Professor Oak's backyard. Rolling hills, towering peaks, winding rivers, and lush greenery. Natsume was speechless. Were these words really
Professor Oak's backyard.
Rolling hills, towering peaks, winding rivers, and lush greenery.
Natsume was speechless.
Were these words really describing a backyard!?
No wonder Oak Research Institute needed so many specialized roles—rangers, caretakers, researchers…
But on the other hand…
Despite his age, Professor Oak remained on the frontlines. Truly admirable.
"Sirfetch'd~!" A beam of light shot from the Premier Ball.
Sirfetch'd took a deep breath of fresh air and smiled.
Ah, the familiar scent!
Those carefree days without training were bliss!
"Sirfetch'd!" Suddenly, sorrow overwhelmed it.
Weren't we supposed to slack off together?
This isn't a slacker squad—it's a dang all-star team!
Natsume calmly recalled the 'Leek Pancake.'
Do all duck Pokémon, like Psyduck, have a habit of popping out on their own?
"Professor Oak is in the berry grove," Crystal said as she led Natsume.
"Senior Blue Oak sometimes patrols on his Charizard too. He's an incredible researcher!"
Well, he is Professor Oak's grandson. Natsume nodded.
As one of the original duo, his protagonist status rivaled Red's!
Though he was the shortest-reigning Champion in history…
Natsume coughed, wary of catching Gold's recklessness, and glanced at the berry grove ahead.
Sitrus Berries, Oran Berries, Cheri Berries… branches heavy with fruit drooped low.
Plucking a Cheri Berry, Natsume took a bite.
Natsume: (￣～￣) chew
Crystal: "I-Isn't it spicy?"
Natsume: "It's fine… I'm used to it."
As they chatted, Professor Oak came into view.
Natsume raised a hand to greet him—
"Shh…" Professor Oak turned, pressing a finger to his lips, a folder in hand.
"Is it behaving?" Crystal whispered. "I barely calmed it down earlier."
"No issues."
Professor Oak smiled. "Now, we just need Natsume to catch Rotom!"
For a moment.
The sheer volume of information left Natsume-sensei stunned.
Rotom? Catch? Pokédex upgrade?
Natsume: ?
"Gengar!" Gengar stared at its baffled Trainer, awestruck.
Even Trainer's Nasty Plot was masterfully executed!
"Ah, I haven't explained yet?"
Professor Oak blinked, then chuckled sheepishly.
"Right… By merging Rotom with your Pokédex, we can upgrade it to a Rotom Pokédex."
"That's why I called you here—to entrust Rotom to you!"
Natsume's breath hitched.
So this was the surprise? A Rotom Pokédex!?
No wonder they mentioned upgrades—
Professor Oak, you scheming—!!
"Here's Rotom's Poké Ball."
Professor Oak handed Natsume a ball, then nodded toward the distance.
Sunlight filtered through the berry trees, illuminating a red lawnmower humming away in the overgrown grass.
But unlike the usual snarling Rotom-mower…
This one looked peaceful, snoozing with a snot bubble.
Natsume steadied himself. "…It's asleep?"
"Well... how to put this." Professor Oak scratched his cheek. "Compared to most Rotom, this one's... mellow."
"Also!" Crystal added seriously. "If you startle it, it'll take defensive measures!"
"By defensive measures, you mean—"
"Beep... Rotom! " The mower-Rotom woke up, sniffed the berry-scented air, and smiled.
Then—
ACHOO!
Blue electricity crackled across its body!
Do appliances even sneeze!?
Natsume barely had time to react before—
BOOM!
The lawn mower exploded into scrap.
Natsume paled.
Is this thing really safe to keep at home!?
"Beep... Rotom?" An orange, plasma-like blob floated out of the wreckage, scratching its head with a sparking tendril.
What just happened, Rotom?
"It looks like another electronic device has been scrapped." Crystal sighed.
"No worries!"
Professor Oak laughed heartily. "My research shows that once it merges with a Pokédex, the overload incidents drop by 99%!"
"Just like Ash's Pikachu—far fewer Thunderbolts! Hahaha!"
Natsume's chest tightened.
You call Pikachu's Thunderbolts infrequent!?
But 99%... Okay, that was reassuring.
Natsume looked up at the floating Rotom.
"Beep... Rotom?"
The orange blob blinked sleepily at Natsume, then dozed off mid-air.
Natsume: ???
You're seriously napping again!?
Shouldn't a utility Pokémon do its job!?
Still, Natsume understood—different Pokémon had different temperaments.
Compared to Ash's clever (chatty) Rotom...
This one seemed... slow?
Natsume scanned it with his Pokédex.
[Rotom (Base Form) - Electric/Ghost
Ability: Levitate
Moves: Thunder Wave, Rest, Will-O-Wisp, Substitute...]
Natsume's expression shifted subtly.
Holy—this thing's perfect for me!
Toss in Ally Switch, and it'd be a nightmare to face!
"Rotom?" Professor Oak called softly.
Pop!
The snot bubble burst as Rotom snapped awake and saluted.
"Rotom!" (Yes, Rotom?)
"I'd like you to merge with this Pokédex."
Professor Oak took the special Pokédex from Gengar and held it up.
"He's a Trainer you can trust!"
Rotom tilted its head at Natsume, puzzled.
Trainer?
What's that? Is it as good as napping?
Natsume studied Rotom too.
"Self-Destruct" wasn't in Rotom's movepool—meaning the explosions happened when it dozed off inside machines.
According to Professor Oak, merging with a Pokédex would prevent that.
Plus... this Rotom had zero offensive moves.
Potential-wise, it seemed weaker than Sirfetch'd.
Natsume smiled faintly.
Loves sleeping? Perfect.
It didn't need to battle—just give occasional reminders.
Maybe it could possess ovens, fridges, microwaves... upgrading his cooking.
Natsume swallowed.
So after backup ingredients (scratch that)—after sous-chef 'Leek Pancake'...
His team would finally include the ultimate kitchen appliance!
Who cared about battling? A humble Rotom suited Natsume just fine.
"Join my team, Rotom."
Natsume met the drowsy Rotom's gaze, smiling.
"Just help with Pokédex data... Sleep whenever you want."
"Even an ordinary Rotom can shine!"
Professor Oak stared at Natsume, surprised.
He'd expected disappointment—most Trainers wouldn't tolerate a lazy Rotom.
Yet somehow, the Professor smiled.
Perhaps Natsume truly saw Pokémon as family.
"Rotom?" Rotom blinked at Natsume.
Overloaded circuits often made it sleepy.
Thinking too hard left it dizzy.
Other Rotom had been adopted by Trainers long ago.
Only it had ended up here... meeting its first Trainer.
He didn't scorn it. He believed in it.
Maybe... maybe Rotom could become strong!
It had to try!
"Rotom!" Nodding firmly, it zipped into Gengar's Pokédex.
"Gengar?" Gengar peered at the device.
Beep—
Static filled the screen before resolving into a digital smile:
"Rotom Dex at your service! (˙▽˙)"
Its voice resembled the Alolan Rotom Dex's.
Probably similar battle prowess too.
Natsume nodded, satisfied.
Who needed Rotom for battles?
Sure, 'Heat Rotom' and 'Wash Rotom' were competitive terrors.
But he didn't play dirty.
A Rotom Dex and phone were enough!
Professor Oak beamed as Rotom merged willingly.
"It resonates with your philosophy."
"Understanding Pokémon's hearts matters most..."
Crystal, who'd failed to catch Rotom multiple times, nodded quietly.
Another lesson from Natsume-sensei.
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, cradling the Rotom Dex, already scheming.
Now it could plan even better training regimens!
Trainer would love training together!
Suddenly, the Rotom Dex levitated, spinning with arms outstretched.
"Scanning user... Beep! User identified: Natsume. Confirm, Rotom?"
Natsume: "Change it to Gengar."
"Understood, Rotom!"
Professor Oak: ???
Crystal: ???
Both gaped as the Rotom Dex reassigned its primary user.
What just happened?
Was this... some advanced training technique!?
Too polite to pry, Professor Oak coughed.
"Well, Natsume, leave the Dex with me for final adjustments."
Natsume nodded. "Thanks, Professor!"
Who knew this trip would net him a new Pokémon?
Dex upgrade, Indigo Plateau gift, Professor Oak's schemes...
His chest still felt tight.
But in a way...
With the Rotom Dex, Gengar had taken another step forward as a Trainer.
"Gengar~"
Watching Gengar's glee, Natsume's mood softened.
Wait... shouldn't that line be my thing?
"Here's Rotom's Poké Ball."
Professor Oak patted Gengar's head. "Take good care of it!"
"Gengar!" Clutching the ball, Gengar nodded eagerly.
Then, with a mischievous grin, it raised the ball triumphantly.
Gengar: I Caught Rotom!
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