Chapter 0683: The Psychic Badge - Journey to Hoenn(Two-in-One)

August 8th, Sunday.

As summer waned, a gentle evening breeze swept across the twilight-shrouded Seafoam Islands.

Natsume, clad in an Alolan floral shirt, listened to Old Man Blaine's tearful lament.

"Just a year ago, I had rows of hot spring resorts on Cinnabar Island! Then the volcano erupted—poof, all gone!" Blaine wiped his eyes dramatically.

"Didn't you despise those hot spring owners?" Natsume asked.

"What's wrong with hating competitors while running my own resort?" Blaine retorted.

"...Absolutely nothing!" Natsume affirmed.

"Anyway, now Cinnabar Gym's just a dingy cave here on Seafoam Islands."

Blaine grumbled, "Tell Kanto League to either let me retire or send reconstruction funds!"

"Will do," Natsume chuckled awkwardly.

Damn that featherbrained Lance—he knew inspecting was a thankless job!

Lance—(scratch)—redhead—(scratch)—Silver—(scratch)—

After parting with Blaine, Natsume sailed toward Vermilion Port.

Near Kanto's famed Twin Vortexes, he spotted a Lapras calling into the dusk—

A graceful red-haired woman sat sidesaddle atop it, trailing one leg through ripples while taming wind-tossed locks behind frameless glasses.

From afar, the pensive pose suggested deep contemplation.

In truth, Elite Four Lorelei was just spacing out—her airheaded nature well-known.

Given her usual haunts between Seafoam and Sevii Islands, this encounter wasn't surprising.

"What a fine lady," Natsume mused. "How's she still single?"

Then again, fifth-gen Gold and Ash grew up watching her battles—"auntie" fits.

Approaching on Blastoise, Natsume called out:

"Lorelei Aun—ahem—Lorelei!"

Startled from reverie, Lorelei adjusted her glasses. "Natsume-sensei?"

"I was evaluating Blaine's gym—well, 'Twin Island Gym' now," he explained. "Just left the docks when I saw you."

"Perfect timing," Lorelei smiled. "Care to visit my home? Sevii Islands are nearby."

"Another time. I need to wrap up these evaluations today," Natsume declined.

The faster I finish, the sooner I can handle Hoenn and maybe even catch a return ferry!

Lorelei gave an absentminded "Oh," as their conversation turned to Pryce's ice-type Delibird—until Natsume noticed Auntie Lorelei zoning out at the sunset again.

Her airheadedness grew endearing with familiarity, but to outsiders, it simply seemed like disinterest.

The moniker "Ice Queen Lorelei" didn't come from nowhere—the Elite Four member had long been synonymous with unapproachable elegance.

Natsume understood... One zoning-out episode during a matchmaking meeting was enough to deter even the most persistent suitors.

"Good luck, Auntie," he mused internally.

At the maritime junction, Lorelei finally snapped back to reality and bid Natsume farewell.

As the sun melted into the sea, a Gyarados patrolled nearby waters, spotting Blastoise's slow advance and readying a taunt—

"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)"

Blastoise remained perfectly still.

Their eyes locked.

Gyarados' mockery died in its throat as it hastily retreated.

……

In the chat group ...

Wallace mentioned the upcoming "Litleonid meteor shower" in two weeks.

"It'll be visible above Sootopolis Gym," Wallace said cheerfully. "Anyone interested? Couple tickets are 30% off at the observatory."

Yellow's cheeks immediately flushed as she considered inviting Senior Red, though she couldn't find the right words.

"I can get them for 40% off," Green chimed in mischievously.

"Yours would definitely be fake," Red sighed.

"Planning to take someone?" Green teased. "Don't tell me it's Blue Oak."

"I'll be training with Gold on Mt. Silver that day," Red replied.

"Give me a break," Gold the Fifth groaned.

Ever since provoking Red last time and getting dragged to Mt. Silver, Gold had endured hellish training sessions.

With this kind of routine, no wonder Red's old injuries flare up!

Wallace, meanwhile, intended to invite Hoenn's Flying-type Leader Winona.

Their on-again, off-again relationship made Wallace envious of his apprentice Ruby—

After all, Ruby and Sapphire were practically glued together, having already met each other's parents. Their sweetness was downright excessive.

Ruby: "@Sapphire, let's go! I prepared a new outfit that'll look perfect on you."

Sapphire replied with a blush: "Okay~!"

Lorelei, who had just returned home to Sevii Islands, opened the chat only to immediately lurk in silent despair.

Natsume privately messaged Cynthia with the official Litleonid meteor shower link.

Moments later, a reply popped up.

Cabbage Ice Cream: "Are you asking me to go with you?"

Natsume-sensei: "No. I'm telling you to come with me."

"I'll have to check my schedule."

"That day, I'm giving Sinnoh League a day off. Not even Arceus can stop me," Natsume declared.

A faint smile tugged at Cynthia's lips. "Then it's settled."

Kanto Region, Pallet Town...

Yellow's face still burned as she paced outside Red's house, rehearsing:

"Senior Red... um... w-would you... watch the meteor shower with me?"

The sound of flapping wings drew her gaze upward—Aerodactyl descended from Mt. Silver's direction, carrying a black-vested young man.

Red's damp hair clung to his forehead as he landed, jacket slung over one shoulder.

"Yellow? What's up?"

"I-I..." Yellow stammered.

"Oh!" Red suddenly remembered the earlier conversation.

……

Gold the Fifth smirked, crossing his arms. "So you're asking that blonde girl to watch the meteor shower with you?"

Red sat cross-legged atop Venusaur, sighing. "We're just friends."

"Friends don't watch meteor showers together!" Gold shook his head. "Red, you're still so green!"

Red: "..."

Of all his juniors, only Gold dared speak to him like this.

"Here, I'll teach you. First, corner her against a wall, then trap her with your arm and force eye contact..."

Gold adopted a dramatic pose. "I want you... to watch the meteor shower with me."

"That's embarrassing!" Red covered his face.

Gold lounged lazily. "Won't know till you try."

Not like I'll admit I got this from cheesy tokusatsu romance scenes...

He grinned.

If it backfires, that's 'The Battler's' problem—not mine, 'The Hatcher'!

"I can't do what Gold suggested, but... ahem."

Red cleared his throat like Professor Oak, putting on a serious face:

"Amarillo del Bosque Verde, would you accompany me to Hoenn to observe the Litleonid meteor shower?"

"Don't say my full name!!" Steam practically hissed from Yellow's crimson cheeks.

"Eh?" Red scratched his head. "I thought it sounded more formal. Heh."

Yellow stayed silent before finally nodding slightly, stealing glances at the oblivious "Battler."

To Senior Red, this was just an ordinary outing.

But... Yellow cheered herself internally:

This is more than enough for me!

……

The Pokémon world has twelve unique constellations.

July's constellation is "Crustle," corresponding to the zodiac Cancer.

August's constellation is "Braviary," aligned with Leo.

As for why a lion corresponds to "Braviary"—even Natsume couldn't explain.

That's just how Unova's astrology radio presents it.

Gazing at Vermilion City's starry sky, Natsume suddenly recalled: August 8th—Red the Battler's birthday.

Why remember Red's birthday? Because it coincided with the first Pokémon Adventures manga release.

Coincidentally, Red and Giovanni shared both a birthday and blood type—like two sides of the same coin.

A glance at the group chat confirmed the expected birthday celebrations.

Natsume sent his blessings, then switched to Team Rocket's encrypted channel to message Boss Giovanni:

“Happy Birthday.”

Minutes later, a frigid reply arrived, perfectly matching Giovanni's tone:

“How did you know?”

“Deduced it.] Natsume lied casually.

After a long pause came two stiff, weighty words:

“Thank you.”

To express genuine appreciation, Giovanni added:

“Hoenn is unstable lately. Proceed with caution.”

“Noted.”

Tucking away his phone, Natsume eyed Vermilion Gym's sign.

“This is the last gym?” Latias asked.

"Yep." Natsume grinned. "We're training here tonight!"

As League inspectors, thoroughly testing gym facilities is essential!

……

Lt. Surge looked utterly dejected as he faced the League inspector.

"What's with that expression?" Natsume chided. "You're the only Gym Leader in all of Kanto who lost to Ash—of course you're getting a thorough evaluation!"

"Fine, fine..." Lt. Surge rose from his seat, grumbling under his breath. "Though in wild battles, none of the other Leaders could beat that Ash kid either..."

The evaluation itself was straightforward.

Lt. Surge's Raichu once again experienced the terror of being outmaneuvered by the "Dirty Tactician."

"Raichu..." Raichu wobbled in dizzy circles before collapsing with swirls in its eyes.

Natsume: "..."

Well now... no wonder Ash's Pikachu puts on such convincing performances.

It learned from the best—Vermilion Gym!

Attempting to ease the awkwardness of such a quick victory, Natsume changed the subject:

"...Is your S.S. Aqua taking passengers tomorrow?"

"It's my day off. Why?"

"Perfect. Take me to Hoenn Region—I'll pay full fare."

"Hoenn Region?" Lt. Surge scratched his head. "You're not actually going to Sootopolis City to watch that meteor shower, are you?"

"That's just one item on the agenda."

Natsume smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry—I'll come straight back after handling my business!"

"I mean... sure..."

Lt. Surge lowered his voice. "But according to Hoenn's veteran captains... the seas have been unnaturally calm lately."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"No... When it gets like this, it usually means a major storm is coming."

Lt. Surge laughed heartily. "But the probability is minuscule! Nothing for you to worry about, Natsume-sensei!"

Natsume: "..."

The moment you mention "probability," my anxiety spikes even higher...

……

The night deepened.

Unexpectedly, Natsume received a call from the café.

On screen, Darkrai yawned dramatically: "Package for you!"

"Delibird!" Delibird proudly presented the gift from the corner of the frame.

Natsume smiled curiously:

"Where's it from? Why not use Dark Void to send it through to Gengar?"

'Who uses the Reverse World for deliveries...' Darkrai grumbled internally.

Nevertheless, it tossed the package into the shadows.

"Gengar..." Gengar pursed its lips, rummaging through the darkness—and actually pulled out a parcel.

"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／"

Natsume stared in astonishment.

By combining "Inverse Power" with Giratina's Reverse World access... Gengar's practically developing "Hoopa Rings"-level abilities!

Though limited to this dimension—Hoopa can summon legendaries across parallel worlds too.

Just then, an incoming call from "Clemont" flashed.

Upon answering, an off-screen voice teased: "Who~am~I?"

"Bonnie," Natsume deadpanned.

"Correct!" Bonnie popped into frame, grinning.

"Enough games, Bonnie," Clemont sighed. "We have urgent business with Natsume-sensei."

"What's this about?"

"Well... that package Delibird's delivering—it should arrive in 2-3 days—"

"Already got it."

Natsume shook the parcel warily.

Please don't be one of Clemont's explosive inventions...!

'Gengar, open it carefully. Dive for cover if needed!'

"Gengar~" Gengar nodded solemnly.

"Oh! Perfect timing then!"

Clemont continued, unfazed: "This contains a message from Gym Leader Olympia of Anistar City!"

Olympia? The prophet?

Natsume blinked as Clemont cleared his throat, mimicking Olympia's solemn tone:

"I implore you to journey to Hoenn Region at once... Please, Mr. Natsume!"

"Me?" Natsume pointed at himself. "How does she know me? Or that I'm going to Hoenn?"

"Prophet things, I suppose."

Clemont added, "Ah! She also entrusted me with her Gym Leader's token—that package there!"

Turning, Natsume watched Gengar tear open the parcel and proudly raise a crystalline badge.

"Gengar!(￣▽￣)／"

New gym badge acquired!

Gym Badge—Get☆Daze!

Simultaneously, a long-dormant notification chimed.

[Ding! Quest Updated!]

[Badges Collected: (7/8)]

[Progress: One step away!]

Natsume: ???