March 26th, Friday.
Lake Valor, one of Sinnoh's three great lakes, was said to be the habitat of the "Willpower Pokémon," Azelf.
Shaded by lush greenery and shimring under the sun, the lake was a picturesque sight.
This was precisely why the Wallace Cup was being held here.
As a competition hosted by Wallace—the current Hoenn Champion and Top Coordinator—
The winner, awarded the Aqua Ribbon, would earn eligibility to participate in any region's Grand Festival.
This was the Wallace Cup's prestigious status in the world of Glamorous Contests.
At that mont, atop a grassy slope overlooking Lake Valor,
A strikingly handso Trainer stood on the turf, gazing at the bustling arena in the distance.
A snow-white, elegant Sylveon coiled its ribbons around his arm, its expression haughty and aloof.
"Quite the crowd."
Natsu lowered his gaze to his phone, browsing the event's official website.
"The opening ceremony is this afternoon. During the official competition, Lake Valor will also host a series of side events..."
"At least judging won't be too boring."
To Natsu, Pokémon Contests themselves weren't particularly appealing.
But since he'd promised Ruby, as a Contest Master, he could at least offer the contestants so constructive feedback.
What intrigued Natsu more were the fishing competition and water speed races organized by the Marsh Conservation Association.
Their goal was to promote wetland protection by showcasing the charm of Water-type Pokémon.
"Pretty aningful, actually..."
Natsu stroked his chin and nodded.
"The prize doesn't matter—I just want to test my fishing skills!"
No way I'm pulling up another Magikarp in Sinnoh!
...
The Contest Arena buzzed with excitent.
Coordinators, dressed to impress, chatted animatedly in groups:
"I heard Fantina will be judging this ti?"
"Ah, the dancer! I love her fashion sense!"
"She's the real deal—Heartho City's Gym Leader! No, when it cos to Contest Battles, she's a top-tier master!"
Just as Trainers idolized Champions like Red and Leon,
To Coordinators, figures like Wallace, Valerie, and Fantina represented the pinnacle of Pokémon Contests.
Being able to compete in the Wallace Cup and earn their recognition was an honor in itself!
"I heard Natsu-sensei is judging this year too?"
"Really? I think he's just as handso as Mr. Wallace..."
"Personally, I prefer Mr. Steven~!"
Listening to the chatter, a vibrant red-haired girl in sunglasses slowly lowered her newspaper.
"The Wallace Cup, huh?"
Green smirked. "Perfect for so side hustle!"
Beside her, a yellow-haired girl with a ponytail fidgeted nervously.
"Sister Green, shouldn't we find Natsu-sensei first? Selling, um, knockoffs is..."
"Relax!" Green waved her off cheerfully. "It's just like when I sold those limited-edition Red caps!"
Back then, Green's strategy was simple: Buy sothing, mail a letter to this address, and get a chance to win a Champion cap!
She rembered one young man who sent 100 letters—so she shipped him a cap.
Of course, they were all unlicensed fakes, but Green still made a killing.
Now, she could already picture "Wallace-style white caps" flying off the shelves!
"B-But that's still illegal~ QAQ"
"Pfft, we'll just have Natsu-sensei invite Mr. Wallace to the group later!"
Green grinned, twirling a lock of hair as she prepared to order materials.
Just then, a group of Coordinators walked past, all wearing "Wallace-style white caps", chatting excitedly:
"That shop's quality is surprisingly good!"
"That owth could even talk! So cute!"
Green froze.
Yellow tugged her sleeve gently. "Sister Green... you okay?"
Green shook her head, eyes glistening with tears as she clenched her fists.
"Those have to be fakes! I'm reporting them to the organizers!"
...
Nearby, in the vendor area.
A stall emblazoned with a giant golden coin was sward by crowds, its racks overflowing with Wallace and Fantina rchandise.
"They even have Natsu-sensei rch?! Gim one!"
"Yes! I pulled a Natsu-sensei character card!"
"Not sure if that's lucky or unlucky..."
Business was booming. The gacha machines and caps sold out fast, and the crowd gradually dispersed.
"Thanks for your patronage~ Co again soon, ow!"
owth rubbed its paws together, grinning ear to ear.
Jas counted bills happily. "Didn't expect Jessie's idea to work this well!"
"Of course!"
Jessie tossed her hair proudly. "After all, I'm also a contestant in this Wallace Cup!"
"...Huh?!"
"What's with that reaction?! I, Jessie—the Top Coordinator known as Jessilina—am a star!"
She struck a dramatic pose.
Jas and owth stared blankly.
"Hey! What's that look for?!"
"Alright, alright," Jas diated. "I heard an Executive is judging this Wallace Cup too."
"If we earn enough funding this ti, we'll definitely get their recognition!"
Instantly, the trio looked up dreamily.
"Feelin' good~!"
...
According to the group chat's location sharing,
The first to et up with Natsu-sensei was the perpetually blushing Jasmine.
Jasmine, her twin braids swaying, wore a white blouse and spoke softly:
"L-Long ti no see, Natsu-sensei."
"Long ti no see." Natsu greeted her. "Did you sign up for the Wallace Cup?"
Jasmine shook her head, cheeks pink. "N-No, I didn't get the chance..."
Truthfully, she hadn't mustered the courage to enter a Pokémon Contest yet.
"That's too bad." Natsu sighed. "I could've arranged a free pass for you."
"Huh??"
"Learned it from Lance..." Natsu coughed. "Anyway, your Steelix could easily win a Master Rank Tough Ribbon."
Jasmine's eyes sparkled faintly. "R-Really?"
Natsu nodded.
A 10-ter-long Steelix not being "tough"? The Contest Hall might as well get demolished.
Jasmine took a deep breath, placed her hands on her knees, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Natsu-sensei!"
She was a diligent, kind-hearted girl—ordinary in every way.
Aside from her bottomless appetite, she ant no harm...
"Let's head to the arena. The opening ceremony's about to start."
Natsu smiled, scanning the surroundings.
"Looking for soone?"
"Well, Lucian should be here too."
Natsu's eyes lit up as he spotted a man in a wine-red suit, holding a hardcover book, approaching with calm strides.
His lavender hair and glasses gave him a scholarly air.
In his other hand was a transparent incubation device—inside, a Pokémon egg.
"Natsu-sensei, my apologies."
Lucian, looking slightly weary, adjusted his glasses with a faint smile.
"I overslept this morning..."
...
Natsu understood. Lucian, the Elite Four mber who handled everything personally, was overworked.
He patted Lucian's shoulder wordlessly—so things didn't need to be said.
"What Pokémon is this?" Jasmine asked softly.
Lucian handed over the incubator, pushing up his glasses.
"It appears to be a Ground-type, but that's unconfird. If needed, I suggest consulting an egg expert—Johto's Professor Elm."
Professor Elm was the researcher who'd previously entrusted Natsu-sensei with Togepi's egg.
The "Egg Groups" theory—that Pokémon of the sa group could breed—was his brainchild.
But right now, he was probably busy preparing for so research conference.
Natsu studied the transparent container, his expression turning subtle.
Ground-type?
That narrows it down to Larvitar or Gible.
Worth noting: Larvitar's final evolution, Tyranitar, was Dark/Rock-type, not Ground.
But its pre-evolutions were Rock/Ground—a common point of confusion.
Still... if even the species is unconfird, how can they call this a pseudo-legendary?
Natsu voiced his doubts to Lucian.
Lucian coughed awkwardly. "Well, the breeders analyzed it. They believe there's a high probability it's a powerful Pokémon."
"So no actual confirmation?"
Lucian nodded sheepishly.
As an Elite Four, his expertise wasn't in breeding.
Jasmine, however, had worked at a Pokémon Day Care and smiled gently.
"No matter what Pokémon it is, if the Trainer pours their heart into it, a kind and precious life will surely hatch."
"Gengar?" Gengar suddenly popped out of Natsu's shadow, scratching its head.
Natsu promptly shoved it back down. "Not your turn to babysit. Sirfetch'd's handling this one!"
"Gengar~~(｀Д｀)" Gengar wailed theatrically before vanishing into the shadows.
Lucian recalled Natsu punching Regigigas and chuckled nervously.
Jasmine smiled softly. "Natsu-sensei, I really envy your bond with your Pokémon."
Natsu laughed.
Envy? This cost multiple houses!
Using Aura of Ripple, Natsu probed the gray egg—and got a response.
A lazy, sluggish aura, eerily reminiscent of Sirfetch'd.
This... is the perfect slacker material!
A match made in heaven for Sirfetch'd and !
Natsu's lips curled uncontrollably.
Pseudo-legendary? No way. Since when are pseudo-legendaries this lazy?
I bet this is just a Trapinch egg.
And Trapinch's final evolution, Flygon, is gray-green too!
In that mont, Natsu cracked the case. He placed the incubator into his shadow.
A small hand reached out, grabbed it, and vanished.
"I thought you said... Gengar wasn't babysitting..." Jasmine whispered.
"Just storing it there for now." Natsu shrugged. "Once we're back at the hotel, soone reliable will take over."
"Sirfetch'd!!"
Instantly, the Premier Ball at his waist shook violently.
To think the day would co—I, Sirfetch'd, am being called "reliable"!
I'll give this egg 110% of my effort!!
"The Wallace Cup's opening ceremony should be starting soon."
Lucian glanced toward the lively Contest Arena.
"Let's go. Green and the others are here too."
Natsu checked the group chat and headed toward the bustling arena, a thought striking him.
All I have to do is talk, give so comnts, and collect my judge salary!
This is pure profit!
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