'Danger, eliminate?'
Natsuhiko held his forehead.
"Alakazam."
Alakazam quickly used its psychic powers, wrapping the four Genesects, distorting the spatial view to avoid unnecessary panic.
At the same time, Natsuhiko communicated via telepathy:
"This is not dangerous, I'll call you when needed. For now, take this and share it up there."
He said, handing them four servings of macarons.
Although the Genesects didn't quite understand the current situation, they obediently followed Natsuhiko's orders after hearing his words.
Carrying the four servings of macarons, they once again flew skyward.
Though Genesect are also phantom beasts, they can't become invisible like other phantom beasts.
Perhaps because of Colress's modifications, they gained immense destructive power but lost some basic abilities inherent to phantom beasts.
However, the flaws don't overshadow their strengths, as their nature determines their outstanding power.
"That was just now..."
Sheba froze mid-action as he stuffed an "Angry Steamed Bun" into his mouth.
Even with his seasoned knowledge from traveling constantly, he couldn't recognize these Genesect.
"Uh... It's a long story, but anyway, Mr. Sheba, they mean no harm, don't take it to heart..." Natsuhiko explained.
Only to see the battle desire in Sheba's eyes grow stronger.
"They seem pretty formidable. Natsuhiko, are they your Pokémon? How about a battle?"
Natsuhiko: "..."
He looked at Lance again.
Lance shrugged his shoulders.
Sheba is just like this.
Otherwise, who else would tolerate Lance, this "battle fanatic" who challenges at the drop of a hat?
Only someone like Sheba, also a "battle fanatic", would "share a common bond" with him.
"Next time, next time."
Natsuhiko chuckled awkwardly twice.
It's not that he doubts Sheba's capabilities.
Judging by his age, even if he's not at an Elite Four level yet, he's probably slightly stronger than Natsuhiko and Lance.
Oh, though maybe not compared to Lance.
As everyone knows, Flying Type counters Fighting Type thoroughly, whether in terms of attributes or battle space.
However, Natsuhiko heard that Sheba recently passed the Kanto Alliance's "Reserve Exam", which caused quite a stir and earned him the title of the youngest Elite Four reserve.
Similar to the position Tom Rokicki held in the alliance before his defection.
But it shouldn't be long before Lance and Kona will surpass him.
The Kanto Region's Elite Four faces the most competitive pressure among all regions, so Sheba might need more time to become one of them.
Upon hearing this, Sheba immediately displayed a look of disappointment.
But soon he was back to battling with the "Angry Steamed Bun".
"By the way, why are you in the Unova Region, Sheba?" Lance helped redirect the conversation for Natsuhiko.
"I came once before. I heard Aindoak is hosting a 'Winter Festival', so I came. Now the 'Angry Steamed Bun' is very cheap, eat all you want." Sheba said matter-of-factly.
Sheba likes "Angry Steamed Bun".
Not only because it tastes quite good among buns.
Also because he trains with Pokémon year-round, which consumes a lot of physical strength, ordinary food simply can't meet his needs.
Only something like "Angry Steamed Bun", which is cheap, convenient, and filling, is suitable for him.
"Also, Aindoak's 'Winter Festival' hosts the 'Winter Celebration', where all trainers who come to Aindoak can participate in battles. Rewards are distributed based on rankings. It's said the Champion even has the chance to step onto the 'Earth Sword' and receive the highest hero honor conferred by the 'Earth People' a thousand years ago." Sheba continued.
"The 'Winter Celebration'? Battles?" Lance's eyes lit up instantly.
"Look, I've already signed up, the 'Winter Celebration' starts tomorrow."
Sheba said, taking out a small wooden talisman.
On it was carved the kingdom flag the "Earth People" once prided themselves on, but now it's just a nostalgic item in the "Winter Celebration."
"Natsuhiko..." Lance looked at Natsuhiko.
Winter Celebration...
Natsuhiko fell into thought.
Is this the plot of the movie "Victini and the Black and White Heroes"?
The final winner can step onto the "Earth Sword" and attempt to contact Reshiram or Zekrom?
Thinking of this movie, Natsuhiko couldn't help but want to complain.
Isn't this just OLM's moneymaking scheme?
They say there are two films, but it's just swapping Reshiram and Zekrom's identities in the plot to make two movies.
Currently, Zekrom's "Dark Stone" is in his backpack, so it's uncertain whether Reshiram's "Light Stone" is beneath the "Earth Sword" or in the Dragon Spiral Tower.
"Natsuhiko?" Lance waved a hand in front of him.
"Hmm?"
"Are you participating?"
"I..." Natsuhiko opened his mouth.
He felt like Lance might have a real chance to become a hero?
With his "Dragon Power" and personality, maybe he truly could earn Reshiram's recognition.
Then Lance riding Reshiram goes to thwart the Plasma Team's plan?
Flying-type Elite becomes Dragon-type Hero.
Rescue Twin Dragons City?
This script works.
Just as Natsuhiko was about to say he needed to write a thesis, he heard Sheba continue:
"I heard the prizes for the top three are excellent.
They say there are dragon scales shed by Reshiram and Zekrom, an 'Earth Stone' rich in Ground-type energy treasured by the 'Earth People', a 'Philosopher's Stone' left behind by a powerful psychic king of the 'Earth People' once upon a time, and..."
Sheba counted on his fingers.
A nation with a legacy spanning a millennium, its depths are not to be underestimated.
Natsuhiko's excuse got stuck in his throat, half a word out before being defeated by the "cruel" reality.
"I... participate!"
No choice.
The "Winter Celebration" organizers, they offer far too much.
So much that every line from Sheba made Natsuhiko's heart skip a beat.
Just the three things he mentioned made Natsuhiko green with envy.
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PS: 6.6k, packed with sincerity~~ Asking for monthly votes! Many thanks to murmured memories for another alliance leader reward, I'll calculate in a few days how many chapters are still owed~~ I'm on my knees!!