Compared to TMs, Move Tutors were cheaper but offered limited options.
But with his team's talent, mastering a move would take mere minutes.
Mystical Fire would expand Sylveon's coverage.
Following the "teach the older siblings first" rule, Togepi would likely pick it up quickly too.
Watching Gengar stash the TM into its "treasure pouch,"
Natsume wiped a cold sweat from his brow.
Bad news. The house might burn down again.
Offering a TM as the third-place prize was fitting for Celadon Dept. Store's extravagance.
However.
The champion's Leftovers and the runner-up's "year's supply of Berry meals"
were both far more appealing to Natsume than Mystical Fire.
Today's luck is just off…
Natsume sighed wearily.
Even third place couldn't escape fate's meddling!
Amid the cheers, Jasmine—now a four-time champion—shyly waved at the crowd.
The eating contest officially concluded.
The perpetually broke Maylene, stuffed and satisfied, happily prepared to return to Sinnoh.
Meanwhile, Natsume found the busy Team Rocket trio backstage and greeted them.
"Your next round of funding will be wired to your account."
He emphasized,"Don't spend it on Pikachu! Use it for the Indigo Plateau Conference project!"
"Leave it to us, meow~"
Brock, having finished his shift as a temporary chef, wiped his sweat and called out:"Natsume-sensei, heading back to Saffron City? Let's go together!"
Natsume nodded. "Wonder how Lt. Surge's renovations are going…"
"Should we check on him?"
"Didn't he say he'd cover the repairs?" Natsume said, patting Brock's shoulder. "Relax, the League will subsidize him."
Brock: "Makes sense!"
"Then… I'll be taking my leave too," Jasmine murmured softly.
She planned to board the ferry back to Olivine City's lighthouse for some reading.
At night, Ampharos' light would spill across the ocean as waves crashed against the rocks—her favorite moment.
...Except when late-night scrolling led her to Natsume-sensei's food videos.
With the eating contest over
and two badges acquired in one swoop,
Natsume-sensei sucked in a sharp breath.
Mission complete. Just like that.
Plus, he'd gotten a TM out of it.
While Flamethrower suited Arcanine, Mystical Fire was better for fairy-types like Sylveon.
Though it lacked explosive power,
pairing it with Double-Edge for ribbon-enhanced charges…
Natsume's eye twitched. "Screw it, Sylveon's basically learning Flare Blitz at this point!"
Riding the train back to Saffron City with Brock and the others,
Natsume made a detour to the Pokémon Center.
"Sirfetch'd's shield is part of its body," Nurse Joy explained warmly.
"After Chansey's Heal Bell, it'll recover in no time!"
Natsume's brow rose.
So the leek is its true form!
Minutes later,
Natsume recalled his freshly pampered team and stepped outside.
Behind him, Nurse Joy sighed.
"Put the club away, Chansey. Natsume-sensei isn't a bad guy."
"Chansey~!" Chansey stowed the spiked bat taller than itself, smiling sweetly.
Joy rested her cheek on her hand.
...Though if he were a villain, things might've been more interesting.
...
Night fell.
Back home, Natsume examined the newly acquired Key Stone.
No turning back now.
Rubbing his temples, he muttered:
"First, make sure it doesn't go haywire..."
The gem's prismatic glow pulsed softly in his palm.
[Key Stone: A crystal that resonates with bonds, linking to Mega Stones to trigger evolution. (MEGA EVOLUTION!!) ]
Channeling Aura, Natsume sensed the overwhelming energy within.
"Blastoise?" The Blastoise stiffened.
The Blastoisinite embedded in its shell as armor began heating up.
Misinterpreting the surge of power, Blastoise broke into a cold sweat.
...Since when was Trainer's Aura this strong?!
If I slack off, I might lose to him!
Meanwhile, Natsume hastily set the Key Stone down, paling.
Holy crap, I almost triggered Mega Evolution right away?!
Since when was my compatibility this high?!
Despite his panic, he reflexively patted his own shoulder.
"Gengar!" Gengar also looked at the Key Stone curiously.
Natsume shrugged. "I'll get you one too someday."
If Trainers can use Key Stones, why not my Gengar?
The rainbow-hued gem radiated energy, drawing the rest of his team closer.
Soon, Natsume sat cross-legged on the rug,
surrounded by six pairs of gleaming eyes fixed on the Key Stone.
Stare—
"Need a proper holder for this thing first."
Otherwise, one energy spike could Mega Evolve Blastoise instantly!
Key Stone accessories—like Steven's tie pin or Diantha's necklace—
regulated the energy, letting Trainers control the transformation.
Most opted for bracelets or gauntlets,
but this was a prime chance to flex some style.
"Any ideas?" Natsume glanced at Gengar.
"Gengar!" It pointed at its tongue, eyes sparkling.
Let me lick it!
"...Hard pass." Natsume considered asking Professor Oak for modifications.
Explaining the Key Stone's origin would be easy—just say it was from the Touran League.
As for the accessory itself?
Steven's suave tie pin was peak elegance,
but Natsume had options.
A Key Stone Belt? A Key Stone Ultra Stick? Even a Key Stone Scary Face Mask?
Imagine slapping the belt mid-battle, light erupting as Mega Evolution activated—
...Okay, that would look cool.
Clearing his throat at the absurd mental image, Natsume conceded:"Fine. A gauntlet it is."
His fingerless gloves already had a slot perfect for embedding the stone.
Then a thought struck him.
Hey System, can you mod this to add more gem sockets?
[?]
System-made items adjusted to the user's size anyway—
Blastoise still wore the sunglasses from its Squirtle days.
Extra sockets couldn't hurt.
But the System, lacking "customer service functions,"
only resized the glove to fit the Key Stone.
"Good enough."
With a click, the gem slotted into place.
Ash's Z-Ring had been customized by Tapu Koko.
Maybe during an Alola trip,
the island guardian could "craft" a few extra slots too.
"Let's test this."
The gauntlet's center now gleamed with prismatic light.
"Gengar~ " Drool dripped from the ghost's mouth.
Just one lick—!
"Sylveon?" The Sylveon tilted its head, tapping the stone with a ribbon.
No reaction?
Natsume scratched his head. "Guess you need a pose and a loud 'Mega Evol—'"
WHOOSH!
A gale erupted from Blastoise, its aura nearly shredding the ceiling.
Natsume snapped his jaw shut, halting the transformation midway.
"Blastoise?" The confused Blastoise rubbed its head.
What just happened?
Natsume's expression was grim.
I'd better test Mega Evolution outdoors…
If he accidentally shouted the command in his sleep, things could get ugly.
Still.
He hadn't expected it to be this easy.
Natsume smirked.
A snap of the fingers to Mega Evolve…
Now that's hype.
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