Chapter 0656: Victini and Macarons(Two-in-One)

BOOM!!

A torrential blast of water slammed into Emboar, hurling it against the barrier before it collapsed, its eyes spinning in defeat.

The spectators gulped in unison.

"That’s it? It’s over already?"

"I heard Natsume-sensei just say ‘Use Water Gun’—and that was it."

Emboar’s trainer had initially considered forfeiting, but then realized this was a rare chance to learn. Gritting his teeth, he sent out his next Pokémon—Bisharp.

Natsume recalled Blastoise and released Pupitar.

A week’s worth of pent-up hunger-fueled rage erupted into a violent gale as Pupitar shot forward like a silver bullet, crashing straight into Bisharp!

The commentator announced, "Fighting-type Superpower—quadruple effective against Bisharp! Let’s see how it counters—oh, never mind. Bisharp’s down too."

"Let’s congratulate this year’s Festival Champion!"

The residents of Eindoak Town erupted into thunderous cheers.

Mayor Mondeo presented Natsume with a golden leaf, clasping his hands warmly as he smiled.

"Having you visit Eindoak Town is an honor for us. In addition to the prize money, we’ve prepared an additional appearance fee—please accept it."

"Oh, I couldn’t possibly—"

Natsume smoothly pocketed the golden leaf, then straightened with a serious expression.

"Actually, the main reason I came was to investigate the ‘Sword of the Vale’ and the imprisoned Light Stone."

The mayor nodded. "I’ve heard about the situation in Opelucid City… Allow me to consult with the Earth’s people who reside in the castle first, then I’ll guide you there."

"In the meantime, please enjoy the Festival’s festivities," the mayor said warmly.

"I appreciate it."

"Victini~"

Spotting Natsume turning in its direction, Victini quickly turned invisible, ensuring it wouldn’t be seen.

Watching his retreating figure head toward the park, Victini tilted its head, tapping its chin thoughtfully before cautiously floating after him.

"Victini~"

There was something different about his aura of victory.

Compared to any other trainer Victini had ever met, his was far more intense.

He and his Pokémon… must have an unshakable hunger for triumph.

Levitating silently in the air, Victini gazed down at the black-haired young man, its bright, curious eyes shimmering with intrigue.

……

Natsume met up with a visibly dejected Ash in the park.

"Lost?" Natsume asked, already knowing the answer.

Ash sighed, propping his chin on his hand as he slumped onto a park bench.

"Seriously… Pikachu shouldn’t have lost to that guy…"

Natsume glanced at Pikachu, who was sliding down the park’s playground slide before looking up at him innocently.

"Pikachu…"

Pikachu, you’re really putting on a show now!

This was Unova Pikachu—the same one that had lost to a Snivy. The acting was flawless.

Natsume took out Togepi and Pupitar’s Poké Balls, pressing the buttons. Two beams of red light shot out as he said:

"Don’t mope. There’s a more important mission ahead."

"What mission?" Ash glanced at Togepi.

Togepi pitter-pattered toward the slide, letting Pikachu carry it up the steps before barely managing to clamber onto the top platform. It slid down, delighted.

"Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"

Natsume had originally planned to say "Take on Kyurem solo," but changed it to:

"Apprehend Team Plasma’s fugitives and save Unova!"

Ash, ever easy to hype up, immediately pumped his fist with renewed vigor.

"I’m ready!"

Pupitar sat gloomily in the sandpit, half-buried in the dug-up sand, staring at the sky at a 45-degree angle.

That year, I was only six and a half months old… I wanted to eat, to love, to become a cloud drifting between light and shadow…

Ash: "What’s up with Pupitar?"

Natsume: "Teenage angst."

The park was full of wild Pokémon—Minccino, Deerling, Petilil.

They stared curiously at the snow-white, elegant Sylveon as it stretched its ribbons, their cheeks flushing faintly.

So pretty… It made the little ones feel a bit self-conscious.

Sylveon lazily yawned, slanting a glance at the group of "experience points," sending a shiver down their tiny spines.

Just as it meant to scare them off, Sylveon swayed its ribbons idly, gazing at the blue sky before plucking a Pecha Berry from the bushes and walking away.

Then it turned back to the little ones.

"Sylveon~" (If you want the berry, come get it. No need to be scared.)

The wild Pokémon exchanged glances before pushing Minccino forward as their representative.

"Mii~" (We don’t want the berry… We just, um, think you’re really pretty… super cute.)

Sylveon blinked its sapphire-blue eyes, a flicker of bashfulness flashing before it quickly resumed its usual aloof demeanor.

"Sylveon! (〝▼皿▼)" (Alright, now scram.)

The little ones nodded frantically, scattering into the park’s bushes.

Sylveon lifted its head haughtily, striding over to Natsume on the bench and tugging his sleeve with a ribbon.

"What’s up?"

Natsume looked down to see Sylveon offering him a plump, fresh Pecha Berry.

"Sylveon~" (For you.)

"Thanks."

He smiled, ruffling Sylveon’s head before looking up.

"Gengar, did you bring Rotom’s oven?"

"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar gave a thumbs-up.

Natsume and Gengar exchanged grins before suddenly turning, their eyes gleaming as they locked onto the Rotom Pokédex trying to sneak away.

Rotom stiffened. "Rotom~Σ(°△°|||)︴"

Even as a legendary kitchen appliance, overtime is exhausting, Rotom!

It wanted to protest—but one look at Gengar and Natsume-sensei’s faces—

"Beep… System Overload, Rotom~o(╥﹏╥)o"

Q: How many steps to make fresh macarons?

A: Take out the oven, add fresh Pecha Berries and Rotom, then let time do the rest.

Besides macarons, Natsume also prepared berry pies, cupcakes, and other sweets.

Naturally, the essentials couldn’t be skipped—mixers and other tools were stuffed into Mega Blastoise’s "Doraemon pocket."

Not even Giratina knew why someone would store random junk in the Reverse World.

Then again, remembering it was that peculiar Trainer and Gengar, Giratina simply accepted it.

After half an hour of busywork, the "Pastry Master" pulled out freshly baked, vibrantly colored macarons.

Ash and Pikachu swallowed hard in unison.

"It smells amazing..."

Natsume shot them a sidelong glance. "Sylveon and its little partners get first dibs. You two can wait your turn."

"Sylveon…（￣□￣？)" Sylveon tilted its head slightly.

"The wild Pokémon from the park," Natsume whispered. "I can hear them using The Power of One."

For some reason, Sylveon seemed flustered, lifting its nose haughtily.

"Sylveon! o(′^｀)o"

Ash's outstretched hand froze mid-air as he scratched his head sheepishly. "Heh, I won’t eat that much, promise."

"Pikachu~(^^ゞ" Pikachu mirrored his pose, scratching its head and sticking out its tongue.

Trainers and their Pokémon really do grow more alike over time...

Natsume rubbed his chin before plucking a sweet, peach-flavored pink macaron and handing it to Sylveon.

"Sylveon~" Sylveon nibbled delicately, its eyes closing in bliss as tiny pink bubbles floated around it.

"The blue ones are bitter Tamato Berry... This sour one's made from Grepa Berry, and that’s a spicy Spelon Berry..."

"Oh, and this Cheri Berry macaron? That one's mine," Natsume-sensei declared.

Gathered around the foldable white table, the little ones happily sampled macarons of various flavors, the air buzzing with joy.

"Pupitar… (~_~)" Pupitar sat alone in the sandpit, its gaze melancholic.

The joys and sorrows of Pokémon are not shared. I only find their noise unbearable.

Natsume took a bite of his macaron—only to chomp on empty air. The treat had vanished from his hand.

Natsume: ?

Did someone use Trick or Thief?!

"That was my favorite Cheri Berry flavor!"

Gritting his teeth, Natsume activated The Power of One. White beams radiated outward like a radar, scanning the surroundings.

The active effect was far more potent than the passive one.

The moment he detected an anomalous blip of light, a certain little one abruptly materialized, clutching its cheeks in panic.

It seemed to have choked on the macaron, gulping it down before sighing in relief.

"Victini~"

"Victini?!" Ash's eyes widened.

"Victini!"

Victini flashed a V-sign with its tiny hands, striking a pose with a wink before swooping down to snatch another macaron. It nibbled blissfully, its cheeks glowing pink with happiness.

Sweet little cookies are the best, Victini~!

"Hey! Stealing’s not okay—stop that!" Ash yelled.

"Victini~"

With the macaron still in its mouth, Victini hastily turned invisible, only reappearing once safely perched on a tree branch. It let out a relieved sigh.

Just as it prepared to enjoy its prize, a voice from behind made it jump.

"Macarons? Really?"

"Victini~!∑(°Д°)ノ"

Darkrai emerged from the shadows beneath the tree, casually popping a Pokéblock into its mouth.

"These are top-tier."

"Victini!"

Clutching its macaron protectively, Victini glared at Darkrai.

Macarons are delicious!

Darkrai, inexplicably riled up, glared back.

"Victini!"

The two Mythical Pokémon stood their ground, backs turned to each other in a huff.

Watching the entire scene unfold...

Natsume's eye twitched.

You two are unbelievably childish...

Now he understood why Ash had lost that battle at the movie’s start.

The reason? His own battle aura had attracted Victini.

Natsume studied the little one on the branch, stroking his chin.

Little V’s kinda cute.

As the Mythicals sulked...

Mayor Mondeo arrived at the park, inviting Natsume-sensei to discuss matters at the Sword of the Vale.

Natsume recalled that Victini had always lived in Eindoak Town, bound by ancient barriers.

This unexpected encounter was likely just a detour on his journey.

He’d meant to bid Victini farewell—but instead, the little one fluttered over, hovering beside him.

"Victini~" It shyly poked its fingers together, head bowed.

Sorry for eating your cookie earlier...

"That’s called a macaron," Natsume said, smiling. "Don’t worry. Eat as many as you want—I’ve got berries to spare."

Victini’s eyes slowly widened, shining bright. It flashed a V-sign and grinned.

"Victini~!"

……

Led by the mayor, Natsume and the others made their way toward the cross-shaped castle.

Glancing at Victini levitating beside him, happily munching on macarons with a contented smile, Natsume felt a sudden impulse.

He turned to the mayor.

"Do you know how far Giant Chasm is from here?"

"Not too far… If I recall, it’s that cavern near Lacunosa Town—the one with the ghost stories? You can reach Lacunosa in about half an hour," the mayor replied cheerfully.

Natsume’s expression darkened.

So there’s no avoiding it, huh.

Kyurem alone wouldn’t be an issue—Darkrai could handle it even without Lance’s help, and with some macarons as bait, he might even rope Victini into assisting.

But the barrier surrounding the castle was another matter entirely.

As Natsume studied the faint, shimmering dome in the sky—

A draconic roar suddenly echoed in the distance.

The ground trembled violently, the shockwaves rattling the barrier and sending ripples cascading across its surface!

"An—an Earthquake?!" the mayor stammered in panic.

The tremors subsided quickly, but from the base of the castle, a brilliant white beam of light erupted—seemingly answering the dragon’s cry!

"That’s the Light Stone imprisoning Reshiram!" the mayor exclaimed.

"Let’s move, Ash."

Natsume pulled on his fingerless gloves, his gaze sharpening. "Looks like we’re meeting Reshiram first."

Whether Reshiram would be friend or foe remained uncertain.

He glanced back at Victini, who was staring anxiously at the castle.

"Coming with us, Victini?"

Victini blinked, then nodded firmly, its bright eyes gleaming with resolve.

"Victini!"