Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Although Johan had learned from Rotom that Ecruteak City in Johto might have the materials he needed, he wasn't in a hurry to travel there.

Having just returned from the Battle Frontier, there was no reason to rush—Charcadet wasn't at the point of needing to evolve yet.

Besides, after so many battles at the Frontier, it was time for some relaxation and review.

So, Johan spent three lazy—er, peaceful—days in Rustboro City before boarding a flight to Goldenrod City in Johto.

Goldenrod City, Johto

As Johto's largest and most bustling metropolis, Goldenrod City could be compared to Saffron City in Kanto.

When Johan and his Pokémon stepped off the plane at the Goldenrod City airport, the city's liveliness immediately struck them.

For Johan, this was his first time visiting Goldenrod, and most of his impressions of the city were rooted in its portrayal in the games.

For instance, the iconic Radio Tower—once occupied by Team Rocket—now operated normally, frequently hosting Professor Oak for broadcasts on Pokémon. (Along with some baffling poetry.)

And then there was Whitney's Gym, where her infamous Miltank had left Johan with some vivid childhood memories of defeat.

"Whitney's family's Moomoo Milk Ranch is on the outskirts of Goldenrod," Johan mused aloud. "If we have time, maybe we'll visit."

For now, though, Johan and his Pokémon took the maglev train from Goldenrod to Ecruteak City.

Ecruteak City

Johto and Kanto are adjacent regions, separated only by the Silver Mountain Range. Traveling between them by plane was expensive and inconvenient.

To solve this, the League constructed a maglev line connecting Goldenrod City and Saffron City, running under the Silver Mountains. From this main line, branches extended to other cities in both regions.

Ecruteak City lay to the north of Goldenrod and wasn't far, making the maglev an ideal way to travel.

"Mimikyu—"

Unbeknownst to Johan, a small shadowy figure was watching from the shadows. Its fiery orange eyes flickered with curiosity.

Marshadow cocked its head. Johan had disappeared suddenly last time, leaving it confused.

Now that the Rainbow Wing had reappeared in Johto, Marshadow had hurried back.

Aboard the maglev, Johan and his Pokémon enjoyed a private first-class cabin for the short trip.

"Let's eat something while we wait," Johan said, unpacking their lunch.

Smelling the food, the Pokémon gathered eagerly.

"Is Tinkaton still at it?" Johan asked, glancing at the corner.

Sure enough, Tinkaton sat with the rolled-up scroll containing the instructions for crafting the Celebratory and Cursed Armors.

It had been studying the scroll with intense focus for three days, pausing only for meals, sleep, and training.

"Tink!"

At Johan's call, Tinkaton reluctantly set the scroll down.

"I know you're excited, but don't overdo it. Eat well and rest, or you won't have the energy to keep learning," Johan said, patting its head.

"Tink!"

Tinkaton nodded solemnly and grabbed its meal, immediately devouring it with enthusiasm.

Nearby, Charcadet shyly offered Tinkaton a sausage skewer.

"Tink?"

"Tinkaton~!"

Taking the skewer, Tinkaton smiled. They were partners and had no need for formalities.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar, ever the joker, grinned and suggested that once Tinkaton mastered the craft, it could forge a matching set of armor for itself and Charcadet.

Johan shook his head, amused.

As the train sped toward Ecruteak, Johan prepared a coffee, with Charcadet boiling the water and Ninetales chilling it into iced coffee.

"It's good to have helpers," Johan chuckled, sipping his drink.

Several hours later, they arrived in Ecruteak City.

Immediately, Johan and his Pokémon noticed the stark contrast between the city's serene, traditional atmosphere and Goldenrod's modernity.

Ecruteak City was a cultural and historical treasure, its streets lined with wooden architecture reminiscent of a bygone era.

The city's most iconic landmarks were the Bell Tower to the east and the Burned Tower to the northwest.

Since the train station was closer to the Burned Tower, Johan decided to visit it first.

The Burned Tower

"Oowoo..."

Ninetales whimpered softly as they approached the blackened ruins of the Burned Tower.

Though it couldn't explain why, the tower seemed to radiate an air of sorrow and tragedy.

"Originally called the Brass Tower, it was paired with the Bell Tower to symbolize harmony between humans and Pokémon," Johan began. "Legend says that it was one of Lugia's resting places."

Built 700 years ago, the two towers symbolized the bond between humans and Pokémon.

But 150 years ago, a lightning strike ignited a fire that engulfed the Brass Tower, trapping three Pokémon inside.

Though humans marveled at the storm and fire, none tried to save the Pokémon. The fire raged for three days and nights.

Finally, Ho-Oh descended, extinguished the flames, and revived the three Pokémon, transforming them into Raikou, Entei, and Suicune—the fabled guardians of Ho-Oh.

"Ever since that day, both Lugia and Ho-Oh have left Ecruteak, never to return."

Johan finished recounting the tale, and his Pokémon listened intently.

"Let's go in and have a look."

Though most of the tower had collapsed, leaving only the ground floor and part of the first story, its charred remains exuded a haunting presence.

As they stepped inside, the air seemed to grow heavier.

On a distant mountaintop outside Ecruteak, a flame-wreathed figure stirred.

A gentle snort sent a weak Pokémon scurrying to safety as the creature turned its golden gaze toward the Burned Tower.

Its fiery mane flickered with a faint golden hue, mirroring its rising curiosity.

Inside the Burned Tower, a sudden burst of flames erupted around Johan and his Pokémon, encircling them in an intense blaze.

"Oowoo?"

Ninetales looked at Johan, unalarmed.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar floated upward, grinning mischievously.

With a wave of its arms, the fiery glow shifted to an eerie blue, casting the tower in an otherworldly light.

In the shadows, a wild Gengar—unaware of Johan's presence—let out a startled cry as it caught sight of the spectral flames.

"Ka-kah!!"

Ghost!

It bolted toward the exit, crashing into a young man with blond hair and a scarf.

"Gengar, what's going on now?" the man sighed, rubbing his temple.

But the panicked Gengar clung to his arm, pointing back toward the tower.

"Ka-kah!"

There's a ghost inside!

Morty: "..."

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Powerstones?

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