A thick sea of clouds was sliced by a white streak of air.
A Pokémon shaped like a shark stretched its wings under the sky, resembling a jet plane.
"Garchomp!" Sapphire and Ruby exclaimed simultaneously.
"That's the Champion of the Sinnoh Region," Steven said, dressed in a vest with a suit draped over his arm, gazing into the distance. "A respectable scholar."
The sound of rushing wind grew louder, and Ruby shielded Sapphire as the fierce gales howled.
"Garchomp—!"
Garchomp hovered above the rocky peak, startling countless birds into flight.
Natsume looked up and saw a blonde woman standing on Garchomp's back, her black trench coat fluttering in the wind. The wind blew into her straight, wide-legged black pants, revealing smooth, pale ankles.
With a light tap, Cynthia gracefully leaped down, her high heels landing firmly on the gravel.
"Am I late?" Cynthia asked, tucking her golden hair that swayed in the night breeze, smiling softly.
Natsume was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "For camping, you're just on time."
"I just finished a match at the Battle Castle," Cynthia said, patting Eevee's little head. "It took quite some time to get here from Unova."
"Eevee! o(｀^｀)o" Eevee wagged its tail slightly.
Natsume-sensei was slightly taken aback.
You came all the way from Unova just to camp with me?
Well...
Aren't you afraid of heights riding Garchomp?
"Let me introduce you," Steven said, presenting the two juniors from Hoenn.
"Sister Cynthia! I want your autograph!" Sapphire's eyes sparkled.
"Of course," Cynthia smiled gently. "I've heard about you two, the talented Trainers making waves in Hoenn."
The dumb couple scratched their heads in embarrassment, their movements oddly synchronized.
"I didn't expect Mr. Steven to join us for camping," Cynthia said, pursing her lips. "I thought you were only interested in stones."
Natsume crossed his arms.
Honestly... Meteorites are stones too.
Jirachi is at least a Steel-type! It surprisingly fits Steven well!
Steven cleared his throat. "Actually, I came here for another reason..."
Steven explained the ritual related to Jirachi, with Cynthia nodding occasionally.
Meanwhile, the dumb couple whispered to each other. "Ruby... who do you think is stronger, Sister Cynthia or Senior Steven?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe Natsume-sensei is stronger?"
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
"Well... Mr. Steven is into geology, Sister Cynthia is also a mythology scholar, but Natsume-sensei—"
Ruby crossed his arms, nodding with his eyes closed. "Breeder, Coordinator... Hmm, he just seems more well-rounded."
"That makes so much sense!" Sapphire's eyes lit up. "You're really something, Ruby!"
"Just a thought," Ruby waved his hand, thinking to himself: If that's the case, then it's only natural that my Pokéblock Crafting can't compare to Natsume-sensei's.
"So... this is the Meteorite, right?" Cynthia asked after hearing the explanation, glancing at the stone in Sapphire's arms. "Life truly is amazing, to think a Pokémon can be born from a stone."
"We might not get to see Jirachi today," Steven said, looking up at the sky with a smile. "But we can still continue camping."
"Hmm?" Natsume's senses tingled.
Looking around, there were three tents.
Ruby and Sapphire would definitely share one.
That leaves me no choice but to reluctantly share a tent with Cynthia!
"Sister Cynthia! Let's sleep together tonight!" Sapphire grabbed Cynthia's hand, grinning. "I have so many questions to ask you!"
Natsume's heart skipped a beat.
Young girl, you're narrowing your path!
"Of course," Cynthia smiled gently. "But when it comes to strategies... Natsume-sensei is more knowledgeable. You can ask him for advice."
"Natsume-sensei... is also good at strategies?" Sapphire blinked.
Ruby, who was only fifteen and barely reached Natsume-sensei's shoulder, suddenly realized, "Natsume-sensei, no wonder you're breeding new Pokémon!"
Natsume's expression turned strange.
"I just... posted a few game guides."
"Hmm... and you beat me in a simulation battle using the Perish Song strategy," Cynthia nodded.
"Whoa—" The dumb couple gasped.
There's no need to debate who's stronger among the three Champions now.
Victory over the Sinnoh Champion... and Cynthia herself admitted it!
Steven checked the Meteorite's condition and said, "Then, Ruby and I will share a tent tonight... Do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
"I heard there's a festival nearby," Ruby said with a smile. "I plan to go with Sapphire."
Cynthia glanced at Natsume and shook her head helplessly. "I thought Natsume-sensei invited me for a trip... I didn't expect it was to escort Jirachi's Meteorite."
Natsume was momentarily stunned, then said seriously, "No, I invited you to celebrate Tanabata Festival!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Steven's eyes.
Is their relationship... what I think it is?
Cynthia smiled. "Anyway... it's a special festival. Camping together is a rare memory."
"I only wanted to invite you," Natsume sighed. "But somehow, so many people joined..."
Steven coughed lightly and quickly stood up, heading into the tent. "Ruby, Sapphire! Help me bring the utensils inside!"
"Okay!" Sapphire handed the Meteorite to Cynthia. "Please take care of this for me!"
Cynthia took the Meteorite and nodded slightly.
...
The surroundings suddenly fell silent, with only the sound of flowing water and rustling leaves in the forest.
The two sat on the same rock, and Natsume could smell the faint fragrance from Cynthia.
Then, Cynthia whispered, "Natsume-sensei... do you hear something?"
Natsume was stunned. "You heard Jirachi's voice too?"
"Just now? Hmm... I'm not sure."
Natsume's expression turned complicated.
So I'm the only one who didn't hear anything?
Jirachi, do you have something against me?
"I can only stay for three days," Cynthia said, resting her hand on her snow-white neck. "Then I have to return to Sinnoh to study the Ancient Texts of the Plates."
"I can actually help you," Natsume suddenly said.
"You're coming to Rowan Research Institute?" Cynthia was slightly surprised, then smiled. "I almost forgot, Professor Rowan did invite you."
Although most knowledge in this world is now accessible, Natsume, as a transmigrator, still had some advantages.
For example, Alcremie's 63 evolution methods and Super Dynamax... only less than 30 have been discovered so far.
This could actually be a topic for publication.
"I don't plan to come to Sinnoh for now," Natsume thought for a moment. "At the earliest, it would be after next year."
"Ah..." Cynthia murmured softly. "What a pity."
At the tent's entrance.
From top to bottom, three heads peeked out: Sapphire, Ruby, and Steven.
"What are they talking about?" Sapphire asked.
"Ugh, I can't hear clearly!"
"Shh!" Steven signaled for silence.
The surroundings remained quiet.
Eevee obediently hopped to the side to drink from the stream.
Suddenly, Eevee froze, its ears perking up.
Anticipation!
Through the clear reflection in the water, an elegant and adorable Glaceon slowly approached from behind...
Using its icy blue fur, it gently tapped Eevee's neck.
"Eevee?!" Eevee's face turned red, letting out a cute cry.
...
Cynthia leaned against the rock, gently stroking the Jirachi Meteorite.
Her golden hair fell, covering her left eye.
Natsume also sat on the rock, admiring Cynthia's profile, and smiled. "In mythological legends, only those with a Pure Heart can communicate with Jirachi... It seems Jirachi really likes you."
"I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable about mythology."
"I love mythological legends, especially Sinnoh's Temporal and Spatial Dragons!"
"Really?" Cynthia's eyes sparkled. "Me too!"
Then, Cynthia whispered, "The voice is back... do you hear it?"
Natsume was stunned.
Is my heart too impure to hear it?!
"I... I hear it," Natsume coughed lightly, thinking to himself, the Noctowl is indeed chirping happily.
"Perhaps we might really get to see Jirachi," Cynthia smiled softly, then asked, "What's this Tanabata Festival you mentioned earlier?"
"Tanabata Festival is a tradition where men and women exchange gifts," Natsume-sensei said confidently. "It's a custom in Touran!"
"So... what gift did you prepare?"
"Haunter!" At that moment, Haunter poked Natsume's side.
Natsume turned, his eyes lighting up. "Oh, did you get it?"
"Haunter!" Haunter licked Natsume's cheek proudly.
Natsume took the harmonica from Haunter's hand, which belonged to Steven.
The exquisite instrument, seemingly handcrafted, had a subtle matte finish.
Natsume picked up the harmonica, took a deep breath, and softly said, "This is my gift for you."
In the silence, a clear melody flowed from the harmonica, distant and lingering.
It wasn't a skill enhanced by the System, but Natsume-sensei's slightly inexperienced performance couldn't hide the beauty of the tune.
Before his transmigration, it was known by another name—"Castle in the Sky."
The campfire illuminated Natsume-sensei's handsome face.
All the Pokémon lay down, quietly listening to the performance.
Steven and the others emerged from the tent, gazing at the gradually clearing night sky, their hearts inexplicably calm.
Ruby and Sapphire exchanged glances, both blushing slightly.
As the song ended, scattered applause broke out.
"Tropius—"
Tropius let out a low growl, bending its long neck to affectionately nuzzle Natsume, its eyes glistening as if holding back tears.
"That was beautiful..." Cynthia said softly. "Did you compose it?"
Natsume, without a hint of embarrassment, replied, "It's for you."
Cynthia smiled, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a faint light, but she remained silent.
No one noticed—
As the melody of "Castle in the Sky" played, the Meteorite in Cynthia's hand began to flicker.
The night sky cleared.
A comet with a long, fluorescent green tail slowly descended across the clear night sky.
Almost stationary in the sky, astronomically speaking, the comet's descent could be observed with the naked eye for dozens of hours.
Natsume suddenly heard a childlike voice, sounding anxious.
[Jirachi?]
Huh? Is this Jirachi's telepathy?
Natsume was curious and was about to respond, but the voice had already vanished.
Glancing at the Meteorite in Cynthia's hand, Natsume pouted.
Really, I'm not some bad guy!
At that moment, the Meteorite suddenly radiated a dazzling light, with brilliant rings of light flickering across its surface.
"Eevee!"
Eevee bared its teeth, leaping in front of Natsume to protect him, but Natsume easily lifted it by the scruff of its neck.
"It's fine," Natsume smiled. "It's just a mischievous little one."
Cynthia placed the Meteorite on the ground, and the light intensified.
Steven murmured, "The Space Center's discovery... it's actually true."
"The legendary Jirachi?" Sapphire cheered. "This is amazing! Ruby, hurry and record this!"
Ruby adjusted his glasses, already pulling out his Pokédex.
The blinding light receded like a tide, and from the Meteorite, the Wish Pokémon emerged.
Resembling a star, with wish tags attached to its body, Jirachi drowsily opened its eyes.
At the same time, a mechanical voice came from Ruby's Pokédex: "Jirachi, the Wish Pokémon. Data unknown."
Natsume also pulled out his ancestral System Pokédex.
[Jirachi, Steel+Psychic
Ability: Serene Grace
Moves: Cosmic Power, Future Sight, Meteor Mash, Rest, Doom Desire...]
System Pokédex VS Professor Samuel Oak's Pokédex—
This round, the embarrassing System finally stood tall!
[?]
"Little one," Steven bent down, looking at the adorable Jirachi with a smile. "I'm Steven. Nice to meet you."
Jirachi slowly floated up, blinking its dark eyes, then happily hugged Steven's chest.
Everyone: ???
Telepathy echoed in everyone's minds, like a child's cooing.
[Steven, Steven!]
Natsume's expression turned strange.
As expected of the man with max charm, instantly winning the affection of a Steel-type Legendary Pokémon!
Everyone introduced themselves one by one.
When it was Natsume-sensei's turn, before he could speak, Jirachi turned its head away.
Natsume: ???
Even if my heart is a bit impure, at least give me some face!
Steven, holding the sulking Jirachi, smiled. "It seems... it was Natsume-sensei's song that woke it up."
Cynthia looked at Natsume, pursing her lips. "A Pure Heart's song?"
"Ahem," Natsume coughed lightly. "Indeed."
In the movie "Wishing Star of Seven Nights," Jirachi was awakened by May's song.
Who would have thought that in this world, it was Natsume-sensei who awakened Jirachi.
"Nice one, Natsume-sensei!" Natsume patted his own shoulder.
Going on a trip and running into a Legendary Pokémon—who else could do that?
[Steven, let's play!]
Jirachi, like a clingy child, kept sticking to Steven's chest.
Steven looked somewhat helpless.
Ruby elbowed Steven, teasing, "Steven, who knew you had the makings of a babysitter!"
Steven smiled calmly, uttering terrifying words in a gentle tone.
"I'll tell Wallace to double your training when we get back."
Ruby's face paled.
Sapphire asked curiously, "I heard Jirachi can grant wishes, right?"
"Mr. Steven, can we make wishes too?"
"Let me explain," Natsume coughed lightly. "There are three limitations to making wishes to Jirachi."
"First, Jirachi only awakens when a comet falls; second, Jirachi grants wishes through the 'True Eye' on its belly."
"Lastly, and most importantly," Natsume said with rare seriousness. "The basic principle of wishing is equivalent exchange... If you don't want to lose something, it's best not to make a wish lightly."
Cynthia looked at Natsume with surprise.
It seems... Natsume-sensei's claim of studying mythology wasn't just talk.
"Anyway... my task is to safely return it to the Starry Sky," Steven said, looking down at Jirachi with a smile. "You want to play, right? Let's join everyone."
Jirachi timidly looked up, scanning the surroundings, then slowly revealed an adorable smile.
But when it came to Natsume-sensei, its expression immediately changed.
Natsume was stunned.
Even though I'm as handsome as Steven... is this favoritism?
Glancing at the [Golden Razz Berry] in his System inventory, Natsume muttered, "Guess it's time... to add a bit more medicine..."
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