Chapter 0707: Prism Tower, Leap of Faith!(Two-in-One)

“Who was it that said grabbing the twerp’s Pikachu would give robota free electric charging?!”

Jessie, hanging from the treetop, shouted angrily.

“No choice… We can’t even pay the electric bill anymore, nya.” Meowth said weakly.

In order to probe for Mega Stones and make a fortune, the trio had spent all their time and resources making the “Meowth Gundam.”

But after burning through all their funding, even powering the thing had become a problem, so James came up with the lousy idea to “borrow Pikachu.”

“Who could have imagined a Froakie would show up out of nowhere…”

James sighed, a lightbulb appearing above his head, “Right, Meowth, where’s that pedal-powered generator you built last time?”

“Oh! I almost forgot, nya.” Meowth realized.

In the end, the trio decided to pedal a stationary bike to power the ‘Gundam’ themselves!

Beep beep beep.

Due to their excellent performance in Unova, Boss Giovanni had given them a “holo caster” as a bonus.

This device had even better functions than the “Pokémon Navigator,” second only to a Rotom Phone, and was very expensive.

At this moment, the communicator’s blue beam projected a holographic display.

Natsume, one hand on his hip, looked stern.

“Executive!” the trio chorused.

“What trouble are you up to now?”

“None at all, nya.”

Meowth blinked, and explained how they tried to catch Pikachu. “Now we’re planning to dig up Mega Stone and strike it rich, nya!”

Natsume: “……”

Too broke to pay the electric bill… wasn’t that me when I first got Little Rotom?

At least it was just about catching Pikachu.

The trio hadn’t gotten any funny ideas about Garchomp.

Natsume let out a sigh of relief.

Relaxed, Natsume continued prepping dinner, carrying a bowl of char siu ramen to the front hall and switching on the TV projector.

Unexpectedly, all the channels were broadcasting the same emergency news.

“At the top of Prism Tower—there’s a young man!”

Natsume: ???

Live footage showed Ash clutching an emergency stairwell, step by step approaching the highest spot where Garchomp was.

Dinner would have to wait.

Natsume put down his bowl and chopsticks, rubbed his temples, and said,

“Latias, we’re headed out.”

“Latias~” Latias mumbled with her mouth full of chocolate.

“Rescue a hostage!”

……

Meanwhile, Ash was not having a good time.

He’d brought the injured Froakie to Professor Sycamore’s Research Institute.

Meeting Ash for the first time, Professor Sycamore introduced himself and mentioned he was studying Garchomp’s mega evolution.

Garchomp’s temperament, similar to Salamence, was extremely fierce. Mega-evolution could easily spiral out of control, resulting in violent rampages.

There were even cases of mega Salamence attacking its own trainer, hence the nickname “Bloodstained New Moon.”

While Froakie was treated, Clemont and Professor Sycamore chatted, and Ash pressed against the incubator glass, watching Froakie.

Here it was—the classic “abandonment, bond, and catch” sequence from the previous generations!

Rumble—!

The coffee table quaked, and everyone looked up in surprise.

“Professor!”

An assistant rushed in, panicked: “Garchomp, it’s gone into the streets!”

“What?”

“Professor Sycamore!!”

Garchomp’s eyes were crimson as it roared on the streets, the energy detector around its neck clearly causing pain!

A researcher tried to help take it off.

But, enraged, Garchomp lashed with twin scythes, mouth spewing Fire Blast onto the street, raising seas of fire and rolling black smoke!

Professor Sycamore and Ash hurried outside.

“This is Garchomp’s stress response—this is bad.”

“Professor Sycamore, I—” The young researcher was racked with guilt.

“It’s alright. I’ll handle this.”

Professor Sycamore gripped the researcher’s shoulder, then moved toward the crimson-eyed Garchomp with a serious look.

“Snap out of it, Garchomp!”

Unlike Cynthia’s proud Garchomp, this one was even more ferocious.

“Garchomp!!” Garchomp’s furious shout shook the air as it launched itself like a fighter jet, rocketing straight toward the Prism Tower.

A figure sprinted out—Professor Sycamore looked over, just to see Ash chasing Garchomp in huge strides.

“Wait for me, Garchomp!”

With Garchomp on a rampage, Southern Street fell into chaos.

After it landed on Prism Tower’s top level, Jenny and her officers cordoned off the area.

Jenny spoke into her radio:

“Garchomp is in an out-of-control rage condition, evacuate all personnel and begin sheltering procedures!”

The news media rolled out at once.

A helicopter circled above Prism Tower, now cloaked in the night. The reporter leaned out:

“Breaking news! An out-of-control Garchomp is at the top of Prism Tower—citizens are advised to evacuate the area immediately!”

Live on screen: Garchomp, eyes burning crimson, raged at the apex. Its Hyper Beam blazed like a laser across the Lumiose City sky!

Jenny looked on anxiously from below, eyes fixed on the summit as Garchomp appeared. Then a solitary figure emerged. “Professor Sycamore?”

“I’m terribly sorry to have caused this disturbance,” Professor Sycamore said. “I’ll resolve this.”

“It’s far too dangerous up there, Professor! You shouldn’t go near!”

“Chief!” Police officers called, “Some kid in a cap just ran inside the barricade!”

“What? Why didn’t you stop him!”

“I’m sorry, Chief, he’s got freakish strength—none of us could hold him back!”

Every TV channel interrupted programming for this story.

Kalos Region, Vaniville Town.

“Serena, come see this!”

Serena—chestnut hair, a bow in it—took milk from the fridge and glanced at the TV.

“A disaster movie?”

“More like a scientific accident—Garchomp went berserk and flew to Prism Tower!”

Serena sat beside her mother, sipping milk. Her turquoise eyes suddenly went wide.

On the live stream: a young man in a red cap and blue vest edging around the ledge, with nothing but open air below.

“There’s a young man on Prism Tower!” the reporter announced. “He looks like he’s trying to save Garchomp!”

“Is it Garchomp’s trainer?”

Serena didn’t answer her mother, just gazed at Ash onscreen, entranced.

Night deepened.

Rows of police cars circled Prism Tower, and masses of citizens gathered at the barricade, all pointing up at the young man.

Jenny’s face was grim. “How long until the air-rescue team gets here?”

“About ten minutes!”

The searchlights cut through the night sky over Prism Tower.

Illuminated by the beams, Ash climbed the emergency stairs, step by step, up to Prism Tower’s highest level.

Professor Sycamore and Jenny’s pupils contracted; a commotion swept the barricade.

“That young man reached the summit!” exclaimed the reporter.

Serena covered her mouth, holding her breath.

“Hoo…”

Night wind blowing, Ash stood atop Prism Tower, neon city stretching out below.

At the narrow edge of the top platform, Garchomp panted, mouth open, eyes blazing crimson: “Garchomp…”

“Garchomp, stay right there, don’t move.”

Ash edged toward Garchomp. “I know you’re in pain… please, trust me, everyone is waiting for you to come back!”

As Ash approached, Garchomp retreated step by step, sweat beading its brow.

Finally forced to the edge, Garchomp snapped, unleashing Hyper Beam!

Gasps erupted from the crowd below.

BOOM!!

Hyper Beam exploded behind Ash—debris flying, smoke billowing.

Ash struggled up, scorched but resolute: “I’m coming, Garchomp!”

“Garchomp!!” Garchomp’s twin scythes radiated cold blue-green energy—Dragon Claw!—as it howled to the sky.

Suddenly, a brilliant beam fired into the sky—Dazzling Gleam’s radiance drawing every gaze.

Bang!

The beams split like fireworks—a black shadow flashed across the sky!

Garchomp abruptly stopped, turning to gaze into the night.

“That’s…” Jenny’s pupils shrank.

The searchlight swept upward.

Spectators gasped.

A red, jet-like Pokémon blazed a path through the air!

The media’s helicopter, unable to get close to Prism Tower due to Garchomp’s rampage, now swung its lens toward the sky.

“That… legendary Pokémon—is that Latias?!” the host blurted.

Whoosh—

Riding on Latias’s back, a black-haired young man became the center of attention.

Crouched low, arms wrapped around Latias, black coat flapping in the wind, Natsume shouted:

“Get closer, Latias!”

“ Latias~!”

Latias’s twin wings sliced the air, spiraling around Prism Tower, closing in on Garchomp.

Outside the barricade, citizens craned to watch, abuzz over the mysterious trainer.

“Is that the rescue team?”

“He’s flying straight toward Garchomp!”

Ash, covered in burn marks, looked up at Latias swooping in—and recognized the distant figure.

“Natsume-sensei!” Ash called out in surprise.

“Garchomp!!” Garchomp, eyes blazing, fired a torrential Flamethrower, lighting up the sky!

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Latias dazzled the air, nimbly dodging the sweeping blow.

Then Latias soared above Garchomp’s head.

Natsume gazed down at Garchomp.

“Downward—Icy Wind!”

Latias flapped her wings, scattering sparkling Icy Wind.

Garchomp, terrified, covered its head with its claws—icy wind freezing its feet along with the platform!

“Ash, now!” Natsume shouted.

“Got it—!!”

Ash sprinted for Garchomp, circling to its back, locking his legs, arms clamped around Garchomp’s neck!

“Garchomp!” Garchomp struggled in pain.

“Hrrrrrrgh!”

Ash mustered all his strength, breaking the collar device with a ‘CRACK!’

Natsume’s eyelid twitched.

My Blastoise…

Wouldn’t surprise me if you choke Garchomp unconscious at this point!

With the detector shattered, Garchomp’s breath came ragged. It half-knelt, crimson fading from its eyes.

There was dead silence at the base of Prism Tower.

For several seconds—then an explosion of wild cheers!

Jenny exhaled deeply, into her radio:

“Garchomp has calmed down!”

Natsume directed Latias to land at the top of Prism Tower, carefully stepping onto the platform.

The cold night wind swept past; Natsume surveyed Ash and Garchomp, gazed out at the neon panorama.

Lumiose City, the highest vantage. Prism Tower—unlocked!

“You alright, Ash?”

“I’m great!” Ash—singed but grinning—said, “Garchomp’s feeling better, too!”

Natsume nodded. “Pikachu—you be careful too—”

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu’s foot slipped, tumbling off the highest platform of Prism Tower!

“Pikachu!”

Ash lunged forward, jumped hard, leaping from the city’s summit.

A leap of faith!

The previously calmed citizens now froze in horror.

Professor Sycamore and Jenny’s eyes bulged wide.

The young man was plummeting from the heights—wrapping Pikachu in his arms as they fell!

Did I just unlock some kind of disastrous commentator ability!?

No time to think—“Latias, Agility!!” Natsume yelled.

Latias flashed like a red blur, wings slicing the air, streaking down Prism Tower’s shining glass face.

They quickly caught up to Ash and Pikachu.

With countless eyes watching in suspense,

Latias safely caught Ash, bearing them down to the ground.

Ash and Pikachu—completely unharmed!

In a heartbeat, the crowd boiled over—uproarious cheers!

“Thank you, Latias!” Ash grinned at Latias.

“Latias!” Latias beamed, waving a hand.

The citizens, all smiling, broke into thunderous applause.

Jenny stared in awe at Latias, then looked up at the shadowy figure above.

She knew exactly whose partner Latias was.

That hero remained above—not out of arrogance, but to avoid interviewers and crowds.

“So cool… Mr. Natsume…” Jenny murmured.

Prism Tower, at the summit.

Natsume gazed quietly into the night sky.

“Gengar~” Gengar appeared at his side like a double, grinning slyly.

“It’s not that I don’t want to go down,”

Natsume muttered, “it’s that I really don’t dare move at all right now…”

The media helicopter circled over. Natsume glanced up, meeting the broadcast camera.

The host, stunned by the black-haired young man’s striking looks, stammered:

“M-Mr. Natsume-sensei?!”

The live feed gave a close-up of this trainer.

Amidst the night, Natsume stood atop Prism Tower, hands in pockets, coat swirling, Gengar levitating at his side.

In that instant—

Fans all across the Kalos Region were shaken!

“What the—Natsume-sensei!”

All previous worry about an unknown trainer vanished instantly.

Fans everywhere thought the same thing:

Damn it, he pulled it off again!

……

At the conclusion, Garchomp returned to the research institute to recover.

Ash accepted a media interview, grinning sheepishly:

“I didn’t think much about it—I just jumped…”

The police officer who tried to stop Ash, looking at the kid’s bruises, was dumbfounded.

It’s not just strength—he must’ve trained martial arts in Touran—ninety-degree vertical buildings are nothing!

Serena watched the report, murmuring:

“Ash…”

The next day.

Lumiose City’s headlines were packed with stories of Natsume-sensei’s brave rescue.

Photo: Natsume atop Prism Tower, face cold and stern, standing tall and motionless.

Natsume browsed the articles, falling silent.

Pretty sure I was pale and legs were shaking at the time.

But looking at these pictures… doesn’t seem that way at all…

All he dreamed about last night was falling off Prism Tower.

Natsume rubbed his stiff neck, yawned into the front hall, and checked the chat feed.

Ash: “I caught Froakie! [photo]”

Natsume smiled and sent his congratulations.

Ding-a-ling——

The wind chime tinkled.

Natsume glanced over.

A long gray-haired, cape-draped uninvited guest entered, a fierce aura sweeping through the café.

“Natsume-sensei.”

Tobias spoke coldly: “I have waited for this day a long time!”

“The shop next door has card packs half off,” Natsume said, not bothering to play host.

“Where? WHERE!”