"Whew—finally home…"
By the time Aiden stepped into Sunshine Gym, dusk was approaching.
His Johto trip—though only a week long—had packed in extraordinary experiences.
First, competing in his inaugural Ultra Ball-tier international tournament, he'd dominated to claim championship glory. The name "Teacher Azure" now echoed even louder across the Pokémon world.
Beyond honor, the victory granted invaluable international points. As champion of this event, Aiden had already secured a pre-qualification spot for the next Master Tournament.
'Though that's still far off… at least not this year…'
Second—Giovanni and Team Rocket.
In a way, Aiden's meeting with Giovanni had wrapped up loose ends for Lance and the officers. Capturing Giovanni alone mattered little. Team Rocket's core executives remained at large; given time, someone would inevitably rebuild the organization.
In game lore, the four executives had retreated to Johto after Giovanni's defeat—recovering strength while awaiting his "lightning-like return."
Infamous incidents like harvesting Slowpoke tails and seizing broadcast stations occurred during this period.
But with Aiden and Giovanni's agreement, these previously insurmountable Rocket remnants were now manageable.
With Giovanni—the soul of Team Rocket—cooperating, they'd at least avoid overt trouble.
As for Rocket's transformation? That wasn't Aiden's concern.
*I should focus on being a proper Paldean Gym Leader first!''
Oh, and soon I might gain that "Temporary Elite Four" DLC title too.
In just half a year, he'd leapfrogged from rookie to Elite Four—matching legendary protagonists' insane progression…
'Truly worthy of you, Teacher Azure!'
After silently praising himself, Aiden entered the main hall.
"Sableye!"
Sableye—distributing Energy Cubes to the Gym's Pokémon—spotted him first. Its eerie grin widened as it scampered over, all excitement.
"I'm back."
Aiden crouched with a smile, stroking Sableye's head.
"You worked hard this week, Sableye."
Many stereotyped Dark-types—especially Sableye—as annoying troublemakers. Aiden never bought into this. Prejudice only amplified perceived flaws.
In reality, from daily interactions with rented Gym Pokémon, Sableye proved the most reliable. That mischievous grin it flashed challengers? A facade. When caring for Bagon and other baby-stage clones, its movements became meticulous—truly a dependable "dad."
Other Gym Pokémon either lacked hands, had unsuitable builds , or—like the only human-like one, Incineroar—terrified babies into panic.
Known worldwide, Incineroar and Galar's Rillaboom were perfect bouncers. Their mere presence deterred troublemakers.
The scowling "Tiger God" Incineroar—even with a gentler nature—bore this burden silently.
"Eye…"
After bonding briefly, Sableye tugged Aiden's sleeve. Following its pointing finger, Aiden noticed the freshly opened Energy Cubes box and instantly understood.
His week-long absence left no cook for the Gym's large family. Ordering takeout? Language barriers made that impossible.
So Energy Cubes became the compromise.
As carefully blended emergency rations, they replenished stamina well enough to stave off hunger.
But… a small issue existed.
Fine for one or two meals—but as a staple? Compared to the Gym's usual feasts, it was painfully bland.
The little ones were surely sick of it.
Hence Sableye's frantic hints the moment Aiden returned.
"With me back, no more Energy Cubes."
Aiden chuckled, standing to empty his pockets of Poké Balls.
Soon, his main team materialized in the Gym.
"Come to think of it… where's Mew again?"
After scanning the room, Aiden sighed in resignation.
As expected… After the tournament, I couldn't find it anywhere. Probably tired of human society—back to the World Tree to reset its guardian CD (cooldown).
'Well, missing this feast isn't my fault~'
"Umm!"
Back in the familiar Sunshine Gym, Indeedee's face lit with pure joy. After greeting everyone, it skipped cheerfully into the kitchen—seamlessly transforming into head chef mode.
Mewtwo, upon release, was immediately swarmed by its cloned companions. They chattered excitedly, bombarding it with questions about the tournament.
Quickly, Aiden's championship heroes returned to routine. Other Pokémon dispersed.
All awaited Indeedee's call—ready to flood the kitchen like prehistoric beasts.
Except for Shelgon—the only one unable to eat post-evolution.
Out of place among the hungry crowd, it silently crawled back to its nest, vowing inwardly:
'I must evolve soon!'
'Missing meals is one thing, but being a benchwarmer in battles? Others might forget I even exist…'
'If this continues, I'll end up sitting with Miraidon outside the Gym!'
'That… cannot happen!'
…
After dinner, 6:00 PM arrived.
Aiden sat on the couch, expertly petting Sylveon. It suppressed its throaty purrs, emitting instead a painfully "cute" mewl.
But as everyone knows—even cat-like creatures have cuddle limits. Though Eeveelutions were technically canines, the rule held.
"Vee!"
After snuggling contentedly in Aiden's lap, Sylveon abruptly sat up. Ribbons slapped its body as it adopted a tsundere glare, retreating to the couch corner.
Before Aiden could react, it snatched the TV remote—hiding it under its body.
Aiden could only smile helplessly.
Watching TV with Sylveon was enjoyable—but he had real work tonight.
Having promised students a makeup lesson on the last weather system (Hail), he'd stream tonight—completing his monthly "live quota" before April.
'This is the dedication of Pokémon TV's hardest-working streamer!'
Inside his room, booting his PC, Aiden felt an odd gaze behind him. Turning, he found Mewtwo materializing beside him.
"Aiden—may I watch your stream here?"
Calmly meeting his eyes, Mewtwo was already seated on Aiden's bed, notebook in hand.
"Hmm… of course," Aiden nodded.
Taking Mewtwo to the Psychic Master Tournament had clarified its strength:
Versatility.
With its confirmed "awakening" and autonomous mega evolution, Mewtwo's raw power was undeniable.
Aiden planned minimal interference now—letting it develop steadily.
Its focus should shift to trainer growth, ensuring balanced progress.
"But this week's makeup class covers Hail—the system least related to your cloned Pokémon, right?" Aiden added belatedly.
Hail teams needed little explanation. For Aiden, introducing one Pokémon sufficed:
Alolan Ninetales.
As Hail's sole superstar—and undisputed captain—half its strength came from Snow Warning + Aurora Veil.
Aiden had briefly covered this during Lorelei's stream appearance.
So he'd bundle singles/doubles Hail strategies into one lesson—sufficient for students.
Deeper insights? Let interested ones discover them.
"No matter. Learning more tactics prepares me for trainers with similar styles."
Mewtwo spoke earnestly, eyes fixed on Aiden.
"Alright," Aiden smiled in approval.
'This is why Mewtwo's smart. If half my students grasped this mindset, Sunshine Gym's pass rate wouldn't be so dismal!'
'Is this how teachers instinctively view honor students versus strugglers?, Aiden's eyebrow twitched.
Suddenly understanding my old homeroom teacher's catchphrases…'
Relieved that Aiden agreed, Mewtwo subtly relaxed.
As Aiden's most trusted student, its real goal was observing his every move—absorbing his tactical style.
(Though it had… other motives too.)
'At this hour, Aiden's other Pokémon have their routines. Knowing he's streaming, none will disturb us.'
'For this hour—I'll be alone with him!'
Mewtwo lowered its head, ostensibly reviewing notes. In truth, it hid a smile too obvious to risk Aiden seeing.
Pokédex lore stressed: trainer-Pokémon bonds deepened through constant proximity. Such moments were essential.
The tournament had cemented one truth—
Aiden is my perfect trainer. No other human matches our compatibility!
Thank you, Mew!
Observing Aiden daily, Mewtwo now understood his quirks.
He gave Pokémon excessive freedom.
If I don't initiate contact… he might never realize…
Beyond my dream of becoming a trainer—I also want to be his Pokémon. The two aren't conflicting.
So I must prove myself—until he acknowledges me as a powerful partner!
Mewtwo's resolve hardened.
*I'll make Aiden recognize me—as his greatest companion!*
…
6:30 PM.
Some Paldean students, fresh from dinner and scrolling Pokémon TV before gaming, froze at a familiar livestream thumbnail.
Stream Title: Teacher Azure Returns Like Lightning! Today We Complete the Final Weather System Puzzle Piece!
???
Instinct took over at "Teacher Azure." Fingers tapped in muscle memory.
The stream loaded—Aiden's reassuring face greeted them, a warm smile like a spring breeze.
[??? Did I misremember? Is today Sunday?]
[Who are you? Teacher Azure—this damn slacker—actually streaming? Did someone swap his Ability to Vital Spirit?]
[Back from winning a championship to stream immediately… Teacher Azure's flexing in the chat again…]
Within 30 seconds, chat density exploded.
Aiden grinned.
"Long time no see, students."
"As previewed last stream—I 'accidentally' signed up for a small tournament, delaying things by two weeks~"
"Seeing so many fans, I thought it was a streamer tournament. Only after winning did I realize—it was some 'Type Master Tournament' thing? Seems pretty prestigious, I guess?"
As he spoke, Aiden's right hand reached for his desk—lifting a gleaming championship trophy into the camera's view.
"Pretty cool, right?"
His shameless flex triggered a storm of question marks in chat.
[??? BE HUMAN, TEACHER AZURE!]
[Call it a Master Tournament or streamer tournament—doesn't matter. Teacher Azure's opponents were from chat!]
[Do I need to be a Gym Leader/Elite Four to be Teacher Azure's fan? What am I—a lost noob who wandered into the stream?]
[Darn it—I got flexed on again!]
Aiden watched the chaos, deeply satisfied.
'If I can't share championship joy with fans… what's the point of winning?'
"Ahem—back to business."
After bantering with chat, Aiden steered toward today's lesson.
"Last time, we covered weather teams—only Hail remains. Today we tackle the snow system!"
He opened Pokémon Champion. As the game loaded, he continued:
"Snow weather is unique. Temperature changes its behavior."
"Normally, it creates brutal blizzards and Hail."
"For non-Ice types, battling here is disastrous—Hail constantly chips their HP."
Students nodded instinctively.
Their perception of snow matched Aiden's description—even with winter gear, it was perilous.
Except for Paldeans.
"But in warm Paldea, the temperature prevent blizzards. Hail becomes a gentle Snow."
"Here, Snow no longer damages both sides. Instead, it provides a buffer for Ice-types—indirectly boosting their defenses."
After contrasting both snow types, Aiden concluded:
"As Paldea's Gym Leader, today's system builds on Snow."
"In-game, you can preset snow conditions. I recommend using Snow often."
"After all… Hail cripples snow teams with heavy restrictions and low rewards. Snow's benefits are far more tangible."
With basics covered, team-building began. Aiden navigated this effortlessly.
"Honestly, snow weather's effects are underwhelming. No direct damage boosts like sun/rain. Combined, its perks barely match sandstorm."
"Plus—the first discovered Snow Warning Pokémon was Abomasnow. Ice+Grass typing is so awkward, Snow teams remained obscure."
"But one Pokémon single-handedly saved Snow's viability."
Aiden paused dramatically before revealing:
"Yes—it's the Alolan Ninetales I mentioned earlier!"
"Not as stats-heavy as Tyranitar, but Ice Ninetales' strength is undeniable."
"As the Snow team captain—without it, the team has no soul!"
He opened the Team Builder, slotting in Alolan Ninetales.
[Reminds me… didn't Gym Leader Grusha use Ice Ninetales during his Gym challenge?]
[Yes! And Teacher Azure mentioned it during Miss Lorelei's stream too. Guess he planned this snow team long ago?]
[After two weeks' hiatus… Teacher Azure's striking again? New tactics will warp the meta once more…]
That day, students in Teacher Azure's livestream finally recalled his terror…
"Beyond the weather setter, Snow's core is Ice-type's offensive coverage. We need strong attackers."
Aiden added two synergistic members: Alolan Sandslash and Cetitan.
"Both have Slush Rush—a great Snow speedster. Paldea's pseudo-legendary Baxcalibur works too."
"Hmm… if you want attackers without type disadvantages, you can even skip Ice-types entirely."
He added this after thought.
The Ice-type was a double-edged sword. Mastered well, its offensive power was terrifying.
But its frail defensive typing—even Steel-types couldn't fully cover it.
Given a choice, Aiden would pick the Paradox Pokemon Iron Bundle as ace. But since he couldn't… these two were solid substitutes.
To further boost team synergy? Only by removing Ice-types entirely…
With weather setter and attackers set, Aiden's cautious nature demanded defense and support.
He finalized the last three slots:
First—no stranger to viewers or Gym challengers—Incineroar.
Then—Gastrodon and Empoleon.
"Incineroar's utility needs no explanation. In doubles, Intimidate cripples opponents' offense."
"As for Gastrodon and Empoleon, they are choices made to counter Pokémon that are strong against Ice types, offering defensive capabilities while also having some counter-attacking potential."
"Ice has four weaknesses. Ground resists three of them—so adding a Mamoswine works too."
"Ultimately, snow teams have one goal—"
"Survive!"
"Playing defensively early is fine. As long as attackers live, their overwhelming power + Slush Rush speed can reverse any match."
"And the simplest survival tool? Alolan Ninetales' Aurora Veil—creating space for attackers to shine."
Explaining as he built, Aiden finalized the team.
"Now, let's test them in battle~"
He clicked "Match."
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