The full moon hung high.

Many witnesses in Twinleaf City were still stunned by what they had just seen.

The monstrous battleship erupted along its hull, bursting into flames as it plummeted;

then Mega Haunter’s gravity transformed into a blue light membrane to slow its fall, Darkrai ripped open a black hole and brazenly swallowed the entire battleship!

An office worker recounted the scene to his young daughter;

the drowsy little girl giggled and kicked her legs on the sofa.

“Daddy’s a trainer too?” her bright eyes asked.

“That’s right.” The office worker said proudly. “Dad’s a trainer!”

“You dreamed of being a trainer again.” His wife laughed softly.

“Yeah…”

The office worker recalled Darkrai turning to look back under the moonlight, its azure pupils shining.

Moonlight cast shadows at the bases of skyscrapers, and a black-haired young man, hands in his pockets and back straight, stood with his back to them, gazing into the distance.

He was the hero who saved all of Twinleaf City… the legendary Champion Trainer, Mr. Lu Ye.

The office worker smiled. “A dream you never want to wake from.”

The brown-trench-coated “Handsome Guy” detective had already returned to the police station.

How to handle the Team Plasma members, how to report the credits to the Metropolitan Police… these matters would fall to him.

The “Handsome Guy” was not one to crave false credit;

he sincerely rejoiced at Twinleaf City’s survival and was once more moved by the Metropolitan Police’s moral charisma.

“Holding up a collapsing building… truly Unova’s worthy hero,” the “Handsome Guy” murmured, stroking his chin.

Giovanni stood at the doorway of the departing Team Rocket battleship and had witnessed the entire event.

When the massive Plasma Destroyer was swallowed by the black hole,

even a villain like him could not help being moved;

the corner of his mouth lifted in appreciation.

Looking toward the escape pods, Giovanni mused:

“Acerola and Kyurem fled;

I don’t need to intervene—

Lu Ye won’t allow them to slip away under his nose;

he’ll handle it personally.”

Finish off the fleeing enemy while you can;

don’t indulge in hollow glory!

Landorus crossed his arms and said cautiously, “That Darkrai just now…”

Giovanni: “You cannot defeat it. If I command you, maybe there’s a fighting chance.”

Landorus’s face was solemn;

he wanted to argue but fell silent and changed the subject:

“What are the next steps?”

“Reorganize Unova’s operations.” Giovanni’s gaze hardened. “Take over Unova’s logistics business!”

Landorus: “…”

So the most dangerous thing in Unova wasn’t a villainous organization at all, but a logistics company…

Mission accepted.

Landorus essentially agreed to the terms Giovanni had set when he ascended to the Three Isle and hurried back to Three Isle.

By now, Landorus privately respected this Earth-type connoisseur.

Meanwhile, Rocket Delivery took over Unova’s logistics, and the Storm Plan was a huge success.

Giovanni decided to raise wages for his mentor and the Trio… mainly as a reward for the mentor.

Lu Ye had raised a Pupitar said to be skilled at extending sandstorm conditions.

Giovanni acquired from Landorus the legendary earth-infused resource called “Sandstone,” and presented Landorus with an offer he couldn’t refuse.

The Sandstone not only lengthened a sandstorm’s duration, it also boosted Pupitar’s Ground-type moves.

This was Giovanni—the son of the earth—picky and precise in his selections!

“Have those three idiots deliver it to the mentor,” Giovanni murmured.

He also planned to email Xiao Yin to share the good news.

“My dear son… no, that’s too mushy.”

Giovanni, brow furrowed, stood at the ship’s cold doorway practicing his email opening into the wind:

“It’s been a long time… would that sound distant, Xiao Yin… or just Yin? Yes, start with ‘Yin:’…”

**

Twinleaf City Hall.

Mayor Drayden expressed gratitude to Teacher Lu and the others.

“Mr. Lu Ye, I would like you to accept this item—it symbolizes the meeting of ideal and reality…”

Drayden removed the pendant from his chest, exhaled coldly beneath his white beard, and said in a low voice:

“The DNA Splicers!”

Alice’s eyes widened.

The DNA Splicers were a relic guarded by the Dragon’s Homeland for generations, capable of restraining the twin dragons;

legend said only a true hero would gain its approval.

Alice glanced at Teacher Lu and Drayden, nodded silently, her dark pupils shining.

“Go for it… Alice, you must grow into a champion like Teacher Lu and Miss Cynthia!” Alice resolved.

Ash scratched his head. “So that’s what Team Plasma was making all that fuss about—the thing they wanted to steal.”

“That’s right.”

Drayden nodded. “The DNA Splicers were intended to limit the fury of the dragons;

when linked to Kyurem, they can draw on a dragon’s power.”

“But.” A shadow passed through Drayden’s eyes. “I didn’t expect Team Plasma to actually awaken and control Kyurem…”

“Teacher Lu!”

Drayden lifted his gaze, eyes gleaming with hope. “Legend says only the hero who saved Unova could defeat Kyurem… therefore, I beseech you to accept this DNA Splicers and bring a brighter future to many!”

Lu Ye blinked, his expression subtly complex.

Why does this feel like an NPC issuing a quest?

‘It’s decided—it’s you, young one. Take the best sword in the village and go duel the Ice Dragon…’

Maybe I’ll have to face a fusion monster of Ice Dragon and Dark Dragon?!

I came to Unova… just to take a holiday with Mengmengda!

“Alright, I’ll accept it.”

Cynthia leaned in and, eyes gray, looked at the conical DNA Splicers as she explained:

“From what I know of Unova legends… the DNA Splicers balance the powers of Lightning, Fire, and even Ice;

it greatly enhances training for these three types.”

Lu Ye’s expression shifted;

he glanced at Cynthia’s gentle smile, his lips trembling slightly.

Bamboo Lan… even you!

Teacher Lu’s team already included an Ice-type—steady Turtwig—and Delibird, busy with deliveries, could be counted too.

As for Lightning and Fire, Arcanine’s Flare Blitz and Wild Charge could be enhanced;

Rotom could be charged, and the other little fellows had some Fire-type moves too.

Yet after just meeting the Renovation Team Leader’s Unova form, Teacher Lu still felt psychological scars.

Thinking of the little ones wrecking houses empowered by the DNA Splicers sent a chill down Lu Ye’s spine.

Still, Teacher Lu was used to messy houses.

As long as the Renovation Team Leader didn’t unlock a sixth form, it was bearable…

Drayden: “The DNA Splicers not only unite two into one, it can also split one into two.”

He looked toward the direction where Acerola’s escape pod had flown and said gravely:

“Please accept it. There’s another reason… I worry Team Plasma will rashly attempt to fuse Kyurem, leading to incalculable consequences.”

Lu Ye was slightly taken aback.

Oh no, this is bad… you planted a flag again!

I just met N not long ago—who knows whether that unlucky child plans to bring a salad to Kyurem somewhere!

Cynthia asked, “I understand Zekrom’s dark stone is buried in the Dragon Spiral Tower in Snowpoint City;

where is Reshiram’s light stone?”

“Since Team Plasma fled with Kyurem, they’ll surely look for the two sealing stones first, then try to control both dragons.”

Cynthia pressed her hand to her chin, frowning. “So finding the sealing stones should be the priority.”

Lu Ye looked at Cynthia.

As expected of a capable Mengmengda—her plot guesses were nearly spot on.

Drayden: “From what I know… the kingdom named Ein Doach has legends of the light stone. It’s not far from Lacunosa Town and Snowpoint City;

its high tower, the Sword of the Land, resembles the Dragon Spiral Tower that houses the dark stone, so I suspect the light stone is within the Sword of the Land.”

This plot… it all lines up!

The Sword of the Land is the tower where the theatrical version hid the light stone, while the Dragon Spiral Tower is the animation’s tower that hides the dark stone.

And the DNA Splicers before them—what the hell, that’s a key item straight out of the game!

Lu Ye looked up at the sky, feeling conflicted. “How many plots did this dungeon stitch together…?”

Unlike previous incidents,

the antagonist Acerola had actually escaped successfully.

If they didn’t deal with him, Teacher Lu would be unworthy of the title “Founder of Rainbow Rocket.”

Moreover… apart from him, it seemed Unova truly had no trainer who could handle a fused monster.

Ash at most could awaken one white dragon;

if Unova Champion Alder didn’t lag behind, they’d be lucky…

Lu Ye sighed and narrowed his eyes.

You messed with my holiday with Mengmengda—

Team Plasma will not be forgiven!!

When Lu Ye got serious… he was incredibly brave.

Lu Ye looked at the DNA Splicers in Drayden’s hand.

Who knows what this “fusion” magic card—scratch that—the DNA Splicers can do.

Since it was a precious relic guarded by the Dragon’s Homeland for generations, it must have some special quality.

After thanking Drayden, Lu Ye reached to take the DNA Splicers.

A tiny electric current danced along the conical surface and snapped Lu Ye’s fingers away.

Everyone present froze.

Lu Ye: “…Wasn’t it said that Unova’s hero can gain the DNA Splicers’ approval?”

Drayden: “Ahem, yes—the legend says so…”

Lu Ye looked at the DNA Splicers and got the gist.

So it turns out I’m not Unova’s hero.

Am I the villain after all?!

Lu Ye cleared his throat.

Thinking about it, given that Teacher Lu had once been rejected by the World Tree and the Rainbow Wing nearly turned dark…

It made sense the DNA Splicers might refuse him.

The solution was simple enough.

Lu Ye reached out, releasing a gentle blue glow in his palm and casually applied some Aura to the DNA Splicers.

In an instant, the DNA Splicers shimmered faintly and floated from Drayden’s hand.

Under everyone’s astonished gazes,

the DNA Splicers landed steadily in Lu Ye’s hand.

Drayden: (⊙ˍ⊙)

Cynthia: •́ω•̀)¿¿¿

Ash, Alice: ˚*̥(∗*⁰͈꒨⁰͈)*̥ Wow~

Teacher Lu: ︿(￣︶￣)︿

At the same moment,

the Rainbow Wing flickered as if alive, sensing the DNA Splicers’ fluctuation.

Rainbow Wing: “…”

Crap, a new rival has arrived!

…

With the DNA Splicers in hand, Lu Ye and company said their goodbyes to Drayden and returned to Cynthia’s mansion in Twinleaf City.

Patches of un-melted solid ice still dotted the city;

some buildings stood like ice sculptures.

Fortunately, Cynthia’s mansion was on the outskirts and escaped damage.

An unexpected incident took place during this time.

After spending the whole night in the frozen outdoors, Meloetta’s cheeks were flushed and she leaned weakly against Lu Ye’s shoulder, whispering, “Melo…”

“Looks like she has a cold.” Cynthia said.

“A cold?” Ash and Alice exclaimed.

Cynthia nodded lightly. “Even Pokémon can catch colds and fevers like humans… Meloetta’s constitution is relatively fragile, so falling ill is normal.”

Lu Ye recalled the original BW storyline.

Back then Meloetta caught a fever after escaping an attack by the Trio;

mythical Pokémon often had fragile constitutions.

“Melo…” Meloetta lay on a cushion with closed eyes, cheeks flushed and voice hoarse.

“Togepi~” Togepi ran around the room, fetching wet towels and helping care for Meloetta.

Glaceon produced crushed ice, and Cynthia gently placed small ice packs on Meloetta’s feverish forehead.

Sylveon used a ribbon to hand over a towel and received a gentle head rub from Cynthia’s smiling hand.

“Bu-bii~”

Sylveon carried herself with a big-sister air.

“At this hour, is it still worth going to the Pokémon Center?” Ash scratched his head.

“It’s fine. This can cure her—”

Lu Ye rolled up his sleeves. “Lu Ye, nicknamed ‘The Beloved Medic of Gynecology’ in the world—no, a miracle healer!”

Before arriving in Unova, he had just bought several packets of Full Heal Powder at Miare City’s herbal shop;

it worked wonders on colds and fevers.

Because the powder tasted bitter and could lower affection, Teacher Lu mixed it with other fruit powders to improve the taste without reducing efficacy.

After brewing and straining, Lu Ye carried the steaming medicinal soup and sat by Meloetta.

“You feed her?” Lu Ye asked Cynthia.

“You go. Meloetta has no guard against you.” Cynthia said.

Lu Ye nodded and scooped some of the medicine with a silver spoon, offering it to the frail, feverish Meloetta:

“Here, Meloetta, time for your medicine.”

“Melo~” Meloetta kept her eyes shut but opened her small mouth on instinct.

Her fever visibly subsided at once;

Ash and Alice both breathed out relieved sighs.

“You’re good at caring for Pokémon.” Cynthia said sincerely.

“I’m good at massages too…” Lu Ye replied casually.

Of course, Aura was potent—best used cautiously.

“Melo~” Meloetta drifted into a sweet sleep, lying on her side on the cushion with gentle, sea-like closed eyes.

Sylveon tugged lightly at Lu Ye’s arm with a ribbon: “Bu-bii!”

“You want some medicine too?”

Lu Ye shook his head. “No, you can’t take medicine without need.”

“Bu-bii…” Sylveon puffed her cheeks, resembling Ash’s Bayleef.

Lu Ye patted Sylveon’s ears. “You can sleep with me tonight… but don’t step on my chest!”

“Bu-bii~! o(´^｀)o” Sylveon raised her head in pride.

…

The next morning,

Teacher Lu was woken with a start by a nightmare of an Ultra Gigantamax Eevee crashing down from the sky.

Opening his eyes, he saw Sylveon leaping down lightly.

Since Meloetta had recovered, Teacher Lu planned to head to Ein Doach;

Cynthia would stay in Twinleaf City to care for Meloetta.

According to the plot, Lu Ye had a rough idea of where Kyurem and Acerola were located.

To keep Mengmengda out of danger, Lu Ye chose to act alone this time.

Cynthia and Alice would remain in Twinleaf City to handle any emerging threats.

“Go and come back soon.”

Cynthia trusted Lu Ye completely;

this was the man who once faced Arceus alone.

“Ash will come with me.” Lu Ye said.

“Ah, why?” Ash asked.

Lu Ye opened his mouth.

Low emotional IQ version: I want you at the front when we fight Kyurem.

Teacher Lu chose the higher-IQ line instead, serious:

“I want to see if you’re worthy of being the true hero of reality!”