Chapter 0671: Battle Against Alder! VS Volcarona!（Three-in-One）

The roar of the crowd echoed through the arena.

Fans waved banners and flags, their cheers deafening. Trainers in the contestant section watched with excitement burning in their eyes.

On one side of the field, a rising platform unveiled the figure of Unova’s Champion.

Under the dazzling spotlight—

Alder stood with unruly red hair, arms crossed, a string of Poké Balls slung over his shoulder. He flashed a grin at the cameras.

"Champion Alder!" Trip’s eyes burned with intensity, as if already envisioning his future victory and the chance to challenge him.

Paul watched coldly. Ash and Iris cheered enthusiastically. Meanwhile, a certain trio in clerk uniforms weaved through the crowd, balancing trays of goods.

"Freshly chilled berry juice, anyone? Meowth’s special blend!"

"Wait, hold on—up next is the Executive’s entrance!"

The stands buzzed with restless energy, an undeniable anticipation spreading through the arena.

Many in the audience had come specifically for Cynthia and Natsume-sensei.

For Unova’s locals, even if Natsume-sensei’s legendary stand against the "Tao Trio" remained unknown, his heroic rescue of Opelucid City was unforgettable!

In the face of a plummeting Plasma Frigate, his Darkrai had torn open black holes, while Sirfetch’d’s lance had pierced the heavens!

Others knew him through viral videos.

Sylveon. Togepi. Meloetta. Natsume-sensei’s Pokémon were a perfect blend of power, elegance, and sheer adorableness!

"Now, let’s welcome our special guest for this year’s opening ceremony!!"

The crowd erupted. Natsume listened to the chants for Sirfetch’d, Sylveon, and the others, sweating slightly.

Back then, Sirfetch’d’s Meteor Assault had actually missed… but no big deal.

This time, with Victini’s Victory Star boosting accuracy, there’s no way we’ll whiff a point-blank attack!

Gears turned as the platform ascended.

Natsume squinted against the growing light, the cheers swelling into a tangible wave of sound.

When the platform locked into place, the roar of the audience crashed over him from all sides.

The giant screen displayed the Trainer in his black-and-gold trench coat, the tails fluttering in the wind. His dark hair, styled with spray, stayed perfectly in place.

Unlike his usual button-up, this was a formal design—his World Championships debut outfit!

Fans and casual spectators alike were stunned, mirroring the iconic moment when Leon had tossed his cape and declared—

"Now, witness the Champion’s time!"

Natsume kept one hand in his pocket, the other resting on his epaulet. His gaze swept over the dazzling lights and packed stands, as if waiting for their response.

And the crowd delivered.

"That’s our Natsume-sensei—!!"

A faint smile touched his lips. With a dramatic flourish, he whipped off the coat and flung it skyward—just like the universal "instant outfit change" skill every big shot in the PM world seemed to have.

The wind caught the fabric, sending it billowing through the air.

Gengar was already on the field, crimson eyes gleaming, a wide grin splitting his face.

"Gengar~! ╰(°▽°)╯"

"Hope I don’t have to pay for losing that coat…" Natsume thought distractedly.

The arena trembled again as Alder watched, arms crossed, wearing a wry "Isn’t this supposed to be my show?" expression.

Among the contestants—

Trip looked away, stung. Paul’s deadfish eyes flickered with interest. Wally nearly shrieked.

"It’s really Natsume-sensei!"

Here, at the World Championships Youth Tournament’s opening ceremony, he would face Unova’s Champion, Alder, in an exhibition match!

"I knew he’d show up!"

"He already had an exhibition match with Leon… Is this the ‘Champion Fan Tournament’ now?"

"Heh heh, Natsume-sensei… my Natsume-sensei~"

Amid the feverish battle atmosphere, Victini hovered invisibly beside Natsume, curiously taking in the spectacle.

A modern-day tournament was a brand-new experience for the little V from Eindoak Town.

But what intrigued it more was the overwhelming pulse of determination radiating from Natsume-sensei—the same guy who fumbled card games like a rookie.

"Just don’t miss the moves, and we win!" Natsume thought.

Since this was an exhibition, there was no referee—just the host announcing the proceedings.

Seeing Gengar already on the field, the host glanced questioningly at Alder.

Alder stood relaxed, arms folded, yet something about Natsume’s presence stirred him. A spark flickered in his eyes.

That Gengar… it’s completely in sync with its Trainer. They push each other to greater heights, no matter what.

It reminds me of my first partner… the one resting now in Celestial Tower, in Mistralton City…

Shaking his head, Alder’s voice grew solemn.

"Natsume, I can feel it—the boundless potential in you and Gengar."

"And I want the one who watches over me to be proud of the path I’ve walked as a mentor. So—"

As he spoke, his eyes ignited like a waking lion. From his loose robes, he drew a single Poké Ball.

A Champion was nothing more than someone who fought harder than anyone to protect the happiness of people and Pokémon!

"Go, my bond and my sun—Volcarona!!"

He hurled the ball skyward. It burst open in a beam of red light, and a radiant glow—like the sun itself—flooded the arena!

"That’s… Grandpa Alder’s ace!" Iris gasped.

"Whoa, that’s insane!" Ash fumbled for his Pokédex, scanning Volcarona.

Volcarona’s crystalline blue eyes gleamed, red feelers framing its face. A mane of white fluff encircled its upper body, while six orange wings pulsed with fiery brilliance.

With each beat of its wings, flaming scales scattered, its body wreathed in flames.

The temperature spiked instantly. The audience shuddered under Volcarona’s pressure—this was the true might of a Champion’s partner!

"I’ll win this tournament," Trip declared, "and then I’ll defeat Champion Alder’s Volcarona!"

Paul shot him a "You idiot" look.

I used to be like you… then Garchomp crushed me.

Iris cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted: "Go, Natsume-sensei!!"

Alder, who had been radiating intensity moments ago, faltered slightly at his so-called "successor's" enthusiastic betrayal.

Hey, whose side are you on?!

"In Unovan mythology," Cynthia explained from the commentator’s booth, "when volcanic ash blotted out the sky, bringing darkness and cold, Volcarona would emerge from the flames to restore sunlight. That’s why it’s revered as the sun’s incarnation."

"While Unova treats it as a Legendary Pokémon, Professor Oak’s Pokédex classifies it otherwise—similar to how Arcanine is considered Legendary in Torran but isn’t officially categorized as one." She raised a finger with a scholarly smile.

"Mmm…" Caitlin wrinkled her nose. "Too complicated… Also, Volcarona are ugly. Not cute."

"I think Volcarona’s rather dashing," Cynthia mused, resting her chin on her hand.

Caitlin glanced at her. "Worried?"

"A little," Cynthia admitted, her eyes glinting. "Mostly that Gengar might go too hard."

Caitlin: "…"

The sheer trust between them left her feeling oddly sour.

On the battlefield, the clash was imminent.

Alder’s Volcarona beat its wings, luminous blue eyes locked onto Gengar.

Gengar bared its teeth, standing firm, crimson gaze burning.

Natsume recalled that Alder’s original partner was also a Volcarona, now resting in Celestial Tower. But the Alder family owned more than one—after all, Volcarona’s egg group wasn’t "Undiscovered" but "Bug," meaning it could breed with even a Caterpie.

Staring at the blazing moth, Natsume suddenly snapped back to reality, conflicted.

My win rate’s only 30%, and here I am theorycrafting egg mechanics…

If we lose miserably, it’s definitely Gold the "Breeding Maniac’s" fault!

"Rotom, go live," Natsume ordered.

"Beep—got it, Rotom~!"

The Rotom floated beside him, streaming the exhibition match in first-person view while live-commenting in the chat.

Fans flooded in—only to freeze at the sight of Volcarona.

"Opening disaster?!"

"Suggested title: ‘Champion-tier Smurfing.’"

"Holy crap, it’s my favorite Pokémon—Volcarona!"

Volcarona’s popularity was undeniable. Even Professor Oak had once written a senryū for it:

"So dazzling bright, / feathers burning with sunlight— / that’s Volcarona’s might!"

Alder grinned at the field. "Ho! Volcarona’s fired up too! Let’s give it our all!"

"Volcarona—" Alder’s gaze sharpened. "Fiery Dance!"

Volcarona’s wings shimmered like sunlight as it soared, scattering flaming scales. Instantly, the battlefield transformed into a sea of fire, waves of heat distorting the air as Volcarona danced through the inferno—straight toward Gengar!

Simultaneously, its six wings glowed brighter, an orange-red aura flaring around it, its blue eyes gleaming.

Fiery Dance, Volcarona’s signature move, had once been called "the sun’s wrath" in ancient times. And now, its power was escalating—the move’s secondary effect, a Special Attack boost, had triggered!

"The flames cover the entire arena?!" Ash gasped.

"Grandpa Alder’s a veteran Champion. This much is expected," Iris said matter-of-factly.

The audience shuddered at the spectacle.

"Gengar, Sucker Punch!"

Amid the advancing flames, the purple phantom flickered forward, appearing nose-to-nose with Volcarona midair.

As the two Pokémon hovered above the fire, Natsume abandoned Sucker Punch’s follow-up damage and barked:

"Dark Pulse!"

"Gengar~!" Black energy erupted from Gengar's body, instantly forming circular waves that spread outward, flattening the fiery sea like grass in a gale!

"Quiver Dance upwards!" Alder shouted.

Volcarona beat its wings with incredible speed, spiraling upward while scattering glittering scales. Upon contact with the air, the scales ignited into embers that rained down, creating raging infernos across the battlefield!

As Volcarona performed Quiver Dance, the powerful gusts fanned the embers into a scorching Heat Wave that surged toward Gengar!

"Quiver Dance greatly enhances Volcarona's condition, but the move leaves Bug-type Pokémon most vulnerable during execution."

Cynthia frowned. "Alder compensates by incorporating Heat Wave, creating an offensive-defensive combo."

The black rings of Dark Pulse missed their mark. Natsume's eyebrow twitched.

So much for Victini's accuracy boost!

"Victini!" Victini protested while invisibly floating midair.

I was clearly doing my best!

Dark Pulse dispersed the flames, which now clung to the barriers surrounding the arena. Volcarona and Gengar clashed at the battlefield's epicenter.

As the blistering Heat Wave roared toward them, Gengar looked up at the ascending Volcarona, bared its teeth in a fierce yet adorable grin, and made a grabbing motion with its tiny hand:

"Gengar!" (Get down here!)

Instantly, an invisible gravitational force clamped onto Volcarona's wings like a giant's grip.

Alder's eyes widened. Volcarona's Quiver Dance had been forcibly interrupted!

The audience watched as Volcarona suddenly plummeted like a broken kite.

BOOM!

The impact cratered the ground, sending cracks radiating outward.

Facing the oncoming Heat Wave, Gengar heard Natsume's command.

Whoosh—

The invisible heat currents were tricky. Shadow Ball couldn't completely counter them, so they'd fight wind with wind!

"Gengar, Icy Wind!"

"Gengar~~gieh!"

Like a Jigglypuff, Gengar took a deep breath, puffing its cheeks adorably as it leaned back—then exhaled a freezing gale of ice crystals!

BOOM!!

The explosion of fire and ice created a thick black smoke. Gengar floated out unscathed.

"Gengar~(ノ￣▽￣)"

The arena fell silent as spectators stared in awe.

Volcarona struggled free from the gravitational hold, its six wings now scratched and battered as it shakily hovered again.

The clash had created a surreal spectacle—patches of fire flickering through misty vapors that now blanketed the field.

Finally, the audience erupted into spontaneous applause.

Natsume-sensei had perfectly utilized Heat Wave... and weaponized the steam to weaken Volcarona's fiery domain!

Purely from an entertainment perspective, this was a visual feast worthy of any exhibition match!

"Keep burning, Volcarona!"

Alder grinned excitedly and shouted: "Fiery Dance—and Hurricane!"

Natsume's expression changed.

That's illegal! Two moves in one turn?!

Volcarona's glowing wings evaporated the mist instantly. This time, the fiery scales didn't fall—they scattered midair, carried by the hurricane winds straight toward Gengar!

"SKREEE—!!"

Twin tornadoes of flame shredded through the arena, their edges sharp as blades. The fiery tempest roared forward!

The audience gulped. Livestream viewers gasped.

"This is Champion-level going all out?!"

"Way more intense than the Lucian match..."

The flames reflected in Natsume's eyes. If Alder embodied "wind, fire, and dance," then he'd answer with the bond between him and Gengar!

"Gengar—"

Natsume calmly raised his hand, revealing a black-and-red fingerless glove. Embedded in its back: a glittering Key Stone.

The stands trembled with anticipation.

"Is it happening?"

"Gengar's Champion moment!"

Paul's eyes flashed, recalling Natsume-sensei's Mega Evolution training. Wally nervously gripped his suspenders. Ash's jaw dropped.

Cynthia chuckled elegantly, telling Caitlin with relaxed confidence:

"When you believe in your Pokémon, they'll answer that trust with their bond."

"Bond..." Caitlin murmured, her typically lazy eyes sharpening as she watched through the observation window.

"Mega Evolve!!"

Blinding light erupted. In that instant, the twin firestorms meant to shred Gengar instead met an evolving form.

When the radiance faded, Mega Gengar hovered defiantly—spiked forehead, glowing yellow third eye, and fists lined with barbs. Crimson-black mist swirled around it.

"Getting too proficient at this..."

Natsume internally grumbled. "Is this what they call 'transformation invincibility frames'?"

Alder's eyes widened in surprise. That move—

"Mega Gengar, Dark Void!!"

A swirling black hole formed in Mega Gengar's palm—Darkrai's signature move, now wielded by Natsume's Gengar!

WHOOSH!

The vortex collided with one fire tornado, its gravitational pull steadily absorbing the flames.

Meanwhile, in the Reverse World...

Giratina looked up at a flaming tornado suddenly passing through its dimension.

"Another day, another dimensional rift to mend..."

The second tornado met a more brute-force approach—direct confrontation!

"Gengar!!" Mega Gengar raised its left hand, gathering a massive Shadow Ball to counter the fiery storm.

Black and orange lights clashed violently before the Shadow Ball shattered explosively, illuminating the entire arena!

The attack tore through the tornado and kept going—straight at Volcarona!

Alder's breath caught. In this direct clash, Mega Gengar had gained complete dominance!

"Volcarona—" he bellowed: "Amnesia!"

The move would drastically boost Volcarona's defenses. Simultaneously, Volcarona cocooned itself within its six wings, their fiery glow resisting the incoming Shadow Ball.

Struggle Bug!

BOOM!!

Dust clouds billowed as Natsume commanded Mega Gengar to press forward:

"Hypnosis!"

Livestream viewers lost it.

"It's here! Finally!"

"Thought this was brute force? PSYCHE—IT'S SLEEP TIME!"

"All strategies lead to Hypnosis. Perfection."

Alder blinked, puzzled. Without accuracy boosts, Hypnosis was unreliable. Was this for show?

Then—

"Gengar!"

Mega Gengar's eyes flashed blue. Shadows lashed out from its body, Shadow Tag pinning Volcarona in place as Hypnosis' glow washed over its spread wings.

Volcarona's bright blue eyes flickered, eyelids drooping—

Hypnosis: Success!

"OHHHHH!!"

"Now THIS is a strategy master!"

"Stop! This isn't a Champion battle!"

"Oh... this Champion is THAT guy. Never mind then!"

"Ne-mi ne-mi~!" Victini cheered triumphantly, zooming around.

I finally helped! I finally helped!

Alder grimaced. In Champion-level battles, every second counted—being put to sleep was essentially a death sentence.

But they had to endure.

"Volcarona." Alder's gaze shifted to Natsume and Gengar, voice solemn. "The light in that duo's eyes is truly beautiful... To avoid tarnishing that brilliance, we must show the strength of our spirit too!"

Despite being asleep, Volcarona kept flapping its wings midair, their temperature steadily rising as embers scattered!

Natsume's eye twitched.

Bonds can break sleep status?!

That's illegal! Completely illegal!

"Gengar, Dream Eater!" Natsume seized the chance to push for victory.

As the sleeping Volcarona showed signs of waking, Mega Gengar's shadow extended like a Haunter's sinister grin. The spectral hands plunged into Volcarona's body—

The classic Hypnosis + Dream Eater combo!

THUD!!

Volcarona crashed to the ground. Alder suddenly realized Natsume was holding back—Volcarona could still move.

Battered but unbroken, Volcarona shakily rose again.

Then, per exhibition rules, the host's voice rang out:

"Time's up... Thank you both for this spectacular exhibition match!"

Everyone could see—continued battle would only lead to Alder's defeat. But at Unova's Youth Tournament opening ceremony, timely restraint showed higher "emotional intelligence."

Like how table tennis world championships often employ the "courtesy point" tradition.

If you concede a point and still lose... well, you never expected them to miss THAT shot either...

"Gengar..."

Gengar "exhaustedly" reverted from Mega Form, lips drooping as it sighed dramatically.

So tired... completely burned out...

Natsume's mouth twitched.

Don't learn acting skills from Pikachu, you little—

Only when the host concluded did the audience snap out of their daze, erupting in applause.

The spectators remained mesmerized by the battle—Volcarona's fiery dance versus Gengar's... well, Hypnosis specialty.

Witnessing two Champions clash at the opening ceremony was worth every penny!

"Champion Alder..." Trip muttered, "...almost lost."

Ash and Iris bowed their heads, each lost in thought. The future Alola and Unova Champions were still just kids, but this exhibition had profoundly moved them.

Caitlin admitted she probably couldn't beat this guy.

But... glancing at Cynthia's smiling profile, she blushed.

Seeing Cynthia this happy made the trip worthwhile.

On the battlefield, Alder and Natsume shook hands.

"That was a battle that truly set my blood boiling."

Alder grinned. "Your strategic thinking surpasses even mine in some aspects... Inviting you to the opening ceremony was clearly the right choice. More rookie Trainers will surely be inspired by you, Natsume-sensei!"

"I learned a great deal as well," Natsume replied.

Alder laughed heartily. "Well then, we'll settle your appearance fee after the tournament!"

"No problem."

I've heard many Trainers who've mastered Mega Evolution are now researching Z-Move techniques...

Glancing at Natsume-sensei, who shared such a deep bond with Gengar, Alder rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"I wonder... would Natsume-sensei be interested in Z-Crystals?"