Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Chapter 495 - 0496: So Natsume Finally Revealed His Hand?

Alamos Town basked in a gentle, shimring glow.

The towering Space-Ti Tower swayed, its massive pendulum hamr striking a cheerful, radiant lody—Oración.

Wallace picked up his white hat from the ground, dusted it off, and stared at it for a mont before deciding against wearing it, instead tucking it under his arm.

He looked up, his green eyes scanning the revitalized town, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"We did it... Natsu-sensei."

The damaged buildings had been restored. People rubbed their cheeks, confirming they had truly survived.

Alamos Town was now enveloped in tranquility, with only Oración flowing like a quiet river.

In the Pokémon Garden, Iris trembled slightly, murmuring as if in a dream:

"Did... we make it?"

The golden-haired girl with a ponytail grinned brightly.

Hands on her hips, she turned to Iris, her swaying ponytail catching the breeze:

"Yep! Everything's okay now."

Iris threw herself into the girl's arms, clinging to her neck, tears soaking her shoulder. "D-Darkrai..."

The girl blinked in surprise.

Then, her expression softened into a reassuring smile as she gazed toward the distant sky, eyes sparkling:

"If Natsu-sensei is here, it'll definitely be safe."

"B-But..."

"Just trust him, okay?"

The girl pulled out a straw hat from who-knows-where and plopped it back on her head, grinning.

"After all—he's Natsu-sensei!"

People erged from the Pokémon Center and nearby shelters.

Every face bore the sa look of disbelief.

Especially the self-proclaid "Baron Lickilicky," who had been leading the cheers earlier.

He gaped at Jasmine beside him, voice trembling:

"M-Miss Jasmine... am I dreaming?"

Jasmine, dressed in a white dress, stood atop Steelix's head.

From her vantage point, she had clearly seen the battle's climax—

Natsu, standing before the Temporal and Spatial Dragons, raising a single hand—

The crimson chain tore through the sky.

The roars ceased.

The dragons crashed down.

The cataclysmic battle ended in an instant.

"I... I don't know," Jasmine whispered, cheeks flushed. "But..."

She looked up, her white dress fluttering in the wind, her petite fra trembling slightly.

"...That was so cool," she breathed.

...

Space-Ti Tower, Summit

"Hey! Can you hear ?!"

Ash's shout echoed through the cramped record room at the tower's peak.

Jas plugged his ear and shouted back, "I can hear you!"

"Did they win out there?!"

"Natsu-sensei drove off the Temporal and Spatial Dragons!" Jessie snapped impatiently.

"Why aren't you surprised, ow?" owth squinted at Jessie.

Jessie crossed her arms with a huff. "With the Executive here, a couple of dragons are nothing."

"We've seen real battles," Jas added proudly. "We're the ones who've fought side by side with the Executive!"

"Feelin' good~~"

"Wobbuffet!"

Ash's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

"Natsu-sensei... beat the Temporal and Spatial Dragons?!"

...

"Did you see it? Natsu-sensei just raised his hand, and those monsters froze!"

"What? Natsu-sensei made them fall from the sky with one move?"

"Holy ****, Natsu-sensei punch-shattered the Temporal and Spatial Dragons?!"

"...No way."

"Who's doubting?! That's Natsu-freaking-sensei!"

Rumors spread like wildfire, blending with Oración's lody, soothing the crowd.

This was the sense of security a true Champion brought.

As long as a region's Champion stood here—

No disaster could shake their resolve.

' Baron Lickilicky ''s eyes flickered.

He wasn't sure if he should reveal Natsu-sensei's true strength to the world.

Because Natsu-sensei hadn't just caught a deity-level Darkrai.

He had repelled two gods with a single move.

That terrifying power—

Had unfolded right before his eyes.

His entire worldview had been shattered.

"Cynthia showed up too, right?"

Alberto nodded sagely, stroking his chin.

"Who else was there again?"

"Eh, can't rember..."

Alberto shook his head, fighting the urge to spill everything.

He knew exposing Natsu-sensei's strength would cause unnecessary trouble.

And if Natsu-sensei had kept his cards hidden this long, he must have his reasons...

Alberto took a deep breath, resolve hardening.

"I won't betray Natsu-sensei!"

"Mr. Alberto!" An assistant jogged over. "We need you to assess the damages."

"Perfect timing."

Alberto beckoned conspiratorially, whispering: "Just between us..."

"About... Natsu-sensei's true power..."

The assistant's eyes glead as he snapped a salute.

"Don't worry! My lips are sealed!"

Alberto nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Off you go."

Thirty minutes later.

"Natsu-sensei overpowered two Champions?"

"He must've hidden his identity to spare their pride!"

"Ohhh, so it's like that new trend..."

Nurse Joy blinked, tilting her head cutely as Chansey waved its tiny paws.

"So Natsu-sensei finally revealed his hand, huh?"

...

Beneath the shade of a tree, a stream babbled softly.

Gengar stretched its tongue, trying to snag an Oran Berry from a branch.

"Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"

Togepi circled Darkrai cheerfully as the shadowy Pokémon ditated in perfect tranquility.

"Sirfetch'd! (￣0￣)/"

Sirfetch'd stumbled along behind, its leek staff occasionally poking Darkrai's backside.

"..."

A visible vein pulsed on Darkrai's forehead.

It cracked one eye open to glare at the seemingly ordinary duck Pokémon before resuming its ditation.

Stay calm... Stay calm...

That duck might actually be capable of soloing the Sword & Shield duo.

"Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)"

Blastoise's sunglasses seed to analyze Darkrai's rising battle aura.

Sensing danger, it quietly retreated behind Garchomp's bulk.

"Garchomp? (⊙-⊙)" Garchomp scratched its head with a scythe-arm, thoroughly confused.

The soothing lody of Oración drifted on the breeze, carrying shimring particles of energy.

Darkrai opened its eyes, gazing tenderly toward the gardens before looking down at the sleeping black-haired young man.

Closing its eyes once more, it resud its silent vigil.

Milotic rested on a riverside rock, adding its ethereal cries to the symphony.

Sylveon lay curled nearby, its ribbons swaying as it humd: "Sylveon~"

The music seeped into Natsu's dreams, conjuring images of an uncharacteristically clingy, non-tsundere Sylveon.

Natsu jolted awake: "My nightmare is... an affectionate Sylveon?!"

Beside him, Cynthia asked softly: "When will he wake up?"

Darkrai didn't open its eyes. "He rely overexerted himself wielding the orbs. Sleep will restore him."

Cynthia nodded, confirming Natsu remained in deep slumber before exhaling softly.

Rembering their earlier closeness, her ears flushed pink, cheeks coloring beneath her golden tresses.

'Grandmother... I did it!' She ntally cheered, pumping a tiny fist.

Outwardly maintaining her usual elegant composure, she shifted slightly closer to Natsu.

Propping her chin on one hand, she twirled a lock of hair absently while humming along with the town's lody.

Natsu felt a tickle on his face, fighting the urge to sneeze.

The energy drain from wielding two legendary orbs had been imnse.

Even with the "key" and the orbs' acknowledgnt, it surpassed ga Evolution's toll.

In Special: Ruby & Sapphire, the Hoenn duo had nearly been consud by their orbs' power.

That Natsu remained conscious at all was thanks to Aura of Ripple and Rainbow Wing - not to ntion the brief duration.

Creating a "world without spirit" like Cyrus would have betrayed everything he shared with his Pokémon -

And Moe-Moe!

In the hazy darkness, Natsu perceived fragnts of fading tilines.

Countless parallel worlds born from Palkia and Dialga, with Arceus casting infinite shadows.

The universe was vast beyond comprehension.

Yet if he could hold onto those he loved -

And share peaceful days with them -

Natsu needed nothing more.

He'd downloaded Oración after first seeing the movie years ago.

Back then, he'd wondered if Darkrai's final appearance represented just a fading wisp of consciousness.

But now -

Natsu's resolve hardened.

Not while I'm here.

...

Natsu slept peacefully, his head pillowed on Cynthia's lap, looking every bit the dashing hero who'd just saved the world.

Cynthia watched him with a soft smile, content to admire his sleeping face.

Dong. Dong. Dong.

The tower's bells marked Oración's crescendo, its lively rhythm like tap-dancing accompanint.

Night fell gently as fireworks blossod above the celebrating town.

Cynthia tilted her face upward, the explosions illuminating her profile and slender neck.

"Gengar~(￣～￣)"

Seizing the festive mood, Gengar produced a microphone while chewing a berry.

"Ta-daa! "

With a mischievous grin, it began singing horribly off-key:

"GengarGengarGengar"

Darkrai's eyes shot open in horror.

The composure that had held firm against gods of ti and space shattered instantly under this auditory assault.

"Togepi doo-ee~??"

Togepi burst into tears, wailing piteously.

"Gengar!" Encouraged, Gengar wiped imaginary tears before redoubling its terrible vocals: "Gengar~?"

Just as Darkrai's sanity teetered -

A red beam recalled Gengar to its Poké Ball.

Natsu sat up expressionlessly, nodding at Darkrai's grateful look before turning to Cynthia.

"Not quite awake yet... Mind if I rest a bit longer?"

"Of course," Cynthia smiled gently.

"Th-thanks." Natsu's ears reddened slightly.

"You can explain everything properly later."

Natsu froze. "...What if I said it was all coincidence?"

Cynthia simply leaned closer until their faces were inches apart.

Her golden hair brushed his eyelids, nose, and lips, carrying a faint floral scent that made his heart race.

Their eyes t - her deep gray gaze holding his -

Before she suddenly produced her phone.

Natsu: ?

"See this forum post?"

Cynthia sighed. "Tens of thousands of comnts. Nearly all of Sinnoh knows by now."

The headline read:

[CLASH AT SPACE-TI TOWER! NATSU-SENSEI VS PALKIA VS DIALGA!]

Natsu: "What idiot wrote this clickbait?!"

Cynthia: "Anonymous. But everyone believes you fought both dragons single-handedly."

Natsu: "That was mostly you and Darkrai! And Wallace helped too!"

Cynthia rely smirked.

"You know ," Natsu said seriously. "I'm not that strong."

"I know. They knelt before you without you lifting a finger." Cynthia's eyes glead. "You never needed rescuing."

"If you hadn't brought the tools, Darkrai and I would have been destroyed," Natsu insisted.

"Wasn't Wallace there?" Cynthia countered.

"You're ignoring the first part?!" Natsu gaped.

"..."

"Ow ow ow - not the neck! Not there-!"

Darkrai watched impassively.

It's just an adjustnt. Why the drama?

It's not like I'm-

CRACK.

Darkrai: Σ(°△°|||)︴

Natsu, you still owe Pokéblocks! DON'T DIE ON !

...

After much fussing...

Natsu rubbed his sore neck, leaning against a tree while reviewing his system rewards.

Cynthia sat beside him, watching fireworks bloom over the town.

"Tired?" she murmured.

Natsu exhaled slowly. "...A bit."

Cynthia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks pink as she extended her hands.

"You can... rest a while longer."

Natsu blinked. "One mont."

He turned to Darkrai. "No peeking!"

"Tch." Darkrai sank into shadows, leaving only swirling mist and one glowing eye.

Natsu: "..."

Darkrai: "...Not looking."

Natsu: "Is this how you spied on Iris's grandmother bathing?"

Darkrai's aura flared crimson.

Natsu: "You're a lolicon too?!"

Darkrai: "...I'll take Gengar to learn Dark Void."

"DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!"

...

Night fell, and colorful fireworks lit up the small town.

Cynthia sat at a white round table in the open-air café, smiling as she scooped her ice cream.

Natsu gazed at the fountain in the center of the square, where people danced gracefully to the music.

When he had returned earlier, Natsu was greeted with cheers from the crowd, like a hero welcod ho.

They'd also been tactful enough not to disturb the two Champions' date.

Now, Natsu glanced at Cynthia, who was focused on demolishing her ice cream.

He opened the System bonus and fell into thought.

Gengar has followed Darkrai to practice Dark Void.

Which also ant he'd be staying in Alamos Town a while longer.

As a movie bonus, this [Space-Ti Power (Pokémon-only)] was intriguing.

"Last ti, I got Aura of Ripple," Natsu mused. "But how exactly does this Space-Ti Power work?"

[Ding! Consu one Griseous Orb Fragnt and one Adamant Orb Fragnt internally.]

Natsu: "...You think these are effervescent tablets?"

[Ding! Wearing them for absorption takes longer but also has so effect.]

Natsu gave a slight nod.

So, any of his Pokémon could wear and use them.

But compatibility would rule so out.

Blastoise definitely wouldn't be a good fit...

Sylveon, being Fairy-type, had poor synergy with the twin dragons, so it was out too...

Gengar was off learning Dark Void from Darkrai—and might even unlock more shadow techniques.

If there was a template, Gengar was clearly aiming to be like "little Giratina."

As for this [Space-Ti Power]...

Only that little one would really suit it.

Once decided, Natsu-sensei's expression turned slightly complicated.

"I've miscalculated..."

"Don't tell this is... the ultimate Space-Ti · Training · Household Chores · triple-purpose jutsu?!"

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