Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

December 25th, Friday, Christmas.

The night breeze carried a crisp freshness under the vast, starry sky.

Green was busy directing everyone in decorating the lab's backyard.

"Using Snover as Christmas trees…" Natsume mused. "Quite the budget-saving idea."

"Of course!" Green grinned, having Jigglypuff hang bells on Snover's branches. "I considered Exeggutor, but Snover fits better."

Several Snover, adorned with jingling bells and Santa hats, happily frolicked in the snowy bushes, clearly delighted with their festive attire.

Cynthia, bundled in a thick black coat, exhaled a misty breath, her cheeks glowing with a soft smile.

"Didn't expect Miss Cynthia to attend," Red remarked, slightly surprised.

"Since we were together this morning, we came along," Cynthia replied cheerfully.

Yellow, who had been hiding behind Red, froze. "Huh?!"

Does that mean… Natsume-sensei and Miss Cynthia spent the whole night together?!

Her face turned scarlet, steam practically rising from her head.

"I see." Red nodded blankly. "Makes sense."

Given Natsume-sensei's strength, sparring with the Sinnoh Champion wasn't unusual.

Tipping his cap, Red smiled.

Maybe I'll get to battle Natsume-sensei tonight!

"Quit standing around—help decorate!" Green called.

"Got it~" Red tossed a Poké Ball. "Poliwrath, Pikachu… lend a hand!"

The backyard soon teemed with Pokémon—some playing, some helping, others simply basking in their Trainers' affection.

"You have a wonderful bond with them."

Cynthia watched Yellow, surrounded by Pokémon, her face radiant with joy.

"Ah, Senior Cynthia!"

Yellow blushed, scratching her head. "Hehe, being with Pokémon is just… really happy!"

"Couldn't agree more," Natsume chimed in.

Cynthia shot him a look, then blinked.

"Gengar~"

Gengar licked Natsume's cheek with its long tongue.

"Are you okay?!" Cynthia gasped.

"No big deal." Natsume calmly pulled a Cheri Berry from his pocket.

Thank goodness I brought extras for the spicy dishes!

Brock approached, waving. "Natsume-sensei, you're on cooking duty with me tonight!"

"Sure. What's the main course?"

Noticing Cynthia, Brock's eyebrows rose. She smiled back.

We were supposed to be bros… since when did you bring a plus-one?!

With mixed feelings, Brock replied, "Outdoor hot pot. We'll need multiple stoves because…"

He coughed. "Between Red's Snorlax and my Golem, we've got some heavy eaters."

"Gengar!" Gengar waved its fists indignantly.

Hey, don't underestimate MY appetite, squinty-eyes!

"Fair point." Natsume recalled the dumpling incident. "I'll help out."

"Me too!" Cynthia volunteered eagerly.

Garchomp and Lucario paled in unison.

"…You stay put," Natsume said.

"Oh." Cynthia pouted.

Garchomp and Lucario sighed in relief.

Meanwhile, Red and Yellow—both culinary disasters—stood awkwardly.

"Wish Blue were here to battle," Red muttered.

"Natsume-sensei's busy cooking, and Miss Cynthia…" Yellow glanced at the beaming Champion. "She wouldn't go all out right now, would she?"

Red shook his head. "Not in this mood."

A serious Cynthia and a smiling Cynthia were like night and day.

Yellow nodded, cheeks pinkening as she peeked at Red.

"Um, Senior Red, I—"

"Second wave of guests!" Red suddenly pointed skyward.

A Dragonite descended, carrying Lance, his red cape flapping dramatically.

"Mr. Lance!" Yellow waved.

"Heya, Yellow! Miss me?" Lance reached to pinch her cheek.

Red smoothly intercepted with a handshake.

"Perfect timing for a battle," Red said, eyes gleaming.

"I'm just here for food!" Lance protested.

Red sighed. "Is the rest of Kanto's Elite Four coming?"

"That old maid should be here soon," Lance said. "She went to Cerulean City to pick someone up."

A chill swept through the air as a majestic Articuno glided down, Lorelei lounging elegantly on its back while Misty clung for dear life.

"Auntie Lorelei..., aren't you afraid of falling?" Natsume called up.

"Elite Four entrances demand flair," Brock sniffed, tears streaming from onion-chopping.

"Since when did you catch Articuno?" Lance gaped.

"I didn't." Lorelei adjusted her glasses. "It lives near Seafoam Islands. We're… friends."

With a pat, Articuno soared away, leaving glittering ice crystals in its wake.

"Ice-types never fail to move me," Lorelei said wistfully.

"Same with Dragon-types!" Lance agreed.

Misty greeted Red, then turned to Yellow. "Long time no see."

"Mhm…" Yellow nodded shyly, gripping Red's sleeve.

Noticing, Misty's smile faltered briefly. "Need help setting up?"

"Natsume-sensei and Brock have it covered," Red said. "We'll eat once everyone's here."

Their exchange was polite, almost distant.

Lorelei sighed.

Red, you heartbreaker.

...

Romantic drama didn't reach the cooking station.

"What's this step?" Cynthia whispered, careful not to disrupt Natsume's workflow.

"Marinating. Enhances flavor," he said absently.

Cynthia nodded, arms crossed, a thoughtful finger on her chin.

"There's homemade ice cream in the freezer," Natsume added. "Help yourself."

Her eyes lit up like a child's. "Want me to pick one for you?"

Brock's whisking hand jerked.

"No need. I only made one flavor so you wouldn't overthink it."

"Ohhh—" Cynthia drawled.

Brock stared heavenward, suddenly feeling very single.

Is every top Trainer paired up now?!

Lorelei approached, intending to tease Natsume—then froze.

"Champion Cynthia?!"

"Elite Four Lorelei," Cynthia smiled. "Pleasure."

"You're here with…?"

"Natsume-sensei."

Lorelei's glasses nearly slipped off.

So this isn't a singles' gathering…

This guy brought his girlfriend to flex on us?!

"L-Likewise," Lorelei stammered, polishing her lenses.

As she put them back on, she spotted a distant speck in the sky—Gold, grinning atop Togekiss.

"Third wave's here," Natsume noted.

"NATSUME-SENSEI!!"

Gold executed a dramatic dive, landing with a flourish.

"Gold," Lorelei purred. "Care for a match?"

"Already?!" Gold blinked, then smirked. "Bring it on!"

Natsume sighed.

Lorelei's Mr. Rime once trounced Red…

Gold, you're walking into a trap!

...

Inside the research institute.

"The Trio from Kanto and Johto are all here, huh."

Professor Oak glanced at the lively courtyard, sipping his coffee with a smile.

"Why aren't you joining them?" Professor Oak turned and asked.

"I'll head over after organizing the data." Crystal replied with a soft smile.

"That Gold kid's about to get wrecked, you know." Professor Oak deliberately winked.

"Th-that's exactly why I'll go after finishing this!" Crystal flushed but insisted stubbornly.

Lance and Blue Oak sat on the couch, exchanging a glance.

"Never thought we'd actually gather this many people." Lance mused.

"Some Leaders have charm beyond just strength." Blue remarked coolly.

Lance frowned, recalling the sharp-suited man with the buzz cut.

In a way…

To unite the righteous under his banner, Natsume-sensei's influence now rivals even Red's in his prime—or Giovanni's infiltration of the League…

Lost in thought, the institute's front door suddenly rattled with knocks.

"No Flying mount, so you had to come through the front door like a normal person?"

Professor Oak muttered as he opened it, revealing a winded young man rushing inside.

"I-I'm late!" Ash blurted anxiously. "The party's still going, right?!"

"Already over." Professor Oak deadpanned. "Try again next year."

"Again…?" Ash's face fell, then he froze. "Wait, why did I say 'again'?"

"Stop messing with him." A purple-clad youth with a necklace stood up. "Everyone's in the backyard. Go see for yourself."

"Senior Blue!" Ash's eyes lit up.

"Save it. I know you're not here for me."

Blue waved him off, maintaining his aloof demeanor. "Red and Natsume-sensei are both out back—"

Before he could finish, Ash had already blown past him like a gust of wind.

Blue: "…"

"Hahaha! So even you get ignored sometimes!" Lance roared with laughter.

"Shut it." Blue snapped.

Lance clapped Blue's shoulder: "Hahaha~o(*≧▽≦)ツ"

"Ash." Blue smirked coldly under his breath. "Hope you're ready for the special training I've got planned for you…"

…

"Senior Red! Natsume-sensei!"

Ash sprinted into the backyard—only to get knocked airborne by a flying blur.

"Ow ow ow!" Gold, freshly launched by Lorelei, rubbed his arm before blinking in confusion. "Huh? I'm fine?"

"Holy—since when was there a cushion?!" Gold hastily yanked Ash upright. "You okay, kid?"

Lorelei and the others hurried over.

"Sorry, didn't pull my punch!"

"Auntie Lorelei, you totally meant that!" Gold whined.

"…" A vein throbbed on Lorelei's forehead, but she decided to let it slide—this once.

"I-I'm fine!" Ash shook his head, quickly recovering with a grin. "I'm here to see Senior Red!"

Gold stared at Ash like he was an alien.

Tanked a human projectile hit and bounced back this fast…

Is this guy even human?

…

Nearby.

Red sat sandwiched between Misty and Yellow, idly petting his Espeon.

The Espeon, nicknamed 'Vee', sneaked glances at a certain Sylveon, cheeks pink.

"Senior Red!" Ash skidded to a stop, whipping off his cap to reveal an autograph inside the brim. "I—I snagged this limited-edition signed merch online! I've been your biggest fan!"

Red paused. "I've never sold autographed caps. And mine's always been red."

"Wha—?!" Ash looked thunderstruck. "But how…?"

"Still, I've heard of you." Red smiled. "Who knows? Maybe your cap'll be the limited edition someday."

Ash stood frozen, then suddenly spun his cap backward.

"I'm Ash from Pallet Town! My dream's to be a Pokémon Master!"

His eyes burned with determination. "Senior Red—battle me!"

Red rose from between Misty and Yellow, tilting his cap low, gaze sharpening.

"Just what I want!"

…

The sounds of clashing echoed through the air.

Natsume massaged his temples. "How many battles is this tonight?"

"Second one." Brock answered. "If you count Gold getting yeared earlier."

"These guys…"

Natsume's expression twisted.

Can't you all just chill and enjoy dinner?!

Cynthia: ??????????

Natsume side-eyed her.

Cynthia was delicately licking an ice cream cone. Noticing his stare, she immediately turned away defensively.

"Like I'd steal it…" Natsume sighed.

Around them, multiple hot pots bubbled ready.

The broth, mushroom-based, featured some colossal fungi Green had procured—rumored to be exquisite.

Ingredients included berries from Professor Oak's garden, plus sausages, fried snacks, beans, and other curry staples from Sword & Shield.

(Note: Natsume-sensei exclusively picked the spicy variants.)

"This level of heat… are you sure it's okay?" Brock wiped sweat.

"Spicier the better!" Natsume cheerfully tucked his notebook away. "Even Moltres-grade cooking's fire-type, right?"

Brock: "W-well, when you put it that way…"

"Alright." Natsume clapped Brock's shoulder.

Cupping his hands like a megaphone, he called to the battle spectators:

"Hey everyone—dinner's ready!!"

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