Chapter 0829: Living Is All for Cynthia(Two-in-One)

May 5th, Thursday—The Start of Summer.

Driftveil City’s harbor glimmered a deep blue, strong winds blowing as fishing boats stretched their white sails taut to the sky.

Driftveil City, in the Unova Region, sits close to the Mediterranean. The southwesterly sea winds blow here year-round, making the city famous for its passion for sailing.

A grand, red drawbridge spanned the bay, its metallic structure gleaming beneath the sunlight. Overhead, a Braviary soared across the sky, its shadow gliding over the bridge.

Natsume stood at the port’s passenger landing, drawing back his gaze:

“That’s the Driftveil Drawbridge—also called Charizard Bridge. It’s the pride of Driftveil City.”

The ship pulled away from port, its long horn echoing across the water. Cynthia tucked her wind-tossed golden hair behind one ear and looked up:

“I’ve visited here before. I remember that bridge… It’s truly magnificent.”

“When was that?”

“There was a World Tournament here one year.” Cynthia smiled. “Lance took the championship that time.”

The World Tournament, as seen in Black and White 2, was first started by Driftveil’s own Leader Clay, to help boost the city’s economy. Eventually, trainers from all over recognized what it offered.

That meant Driftveil City was the original birthplace of the World Tournament—and still one of its main venues to this day.

Since Lance won that year, that meant Cynthia had lost.

Natsume glanced at Cynthia—her profile was striking and noble. She must’ve sensed his gaze and offered a wry smile.

“I can’t win every time. Losing is just part of life.”

“I don’t want to see that look of disappointment on your face,” Natsume said. “So for this year’s World Tournament, I’m not losing, not a single round.”

A tiny smirk played at Cynthia’s lips. Her slender hand rested at her waist, its black velvet cuff swaying, while her gray eyes shone deep and mysterious:

“What if your opponent is me?”

“Well, then it all depends on how Gengar’s doing.”

Natsume looked at the chubby purple ghost waddling along ahead of them.

Gengar heard them talking, both ears perking straight up before suddenly stumbling, clutching its chest as it kneeled dramatically to the ground:

“Gengar… (。>д<)”

“See? In that condition, there’s no way we’d win,” Natsume deadpanned.

Cynthia softly laughed, resting her hand beneath her chin and glancing over her shoulder at the towering Garchomp behind her.

“Garchomp! (〝▼皿▼)” Garchomp spread both bladed arms, glaring right at Natsume.

I don’t do mercy in battles… Unless he gives me those Yache Berry blocks!

Yache Berries, renowned for resisting Ice-type attacks, were Cynthia’s Garchomp’s favorite snack.

“Caitlin will be meeting us here,” Cynthia said. “Let’s wait a while.”

“Might as well see some sights nearby while we wait.”

Since they’d arrived at Driftveil Port, there was no way they’d skip the famous lighthouse.

Natsume and Cynthia leaned against a stone railing. The dark-haired young man lounged, arms draped over the rail, his posture relaxed. The golden-haired beauty stood straight and graceful, hand extended up toward the Wingull overhead.

A strong sea breeze whipped their faces and cerulean skies stretched overhead, punctuated now and then by the sound of the ship’s horn and the cries of Wingull.

“Why aren’t they coming over?” Cynthia pondered.

“Because Garchomp scared them off.”

“But Garchomp doesn’t have Intimidate as an Ability.” Cynthia pointed out sincerely.

“Then what does it have?” Natsume asked with genuine interest.

“Rough Skin.” Cynthia lowered her gaze; her gray eyes sparkled.

“It sure is rough,” Natsume grinned.

“Hm?” Cynthia smiled, dangerous intent barely hidden.

“Unless you let me touch for myself. Maybe that dewdrop scale—”

Cynthia shoved his face away. “Scoot.”

“Where to?” Natsume caught her slender hand—still pressed against his cheek.

She stopped pushing and instead let her touch linger, meeting his gaze with a hint of seriousness:

“Go buy some fries.”

“Huh?”

“That’s how you’ll lure the Wingull over.” Cynthia’s lips formed a soft smile.

“Oh…” Natsume scratched his head, and went to grab two huge bags of fries from a dockside stall.

In an instant, the Wingull above cawed in delight, flocking together as they circled over Natsume and Cynthia.

All right, everyone, the buffet is open!

“Garchomp…” Garchomp’s crimson gaze flashed.

Get in line, or else…

Wingull: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

Forget the buffet—I think we’re about to be the buffet!

Tourists gazing from afar quickly spotted this unusual sight.

The Wingull, surprisingly well-mannered, lined up in a row, each calmly snatching a fry from the hand of the golden-haired woman before flapping away in joy.

Natsume looked skyward, saying:

“This reminds me of an old joke.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“One Wingull asks, ‘Where do we go from here?’ Another answers, ‘Let’s go to the dock for some fries.’ The first one asks again, ‘I mean, what’s the meaning of our existence—what’s it all for?’ The second just says, ‘To get fries at the dock.’”

“Mmm…”

Cynthia was silent for a moment, then pressed her lips together and smiled. “I don’t get it, but the look on your face was pretty funny.”

The sea wind was gentle, the horn sounded long and low.

Natsume, looking a little defeated, rested his arms on the railing and stared at the bridge.

The fries were long gone, and the flock of Wingull had already dispersed.

Cynthia’s gray eyes were deep as she hugged her arms and looked toward the lighthouse.

The silence stretched, not awkward but comfortable. Eventually—

“So,” she mused quietly, “what do you think we’re here for? Our existence… what’s it all about?”

“For Cynthia.”

“Huh?” Cynthia was startled.

Natsume’s black hair whipped in the breeze. He straightened his back, eyes glittering with the surety of someone who’d figured out the universe, and declared with certainty:

“To live—is to live for Cynthia.”

Cynthia’s eyes widened, lips softly parted, her arm hugging her waist as a tiny, mischievous smile spread:

“Come here.”

“Wait, promise you won’t smack me—mmmm—”

Natsume was immediately swept into a warm, undulating embrace.

A surge of body heat, gentle breaths, and the subtle fragrance of orchids.

Waves crashed, the sea air was thick and damp, and Natsume could see the red bridge, the lighthouse’s spinning beam, and clumps of tourists stopping to stare.

From Cynthia’s perspective…

She noticed Caitlin.

“Huh?” Cynthia’s face flashed with surprise.

On the dock, a girl with a white cap and dress, golden curls trailing to the floor, and a drowsy look on her face was glancing around.

She’d come at Cynthia’s request, to greet the Champion from afar.

Even though she was prepping for a showdown with Natsume-sensei, Cynthia had invited her—and Caitlin was secretly a little excited.

First encounter—a win for me!

Caitlin felt buoyant—until her gaze locked on the pair hugging in the distance.

Her eyes met Cynthia’s uncertain stare.

The “golden retriever” froze on the spot.

It was obvious—they’d seen each other.

Caitlin’s lips quivered; her eyes grew warm and misty.

I was here first: for a battle with Cynthia, for ice cream with Cynthia...

Can’t win. I can’t beat this. I really tried!

……

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Driftveil City Arena for today’s World Tournament Ultra Ball tier match!”

The Driftveil City Arena was packed on every side, the commentator’s shouts ringing out and the cheers nearly shaking the stands:

“Let’s go, Natsume-sensei!!”

“Caitlin won’t lose!!”

Human joy and pain never truly connect.

Sitting in the humming locker room, Caitlin just found them all too loud.

“Huff…” Caitlin exhaled, pulled herself together, and fixed her gaze with resolve.

As a Psychic-type Elite Four, when the time to battle comes, she gives it everything she’s got.

Today, her inner focus was sharper than ever. Her strength bristled at a new peak.

Caitlin’s eyes burned bright as she whispered:

“This is my battle!”

Up in the VIP stands, Cynthia rested her chin on her hand and frowned slightly.

“Champion Cynthia.” A purple-haired girl looked up. “You’re really worried about Natsume-sensei, aren’t you?”

“I’m worried about Caitlin.” Cynthia replied. “Her mental state gets unstable easily.”

“But… Grandpa Alder said she’s been a lot better since making the Elite Four, right?” Iris cocked her head.

“Yeah… but today might be different.”

Cynthia closed her eyes, let out a slow breath, and then her gray eyes glinted as she answered quietly but seriously:

“Whatever happens, Iris, there’s a lot you can learn from this battle.”

“Mm!” Iris nodded, eyes sparkling. “I’ll be sure to study Natsume-sensei’s strategy!”

Inside the contestant prep room—

Natsume looked genuinely puzzled, recalling the sad longing in Caitlin’s eyes at the arena.

“So weird… The match hasn’t even started and she’s about to cry?”

Being a lifelong Eriri supporter, Natsume had a real soft spot for golden retrievers.

“Let’s go with Victini and Meloetta for this one.”

He thought to himself: “Unova is their home afterward, and Caitlin will appreciate a real challenge.”

Zoom!

Victini zipped around the prep room, the V-shape glowing on her forehead. She focused with fierce energy, shadowboxing against the air: “Victini!”

Victory belongs to—Victini!

Meloetta placed a hand on her chest and cocked her head, curiously eyeing Gengar: “Meloetta?”

“Gengar!” Gengar, all business, whipped a microphone out of its pocket dimension.

Just in case, one more run-through of Perish Song’s vocals before battle…

Natsume’s face changed, and he called, “Togepi, use Follow Me!”

“Togepi doo-ee~ ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ”

Togepi tossed aside her handheld console and began prancing all around the locker room.

“Gengar! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ”

Gengar freaked out and hurried after Togepi.

Slow down! If you smack a support, you’ll take down the whole wall!

Outside, the arena erupted again.

“Now presenting our Ultra Ball tier contestants—please take the stage!”

Natsume got the signal, stood up, attached his Poké Balls to his belt, and said,

“Let’s go. I’ll try silent command this time—everyone, get ready!”

So-called “silent command” uses Psychic, The Power of One, or similar special abilities to give orders without having to speak.

Silent command means not revealing your tactical ideas. It’s super effective for real battles.

Sabrina, Caitlin, and others had all mastered this technique. Natsume-sensei could tap into “The Power of One,” and most top Trainers had their own variation of Pokémon contest command.

But not Ryo Champion… since he didn’t have any special abilities.

He strode down the dark tunnel toward the sunlit arena, the roar of the crowd growing ever fiercer, ever more real.

“Look, it’s the hero who saved Opelucid City!”

“I saw the news! That’s the Trainer who destroyed Team Plasma’s plot—Natsume-sensei!”

Natsume left plenty of champion stories in Unova.

At the Sword of the Vale castle, he met Victini and earned Reshiram’s recognition, becoming the “Hero of Truth.”

Now, the legendary hero strode out on the Unova stage once again.

The stands cheered like a storm, applause thundering.

Iris felt like she was in a surging sea, staring at Natsume’s back, and softly said, “Champion Cynthia…”

“Hm?” Cynthia looked down.

“I want…” Iris’s eyes shone, “to be a Champion admired just like you and Natsume-sensei!”

“I believe in you.” Cynthia ruffled Iris’s hair with a warm smile. “You already are—the youngest Unova Champion in history.”

The crowd roared again.

“Caitlin is here!”

“Go, Miss Caitlin!”

As Unova’s Psychic Elite Four, Caitlin’s cool, collected style and adorable looks got her a lot of fans.

Her psychic abilities boosted her whole team, and her ace Pokémon was nearly at Champion level.

Now she stepped from the tunnel, surrounded by flickering blue light, golden curls drifting around her feet, floating lightly under the influence of Confusion.

People called Caitlin a “human Psychic-type Pokémon”—her pressure filled the entire arena.

Natsume could feel the intensity of Caitlin’s intent.

“That’s some strong grudge energy,” he thought to himself.

Wasn’t she the one who brought me and Cynthia here to the arena? I didn’t even provoke her on the way...

But with World Championship rankings on the line, Natsume-sensei cleared his mind and focused.

Today’s format: 3v3 with switch-outs allowed. Just like the last match, you could pick one: Z-Move, Mega Evolution, or Dynamax.

But since there’s no “energy spot” in Driftveil City, Dynamax was off the table. So only Z-Move or Mega.

Natsume mused—maybe that’s why Leon wasn’t in the Driftveil tourney...

The drone Rotom floated to the center of the arena, buzzing electronically:

“Contestants, take your places!”

On the big screen, both Trainers’ photos flashed, their three Poké Balls lighting up.

“Let the battle begin, Rotom!”

Caitlin’s Poké Ball levitated, surrounded by blue Confusion, as she called:

“I choose you, Gothitelle.”

Gothitelle—players nicknamed her “Auntie”—was a classic space-controller, usually packing Shadow Tag to block switches.

That’s a big roadblock for a swap-heavy player like Natsume.

At the same moment, Natsume’s Love Ball arced into the sky and burst with gorgeous effects.

This is why so many Coordinators chase Apricorn Balls—their entrance visuals are just leagues above standard Poké Balls!

“Let the battle begin, Meloetta!”

Petals floated down as Meloetta made her showy appearance, stealing the spotlight!