Candice’s Request

[You have obtained a Legendary Pokémon Egg! (Warning: Watch your wallet!)]

Johan could almost see this notification flashing before his eyes.

More importantly—

Matori was looking at him with bright, expectant eyes, as if waiting for him to praise her.

Thinking about it carefully, this was indeed a gesture of goodwill from Giovanni, and Matori had probably put a lot of effort into selecting it.

And considering that this was the offspring of one of Giovanni's Pokémon…

It had to have incredible potential, right?

Not asking for too much, but if he trained it well and got it to at least half of Giovanni's level, that should be reasonable… right?

"…T-Thanks, Matori. I appreciate it."

Johan forced out a smile.

If he didn't have six million Pokédollars in savings right now, he wouldn't have dared to accept this egg.

"I'm just glad you like it, Johan," Matori said, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Haha…" Johan let out a strained laugh.

Still—

A new Pokémon hatching soon was something to look forward to.

Just imagining a baby Pokémon breaking out of its shell filled him with a sense of warmth.

And with Charcadet still in its pre-evolved form, its Flame Body ability was perfect for hatching eggs.

"So… what kind of Pokémon is it?" Johan couldn't help but ask.

Matori playfully blinked.

"Guess."

Guess your head.

"Johan, we're about to start shooting. Do you want to oversee the filming?"

Matori suddenly remembered that today's shoot hadn't even begun yet.

If she didn't show up soon, the trio would definitely spend the entire day nagging her with their "Watermelon-Head Glasses Lady" jokes.

"You guys go ahead. I'll just watch."

With that, Matori rushed out of the room, her high heels clicking against the floor as she ran off.

Johan shook his head, then released Charcadet from its Poké Ball.

"Goka?"

Charcadet looked around in confusion.

Where was this place?

Johan didn't answer. Instead, he handed the Pokémon Egg—still in its incubator—to Charcadet and said seriously,

"Charcadet, this mission can only be entrusted to you."

The small Pokémon looked completely baffled.

But after seeing the egg in its hands and then glancing at Johan's serious expression, its own gaze grew solemn.

"Goka!"

It straightened up, nodding firmly.

This mission… I accept!

It had hatched plenty of eggs back at the breeding center.

It would make sure this little one hatched into the strongest baby Pokémon ever!

"…You don't actually have to train it that hard," Johan said, sweatdropping.

Compared to Gengar, Charcadet was definitely much more obedient.

As long as you gave it some respect, it was easy to handle.

With Charcadet holding the egg, Johan stepped outside.

The filming had already started.

Out in the snow, Pichu was acting cute at Meowth.

"Piiii-chu~!"

Meowth clutched its chest dramatically, staggering backward.

"I… I can't take it! Someone call an ambulance—meow!"

Then, just as everyone was about to be convinced by Pichu's cuteness—

Pichu's expression shifted.

It suddenly smirked, clapping its little cheeks.

"Pii~CHU!!"

A burst of electricity crackled.

"Ughhh! I hate this feeling, meow!!!"

Nearby, a Granbull—waiting for its turn—gulped nervously.

In the show, Pichu was adorable and weak-looking.

But off-camera, that thing was a menace.

Even the strongest Pokémon on set feared it.

"Cut!"

Dressed in a director's outfit, James held a megaphone and called the scene.

To be honest—

He actually looked the part.

Beside him, Jessie was already in costume, ready for her next scene.

"Scene change! Moving to the indoor set. Pichu, you did great."

"Pichuu~"

Pichu placed its hands on its hips, looking smug.

A few staff members cautiously approached—wearing specially insulated gloves from Celadon Gym—and carefully picked up the little troublemaker, all while whispering notes about the next scene.

The filming crew began moving inside.

Meanwhile—

Meowth, who had collapsed dramatically in the snow, suddenly jumped back up, brushing off the frost.

"So, James—how'd I do, meow?"

It was like that electric shock never even happened.

"Sonansu!"

The ever-reliable Wobbuffet handed Meowth a new prop.

"Not bad, Meowth," James responded, staying true to his director's duties.

It was official—

Only Meowth could handle playing Tom in a real-life Tom & Jerry situation.

Most Pokémon wouldn't survive this kind of abuse.

Johan didn't follow the crew inside.

With so many people packed into the set, there wasn't much room for him anyway.

"…Meowth deserves a raise," Johan thought.

In fact—

The Meowth Song might be worth producing soon.

With its current popularity, it could probably go viral.

Wait, how did that song go again?

"Ah-oo-ee~ Ah-oo-ee~"

As Johan hummed to himself while walking back toward the hotel, he noticed a commotion.

"What kind of Pokémon is that?"

"It's a disaster Pokémon!!"

"Quick! We have to chase it away!"

"But… it's not doing anything?"

"I wanna catch it!"

Johan followed the source of the voices and saw a group of kids gathered in a small square.

They were staring cautiously at something.

A moment later, Johan saw it too—

An Absol.

Ah, ignorant children.

Johan shook his head.

Wait—

Absol?!

A sudden chill ran down his spine.

He took a step back and looked up—

On the roof of a nearby house, the Absol stood silently, watching him.

Their eyes met.

Johan's mouth twitched.

Even Absol had arrived…

"Have you all finished your homework?!"

Before Johan could say anything, a strict voice rang out.

A girl with triple-braided hair, dressed in a Japanese school uniform, walked over with the aura of a strict teacher.

"Run!"

"It's Miss Candice! Run for your lives!"

The kids scattered immediately, as if she were scarier than Absol itself.

"…Johan?"

Candice, having just chased off the kids, finally noticed him.

The two had met once before—

During the Snow Sculpture Competition in Kalos, where they were both participants.

Candice, also known as the Diamond Dust Girl, was both a teacher at Snowpoint Pokémon Academy and the Snowpoint City Gym Leader.

Most Pokémon Trainers had side jobs—

Cynthia was a historian,

Looker managed the library,

Candice was a teacher,

Diantha was an actress.

Very few Trainers didn't have a side gig…

Like Drake, for example.

That guy was basically unemployed.

"Candice." Johan nodded.

"Did something happen here?" she asked.

Johan glanced back at the rooftop.

The Absol was gone.

Shaking his head, he replied, "Nothing, just passing through."

No need to cause panic.

Cynthia and Looker were already keeping an eye on Snowpoint City.

If something serious happened, they'd alert the League immediately.

"…Passing through?"

Candice blinked, then suddenly smirked.

"Oh! You're here to challenge my Gym, right? Planning to sweep the Lily of the Valley Conference?"

Johan frowned.

"…I never said that."

Candice waved it off.

"Same thing."

Then, her expression turned serious.

"I've been meaning to ask you something, Johan."

Back at the Ice Sculpture Contest, Johan's Alolan Vulpix had left a huge impression on her.

And after watching his battles in the Indigo League, she had been inspired.

"This isn't just a request from me as a Trainer," she continued, eyes filled with determination.

"It's also a request from me as a teacher."

"…What do you want to know?" Johan asked.

"Battle strategies. For Snow teams."

Johan stared at her.

Snow teams?

Why would she want advice on the weakest weather team?

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Powerstones?

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