Chapter 0695: The Number of Illegal Moves Has Increased(Two-in-One)

The two Orb Fragments were almost identical in size.

One shone with fiery brilliance, as if molten magma flowed through its veins; the other was as deep as the ocean, shimmering with the shifting light of water.

Both were peerless ores that could make Steven Stone swallow his tongue in awe.

According to the primal pulse provided by these Fragments for training, it was enough to master Groudon and Kyogre’s signature moves—

“Origin Pulse” and “Precipice Blades”!

Images already appeared in Natsume-sensei’s mind of Tyranitar stomping out a ravine with one step, of Blastoise’s cannons unleashing an indigo Pulse.

Natsume’s expression was odd.

This was certainly illegal...

But extremely reasonable!

After all, these signature moves seemed perfectly suited to Natsume’s Tyranitar and Blastoise!

“What a hefty gift,” Natsume murmured.

As long as the little ones didn’t secretly train themselves and tear the house down...

Natsume fell into contemplation.

Who knew how long it would take to train them, but there was no way to do it at home.

So where to train became a serious problem.

Pick another lucky Leader?

Natsume shook his head.

Among all the Gym venues he knew, none could withstand this level of move.

“No wonder Red went to Mt. Silver to train... Because the facilities in the Gyms could no longer keep up with his training strength.”

After pondering for a moment, Natsume slapped his palm with realization.

Touran’s Victory Road should be able to handle Blastoise’s “Origin Pulse” and Tyranitar’s “Precipice Blades”!

After all, the Touran League was fully upgraded with black-tech infrastructure. The quality of Victory Road was top-notch.

Maybe he could even take the opportunity to let Arcanine master illegal moves like “Sacred Fire”.

After all, Arcanine is a Legendary Pokémon among Touran’s legendary group, similar to Volcarona among Unova legendaries, not quite a ‘Legendary Pokémon’ in the strictest sense but still top tier in terms of presence... There’s bound to be plenty of resources suited for the grand dog!

Natsume secretly thought:

This is the road to universal illegality—straying farther with every step...

“Please thank your father for me, Silver.”

Natsume smiled. “And tell him for me that “Giovanni’s Techniques” have been a great inspiration to me.”

Silver could recognize a familiar shadow out of Tyranitar’s moves. Silver, Blue Oak, even Natsume-sensei had all once received help from that man.

It’s hardly an exaggeration to call Giovanni a Ground-type expert.

“You’ve also created a style that belongs to you and Tyranitar.”

Silver paused, then said, “Not the earth, but the desert.”

Natsume chuckled involuntarily.

In the sandstorm-swept desert, Precipice Blades erupting from the ground—just thinking of it was so cool.

However, Precipice Blades only had an accuracy rate of 85... Even if Tyranitar really mastered it, Natsume would still do his best to avoid using this move in practical battle.

Eighty-five percent accuracy... How is that any different from the ultimate moves that always miss!

As for the other signature move—

Origin Pulse belonged to the Pulse move category.

Mega Blastoise’s Ability, “Mega Launcher,” can strengthen Pulse moves and is a perfect fit for “Origin Pulse”.

According to the rough calculation that “Mega Launcher” boosts Pulse moves by 50%—

Blastoise firing off an Origin Pulse would be roughly 1.5 Kyogres in power!

“Tch—” Natsume sucked in a breath.

One-and-a-half Kyogre’s worth of power, terrifying indeed!

Kyogre may just become the new unit for measuring battle strength!

Of course, Natsume was perfectly aware of his own limits.

Blastoise’s “Origin Pulse” might shatter the sky, but just like “Precipice Blades”, its accuracy rate...

If he were up against a tiny Pokémon like Pikachu, with Ash shouting his classic “Dodge it!!,” he’d probably miss every time.

“It’ll only be useful in a Dynamax battle,” Natsume thought.

So, you thought the move to deal with Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard was Max Geyser?

Actually, it was Mega Blastoise, letting loose an “Origin Pulse” with the power of one-and-a-half Kyogres!

……

After bidding farewell to Silver, Natsume returned to the hotel and tossed the indigo Fragment to Blastoise.

“Get used to its pulse first... It’s fine if we wait till the end of the year to really start training.”

“Blastoise ヾ(■_■)” Blastoise nodded, quietly using Aura to sense the Fragment.

Blastoise perceived the magnificent pulse within the indigo Fragment and couldn’t help feeling delighted.

Such a crucial survival move—of course it had to be mastered as soon as possible!

Trump Card +1, survival rate up sharply!

On the other side, Tyranitar was steadily eyeing the sandstorm-enhancing “Smooth Rock” and suddenly began gnawing with crunchy bites.

“Tyranitar...(￣～￣)”

Keep staring and I’ll eat you!

Natsume raised an eyebrow.

The child was hungry... The fact was, they hadn’t had a big meal in two months!

He silently lowered his head, looked at the crimson Fragment in his hand, and thought:

“Gengar swallowed a Griseous Orb Fragment before, so if Tyranitar swallows a Red Orb Fragment it should be fine...”

As everyone knew.

Natsume’s Tyranitar was nicknamed ‘Little Groudon’!

Now that Tyranitar had just finished eating the “Smooth Rock”, she’d have to wait a while before getting the crimson Fragment.

After sorting out the two Fragments, Natsume sat on the sofa, thinking about tomorrow’s schedule.

Tomorrow morning, he’d head for Sky Pillar with Steven and Norman to seek the whereabouts of Ruby and Sapphire.

If they were trapped within Rayquaza’s evaluation, he could render assistance.

Natsume wasn’t really worried about the young couple’s safety, since both were Pokédex Holders.

What concerned him far more... was the Successor, Zinnia of the Draconid people, who appeared in the original plot.

The Draconid people had prophesied the great meteorite disaster to occur a thousand years later, and for generations had passed down the mission to meet the crisis. Zinnia was the current Successor.

She tried to forge a bond with Rayquaza, commanding Mega Rayquaza to smash the meteorite; she opposed Devon Corporation’s dimensional transfer project and loathed Steven’s side of the Trainers.

If Zinnia also appeared at Sky Pillar, there was a decent chance she’d attack Ruby and Sapphire.

Natsume lapsed into thought.

He sympathized with Zinnia carrying that mission and standing against the entire Hoenn League alone...but, ultimately, she was not Rayquaza’s chosen Successor.

Whether the Successor was Ruby, Sapphire, or even Wally who once awakened Rayquaza...

To gain Rayquaza’s help... I have to be fully prepared!

He closed his eyes and let his mind wander, the vision of the emerald dragon atop the Tower of the Skies appearing in his mind.

Rayquaza, Ancient Pokémon, the sky god.

Proud and volatile by nature, not the sort for polite conversation, with a built-in arrogance and majesty.

It usually lives in the ozone layer, traveling between space and Earth, feeding on meteorites.

Natsume recalled that episode in Sun & Moon when Ash and friends wept as they sent off a little Minior back into space... Rayquaza was waiting up there, ready to devour it!

A little on the dark side. Natsume coughed. Others said Rayquaza only eats the Minior’s shell—

Maybe Tyranitar could try eating it. (Just kidding.)

In any case, faced with such an inherently arrogant Rayquaza, he had to be prepared for battle.

Compared to Groudon, Kyogre, or even the Creation Trio, Rayquaza’s strength stands out above them all.

Palkia and Dialga could still trade blows with Giratina. Kyogre and Groudon, in front of Rayquaza, stand little chance.

In the game “Emerald”, Rayquaza’s arrival and a single roar instantly sent Groudon and Kyogre hurrying back home.

In the movie “Hoopa and the Clash of Ages”, a Mega Evolved shiny black Rayquaza faced seven legendary Pokémon at once—proving its position as sky sovereign.

The Rayquaza at Sky Pillar should be equally formidable.

“Mega Rayquaza can 1V7...”

Natsume mused, “That means facing even an ordinary Rayquaza, I’ll need to summon at least seven legendary Pokémon to be sure of victory!”

This is a classic “summon seven dragons” scenario!

When commanding Regigigas, Natsume nearly collapsed. Commanding seven legendaries at once is a recipe for sudden death.

But, just having them there for support doesn’t necessarily mean a battle will erupt.

To be safe, he’d have to bring little V—who was filled with Infinity Energy—to help ward off sudden collapse...

Natsume stroked his chin.

“As Arceus’s Messenger, bringing the Creation Trio, Tao trio, and Darkrai to show good faith...”

“I believe even the Sky God, Rayquaza, would give me a little face!”

……

Night deepened.

Cynthia, lying on the sofa, stretched out a long leg, one knee propped up, her face turned toward the screen, hugging a box of chips.

“Togepi doo-ee~” Togepi rested on the cushion at Cynthia’s side, feet swinging, staring intently at the TV.

Sylveon lounged elegantly on the sofa, lifting her long ears and ribbons, letting out a lazy yawn.

Tyranitar sat half upright. Arcanine sprawled sideways. Sirfetch’d stood still, eyes withdrawn, motionless.

“What are you watching?” Natsume asked.

Cynthia pinched a chip, touched her lips. “Mauville TV’s superhero show—Mecha Salamence versus Tyranitar.”

“Wasn’t that show cancelled?” Natsume asked, surprised. Like Silver, he himself had kept up with the series weekly.

“Hmm... Maybe it was recorded ahead of time, and the station is just replaying the series,” Cynthia said.

“Tyranitar!” Tyranitar waved a hand.

Cynthia offered the chips to Tyranitar, who carefully pinched a huge stack with her claws, then pushed the chips back.

Natsume: “I’ll have the hotel room service bring some more snacks.”

“Mm!” Cynthia’s eyes sparkled.

“...And ice cream, too.”

“Mm.” Cynthia nodded, smiling.

As he passed Sirfetch’d, Natsume noticed he’d fallen asleep standing up, his eyes drawn on with permanent marker.

“Don’t pick up weird habits from Jigglypuff, Gengar,” Natsume sighed.

“Gengar!”

Gengar poked his head out from a pool of shadow, grinned, and waved his microphone.

Pop!

Gengar demonstrated for Natsume, pulling off the head of his microphone to reveal the permanent marker and grinned with glee.

Natsume: “......”

Maybe that microphone gadget really does increase Hypnosis’s accuracy.

At the balcony, Natsume gazed out at Rustboro City, where electricity was only partly restored—no night skyline like in more peaceful times.

Shadows beneath his feet stretched and swirled up the wall, shaping into a drifting humanoid. Darkrai surfaced from the shadow.

“Still more battling tomorrow?” Darkrai asked.

“You might need to lend a hand,” Natsume said.

“Hmph... This time there’s no need for remuneration.” Darkrai replied coolly.

Natsume looked at Darkrai with a hint of surprise.

“I’ve seen you, as Champion, shoulder so much responsibility and mission.”

Darkrai looked to the night sky. After a moment: “I was moved as well.”

Natsume paused, then smiled. “Perfect—help me scheme out tomorrow’s teamfight pick-ban.”

Darkrai looked blank.

Natsume-sensei went on talking to himself, “To face the Sky God, the first essential is—the ability to fly.”

“I’m inclined to invite the Creation Trio and Tao trio. But Zekrom is traveling with N, so I’ll just try to reach out. Kyurem doesn’t really get along with me... let’s skip, but next time for sure.”

“You sure those guys will help you?” Darkrai asked dubiously.

Natsume raised an eyebrow, closed his eyes, and quietly said:

“Transcend—the laws of time and space—”

In his radar-like perception, the Power of One’s beams extended to various regions.

Transcend the laws of time and space—not only out of past help he gave the Creation Trio and Tao trio, but a reflection of Natsume’s earned bond and recognition with the legendries.

In other words.

Any region he has unlocked on his map, any legendary Pokémon there will show him respect!

He typed out a message, sent it to all, and it was done.

Natsume turned to Darkrai.

“All right. Let’s wait and see tomorrow.”

As one of the recipients, Darkrai also got the mass message, and sensed pulses from the Reverse World and Sinnoh’s space-time.

The Creation Trio seem to be responding for real!

Darkrai: “......”

You’re no strategist—you’ve got pure persuasive power!

……

Unova Region, Nimbasa City.

A melancholic, green-haired young man gazed out at the bustling Ferris wheel, faintly smiling, then turned and said,

“Let’s go, Zekrom. To the next city.”

Zekrom was invisible by N’s side, its thunderous voice ringing only in N’s mind.

“Not riding the Ferris wheel?”

“Not today.” N smiled. “Just hearing the voices of those Pokémon was enough happiness.”

Zekrom nodded, then lifted his gaze to the brilliant, cloud-strewn sky.

“Oooh—!!”

A piercing, horizon-spanning cry—tourists looked up curiously but saw only clear sky criss-crossed with vapor trails.

If you looked far enough, cutting through the cloud cover, you’d see a beautiful streak of white darting across the heavens, saluting Zekrom.

“What is it?” N asked.

Zekrom was silent a moment, then said: “That one, the truth, the hero of ideals, your mentor, seems to need help.”

“Would you like me to go with you?”

“No...I’ll be back soon. N, look after yourself.”

N nodded gently; his shirttails fluttered in the breeze. Zekrom’s tail engine spun up, and with impossible speed, he soared into the clouds.

Black and white streaked across Opelucid’s sky, the tail trailing fire and lightning.

……

Sinnoh Region, Reverse World.

Giratina beat its ribbon-shaped wings, drifting through the mirror realm, then paused, a flash of surprise on its face.

A message from Natsume… requesting help?

Just earlier he’d said “next time we’ll fight together,” and who’d have thought “next time” would be so soon!

Still... Natsume had once saved the Sinnoh Region from space-time chaos, so Giratina owed him that debt.

Not to mention, this human even shattered Arceus’s manifestation and became its Messenger...

Beneath his platinum helmet, Giratina’s double pupils flickered red. With a wave of his wings, he soared toward Hoenn reflected on the mirror’s surface.

He’d been idle so long—it was time to get active again!