Generally speaking, a Pokémon's strength determines its position within the team.
But for Natsume's little ones, rankings aren't important—what matters is working together to help their Trainer achieve his dream of winning the championship.
So, everyone continues to strive toward that goal.
"Sirfetch'd~(｀▽′)"
The ever-relaxed Sirfetch'd walked home, calmly accepting its position at the bottom of the hierarchy.
"Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"
Meanwhile, Togepi waved its toy clapper, making cheerful noises as it hopped ahead.
"Gengar~～( TロT)σ" Gengar followed behind like a worried babysitter.
The two ran toward the golden sunset on the horizon, while Natsume smiled and walked leisurely after them.
Togepi hadn't participated in today's battle drills.
But based on his understanding of his Pokémon, Natsume mused:
Togepi's main battle strength comes from its unpredictable Metronome.
Unless someone gets luckier than Togepi, or I interfere with its performance,
Togepi's strength is actually quite formidable...
Looking at it this way, the real slackers are just me and Sirfetch'd!
Natsume, far from feeling ashamed, comforted Sirfetch'd:
"They don't get it, but I understand you!"
Under the sunset, Sirfetch'd shot Natsume a sharp, confident look—aloof and extraordinary.
Natsume couldn't help but feel moved. It seems Sirfetch'd has a desire to carry the team too.
Being stuck at the bottom for so long must have been disheartening.
"I'll have Rotom increase your training load. Don't worry—I'll make sure you find your path forward!"
Sirfetch'd stared at Natsume, its beak trembling with 'gratitude,' unable to speak.
"Sirfetch'd! ◐▽◑"
If I stay a slacker, I get forced into training. If I try to improve, I still can't beat Togepi…
Life is so hard for a duck~!
...
Back at home, Natsume reflected on today's battles.
He had a vague feeling his little ones had grown stronger yet again, but he couldn't quite pinpoint why.
Has my cooking improved recently?
Or is it the energy boost from the Rainbow Wing, giving the team an extra buff?
Natsume pressed a hand against his shirt pocket, where the faintly warm Rainbow Wing rested, and pondered for a moment.
Then, his gaze shifted to the Lunar Feather hanging above his bed like a dreamcatcher, and he chuckled dryly.
Surely you're not dreaming about training, are you?
If your sweet dreams are about training, then mine must be about wrecking the house and calling the renovation team!
Natsume: "That's a nightmare, not a dream!"
Night fell, and Sandgem Town bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.
Natsume tied on his apron and used his 'culinary skills' to prepare dinner for his little ones. Afterward, he took Arcanine for a walk.
Just as the square dance crowd dispersed, the Loudred serving as the 'sound system' wiped its sweat and chugged a bottle of water.
Natsume blinked.
"So the 'sound system' Grandma mentioned sending to the Pokémon Center… was this Loudred?"
"Gengar! (⊙~⊙)*" Gengar slurped its Toxic Orb, looking unimpressed.
I even hired it as a DJ for my karaoke sessions!
The Arcanine wagged its tail happily as it followed Natsume-sensei back home.
Natsume sat cross-legged and played a round of Pokémon Battle with Moe-Moe!, while Togepi cuddled a handheld console, teaming up with Mew.
"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ(^▽^*)))"
"The Wallace Cup is tomorrow?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"Yeah. Aside from the main stage performances, Lake Valor will also host speed-swimming races, fishing tournaments, and other commercial events."
Natsume sighed. "Wallace really is a business genius."
"Maybe Steven gave him the idea." Cynthia thought for a moment. "Lucian will also be at Lake Valor tomorrow—he's representing the Sinnoh League at the opening ceremony."
Poor Lucian! Give this man the 'Hardest-Working Employee' award!
"Oh, and he'll also be delivering that Pokémon egg to you."
Natsume's heart skipped a beat.
He had mentally prepared himself to play the role of the egg-hatcher.
But he hadn't expected the day to come so soon!
"It's fine." Natsume reassured himself. At worst, it won't be like Gold's battle-crazed Togepi.
Keeping the group call active, he booted up Pokémon Battle and practiced a few rounds with his Sandstorm Team.
His Tyranitar bulldozed Cynthia's Garchomp into the ground, prompting an icy smile from her:
"Again."
The second match ended with Tyranitar losing to a Swords Dance-boosted Garchomp, narrowly defeated by Moe-Moe!.
With a balanced win-loss record, Cynthia logged off contentedly, avoiding tilt.
But then, a mysterious follower with a 'Miss Mary' avatar sent Natsume a battle invite.
Gold: "You free?"
Natsume-sensei: "Get online."
Five minutes later.
Natsume posted a brutal [4:0] score in the group chat.
"That's rough." Old Man Wattson clicked his tongue. "Kid, maybe try my 'disconnect hack' next time?"
Steven's handsome face twitched.
Just the other day, the game department was complaining about mysterious cheats in the system…
And here you are admitting it outright?!
Gold crossed his arms, deep in thought. "I don't think I lost because of skill—Natsume-sensei's playstyle just counters mine."
"You lose in real battles too." Silver said flatly.
"Ugh…" Gold almost challenged Silver to a fight, then reconsidered. "Ash, let's battle!"
If I can't beat Natsume-sensei, I'll just practice on an easier target!
Ash scratched his head. "Sorry, I'm kinda busy—I'm in Hearthome City challenging the Gym Leader, but they're not around…"
Natsume asked curiously: "How do you always show up when the Gym Leader's away?"
"Huh? Now that you mention it…" Ash fell into deep thought.
"Hearthome's Leader is Fantina, a Ghost-type specialist." Lucian kindly informed. "I can check her schedule for you."
"Really? Thanks, Senior Lucian!" Ash sent a Pikachu sticker.
"If I recall, Fantina's also a Coordinator, right?" Erika tapped her chin, looking upward.
"Yes!" Ruby's eyes sparkled at the mention of Pokémon Contests. "Miss Fantina is a dance-specialist Coordinator and a brilliant designer!"
Sapphire giggled. "Ruby and I actually consulted her for our performance outfits!"
"Come to think of it…" Lucian adjusted his glasses. "Fantina might've gone to Lake Valor for the Wallace Cup."
"What?! But Lake Valor's so far—"
Ash slumped, then suddenly clenched his fists with renewed determination.
"Alright! Then I'll head to Lake Valor and challenge her there!"
Natsume mercilessly pointed out: "By the time you get there, she might've already left."
Natsume was also heading to Lake Valor.
He'd accepted Ruby's invitation to serve as a Judge for the Pokémon Contests.
"No way!"
Yellow, unusually fired up, clenched her small fists, her face red. "I checked the schedule—the Wallace Cup runs for two to three weeks! There's even a fishing tournament and a doubles battle event at the lakeside resort!"
Lake Valor, near Twinleaf Town, was a shimmering oasis chosen for both the Wallace Cup and Sinnoh's Grand Festival. The surrounding area boasted luxury hotels, seven-star restaurants, and other high-end facilities.
Holding joint events during the Wallace Cup fit perfectly with Wallace's business-savvy style.
Brock's eyes gleamed.
"The doubles battle at the resort… I heard the winners get free meals for a whole month!"
"Really?" Yellow scratched her head sheepishly. "I didn't look into that part…"
But the fishing tournament's grand prize is that Super Rod I've always wanted!
The yellow-haired girl gazed dreamily into the distance.
At the mention of free meals, two people perked up immediately—
The perpetually broke Maylene, and the bottomless pit Jasmine.
Maylene: "I can't go! I've got an exchange tournament with Galar's martial artists soon!! o(╥﹏╥)o"
Jasmine, her twin braids swaying, blushed slightly. "I-I'll be attending the Wallace Cup too… to watch."
She'd always been interested in Pokémon Contests.
Maybe… through dazzling performances, someone ordinary like me can stand out a little…
Ruby puffed up with pride seeing how many group members were excited for Master's event.
Sapphire hugged Ruby from behind, cooing, "Are you going to Lake Valor too?"
"Nah, I already invited Natsume-sensei to be a Judge."
Ruby adjusted his white headband, stars in his eyes.
"I can't wait to see Natsume-sensei's Sylveon perform on stage!"
"Huh?" Sapphire blinked. "Judges have to perform too?"
"It's a Wallace Cup tradition."
Ruby explained: "Before the competition begins, the Judges put on an exhibition match to inspire the contestants."
"With Natsume-sensei as a Judge," Ruby grinned, "we're in for something spectacular!"
...
Blue Oak, the scholarly admin, grew tired of the flooded chat and created a poll—"Who's going to the Wallace Cup?"
In the end, six people confirmed their attendance:
Yellow—for the fishing tournament.
Jasmine—to spectate.
Natsume-sensei—as a Judge.
Lucian—for the ribbon-cutting ceremony (and to deliver Natsume's egg).
Ash—arriving a few days late.
Green—tagging along with Yellow… to set up a stall.
"So diligent, Green!" Auntie Lorelei couldn't help but comment.
"Hehe, I need to save up for my dowry!" Green declared proudly.
Silver, maintaining his deadpan expression, silently checked his bank balance.
...Should be enough.
The word "dowry" struck a nerve with Auntie Lorelei.
Even with a dowry, that doesn't guarantee marriage!
As an Ice-type Elite Four, I own property in the Sevii Islands, a car, and a Lapras—yet here I am, binge-watching romance dramas at home!
With so many group members planning to watch him judge, Natsume felt a little nervous.
But judging and commentary were his old professions.
It's not like I have to compete—just ask a few generic questions like 'What's your dream?' and call it a day.
Natsume nodded thoughtfully as he packed for tomorrow's trip.
Rotom, ever the efficient assistant, reminded him: "You should either reserve a room with the organizers or book your own hotel~"
Natsume looked up at the ceiling.
His little ones preferred staying outside their Poké Balls.
The organizers only provided single rooms—way too cramped.
He'd need a proper space, especially for Sylveon's hamster wheel…
After finding the only available room at a luxury resort, Natsume fell into deep thought.
'Why not ask the ever-reliable Team Rocket?' A lightbulb went off in his head.
He dialed Matori's number and asked if she had any discount connections.
"No need."
Matori replied flatly:
"That resort's owner is a Team Rocket member. Just check in directly."
Natsume: "!?"
Once again, Natsume was reminded of the vast disparities among Team Rocket members.
Some are so broke they can't even pay their phone bills.
Others casually own high-end resorts!
"If those two knuckleheads worked seriously, they could've bought ten resorts by now…"
Natsume mused before adding:
"I've got another small favor to ask."
Matori froze for a long moment, then shyly lowered her head, knees pressed together.
"Y-Yes?"
"Can you reimburse my electric bill?" Natsume said. "Nothing shady—just standard operational expenses."
"Oh."
"I can send you the bill. Mail works too?"
The call disconnected. Unfazed, Natsume snapped a clear photo of the bill and sent it to Matori.
Minutes later, his phone chimed with a payment notification.
"Efficient as always… impressive."
Natsume praised before double-checking his luggage. He made sure to pack the Lunar Feather, which functioned like a dreamcatcher.
With this, even sleeping away from home will be comfortable!
Satisfied, Natsume turned to Gengar:
"Gengar, we're heading to Lake Valor tomorrow for some fun~"
"Gengar~（`▽′)"
...
Sinnoh Region - Lake Valor
Above the sparkling lake, a cream-colored Milotic leaped from the water, its pink-tipped tendrils scattering droplets like diamonds.
The breathtaking scene left onlookers speechless, frozen in awe.
By the shore stood a tall man with emerald-green hair, dressed in a sleeveless top and traditional white garments.
Unlike Steven's refined elegance, this man carried an air of noble grace—a remnant of the ancient "People of the Glass."
Wallace made a call, smiling as he asked:
"Ruby, when will your invited guest—Natsume-sensei—arrive?"
"Master, he said he'll be here tomorrow!"
Wallace nodded.
He'd heard of Natsume-sensei through Steven—a man whose strength and character set the standard for Champions.
What surprised him, however, was that this "man who saved Steven's life" was also a Coordinator.
Even Wallace had to admit:
Based on appearance alone, Natsume-sensei's mere presence would send girls into a frenzy.
"Having him as a Judge is an honor."
Wallace smiled. "After the Lake Valor exhibition, I'll need to invite him to the main stage as well."
The event spanned weeks, and Pokémon Contests valued atmosphere—Lake Valor wasn't the only venue.
"Has the main stage location been decided?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Yes, not far from Jubilife City."
Wallace's gaze pierced through the mist, as if envisioning a majestic tower that perfectly matched his aesthetic.
"In Alamos Town."
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