Chapter 0830: The Invincible Victory Star（Three-in-One）

"Melo~"

Meloetta hovered just above the ground, her eyes bright as emeralds, her lips curving into a gentle, delicate smile, one black, note-shaped hand resting over her heart.

Petals drifted gently down beside her, and as Meloetta landed with a dancer’s grace, her teal hair rippled like waves, her aura elegant, flawless.

Even Caitlin found herself mesmerized by Meloetta’s poise, her eyes lingering in admiration.

Meanwhile, the commentator’s voice exploded with energy.

“Meloetta! Revered as the very embodiment of beauty and art—this is a Mythical Pokémon rarely seen anywhere in the world!”

The arena went wild. The audience was awestruck.

“Mythical Pokémon are just as rare as legendary Pokémon—they’re basically never seen on the battlefield!”

“I remember seeing Natsume-sensei’s Meloetta in a Super Pokémon Contest once, and it was absolutely stunning.”

“Man, Natsume-sensei’s a Top Coordinator as well as a Trainer!"

All eyes locked on Meloetta—some full of curiosity, some with open amazement, others with envy.

Natsume already traveling with a legendary Pokémon like Latias was impressive.

And now? He was sending in a Mythical Pokémon—Meloetta.

Sometimes, the gap between Trainers is even wider than the gap between people and Pokémon!

“I wish I could catch a Meloetta...” a certain Coordinator sighed.

“Keep dreaming,” their companion nudged, “looks like even the Goddess of Art has taste in her trainers!”

The Coordinator blinked, glancing at the big screen where the camera zoomed in on the determined black-haired young man.

You had to admit… Natsume and Meloetta made a picture-perfect pair...

“I remember this Meloetta,” Iris said with a grin. “I helped take care of her once.”

“She’s delicate, so she rarely appears on the battlefield.” Cynthia smiled softly. “But I can’t wait to see how Natsume and Meloetta perform today.”

On the battlefield, Meloetta seemed to be standing on a Contest stage, her eyes sparkling brightly.

“Meloetta~”

I really love the feeling of family here.

Natsume, Cynthia, Victini, Gengar…

I love them all, so I’ll win this fight, for everyone!

“Meloetta!” For once, Meloetta projected a rare, burning will to battle; her note-shaped hands formed a fighter’s pose, eyes full of resolve.

Natsume sensed it and, briefly surprised, broke into a small, warm smile, then focused in:

“Let’s do it, Meloetta—use Light Screen!”

Caitlin’s team was clearly built around Special Attacks; Light Screen would reduce a lot of their damage.

“Meloetta~”

The emerald gem on Meloetta’s forehead glowed as she extended both hands. A transparent Light Screen began to crystallize in front of her.

But Gothitelle moved with astonishing speed, flickering in right in front of Meloetta. Its eyes glowed blue, physically interrupting Meloetta’s move!

“Meloetta!” Meloetta stumbled back half a step, staring at Gothitelle’s glowing eyes in momentary fear.

The commentator’s voice cut in: “That’s Caitlin—the Elite Four’s signature silent command!”

Natsume glanced across at Caitlin. Her eyes, just like Gothitelle’s, glowed blue as her golden curls gently levitated, bathed in blue light.

Without ever issuing an audible command, Gothitelle had already made the first move!

What was that just now…?

Natsume pondered for a beat. Flickered up to Meloetta and even interrupted her Light Screen—chances were high it was a super-fast “Fake Out,” a standard move for almost every Gothitelle: disruptive in singles, supportive in doubles.

Soft golden motes shimmered around Natsume as, telepathically, he spoke:

『Don’t look into Gothitelle’s eyes, Meloetta.』

“Use, High Note!”

Meloetta had a natural affinity with sound-based moves—from High Note to Sing, she could pull off amazing results.

Now, Meloetta closed her eyes and raised a hand to her cheek, summoning her voice. The purest, clearest note shot out in all directions, pure soundwaves echoing!

“Meloetta!!”

Viewers stared in shock—who’d have thought something so powerful could come from that delicate body? Across the field, Gothitelle grimaced in pain, the blue glow of its eyes flickering out!

BAM!

A final, deep note struck Gothitelle’s black dress like a battering ram.

But within the dust cloud, a strange Space Pulse began to spread!

Caitlin’s expression was composed and, for the first time in this fight, she spoke aloud—reaching out a hand:

“Trick Room.”

As the dust cleared, Gothitelle was revealed again. Her body was battered, but her eyes glowed a cool, unwavering blue as she raised both hands, erecting a Trick Room field that enveloped the entire arena!

VMMMM—

A deep purple dimensional field blanketed the arena. The Space Pulse trembled at its edges, but this massive Trick Room spoke to Gothitelle’s phenomenal inner focus!

“In the nick of time, Gothitelle pulled off Trick Room!”

The commentator chimed in, “A Trick Room alters the flow of air inside the battlefield—speedy Pokémon are weighted down, while slower ones move faster!”

“Natsume-sensei’s first-move advantage is gone in a flash!”

The oppressive purple field stifled the scene, the audience holding their collective breath.

Meloetta gazed up at the purple haze, nerves flashing across her small face. “Meloetta…”

『Watch Gothitelle’s eyes.』 Natsume’s voice cut through. 『When her eyes start to glow, close yours—immediately!』

“Meloetta!” Meloetta nodded, eyes burning with determination.

Caitlin kept her sleepy facade, blue energy shivering around her as she silently willed:

『Use Hypnosis.』

Gothitelle flashed close to Meloetta again, both eyes glowing with a chilling blue, as a wave of terrifying psychic energy crashed down.

Most Trainers would be fooled right there—thinking this was “Psychic,” when in fact Hypnosis would land perfectly.

“Now!!”

Natsume barked, “Meloetta, Perish Song!!”

Everyone—audience, commentator, even Caitlin and Meloetta—were startled by his sudden move.

Caitlin flinched, her focus briefly shaken, her eyes narrowing.

A snarl… Was that really part of his strategy, too?

At that very instant, beams of hypnotic energy shot from Gothitelle’s eyes.

“Meloetta!”

Meloetta shut her own eyes just in time, spinning aside to dodge the move!

Viewers could hardly believe it.

“Whoa, she dodged it!”

“Trying Hypnosis on Natsume-sensei? Amateur mistake!”

“Thank goodness… If that Hypnosis landed, it’d have been game over for Natsume-sensei!”

Meloetta curved away like a dancer, body light and graceful, singing her beautiful Perish Song with closed eyes:

“Meloetta~”

Perish Song saps an opponent’s will to fight. If a Pokémon loses all desire for battle, it means defeat.

Ash’s Charizard, back in the day, didn’t lose to opponents by power—it lost because it threw in the towel.

Of course, Perish Song runs two ways.

Meloetta’s voice soothed the soul, making even battle-hardened hearts forget their fighting instinct.

Gengar’s… did, too. (Just with a different flavor.)

A chorus of golden bubbles floated across the field, like a goddess had spilled a handful of golden apples.

Meloetta’s battle style was Coordination at its most fabulously artistic.

The sound of Perish Song brushed Caitlin and Gothitelle, and for one instant their focus slipped.

Suddenly, Caitlin was struck by a wave of danger.

If this kept up, Gothitelle would lose all will to fight!

“Return.” Caitlin recalled Gothitelle.

Gothitelle’s blue eyes flared one last time, and with a subtle psychic beam into the purple field, she vanished into red light and was drawn back to her Poké Ball.

“Go.” Caitlin tossed out her Poké Ball, “Musharna.”

Musharna emerged in a drift of red light; pink and plump, eyes closed, her body curled up as pink mist seeped from her head.

The commentator jumped in: “Musharna, a Unova-native Psychic-type, famous for its ability to devour dreams—commonly called the ‘half-dream, half-wake Pokémon’!”

“Musharna—” Caitlin said coolly, “Psychic!”

Her golden hair floated upward in the psychic field, blue power flooding into Musharna, boosting her mental acuity.

A fearsome blue psychic net surged over the field, pinning down Meloetta before erupting in a psychic blast!

BOOM!!

“Meloetta!” Meloetta squealed and was sent flying from a blast of dark smoke, tumbling as she hit the ground.

The audience winced. Even Iris frowned and looked up. “Champion Cynthia…?”

“It’s okay.” Cynthia’s voice was reassuring. “Meloetta is a Mythical Pokémon.”

Meloetta, shaking, slowly rose to her feet.

Natsume frowned slightly and stared up at the sky-camera Rotom.

Referee, did you see that? She’s totally cheating!

When the Rotom showed zero reaction, Natsume grumbled to himself.

Special abilities, huh… Not like I don’t have those, too!

A blue aura surrounded him, whipping his clothes in a sudden wind as healing light streamed into Meloetta, restoring her HP.

Viewers’ eyes popped wide.

On each side of the field, the Trainers reflected each other.

Caitlin’s golden hair floated skyward in a blue psychic field but without a breeze; Natsume was wreathed in the same blue light, his coat flapping in the aura!

The official livestream showed both perspectives face-off, and the chat blew up.

“This is getting way too anime!”

“Hey, Trainers buffing Pokémon on-field is totally fair, right?”

“Hinting Ryo’s trash, huh? Gonna report you.”

“Ryo: You have NO IDEA what I’m going through!!”

Seeing that Meloetta was still ready for more, Natsume gave a sharp command:

“Light Screen!”

This time, an emerald-clear Light Screen formed successfully. Meloetta stood behind it, relaxing a bit in relief.

Caitlin frowned. Softly, she spoke: “Psyshock.”

The swirling pink mist around Musharna’s forehead shaped into two sharp psychic blades, which whistled through the air and ripped straight through the Light Screen, slicing across Meloetta’s body!

At the same moment, the Future Sight Gothitelle had laid earlier crashed onto Light Screen with a cataclysmic blast!

BOOM!!

“That’s… the attack from Future Sight!”

The commentator was beside himself: “It landed! Caitlin’s Elite Four Future Sight detonated right as Light Screen went up!”

The chat erupted.

“Oh man, was that all part of Natsume-sensei’s plan?”

“Natsume-sensei: Honestly, I just wanted to get a screen up…”

Cynthia’s eyes glinted.

That was close… If it hadn’t been for Light Screen, Future Sight might have KO’d Meloetta on the spot.

Psyshock ignored Light Screen’s defense, but from now on Natsume would definitely tighten up his tactics.

As the smoke cleared, Meloetta’s form reappeared: banged up all over, face smeared with ash, but her focus sharp as ever.

After so much traveling together…

Meloetta, who’d always been frail and prone to colds, was growing more and more resilient each day.

“Meloetta~!” Meloetta’s gaze was unwavering.

I can do more than just Pokémon Contests. I can fight, too!

Natsume gave the order: “Meloetta, Sing!”

Sing can put the opponent to sleep, though its accuracy is not the best.

But as the incarnation of song, Meloetta’s singing not only matched Jigglypuff, it might even surpass her!

“Meloetta~~”

Her voice rang out, ethereal, within the purple Trick Room field.

Musharna, half-dream and half-awake, grew sleepier and sleepier, her body slumping from levitation to rest on the floor.

A flash of surprise crossed Caitlin’s eyes—

With all my and Musharna’s focus, even we can’t resist Meloetta’s song…?

When her song ended, Meloetta glanced at her sleeping opponent, feeling a sense of accomplishment, before flashing Natsume a radiant smile: “Meloetta!”

“Good.” Natsume smiled and nodded. “Trick Room’ll end soon… you’ve done great.”

Caitlin’s face fell a shade.

Once Trick Room’s over… my team can hardly deal with Natsume’s speed lineup…

She looked at the sleeping Musharna and took out a Poké Ball.

But Natsume was faster, withdrawing his exhausted Meloetta into her Love Ball first.

The commentator exclaimed, “Natsume-sensei has recalled Meloetta! With both Light Screen up and Trick Room almost over, he’s choosing his second Pokémon!”

Suddenly, the commentator’s eyes went wide: “He—he just pulled out a Cherish Ball!”

The cost of a Cherish Ball was even higher than a Master Ball. They say a wealthy collector once bought Liberty Island itself just to catch Victini in a Cherish Ball.

“I Choose You!”

Natsume hurled the Cherish Ball skyward, and a radiant red light burst forth—revealing a cute little Pokémon with a v-shaped marking on its head.

“Victini!!”

Victini bared its little fangs, blue eyes gleaming, the v-mark on its forehead pulsing with radiant light as it threw up a victory V for the camera:

“Victini!”

“This is—the second Mythical Pokémon to make an appearance in this year’s World Championship: the embodiment of victory itself, Victini!” shouted the commentator.

Instant chaos—the viewers erupted.

“A Mythical Pokémon wasn’t enough, now he’s fielding a second one?!”

“The Goddess of Art and the Victory Star, both shining down—Natsume-sensei, how is anyone supposed to compete?!”

“Damn, he brought two Mythicals and a Legendary to the World Tournament…”

“Is he taking rookies to the Baby Cup or what?!”

In the fiery surge of victory, Trick Room’s purple field finally peeled away, gravity returning to normal.

Victini floated up easily, levitating spiritedly above the field, her cry delighted: “Victini~”

The invincible Victory Star was burning bright over Natsume today!

“...Let’s do this.” Caitlin’s knuckles whitened around her Poké Ball. “Go, Gallade!”

Gallade entered—white and green, faithful as a knight, arms bladed, Evolutionary stone shining on his chest, gaze steady and fierce.

Natsume swept his hand out and called, “Victini,Searing Shot!”

Searing Shot was Victini’s signature move—the never-dying flame of victory, with a strong chance to burn the opponent.

As the pulse of victory radiated out from Natsume into Victini, the lVictini burst into golden fire!

“Victini!!”

Victini curled up, golden Searing Shot raging around her. With a blast, the burning Fireball roared down at Gallade, a spiraling comet set ablaze!

Dazzling light filled the arena; viewers gulped, awestruck by the Mythical’s signature move.

“Detect!”

Caitlin snapped the command, gripping her Key Stone pendant at her chest:

“Gallade, Mega Evolve!!”

Gallade stared up at the diving fireball, eyes locked, raising his bladed arms, his body suddenly shining brilliant white.

BOOM!!

The Searing Shot exploded skyward, flames roaring as Gallade was engulfed.

Then, a flash of white sliced through the inferno—two shining blades cut the fire apart.

The air warped with heat.

Mega Gallade emerged, green cape fluttering, swords dragging across the ground, chilling eyes locked forward as he strode from the fire.

“Caitlin's Elite Four chose Mega Evolution!” The commentator boomed.

Now, on both sides of the field, Caitlin and Natsume blazed—her aura blue, his golden.

Caitlin infused all her focus into Gallade, ordering,

“Gallade, Psycho Cut!”

Mega Gallade’s blade-arms lit up pink, stretching, sharpening into two massive swords.

He leapt, slashing at Victini with both blades!

“Victini!” Victini grinned, eyes burning with fighting spirit.

In Victory Star’s dictionary, defeat simply doesn’t exist!

“Victini.” Natsume called, “Flare Blitz!”

“Victini!!”

A flaming orange aura exploded from Victini. She blazed forward like a fireball, ramming Gallade head-on!

BANG!!

A fiery shockwave echoed over the arena, shaking the whole stadium.

Out of the rising smoke, two figures fell toward the ground.

“Gallade!”

Mega Gallade did a midair flip, blue cape billowing, both blades catching him as he landed and dragged long burning grooves through the field.

“Victini!”

Victini shook her head, but kept floating, eyes still blazing.

Usually, it’s me helping everyone as backup… but if I can win for Natsume, that’s even better!

Caitlin glanced at the barely-visible Light Screen flickering on the field and said evenly:

“Gallade, Close Combat.”

Shing—

Mega Gallade’s eyes sharpened. His cape billowed as he spread his blade arms wide, charging straight at Victini!

Victini’s V-shaped forehead mark gathered golden energy. it glanced back at Natsume and called out, “Victini!”

“I’m ready.”

Natsume nodded seriously. “Victini—”

“V-Create!!”

In the game, V-Create only has 95% accuracy, but under Victini’s Victory Star Ability, it’s a perfect hit every time.

This means only the true Victory Star can bring out V-Create’s full power!

“Victini!” Victini’s V-sign blazed with roaring flames as golden-orange fire wrapped around her body.

In the next instant—

Victini rocketed forward, cloaked in golden flames from her V-mark, charging recklessly at Gallade with a thunderous blast!

Gallade raised his blades, pupils shrinking.

But Victini, surrounded by the blazing V-Create, tore through Gallade’s defenses with ease, like a golden meteor crashing skyward, slamming Gallade aside on impact!

BOOOOM!!

As the smoke rolled, Victini hovered in the air above, golden embers slowly fading from her body. She cast a glance back at her Trainer.

Natsume gave a small smile and flashed her a peace sign.

Victini’s baby-blue eyes lit up; she giggled, then returned the shiny peace sign herself. “Victini!”

A massive crater split the field, riddled with cracks. Gallade dropped from his mega form, eyes spinning in dizzy circles.

The arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted in wild applause!

Caitlin stared at Victini for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.

Among all legendary Pokémon, a Trainer blessed by Victini will never taste defeat.

Maybe… that’s why I can never win against him...

Her remaining Gothitelle was in the red, Musharna still sound asleep.

Natsume recalled the battered, ashen Victini and tossed out a Premier Ball:

“Go, Sirfetch’d!”

Gotta say—apart from Victini, Meloetta, Latias, and the rest of my baby team...

Sirfetch’d really is the underdog of the squad.

“Sirfetch’d! ( -'`-)” Sirfetch’d landed on the field, feathers pristine white, bushy brows furrowed, his gaze sharp.

Against my friends, I play nice. Against others—I hit hard!

He made quick work of Caitlin’s last two Pokémon. Sirfetch’d stared at the KO’ed Musharna, blinking in confusion.

Weird duck… I swear I’ve seen a Pokémon just like that somewhere before...

Caitlin seemed to notice and gave Sirfetch’d a thoughtful glance.

“Was it Imprisoned?” Caitlin muttered. “Just like the move Musharna’s mastered…”

“And we have our winner!!”

The commentator shouted, “It’s Natsume!”

As the cheers and applause roared around them, Natsume and Caitlin walked to the center of the arena for the customary handshake.

Under her white hat, looking sleepy as ever, Caitlin glanced up at the tall Natsume-sensei before quickly dropping her gaze as she awkwardly extended her hand:

“Congrats, um…”

“Thanks, same to you!” Natsume grinned. “You’re totally coming to be the maid of honor at me and Cynthia’s wedding!”

Caitlin: “…”

Guess I… lost.

After this ranking match, Natsume’s ranking soared.

From 57th place all the way up to 27th.

At this rate, just one or two more wins would get him into the advancement battle for the season’s elimination rounds.

Meanwhile, on the official World Championship forums, as soon as Natsume-sensei’s battle video dropped, the whole net went wild again.

“He brought out two Mythical Pokémon, both in rare balls? Is that even legal?!”

“Natsume-sensei said, ‘They hopped in on their own. What can I do?’”

“The good news is, Natsume-sensei brought his baby team. The bad news is, the ‘rookies’ are Meloetta and Victini.”

“Caitlin's down!!”