Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Rustboro City, Hoenn—A Café.

"Ninetales, Gengar, be careful."

In the café's backyard, Johan couldn't help but remind them.

"Oowoo~~"

"Ka-kah~~"

The two Pokémon nodded seriously, carefully pulling out one black and one white radish from the flower bed.

After flying back from Johto to Hoenn and returning to the café, Johan had learned from Indeedee that the black and white radishes he had planted in the garden were likely ripe.

Thus, here they were now.

Ninetales and Gengar each pulled out a radish from the snowy and shadowy soils, respectively.

The Ice Radish looked like a frozen crystal, faintly radiating a chill. Instead of white, it had a light blue hue with vibrant green leaves.

The Dark Radish, on the other hand, was truly black, its shape less defined and more like a bundle of roots.

"Looks like they're ready, right?"

The two Pokémon looked expectantly at Johan, who rubbed his chin and replied uncertainly.

He took the radishes from their hands and examined them closely.

"Well, there's one way to find out," Johan said, brushing the dirt and frost off the Ice Radish as he prepared to take a bite.

"Oowoo?"

Ninetales tilted its head, blinking in confusion.

You're really going to eat it?

Johan froze and licked his lips awkwardly.

"Yeah... maybe not."

After all, these were no ordinary radishes. In legend, the Ice and Dark Radishes were said to be the preferred food of Glastrier and Spectrier, Calyrex's legendary steeds.

Such a delicacy—even legendary Pokémon craved them. Who knew what effect eating them raw might have?

"Let's cook them properly instead," Johan decided. "Ninetales, Gengar, grab a few more."

With a handful of three sturdy Ice Radishes and three shriveled-looking Dark Radishes, Johan headed into the kitchen.

Although the Ice Radish looked like a translucent chunk of ice, it was essentially a vegetable. Once peeled, the inside revealed a soft, light-blue flesh.

The Dark Radish was similar—peeling away the outer layer revealed an inky black core.

"Let's make radish rice cakes," Johan decided.

First, he peeled and sliced all the radishes, steamed them until soft, and mashed them into a smooth puree.

Next, he added sugar, two spoonfuls of glutinous rice flour, and a spoonful of cornstarch, mixing until the dough was moist yet firm.

He divided the dough into smaller portions, adding fillings like red dates and other berries for flavor, then steamed the cakes to perfection.

Since Ice and Dark Radishes might not suit everyone's palate, Johan also made a few rice cakes flavored with berries for the rest of his Pokémon.

While Johan and Rotom worked in the kitchen, Gengar and the rest of the gang headed back to the garden for training and playtime.

"Draaa~~"

Dragonite looked up at the ceiling, relieved to find it wasn't as low as it feared.

Thankfully, Johan had anticipated its evolution and rented a house with high ceilings.

Otherwise, Dragonite might have had to spend its days hunched over.

Most Dragonites stood around 7'3" (2.2 meters) tall, but Johan's Dragonite was over 8'2" (2.5 meters) and noticeably bulkier.

With its sheer size and strength, its Dragon Rush was bound to be at least 20% more powerful than the average Dragonite's.

And with its speed factored in...

Using the formula P = MV, more mass and velocity meant exponentially greater momentum.

Truly a living bombshell.

"Ka-kah?"

Suddenly, Gengar's eyes narrowed, and it flashed a mischievous grin before vanishing into the shadows.

At the same time, a figure stirred in the shadows by the garden wall.

It was Marshadow.

Its slender black form stretched out in the shade, and its flickering flame-like eyes burned faintly.

It was exhausted.

Marshadow had traveled tirelessly from Johto to Hoenn, sticking to the shadows, just to observe Johan.

"Marsha..."

So... tired.

It had to keep an eye on the holder of the Rainbow Wing to determine if this person was truly worthy of being the Rainbow Hero.

"Ka-kah?"

Suddenly, Marshadow felt a tap on its shoulder. Startled, it whipped around.

Gengar was there, smiling cheekily at it.

Busted!

Panic flashed in Marshadow's eyes.

How had it been caught so easily? Was it the fatigue? Was it...

"Ka-kah?"

Gengar pulled out a handful of energy cubes and offered them to Marshadow.

Hungry? Have some snacks!

"Marsha!"

Marshadow tensed, backing away cautiously, but it soon realized it was surrounded.

Ninetales, Tinkaton, Dragonite, Kubfu, Charcadet, and Gengar had encircled it, cutting off all escape routes.

"Mar... Marsha?! Σ(дlll)"

Six against one? This wasn't fair!

Images of Raikou's recent defeat played in its mind, and cold sweat ran down its face.

If only it hadn't used up so much energy chasing Johan across regions...

Gengar squinted at Marshadow, glanced at its energy cubes, and tilted its head.

"Ka-kah?"

Don't want it?

"Marsha..."

Was that a question... or a threat?

Marshadow shivered.

This Gengar was just like Johan—impossible to tell if it was being kind or menacing.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Johan paused as he felt something.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the glowing Rainbow Wing.

Hungry again?

He infused it with a pulse of Aura, and the glow subsided.

Shaking his head, Johan muttered,

"This thing sure eats fast..."

Still, he couldn't deny that the Rainbow Wing had helped him train his Aura.

Compared to when he first awakened it, his Aura powers had grown significantly.

"One day, I'll be throwing Aura Spheres left and right."

"Ding! Time's up, Rotom!" Rotom's cheerful voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"It's ready!"

Johan retrieved the freshly steamed radish rice cakes, carefully plating the soft treats.

When he stepped into the living room, he paused.

The Pokémon weren't there—they must've still been in the garden.

"Well then," he said with a grin, picking up a rice cake. "Guess I'll try it first."

He started with an Ice Radish rice cake, figuring his Ice resistance should be decent enough.

Taking a small bite, his eyes lit up.

Hot, cold, sweet, chewy—every texture and flavor blended perfectly.

It was like eating baked ice cream.

"Delicious!"

Handing a Dark Radish rice cake to Rotom, Johan said,

"You've earned it, Rotom."

"T-thank you! So good, Rotom!"

Johan headed to the garden with the platter of rice cakes, only to find his Pokémon encircling Marshadow.

When the Pokémon saw him, they cheered and rushed over, eager for the treats.

Marshadow, meanwhile, froze as Johan approached.

"Marshadow?" Johan raised an eyebrow.

What was Marshadow doing here?

It should be in Johto—or maybe Kanto at most.

Had Ho-Oh expanded its jurisdiction?

Still, he wasn't too shocked. He'd already sensed Marshadow's presence back in Blackthorn City.

Smiling, Johan held out a Dark Radish rice cake.

"Want to try? Freshly made."

Marshadow's eyes locked onto the rice cake, its flickering flames glowing brighter.

As a mythical Ghost Pokémon, it could sense the unique spectral energy within the cake—an irresistible allure.

Seeing Johan's Pokémon eagerly devouring the treats, Marshadow hesitated for only a moment before carefully taking a bite.

"Marsha!"

Its eyes widened in delight.

The rice cake wasn't just delicious—it was rich in energy, restoring its strength with every bite.

Seeing Marshadow's reaction, Johan chuckled.

He'd done a good job with the flavor, but the radishes themselves were the real stars.

After all, even Glastrier and Spectrier couldn't resist them.

Marshadow's gaze grew resolute.

"Marsha!"

No! Such dangerous food couldn't be allowed to harm other Pokémon.

For the sake of justice, it would stay here and eat every last piece!

The ever-noble Marshadow.

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Powerstones?

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