Chapter 0685: Natsume-sensei: Hoenn Region Is Under My Protection! (2/3)

August 9th, Monday.

The pristine white cruise ship S.S. Aqua cut through the waters of Hoenn, leaving ripples and white foam in its wake as Wingulls fluttered overhead.

On the ship’s deck, Lt. Surge sat in a fishing chair, clad in a camouflage vest and sunglasses, gripping a deep-sea fishing rod.

Beside him, a black-haired young man in a floral shirt and cargo shorts, also wearing sunglasses and sipping an iced cola, held his own fishing rod.

The buoy bobbed up and down. Lt. Surge leaned over enviously and muttered, "How come you’re getting bites again?"

"Don’t even need to look—definitely a Magikarp," Natsume said with a yawn.

The scorching sun blazed overhead, the sky clear and windless. The cries of Wingulls mixed with the ship’s engine hum.

Natsume and Lt. Surge’s heads seemed to sprout three black ellipsis dots in unison.

"Another peaceful day," Natsume chuckled.

"You wouldn’t be so cheerful if we hit a storm," Lt. Surge scoffed.

"Shut it! Don’t jinx us!"

After several hours of sailing, Natsume released the hooked Magikarp, packed up his rod, and headed back to his cabin for a break.

Pushing open the cabin door, a cool breeze greeted him. Togepi and Victini were sprawled on the white bed, playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game, cards scattered everywhere.

Meloetta sat on the open windowsill, its emerald hair swaying in the ocean breeze as it softly hummed a sea shanty.

Natsume mused that if they ever played cards, Meloetta could provide some BGM accompaniment…

Sirfetch’d lay under the AC, staring blankly: "Sirfetch’d…( -'`-)"

So happy~ No training, no danger—just a nice trip!

Best missions ever!

Natsume shrugged, then glanced at the nearly invisible Pupitar lurking in the corner. He smirked.

"Don’t worry, chow time’s coming soon… probably!"

Pupitar turned its head slowly, its hollow carapace eyes meeting Natsume’s gaze: "Pupitar…"

Yeah right. Trainer’s full of it.

Natsume raised an eyebrow.

I’m the one they call ‘Natsume of the Earth.’ Raising a Pupitar? Piece of cake.

Why steal Boss Giovanni’s title?

If I can’t fly, I’ll stand on the ground—what’s wrong with that?

With the bed occupied by Togepi, Natsume stepped back out onto the deck, gazing at the horizon.

The lush islands of Hoenn were just visible in the distance.

Sylveon crouched beside him, its ribbons curling around Natsume’s arm, its baby-blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Brand new region," Natsume grinned. "Lots of new Pokémon to meet."

"Beep… And new construction companies! Rotom!" Rotom cheered.

"…Little Rotom, initiate shutdown mode." Natsume said mercilessly.

"Beep… System Overload, Rotom~o(TヘTo)"

The ship plowed through the waves, sunlight glinting off its hull. A small Latias flew alongside, its feathers translucent in the light, chirping happily: "Latias!"

Natsume noted Latias’s lively personality… and its impressive flight speed.

If an emergency happens…

Natsume’s expression turned odd.

This might just be my Hoenn ride.

By afternoon, the S.S. Aqua docked at Slateport City’s port. In the games, you’d need Mr. Briney’s tiny boat to reach this place.

"Verdanturf Town isn’t far from here," Lt. Surge said. "Cut through the Bike Path to Mauville City, take a turn past the Pokémon Day Care, and you’re there!"

I can already picture the in-game route in my head!

Natsume’s expression soured.

Thanks to all those hours spent in Pokémon Emerald, racing between Verdanturf and Mauville just to hatch eggs!

"Alright, thanks for the ride," Natsume waved. "See you around!"

"Not likely," Lt. Surge laughed. "I’ve got plans to grab beers with Mr. Briney and Captain Drake. If you need a ride back to Kanto, just hitch a ride with either of them—mention my name!"

"Drake? Hoenn’s Dragon-type Elite Four?" Natsume blinked.

"Yep! Both he and Briney are veteran captains—there’s no waters in Hoenn they won’t sail!" Lt. Surge boasted.

Hoenn’s Elite Four always did have low presence…

Natsume shrugged it off, strolling through Slateport’s scenic beachfront before passing a row of market stalls: ground Berry powder, swaying red seaweed, and pale, sad-looking Corsola.

"That’s a Galarian Ghost-type Corsola," the vendor introduced his partner wistfully. "They say these Corsola lived in Galar’s ancient seas. After dying, they were reborn as ghosts, lingering where they once thrived… So tragic."

Natsume nodded in agreement.

Gengar rummaged in its chest before pulling out a lollipop and offering it to the frowning Corsola with a toothy grin.

"Gengar! (≧◇≦)"

The ashen Corsola blinked up in surprise, its downturned mouth curling into a shy smile.

After the exchange, the vendor handed Natsume a yellow glass whistle—an item that could cure Confusion.

"A little gift. Made from volcanic ash, barely costs a thing. Take it," the vendor smiled.

Touched by Hoenn’s hospitality, Natsume accepted it with a grin.

Despite Hoenn’s history of volcanic eruptions, floods, and extreme weather… it’s also blessed with rich resources and energy.

Geothermal, wind, hydro—Hoenn’s energy reserves were so vast they could power massive projects like the Sea Mauville.

Compared to Hoenn, Galar’s energy crisis was dire—hence Chairman Rose’s obsession with capturing Eternatus.

But without Oleana as his assistant, Rose might’ve been too swamped to worry about a crisis a thousand years away. Maybe I accidentally saved a villain.

Wally’s home was in Verdanturf Town, past Old Man Wattson’s Mauville Gym.

Natsume hopped on his Rotom Bike and tore down the Bike Path at breakneck speed, leaving Hoenn’s "biker gangs" stunned.

"Boss…" one delinquent whispered. "Did a giant black rat just zoom past us?"

"Idiot!" the leader smacked his underling. "That was the legendary Rotom Bike of biking lore!"

The gang gasped in awe: "Whoaa~????"

Another thug piped up: "So uh… where can we get one?"

The boss snapped: "Shut your damn mouth!"

……

Upon arriving in Mauville City, Natsume took a brief rest in one of the Pokémon Center's guest rooms when Cynthia's video call came through.

"You've already reached Hoenn?" The golden-haired beauty, clad in a black trench coat, rested her chin on her hand as she spoke.

"Yeah, just got to Mauville City," Natsume replied. "Might even challenge Old Man Wattson to a couple of rounds later."

"He'll definitely cheat," Cynthia said, pressing her lips together.

"Then I'll just challenge Old Man Wattson to a real Pokémon battle!" Natsume declared without hesitation.

Cynthia chuckled lightly, though her gray eyes beneath her golden locks soon turned serious.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to Hoenn for a while."

"What happened?"

"Some unexpected developments." Her brows furrowed slightly. "Abnormal energy pulses have been detected in the spatial fabric across Sinnoh, Unova, and Hoenn."

"Grandmother and Professor Rowan both believe it's connected to Legendary Pokémon activity, so... I may need to investigate Spear Pillar again to assess the situation."

Spear Pillar in Sinnoh was linked to the Sinjoh Ruins in Johto, and its stability affected the entire Sinnoh Region. Cynthia couldn't afford to ignore it.

Natsume nodded in understanding. "No worries. The meteor shower isn't for another 19 days."

"What if I can't make it in time?" Cynthia asked.

"Then I'll arrange a meteor shower just for Cynthia."

Natsume grinned. "Latias happens to have mastered Draco Meteor."

"Latias!" Latias puffed up her cheeks in protest, looking like an angry little steamed bun.

"Draco Meteor isn't meant for that!!"

Cynthia let out an elegant laugh, her eyes flickering with amusement before she softly called out:

"Natsume."

"Yeah?"

"I like you."

The sudden confession hit Natsume like a critical hit—it took him a moment to process.

"...What did you just say?"

"I like you," she repeated, smiling faintly. "The same way I like Garchomp."

"GAR!! (〝▼皿▼)"

A pair of murderous eyes suddenly filled the screen as Garchomp pressed close to Cynthia, clearly jealous.

"Uh... yeah. Got it." Natsume scratched his cheek, his voice stiff.

"And your response?" Cynthia's melodious voice carried a playful lilt.

"I'll go research the latest ice cream flavors right away," Natsume declared. "Then I'll take Cynthia to Sootopolis City to watch the meteor shower."

His gaze sharpened.

"Primal Kyogre, Primal Groudon, even Mega Rayquaza—none of them will stop me."

"This Hoenn—I'm claiming it as my turf!"

……

Sinnoh Region, Alamos Town

Darkrai lounged in the shade of the Pokémon Gardens, lazily chewing on a Pokéblock as the melodies of Space-Time Tower intertwined in the air.

Now this... this is what you call living the good life.

Originally, it was supposed to be working shifts at the café in Lumiose City... but lately, Natsume had been away on business in Hoenn.

According to him, the trip wasn’t particularly dangerous, so there was no need to bring extra bodyguards.

For once, Darkrai was enjoying some well-earned peace—no battles against Legendary Pokémon, no world-ending crises.

Just tranquility.

Then, Darkrai felt it—the call of "The Power of One."

A familiar chill shot down its spine.

Darkrai: o(≧Д≦)っ!

Oh no. Natsume’s definitely about to drag me into another fight!

Last time, it was a fusion of Legendary Pokémon. The time before that? Arceus itself.

What could it possibly be this time?!

Darkrai’s mind blanked.

This is bad… He’s absolutely, without a doubt, gone and pissed off another Legendary Pokémon!

The telepathic signal from The Power of One grew stronger, the white threads of emotional connection nearly tangible.

Darkrai wiped its nonexistent sweat, realizing with dismay that its bond with Natsume had somehow deepened even further…

"This is just the temptation of good food, not an actual bond!" Darkrai nodded, convincing itself.

[Natsume-sensei: Hoenn Region, Mauville City. Get here. Now.]

Darkrai scoffed, reluctantly sinking into the shadows.

But the thought that Natsume might actually be in real danger lingered.

Expression grave, Darkrai stepped through the Reverse World, hurrying toward the mirrored reflection of Hoenn Region…