March 18th, Thursday. Sunny.
The temperature was gradually rising, and spring was in full bloom. The mountains of Sandgem Town were adorned with cherry blossoms.
Natsu slung his backpack over his shoulder and dialed [Cabbage Ice Cream], ntioning his return to Kanto.
"You can keep staying at that villa in Saffron City."
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand, her golden hair spilling across the desk. A beam of sunlight fell on her delicate profile.
"After all, you already have the key."
"Won't be long," Natsu said. "Once filming wraps up, I'll be back in about three or four days."
"Then… let's go to Sandgem Beach for a vacation."
"But I still have work."
"Lucian can cover for you." Natsu coughed dryly. "It's not like he's got much hair left to lose anyway…"
Cynthia's lips curled into a faint smile. Her smooth, fair arm rested on the desk, her slender fingers pressed against her temple.
"See you in Eterna City, then."
"Swimsuit. Absolutely mandatory."
"Fine."
"!!!" Natsu was stunned for a full year.
Cynthia wore a soft smile.
By then, they could even reserve Sandgem Beach entirely—no outsiders around.
Natsu's flustered expression only made Cynthia look forward to it even more.
"Co back soon," Cynthia said.
A flicker of anticipation rose in Natsu's chest, like cottonwood seeds levitating in spring, or the warm breeze brushing the lakeshore at three in the afternoon.
But Cynthia's next words left Natsu frozen.
"There's also a research conference in early April," Cynthia said with a smile.
"I didn't join Professor Rowan's team, though?"
"Not his team. My team—just you and ."
Cynthia smiled as she explained. "The research papers I had you translate were part of it."
Natsu suddenly understood.
Cynthia had ntioned this before, but Natsu hadn't paid much attention at the ti.
Still… the long-dormant System mission seed related to this research conference.
Natsu's expression turned odd as he glanced at the task list.
[Objective: Win the Gold Award at the Canalave City Research Conference.]
[Progress: (0/1)]
[Reward: Gengar ga Stone ×1]
Wait, I had this mission all along?!
Moe-Moe! What did she just say? She signed up for this conference?!
Natsu's face stiffened, his lips pressing together dryly.
ga Evolution was the power of bonds—a surge of energy drawn from the resonance between Trainer and Pokémon.
But because it relied on the Trainer's Inner Focus and the Pokémon's HP, ga Evolution couldn't be sustained indefinitely.
In fact, it was exhausting—both ntally and physically. More draining than entertaining ten Wealthy Patrons combined.
Last ti, after Blastoise's ga Evolution, Natsu-sensei needed two weeks to recover.
Given the bond between and Gengar… if we triggered ga Evolution…
Wouldn't I just dehydrate on the spot?!
Natsu: "It's… already confird?"
"The conference is in April. We should make it in ti," Cynthia said with a smile.
Natsu's expression was complicated. He forced a dry laugh. "Thanks for the effort, but I might not have ti for more translations lately…"
"That's fine." Cynthia smiled faintly. "I've already gathered plenty of valuable case studies."
Cynthia's research focused on Sinnoh's legendary Pokémon.
So far—Unown in Solaceon Ruins, the twin dragon legendaries, Regigigas's revival…
With these cases, winning Gold wasn't out of reach.
Natsu nodded slightly.
Just the two of them—him and Moe-Moe!—standing against teams led by Professor Samuel Oak and other elite researchers…
Yeah, pulling off a Gold Award would be tough.
But he'd support Cynthia's push for the conference.
After all, the odds of actually getting the ga Stone were practically zero!
Natsu chuckled cheerfully. "Good luck! I'm rooting for you!"
Cynthia smiled. "Mm-hmm~"
After hanging up, Natsu continued packing for his return to Kanto.
This trip was for filming—an MV starring Ash as the protagonist.
Locations included familiar classics like Pallet Town and Viridian City, along with iconic figures like Joy and Jenny.
Natsu-sensei had already coordinated with Joy from Saffron City and Jenny from Celadon City—two professionals he knew fairly well.
"Jenny from Celadon City… wasn't she the one from the Beat Up training exercise?"
Natsu's lips twitched.
"And Joy from Saffron City… is, uh, kind of a yandere?"
No way!
There's no such thing as a scheming Joy! Just like Natsu-sensei never uses Ally Switch!
"Gengar~!" Gengar stood at the door, a small travel bag slung over its shoulder, pulling a tiny suitcase as it waved at Natsu.
Natsu: "This is a work trip, not a spring outing!"
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise crouched down, arms wrapped around its fish tank, muscles bulging as it gave Natsu a questioning look.
"No, you can't bring the fish tank!"
"Sylveon~!" Sylveon wobbled left and right, rolling its hamster wheel forward with its front paws.
"And the hamster wheel is… fine, fine, bring the hamster wheel!"
Natsu cleared his throat and opened the chat group, sending Ash a quick ssage.
"If you're ready, let's head out."
"Got it! Pikachu and I are all set~!"
"After you finish filming," Gold rubbed his hands together with a grin, "can I swing by for another feast?"
"Absolutely! You're definitely invited!" Natsu replied enthusiastically.
Gold blinked, scratching his head in confusion.
Sothing felt off…
But with Natsu-sensei's cooking skills, how could he refuse?!
"About the location shooting… can we not do Vermilion Gym?"
Lt. Surge pleaded pathetically. "It's only been three months since the last renovation. So areas still aren't finished…"
"Relax, it's just filming. Not demolition," Natsu said.
Sabrina's icy expression wavered slightly.
That's what you said last ti—just training, no gym destruction!
Hmph. A man's words are as deceitful as a Zoroark's illusions!
"If you have ti, drop by Celadon School," Erika said with a smile. "The students miss you."
"Will do." Natsu felt a pang of nostalgia.
Sohow, without realizing it, he'd taken on so many roles.
This might even be a chance to challenge so students to a few Pctg matches…
And win back those UR cards he'd given away!
...
The eting ti with Professor Oak was confird.
Natsu led the Trio and Ash aboard the flight back to Kanto.
The Trio and Ash bickered the entire way, their glares practically sparking flas.
Even after working together across generations, they still couldn't escape the whole "frenemies" dynamic.
Natsu gave a small nod.
After all, Team Rocket just wasn't Team Rocket without getting blasted off by Pikachu! (Alola Region excluded.)
Night fell after a full day of travel, and the flight touched down in Saffron City—a familiar sight to Natsu.
As a bustling tropolis, Saffron City's skyline glittered with neon, the terminal building's red lights blinking in the distance.
"Tomorrow, we'll get Professor Oak on cara, then record the battle scenes."
Natsu glanced at his mo, eyes lingering on a small note that read: "Date with Moe-Moe! (Swimsuit)"—before coughing awkwardly.
"Ti's tight, so we start first thing in the morning!"
"Eh? That soon?"
"Of course! But don't worry, I've already got the script ready. Just follow it."
In Natsu's mory, the original series' opening wasn't just about classic appearances from Charizard and Pikachu.
There was also one of Ash's most reliable early partners—a hardworking MVP who later got… released.
Pidgeot.
Ash's exact words back then were: "I'll co back for you once I'm done."
And then the ani went on for twenty whole years, with Pidgeot's return nowhere in sight!
Natsu could've cried for Pidgeot.
Now was the perfect chance to remind Ash of his… neglectful promise.
"Ash, we've got an aerial battle to film tomorrow. First, we're making a stop at Professor Oak's backyard."
"Huh?"
Ash scratched his head in confusion. "What for?"
Natsu shot him a look.
"We're going back to pick up Pidgeot!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers