"Hoopa! Hoopa will miss Little Johan, wuu wuu wuu~"
Little Hoopa looked like it was biting a handkerchief, with tears in its eyes, remarkably similar to when Gengar cried watching TV shows.
"There, there."
Johan gently pulled the little one into his arms, smiling as he said:
"It's not like we'll never see each other again. It's just that Dahara City needs you more right now."
After confirming that no major incidents would occur in Dahara City again, Johan and the others decided to prepare for departure.
Little Hoopa had just absorbed Hoopa Unbound's power and recovered its original abilities, but its condition wasn't very stable yet. It needed to stabilize further in Dahara City and the Valley of Creation.
Of course.
As the "main surgeon" in this incident, Johan still needed to check on little Hoopa's condition periodically to ensure it wouldn't be affected by the "Shadow's" power again.
Besides, Barza and Meray were little Hoopa's "guardians," so their feelings had to be considered too.
"Hoopa will come find Little Johan to play! And everyone else too!"
Little Hoopa floated out of Johan's arms, leaving a wet face print behind, which left Johan quite speechless.
"Ka-kaah~(￣︶￣)σ"
Gengar burst into laughter seeing this, and little Hoopa was also amused by the water mark it left, breaking into a smile through its tears.
Johan shook his head, not particularly bothered, just saying:
"Good, next time bring Barza and Meray along, and I'll treat you all to delicious food."
Little Hoopa's eyes immediately lit up.
Although it hadn't eaten Johan's cooking after the incident, it had tasted it before and knew Johan's culinary skills.
After absorbing the "Shadow" and understanding the meaning of "punishment," little Hoopa finally recovered the ability to freely pass through dimensional portals it created. The world was vast, and it could go anywhere.
Of course, it still needed some so-called "medium" or "coordinates."
"Yes yes yes! Hoopa wants to go! Hoopa wants to go!" Little Hoopa spun in circles in the air, calling out happily.
"But you can't just wander around randomly, okay?" Johan cautioned.
"Got it."
Little Hoopa deflated again.
But it quickly perked up.
"Hoopa will work hard to rely on itself, not on its rings!"
Patting its little head.
The little one had truly grown up after all.
"Maybe I can introduce some new friends to you," Johan smiled.
Hoopa's eyes immediately brightened.
"New friends? Hoopa likes friends!"
Barza and Meray also looked pleased, with Meray picking up little Hoopa. After Barza expressed gratitude once more to Johan and the others for this incident, he also said with emotion:
"When Hoopa fully masters its own power, we'll let it regain its freedom to go out and see the outside world."
Where Hoopa came from was no longer traceable, but from its usual words and habits, it obviously didn't know much about the outside world.
More experiences would surely give little Hoopa more wisdom, and wisdom would help Hoopa better understand its own power.
Although Meray was reluctant, she agreed with her brother's words.
They had made such plans long ago.
The matter came to a complete end.
Johan and the others finally departed on the invisible aircraft.
Although he was also somewhat reluctant to part with little Hoopa, after all, compared to him, little Hoopa's bond with Barza and Meray after nearly twenty years together was deeper.
"Bonds" didn't only exist in battles between trainers and their Pokémon—the little details of daily life were what truly formed the essence of "bonds."
However, Johan also believed.
When he needed Hoopa's power, little Hoopa definitely wouldn't refuse.
This was undoubtedly much more "useful" than Giratina's abilities.
If he encountered major incidents he couldn't solve in the future and needed to call upon friends, little Hoopa would definitely be more convenient than Giratina.
Gengar's "electronic pet" was probably going to be "honorably retired."
Kalos region, Lumiose City.
Inside a coffee shop.
"Team Rocket's business?"
When Johan learned from Boss Giovanni that Team Rocket actually had coffee shops in Lumiose City, he was somewhat taken aback.
"Very surprising?" Giovanni picked up his coffee and took a small sip.
Since Team Rocket began preparing for transformation, Giovanni hadn't just tried opening an entertainment company.
He had contacted and experimented with all kinds of industries.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have finally settled on three main businesses and four subsidiary businesses to determine Team Rocket's overall transformation direction.
However, this coffee shop belonged to a typical "failed startup" project.
After all, coffee shops were everywhere in Lumiose City, even throughout the entire Kalos region. Without some special features, it was hard to keep them running.
And this coffee shop was temporarily serving as Johan and the others' temporary base.
"It's alright."
Johan also took a sip of coffee.
He immediately understood why this coffee shop couldn't stay in business—the coffee brewing could only be called mediocre at best.
"If you're interested, I'll give it to you," Giovanni said casually.
Johan was embarrassed.
Truly worthy of being Boss Giovanni—equally generous with money. In Lumiose City where land was worth its weight in gold, such a large coffee shop was given away just like that.
"Ahem."
Johan wanted to refuse, but felt he couldn't disappoint Boss Giovanni's kind intentions, so he turned to look aside.
Nearby.
The little ones were eating pastries.
These were all brought by Johan from outside, not pastries from this coffee shop.
"Mmm~"
Dragonite sat next to Gengar, gently nudging Gengar's chubby belly with its elbow, calling out softly.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar tilted its head, looking at Dragonite with some confusion.
The seven-colored meteorite?
Dragonite wanted to ask Gengar about the seven-colored meteorite, to borrow it for a look.
Gengar was somewhat puzzled.
Dragonite couldn't Mega Evolve, so what did it want to borrow the seven-colored meteorite for?
After all, which Pokémon could Mega Evolve was mostly public knowledge now, including Gengar and Tyranitar, but seemingly not Dragonite.
Although it thought this, Gengar still took out the seven-colored meteorite fragment emitting rainbow light.
"Mmm."
Dragonite carefully took it, muttering to itself.
Rayquaza relied on this thing to Mega Evolve, so logically I should be able to too.
Besides, where there's a will, there's a way. Even if I can't Mega Evolve, maybe I can still gain something.
This "Hoopa Unbound incident" made all of Johan's Pokémon feel their own strength was insufficient, and Dragonite was naturally among them.
If it could also Mega Evolve, its strength would surely surge dramatically at crucial moments, right?
Watching Dragonite pondering while holding the seven-colored meteorite, Johan's lips curved upward.
In his knowledge, there were only so many Pokémon that could currently Mega Evolve, but Pokémon updates came quickly.
It was said that after "Pokémon Scarlet/Violet," there would be "Pokémon ZA," which might introduce new Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, perhaps including Dragonite.
Moreover.
Logically speaking, since some Pokémon could Mega Evolve, other Pokémon should be able to as well, right?
It was just that they hadn't been discovered yet.
Johan always looked forward to the infinite possibilities that existed in Pokémon.
For example, Ash and his Greninja clearly had no Mega Evolution form and didn't even have Mega Stones and Key Stones, but Ash and his Greninja could still perform "Bond Evolution" similar to Mega Evolution.
Ding-a-ling—
The wind chime at the coffee shop entrance made a crisp sound as Flint pushed the door open, a hot dog in his mouth.
"Teacher Johan, Gym Leader Giovanni, try this hot dog. It tastes pretty good."
He handed over two small paper packages.
Cynthia had already returned to Sinnoh.
Originally, Cynthia hadn't planned to leave so early. After all, Johan had been so seriously injured. Although he was fine now, she still wanted to stay and take care of him.
However, Johan still sent her back.
After all, Cynthia was preparing to walk the "Champion's path," and every moment was extremely precious to her now. Although he still had to use a wheelchair, didn't he still have Flint?
In the end, Cynthia couldn't persuade Johan and returned to Mt. Coronet in Sinnoh with little Hoopa's help.
Now that Johan and the others came to Lumiose City, it was naturally to help the Zygarde core "Little Soft" find its missing partner.
Sure enough.
The Zygarde core jumped from Johan's shoulder to the table, looking at the bustling streets outside and the crowds coming and going, couldn't help but speak:
[My partner is in such a bustling city?]
Giovanni and Flint couldn't hear its words, so after sitting down, Flint continued:
"Teacher Johan, about that hotel you asked me to inquire about... there isn't one, and I haven't seen the person you mentioned who's over three meters tall either."
"Three meters tall? Must be a descendant of giants, right?"
Flint gestured with an exaggerated range.
Hearing this, Johan nodded and also looked toward the street outside.
So either King AZ hadn't left the forest yet, or... he'd been captured by Team Flare?
The reason Lysandre knew about the "Ultimate Weapon" and how to use it was because his ancestor was King AZ's brother from three thousand years ago!
In other words, King AZ was actually Lysandre's ancestor.
If Lysandre wanted to activate the "Ultimate Weapon" again, then the key in King AZ's hands was essential to him.
It's just that Lysandre probably didn't know that the key to the "Ultimate Weapon" in King AZ's hands was now in his own Gengar's possession.
Ignoring Flint's chatter, Johan looked at Giovanni sitting across from him.
A black suit concealed the bandages on his body, and the wide black hat he wore made it hard to recognize his identity.
Noticing Johan's gaze, Giovanni slightly raised his hand, subconsciously wanting to stroke Persian, then remembered he wasn't at the Team Rocket base and hadn't brought Persian out.
His movement paused briefly, but he still said:
"Just go directly to their door."
His gaze swept through the coffee shop, lingering briefly on Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Gengar.
With such power, he didn't think they needed to fear any Team Flare.
Moreover.
If he were the leader of Team Flare, when Johan appeared in Lumiose City, the other party should already know.
Hearing this, Johan grinned.
Truly worthy of Boss Giovanni.
"Exactly what I was thinking."
Strike at the heart!
With that, he said to Flint: "Let's go, Flint."
"Eh?"
Flint looked bewildered. "Where are we going? Didn't we come to Lumiose City to drink coffee?"
Johan's forehead showed black lines.
Specially traveling to Lumiose City to drink coffee?
Are you usually this idle?
"To Lysandre Labs," Johan said irritably.
"Oh."
Flint stuffed the entire hot dog in his mouth, clapped his hands, walked behind Johan, and pushed the wheelchair out.
Seeing this, the little ones in the coffee shop all voluntarily returned to the Poké Balls at Johan's waist.
Darkrai, along with Gengar and Marshadow, dove into Johan's shadow.
"Don't you all feel cramped?" Darkrai said helplessly.
Mewtwo watched them walk out of the coffee shop, its form flashing as it appeared directly at the top of Lumiose City's Prism Tower, overlooking the entire city.
[Humans...]
Its eyes flickered.
Whether Hoopa, Zygarde, or even itself—all had suffered because of humans.
Hoopa was "incited" by humans, gradually losing itself in various negative emotions, ultimately becoming a product driven by power.
According to Johan, Zygarde's partner was very likely captured by the organization called "Team Flare."
And itself...
"But humans aren't all negative, are they?"
A voice echoed in Mewtwo's mind.
It was Johan's aura.
He had keenly sensed Mewtwo's mental state change.
[Johan...]
Mewtwo came back to itself.
Images of its acquaintance and interactions with Johan floated through its mind, images of Johan getting along with his Pokémon...
It continued overlooking.
On the streets.
A Bug Catcher with a Caterpie on his head, a youngster with a Magikarp in his bucket, a girl with a Nidoran beside her, an elderly man riding a Gogoat, a lady walking a Furfrou...
The Caterpie happily munched on leaves, the Magikarp curiously watched the tall buildings, the Nidoran snuggled against the girl's feet, the Gogoat walked slowly and steadily, the Furfrou reminded the lady to watch her step...
Indeed.
Just as Johan said.
Friendly coexistence between humans and Pokémon was the "baseline," and the "bonds" between humans and Pokémon couldn't be "represented" by a few people.
[When life meets life, something is always born...]Mewtwo murmured the phrase Johan often said.
The originally heavy and depressed feelings in its heart immediately became soothing and light.
It slowly sat on the spire of the Prism Tower, quietly watching this peaceful world beneath the prosperity.
Sensing Mewtwo's mental state change, Johan, sitting in the wheelchair, smiled.
Having seen much and experienced much naturally led to feeling much.
This was part of Mewtwo's process of establishing its "self." Johan couldn't prevent Mewtwo from encountering the "dark" side of the world, but he could guide Mewtwo to view these things positively.
Traveling ten thousand miles didn't mean literally walking ten thousand miles—the people and events encountered during the journey were the best "nourishment" for growth.
Ding-dong—
The glass sliding door of Lysandre Labs slowly opened.
A woman in a white lab coat with orange glasses walked out from the reception desk, smiling:
"Excuse me, how may I help you? Do you have an appointment?"
Johan looked up, smiling: "We're looking for Mr. Lysandre."
Only then did the woman see Johan's appearance clearly. Her eyes widened in surprise:
"T-T-Teacher Johan?"
The Dahara City incident had caused such a commotion, with Johan as the "hero" of the Kalos region, even the entire Pokémon world. The woman naturally couldn't fail to recognize him.
It's just...
Teacher Johan came to find Representative Lysandre?
"Let them in."
At this moment, Lysandre's voice came through the woman's earpiece.
Hearing this, the woman was startled, then immediately said to Johan and the others: "Teacher Johan, and everyone, please come in."
Johan's smile remained unchanged, tilting his head slightly to glance at the camera on the wall, entering the research facility with Flint's help.
Indeed, just as Boss Giovanni had predicted, Lysandre already knew of their arrival.
Directly inviting them in.
This saved a lot of unnecessary trouble.
After Johan's group entered, the main door of Lysandre Labs directly closed and the iron shutter came down.
At the same time.
All the researchers and Team Flare members in Lysandre Labs seemed to receive some information, their faces changing as they sprang into action.
As for Johan and the others, they had an unobstructed path, arriving at the depths of Lysandre Labs.
In the spacious underground laboratory.
Lysandre sat in a chair, legs crossed, gently stroking the Pyroar beside him, wearing a faint smile.
It had to be said.
At this moment, Lysandre really did resemble Boss Giovanni somewhat.
Johan couldn't help but glance at Giovanni, hidden under his trench coat, from the corner of his eye.
"Teacher Johan, you've finally come."
Lysandre stood up.
"Oh?" Johan raised an eyebrow. "Representative Lysandre guessed I would come?"
"After all, you caused such a commotion in Dahara City..."
Lysandre's gaze swept over Johan, Flint, and Giovanni, finally stopping on the Zygarde core "Little Soft" on Johan's knee, his smile deepening.
"So this is Z1."
Johan's expression remained unchanged. "So the other half of Zygarde's core is indeed in Team Flare's hands?"
"Correct."
Lysandre had no intention of hiding anything, lightly snapping his fingers.
Snap!
The ground where he stood immediately opened with a mechanism, and a platform slowly rose. On the platform was a transparent special container, imprisoning green soft cellular matter identical to what was on Johan's knee.
The only difference was.
The Zygarde core on Johan's side was red, while the one in the container was blue.
[Partner!]
Seeing the other Zygarde core, "Little Soft" immediately cried out, jumping to the ground.
[Answer me quickly! I've come to rescue you!]
However, the Zygarde core "Z2" in the special container showed no reaction whatsoever.
[What's wrong with you! Can you hear me?]
"Gengar."
Johan tilted his head slightly, speaking softly to the back.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar immediately floated out, bringing the Zygarde core "Little Soft" back.
"Ka-kaah?"
However.
While stopping "Little Soft's" impulse, Gengar also couldn't help but look at the other Zygarde core "Z2" with some confusion, scratching its head, feeling...
"Ka-kaah~Ka-kaah?"
Putting "Little Soft" back on Johan's lap, Gengar gestured with both hands.
"You sensed it too?" Johan wasn't surprised by Gengar's reaction, nodding. "Then my feeling wasn't wrong."
From the Zygarde core "Z2," both he and Gengar sensed an aura similar to Hoopa Unbound's "Shadow"—an aura condensed from human desires and negative emotional energy!
"It seems... Representative Lysandre also had some 'gains' from Hoopa Unbound," Johan said flatly.
Lysandre spread his hands.
"Exactly! I have to thank you properly for this, Teacher Johan!"
"Without you, I wouldn't have witnessed the terrifying power formed by condensed human desires!"
With that, Lysandre's expression gradually darkened, clenching his fists.
"Having witnessed that power yourself, don't you feel it? What is the source of that power? It's humans!"
"Humans are the culprits making this world worse day by day, more corrupt day by day!"
"Only by destroying humanity can this world become beautiful again!"
After speaking, he looked at Johan with some hope.
He had interacted and communicated with Johan several times before. When he had slightly revealed his thoughts and goals, Johan hadn't objected, which gave Lysandre some hope that Teacher Johan might be his "kindred spirit."
However.
Before Johan could speak, Flint couldn't hold back and said:
"Aren't you human?"
Lysandre was stunned.
Flint continued:
"Are you going to destroy yourself too?"
Lysandre composed his expression, glancing at him coldly. "Only the chosen ones deserve to live."
Flint curled his lip.
"When it comes down to it, you just want to kill others while staying alive yourself, or rather, you want to decide who gets to live, right?"
Flint showed disdain.
"I've seen someone even more extreme than you, wanting to destroy the entire world, including himself. That guy was a madman, and you're not even as good as him."
The "madman" he referred to was naturally Team Galactic's leader Cyrus.
Hearing this, Lysandre's expression darkened, but he took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, looking at Johan and saying gravely:
"Teacher Johan, are you willing to participate in my plan as one of the chosen?"
Johan's mouth curved into a grin, asking back:
"And if not?"
Clap clap—
Lysandre clapped his hands.
Hiss—
A nearby wall slowly opened, revealing a secret room.
Inside the secret room were the unconscious and chain-bound King AZ, Eternal Floette, and... Alain?
Beside them stood a group of Team Flare members with hands behind their backs, standing straight.
More importantly.
Although this secret room was revealed, it was separated by a layer of transparent special glass, seemingly the same as the glass container holding Zygarde core "Z2."
"Teacher Johan, I know you have many legendary Pokémon friends..."
Lysandre picked up a special backpack from beside him, strapping it to his shoulder, continuing:
"I just don't know if you care about these non-legendary friends."
Johan's eyes narrowed, a rare dangerous glint appearing in their depths.
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Powerstones?
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