Chapter 0638: The Silver Bullet and Z-Crystal

Accept the Iceberg Badge?

Natsume blinked in surprise.

Old Man Wulfric gazed warmly at Pupitar, grinning:

"Evolution is a monumental moment in a Pokémon's life. Evolving to achieve victory deserves proper commemoration."

"I've always admired trainers and Pokémon striving together."

The broad-shouldered white-haired elder smiled at Pupitar: "Don't push yourself too hard now, little one."

"Pupitar..." Pupitar's masked eyes flickered shyly beneath its armored helm.

Even evolved, Natsume could still see the junior dinosaur's endearing timidity.

Pupitar resembled an adolescent Pokémon - battle-fierce yet bashful.

To describe it in Pokémon senryū:

Pupitar, the silver bullet in sandstorms - mighty yet modest!

Natsume chuckled wryly:

"Your kindness is appreciated... But this wasn't an official Gym challenge."

Wulfric shook his head, palm outstretched solemnly: "This isn't for you. It's for Pupitar."

Natsume glanced back at Pupitar, seeing its eager anticipation.

Years later, when Pupitar evolved into Tyranitar, this badge would recall its blizzard evolution.

Calculating mentally, Natsume tallied this journey's spoils.

Only Korrina's badge so far - accepting Wulfric's wouldn't hurt.

"Thank you."

Accepting the glittering Iceberg Badge, Natsume followed tradition:

"I've obtained the Iceberg Badge!"

[Ding! Quest Updated!]

[Badges Collected: (2/8)]

Wulfric nodded approvingly, kneeling to pat Pupitar's crest:

"Growing stronger for someone special... That warmth stays with you."

" Pupitar..." Pupitar glanced up at Natsume, eyes shimmering behind its mask.

Wulfric stood, stroking his beard, then whispered conspiratorially:

"Heard you're dating Cynthia?"

"...Word reaches Kalos?"

"Well... I'm a passionate man." Wulfric Old Man said with a strange look, "But my wife's sub-freezing gaze is really scary... What do you think?"

Natsume recalled Garchomp's stare, nodding emphatically:

"Absolutely!"

Wulfric sighed: "Even icebergs fear marital storms. But I always carry my family's photo."

He showed his Key Stone pendant containing the picture.

Pure contentment shone in Wulfric's eyes.

"My family's support keeps me Gym Leading."

Stroking his beard, he smiled: "Having loved ones nearby makes any challenge surmountable!"

Natsume was slightly startled, looking at Gengar and Pupitar beside him, with several Poké Balls dangling at their waists.

"Indeed." Natsume smiled. "I couldn't agree more."

……

That afternoon, trainers were still discussing the morning's weather warfare.

"Old Man Wulfric actually lost a weather battle?"

"Pupitar's Earthquake combined with Sandstorm was insane!"

"Wasn't the real issue Natsume-sensei's cheap Iron Head flinches?"

Finally reaching consensus, they sighed:

"Natsume-sensei's strategies are downright dirty!"

The day's second match featured Korrina versus Grant.

Her Lucario displayed astonishing power, defeating Grant's Tyrantrum.

Korrina exhaled in relief: "At least I didn't embarrass Master!"

Needing to check on Pupitar, Natsume returned to his Battle Castle quarters.

"Come on out, everyone!"

He released his team for Pupitar's introduction.

Yet the moment it emerged, Pupitar hid behind a wall, refusing to show itself.

"Togepi doo-ee~~" Togepi toddled over, poking Pupitar's armored shell.

"Pupitar..." Pupitar stayed turned away, fearing it might scare Togepi.

"Togepi doo-ee! ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ" Togepi beamed, poking again.

"Pupitar!!" Pupitar reluctantly turned, crimson eyes glowing behind its mask.

"Togepi doo-ee (′▽｀)" Togepi patted Pupitar's forehead.

Pupitar calmed down his temper, closed his eyes, and stood quietly on the ground: "Pupitar..."

"Sylveon!"

Sylveon examined the silver bullet-like Pupitar approvingly.

Hmm... very dashing!

"Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise nodded slightly.

Iron Defense training could commence soon.

"Sirfetch'd~(._.`)" Sirfetch'd stepped forward, touching Pupitar with noble dignity.

No matter what, I've got your back, quack!

"Pupitar~~ " Pupitar bounced tearfully, cracking marble tiles.

Everyone froze, glancing nervously at Natsume-sensei.

"No worries. New evolution strength control issues. Wreck whatever."

Natsume waved dismissively: "It's not like I can't afford minor repairs."

The room erupted in cheerful cries.

Suddenly, Natsume's expression changed.

"GENGAR! Volume control!"

……

The sun sets.

In the chat group.

Natsume sighed emotionally: "Larvitar evolved. (Image)"

Yellow sounded a little reluctant: "Eh… that’s kinda sudden."

"From a breeding perspective, Natsume-sensei’s Larvitar could have evolved much earlier," Brock said. "It’s perfectly reasonable for it to evolve now."

Green nodded and added: "If it didn’t evolve, it might have suppressed the restless energy inside Larvitar."

Lance, who had also bred a Tyranitar before, looked at the image and remarked:

"Pupitar seems to be in great condition… Have you considered riding it while it flies?"

Natsume was stunned: "Wait, that’s a thing?!"

"It is," Silver said with a straight face. "You can hang onto Pupitar mid-flight, just like grabbing onto a Honchkrow."

Natsume’s delicate mood.

Flying is a hard pass… I’m not done living yet.

A private message notification popped up.

"Has the Battle Castle’s tournament ended already?" Cynthia asked.

"Yeah, I’ll be back in Lumiose City by tomorrow morning," Natsume replied.

Cynthia smiled slightly. "I’ll be waiting for you in Unova."

Natsume: [Delibird received·jpg]

Natsume: "I need to stop by Sandgem Town first to pick up a Delibird."

Cynthia: "Should I come with you?"

Natsume: "No need, it won’t take long. After that, I’ll head to Unova."

There are still remnants of Team Plasma in the Unova region… To be safe, I should bring Darkrai along too!

Lost in thought, a knock came at the door.

"The 'Duke' honors have been prepared, Lord Natsume," Butler said respectfully.

Behind him, attendants carried a case containing a Mega Stone and Z-Crystals.

Natsume had no intention of continuing the challenge, so he simply picked up the bonus.

Butler and his group withdrew, leaving Natsume alone in the room to sort through his rewards.

This Tyranitarite was similar to the one he already had—equally high quality—but Pupitar no longer needed an evolutionary stone to absorb nutrients.

In other words… Pupitar could only stare longingly!

"Pupitar…" Pupitar trembled, its carapace-like body drooping in disappointment before lifting its head again with fiery determination.

If I evolve soon, I can eat delicious things again!

The other case held a prismatic white Z-Crystal, officially called Normalium Z, which could amplify a Normal-type move into—

'Breakneck Blitz'!

Natsume: "...Kinda cheesy, but weirdly cool."

Z-Move names were like that—a mix of cringe and charm.

Natsume felt that Snorlium Z’s 'Pulverizing Pancake' was badass, while Primarium Z and Pikashunium Z’s 'Oceanic Operetta' and '10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt' oozed style.

So Z-Moves had to be judged individually… A cute girl like Lana using Waterium Z? Maximum moe!

Using a Z-Move required specific poses.

Natsume glanced down at the gleaming Normalium Z, recalling its corresponding stance.

"Normalium Z’s pose isn’t bad… actually kinda cool."

He rubbed his chin.

"But it’s not like I’ll get a Sparkling Stone out of it. Might as well keep it as a collectible."

Natsume could understand why Steven was so obsessed with minerals.

In a dimly lit room, ores radiated a natural, dazzling brilliance, weaving together like a starry sky… It was downright poetic.

Of course, for a junior dinosaur, it probably looked like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

But Pupitar no longer needed—nor could—eat dirt.

"You’ve worked hard, Pupitar," Natsume said warmly.

"Pupitar~ (✧ω✧)"

……

Pupitar had successfully evolved and demonstrated impressive dominance in weather warfare.

With that, the Battle Castle visit came to an end.

The next day.

Natsume bid farewell to Old Man Wulfric and the others, preparing to return to Lumiose City.

"Come visit Snowbelle City sometime!" Wulfric crossed his arms, grinning proudly. "My wife’s cooking is the best!"

My wife’s… cooking isn’t quite on that level.

Natsume coughed lightly. "If you ever visit Lumiose City, I’ll make sure to treat you well."

Wulfric laughed, "I'll come with anticipation!"

As he reached the castle gates, Korrina skated up from behind on rollerblades, gliding smoothly to match his pace. She grinned.

"Sensei, are you heading back to Lumiose City?"

Natsume nodded. "What’s up?"

"Mind if I tag along? I’d love to learn more about your training methods!" Korrina clenched her fist eagerly.

"My training method… is not training," Natsume said honestly.

Korrina: ???

Politely declining Korrina’s invitation, Natsume glanced at the two badges pinned inside his shirt and nodded in satisfaction.

Perfect. Mission accomplished—total profit!