Hoenn region, Sootopolis City.
Under the towering tree on the central lake island.
Although the appearance of Groudon and Kyogre had brought considerable destruction to all of Hoenn, fortunately the League's plan was implemented quite smoothly, and with Steven, Wallace and others' desperate protection, Sootopolis City hadn't become complete ruins like in the manga.
Coming alone under the tree.
Rustle—rustle—
A gentle breeze passed through, and the lush tree made rustling sounds.
Listening carefully, it seemed like there was pleasant laughter.
"Floette."
Johan gently placed his hand on the tree trunk, closed his eyes, and slowly spread his aura outward, trying to find traces of the Eternal Floette.
"Sni~"
Snivy stood at the edge of the small island, head lowered, admiring its own "peerless beauty."
It truly was beautiful.
Today's sunlight was gentle, with a light breeze. Snivy's body constantly emanated a faint glow—it was photosynthesizing.
"Sni?"
Looking and looking...
Snivy suddenly noticed that in the water's reflection, a Floette holding flower stems appeared behind it.
But this Floette looked somewhat special...
Other Floette, regardless of what flower form they took, at most only differed in the color of the flowers they held—red flowers, orange flowers, blue flowers, white flowers, etc.
But this Floette—its body showed a deep blue color, and the flower it held was also very different.
Crimson stems and petals, black spike-like stamens, giving a mysterious yet eerie feeling.
"Sni?"
Snivy immediately turned to look behind itself—nothing there.
It clenched its little hands into fists and rubbed its eyes vigorously.
Looking at the reflection again.
It was still there!
"Yiiin~"
A gentle voice, like silver bells, like spring water tinkling.
The Floette seemed to be greeting it, eyes curved into crescents, with crystalline petals dancing in the air, like cherry blossoms, like peach blossoms...
"Sni..."
So beautiful...
Snivy murmured.
Johan suddenly appeared beside Snivy, smiled and crouched down, looking at the Floette in the reflection with it, saying softly:
"It's the Eternal Floette."
Due to the influence of the "Ultimate Weapon," the Eternal Floette actually couldn't be considered a Floette anymore. Its appearance, abilities, base stats, etc., had all undergone tremendous changes.
Even, in a sense, the Eternal Floette could be considered a legendary Pokémon.
Eternal Floette?
Snivy was stunned. Besides its appearance, it didn't understand how this Floette differed from other Floette.
"Yiin~"
The Floette in the reflection gently blinked at Johan, seemingly greeting him.
Johan also smiled and waved at it, then sat beside Snivy, slowly telling the little one about the story of King AZ and the Eternal Floette.
Snivy hadn't met AZ, nor experienced the Xerneas and Yveltal incident, so it didn't know about the Eternal Floette.
But under Johan's narration, Snivy unconsciously nestled into Johan's arms, its little hands gripping his clothes tightly.
To be honest.
Snivy didn't quite understand the Eternal Floette's actions.
Although what King AZ did had an element of... self-satisfaction, if it were the Floette at that time, it would definitely be moved.
As for the sins AZ committed... they could bear them together.
Together was better than being apart for thousands of years without meeting.
Johan was somewhat surprised by Snivy's such "awareness."
He smiled and said: "It's like when you see a river, you're already outside the river. When you see a mountain, you're already outside the mountain."
"Sni?" Snivy tilted its head looking at Johan.
What was all this about?
Johan continued: "When you see anger, it means you're already outside anger. When you see dissatisfaction, it means you're already outside dissatisfaction... Those in the situation are confused, bystanders see clearly. You haven't experienced it, so naturally you'd find it incomprehensible."
"Sni..."
Snivy seemed to understand somewhat, nodding thoughtfully.
Johan looked again at the Eternal Floette in the reflection, which also showed a thoughtful expression, and said:
"Clinging to one thought, fixed on one thought. Let go of one thought, peace in the heart. Floette, King AZ has already let go. What about you?"
"Yiin..."
The Eternal Floette was stunned, showing reminiscence and deep longing in its eyes.
Obviously.
Although they hadn't met, the Eternal Floette's feelings for AZ hadn't changed. Even because they hadn't seen each other for so long, it had fermented into something even more intense.
"You've felt it too, haven't you? AZ's change."
Otherwise, the Eternal Floette probably still wouldn't appear.
Even though Johan's aura, after Arceus's "blessing," had become many times stronger.
"Yiin..."
In the reflection, the Eternal Floette disappeared.
"Sni?"
Snivy pointed at the reflection.
It left?
Johan picked up the little one and stood, patting the grass off his pants:
"Let's go."
"Sni?"
Just leaving like that?
"After we finish dealing with Hoenn's affairs, we'll come back. It will come with us to Kalos."
Snivy nodded as if understanding.
Nestled in Johan's arms, looking up to see his defined features, it couldn't help speaking up.
"Sni?"
You just said all that so reasonably—can you "see" your true self?
Hearing this, Johan grinned.
"Of course."
"Sni?"
Then what did you see? What did you step outside of?
Johan's answer was quite simple.
"I saw poverty."
Poverty?
Johan's smile contained some helplessness.
"But seeing poverty doesn't mean I'm outside poverty. Haha—"
Snivy's expression was dazed.
After a long while, it slowly reacted.
So you just said all that about clinging to thoughts and clarity—you were talking big!
Snivy noticed Johan's somewhat teasing and mocking gaze, and its cheeks immediately reddened.
Vine Whip dance!
"Sni! (▼皿▼)"
Hoenn region, Kanaz City.
"Teacher Johan, this..."
A League staff member stood at the café door, holding a thick stack of reimbursement forms, sweating profusely.
This Groudon and Kyogre incident, while not causing devastating destruction, obviously still had impact. So the League received numerous disaster relief "reimbursement forms" from various towns and cities.
But the problem was...
Wasn't this a bit... too much?
Especially... the staff member looked at the top reimbursement form, seeing several numbers that made his "heart race."
Café coffee cup reimbursement, quantity... 1000!
What café would have 1000 coffee cups!
And they all broke at once?
Johan, carrying coffee, walked over and glanced at the reimbursement form, seemingly also finding something wrong.
"Sorry, since there were so many forms, some were written by Gengar. This coffee cup quantity..."
The staff member was about to sigh in relief when he saw Johan take out a pen and add a stroke, changing the "1" to "4."
"Gengar is still too naive. How could it be 1000? It's 4000. It made a mistake."
"This..."
The staff member was drenched in sweat.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar, cleaning glass nearby, blinked and pointed at itself.
Me?
Naive?
"Vii~"
Don't forget my cookies.
Even Victini couldn't help running out to remind Johan.
"I wrote you down for 500 boxes. Any more would spoil before you could eat them."
"Vii~(＾＿－)v"
After spending so much time together, Victini had gradually taken on Johan's "shape."
"Our café has some sweets. Very reasonable, right?" Johan looked at the staff member with a smile.
"Rea—reasonable..." The staff member nodded repeatedly.
He was about to cry.
Really.
If it were just coffee cups and cookies, that would be one thing.
The problem was...
This was just the "small stuff" among all these reimbursement forms. This thick stack... was Teacher Johan planning to establish a nation?
Seeming to see the staff member's difficulty, Johan patted his shoulder and said:
"It's fine, all small matters. You're just responsible for helping deliver documents. Just hand these to Elite Four Drake."
"Y-yes..."
Thinking of this, the staff member also relaxed.
That's right.
Anyway, he wasn't the one approving them—that was Elite Four Drake and Elite Four Glacia. Just hopefully these two Elite Four members wouldn't start fighting over this...
Watching the staff member leave, Johan took out his phone and called Elite Four Drake.
"Old man, what percentage do I get again?"
"As agreed, thirty percent." Drake's hearty voice came through the phone.
Regarding Johan, Drake couldn't say much about other things, but just in terms of filling reimbursement forms... probably no one in the entire League could match him. Truly worthy of being the legendary "Reimbursement King."
This incident was so big that the entire League across all regions knew about it. Many people even thought the Hoenn region was going to be flattened. Now only being affected this little, without even any death reports, just some accidental injuries.
But with such a major incident, they weren't claiming from the Hoenn League, but from the main League headquarters.
The main League was so rich. With Hoenn needing "reconstruction," this was already quite "modest."
"Alright." Johan nodded and asked: "Is this enough? If not, I can print another hundred copies?"
"That's about enough. Any more and the main League will start complaining."
"Got it."
Getting confirmation, Johan happily hung up the phone.
Another benefit of not being an Elite Four member or Champion was that reimbursement forms... could be filled freely!
Anyway, there were people above taking the pressure.
If he became an Elite Four member or Champion, he couldn't do this anymore.
"Teacher."
At this time, Aster came in from outside carrying bags, asking with some confusion:
"That person just now... was the weather very hot? He was sweating so much?"
"Maybe." Johan turned to Ninetales resting on the booth: "Ninetales, it's too hot."
"Oowoo..."
Ninetales responded softly, its fur gently swaying as the café's temperature immediately dropped several degrees.
In summer, Ninetales' "usefulness" was fully displayed.
A few days ago when facing Groudon, under that blazing sun and lava heat, Johan felt no discomfort at all, precisely because of Ninetales' presence.
"Teacher, should I take these to the kitchen?" Aster indicated the bags in her hands, all filled with ingredients.
"Thank you for the trouble."
"No trouble at all!"
Aster skipped toward the kitchen, where the Indeedee siblings, Alcremie, and Rotom were already preparing.
Watching her cheerful manner, Johan smiled helplessly.
"Now she's acting more like a kid."
Previously, in Sootopolis City, Aster had proposed wanting to apprentice herself to Johan, not just for Pokémon training, but also for martial arts.
But Johan expressed that... he didn't run a fighting gym and didn't take disciples.
Wallace and Steven at the time indicated that Teacher Johan didn't take disciples, but students were possible.
And now, who didn't call Johan "Teacher" when they met him?
Some out of respect, some due to his position, and some were students addressing their teacher.
So, regardless of whether you were actually Teacher Johan's student, if you considered yourself his student and called him teacher, then you were a student.
Aster had an epiphany at the time, then... became like this.
However, as a "Draconid," living in the isolated "Meteor Village," many of Aster's behaviors and consciousness hadn't aligned with the outside world, so she seemed particularly respectful toward Johan, even more respectful than disciples to masters.
But as they spent time together, Aster discovered Johan was easygoing, without airs or strict rules, so she gradually relaxed.
Look, with Reshiram, Zekrom, and Darkrai still not having left, Aster proactively took on the "heavy responsibility" of grocery shopping.
It's just...
"Somehow gained another student..."
Aster had special constitution and abilities, essentially existing for Dragon-type Pokémon.
"Feels like... I can 'show off' to Lance in the future."
Thinking of this, the pressure of having a student immediately lessened.
Moreover, current Aster already had considerable strength. After growing for some time... surpassing the "prodigy" Steven might be unlikely, but catching up to Wallace was hopeful.
At minimum, she had the potential to become an Elite Four member, perfectly suited to take over Elite Four Drake's Dragon-type Elite Four position.
"Lost out!"
Johan struck palm with fist.
"Should have asked for one more percent commission earlier, solving such a big 'problem' for old man Drake."
Ding ding—
Phone ringing.
Taking it out, Johan's heart immediately jumped.
Caller ID: Cynthia.
Answering the call.
"Johan." Cynthia's voice immediately came through the phone, but just two words, and sounding somewhat flat.
Hearing this tone, Johan's mind unconsciously conjured an image.
Holy crap!
So cool!
"Cough, let me explain..." Johan coughed lightly.
No choice.
This incident was too big. There were many news helicopters at the scene, and though later the commotion was so large it caused signal and network problems, preventing the most shocking scenes from being filmed...
But...
The scene of Johan alone facing Groudon, intercepting Groudon, was still captured.
On the vast ocean, the towering massive Groudon churning lava all the way, Johan riding a bicycle on an ice path coming before Groudon, raising his hand to indicate: This road is blocked!
This image made countless people instantly become fans, supporters of Teacher Johan, and turned many casual fans into devoted followers.
But being cool was cool.
But in Cynthia's eyes...
"I've already had people build a signal tower on Mt. Coronet." Cynthia interrupted Johan's words.
Mt. Coronet?
Signal tower?
That largest mountain range in the Pokémon world?
Building a signal tower in the polar cold constantly covered by ice and snow...
"Hired Devon's construction team. Three days to completion."
Johan was sweating.
He thought to himself that Devon truly lived up to its reputation.
Though if this job were given to Team Rocket, it would probably take at most two days...
In terms of pure construction, Team Rocket definitely couldn't match Devon, but for "dangerous construction," few companies could compete with Team Rocket...
Hm?
At this thought, Johan suddenly realized.
Seemed like... he'd found another path for Team Rocket?
"Next time!" Cynthia's voice pulled Johan's wandering thoughts back. Her tone seemed somewhat heavy: "No matter what happens, no matter who you're facing..."
As she spoke, Cynthia's voice became gentle and tender again.
"...call me. We'll do it together, okay?"
Hearing this, Johan's heart warmed as he said softly: "I was worried about you. Don't worry, I actually have experience in this..."
"Okay?"
"Okay..."
"Good boy."
"Draaa..."
Good thing Cynthia wasn't here to "demand an explanation," letting Johan sigh in relief.
But thinking about it made sense.
Mt. Coronet had poor signal, so he couldn't contact Cynthia. How could Johan be blamed for not calling for "backup"?
Moreover, after building the signal tower on Mt. Coronet, calling his little cabbage would be much more convenient in the future. Johan was overjoyed.
"By the way, are Flint and the others with you?" Johan suddenly asked.
At this time, the signal tower on Mt. Coronet wasn't completed yet. Cynthia was obviously back home resupplying after training for a while, when she saw the news.
"Flint is here, but still 'climbing trees.'"
Cynthia looked at Flint unconscious in a tree not far away and asked:
"What's wrong?"
Johan shrank his neck.
No wonder emotions were so calm.
Thanks for your sacrifice, good brother Flint!
This way, half a grudge in the little black book could be erased... Johan thought magnanimously.
"Oh, it's nothing major. I have a friend who 'ran away from home' for a while. Can't find it, but it should still be in Sinnoh. Wanted Flint and the others to help me look."
"A Pokémon?"
"Yes."
"Mm... need my help?"
"No need, don't delay your preparations. Small matter, just a small matter."
Don't interfere with our little cabbage's Championship run.
Finding the "runaway" Giratina, this kind of "Where Did Giratina Go" mini-event should be left to Flint and Lucian to handle.
"Do you have a general location?" Cynthia asked.
Location...
This was the key point.
Mainly, Johan didn't know why Giratina had suddenly left the Distortion World.
If he knew why Giratina left, then searching would... undoubtedly be much more convenient.
Actually, Johan couldn't think even if his brain broke that Giratina had gone to find "glue" to make a proper diamond screen.
But soon Johan had a guess.
Could it be for Shaymin?
In the movie "Giratina and the Sky Warrior: Shaymin," Giratina trapped in the Distortion World escaped because of Shaymin, this mythical Pokémon, establishing a connection between the fierce legendary beast and the cute, weak mythical beast.
Then they lived together shamelessly ever after (crossed out).
Cough.
In his previous life, there were quite a few fanart of Giratina and Shaymin.
But in this world, Giratina had long escaped the Distortion World's constraints because of Johan, so Shaymin... probably had never been contacted.
But the world's convergence... hard to say.
Could it really have gone to find Shaymin?
"Perhaps... Gracidea?" Johan said somewhat uncertainly.
"Gracidea? Gracidea flower field?"
Cynthia seemed to have heard of it, then said: "I understand. When Flint finishes climbing, I'll have him and Aaron go take a look."
"Mm."
After that, Johan honestly "confessed" about going to space with Rayquaza to destroy the meteorite.
And he said Darkrai would go with him, and he'd contacted Deoxys, so it was very safe.
Going to space...
This was something Cynthia really couldn't help with.
Countless words finally converged into one sentence...
"Be careful... I'm here waiting for you..."
"Okay!"
Two days later.
Hoenn region, Mossdeep Space Center.
Wearing Devon Corporation's highest-tech spacesuit, Johan stood on the top floor of Mossdeep Space Center, listening to instructions from nearby staff and Steven.
"...This is the signal receiver. Eighteen total installed. We can definitely receive Teacher Johan's voice." The staff member said.
Johan nodded.
"The day before yesterday, the president ordered a satellite launched, capable of clearly filming scenes in space."
Devon truly lived up to its reputation.
A satellite, launched just like that.
However...
After learning Rayquaza was resting at Sky Pillar, recently Devon and even the Hoenn League had been frantically launching satellites into space whenever possible.
Rare opportunity.
Once Rayquaza returned to the ozone layer, satellite launch success rates would...
"Teacher, this suit has '∞ Energy' installed. In emergencies, it can protect you through the atmosphere." Steven said with some concern.
Steven was indeed cautious.
Actually, with Darkrai, Deoxys, and Rayquaza's protection, it would be difficult for Johan to get into trouble in space even if he wanted to.
Honestly, Johan was somewhat surprised that he... wasn't very nervous about going to outer space, but rather a bit excited.
Space...
In his previous life, how many children made wishes as kids to become astronauts when they grew up, only to learn as adults how difficult it was, having to struggle with life instead.
Never expected... to have a chance to fulfill this "dream" in the Pokémon world.
Would he encounter Pokémon from space that he'd never seen before?
"Teacher?" Steven asked quietly.
"Cough, nothing." Johan waved his hand.
He had to admit, Devon's technology was indeed among the top in the Pokémon world. This spacesuit was completely comfortable to wear, without even feeling much restriction.
He just pointed to the side, where staff were also bustling around... Gengar in a spacesuit.
"So, what's this situation?"
"Ka-kaah~ヽ(●＾▽)ノ"
Through the spacesuit's transparent visor, Gengar was grinning and waving at Johan.
The purple fatty in a dark red spacesuit... was still a fatty.
"Uh... Gengar said it wanted one too." Steven explained.
In Gengar's own words—
Such a cool outfit, I gotta try it!
Having waited so long for armor that never came, a spacesuit was "reluctantly" acceptable.
"No wonder it's been so quiet these past few days..."
Johan recalled that these past few days, Gengar had been unusually quiet, just hugging its phone and watching constantly. He thought Gengar was binge-watching shows, but now it seemed... it was probably studying space knowledge, understanding the universe?
Moreover, with Gengar's constitution, did it really need something like a spacesuit?
Sure it wouldn't end up with Rayquaza carrying the spacesuit in front while Gengar chased behind?
However, thinking about needing to get some meteorites for Tyranitar, having Gengar would undoubtedly be much more convenient. Johan let it be.
The appointed time arrived.
Rumble rumble—
The sea of clouds above Mossdeep City began churning, accompanied by a loud, imposing roar.
"Roar—!!"
A green dragon pierced through the clouds, arriving with a domineering attitude.
"It's Rayquaza!"
"Alive!"
"It's—it's not here to attack, right?"
The staff on the top floor of Mossdeep Space Center couldn't help being intimidated by Rayquaza's presence.
Even with Teacher Johan's guarantee, this Rayquaza's demeanor... didn't look easy to get along with.
It wouldn't just ram the entire space center, would it?
Obviously, such dangerous thoughts were somewhat excessive. Rayquaza finally stopped beside Mossdeep Space Center, its sharp gaze also softening slightly.
[I have arrived!]
Johan smiled and said: "Thanks for the trouble, Rayquaza. After this is over, I'll treat you to a meal."
Hearing this, Rayquaza's eyes brightened slightly.
[Truly?]
"Of course."
"Roar—!!!"
Rayquaza seemed even more energetic.
Then.
Under Rayquaza's gaze, Johan took out Dragonite's portable flight gear made by Tinkaton, emphasizing easy removal and adaptability to most carriers.
[?]
"For safety."
Johan took a deep breath, then stepped on the gear's footboards and fastened the safety belt.
"All set."
"Ka-kaah!"
Somehow, Gengar had already drilled into Johan's shadow, poking out half its head.
Waving its claw at Rayquaza.
"Rayquaza, launch!" Johan called out.
[Hold tight.]
"Roar!!"
Rayquaza roared, its body suddenly shaking as it immediately became a straight green arrow, flying toward the dense clouds, destination—outer space!
Sharp air currents dispersed the clouds. In a few blinks, it disappeared from everyone's sight.
The space center staff stared wide-eyed with mouths agape.
This was... Rayquaza's speed?
"Signal normal!"
"Video transmission normal!"
"Navigation information transmission normal!"
"Audio transmission... audio? Teacher Johan? Hello? Can you hear us?"
"Mmm..."
A light hum came through the audio.
Nothing more—this was the limit of what Johan could manage at the moment.
Whether Rayquaza was doing it on purpose or because it had gained power from the seven-colored meteorite, its speed was... even faster than last time!
It felt like... the person flying in front while the soul desperately chased behind.
The Mossdeep Space Center staff wanted confirmation when they heard—
"Ka-kaah~!"
Gengar's exclamation came through.
"Audio transmission normal! Navigation beginning!"
Johan and Gengar's spacesuit helmet visors displayed their current position, then showed the meteorite's location.
"Breaking through troposphere!"
"Breaking through stratosphere!"
"Breaking through mesosphere..."
So fast!
The Mossdeep Space Center staff were all shocked by Rayquaza's terrifying speed, much faster than their launched rockets.
Moreover, the closer to the outer layer, the faster it got.
"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"
Gengar directed Rayquaza's course. The flying Rayquaza couldn't help looking back at the stone-faced Johan.
Quite foresighted, sending Gengar for navigation.
Johan: "..."
Fortunately, there was something he was grateful for.
After completely breaking through planetary constraints and reaching space, his perception of speed... wasn't so exaggerated anymore.
He finally had a chance to appreciate the scenery in space.
Vast stars, those big and small stars he used to see, now magnified countless times, each seemingly having its own special characteristics.
What made Johan feel the biggest change was...
Silence.
Incredible silence.
As if arriving at the world's end.
Looking back.
He saw a blue planet, misty with clouds, hazy and mysterious.
[Which way?]
Rayquaza's voice rang in Johan's mind, pulling him back from the shock of first seeing space.
"There!"
Through aura, Johan could accurately convey his meaning to Rayquaza, which was why he could come up as a "guide."
"Wonder if there's an M78 Nebula here..." Johan's thoughts wandered again.
Because really speaking...
The Pokémon world actually incorporated quite many elements. For example, Regigigas, this super-ancient giant, giant of light—didn't it have a bit of an "Ultraman" feel?
[M78 Nebula?]
"Cough, no, I was just saying randomly."
Rayquaza passed through a meteorite belt. Large and small meteorites floated irregularly like balloons on pause.
As Rayquaza flew past, these small meteorites immediately split to both sides.
Occasionally, one or two "meteorites" cracked, becoming small meteors.
"Ka-kaah..."
Somehow, Gengar had conjured a "black hole" in its hands, like pulling a net, just scooping up meteorites.
One scoop, a whole bunch.
[These meteorites are mediocre quality. If you really want some, I'll take you to a place I often eat at later.]
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar's eyes lit up.
[Of course, some meteorites carry cosmic viruses and can't be eaten casually.]
After reaching space, Rayquaza seemed to talk more, no longer using that archaic tone.
Don't know how long they flew.
The target meteorite, the incredibly huge meteorite, finally appeared in their sight.
"Found it!"
Johan said softly.
[Hm?]
But Rayquaza suddenly stopped, showing some hesitation.
"What's wrong?"
[There's something on that meteorite.]
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Powerstones?
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