Canalave City wasn't far from Sandgem Town—just half a day's ferry ride.
Natsu stood on the ferry's third-floor deck, gazing at the azure sea as Wingull cries echoed around him.
Passengers chatted in the breeze, so engaged in Pokémon battles.
A few recognized Natsu-sensei, muffling excited gasps behind their hands.
He smiled back, leaving an unforgettable impression on a group of bikini-clad girls.
"No one's challenging to a battle?"
Natsu frowned internally. "I thought eye contact ant free money—ahem, I an, a Pokémon battle?"
Clearly, no trainer was foolish enough to pick a fight with a Champion.
(Unless they were an in-ga NPC.)
After observing so amateur battles and checking out the fishern's catches, Natsu let the sea breeze wash over him.
Tentacool's gem-like orbs glimred under the sunlight.
"Gengar~" Gengar crouched beside a bucket, poking at a bubble-blowing Krabby.
Suddenly, passengers pointed at the water—a Gyarados had surfaced, its massive body cutting through the waves.
Click—
Caras flashed. The sea serpent twisted its head, annoyed.
"Gyarados!!"
Then it spotted Gengar on the deck.
After a brief stare, it huffed ("Ugh, bad luck") and sped away.
Natsu: "..."
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, proudly holding up the Krabby like an offering.
The fisherman opened his mouth, glanced at Natsu, and wisely stayed silent.
"Put it back," Natsu sighed. "We're almost at Canalave City."
"Gengar~" Gengar nodded obediently—then casually tossed the Krabby overboard.
Splash—
Natsu: "..."
Fisherman: "..."
They looked at each other, speechless.
Doooo—
The ferry's horn blared as the white piers of Canalave City ca into view.
Natsu recalled Gengar into its Poké Ball and slipped into the crowd, hastily disembarking.
...
Dressed in a white lab coat with stylish sunglasses perched atop his ssy orange curls.
Sonia supported Professor Magnolia as they stepped off the ferry ramp.
"What's wrong, Sonia?" Professor Magnolia asked softly, leaning on her cane.
"I… thought I saw soone familiar." Sonia peered through the crowd, straining to recognize the figure.
"Many scholars arrive in Canalave City around this ti. Running into acquaintances isn't unusual," Professor Magnolia said. "If you're certain, go say hello. I'll wait here."
"I'll be right back!" Sonia said.
"I'm not so old that I can't stand on my own," Professor Magnolia replied calmly.
Sonia hurried over to the street vendor where Natsu was buying a crepe and tapped his shoulder.
Natsu's body tensed. Instinctively, his elbow swung back in a sharp counter, the gust of wind tousling Sonia's orange curls.
The force of the motion sent a ripple through the air—had he not stopped himself in ti, Leon might've co knocking.
Natsu: "You scared to death!"
"I'm the one who got scared!" Sonia's eyes welled up. "I just ca to say hello, and this is how you treat ?!"
Natsu scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, reflexes. I'll be more careful next ti."
Aura of Ripple functioned more like an active skill—keeping it constantly active drained his MP. Hence, Natsu hadn't sensed her approach.
But the reflexes honed through Close Combat had triggered an instant counter.
Even as he apologized, Natsu marveled inwardly: Damn, I'm strong!
"Honestly."
Sonia's cheeks flushed with lingering adrenaline as she exhaled sharply.
"Fine, I'll forgive you!"
At a distance, a golden-haired beauty in black turned the corner, heading toward her destination.
A faint smile played on Cynthia's lips before she paused, eyebrows lifting slightly.
The voices of a man and woman carried over.
Natsu: "Sorry, reflexes. I'll be more careful next ti."
Sonia: "Honestly, fine, I'll forgive you!"
After a brief mont of thought—
Cynthia's smile deepened, her eyes curving into crescents.
Click, click, click—
The sharp taps of her heels echoed as an overwhelming aura parted the crowd effortlessly.
Mid-conversation with Sonia, Natsu suddenly froze, a primal dread shooting down his spine.
Not even facing Temporal and Spatial Dragons had he felt terror of this magnitude.
A cold sweat dripped down Natsu's temple as the golden-haired beauty ca into view. He blinked.
"Cynthia?"
Her lips curved as her black coat fluttered in the breeze, her steps graceful yet deliberate.
In that instant, Natsu's heart lurched.
Killing intent.
This was tangible killing intent!
Sonia gaped, glancing between Natsu and Cynthia, her face still flushed from earlier.
Cynthia's gaze slid to Sonia, her smile serene. "Long ti no see."
"Ah, y-yes…" Sonia stamred. "Last ti was at… Wyndon Arena."
"How is that young man doing?"
"Th-thanks to you and Natsu-sensei, John's out of critical condition. He's undergoing rehab now…"
Despite the seemingly normal exchange, Cynthia's gentle smile only made the atmosphere heavier.
The surrounding crowd thinned rapidly.
A shopkeeper flipped his sign to "CLOSED," ushering his wide-eyed daughter inside.
A desolate wind swept through the street, scattering leaves.
Cynthia and Sonia chatted amiably, the mood harmonious—on the surface.
Natsu: "…"
Pulling his thin coat tighter, Natsu glanced at his stiff-faced Gengar.
"Gengar?" Gengar gulped.
Why is everyone acting scared? I didn't even do anything!
My conscience is clean—no need to explain myself!
Clearing his throat, Natsu prepared to speak—
Cynthia's sweet smile locked onto him. "?"
Garchomp.
That was the look of a Garchomp!
"Did you just arrive in Canalave City today?" Cynthia asked pleasantly.
"Y-yes, for tomorrow's conference," Sonia answered, trembling.
"How fortunate, running into an old friend?"
"N-no, Miss Cynthia, let explain—"
Sonia finally realized Miss Cynthia had misunderstood.
But—
Her heart ached with injustice.
I'm the victim here! Almost got KO'd, now I'm being interrogated, and these two are radiating tension…
This is too much! I never should've co to Canalave City!
"Sonia." Professor Magnolia approached slowly, cane in hand. "Are these the acquaintances you ntioned?"
Cynthia's eyes widened slightly. "Professor Magnolia?"
"It's been a while, Cynthia."
Professor Magnolia nodded.
"I heard you're collaborating with Natsu. I expect impressive results."
Cynthia glanced at Natsu, who straightened his posture, then asked Professor Magnolia:
"How did you know—"
"Professor Carolina inford ."
Professor Magnolia smiled.
"Sonia and I just arrived in Canalave City. I didn't expect to run into you two so soon."
Just arrived… Canalave City…
Cynthia's expression shifted as understanding dawned.
A delicate blush blood across her cheeks. She ducked her head, golden hair cascading forward:
"We… will certainly do our best."
That lowered gaze, tender as a Lana flower's shy bloom—
Natsu was admiring her profile when sudden confusion struck.
Natsu: "We?"
Cynthia yanked Natsu down into a synchronized bow toward the elder.
Professor Magnolia watched with a knowing smile.
"You two remind of Sonia and Leon…"
"Grandmother!" Sonia turned scarlet.
"Hmph. Very well. Cynthia, lead the way. You're more familiar with Canalave City than we are."
"Of course." Cynthia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Let's head to the guesthouse near Canalave Library first."
She turned gracefully, taking the lead.
Natsu caught up, whispering, "Were you jealous?"
"No." Cynthia stared ahead.
"I told you, aside from Moe-Moe!, I wouldn't—"
"No."
"Huh?"
"Shut up."
Cynthia kept her eyes forward, her flushed profile unbearably lovely as she hissed:
"I wasn't."
...
Natsu was in high spirits.
Despite nearly facing a "cleaning blade" scenario, warmth filled his chest.
"Here." Natsu handed Cynthia sothing.
"What?" she muttered.
"I was buying crepes when Sonia showed up."
He recounted the "near-KO incident" and explained Sonia's flushed face.
"That's what happened." Natsu shrugged.
"And you expect to believe that?"
"Gengar can vouch!"
"Gengar!" Gengar widened its eyes dramatically, pledging loyalty.
Cynthia crossed her arms, studying Gengar and Natsu.
Finally, a faint smile surfaced. "Finish your research paper tonight. No slacking."
Natsu and Gengar exchanged glances.
Using Gengar as a double agent during the Moe-Moe! incident… turned out to be a masterstroke!
"Thank you, Gengar." Natsu said tearfully.
"Gengar! (｀Д｀)" Gengar mirrored his relief.
Cynthia eyed the crepe in Natsu's hand.
"Bought it so you wouldn't spend 30 minutes deciding." Natsu said.
"Flavor?"
"Ice cream."
"Hn."
They walked side by side, munching crepes, with Gengar serving as the buffer.
"Gengar~(￣～￣)"
Sonia watched their backs, whispering to her grandmother: "They seem close."
"Like you and Leon." Professor Magnolia's tone dripped with implication.
"Grandmother!" Sonia shook her arm, eyes pleading '＞_＜'.
Professor Magnolia scoffed, leaving the remark hanging.
...
The research conference guesthouse stood near the library.
Moe-Moe!'s room was next to Natsu's.
The attendee list included familiar nas like Professor Bill and Professor Oak, though none had arrived yet.
Moe-Moe! was sulking again—but seeing her jealous side was oddly thrilling.
Natsu smirked, then shuddered.
Better not push it like Gold. Next ti, Garchomp might use Dual Chop on !
Refocusing, Natsu browsed Canalave City's official website.
Outside, dusk settled.
Natsu yawned.
Canalave's waterways sprawled in intricate networks, with ferries connecting to Newmoon Island, Fullmoon Island, and Iron Island.
The trainer on Iron Island was Riley, whom Natsu had t once.
Newmoon and Fullmoon Islands were habitats for Darkrai and Cresselia.
Recalling Valerie's intel, Natsu-sensei frowned.
In the ani, an episode featured the Nightmare Pokémon and Lunar Pokémon dueling annually here.
They wouldn't pick this exact ti to visit, right…?
Stepping outside, Natsu gazed at the starless sky. The city was eerily quiet.
He pulled up his mission log, skimming the main objective:
[Objective: Win the Gold Award at Canalave City's Research Conference.]
[Reward: Gengaritex1]
Natsu's mood soured.
If Gengar and I sync for ga Evolution… wouldn't that drain completely?
"Professor Oak, you'd better bring your A-ga tomorrow…" Natsu muttered.
"Gengar?" Gengar suddenly glanced around, puzzled.
"What's up?"
"Beep… Detecting anomalous energy signature. Analyzing." Rotom Dex announced. "Match: 90% similarity to Darkrai. Rotom!"
Natsu smirked.
"With my luck, a 90% chance ans it's definitely Darkrai, right?"
Rotom fell silent.
The city lay under a murky shroud, lifeless and still. Then, the clouds parted—revealing a crescent moon, its glow scattering like crystal dust.
Bathed in moonlight, Natsu-sensei stared at the ethereal figure materializing before him, his breath catching.
"Not Darkrai…"
"It's the Lunar Pokémon—Cresselia!?"
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