Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"What is this?"

It looked somewhat like a golden Thunder Stone, but it was clearly different from the usual Thunder Stones.

It seemed to be something unique to Raikou, much like Suicune's North Wind or Entei's flames.

"Cha!"

Tinkaton scratched its head, indicating it wasn't entirely sure either.

Apparently, when it had swung its Gigaton Hammer earlier, it had somehow snatched this item from Raikou's body. It had been hiding it ever since, afraid Raikou might notice.

Only after Raikou left did it finally take it out.

Johan: "..."

Was this... literal pickpocketing?

It had even managed to snag something off a Legendary Pokémon?

Typically, items like Mega Stones, Arceus's Plates, or Zacian and Zamazenta's swords and shields couldn't be taken using moves like Thief.

So how did Tinkaton manage it?

Wait—

If Gengar swapped abilities with Tinkaton, wouldn't it also be able to swipe something off those Pokémon?

"This came from Raikou?"

Even Pryce couldn't help but glance at the golden item Tinkaton handed over to Johan.

"It's a gift from Raikou," Johan replied with a straight face.

Pryce: "..."

That fight earlier didn't exactly scream "friendly." Raikou didn't strike him as the type to hand out gifts.

Entei's flame probably wasn't "gifted" like that either...

Pryce had thought he had a decent grasp of Johan's personality by now.

But now, he realized—

He didn't understand Johan at all.

"Rotom, it's yours."

Johan casually tossed the golden item to his Rotom Dex.

"For me, Rotom?" Rotom stammered in disbelief as it caught the item.

"Of course," Johan said matter-of-factly. "Do we have any other Electric-types?"

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar and the others all chimed in agreement. They didn't mind; as long as Rotom Dex could keep their devices charged later, they were happy.

"But... isn't that too precious for a Dex?" Pryce couldn't help but ask.

His tone was mild, but his meaning was clear: Rotom Dex wasn't exactly a battler. Was it worth giving something so valuable to it?

Johan simply smiled.

"Pryce, not every Pokémon needs to fight to be considered family."

As he spoke, Johan picked up Rotom Dex and playfully scrolled through its screen, making Rotom laugh and squirm in his hands.

"Besides, Rotom works hard for us too. It cleans the house, helps with cooking, takes pictures, and powers all our gadgets on trips. It's earned this."

Gengar and the rest of Johan's Pokémon nodded in agreement.

"Rotom~~ (((//Д//)))"

Rotom Dex squirmed in Johan's hands, its screen flickering bashfully.

But deep down, it felt warm.

Even though it didn't enjoy battling, it still wanted to protect Johan. If danger ever struck, it would stand as the last line of defense, no matter what.

Hearing this exchange, Pryce froze.

He looked at Johan and his team, then at his own Pokémon.

Finally, a rare smile crept across his face.

"I've learned something today," he said quietly.

For the first time, Pryce felt like he understood why so many people called Johan "Teacher."

Though Johan's approach to training was pure, his methods in battle were... less so.

Before Johan left, Pryce handed him the Glacier Badge from the Mahogany Gym.

It wasn't exactly a formal victory, but Pryce felt it was well-deserved.

As Gengar proudly stashed the badge away, Johan realized something.

"Wait a minute," he muttered. "I've got three Johto badges now?"

Pallet Town, Oak Laboratory.

"Grandpa! The phone's ringing!"

Blue called out, juggling a stack of reports while holding the phone in his other hand.

"Coming!"

Professor Oak hurried over with a bowl of instant noodles in hand.

"You couldn't just use the stove? Why are you always using alcohol burners?" Blue asked, extinguishing the flame.

"You wouldn't understand. Instant noodles cooked over an alcohol burner just taste better," Oak replied with a chuckle, slurping a bite as he reached for the phone.

"Hello, this is Professor Oak," he answered cheerfully.

"Snowtree, it's me."

Hearing the familiar voice, Oak froze for a moment, then exclaimed, "Pryce?!"

"You're still the same as ever, Snowtree. Always so excitable," Pryce teased.

"What's the occasion?"

"I hear you sent Johan my way."

As Pryce spoke, he recounted his encounter with Johan, his battles, and even the rediscovery of his long-lost Mamoswine.

"So you lost, huh?" Oak chuckled. "Was it a clean sweep? Oh, two losses and a tie? Close enough."

Nearby, Blue perked up, catching parts of the conversation.

Johan had battled Pryce—and apparently handed him a humiliating defeat?

He clenched his fists in excitement.

"Johan's getting stronger and stronger," he muttered. "One day, I'll challenge him too!"

Blackthorn City, Dragon Den.

Back in Johto, Johan and Dragonair returned to Blackthorn City.

"Back home again, Dragonair. How does it feel?" Johan asked with a grin.

"Draaa!" Dragonair chirped, beaming with excitement.

It had been looking forward to showing its progress to its father, the Dragonite who guarded the Dragon Den.

Noticing this, Johan chuckled.

"Let's go then," he said. "No point holding back."

Blackthorn Gym Leader Clair soon appeared, her expression souring when she spotted Johan.

"You again?" she snapped, gripping her whip.

Johan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I'm just passing through," he said quickly.

Clair huffed but eventually agreed to escort him to the Dragon Den.

Upon arriving, they were greeted by the serene sight of the sacred Dragon Den—lush fields, clear streams, and dragons of all shapes and sizes frolicking freely.

Among them, one Dragonite soared through the sky, casting a mighty shadow over the land.

"Draaa!"

Dragonair called out to its father.

The Dragonite turned, its golden eyes locking onto Dragonair.

For a moment, it seemed to smile.

And then, with a roar, it dove straight down, aiming a fist at Dragonair's head.

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Powerstones?

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