March 10th, early morning, light snow.
After last night's celebration banquet, Natsu had collapsed exhausted into bed.
The newly acquired [Babiri Berry] would have to wait until he returned ho before he experinted with new recipes.
Midnight.
Gengar led the group outside to admire the snowfall, standing on the hotel's open-air terrace as crystalline flakes drifted down.
"Gengar~"
Gengarn exhaled a white puff of air, its red scarf wrapped snugly around its body.
Watching snowflakes lt against its stubby hands, Gengar couldn't help but grin:
"Gengar! ヾ(^▽^ヾ)"
Cynthia sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathed in warm orange lamplight as she read.
The glow accentuated her elegant nose and the cool, regal beauty of her features.
But when she lifted her golden-haired face to gaze at Gengar outside, her lips curled into a tender smile.
"Apprehending poachers, facing Regigigas..."
Cynthia murmured softly to herself:
"He must be exhausted too."
On the table before her lay a sketchpad cramd with crossed-out item nas—evidence of her chronic indecision.
Even at this hour, the perfectionist was still agonizing over what league reward to request.
"Roserade~"
Roserade extended a fragrant blossom, offering a steaming cup of coffee.
Clutching the warm mug, Cynthia slid open the glass door and stepped onto the terrace.
"Gengar?"
Gengar turned with a wide grin before waving enthusiastically at Spiritomb behind Cynthia:
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／"
The shy Spiritomb folded its fan-like body slightly in response:
"Spiritomb...( ///_ゝ///)"
"Glaceon?"
Glaceon shook its pale blue fringe, scattering ice crystals, but Sylveon was nowhere to be seen.
"Sylveon...(♥`ω´♥)"
At that mont, Sylveon lay curled against Natsu in the darkened room, lazily yawning.
After such an eventful day, even without using "Yawn," sleep ca easily tonight.
A hazy mist levitated through the night like velvet draping over dreams.
Cynthia lifted her chin, disappointed to find no stars visible.
Sirfetch'd, its snowy fur gleaming, tugged her coat hem before brandishing its leek:
"Sirfetch'd!"
A powerful gust erupted from the leek, scattering clouds and snowflakes montarily.
Under the "Defog" effect, starlight briefly flooded the terrace before vanishing again.
"Sirfetch'd! "
Sirfetch'd bowed gallantly, shield and leek at the ready.
"Beautiful."
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Sirfetch'd."
"Sirfetch'd!?o(////▽////)q" Sirfetch'd blushed.
"Lucario."
The noble fighter nodded approvingly at Blastoise's back.
Having witnessed both the shell's battle scars and its courage against Regigigas, Lucario regarded this junior with deep respect.
"Garchomp."
Cynthia's sudden call made Garchomp turn.
The black hair ornants framing Cynthia's face mirrored Garchomp's own dorsal fins—a deliberate design choice symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
Much like how a certain scheming trainer paired perfectly with a hypnotic Pokémon...
Smiling, Cynthia announced: "I've decided on the reward item."
"The Lunar Feather—a mystical feather that dispels nightmares and brings sweet dreams."
Cynthia mused, "I believe it's the perfect reward."
[Lunar Feather] was a legendary-grade resource collected by Sinnoh League, extrely precious.
Yet two major incidents' contributions far outweighed this single feather.
Crossing her arms, Cynthia chuckled ruefully.
"Sohow... the debt keeps growing..."
...
Dawn broke over a sunlit Snowpoint City, fresh snow glittering gold.
Whoosh—
Natsu suddenly opened the curtains, and the white snow ca into view full of energy.
Through the window, scaffolding around Snowpoint Temple's reconstruction was visible.
"The Sinnoh Forms renovation team..." Natsu muttered,
"...works frighteningly fast."
"Arcanine!"
In the courtyard, Arcanine rolled joyfully through snowdrifts like an oversized Alaskan malamute.
Its body heat quickly lted surrounding snow.
"Thanks to Natsu-sensei's idea," Candice said, leaning on her shovel,
"using Arcanine for snow removal helps trendously."
"Whoa! Is that a special training technique?"
Ash's eyes sparkled before tossing his shovel aside.
"Let try!"
He imitated Arcanine's enthusiastic snow-rolling.
"This..." Candice blinked at Lucian.
The Elite Four mber adjusted his glasses resignedly.
"He's always like this. Just ignore him."
"Oh... okay." Candice nodded blankly.
By noon, Snowpoint Gym reopened as the city regained vitality.
Natsu and Cynthia observed Ash's rematch against Leader Candice.
"Chimchar, Fla Wheel!"
Ash's command rang out.
"Chimchar!"
The monkey Pokémon beca a spinning wheel of golden fire, slamming into Abomasnow.
"Abomasnow!!"
Abomasnow skidded before collapsing, eyes swirled.
"Abomasnow is unable to battle! Rotom!"
The Rotom Dex waved a flag cheerfully:
"Winner—Ash from Pallet Town!"
"Yes! Icicle Badge get!"
Ash cheered, spinning hand-in-hand with Chimchar.
Natsu's eye twitched. "She went easy, right?"
"Not 'easy,'" Lucian said sagely.
"It's about building trainer confidence."
"Besides, Ash already qualifies for the League Tournant!"
Fair point.
Natsu ntally grumbled: If tournants still used Red's format with legendary spamrs—Darkrai? Latios?
Ash could one-punch them all effortlessly!
"You're returning to Sinnoh League?"
Natsu asked Cynthia.
She nodded purposefully.
"I can't keep having you handle my duties."
"As Champion, certain responsibilities are mine alone."
Natsu: "Just make Lucian work overti."
Cynthia paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm... that could work..."
Ultimately, she decided to personally report the incident and request the [Lunar Feather]—
A surprise for Natsu.
Though slightly disappointed, Natsu quickly recovered.
Right now, recuperating in Sandgem Town took priority!
Both Blastoise and Natsu felt drained after ga Evolution.
Since Bond Power drew from trainer-Pokémon emotions, deeper bonds ant greater strain—
Natsu's single ga Evolution cost others three or four uses. Caution was essential.
Before departing, Natsu asked:
"Ash, you're not coming back?"
Ash grinned determinedly.
"I'm training at Iron Island with Mr. Riley!"
He clenched his fists.
"I'll prove to Paul that Chimchar, Staraptor—all of us—have an unbreakable bond!"
You'd crush Paul instantly with your old team...
But this was the "Bound Person's" chronic habit—using only new Pokémon each region.
Recalling Professor Oak's words—"A title is both gift and challenge"—Natsu understood.
Even the "Battler" had fought alone against Elite Four sches.
The "Bound Person" forging bonds through new partners made perfect sense.
Which reminded him...
Natsu gazed skyward.
As the "Strategist," having higher Hypnosis accuracy and mastering Ally Switch is totally justified!
"I should... return to Sinnoh League too."
Lucian's pale lips trembled.
"Go get 'em."
Natsu flashed a grin:
"Make sure to defeat that challenger!"
Look how excited he is!
Lucian: "Ha... haha!"
Cynthia departed aboard Garchomp, nodding farewell to Natsu.
As Garchomp's contrail faded, Natsu turned to Gengar:
"Let's go ho."
"First thing—a good long sleep..."
He called to Ash:
"Ash! I might need your help soon—keep your schedule open!"
Ash responded energetically:
"Roger that!"
...
"To Iron Island, Mr. Riley!"
Ash vibrated with excitent to test his skills.
Riley exchanged an amused glance with Lucario.
Beyond Ash's aura potential, another reason compelled Riley to ntor him.
Recalling the Regigigas battle, Riley frowned thoughtfully.
Even as an advanced aura wielder, he couldn't decipher Natsu's aura—
It resembled primordial ripples from the Tree of Beginning itself.
Suddenly, Riley's eyes widened.
Staring at Natsu's distant figure, he whispered hoarsely:
"So that's why I couldn't sense it..."
"Natsu-sensei... has been concealing master-level aura all along!"
anwhile...
Natsu crushed a [Special Upgrade Voucher], boosting his "Aura of Ripple" to advanced tier.
"Yo!"
Testing the intensified blue glow, he cheered:
"Now it's a proper spotlight!"
While interdiate tier struggled with legendaries,
Advanced tier should make even deific negotiations smoother.
Pleased, Natsu gave Gengar an experintal aura pulse.
"Gengar!"
The suddenly energized Gengar licked him violently.
"Stop! Rotom, help—!"
...
In the chat group...
mbers discussed Snowpoint City's upheaval.
"Regigigas returned to slumber?"
Blue Oak sighed in relief.
"Professor Oak nearly sent there."
Red simply smiled.
"With Natsu-sensei present, the outco was never in doubt."
Natsu grimaced.
We almost got wiped out! Not everyone can solo a legendary!
Ash declared: "Natsu-sensei's ga Blastoise forced Regigigas back!"
Natsu paused.
Technically true—though Blastoise got knocked out of ga Form...
But Ash's version wasn't entirely wrong?
The chat fell silent.
Repelling a legendary matched Champion-caliber achievents!
Gold gasped: "Damn!"
Lance murmured: "You went to arrest a hunter... and casually fought Regigigas?"
Sothing felt off, yet the facts fit.
Natsu sent a 'Pikachu nodding' sticker.
Yellow: [Too intimidated to speak.jpg]
New mber Candice added: "Thanks to Natsu-sensei, Snowpoint Temple will be rebuilt."
With a Gym Leader's confirmation, Ash's claims gained credibility.
Everyone imagined Natsu suppressing Regigigas—
"Is this... a Touran Champion's legacy?" Silver whispered.
Comparable to Red versus wtwo or Steven quelling Groudon and Kyogre!
On Mt. Silver's peak, a red-jacketed figure smirked beneath his cap.
"Things just got interesting."
The chat brimd with elite discussion vibes.
Natsu felt sothing was amiss.
Fortunately, as classified league intel, this wouldn't spread.
Otherwise, headlines like "Natsu-sensei Subdues Regigigas!" might appear.
Clearing his throat, Natsu typed:
"I'll be resting in Sandgem Town."
"Understandable."
Erika replied gracefully.
"Battling such a Pokémon requires recovery."
Lt. Surge suddenly exclaid: "Wait, Natsu-sensei defeated Regigigas?!"
Brock gasped:
"What, Natsu-sensei fought off Regigigas without any damage!?"
...
Team Rocket HQ, New Island.
Giovanni reviewed Matori's report.
"Sinnoh delivery volu increased 12%..."
Thanks to their ntor, Team Rocket's Sinnoh reputation kept improving.
Compared to Team Galactic's fanaticism, Rockets prioritized pragmatism.
More importantly...
Giovanni frowned at the Snowpoint Temple report.
"Verified?"
"By Leader Candice and Pyramid King Brandon themselves!"
Matori confird. "ntor quelled Regigigas's rage!"
Giovanni closed his eyes, envisioning Natsu battling the deity.
Even the cri boss felt stirrings of admiration.
A rare smile crossed his weathered face.
"You... always manage to surprise ."
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