Chapter 0585: United We Stand!

The summer storm had come without warning and left just as quietly.

Puddles in the field depressions mirrored the faint rainbow in the sky, rippling when the wind passed.

Two figures walked hand in hand in the distance, accompanied by a leisurely-striding Arcanine with its flowing mane.

"This is Sinnoh's peak tourism season every year."

Cynthia's golden hair fluttered as she watched a flock of Starly streak across the cleared sky.

"Because Sinnoh is often snowy, many visitors come from Hoenn and Alola."

"The Champion needs to know these things too?"

"I haven't been slacking off, you know."

Natsume glanced at her profile—the elegant bridge of her nose, the faint upturn of her lips.

Like its Champion, the entire Sinnoh League was quietly changing.

A Sinnoh of eternal winters, warm hospitality, silent snow-capped mountains—and occasionally rumbling volcanoes.

The scent of damp earth hung in the air as Natsume gazed at the vibrant rice fields near Blue Oak, sighing softly:

"Summer's here."

"Why else would there be a fireworks festival?" They walked slowly side by side.

"Though our plans got completely derailed." Natsume sounded slightly regretful.

Cynthia stopped and turned to him, her expression earnest, eyes clear as spring water.

"No. Nothing could have been better."

The sun baked the earth again, wrapping them in humid warmth as cicada songs swelled from faint to deafening.

Natsume actually felt a little embarrassed. After a pause, he said:

"Let's head back. I chilled some watermelon."

"...Ice cream."

"Then watermelon ice cream it is!" Natsume declared.

Cynthia's eyes sparkled—the indecisive Champion had made her wisest choice yet.

"Your call." She smiled faintly.

Chatting idly, they traversed the puddle-dotted fields, each water basin cradling its own tiny rainbow.

Cynthia's Gastrodon paused to drink from one puddle, then suddenly lifted its head.

Beyond the tall bushes, it saw the sea—smooth as glass, glittering like molten gold.

……

Night draped over the world, the summer air crisp after the rain.

A star-speckled azure sky watched as Cynthia stood in the steamy bathroom.

Splash— Hot water cascaded over porcelain skin, her golden hair clinging to a slender waist.

Meanwhile, Natsume "watched the news" in the living room.

"The full impact of the storm remains under assessment. As a precaution, the fireworks festival has been officially canceled..."

His eyes were on the screen—but every other sense was decidedly elsewhere.

Sure, Cynthia's Lucario could detect Aura of Ripple—

But could it sense The Power of One?!

Natsume smirked.

A sidelong glance caught Gengar's judgmental stare. "Gengar~"

"What's wrong with a husband admiring his wife?!" Natsume declared righteously.

Click— The bathroom door turned.

Wrapped in a towel, Cynthia emerged while drying her waterfall of golden curls. She peered at him with one eye.

"Training tonight?"

"Which... kind?" Natsume blinked.

A post-bath flush colored her cheeks as she rolled her eyes.

"For the Lily of the Valley Conference. Preparation matters."

It was one of the league's premier events, after all—where only elite trainers competed.

If he actually won... Cynthia pondered.

Telling her grandmother—or a public announcement—might be the perfect timing...

Natsume clapped his hands together dramatically, forehead resting on fingertips. "True."

"My strength is inadequate... No Baby Cup can be underestimated."

Cynthia tilted her head. "What are you—"

"Gengar!" Natsume thrust a fist skyward. "We unite!"

"You train! I command! Pincer formation!"

"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Seizing the remote, Gengar partner struck a pose.

Leave the championship training to me!

……

The Lily of the Valley Conference's opening ceremony was scheduled for late May.

A full week of preparation remained.

Cynthia had managed to secure three days off.

She spent them at home—indulging in ice cream or playing games.

The villa's third floor boasted a rooftop pool where she occasionally swam with Milotic in her swimsuit.

Sunlight danced on her golden hair, water droplets glistening on her skin as she laughed, radiant.

Meanwhile, Natsume embraced his role as househusband, experimenting with desserts: Swablu-fluff ice, double-chill ice cream...

Each earned rave reviews from both the little ones and Cynthia herself.

"This skill level..." Natsume nodded approvingly. "I could open a shop. Maybe challenge the Elite Four's chef to a cook-off!"

Larvitar had been dining on premium metal ores courtesy of a certain generous patron: "Larvitar~ (￣～￣)"

Every crunch strengthened its metallic-scaled hide.

Paired with moves from Giovanni's Techniques, cruising through preliminaries would be effortless.

In fact, Larvitar's growth rate surpassed even the manual's records.

Perhaps Boss Giovanni never anticipated... anyone using such luxurious training methods.

After all, Giovanni started as just a bug-catching kid in shorts—a true rags-to-riches story!

……

Cynthia continued tutoring Larvitar in Dragon Dance.

As Celestic Town's dragon-type prodigy, she was intimately familiar with such techniques.

Garchomp watched every session, grinding its teeth enviously: "Garchomp!!"

When will ground dragons learn to dragoon dance?!

"Larvitar's nearing evolution," Cynthia mentioned to Natsume.

He nodded. "I plan to extend its basic stage a while longer."

After evolving into Pupitar, it would enter a cocoon phase, unable to eat.

Thus, nutrients absorbed now would directly influence Tyranitar's eventual strength.

Though the little one had a bottomless appetite, Natsume harbored a selfish reason too:

Pupitar... just wasn't as cute as Larvitar.

"Sirfetch'd!( -'`-)"

Sirfetch'd had recently slacked off, skipping daily iron-cutting drills.

Natsume suspected laziness.

But Cynthia tapped her chin thoughtfully:

"Ancient swordsmen would travel or meditate when plateauing."

"This might be growth." She smiled, pointing. "Perhaps it's mastering something new!"

Natsume's eyes widened. "Of course...!"

Sirfetch'd: ???

You're overanalyzing my break!

Now I have to invent a new move?!

"My apologies, Sirfetch'd." Natsume clasped its shoulder. "Lead by example for the youngsters!"

Behind them, Togepi and Larvitar stared with Crayon Shin-chan-level intensity.

"Togepi doo-ee~~(^▽^ )"

"Sirfetch'd!~(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)" Tears flowed.

Holy Light... A knight's duty never ends!

……

Three days vanished like a May holiday that ended as soon as it began.

Cynthia re-donned her signature black trench coat, sweeping back golden hair with regal poise.

"Aren't you boiling?" Natsume asked.

She sighed. "Sweltering. But Champion attire is mandatory—decreed post-victory."

The uniform's strict design reinforced public recognition.

If Red ditched his vest or Lance his cape, fans would riot.

Natsume's mind flashed to Fantina's proposed Sylveon-themed Champion outfit.

Adorable? Yes.

Career-ending? Also yes.

"Safe travels," he coughed.

"You're not coming to Lily of the Valley Island?" Cynthia blinked.

"How?"

"Garchomp, obviously!"

Garchomp cracked its knuckles, eyes gleaming: "Garchomp!"

Natsume paled, imagining Garchomp's jet-speed, turbulence-filled flights.

"I... have altitude sickness."

A valid excuse—his dream included safety harnesses for flying Pokémon.

"Relax." Cynthia stepped closer, smiling.

"Nope! Nada! Nyet!" He backpedaled.

"I'll hold you tight~" She advanced. "It'll be over before you know it."

……

The chat group buzzed with discussions about the Lily of the Valley Conference's opening ceremony.

"Anyone heading to the island?" Lt. Surge lounged in his captain's cabin, cigar in mouth. "Plenty of room on the S.S. Aqua!"

Jasmine typed timidly: "I... wanted to watch the matches live."

"Oh-ho! Free ticket for the lovely lady!" Surge grinned.

Sabrina's message appeared frostily: "And who in this group wouldn't qualify as 'lovely'?"

Surge's smile froze. "Uh... well..."

"League tournaments are boring," Gold interjected lazily. "Trainers can't even fight personally."

The bomb successfully passed, Surge mentally sighed in relief.

Whitney gasped: "Wait, why are you unmuted?!"

Gold pointed at himself: "Me? My timeout's over—"

[Gold has been muted for 24 hours by Admin Lorelei]

Lorelei coolly stated: "My oversight."

Silver: "..."

"No-holds-barred matches caused too many injuries," Red explained. "Professor Oak says this is progress."

Bruno crossed his arms skeptically; Surge scoffed—until memories of a certain Pallet Town rookie's punches flashed through his mind.

Even Mewtwo would struggle to tank Ash's haymakers...

"Ahem!" Surge coughed. "Truly, this is progress!"

"I'm all ready to compete!" Ash chimed in. "Got help from all over Kanto!"

Blue Oak cautioned: "Other contestants have traveled multiple regions too. Don't underestimate them."

"Got it, Master Blue!" Ash's eyes burned with determination.

"What's your starting lineup?" Brock asked.

Ash counted on his fingers: "Snorlax and Sceptile. Charizard's training in Charicific Valley, so..."

"Do your best, Ash," Green giggled behind her hand. "Among Pallet Town trainers, you have the lowest tournament rankings~"

Ash scratched his head sheepishly. "I'll prove myself this time!"

"Oh, help me set up when you arrive," Green licked her lips. "I've got premium merch to sell!"

"Everyone visiting, come to the battle sector!" Flint announced. "Volkner and I are running doubles matches!"

"An Elite Four teaming with a Gym Leader?!" Maylene gasped.

"Heh," Flint grinned. "Crushing noobs like Natsume-sensei does? Surprisingly fun!"

Lucian adjusted his glasses silently.

Natsume-sensei... truly a man of corruption.

"Speaking of," the Grass Leader said, "hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Yeah... he's been quiet in chat," Ash noted.

Meanwhile, above Lily of the Valley Island...

A contrail split the cloudless sky.

Team Rocket's trio looked up as a Garchomp streaked past.

"Somethin' just flew by, meow," Meowth said.

"Focus! More merch means more funds!" James urged.

"We'll finally impress the Executives~!" Jessie twirled.

"Feelin' good~~"

"Wobbuffet!!"

……

Through the clouds, the emerald island grew larger.

Natsume clung to Cynthia's waist as Garchomp bulleted through the sky.

"Scared of falling?" she teased.

"Scared of you falling," he deadpanned.

Cynthia smirked, golden hair whipping in the wind. "Garchomp—"

"Dragon Rush!"

Natsume: !?

His grip tightened instinctively as Cynthia glanced back, amused.

"Kidding~"

"No ice cream for you."

"I repent," she conceded instantly.

"Garchomp!" (Quit flirting mid-flight!!)

Descending toward the island, the colossal arena came into view.

Natsume finally relaxed.

Maybe flying mounts aren't so bad... with the right company.

Cynthia stiffened. "Hands. Stay. Put."

"Safety precautions," Natsume said innocently.

Blushing, she turned away silently.

Today's result: Cynthia's total defeat!

Landing at Sinnoh League HQ, Cynthia gracefully dismounted.

"I need to prepare for the opening ceremony."

Though two days remained, shops already buzzed with pre-event hype.

Natsume mentally noted Team Rocket's inevitable presence.

Surveying the vibrant venue, he declared: "Gengar and I will win."

"Gengar~(ˊᗜˋ)"/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ

Cynthia arched a brow. "Where are you going?"

"Contestant registration. Don't we stay at the village?"

"Already handled. Also—"

A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she glared.

"You're sharing my room tonight."

Such Champion privileges!

This iron-willed man would never succumb to—

Natsume instantly agreed: "Deal!"