Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Hoenn, Verdanturf Town.

A gentle breeze swept through the dense greenery.

The refreshing air made this town famous throughout Hoenn as a recuperation haven.

Inside a modest house, a frail green-haired young man lay on his bed, tormented by illness. Even in his sleep, bronchitis plagued him, forcing him into fits of rough coughing.

Outside the room, a woman fretted. "Is it really alright for Wally to go to Kanto alone...?"

"I've already contacted Professor Samuel Oak," the man replied quietly. "Celadon City has the best medical facilities... They might be able to help Wally's condition."

"But!" The woman's voice rose in urgency before she caught herself, lowering it to a whisper. "Wally's dream... is to become a Trainer!"

"Celadon Academy has agreed to accept him as a transfer student. He can attend classes between treatments." The man sighed. "This is the best compromise we have."

The two fell silent, standing guard outside the room, their hearts twisting with every cough.

Inside, the frail green-haired young man dreamed of that scene again.

Gasping for air, he ran down a rugged gravel path before tripping and crashing to the ground. Pain shot through his limbs, but the exit's light was within sight.

The figure he chased—a white-capped young man in green—was now right before him.

"Ruby!" Wally's voice came out hoarse. "Please... battle me!!"

Countless times, he had fallen into the abyss of illness, ready to give up.

But Pokémon had given him strength, the will to keep going.

Please... Ruby.

Wally wiped his eyes as he lay on the ground, frustration burning inside him.

I want to prove it to you...

That I've been trying my hardest too!

In the dream, Ruby turned around.

"Sure."

Ruby gripped his Poké Ball, smiling.

It wasn't pity or sympathy.

It was the focused gaze of someone facing a true rival.

"Let's give it our all!"

The dream faded.

Wally stared at the ceiling, a faint smile forming on his lips.

"I'm going to Kanto..."

A hand reached over, gently wiping the tears from his eyes.

"Gallade... you'll stay with me, right?" Wally whispered.

Like a loyal guardian, Gallade stood silently by his side.

...

Before departure, Ruby and Sapphire came to see him off.

"I've got connections in Kanto too! Drop my name if you need anything!" Ruby grinned.

Sapphire kicked Ruby in the shin, ignoring his yelp of pain, and turned to Wally with concern. "Keep in touch when you get there, okay?"

"Yeah." Wally tugged at his backpack straps, nodding nervously. "I will."

[Their silent exchange]

[Ruby: Are you trying to murder your own husband?!]

[Sapphire: Read the mood! No jokes right now!]

[Ruby: I'm lightening the mood! That's why I said it!]

[Sapphire: Eh... r-really?]

"Speaking of Celadon Academy... Ruby and I actually wanted to go too..."

Sapphire cleared her throat, tapping her chin before sighing.

"But we just couldn't pass the entrance exams..."

"That's just you! I only stayed behind to—"

"Shut up!"

Watching their playful, inseparable dynamic, Wally lowered his head, adjusting his backpack straps again.

"I'll... keep in touch."

"Don't forget our numbers, got it?"

As he waved goodbye, Wally exhaled deeply, as if freed from a weight.

"Aren't they your friends?" Wally's sister asked. "You seemed really tense."

Wally looked out the window at the receding trees but didn't answer.

Yeah, we're still friends.

And I... might get to stand beside them one day.

Wally clenched the strap of his bag.

But Sis... when your friends are so much stronger than you...

It's hard to stay close like before...

...

"You know Wally?" Professor Samuel Oak asked.

"Wally?"

Natsume blinked.

Wasn't he the most tragic side character in the Special Edition?!

First, he helped Professor Birch evolve Treecko into Grovyle.

Then, he unlocked the Sky Pillar for Norman, summoning Rayquaza.

But after the Hoenn crisis ended...

He never got his Special Edition Pokédex, and even gave away his Grovyle...

Yet, in another light...

This frail young man had fought relentlessly against his illness to become a Trainer.

He even caught up to Ruby—the son of a Gym Leader—on Victory Road.

In courage, he was no less than any Pokédex Holder.

But... Special Edition: Emerald had already chosen its protagonist.

And so, Wally's Pokédex and Grovyle were passed on to Emerald.

Effort without reward...

Natsume couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Professor, please continue."

"He's a hardworking boy... but very introverted."

"I've never known how to approach him."

Professor Oak rubbed his hands together, guilt creeping into his tone.

"He'll be transferring to Celadon Academy soon. I'd like you to do me a small favor."

"Go ahead."

Professor Oak nodded, recounting Wally's story.

Aside from omitting the major events involving the Hoenn duo, it matched Natsume's memories closely.

"Originally, that Treecko was meant for Emerald, but by chance, it ended up with Wally."

"Still... taking it away from him felt cruel."

Professor Oak sighed. "After Wally returned the Pokédex, I kept thinking..."

"Given his efforts in Hoenn, he deserved one of his own."

"That's a good thing," Natsume agreed.

"But Wally's health is fragile. Having him gather Pokédex data would be an added burden."

Professor Oak sighed again. "So I hesitated for a long time... until recently."

On the screen, he pulled out a light-green Pokédex from his lab coat.

"I'd like you to give this to Wally."

Professor Oak's smile was bittersweet.

"It's not the Special Edition... but consider it a belated gift."

As a leading researcher, Professor Oak had countless considerations.

Yet he remembered Wally—an otherwise overlooked boy—and personally prepared a Pokédex for him.

Even if it was late... it spoke volumes about his kindness.

"Leave it to me."

Natsume smiled. "Once he's settled in, I'll find the right moment to give it to him."

Mending this young man's regrets... brought Natsume a quiet sense of fulfillment.

"One more thing..." Professor Oak grew serious. "If his health worsens, we'll need to reconsider..."

"I'll monitor the situation."

Natsume nodded. "Should I pick up the Pokédex from Pallet Town?"

"No need. I've already sent it to the Pokémon Center in Celadon City."

"Got it!"

After hanging up, Natsume glanced toward the principal's office.

Now... it was time to meet the legendary Wally!

...

Inside the principal's office, Principal Dervish was finalizing Wally's transfer.

"Natsume-sensei's class still has openings."

Principal Dervish said. "How about joining his homeroom?"

Wally had no objections, nodding softly.

Just then, Natsume pushed the door open.

"Ah, Natsume-sensei, perfect timing."

Principal Dervish gestured. "This is your new student."

Dressed in a white shirt, his soft green hair covering his forehead, Wally clutched his backpack straps nervously.

The frail young man mustered his courage, his cheeks flushed from exertion. "H-Hello, sensei! Cough!"

For someone with bronchitis, every word was a struggle.

"A nod or shake will do."

Natsume smiled warmly. "Did you come alone?"

Wally nodded quickly.

"Let me treat you to lunch. We'll head to the cafeteria after this."

Natsume patted Wally's shoulder. "All done with the paperwork?"

Another nod.

"Great, let's go!"

...

"Order whatever you want!" Natsume declared in the cafeteria.

(After all, faculty meals were free!)

Wally still fidgeted nervously.

"Does talking make you cough badly?" Natsume asked gently.

"If I speak slowly and softly... it's manageable."

"Then you must've trained hard to give commands efficiently."

Wally blinked, looking up in surprise.

"Don't look so shocked."

Natsume chuckled. "Ruby mentioned you."

"His friend... and a rival he respects."

Wally coughed violently, his eyes lighting up. "R-Really?!"

"Of course." Natsume grinned.

"You're just too reserved. You don't reach out much, do you?"

Wally's face reddened as he stared at his lunch, lapsing into silence again.

"Alright." Natsume ruffled Wally's hair.

"Join the others for training this afternoon—no slacking!"

The warmth in that touch, the affirmation from a teacher and friend...

Left Wally momentarily dazed.

His old school had barred him from outdoor training, fearing for his health.

So he and Gallade had practiced in secret...

Snapping back, Wally stammered, "I-I won't!"

Natsume wasn't worried about training.

Moderate exercise could actually help strengthen a bronchitis patient's physique.

"Where are you staying?"

"My dad rented a place near Celadon City."

Wally relaxed slightly. "He's still working in Hoenn... couldn't come yet."

Natsume nodded.

"If you need anything, just find me."

"And don't be late for practical battles this afternoon—I'm counting on you!"

Wally nodded fervently. "I w-won't be late!"

...

That afternoon, during practical battle training...

Wally, as the new transfer student, was warmly welcomed.

And his Gallade's strength left the class in awe.

Praised by his peers, Wally scratched his head sheepishly.

Natsume watched, arms crossed, satisfied.

Solitude breeds overthinking.

For someone Wally's age, bonding with classmates was exactly what he needed.

During break, Natsume called Wally aside.

"Ruby and Sapphire asked me to give you this."

"Huh?"

"Lava Cookies." Natsume handed him a bag. "Hoenn's specialty. To remind you of home."

The chat group had been abuzz days ago—Sapphire made Ruby mail the treats.

Natsume initially thought they were for him, only to realize they were meant for Wally.

Wally stared at the bag, stunned.

Then, he exhaled, as if releasing a long-held tension.

Maybe... I really was overthinking things.

"Natsume-sensei..." Wally looked up hopefully. "Want to share?"

...

Wally's integration into the class surprised Natsume.

But thinking about it, he was just a kid his age.

He'd simply carried too much alone.

Now, with Natsume as his confidant and reconnected with Ruby and Sapphire...

He was finally opening up.

"Natsume-sensei... I think a Pokémon's IVs and EVs are crucial."

After a theory class on Friday, Wally shared his thoughts privately.

"Compared to Pokémon with poor breeding potential... I-I think..."

He clenched his fists. "It's better to start fresh with stronger ones!"

Racing against time, Wally sought strength—even if it meant prioritizing high-potential Pokémon.

These were words he'd never dare speak aloud before.

But with Natsume, he was learning to voice them.

Instead of scolding him, Natsume pondered for a moment.

"Seeking battle prowess... isn't wrong."

He tapped Wally's head lightly.

"But Pokémon are living beings. They can't be reduced to just potential, IVs, or species strength."

"A weak Beedrill can rival gods. A Swinub can dance with legends."

Natsume smiled. "Like your Gallade... believing in it matters more than its stats."

Wally lingered on his words, lost in thought as he turned to leave.

Natsume called out. "Wally, one more thing!"

"Huh?"

He turned back—only for Natsume to hand him a light-green Pokédex.

"From Professor Oak."

Natsume grinned. "Latest model, with national data. It'll be a big help for a Trainer."

Wally froze.

Then, trembling, he reached out and took it.

"R-Really... for me?"

"You've earned it."

Natsume squeezed his shoulder.

"You've worked hard, Wally."

Tears welled up instantly.

Wally coughed violently before bowing deeply.

"Thank you... cough... thank you so much!"

Tears splashed onto the floor as he scrubbed his face with his sleeve.

"Thank Professor Oak, not me."

Natsume handed him a tissue, smiling. "You'll be a great Trainer."

A red light flashed as Gallade materialized beside Wally.

It took the tissue, shielding Wally from prying eyes with its sturdy frame.

In that moment, Wally realized how foolish it was...

To measure bonds by something as cold as "potential."

Tearfully, he smiled.

"Thank you... Natsume-sensei!"

...

After work on Friday...

Natsume rode his Arcanine home.

Wally's health seemed stable enough for competitions.

With that, his trio of tournament participants was complete.

As for the staff matches...

Time to put Gengar through its paces!

Calling Professor Oak, he reported the mission's success.

"Excellent work, Natsume!"

"My pleasure."

Though it was a small favor...

After hanging up, Professor Oak pondered how to repay him.

Then, he brightened, smacking his fist into his palm.

Natsume was building a new battle team, right?

Why not let him pick a Pokémon from the ranch?

Remembering that special Pokémon sent from Tokyo U's Day Care...

Professor Oak stroked his chin, thoughtful.

"I bet Natsume would love that one..."

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