Pyramid King. Frontier Brain. Keeper of the Three Regis.
Brandon groaned as he woke up, only to be greeted by a grinning ghost face inches from his nose:
"Gengar!"
"A ghost!!" Brandon nearly fainted again.
"Alright, enough messing around." Natsume picked up the bulging white eyes that had rolled on the floor and handed them back to the prankster Gengar.
He felt oddly conflicted.
After spending so much time with Gengar, this level of fright didn't even faze him anymore...
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar reattached its bulging white eyes and waved cheerfully at Brandon.
"Oh... it's just Gengar..."
Brandon exhaled in relief, scratching his head as his memories slowly returned. Suddenly, he tensed up:
"What about the King of Pokélantis?!"
"Right here." Natsume handed Brandon an ancient-looking stone orb. "Successfully imprisoned."
Brandon's eyes widened. "But... the inscriptions on the Plate were in ancient language..."
His gaze then landed on the renowned mythology scholar, Cynthia.
Realization dawned on him.
"Not me," Cynthia shook her head. "I haven't studied that far yet."
"Then who...?"
Brandon made an "ah" sound. "Brock, the Gym Leader with museum experience?"
"It was Natsume-sensei!" Ash loudly corrected. "You almost died, Mr. Brandon!"
Brandon froze for a moment before studying the extraordinary young man before him.
To have such mastery over obscure ancient languages at such a young age...
He solemnly nodded, stood up, and bowed deeply to Natsume. "Natsume-sensei, I owe you my life. I'll never forget this debt!"
"No big deal." Natsume scratched his cheek.
Cynthia frowned. "What exactly happened, Mr. Brandon?"
Brandon recalled the Three Regis into their Poké Balls and sighed.
"It was my carelessness. I thought the King was trying to possess Ash... but instead, my own mind was compromised."
"Don't blame yourself, Mr. Brandon," Brock said gravely. "You're already one of the greatest archaeologists of our time."
Brandon shook his head with a bitter smile. "Precisely why I still need to train further."
"However," he continued, "this expedition to the ancient ruins wasn't entirely fruitless."
"At the very least, I uncovered the truth behind the fall of the Portlandis Empire, and..."
Brandon paused, glancing at the wrecked interior of the Battle Pyramid, then coughed lightly. "Let me escort you all outside first!"
Brock eyed the lingering black mist. "What about these remnants of resentment?"
"I'll have Dusknoir consume them—"
"Gengar~ "
Brandon glanced at Gengar and mused, "If Natsume-sensei's Gengar wishes to devour them instead..."
"Gengar! ψ(｀?′)ψ" (Time to feast!)
Natsume watched as his levitating Gengar happily gorged itself, his expression complicated.
"Won't this... give it a stomachache?"
"These spiritual remnants are premium nutrients for Ghost-types," Brandon explained, arms crossed and smirking. "Especially for curse-based moves—their potency will increase significantly."
Natsume blinked. "Including Perish Song?"
"Perish Song, Curse, Destiny Bond... all of them."
Natsume's breath hitched as a familiar suffocating feeling gripped his chest.
I never expected...
Natsume narrowed his eyes. "Do you have distant relatives named Reggie or Paul?"
Brandon looked puzzled. "Huh? Why do you ask?"
"Nothing." Natsume coughed. Just thought you looked eerily similar.
"Gengar! (*⊙⊙)" Gengar treated the black mist like cotton candy, stuffing entire handfuls into its mouth.
Seeking a more efficient method, Gengar conjured a spectral "Dusknoir" behind it—a three-meter-tall mini-"Susanoo" that gathered the mist into a giant wad and gleefully shoved it into Gengar's mouth.
"Gengar! ヾ(≧?≦)ヾ" (Delicious!*)
Natsume's eye twitched.
Illusions. I must be trapped in Gengar's illusion!
After purging the pyramid of the black mist...
"Gengar! (〃ω〃)" Gengar licked its lips, eyeing the Imprison Stone orb in Brandon's hands.
The orb trembled violently, as if sensing imminent danger.
"You can't eat that... it'll give you diarrhea," Natsume warned.
"Gengar~(o_O)"
Brandon also broke into a cold sweat, pressing something against the orb before declaring gravely:
"This is Ho-Oh's punishment... let him remain imprisoned in darkness."
Natsume nodded thoughtfully.
Just like Tantalus, cursed by the Greek gods to eternal torment.
That said... if the King of Pokélantis could be trapped in a Poké Ball...
Natsume fell into deep, serious contemplation...
...
With Brandon seeing them off, the group exited the pyramid.
Under the clear blue sky, a golden-haired beauty gazed at the handsome profile beside her, lost in thought.
"What are you looking at?"
"At you," Cynthia replied with a soft smile.
Natsume-sensei's face reddened as he glared. "Then I'll look back!"
The two engaged in a staring contest to see who'd blink first.
The perpetually single Brock squinted at the sky.
I never should've left home today...
"Mr. Brandon!"
Ash stepped forward, issuing a challenge.
"I want to battle you for the last Frontier Symbol!"
"Very well."
Brandon crossed his arms and nodded sternly. "Take some time to prepare. We'll battle when we next meet!"
"Thank you, Mr. Brandon!"
Ash grinned excitedly before suddenly looking up.
Beyond the clouds, a vibrant rainbow streaked across the sky. The majestic tail feathers of a colossal bird scattered prismatic hues, outshining the world below—or perhaps, coloring it anew.
"Is that... the legendary Ho-Oh?" Cynthia was the first to notice.
"You blinked."
"How childish!"
Natsume glanced up just as the rainbow vanished, replaced by Rotom's beeping.
"Beep! Ho-Oh, the legendary Pokémon, said to appear only before Trainers of pure heart. Sightings are exceedingly rare, roto~"
Trainers of pure heart.
Natsume-sensei raised an eyebrow.
No wonder Ho-Oh bolted at the sight of me...
Then again... this time, the "photographer" probably came to check on the King of Pokélantis.
Even without me, Ho-Oh would've intervened.
Or... Natsume glanced at Ash.
This is the last Frontier facility... maybe Ho-Oh came to cheer "Satoshi" on.
"Alright!"
Ash suddenly clenched his fists, eyes blazing with determination as he turned to Pikachu.
"Let's head to the Pokémon Center first, then challenge Mr. Brandon!"
"Pikachu!"
Brandon, typically stern, allowed a rare smile before addressing Natsume:
"Natsume-sensei, as thanks for saving my life, I've prepared a gift."
Natsume's expression shifted.
Brandon reached into his coat and produced a faintly shimmering, lustrous feather.
Instantly, everyone's eyes widened.
[Rainbow Wing (Dormant): A Rainbow Wing stripped of Ho-Oh's blessing, yet still breathtakingly beautiful. (Revival Token +1!)]
"The King of Pokélantis fell," Brandon explained solemnly, "because he possessed a Rainbow Wing he was unworthy of."
"Millennia later, this Rainbow Wing has lost its power, becoming a mere relic."
Brandon extended the feather to Natsume. "I uncovered these secrets in the ruins, along with this Rainbow Wing."
"Now, I entrust it to you, Natsume-sensei!"
Legend says a Rainbow Wing will reignite when touched by a pure-hearted Trainer.
Of course, it's just a legend.
But Brandon believed this wise and kind Natsume-sensei was truly worthy.
Today's events had humbled him, reminding him of the need for further growth.
Hence, his decision to pass on the Rainbow Wing.
"Rainbow Wing!" Ash's eyes sparkled in recognition.
"You know about it, Ash?" Brock asked curiously.
"Yep! I actually found one when I first left Pallet Town," Ash grinned, scratching his head. "An elder once told me—never let a Rainbow Wing fall into evil hands!"
Brandon nodded approvingly, still holding the feather out to Natsume.
"Please accept it, Natsume-sensei. With you, its power will be used wisely."
A bead of sweat rolled down Natsume's forehead.
It's not that I don't want it...
But if I take this, Marshadow might jump out and challenge me to a deathmatch!
Ho-Oh hates those with impure hearts who claim its feathers!
"Mr. Brandon," Natsume said solemnly, "I saved you without expecting rewards."
"Evil must be vanquished by all. Wouldn't it be better to leave the Rainbow Wing for its destined bearer?"
Brandon hesitated.
His arrogance had nearly doomed him to the King's grasp—he no longer felt worthy of the Wing.
Neither Cynthia nor Brock seemed inclined to take it either.
His eyes shifted to Ash.
"I already have one," Ash said cheerfully before suddenly brightening. He took the Rainbow Wing from Brandon.
For a brief moment, the dormant feather glowed faintly before dimming again.
Even Ash couldn't reignite it?
Natsume paused, realizing:
This Rainbow Wing really is just a relic now.
"Natsume-sensei!" Ash waved the feather playfully. "See? No problems—no need to be so tense!"
He assumed Natsume-sensei was just being his usual cautious self.
"Here, Natsume-sensei! Rainbow Wings bring good luck!" Ash pressed the feather into Natsume's hands. "Pikachu and I escaped danger thanks to mine!"
"Pikachu!"
Natsume's face paled as he tried to let go—only to find Ash's grip ironclad.
The feather felt cool against his skin.
Its faint glow dimmed further, as if switching from "smart" to "power-saving" mode.
Natsume: ???
It brightens for Ash but dies for me?!
Fortunately... Natsume scanned the surroundings. No disasters struck.
The Rainbow Wing flickered weakly in his palm.
"It seems," Cynthia smiled, "the Rainbow Wing accepts you too."
"Told ya!" Ash grinned. "It's a lucky charm!"
That might be true, but...
Natsume stared at the feather like it was a live grenade.
Abruptly, the Rainbow Wing flickered irritably.
Panicking, Natsume channeled Aura of Ripple—a blue glow enveloped the feather, restoring its luster.
Seriously? This thing's a tsundere?!
Natsume's mood was... delicate.
At least Aura of Ripple is versatile.
Maybe I should test it on other targets...
Once the feather stabilized, Natsume cautiously tucked it away.
During the Indigo Plateau Conference, he'd obtained a Moltres tail feather—now worn by Arcanine to enhance its flames.
This new Rainbow Wing, though... he wasn't sure how to utilize it yet.
"Anyway," Natsume sighed inwardly,
As long as I pump it full of Aura daily, it shouldn't corrupt... right?
...
After bidding farewell to Brandon, the ancient ruins incident concluded.
Natsume-sensei had not only rescued the trio but also saved the day.
Gengar, after devouring millennia of the King's malice, wobbled unsteadily at the rear.
Natsume shot it a look. "Told you not to overeat."
"Gengar!" (Worth it!)
I got stronger—again!
The other prize was the dormant Rainbow Wing from the ruins.
Though "dormant," Ash could probably recharge it for revival purposes.
In a way...
Blastoise's cautious nature had thoroughly rubbed off on Natsume-sensei.
Cynthia walked beside Natsume, one arm cradling her elbow while her other hand rested thoughtfully against her chin. Her golden hair cascaded like sunlight.
Since my current research involves ancient languages...
Maybe I don't need Professor Rowan's help after all...
She turned to Natsume, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. A soft smile graced her porcelain features.
"I have a favor to ask of you!"
"Don't even think about making me your translator!"
"The pay is really good, you know~"
"Where do I start tomorrow?"
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