Vermilion Gym
"Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Ash accepted the Orange Badge with a grin. "I'll give it to Natsume-sensei when he needs it!"
Lt. Surge crossed his arms, satisfied.
Better Ash holds onto it now...
So the Mentor doesn't come kicking down my door right before the League starts.
Prevention over cure. He mentally patted himself on the back. Brilliant, Surge.
...
Vermilion Port
Natsume studied his new Insulated Gloves under the sunset's glow.
Black and red fingerless gloves—sturdy, tactical, yet stylish.
Different from Red's design.
Clearly, the System had customized them just for him.
"Pairs well with sportswear or a jacket... not bad."
The upgraded version's corrosion resistance meant:
Gengar could pre-charge Sludge Bomb
Poké Balls could double as stink bombs, flashbangs, even incendiaries...
Special Edition Trainers had unique ball techniques:
Bugsy's bug net
Yellow's fishing line
Gold's pool cue...
Natsume imagined himself donning a gas mask and hurling toxin-filled Poké Balls—
He shuddered.
"No... that's too dirty."
The ocean breeze carried the scent of salt as Natsume checked his badge count: [6/8].
Vermilion Gym went smoothly...
In high spirits, he ruffled Sylveon's fluff.
"Sylveon! o(≧д≦)o"*
Its ribbons whipped like windmill blades, thwacking Natsume's legs—
Lightly. Almost... pleasantly?
"Gengar, grab me a cola."
Natsume stared at the can. "...Not this brand."
"Gengar! (～￣▽￣)～" (Only got this.)
Ash jogged over, Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"Natsume-sensei! Sorry for the wait!"
"Oh... What did Lt. Surge tell you?" Natsume asked while chewing on a potato chip.
Ash opened his mouth—
Then remembered Lt. Surge's warning and shook his head. "Just... so we won't bother him when the League starts!"
Natsume blinked, confused but shrugged.
"Flight's soon. Anything else to do? We'll be gone a week."
Ash's eyes lit up.
...
Ramen Stall
Natsume deadpanned at the noodle shop. "Your urgent matter... was ramen?"
"Airport food sucks!" Ash slurped loudly. "Gotta fuel up before the flight!"
"Pikachuuu~!" Pikachu sucked up a noodle strand.
"No way I'm losing to you!" Ash challenged, initiating a noodle-slurping duel.
Natsume: "..."
Gengar, however, was fascinated by the chef's technique.
"Want a bowl?" the cook offered.
Gengar held up two fingers.
"Two bowls?"
"Gengar!" (Twenty bowls!)
...
"Gengar~(*⊙~⊙)" There was a pile of bowls next to Gengar.
"That's Snorlax-level appetite!" the owner gasped.
Natsume massaged his temples. "Ash, I'll cover yours too."
"Huh? You don't—"
"After twenty bowls, one more won't hurt."
"Doduo!" Togepi tipped face-first into its bowl, slurping until only its legs stuck out.
THUNK! The bowl trapped it. "Togepi!"
Pikachu, ever the big brother, freed it with a sigh.
"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ"
Patrons chuckled—until sirens wailed.
Outside, a Squirtle Squad stampeded toward them.
"Why does this feel familiar?" Natsume muttered.
Even the usually unflappable Squirtle tensed.
Officer Jenny skidded to a stop. "Apologies! These Squirtle are here for fire drills. They heard their old Trainer was nearby."
Ash rushed out, noodles still in hand. "Squirtle!"
"Squirtle!" The squad leader leapt into Ash's arms.
But when the squad noticed Natsume's Squirtle, silence fell.
This one... might be stronger than their boss.
The leader eyed the stoic 'prodigy'—
A bead of sweat rolled down its forehead.
Even the Blastoise Island overlord paled in comparison.
"Squirtle. ヾ(■_■)"
A nod.
Its Everstone cracked.
Squirtle Squad: Σ(°△°|||)︴
TOO INTIMIDATING!
They hoisted their leader and fled.
Ash watched wistfully. "You could recall it from Jenny," Natsume said.
"Squirtle's happy with its squad," Ash insisted.
Jenny lingered, blushing. "Um... Natsume-sensei? Could I... get an autograph?"
Ash's jaw dropped.
Natsume-sensei's popularity even extends to Jennys?!
On the Flight
"Goodnight." Natsume pulled on his sleep mask. "I'll wake you at dawn."
Ash buckled in. "How long to Cameran Palace?"
Natsume froze.
Cameran Palace...
Wait—that's from Lucario and the Mystery of Mew!
Ash tilted his head as Natsume unbuckled. "Where are you going?"
"Asking the stewardess..."
"If it's too late to disembark."
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