Giovanni: "As Expected of Johan"

"Whirrrr—"

The latest model of the Rotom Berry Mixer roared as its high-speed turbines spun.

Under Johan's careful mixing and Rotom's assistance, plate after plate of steaming-hot Pokéblocks were quickly prepared.

"Regiiii—"

Regigigas sat on the ground, surrounded by Gengar, Tinkaton, Dragonite, Garchomp, and several other Pokémon.

Hard to believe that just moments ago, these very Pokémon had been fighting.

Or more accurately, it had been Gengar, Garchomp, and the others ganging up on Regigigas.

And still failing to take it down.

But now…

"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah~!"

I'm done eating!!

Gengar patted its bowl, which was the size of a basin.

Regigigas looked serious.

When it came to eating, it had never conceded to anyone.

But today, it had met a true rival!

This little creature ate like a black hole, not even bothering to chew, swallowing everything in one go.

Regigigas now held Gengar in high regard.

Seeing that Gengar had finished, it also cleared its bowl in one go before turning its expectant gaze toward Johan.

[I'm done too!]

"Garrr!!"

Garchomp, having lost to Regigigas in battle, definitely didn't want to lose here.

Meanwhile, Johan was sweating profusely as he continuously poured berries into the mixer.

At this rate…

He'd rather fight Regigigas again!

This was way too much food!

Not to mention his own Pokémon, Cynthia's Pokémon—every single one of them looked like a hungry baby bird.

"Gengar, that's enough! Stop joining in!"

Johan finally couldn't hold back.

Even if the League was footing the bill, consider the one actually making the food—him!

Finally…

As the sun set and the golden glow of twilight painted the sky, Regigigas patted its stomach and let out a burp.

[I'm full~ Hic~!]

Johan and Ninetales then teamed up to give Regigigas a full "sleep aid package."

As Regigigas transformed into a "Stone of Light" and lay quietly on the ground, it marked the official end of this entire event.

A deep exhaustion washed over Johan.

Whether it was battling Regigigas, negotiating with it multiple times, exhausting his Aura through Mega Evolution, or simply cooking an absurd amount of food—he was drained.

He flopped down onto the ground.

"Roto~~"

Rotom, which had emerged from the Berry Mixer, collapsed in his hands. After making so many Pokéblocks, it was completely worn out.

If it weren't for the Thunder Stone Johan had gotten from Raikou, Rotom probably would've shut down halfway through.

"Don't worry, when we get back, I'll get you a whole generator!"

Johan promised.

"R-Roto?"

Rotom froze.

Was this generator…

To help it make even more Pokéblocks in the future?

Johan rubbed his temples.

Even Rotom was getting this sharp?

He was running out of ways to fool it…

But still—

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar suddenly opened its mouth wide.

Under Bertha's watchful gaze, it swallowed an entire top-of-the-line Rotom Berry Mixer worth several million Pokédollars into its dimensional pocket.

Along with all the remaining berries.

Bertha opened her mouth as if to say something… but in the end, she just sighed.

—

Night fell.

Snowflakes once again drifted down, and the restless volcano had returned to peace. The evacuated citizens of Snowpoint City slowly returned.

As streetlights flickered back on, casting a warm orange glow over the roads, and the sound of laughter echoed from homes, Johan and the others exchanged glances.

Smiles spread across their faces.

Flint walked with his hands behind his head, a smug grin on his face.

"You know… we kinda just protected all of Snowpoint City. Heck, maybe even all of Sinnoh."

For once, Lucian didn't argue.

He simply said, "Feels like it was worth the exhaustion."

"I've decided!" Flint suddenly clenched his fist.

"It's time for me to seriously aim for the Elite Four!"

Beside him, Aaron's signature ahoge stood straight up. "Count me in."

Lucian adjusted his glasses with a smirk.

"It's not that easy."

His gaze shifted toward Johan and Cynthia.

"Don't look at me," Johan shrugged. "I'm from Hoenn."

"But Drasna is a member of the Kalos Elite Four," Cynthia blinked, hinting at something.

Drasna was also from Celestic Town—Cynthia knew her well. Yet she had become Kalos' Dragon-type Elite Four member instead of staying in Sinnoh.

"Yeah, yeah!" Flint and Aaron immediately echoed.

After all, Bertha had already invited Johan earlier.

"Strictly speaking, the Elite Four doesn't have to be from the region they serve," Lucian added.

He was already thinking ahead.

Looking at the current state of things…

Everyone here had the potential to become Sinnoh's future Elite Four.

And if they did—Cynthia, with her strength, was a guaranteed Champion.

But the thought of working alongside Flint and Aaron?

Lucian could already see it—

Endless piles of paperwork!

If he could "recruit" Johan into Sinnoh, his workload would be significantly lighter…

As their expectant gazes turned to him, Johan's mouth twitched.

He quickly changed the subject.

"Hey, aren't you guys curious about what Mega Evolution is?"

Everyone's eyes immediately lit up—even Cynthia's.

"Sigh~"

Johan dramatically patted his stomach and gazed up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

"After all this work, I haven't had a single proper meal today…"

"Johan, you definitely snuck in a few Pokéblocks earlier," Flint started—only to be silenced by Johan's glare.

Cynthia smiled sweetly, her eyes crescent-shaped.

"Lucian, you're treating us to dinner."

Lucian stiffened as if struck by lightning, staring at Cynthia in disbelief.

She's been corrupted too!

"Oh yeah!" Flint realized. "Lucian, I'm starving!"

"You— You stay away from me!!"

Lucian bolted.

Flint and Aaron immediately gave chase.

—

Viridian City, Team Rocket Headquarters.

After finishing his training, Giovanni wiped sweat from his forehead with a towel.

He gestured for his Pokémon to take a break, then reached for his phone.

There was a missed call from Matori.

He called back immediately.

"Boss, I sent you some news articles."

"I'm looking now."

Giovanni set down the towel, took a sip of water, and started scrolling through the reports.

"Hm?"

"'Ancient Titan Awakens'?"

The news covered Regigigas' awakening and the volcanic eruption in Snowpoint City.

Of course, to avoid public panic, the League had edited the details as usual.

They also officially recognized and commended Johan, Cynthia, and the others.

"The Regis?" Giovanni asked.

"According to our intel, it should be Regigigas!"

With so many people involved, even the League's censorship couldn't hide everything from Team Rocket's information network.

Matori added, "Johan put it to sleep."

Even Giovanni fell silent for a moment.

Then, after a brief pause—

He chuckled.

"As expected of Johan."

As expected of the person he had taken an interest in.

There was no doubt—Johan was the world's foremost Pokémon psychologist.

Even a legendary Pokémon could be put to sleep.

For most people, that would be unimaginable.

But for Giovanni?

After everything he'd seen with Mewtwo, it wasn't surprising at all.

Matori, however, was still stunned.

Especially having been in Snowpoint City herself—she had felt the sheer force of Regigigas' awakening.

Even from a distance, it felt like an earthquake.

She couldn't begin to imagine how terrifying it would've been up close.

"By the way," Matori hesitated.

"Boss, there's another video."

A reporter had interviewed Team Rocket's infamous trio.

Because of Wobbuffet's contributions, and with Johan's influence, the three had unexpectedly been hailed as heroes.

Looking at the flood of positive comments, Giovanni paused.

Since when… had "Team Rocket" become something the public admired?

Then, realization struck him.

This… was exactly what Johan had suggested—"bringing Team Rocket into the public eye."

And now…

Thanks to Meowth and Pichu, that plan was actually working.

Even while handling Regigigas, Johan had still managed to advance Team Rocket's goals?

Giovanni fell silent for a long time.

Then, he smirked.

"Did Johan say anything else?"

Matori recalled.

"He asked… when we're leaving. He has a gift for you."

A gift?

How long had it been since Giovanni last received a gift?

His smirk deepened.

Now, this… he was looking forward to.

----------

Powerstones?

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