Chapter 0653: The Entrusted Meloetta(Two-in-One)

With Colress having escaped with Kyurem, the top priority was confirming the status of the two imprisoned dragons' stones.

According to Mayor Drayden:

The Dark Stone imprisoning Zekrom was located at Dragonspiral Tower near Icirrus City.

The Light Stone sealing Reshiram rested at Sword of the Vale, hundreds of miles away.

Between these towers lay the ancient battlefield where Unova's twin heroes had once clashed.

Drayden contacted Champion Alder to investigate Dragonspiral Tower, while Natsume and Ash headed to Sword of the Vale—their meta-knowledge allowing them to skip straight to confronting Kyurem.

This was like a linear quest:

Track Colress

Kick his scheming butt

But Natsume had read the script. All he needed was to rally the troops and charge in.

"Still... gotta watch for Colress pulling a fusion move."

Natsume rubbed his chin.

"Before storming Giant Chasm, let's verify things at Sword of the Vale first."

Sword of the Vale stood at the heart of the ancient Eindoak Town—the setting of the "Victini and the Black/White Hero" movies.

These films were... special.

Two versions (Black/White)

Identical plots

Only the dragons swapped roles

Peak franchise money-grabbing!

Natsume barely remembered the plot, though Victini's adorableness was unforgettable.

The mythical Victini possessed Infinite Energy buffs—enough to make Ash leap buildings in a single bound (basically flying).

If Victini blessed Ash... could Kyurem even handle that?

As Natsume packed for Eindoak Town the next morning...

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

Cynthia sat on the sofa, her long legs crossed elegantly beneath black wide-leg pants as she read. Meloetta lounged beside her, chin propped on hands, kicking its feet idly toward the ceiling.

Having nursed Meloetta through its illness, the two had grown close—the Mythical Pokémon far less shy now.

At the doorbell, Meloetta floated up. Cynthia barely glanced from her book.

"Little Rotom, the door, please."

"Beep... Roger that, Rotom~!"

Wait, isn't that my Rotom?

Natsume sighed, consoling himself with memories of petting Glaceon's fur, and headed to the entrance...

Where he found the suspiciously fidgety Trio.

"What now?" His first thought: More trouble.

"We've got something real special for ya, Executive! Meow~ (〃ω〃)"

Natsume blinked. After just acquiring the DNA Splicers yesterday, was this another ploy to scam his Aura Ripple?

Leading them through the living room—where Cynthia nodded politely before returning to her book—they reached the parlor.

She'd always liked these three. The talking Meowth was adorable, and their ice cream wasn't half bad...

(Though still inferior to Natsume's.)

Inside the Parlor

Meowth cleared its throat.

"Boss Giovanni sent us with a reward for yer Opelucid ops, Executive! Meow!"

"Reward?"

"Dis right here!" James whipped out a box like a magician. "Ta-daaa!"

Jessie cheered: "A [Smooth Rock] infused with Landorus' power!"

Natsume stared at the metallic-black stone. His eye twitched.

This was legendary-tier loot from the so-called "World's #1 Bug-type"—Landorus!

(Technically Ground/Flying, but its signature [U-turn] made it a pseudo-Bug menace. Paired with Giovanni's Bug/Ground expertise? A match made in competitive hell.)

So this is Giovanni's "carefully selected" gift...

"Wit dis," Meowth fawned, "yer Tyranitar'll evolve into a mountain-flattenin' beast! Meow!"

"Absolutely!" Jessie and James rubbed their hands.

"Wobbuffet!"

Natsume: "..."

Flattening mountains... sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

"Pupita(〃ω〃)" Pupitar huddled in the corner of the parlor, its gaze full of melancholy and sorrow.

Can't eat it... so sad~

Noticing Pupitar trembling with teary eyes fixed on the Smooth Rock, Natsume stroked his chin.

Well, at least Pupitar's post-evolution food supply won't be an issue... probably.

The Smooth Rock was like an enhanced version—boosting Pupitar's Sandstorm control while amplifying Ground-type moves.

Accepting the item, Natsume asked the Trio:

"After this mission, planning to stay in Unova?"

Meowth: "Team Rocket's Unova ops are complete, meow!"

James: "So... maybe vacation in Kalos?"

Jessie clenched her fists: "I've been dying to compete in Pokémon Showcases as a Performer!"

Natsume nodded understandingly.

Jessie had always dreamed of being an actress, showcasing remarkable talent in Coordinating and performing—even reaching the Master Tournament semifinals.

"Then stall for funds in Unova first," Natsume said. "I’ve got a new mission for you when I return."

"What?" the Trio chorused.

"Release a single. Film an MV."

Both Meloetta and Meowth had character songs.

If Meowth agreed, this was the perfect chance to drop "Meowth’s Song"—with Jessie and James starring in the MV.

Might even lure Jigglypuff into recording "Jigglypuff’s Song"—

A cure for insomnia sufferers worldwide!

"GengarGengar~"

Natsume glanced at Gengar lurking in the shadows:

Maybe... record a special edition of Perish Song too?

The Trio’s eyes sparkled. Thrilled by the mission, they bid farewell cheerfully to resume their stall.

Watching them leave, Natsume nodded to himself.

The single’s secondary—keeping them out of trouble and hustling for cash is the real win!

Selling Rage Candy Bars to Bruno, Capes to Lance, doujinshi to Auntie Lorelei...

With so many entrepreneurial opportunities, chasing Pikachu is small-time!

Back in the living room, Natsume tapped Meloetta’s head lightly. The Meloetta floated back, blocking with tiny hands: "Meloetta~"

Still ended up ruffling its hair.

Natsume turned to Cynthia:

"Where’s Ash and Iris?"

"Opelucid Gym," she said, lifting her gaze from her book. "Helping Drayden clear snow."

After last night’s blizzard, half the city remained frozen—roads buried under piled ice.

Media buzzed about UFO sightings over Opelucid and the heroes who saved Unova. The fallout still brewed, but Natsume stayed detached.

His eyes traced Cynthia’s waist-length golden hair, the slender arms peeking from her blue blouse, her unpainted yet rosy lips—

Huh? So Ash and Iris won’t be back anytime soon?

Just as he considered activating The Power of One to block his Pokémon’s senses—

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

Natsume met Cynthia’s eyes. A faint smile curled her lips as her high heel nudged him playfully.

"Get the door."

"Gengar," Natsume growled. "With me."

"Gengar! ψ(*｀ー｀)ψ" It brandished two Fate’s Spoons.

Natsume: "...Wait, did you steal these from an Alakazam?!"

Gengar began juggling the spoons, pulling more from its pockets in a chaotic circus act.

"Gengar~ヽ(￣▽￣)"

Damn it, you kleptomaniac ghost.

The doorbell turned into impatient banging.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Definitely not a guest. More like a walking death wish.

Natsume slid on his fingerless gloves, the embedded Key Stone pulsing faintly as he marched toward the entrance.

……

Karus was bald, with tribal tattoos across his shoulders and a pendant dangling from his neck. His partner, a hulking Golurk, stood beside him—their mission to retrieve the missing Meloetta and return it to their tribe.

For generations, Karus's people had guarded Meloetta and an undersea temple. When the Mythical Pokémon vanished, panic had rippled through the entire clan.

Later, they realized Meloetta might have... run away voluntarily.

(Though villainous abduction couldn't be ruled out.)

With Team Plasma still active in Unova, Karus had set out anxiously the moment he sensed Meloetta's energy near Undella Town.

His Golurk could propel itself by firing Flamethrower from its feet—essentially granting it flight.

Yet when Karus arrived, Meloetta's signal had already shifted...

Straight toward the crisis-locked Opelucid City!

After a frantic overnight journey (and somehow sleeping through the entire battle), Karus now stood at Natsume's doorstep.

"That bastard who took Meloetta—"

He glanced back at Golurk, gritting his teeth.

"I'll make him pay!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Open up! I know you're in there!"

The door swung open.

Karus's tirade died in his throat.

Before him stood Natsume-sensei—the "Trainer among legendaries" he'd only seen on TV.

And perched casually on Natsume's shoulder...

Meloetta.

Swinging its legs cheerfully beneath its skirt, it even yawned cutely.

Karus froze, thunderstruck.

M-Meloetta-sama... is this close to a human?!

Natsume's gaze flickered between Karus's shiny scalp and Meloetta.

"You know this guy?"

Meloetta squinted at Karus... then shook its head regretfully.

"Meloetta..." (Don't recognize him...)

Like a bolt from the blue, Karus's jaw dropped.

Why doesn't Meloetta-sama remember me? Why is it so comfortable with Natsume-sensei...

Is it... IS IT BECAUSE HE'S HANDSOME?!

Natsume waved a hand in front of the stunned Karus.

"Anything else? If not, kindly leave."

Karus exhaled sharply.

"I'm from the tribe that guards Meloetta-sama and the undersea temple. When it disappeared, our entire clan mobilized. Golurk and I were sent to track it down."

He swallowed hard.

"...Which led me here."

Natsume paused.

Ah. That tribe from the BW anime.

In the original story, Meloetta had eventually returned with Karus after bidding Ash farewell.

So Meloetta does have bonds beyond us...

He glanced at the Meloetta, now blinking innocently.

Meloetta:(〃ω〃)

"Meloetta..."

Who even is this guy...?

Suddenly, Meloetta's eyes lit up—a lightbulb moment.

Oh! The bald one from the tribe!

"Melo!" It shook its head firmly, rejecting any notion of returning.

Karus choked. "B-But—"

"With me here, Meloetta's safety isn't a concern," Natsume said coolly. "The real question is—does your tribe guard Meloetta, or the temple?"

After a long silence, Karus muttered, "Meloetta is tied to the temple... which safeguards all of Unova."

"Got any Champions in your tribe?"

"Huh?"

"We've got two right here."

Natsume's voice turned steely.

"Legendary or Mythical, Pokémon have their own wills. They don't exist to fulfill human agendas."

"So instead of forcing Meloetta back in your tribe's name... try listening to what it actually wants."

Though Natsume phrased it politely, Karus's insistence had struck a nerve.

The tribe's original purpose—protecting Meloetta—was noble.

But over time, their "guardianship" had become a cage.

"Meloetta~" Meloetta hid behind Natsume's ear, visibly uneasy.

Karus didn't doubt Natsume's strength. With a final sigh toward Meloetta, he relented:

"I'll... report this to the elder. Our clan will continue guarding the temple."

"If the elder agrees... the ancient Poké Ball meant for Meloetta... perhaps it should remain with you."

Natsume looked to Meloetta—the choice was hers.

Hesitation flickered across its face...

Then memories surfaced:

The thrill of performing together.

The warmth when he nursed it through illness.

Eyes clearing with resolve, Meloetta floated forward and pressed a hand to its chest.

"Meloetta!"

I want to stay with Natsume!

"...Understood." Karus rubbed his bald head. "Then Meloetta's protection..."

"Is my responsibility now," Natsume finished.

As Karus departed atop his flame-spewing Golurk, Cynthia emerged from the room.

"Trouble?" she asked, tilting her head.

Natsume glanced at Meloetta, now beaming—its bond through The Power of One glowing brighter than ever.

"Nothing serious."

He smiled.

"Just gained a new companion."