Chapter 0713: All Badges Collected, Sparkling Stone Acquired

Lumiose City, Fashion Week.

As a top-level fashion show, Lumiose Fashion Week is renowned worldwide.

Today’s meticulously prepared premier event drew countless professionals from the industry.

Under the lights, models and brightly groomed Furfrou walked the runway.

The director wore a pleasant smile, nodding from time to time, yet acutely sensed something odd in the atmosphere.

This show was flawless in every way, but the viewers seemed distracted, their murmurs nearly drowning out the background music.

During the intermission, a few couldn’t resist getting up to leave, sparking a small exodus.

An assistant hurried over, and the director pressed her: “What’s happening?”

“It’s—it’s Natsume-sensei, the café’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.” The assistant panted, “They’re all there—Steven, Leon, Lance!”

The director froze.

Meanwhile, a larger wave of the audience slipped out, and even the glossy models backstage were whispering among each other.

“I really envy Miss Valerie’s team, getting to go to Natsume-sensei’s ribbon-cutting ceremony…”

“I heard even Professor Oak showed up—he never attends any events!”

“I’ve got photos… God, Natsume-sensei is so handsome. I envy Miss Cynthia so much!”

“Are you from Hoenn?”

“Yeah, you’re from Unova, right? He’s the hero who saved Opelucid City, too.”

Glancing at the sweating assistant, the director said crossly, “You stay here and take my place.”

“And you, Director?”

“I’m going to watch the Champions… cough, I mean… I’m going to find out what’s going on!”

The assistant mopped her brow.

If you want to go see for yourself, why not just say so?

That excuse is not convincing at all, Director!

……

Southern Street, Pokémon Café.

“Almost everyone has arrived…”

Natsume glanced around the shop—Alcremie was trembling as she carried desserts to the Champions, while Cynthia gave her a gentle smile.

Lance, clad in his cape, arms folded, leaned back on the sofa, still looking somewhat broody.

Steven, elegantly smiling, was intently explaining something to Leon.

“Gengar,” Natsume said, “let’s head inside for now.”

“Gengar~” Gengar replied, but his eyes flicked to the red carpet at a sudden commotion.

A burst of flashing spotlights—photos snapped even more frequently than when Lance entered.

Natsume curiously looked over and saw, outside the red carpet, a girl in a pink-winged dress, walking on high heels, with black hair like a waterfall.

“That’s Miss Valerie…”

“So pretty! She looks like she’s walking a real runway!”

Valerie walked in grace, a woman as if stepped from a painting, exuding a sense of history herself, her outfit blending classical and contemporary elements flawlessly. For an instant, the ribbon-cutting ceremony became as dazzling as the top fashion week.

But Natsume was too distracted for admiration—his eyelid twitched wildly, a deep chill crawling down his spine.

No, no, don’t come over here!!

“Gengar~” Gengar grinned, waving to Valerie politely.

Valerie hid her smile behind her sleeve, saying, “Natsume-sensei, forgive me for being late.”

“Ah… come in and sit down,” Natsume replied awkwardly. “But, didn’t you have other important things?”

“What could possibly be more important than your ribbon-cutting ceremony?” Valerie blinked, hinting at him to answer.

Natsume fell silent.

Anyone would choose a Champion’s tea party over Lumiose Fashion Week, no question.

Only, the last badge he needed was precisely Valerie’s.

Once he finished the mission and acquired the Sparkling Stone…

Z-move dances and the like… he’s never seen any other Champion needing to dance to boost their strength! (Except the Alola Champion…)

Is he really going to have Gengar make his entrance dancing, and command himself through a z-move mid-battle?

“GengarGengar~”

Gengar, grinning ear to ear, led Valerie inside.

I’ve been waiting for you to show up forever~

At last, the eighth badge was within reach!

Natsume looked up to the sky, instinctively reaching into his jacket pocket.

Where’s my journal?! Where’s my journal?!

……

Inside the café.

“Yamper, don’t run off!”

Sonia chased after the little corgi-like Yamper.

“Woof!” Yamper, with tiny legs, barreled “thunk” into a mountain.

Dazed, Yamper looked up—and saw a nearly two-meter-tall Arcanine baring its teeth in a friendly grin.

“Arcanine!?(◝ ⌄ ◜)?”

“Yamph…” Yamper’s eyes rolled back, and he flopped sideways in a mock faint.

Leon’s Charizard and Lance’s Dragonite fixed each other with electric glares—clear rivals.

Dragonite’s facial muscles twisted; Charizard snorted twin puffs of black smoke from his nostrils.

In a flash, both powerful Dragon-types locked claws, testing their strength with competitive grips!

Battle Legends—a Trainer title from the games “Ultra Sun and Moon,” held only by Red and Green.

Leon’s Charizard, in its base state, approaches Battle Legend level. In Dynamax form, it has true Battle Legend-level strength, able to match first-tier legends.

Lance’s Dragonite is just as fierce, at Champion-peak normally, and with Lance’s full focus, approaches near Battle Legend status.

These two Champions’ aces, however, are still a notch away from challenging a true first-tier legendary such as Darkrai.

As Charizard and Dragonite’s brawl seemed inevitable,

A shadow spread between them—Darkrai silently rose from the darkness.

“Take your fight elsewhere, or I’ll eject both of you from the shop.” Darkrai said coldly.

Both Charizard and Dragonite paused, wary of Darkrai, yet confused.

I get it… But senior, why do you have a feather duster in your hand?

“This is my first visit to Natsume’s shop.” Professor Oak looked around. “The décor is quite nice.”

“Seems like the kind of place young people would like,” Professor Sycamore said, laughing.

Professor Oak’s gaze drifted to the bar, admiring the shelves—suddenly he blinked.

That is…

He rubbed his eyes and moved closer, his expression growing odd.

So, Mayor Drayden entrusted the DNA Splicers to Natsume, did he…

But using the DNA Splicers as a display ornament—isn’t he afraid it might go berserk?

On the other side, the Champion group chat:

“Gold…” Lance gritted his teeth, “I swear I’ll kick him out of the group chat one day.”

“Just mute him for a week, it hurts more than kicking him, trust me,” Steven chuckled.

Cynthia, chin propped in hand, golden hair falling, mulled over the lunch menu in silence.

“What’s that?” Leon asked, curious. “A league work group?”

Cynthia looked at Leon, speechless.

This guy… just loves his work, huh?

“Hmm… Natsume-sensei said I could invite team members, so inviting you should be fine.”

Steven smiled, produced his PokéNav, and displayed its QR code. “Just scan this.”

Red-haired Lance crossed his arms, deep in thought.

Having Leon join could be a good thing.

Now there’d be another member chasing Gold all over the world…

“Oh, thank you!” Leon’s eyes sparkled as he whipped out his Rotom Mobile and sent the request.

Admin Lance approved instantly—efficiency itself.

[Member ‘Galar Champion Leon’ has joined the chat group!]

“That’s an apt ID,” Cynthia smiled.

“Makes it easier for advertisers to find me on the list, haha!” Leon replied brightly.

In the courtyard:

Blue Oak stood with hands in pockets before the budget model of the Tree of Beginning, eyelids twitching.

That aura… if he wasn’t mistaken, was from the Tree of Beginning.

But why is it here?

Old Ramos, hunched and leaning on massive shears, eyed the ring of Revival Herbs, stroking his goatsbeard.

“Fine indeed… Old man thinks that’s the finest tea leaf, full of bitterness and fragrance!”

“Blastoise!” Blastoise nodded vigorously, having found a kindred spirit at last.

Gengar led Valerie into the shop, just as the ribbon-cutting ceremony was about to commence.

Under the eager gazes of the citizens, the five Champions handling the ribbon climbed onto the red-carpeted stage.

Professor Oak and Blue Oak, sudden arrivals not on the cut list, watched from a distance.

From left to right: Leon, Steven, Natsume, Cynthia, Lance.

C position? It was obvious!

Photos flashed furiously as the citizens joked and teased.

“The two guys on either end are both cape enthusiasts.”

"Leon says, 'I don’t want to wear capes, but they keep giving me more.'"

The red ribbon dropped.

Flashbulbs flared again—the crowd went wild.

Only after the ribbon-cutting ceremony drew to a close

Did the people begin to process the shock of seeing so many Champions gathered here in Lumiose City.

What made it most incredible: this café, blessed by so many Champions, was truly open to ordinary citizens!

Though reservation was complicated and some threshold existed, in citizens’ minds, this café was now synonymous with Champions.

Even Lysandre’s sunrise café—long favored by Diantha and Professor Sycamore—couldn’t compare.

That very day, Lumiose Fashion Week’s attendance hit historic lows—only “bleak” could describe it…

By afternoon,

Professor Oak, Professor Sycamore, and Blue Oak needed to resume research and stood to take their leave.

Before departing, Blue Oak and Leon locked eyes—a silent fire passing between them.

Blue Oak had unconsciously gained new respect for Leon; with a proud nod and hands in pockets, he departed.

“Natsume-sensei, I’ve got to get back to Wyndon—work calls—”

Leon found Natsume-sensei in the courtyard, suddenly pausing, “What’s wrong? You don’t look well.”

“Gengar~”

Gengar stood beside Natsume, bashfully scratching his head.

It must be because I helped Trainer get his last badge—he’s so touched, I just know it!

Ten minutes prior.

Gengar had found Valerie and announced he wanted to challenge her Gym. Valerie, already knowing of Natsume’s badge-collecting quest, handed over a prepared Badge.

At that moment, Natsume-sensei was outside presiding over the ceremony—barely able to keep his smile from freezing over.

[Ding! Mission accomplished!]

[Badges Collected: (8/8)]

[Mission reward: Sparkling Stone!]

“It’s nothing…”

Natsume sighed. “Go back to Galar—I just need a moment to myself.”

“I look forward to our next battle, then.”

Leon’s golden eyes burned with conviction; he smiled,

“A battle where both sides go all out!”

Natsume started, studying Leon for a moment.

At this moment, Leon was still far from his strongest state.

Only after shedding the Champion’s cape and donning his Battle Tower outfit did Leon become a true Battle Legend.

Falling from the throne is nothing to fear—what’s frightening is returning, only even stronger.

In the official setting of “Pokémon Masters,” at that time Leon’s Charizard would even defeat Blue Oak’s Blastoise.

Beyond Champion… the domain of Legends…

Natsume smiled, somewhat helpless. “Next time, for sure!”