"This Sylveon is cute, but its eyes seem a little fierce..."
Valerie glanced down at her own trembling Sylveon, quietly noting:
"It's completely overwheld by its presence…"
"What's it saying?" Natsu asked curiously.
Valerie whispered, "It's telling to stay away from you…"
Typical of my Sylveon. Natsu pressed on:
"So, don't you think my Sylveon is cute?"
The mont the words left his mouth, he ntally kicked himself.
Wrong question! I ant to ask about breeding thods!
"..." Valerie blinked, then nodded. "Y-Yes… very cute."
Natsu mimicked Valerie's gesture, pulling Sylveon into his arms and stroking its silky white fur.
"See? She called you cute."
"Sylveon~ o(′^｀)o" Sylveon defiantly wrapped its ribbon around Natsu's arm.
Valerie watched with a soft smile.
"You and Sylveon share a deep bond."
"Actually, I ca to discuss Sylveon." Natsu's tone turned serious. "I wanted your advice on advanced Fairy-type breeding thods."
"And whether its current training regin carries any risks…"
Even a Champion might lack expertise compared to a dedicated Fairy-type Gym Leader.
As his team grew stronger, Natsu had realized the potential health risks of unchecked training.
This consultation wasn't just about power—it was for Sylveon's well-being.
Yet, in a twisted way, his Pokémon sought strength for him…
Valerie studied Sylveon closely. "It excels in Attack-stat moves and has the Pixilate ability, correct?"
Natsu nodded.
"Close combat is part of its battle style," Valerie murmured. "From what I see, its breeding and training are flawless."
Natsu paused. "After mastering Moonblast, can it learn higher-tier Fairy moves?"
Valerie's doll-like face grew pensive.
"Legends say the new moon's power can amplify Moonblast."
"It requires a rare Lunar Feather…" She sighed. "But such an item is nearly impossible to—"
"You an this?" Natsu dangled a crescent-shaped pendant.
Valerie: "..."
Her expression cycled from confusion to shock, then to barely concealed envy.
"That… is indeed a Lunar Feather," she admitted.
"And the training thod?"
"It varies by individual and requires constant discovery," Valerie said, hiding a smile behind her sleeve, half-jokingly adding, "Or perhaps finding Cresselia—it could provide a purer form of Lunar Dance."
"Cresselia..." Natsu frowned slightly, lost in thought.
The legendary Pokémon of sweet dreams, though Psychic-type, possessed Lunar Dance—a move deeply connected to Fairy-types.
Rumors said Cresselia could foresee nightmares, its "Future Sight" ability making it rarely appear before humans with ill intentions.
"Guess I won't be seeing it, then."
Natsu thought to himself, "But at least I got so answers about Sylveon's condition. That's progress."
"If you're still concerned, you could leave Sylveon with for a while," Valerie offered, extending her hands. "I can examine it more thoroughly."
"Sylveon! o(′^｀)o" Sylveon turned its head away, completely ignoring Valerie.
"That's alright. Thank you for your help," Natsu said with a smile. "I've gained valuable insight."
"Not at all~" Valerie watched as Natsu-sensei cradled Sylveon, her sleeve hiding a faint smile.
In Fairy-type breeding, emotional bonds were crucial.
And in Natsu-sensei and Sylveon, Valerie saw a deep, unshakable connection.
It was exactly what she had always sought—a Trainer and Pokémon understanding and trusting one another completely.
Like dreaming of a butterfly, while the butterfly dread of you.
Unconsciously, her usual practiced smile faded, replaced by a genuine, radiant one.
Natsu glanced at her. "You seem happy."
Valerie touched her cheek, her lips still curled. "Do I?"
"Before, your smile felt distant—like it was just for appearances."
Natsu eyed the large wings behind her. "But now... it's like you've finally set down a heavy burden."
Valerie fell silent for a long mont before sighing softly. "Because most of the ti, I can't act as I please, Natsu-sensei."
"I want to open my own little shop, but I have all of Laverre Gym behind ."
"I have to keep hosting fashion shows, designing new styles, negotiating with clients... just to make them accept this foreign aesthetic. And to help those who crossed the sea with survive."
"You an the geishas who followed you from Ecruteak City to Kalos?" Natsu asked.
Valerie blinked, then looked at him in surprise. "You really do have 'Future Sight,' don't you, Natsu-sensei...?"
"Teaching for so long gives you a sense for people," Natsu said, his eyes bright. "Do you know Leon, the Champion of Galar?"
Valerie paused, then nodded slightly. "I've heard of him."
"That guy carries all of Galar on his back."
Natsu's voice grew distant. "For Galar's sake, he has to keep winning, over and over—protecting his title as 'the strongest Champion.'"
"But he isn't just a tool bearing the na 'Champion,'" Natsu continued. "Before that, he's Leon—the strongest Trainer."
Valerie stared at Natsu, stunned.
"Before carrying the fate of others, he's his own person, his own soul. No one is born just to bear a destiny—it's the destiny that forces them to grow stronger."
Natsu t her gaze. "And the weight on your shoulders isn't yours alone to carry. You have your companions. Your Pokémon."
"Just like Leon has all of Galar behind him, and his Charizard... you have those lovely girls and this adorable Sylveon."
He held Valerie's eyes.
"I'm not telling you to run from responsibility. But when it gets too heavy, there's always sothing to give you strength... even if it's the responsibility itself."
Valerie trembled slightly, her dark eyes reflecting the ntor before her.
Softly, she asked, "Then... what destiny made you so strong?"
For a split second, Natsu's expression darkened.
He almost wanted to show her the scars on his back—proof of all he'd endured.
After a long pause, Natsu touched the spot over his heart where his journal rested, his voice rough:
"Hatred. Hatred kept chasing ."
Valerie looked at this young ntor who seed to have weathered countless storms.
Sothing inside her resonated, and she whispered gently,
"Then... you must have suffered greatly..."
"Gengar! ヾ(≧▽≦*)ヾ" Gengar, who had been floating nearby enjoying the show, suddenly burst into laughter.
Natsu coughed awkwardly, regaining his composure. "Anyway, thanks for the info. Sylveon and I should get going."
"Sylveon~!" Sylveon happily tugged Natsu's arm with its ribbon, ready to leave.
"W-Wait!"
Valerie called out in a fluster. "I... I brought you a gift!"
Natsu: "I told you not to bother."
"After what you said, how could I not understand your aning?"
Valerie smiled faintly, sliding an exquisitely wrapped box toward him.
Natsu opened it—inside lay a beautifully designed, fashionable scarf. His eyes widened slightly.
"A Choice Scarf?"
~~~
Get early access to 90 advanced chapters on Patreon!
patreon/PokemonStoryWeaver
~~~
Every 100 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter
User Comments
0 comments from readers