Generally speaking, a Pokémon's strength determines its position within the team.
But for Natsu's little ones, rankings aren't important—what matters is working together to help their Trainer achieve his dream of winning the championship.
So, everyone continues to strive toward that goal.
"Sirfetch'd~(｀▽′)"
The ever-relaxed Sirfetch'd walked ho, calmly accepting its position at the bottom of the hierarchy.
"Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"
anwhile, Togepi waved its toy clapper, making cheerful noises as it hopped ahead.
"Gengar~～( TロT)σ" Gengar followed behind like a worried babysitter.
The two ran toward the golden sunset on the horizon, while Natsu smiled and walked leisurely after them.
Togepi hadn't participated in today's battle drills.
But based on his understanding of his Pokémon, Natsu mused:
Togepi's main battle strength cos from its unpredictable trono.
Unless soone gets luckier than Togepi, or I interfere with its performance,
Togepi's strength is actually quite formidable...
Looking at it this way, the real slackers are just and Sirfetch'd!
Natsu, far from feeling ashad, comforted Sirfetch'd:
"They don't get it, but I understand you!"
Under the sunset, Sirfetch'd shot Natsu a sharp, confident look—aloof and extraordinary.
Natsu couldn't help but feel moved. It seems Sirfetch'd has a desire to carry the team too.
Being stuck at the bottom for so long must have been disheartening.
"I'll have Rotom increase your training load. Don't worry—I'll make sure you find your path forward!"
Sirfetch'd stared at Natsu, its beak trembling with 'gratitude,' unable to speak.
"Sirfetch'd! ◐▽◑"
If I stay a slacker, I get forced into training. If I try to improve, I still can't beat Togepi…
Life is so hard for a duck~!
...
Back at ho, Natsu reflected on today's battles.
He had a vague feeling his little ones had grown stronger yet again, but he couldn't quite pinpoint why.
Has my cooking improved recently?
Or is it the energy boost from the Rainbow Wing, giving the team an extra buff?
Natsu pressed a hand against his shirt pocket, where the faintly warm Rainbow Wing rested, and pondered for a mont.
Then, his gaze shifted to the Lunar Feather hanging above his bed like a dreamcatcher, and he chuckled dryly.
Surely you're not dreaming about training, are you?
If your sweet dreams are about training, then mine must be about wrecking the house and calling the renovation team!
Natsu: "That's a nightmare, not a dream!"
Night fell, and Sandgem Town bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.
Natsu tied on his apron and used his 'culinary skills' to prepare dinner for his little ones. Afterward, he took Arcanine for a walk.
Just as the square dance crowd dispersed, the Loudred serving as the 'sound system' wiped its sweat and chugged a bottle of water.
Natsu blinked.
"So the 'sound system' Grandma ntioned sending to the Pokémon Center… was this Loudred?"
"Gengar! (⊙~⊙)*" Gengar slurped its Toxic Orb, looking unimpressed.
I even hired it as a DJ for my karaoke sessions!
The Arcanine wagged its tail happily as it followed Natsu-sensei back ho.
Natsu sat cross-legged and played a round of Pokémon Battle with Moe-Moe!, while Togepi cuddled a handheld console, teaming up with w.
"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ(^▽^*)))"
"The Wallace Cup is tomorrow?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"Yeah. Aside from the main stage performances, Lake Valor will also host speed-swimming races, fishing tournants, and other comrcial events."
Natsu sighed. "Wallace really is a business genius."
"Maybe Steven gave him the idea." Cynthia thought for a mont. "Lucian will also be at Lake Valor tomorrow—he's representing the Sinnoh League at the opening ceremony."
Poor Lucian! Give this man the 'Hardest-Working Employee' award!
"Oh, and he'll also be delivering that Pokémon egg to you."
Natsu's heart skipped a beat.
He had ntally prepared himself to play the role of the egg-hatcher.
But he hadn't expected the day to co so soon!
"It's fine." Natsu reassured himself. At worst, it won't be like Gold's battle-crazed Togepi.
Keeping the group call active, he booted up Pokémon Battle and practiced a few rounds with his Sandstorm Team.
His Tyranitar bulldozed Cynthia's Garchomp into the ground, prompting an icy smile from her:
"Again."
The second match ended with Tyranitar losing to a Swords Dance-boosted Garchomp, narrowly defeated by Moe-Moe!.
With a balanced win-loss record, Cynthia logged off contentedly, avoiding tilt.
But then, a mysterious follower with a 'Miss Mary' avatar sent Natsu a battle invite.
Gold: "You free?"
Natsu-sensei: "Get online."
Five minutes later.
Natsu posted a brutal [4:0] score in the group chat.
"That's rough." Old Man Wattson clicked his tongue. "Kid, maybe try my 'disconnect hack' next ti?"
Steven's handso face twitched.
Just the other day, the ga departnt was complaining about mysterious cheats in the system…
And here you are admitting it outright?!
Gold crossed his arms, deep in thought. "I don't think I lost because of skill—Natsu-sensei's playstyle just counters mine."
"You lose in real battles too." Silver said flatly.
"Ugh…" Gold almost challenged Silver to a fight, then reconsidered. "Ash, let's battle!"
If I can't beat Natsu-sensei, I'll just practice on an easier target!
Ash scratched his head. "Sorry, I'm kinda busy—I'm in Heartho City challenging the Gym Leader, but they're not around…"
Natsu asked curiously: "How do you always show up when the Gym Leader's away?"
"Huh? Now that you ntion it…" Ash fell into deep thought.
"Heartho's Leader is Fantina, a Ghost-type specialist." Lucian kindly inford. "I can check her schedule for you."
"Really? Thanks, Senior Lucian!" Ash sent a Pikachu sticker.
"If I recall, Fantina's also a Coordinator, right?" Erika tapped her chin, looking upward.
"Yes!" Ruby's eyes sparkled at the ntion of Pokémon Contests. "Miss Fantina is a dance-specialist Coordinator and a brilliant designer!"
Sapphire giggled. "Ruby and I actually consulted her for our performance outfits!"
"Co to think of it…" Lucian adjusted his glasses. "Fantina might've gone to Lake Valor for the Wallace Cup."
"What?! But Lake Valor's so far—"
Ash slumped, then suddenly clenched his fists with renewed determination.
"Alright! Then I'll head to Lake Valor and challenge her there!"
Natsu rcilessly pointed out: "By the ti you get there, she might've already left."
Natsu was also heading to Lake Valor.
He'd accepted Ruby's invitation to serve as a Judge for the Pokémon Contests.
"No way!"
Yellow, unusually fired up, clenched her small fists, her face red. "I checked the schedule—the Wallace Cup runs for two to three weeks! There's even a fishing tournant and a doubles battle event at the lakeside resort!"
Lake Valor, near Twinleaf Town, was a shimring oasis chosen for both the Wallace Cup and Sinnoh's Grand Festival. The surrounding area boasted luxury hotels, seven-star restaurants, and other high-end facilities.
Holding joint events during the Wallace Cup fit perfectly with Wallace's business-savvy style.
Brock's eyes glead.
"The doubles battle at the resort… I heard the winners get free als for a whole month!"
"Really?" Yellow scratched her head sheepishly. "I didn't look into that part…"
But the fishing tournant's grand prize is that Super Rod I've always wanted!
The yellow-haired girl gazed dreamily into the distance.
At the ntion of free als, two people perked up imdiately—
The perpetually broke Maylene, and the bottomless pit Jasmine.
Maylene: "I can't go! I've got an exchange tournant with Galar's martial artists soon!! o(╥﹏╥)o"
Jasmine, her twin braids swaying, blushed slightly. "I-I'll be attending the Wallace Cup too… to watch."
She'd always been interested in Pokémon Contests.
Maybe… through dazzling performances, soone ordinary like can stand out a little…
Ruby puffed up with pride seeing how many group mbers were excited for Master's event.
Sapphire hugged Ruby from behind, cooing, "Are you going to Lake Valor too?"
"Nah, I already invited Natsu-sensei to be a Judge."
Ruby adjusted his white headband, stars in his eyes.
"I can't wait to see Natsu-sensei's Sylveon perform on stage!"
"Huh?" Sapphire blinked. "Judges have to perform too?"
"It's a Wallace Cup tradition."
Ruby explained: "Before the competition begins, the Judges put on an exhibition match to inspire the contestants."
"With Natsu-sensei as a Judge," Ruby grinned, "we're in for sothing spectacular!"
...
Blue Oak, the scholarly admin, grew tired of the flooded chat and created a poll—"Who's going to the Wallace Cup?"
In the end, six people confird their attendance:
Yellow—for the fishing tournant.
Jasmine—to spectate.
Natsu-sensei—as a Judge.
Lucian—for the ribbon-cutting ceremony (and to deliver Natsu's egg).
Ash—arriving a few days late.
Green—tagging along with Yellow… to set up a stall.
"So diligent, Green!" Auntie Lorelei couldn't help but comnt.
"Hehe, I need to save up for my dowry!" Green declared proudly.
Silver, maintaining his deadpan expression, silently checked his bank balance.
...Should be enough.
The word "dowry" struck a nerve with Auntie Lorelei.
Even with a dowry, that doesn't guarantee marriage!
As an Ice-type Elite Four, I own property in the Sevii Islands, a car, and a Lapras—yet here I am, binge-watching romance dramas at ho!
With so many group mbers planning to watch him judge, Natsu felt a little nervous.
But judging and comntary were his old professions.
It's not like I have to compete—just ask a few generic questions like 'What's your dream?' and call it a day.
Natsu nodded thoughtfully as he packed for tomorrow's trip.
Rotom, ever the efficient assistant, reminded him: "You should either reserve a room with the organizers or book your own hotel~"
Natsu looked up at the ceiling.
His little ones preferred staying outside their Poké Balls.
The organizers only provided single rooms—way too cramped.
He'd need a proper space, especially for Sylveon's hamster wheel…
After finding the only available room at a luxury resort, Natsu fell into deep thought.
'Why not ask the ever-reliable Team Rocket?' A lightbulb went off in his head.
He dialed Matori's number and asked if she had any discount connections.
"No need."
Matori replied flatly:
"That resort's owner is a Team Rocket mber. Just check in directly."
Natsu: "!?"
Once again, Natsu was reminded of the vast disparities among Team Rocket mbers.
So are so broke they can't even pay their phone bills.
Others casually own high-end resorts!
"If those two knuckleheads worked seriously, they could've bought ten resorts by now…"
Natsu mused before adding:
"I've got another small favor to ask."
Matori froze for a long mont, then shyly lowered her head, knees pressed together.
"Y-Yes?"
"Can you reimburse my electric bill?" Natsu said. "Nothing shady—just standard operational expenses."
"Oh."
"I can send you the bill. Mail works too?"
The call disconnected. Unfazed, Natsu snapped a clear photo of the bill and sent it to Matori.
Minutes later, his phone chid with a paynt notification.
"Efficient as always… impressive."
Natsu praised before double-checking his luggage. He made sure to pack the Lunar Feather, which functioned like a dreamcatcher.
With this, even sleeping away from ho will be comfortable!
Satisfied, Natsu turned to Gengar:
"Gengar, we're heading to Lake Valor tomorrow for so fun~"
"Gengar~（`▽′)"
...
Sinnoh Region - Lake Valor
Above the sparkling lake, a cream-colored Milotic leaped from the water, its pink-tipped tendrils scattering droplets like diamonds.
The breathtaking scene left onlookers speechless, frozen in awe.
By the shore stood a tall man with erald-green hair, dressed in a sleeveless top and traditional white garnts.
Unlike Steven's refined elegance, this man carried an air of noble grace—a remnant of the ancient "People of the Glass."
Wallace made a call, smiling as he asked:
"Ruby, when will your invited guest—Natsu-sensei—arrive?"
"Master, he said he'll be here tomorrow!"
Wallace nodded.
He'd heard of Natsu-sensei through Steven—a man whose strength and character set the standard for Champions.
What surprised him, however, was that this "man who saved Steven's life" was also a Coordinator.
Even Wallace had to admit:
Based on appearance alone, Natsu-sensei's re presence would send girls into a frenzy.
"Having him as a Judge is an honor."
Wallace smiled. "After the Lake Valor exhibition, I'll need to invite him to the main stage as well."
The event spanned weeks, and Pokémon Contests valued atmosphere—Lake Valor wasn't the only venue.
"Has the main stage location been decided?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Yes, not far from Jubilife City."
Wallace's gaze pierced through the mist, as if envisioning a majestic tower that perfectly matched his aesthetic.
"In Alamos Town."
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