March 19th, Friday.
Viridian City, Viridian Forest.
"Follow the streams through the forest, and we'll reach Pallet Town."
Ash led the way, speaking with familiar pride.
"Took Pikachu and just half a day to cross it back then!"
"Pikachu..." Pikachu drooped its ears with a resigned sigh.
Natsu also vaguely recalled the story, his expression complicated.
"Walked" his way through?
More like jumped into a river to escape a swarm of Spearow and washed up in Viridian City!
"Gengar~"
Gengar levitated beside Natsu, occasionally floating up to tree branches to pull faces at the Caterpie.
"Sss~" A Caterpie lazily glanced at Gengar.
Then—it spat a weak burst of electrical currents, hitting Gengar square in the face!
[Caterpie] used Electroweb!
The damage was negligible. Gengar rubbed its face: "Gengar~"
Natsu shot it a look.
"Stop ssing around, unless you want its dad to show up!"
"Gengar~"
Gengar obediently floated back, red eyes narrowing into slits as it grinned toothily.
The forest sunlight was warm and comforting, the streams murmuring softly.
At a fork in the path, Jas scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Natsu-sensei, I think I'll head ho first..."
Natsu nodded. "Sothing urgent?"
"Since we're back in Kanto... I want to see Growlie."
Growlie was the Growlithe Jas had raised since childhood—their bond ran deep.
"owth's goin' with Jas too, ow!"
owth slung an arm over Jas' shoulder, swinging it dramatically.
If they ran into Jas' fiancée, owth would back him up!
"Both of you?" Jessie blinked, then crossed her arms. "Guess I'll hit up the Secret Base, then!"
"Secret Base?"
"Idiot! Jas' place is our Team Rocket HQ in Kanto!"
Natsu couldn't help feeling envious.
Rich kid Jas really had mansions everywhere!
"No problem. There are only a couple of scenes—I'll call you when needed."
The main goal was still getting Professor Oak on cara.
Witnessing Ash's reunion with Pidgeot would fulfill a long-held wish of Natsu's.
"Later, twerp! And Pikachu!"
At the fork, owth waved at Ash.
Ash blinked, then grinned, raising his hand high.
"See ya! Let's head back to Sinnoh together later!"
...
Exiting Viridian Forest, the view opened up—Pallet Town was just ahead.
Standing on the high slope, the pristine small town stretched below, lifting their spirits.
Natsu and Ash arrived at Oak Research Institute.
Crystal, wearing her round hat, greeted them at the entrance with a smile.
"Welco, Natsu-sensei and Ash! Professor Oak's expecting you!"
"Is Master Blue here too?" Ash asked.
Crystal nodded.
"Aweso!" Ash pumped his fist. "I can ask him for aerial battle tips!"
Natsu looked mildly exasperated.
"You want Blue Oak as your opponent for the aerial battle scene?"
"Eh, is that bad?"
"No... I just don't want Pidgeot to question its life choices right after coming back."
Reunited after months (or years?), and your first move is to throw it against a Champion?
What kind of grudge is this?!
"Master Blue won't go too hard!" Ash scratched his head, grinning. "Besides, that Tailwind strategy was sothing you and him taught !"
I'd almost forgotten about that...
Then again, reckless "Tailwind rush" tactics suited Ash's "regional bird master" style perfectly.
Crystal smiled. "Senior Blue also has a Pidgeot. I'm sure he can share so pointers for the one in the backyard."
Ash's eyes lit up. "I can see Pidgeot now?"
Professor Oak's backyard was vast.
If Pidgeot was off challenging Fearow flocks, finding it could take all day.
"Of course! Senior Blue's been taking care of it!"
Crystal turned to lead the way.
"Let's go et Professor Oak first!"
Inside the institute, Samuel Oak in his white lab coat was discussing this year's research conference with Blue.
"Professor Kukui from Alola seems to have made a breakthrough on Z-Moves."
Professor Oak sipped his coffee. "This year's presentations should be extraordinary."
"Professor Kukui..." Blue mused. "He's a strong trainer himself—challenged Lance once."
"Oh?" Professor Oak perked up. "And?"
"He beat the other contenders but lost to Lance."
Professor Oak chuckled. "Ha! Makes want to spar with the young man too!"
Blue sighed—then a knock interrupted them. "I'll get it."
"Professor Oak! Master Blue!"
Ash burst in, grinning. "I'm here to pick up my Pidgeot!"
Professor Oak took a mont to process before smiling.
"I'd almost thought you forgot about it. Don't worry, we'll take you to it soon."
Natsu followed Ash in, exchanging a look with Blue. "Senior Blue, long ti no see."
Having heard about the Snowpoint Temple incident, Blue's gaze held newfound respect.
"Just Blue is fine, Natsu-sensei."
Natsu blinked.
Are we doing the "you call this, I'll call you that" thing now?
"Master Blue!" Ash turned, eyes burning. "Battle in the skies later!"
Natsu & Professor Oak: ???
Did you catch sothing from Gold? That's way too bold!
Then again... challenging everyone was classic Ash.
Blue was also taken aback by the audacity. He crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Fine."
That trademark Champion Blue smirk—confident, borderline arrogant.
"Show how much you've grown!"
...
In the forest of Professor Oak's backyard...
"Pidgeot—!"
The magnificent, feathered Pidgeot saw its long-lost Trainer and couldn't hold back its tears.
After all this ti... have you finally finished your business?
"Long ti no see, Pidgeot."
Ash stroked Pidgeot's broad wings, his eyes burning with determination.
"Lend your strength! Let's give it our all in the upcoming battle!"
"Pidgeot!!"
Pidgeot cried out to the sky, flapping its wings, its long crest shimring with golden light.
All this ti in Professor Oak's backyard... I never slacked in my training!
Whoever dares challenge ... I'll end them!
Natsu watched the reunion with quiet emotion.
If Pidgeot knew who its opponent would be... it might cry itself dry.
"Just one line for ?"
Professor Oak rubbed his chin, checking the MV script.
Natsu nodded. "The focus is Ash's aerial battle... and challenging Blue Oak fits the 'final boss' the from the gas."
"Ah, the match where Red defeated Blue."
Professor Oak chuckled. "That was truly spectacular!"
Whether in gas or manga, Red and Blue's rivalry was legendary.
Natsu looked up at the sky.
In Movie 20, a loner Ash—losing Gary as a rival but gaining Blue as a ntor—
Might grow even stronger.
"Let ... see, ahem!"
Professor Oak cleared his throat dramatically, testing the line:
"That's how it's s'posed to be (sore ga sa)?!"
Natsu laughed. "Perfect!"
Encouraged, Professor Oak grinned. "If this wasn't promoting the Pokédex, I wouldn't bother helping you!"
The old man's life work—the Pokédex—existed to help people understand Pokémon, preventing harm and prejudice.
Appearing on Miss Mary's shows, giving lectures, writing Pokémon senryū... all for that cause.
"Activating recording mode, Rotom!"
As Rotom (in Cara Form) started filming...
Ash and Blue's battle erupted nearby.
Blue borrowed one of Crystal's Fearow—slightly weaker, yet still dominating effortlessly.
"Pidgeot!!"
Pidgeot and Fearow clashed midair, the intense dogfight perfect for footage.
"Use Tailwind!" Ash and Blue shouted simultaneously, locking eyes—and smirking.
For a mont, Blue almost saw a red-jacketed figure superimposed over Ash...
"OK! Wrapped, Rotom!" Rotom chirped, spinning happily.
A red beam recalled Fearow as Blue's expression sharpened. "Ti to get serious, Ash."
"Eh?" Ash blinked.
"Go, Pidgeot!" One of Blue's main team.
"Pidgeot!" This Pidgeot had a scar, eyeing Ash's with a "co at " glare.
Ash's Pidgeot shrank back, tears welling.
You want to fight THIS?!
First day back, and you throw against a monster?!
Ash... have you no heart?!
...
Next day.
With caos from Joy, Jenny, and other familiar faces, MV progress skyrocketed.
"You've been so kind to my Ash!"
The lovely Delia pulled Ash along, bowing to Natsu.
"Not at all—Ash has helped plenty too."
Mainly by punching Regigigas, but details.
"Please visit soti! Mr. Mi would love to see you~" Delia smiled warmly.
Politely declining (with upcoming promotions to handle), Natsu returned to Oak's backyard—
Where Ash was pestering Blue for aerial combat tips.
Exasperated, Blue sent out Alakazam to lecture Ash via Telepathy.
Natsu was impressed.
Typical Blue Oak!
Not just having Pokémon run his gym—now they teach classes too!
(In the manga, Blue once had Porygon hack computers to grow berries faster...)
Was this man the king of unorthodox strategies?
"Gengar!" Gengar watched eagerly, taking notes.
Filming focused on Pallet Town and Viridian City locales.
Like the original opening, Pidgeot rejoined Ash's team for a dazzling aerial battle.
(The subsequent beatdown by Blue's Pidgeot was left on the cutting room floor.)
The final shot showed Ash raising a Poké Ball—symbolizing his journey to beco a Pokémon Master...
"What a nice feelin', ow!" owth's review of the final cut.
"Hey, we're in it too!" Jessie and Jas grinned at their screen caos. "Team Rocket's white uniforms look sharp!"
"Aren't they usually black?" Natsu asked.
"We customized 'em! That's why HQ never approved, ow."
Your DIY skills are terrifying.
With filming wrapped, Natsu's brief Kanto trip concluded.
In the chat group, Gold announced he'd drag Silver along for the "wrap party."
"Celebration feast?" Brock sighed. "Wish I could join, but the gym and siblings need ."
"Classes just started here." Erika apologized. "Perhaps next ti..."
Natsu: "There'll be other chances."
Missing this might be a blessing in disguise...
...
Capitalizing on fan hype, Natsu sent the final video to Oleana for upload on Pokémon Company's site.
Within hours, views surpassed 1 million—climbing rapidly.
"Pokémon Company's first MV actually got Professor Oak?!"
"BLUE OAK APPEARANCE! HYPE TRAIN!!"
Despite losing to Red, Blue's arrogant charm and looks gave him cross-regional appeal.
Professor Oak AND a forr Champion in one video?
"How is this startup so connected?!"
"Natsu-sensei wrote/composed this too?! Leave so talent for others!"
"PSA: Pokémon Company is actually a music label."
That night, Poison Note's lead singer Roxie reposted it, captioning:
"Next ti, I'll win! @Natsu-sensei, dinner still on?"
Fans piled into the comnts, fueling the buzz.
"Poison Note did the bgm? Elite collab!"
"Was there—Natsu-sensei wrecked Leader Roxie. Dirty tactics king!"
"Who says it's about battling? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)"
But one Leader's repost was just the start.
Galar's internet exploded when Champion Leon shared it.
"GALAR'S CHAMPION ENDORSED THIS?!"
"Leon, how much is Natsu-sensei paying you?!"
"Leon: Ad revenue? My specialty!"
Leon stroked his beard, golden eyes crinkling at the screen.
Sure, he did sponsorships... occasionally.
Natsu-sensei never explicitly asked.
But for Natsu-sensei's company? A Champion's duty!
Leon's share sent the MV trending—until sothing eclipsed it entirely.
Cynthia's long-dormant account (10M followers) reposted it.
Her last post? Promoting Pokémon Company's Plants vs. Zombies.
"CYNTHIA'S ACCOUNT LIVES?!"
"SINNOH CHAMPION DOING ADS? END OF AN ERA!"
"Both posts are Pokémon Company ads... what's their relationship?!"
"Leon can do ads but Cynthia can't? Double standards!"
Three Champions—Blue, Leon, Cynthia—backing one MV.
When Pokémon officially launched, the hype would be unimaginable.
And the song itself—"Aim to Be a Pokémon Master!"—struck a chord.
With Pokémon by their side... even impossible dreams felt within reach.
...
Galar Hospital.
John, Galar's "One-Day Champion," had improved after chemotherapy.
The door slid open—Leon strode in, cape billowing.
"Mr. Leon!" John tried sitting up.
"At ease." Leon sat, peeling an apple. "Want one?"
John shook his head.
"More for !" Leon crunched into it, playing the MV on his phone.
"I think Natsu-sensei would want you to hear this."
John put on headphones. Sunlight stread through white curtains as Rookidee chirped outside.
Finally, he handed the phone back, smiling.
"Thank you, Mr. Leon!"
Leon noted his tear tracks. "Not thanking Natsu-sensei?"
John wiped his eyes, nodding fiercely.
"I'll beco a Pokémon Trainer."
"My dream is to be a Pokémon Master!"
Leon grinned, swirling his cape dramatically.
"Then challenge when you're ready!"
"Mm!" John bead.
Gazing at the blue skies outside, Leon smiled softly.
Thank you... Natsu-sensei.
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