Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Boom!!

"Pikachu!"

Amid the fierce battle, Ash lunged to shield Pikachu—only to be sent flying by a crushing punch.

"Pikachu…" The electric mouse nuzzled Ash's chest before collapsing, unable to battle.

"Guess I still can't beat Senior Red, huh." Ash stood up, dusting off his pants with a carefree grin.

Red blinked, replaying the scene in his mind.

Ash had taken Poliwrath's Ice Punch head-on to protect Pikachu. Even with Poliwrath holding back, the partial impact should've left some mark—

Yet Ash stood there, completely unharmed.

Red's pupils narrowed.

Is this guy even human?

Then again, Red had met plenty of Trainers with freakish endurance. He chuckled and clapped Ash's shoulder.

"Keep at it. The future's yours."

Ash's eyes sparkled as he nodded fiercely.

"Let me heal Pikachu." Yellow gently took the Pokémon, her Viridian Aura glowing soft white.

Ash gaped. Red smiled approvingly.

Nearby, Misty patted her own cheeks and sighed. "Well, at least I got a free meal out of this!"

The group migrated to the cooking area, where several bubbling pots of crimson broth perfumed the air.

A long wooden table accommodated everyone—including a few compact-sized Pokémon.

"Wish it were bigger. Then Snorlax could join too." Red scratched his cheek.

"No helping that." Lorelei adjusted her glasses. "His size is just… problematic."

Brock glanced up at his towering Steelix, tearing up. "Hang in there, buddy!"

"Steelix!" The metallic serpent grinned, unfazed.

With my size, I'll still grab tons of Pokéblocks!

…Until it noticed the other titans: Red's Snorlax, Lance's Dragonite, Lorelei's Cloyster…

Steelix fell into profound silence.

"Natsume-sensei, I'll go tend to my siblings. Excuse me." Brock bowed.

"Sure thing!"

Natsume felt another pang of respect for Brock's devotion.

"Arcanine~" The Arcanine whined, resting its head on Natsume's shoulder.

"Don't worry, you'll sit right behind me." Natsume ruffled its mane. "Same for Garchomp!"

"Garchomp!" The Garchomp briefly stiffened before looking away.

Gengar levitated nearby. Togepi perched on Natsume's shoulder. Sylveon curled in his lap.

Squirtle and Sirfetch'd occupied tiny stools, chatting like old sages.

Cynthia propped her chin on interlaced fingers, smirking.

"So…" Lorelei voiced the room's question. "How'd you two meet?"

"Gaming." Both answered in unison.

Everyone: "…"

That's it?!

"…Tch. Whatever." Lorelei turned away, muttering, "I'll make an account too."

"When do we eat?!" Gold groaned. "I'm starving!"

"Gold, read the mood!" Crystal hissed, blushing.

"What's 'mood'? Tasty?"

Silver facepalmed. Green chuckled. "This… is the life we dreamed of, isn't it?"

Silver's gaze flickered with memories before he nodded. "Yeah."

"Natsume-sensei!" Ash leaned across the table. "Battle me later! I've trained Aerial Ace for your Tailwind strat!"

Natsume: "No."

"Pleeease? I've got allowance money!"

Natsume's eyes gleamed. "Deal."

Winter wind hissed. Steam from the pots spiraled into the moonlit sky.

Red glanced back. "Where's Professor Oak?"

"Greeting guests at the front." Yellow said. "A few more Leaders are coming."

"Blue's with him. Let them bond." Lance nodded, then brightened. "Natsume-sensei, this smells incredible!"

Lorelei removed her glasses, polishing them absently.

Handsome. Powerful. Cooks.

Aside from being stingy, Natsume-sensei's basically a flawless man—like Steven.

Natsume leaned toward Cynthia. "Dip your food in milk first."

"Why?"

"You'll see."

Cynthia nodded obediently. "Okay."

...

Oak Research Institute – Entrance

Leaders Erika and Sabrina arrived late.

"Didn't expect you to come." Erika smiled.

"Free dinner." Sabrina shrugged. Then, via Psychic, she locked onto Gengar's location in the backyard.

…Missed playing with it.

Inside, Professor Oak turned to Blue. "Just Erika and Sabrina left, right?"

Blue didn't answer.

"Quit the mystery, boy!" Oak laughed—until the door knocked again.

The visitor made Blue frown.

A woman in a winter dress and wide white hat bowed.

"Professor Oak. Caitlin of Unova's Elite Four."

Behind her, a purple-haired girl waved a leather-bound book. "Shauntal! Big fan of your senryū poetry!"

Oak's jaw dropped.

How'd that guy rope in Unova's Elite Four?!

"Please, come in." He recovered, ushering them inside.

Blue stared after them, baffled.

Wait… wasn't Grandma Agatha supposed to show up?

"What's wrong?" Oak asked.

"Gonna check if that's really Gengar." Blue strode off.

Oak blinked. "What Gengar?"

Alone in the institute, the aging professor rummaged through his coat, finally retrieving a lighter and cigarette.

His gaze lingered on a framed photo in the drawer.

With practiced nostalgia, he lit the cigarette.

Knock-knock.

A cane tapped the door.

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