Chapter 0763: Hoopa(Two-in-One)

The next day, Natsume changed his flight, heading for City of Wastes Airport.

The three Pokédex holders from the Johto group confirmed they’d be arriving shortly.

Unsurprisingly, Silver was coming along with Gold for the mission.

Natsume felt quite reassured.

This was equivalent to “Natsume Gacha” pulling up The Giovanni of the Earth right from the start!

Tourism was booming in the City of Wastes, and the airport was packed with travelers at the heart of trip season.

Natsume, wearing sunglasses and a collared shirt, was being led through the airport lobby by Sylveon.

“I know my way around, I don’t need a guide dog…” Natsume offered quietly.

“Sylveon! o(｀^´)o” Sylveon raised its head proudly.

I’m not letting you and Meloetta get lost together!

Meloetta, invisible, sat on Natsume’s shoulder, curiously watching the crowds.

The City of Wastes basked in dazzling sunshine, the temperature comfortable, distant skyscrapers rising tall, harbor waters dividing the city, and palm groves everywhere.

The modernity of the oasis was striking—totally unlike the desert outside the city.

“President Masaru, I’ve arrived at City of Wastes,” said Natsume, pressing his Bluetooth headset.

“Hmm… the City of Wastes contact, Barza, has disappeared unexpectedly.”

President Masaru’s voice was solemn. “No need to rush things. Wait until you’ve met with the contact before taking action.”

Wait for the contact…? By that point, big Hoopa will have fished up several Legendary Pokémon!

Natsume sighed inwardly, but he couldn’t very well tell President Masaru that he “already knew the story,” so he decided to investigate on his own initiative.

He ended the call.

Lifting his gaze, Natsume looked at the distant, strikingly tall tower.

Towering under the sun, the massive, rectangular high-rise built of white stone was inlaid with gold.

Behind the spire, a gigantic metal disc glinted—symbolizing Arceus’s golden rings.

“Desert Spire… That’s where the Prison Bottle was created…” Natsume murmured.

“Gengar~” Gengar hovered beside Natsume, drawing in a deep breath of crisp air, cheeks puffed out.

Eyes bulging, he held it in as long as he could before bursting all at once.

Gengar took another breath, puffed his cheeks, and drifted in front of Natsume as if making a challenge.

Natsume poked Gengar, who shot backward like a deflating balloon, spinning into the sky.

“Are you cosplaying Jigglypuff?” Natsume laughed.

“Gengar~” Gengar hovered, grinned sheepishly, and scratched his head.

Natsume smiled too, his spirits easing, and stood with Gengar at the street corner, watching the distant Desert Spire.

He planned to meet Gold and the others in a bit... but right now, it was more pressing to sense the unknown Imprisonment site.

Spotting the coast was clear, Natsume closed his eyes and spoke softly:

“Empower, Order of Time and Space!”

Instantly, in the darkness behind his eyes, countless threads of light appeared, thin and intertwined, probing outwards like radar.

One valley shimmered with especially thick space-time energy: the very Habitat of the Ancient Overcome Clan—Arche Valley.

There was also a peculiarly intense evil presence—like black shadows—endlessly gnawing away at the threads of white light.

Natsume’s expression grew grave.

Greed, anger, pride… this was the shadow of Freeing Hoopa, formed of all manner of sin.

Fortunately, that malicious desire was still Imprisoned, not yet freed.

Once the white light was consumed entirely, Natsume would lose all sensing of that “shadow.”

“That… should be the Prison Bottle,” Natsume said somberly.

Suddenly, a weak wave of exhaustion washed over him.

Natsume quickly summoned Victini, letting it perch on his head to help restore him with Infinity Energy.

“Victini~” Victini’s V-shaped crest glowed with gentle red light.

Natsume exhaled, smiled, and said, “Thanks, Victini”

“Victini~” Victini grinned, baring its little fangs.

Natsume had located the Prison Bottle.

“Looks like this mission isn’t so hard, after all.” Natsume chuckled.

Among the shadows, a bead of sweat rolled down Darkrai’s face.

Trouble!

Every time he thought, “I can handle this,” something always went terribly wrong!

Suddenly, Natsume’s heart skipped—he sensed a familiar Aura.

On the “radar map” of The Power of One, a Messenger of the Thunder Beast was approaching Arche Valley!

A drop of cold sweat slid down Natsume-sensei’s brow.

Oh no, Ash is about to enter the Movie, too!

……

Arche Valley.

An ancient and tranquil valley, with a history stretching back a thousand years or more. Ivory sculptures reflecting coursing energy dotted the land.

A golden ring-shaped monument stood in the valley center, symbolizing the local God.

It was autumn. A breeze rustled the golden wheat fields in great waves.

If you want a harvest, you must first sow your labor.

That was the lesson “Arceus’s Messenger” Ghris impressed on Hoopa after imprisoning the big Hoopa and adopting the little one.

Now, Ghris was long gone.

Hoopa still lived carefree in Arche Valley—though these days, he occasionally stared at the wheat fields, lost in thought.

A girl named Meray, dressed in white linen, felt a strange pulse and turned toward the City of Wastes.

“What’s wrong, sister?” asked Baraz, her brother, his voice low.

He looked exhausted—his bloodshot eyes suggested endless sleepless nights or perhaps being consumed by some unknown energy.

Meray noticed nothing odd. She knew her brother had barely slept, worried sick over the Prison Bottle.

“Brother…”

Meray hesitated. “Just now I think I… sensed a tremendously powerful Power of One… almost as strong as our great-grandfather’s…”

“You must be imagining things.”

Barza’s eyes glowed red, his voice turning sharp. “Great-grandfather was the greatest Messenger of The Power of One in history! No one could possibly match him!”

Their great-grandfather, Ghris, centuries before, with help from an Aura warrior, successfully Imprisoned the shadow of Freeing Hoopa.

To this day, Arche Valley still honors him with a carved statue.

“So—I guess it was my imagination…” Meray looked down.

“Stay in the valley and don’t wander,” Barza snapped. “I’m going to reinforce the Prison Bottle again, using The Power of One!”

Meray watched her brother’s retreating back and looked down, face clouded.

Lately, she felt his temper growing harsher.

It was to be expected.

Their great-grandfather was gone, and with only herself and Barza, it was near impossible to seal away the shadow inside the Prison Bottle…

Meray gave a soft sigh, recalling her early childhood.

On a sunny spring ridge, her great-grandfather Ghris smiled as he handed out a seed in his open palm.

She, her brother, and Hoopa all examined the seed in wonder.

“If you want to reap, you must plant it yourselves,” Ghris smiled.

“Aww, if you want food, just ask Hoopa instead!” Hoopa grinned, taking the golden ring from his horn. Suspended in the air, it became a portal, and Hoopa was about to fish something from inside.

Smack!

Ghris sealed the ring with The Power of One, shaking his head sternly at Hoopa.

Hoopa pouted, drooped his shoulders, and sulked as he helped sow seeds.

Meray and her brother smiled at each other and then joined Hoopa in the planting.

That was over a decade ago now.

Meray sighed lightly. At least she and Hoopa were still friends as always.

“Hoopa!”

Meray pushed open the wooden cabin. “Where are you?”

But Hoopa was nowhere to be found.

Meray searched all of Arche Valley, only to discover— Hoopa had slipped away!

……

Arche Valley, Imprisonment Cave.

Barza’s eyes were red, his jaw clenched as he faced the Prison Bottle.

“Empower… Order of Time and…”

Before he finished, purple shadows gushed from the Prison Bottle—towering, will-o-wisp flames swirling everywhere!

A strange light flickered in Barza’s eyes before he collapsed in a faint.

After a long while, Barza slowly awoke, mumbling:

“What… happened to me…”

Blurred and confused, he shook his head, reached for the Prison Bottle atop the altar.

Crack!

Withered vines coiled around the Prison Bottle shattered.

He staggered, reeling, thoroughly muddled.

But one thing was certain—

I have to take the Prison Bottle back to Arche Valley.

Then, with Hoopa, we’ll seal in the evil that’s stirring within!

The Prison Bottle glimmered ghostly, and far off, a hushed sinister laugh echoed, then silence.

……

City of Wastes, Manaphy Hotel.

"Natsume-sensei, you’re so slow!”

The lobby’s marble gleamed as Gold the Fifth, goggles on head, complained.

“Ow, ow, ow!” Gold yelped.

“Watch your tone with a Champion,” Crystal lectured, tugging Gold’s ear, then bowed slightly. “Natsume-sensei, we’re honored by your invitation.”

“No need for that,” Natsume smiled. “I need your help, too.”

As a Capturer, Crystal’s pitching skills were top-notch.

If worst came to worst, Natsume could always have her fling a Master Ball—one of his ace-in-the-hole options.

“Nothing online about Arche Valley,” Silver commented, putting away his phone. “Natsume-sensei, shall we go straight to action?”

“I’m starving! I saved room for a feast!” Gold piped up.

Everyone ignored Gold the Fifth’s whining.

Natsume nodded. “Yeah, in urgent situations, we go now. I know the way—let’s head to Arche Valley immediately.”

“Gotta eat before working!” Gold shouted.

“I know a buffet place on the way to Arche Valley,” Natsume said.

Gold: “What, not here?”

Natsume replied calmly, “Too expensive here.”

……

The table was filled with food.

Poffin bread, Poké Puffs, macarons… cheap and plentiful.

“Mmmph!”

Gold stuffed his face.

Unfazed, Silver calmly scrolled through the Pokédex.

Crystal smiled at the table. “Togebo and Togepi really get along.”

“They’re brother and sister.” Natsume glanced over.

“Togebo~ヾ(^▽^*)))” Togebo scratched his head with a wing.

“Togepi~ヾ(＾∇＾)” Togepi waddled along the wooden floor.

Everyone watched Togepi—then all widened their eyes in shock.

A hole appeared right before Togepi, and without warning, it tumbled in!

The portal snapped shut. Togepi vanished without a trace—no Pulse signal, nothing!

No one even had time to react.

Natsume’s face stiffened; he shot to his feet and, guided by The Power of One, sprinted toward the marble plaza.

“Togebo, with me!” Natsume called firmly.

“Togebo!! (╬◣д◢)” Togebo flapped, flying overhead.

“Wait for me, Natsume-sensei!” Gold shouted, a piece of bread in his mouth, rushing after.

On the vast, empty marble plaza, pointed stone tablets rose everywhere.

A tiny, pink-and-gray Pokémon, mouth twisted in a mischievous smile, slipped the golden ring off its head.

“Hoopa ~ let’s fish!”

Hoopa grinned, reaching through the portal and snatching a Togepi, exclaiming in surprise:

“Uh-oh, Hoopa just wanted food, not this—wrong one.”

“Togepi doo-ee~!”

Togepi glared, furious, wagging its finger.

Togepi, Metronome—Yawn!

A ring of black Dark Pulse rippled out around Togepi toward Hoopa.

“Wah!”

Hoopa yelped, clapping hands over its head.

The golden ring expanded into a warp portal that whisked away the Dark Pulse.

Hoopa finally exhaled in relief.

“You!” Hoopa waved its finger at Togepi, grumbling, “Hoopa didn’t fish you out—go back!”

“Dee, doo-ee!” (You’re lying!)

Togepi puffed its cheeks.

The little eggshell turned; in those beady eyes, a glint flashed.

Natsume raced up from afar, pupils constricting to slits as he skidded to a stop.

Standing right before him—the super demon god of the golden rings, Hoopa!

Hoopa glanced at Natsume, covering its mouth with a sly, chilling smile.

A perfect target for pranks!

Hoopa flickered suddenly, reappearing right in front of Natsume.

“Lose!”

Hoopa poked its head out from the golden ring with a wicked grin.

“Did I scare you?”

Natsume: “……”

“Na~tsume” began using Acid Armor, his features blurring, morphing into Gengar’s menacing grin.

“Gengar!” Gengar waggled his giant tongue, eyes rolling.

Ally Switch + Scare Face!

Hoopa: Σ(°△°lll)

The Hoopa shivered, face pale, nervously floating backward.

Natsume stepped out from behind a stone tablet, poked Hoopa’s shoulder, and smiled:

“So—did I scare you?”

“Amazing…”

Hoopa stared in awe, then spun around Natsume laughing, pointing at Gengar: “So cool, this one is so cool!”

Seeing Togepi unharmed, Natsume relaxed and returned it to the Poké Ball.

But… to think Hoopa would show up here.

Natsume glanced toward Arche Valley in the distance.

He must have snuck away for fun.

“Gen-ga, Gen-Sirfetch’d~!” Hoopa circled Gengar, trying to mimic its voice.

“Gengar~!” Gengar laughed and scratched his head.

Hoopa pointed at Natsume, grinning provocatively: “You, play a game with Hoopa!”

“What game?” Natsume asked, surprised.

Hoopa gave a sly smile, opened both arms, and two portals blossomed beside it.

“Hoopa—let’s fish!”

Natsume’s eyes widened.

Hundreds of Gengar spilled out from the portals!!

Sleepy-eyed Gengar, Gengar with Pikachu tails, Gengar with a flaming tail, shiny Gengar... from Kanto Pokédex to Galar Pokédex, every variety you could imagine!

“Gen-Sirfetch’d Gen-Sirfetch’d”

“Hehehehe!”

“Gengar~!”

The Gengar clustered in groups, all grinning, cackling, chattering among themselves.

Natsume was stunned.

Every form—hundreds of Gengar!!