"Cha!
Tinkaton pointed at the "exploded" ltal and the ltan scattered across the ground.
It split apart!
Johan: "..."
Taking a light breath.
"It’s not your fault. It had already reached the ’cycle’ stage." Johan explained helplessly.
ltal was a very special Pokémon.
Though it was a Mythical Pokémon without gender, that didn’t an it lacked reproduction thods.
Supposedly.
When ltal’s lifespan reached its limit, its body would rust, covered in mottled rust marks.
Each ti it reached the limit, ltal’s body would shatter into countless fragnts, becoming nurous ltan.
This was ltal’s reproduction thod.
When ltan grew to a certain extent, they would call companions again, and with their help, through special dances and electromagnetic waves, they would evolve together into a new ltal.
Like Ash’s ltan, which evolved with help from a large group of ltan.
Of course.
The number of ltan ltal split into was more than needed for re-evolution into ltal.
However, ltal’s lifespan was extrely long, and the ti from evolution to re-splitting was even longer, so though ltal could reproduce, their numbers remained pitifully small.
"Cha..."
Hearing this, Tinkaton imdiately sighed in relief, patting its chest.
Good, good - as long as I didn’t smash it.
Otherwise, wouldn’t Tinkaton’s "lifeti reputation" be ruined?
After ltal split, the resulting ltan scattered to various corners of the ruins in the blink of an eye, all disappearing.
Only one palm-sized ltan remained, standing before Tinkaton, the small black ball in its golden nut head curved into a crescent shape.
"ltan~~"
It called out happily, running toward Tinkaton, then...
Clang!!!
Like a magnet attracting tal, it stuck to the hamr with a "smack."
"Cha?"
Tinkaton lifted its hamr, looking at the little one stuck to it, grasping the golden nut to "pry" it off and examine it closely.
"ltan~ ltan~"
Being held, ltan seed very happy, waving its limbs and hugging Tinkaton’s hand.
Johan, who had returned to Tinkaton’s side, smiled at this scene: "Tinkaton, it likes you."
Tinkaton scratched its head.
Obviously not yet realizing the "seriousness" of the situation.
"ltan can absorb and contain tals from soil, converting them into needed electricity while condensing these tals."
Johan felt Tinkaton might have found its own "external support."
"Cha?!"
Sure enough, hearing Johan’s words, Tinkaton’s eyes imdiately widened, voice rising.
A "forging master" getting assistance from a Pokémon that could produce precious tals?
"Cha~ Cha~"
Tinkaton began talking to ltan.
"ltan!"
ltan imdiately puffed out its chest, patting it with "thump thump" sounds.
It swayed as it jumped down from Tinkaton’s body, but having just split from ltal, both its strength and abilities had almost returned to the starting point. It couldn’t stand steady and sat down directly, leaving a little impression.
But the little one’s body was obviously quite sturdy. It patted its bottom and stood up, then toddled over to where ltal had shattered.
"ltan!"
The little thing’s expression imdiately beca serious, clapping its hands together for encouragent before placing both hands on the ground.
Bang!!!
Rustle rustle rustle—
Suddenly, the tal fragnts left by ltal’s shattering that hadn’t beco ltan - those completely rust-covered, useless tal pieces - began gathering toward ltan.
These rusted tal fragnts quickly rged into ltan’s body.
ltan’s seemingly smooth, shiny tal body now resembled liquid tal or rcury, rapidly absorbing these rusted tals.
Simultaneously.
At the spot ltan pressed, underground tals also gathered like silver snakes into ltan’s body.
Soon.
Silver-bright tal blocks of unknown material dropped from behind ltan.
Johan’s expression beca increasingly strange.
Expelled from behind?
But seeing these tal blocks, Tinkaton was especially happy, even excited.
As a "forging master," it was quite knowledgeable about tal materials, understanding that these tals produced by ltan were... extrely high quality and rare!
You had to know, current Tinkaton had Champion-level strength. Those tals that once caught its eye now had little attraction for it.
No matter how much these tals were hamred or refined, they couldn’t be integrated into its hamr - the quality gap was too large.
This was why the cutlery and such at Johan’s house remained safe.
But seeing these tals produced by ltan, Tinkaton seed to return to its original state, treasuring them and wanting to imdiately hamr these rare tals into its hamr.
Moreover.
Don’t look at these few small blocks condensed by ltan - each one’s weight was extrely exaggerated.
They created dents when dropped on the ground.
Among them was part of the previous ltal’s body. Even in the entire Pokémon world, tals comparable to this material were definitely rare.
"ltan..."
After all the rusted tal fragnts left by ltal disappeared, ltan straightened up, wiping its forehead and breathing heavily, looking exhausted.
"Cha!"
Tinkaton quickly caught the swaying little one about to fall.
This was a treasure!
Tinkaton even produced its "treasured" food, stuffing it into ltan’s arms.
"ltan!"
Like absorbing tals earlier, ltan directly stuffed the energy cube into its rcury-like body.
ltan, which showed no change after absorbing so many tals, imdiately puffed up after stuffing in one energy cube, its small black ball curving into a crescent with a satisfied expression.
Tinkaton carefully collected all the tal blocks from the ground.
With these tal blocks, its hamr’s quality and weight could probably rise another level.
Almost equivalent to fusing one-fifth of a ltal into the hamr - how could there be no improvent?
Satisfied, Tinkaton attached the contentedly full ltan to its hamr.
Clang—
For a long ti afterward, its hamr would probably have an extra "pendant."
ltan, comfortably stuck to the hamr, suddenly seed to rember sothing, "dying and sitting up" style as it raised its upper body, pointing toward the forging platform by the giant furnace.
"ltan! ltan!"
There were still good things there, and things it couldn’t absorb!
Hearing this, Tinkaton’s eyes glead.
Still more experts?
No.
Still more good things?
And good things even ltan couldn’t absorb?
Following ltan’s guidance, Johan also knew its direction.
"Perfect, I originally wanted to take you to see that platform anyway." Johan said.
Those molds on the platform were just molds to Johan, a layman.
But for Tinkaton, it might gain sothing.
After all, Tinkaton loved crafting most.
"Cha!"
Tinkaton imdiately jumped onto Dragonite’s head, raising its hamr to point.
Let’s go!
"Dragonite—"
So Johan, Dragonite, and Tinkaton ca to the brief platform again, while Gengar still rode Spectrier around the forging platform.
The shrewd Gengar obviously knew this was a forging platform.
It was pondering.
How to cajole, no, how to persuade Tinkaton to forge cool armor for it.
"Cha!"
Just arriving at the platform, Tinkaton’s attention was imdiately drawn to the sword and shield molds, shouldering its hamr and trotting to the two molds for careful observation.
Johan ca to where ltan had pointed earlier - beside a stone box placed on the forging platform, resembling a... toolbox.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar’s eyes rolled, signaling Johan it would go in first to look.
"Be careful." Johan reminded.
Though it looked like an ordinary stone box, his aura surprisingly couldn’t sense the interior.
"Ka-kaah ヽ(￣▽￣)"
Gengar made an "OK" gesture indicating no problem, then "squeezed" inside.
For Gengar, who could easily pass through doors, needing to "squeeze" showed this "box" was indeed special.
Soon.
Gengar erged, looking sowhat excited as it called:
"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"
Really good stuff!
"Open it and see!" Johan’s expression grew serious.
Then, with Gengar and Spectrier’s combined effort, they opened this toolbox-like "box."
When Johan saw the contents, he was also stunned.
"This is..."
In his hands were two extrely heavy stones emitting strange tallic luster.
If it were before, Johan might need confirmation, but having seen much more, after brief hesitation, he was certain.
Plate fragnts!
"Iron Plate!"
Steel-type Plate fragnts!
No wonder ltan couldn’t absorb them but could sense them.
Then Johan had a sowhat bold thought, or rather, guess.
"Zacian and Zamazenta’s sword and shield weren’t forged from Iron Plate fragnts, were they?!"
No.
The Iron Plate was on Arceus. Even if many Iron Plate fragnts were scattered, they shouldn’t all be collected, since many were scattered throughout the vast universe.
"Were they forged combining Iron Plate fragnts with ltal’s tals?"
This was more reasonable.
It also explained why Zacian and Zamazenta’s sword and shield beca rust-covered and decayed over ti.
Even ltal would rust, so the legendary sword and shield decaying wasn’t strange.
"Cha?!"
When Johan placed the two Iron Plate fragnts before Tinkaton, who was still pondering the sword and shield molds, Tinkaton jumped up from the platform in surprise.
For ?
Johan smiled: "Who else would I give them to? To forge armor for Gengar?"
"Ka-kaah!" Gengar pouted, muttering.
That wouldn’t be impossible either...
Tinkaton happily collected the Plate fragnts.
Great harvest!
Today was really a great harvest!
Hamring those rare tals, then hamring these two Iron Plate fragnts - how amazing would my hamr beco? Tinkaton couldn’t help fantasizing.
"Stop celebrating. Figure out this thing - if there’s a chance... get everyone in our family a set." Johan joked.
"Cha!"
Tinkaton nodded seriously.
Makes sense!
Better to share joy than enjoy alone.
Goal: get everyone in Johan’s family a sword and shield set!
"Teacher Johan, this ti... thank you so much."
At the ruins entrance, Peony pulled Peonia and Penny along, speaking with deep gratitude and sincerity.
Not only thanking Johan for this rescue, but also for Johan’s influence on Penny.
Peony could clearly feel Penny had beco much more cheerful and optimistic. Though still sowhat shy compared to ordinary people, she was definitely much better than before.
Moreover, after this incident, Penny’s relationship with him had obviously grown much closer.
This was more important than anything to Peony.
So taking advantage of the sumr vacation’s final days, Peony decided to temporarily stop Crown Tundra exploration and return to Galar with Peonia and Penny for a good few days.
Johan naturally strongly supported this decision.
It wasn’t in vain that he’d co so far for rescue.
However, before they left, Johan still called out to Peony, revealing so information.
"Regarding Galar Particles, Professor Magnolia definitely researches them more, but... when I was previously in Galar region, I also saw Galar Particles appear."
Johan began "reasonably and evidentially" making things up.
"I vaguely saw these scattered Galar Particles seemingly... flying out from Hamrlocke City."
"Hamrlocke City?"
Hearing this, Peony was stunned and sowhat surprised.
Then he frowned.
Theoretically, if these Galar Particles that made wild Pokémon lose control and Dynamax ca from Hamrlocke City, the city’s residents should see them.
Even if residents couldn’t see them, Hamrlocke City’s Gym Leader Raihan would notice.
Raihan was second only to Leon among Galar region’s young generation, qualified and capable of competing with Leon for Champion position.
But whether during Peony’s Championship or after resignation, he’d never heard of Galar Particles flying from Hamrlocke City.
But Peony trusted Johan greatly - otherwise he wouldn’t have entrusted daughter Penny to Johan’s care.
So only two possibilities existed.
First, the Galar Particles moved too fast or were initially scattered, so Hamrlocke residents including Raihan didn’t see them.
Second, soone was covering it up!
Who could have such influence...
Self-evident!
"Actually I don’t understand the specifics very well, just vaguely ’saw’ it." Johan displayed "non-stick pan" characteristics, using ambiguous language.
Whether he saw it or not wasn’t important.
What mattered was that Rose’s and Macro Cosmos Corporation’s energy factory was in Hamrlocke City.
And Eternatus was also imprisoned in the energy factory’s deepest part, the factory’s greatest energy source.
"I understand." Peony said gravely, brows furrowed.
Regardless, he planned to visit Hamrlocke City.
Though he’d resigned as Champion, Galar region’s new Champion hadn’t taken office yet, and he believed Galar region’s trainers would still cooperate with him.
Seeing Peony’s expression, Johan nodded without further words.
He couldn’t reveal everything, but giving these hints should be enough for Peony.
The rest depended on how Peony handled it and how Rose responded.
Bidding farewell to Peony and his daughters.
Johan brought his Pokémon back to Crown Shrine.
While returning the steeds, he wanted to ask about that giant ruin and the sword and shield’s origins.
Crown Tundra, Crown Shrine.
"Correct."
Calyrex took Glastrier’s reins, stroking its neck and nodding:
"That was indeed where the sword and shield were forged."
Pausing, it put hands behind its back, walking outside Crown Shrine to gaze at the vast northern snowy landscape, saying softly:
"Back then, not only did I sense the ’Darkest Day’s’ approach, but two heroes also felt it."
"They found , hoping I could help them confront the ’Darkest Day’..."
So the sword and shield were born?
Johan asked in surprise: "Don’t tell you helped them forge the sword and shield, Calyrex?"
"Though I know ancient and modern matters, forging... truly isn’t my expertise." Calyrex showed slight embarrassnt.
"However, I helped them find soone skilled and excellent at forging."
It turned to Johan: "Johan, you should know them too."
A thought stirred.
Johan tentatively asked: "Regigigas?"
"Correct." Calyrex looked like "the student can be taught."
Johan: "..."
Such a large ruin, such a large furnace - besides the massive Regigigas, Johan couldn’t think of anyone else suitable that he knew.
Moreover.
Among Crown Tundra’s many ruins were all the Regis including Regieleki and Regidrago. Johan didn’t believe Regigigas hadn’t visited Galar region.
And with Regigigas’s strength and power, after recovering from "Slow Start," it was quite suitable for swinging hamrs.
"Regigigas was naturally skilled at crafting - it created the Regis."
Calyrex’s eyes were full of recognition for Regigigas.
"Finally, I drew blueprints and made molds, Regigigas handled forging, combining Plate fragnts with ltal’s power to forge them!"
Calyrex’s expression didn’t hide pride in creating the sword and shield.
And the sword and shield did grant Zacian and Zamazenta even greater power.
Good grief.
Hearing Calyrex’s account, Johan exclaid internally.
Calyrex and Regigigas working together - such prestige?
No wonder before going to find Peony, Calyrex had told him much about the "Darkest Day" and Eternatus... Johan thought.
"Johan!"
Calyrex suddenly spoke gravely, hands behind its back, looking seriously at Johan.
"I owe you much, but for Galar region, for my subjects, I want to request your help once more!"
That manner made Johan’s mouth twitch.
Even without saying it, Johan roughly guessed Calyrex’s request.
Calyrex continued: "Please, help , help Galar, find those two missing ’Legendary Heroes’!"
Hearing this, Johan inwardly said "as expected."
He sighed lightly.
"Even if your subjects don’t rember you?"
"Whether they rember or not is their business, but whether I protect them is my own business!" The small Calyrex’s eyes were determined.
Johan slowly put away his helpless expression, looking at the solemn Calyrex and nodding slightly.
"I understand. I’ll try, but can’t guarantee results."
Such a determined Calyrex was hard to refuse.
Moreover.
Johan already had thoughts of actively strangling the "Darkest Day" or triggering it early to minimize impact and disaster.
If he could find Zacian and Zamazenta, it would naturally make this easier.
"If it’s you, no problem."
Don’t raise flags randomly... Johan complained internally.
Calyrex raised its hand, making a gesture to pat Johan’s shoulder but finding it couldn’t reach, so it beca patting his arm.
"Thank you, Johan!"
Thus, he’d taken on Calyrex’s task.
As for revealing the Galar Particles matter to Peony, he didn’t tell Calyrex.
No need.
If things progressed to that point, just directly face Eternatus.
If not, worst case, he could "rebel" with Calyrex.
Bidding farewell to Calyrex.
Johan took the train, leaving Crown Tundra.
The sun was setting, twilight dyeing half the sky red, adorably crimson.
Galar region, Postwick.
"Teacher Johan!"
Sonia, with Yamper beside her, waved excitedly at the train station exit, looking especially thrilled.
"Yamper!"
Yamper panted with its tongue out, tail wagging rapidly, looking eagerly toward Johan’s side, also appearing excited.
But to Yamper’s disappointnt, it didn’t see the beloved Ninetales’ figure.
However, to Yamper’s delight, it spotted a beautiful, proud, eye-catching light green figure beside Johan.
"Yamper!"
Golden electricity sparked from Yamper’s tail as it ran toward Servine beside Johan with its tongue out, calling eagerly.
Servine crossed its arms, chin raised high, gaze slanted upward, eyes showing slight confusion.
"Servine?"
Who’s calling?
"Yamper..."
Yamper imdiately froze as if struck by lightning.
"Congratulations, Teacher Johan, no, Champion Johan!" Sonia smiled as she congratulated him.
"Where’s Leon?" Johan asked with so teasing.
Hearing this, Sonia’s expression changed slightly, pouting: "How should I know? Probably lost sowhere again."
Johan smiled and shook his head.
In finding girlfriends, Leon was several levels behind him.
He couldn’t help feeling sowhat proud.
Honestly.
In finding girlfriends, not just Leon but among all peers in the Pokémon world, Johan felt he had no opponents!
Only Professor Kukui barely counted as an "opponent."
Sonia obviously didn’t want to discuss Leon with Johan, so she imdiately said:
"Teacher Johan, grandmother has been waiting for you at ho for a long ti."
Professor Magnolia?
"Then let’s go quickly."
Temporarily abandoning thoughts of continuing to tease Sonia.
Coming to Postwick’s Professor Magnolia’s laboratory, he t the white-coated, glasses-wearing Professor Magnolia with noble lady temperant - an authority on "Pokémon Dynamax research" and Galar region’s Pokémon research authority.
They’d t before at researcher exchange etings.
And Sonia studying in Hoenn region obviously had Professor Magnolia’s approval.
Professor Magnolia gently brewed Johan coffee.
"I heard from Sonia that you prefer coffee."
"Thank you." Johan politely thanked her.
"During Sonia’s ti in Hoenn, she’s been under Champion Johan’s care." Professor Magnolia leaned on her cane, slowly sitting across from Johan.
"Please just call Johan, Professor Magnolia." Johan said, then added: "Sonia works very hard and has great talent. I really didn’t do much."
This was truth.
But to Professor Magnolia’s ears, it sounded modest.
"To express gratitude..."
Professor Magnolia took a white wristband-like device from her coat pocket, placing it before Johan with a smile:
"This should help you. Please don’t refuse."
"Dynamax Band?"
Johan was stunned, imdiately recognizing what this was.
During the day, he’d seen Peony use a "Dynamax Band" to make his Copperajah Gigantamax.
Johan jokingly called it the "Gengar’s delight band."
Dynamax was actually similar to ga Evolution in so ways.
For example, only certain specific Pokémon could ga Evolve, while though Dynamax applied to all Pokémon, only so could Gigantamax.
And Gengar was among Pokémon that could Gigantamax!
In this aspect, Gengar was second only to Charizard, on the sa level as Venusaur and Blastoise.
Previously Johan worried about what appetite his Gengar would show if it Gigantamaxed and how big a "hit" it would deal his wallet.
But now...
He’d co to terms with it.
Even without Dynamax or Dynamax Band, Gengar’s appetite was bottomless.
This didn’t depend on its size but on how much it wanted.
Moreover, Dynamax wasn’t limited to Gengar - all his Pokémon could use it.
Professor Magnolia gently adjusted her glasses: "Yes, Dynamax Band, but currently Dynamax can only be used in Galar region, and after one use, it needs charging ti."
ga Evolution and Z-moves weren’t region-limited.
But Dynamax and Terastallization were temporarily only usable in Galar and Paldea regions.
However.
The upcoming "Pokémon World Championship" would be held in both Galar and Paldea regions, so having Galar-exclusive Dynamax was necessary.
So Johan didn’t refuse.
"Thank you so much."
Under Gengar’s eager gaze from the shadows, Johan accepted the "Dynamax Band."
Then in his mind.
He pictured Ash during the Eight Masters Tournant, both hands full of "enhancent equipnt."
"Professor Magnolia, I ca to ask you to help upgrade Rotom Pokédex’s Galar map information." Johan stated his purpose.
Though Rotom had Galar region maps, those were "general versions" anyone could download from Galar League’s website.
But more remote, hidden places weren’t included.
Like Crown Tundra, which was why Rotom navigation told Johan to jump off cliffs.
Like Slumbering Weald.
This forest perpetually shrouded in mist, extrely easy to get lost in after accidentally entering.
If expectations were right.
The rusted sword and shield should be deep in Slumbering Weald.
Since he was thinking "strike first," he’d actively search for Zacian and Zamazenta.
"Of course that’s no problem."
Professor Magnolia looked behind her: "Sonia."
"Coming, grandmother, Teacher Johan." Sonia, who was "eavesdropping," quickly ran over.
She’d thought Teacher Johan was visiting for a ho visit - apparently not. She sighed in relief, her steps becoming much lighter.
"Thank you, Sonia."
Johan produced the Rotom Pokédex.
"It’s what I should do."
Map coverage and Pokédex upgrades took ti.
Plus with nightfall, Johan temporarily stayed at Professor Magnolia’s lab.
Professor Magnolia also asked Johan for help.
Night fell, moon bright and stars sparse.
Behind Professor Magnolia’s lab, many Pokémon were also kept.
Including wild Pokémon, Pokémon fostered by Galar region trainers, and Pokémon needed for research.
"These are the children."
Professor Magnolia leaned on her cane, eyes downcast, voice sowhat heavy.
"They’re wild Pokémon struck by mysterious Galar Particles. Most were sent to , but these children... whether frightened or fearful... all have lingering problems."
She looked at Johan.
"If possible, please help them."
As a famous Pokémon psychologist, current Johan was considered an expert, even authority, in Pokémon psychology worldwide.
"Yes!"
Facing such a request, Johan wouldn’t and didn’t want to refuse.
Clang clang clang—
While Johan worked with Ninetales and Gengar on Pokémon psychological issues, Tinkaton again beca a little blacksmith, diligently forging.
Compared to before, it had a cheerleading little fan beside it.
"ltan~ ltan~!" ltan worked hard providing emotional support.
Such a small one - Johan worried Tinkaton might accidentally hamr the little guy into its hamr.
"Cha?"
Suddenly.
Tinkaton wiped its forehead, looking up toward the southwest with slight confusion.
Who’s calling ?
----------
Powerstones?
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