Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"Jirachi, don't eat too much ice cream, or you'll get a stomachache," Johan warned.

[Alright…]

Jirachi reluctantly looked at the vanilla ice cream in its left hand and the creamy milk ice cream in its right. It couldn't decide which to give up.

Seeing its hesitant and conflicted expression, Johan sighed.

"Fine, just eat them both."

As a mythical Pokémon, Jirachi probably wouldn't actually get a stomachache from eating too much ice cream.

[Yay!]

The clever little Pokémon twinkled its eyes mischievously and happily devoured the treats.

Johan shook his head, smiling.

Thanks to the increase in visitors to the Battle Frontier and the attraction of the Millennium Comet, the streets were vibrant and festive. Shops had sprung up, and the roads were decorated with bright lights, giving the area the feel of a grand celebration.

The group strolled along the bustling streets, stopping occasionally to play games or buy snacks.

"Ka-kah~~"

Suddenly, Gengar tugged at Jirachi's ribbon and put a finger to its lips, signaling it to stay quiet.

Jirachi's eyes sparkled, and it quickly covered its mouth with its hands, nodding excitedly.

The two snuck away for a moment.

When they returned, they were draped in a large white sheet. Moving silently, they crept up behind Johan.

"Ka-kah!!"

Gengar yelled as it ripped off the sheet, revealing itself grinning mischievously. Next to it stood Jirachi, dressed in a Gengar-themed costume, arms spread wide in imitation.

Johan: "…"

"Gengar, you'll even 'borrow' Jirachi's 'skin,' huh?"

Though Johan had noticed them earlier, when he saw Jirachi's expectant gaze, he paused for a moment before pretending to be startled.

"Ah! You scared me!" Johan said, clutching his chest dramatically.

[Hahaha!]

Jirachi laughed happily, rolling around on Gengar's head.

[We scared Johan! We scared him!]

"Ka-kah-kah!"

Gengar crossed its arms, looking triumphant. Its expression screamed, See how great I am? I'm the king of fear!

After more games and wandering, they finally returned to their lodging. Johan felt utterly exhausted.

Walking around with excitable Pokémon was far more tiring than a date.

Even as a capable fighter, he couldn't keep up with their boundless energy.

When they arrived, Johan discovered Steven, Flannery, and Roxanne sitting in the garden, playing cards.

"Seriously?" Johan muttered.

Seeing the game, Johan's interest was piqued.

"Move aside, Flannery. Let me show you how it's done," Johan said, rolling up his sleeves.

"Fine, go ahead," Flannery replied with a smirk, giving up her seat.

Johan quickly learned the card game's rules.

"One pair of Caterpie!" Johan declared dramatically, throwing down his cards.

"Bomb!" Steven replied, slamming down two Rayquaza cards.

"…But I only played Caterpie…" Johan blinked.

Steven grinned. "I know," he said, laying down a seven-card straight.

"…Pass," Roxanne said, refraining from challenging her teammate's move.

Johan glanced at his hand, then at Steven's.

"Alright," Johan sighed, gathering the cards. "Let's see you handle all 17 of mine!"

"Straight," Steven declared again, playing eight cards in a row.

Johan: "…"

The garden erupted with laughter.

Even Jirachi, who didn't understand the game, joined in the mirth.

Determined to win, Johan called upon his Pokémon for help.

"Ninetales, help me draw cards!"

The next day marked Jirachi's seventh day of awakening.

As the group left the Battle Frontier, they returned to the stone pillar forest where they had camped before.

The night sky sparkled with countless stars, and the Millennium Comet stretched across the heavens.

"Sleeping for a thousand years, only to wake for seven days…" Flannery murmured, her voice tinged with sadness as she looked at Jirachi.

"It's so unfair," Roxanne added, her expression somber.

[Huh?]

Jirachi, holding a wish stick it had bought from a shop, tilted its head in confusion.

The shopkeeper had claimed that waving the stick at the comet would make any wish come true. Ironically, the one who bought it was the Wish Pokémon itself—and it genuinely believed the claim.

Steven smiled at Jirachi. "It doesn't matter how long it sleeps. What's important is that it's happy when it wakes."

[Everyone! Let's play together!]

Jirachi's soft glow melded with the starlit sky. Its ribbons fluttered as it smiled innocently.

Johan tucked away his phone, no longer checking the time.

"Alright," he said warmly. "Let's play."

As the night wore on, the group made their way to their campsite.

Suddenly, the stars grew brighter.

Jirachi began to shine, floating upward. Its True Eye opened on its stomach, responding to the comet's light.

The Millennium Comet's glow enveloped Jirachi, bathing the area in radiant energy.

"It's time to say goodbye," Johan said softly.

The Pokémon lowered their heads, visibly saddened. Even Gengar pulled out a handkerchief, pretending to wipe its eyes.

Flannery and Roxanne were teary-eyed, and even Steven looked melancholic.

[Johan…]

Jirachi's voice echoed in Johan's mind.

[You haven't made a wish yet. Whatever you wish for, Jirachi will grant it!]

Johan hesitated, then smiled gently.

"I wish for Jirachi to have beautiful dreams during its thousand years of sleep. Long, happy dreams that will keep you smiling."

Jirachi blinked, then smiled.

[Johan, I'm sleepy. Sing to me?]

Johan softly hummed a lullaby. Though not a great singer, his voice was familiar and comforting to Jirachi.

Gradually, Jirachi's movements slowed, and its glow dimmed.

As crystalline layers formed around it, Jirachi returned to its dormant state.

"Ka-kah~"

"Draaa~"

Gengar, Ninetales, and the others waved as Jirachi disappeared beneath the earth, its glow fading into the ground.

At the same time, the comet vanished, leaving behind a sky full of brilliant stars.

Suddenly, a small fragment fell from the sky, glowing faintly green.

The fragment landed softly in Johan's hands.

It was Jirachi's final gift.

[Johan… remember me, okay? I'll feel it.]

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Powerstones?

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