Chapter 0620: The Dream Ends, The Journey Begins

June 12th, Saturday.

A gentle night. The wine-dark sky glittered with stars.

Palm trees rustled in the breeze, their fronds whispering.

Natsume lay on the balcony’s wicker chair, eyes closed, sensing the Power of One.

He saw it—bright white threads connecting him to Darkrai, and to the little ones playing in the yard.

Each bond had its own texture, its own neighborhood of emotion.

Inside, Cynthia pored over mythological texts, Her Pokémon are also becoming closer and more trusting of Natsume's Pokémon.

"Larvitar…"

Larvitar built sandcastles in the garden, movements deliberate as a sculptor’s.

"Arcanine…" Arcanine sprawled lazily by the chair, its flaxen mane within easy reach.

Roserade danced through the moonlight, while Togekiss carried Togepi in aerial loops.

"Togepi doo-ee~"

Sylveon stood regally, ribbons deftly fending off an overeager Glaceon.

"Sylveon~('-')ノ)`-')"

The shy Spiritomb hid among the balcony plants, disguised as a pot.

"Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)"

Blastoise froze mid-watering, Squirtle-shaped can in hand, staring at the "potted" intruder.

...Since when did we have a haunted shrub?

"Lucario!"

Lucario approached Sirfetch’d, seeking guidance for its next training regimen.

"Sirfetch’d!~(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)"

Sirfetch’d trembled, shield and Leek rattling.

Why me?! What did I do to deserve this honor?!

Gengar floated nearby, watching the little ones with a jagged, proud grin.

Gengar floated nearby, watching the little ones in the garden with a proud, jagged-toothed grin.

"Gengar~"

We've got to keep working hard, keep getting stronger!

The Power of One projected these scenes vividly before Natsume's eyes.

A faint smile touched his lips.

Without even realizing it... I've formed so many precious bonds.

But this sincere connection wasn't unique to him.

Every Trainer—every human who walked alongside Pokémon—would forge their own special bonds.

Even if the dream of becoming Champion remained out of reach for most...

When the battles ended...

There would always be quiet, everyday moments with their Pokémon waiting for them.

Young men and women pursued their dreams of becoming Trainers, only to be crushed by harsh reality.

But the end of a dream wasn't the end of the journey—it was the beginning.

The night breeze stirred.

Natsume stood up, his slim black hoodie bearing the red-and-white Poké Ball emblem.

He had weathered Alamos Town's space-time turbulence, witnessed Michina Town's tragic grandeur.

And it was then...

That Natsume had steeled his resolve to face Arceus.

Here stood Natsume—underhanded, shameless, reveling in crushing weaker opponents.

Here stood the Champion—kind, gentle, yet unflinching when it mattered most.

He hated trouble, preferred avoiding conflict, and would rather spend peaceful days with his Pokémon.

But as a Trainer...

Battles were inevitable.

Even if they brought defeat, injury, or tears.

"When Trainers' eyes meet, a battle must follow."

There was no escaping it.

A faint, familiar fragrance drifted from behind.

Cynthia rested a hand on her hip, the other touching her chin.

"What are you thinking about?"

"The relationship between Trainers and Pokémon," Natsume paused. "And the reason we battle."

"No conflicts, no stakes... just pure Pokémon battles fought to win. That's every Trainer's dream, isn't it?"

Cynthia tilted her head toward the starry sky, smiling faintly.

"When you battle another Trainer, victory or defeat reveals their character. What moves they taught their Pokémon, what items they carry... You understand it all without words."

"Then what kind of person am I?" Natsume asked.

Cynthia rolled her eyes, her laughter bright.

"Someone who teaches adorable Pokémon utterly unfair moves and equips them with the most underhanded items."

"So I'm pretty amazing then." Natsume nodded sagely.

The night breeze curled gently as Arcanine lowered its head with a lazy, fanged yawn.

Gengar and Garchomp stood on either side behind their Trainers, gazing raptly at the starry sky.

"Gengar..." (So beautiful...)

"Garchomp..." (It’s just so-so, just so-so…)

The two humans stood silently at the railing as starlight cascaded down around them.

"From the very first step of my journey, my dream was to become League Champion," Cynthia said suddenly.

"And then?"

"Then I just... kept loving Pokémon," Cynthia replied. "Before I knew it, I was Champion."

"......" Natsume felt his chest tighten.

"It's true," Cynthia smiled. "There was nothing more to it than that."

"From my first step too, I had a dream."

Natsume's black hair fluttered in the wind, his face wistful with memory.

"What was it?" Cynthia asked.

Hands in pockets, Natsume exhaled dramatically. "Not becoming a Trainer."

"And then?"

"Then I just kept loving Pokémon," he echoed her words ruefully. "You know the rest."

Cynthia's smile softened. "You became an exceptional Trainer."

Natsume's chest constricted again as he glanced back at the little ones.

Somehow, they'd all returned from the garden, watching him with hopeful eyes.

"Gengar~" Gengar grinned dopily from its spot on the floor.

"Sylveon!" Sylveon tsunderely, baby-blue eyes peeking at Natsume before snapping shut.

Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses with careful dignity.

Togepi waved cheerfully. Arcanine howled. Larvitar crunched through a bag of chips. Rotom Dex hovered overhead.

"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd struck a pose, its V-shaped brows regal.

Seeing his beloved, ridiculous family gathered, Natsume chuckled:

"Maybe when I lose next time, this journey will finally end."

Instant pandemonium erupted—Sylveon's cries and Togepi's squeals overlapping in protest.

Amid her own Pokémon's circle, Cynthia met Natsume's gaze.

"Our journey is only beginning."

Silence.

Kalos awaited. More bonds to forge. More lives to touch.

"When lives intersect, something precious is always born."

He hadn't seen Ash win a championship yet. Hadn't proposed to Cynthia. Hadn't become true Champion...

Memories flashed—starry skies over Tokyo, over Saffron City.

His team had grown. He was no longer alone.

Natsume took a deep breath.

"I love you, Cynthia."

Golden hair cascading, one hand resting on her black-clad hip, she beamed:

"I love you too."

Turning to the eager faces behind him, Natsume raised his voice:

"Let's start a new journey!"

"Everyone—don't you dare stop moving forward!!"

Sandgem Town's night erupted in chaotic cheers.

As their Pokémon mingled joyfully, Gengar seized its chance—producing a microphone to the crowd's horror.

"GENGAR!! (`▽´)"

FINALLY MY TIME TO SHINE!!