"Teacher, there's actually sothing else I wanted to ask for your opinion on today."
After downing half a cup of coffee and two cakes, Steven looked refreshed.
"Opinion?"
Johan raised an eyebrow in confusion, glancing at Flannery and Roxanne.
But the two of them looked just as puzzled as he was.
Ever since Steven had returned, he had been almost impossible to find—probably off sowhere digging for rocks. What could he possibly need an opinion on?
Steven, however, simply smiled mysteriously, stood up, and said, "We might need a change of scenery."
The four of them headed to the lakeside behind Johan's house.
Seeing them move, the Pokémon that had been doing their morning training in the backyard also followed curiously.
What was going on?
Johan shrugged at their inquisitive stares—he had no clue either.
Then—
Steven took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.
A light breeze stirred his tie, and with a flick of his fingers—adorned with two silver rings—a Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
"No way..."
Johan's heart skipped a beat.
Steven's fingers moved elegantly, as if playing an invisible piano. His eyes snapped open, filled with unwavering seriousness, as he tossed the Poké Ball forward.
"Go, tagross!!"
"Kong-gin!!"
A dazzling shiny tagross landed with a resounding thud, its silver-white body gleaming in the sunlight like scattered stars.
Steven and tagross exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.
Then, with an elegant flick of his fingers, Steven revealed a pin that shimred with prismatic red light.
His gaze sharpened.
Bringing the pin to his lips, he murmured with a smile, "tagross, ga Evolution!"
Buzz—
A radiant, seven-colored glow burst forth from Shiny tagross, making Johan's eye twitch.
So it's true.
Steven had really found tagross' ga Stone.
And embedded in his brooch—was a Key Stone!
"Kong-gin!!"
A blinding light engulfed tagross, its form shifting rapidly within the brilliance.
The X on its face expanded, its eyes glowed a piercing red, and the claws on its four massive arms extended, glinting dangerously.
A powerful aura surged outward.
Roxanne and Flannery had to shield their eyes.
Tinkaton, on the other hand, was tearing up from sheer excitent.
Boom!!
The rainbow light suddenly dispersed, sparkling fragnts scattering into the air.
Standing before them now—
Was ga tagross!
"This is..."
Johan muttered.
XP System Upgrade... Super XP System?
Cough.
He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Steven had finally "evolved" into an unstoppable force.
Hoenn was secure.
"Kong-gin!!"
ga tagross let out a mighty roar, its presence overwhelming.
This was now the second ga Evolution Johan had personally witnessed in the Pokémon world.
Leave it to Steven—once he learned about ga Stones and Key Stones, he actually managed to find them.
Though, just this morning, Professor Sycamore had called Johan, saying he was about ready to publish his research on ga Evolution.
It wouldn't be long before the era of ga Evolution began.
A new world... where Garchomp suffered the most.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar scratched its rear and pointed at ga tagross, turning to the others.
"Hey, who looks cooler? or that guy?"
"Cha~(_)"
Tinkaton: It's not just cool—it's amazing!
Goka.
Charcadet's egg wobbled slightly in its arms, as if shocked by tagross' transformation.
"A ga tagross? So Steven really found its ga Stone?" Flannery was stunned.
Roxanne was equally surprised.
But after the initial shock, she felt a bit... puzzled.
"Why does it feel different from when Teacher's Gengar ga Evolved?"
"Different?" Flannery blinked.
Then—she suddenly realized.
It really was different...
The scale of the transformation was way smaller!
When Gengar ga Evolved, it felt like the entire sky had darkened—the sheer presence and intensity were overwhelming.
Steven's tagross, though undeniably impressive, lacked that sa overwhelming impact.
Buzz—
After a brief display, ga tagross was engulfed in another wave of rainbow light, as its body shed the shimring energy, reverting to its original form.
Steven wiped his forehead.
Even maintaining the transformation for just a short while was exhausting.
A full battle would be a true test of endurance—for both Trainer and Pokémon.
"Teacher, what do you think?" Steven asked expectantly as he walked over with tagross.
Johan smiled and patted tagross' heavy fra.
"It's excellent."
He still rembered their first eting—Steven's tagross had been just a shy, self-conscious Beldum.
Now, it had reached its ultimate form.
Steven nodded.
This wasn't his first ti attempting ga Evolution with tagross.
And he had noticed the sa thing Roxanne and Flannery had.
Why...
Did his ga Evolution feel so much weaker than when Johan's Gengar transford?
At one point, he even doubted whether there was a problem with his own ga Evolution.
That was why he sought out Johan's guidance.
Now, hearing Johan's confirmation, Steven finally relaxed.
It wasn't that his ga Evolution was flawed—it was just that Johan's ga Evolution was on another level.
According to Johan, ga Evolution wasn't just about a Pokémon's strength—it was also about the bond between Trainer and Pokémon.
The stronger the bond, the greater the transformation's power.
"Rotom, did you record that?" Johan asked.
"Recorded everything, Roto!"
"Send a copy to Professor Sycamore."
"Understood, Roto!"
A mont later—
"[Steven and His ga tagross—Super Cool & Powerful! .avi] sent, Roto!"
...Wait.
Avi?
Cough...
Johan shook his head, dismissing so... less appropriate thoughts.
"Good boy, tagross." He patted its head again.
Then, using his Aura abilities, he checked tagross' condition.
Overall—Steven had trained it exceptionally well!
Any past confidence issues had been completely resolved.
"Kong-gin~ o(////▽////)q"
tagross squinted its eyes happily.
Afterward, the group naturally began discussing Pokémon training and battle strategies.
Knowledge—when shared—only grew richer.
—
January 7th, clear skies.
The beginning of the new year had been blissfully peaceful.
Eat, sleep, battle Flannery—Johan's schedule was... fulfilling.
The café's business was booming.
At one point, Johan even considered opening a chain of stores.
But then he realized—his café's charm ca from the Indeedee siblings and Alcremie. They couldn't duplicate themselves, so what was the point?
Lying back in a sun chair, soaking up the warm winter sun—
"Now this is the life."
Just two words:
Pure bliss.
The Pokémon were also engaged in their own activities after training.
Gengar continued practicing Spectral Thief with Marshadow.
To Marshadow's shock, Gengar was actually making progress by cobbling together different skills.
Ninetales was studying Pryce's Perpetual Ice Barrier.
If it could combine it with Aurora Veil, its defensive capabilities would skyrocket.
Tinkaton was refining its armor craftsmanship, while Dragonite was ditating over a broken jade-green Orb of Grass, muttering to itself.
Kubfu... was the only one who shared Johan's love of relaxation.
Even its training consisted of sleeping.
Which was fine, except that whenever it woke up sore, it suspected soone had attacked it in its sleep.
anwhile, Charcadet was holding a thick book and... reading to the Pokémon Egg.
If one looked closely—
The book was "The Secrets of the Earth."
Since Johan suspected the egg contained a Ground-type Pokémon, Charcadet had chosen to study this book instead of The Heart of Fear or Perpetual Ice Barrier.
And surprisingly—
The egg seed to enjoy the lessons, wobbling slightly as if listening attentively.
"Well... At least it's safer than letting Gengar do the teaching."
Just as Johan was about to drift into a nap—
Beep Beep—
His phone rang.
Glancing at the screen, he saw a strange, scribbly number—
Like tadpoles swimming across the screen.
He almost hung up.
But then, for so reason, he answered.
"Johan! You finally picked up!!"
Flint's voice rang out—full of despair.
Johan frowned.
Flint?
He checked his contacts—he definitely had Flint saved as "Exploding Monkey 3."
The numbers at the end?
That was the number of tis Johan had added him to his 'blacklist.'
"...Hanging up."
"NO!!"
Flint's scream was bloodcurdling.
"Don't hang up! If you do, I won't be able to call again!"
"Huh?"
"Save ! Teacher Johan, I'm trapped sowhere—please get out!!"
Flint's SOS call?
And judging by his tone, he wasn't joking.
"I was finally enjoying my break. Try saving yourself first."
Johan didn't believe for a second that Flint—of all people—could actually be captured.
"Please!! I haven't slept in three days! They won't let sleep!!" Flint wailed.
"...They?"
"They keep chanting in my ear—
'You're a monkey, you're a monkey, you're a monkey...'"
Johan: "..."
Flint: "I can't take it anymore, Teacher! I've been locked up for three days, and they won't let sleep! Every ti I close my eyes, they start again—'You're a monkey, you're a monkey, you're a monkey...'"
Johan: "..."
For a brief mont, he seriously considered just hanging up.
Then, with a sigh, he rubbed his forehead and asked, "Alright... where exactly are you?"
"I—I don't know!" Flint wailed. "It's so kind of underground facility! I got captured by—by THEM!"
"Them?"
"The Frontier Brains!" Flint's voice was filled with despair. "They caught and threw in so kind of training facility! It's HELL, I tell you—HELL!"
Johan was silent.
The Frontier Brains?
Hoenn's Battle Frontier?
...He suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
"Explain," he said.
"It all started three days ago," Flint sniffled. "I was just minding my own business, visiting the Battle Tower, when suddenly, I got ambushed!"
Johan: "Ambushed?"
"Yes! By the Battle Frontier's security team!" Flint cried. "They said I was a 'perfect candidate' for their 'specialized combat training program'—then they DRAGGED AWAY!"
Johan: "..."
"And now I'm stuck in this nightmare of endless battles! No rest, no sleep, just fighting! Every ti I finish one round, the next opponent walks in, and they never stop!"
Johan: "..."
"AND THE WORST PART?! They have this AI system that keeps repeating things like—'Your instincts are strong, but your strategy is weak,' 'You rely too much on brute force,' 'A true warrior hones both mind and body!'—"
Johan: "Pfft—"
Flint: "WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!"
Johan coughed. "Sorry, sorry... just—so they're making you train?"
"TRAIN?! This is torture! They have simulations, real-ti combat, reflex drills—it never ends! I haven't even seen a bed in THREE DAYS!"
Johan wiped his face.
Alright.
So Flint, the so-called "Exploding Monkey," got kidnapped by the Battle Frontier for "special training."
And now he was desperate to escape.
Honestly?
Johan was a little impressed.
He knew the Battle Frontier's training was brutal—but this? Even Flint couldn't handle it?
"Wait," Johan said. "You're telling you—Flint, the guy who can solo an entire Pokémon League with nothing but instinct—can't get out?"
Flint fell silent.
Then, in a small voice, he muttered, "...I tried."
Johan: "And?"
Flint: "They were prepared."
Johan: "...How prepared?"
Flint: "Very prepared."
Johan was about to ask what that ant—
But then, from the other end of the call, he suddenly heard a deep, ominous voice:
"Flint! Your next challenger is ready. Report to the battle room imdiately."
Flint: "NOOOO!"
Johan: "..."
"Teacher! Help! SAVE !" Flint wailed. "I—I can't do this anymore! They keep saying I have 'unpolished talent' and 'unrefined battle techniques'—I CAN'T TAKE IT!"
Johan let out a long breath.
Alright.
This was bad.
Not because Flint was in danger—but because if he really broke, then that ant...
The Battle Frontier had actually managed to ta the Wildest Monkey.
Which was, frankly, terrifying.
Johan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Fine," he said. "I'll co get you."
Flint: "REALLY?!"
"But only if you survive until I get there," Johan added lazily.
Flint: "...What does that an?!"
"It ans," Johan smirked, "if they actually manage to reform you before I arrive, I might just leave you there."
Flint: "NOOOOO!"
Johan hung up.
Then he stretched, letting out a long sigh.
"Well... there goes my peaceful vacation."
—
January 8th, clear skies.
Johan arrived at the Hoenn Battle Frontier.
As expected, the facility was massive—an entire training complex dedicated to elite-level combat conditioning.
"Welco to the Battle Frontier," the receptionist greeted him.
Johan flashed his credentials.
"I'm here for Flint," he said.
Imdiately, the receptionist's expression changed.
"Oh. That one."
Johan: "..."
"Follow ."
—
Inside the training facility, Johan was led to an observation room.
From the large glass windows, he could see a massive combat arena.
And in the middle—
Flint.
His clothes were tattered. His hair was a ss. His face scread exhaustion.
Across from him stood his next challenger—a Battle Factory AI Trainer.
"Flint," the AI droned. "You rely too much on instinct. Predictability leads to defeat. Again."
Flint: "NOOOO!"
Johan stifled a laugh.
The Battle Factory staff mber beside him sighed.
"I have to admit, we didn't expect him to last this long," they said. "Most trainees either adapt—or collapse. But this one? He just keeps screaming."
Johan: "That sounds about right."
The staff mber sighed again.
"Alright, since you're here, you can take him."
Johan smirked.
He picked up the intercom and pressed the button.
"Oi, Flint."
Flint's head snapped up.
"TEACHER!"
"Congrats," Johan said. "I'm taking you ho."
Flint: "I'M SAVED!"
He dropped to his knees in pure relief.
But then—
A different voice ca over the speakers.
"Wait."
Johan paused.
He turned to see an approaching figure—
A man in a dark, formal suit, eyes sharp with battle-hardened wisdom.
Anabel's superior.
A Frontier Brain.
"We have one final test," he said.
Johan raised an eyebrow.
"And that is?"
The Frontier Brain smirked.
"You."
Johan: "...Excuse ?"
"If you want to take him," the Frontier Brain said, "you'll have to beat him in a battle."
Johan looked at Flint.
Flint, still on his knees, slowly turned his head toward Johan.
His lips trembled.
His eyes filled with terror.
And in the smallest, weakest whisper, he muttered—
"Teacher... please don't..."
Johan smirked.
"Oh? So all I have to do... is beat you?"
Flint turned pale.
The Frontier Brain nodded.
Johan chuckled, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright then."
"Let's battle."
The mont Johan accepted the challenge, Flint's face turned ashen.
"Teacher..." Flint's voice quivered. "Please... have rcy..."
Johan simply smiled.
"Oh? I thought you were the great 'Flint the Unstoppable'?"
Flint shuddered.
The Frontier Brain, watching the exchange with interest, gestured toward the arena.
"If you win, you can take him. If you lose, he stays for another week of training."
Flint visibly lost the will to live.
"Teacher... I'll do anything... Just don't—"
"Co on," Johan stretched lazily. "Let's see how much you've improved after all this training."
Flint: "NOOOOOO!"
—
Battle Frontier—Official Arena
The stadium lights blazed as Johan and Flint stood across from each other.
Despite his exhaustion, Flint still held his Poké Ball tightly.
This is it... If I lose, I'm free... But if I win... I'M DOOD!
Johan smirked. "Ready?"
Flint gulped.
A judge stepped forward.
"This will be a one-on-one battle," he announced. "Begin!"
Flint threw out his Poké Ball.
"GO! INFERNAPE!"
With a flash of light, the Fire/Fighting-type Pokémon appeared, flas burning brightly atop its head.
Johan nodded approvingly.
"Not bad. Let's go, Gengar."
"Ka-kaah!"
Gengar materialized from the shadows, grinning widely.
Flint's eyes widened in horror.
Oh no.
He rembered.
He rembered what happened the last ti Teacher used Gengar against him.
The psychological trauma resurfaced instantly.
"Gengar..." Johan cracked his knuckles. "ga Evolve."
BOOM!
Darkness engulfed the battlefield.
The stadium lights dimd, and a chilling pressure filled the air.
Shadows writhed as ga Gengar erged—a massive grinning specter sinking into the battlefield like a nightmare made real.
Flint's entire body trembled.
I CAN'T WIN THIS!
His mind scread at him to throw the fight.
But—
From the sidelines, the Battle Frontier trainers watched intently.
"He's been through our rigorous training for three days. Let's see if he applies what he's learned."
Flint internally sobbed.
He knew what they were expecting.
He had to at least fight.
But...
HOW DO YOU FIGHT A MONSTER?!
Johan tilted his head. "You're not moving?"
Flint swallowed hard.
"S-Swords Dance!"
Infernape crossed its arms and boosted its attack sharply.
Johan smiled.
"Alright. Hypnosis."
Infernape locked eyes with ga Gengar.
And imdiately...
Collapsed onto the floor.
Fast asleep.
Flint: "NOOOOOO!!!"
Johan: "Tsk. Too easy."
The Battle Frontier staff: "..."
The judge looked at Flint.
"You may recall your Pokémon and surrender—"
"I SURRENDER!"
Flint didn't hesitate for a second.
He grabbed his Poké Ball and collapsed onto the ground in relief.
It was over.
He was finally free.
Johan recalled Gengar, stretching lazily.
"Well, that was fast."
Flint: "I don't wanna talk about it."
The Frontier Brain nodded.
"A battle is a battle. Johan wins. You may take him."
Flint nearly burst into tears.
—
Battle Frontier—Exit Gate
Flint limped out of the facility like a prisoner who had just been pardoned.
"Teacher..." He sniffled. "I've never been so happy to see the sky again..."
Johan rolled his eyes.
"Seriously? It was just three days."
"THREE DAYS OF HELL!" Flint cried. "DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIS I HEARD 'YOU'RE A MONKEY' IN MY SLEEP?!"
Johan chuckled.
"Well, at least now you're stronger."
Flint physically flinched.
"NO. NO MORE TRAINING. NO MORE FRONTIER. I'M GOING HO TO SLEEP FOR A WEEK."
Johan smirked.
"...Are you, though?"
Flint froze.
Sothing about Johan's tone sounded ominous.
Then—his phone rang.
Johan picked it up.
"Yo, Steven? What's up?"
Flint's heart sank.
Steven?!
No.
NO.
Not again—
Then, Johan's next words shattered what little hope he had left.
"Oh? You're in Hoenn right now?" Johan's voice was far too casual. "Sure, we'll et up. I've got Flint with ."
Flint: "NOOOOOOOOO!!!"
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates
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