Kanaz City, Hoenn League Temporary Operations Command, the department handling post-battle affairs following the Kyogre and Groudon incident.
Also a temporary emergency department established to deal with the even greater disaster to come.
In a nearly sealed room.
"I don't think that was correct, and I made what I believed was the right choice at the last moment. It's that simple."
Looking into the eyes of this tall woman with an ample chest, Johan leaned back in his chair and nodded:
"I believe you, Shelly."
The person across from him was none other than Shelly, one of Team Aqua's three top administrators, and also an ocean current instructor at Kanaz Pokémon Academy, who had once accompanied Johan on the academy students' autumn outing.
Their interactions weren't actually that extensive, as Johan had deliberately avoided contact with her before.
After all, she was one of Team Aqua's three top administrators, and he hadn't had the ability to handle such a character back then.
As for why Shelly was here...
It was naturally because of the anonymous letter she had written that reached Steven and old Joseph Stone.
By informing Steven and the League in advance that Kyogre was about to awaken, she gave the Hoenn League sufficient preparation time, allowing the League to minimize the disasters caused by the collision of the two super-ancient legendary Pokémon.
Johan chose to trust Shelly's explanation.
In fact, as Team Aqua's highest administrator and one of Team Aqua's most intelligent members.
In the original work, when Team Aqua's leader Archie went mad trying to awaken Kyogre, and Shelly and others learned of the destruction Archie's actions would cause, they also tried to stop him, but ultimately failed.
"I just want to know what prompted you to make such a change." Johan leaned forward, hands supporting his chin on the table.
Shelly gently brushed her black hair aside, revealing a delicate face. Her slightly smiling eyes fell on Johan as she chuckled softly:
"Of course it's because of you, Teacher Johan."
"Me?" Johan was stunned.
"Team Aqua has been at sea for years, focusing on only two things: searching for Kyogre and making money. They simply couldn't notice your rapid rise, Teacher Johan..." Shelly said with a calm tone.
Rapid rise?
Shelly continued: "Punching Dialga, kicking Palkia, taming the black and white dragons, subduing Kyurem... I don't know what Team Aqua could use to win."
"Uh..."
Johan rubbed his chin.
Is that me?
Well, that indeed was.
Shelly spread her hands: "And the facts proved this was indeed the case, wasn't it?"
Moreover, since Shelly had always been working at Kanaz Pokémon Academy, honestly, her recognition of Team Aqua was far lower than in the original story.
"So what do you plan to do next, Shelly?" Johan changed the subject.
Although Shelly had made great contributions this time, it couldn't erase her original history as Team Aqua's top administrator. A place like Kanaz Pokémon Academy that educated people... she probably couldn't continue staying there.
"I'll go out and see the world..." Shelly lowered her eyes.
"Good idea."
Johan expressed his support.
Going out to see the world, meeting various people and Pokémon, would make anyone feel more cheerful.
He stood up, took out a piece of paper from his coat pocket, and placed it in front of Shelly. Under her puzzled gaze, he said:
"After you've finished seeing the world, if you have nothing else to do, you might consider this."
On the paper was Johan's phone number.
"I happen to need an assistant... secretary? Something along those lines anyway."
With that, he walked out of the room.
Shelly stared blankly at the number on the paper for a long while, then suddenly burst into laughter and carefully tucked the paper away.
In the temporary operations command rest room.
Steven and Wallace were both collapsed on sofas, looking like they were about to die.
It had to be said that for this operation to succeed, Steven and Wallace's battle against Kyogre and forcing it to detour had played a crucial role.
Seeing Johan enter, both men forced themselves to perk up.
"Teacher."
"Teacher Johan."
Johan waved his hand, also looking exhausted as he sank into the sofa.
He was truly tired...
This was only one day, and he didn't know how Steven had managed to fight the duo for 22 days in the manga, actually dying of exhaustion only after finishing the battle rather than halfway through.
Super Hoenn people, well deserved.
However, Johan's condition was slightly better than theirs.
It wasn't that Johan had exerted less effort or was less exhausted, but purely because he had Victini as a "power bank" for support.
"Teacher Johan, your coffee."
The command staff immediately brought coffee in.
"Thank you."
After drinking some coffee, Johan perked up slightly and said:
"Why are you both still holding on? Get some sleep."
Steven leaned back against the sofa and smiled helplessly:
"Teacher, the trouble isn't completely resolved yet."
He was obviously referring to the meteorite problem.
Speaking of which, Johan also felt it was strange why Rayquaza hadn't appeared this time.
Logically, when Groudon and Kyogre came out to cause trouble, shouldn't Rayquaza appear to "mediate"?
Taking ten thousand steps back, even if not for Groudon and Kyogre, when the rainbow meteorite appeared, Rayquaza should have shown up too...
As a result, when Johan wanted to call Rayquaza for help this time, there was no response at all.
Was it sleeping somewhere?
Or was it because Groudon and Kyogre didn't really fight, so it didn't appear?
Had it already obtained the rainbow meteorite's power, so its desire for the rainbow meteorite wasn't that high anymore?
"Steven, Wallace, tell me again in detail about what happened when you encountered Rayquaza." Johan said.
Hearing this, Steven and Wallace exchanged glances, then recounted everything that happened that day from beginning to end, including what Rayquaza had said.
"Sky Pillar?"
After hearing their account, Johan felt he had grasped the key point.
Like in "Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire," would an inheritor need to go to Sky Pillar to gain Rayquaza's recognition before it would help?
"Tomorrow then. Tomorrow we'll go to Sky Pillar."
Johan felt it was necessary to take a look.
As for the inheritor...
If worst came to worst, he'd have other Pokémon help solve the meteorite problem, like... Deoxys.
It just might not be as easy as with Rayquaza.
"Alright."
Steven and Wallace naturally wouldn't refuse this.
If they could truly get Rayquaza's help to solve the meteorite problem, then they wouldn't need to use the "Dimensional Transporter" plan.
Too much life energy was needed...
However.
The League would also prepare for both possibilities, and the "Dimensional Transporter" plan was still being prepared.
It was just that Devon was currently trying to collect "life energy" through conventional means, and wouldn't forcibly take life energy from other Pokémon or humans unless absolutely necessary.
"Glacia, I'm also very tired..."
Johan, who had been preparing to rest, was stopped by Glacia who had rushed to the temporary operations command.
Glacia's face also showed fatigue.
Although she hadn't gone to the front lines to fight Kyogre or Groudon, as the overall commander of this plan and operation, stationed at Hoenn League headquarters, her pressure was no less than Steven and the others.
Moreover, she needed to pay attention to even more things.
Disaster relief, personnel evacuation and support arrangements during disasters, as well as the upcoming meteorite crisis—all of these left Glacia physically and mentally exhausted.
In Glacia's view, having a vigorous battle would be much easier than this.
But there was no choice.
The Hoenn League needed her...
However, Glacia had already decided.
Whether it was Teacher Johan or Steven, after this matter was completely resolved, she would definitely push someone to become Champion and share the burden!
Otherwise, she would resign and quit!
"Sidney and Phoebe have returned with their teams." Glacia removed the white gloves from her hands, let down her pinned-up hair, and said with a long sigh.
"Oh?"
Johan became interested, sitting across from Glacia and asking:
"What's the situation?"
Glacia's expression was heavy as she nodded:
"There were indeed traces of Team Magma and Team Aqua, and we successfully captured some important members of both teams, including administrators."
This was quite a significant "achievement."
But Johan also heard the implication in her words.
"So Maxie and Archie escaped?"
"Yes."
They really could run...
In the manga, these two guys seemed to have escaped as well, but later under Sird's plan, Archie ultimately defeated Maxie, survived, and became the "Armored Man."
"They also found this."
Glacia carefully took out two palm-sized fragments and placed them on the table.
"This is..."
Seeing the red and blue fragments, Johan's pupils contracted slightly.
"Red Orb and Blue Orb?"
"More precisely, fragments."
These two precious orbs that contained Groudon and Kyogre's energy and could even control and command the two super-ancient legendary Pokémon to some extent had actually shattered?
But thinking about it...
Rayquaza's Green Orb seemed to have shattered long ago, and he had even obtained a piece before, which he gave to Dragonite.
That was why Dragonite could touch some of Rayquaza's "speed."
"According to our people's analysis, the reason Groudon and Kyogre were able to undergo Primal Reversion... should be significantly related to the shattering of these two orbs." Glacia added.
Probably...
Johan wasn't entirely certain about this either.
Glacia looked at him deeply, pursed her lips, then pushed the two orb fragments toward him.
"Hm?"
"You keep them."
"Is that appropriate?"
Such precious items.
Although they were shattered, but... judging from Rayquaza's shattered Green Orb fragment, possessing these fragments might even allow some contact with the corresponding super-ancient legendary Pokémon.
Moreover...
Dragonite could gain some power from Rayquaza through the Green Orb fragment, so these Red Orb and Blue Orb fragments might...
That was equivalent to Precipice Blades and Origin Pulse!
And these two fragments were much larger than the Green Orb fragment Johan had obtained.
Glacia looked somewhat tired and waved her hand: "In all of Hoenn, there's probably nowhere safer than keeping them with you."
"If you give them to me..." Johan's gaze fell on the two fragments. "Ahem, they might completely disappear in a while..."
Look here.
He was just worrying about what to use as a "substitute" after Larvitar evolved into Tyranitar and crunched down the Earth Plate fragment in one bite. This Red Orb fragment from Groudon was quite suitable.
"Handle them as you see fit."
Glacia added: "Anyway, if something happens later... you'll be the one cleaning up."
Johan: "..."
He immediately felt these two orb fragments were a bit hot to handle.
But thinking carefully...
It seemed like even if he didn't take these two fragments, if something happened, he wouldn't avoid helping out.
"Alright then."
Johan "reluctantly" accepted the two orb fragments.
The Red Orb fragment could be given to Tyranitar to try.
As for the Blue Orb fragment... it wasn't quite suitable for Coach Bear.
But what if he captured a good Water-type Pokémon in the future?
"Oh right, there's also that matter..."
Glacia covered her mouth and yawned lightly: "I helped you investigate."
She took out a file.
It contained personal information about Team Aqua's Shelly.
"Probably because she was 'undercover' outside, this person hasn't done anything too outrageous. At most... she's deceived some innocent young men."
As she spoke, Glacia's gaze toward Johan became somewhat strange.
"That's fine then."
If he wanted to keep Shelly to help him work, it would be best if she didn't have any difficult-to-accept criminal record. Even if she had made great contributions this time, Johan would have a hurdle in his heart he couldn't cross.
Of course.
How Shelly chose to proceed would ultimately be her own choice.
"Finally home."
Upon returning home, Johan immediately collapsed on the sofa, not wanting to move at all.
Too exhausting.
Not just commanding battles, but performing Mega Evolution twice in one day, including Mega Evolution combined with Terastallization, and Mega Evolution combined with Z-Moves—all quite tiring.
He had also infused large amounts of aura into Coach Bear and Armarouge.
"Vii?"
Victini appeared, rotating its small hands to indicate to Johan...
Want another boost?
"No, no, no, enough, enough."
Johan quickly stopped the little one.
What he was tired of now wasn't his body, but his spirit. Although Victini's infinite energy was amazing, it couldn't help with mental fatigue.
"Ahem."
He sat up, took out Poké Balls and threw them out, summoning all the little ones.
"TYRA?"
Tyranitar stood in the room, yawned, rubbed its eyes twice, then looked at Johan in a daze.
Huh? Why did you get smaller?
Johan's mouth twitched.
"I didn't get smaller, you evolved, Tyranitar. Old Ty."
Evolved?
Tyranitar was also stunned, then realized.
Right! I evolved!
"TYRA!!"
Tyranitar, just remembering this fact, clenched its fists and roared with its head raised.
Crack!
In its excitement, as soon as it raised its head, the ceiling light directly exploded, fragments falling everywhere, and the room immediately became pitch black.
Johan: "..."
Clang!
Ceruledge drew its blade, ghostly blue flames rising from its sword, illuminating the entire living room and the little ones gathered around... in an eerie manner.
Especially Tyranitar's ferocious appearance and fierce face...
"Rotom, quickly start the backup lights!" Johan hurriedly called.
"Understood, Rotom!"
The living room was bright again. Johan breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to see Gengar had somehow appeared behind him, pulling at its eyes and sticking out its tongue, looking ready to scare him.
If Rotom had turned on the lights a bit later, Gengar might have delivered a Lick combo.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar laughed sheepishly, tilted its head, and started whistling nonchalantly.
"TYRA..."
Tyranitar realized its mistake, scratching its head with an embarrassed, silly expression.
Johan sighed and didn't blame it.
Having just evolved, some inadaptation was normal, especially since Tyranitar had the rare direct two-stage evolution to its final form.
However, Johan had already thought of and even arranged a place and "job" for Tyranitar to better and faster adapt to its post-evolution power.
It was precisely the cooled lava island that Groudon had left behind.
Since Groudon was so large, it could only roughly help Johan tidy up the basics. The island's subsequent series of modifications, repairs, planting, etc., all needed to be handled by himself.
So the entire ground soil transformation of the small island would be left to Tyranitar.
"Oh right." Johan felt around his pocket and took out the Red Orb and Blue Orb fragments.
"TYRA?"
"Ka-kaah?"
"Oowoo?"
The little ones saw these two fragments and seemed to sense the power of Groudon and Kyogre within them, immediately gathering around.
Especially Tyranitar, which immediately focused on the Red Orb fragment.
"You..."
Johan's original intention was to give the Red Orb fragment to Tyranitar, but recalling the scene of it crashing the ceiling light earlier, his heart couldn't help but flutter.
So after much consideration, he still instructed: "Without my permission, don't randomly use or practice moves at home, okay?"
"TYRA!"
Tyranitar pounded its chest with a "thump thump" sound, showing an expression of "don't you trust me to handle things?"
When it was Larvitar, Johan indeed didn't need to worry much.
If he let Tyranitar adapt to its current body state for a month or two, he probably wouldn't worry either.
But now...
He was afraid that if Tyranitar rolled over in its sleep at night, the second floor would completely collapse.
Actually, collapsing would be the least of it. What he feared most was suddenly having a spike shoot up from underground in the middle of the night, sending him flying to the sky.
But fear aside, he still had to give it...
Johan finally solemnly handed the Red Orb fragment to Tyranitar.
Then he saw...
"TYRA!"
Tyranitar joyfully received the fragment and brought it to its mouth.
Crunch—
That incredibly hard Red Orb fragment was like... like a red apple, with Tyranitar forcibly biting off a piece!
This made Johan's heart race wildly.
"TYRA~"
Wow, so hard, but the taste is quite good~
Fortunately...
Tyranitar didn't swallow this fragment whole like it had with the Earth Plate fragment.
Tyranitar's bite wasn't as exaggerated as expected.
Thinking about it, when it had swallowed the Earth Plate fragment in one bite, it was also because it had just evolved and borrowed the power of evolution.
Moreover, the massive energy of the Earth Plate fragment meant Tyranitar couldn't instantly digest it.
It would probably take quite some time before it could completely transform the absorbed plate power into its own ability.
However...
After Larvitar evolved into Tyranitar, its type changed from the original Ground and Rock types to Rock and Dark types.
But during the previous exchange with Groudon, Johan felt...
It seemed his Tyranitar hadn't lost the same-type attack bonus when using Ground-type moves.
Because of the remaining energy from the Earth Plate fragment?
Or...
Did Tyranitar have a hidden Ground type?
A three-type Pokémon?
"Sni?"
Snivy had somehow climbed onto Tyranitar's shoulder and was staring at the Blue Orb fragment in Johan's hand, lost in thought.
Hm?
Noticing Snivy's gaze, Johan was also stunned.
"You're interested?"
"Sni! (#`皿)"
Just a little curious! Even if you don't give it to me, I won't ask for it!
Johan couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, I'll give it to you."
With that, he stuffed the Blue Orb fragment into Snivy's arms.
He had asked Coach Bear anyway, and it wasn't very interested.
And among his other Pokémon, there really weren't many that could use it.
Before capturing a new Water-type Pokémon, he might as well let Snivy play with it.
Water-type energy probably wouldn't have any negative effects on the Grass-type Snivy anyway.
"Sni!"
You're the one who gave it to me!
Snivy happily put away the Blue Orb fragment.
During this incident, Snivy didn't have the opportunity or ability to intervene, but that didn't mean it wasn't paying attention to the events.
It had seen Kyogre's power.
It was just that the Water-type Kyogre obviously wouldn't help the Grass-type Snivy the way Groudon helped Tyranitar.
What Snivy was interested in was Kyogre's use of energy.
Why could others shoot five or six light beams with one move, but it couldn't?
Origin Pulse?
Then it would reluctantly study it!
Snivy's learning library +1
He patted the little one's head.
With Larvitar evolving into Tyranitar and even competing with Groudon for weather control, it obviously had no chance of participating in any "Baby Cup" anymore.
Johan could only place his "hopes" on Snivy.
He just didn't understand why Snivy hadn't evolved yet.
After this Hoenn matter was completely settled, he'd investigate more deeply.
"Alright."
Johan stretched.
"Get some rest early. If nothing unexpected happens, tomorrow we'll need to go to Sky Pillar, and we might get to see the Pokémon world's biggest green caterpillar."
Green caterpillar?
"Sni~(▼皿▼)"
Snivy clenched its fists, indicating that a mere green caterpillar wasn't worth being serious about.
I'll beat it up for you to see tomorrow!
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates