Chapter 0828: Caitlin: I Can’t Win, But I’ll Give It My All(Two-in-One)

Shortly after Natsume-sensei’s ranked match with Flint ended, Hammerlocke Arena posted a notice: closed for repairs.

Exiting through the back corridors of the arena—

Natsume brushed past a vaguely familiar-looking man and glanced back.

The man was wearing a construction helmet, a Copperajah beside him, leading a crew of workers at a hurried pace.

“Gengar?” Gengar floated up, waving a stubby hand in front of Natsume.

“It’s nothing.” Natsume coughed awkwardly. “I think we just unlocked the last regional form…”

Rotom had already slipped back into the Pokédex and was now hovering with mechanical arms, cheerfully announcing,

“I’m the Renovation Captain: Galar Form, Rotom!”

“Rotom, mute mode please. Oh, and help me match my next ranked opponent, will you? Thanks~”

“Beep… Copy that, Rotom~ (⊙x⊙;)”

After this ranked match, Natsume’s legendary Pokémon, Latias, had sparked intense forum debates.

As the first legendary to appear in the World Championship, Latias had even pulled off her Mega Form.

Legendary Pokémon using Mega Evolution—it blew casual viewers’ minds.

More and more people began to believe: humans really could forge a bond with any Pokémon!

Just like Tobias at Lily of the Valley Conference.

Natsume earned the new nickname “Divine Beast Man,” and his battle style was the talk of the town.

“Natsume-sensei is so dark—like, oil-slick dark.”

“I get it: if you ever face Natsume-sensei, just go for self-destruct or kamikaze the second you can!”

“And then Natsume-sensei responds with a Damp Quagsire, a Luvdisc, or a Shedinja… total agony, LOL.”

“As long as I forfeit fast enough, he can’t cheese me!”

Every Trainer has their own strategy system and battle style.

Like Ash’s way: all tactics are just setups for going straight in your face.

Natsume, known as “the Strategist,” could be summed up in a word—solid.

That afternoon, there was supposed to be another ranked match between Korrina and Bea.

But since the arena was closed for repairs, their battle was postponed, so they went to challenge the Hammerlocke Battle Café together instead.

At Battle Café, if you can beat the shopkeeper, you eat for free.

With two genius martial artists showing up together… Natsume-sensei privately mourned for the café—they were totally here to eat them out of house and home!

Man, I wish they’d take me along!

This time, Flint came to Galar traveling with Volkner; after the match, he rushed back to Sinnoh, saying he wanted to work on some doubles tactics for the upcoming “Battle Section.”

Natsume knew well—Flint and Volkner were partners-in-crime in Sinnoh’s Battle Facilities, always teaming up for doubles matches.

Fishing for easy wins—that’s their thing.

That afternoon, Bea and Korrina went to the café. They also sent an invitation to Hammerlocke’s local Champion.

Not Leon or Natsume-sensei—no, it was Champion Cynthia. They both knew Mrs. Sensei had a thing for ice cream, and wanted to use this as a chance to get close to her.

Bea herself loved sweets… though she stayed disciplined in training, once relaxed, she’d binge without hesitation.

Natsume-sensei didn’t join in on the girls’ tea party, strolling solo through Hammerlocke’s city gates, gazing out over the lush green Galar Wild Zone.

The gates themselves were built atop part of the ancient wall, featuring the gaping maw of a giant dragon. Natsume was just standing in its mouth.

“Meloetta~”

Under the sunny afternoon rays, Meloetta picked a leaf, sitting on Natsume’s shoulder, legs swinging as she played a gentle tune on her leaf whistle.

“Gengar~” Chubby Gengar stood next to Natsume, eyes squeezed in blissful contentment, mouth stretched in a happy grin.

“Sylveon~”

Sylveon looked around at the crowd of wild Pokémon, a sparkle in her eye. A towering Copperajah, sweating nervously, quickly hurried away.

Natsume thought about fishing at Outrage Lake—if he got lucky, maybe he’d meet a Milotic.

Suddenly, the Rotom Phone in his pocket vibrated.

“Beep… Match found for a ranked battle, Rotom!”

“That fast?” Natsume blinked. “It’s a group member, isn’t it?”

“Searching… Confirmed. Your opponent is Unova League Psychic-type Elite Four: Caitlin, Rotom!”

Natsume froze for a second.

It really was Caitlin!

This felt just like his “Ranking Up Journey” from Pokémon: Battle—replaying now in the World Tournament!

Caitlin had extraordinary psychic powers—so much so that even after years of training, she could still accidentally demolish a castle if things got out of hand. She was one of the true standouts of the Elite Four, currently ranked 17th in the world. If she won just one more match, she’d make a run at the Eight Masters.

And now—she’d matched with me, ranked 57.

Natsume flicked open his phone and scrolled through the group chat to see what those loveable nutjobs were chattering about now.

Misty: “@Lorelei, want to go train on Seafoam Islands this weekend, Sister Lorelei?”

Lorelei: “Uh… I’ve got a worldwide ranked match scheduled on Sevii Islands this weekend, probably can’t go.”

Misty: “Ah, I’m also competing this season—let’s have a friendly battle soon!”

Lorelei: “Haha, I’d like that.”

Gold nodded. “Misty’s Red’s generation, so one above me. Lorelei’s Red’s senior. So if Misty calls her ‘Sister,’ then I should call her…”

[Group member ‘Natsume-sensei’ muted ‘Gold’ for one hour.]

A big exclamation mark popped up over Gold’s head.

What the—are you psychic or something?!

Natsume wiped away a nervous bead of sweat.

This is called a “precautionary mute”—because if Auntie Lorelei actually pulls out her “Mr. Rime,” even ‘The Battler’ can’t do anything about it!

“Shoot for the top 16,” Lance said coolly. “Only the top 16 get into elimination rounds and have a shot at the World Champion title.”

Iris: “I’ll do my best! ”

Flint sighed. “Dang, losing to Natsume-sensei just put me even farther from top 16.”

Aaron, his green cowlick bobbing, mused, “I wanna collect some specimens in the forest, but I also wanna do ranked battles—so conflicted!”

Lucian: “…”

Catching specimens… You and Flint will both end up as museum exhibits at this rate.

Ash scratched his head. “I’m still in Alola prepping for the League… but I’ll make it for the end of the season, haha.”

Wallace: “@Leon, do you have the next ranked battle schedule? I’m worried my matches will overlap with the Wallace Cup.”

Ruby, surprised: “Master, since when do you compete?”

Wallace laughed, “I’ve been at it for a while. But with the contests being so glamorous, I hardly ever show up… Still, Steven and I both signed up together.”

Leon: “Hold on a sec.”

After a while, Leon posted: “Ultra Ball’s next match is Bea vs. Korrina, then Volkner vs. Fantina… and finally a newly matched duel—”

“Natsume-sensei vs. Caitlin.”

Leon smiled. “Friendly matches between group members as usual.”

Caitlin finally appeared, sending a sleepy “cat face” emoji.

It’s hard to get matches at Ultra Ball tier—Caitlin had queued all night and only got in by afternoon.

She’d just woken from her nap when her phone buzzed—her brain felt like mush.

At this very moment—

Caitlin stared blankly at her phone, gripping it tight.

A match with Natsume?

Hmm… I have to make sure he suffers!

Boom!!

Her phone smoked in her hand, but Caitlin just looked on sleepily.

She calmly hit the bedside intercom, summoning her butler Darach, and said:

“Darach, my phone exploded again.”

“Understood. I’ll bring a new one right up.” Darach’s voice came through, helpless. “Young Lady, Miss Cynthia already accepted Natsume-sensei’s proposal. It’s time for you to come to terms with reality…”

Boom!!

Darach glanced up at the ceiling—another loud explosion echoed above.

Caitlin said, “The TV just exploded too.”

Darach: “Young Lady…”

Crrrrrack!!

The top of Battle Castle rattled with a thunderous blast, leaving a huge, round hole.

Caitlin: “Mmm… now the ceiling’s gone.”

Darach wiped anxious sweat away.

Young Lady was awfully attached to Champion Cynthia—after all, Cynthia was both her friend and lifelong rival.

Though she’d accepted Cynthia and Natsume-sensei’s engagement, sometimes, like now, her powers would spiral out of control…

Darach looked up and whispered:

“Just another day at world-destroying power levels…”

……

Sinnoh Region, Canalave City.

A humble home.

Dim incandescent lights glowed inside, the TV softly playing, giving the room an eerie vibe.

But what was truly wild—it held a Mega Houndoom and a Mega Latias.

Blue-white Latios was watching TV—on the screen, his sister’s heroic form filled him with pride.

My sister… she’s grown up!

She even has a Soul Dew and a Mega Stone!

But…

Latios, face full of complicated feelings, glanced at the long-haired man with the dark-red cape at the wooden table.

Without comparison, there’s no heartache.

“Trust me, Darkrai.”

The man—Tobias—faced Darkrai solemnly, voice rasping,

“If you and I team up, we can take the World Tournament trophy—no sweat!”

A strange glint passed through Darkrai’s eye.

“That guy’s Charizard… is insanely dangerous.”

“I know.” Tobias frowned. “That’s a one-of-a-kind, globally unique monster. Seriously tough.”

Darkrai raised an eyebrow.

One of a kind, globally unique—Yeah, that could only be Leon’s Charizard.

“Even if you beat him,” Darkrai replied, “what’s your plan for Natsume-sensei?”

Tobias’s unruly hair framed his eyes as they flashed. “ Natsume-sensei… isn’t entering this World Tournament.”

Darkrai looked stunned. “Says who? He’s literally on TV right now.”

Tobias looked at the set; Latios slid over, revealing the sight of Latias in her glory.

“That’s the World Tournament,” Tobias said, correcting his pronunciation. “I meant the PTCG World Championship.”

Darkrai, Latios: “?”

You’ve got a legendary and a mythical Pokémon and you’re still focused on playing cards?!

Both stood together, silently packing their bags.

Tobias blinked. “Guys, what are you doing?”

“Pass me my Poké Ball,” Darkrai grumbled.

“Deal’s off. I’m not wasting another decade on you,” Latios said.

Tobias rose, flipping that grey hair from his ear, eyes flashing:

“I really… need you both.”

“Please—stay just one more year. No, even a month. I’ll prove our bond to the world!”

Darkrai and Latios shared a look—and fell silent.

They’d been with Tobias for years. He’d always treated them right.

Can’t just leave him ‘cause you envy Natsume-sensei… We do care for him, after all.

They put the luggage down—Darkrai sitting at the table sipping tea, Latios plopping down to watch TV.

Tobias exhaled deeply, battle fire burning in his eyes.

As long as I have Latios and Darkrai at my side—

My [Latios GX] and [Darkrai GX] will show what real strength is at the next PTCG World Championship!

The world champ title—Tobias and his partners, we’re coming for it!

……

Night fell.

Back at their lodging, Cynthia heard news of the next round and raised her brows.

“You’re battling Caitlin next?”

“Yeah. After I finished with Flint, I started queuing and matched with her super quickly,” said Natsume.

Cynthia rested a hand on her slim waist, golden hair falling, closed her eyes, and sighed. “I really wish you two didn’t have to fight…”

“But,” she opened those beautiful gray eyes with a soft smile, “just give it your all, for Caitlin’s sake too.”

“This year’s Worlds is basically just a massive group chat tournament,” Natsume joked.

“Mm…” Cynthia’s eyes sparkled, lips curving, “I’m really looking forward to facing you in the elimination rounds.”

Natsume, unusually serious, black eyes clear and shining, nodded:

“Me too.”

Once I’m done with Moe-Moe’s battle, it’ll finally be time to head home and get married!

As of now, Natsume sits at 57th place.

His next destination: Unova Region, to challenge 17th-ranked Caitlin.

Unova is also the homeland of Victini and Meloetta, so Natsume plans to let those two little ones get some action.

If there’s a chance, he’ll visit n… see how the guy is doing these days.

Once that next ranked match ends, it’ll be the opening of the next PTCG World Championship.

No doubt, Lumiose City will once again become the capital of dueling—preparing for a truly legendary event.

“By the way, Sonia been in touch?” Natsume asked.

Sonia had gone solo after the Turffield gig, and her whereabouts were now unknown.

Cynthia shook her head. “The hardest part’s already decrypted. From here, she and Professor Magnolia can probably handle it.”

Natsume nodded thoughtfully.

Looks like Leon handled the weird Galar Dynamax crisis all by himself.

A lot of people give him grief, but you have to admit—Leon gets stuff done. He deals with jobs that would need both a Champion AND an Elite Four in other regions, all on his own.

Even that still-unfound Eternatus… Natsume was sure Leon could handle it.

Natsume looked up at the sky.

Should be safe to step away from Galar for a few days…