Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Deep within the ocean, aboard a submarine,

Dock idly scrolled through his phone as he followed orders to lay low for a while.

Upon seeing the news of Johan defeating Brandon with a 3–0 victory, even besting the Legendary Titans, Dock wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Good thing I ran fast enough…" he muttered with relief.

Viridian City, Rocket Base

"Matori, bring up the latest news on Johan," Giovanni ordered.

The large screen displayed Matori's image alongside recent news of Johan conquering the Battle Frontier and defeating Brandon.

"Already capable of defeating Brandon?" Giovanni murmured, visibly impressed.

"His progress is remarkable."

When Johan first visited the Viridian Gym, his unique insights and talents were evident, but his actual battle strength had been fairly average.

Yet, in just a few short months, Johan had grown strong enough to conquer the Battle Frontier and face Brandon head-on.

Giovanni, however, was no stranger to Brandon's strength.

"By the way," he added, "we haven't given Johan his year-end bonus yet, have we?"

"Not yet," Matori confirmed.

"Make the arrangements," Giovanni instructed.

"Understood!"

Hoenn Region, Rustboro Pokémon Academy

In the principal's office, the elderly headmaster chuckled as he spoke on the phone.

"Clavell, there's no need to worry—Johan will surely bring a few students to visit your academy for an exchange program."

Behind him, a Pangoro chewed on a bamboo stick, contemplating how it could best spar with the old man today.

"And that favor I asked for?"

"Ah, you mean Professor Raifort?"

The headmaster's mind wandered to a certain figure.

Raifort, a historian at Naranja Academy, had previously been an adventurer involved in archaeology and tomb raiding.

"Ancient blueprints, you say? That's tricky... but doable. Better than nothing, I suppose."

After hanging up, the headmaster stroked his chin.

"Ancient armor schematics, huh? Could Johan really forge them himself?"

"Roar!"

The Pangoro cracked its knuckles, flashing a grin. It was time to train!

The old headmaster stood, his body trembling slightly, but his face filled with confidence.

"Come on, let me teach you a new move today!"

From the principal's office, the sound of punches and loud grunts echoed.

Johan stretched lazily in bed, scrolling through his phone.

"Woke up to find the internet turning me into a Pokémon Master…" he muttered, amused by the headlines.

Various media outlets had taken his recent achievements and blown them out of proportion.

Some articles claimed:

"Brandon rivals the Elite Four. Johan crushed him 3–0. Ergo, Johan could crush the Elite Four!"

Even more ridiculous were jokes like:

"Since Brandon can't beat Johan, and I can't beat Johan, does that mean I'm equal to Brandon?"

Such exaggerated claims made Johan chuckle.

As for comparisons to the Elite Four, Johan shrugged it off.

Yes, he had defeated Brandon's Registeel, but only with Ninetales' Baton Pass buffs and Gengar's Mega Evolution.

By the end of that battle, both he and Gengar were utterly spent, barely able to stand.

He knew well that there was still a significant gap between him and the Elite Four.

"Guess some people just don't want to see me compete in the League…"

Johan wasn't bothered by public opinion.

As a registered Junior Trainer, he was already punching above his weight by competing in the League.

Besides, he thought with a grin, who cares about public opinion when your goal is fun, challenge, and adventure?

After a long morning of lounging in bed, Johan finally got up, washed, and stepped outside into the garden.

The Pokémon were already playing.

"Gengar! Mega Evolution!"

Excited, Jirachi cheered.

"Ka-kah!" Gengar growled in mock seriousness, mist swirling around it as it mimicked its Mega form.

"Tinkaton handed over a paper eye, and Gengar stuck it to its forehead, pretending it was part of its transformation.

The Pokémon burst into laughter.

"Draaa?"

Dragonair tilted its head. "Gengar, where do your feet go during Mega Evolution?"

Gengar froze. "???"

It had never considered that before.

Johan, noticing the scene, chuckled and stepped in.

"Mega Gengar's body partially shifts into a different dimension. Its lower half hides there, ready to dodge at any moment."

The Pokémon nodded, enlightened.

Relieved, Gengar wiped imaginary sweat from its brow.

"Gengar, show me the stone you found yesterday," Johan asked.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar retrieved the gray-black stone and handed it over. Johan noticed its surface had been wiped clean, revealing faint streaks of crimson.

"Goka?"

Charcadet was immediately drawn to the stone, sensing a strange energy emanating from it.

Johan raised an eyebrow. Could this stone be connected to Groudon?

"Whatever it is, it's just an inanimate object now."

Smiling, he handed the stone to Charcadet.

"If it resonates with you, then it's yours."

Charcadet's flames flickered, glowing a slightly deeper red as it carefully stored the stone away.

"Johan, Mr. Scott wants to see you," Flannery and Roxanne said, approaching the garden.

Scott arrived, dressed in his usual Alola-style beachwear.

After congratulating Johan on conquering the Battle Frontier, Scott extended an invitation.

"As per tradition, any trainer who collects all seven Gold Symbols and conquers the Battle Frontier is eligible to become a Frontier Brain. Would you be interested, Johan?"

Johan hesitated.

Scott's enthusiasm grew.

"If you agree, we can even design a new facility for you—the Symbol of Mindfulness, perhaps?"

The idea intrigued Gengar, who was practically glowing at the thought of such prestige.

But Johan shook his head, smiling.

"Thanks, Scott, but I think I'll pass."

Becoming a Frontier Brain would mean giving up his freedom to teach, travel, and bond with Pokémon. For now, Johan preferred his current path.

"If you ever change your mind, the Battle Frontier will always welcome you," Scott said.

After Scott departed, Johan turned to the Pokémon.

"Alright, everyone! No training today—we're going to the amusement park!"

Cheers erupted as the Pokémon celebrated the promise of a fun-filled day.

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