Night fell over the snow-covered streets of Snowpoint City.
Piles of shoveled snow lined the roads, while fresh flakes continued to drift down, blending with the neon glow of the city's buildings.
"Doesn't look like there are any restaurants around here?" Ash glanced around.
"I am one of Sinnoh's Elite Four, you know."
The self-proclaimed "know-it-all" Lucian adjusted his glasses, the lenses flashing white. "With me leading the way, you've got nothing to worry about!"
"But… we're getting farther from town," Ash pointed out.
"Nani?! The guidebook says it should be right here!" Lucian frantically flipped through the travel handbook tucked between his book's pages.
"That's the old town's guidebook, isn't it…?"
Natsume wiped his brow, then looked up. "Little Rotom, navigate us to the nearest star-rated restaurant."
Lucian stiffened. "S-Star-rated restaurant?!"
Ash grinned. "Senior Lucian's treating? So generous!"
"Hah… It's nothing, really!"
"Rotom Dex, at your service!" Rotom floated ahead, its mechanical arms swaying lazily.
"So cool!"
Ash's eyes sparkled. "Rotom's functions are amazing!"
Rotom, which had been reluctant earlier, now turned around, arms crossed proudly.
"I hold an F1 racing license, a pilot's license, and possess records of over ten thousand detective cases… They call me the Washing Machine of Justi— Mmph!"
Natsume clamped a hand over Rotom's screen, sighing.
"Don't go spouting chuuni lines in front of people!"
A question mark popped up on Rotom's display as it humbly sought advice.
"Then how should I introduce myself, Rotom?"
Natsume pushed up an imaginary pair of glasses with his middle finger, coolly declaring:
"You should say it with more spirit. Something like—"
"Shout my name with pride—"
"ROTOM!!" Ash jumped up, punching the air excitedly.
"Oho, not bad."
Natsume gave Ash an approving high-five.
"Ooooh, new dialogue unlocked, Rotom!" Rotom waved its mechanical arms in excitement.
Lucian walked between them, his face darkening.
If you spend too much time around idiots… you'll catch it too.
Doing something this childish in the middle of the street—
"Your turn, Lucian."
Natsume and Ash both turned to stare at him.
"Uh…" Lucian took a step back, stiffly adjusting his glasses.
"I-I am Lucian, the Psychic-type Elite Four member of Sinnoh!"
"Eh? That's so old-fashioned." Ash waved a hand dismissively before walking ahead, Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"Yeah, might as well flip open a book and cheer for Gengar at this point."
Natsume and Ash strode off side by side, leaving Lucian standing alone in the snow.
Flakes drifted down, settling on the shoulders of his burgundy suit, his hair slowly turning white from the snowfall.
Lucian gazed up at the sky.
Snow falls, the north wind howls…
"It's too much… Overtime and paying for dinner?! Too much! (╥﹏╥)"
...
Lily of the Valley Island – Sinnoh League
Under the cover of night, the lighthouse's beam swept across the calm sea.
A red-haired man soared through the sky atop his Dragonite, his Champion's cape billowing behind him.
This trip to the Sinnoh League was to finalize the aftermath of the "Pokémon Hunter Incident."
Lance's inspectors had successfully apprehended Pokémon Hunter J.
But according to Officer Jenny's report—
It was a sharp-eyed Sirfetch'd that had delivered Hunter J, trussed up like a rice dumpling, straight to the police.
That level of efficiency, combined with the unmistakable Sirfetch'd…
There was no doubt—Natsume-sensei was involved.
Lost in thought, Lance arrived at the Sinnoh League, where he was greeted by Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Lance."
The golden-haired beauty, clad in a black coat with a hair ornament, rested a hand on her hip and smiled. "I'll handle the rest from here."
Lance nodded, arms crossed as he stroked his chin.
"By the way, Pokémon Hunter J was actually taken down by Natsume-sensei."
"Natsume-sensei?" A flicker of concern passed through Cynthia's dark gray eyes. "Why was he involved?"
"Dealing with Sinnoh's poaching syndicates was part of the plan he proposed to me."
Lance mused. "Perhaps… he went alone because he heard Hunter J had escaped."
Cynthia blinked.
"And… how is he?"
"Hunter J's already in custody."
"I meant Natsume."
Lance paused.
Now we're double-serving the dog food, huh?
He scratched his red hair.
"You should ask him yourself…"
"But knowing him, he must've had a reason to go alone."
Lance recalled Natsume's words about "justice" and "hypocrisy."
In the end, staying true to my own convictions is justice in itself.
Thinking of Natsume-sensei—who never hesitated—Lance felt a pang of envy.
"Because he's Natsume-sensei. The kind of man people admire."
Cynthia's gaze softened.
"A reason, huh…"
"Exactly."
Lance grinned. "One of those 'I had to do it' reasons."
"I see."
A faint smile curled Cynthia's lips, her golden hair veiling her crescent-moon eyes.
"If you don't mind, why not rest at the League for a day before heading back, Mr. Lance?"
"Can't. Got overtime waiting for me in Kanto."
The red-haired man sighed, then raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, right. I originally assigned this to Elite Four Lucian…"
"But since Natsume-sensei handled it, I guess Lucian doesn't need that time off anymore."
"Perfect." Cynthia nodded sweetly. "I just so happen to have some work for him too."
Lance hesitated.
"Mind if I ask something?"
Cynthia stiffened slightly, clearing her throat as she averted her eyes.
"G-Go ahead."
"Any plans to reward Natsume-sensei?"
Lance tilted his head. "Taking down a long-standing poacher leader is Champion-level work, isn't it?"
As Kanto's Champion, Lance had once single-handedly investigated the Red Gyarados incident at Lake of Rage.
Hoenn's seemingly "irresponsible" Champion, Steven, had personally confronted both Team Magma and Aqua.
And now, Natsume-sensei hadn't just provided the League with invaluable strategic insight—
He'd also risked his life to capture the poacher leader in the wild.
Even Lance, the "Dragon's Messenger of Justice," had to admit:
Sure, Natsume-sensei was a little shady, loved stomping low-tier battles, and had a thing for Baby Cups…
But when it came to Champion-level charisma?
He was the real deal.
"A reward?"
Cynthia tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Oh, right. I can give Natsume rewards…"
Lance gave her a strange look.
"While it is a major accomplishment, let's not play favorites!"
"Relax." Cynthia smiled. "It'll all be within League regulations."
Lance's expression turned complicated as he coughed into his fist.
If there were no regulations, you'd probably empty the Sinnoh League for him, wouldn't you?!
Is this… the legendary sugar mommy treatment?!
Even the ever-stoic Lance couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
All I've got is a whip-cracking cousin—Blackthorn's Dragon-type Leader, Clair.
She used to be so cute as a kid!
With a deep sigh, the red-haired man turned, his cape flaring dramatically.
"Until next time, Champion Cynthia."
"Take care."
Cynthia watched Dragonite soar into the night sky, one hand resting on her chin.
Her deep gray eyes shimmered with quiet contemplation.
He faced the poachers alone…
For a reason he couldn't ignore?
Unconsciously, her lips curved into a smile as she turned back toward the League, steps light.
"Such a big achievement has to be reported!"
"But what to give… Blastoise could use a Mystic Water, Sirfetch'd loves Miracle Seeds…"
"Ah, Gengar's blanket needs replacing too…"
"So hard to choose…" Cynthia frowned, then suddenly brightened.
Then why choose at all?
Just submit everything to the League—one of each for all his little ones!
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