Tuesday, March 9th.
Snowpoint City was experiencing a rare clear day.
The snow-capped peaks of Mount Coronet glittered with dazzling golden light under the sun.
The entire city stood empty, with only Officer Jennys, Nurse Joys, and League personnel remaining on guard.
Knowing her own limitations, Candice had stayed behind to maintain order in Snowpoint City rather than heading to the temple.
While organizing evacuations and keeping the peace...
Candice made a shocking discovery—Team Rocket members were moving freely through the city!
Team Rocket hadn't been classified as an illegal organization by the Sinnoh League.
But old prejudices ran deep.
Many citizens still regarded them with suspicion.
Yet these black-uniformed members simply carried out their duties as a delivery service.
The bold "R" logo on their backs shone brightly in the sunlight!
Rocket Delivery: When it absolutely, positively has to get there!
From his vantage point on a snow-covered observation deck, Natsume looked down at the frozen, white expanse of Snowpoint City.
"Not bad at all."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Seems that privilege I got from Boss Giovanni... actually came in handy!"
Matori had long given up complaining about her mentor's decisions.
An elite secretary of a notorious evil organization, management skills worthy of history books...
And she gets put in charge of a delivery company?!
"Fine then..."
Matori gritted her teeth, tears in her eyes.
"I'll show you how well I can do this job!"
A rustling sound came from the observation deck.
Natsume, wearing a brown overcoat, turned around.
"The evacuation is complete."
Riley tipped his gentleman's hat in acknowledgment. "Now comes the main event."
"What about Lucian and Ash?"
"They've already gone ahead to the area near Snowpoint Temple."
Riley stepped beside Natsume, gazing at the sunlit city with emotion.
"It's beautiful..."
"Cynthia once told me the legend of Snowpoint City and Regigigas," Natsume remarked suddenly.
"You've studied mythological history too?"
Riley looked surprised. "What does the legend say?"
"According to the story, this was once a primeval forest. Then a meteor fell, causing a great fire."
Natsume recalled cozy evenings at home.
Cynthia recounting myths like they were children's bedtime stories.
Unconsciously, Natsume's voice carried a hint of warmth.
"From the flames emerged an ancient giant. Using energies of ice, stone, and steel... it created the Ancient Colossi."
"With the Three Regis' power, Regigigas protected Snowpoint City before returning to slumber."
After a long silence, Riley observed:
"It doesn't sound like the violent type."
"Who knows?"
Natsume shrugged. "There's also legends where Regigigas punched a continent in half."
Riley's expression froze. He licked his lips nervously.
"So we might be facing... that kind of terrifying deity."
Sunlight pierced the snow clouds, casting sharp golden rays across the city's snow-laden rooftops.
If you looked closely through the glare, you could see a faint green film enveloping key structures.
Natsume squinted at the "barrier."
"Is that your Aura of Ripple at work, Mr. Riley?"
Riley nodded.
"A special application of my aura abilities. Low-frequency waves that form protective shields."
"Special abilities?" Natsume blinked.
"Only generational aura wielders learn these advanced techniques."
Riley smiled. "Some specialize in healing, others in detection."
"Whatever comes most naturally becomes your... specialty, you might say."
Suddenly it made sense.
Ash's specialty must be using aura to enhance his physique!
"Then what's my aura specialty?" Natsume asked curiously.
After a long pause, Riley chose his words carefully:
"Your aura is... exceptionally long."
Natsume: ???
"Long wavelengths—it's a technical term, like radio transmissions."
Riley chuckled. "Simply put, your aura resonates strongly with certain Pokémon, filling gaps in their potential."
I think he's making a dirty joke but I can't prove it!
Clearing his throat, Natsume asked:
"So I can use aura to boost Pokémon friendship levels?"
After consideration, Riley nodded.
"What about Ash? That young man you called 'ancestor'?"
"Honestly? I can't comprehend that boy at all."
Riley gave a pained smile. "He's like a Lucario... no, even more tenacious than a Lucario!"
Natsume mentally gave Riley a thumbs-up.
Now that's professional aura analysis!
Through daily use, Natsume's Aura of Ripple had proven effective.
Though still intermediate level—nowhere near masters with decades of training.
Not that he planned to train properly. System upgrade vouchers worked just fine.
"Realistically, could we stop Regigigas together?"
"Unlikely."
Riley's voice grew grave.
"But we can try."
Natsume looked toward the distant, snow-covered Snowpoint Temple.
BOOM—
The mountains still rumbled, avalanches threatening with each tremor.
Even here in the city, the ground vibrated faintly.
"Three days of this snoring already!"
Natsume scowled.
While the "Slow Start" ability bought them evacuation time...
The growing tremors carried an oppressive, fearful weight.
Everyone felt it.
Inside the Dive Ball at Natsume's waist:
"Blastoise..."
Sweat beaded on Blastoise's forehead from the suffocating pressure.
Aura-sensitive and struggling to breathe under the strain.
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)"
Then with a sharp motion, it adjusted sunglasses over deep blue gemstone eyes.
A glint of determination flashed beneath the lenses.
CRASH—!!!
Massive ice chunks broke from the mountains, the beginnings of an avalanche.
The sky darkened instantly as the earth quaked violently!
Natsume and Riley exchanged alarmed looks.
No more warning tremors.
This was a deity stretching after waking up!
"We're in trouble..."
Natsume's chest tightened.
Red, Professor Oak, Steven... none of the big names from the group chat had arrived yet!
"We need to reach Snowpoint Temple now!"
Riley threw a Poké Ball.
"Salamence!!" A crimson-winged Salamence bellowed, stirring gale-force winds with its flaps.
Riley swung onto Salamence's back and reached a hand toward Natsume:
"Allow me to lead the way, Lord Natsume!"
Natsume eyed Salamence's broad back, then studied its windshield-like wings.
Not bad. Just my type!
"Salamence…" Salamence stiffened, sensing an eerie power scrutinizing it.
Then, an unfamiliar Aura of Ripple surged through its wings, flooding its entire body.
Salamence's eyes burned crimson as it beat its wings, whipping up a violent cyclone!
Hell yeah, let's go!!
Natsume: "Crap, my hand slipped!"
"The Aura of Ripple has its limits," Riley gulped, warning him. "You should… use it sparingly?"
"No worries. At this level, I can pull it off ten times a day."
Riley: ???
Why did he suddenly feel so envious?!
As a reliable flying mount, Salamence's massive size gave Natsume-sensei a strong sense of security.
Even so, Natsume turned to Rotom and cautiously said:
"If I fall, remember to use Ally Switch to catch me."
"System Overload, Rotom! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
"Relax, you can Levitate, can't you?!"
The black speck of Snowpoint Temple grew larger, clearer.
Amid the endless snow, Ash looked up and waved at him:
"Natsume-sensei, over here!!"
Salamence flapped its wings, descending slowly.
Natsume sat atop Salamence, gazing down.
Lucian adjusted his glasses, a hardcover book in hand, standing knee-deep in snow.
Pyramid King Brandon, whom he'd met once before, stood with arms crossed, his expression complicated.
A mix of reverence, relief… and even a hint of fear?
"Ash is just here for the ride. The only real Elite Four is Lucian…"
Natsume scanned the team composition, feeling slightly conflicted.
Wait… I'm the main team?!
"Maybe I should just let Ash punch Regigigas…"
Natsume muttered to himself.
BOOOOM!!
A deafening roar erupted from Snowpoint Temple as a blinding red light shot through the dome, piercing the snow-heavy clouds.
Everyone present swallowed hard.
Brandon drew three Poké Balls, his expression grave as he barked:
"Stand ready!"
...
Sinnoh, Mount Coronet.
A deep purple dragon-shaped blur streaked across the mountain range.
Garchomp cut through the clouds like a jet, its streamlined head leaving a beautiful contrail in its wake!
A golden-haired beauty clung to Garchomp's back, her lustrous hair whipping in the wind, her black trench coat fluttering.
Her sharp gray eyes burned with resolve, radiating an indescribable, overwhelming aura.
Cynthia's gaze was ice-cold.
"Wait for me… Natsume!"
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