Chapter 0597：Chapter 597: Lily of the Valley Conference Semifinals(Two-in-One)

May 31, Monday, Cloudy

The Lily of the Valley Conference’s top four have been decided.

The semifinalists are Natsume, Tobias, Ash, and Kiritani.

Natsume-sensei didn’t have a strong impression of ‘Kiritani’ at first, but after asking Meowth, he learned that this Trainer was one of only two in the Lily of the Valley Conference carrying a Legendary Pokémon.

Tobias’s Darkrai, a Mythical Pokémon, falls under the Legendary category.

Meanwhile, this Ranger Kiritani wielded a Heatran and effortlessly advanced to the semifinals.

Natsume suddenly realized, “Ah, that’s the Ranger who registered Heatran during the Lily of the Valley Conference’s opening ceremony!”

In the anime, this Ranger had briefly appeared in a single shot, sparking quite a discussion among the audience at the time.

Looking back now, the Lily of the Valley Conference truly had no shortage of Legendary Pokémon wielders… The competition’s depth was no joke!

Heatran, born from volcanic fragments, isn’t unique in the volcanic Sinnoh Region.

Natsume had once encountered a ferocious one at Stark Mountain… a creature comparable to Alamos Town’s Darkrai in status.

Ash would inevitably face a brutal battle against Kiritani.

“Avoided one Legendary wielder, only for a Heatran to drop from the sky.”

Natsume could feel the universe’s malice as he rubbed his chin.

“Poor Ash, really!”

The semifinal against Tobias was scheduled for June 1st—Children’s Day.

This holiday seemed to give a certain “Baby Cup-loving Champion” a type advantage.

The Lily of the Valley Conference forums were already in chaos, with heated debates over whether Tobias or Natsume-sensei would emerge victorious.

“Genuine question—how do you counter Darkrai’s Dark Void + Dream Eater combo?”

“Trying to use sleep tactics against Natsume-sensei? Do you even know who the Hypnosis Master is?”

“Natsume-sensei, just look at what you’ve mastered!”

The Perish Song team was Natsume-sensei’s smoothest and most entertaining strategy.

But when it came to sheer bond, nothing matched the infuriating Sleep Team—a perfect fit for Natsume-sensei’s style.

Purple Fatty’s Dark Void, inherited from Alamos Town’s Darkrai, wasn’t exactly tournament-legal.

Not only could it induce sleep, but it could even shatter a certain llama’s clones.

As for The Power of One, which strengthened bonds and amplified Mega Evolution—

“A friend gave it to me. What does that have to do with Legendary Pokémon wielders?”

In the chat group, members were steadily arriving at Lily of the Valley Island.

Among them were Gold (still muted), Silver (visiting his sister), and Crystal (wearing a white cap).

“Woo-hoo! I can see Lily of the Valley Island now!”

Sea breeze tousling his hair, Gold stood on the deck of the S.S. Aqua, shading his eyes as he gazed into the distance.

Silver glanced at his Pokédex and muttered, “The main stadium seats over 100,000, but tickets are completely sold out.”

“Natsume-sensei will figure something out,” Crystal said nervously, adjusting her luggage. “Besides, Elite Four members like Lucian and Flint are in the group chat too.”

“No need to ask them,” Silver said, checking his screen. “Sister Green… already scalped some tickets.”

Gold couldn’t help but blurt, “She is the scalper, isn’t she?!”

Silver shot him a cold glare.

Crystal quickly intervened, “A-Anyway, we’ll be there to cheer for Natsume-sensei and Ash!”

The white ferry S.S. Aqua cut through the waves as Lt. Surge puffed on his cigar, slightly puzzled.

Since when did my beloved ship become the group chat’s private transport?

Still… Lt. Surge had his own reasons for traveling to Sinnoh.

A battle against Volkner, the so-called “Strongest Electric-type Gym Leader”, was his ultimate goal!

“No way I’m losing to that pretty boy!” Lt. Surge grinned, exhaling smoke.

The time read just past 3 PM.

Natsume was having a tea party with Cynthia.

A small white table held parfait ice cream, which Cynthia enjoyed with a contented smile.

Whenever she ate ice cream, her eyes would curve into crescents, her usual regal aura melting into pure moe-moe charm.

Passersby whispered as they glimpsed the two, their relationship now practically public.

Fans online had plenty of theories about Natsume-sensei’s motivations for competing.

Amid the gossip lingered a bittersweet, almost tragic, kibble-flavored sorrow.

“My wife is marrying someone else!!”

“Sniff… Cabbage, my dear Cabbage…”

“I can’t accept this!!”

Unfazed by the rumors, the moe-moe duo continued their leisurely tea time.

Cynthia’s golden hair swayed as she lifted her spoon: (?????)

Natsume sipped his iced coffee, admiring her delicate profile, savoring the quiet afternoon.

“Gengar~!” Gengar sneaked under the table, then licked up all the desserts in one go—plate included.

“Stop eating the dishes too!” Natsume scolded, grabbing Gengar.

“Gengar!” Gengar cackled mischievously.

“Quite a few familiar faces have arrived on the island,” Cynthia mused, resting her cheek on her hand.

“Yeah, Gold and the others should be here soon,” Natsume said. “Bruno’s sparring with Flint in the battle sector, Jasmine’s promoting a restaurant, and Riley’s helping Ash train for his next match…”

Thanks to her buffet performance, Jasmine had been hired as a promotional ambassador.

As a “Four-Time Eating Champion” with a stellar image, she drew huge crowds.

Fun fact: Jasmine’s fan club, symbolized by a Magnemite, rivaled even Marnie’s cheer squad in size.

“Flint is battling Bruno, huh…”

Cynthia nodded. “They’ll both gain valuable experience.”

Both were straightforward fighters—Bruno lived to challenge the strong, while Flint, the fiery prodigy, wanted to test himself against Kanto’s Elite Four.

Their duel in the battle sector grew so intense it cracked the barrier, ending with Flint’s defeat.

“Lucky win,” Bruno said, shaking Flint’s hand firmly.

“Just this once,” Flint shot back, grinning. “Next time, I’ll take you down!”

Bruno nodded approvingly. “Let me treat you to Rage Candy.”

“I’d rather have Magcargo curry!”

Laughing, they left the shattered battlefield behind—

Leaving only poor Lucian to handle the overtime repairs.

That night, Gold and the others arrived at Lily of the Valley Island.

Under the neon lights, food stalls lined the streets, bustling with tourists.

“Time to show off my skills!” Gold grinned, hefting a pool cue before dominating ring toss, basketball throws, and Seaking fishing games.

Tearful stall owners watched as he walked off with an armful of plushies.

“Here!” Gold tossed a Totodile plush to Silver, who caught it in surprise. “For you!”

Silver blinked, then smirked. “Thanks.”

“And for the class rep—this one’s yours!” Gold dumped a pile of plushies into Crystal’s arms.

“F-For me…?” Crystal’s face turned pink as she looked down.

“Just hold onto them for now,” Gold added, scratching his head. “I kinda ran out of hands, haha!”

Crystal: “…”

What was I even hoping for…?

Meanwhile, Lt. Surge, clad in camo, tracked down the reclusive “Fourth Generation” genius Volkner—holed up in his lighthouse, tinkering with gadgets.

"Hey!" Lt. Surge crossed his arms challengingly. "Heard you're Sinnoh's strongest Gym Leader and some kind of Electric-type expert—"

Volkner lifted his bleary eyes from where his hands rested on his knees.

An Electrode launcher materialized on Lt. Surge's shoulder.

"How about a battle?" Lt. Surge grinned sharply, eyes glinting.

"I'm still..." Volkner's social skills struggled to boot up. The shut-in rarely interacted with outsiders. "Researching electrical devices."

He gestured vaguely toward Sunyshore City across the bay.

"Already converted the entire city into one giant power grid. Solved the energy crisis—"

His speech accelerated like an excited model kit enthusiast explaining his latest build.

"Next phase is rewiring the whole Lily of the Valley Island!"

The sheer scale of the statement hit like a Thunderbolt.

Lt. Surge stood frozen.

As an Electric-type specialist, his proudest achievements were Vermilion Gym's generator and this very launcher.

Compared to Prism Tower's Clemont or Sunyshore's Volkner... it was downright embarrassing.

The lieutenant hastily hid his weapon behind his back with forced laughter.

"Let's battle another time! Just remembered something urgent!"

"Huh?" Volkner blinked. "Shouldn't an Electric-type expert be good at this stuff?"

Lt. Surge: "..."

Forgive me for disgracing our profession!

A thoroughly defeated Lt. Surge retreated to the S.S. Aqua's captain's quarters for some solitary whiskey.

Meanwhile...

Natsume returned to his quarters to strategize against tomorrow's Legendary-wielding opponent.

"Tobias's team includes a Latios with Recover. Absolute nightmare to face—"

Cross-legged on the floor, he studied the eight Poké Balls before him.

"Could have Rotom Trick a Choice Scarf onto it. Or just send Sirfetch'd for godslaying duty."

"Quaack?! Σ(°△°|||)︴" Sirfetch'd froze mid-Leek-polish, shield clattering.

Excuse me what?!

"Just kidding." Natsume patted the panicking duck. "We won't need you for some measly Latios."

"You're reserved for the Nightmare Pokémon!"

"Sirfetch'd!? (′︿‵)" Tears of despair fell as the duck contemplated its bleak future.

Natsume chuckled.

After tanking Arceus's Judgement, Sirfetch'd easily reached Elite Four tier.

Its "Scrappy" ability mainly manifested as not fainting from sheer terror when facing gods.

A Fighting-type would counter Darkrai's Dark typing nicely—good backup plan.

Alternatively, Gengar could just spam illegal Dark Voids—

Natsume closed his eyes, reaching through The Power of One to contact Darkrai back in Alamos Town.

A faint glow connected to the pitch-black Pokémon in its garden habitat.

Darkrai's azure eyes snapped open amid swirling shadows.

What crisis demands contact at this hour?

Natsume's voice echoed psychically:

"Watch me wreck your little brother tomorrow!"

Darkrai: ???

You interrupted my beauty sleep for this?

Also that's not my brother—we just share a species!

Still, as Darkrai settled back into the shadows, it felt... oddly anticipatory.

It almost pitied the opposing Darkrai.

Whatever Natsume planned, his opponent was doomed...

As night deepened...

Gold's group returned with enough plushies to stock a carnival.

Even their Pokémon struggled under plushie mountains while Silver and Crystal wished for invisibility.

Gold swaggered ahead like a conquering hero, pool cue resting on his shoulder.

Despite being worse than Ash at actual battles, Gold dominated any non-standard competition.

"What now?" Silver asked, eyeing their haul.

Under Crystal's hopeful gaze, Gold shrugged. "Hand 'em out to people around town."

Silver saw business opportunities. "Sell me some... I know distributors."

The two immediately began negotiating, leaving Crystal bewildered.

"Hey! Wait for me!" She adjusted her cap and hurried after them, arms full of plushies.

……

The Next Day, Children's Day

The stands buzzed with excitement as Gold distributed plushies to Ash, Jasmine, and others.

Ash received a Pikachu plush and handed it to the real Pikachu on his shoulder. "Pikachu~!" the little mouse cheered.

Jasmine held an Ampharos plush with a soft smile. "Thank you very much."

Meanwhile, outside the nearly empty arena, Silver and Green struggled with their stall.

"Why aren't we getting any customers?" Silver muttered.

"I'd like to know too!" Green groaned, on the verge of tears.

In stark contrast, Meowth's stand inside the arena—boosted by Cynthia's endorsement—was thriving.

"Don't push! There's enough Natsume-sensei merch for everyone, meow!"

"Darkrai plushies? Sorry, we don't carry those~"

"Free posters and cheer sticks with every purchase! Don't miss out!!"

"SOOO~NANS!!"

Spectators chattered among themselves:

"No Tobias merch? Just Natsume-sensei posters…"

"Whatever, free stuff is free stuff!"

Thanks to the trio’s strategy, the arena soon presented a bizarre sight—nearly the entire crowd, unknowingly waving posters and cheer sticks, rallied behind a single trainer.

Three members of the Cards Club sat amidst the roaring cheers, shivering.

"Are we… secretly traitors now?"

"Should we just switch sides?"

"Good idea—GO NATSUME-SENSEI!!"

Tobias, cloaked and solemn, glanced at the stands, his eye twitching.

"Contestant Natsume's popularity is as overwhelming as ever!" the commentator announced. "Who will advance to the finals? Let’s find out!"

Tobias steadied himself. He wasn’t the type to be swayed by external factors.

With measured steps, he approached Natsume-sensei for the pre-battle handshake.

"May I make a request?" Tobias asked, voice low.

"Go ahead," Natsume replied, curious.

"If I win…" Tobias's gaze burned with intensity. "I want… a Kalos expansion Darkrai card!"

From within Tobias’s shadow, Darkrai facepalmed.

You care more about cardboard than me?!

"I’ll consider it," Natsume said, amused.

Tobias nodded gravely and returned to his position, his focus unshakable.

As a trainer, his skill surpassed even some league’s Elite Four—

Looking at you, retirement-home Alola!

(Though Natsume did admit Alola’s laid-back vibe had its charm…)

Shaking off the thought, Natsume glanced at the VIP box, where Cynthia sat with her legs crossed, chin resting elegantly on her hand.

Returning his attention to the battle, Natsume’s expression sharpened.

Sorry, but I’m the real "unexpected powerhouse" of this tournament!

Ash leaned over the railing, yelling, "GO NATSUME-SENSEI!"

"Quit shouting," Gold grumbled, covering an ear. "People might think this’ll be close."

Bruno crossed his muscular arms. "The real question is… how much effort will Natsume-sensei need to handle Tobias?"

"I think," Jasmine said softly, "Natsume-sensei never holds back in Baby Cup matches."

"Especially on Children’s Day…"

Time to bully some kids— (Scratch that.)

Time to CRUSH a Legendary spammer!

Tobias and Natsume-sensei locked eyes.

"Lily of the Valley Conference, Group A Semifinals!"

The referee’s flag slashed downward.

"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!"