Chapter 0591: Pokémon Trading Card Game, Explosive☆KO!(Two-in-One)

PTCG’s influence among the new generation of Trainers had grown immensely.

Even Natsume-sensei’s Togepi often played online matches with a certain Mew kid.

As the "Father of PTCG," Natsume naturally couldn’t refuse Tobias’ invitation to duel.

Under the flickering streetlights, the two Trainers faced each other.

Behind Natsume, the "Card Spirit" Gengar levitated, its crimson eyes wide. "Gengar!"

Tobias, draped in his cloak with flowing hair, stood firm—while Darkrai trembled in the shadows at his feet.

"Is this really okay...?"

Darkrai was on the verge of tears. "Last time I ran into that Gengar, I almost didn’t make it back!"

"Don’t worry," Tobias replied calmly. "This is just a card game, not a Pokémon battle."

Darkrai: "..."

Like hell I believe that!

You formed a Bond with me… just to play cards?!

Though they were communicating telepathically, Natsume’s "The Power of One" still managed to eavesdrop on their private chat.

Natsume blinked. "So this Darkrai is the one from Canalave City..."

Darkrai had traumatic memories of this Gengar, which knew Dark Void, and wanted nothing to do with it.

But unable to resist his Trainer’s card addiction, it reluctantly followed them into the Lily of the Valley Island Card Club, still hiding in the shadows.

Ding-a-ling~

The wind chimes jingled as Tobias pushed open the wooden door.

Seven or eight pairs of eyes instantly locked onto them. Tobias turned and introduced:

"Natsume-sensei, this is the place."

It was Natsume’s first time visiting an offline PTCG club. Taking in the furnishings, he greeted the stunned members:

"Hello there."

The members gulped, then erupted.

"N-Natsume-sensei?!"

"The founder of PTCG!!"

"If we beat him, do we get a UR card?!"

Their crimson gazes zeroed in on the card pack at Natsume’s waist—like Trainers spotting a Master Ball.

Notably, the club had few female members, most of whom had flowing, brightly colored hair.

Natsume and Gengar both froze. Tobias sighed. "They’re… like this."

Natsume coughed awkwardly. "I get it!"

As they took their seats, a member chimed in:

"Natsume-sensei, I just watched your match this morning!"

"I had no idea you were a Coordinator too!" The man grinned. "That Togepi was adorable!"

Natsume: "I’m also pretty good at cards."

The man blinked, looking between them before realizing—"Wait, you’re dueling Tobias?!"

A card duel?! That’s insane!

Natsume rubbed his face. "Just some casual fun before my next match."

The Lily of the Valley Conference Quarterfinals were scheduled for the afternoon two days later.

Tomorrow was Ash’s match—if he won, he’d face Paul for a spot in the Top 4.

With a day to rest, a card game sounded like the perfect way to unwind.

As the club members crowded around eagerly, Natsume shuffled his deck, lost in thought:

"What was I originally planning to do tonight...?"

Shaking his head, he focused.

Right now, nothing was more important than cards!

Tobias sat stiffly in his chair, shuffling with the cold precision of a wild west gunslinger.

As the reigning PTCG Champion, he’d topped the leagues with his "Darkrai Deck," built from the latest Sinnoh expansion packs.

This duel was his challenge to the Father of PTCG—a battle for his pride!

"I’ll flip the coin," Natsume said.

The club members held their breath as Natsume flicked the coin with his thumb.

Clink—

The coin spun midair before wobbling on the table—landing on tails, as expected.

"Per club rules," Tobias said, "I choose who goes first."

"I’ll take the first turn—"

"Draw!"

His hands moved like a blur, instantly pulling seven cards.

Natsume briefly considered letting Togepi draw for him but shook his head.

"I’ll save that for when I’m losing."

Even in cards, Natsume-sensei had his dignity!

"Draw!"

He pulled seven cards with a flourish—then his expression soured as he scanned them.

"What’s wrong?" Tobias asked.

All seven cards were Energy and Trainer Cards—not a single Basic Pokémon!

What am I supposed to do, summon "Fist" in attack position?!

Natsume revealed his hand. "Per mulligan rules, I redraw… and you get to draw an extra card."

Tobias raised an eyebrow. Was Natsume-sensei going easy on him?

Still, he coldly drew an extra card and added it to his hand.

Natsume redrew—only for Tobias to draw two more cards, netting a free advantage.

The club members were in awe of Natsume-sensei’s terrible luck.

"How can someone be this unlucky?"

"More like—how many cursed Trainer Cards did he stuff into his deck?!"

On the third try, Natsume finally drew a Basic Pokémon—Gastly.

Natsume: "I’ll place this in the Active Spot."

Meanwhile, Tobias had already slapped down Darkrai as his opener.

Natsume: ?

Did you glue your deck together?! No shuffle, just straight-up Darkrai?!

The club members erupted.

"There it is—Boss’s Darkrai!"

"That’s the power of his Bond!"

Natsume was speechless.

Using your Bond for cards instead of battles?!

Tobias, your Pokémon are crying!

"Darkrai can’t attack on the first turn," Tobias said, flicking his hair. "I’ll attach a Dark Energy and end my turn."

"I’ll attach a Basic Psychic Energy to Gastly. Turn end."

The first round passed uneventfully, both sides setting up Energy.

By the second round, with another Energy attached, Darkrai’s Dark Pulse was primed—next turn, it would obliterate Gastly!

Tobias’ cold gaze locked onto Natsume.

"One turn left, Natsume-sensei."

Natsume’s focus sharpened.

Even in cards, he and Gengar shared a Bond!

Gengar, floating behind him, scratched its head. "Gengar? (＾ω＾)?"

Why is Trainer suddenly so fired up?

Channeling "The Power of One," Natsume linked with Togepi—receiving the blessing of luck.

"Togepi doo-ee~(^_^)☆"

"My turn—DRAW!"

Natsume looked at his new card… and smirked.

Time to show off true skill (and whaling power)!

"From my hand, I play the Item Card—Master Ball!"

He slammed down a glittering UR—the purple-and-red Master Ball blinding the members.

"A globally limited Master Ball?!"

"Just because you own the PTCG company, you can do whatever you want?!"

"Natsume-sensei, I think you’re printing your own cards!"

Amid the club’s wails, Natsume began his combo:

"Master Ball’s effect lets me search my deck for any Pokémon Card, reveal it, and add it to my hand."

"The card I choose is—"

Swish!

With a flourish, he revealed another UR: "Gastly’s final form—Gengar!"

"Even so," Tobias said coolly, "Gastly can’t evolve twice in one turn—"

"Sore wa dou ka na?!"

Natsume swiftly played another card—a shimmering "Rare Candy," radiating rainbow hues!

"Activating Rare Candy’s effect!"

"I can place a Stage 2 Evolution Pokémon from my hand onto a compatible Basic Pokémon, skipping Stage 1!"

"What?!"

Darkrai’s eyes widened. The club members gasped.

"Double-stage skip?!"

"Holy crap, legendary bling!"

"These cards are too OP!"

"Damn, this is the privilege of being PTCG’s founder!"

"I’ll evolve Gastly into the Gengar I just added."

Natsume revealed Gengar’s UR, eyes sharp.

"Evolve—GENGAR!"

"Gengar~ヽ(￣▽￣)" Gengar cheerfully floated forward from behind Natsume.

Natsume: "...This is a card game. I wasn’t calling you."

"Gengar..." Gengar drooped, drifting back dejectedly.

Faced with Natsume-sensei’s overwhelming momentum and Gengar’s instant evolution, Tobias took a deep breath.

"I activate Darkrai’s move—Dark Void."

"Even on the opponent’s turn, by discarding an Energy, I flip a coin. If heads—"

"Muda da, Tobias-boy~~"

Since Item Cards had no play limit per turn, Natsume went full villain mode!

"From my hand, I play the Pokémon Item—Gengar Spirit Link!"

"This allows Mega Evolution during this duel. With Spirit Link, Mega Gengar can still attack after evolving!"

"Mega Evolution?!" Tobias’ pupils shook. "What kind of mechanic is that?!"

"Kalos expansion," Natsume coughed. "It’s… not out yet."

Tobias: ???

"Natsume-sensei, PLEASE have mercy!"

"This isn’t a duel anymore!"

"Look, as the founder, using a future meta deck is totally fair, right?"

Bathed in the Spirit Link’s glow, Gengar shone with Mega Evolution’s rainbow light.

A dazzling "M Gengar EX" now sat on the table.

Natsume continued: "Attaching a Double Colorless Energy, plus the earlier Psychic Energy, I activate M Gengar EX’s move—"

"Phantom Gate!"

The club members groaned.

"That move is illegal, Natsume-sensei!"

"Is he about to OTK Darkrai?!"

"Phantom Gate copies an opponent’s move and uses it as its own."

Natsume pointed at Tobias and Darkrai.

Tobias’ grip on his cards tightened, his fingers paling.

"I choose Darkrai’s move—Dark Pulse!"

"This way, M Gengar’s attack bypasses Darkrai’s Psychic resistance—"

"Go, M Gengar EX!!"

Tobias flinched—he could almost see Mega Gengar gathering a pitch-black Dark Pulse before blasting Darkrai into oblivion!

BOOM!!

Dust settled. Darkrai EX was knocked out.

Natsume drew two Prize Cards from Tobias’ deck, smiling.

"My turn ends."

Silence. The club members were stunned.

"He… one-turned the Boss’s Darkrai?"

"Explosive☆KO!"

"As expected of Natsume-sensei!"

Tobias, his will to fight gone, swept back his hair and sighed.

"I concede… Natsume-sensei."

His surrender caught Natsume off guard.

But since this was just for fun, Natsume extended a hand.

"That was a great duel."

Tobias forced a smile. "I’ll just have to challenge you in a Pokémon battle next time."

Behind him, Darkrai shrank further into the shadows, terrified.

Natsume nodded. "Anytime."

"Also," Tobias hesitated. "That Kalos expansion…"

"Oh, it’ll release in a few months!"

Tobias’ eyes burned with determination.

Then, with a new deck, he’d challenge Natsume-sensei again!

But first—he needed to win the Lily of the Valley Conference to earn more rare cards from the President!

"Darkrai," Tobias turned. "Let’s train."

"No." Darkrai sulked.

"...I won’t send you out first against the President."

"Deal!"

……

Late that night, Natsume returned to his lodgings in high spirits.

Cynthia lounged on the sofa, golden hair cascading as she read a book, chin resting on her hand.

"Togepi doo-ee~~"

Togepi happily popped out of its Poké Ball, grabbing its tablet to challenge Mew to a match.

After watching Natsume play cards all night, the little one was eager to try its luck.

Natsume paused. "You’re still up?"

"You’re one to talk," Cynthia lifted her gaze, giving him a sidelong glance.

What he’d promised her this morning… just thinking about it made her flush.

But after hours of radio silence, she was not amused.

"I was playing PTCG," Natsume admitted.

Cynthia blinked. "PTCG?"

"The card game I taught you before," he grinned. "There are only two Cynthia Trainer Cards in the world. Ultra rare."

Remembering the gift he’d given her, her anger faded. She stretched lazily.

"You’re sleeping on the sofa tonight."

Rising gracefully, she scooped up Togepi and headed for the bedroom.

"Togepi~ (＾▽＾)" Togepi, oblivious, kept tapping away on its tablet.

At the doorway, Cynthia turned, winking playfully. "Goodnight~"

SLAM!!

Despite her cuteness, the door’s impact carried a hint of murderous intent.

"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"

Blastoise calmly poured itself some tea—and one for Natsume too.

Sitting across from him, it blew on the steaming cup.

This was Blastoise’s way of comforting its Trainer.

Sipping his Energy Root tea, Natsume sighed.

"I guess card players always choose games over romance..."

For the sake of PTCG, Natsume-sensei had sacrificed too much!

As the night deepened, he browsed the Lily of the Valley Conference forums.

His Contest-style battle against Nando had sparked discussions, and Togepi had gained a massive following.

"Who knew Natsume-sensei could blend strategy and beauty like that? Dirty yet cool!"

"That Farfetch'd was epic! The leek merch at Meowth Stand sold out instantly!"

"Buying it to make leek pancakes?"

The Top 8 matchups were also heating up.

Natsume’s opponent was a rookie Trainer from Hoenn named Winona—a spirited girl.

According to Team Rocket intel, her ace was Sableye, and she even had Mega Evolution capabilities.

"Hoenn, rookie, Mega Evolution..."

Those keywords brought one person to mind.

Steven, you’re handing out Mega Stones to Hoenn newbies again?!

"Hoenn starters really get the VIP treatment," Natsume mused.

"Wait… doesn’t Mega Sableye have a giant ruby?"

Natsume stroked his chin, deep in thought...