"Thank you very much, Ramos."
Having obtained a large pile of books about agriculture, farming, and such from Ramos, Johan was quite satisfied.
"Haha, very few young people like these things nowadays. You're one, Yarrow from Galar is another—both good kids."
Ramos stroked his white beard, looking very pleased.
He usually enjoyed drinking tea, tending his fields, and reading books, and Johan was surprisingly similar to him in certain aspects.
After staying in Coumarine City for two days, Johan finally got what he wanted.
At the same time, AZ had successfully completed modifying that aircraft. Now "Chesnaught" was helping him carry those books onto the aircraft.
"But that Snivy of yours..."
As they chatted, Ramos inevitably brought up Johan's Snivy.
"Sni—"
Seeming to hear Ramos's voice, Snivy, who was photosynthesizing, glanced at him sideways.
"Cough cough." Ramos coughed lightly. "I really can't understand it."
As a trainer specializing in Grass-type Pokémon for decades, this was the first time he'd seen a Pokémon like Johan's Snivy.
"Uh..."
Johan rubbed his nose and gave a dry laugh.
"However, this thing can be given to you as a gift."
Just when Johan thought Ramos was going to pull out a Badge, Ramos produced a TM and some "Grass Seeds."
"This is..."
"Grass Knot, it's the move this old man is most skilled with. These 'Grass Seeds' can assist in learning this move." Ramos said cheerfully.
"This is really... thank you so much."
Johan didn't refuse.
While Grass Knot might not be particularly useful in games, in the Pokémon world, when used well, it could have miraculous effects.
Moreover...
Johan also wanted to use this TM to verify certain things about Snivy.
After bidding farewell to Ramos.
Johan brought his little ones, along with the exhausted Flint, aboard this aircraft that originated from Pokémon thieves and benefited from King AZ's modifications.
It had to be said...
"Getting things for free just feels great."
This aircraft wasn't large and naturally couldn't compare to the luxurious private jets of Steven's family.
But this aircraft was originally the father-daughter thieves' vehicle, so the space was very ample for Johan alone, and even summoning all the little ones left them with some room to move around.
Of course, most importantly, this aircraft had high-tech functions like autopilot and invisibility, and its flight speed wasn't slow either.
"Ka-kaah..."
Gengar lay at the cockpit door, looking eager to try operating it.
"Is this really for me? Roto?"
Rotom was no less excited than Gengar.
Flying a plane—has Rotom finally reached the level where it can fly planes?
Such achievement! (T▽T)
"Rotom!" Johan called with a smile after boarding the aircraft.
"Here, Roto!"
"Activate aircraft mode!"
"Super transformation! Roto!"
The Pokédex fell into Gengar's hands as Rotom transformed into a golden electric current and drilled into the aircraft's control system.
"Regieleki." Johan threw another Poké Ball.
"Regi—"
As Regieleki entered the turbine, the aircraft's speed immediately increased.
While Rotom's own electricity could operate this aircraft, wasn't Regieleki a natural "engine"? It had to be put to good use.
Flint, who had finally caught his breath, looked on with envy, taking out his phone to snap a few photos of the aircraft and posting them to their group chat.
Between the lines was thick envy—no, jealousy!
[Elite Four Flint]: (Picture.jpg) Tsk tsk, look at Teacher Johan's new ride, pure electric power, built-in intelligent autopilot and invisibility functions, top speed of...
[Still Working Overtime Lucian]: I, Lucian, am officially envious!
[Dragon Tamer Lance]: +1
[Taking Ads]: +1
After that, the group was filled with "+1"s.
As they say...
It's not that we fear our brothers living poorly, but that our brothers drive Land Rovers.
"Speak up."
After arranging everything, Johan sat before Flint and smiled. "Where to? I'll give you a ride."
As the saying goes, when good fortune comes, spirits soar.
The flying equipment he'd been longing for had finally arrived, and the power source was almost free—this was exactly the kind of aircraft Johan was most satisfied with.
Flint pursed his lips.
Look how smug you're getting.
Isn't it just showing off that you have an exhibition match with appearance fees?
But free rides were free rides.
"Dahara City."
Johan nodded. "Rotom, destination: Dahara City..."
Hm?
Having just said the city's name, Johan couldn't help but freeze.
Wait!
"Where?"
He turned back, looking at Flint with disbelief.
But Flint was currently watching a Mandibuzz passing by the window and hadn't noticed Johan's expression, just shrugging casually. "Dahara City."
Previously Johan had asked him, but he hadn't remembered. Now with time approaching, he'd deliberately checked his mission records and finally recalled.
He also explained:
"They say Dahara City is holding some... Desert Tower Festival, and invited quite a few famous trainers to attend."
Johan: "..."
Dahara City...
Johan had a deep impression of this city, for no other reason... because the Hoopa he'd been constantly thinking about, the one that "crushed Giratina," lived in Dahara City!
And in the movie "Hoopa and the Clash of Ages," it had exaggeratedly summoned six legendary Pokémon!
Including Groudon, Kyogre, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, and Kyurem!
Plus Hoopa itself—seven legendary Pokémon total!
And Rayquaza's most famous legendary battle, that one-against-seven fight, also originated from this.
Of course, there was also Groudon's "famous battle"—everyone else was flying, but not me.
This battle between legendary Pokémon could be called the ultimate in the Pokémon world!
Honestly.
Johan immediately wanted to throw Flint out and then turn around to leave the Kalos region.
But seeing his "confused" expression, Johan twitched his mouth corner, took a deep breath, and suppressed this impulse.
If he'd known Flint's destination was Dahara City, he never would have come to Kalos with him.
But now...
Buzz—
Just as Johan was about to say something, he suddenly felt something unusual about the "Millennium Wrist" in his inner pocket.
This made Johan's thoughts stir slightly.
When he'd first obtained the Millennium Wrist from Arceus, it had vaguely pointed toward the Kalos region.
Johan had originally thought Arceus wanted him to help retrieve the Fairy Plate from Xerneas, but later learned the Fairy Plate had actually been borrowed by the Guardian deities of the Alola region.
At that time he'd wondered whether Arceus didn't know the Fairy Plate's whereabouts.
But now it seemed...
Could it be that Arceus's "Millennium Wrist" had been pointing toward Dahara City, or rather the Valley of Creation, from the beginning?
Regarding Hoopa, Johan naturally had some wariness, after all, when fully unleashed, its abilities were too exaggerated.
Especially with the "shadow" that loved causing trouble controlling Hoopa's fully unleashed power.
But...
Johan was somewhat interested in the Prison Bottle.
As everyone knows.
In Michina, Arceus had fused five plates—Ground, Water, Grass, Dragon, and Electric—into the "Life Jewel" and lent it to Damos, allowing him to use the Life Jewel's power to develop Michina.
And in Dahara City, Arceus had similarly left the power of three plates—Earth, Water, and Fire—to create the "Prison Bottle" that sealed Hoopa's "shadow" power.
The Earth Plate...
Tyranitar had eaten its plate fragment in one bite, and now could only "make do" with Red Orb fragments.
And honestly speaking...
"Even if I really had to face fully unleashed Hoopa in all-out war... I wouldn't be afraid, right?" Johan gently rubbed his chin.
In his previous life, there were two theories about the Pokémon Hoopa summoned.
One said the legendary Pokémon summoned by unleashed Hoopa actually came from different timelines and universes than his own.
The other said the legendary Pokémon summoned by unleashed Hoopa were from the same timeline, though the black Rayquaza was hard to explain.
But regardless of which...
"Groudon, Kyogre, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Kyurem..."
Johan silently counted on his fingers.
"Still remaining: Mewtwo, Rayquaza, the black and white dragons, Regigigas, Lugia, Darkrai, two Deoxys..."
"Moreover, Rayquaza pressing down Groudon and Kyogre has no pressure..."
What's more.
With Johan's current strength, when Gengar, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Dragonite, and others went all out, temporarily holding off one legendary Pokémon shouldn't be a problem.
After calculating, Johan discovered.
His side...
Actually had a numerical advantage!
"Unknowingly... my network in the Pokémon world has become this exaggerated?"
He couldn't help feeling somewhat proud.
"In the future, calling myself a 'human Hoopa' shouldn't get any objections, right?"
Of course.
Everyone being willing to help was them giving him face, but he couldn't take this assistance for granted—this was still different from his own Pokémon.
For example.
Last time when he called the black and white dragons and Darkrai for help, afterward... Darkrai had "sneakily" moved away a cart of energy cubes, leaving him both crying and laughing.
So when asking everyone for help, a big feast was unavoidable.
With legendary Pokémon appetites...
Tsk.
This fighting was purely about his wallet!
When battles could be avoided, naturally it was better not to fight, otherwise his already insufficient wallet might easily become completely flat.
"But this way Giratina might be found..."
Putting away his complex thoughts.
"Looking at it this way... Dahara City doesn't need to be so feared. Just Hoopa..."
Looking at Flint again.
"Teacher Johan, what were you... counting on your fingers?" Flint, who had turned around, asked curiously.
Johan rolled his eyes and said casually:
"I was counting how many debts you owe me now."
Flint's eyes widened as he shrank back, thinking of Johan's earlier posture where two hands weren't enough. "Are, are there that many?"
"Heh." Johan chuckled. "This is just the beginning."
Including this trip to send Flint.
While he might not necessarily encounter the Hoopa incident, but... whether he encountered it or not, this "adventure's" bill would definitely be charged to Flint.
Seeing this, Flint lowered his voice and asked cautiously:
"Is it more than 100,000 Pokédollars?"
100,000?
Pokédollars?
Heh heh.
Kalos region, Dahara City.
A very developed city located in the desert.
In Dahara City's central area, high-rises stood like forests, comparable even to Kanaz City in the Hoenn region.
And in the outer areas, there were relatively lower but extremely solid square-shaped white stone houses that better suited the desert characteristics.
While Dahara City was said to be in the desert, looking from afar one could see this city's water resources weren't scarce—large and small rivers flowed throughout the city, and outside the town was a large azure freshwater lake.
It was said.
Over a hundred years ago, Dahara City was actually a very barren and resource-poor small town.
But the appearance of one Pokémon brought enormous wealth to this small town, and the town rapidly developed under this wealth.
But as the saying goes, "when basic needs are met, desires arise." As the town developed, inevitably some troublemakers appeared who questioned that Pokémon which had brought great wealth to Dahara City, asking whether it could win if it battled other Pokémon.
And it was precisely this questioning that opened the town's "Pandora's box."
That Pokémon which had brought great wealth to the then-Dahara town was naturally the fully unleashed Hoopa with freely controlled abilities!
It started with ordinary Pokémon, then pseudo-legendary Pokémon, all easily defeating them while earning cheers and praise from Dahara town residents.
Gradually, Hoopa was no longer satisfied with "bullying" ordinary Pokémon, until one day, it summoned legendary Pokémon!
Regigigas, who dragged continents!
Zekrom, representing ideals!
Reshiram, representing truth!
Fighting one against three and achieving victory!
But this also brought great destruction to Dahara town at the time.
It was then that Ghris, serving as Arceus's messenger at the time, sealed Hoopa's powerful force, turning the mighty Hoopa Unbound into Hoopa Confined, bringing peace to Dahara town.
But...
"Is this really just Hoopa's problem?"
Looking at this prosperous city and signaling Rotom to descend, Johan asked himself this question.
If not for troublemakers questioning who was stronger...
If not for people cheering after Hoopa defeated ordinary Pokémon, then repeatedly egging it on...
Would Hoopa, who was originally just enthusiastic about eating and incidentally brought enormous wealth, really have become the "Unbound" one?
To some extent, it was actually those people's "desires" that created Hoopa Unbound.
A certain amount of desire might bring creation, but excessive desire definitely brings destruction!
"So... you can't blame Hoopa entirely..."
In some remote and dim valley, sealed and shielded by mysterious power, a strangely shaped "bottle" seemed to sense something, and even in its seal, it couldn't help but shake slightly twice.
The aircraft landed in the backyard clearing of Dahara City's Pokémon Center.
Walking down from the aircraft to the Pokémon Center entrance.
"Whew—"
Flint stretched greatly. "Finally arrived."
He placed his hand above his eyes, looking at the prosperous city before him with amazement:
"Really quite exaggeratedly prosperous..."
For a city located in the desert, Dahara City was indeed exaggeratedly prosperous.
"Any city in a movie is prosperously magnificent..." Johan muttered quietly.
"What?" Flint didn't hear what he said clearly.
"Nothing." Johan shook his head. "Where are the people picking you up?"
Flint took out his phone.
"Should be... coming soon."
"Stand here and don't move. I'll go ask Nurse Joy about the situation." Johan said, waving his hand as he walked into the Pokémon Center.
Gengar floated out from his shadow, planning to see if there were any "local bosses" on Dahara City's streets.
"I always feel Teacher Johan's earlier words had other meanings..." Flint muttered.
Just as he finished speaking.
A strange golden ring suddenly appeared before him, its center briefly blurred before being covered by peculiar energy.
"Hm?" Flint blinked at this suddenly appearing golden ring, looking completely confused.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar also curiously floated to this golden ring, instinctively sensing spatial fluctuations from it.
Space?
Regarding spatial power, Gengar was somewhat familiar with it, but felt this spatial power was rather strange.
It seemed very different from the spatial power of Palkia, the God of Space.
"Hehe, scared you, didn't I?"
From the other side of the golden ring came playful laughter.
"What sound?"
Flint looked amazed, circling around the golden ring.
But no matter how he looked, besides the opaque center, this thing didn't seem particularly special...
"Ka-kaah~ (￣~￣)"
Gengar pulled out a handful of popcorn, eating while studying the source of this spatial power.
Seeing that popcorn, Johan couldn't help but mourn for the Sunflora on Ramos's farm for three seconds.
He'd watched Gengar, but apparently... hadn't watched it completely.
"Hey!"
Possibly smelling the aroma, suddenly a small gray hand reached out from the golden ring, grabbing several pieces of popcorn from Gengar's hand with lightning speed.
A question mark appeared above Gengar's head.
"Ka-kaah?"
It looked at its empty hand, then at the golden circle, scratched its butt, and instinctively sniffed its finger.
What the heck?
Someone dared steal my popcorn?
The next second.
"So spicy! So spicy!"
From the other side of the golden ring came another voice.
Indeed!
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar rolled up its non-existent sleeves, then grabbed the golden ring with both hands and, under Flint and Johan's gaze, dove headfirst... through it!
"Eh?!!!"
Watching Gengar disappear, Flint's eyes widened.
Johan, who had just finished asking about the situation and walked out of the Pokémon Center, saw this scene and unconsciously pressed his forehead.
Then his expression became very strange.
He'd said they might not encounter it...
But they'd run into Hoopa's signature "dimensional hole" right away.
Flint really was toxic.
"Te-Teacher Johan, your Gengar went through and disappeared." Flint pointed at the golden ring.
"I know."
Stepping forward, he also grabbed the golden ring with both hands, then under Flint's astonished gaze... also went through.
What was coming would come eventually...
Moreover, this was just Hoopa Confined—as long as the "shadow" wasn't unleashed, there was no problem.
Flint stood before the golden ring, completely bewildered.
After brief hesitation.
Gritting his teeth, he also climbed through.
"This is Hoopa's!"
"Ka-kaah!"
As soon as Johan passed through the golden ring, he saw...
Gengar was fighting with a small, gray and pink creature with golden curved horns on its head for popcorn.
Undoubtedly, this little Pokémon was the legendary mythical Pokémon, Hoopa!
More precisely, Hoopa in its Confined form.
"Confined" referred to the punishment of Hoopa.
But their fighting posture...
Gengar gripped Hoopa's hands that were clutching popcorn with both hands, then planted both feet on either side of Hoopa's horn-like spikes, pulling back desperately, but only managed to stretch Hoopa's arms away.
Because Hoopa's arms weren't actually connected to its body—both ends had golden protrusions connected by magic power, so no matter how hard Gengar pulled, it didn't have much effect.
And Hoopa...
Its eyes were currently bloodshot, originally dark green eyes filled with red veins, lips red and slightly swollen, saliva uncontrollably dripping from the corners of its mouth.
Obviously it had been affected by Gengar's spicy popcorn.
But even though it was very spicy, Hoopa had no intention of returning the popcorn to Gengar.
"What Hoopa takes belongs to Hoopa!"
Hoopa gritted its teeth, just refusing to let go.
Gengar's face showed a fierce grin.
It had been a while since encountering such a "stubborn" guy—then don't blame me...
Bang—
Flint fell from a nearby golden ring, also seeing this scene.
"What kind of Pokémon is this?"
He obviously didn't recognize Hoopa.
"And... where is this?"
Looking around, he found they seemed to... have arrived at a manor's poolside?
"Hoopa is angry!"
Being "stepped on" by Gengar, Hoopa waved its other hand lightly, psychic energy flickering in its eyes as the golden ring hanging from its horn floated out, then rapidly enlarged, appearing above Gengar's head.
The next second.
Hoopa showed a mischievous smile. "Let you know Hoopa's power!"
Waving its hand in a circle.
As the golden ring trembled with a "buzz," afterward...
Splash splash splash—
A large amount of water flew out from the ring, pouring toward Gengar's head.
Hoopa looked very proud of this.
But the next moment, its expression froze.
Gengar also reached out, lightly drawing above its own head, opening a space crack like a pocket, and the water Hoopa summoned was seamlessly caught by Gengar's spatial rift.
"Wh-what?"
Hoopa murmured, even forgetting it was fighting Gengar for popcorn.
"Ka-kaah! (￣▽￣)"
Gengar grabbed the popcorn and put on sunglasses.
Hmph!
My popcorn...
"How, how did you do that?"
Hoopa was still amazed by Gengar's earlier operation.
But before Gengar could answer.
"Hoopa!"
A shout came from not far away.
A girl wearing classical clothing with a familiar golden pendant on her chest came running over quickly.
"Hey!"
Seeing the girl, Hoopa almost instinctively jolted, flying behind Johan like a streak of smoke, peeking at the girl from his shoulder.
"Vi?"
Who knew.
On the shoulder where Hoopa perched, there was also an invisible Victini, which revealed itself and showed its little fangs, greeting Hoopa friendly.
"Wh-what..."
Hoopa was obviously startled again by the suddenly appearing Victini.
"Hoopa!"
The girl finally ran to Johan and the others, first angrily shouting once, then when looking at Johan and Flint, she froze.
Handsome features, black short hair, signature monocle...
"You, you are..."
Flint grinned, just raising his hand to greet.
"Teacher Johan?!"
The girl exclaimed.
Flint: "..."
Johan smiled slightly. "Hello."
The girl's cheeks reddened slightly as she hurriedly introduced herself:
"I, I'm Meray, I'm, I'm this child's good friend!"
Speaking, she quickly pulled little Hoopa from behind Johan, then pressed Hoopa's head as both she and it bowed ninety degrees. "Sorry!"
"Hoopa must have caused you trouble. I apologize to Teacher Johan on its behalf."
Flint pointed at himself, opening and closing his mouth.
"Hoopa..."
Johan indicated Meray didn't need to worry too much—after all, they hadn't suffered any losses.
But obviously.
This wasn't Hoopa's first time playing pranks.
This point... was somewhat similar to their Gengar.
"..."
Hoopa hung its hands dejectedly.
Then a handful of popcorn was offered to it.
"?"
Hoopa looked up in surprise.
Gengar with sunglasses raised an eyebrow at it.
"Ka-kaah~ (▼O▼)/"
You must understand—what I give you is yours, what I don't give you can't take.
"!"
Hoopa nodded vigorously, happily taking the popcorn and stuffing it in its mouth.
However, it clearly forgot one thing...
"So spicy!"
Splash splash splash—
Gengar opened its spatial pocket, and the water Hoopa had summoned earlier poured back on Hoopa, soaking it thoroughly but also relieving the spiciness.
"Ka-kaah! (■_■)"
Don't thank me!
"..."
Meray looked amazed—this was the first time she'd seen Hoopa suffer at another Pokémon's hands.
Is this the legendary Teacher Johan's Pokémon?
But Hoopa quickly recovered its energy, carefully approaching the "boss-like" Gengar.
Before long...
As the "local boss," Hoopa became Gengar's little brother.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar waved its hand grandly, displaying "dominance."
Tonight! Tonight I'll take you to do something big!
"Great!"
"Cough, Gengar." Johan's eye twitched as he glanced at his ghost.
He felt...
Gengar plus Hoopa would cause big problems.
With Gengar's "cunning" plus Hoopa's abilities, if no one stopped them, they might turn the Pokémon world upside down.
Gengar would probably gain the strongest "enhancement" in history!
"Te-Teacher Johan, I heard... you're Arceus's messenger?" Meray gathered courage to ask.
As Hoopa's "guardian," the great-granddaughter of Ghris who had sealed Hoopa's power, both Meray and her brother Barza were descendants of Arceus's messenger, just...
They hadn't gained Arceus's recognition and didn't possess their great-grandfather's ability to suppress Hoopa.
"Uh... half of one, I guess." Johan said.
"Ha-half?"
Other recognitions from Arceus, like Damos and Ghris, were all valued by Arceus, while he...
Could he say he'd beaten up Arceus and only then received the so-called "Arceus messenger" title?
Hearing "half," Meray didn't know how to continue what she'd planned to say.
"Um..."
Flint raised his hand.
"Excuse me, where is this?"
He still had a festival to attend.
"Elite Four Flint? When did you arrive?" Meray finally noticed there was another person.
Flint: "..."
Johan patted his shoulder approvingly.
Not bad—at least you're not "the fire-wielding explosive head" anymore, you have a name and surname now. You really are famous.
"The mayor was just saying he'd send a car to pick up Elite Four Flint, so... you came with Teacher Johan?" Meray said.
"Of course!"
Flint put his hands in his pockets and grinned. "We're good buddies~"
"I'll go tell the mayor right away that you're here!"
Meray hurried off to contact Dahara City's mayor.
It seemed Hoopa had heard the mayor's words earlier, so it placed the golden ring in front of Flint, but coincidentally encountered Gengar...
"?"
On the other side.
Hoopa looked at Tyranitar emerging from its Poké Ball, and more amazingly at it casually grabbing diamonds from who knows where, looking astonished.
Today was really eye-opening!
How come this human's Pokémon all seem to have spatial abilities?
Gengar boss was like this, and this big green guy was too...
"Hoopa isn't special at all anymore..."
Hoopa's ears drooped as it felt it... wasn't particularly unique.
"Bangi?"
Tyranitar offered Hoopa a diamond.
Want some?
"Ca-can I eat it?"
Having learned from the "Gengar-brand popcorn" experience, Hoopa was cautious this time, asking carefully.
"Bangi!"
Tyranitar nodded emphatically.
Of course!
This was second only to Johan's cooking in deliciousness!
Speaking, it picked up a diamond and raised it toward the distant desert.
This one's for the desert!
As a desert city, Dahara City was surrounded by golden desert outside the city, which put Tyranitar in a very good mood.
Crunch—
Seeing Tyranitar bite down on a diamond like eating candy, Hoopa sighed in relief and also took a big bite.
"Hoopa's teeth!"
Gengar nearby couldn't help shaking its head and sighing.
"Ka-kaah..."
This little brother I took in... doesn't seem very bright...
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Powerstones?
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