Chapter 0650: The Frozen Opelucid City! Natsume: Do You Even Know Manners?（Three-in-One）

Night had fallen.

The towering skyscrapers of Opelucid City pierced the sky, while a massive full moon loomed overhead, its meteorite craters clearly visible.

Natsume stepped out of Opelucid City Airport, greeted by a desolate night wind. The streets were nearly empty of tourists.

"Did everyone already go to sleep?" Ash scratched his head.

"Opelucid City has implemented a curfew recently," Cynthia explained. "Likely to prepare for potential Team Plasma threats."

Iris kicked a small pebble with a click, her purple twin tails swaying as Axew peeked out from between them. She pouted:

"That means Grandpa Drayden is probably asleep too... We'll have to visit him tomorrow."

"Let's stay in Opelucid City for the night," Cynthia said with a smile. "I happen to own a residence here as well."

Natsume paused, glancing up at the full moon with a growing sense of unease.

Are we about to summon the Renovation Captain: Unova Form again?

Or... have we triggered the story event ahead of schedule?!

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Natsume studied Cynthia's black trench coat, his mood delicate.

She's even changed into her Champion outfit now. The death flags are piling up!

But... Cynthia in a black trench coat exuded regal elegance.

Without thinking, Natsume remarked:

"That outfit suits you... You look stunning."

Cynthia smiled faintly, resting a hand on her chin. "How stunning?"

"As stunning as a Milotic leaping from the glittering waters of Lake Valor, sending ripples and droplets flying," Natsume replied, hands in his pockets.

The skyscrapers obscured a sliver of the moon, creating a perfect circular segment where Cynthia and Natsume stood facing each other, the moonlight casting a silver halo around the golden-haired beauty.

Cynthia said nothing, offering only a gentle smile before calling out to Ash and Iris, who had run ahead:

"Wrong direction! It's the other way!"

Thump-thump-thump—

Just then.

The sound of rotor blades cut through the night, followed by the roar of engines.

Ash skidded to a halt, staring dumbfounded at the sky. Even Pikachu, mid-sprint, stopped and turned:

"Pikachu?"

"Pikachu, l-look... What is that?!"

Ash tilted his head 90 degrees,swallowing hard as he pointed toward a skyscraper's edge.

The massive pale blue bow of an aerial battleship gradually emerged between buildings, followed by its twin-winged hull, downward-thrusting rotors churning the air, and finally its rear thrusters.

Opelucid City plunged into darkness as the Plasma Frigate]eclipsed the full moon like a lunar eclipse, its dark silhouette reflected in the upturned faces of Natsume-sensei and Cynthia.

Cynthia's expression turned grave, her gray eyes locked on the thundering battleship, golden hair whipping in the night wind.

"Seems... we've got trouble again," she murmured under her breath.

That single word—"again"—spoke volumes!

Natsume's black locks fluttered as he stared at the colossal aircraft gliding past the moon, hovering over the city like some primordial behemoth.

Thump-thump-thump—

With its wing-mounted rotors churning downward, the Plasma Frigate anchored itself above Opelucid City—a gargantuan creature of the night!

Natsume pressed his lips together, his expression twisting wryly.

I know this thing...

Team Plasma's mobile fortress, the aerial battleship—Plasma Frigate!

Darkrai emerged slowly from Natsume's elongated shadow, eyeing the sky with palpable unease.

"Tell me we're not actually going to fight that battleship...?"

At this point, fear seemed irrelevant.

"Anything airborne is hostile."

Natsume took a deep breath, turning to Darkrai with a smirk.

"Congratulations. You guessed right."

Thump-thump-thump—

The deafening rotor wash continued.

Darkrai's face was priceless.

Meloetta, perched on Natsume-sensei's shoulder, bobbed her head rhythmically: "Meloetta~"

Gengar gaped upward in awe.

"Gengar~! " (So huge... and it flies~!)

Natsume sighed at the heavens.

"Tonight... is going to be another sleepless night."

……

Opelucid City, International Police Operations Command

'Handsome' leaned back in his chair, his brown trench coat draped over him as he snored loudly—until the shrill ringing of the phone jolted him awake.

"Y-yes, this is Codename 'Handsome.' Can you hear—"

The middle-aged man wiped sweat from his brow, then straightened up as his eyes locked onto the surveillance feed displayed across three massive screens. A grin split his face.

"So... those bastards finally showed themselves!"

The surveillance footage showed the colossal battleship Plasma Frigate, its sheer size requiring three split screens just to capture it from bow to stern.

On the other end of the line, Officer Jenny's voice buzzed with excitement:

"And... our superior is already at the scene."

"Which superior?"

"Police Consultant Natsume! Natsume-sensei!"

Jenny declared. "He must have anticipated their move—arriving in Opelucid City tonight specifically to crush Team Plasma!"

"I see."

'Handsome' chuckled. "Then the International Police can't afford to embarrass him... All units, move out!"

……

Inside the Plasma Frigate

"Let me reiterate the operation plan. Sage Zinzolin of the Seven Sages will engage Leader Drayden to secure the DNA Splicers."

Colress adjusted his frameless glasses, hands clasped calmly behind his back.

"The Shadow Triad will assist Mr. Zinzolin... The rest of you focus on rescuing Leader Ghetsis. Any questions?"

Zinzolin narrowed his eyes, dressed in the ornate robes of the Seven Sages, and addressed Colress:

"Are you certain you can control Kyurem's power?"

Colress smiled faintly, turning to look at the slumbering dragon within the cylindrical tank.

Seven or eight pipes connected to the frost-covered container filled with formaldehyde-like liquid, where the blue-gray, bipedal dragon floated with icicle-like wings protruding menacingly.

This was Kyurem - awakened from ancient relics through Colress's scientific methods!

Colress's gaze sharpened.

Today would be the day to demonstrate Kyurem's power to the world... and showcase the genius of Colress!

"Shadow Triad... Escort Mr. Zinzolin to his position."

Colress adjusted his glasses again, calmly observing the red button at the console's center. His lenses flashed, revealing a momentary fanatical expression before reverting to his usual gentle, scholarly smile.

"The operation begins now."

Beep beep beep—

Colress pressed the red button.

Instantly, the entire battleship vibrated as Kyurem's crimson eyes snapped open within the tank, unleashing a torrent of freezing mist.

Energy surged toward the emitter while connecting pipes burst one after another, yet the fusion process continued relentlessly!

"Kyurem Cryo Cannon... FIRE!"

BOOM!!

……

Opelucid City Streets

A salaryman trudged home in a daze after another overtime shift.

Even the city's curfew couldn't stop his "voluntary overtime"—no one truly volunteered, but the meager extra pay would help buy his daughter's birthday present...

His suit disheveled, shirt untucked from his belt, he wandered aimlessly down the deserted street.

What choice did he have? Take out loans for his daughter's birthday?

Shaking his head, he recalled his little girl's bright smile—suddenly, the exhaustion felt worth it. A tired smile crept onto his face.

Pausing beneath the enormous full moon, he was struck by a memory of his ten-year-old self dreaming of becoming a Trainer.

Back then, he'd been such a fool—traveling the world, returning battered but proud, sending his meager earnings home to his mother...

Now in his thirties, time had flown.

His Trainer "ideals" had long withered, replaced by new "truths" to pursue.

As he gazed at the moon, lost in thought, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"A... a galactic battleship?!"

Looming ominously in the sky was a massive warship.

The battleship hovered above the skyscrapers, its armored underbelly opening to reveal gleaming metallic cannons.

The cannons hummed with gathering azure energy, fusion-like light intensifying until—

BOOM!!

A fierce gust of wind tore through the streets, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Instinctively raising his briefcase as a shield, the man broke out in cold sweat—yet couldn't tear his eyes from the beam.

The icy-blue energy streaks crashed down onto Opelucid City's landmark skyscraper, instantly flash-freezing the entire structure solid!

"That's..." The man's throat tightened.

That was the very office building he'd just left moments ago.

Breath ragged, legs trembling, he watched helplessly as the glacial energy spread outward, encasing neighboring buildings in crystalline ice.

I need to run!

Yet despite his terror, he couldn't deny the bizarre beauty of this frozen apocalypse.

The arctic winds howled—

His peripheral vision caught movement. A grizzled old Stoutland stood at the street corner, its matted fur and milky blind eye facing the advancing wall of ice with vacant confusion.

The image of his daughter's beloved Lillipup flashed through his mind. Hands shaking violently, he frantically dug through his suit pockets—keys and wallet clattering to the pavement.

Clink!

There!

The miniature Poké Ball in his palm triggered a flood of Trainer memories.

Lips pale, he hurled it with a hoarse shout:

"Unfezant, use Quick Attack! Shatter that ice, please!"

"Unfezant!" The colorful-plumed bird shot forth like a white comet, its silhouette overlapping with the Pidove it once was.

CRASH!

Unfezant tumbled backward, landing awkwardly—but the ice wall fractured!

The elderly Stoutland turned its cloudy eye toward the man.

Knees buckling, he collapsed onto the pavement with a relieved smile.

"We... we made it..."

"Well well, another Trainer wannabe?"

Two masked Plasma member emerged from the gloom, smirking.

A Liepard and Seismitoad flanked them, eyes glowing crimson under artificial control.

"Tch. Where do all these nuisance Trainers keep coming from?" one Grunt sneered, fiddling with a remote. "Good thing Lord Colress's tech handles the heavy lifting."

"Enough chatter," the other rasped. "Stick to the rendezvous."

Noticing the cowering salaryman, the first Team Plasma Grunt's lips curled.

"That bird Pokémon looks decent... I'll take it."

Beep beep beep!

Blue electricity arced toward the fallen Stoutland and Unfezant, making them convulse in agony.

The man gaped in horror, trembling violently.

"Hey, 'Trainer'?" The Grunt mocked. "Giving up already? I thought eye contact meant a battle? Pathetic."

I'm just an office worker... My daughter's waiting for me... Please let me go...

He almost said it—head bowed, heart pounding—until long-buried instincts resurfaced.

But the Grunt was right. He was... he WAS...

Slowly rising, veins bulging in his clenched fist around the Poké Ball, he roared:

"I AM A TRAINER!!"

Snap!

The control waves flickered out. Unfezant and Stoutland staggered upright, eyes blazing with determination.

The team plasma grunt recoiled. "L-Lord Colress's tech... failed?!"

"No," the other muttered, watching their still-obedient Seismitoad. "Rumor says overwhelming willpower can disrupt it, but—whatever! Attack!"

"Unfezant, Quick Attack!" the man commanded. "Stoutland, use... use Tackle!"

The two Pokémon charged—

CRACK!

Seismitoad's crimson eyes burned as its massive arm clamped around Unfezant's neck; Liepard sidestepped with feline grace, its shadowy claws sending Stoutland crashing down.

THUD!

The battle ended in an instant.

Man scratching his head with an awkward chuckle at the stunned Plasma member.

"Ah... now that I think about it, I've got some errands to—"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" the Plasma member roared, face flushing with humiliation. "You think you can embarrass me like this and walk away? What kind of evil organization would I be then?"

"Liepard! Fury Swipes!"

A new voice sliced through the tension.

"Meowth! Fury Swipes!"

"Already on it, nya~"

Meowth's claws gleamed white as it dashed forward with surprising speed, drawing astonished gasps from the onlookers.

SWISH—

A flash of silver.

Seven glowing streaks appeared across Liepard's body before it collapsed with a heavy THUD.

Seismitoad panted heavily, barely managing to stay on one knee—until Jessie's boot sent it sprawling.

The two Plasma member stood frozen, completely dumbfounded by this turn of events.

Man blankly at the white uniforms now shielding him, the bold "R" emblem impossible to miss.

"You... who are you...?"

SNAP!

Like a beam of light splitting Opelucid City's darkness.

"Since you asked so sincerely."

"We'll grace you with an answer."

"To prevent the world's ruin."

"To uphold the peace of our world."

"Embracing love and truth's wickedness—"

"The charming, delightful villains!"

"..."

"That's it, meow!"

"Wobbuffet!"

The two Plasma members' faces stiffened noticeably.

"You're the Team Rocket trio who sent three of our Elite Operatives to prison...?"

"Those guys counted as Elites? Meowth?" Meowth blinked innocently.

"Just goes to show the difference between leaders." James shrugged casually.

"Enough talk." Jessie cracked her knuckles with a cold smirk. "You surrendering?"

"Or do I escort you to your new cells?"

The Plasma members exchanged glances, then looked at the police squad closing in. Their expressions grew increasingly strange...

Man let out a relieved sigh, smiling at the elderly Stoutland licking his palm.

"Want to come home with me?"

The Stoutland lifted its cloudy, single eye. A flicker of hesitation—

"...Stoutland." Stoutland shook its head slowly.

"He says he's too old, meow. Just gonna be trouble. Time to say goodbye, meow." Meowth translated.

The man's heart sank as he watched the Stoutland shuffle away, disappearing down the road.

The family cannot afford the extra expenses, the "truth" of life is so cruel, and the "Ideals" of becoming a Trainer are so illusory.

But right now—

"I WON'T HESITATE ANYMORE!!"

He charged after the Stoutland—then skidded to a halt, scrambling back to James with an awkward bow.

"Uh, sorry... Could I borrow one Poké Ball? Just one! I'll pay you back, promise!"

James and Jessie shared an amused look.

Meowth planted his paws on his hips, taunting the captured Plasma grunts:

"Take notes, meow! This is how a real evil organization operates, meow—mmph?!"

Officer Jenny glanced over sharply.

James and Jessie clamped their hands over Meowth's mouth, forcing grins. "He said delivery service!"

"Wobbuffet!"

……

Night fell over Opelucid City, most districts now frozen solid as skirmishes erupted everywhere.

Delivery guys who normally hauled cargo now wore black caps, revealing the iconic "R" insignia as they clashed with Team Plasma members.

"Muk, use Minimize followed by Toxic, then Venoshock!"

"Zubat, hit them with Supersonic to cause confusion!"

The Plasma members looked distressed, shouting:

"Your strategy is downright dirty!"

The small-time leader smirked coldly: "Hah. Without its core members, Team Plasma could never understand Rocket Delivery's conviction!"

"Charge them together, men!!"

On another battlefield...

Officer Jenny's Arcanine threw back its head and roared.

"Arcanine!!"

Utilizing the "Justified" ability combined with "Beat Up" strategy, Arcanine's Attack stat skyrocketed to thirteen thousand!!

The Plasma leader swallowed hard, voice hoarse:

"H-hey now...this is completely unreasonable..."

Jenny swept aside her green bangs with a razor-sharp smile:

"Perform well, and I'll get you Natsume-sensei's autograph!"

Instantly, Jenny's squad's eyes glowed crimson like x-rays, radiating predatory intensity-

"NOOOOOO!!"

The agonized screams echoed across frozen Opelucid.

Zinzolin of the Seven Sages blocked Mayor Drayden's path, smirking as he sought to steal the DNA Splicers.

"Team Plasma's plan succeeds... Now for my performance."

The entire Opelucid Gym stood encased in ice.

Zinzolin stared at the overalls-clad, muscular old man before the gym, white beard trembling:

"Resigned to your fate, Mayor Drayden?"

Drayden's lips moved beneath his beard, brows furrowed in silence.

"Cat got your tongue?" Zinzolin clasped his hands behind his back, eyeing Drayden's pendant.

"Knowing the DNA Splicers were compromised yet staying in Opelucid... Your arrogance will be your downfall!"

"Shadow Triad - attack!"

Crimson light erupted from darkness.

The triplets known as "Shadow Triad" moved with ninja-like stealth, having infiltrated beforehand to ambush the mayor.

Drayden seemed to struggle for words.

Zinzolin grinned at his flustered expression-

Thud!

Three unconscious masked men landed at Zinzolin's feet, dropped by Darkrai emerging from shadows.

The nightmare Pokémon dusted off its hands, giving Zinzolin a sidelong glare.

Zinzolin: "..."

Zinzolin: "..."

Zinzolin: "???"

"Darkrai?! Sinnoh's nightmare Pokémon here?! Illusions- must be Zoroark's doing!"

Drayden - a humble, bear-wrestling old man whose muscles rivaled "a certain fried chicken mascot" - sighed lightly:

"Champions Natsume, Cynthia... proceed."

Natsume stood atop the highest building, coat fluttering as he snapped his fingers:

"Sirfetch'd - Meteor Assault!!"

"Sirfetch'd!!( -'`-)"

Sirfetch'd hurled its golden leek lance skyward-

Every citizen looked up as the glowing projectile tore through the night like a meteor, outshining even Kyurem's "Ice World."

"That's the Executive's move, meow!" Meowth gasped.

James swallowed hard: "He's gotten stronger... again."

A man in a brown trench coat stared at the golden streak:

"Not Gengar or Blastoise... That unknown Pokémon is his true ace."

Under the full moon's gaze, the lance descended-

"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"

Garchomp's attack seemed mundane by comparison, purple draconic energy trailing as it dive-bombed Zinzolin's Cryogonal.

Simultaneously, the Meteor Assault struck earth with a thunderous crash, fissures spreading as a golden pillar of light erupted skyward like "Max Wyrmwind."

The entire city gaped at this impossible display.

Natsume blinked at Sirfetch'd:

"Missed?"

"Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)" Sirfetch'd nodded sheepishly.

"Whatever."

Natsume glanced at Zinzolin's fainted Weavile, deadpan:

"Same difference."

(The missed attack's energy dispersal caused the spectacular light show anyway.)

"Truly Sirfetch'd's signature move..." Natsume mused.

This battle?

Sirfetch'd and Garchomp as dual carries - with Sirfetch'd contributing at least half the damage!

Zinzolin collapsed to his knees, staring skyward:

"Natsume-sensei... Cynthia... Why here?!"

Coincidence? Impossible!

"Someone leaked our plans!" He snarled, face pale.

Drayden gazed at the hovering Plasma Frigate:

"The DNA Splicers cannot be yours. We have... pressing matters."

Zinzolin's face paled, his teeth grinding. "Someone... someone must have leaked the intel!"

"I'm afraid the DNA Splicers cannot be entrusted to you."

Drayden looked up at the Plasma Frigate hovering in the night sky, his voice grave:

"We have more pressing matters to attend to."

"Doesn't matter..." Zinzolin gave a sinister chuckle. "I'm leaving, and you can't stop me."

Zinzolin pulled out the Colress Machine—only for his face to suddenly cave in as his entire body launched like a cannonball into the ice.

CRACK!

Ice shards flew everywhere as Zinzolin's unconscious body collapsed, the machine clattering to the ground beside him.

Ash looked at his fist, bewildered. "I barely even hit him..."

Natsume watched from above, his pupils contracting as he swallowed hard.

Did... did Ash just kill Zinzolin outright?!

"Decision made."

Natsume's expression turned serious, his voice deep:

"When we fight Kyurem, Ash takes point."

Natsume: "Hmm. I suddenly feel much better about this."

……

Thud!

Colress slammed his fist on the console, his neck flushing red with rage:

"Failure? My entire plan has failed! How is this possible?!"

The surveillance screen showed a handsome black-haired young man.

He seemed to sense something, looking up with a disarmingly confident smile.

Natsume-sensei...is he mocking me?!

Colress suddenly calmed down, taking a deep breath.

The one opposing me...is a Pokémon professor researching ancient texts. A complete trainer.

"Losing so completely...isn't entirely unacceptable..."

Colress muttered to himself.

Ghetsis' holographic projection appeared, leaning on his staff as he said calmly:

"More pressing than that is how to handle Kyurem without the DNA Splicers..."

"No DNA Splicers? Then we'll use science to force-develop a fusion device!"

Colress interrupted, adjusting his glasses:

"My apologies for my earlier outburst."

"That prototype fusion device will be...the key to Team Plasma's rebirth!"

"Forced fusion?!"

Ghetsis stared in disbelief. "You're truly a monster in the scientific field..."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Colress' frameless glasses glinted blue as he smiled:

"Because in this world, only one person can create a machine to fuse Legendary Pokémon...and that's me, Colress!"

"You'd better bring Kyurem...to Giant Chasm."

Ghetsis left these uneasy words before cutting the holographic connection.

Colress turned to observe Kyurem stirring in its containment unit.

"Controlling a fully awakened Kyurem...will be challenging."

"But Kyurem...your freezing power is unmatched."

Colress' fingers flew across the console as his lips curled upward.

"Use Glaciate...to freeze the entire Unova region, Kyurem!"

Hummm—

Within the containment unit, Kyurem opened its crimson eyes. The chamber cracked but held against the intense frost.

Beep beep beep!!

Colress slammed the red button.

The Plasma Frigate's bottom armor slid open, its emitter charging before releasing a torrent of azure light!

Drayden's expression darkened: "At this rate, even neighboring cities will—"

Natsume frowned at Meloetta shivering on his shoulder. The petite Pokémon leaned against him weakly:

"Meloetta..."

Even Pokémon could catch colds, and Meloetta's physique was particularly delicate.

There were solutions to the blizzard, but summoning Sinnoh's dragon trio would take time.

Maybe Darkrai could...

"Cold?" Natsume asked Cynthia as they regrouped, noticing her snow-pale cheeks flushing from the chill.

She shook her head, eyes locked on the massive battleship: "We need to stop this blizzard first!"

Achoo! Iris rubbed her arms. "You cold?" Ash asked.

"Duh! Who wears winter clothes in summer?" Iris snapped.

Ash grinned: "I'm barely dressed and I'm totally fine!"

Iris: "..."

Natsume: "..."

Have some tact, you dense kid?

BOOM—

Drayden crossed his arms, looking skyward with widening eyes.

"Another...aerial battleship?!"

Everyone turned toward the ice-filled blizzard.

A black-and-gold aerial battleship appeared, stark against Plasma's blue frigate.

Natsume's eye twitched in recognition.

That was Team Rocket's flagship!

Beside it, an orange Legendary Pokémon stood imposingly, arms crossed as it surveyed the storm.

Directly confronting Kyurem would be difficult...

But with Landorus' weather control, stopping this blizzard would be effortless!

The Rocket battleship's hatch opened.

Natsume squinted through the storm.

A wrinkled man in a crisp suit stood framed in the doorway, the golden R on his chest gleaming as he smirked with familiar arrogance.

Through the howling snow, Giovanni locked eyes with Natsume-sensei, hands in pockets, gaze piercing.

Mentor.

Using Landorus to control the weather.

This was Giovanni's play in Unova.

Operation Stormbringer!