Johan: Flint, Eat as Much as You Want

Friday, clear skies.

"Johan-sensei, it's me, Anabel."

A familiar voice came through the phone.

"Anabel? What's up?"

Johan was a bit surprised by the sudden call.

"Johan-sensei, are you in Sinnoh right now?" Instead of answering, Anabel asked a question.

Johan frowned slightly.

What's she getting at?

Although he hadn't deliberately kept his whereabouts a secret, not many people knew he was in Sinnoh. It was clear that some effort had been made to track him down.

So he replied, "You could say that."

Anabel: "…"

What do you mean, you could say that?

"Here's the thing…" Anabel decided to cut to the chase. "We've discovered a group of Pokémon hunters in Sinnoh and are planning to capture them. If you're in Sinnoh, we'd appreciate your help."

Pokémon hunters?

Johan immediately caught the key point.

With Cynthia and the others currently investigating the history of the ancient titans, wasn't this setting up perfectly for a Regigigas awakening scenario?

"Where?" Johan asked, his tone more serious.

If it were anything else, he might not be too concerned.

But when it came to Pokémon hunters… he needed to know the details.

"If our intel is correct, they'll be sailing through Pastoria City. We're planning to set a trap there and catch them as they pass through," Anabel said gravely.

Pastoria City?

Johan thought for a moment and quickly understood why.

Pastoria City was located on Sinnoh's westernmost edge.

The entire city was practically built into the ocean, made up of interconnected islands and bridges.

It was a crucial hub for sea transport between Sinnoh, Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn.

"So, they're trying to smuggle Pokémon out of Sinnoh?"

"Exactly!" Anabel confirmed. "Compared to land routes with multiple checkpoints, the sea allows them to avoid unnecessary trouble."

However…

The sea was also full of dangers.

Some uncharted waters harbored ferocious and powerful wild Pokémon.

Certain sea areas had extreme natural conditions that could easily shatter an ordinary vessel.

Aside from officially recognized and secured routes, the ocean remained a perilous place.

But then there were people like Drake, who constantly sought to challenge and conquer the sea's dangers.

Hearing Anabel's confirmation, Johan's expression turned serious.

After all, his Vulpix had once been smuggled across the ocean to Hoenn.

Anabel added, "Also, with the fishing tournament being held in Pastoria City these days, the crowd and number of boats will make it the perfect cover for them."

Fishing tournament?

For some reason, Johan immediately pictured Feebas getting reeled in.

As a seaside city and a major port, fishing was a popular activity in Pastoria.

"Got it. If the conditions allow, I'll head over," Johan said.

After all, Cynthia had technically hired him, so he couldn't just leave without permission.

"Alright."

With that, Anabel hung up.

"Pastoria City, huh?" Johan put his phone away.

Pokémon hunters operating in Pastoria and using the waterways… this had all the makings of a disaster for them.

"Ka-kaah!"

In the courtyard—

Gengar suddenly shivered and let out a cry.

Upon seeing the figure lurking in the shadows, it patted its chest and let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Ka-kaah~~"

You scared the ghost out of me.

"Marsha!"

Marshadow's expression was pale, looking utterly miserable.

If Gengar weren't hogging Johan's shadow, it wouldn't have had to constantly traverse the Shadow Realm just to keep up with its Chosen One!

It had chased Johan from Johto to Hoenn, then from Hoenn to Sinnoh, from Jubilife City to Canalave City, and now from Canalave to Celestic Town. Was that easy?!

"What's wrong, Gengar?"

Johan stepped outside after finishing his call.

"Marshadow?"

Upon spotting Marshadow, Johan blinked in surprise.

"What are you doing in Sinnoh?"

He hadn't expected Marshadow to follow him all the way here.

"Marsha!"

Seeing Johan, Marshadow straightened its posture.

It looked just as exhausted as Gengar usually did.

Johan chuckled.

"I thought you'd stay in Hoenn. I even asked Gallade to make sure you got fed."

"Marsha… (PД`q.)·.'゜"

Marshadow was devastated.

You could have told me earlier!

Johan pulled out some Pokéblocks.

"Here, eat something to regain your energy."

"Marsha!"

Marshadow turned its head away.

Hmph! I don't need your food!

Johan just laughed.

"Well, we might be leaving Celestic Town soon."

"Marsha?! d(д)"

Johan placed the Pokéblocks on the grass and walked back inside with Gengar.

"Marsha~~"

Marshadow pouted.

Its eyes kept drifting toward the Pokéblocks, the enticing aroma tickling its hungry stomach.

"Marsha…"

Fine, just a little… only so I have the strength to keep watching my Chosen One!

Yeah, that's it!

"You're going to Pastoria too?"

When Johan told Cynthia he might be heading to Pastoria, she mentioned she was going as well.

"Mm…"

Cynthia lazily yawned.

"There are some ancient texts in the Pastoria Library. They don't have digital versions."

The Pastoria Library was Sinnoh's largest.

Not just Sinnoh—even in the entire Pokémon world, it ranked among the top three.

Its collection was vast, covering a wide range of subjects.

There were also many old books detailing Sinnoh's legends.

For Johan, this was great news.

With Cynthia, Lucian, Flint, and Aaron on board, if those Pokémon hunters dared to show up, they'd be instantly wiped out.

Give it a little more time, and even Team Galactic would be instantly wiped out if they showed up.

"I heard…" Aaron lifted his head from the sofa. "Pastoria City is holding a fishing tournament."

He was considering catching a Water-type Bug Pokémon.

At least that way, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage when battling Flint.

"Fishing?"

Cynthia's eyes lit up.

She did enjoy fishing.

She had caught her Milotic alongside Garchomp while fishing.

Seeing Cynthia's excitement, Johan had a thought.

Is Cynthia also a hardcore angler?

"What is that Pokémon?!"

Suddenly—

A startled shout came from the courtyard.

Johan's heart skipped a beat.

He quickly stepped outside—

And saw—

"Marsha?"

Marshadow had its head stuck inside a box.

It struggled for a moment before finally freeing itself, its face full of shock and fear, its mouth covered in Pokéblock crumbs.

"Could this be… the mythical Pokémon Marshadow?"

Lucian, after a brief moment of surprise, spoke in astonishment.

He had read about the Rainbow Hero legend in a book, which mentioned Marshadow as the Shadow Guide.

"Mythical Pokémon?" Flint murmured.

At that moment—

Marshadow finally reacted.

It opened its mouth as if to explain itself, but unable to find the words, it spun around and bolted toward the shadows.

Just before disappearing, it glared at Flint.

"Marsha! |*▼皿▼)"

Then, it vanished into the darkness.

"It ran away?" Flint said, disappointed.

"Marshadow, the Shadow Guide, can enter the Shadow Realm at will," Lucian explained.

Cynthia muttered, "It's actually pretty cute."

C-Cute?

Johan glanced at Flint with sympathy.

Good luck, Flint. Marshadow has marked you.

Best case? You get beaten up. Worst case? You're turned to ashes.

As Lucian explained Marshadow's lore to Flint and Aaron, Cynthia tugged on Johan's sleeve.

"Your Pokémon?" she asked in a low voice.

She had noticed the Pokéblock box on the ground and the crumbs on Marshadow's face.

Clearly, they were Johan's.

Johan shook his head.

"Just… an acquaintance."

With that, the group began preparing to leave for Pastoria.

As Johan passed Flint, he hesitated for a moment before patting her on the shoulder.

"Flint, if there's anything you want to eat… just go ahead and eat a lot of it."

Flint: "???"

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Powerstones?

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