Cynthia's golden hair cascaded over her shoulders as she leaned forward, rinsing vibrant red tomatoes.
Natsu stole a glance at her focused profile—delicate features glowing under the water's reflection.
"These are Spicy variety."
Cynthia blinked. "I saw them in the fridge... Thought they'd taste good."
Rembering Cynthia's culinary skills (or lack thereof), Natsu chuckled.
"These are Tamato Berries—the Friendship-boosting kind."
Inspecting the berry, Cynthia sighed and set it aside.
Berries in this world never ceased to amaze.
Dragonfruit was Spicy... Tomatoes were Spicy...
Natsu picked up the washed Tamato Berry, contemplating.
Maybe Spicy tomatoes weren't so bad after all...
"Sylveon~" Sylveon coiled a ribbon around Natsu's arm, azure eyes sparkling as it observed the cooking process.
Its long, rabbit-like ears twitched adorably.
Knock—
"Pardon the intrusion!"
The trio bowed awkwardly, rubbing their hands.
"Mind if we join for dinner?"
"Wobbuffet!" (That's right!)
Surveying the kitchen, Natsu realized tonight's feast required more rice.
With Rotom's help... maybe it could cook faster.
"Rotom... would you consider a Rice Cooker Form?"
The legendary kitchen appliance shuddered:
"System Overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
...
After a dinner that felt like a cozy family party.
Carolina was once again amazed by Natsu-sensei's culinary skills.
Team Rocket clasped their hands together, bowing with sincerity. "Thanks for the al! (Ｔ▽Ｔ)"
The little ones were enjoying the Pokéblocks Natsu-sensei had made.
"Gengar~ (￣～￣)" Gengar tossed a few gem-like cubes into the air, then caught them all with a flick of its long tongue.
"Garchomp! (╬ﾟдﾟ)" Garchomp, who had been carefully skewering one with its scythe, stared in disbelief.
owth glanced between Natsu and Cynthia, rubbing its paws.
"Well, we'll be taking our leave now, ow!"
"Eh? You're not staying longer?" Jessie paused mid-bite, a piece of bread in her mouth.
Jas and owth's expressions twisted simultaneously.
Don't let your gluttony blind you to the mood, you idiot!
"Sorry for the intrusion, Natsu-sensei!"
owth and Jas grabbed Jessie by the arms, snatched half a loaf of bread on their way out, and bolted.
"See you tomorrow!"
The room settled back into quiet.
Carolina sat in her chair, leaning on her cane, murmuring to herself. "They're reliable… and quite skilled with their hands."
Natsu raised an eyebrow.
"Quite skilled" is an understatent.
Give them a blueprint, and they could probably build a Zygarde-thed cha!
Cynthia smiled softly.
"Grandmother, have the analysis results co in?"
"I consulted Mossdeep Space Center. The teorite samples share an extrely similar composition."
Carolina spoke slowly. "According to records, this artifact—the 'Spear Key'—is the key to Mount Coronet."
"Mount Coronet is shrouded in dense fog, but the 'Spear Key' can guide those with a Pure Heart, unwavering will, and wisdom to the correct path."
"It's also the key to balancing the forces of ti and space."
Carolina's explanation aligned perfectly with the System's description of the [Spear Key].
But how to stabilize ti and space, and why they were imbalanced in the first place, remained a mystery.
Natsu recalled the movie The Rise of Darkrai, where Dialga and Palkia clashed, and frowned.
"Is there anything I can do?" Cynthia asked.
Carolina shook her head, reaching out to stroke her granddaughter's golden hair.
"Ti and space… they are eternal, distant concepts."
"As your grandmother, my advice is this."
Her voice was gentle, weathered by age. "Cherish the present. That's enough."
Natsu's heart stirred.
In Pokémon Adventures, parallel tilines had appeared before.
Celebi altered history, reviving the fallen Steven and others.
It was a tragic scene—
Yet, thanks to Pokémon, those regrets were nded.
Perhaps that was the true charm of the Pokémon world.
Natsu's eyes glead.
So, there were worlds without Moe-Moe… and worlds without Pokémon.
(In Pokémon: I Choose You!, Ash dread of a world without Pokémon—until he rembered Pikachu.)
But he lived in the present, eting new lives, forging new bonds…
Cherishing the now was enough.
Instinctively, Natsu glanced sideways—eting Cynthia's deep gray eyes.
A pause.
Cynthia smiled faintly and nodded.
"Hmph!"
Carolina arched an eyebrow and snorted.
"Pay attention!"
What followed was another lengthy lecture from Professor Carolina.
Natsu chuckled helplessly, fingertips brushing the Poké Ball at his waist, finding comfort in its presence.
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand, listening intently.
Natsu only rembered—
Under the table, Cynthia's cool, soft hand slipped into his… and held on tight.
...
Over the next two days,
the little ones continued their rigorous training under Cynthia's guidance, bolstered by legendary-tier resources.
Gengar showed the most improvent, mastering "Gravity" with increasing finesse.
In the courtyard training area:
"Blastoise!" Blastoise endured Gengar's "Gravity" pressing down on its shell, trembling under the strain.
Then, taking a deep breath, it began its weighted exercises…
Natsu's eyelid twitched, his mood complicated.
Looks like…
The next eting with the Renovation Captain isn't far off!
Team Rocket's trio stayed behind at Celestic Town Museum as security guards.
The entire museum's security system had been overhauled—now eerily professional.
In terms of part-ti work, only the ever-capable Brock could rival them…
Aside from guiding Gengar and personally training Garchomp,
Cynthia spent most of her ti buried in research.
Her conference paper saw significant progress over those three days.
Professor Carolina, anwhile, grew even fonder of Natsu-sensei.
Once, while Cynthia was busy researching,
Carolina pulled out a cherished photo fra, grinning as she handed it to Natsu.
"Here, let show you pictures of Cynthia as a child…"
"Let's see."
Curious, Natsu looked at the golden-haired, lively little girl in the photo—and froze.
Oh no.
This is… dangerously cute!
...
Chat Group:
Gold: "Natsu-sensei, when's the new ga dropping? This wait is killing !"
Old Man Wattson: "Already done with Pokémon Legendary?"
Gold: "Togebo stole my account…"
Green: "Heard it's April? Can we sell beta access?"
Steven: "'No one rembers the trash gas released on ti.' —Natsu-sensei's words."
Gold: "Haven't seen Natsu-sensei online lately. Otherwise, I'd challenge him to a battle."
Natsu-sensei: "?"
Gold: "Ah! Natsu-sensei! Battle ! I'm feeling confident!"
Natsu-sensei: "Away for a few days. Rematch when I'm back tomorrow."
Lance: "Related to the Sinnoh poaching case?" (recalling Natsu's DM.)
Natsu-sensei: "Sort of."
Next step: contact Sinnoh's Rocket branch and raid Hunter J's base.
The rescued Pokémon can choose release or stay.
Reputation boost good impression for the kid—
Boss Giovanni would be thrilled!
Ruby: "Natsu-sensei! Can you guest-star at this year's Wallace Cup?"
Natsu-sensei: "You and your Master aren't enough?"
Ruby's a top Coordinator, and Wallace is the Contest Champion.
Why invite a re LV3 like ?
Ruby: "I wanted to go, but… I've got travel plans."
Sapphire cutting in: "With ! We're visiting Alola!"
Ruby: "Hey—give my phone back—!"
Auntie Lorelei accidentally playing the voice clip, slowly removing her glasses: ?
Can we kick them?
This sweetness is unbearable!!
Stay calm… they're a cute couple—
Lorelei took a deep breath, then furiously scribbled in her notebook.
Damn you, Gold!
This grudge is eternal!
...
Ruby: "@Natsu-sensei, judges don't battle. Wallace is paying well—Contest prizes rival Leagues!"
Natsu-sensei: "Oh?"
Money's irrelevant.
But getting paid to watch others perform—
Is this the legendary paid slacking?!
Natsu still had a [Skill Level-Up Ticket].
If needed, he could upgrade to [Flawless Commands Lv4]—
Top Coordinator-tier, for more professional judging.
But Contests could wait.
For now, Natsu-sensei just wanted to return to Sandgem Town and sleep…
March 4th, Thursday.
Cynthia prepared to return to the Sinnoh League.
At their farewell, Professor Carolina arrived, leaning on her cane.
"I have a favor to ask." She hesitated.
Natsu: "Go ahead."
"The Spear Key… I'd like to study it a while longer."
Carolina spoke carefully. "I'll return it when you need it. For now…"
"Of course."
Natsu smiled. "If it leads to breakthroughs, all the better."
Natsu didn't urgently need the [Spear Key].
Honestly, what would I even do with it?
Buff it daily with [Aura of Ripple], like [Rainbow Wing]?
Carolina, as an expert, might uncover sothing invaluable.
"Thank you…"
Relieved, Carolina smiled aningfully.
"Keep up the good work!"
Natsu: "Huh?"
Cynthia, standing nearby in her black coat, overheard and averted her gaze—her cheeks faintly pink.
...
Breezes rustled the wilderness grass; the ancient town lay serene.
At the outskirts, Carolina suddenly said:
"Oh, those three will stay in Celestic Town a bit longer."
Natsu nodded.
If they saw us off, they'd probably bawl and cling to .
Better they earn honest wages here than chase Pikachu.
"Gengar~! (￣▽￣)／"
Gengar floated beside Natsu, waving goodbye.
The elderly woman watched Natsu and her granddaughter, smiling softly.
"I'd like a word with Cynthia."
Cynthia knelt beside her grandmother, black coat pooling on the ground.
Carolina whispered: "I approve."
Cynthia blinked, her hair ornants swaying, then smiled.
"Your granddaughter's judgnt is never wrong…"
Carolina huffed, then turned to Natsu.
She studied him silently, her gaze piercing.
Natsu t her eyes and grinned.
"What you can't do alone,"
he declared, "becos possible with Pokémon."
"And if it's with your granddaughter—"
He lowered his voice. "Nothing's impossible."
Carolina scoffed, turning away loudly.
"Go on! Chingling, finally so peace!"
Cynthia tucked windblown hair behind her ear, smiling wryly.
Ding-a-ling—
The large bell on Carolina's hair chid softly.
...
Celestic Town arc: concluded.
The [Spear Key] from Solaceon Ruins remained with Professor Carolina.
Carolina narrowed her eyes.
With the [Lustrous Orb] and [Adamant Orb]…
Perhaps we can decipher the spatial anomalies at Eterna Forest…
For Natsu-sensei,
Sinnoh Champion's private tutoring orb buffs =
His Pokémon had grown significantly stronger—
Natsu glanced at Cynthia, touched.
"Don't thank ."
Cynthia rested a hand on the steering wheel, amused.
"Your training plans and Gengar's hard work paid off."
"Gengar!"
Natsu-sensei stared.
I had training plans?!
Oh right—
Letting Pokémon train themselves was the plan.
Natsu facepald, emotions in turmoil.
Daily Sylveon cuddles, Arcanine walks, Togepi card gas, cooking on schedule…
And they still reached Elite Four level?!
He couldn't laugh. Tears pooled in his stomach as he patted his own shoulder:
"Well done, Natsu-sensei."
--------------------------------------
No More Waiting - The Story is Complete!
Love what you're reading? Get instant access to the entire story—all 430 chapters are available right now!
👉 Unlock everything: patreon/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------
User Comments
0 comments from readers