Candice had expected to lose—but not this decisively.
She exhaled, then smiled sincerely.
"Thank you for the guidance, Natsume-sensei."
Her eyes shone with admiration. She had learned so much.
Natsume took back the Arcanine and nodded slightly.
This earnest Gym Leader had left a good impression on him.
If she's a fan from Sinnoh… maybe she could join the group too.
"Who would've thought Natsume-sensei specializes in Fire-types?"
Lucian approached, sounding impressed.
I didn't even know I specialized in anything…
Natsume blinked. "How did you know?"
"Having two Pokémon master the ultimate Fire-type move?"
Lucian adjusted his glasses with a knowing look.
"Most Fire-type Masters would struggle to pull that off!"
Ash chimed in: "Natsume-sensei's Blastoise also mastered Hydro Cannon!"
Natsume: "Don't exaggerate! That was just a regular Hydro Pump!"
As they chatted, Candice walked up to Natsume with a smile.
"Natsume-sensei, this is the Icicle Badge—proof of your Gym challenge victory."
She handed him a gleaming metallic badge shaped like twin snow-capped peaks.
"And this is the Technical Machine for Blizzard."
She glanced toward Gengar.
"It includes some of my personal training notes—useful for Ice Stone or Never-Melt Ice conditioning."
"B-B-Blizzard?!"
Natsume's eye twitched as he turned.
"Gengar!"
Gengar waved a light-blue USB drive at him, grinning before stuffing it into its pocket like treasure.
Don't worry, Trainer! I'll guard this precious TM with my life!
Natsume choked.
"Y-You're too generous, Leader Candice!"
"Not at all~"
She giggled, cheeks pink. "It's standard. Actually, we should've given you a cash reward too—"
"Cash reward?!"
"Elite Four Lucian didn't mention it?" Candice looked surprised.
"The Sinnoh League provides stipends for Gym challenge victories."
"Other regions have similar policies, right?"
Lucian nodded. "Indeed."
Natsume stood frozen.
Gym challenges… pay money?!
Nobody told me that!
They hand out Badges and TMs like candy—but when it comes to actual cash, they vanish!
I get that everyone's broke… but you can't just pay me in TMs!
He stared at the sky, suddenly feeling hollow.
Pulling out his notebook, he took a deep breath—ready to document this injustice.
Candice: "Oh, right! We also have Never-Melt Ice in storage. If you'd like—"
"Gengar! Gengar!" Gengar nodded furiously.
"I see."
Candice smiled. "Then consider it part of your challenge reward."
Natsume rubbed his temples.
Never-Melt Ice… Aside from boosting Ice-types, it's also a premium ingredient.
Coke chilled with Never-Melt Ice? Peak luxury.
And I could even make that classic dish—"Frozen Sashimi Mountain"?
Natsume goes above and beyond to keep his Pokémon from being picky eaters!
"Thank you, Candice."
"You're too kind~"
Natsume twirled the Icicle Badge between his fingers, then dangled it in front of Ash.
"Want it? The Badge you've been dreaming of~"
"Damn it! I'll challenge her again tomorrow!" Ash yelled.
Lucian adjusted his glasses, about to discuss official business with Candice—
When his third attempt was interrupted.
Natsume: "Candice, scan this QR code."
Candice: "Huh? What is it?"
"Maylene's the only Gym Leader in the group chat. It's kinda sad."
Natsume shrugged. "Think of it as a discussion forum."
Candice's eyes lit up. "I haven't seen Maylene in ages! We're close!"
[Group Owner invited "Ice Princess" to join the chat!]
Auntie Lorelei: "Finally, another Ice-type Trainer!"
Gold: "Wait, is Lorelei trying to get Natsume-sensei to invite Pryce next?"
"That's just asking for trouble!"
Lorelei smiling: "The real trouble would be for everyone else."
Maylene: "Candice! Long time no see!"
Candice: "Yeah! Let's catch a movie together soon~"
Gardenia continues to disconnect...
The Snowpoint Gym was filled with a warm, cheerful atmosphere.
THUD—
Suddenly, the doors burst open. A gust of freezing wind swept in.
Natsume squinted at the snow-dusted gentleman in a suit—and froze.
This guy…
He looks exactly like Sir Aaron, the legendary Aura Guardian!
Natsume's mind raced.
Riley—the Aura wielder from Iron Island!
Memories flooded back.
Riley was a descendant of Sir Aaron and a skilled Aura user himself.
A brave, selfless hero who'd once teamed up with Ash to defend Iron Island…
Which, by the way, he owns.
But why is an Aura wielder here?
Riley was equally baffled.
He'd come at Brandon's request to assist Candice with city security.
Yet the moment he stepped inside, he sensed multiple powerful Aura signatures.
One pulsed with energy reminiscent of the Tree of Beginning—almost Pokémon-like.
Another radiated something unsettling, as if it had scrutinized his very soul.
Riley shivered.
But the strangest one—
An Aura identical to his own.
No…
Identical to his ancestor, Sir Aaron.
Riley swallowed hard.
Did my ancestor possess this young man?!
Or is he borrowing power from beyond the grave?!
He stood frozen, a single thought echoing in his mind:
Since when are Aura wielders this common?!
Three of them—all as strong as me?!
At this rate, I might as well shake a Berry tree and hope for better odds!
Candice: "Mr. Riley? Mr. Riley?"
Her voice snapped him back to reality.
Riley coughed awkwardly.
"My name is Sir Aaron. I've come at Mr. Brandon's request to assist with Snowpoint Temple."
Lucian frowned. "What's happening at the temple?"
Natsume was about to ask the same—
When it hit him.
Oh no.
Snowpoint Temple…
That's where Regigigas is sealed!
In the anime, Pokémon Hunter J had forcibly awakened it—
But I already took care of her!
Is Regigigas throwing a tantrum now?!
His stomach dropped as Riley turned to him, voice grave.
"Erm… Senior. We may need your help."
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