Chapter 0652: Doc, Can This Be Saved?(Two-in-One)

The full moon hung high.

Many witnesses in Opelucid City were still reeling from the spectacle they'd just seen.

A colossal battleship, wreathed in explosions and flames, plummeting from the sky—only to be slowed by Mega Gengar's blue-hued Gravity, before Darkrai tore open black holes and swallowed the entire warship whole!

Man recounted the scene to his young daughter, who giggled and kicked her legs on the sofa, no longer sleepy.

"Daddy, are you a Trainer too?" Her eyes sparkled.

"Damn right I am!" The man puffed out his chest.

"You and your Trainer dreams," his wife teased gently.

"Yeah..."

The man recalled Darkrai turning its head under the moonlight, those piercing blue eyes gleaming.

And there, silhouetted against the city's glow—a black-haired young man, hands in his pockets, back straight, gazing into the distance.

The hero who'd saved Opelucid.

A Champion among legendaries.

Mr. Natsume.

"A dream I don't wanna wake up from," the man murmured, smiling.

The 'Handsome' Detective in his brown trench coat returned to the station first.

Processing the Team Plasma grunts, documenting Consultant Natsume's deeds—all this fell to him.

Not one to steal credit, he was simply grateful the city survived... and once again awed by the consultant's sheer presence.

"The pillar that held up collapsing heavens... Unova's true hero." He rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Giovanni stood at the battleship's exit, having witnessed everything.

When the Plasma Frigate vanished into the abyss—

Even a man of his infamy couldn't help but be impressed. His lips curled in approval.

Watching the escape pod's trajectory, he mused:

"No need for me to chase Colress and Kyurem."

"Natsume won't let them slip away. He'll handle it himself."

Strike while the iron's hot—no mercy for fleeing foes!

Landorus crossed its arms, uneasy. "That Darkrai just now..."

"You can't beat it," Giovanni said. "But under my command? Maybe."

The legendary's face darkened. It wanted to argue—but stayed silent, changing the subject.

"What's next?"

"Reorganize our Unova forces." Giovanni's eyes sharpened. "Take over the region's logistics business!"

Landorus: "..."

So the real threat to Unova wasn't an evil team... but a delivery company?

Landorus' Mission Complete

With their agreement fulfilled, Landorus was free to return to Milos Island.

Yet the legendary Pokémon had already developed a quiet respect for this Ground-type master.

As Landorus departed, another victory was secured - Rocket Delivery's "Storm Initiative" had successfully conquered Unova's logistics market.

Giovanni adjusted his cufflinks, making two key decisions:

Salary increases for the Mentor and the Trio (though the former would receive the lion's share)

A special gift acquisition

Having heard of Natsume's new Sandstorm-specialist Pupitar, Giovanni had "persuaded" Landorus to part with a legendary Smooth Rock - through what diplomats might call "compelling negotiations."

The ancient artifact offered dual benefits:

✓ Extended Sandstorm duration

✓ Enhanced Ground-type move potency

A ruler's gift, carefully selected by the sovereign of earth himself.

"Have the Trio deliver this to the Mentor," Giovanni ordered, before turning to more personal matters.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he composed (and recomposed) an email to Silver:

[Deleted draft: "My dearest son"]

[Deleted draft: "It has been too long"]

[Current draft: "Silver:"]

The normally composed crime lord scowled at the screen, the howling wind outside mirroring his internal turmoil over proper paternal punctuation.

Opelucid City Skyscraper

Mayor Drayden was expressing his gratitude to Natsume and the others.

"Natsume-sensei, I'd like you to have this item—a symbol where Ideals and Truth converge..."

Drayden removed the pendant from his chest, his white beard trembling as he exhaled frosty breath.

"The DNA Splicers!"

Iris's eyes widened.

The DNA Splicers were a treasure guarded for generations by the Village of Dragons, said to possess the power to restrain the twin dragons of Unova. Legend claimed only a true hero could earn its recognition.

Iris glanced between Natsume and Drayden, her dark eyes shimmering as she nodded to herself.

"I'll work hard... I'll become a Champion like Natsume-sensei and Miss Cynthia!" she vowed silently.

Ash scratched his head. "So this is what Team Plasma went through all that trouble to steal?"

"Indeed."

Drayden nodded gravely. "The DNA Splicers were meant to pacify enraged dragons. When linked to Kyurem, they can absorb a dragon's power."

His expression darkened. "But I never imagined Team Plasma would actually succeed in awakening and controlling Kyurem..."

"Natsume-sensei!" Drayden's eyes burned with hope. "Only a hero who saved Unova can defeat Kyurem... So I beg you, take these DNA Splicers, and bring light to our future!"

Natsume blinked, his expression turning peculiar.

Why does this feel like an NPC handing out a quest?

'Chosen one! Take this village's finest sword and go slay the ice dragon!'

And possibly its fusion-enhanced super form?!

I came to Unova... just for a relaxing vacation with my moe-moe crew!

"Take it."

Cynthia leaned in, her gray eyes studying the prismatic DNA Splicers. "According to Unovan mythology, these can balance lightning, fire, and ice energies. They'd greatly benefit Pokémon of those types."

Natsume stiffened, staring at Cynthia in betrayal.

Even you, Cynthia?!

His team did include ice specialists like the steady Blastoise and the delivery-busy Delibird. For fire and electric, Arcanine's Flare Blitz and Wild Charge could improve, while Rotom could charge up. Even his other Pokémon had mastered some fire moves.

But having just met the Unova Renovation Captain, Natsume felt a shadow over his heart.

The thought of his team wrecking houses with the DNA Splicers' power made him shudder.

...Though at this point, property damage is basically routine.

As long as I don't unlock the Renovation Captain's sixth form, it's manageable...

Drayden added, "The DNA Splicers don't just fuse—they can also separate."

His gaze turned toward Colress's escape pod. "There's another reason I ask you to take them... I fear Team Plasma may recklessly attempt to fuse Kyurem, with catastrophic results."

Natsume's eye twitched.

Oh no. You just had to plant another flag!

I literally just saw N! That idealistic fool's probably out there offering himself as Kyurem's appetizer right now!

Cynthia tapped her chin. "If Zekrom's Dark Stone is entombed in Dragonspiral Tower... where's Reshiram's Light Stone?"

"With Team Plasma fleeing with Kyurem, they'll surely seek both imprisoned dragons next."

Natsume glanced at Cynthia admiringly.

As expected of my brilliant moe-moe! You pieced together 90% of the plot already!

Drayden explained, "Legends in Eindoak Town speak of the Light Stone resting in the Sword of the Vale—a tower near Lacunosa Town, mirroring Dragonspiral Tower's role for the Dark Stone."

Natsume stared blankly at the sky.

This dungeon raid is stitched together from how many different canons?!

Movie lore for the Light Stone, anime for the Dark Stone, and now game mechanics for the DNA Splicers!

Unlike past incidents...

Colress had escaped.

Letting him slip would tarnish Natsume's reputation as Team Rainbow Rocket's founder.

And realistically... Unova lacked Trainers who could handle a fused legendary.

Ash might awaken one dragon if lucky, and Champion Alder would be doing everyone a favor just by not tripping over his own cape...

Natsume sighed, then narrowed his eyes.

Ruining my moe-moe vacation...

Team Plasma... YOU'RE DEAD MEAT.

Serious-mode Natsume-sensei... is terrifying.

He studied the DNA Splicers in Drayden's palm.

What exactly does this Fusion spell card—ahem, artifact—do anyway?

If it's a Village of Dragons heirloom, it must have unique properties.

As Natsume reached for it—

ZZZT!

A spark of electricity repelled his fingers.

Everyone froze.

Natsume: "...Didn't you say Unova's hero would earn its recognition?"

Drayden coughed awkwardly. "Well, the legends do claim that..."

Natsume stared at the artifact.

Ah. So I'm not Unova's hero after all.

...I'm the villain?!

He cleared his throat.

Makes sense. The Tree of Beginning rejected me, the Rainbow Wing nearly corrupted...

Being snubbed by the DNA Splicers is on-brand.

The solution, however, was simple.

Natsume's palm glowed blue as he cast [Aura Ripple] on the artifact.

The DNA Splicers pulsed with light, levitating from Drayden's hand—

And gently landed in Natsume's grasp.

Drayden: o(⊙Д⊙)っ!

Cynthia: o(⊙Д⊙)っ!

Ash & Iris: o(⊙Д⊙)っ!

Natsume: ︿(￣︶￣)︿

At the same moment...

The Rainbow Wing in his possession began flickering as if alive, sensing the DNA Splicers' energy pulse.

Rainbow Wing: "..."

Oh no... Competition has arrived!

……

After acquiring the DNA Splicers, Natsume and the others bid farewell to Drayden, returning to Cynthia's residence in Opelucid City.

Parts of the city remained frozen, buildings standing like ice sculptures where the Acid Armor effect hadn't yet melted the glaciers.

Fortunately, the estate's remote location had spared it from damage.

Then came an unexpected development.

Meloetta, who'd spent the entire night in the freezing cold, leaned weakly against Natsume's shoulder, her cheeks flushed.

"Meloetta..." she whispered hoarsely.

"Seems she's caught a cold," Cynthia observed.

"A cold?!" Ash and Iris exclaimed in unison.

Cynthia nodded. "Even Pokémon can fall ill like humans... And Meloetta's physique is particularly delicate among Mythical Pokémon."

Natsume recalled the original BW plot—where Meloetta had similarly fallen ill after escaping Team Rocket's trio.

"Meloetta..." The feverish Meloetta lay on a cushion, eyes closed, her voice faint.

"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi ran around the Room, helping to get wet towels and taking care of Meloetta.

Glaceon produced crushed ice, which Cynthia gently packed into a small compress for Meloetta's forehead.

Sylveon assisted with its ribbons, earning a head pat from Cynthia.

"Sylveon~!" It carried itself with the dignity of an elder sister.

"Can we still make it to the Pokémon Center?" Ash scratched his head.

"No need—this I can handle."

Natsume rolled up his sleeves. "They don't call me 'Master of Healing' for nothing!"

Before leaving for Unova, he'd stocked up on Heal Powder from Lumiose City's herb shop—exceptionally effective against colds.

To counter the bitter taste (which could lower friendship), he'd mixed in Berry powder without reducing potency.

After brewing and straining the remedy, Natsume sat beside Meloetta with the steaming concoction.

"Your turn?" He glanced at Cynthia.

"She trusts you more," Cynthia said.

Nodding, Natsume lifted a silver spoon to the feverish Meloetta's lips.

"Here, Meloetta. Medicine time."

"Melo~" Still eyes-closed, she obediently parted her lips.

The fever visibly receded, making Ash and Iris sigh in relief.

"You're quite skilled at nursing Pokémon," Cynthia remarked.

"I also give great massages..." Natsume mused.

(Though best use [Aura Ripple] sparingly—too intense for patients.)

"Meloetta~" Meloetta drifted into peaceful sleep, her ocean-blue eyes softly shut.

Sylveon gently tugged Natsume's arm with the Ribbon: "Sylveon!"

"You want to take medicine too?"

Natsume shook his head: "No, you can't take medicine randomly."

"Sylveon..." Sylveon puffed up both sides of his cheeks, like Ash's Bayleef.

Natsume touched Sylveon's ears and said:

"You are allowed to sleep with me tonight... No stepping on my breasts!"

"Sylveon~!o(′^｀)o" Sylveon raised his head proudly.

……

The Next Morning

Natsume jolted awake—haunted by nightmares of a Gigantamax Eevee falling from the sky.

Blinking, he found Sylveon gracefully leaping off his chest.

With Meloetta now recovered, Natsume prepared to depart for Eindoak Town, leaving Cynthia behind in Opelucid City to watch over her.

Thanks to his meta-knowledge, he already had a rough idea where Kyurem and Colress were hiding.

And this time... I'm going solo.

No dragging his moe-moe crew into danger again.

Cynthia and Iris would stay to safeguard Opelucid from any residual threats.

"Come back soon."

Cynthia waved him off with absolute confidence—after all, this was the man who'd once faced Arceus alone.

"Ash come with me." Natsume said.

"Huh? Why?" Ash scratched his head.

Natsume's mouth opened, then closed.

Low-EQ Answer: "To use you as a meat shield against Kyurem."

Opting for high emotional intelligence, Natsume straightened his collar and declared:

"I want to see if you have what it takes...To become the Hero of Truth!"