Chapter 0801: Jirachi and Hoopa(Two-in-One)

The journey to Mount Hokulani had come to a perfect conclusion.

Only one task remained—Sylveon’s promotion.

Thanks to the experience gained from the previous three islands, Sylveon absorbed the aura of Ula'ula Island with exceptional efficiency.

Natsume and Tapu Bulu stood guard at Sylveon’s side.

Cynthia and Jirachi watched from a short distance away, with Victini ready at any moment to “charge up” the process.

“Sylveon!” Sylveon’s body glowed with the sacred radiance of Geomancy, its ribbon resting gently on the floor of the shrine. Brilliant Grass-type energy, symbolizing vibrant life, poured ceaselessly into Sylveon’s ribbon.

Alola’s Island aura represents both the harmony of nature and its merciless side.

At that moment, layers of golden, blue, and pink halos spiraled outward beneath Sylveon’s feet. In the next moment, the halos surged together, gathering into a beam of light that erupted with a thunderous roar, engulfing Sylveon!

It looked just like the signature move of the island guardians—Nature’s Madness. When the auras of all four islands converge, only the Sun God and Moon God are said to be capable of enduring it.

However, long ago, Sylveon had already laid the foundation by using Arceus’s Pixie Plate—and strengthened herself even further with Xerneas’s Geomancy!

In the rumbling pillar of light, Sylveon’s eyes were resolute. Her powerful Inner Focus formed a protective barrier.

Then, the familiar mist of Tapu Fini drifted out, producing a wide field that resisted the light beam’s paralysis, toxins, and other status effects. At the same moment, the mist surged with shimmering life energy, just like the Fairy Aura of Xerneas!

Boom!!

The rings of Nature’s Madness scattered, signifying that Sylveon had now completely mastered the aura of all four islands.

“Sylveon!!”

Within the golden aura, Sylveon’s ribbons fluttered, her eyes sharp, lips tightening in determination.

Sylveon was delighted~

Now, in the next battle, she could stand before her Trainer, a champion in her own right!

After nearly half a year of plateauing, Sylveon’s level broke past the limits of the Champion peak, reaching the true realm of Battle Legends!

Each of the four Island auras conferred distinct strengths to Sylveon:

Power to light-based moves, Inner Focus, abnormal status resistance, and life force.

Combined with her own totem aura, even the Pixilate Ability now radiated with the range of a Fairy Aura.

Natsume felt an electric thrill: “So many illegal Abilities!”

Now, two of his elite team members had entered the Battle Legends tier: Gengar and Sylveon.

With Sylveon's newfound power, she now had a strong shot at even a freshly evolved Solgaleo.

And as for Blastoise, who was about to break through…

Natsume mused internally:

“In a couple of days, once Lana fishes up Kyogre, Blastoise can spar over Origin Pulse and rack up some experience points…”

Given the pending arrival of the entire Pallet Town squad next week, Natsume-sensei also seriously considered the idea of a large “friendly match.”

Blue Oak’s team wasn’t quite at the level of “all legendaries,” but Red’s team… who knew.

Natsume looked to the sky.

Mount Silver was out of the question.

Only a Baby Cup would barely maintain his status as a legend…

……

March 23, Wednesday.

Pokémon School welcomed its first day back after the holidays.

“Alola, everyone~” Lillie entered the classroom, golden hair in a shiny ponytail, hugging Snowy.

“Lillie!” Mallow exclaimed in surprise, “You’re back for class!”

After the Aether Foundation incident, Lillie had spent a week off with her mother, helping her recover. Today was her first day back.

Lillie nodded, beaming: “Mm, I’m back.”

The students crowded around her, all talking over one another, asking about the next Ultra Defense Team mission and Nebby’s current state.

“Nebby is under Professor Burnet’s care—because his energy is depleted, he’s still asleep for now…”

Lillie said seriously, “But I believe in Professor and Natsume-sensei—they’ll figure something out!”

“Well of course, Natsume-sensei always has the blessing of the Victory Star,” Kiawe folded his arms.

“Nebby’s energy source isn’t like Victini’s! It’s a kind of cosmic strength!” Sophocles said insistently.

“Oh, I know—it’s aura, right?” Kiawe nodded to himself.

“Absolutely not the same!” Sophocles fired back.

“Speaking of…” Ash interrupted their face-off, scratching his head, “I think Natsume-sensei and Champion Cynthia might be getting married.”

In an instant, as if the whole world changed, Lana, Mallow, and Lillie turned to stone, while Kiawe and Sophocles made faces.

From the treehouse-styled school, a chorus erupted through the window:

“MARRIED?!”

Ash covered his ears and smiled sheepishly, “Natsume-sensei just said it in the group chat. It’s only a proposal for now—the actual date isn’t set yet.”

No one paid Ash any heed; everyone was lost in wedding daydreams.

“Miss Cynthia will be so beautiful in a wedding dress~” Lillie sighed.

“And Natsume-sensei in a black suit!” added Mallow.

“I want to be a bridesmaid,” Lana’s eyes sparkled.

“No fair, I already claimed that in my heart,” Mallow giggled, pinching Lana’s side, who dodged away.

The students spent ten minutes between classes lost in wedding fantasy, picturing chubby-suited Gengar as the host and Lana and Mallow tossing flowers, Lillie holding up the white bridal train with a ‘=v=’ face…

“What are you all up to?”

Natsume had already entered, standing at the podium with a baffled look.

“Natsume-sensei?!” came the startled cry.

When had he arrived? Was it Teleport?

Natsume seemed to hear their thoughts and sighed:

“I was standing right here arranging your wedding plans myself while you were planning mine.”

The class scratched their heads, looking sheepish.

“No need for you all to worry!” Natsume called, “Tomorrow we have an outdoor field class, to explore battle mechanics besides just Z-Moves!”

“Could it be—” Kiawe’s eyes were ablaze, and behind him loomed the spirit of a towering Gigantamax Charizard, “the Galar Region?!”

“Wrong,” Natsume answered calmly. “It’s the Kalos Region, birthplace of Mega Evolution… Ash, why don’t you explain Mega Evolution for us?”

“Mega Evolution is a special evolutionary form that comes from Trainer and Pokémon’s hearts being in sync, relying on the power of their bond.”

Ash, unusually serious, continued: “In theory, every Pokémon is capable of Mega Evolution, though many forms haven’t been discovered yet.”

“Exactly right.” Natsume nodded. “Tomorrow we head to Kalos, and I’m buying everyone a meal in Lumiose City!”

“Awesome!” The students cheered as one.

“Champion Cynthia will be joining us too,” Natsume added.

“Heh heh…”

“You lot, don’t laugh at me like you know exactly what’s going on!”

……

The next day, the flight to Kalos included Ash’s group as well.

Ash cradled the sleeping “Cocoon of the Stars” Cosmoem, curiously peering out the window.

Lana, Lillie, and Mallow sat in one row; Natsume-sensei and Cynthia sat together in another.

Cynthia frowned, her brows furrowed as she wrestled with her thoughts:

“Six… is that too many…”

“What?” Natsume asked.

Cynthia: “Nothing!”

Professor Kukui and Samson Oak sat further behind, whispering together.

“Every time I see Ash carrying Cosmoem, I get nervous, worried he’ll drop it…”

“Right—like a Snorunt, shivering all the way!” Samson Oak said.

Natsume held quiet, well-behaved Jirachi in his arms. Jirachi glanced at Ash’s Nebby, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?” Natsume noticed his partner’s expression.

‘That Pokémon… it’s hurt. I could help it,’ Jirachi’s dark eyes shone.

Natsume was struck by the realization that both Jirachi and Nebby possessed cosmic strength from the universe.

With Jirachi’s wish-granting powers, Nebby could awaken faster.

But the price would be Jirachi exhausting its own energy, leaving itself weak.

Natsume hesitated, then used the Power of One to sense:

“But if you awaken Nebby, you’d have to return to sleep early.”

No matter what, Jirachi would go back to the comet eventually. If Nebby awakened naturally instead, Jirachi could spend the entire seven days exploring and playing.

Jirachi, after all, is a playful child at heart—and the whole trip was meant to be a vacation for Jirachi.

‘It doesn’t matter!’

To Natsume’s surprise, Jirachi nodded seriously, its wish-tag swaying gently.

“But why?” Natsume asked, surprised.

The two of them had only known each other for a day.

‘Why?’ Jirachi blinked. ‘Because I heard Nebby’s wish: to protect everyone.’

‘So I want to help Nebby fulfill its wish!’

Natsume was momentarily speechless, gently stroking the star on Jirachi’s head while it closed its eyes.

Jirachi offered to help Nebby out of pure innocence and selflessness.

Besides, Jirachi, who only wakes once in a thousand years, knows well the loneliness of that slumber—so it deeply empathizes with Nebby.

“I understand how you feel,”

Natsume stroked Jirachi fondly, “but before you help others, it’s good to think of yourself sometimes.”

“And also—”

Natsume smiled. “You’re on this journey, too—if you have any wishes, just tell me… If you fulfill Nebby’s wish, I’ll do my best to grant yours.”

Jirachi looked up at Natsume, blinking in a daze.

No one had ever asked Jirachi what its own wish was.

Natsume believed a bond was mutual. Since Jirachi was willing to help others, he’d do all he could to help Jirachi as well.

After a pause, Jirachi gave a huge, bright smile: ‘Thank you, Natsume!’

“You’re welcome,” Natsume answered cheerfully. “What’s your wish?”

After thousands of years, it was the first time Jirachi had ever been asked—and it really hadn’t thought about it.

‘Umm… can I wait until after our journey to tell you?’ Jirachi said softly.

“Of course.”

The flight landed at Lumiose City Airport.

The first stop for their trip: Professor Sycamore's research institute, headquarters for Mega Evolution.

As part of the tour, Professor Sycamore demonstrated Garchomp’s Mega Evolution, battling Kiawe’s Firium Z Turtonator.

It was Mega Evolution versus Firium Z—a duel of two powers.

Natsume preferred Mega Evolution, since it better showcased the bond between trainer and partner.

As for Z-Moves… well, if you aren’t embarrassed by the dance, they do look pretty cool. (Just kidding.)

Afterwards, Natsume led Ash and the others to the café on Southern Street.

The wind chimes rang as they entered.

Indeedee polished a glass at the bar, looked up in shock, and then smiled warmly.

The shopkeeper had come home!

“Natsume-sensei, you have a restaurant too?!” Mallow said excitedly.

“It’s a café,” Natsume replied. “But we do serve food.”

Lana pointed at a Gengar plush and smiled: “Look, it’s adorable~”

Natsume’s actual Gengar hovered ominously behind Lana, trying to give her a scare.

Unexpectedly, Lana turned, pulled a flashlight from her overalls, lit her face from below, and said flatly, “I can be spooky too, just like Gengar.”

“Gengar~Σ(っ°Д°;)っ”

Gengar ducked behind Natsume, peeking out to assess Lana.

Natsume sighed. “Lana, put the flashlight away…”

Lana had maxed out skills in some odd areas: ghost stories, pranks, and more.

“Yes!” Lana put the flashlight away and smiled serenely.

Cynthia paused in the courtyard, eyeing a budget-model Tree of Beginning, a flash of surprise in her gray eyes.

Suddenly, a ring opened at the center of the trunk, and Hoopa’s head emerged, making a face:

“Did I scare you?”

“Oh, it’s you.” Cynthia smiled. “Perfect timing—I’d like to introduce you to someone new.”

Hoopa tilted his head, locking eyes with Jirachi.

‘Howwwl~’ Jirachi greeted first.

Hoopa, hearing the telepathy, giggled, whispering,

“Hello, hello! Is there anything you wish for? I can fetch it for you!”

Jirachi blinked and, in the spirit of reciprocity, replied kindly:

‘Do you have any wishes? I’ll do my best to grant them for you!’

“Eh…” Hoopa puffed up his cheeks. “Hoopa’s supposed to grant wishes for you!”

‘But Jirachi is supposed to grant wishes for you!’ Jirachi replied intently.

“Whaaa!” Hoopa rushed to Cynthia, pouting: “Cynthia, it’s being unreasonable!!”

“All right,” Cynthia said with a hand on her hip, chuckling softly, “Both of you can grant wishes, I’m well aware. But before making Natsume angry, maybe you two should take a break~”

“Hmm…” Hoopa pouted thoughtfully, then stuck out his little hand to Jirachi, determined,

“Let’s start fresh. Hi, I’m Hoopa!”

Jirachi’s eyes sparkled as if it had found a new friend, reaching out:

‘Hoopa, let’s play together!’

Hoopa’s eyes widened, shining with excitement, and he kicked up a ruckus:

“Hooray, let’s play together, let’s play together!”

Natsume stood at the entrance to the front hall, watching Jirachi and Hoopa frolic with a gentle smile.

Now he understood Jirachi’s wish—a wish for a friend to play with… That’s the greatest wish for a childlike Jirachi.

Jirachi and Hoopa might become the best of friends after all.

“Natsume-sensei!”

Ash’s frantic call came from the front hall.

Natsume turned and saw Ash running toward him, calling loudly:

“Nebby, it—it’s awake!”