Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Kanto, Saffron City, Rocket Media Entertainment Corporation Headquarters.

Inside a somewhat inconspicuous, secluded office—

"Please, have a seat."

Matori, dressed in a sharp tailored suit, a fitted pencil skirt, black stockings, and high heels, adjusted her glasses slightly and gestured to the figure in front of her.

The person wore a red cloak and had long, wavy, light-blue hair. As they sat down, a glimpse of a Poké Ball was revealed beneath their cloak.

"Matori, a pleasure to meet you," the man said flatly.

"You..." Matori was momentarily at a loss for words upon seeing the man before her. After a pause, she finally continued, "You said you came to discuss a collaboration?"

"Indeed." The man ran a hand over his waist—not to retrieve a Poké Ball, but a deck of... cards?

"A card player...?"

"Hm?"

"No, I mean, what are those cards?"

"I am Darkrai," the man introduced himself, his tone steady. "I am dedicated to developing Pokémon Trading Cards. I heard that your company is currently seeking partners for Pokémon-related merchandise, so I came to discuss an opportunity."

"Pokémon Trading Cards?"

The moment Darkrai mentioned Pokémon TCG, he became noticeably more talkative.

His words were filled with admiration for the game, leaving Matori completely bewildered.

Phrases like "Resilient, Invincible, Supreme, Unstoppable, Ultimate Cheer!" and "The bond between Trainer and Cards"—

A bond... with cards?

"Uh, excuse me for interrupting—Mr. Darkrai, you're a Trainer?" Matori attempted to steer the conversation back to a topic she could comprehend.

"Mhm," Darkrai responded calmly.

Then, with renewed enthusiasm, he added, "Matori, let's play a round of cards! You'll soon understand its true charm!"

Matori opened her mouth but hesitated before saying, "I... I don't have any..."

"No problem!"

Darkrai pulled out another deck. "I have spares. You can borrow one."

He placed the second deck in front of her and—

"I'll teach you."

Matori: "..."

"Darkrai?"

Johan, upon receiving Matori's call, fell into deep thought.

Wasn't that the 'Legendary Pokémon Guy' from Sinnoh's Lily of the Valley Conference?

Rumor had it he was a character inspired by an actual Pokémon TCG Champion, and throughout the entire tournament, he had only used two Pokémon—both Legendary or Mythical.

"A Pokémon TCG Company President?"

Hearing Matori's description, Johan snapped back to reality.

"Wait."

He suddenly realized—

"What does Darkrai want with you? An advertisement?"

Wasn't Matori in charge of Rocket Media Entertainment Corporation?

Didn't they only produce TV series?

At the moment, they only had one show—'Meowth & Pichu'—though it had become wildly popular.

"A collaboration? Merchandising?"

Johan sank into thought again.

To be fair, merchandising was a brilliant idea.

Johan had seen firsthand the power of the merch industry—and he had to admit, Giovanni's business acumen was impressive. He had quickly realized the potential of using their TV series to drive merchandise sales.

"...Possible ties to League Chairman Damalanchi and the Berlitz Family from Sinnoh?"

Johan suddenly felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information Matori had just shared.

What does any of this have to do with anything?

They couldn't just assume Darkrai was connected to Chairman Damalanchi just because they both had "Dark" in their names, right?

Nor could they claim he was related to the Berlitz Family just because of a similar hair color.

That said, Pokémon TCG wasn't exactly uncommon in the Pokémon world.

For example, James from Team Rocket carried a Pokémon TCG deck around—but he used it as a Pokédex substitute.

"You handle it. You're the representative here."

After giving some brief instructions, Johan ended the call.

Darkrai or not...

Did he really have multiple Darkrai?

Since this was just a normal business negotiation, Johan didn't dwell on it.

At that moment, he was in a forest outside Fortree City.

No choice.

He had been unable to reach Flint, and everyone he asked said they hadn't seen him.

Eventually, Johan learned from Lance that—

After the mission ended, Flint had insisted on heading back alone.

Lance and Clair had left first, escorting the captured criminals.

"...I think I'm starting to understand Volkner."

Johan sighed softly.

If this was the kind of Four Heavenly Kings Flint was going to be... combined with the reckless Aaron... Volkner was going to have a lot on his plate.

"Draaa~~"

Above him, Dragonite's voice called out.

Johan's expression shifted.

Did they finally find him?

Moments later—

"Johan!!"

A disheveled, tattered Flint came running towards him, eyes slightly red.

"I knew you'd find me!"

He reached out, trying to grab Johan's hands—

Only for Johan to dodge effortlessly.

Johan gave him an unimpressed glance and said flatly, "Flint, you're famous now."

"Famous?"

Johan pulled out his phone and made a call.

"Hello, it's me—Johan. Yeah, I found that reckless fire-head kid. Thanks for all your hard work."

"...Who, who was that?"

After hanging up, Johan spread his hands and said, "Who else? The League Police from Fortree City, Fallarbor Town, Slateport City, and Mauville City."

Flint froze in place.

"...That many people?!"

"More importantly, I'm really curious—how did you get yourself lost? And why was your phone unreachable?"

Pokémon world's communication systems were top-notch—except in special ruins, hidden realms, or mysterious dimensions, there were hardly any dead zones.

The entire system was designed so that Trainers could always find their way.

Flint scratched his head awkwardly.

"...I only realized later that my phone had gotten waterlogged and broke."

"...Six."

Johan turned and started walking back.

"Johan, I heard that the Fleur-de-lis Institute in Kalos has developed a new holographic phone—think it's waterproof?" Flint quickly caught up.

"You have to understand—sometimes, a phone isn't just a phone."

"...What do you mean?"

"In certain situations—especially in wartime—its purpose isn't just communication." Johan brushed aside a branch.

"...Wartime? Hahaha, what, does it explode or something?"

Flint laughed—

Until he noticed Johan wasn't denying it.

"...Wait, does it actually explode?"

"I never said that."

Flint shuddered.

Quickly, he changed the subject.

"Johan, how did you find me?"

"Did you rely on our shared fighting spirit?"

"...Why aren't we taking Dragonite?"

Johan suddenly stopped and looked directly at Flint.

"If you say one more word—I'll leave you here forever."

Flint immediately clamped his mouth shut.

He wasn't usually this talkative—he had just been wandering in the forest alone for so long that he was dying for conversation.

January 15th, Clear Skies.

Hoenn, Fortree City, Pokémon Center.

"Hahaha—Flint is fully revived!"

Emerging from the Pokémon Center, now wearing a fresh set of clothes, Flint swaggered out, hands in his pockets.

At a nearby café, Johan—one hand petting Ninetales, the other holding a book—subtly adjusted his position, trying to pretend he didn't know him.

Unfortunately, Flint spotted him immediately.

"Johan! Let's have an intense battle!"

"...Fine."

Seeing no escape, Johan put down his book and agreed.

Flint's eyes lit up.

"Where's the battle arena?"

"No need."

Johan clenched his fist.

"We'll go to the wilds."

The wilds?

Flint scratched his head. "Alright! As long as we don't start a forest fire—"

Johan smirked slightly and added, "No restrictions."

Flint: "!!"

Johan was infamous for his hand-to-hand combat skills. A no-restrictions battle with him?!

"Hahaha—uh, haha, ahahaha—"

If I laugh long enough, I can avoid this fight, right?

"Let's go."

"W-where to?"

"You wanted a battle, didn't you? I'll introduce you to an opponent." Johan's lips curled into a sly smile.

"...Are they strong?" Flint suddenly got excited.

"Very strong." Johan's tone was absolute.

"Let's go! Let's go!"

Even if I can't beat Johan, surely I can beat someone else, right?

Flint had been stuck in that forest for far too long—he and his Pokémon were desperate for a fight.

Fortree City, Northern Shore.

WOOOOOO—

A deep ship horn echoed across the sea.

A massive wooden sailing vessel was docked at the shore. Johan and Flint made their way through the trees before arriving at the scene.

Standing at the bow of the ship was an elderly man with a white beard, a captain's hat, and an open naval coat. He stood with arms crossed, smiling at the two approaching figures.

Flint's steps stuttered.

"...Uh, Johan... Who is this...?"

Johan, however, kept his usual calm demeanor. Stepping onto the ship's wooden deck, he slightly bowed and greeted the old man—

"Drake."

"Hahahaha! Johan, my boy! Long time no see!" Drake's booming laughter carried across the sea.

It really had been a while.

After the Mt. Chimney incident, Johan had submitted his report to Drake—

One reason was to alert him about Team Magma's possible involvement.

The other reason?

To file for reimbursement.

Drake, in response, had told him that his ship was docked at Fortree City's northern shore and that Johan should swing by if he had the time.

And so—

Johan had come.

And brought a lost Flint with him.

"Drake, let me introduce you—" Johan turned to Flint.

"This is Flint, from Sinnoh. He's here to challenge you."

Flint's expression froze.

Wait.

The opponent Johan found for me is...

A FOUR ELITE?!

The most uptodate nove𝙡s are published on frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓.

"Oh?"

Drake raised an eyebrow in interest. His gaze fell upon Flint, and after a moment, he let out a hearty chuckle.

"Well then! We still have some time before departure—this will be a nice warm-up!"

Johan casually leaned against the ship railing, his Pokémon all sitting beside him.

Then—

They all turned away at the same time.

They couldn't bear to watch.

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Powerstones?

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