Chapter 0623: Failed to Penetrate Enemy Armor!(Two-in-One)

Alain raised his right arm, left hand sweeping past the rainbow-glowing Key Stone on his wristband. With that supremely chuunibyou declaration, a shockwave blasted outward as brilliant evolution light erupted through the garden.

Natsume squinted at Alain's dramatic pose. No wonder Ash picked up so many flashy battle gestures later—he definitely learned from this guy.

Whoosh—

The Evolutionary Stone around Charizard's neck erupted with radiant light, linking to the Key Stone as a blinding rainbow aura exploded into the night.

"Charizard!!"

Charizard roared skyward, wings spreading wide as azure spikes sprouted across its body. Its head developed black-blue crests, twin blue flames churning in its maw.

The black Mega Charizard X—a rainbow Mega Evolution symbol glowing on its forehead—hovered midair, gale-force winds whipping outward!

Rotom Pokédex blinked in surprise.

"Beep... It's a Fire/Dragon-type Mega Charizard, Rotom!"

Mega Charizard X wasn't weak to Water—in fact, it resisted Electric attacks. Combined with Alain's Charizard's freakish endurance, this was the so-called "defying type disadvantages through sheer willpower."

Matori stood to the side, purple bangs fluttering as she adjusted her gleaming round glasses.

Such mastery of Mega Evolution... Impressive.

But.

Her gaze shifted to Natsume, hands in pockets, and for a moment she saw Boss Giovanni standing suited in Viridian Gym. Her breath hitched.

This might be my chance... Her cheeks flushed. To witness Mentor's battle prowess up close!

"Charizard!!"

Mega Charizard X's jet-black body, deep-blue underbelly, and blazing azure tailflame made its gleaming claws seem even sharper as it folded its wings.

THUD.

Mega Charizard X landed heavily, warily eyeing Blastoise with sharpened focus.

"Blastoise..."

Blastoise frowned slightly, recognizing a troublesome opponent. Better play this safe.

This Charizard looks weak... But that's probably a trap.

Priority one: Stack defenses!

The Power of One instantly picked up on Blastoise's thoughts.

Noticing the sweat beading on Blastoise's forehead, Natsume sighed. Overthinking as usual.

"Blastoise, Iron Defense!"

SHING!

The tortoise's shell gleamed metallic as it faced Mega Charizard X like an impenetrable fortress.

"Blastoise." It planted its feet firmly.

Armor stacked. Your move.

"No offensive moves?"

Alain frowned before thrusting out his right hand, crushing the air in a grip. "Then we'll go all out! Charizard, Dragon Claw!!"

"Charizard!!"

Mega Charizard X's roar lit the arena with blue fire as its claws erupted with emerald energy.

With Mega Charizard X's Tough Claws ability amplifying Dragon Claw's power, the draconic beast surged forward like a blade meant to cleave mountains. Its wings whipped up a gale as twin claws slashed toward Blastoise!

CLANG!!!

The metallic collision echoed through the night, sparks flying as the screech lingered in the air.

Blastoise had withdrawn into its shell mid-swing, leaving only its fortified carapace exposed.

That shell—harder than any metal—showed not even a scratch from Mega Charizard X's prideful strike.

Little Rotom blinked, slipping into commentator mode:

"Failed to penetrate enemy armor, Rotom!"

Alain's breath hitched before he forced calm. "Again, Charizard! Dragon Claw!"

"Charizard!!" Another emerald slash.

The same scene repeated.

Like a mandatory "-1 HP" tick against a raid boss, Blastoise's health bar barely flickered.

Matori, watching from the sidelines, looked almost pitying.

Minimal damage dealt. Maximum humiliation inflicted.

Natsume felt relieved. At least the shell didn't chip. Polishing that thing is a nightmare.

The level gap was simply too vast—even the "Water Absorb Charizard" had been reduced to a mere scrubber!

"Charizard..."

Mega Charizard X stared at Blastoise now peeking out from its shell, claws still trembling from the recoil.

"Blastoise."

Blastoise exhaled.

Seems close combat isn't its forte.

My turn.

"Admirable courage."

Natsume nodded at Alain's stiff expression before barking:

"Blastoise! Ice Punch!!"

His thick construction-site accent aside, the sheer force behind the command sent ice crystals swirling through the air!

"BLASTOISE!" Blastoise's face twisted into pure menace as its fist froze over with glacial fury.

Alain and Charizard paled simultaneously.

The Ice Punch tore through the air like a freight train before BOOM!—slamming into Charizard's gut with cannon-like force.

"Charizard—" Mega Charizard X's eyes bulged, blue fire spewing forward as time seemed to freeze.

Then—CRASH!

Mega Charizard X rocketed backward, smashing into the arena's barrier hard enough to web the Light Screen with cracks!

CRACK—CRACKLE!

The barrier barely held. Natsume relaxed his shoulders before turning to Matori.

"Add Sylveon's Light Screen repair fees to Alain's challenge bill."

What, did he think Champion-level experience came free?

"Understood." Matori bowed.

Alain stared blankly at his fallen Mega Charizard X, voice hoarse:

"You didn't even need Mega Evolution... to wield this much power?"

"Charizard!!" Mega Charizard X's roar snapped Alain back to focus.

Though battered, the dragon's eyes remained sharp as it struggled to rise.

For my Trainer...

For our dream to become the strongest Mega Evolution messengers...

I'll stand with him—no matter what!

That stubborn will—or perhaps the faintest thread of their bond—kept Charizard conscious.

Natsume crossed his arms, frowning slightly. "You still wish to continue?"

Alain took a deep breath. "Yes! Please show me Blastoise's Mega Form!"

This young man treated both himself and his Pokémon with near-cruel rigor.

It was Alain's philosophy as a Trainer—but not Natsume-sensei's standard.

Charizard fights to protect Alain... yet Alain sees only his obsession with "being the strongest."

Ash and Alain both push forward... but unlike Ash, Alain fails to answer his partner's heart.

Matori glanced at Natsume, catching a flicker of something akin to disappointment on his face.

"You have an incredible Charizard... but you don't hear its voice."

Natsume said quietly, "So I'll show you the bond between Blastoise and me—by facing every opponent at 200% condition."

Alain stiffened before thrusting a fist skyward:

"Soar, Charizard!!"

"Charizard!!!"

The black Mega Charizard X spewed azure flames skyward, wings bristling with spikes as it dove—

—its wings gleaming sharply with Steel Wing!

"Blastoise—"

Natsume raised his right hand, the keystone in his fingerless glove blazing as evolution light erupted across the field.

"MEGA EVOLVE!!"

A shockwave of Aura of Ripple blasted outward. Bathed in light, Blastoise's cannons extended into massive artillery, its eyes glowing crimson as it raised twin arm-mounted launchers—

—all three barrels charging a torrential Hydro Pump!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The water cannons shredded the sky into mist as Mega Charizard X barrel-rolled through the onslaught, maw gaping—

—before unleashing a cataclysmic Blast Burn!!

Blue fire engulfed the arena. Matori gasped; Alain clenched sweat-slicked palms.

"Blastoise." Natsume said calmly, "Dragon Pulse."

"BLASTOISE."

The cannons condensed a violet draconic mass before firing. The dragon-shaped pulse devoured the flames midair, scattering them like falling stars—

—before surging toward Mega Charizard X, its roar shaking the night.

KABOOM!!!

The dragon's silhouette blazed across Café Poké's sky before fading into stillness.

THUD.

A charred, demega-evolved Charizard plummeted to the ground, unconscious.

"This power... How...?"

Alain's fists shook, teeth gritted in stubborn denial.

"I witnessed the bond between you and Charizard."

Natsume pocketed one hand. "It's commendable... but you must learn to listen to your Pokémon's true wishes."

Alain blinked. "Their... true wishes?"

"Ask yourself: Do they seek strength for themselves... or for their Trainer?"

Natsume glanced at the fallen Charizard. "The answer will be key to your growth."

Silver's Feraligatr followed him out of its own desire to grow stronger.

Pikachu leaped into that storm of Spearow to protect Ash.

And my Gengar...

Natsume's expression twisted.

Is just naturally OP without needing training!

My team trains hard to fulfill my dream...

And I work hard to provide for them.

A beautiful misunderstanding. A beautiful bond.

"Gengar~!" Gengar materialized mid-air, licking Natsume's cheek with a grin.

Natsume deadpanned. "This... is what 'mutual bonds' look like."

Alain fell silent, grasping at something he couldn't yet understand.

Shaking his head, Alain knelt to examine Charizard's injuries.

"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)"

Blastoise's voice drew his gaze upward.

Blastoise's voice drew Alain's attention.

He looked up to see Blastoise offering a Revival Herb, blinking in confusion. "For me?"

"Blastoise." Blastoise nodded.

These Revival Herbs were freshly cultivated—perfect for a quick toxicity test.

Alain's eyes flickered as he fed the herb to the barely conscious Charizard. The dragon's eyes fluttered open weakly.

"You did well, Charizard." Alain murmured, still kneeling.

"Charizard!" Charizard nodded—unlike some tsundere Charizards, this one was genuinely hardworking.

Then Alain stood, bowing deeply with sincere gratitude.

"Thank you for your guidance... Natsume-sensei!"

"No big deal."

Regardless, the tenacious "Water Absorb Charizard" deserved recognition.

In the future Lumiose Conference, Ash vs. Alain would be a match Natsume-sensei looked forward to witnessing.

As Natsume recalled Blastoise into its Dive Ball, a faint smile appeared.

"So when should we settle the repair fees?"

Alain froze. "Huh?"

Natsume raised an eyebrow. "Matori! Explain the billing details to our guest!"

"Yes!" Matori stepped forward, folder in hand, meticulously listing: "Per Café Battle Restaurant standards, you owe: a challenge fee, two Leppa Berry Salads, and arena repair costs."

She handed Alain the invoice. "We can provide a receipt if needed."

Natsume called from behind: "Don't forget the Revival Herb! Charge him for that too!"

Alain and Charizard exchanged glances before he gulped at the bill.

"C-Can I pay with a Mega Stone instead?"

"It's one I recently unearthed from ancient ruins. I haven't handed it to Professor Sycamore yet..."

Matori's eyes gleamed.

Paying with a Mega Stone?!

Kalosians really are... generous!

"Absolutely acceptable!"

From the back, the café owner slowly formed a question mark in his mind.

Natsume-sensei: ?

Is my secretary incompetent or actively scheming against me?

Before Natsume could intervene, Matori pressed: "Which Mega Stone is it?"

"It's still unidentified," Alain replied. "According to Professor Sycamore, it's likely either Garchompite or Tyranitarite. After research data is collected, I retain disposal rights."

This made perfect sense—Alain had risked retrieving the Mega Stone from ancient ruins, so Professor Sycamore had no authority to confiscate it.

The priority was gathering research data.

Coincidentally, Professor Sycamore happened to own a Garchomp. If the stone was indeed Garchompite, immediate observation could begin.

Now, Alain intended to hand the Mega Stone to Natsume-sensei, planning to revisit the ruins later for another excavation.

As the birthplace of Mega Evolution, Kalos had an exceptionally high Mega Stone mining rate—so much so that even Steven had come prospecting.

By Alain's estimation, unearthing another Garchompite wouldn't be difficult.

Matori studied Alain's serious expression, her heart leaping with excitement.

If I close this deal, Mentor will surely praise my competence!

She glanced back at Natsume's conflicted expression and became even more convinced—

This is exactly the kind of transaction where higher-ups can't make the first move. I must act as the intermediary!

Natsume interrupted Matori’s delusions, saying:

“I won’t take the Mega Stone. Return to the Research Institute first. I’ll visit tomorrow.”

This kind of under-the-table deal was most likely unreliable.

Not to mention… they couldn’t even confirm which Pokémon’s Evolutionary Stone it was. Natsume couldn’t rest easy.

Alain might run, but the Augustine Sycamore Research Institute wouldn’t—

Tomorrow, he’d visit the Research Institute and have the Professor reimburse the bill while he was at it!

Matori gave Natsume a strange look. Even with a fat sheep delivered to his doorstep, he refused to take advantage.

Unless… Matori’s expression turned odd. Just as the Mentor had said—

This café wasn’t a front, nor was it a cover for anything shady… but a genuinely legitimate business?!

“I must be overthinking it,” Matori muttered.

Alain’s purpose for coming here was specifically to invite Natsume to the Research Institute.

Getting to battle the Champion’s Mega Blastoise had been an unexpected bonus.

“Then, I shall await your arrival at the Research Institute,” Alain said courteously.

Alain left with Charizard in tow. Before departing, Charizard glanced back at Natsume.

Natsume casually cast 「Aura of Ripple」 and nodded at it.

“Charizard!” Charizard shuddered, giving Natsume a strange look before hurriedly following Alain.

Natsume was also stunned, staring at his palm and murmuring:

“This Aura transmission is really useful…”

Not only could he buff his own Pokémon, but he could also weaken an opponent’s fighting spirit when facing a tough enemy!

The night was deep, but the little ones were still playing noisily in the yard.

The battle arena had already descended underground.

Thanks to Natsume’s vigilance, the gardens remained undamaged—no need to call in the Renovation team. A relief.

“It’s getting late.”

Matori adjusted her round-framed glasses nervously. “If there’s nothing else, this subordinate will take her leave…”

Natsume nodded, then noticed Matori still standing there.

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

Matori blinked. “There’s really nothing else?”

Natsume: “Nope.”

Matori pressed, unwilling to give up: “Then… I’ll go?”

Natsume: “Scram!”