The announcent of the participant list for the Sunyshore City doubles competition caused an uproar. "Guys, run! Natsu-sensei is particip
The announcent of the participant list for the Sunyshore City doubles competition caused an uproar.
"Guys, run! Natsu-sensei is participating!"
"Isn't he just here to crush Leader Volkner and join a Baby Cup?"
"I think the Baby Cup is the main goal… That's Natsu-sensei we're talking about!"
Though called a "Baby Cup," most participants were elite trainers, including seasoned rookies like Ash who had traveled across multiple regions.
If they united to fight in a round-robin battle to consu Natsu-sensei… they might stand a chance.
However.
When Natsu-sensei's team composition was revealed, the contestants froze.
Larvitar and Togepi—two adorable little babies—
"Is Natsu-sensei here to level up in the Baby Cup?"
"I've seen this episode before—the Piplup Cup! Gastly yyds!"
Back during Natsu-sensei's Baby Cup in Touran, sending out Gastly might have been the best chance to defeat him.
And now… that opportunity was back.
"Run? No way! Winning once would be bragging rights for a year!"
"I refuse to believe that level crushing can lose."
"Brothers, no need to flee. Watch solo Natsu-sensei!"
Suddenly, the participants were fired up, eager for battle.
The one-day doubles event consisted of three rounds, drawing crowds of spectators.
Banners were even raised near Natsu-sensei's booth.
Flint, who rushed over upon hearing the news, leaned on the railing with a resigned expression.
"Seriously… using a rookie event to level up? Only a Champion would do this."
The kicker? No one objected.
After all, this was a rare chance to make Natsu-sensei lose!
First Round
Natsu and Ash faced a duo of a hiker and a glasses-wearing trainer.
(Natsu couldn't rember their nas—just that they were Sinnoh's local elite trainers paired by draw.)
In a flash of light, the opponents sent out Graveler and Tangrowth.
Ash deployed Staraptor, while Natsu tossed a Dusk Ball.
"Go, Larvitar!"
The gray-green little dinosaur erged with a fierce growl, causing a stir.
For the crowd, seeing a pseudo-legendary's offspring was a rare sight.
Flint studied the freshly hatched Larvitar, its armor gleaming dark green, and muttered:
"Damn… what's he feeding this thing?!"
(Natsu-sensei: Thanks for asking. Just finished feeding it a mansion.)
On the battlefield.
"Don't underestimate us, Natsu-sensei!"
The glasses-wearing trainer adjusted his fras and sneered. "Tangrowth, use ga Drain!"
Like a small mountain, Tangrowth's crimson vines glowed brightly as they lashed toward Larvitar.
Simultaneously, Graveler rolled forward in a high-speed Rollout, kicking up rubble as it charged.
"Greedy double-targeting."
Natsu commanded, "Focus Graveler first, Larvitar!"
A sense of dread washed over both opponents.
They glanced at the battlefield—the tunnel was visible, but Larvitar had vanished!
"Larvitar~ (￣～￣)"
Larvitar "swam" through the tunnel, digging eagerly as Graveler's Rollout rumbled past.
Tangrowth's vines missed, forcing it to steer towards Staraptor. Staraptor dodged with a dive, wings glowing for an Aerial Ace.
At the sa ti, Natsu ordered, "Larvitar, Dig!"
Larvitar burst from the ground, its blunt horn slamming into Graveler with monstrous force.
CRACK!
"Graveler!" Graveler roared in pain as its rocky arm split, debris flying.
The sheer brutality left the audience stunned.
"Even with a level advantage, they're getting wrecked."
"Well, it's Natsu-sensei commanding."
"That Dig move is like second nature—way too skilled!"
The hiker grimaced. "Graveler, Brick Break!"
"Graveler!" Graveler's stone fist glowed white as it swung at Larvitar.
Larvitar showed no fear. To it, the incoming fist looked like a delicious mineral snack—
"Larvitar… "
Natsu: "Bite."
"Larvitar!" Larvitar chomped down hard, the impact sending both Pokémon crashing into the ground.
BOOM!!
A crater ford as Graveler was dragged into the dust.
The crowd broke into cold sweats.
"T-this isn't a dark duel, right?!"
(Don't worry—Larvitar wasn't actually crunching Graveler. It just used double Ground-type advantage to knock it out.)
anwhile, Staraptor was still tangled with Tangrowth.
"Staraptor!" Ash yelled. "Aerial Ace!"
"Staraptor!" Staraptor's wings glead as it sliced through Tangrowth—but the vines lashed out, binding it tightly.
"I told you," the glasses-wearing trainer said smugly. "I'm not just so passerby."
"If I beat you… I might even defeat Natsu-sensei!"
CRASH!
Tangrowth slamd Staraptor into the ground.
But as it turned—
WHAM!
A flying "pavent slab" smacked it in the face.
The glasses-wearing trainer stared blankly at Larvitar.
Natsu: "Larvitar, Rock Throw."
"Larvitar! (▼へ▼メ)"
Larvitar hurled another "slab," nailing Tangrowth square in the vines.
Dizzy, Tangrowth swung wildly—only for another rock to solve the problem.
The crowd gaped as the massive Tangrowth toppled over.
Larvitar stood triumphantly in the ruined battlefield, casually munching on a rock.
"Larvitar~ (￣～￣)"
The stands erupted.
"Holy crap, Larvitar just 1v2'd?!"
"Larvitar's so cute! Mom loves you!!"
"It's a Baby Cup, but the action is insane!"
Organizers exchanged glances, wiping sweat.
"Should we… just give Natsu-sensei the prize now?"
"At this rate, the repair costs will exceed the prize money!"
"No… I think Natsu-sensei's real goal is the all-you-can-eat buffet for Larvitar!"
Post-Battle
Natsu shook hands with the glasses-wearing trainer.
"That was a tough battle."
The trainer teared up, removing his glasses to wipe his eyes.
To push Natsu-sensei's Larvitar to its limits…
This might be a story he'd boast about forever.
"I told you, Natsu-sensei… don't underestimate passers-by."
They fist-bumped, and the trainer walked off.
Natsu watched him go, moved.
Was this… the power of the underdog?
He then turned to Ash.
"Sorry, Natsu-sensei," Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "I didn't do well…"
"It's fine." Natsu patted his shoulder. "Two more rounds to go."
Which ant two more buffets for Larvitar!
...
The sun set, casting a golden glow over Sunyshore City's port.
The doubles battle tournant had also co to an end.
Their second-round opponents were a bikini-clad woman and a miniskirt-wearing trainer.
The finals pitted them against a Pokémon fan and a businessman.
Thanks to Larvitar's stellar performance, Natsu-sensei didn't even need to send out Togepi, swiftly securing victory.
*"Togepi doo-ee~（○｀3′○）"
Togepi, sulking inside its Poké Ball for missing the action, was thoroughly displeased.
"Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)"
anwhile, inside its Premier Ball, Sirfetch'd wept tears of joy.
Thank goodness… If I can raise Larvitar well enough…
I can finally slack off without guilt~!
"That bikini trainer was sothing else," Natsu remarked to Ash.
"Yeah, her Starmie almost turned the tables on us," Ash agreed.
Natsu: "…"
My bad. That one's on .
The tournant prize—a Hard Stone—was now in hand. For Larvitar, who had only eaten to about 70% fullness, it made for a perfect dessert.
As for the battlefield… insurance would cover the repair costs.
Though it might an future bans on "Larvitar" or "Natsu-sensei" from participating…
Natsu cleared his throat and examined the gleaming black Hard Stone.
The Hard Stone boosted the power of Rock-type moves.
For Larvitar, it could help master tougher techniques like Rock Slide.
Moreover, the nutrients Larvitar absorbed now would fuel its evolution into Pupitar later.
So rare minerals like this were always welco.
"This thing wasn't easy to get," Natsu said, handing the Hard Stone to Larvitar after its first victory. He patted its head and added sternly,
"In the future, you might face even stronger opponents… Are you sure you're ready?"
Natsu's intention was to let Larvitar weigh the risks.
If it ant getting hurt just for food, that wasn't sothing he wanted.
But for Larvitar, it was like discovering a whole new world.
Crunch, crunch.
As it chewed the delicious Hard Stone, its eyes sparkled.
So if I win battles… I get to eat stuff this good?!
"Larvitar! "
Larvitar nodded fervently at Natsu, full of determination.
I'll fight my hardest—for more als like this!
Satisfied, Natsu gave an approving nod.
According to Giovanni's Techniques, the next moves to teach were Bulldoze and Stomping Tantrum—both wide-range Ground-type attacks Larvitar could learn.
Compared to Dig or the ultimate Earthquake, these were slightly less destructive to the battlefield.
"I'll have Larvitar try them at Sunyshore Gym," Natsu thought.
Their next stop was the Sunyshore Gym's open tournant.
Flint had arranged a hotel for Ash and Natsu-sensei, politely suggesting that Larvitar shouldn't wander off alone.
"No problem!" Natsu agreed readily.
Moe-Moe! is visiting tonight. I'll bring Larvitar to et her.
She's been busy lately…
Surely she didn't prepare a new move just for Larvitar… Probably…
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