The raging energy gradually calmed, turning into black and red particles that began to swirl around Pokéball Rotom.
But its body kept swelling larger and larger.
By the end, Pokéball Rotom's size was comparable to the peak of Mt. Moon itself!
Natsume glanced at the sky. He finally understood why the Clefairy treated his Rotom as the Moon God.
With its red top and white bottom, from the Clefairy's perspective, Pokéball Rotom indeed looked like the moon hanging above their heads.
"Natsume!" Lance's gaze shifted toward him, deadly serious.
"Let's continue. Rotom told me the energy inside him needs to be released."
"Alright!" Lance released all of his Pokémon without holding back.
"Come out, Dragonair, Aerodactyl, Salamence!"
"Attack with everything you've got!"
"Rotom, use Max Doomspear!"
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, a vast wave of light burst outward, so immense that it covered the entirety of Mt. Moon.
The mountain's very colors were stripped away.
*Whoosh!*
As the gray-white light receded, Dragonite and Salamence vanished.
"Wait a second—why did it hit two targets? And didn't you say that move had no PP left?"
"Yeah, but it seems Dynamax strengthened Rotom's moves across the board, and even added a bit of PP to Doomsphere."
Hearing this, Lance felt his worldview collapse.
If Natsume had brought along more Pokémon, his entire team would have been wiped.
But then again, that Rotom's Speed stat was very low. As long as Natsume didn't have Trick Room, Lance still believed he could win.
*Whoosh!*
Moments later, the fainted Dragonite and Salamence were released back out.
*Fiii—*
Behind them, countless Clefairy also seemed to be running out of strength. Pokéball Rotom's massive form began to shrink, eventually returning to normal.
"You okay, Rotom?"
Natsume picked up Rotom, who had come out of the special Pokéball.
Dynamaxing without a Dynamax Band was dangerous.
Even with the Band, Pokémon could only stay Dynamaxed for a short time—any longer, and it became extremely risky.
"Natsume, is Rotom alright?"
Ash and the others rushed over from behind.
"Don't worry. He's just exhausted. A good rest will do."
Saying that, Natsume recalled Rotom back into his phone.
"Your Pokéball Rotom's skills are already broken enough, but I didn't think Dynamax would boost them even further."
Lance's voice came from the side, full of helplessness.
"If I'm not wrong, Doomsphere not only hits two targets, but it also actively drains the stamina of trapped Pokémon, right?"
Natsume nodded without denial.
"This kind of move is just…"
Lance wanted to curse, but his refinement held him back.
Natsume chuckled.
Not just Doomsphere and Curse Sphere—after Dynamax, their power increased, and even their PP went up a little.
Natsume shook his head slightly, gave Lance a thumbs-up, and declared the outcome of the battle:
"Lance is faltering… struggling… at his limit. Lance, go ahead and give your winner's speech!"
Natsume said, without a shred of refinement.
Lance: "…"
*What speech? Can I just curse you out instead?*
*Maintain composure, don't get angry. Maintain composure, don't get angry.*
Lance took a deep breath, silently repeating it in his heart.
"Natsume-senpai, it really seems there are particles underground here tied to Dynamax!"
A group of researchers led by Seymour hurried over.
That massive glowing sphere in the sky had long since caught their attention.
"Mm… it seems the Clefairy's psychic power was used as a medium, attaching itself to Rotom's body."
Natsume thought for a moment, then suggested:
"Let's wait until Professor Oak arrives. A few days ago he went to Galar to invite Professor Magnolia, and they'll be here tomorrow."
The next day, atop Mt. Moon.
"So this is the Dynamaxed Rotom?"
In a rest area, an elderly woman in a white lab coat, with chestnut hair, glasses, and a steady, dignified air, was carefully watching a video.
The footage showed the battle involving Dynamaxed Rotom, recorded by the staff.
"Well, Magnolia, see anything?"
Behind her, the hearty voice of Professor Oak rang out as he leaned forward.
"I see it. This boy's new Rotom form is very well trained."
"Ah, no—I meant, did you notice anything about Dynamax itself?"
Professor Oak quickly clarified.
"Hmph. Do you think the mysteries of Dynamax can be unraveled in such a short time?"
Professor Magnolia sounded slightly annoyed.
Her own work was far from finished, yet Oak had half-pulled, half-dragged her here.
Behind them, Natsume, Ash, Lance, and the others waited quietly.
"Hey, you there, boy."
Professor Magnolia suddenly turned her head.
"Eh? Professor Magnolia, you mean me?" Seymour stepped forward, looking confused.
"Not you."
Magnolia used her cane to brush Seymour aside and walked straight up to Natsume.
"I mean you—the one called Natsume, right?"
She leaned on her cane, circling him, studying him up and down, nodding now and then.
"Good, very good. Someone so young achieving this much already—and a researcher, no less!"
With that, she handed Natsume a business card.
"Hey, hey! Don't go poaching talent right in front of me!"
Professor Oak quickly leaned in.
Natsume accepted the card, but froze for a moment.
Printed on it was the large photo of a pretty girl with orange hair and the same deep green eyes as Magnolia, youthful and radiant.
"Wow, Professor Magnolia, you even touched up your own photo?"
Ash blurted out curiously, only to be whacked on the head with her cane the next second.
"Hmph. Look carefully—that's my granddaughter, Sonia." Magnolia's expression softened as she looked at Natsume.
"My granddaughter is also a researcher. You two should exchange ideas when you get the chance."
Sonia… Natsume searched his memory and recalled the name.
*Sonia, childhood friend of Leon, the Champion of Galar.*
*She'd always tried to wedge herself into Leon and Raihan's bond—but with Leon's presence, the three of them actually had a close relationship.*
Natsume thought it over, then nodded seriously.
"Understood, Professor Magnolia. Once I get to Galar, I'll be sure to keep in touch with your granddaughter."
If he remembered correctly, Sonia was one of the few researchers later promoted to Professor in the storyline.
Such top-tier talent was someone Natsume absolutely needed to recruit.
Seeing Natsume carefully put the card away, Magnolia smiled.
"Now then, Natsume, here's the Dynamax Bands you asked me to make. I was pressed for time, so I couldn't finish them properly, but I brought you eight pieces."
She smiled and took a large box from her assistant, handing it to him.
Inside the box lay eight finely crafted Dynamax Bands.
He had provided eight Wishing Stars, which could probably yield only six functional Bands after losses.
But Magnolia had still given him eight complete Dynamax Bands, free of charge.
"Thank you, Professor Magnolia."
Natsume bowed deeply in gratitude.
*Mm, the grandmother is straightforward, so the granddaughter must also be easy to… ahem, hardworking and dependable.*
You can read more (around 50+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https ://ravenarchives .com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.