Chapter 0682: Olympia's Prophecy! The Twin Meteorites(Two-in-One)

August 7th, Saturday.

Though autumn had begun, the weather remained sweltering.

Natsume's Kanto gym evaluations were already halfway complete.

Despite Janine's constant worries about failing, her mastery of poison techniques as Elite Four Koga's daughter—the ninja Janine—was undeniable.

Natsume had located Fuchsia Gym deep in the mountains, witnessing firsthand the so-called "ninja" trainer style.

Her partners included a "Mist Veil" Weezing and a "Binding Art" Ariados... all rather chuunibyou-esque.

Passing through bustling Celadon City, Natsume dropped by Celadon School and learned he'd been recommended as an honorary lecturer at Celadon University's headquarters.

If he earned professor status, transferring to other Trainer Schools as principal wouldn't be surprising—just look at Professor Oak of Alola, a Celadon University graduate.

Natsume planned to retire in Alola with his "Moe-Moe" crew... life there seemed peaceful.

Miss Erika's perfume shop was famous in Celadon City.

At the clerk's recommendation, Natsume bought a bottle of "Gloom No.5" perfume for Cynthia.

During the gym evaluation, Erika was genuinely startled when Latias appeared, countering with Bellossom's special "Petal Dance" technique.

As Kanto's leading grass specialist, Erika's skill was undeniable—even little Latias seemed green before her.

But facing the "Dirty Tactician" Natsume-sensei...

After weathering Magical Leaf's barrage with Calm Mind, Latias slowed the petal storm with Icy Wind before incinerating the falling cherry blossoms with Mystical Fire.

The scene reminded Erika of battling Pryce, prompting her to concede with a sigh.

"Just got lucky," Natsume said modestly.

"You haven't changed..." Erika smiled wryly. "Did I pass?"

"Of course." Natsume nodded. "Only two gyms remain in Kanto now."

"Which ones?"

"Old Man Blaine's Cinnabar Gym... and Lt. Surge's Vermilion Gym."

Natsume-sensei had no intention of evaluating Blue Oak's Viridian Gym—better to have him focus on training Ash.

Due to volcanic activity, Cinnabar Gym had relocated to Seafoam Islands.

With luck, they might even encounter Auntie Lorelei training there—she'd met Articuno on those very islands.

Leaving Celadon City, Natsume rode Blastoise's shell across the waterways toward Seafoam Islands.

Perhaps intimidated by Blastoise's aura... not a single Tentacool appeared en route.

Bored, Natsume fished for level 40 giant Magikarp while sighing:

"How does Lana catch Kyogre... I'd settle for Ruby's Feebas!"

Logically, Natsume's fishing skills rivaled expert angler Yellow's.

But Feebas couldn't be caught in Kanto—fishing depended heavily on luck.

Back in his Emerald playthrough, he'd spent three days fishing Feebas's fixed spots without a single nibble.

Yet Ruby's Feebas had bitten repeatedly, refusing to leave. That's what "bond" meant!

Sunlight glittered off the waves as Blastoise's shell bobbed leisurely.

A few tanned swimmers considered challenging him, but wisely reconsidered upon seeing the "obviously elite" Blastoise.

"I could carry you while flying," Latias murmured.

"I know," Natsume kept fishing, "but not yet."

"Why?"

"My safety gear hasn't arrived."

These days together had warmed Latias to Natsume.

Yet... he needed more psychological preparation—safety first!

The monotonous seascape stretched endlessly.

Yawning, Natsume checked his floating Rotom:

"Anything new, Rotom?"

"Beep! Your followed topic: Psychic Olympia arrives in Lumiose City today! Rotom!"

Natsume blinked.

Olympia, the prophetess...

Natsume never took "prophecies" seriously—destiny was what you made it.

Yet... he sensed storm clouds gathering.

Gazing at the clear baby-blue sky, a chill ran down his spine.

"I have a very unpleasant feeling..."

……

Lumiose City, Spring Avenue.

Outside an opulently decorated club salon, Clemont presented two invitations to the attendant.

Guided by the attendant—a poised woman accompanied by an elegant Gothitelle—Clemont and Bonnie walked down a tranquil corridor.

"Does every guest get a private audience with Lady Olympia?" Clemont whispered.

"Indeed," the attendant smiled. "Different guests seek different answers. Some come to hone psychic abilities, others to heal their Pokémon..."

"Lady Olympia is a doctor too?" Bonnie gasped.

"Not exactly. She discerns which doctor to visit, then guides guests accordingly," the attendant explained.

"Sounds thoroughly unscientific," Clemont muttered.

The dim hallway, adorned with paintings and Litwick-shaped lamps, led to ornate double doors. As they opened, light spilled over the siblings.

"I'll take my leave now," the attendant bowed out.

Before them stretched a walkway to a central platform where a silver-cloaked woman stood with her back turned, a crystal ball resting on velvet before her.

The railless path overlooked abyssal darkness—a spatial anomaly shocking for Lumiose City.

Probably a psychic illusion, Clemont theorized.

Suddenly, light pierced the void like stars dispersing fog, illuminating the path.

Olympia turned, her cloak revealing a cosmos motif as she spoke gently: "Clemont, Bonnie. I've awaited you."

"You know us?" Clemion's voice tightened.

"I knew your father—an exemplary Gym Leader with remarkable children."

With a cape flourish, blue psychic energy lifted Bonnie along the starry walkway.

"Brother, I'm flying!" Bonnie laughed, utterly unfazed.

"Bonnie!" Clemont yanked her back via mechanical arm from his backpack. "Clemontic Gear, engage!"

Bonnie stuck out her tongue. "Sorry... My brother has zero imagination!"

She's the weird one," Clemont huffed.

"Trust takes time," Olympia said serenely.

The levitating crystal ball orbited her as silver heels clicked toward them. Now Clemont observed her fully—oversized bracelets, star earrings, deep purple hair, and tan skin like a legendary fortune-teller.

"Clemont," she extended a hand, "fate declares you'll become an outstanding Gym Leader."

Adjusting his round glasses skeptically, Clemont shook it. "A... pleasure."

"Lady Olympia!" Bonnie's eyes sparkled. "What Pokémon will I catch someday?"

"Is that your question, little one?" Olympia crouched to her level.

"Yes! More than Brother's future wife, I want my Pokémon!"

"Then let starlight reveal your destiny."

Stars flickered as the crystal ball spun—until Olympia's brow furrowed abruptly.

"What's wrong?" Bonnie tilted her head.

"Told you predictions are unreliable," Clemont smirked.

After a pause, Olympia smiled. "Bonnie... you'll meet an Electric-type you adore—an exceptionally cute one."

"Really? Thank you!" Bonnie cheered.

That darkness in her fate... Could it be Zygarde, Kalos's guardian?

A fleeting darkness in fate...if I'm not mistaken, it must be Zygarde, the Guardian of Kalos Region.

Olympia smiled gently as she gazed at Bonnie, once again marveling at the capricious nature of destiny.

Rather than being shocked by Bonnie's presence, Olympia felt deeper reverence for the threads of fate.

"Then..." Olympia turned to Clemont, "what is your question?"

Clemont glanced at the excited Bonnie, curiosity stirring within him.

Though the power of 'Science' is magnificent...the Pokémon world still holds undeniable 'legacies'.

Clearing his throat, Clemont deliberately posed a challenging question:

"I want to know the exact location and time of the Litleonid meteor shower predicted by Mossdeep City's Space Center!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Olympia's face: "Are you certain this is your question?"

"Hmph, is this too difficult?" Clemont said sideways, "Compared to Prophecy, direct observation through astronomical binoculars is more scientific!"

"Brother!" Bonnie's voice carried reproach.

"It's alright." Olympia smiled faintly, lowering her eyelids. "Never mind...let it be this question then."

The starlight lining the corridor flickered again as visions unfolded within the crystal ball before Olympia.

Hoenn...Mossdeep City...meteor shower...

Suddenly, Olympia's eyes widened as an overwhelming sense of danger surged through her.

She saw crimson, cold, murderous eyes—a serpentine figure cutting through the sky's darkness!

She shouldn't look further...

And yet.

Olympia clenched her teeth, her duty as a Prophetess driving her to endure the splitting headache and glimpse fate's traces.

CRACK—CRACK!

A fissure split the crystal ball, making Bonnie and Clemont gasp.

BANG!

The protective Confusion field failed—the crystal sphere fell and shattered across the floor!

"Miss Olympia, are you okay?!"

Bonnie rushed to support Olympia, who knelt clutching her temples.

"I'm...fine," Olympia shook her head weakly. "Regarding...Mr. Clemont's question, I have the answer now."

Bonnie shot Clemont an accusatory look.

Clemont waved his hands hastily. "I didn't know predicting a meteor shower would cause this!"

"No...it's because my own visions happened to intersect with that meteor shower."

Olympia explained: "There will be one...no, two Meteorites appearing simultaneously in Hoenn Region. And the key to resolving this—"

Her words faltered. Olympia couldn't bring herself to recall those murderous crimson eyes.

Nor could she imagine anyone earning the 'Dragon God's' acknowledgment to avert the coming catastrophe...

"Meteorites? Two? What does that mean?" Clemont asked suspiciously.

Do all you Prophets speak in riddles?!

"The Litleonids will descend over Sootopolis City in Hoenn Region in 20 days."

Olympia answered Clemont's question:

"And accompanying that meteor shower will be—"

A catastrophe of terrifying proportions!

Her intuition screamed this, yet fate hadn't revealed enough for her to explain fully to Clemont and Bonnie.

Bewildered, the siblings finally bowed. "Thank you very much, Miss Olympia... We should take our leave now?"

"Wait!"

Olympia suddenly remembered something, her eyes snapping open as she urgently asked:

"Is Kalos Champion Diantha currently in Lumiose City?"

"She left for a new film project already," Clemont said.

"Then...Mr. Natsume?"

"Natsume-sensei's gone too," Bonnie chimed in. "He left for Kanto Region days ago!"

Of all times...

Olympia's brow furrowed. "You're acquainted with Natsume-sensei?"

"Somewhat." Clemont scratched his head. "He often visits Prism Tower. We exchange messages occasionally."

Olympia exhaled deeply, locking eyes with them:

"May I ask a favor of you both?"

"What?"

A crystal ball-shaped Badge levitated amidst Confusion's blue glow, settling into Olympia's palm.

"Please deliver this token to Natsume-sensei, along with Prophetess Olympia's plea—"

She spoke gravely:

"By the authority of Anistar City Gym Leader, I implore Natsume-sensei to depart for Hoenn Region immediately!"

"Why?" Bonnie tilted her head.

Olympia remained silent, gazing up at the dome's starry curtain where constellations dimmed.

Shattered earth and erupting volcanoes; torrential rains and flooding seas...

Scorching heatwaves and violent whirlpools clashed like the primal forces of Ancient Pokémon.

This devastation...this catastrophe defied solution.

Yet a Champion would surely appear there.

Whether by fate or Arceus' calling.

Olympia stared at the stars, placing inexplicable trust in a Trainer she'd never met.

Perhaps.

Simply because he is Natsume-sensei.