The rampaging energy gradually calmed, transforming into black and red particles swirling around the red-and-white Poké Ball-shaped Rotom.
Yet its size kept expanding wildly.
By the time it stopped growing, the red-and-white Poké Ball Rotom was nearly as large as Mount Moon's peak!
Natsume glanced up at the sky. He seemed to finally understand why the Clefairy had started worshipping his Rotom as the Moon God.
From their perspective, the red-and-white colors resembled the moon hanging overhead.
"Natsume!" Lance's stern voice cut through the air.
"Let's keep going. Rotom told me the energy inside him needs to be released."
"Alright!" Lance didn't hold back, sending out all his Pokémon at once.
"Go, Dragonair, Aerodactyl, Salamence!"
"Attack with full force!"
"Rotom, use G-Max Oblivion Orb!"
Fwsh!
In an instant, a massive beam of light spread outward, so vast it engulfed the entire Mount Moon area.
The color was being drained from Mount Moon.
Fwsh!
As the grayish-white lightwave retracted, both Dragonite and Salamence were gone.
"Hold on, how did it hit two targets? And didn't you say that move was out of PP?!"
"Yeah, but Dynamaxing seems to have powered up all of Rotom's moves. It even restored some PP to Oblivion Orb."
Upon hearing this, Lance felt like his entire worldview had been shattered.
If Natsume had brought even a few more Pokémon, he'd have been completely swept.
...Then again, not necessarily. That Rotom's Speed stat is low. As long as Natsume didn't have Trick Room, he still had a shot at winning.
Fwsh!
A moment later, the unconscious Dragonite and Salamence were released.
"Clef~!"
Behind them, the Clefairy also seemed to be running out of energy. The Dynamax Rotom began shrinking, eventually returning to its normal form.
"You okay, Rotom?"
Natsume picked up Rotom, who had emerged from his custom Poké Ball.
Using Dynamax without a Dynamax Band was incredibly dangerous.
Even with one, Dynamax can only be sustained for a short time. Any longer and it could be life-threatening.
"Natsume! Is Rotom alright?"
Ash and the others came rushing over.
"Don't worry. He's just tired. He just needs some rest."
Saying this, Natsume returned Rotom into his Rotom Phone.
"That red-and-white Poké Ball Rotom of yours was already busted enough. Now it's got Dynamax buffs too?"
Lance's helpless voice rang out nearby.
"If I'm not wrong, Oblivion Orb doesn't just hit two targets—it also actively drains the trapped Pokémon's stamina, right?"
Natsume nodded silently.
"That kind of move is just..."
Lance wanted to curse, but his good upbringing held him back.
Natsume simply chuckled.
It wasn't just Oblivion Orb—his other moves like Curse Orb had also gained power after Dynamaxing, along with a slight PP boost.
Natsume shook his head slightly, gave Lance a thumbs-up, and declared the outcome of the battle:
"Lance is slightly falling behind. Lance is struggling. Lance's last reserves are crumbling. Lance, please share your acceptance speech!"
Natsume even used Synchronization, with no regard for tact.
Lance: "..."
Acceptance speech? Can I just cuss you out?
Keep your composure. Don't get mad. Keep your composure...
Lance took a deep breath, repeating the mantra in his head.
"Natsume-senpai! There really are Dynamax particles underground!"
Nearby, Shoko and a group of researchers came running over.
That enormous orb in the sky had long drawn their attention.
"Mhm... It seems the Clefairy's psychic power acted as a medium, bonding to Rotom."
Natsume thought for a moment and suggested:
"Let's wait for Professor Oak to arrive. He went to Galar a few days ago to invite Professor Magnolia. He should be here by tomorrow."
The Next Day – Mount Moon Peak
"So this is the Dynamaxed Rotom?"
In a resting area, an elderly woman wearing a lab coat, with chestnut-brown hair, glasses, and an air of calm wisdom, was carefully watching a video.
The footage showed the full battle scene of Dynamaxed Rotom, recorded by the staff.
"Well, Professor Magnolia? See anything interesting?"
Professor Oak's cheerful face peeked out from behind her.
"I see a lot. That boy's new Rotom form has been raised quite well."
"Ehh, I meant—did you notice anything about the Dynamax process?"
Oak corrected himself.
"Hmph. You think Dynamax research can be figured out in just a day?"
Professor Magnolia clearly held a grudge.
She hadn't even finished her own work before Oak dragged her here.
Behind them, Natsume, Ash, Lance, and the others quietly waited.
"Hey, you over there."
Professor Magnolia suddenly turned around.
"Ah? You mean me?"
Shoko stepped forward, confused.
"Not you."
She used her cane to push Shoko aside and walked straight up to Natsume.
"I meant you. You're Natsume, right?"
Leaning on her cane, Magnolia circled Natsume, observing him thoroughly and nodding now and then.
"Good. Very good. To accomplish all this at your age—and a researcher, too!"
She handed Natsume a business card.
"Hey hey hey! Don't go poaching talent right in front of me!"
Professor Oak suddenly squeezed in.
Natsume took the card and froze.
The photo on it showed a youthful girl with bright orange hair and emerald green eyes—just like Professor Magnolia.
"Whoa, Professor Magnolia, you edited your photo?"
Ash spoke up curiously, and a second later got bopped on the head with her cane.
"Hmph! Look carefully. That's my granddaughter, Sonia."
She then looked at Natsume with grandmotherly warmth:
"She's a researcher too. You two should connect sometime."
Sonia...
Natsume searched his memory and recalled her details.
Sonia—the childhood friend of Leon, Champion of the Galar region.
She was often caught up in the dynamic between Leon and Raihan—though thanks to Leon, the trio got along pretty well.
Natsume pondered for a moment and then nodded earnestly:
"Absolutely, Professor Magnolia. When I visit Galar, I'll definitely keep in close contact with your granddaughter."
If memory served, Sonia was one of the rare researchers who later became a Pokémon Professor.
Such a top-tier... laborer... talent—Natsume was definitely planning to recruit her.
Seeing Natsume respectfully pocket the card, Professor Magnolia smiled.
"Oh, Natsume, here's the Dynamax Band you asked me to make. I was short on time, but I managed to make eight for you."
She took a large box from her assistant and handed it over.
Inside lay eight finely-crafted Dynamax Bands.
The eight Wishing Stars Natsume had sent were probably just enough to make these. With losses factored in, he might've only gotten six.
But Magnolia gave him eight—and didn't even charge him.
"Thank you, Professor Magnolia."
Natsume bowed deeply.
Yep, the grandma's a good person. Her granddaughter is probably easy to trick—ahem, I mean, reliable and hardworking.