April 16th, Friday.
The All-Around Competition came to a close.
Natsume-sensei claimed gold medals in endurance, strength, and skill events.
Ash and Gold took gold in speed and jumping events, respectively.
Notably, the skill event was a snowball toss—Pokémon had to dodge while pelting opponents for points.
Organizers had prepared several Snover and Piloswine to create a massive snowfield using Blizzard.
Gold, caught up in the excitement, removed his wheels and strapped on a snowboard. "Woo-hoo—!"
Contestants paired up with Pokémon, with swaps allowed mid-game.
Ash, in just a thin blue vest, stood beside Bruno, who crossed his bare arms as icy winds blew.
"Aren't you cold, Senior Bruno?" Ash asked.
"Yes." Bruno said stoically. "But this is a test of willpower… You?"
"I'm fine!" Ash grinned.
Bruno: "…"
"Snow…" Whitney muttered nervously. "Isn't that Natsume-sensei's specialty too?!"
"We'll do our best." Jasmine tied up her hair, smiling. "Amphy, let's give it our all~"
"Ampharos~~" Ampharos flicked its tail and let out a cheerful cry.
Let the battle begin.
Gold and Ambipom launched a catapult-style bombardment, cackling. "Aibo, Double Slap!"
"Ambipom!" Ambipom's twin tails furiously molded snowballs, pelting other contestants mercilessly.
Casualties mounted instantly. The poor girl Maylene collapsed into the snow, reaching out weakly.
"My bonus… gone…" Maylene 'flatlined'.
Natsume's expression was complicated.
"Why… is everyone so energetic?!"
Who would've thought Green's restaurant suggestion was her own stall—with meals decided by lottery?
Gold generously offered to pay for everything… only for Crystal to swoop in and actually cover the bill.
Though Natsume suspected the lunch boxes were expired—
Or was he just unlucky enough to draw the "Wallace Special"?
Snowballs flew relentlessly, but Natsume, using prediction and Rotom's Ally Switch, didn't lose a single point.
Other contestants stared in awe, as if watching Faker practice dodging.
"Seriously? Prediction in a snowball fight?!"
"You see Elite Four Bruno? He's using Karate Chop—my snowball got sliced in half!"
"That Pikachu looks weak… Let's go!"
"Rotom, switch." Natsume ordered. "Blastoise—"
"Make the world know pain!!"
BOOM!
Everyone turned toward the tremor—only to see Blastoise hoisting a gigantic snowball overhead, expression deadpan.
"HIT THE DECK!!"
"We're using slingshots, Gold's got a catapult… and now nukes?"
"Leader, what are you doing?! Leader!!"
KABOOM!
The screen whited out from snow. The 'carnage' left the audience gulping.
Ash lay in a snow crater, gripping Pikachu's paw. "G-Get up, Pikachu…!"
Pikachu clung to his cap. "Pika… chu…!"
"After… a brutal battle…" The commentator trembled before screaming:
"The champion is… Natsume!!"
Crowd: "OHHHHHHH!!!"
Natsume wiped sweat.
It's just a snowball fight… Why's it feel like the Crusades?!
Still, three gold medals meant the bonus was secure.
A red beam recalled Blastoise into its Dive Ball as Natsume vanished into the snowy haze…
...
Rewind over. Little Rotom's footage fast-forwarded to the award ceremony.
This time, the bonus was indeed substantial.
Since it was a sports competition, unlike the Trainer battles, it wouldn't stab Natsume in the back.
But after calculating, Natsume realized the bonus still wasn't enough to cover Blastoise's supplements…
"Tch…" Natsume-sensei sucked in a sharp breath.
Scammed. Absolutely scammed!
In the group photo, Natsume stood in the Champion's spot, flanked by Gold—who had one arm casually propped behind his head—and Ash, grinning widely.
Natsume vaguely recognized the three photographers as the Team Rocket trio in disguise.
"Let me get a shot of Pikachu, meow~"
"Hey, twerp, look over here."
Ash scratched his head and laughed. "Oh, sure!"
Natsume's eye twitched.
He just called you a twerp to your face. How do you not notice?!
Just how dense are you, Satoshi?!
"Natsume-sensei, are you heading home next?" Ash asked after the ceremony.
Natsume nodded. "What about you?"
"I'm gonna challenge the Sunyshore City Gym!" Ash said. "Miss Jasmine told me you can earn the Beacon Badge there!"
Natsume gave an indifferent "Hmm," not particularly concerned.
He only needed one more badge to complete his quest, but… it probably wouldn't be a big deal. Maybe.
...
After the closing ceremony, the crowd dispersed, still buzzing about yesterday's legendary showdown—Natsume-sensei vs. Bruno.
Bruno, arms loaded with boxes of steamed bun souvenirs, waved at Natsume from a distance before vanishing with his usual broad-shouldered swagger.
"If Bruno ever runs out of Rage Candy… that'd be tragic," Natsume mused.
It'd be like Oshawott losing its seashell, or Farfetch'd dropping its leek—utterly devastating!
"Guess I'll have to make Team Rocket open an online store." Natsume nodded slowly. "Keeps them out of trouble… and nets me a cut."
Now that's what you call a win-win!
At the merchant zone, Natsume pitched his idea to James and the others. Meowth's eyes lit up.
"Sounds like a solid plan, meow~!"
"But where would we set up the shop?" James wondered.
"Idiot, you've got mansions everywhere—just use one of those!" Jessie snapped.
Natsume's mood turned delicate.
Using a mansion as a warehouse…
That's like ordering takeout in a Rolls-Royce.
Before leaving, Green suggested a farewell dinner.
Gold scoffed, "Like I'd fall for that," before hopping onto Exbo and bolting.
Crystal sighed deeply and bowed.
"Sorry for Gold's behavior, Natsume-sensei."
"It's fine," Natsume said. "Just cost me some paper and pens."
"…Huh?" Crystal blinked.
After saying goodbye to Jasmine and the others—who were boarding Lt. Surge's S.S. Aqua back to Johto—Natsume headed for the nearest train station.
And with that, the matter was settled.
Yet the footage of Natsume's battle with Bruno kept gaining traction online, surpassing 2 million views.
Some fans predicted Natsume-sensei would enter the Lily of the Valley Conference… since its Champion could qualify for the Champion League and challenge Sinnoh's Elite Four.
"Bookmarking this. I'll come back to knife the prophet later!"
"Hold up. Someone who crushed Bruno entering a regional tournament? That's just unfair!"
"New fan spotted. Since when has Natsume-sensei ever played fair?!"
Natsume's mood soured as he closed his phone.
"At least the video'll drive traffic," he thought. "Should boost sales when Pokémon launches in May…"
Beyond that, the trip's real prize was Bruno's Hard Style.
Gazing at the sky, Natsume envisioned Sirfetch'd slicing through Kurt with a single strike, eyes sharp and cold—
The leek comes for all!
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
His phone vibrated again. A message from Bruno:
"Oh, right, Natsume-sensei. Lance sent me to Sinnoh to investigate Arceus's revival."
Natsume paused. "And?"
"So," Bruno continued, "you might need to prepare for battle… unless you've already got leads?"
Natsume's expression turned odd.
His lead? Palkia and Dialga were about to get wrecked by Giratina.
But Ash had been keeping his distance lately, so the plot shouldn't trigger yet.
"I'll keep an eye out," Natsume replied.
Closing the chat, he glanced at the train window. The empty compartment reflected only Gengar's grinning face.
"Gengar~"
Natsume: "...That's scary, Gengar!"
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