Chapter 0772: I Choose You!, Natsume-sensei!（Three-in-One）

Crowds lined the coast of the City of Wastes, erupting in deafening cheers and cries, Crowds lined the coast of the City of Wastes, erupting in deafening cheers and cries, excitement and tears flooding out without restraint.

A Trainer, who had returned through fire before the storm that shattered space-time, stood at the center of it all.

It was the Law of Transcendence, the call to Arceus, that saved the City of Wastes—and indeed, the whole world!

The awakening of Arceus was incredibly long, but the threat of the time-space storm far surpassed the war of the gods, forcing Arceus’s awakening to accelerate.

Only because of the Law of Transcendence could Arceus arrive at the first instant, proving itself the ‘Greatest of All Deities.’

And so it ended.

The face of the Spatial Dragon was lost, the master of the Reverse World utterly shamed, and the god of the earth made a laughingstock.

Among the proud gods, only… Celebi covered Arceus and declared, “It was me!”

Natsume’s black-gold cape fluttered in the wind. All around him: Waters glimmering with golden light; the ruined half of a bridge sinking into the sea; and the coastline, bubbling with people’s joy.

“Good thing I was revived with my clothes on,” Natsume muttered. “Otherwise, this episode couldn’t be aired.”

Natsume glanced at the shore, lowered his voice, and murmured to the sky above. “Damn… don’t shake, don’t you dare shake!”

‘Are you speaking to me?’ Arceus, walking in the sky, asked gently.

‘No…’ Natsume coughed, ‘Anyway, I found the Pixie Plate…’

‘We’ll discuss that later.’

Radiant and holy, Arceus looked down over the exultant crowd and said warmly, ‘Now, Natsume, enjoy your moment of legend.’

Natsume blinked, then looked up in awe.

He watched as Arceus turned into a ray of pure light, ascending slowly before vanishing among the layered clouds.

Now was indeed not the time to reminisce, but—

Natsume pursed his lips, glanced down, and then quickly looked up, face serious.

“Latias didn’t come with me. How am I supposed to get down from here…”

Beneath the heavens—streaming auras, red, blue, gray, black—each god hovered quietly over the golden crown of the Desert Spire, their pulses lighting the air.

Atop the tall tower, the black-haired young man’s cape caught the sunlight. He stood tall and unmoving.

He had sacrificed himself to imprison Hoopa, and yet, with the coming of the storm, had been reborn in fire.

These images would linger in the gods’ minds for thousands of years to come, never fading.

Primal Groudon shot Natsume a glance, then stared upwards again.

The gods levitated high overhead, casting a somber shadow across Groudon’s widened yellow eyes.

Groudon: “…”

I’m exhausted. If this world wants to end, so be it.

Along the shore, citizens recalled the calming voice they’d just heard in their minds.

‘Grant me transcendence—the law of this time and space.’

They couldn’t fathom its meaning, but the deity’s sudden arrival, and the figure of Natsume-sensei at the top of the tower, must be linked.

And that tale—riding a black dragon and commanding Gengar to defeat the super demon god—would echo as a feat for the ages!

Baraz gazed up at the sky, trembling, “A miracle… A miracle of Ho-Oh and Arceus.”

“No, Brother, all of this comes down to courage.”

Meray’s eyes shone with conviction. “A Trainer’s courage—a Pokémon’s courage.”

“And Hoopa!” Freeing Hoopa laughed loud and free, “Hoopa did his part too!”

Ash grinned, “All right, all right, but get those legendary Pokémon sent back now, or there’ll be another disaster.”

“No problem, leave it to Hoopa—Hoopa, reel in!”

Freeing Hoopa spread his six floating arms. Rings of light appeared behind the gods, conduits for different dimension’s spacetime pulse.

Primal Kyogre flicked his tail, bared tiny fangs, and dove into different dimension’s portal. A triumphant howl—home at last, time for a nap.

Next were Giratina, Palkia, and Dialga—three slinking through the portal, their pride much reduced.

Then Shadow Lugia, battered and beaten the whole fight, collapsed in defeat.

Somewhere out of sight, Mewtwo, solemn and pensive, shook its head with a sigh and stepped through its portal.

Finally came black Rayquaza and White Kyurem.

Black Rayquaza glanced down at the “Pokémon Cube Case” in its claws, snapped up a golden cube with its jaws for one last look.

A surge of light, eyes wide—

‘Natsume, this Champion, I will remember.’ Black Rayquaza lashed his black-gold body, flicked his tail, and cut a direct path through the sky.

White Kyurem glanced into the ring, then looked down at Darkrai, beneath the remains of the ruins, and said,

‘Your Trainer survived.’

“He’s not my Trainer,” Darkrai replied.

‘Is that so? You tried so hard, I thought you’d been companions for centuries,’ White Kyurem quipped.

“He is just…” Darkrai hesitated, falling silent.

Alicia’s smile flashed in his mind, her hand resting softly atop his head.

“You can stay with us, stay in everyone’s gardens.”

“You can hang around the café. Remember, be my bodyguard.”

Darkrai managed a helpless smile, baby-blue eyes deep as the ocean.

“He is simply someone I wish to protect.”

……

The legendary Pokémon departed, one by one.

The time for the Champions to take their leave had also come.

Giovanni’s wrinkled face smoothed, hand rumpling Silver’s hair. Then he pulled on his hooded coat, silent as he turned to leave.

“Giovanni.” The red-caped man crossed his arms, voice cold: “Your business might be legitimate now, but you’re still wanted.”

“You still can’t catch me,” Giovanni replied calmly.

“That’s just a warning. Got it?” Lance’s wild red hair bristled with authority. “Next time, don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

“So this is your justice?” Giovanni smirked, walking away. “Well noted.”

Steven watched the broad, careworn back, frowning—dangerous, that one.

“He smells of blood. He’s badly wounded. No nearby Pokémon Center or hospital will treat him.”

Lance gripped his arms, expression blank. “For now, his wounds, his medicine, his evasion—he’ll have to deal with himself.”

Silver looked at the red-haired man.

“That’s just my deduction.”

Lance ignored Silver, turning away. “All right, I’ll handle league business. Steven, Cynthia, I know you two hate this job.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lance.”

Steven smiled with resignation, sapphire eyes drifting towards Desert Spire, then started in surprise:

“Natsume-sensei is still up there?”

Cynthia hugged her arms, lowered her head with a sigh, then smiled gently:

“Freeing Hoopa, could you bring him down, please?”

“Leave it to Hoopa!!”

Freeing Hoopa shot skyward in a burst, zipping up to the top of Desert Spire with a ferocious grin.

Natsume blinked, “What are you up to?”

Freeing Hoopa giggled, opened a ring in midair just one step in front of Natsume. “This way, please.”

Natsume: ?

Later, Natsume would recall the descent from the three-hundred-meter Desert Spire: passing through six rings in a row, finally landing on the ground.

The new “Battle Legend” wore a slightly shell-shocked expression.

“Bungee jumping, bungee jumping!” Freeing Hoopa cackled. “Were you scared?”

Natsume: “Well played. But don’t ever do that again…”

Only then did Natsume realize—with some regret—why hadn’t he called for Gengar to fetch Latias instead?

Tricked, I really thought one ring would get me straight to the ground!

Along the shore, the citizens dispersed, glancing fearfully back at the half-sunken bridge, and again toward the fading figure atop the Desert Spire.

“Natsume-sensei really is something!”

“So cool—even when facing down Arceus, he didn’t even flinch. I was shaking in my boots.”

“Tears in my eyes… There are Trainers out there who can handle disasters this terrible!”

“Say, why didn’t that red monster fly? He’s the only one standing in the ocean.”

“If Groudon starts flying now, what’s next? Don’t even want to imagine!”

As the murmurs receded, Cynthia stood off at a distance, giving Natsume-sensei and Gengar a moment alone.

The bond between them—giving everything for each other, fighting side by side—

Cynthia nestled against Garchomp, arms around its head, a soft smile lighting her face.

Natsume stood by the waves.

The sea breeze rustled; all that had happened felt like a dream, but somehow he—truly—was alive.

With the aid of Sacred Ash and Celebi’s power, he had returned.

“Thank you, Celebi,” Natsume said, earnest.

“Celebi~” Celebi waggled his little feelers, dancing circles around Natsume, eyes closed in mirth.

‘This is what I’m meant to do!’

Natsume smiled quietly.

Kind-hearted Celebi, always trying to stop tragedy when he could.

Even hiding in a Poké Ball, Celebi’s style was all his own.

“Are you leaving?” Natsume asked.

“Celebi!” Celebi gave a light nod. There were forests and eras still waiting for a guardian.

“If you get a chance, visit my café in Lumiose City. There’s even the Tree of Beginning there.” Natsume grinned.

“Celebi?” Celebi blinked in surprise.

“Just kidding.”

There’s always Mew too…

Natsume waved and smiled, “Goodbye, then.”

Celebi beamed, scattering crystalline sparkles, opening a tunnel through time and space.

“Celebi~” Celebi waved and slipped inside.

Natsume nodded gently, watching the fragments inside the portal, a glint in his eyes.

For an instant while gone, he had glimpsed so many times and places; he could not recall them clearly now, but at least he was real—he was himself.

He and his Pokémon, unique in all the world.

The tunnel’s glow gradually faded.

Natsume’s hair flickered in the light. He bowed his head, hand resting on his heart—where his pulse had once beat in time with Gengar’s, the bond between them pulsed strong as ever.

It was like a strand of fate: unseen, unbreakable, binding them forever.

“Gengar…”

Natsume’s gaze deepened. He spoke, softly but clear:

“Hit me—let’s see if I can take it!”

Gengar: “Gengar? Σ(っ °Д °;)っ ”

He glanced over his shoulder, confirming Ash wasn’t nearby, then whispered,

“Sarced Ash’s revival really is rookie magic—it strengthened my body, maybe even put me on par with Legendary Beasts.”

“Gengar! (╬ ò﹏ó)” Gengar cradled his head.

System Overload, Gengar!

“Come on!”

Natsume set his stance, striking a Messenger pose, then pointed: “Hit me with a Shadow Punch!”

Gengar sighed, tossed off a lazy swing; fistfuls of shadow arced through the air.

“Hya!” Natsume punched back, his fist swirling with Aura of Ripple.

The shadows exploded in midair.

“Nothing, nothing at all!” Natsume boasted.

“Gengar! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ” Gengar was visibly shocked.

No way—he actually took it!!

“So, I guess I get it now…”

Natsume rubbed his chin, using his Aura to check himself and thought:

“Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, those Special Attacks still get through, but my defense and attack are much higher.”

He rolled his neck experimentally.

With my current body, I could flatten Bruno, down a Rhyhorn, and slug it out with Machamp, no problem.

The style is getting wild, but considering that “special editions” get even crazier, it’s still within reason.

Still a long way behind Ash, though.

After all, he’s trained with Thunderbolt for almost three years. His style's leveled up beyond mine.

“Too bad Sacred Ash is a consumable…”

Natsume sighed:

“I thought it was for strengthening Pokémon, turns out it was for the Trainer!”

The benefits to his body from Sacred Ash were serious—a real improvement for self-defense and wild battles.

He could run into a wild Onix these days and take it out with a sliding tackle.

And after this battle, both Natsume-sensei’s Power of One and Aura of Ripple had advanced.

Especially the Power of One—the radar in his mind changed from white to pale gold, with even greater boosts to his team.

As everyone knew, Trainers came in all ranks—wild battles, formal matches, command, and cool-headedness—it was a full spectrum.

Now, Natsume had reached “Battle Legend” class as an all-around Trainer.

Gengar, in normal form, too had stood at the “Battle Legend” threshold.

Mega Blastoise possessed the strength of legends.

Sister Sylveon would need to return the Pixie Plate, and the other little ones still needed time.

The day of breaking through wasn’t far now.

Natsume fell into thought.

For now, his team was a long way from Champions like Red’s all-Legendary line-up—victory hardly assured.

But there was half a year until the World Tournament.

How the eight Master seats would fall next year, no one could say.

“When I win the World Tournament title...”

A sparkle flickered in Natsume’s eyes.

He recalled Gengar’s telepathy—the promise they’d made.

Gengar stood before him, sharing his life force.

That moment when their Destiny Bond linked them...

Natsume balled his fist.

“That must be what it means… to be an excellent Trainer…”

……

Sunlight glinted over the ocean, shining on the collapsed bridge.

Natsume and Cynthia gazed out in silence, an invisible chill congealing the air between them.

“See that bridge?” Natsume pointed.

“Mm.” Cynthia nodded softly.

“Gengar and I knocked it down,” Natsume said, matter-of-fact.

“Pfft…” Cynthia couldn’t help but laugh, rolling her eyes at him, her voice hoarse: “You… You know I was worried about you...”

“I know,” Natsume answered, “And I know what it means to be a League Champion. That’s why… we all have to take a stand.”

“You…” Cynthia hesitated. “How’s the Sacred Ash effect?”

“Super effective! If you don’t believe me, we could test it tonight…”

Natsume looked back. Garchomp was glaring at him, as if to say, “You don’t have a second pack of Sacred Ash, do you?”

Natsume straightened, put on his serious face: “I like you, Cynthia.”

Cynthia’s golden hair blew in the wind. Her eyes creased in crescent smiles as she put her hands behind her back and replied, “Me too.”

Natsume spread his arms on the sun-sparkled shore, a shadow of golden hair fluttered as one figure ran into another's embrace.

“The ambassador from the Touran League just came—”

A blue-haired man in a suit stepped down from the stone platform, lowered his voice and turned casually.

“Ah… I’ll handle the ambassador. It’s fine if I’m a bit late…” Steven muttered to himself.

……

With the return of space and time to normal in the City of Wastes, the entire world was thrown into uproar.

If the awakening of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre would have been a “regional-level” disaster;

This incident with Hoopa had become a full-on “world-level” crisis!

The former could still be overcome with the help of Champions, Elite Four, Gym Leaders, Pokédex Holders, and Lance facing the trials together.

But for the latter, Trainers across the entire league system who could resolve such threats could be counted on one hand!

If Red, Green, or Leon had been present, or if the might of league technology had been fully unleashed, perhaps the super demon god could have been contained.

But reality allows for no “what ifs.”

When disaster struck, it was the Champions who rose to meet it—though Diantha had missed her chance.

And it was Natsume, through his own power, who drew the majority of Hoopa’s fury onto himself, and at tremendous cost, resolved a global crisis!

There were countless witnesses, and there was even live footage of Natsume riding black Rayquaza.

A wave of worldwide sensation swept through every league; at the highest levels, all reached the same conclusion.

After so many years, a new Battle Legend had been born.

The online forums exploded with frenzy, everyone’s attention fixed on the former Champion of Touran.

Whether or not legendary Pokémon were involved, his Gengar raising a colossal black sphere to blot out the sky left an indelible shock to all.

“On this day, Natsume-sensei has stepped again into the realm of the Battle Legends!”

“Spread the word—Natsume-sensei, legend of Wild Battles, main tournament legend, Team Legend!”

“Plus, why not add Cooking Legend, Down-to-Earth Legend, and Dirty Strategies Legend!”

“He’s too strong! The former Champion of the Touran League!”

“Next year’s World Tournament could well be the most legendary Trainer event in recent years!”

“To be fair, I feel like Natsume-sensei is going to start from Poké Ball tier and then go on to Master Ball tier.”

“Wait, seriously? A Battle Legend in the Baby Cup?!”

“Think about it—it’s good for the Baby Cup contestants! A real tutorial match against a Battle Legend is a rare treasure...”

“Natsume-sensei is just having fun, but the real Trainer is still Gengar.”

“Gengar: I Choose You!, Natsume-sensei!”

The forum heat was about to explode—for after all, the videos and photos circulating online were so clear, no confusion was possible.

After traveling through Unova, Hoenn, Kalos, and other leagues, leaving behind one Champion feat after another—

Natsume had, through an act worthy of the Battle Legends, stunned the world once more.

The leagues convened a joint conference, and at the proposal of the Touran League, for the “super demon god incident,” awarded Natsume the honorary Title of “Battle Legend.”

The proposal found strong backing from the Unova, Sinnoh, Hoenn, and Kalos leagues.

After all, Natsume had, in each of those leagues, contested against legendary Pokémon, and left behind stories worthy of a Champion.

As the saying goes, “Though I am no longer here, my legends still echo in the league.”

Thus, with unanimous agreement, the leagues conferred upon Natsume the Title of Battle Legend!

The joint conference ran with record speed—within just two hours of the incident, rescue began and the honorary Title had been awarded.

At that moment, Natsume was still in the City of Wastes, completely unaware of the honor.

As agreed.

Natsume ascended to the apex of the Desert Spire, there to meet Arceus and prepare to return the Pixie Plate.

The dome soared overhead, rainbow refractions cast from the glass, in the center a sundial-like mechanism, and from its center a golden pillar of light ascended.

Natsume stood before the sundial and quietly intoned:

“Grant me transcendence, the law of this time and space.”

The golden pillar of light widened, surging to the dome and blasting through the glass, tearing through the stormclouds, suffused with holy radiance.

Natsume squinted and looked up.

White light refracted in rainbows across the glass as Arceus, bathed in light, gently descended, motes swirling, levitating above the sundial.

It gazed at Natsume and spoke in deep serenity:

‘Natsume, I am glad to see you once more.’

“As promised,” Natsume said, “I’ve come to return the Pixie Plate.”

Arceus offered a faint smile.

‘I have seen the heart of gold within you. Your Pokémon speak to this truth without exception.’

A heart of gold...

Both Natsume and Gengar paused, dumbfounded.

I just don’t see it in myself!

‘For retrieving the Pixie Plate, you have my deepest thanks.’

Arceus continued, ‘In the words of your people, I was a friend to Damos, and as for you... I hope to call you friend as well.’

With propriety, it spoke on: ‘Now, as promised, I will reclaim the Pixie Plate.’

Sylveon, after holding the Pixie Plate for a time, had seen her strength soar to the very limits of a Champion.

Returning it to its true master only made sense.

Natsume nodded gently, opened the Poké Ball.

A flicker of red light.

At Sylveon’s ribbon, the energy-shaped Pixie Plate appeared, solidified, and drifted toward Arceus.

Around Arceus’s body, the wheel of light lifted seventeen floating plates—Pixie Plate joined them, circling with the other seventeen in harmony.

Natsume stood silently, watching, only relaxing as Arceus at last opened its gentle eyes.

“Our agreement is complete,” Natsume said. “I should return now.”

‘There’s one more thing,’ Arceus said.

“What is it?” Natsume asked.

‘To express my gratitude, I will bestow upon you a Blessing.’

Arceus explained, ‘This will, to some extent, improve your luck. For instance… increase your accuracy rate.’

Such generosity!

Natsume stroked his chin and considered: “Could you give it to my Pokémon instead?”

‘Of course.’ Arceus was somewhat surprised. ‘But why not consider yourself first?’

“I’m used to things as they are. Besides, I can always compensate for accuracy with strategy and command.”

Natsume raised bright eyes and smiled: “Please, give my Pokémon your Blessing.”

Arceus nodded kindly.

“Come out—Togepi!” Natsume tossed the Poké Ball.

“Togepi doo-ee~(?˙▽˙?)”

Togepi landed on the ground, lifted its head, peered at Arceus, cocking its head in confusion.

Whoosh!

Arceus’s hoof tapped the air, pale golden ripples spreading, drifting into Togepi’s body.

“Doo-ee!” Togepi squeezed its eyes shut, then blinked them open, looking all around—no apparent change.

‘Natsume,’ Arceus said warmly, ‘I have Blessed Togepi’s “luck.”’

“Luck?” Natsume exclaimed.

Togepi’s luck could actually be enhanced?!

Patiently, Arceus explained:

‘Take Metronome, for example. It cannot yield a deity’s signature move—that’s an innate limitation. Yet, various external powers can override such restrictions.’

Natsume’s eyes widened. “Are you saying—”

Arceus nodded: ‘Exactly as you imagine.’

Natsume’s heart quivered, his lips tightening.

It meant that, aside from “Dragon Ascent,” Togepi could now roll for other Legendary Pokémon’s signature moves!

Whoa, that’s a huge set of new illegal moves!

‘Moreover, Togepi’s “Serene Grace” shall also receive my Blessing,’ continued Arceus.

Natsume started.

Serene Grace!

Serene Grace boosts a move’s secondary effect chance.

For instance, Air Slash has a 30% flinch rate—Serene Grace doubles to 60%! With King’s Rock, nearly 80%!

For any strategy, that’s a true “quality strategy.”

With Arceus’s Blessing, Togepi could not only roll for any signature move except Dragon Ascent, but its Serene Grace effect would also be enhanced!

From Arceus—this was true “Serene Grace”!

“More illegal abilities unlocked…” Natsume muttered with a grin.

Not that Togepi could yet learn Air Slash.

But what if it rolled Rock Slide? A 60% flinch rate—even Leon’s Charizard couldn’t stand up to that...

This was… wonderful (and a bit dirty)!

“Thank you, Arceus!” Natsume said happily.

‘It’s just a small token of thanks.’

Arceus said warmly, ‘The Prison Bottle will be returned by my kin to Arche Valley… and now I must go.’

“Farewell,” Natsume replied with deep contentment.

“Togepi doo-ee~” Togepi waved as well.

Natsume lifted his gaze to the sky.

Upgraded Serene Grace—plus unlimited Metronome moves—

Perfect for my strategy style!

As one would expect of Arceus.

With just a glance, it could see—I truly have a heart of gold!