March 19th, Friday.
Viridian City, Viridian Forest.
"Follow the streams through the forest, and we'll reach Pallet Town."
Ash led the way, speaking with familiar pride.
"Took Pikachu and me just half a day to cross it back then!"
"Pikachu..." Pikachu drooped its ears with a resigned sigh.
Natsume also vaguely recalled the story, his expression complicated.
"Walked" his way through?
More like jumped into a river to escape a swarm of Spearow and washed up in Viridian City!
"Gengar~"
Gengar levitated beside Natsume, occasionally floating up to tree branches to pull faces at the Caterpie.
"Sss~" A Caterpie lazily glanced at Gengar.
Then—it spat a weak burst of electrical currents, hitting Gengar square in the face!
[Caterpie] used Electroweb!
The damage was negligible. Gengar rubbed its face: "Gengar~"
Natsume shot it a look.
"Stop messing around, unless you want its dad to show up!"
"Gengar~"
Gengar obediently floated back, red eyes narrowing into slits as it grinned toothily.
The forest sunlight was warm and comforting, the streams murmuring softly.
At a fork in the path, James scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Natsume-sensei, I think I'll head home first..."
Natsume nodded. "Something urgent?"
"Since we're back in Kanto... I want to see Growlie."
Growlie was the Growlithe James had raised since childhood—their bond ran deep.
"Meowth's goin' with James too, meow!"
Meowth slung an arm over James' shoulder, swinging it dramatically.
If they ran into James' fiancée, Meowth would back him up!
"Both of you?" Jessie blinked, then crossed her arms. "Guess I'll hit up the Secret Base, then!"
"Secret Base?"
"Idiot! James' place is our Team Rocket HQ in Kanto!"
Natsume couldn't help feeling envious.
Rich kid James really had mansions everywhere!
"No problem. There are only a couple of scenes—I'll call you when needed."
The main goal was still getting Professor Oak on camera.
Witnessing Ash's reunion with Pidgeot would fulfill a long-held wish of Natsume's.
"Later, twerp! And Pikachu!"
At the fork, Meowth waved at Ash.
Ash blinked, then grinned, raising his hand high.
"See ya! Let's head back to Sinnoh together later!"
...
Exiting Viridian Forest, the view opened up—Pallet Town was just ahead.
Standing on the high slope, the pristine small town stretched below, lifting their spirits.
Natsume and Ash arrived at Oak Research Institute.
Crystal, wearing her round hat, greeted them at the entrance with a smile.
"Welcome, Natsume-sensei and Ash! Professor Oak's expecting you!"
"Is Master Blue here too?" Ash asked.
Crystal nodded.
"Awesome!" Ash pumped his fist. "I can ask him for aerial battle tips!"
Natsume looked mildly exasperated.
"You want Blue Oak as your opponent for the aerial battle scene?"
"Eh, is that bad?"
"No... I just don't want Pidgeot to question its life choices right after coming back."
Reunited after months (or years?), and your first move is to throw it against a Champion?
What kind of grudge is this?!
"Master Blue won't go too hard!" Ash scratched his head, grinning. "Besides, that Tailwind strategy was something you and him taught me!"
I'd almost forgotten about that...
Then again, reckless "Tailwind rush" tactics suited Ash's "regional bird master" style perfectly.
Crystal smiled. "Senior Blue also has a Pidgeot. I'm sure he can share some pointers for the one in the backyard."
Ash's eyes lit up. "I can see Pidgeot now?"
Professor Oak's backyard was vast.
If Pidgeot was off challenging Fearow flocks, finding it could take all day.
"Of course! Senior Blue's been taking care of it!"
Crystal turned to lead the way.
"Let's go meet Professor Oak first!"
Inside the institute, Samuel Oak in his white lab coat was discussing this year's research conference with Blue.
"Professor Kukui from Alola seems to have made a breakthrough on Z-Moves."
Professor Oak sipped his coffee. "This year's presentations should be extraordinary."
"Professor Kukui..." Blue mused. "He's a strong trainer himself—challenged Lance once."
"Oh?" Professor Oak perked up. "And?"
"He beat the other contenders but lost to Lance."
Professor Oak chuckled. "Ha! Makes me want to spar with the young man too!"
Blue sighed—then a knock interrupted them. "I'll get it."
"Professor Oak! Master Blue!"
Ash burst in, grinning. "I'm here to pick up my Pidgeot!"
Professor Oak took a moment to process before smiling.
"I'd almost thought you forgot about it. Don't worry, we'll take you to it soon."
Natsume followed Ash in, exchanging a look with Blue. "Senior Blue, long time no see."
Having heard about the Snowpoint Temple incident, Blue's gaze held newfound respect.
"Just Blue is fine, Natsume-sensei."
Natsume blinked.
Are we doing the "you call me this, I'll call you that" thing now?
"Master Blue!" Ash turned, eyes burning. "Battle me in the skies later!"
Natsume & Professor Oak: ???
Did you catch something from Gold? That's way too bold!
Then again... challenging everyone was classic Ash.
Blue was also taken aback by the audacity. He crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Fine."
That trademark Champion Blue smirk—confident, borderline arrogant.
"Show me how much you've grown!"
...
In the forest of Professor Oak's backyard...
"Pidgeot—!"
The magnificent, feathered Pidgeot saw its long-lost Trainer and couldn't hold back its tears.
After all this time... have you finally finished your business?
"Long time no see, Pidgeot."
Ash stroked Pidgeot's broad wings, his eyes burning with determination.
"Lend me your strength! Let's give it our all in the upcoming battle!"
"Pidgeot!!"
Pidgeot cried out to the sky, flapping its wings, its long crest shimmering with golden light.
All this time in Professor Oak's backyard... I never slacked in my training!
Whoever dares challenge me... I'll end them!
Natsume watched the reunion with quiet emotion.
If Pidgeot knew who its opponent would be... it might cry itself dry.
"Just one line for me?"
Professor Oak rubbed his chin, checking the MV script.
Natsume nodded. "The focus is Ash's aerial battle... and challenging Blue Oak fits the 'final boss' theme from the games."
"Ah, the match where Red defeated Blue."
Professor Oak chuckled. "That was truly spectacular!"
Whether in games or manga, Red and Blue's rivalry was legendary.
Natsume looked up at the sky.
In Movie 20, a loner Ash—losing Gary as a rival but gaining Blue as a mentor—
Might grow even stronger.
"Let me... see, ahem!"
Professor Oak cleared his throat dramatically, testing the line:
"That's how it's s'posed to be (sore ga sa)?!"
Natsume laughed. "Perfect!"
Encouraged, Professor Oak grinned. "If this wasn't promoting the Pokédex, I wouldn't bother helping you!"
The old man's life work—the Pokédex—existed to help people understand Pokémon, preventing harm and prejudice.
Appearing on Miss Mary's shows, giving lectures, writing Pokémon senryū... all for that cause.
"Activating recording mode, Rotom!"
As Rotom (in Camera Form) started filming...
Ash and Blue's battle erupted nearby.
Blue borrowed one of Crystal's Fearow—slightly weaker, yet still dominating effortlessly.
"Pidgeot!!"
Pidgeot and Fearow clashed midair, the intense dogfight perfect for footage.
"Use Tailwind!" Ash and Blue shouted simultaneously, locking eyes—and smirking.
For a moment, Blue almost saw a red-jacketed figure superimposed over Ash...
"OK! Wrapped, Rotom!" Rotom chirped, spinning happily.
A red beam recalled Fearow as Blue's expression sharpened. "Time to get serious, Ash."
"Eh?" Ash blinked.
"Go, Pidgeot!" One of Blue's main team.
"Pidgeot!" This Pidgeot had a scar, eyeing Ash's with a "come at me" glare.
Ash's Pidgeot shrank back, tears welling.
You want me to fight THIS?!
First day back, and you throw me against a monster?!
Ash... have you no heart?!
...
Next day.
With cameos from Joy, Jenny, and other familiar faces, MV progress skyrocketed.
"You've been so kind to my Ash!"
The lovely Delia pulled Ash along, bowing to Natsume.
"Not at all—Ash has helped me plenty too."
Mainly by punching Regigigas, but details.
"Please visit sometime! Mr. Mime would love to see you~" Delia smiled warmly.
Politely declining (with upcoming promotions to handle), Natsume returned to Oak's backyard—
Where Ash was pestering Blue for aerial combat tips.
Exasperated, Blue sent out Alakazam to lecture Ash via Telepathy.
Natsume was impressed.
Typical Blue Oak!
Not just having Pokémon run his gym—now they teach classes too!
(In the manga, Blue once had Porygon hack computers to grow berries faster...)
Was this man the king of unorthodox strategies?
"Gengar!" Gengar watched eagerly, taking notes.
Filming focused on Pallet Town and Viridian City locales.
Like the original opening, Pidgeot rejoined Ash's team for a dazzling aerial battle.
(The subsequent beatdown by Blue's Pidgeot was left on the cutting room floor.)
The final shot showed Ash raising a Poké Ball—symbolizing his journey to become a Pokémon Master...
"What a nice feelin', meow!" Meowth's review of the final cut.
"Hey, we're in it too!" Jessie and James grinned at their screen cameos. "Team Rocket's white uniforms look sharp!"
"Aren't they usually black?" Natsume asked.
"We customized 'em! That's why HQ never approved, meow."
Your DIY skills are terrifying.
With filming wrapped, Natsume's brief Kanto trip concluded.
In the chat group, Gold announced he'd drag Silver along for the "wrap party."
"Celebration feast?" Brock sighed. "Wish I could join, but the gym and siblings need me."
"Classes just started here." Erika apologized. "Perhaps next time..."
Natsume: "There'll be other chances."
Missing this might be a blessing in disguise...
...
Capitalizing on fan hype, Natsume sent the final video to Oleana for upload on Pokémon Company's site.
Within hours, views surpassed 1 million—climbing rapidly.
"Pokémon Company's first MV actually got Professor Oak?!"
"BLUE OAK APPEARANCE! HYPE TRAIN!!"
Despite losing to Red, Blue's arrogant charm and looks gave him cross-regional appeal.
Professor Oak AND a former Champion in one video?
"How is this startup so connected?!"
"Natsume-sensei wrote/composed this too?! Leave some talent for others!"
"PSA: Pokémon Company is actually a music label."
That night, Poison Note's lead singer Roxie reposted it, captioning:
"Next time, I'll win! @Natsume-sensei, dinner still on?"
Fans piled into the comments, fueling the buzz.
"Poison Note did the bgm? Elite collab!"
"Was there—Natsume-sensei wrecked Leader Roxie. Dirty tactics king!"
"Who says it's about battling? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)"
But one Leader's repost was just the start.
Galar's internet exploded when Champion Leon shared it.
"GALAR'S CHAMPION ENDORSED THIS?!"
"Leon, how much is Natsume-sensei paying you?!"
"Leon: Ad revenue? My specialty!"
Leon stroked his beard, golden eyes crinkling at the screen.
Sure, he did sponsorships... occasionally.
Natsume-sensei never explicitly asked.
But for Natsume-sensei's company? A Champion's duty!
Leon's share sent the MV trending—until something eclipsed it entirely.
Cynthia's long-dormant account (10M+ followers) reposted it.
Her last post? Promoting Pokémon Company's Plants vs. Zombies.
"CYNTHIA'S ACCOUNT LIVES?!"
"SINNOH CHAMPION DOING ADS? END OF AN ERA!"
"Both posts are Pokémon Company ads... what's their relationship?!"
"Leon can do ads but Cynthia can't? Double standards!"
Three Champions—Blue, Leon, Cynthia—backing one MV.
When Pokémon officially launched, the hype would be unimaginable.
And the song itself—"Aim to Be a Pokémon Master!"—struck a chord.
With Pokémon by their side... even impossible dreams felt within reach.
...
Galar Hospital.
John, Galar's "One-Day Champion," had improved after chemotherapy.
The door slid open—Leon strode in, cape billowing.
"Mr. Leon!" John tried sitting up.
"At ease." Leon sat, peeling an apple. "Want one?"
John shook his head.
"More for me!" Leon crunched into it, playing the MV on his phone.
"I think Natsume-sensei would want you to hear this."
John put on headphones. Sunlight streamed through white curtains as Rookidee chirped outside.
Finally, he handed the phone back, smiling.
"Thank you, Mr. Leon!"
Leon noted his tear tracks. "Not thanking Natsume-sensei?"
John wiped his eyes, nodding fiercely.
"I'll become a Pokémon Trainer."
"My dream is to be a Pokémon Master!"
Leon grinned, swirling his cape dramatically.
"Then challenge me when you're ready!"
"Mm!" John beamed.
Gazing at the blue skies outside, Leon smiled softly.
Thank you... Natsume-sensei.