Canalave City wasn't far from Sandgem Town—just half a day's ferry ride.
Natsume stood on the ferry's third-floor deck, gazing at the azure sea as Wingull cries echoed around him.
Passengers chatted in the breeze, some engaged in Pokémon battles.
A few recognized Natsume-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 me to a battle?"
Natsume frowned internally. "I thought eye contact meant free money—ahem, I mean, a Pokémon battle?"
Clearly, no trainer was foolish enough to pick a fight with a Champion.
(Unless they were an in-game NPC.)
After observing some amateur battles and checking out the fishermen's catches, Natsume let the sea breeze wash over him.
Tentacool's gem-like orbs glimmered 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—
Cameras 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.
Natsume: "..."
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, proudly holding up the Krabby like an offering.
The fisherman opened his mouth, glanced at Natsume, and wisely stayed silent.
"Put it back," Natsume sighed. "We're almost at Canalave City."
"Gengar~" Gengar nodded obediently—then casually tossed the Krabby overboard.
Splash—
Natsume: "..."
Fisherman: "..."
They looked at each other, speechless.
Doooo—
The ferry's horn blared as the white piers of Canalave City came into view.
Natsume 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 messy 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 someone familiar." Sonia peered through the crowd, straining to recognize the figure.
"Many scholars arrive in Canalave City around this time. 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 Natsume was buying a crepe and tapped his shoulder.
Natsume'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 time, Leon might've come knocking.
Natsume: "You scared me to death!"
"I'm the one who got scared!" Sonia's eyes welled up. "I just came to say hello, and this is how you treat me?!"
Natsume scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, reflexes. I'll be more careful next time."
Aura of Ripple functioned more like an active skill—keeping it constantly active drained his MP. Hence, Natsume hadn't sensed her approach.
But the reflexes honed through Close Combat had triggered an instant counter.
Even as he apologized, Natsume 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.
Natsume: "Sorry, reflexes. I'll be more careful next time."
Sonia: "Honestly, fine, I'll forgive you!"
After a brief moment 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, Natsume 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 Natsume's temple as the golden-haired beauty came into view. He blinked.
"Cynthia?"
Her lips curved as her black coat fluttered in the breeze, her steps graceful yet deliberate.
In that instant, Natsume's heart lurched.
Killing intent.
This was tangible killing intent!
Sonia gaped, glancing between Natsume and Cynthia, her face still flushed from earlier.
Cynthia's gaze slid to Sonia, her smile serene. "Long time no see."
"Ah, y-yes…" Sonia stammered. "Last time was at… Wyndon Arena."
"How is that young man doing?"
"Th-thanks to you and Natsume-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.
Natsume: "…"
Pulling his thin coat tighter, Natsume 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, Natsume 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 me 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 come to Canalave City!
"Sonia." Professor Magnolia approached slowly, cane in hand. "Are these the acquaintances you mentioned?"
Cynthia's eyes widened slightly. "Professor Magnolia?"
"It's been a while, Cynthia."
Professor Magnolia nodded.
"I heard you're collaborating with Natsume. I expect impressive results."
Cynthia glanced at Natsume, who straightened his posture, then asked Professor Magnolia:
"How did you know—"
"Professor Carolina informed me."
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 bloomed 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—
Natsume was admiring her profile when sudden confusion struck.
Natsume: "We?"
Cynthia yanked Natsume down into a synchronized bow toward the elder.
Professor Magnolia watched with a knowing smile.
"You two remind me 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.
Natsume 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."
...
Natsume was in high spirits.
Despite nearly facing a "cleaning blade" scenario, warmth filled his chest.
"Here." Natsume handed Cynthia something.
"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." Natsume shrugged.
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Gengar can vouch!"
"Gengar!" Gengar widened its eyes dramatically, pledging loyalty.
Cynthia crossed her arms, studying Gengar and Natsume.
Finally, a faint smile surfaced. "Finish your research paper tonight. No slacking."
Natsume and Gengar exchanged glances.
Using Gengar as a double agent during the Moe-Moe! incident… turned out to be a masterstroke!
"Thank you, Gengar." Natsume said tearfully.
"Gengar! (｀Д｀)" Gengar mirrored his relief.
Cynthia eyed the crepe in Natsume's hand.
"Bought it so you wouldn't spend 30 minutes deciding." Natsume 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 Natsume's.
The attendee list included familiar names like Professor Bill and Professor Oak, though none had arrived yet.
Moe-Moe! was sulking again—but seeing her jealous side was oddly thrilling.
Natsume smirked, then shuddered.
Better not push it like Gold. Next time, Garchomp might use Dual Chop on me!
Refocusing, Natsume browsed Canalave City's official website.
Outside, dusk settled.
Natsume 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 Natsume had met once.
Newmoon and Fullmoon Islands were habitats for Darkrai and Cresselia.
Recalling Valerie's intel, Natsume-sensei frowned.
In the anime, an episode featured the Nightmare Pokémon and Lunar Pokémon dueling annually here.
They wouldn't pick this exact time to visit, right…?
Stepping outside, Natsume 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]
Natsume's mood soured.
If Gengar and I sync for Mega Evolution… wouldn't that drain me completely?
"Professor Oak, you'd better bring your A-game tomorrow…" Natsume 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!"
Natsume smirked.
"With my luck, a 90% chance means 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, Natsume-sensei stared at the ethereal figure materializing before him, his breath catching.
"Not Darkrai…"
"It's the Lunar Pokémon—Cresselia!?"