Meeting at the Summit!

Tuesday, cloudy skies.

"Nidoqueen, you're a grown Pokémon now. The road ahead is yours to walk."

On the rooftop of Johan's building.

The setting sun painted the entire city with a golden hue, draping it in a thin veil of twilight. The warm colors illuminated Nidoqueen's face, turning it a vibrant orange.

Nidoqueen looked up.

A few Taillow flew by in pairs overhead.

However, Nidoqueen didn't react the way she would have when she first arrived. Instead of showing aggression, she quietly lowered her head and gazed at Johan.

Nearby, Haunter and the others displayed mixed emotions.

"Ka-kah~~ (`)b"

Haunter retained its mischievous grin, giving Nidoqueen a thumbs up.

Vulpix looked reluctant, its eyes shimmering with tears as it bit its lip and waved gently.

"Oowu~~ (︿)"

Tinkatink was the most straightforward. It stepped forward, intending to pat Nidoqueen's arm, but realizing it couldn't reach, it settled for her knee instead.

"Chu!"

Big one, eat lots of food!

Johan smiled as he walked forward and patted Nidoqueen on the shoulder.

"You've become a terrifyingly strong Pokémon now. Go climb to greater heights. When you reach the top, you'll see an entire forest—don't stay hung up on just one tree. Go back, and don't think too much. Just give him a solid beating!"

"Then tell him: The old me you ignored, the current me you can't afford!"

This kind of self-empowerment was perfect for rebuilding confidence.

Just like how he told himself he was handsome every morning in the mirror. And look at him now—at best, Steven was on equal footing with him.

"Ne-do!"

Nidoqueen nodded resolutely and stepped forward, giving Johan a strong hug.

"Okay, okay..."

Johan blushed and awkwardly patted her shoulder.

"Ne-do!"

Letting go of Johan, Nidoqueen's confidence was reignited.

"Well... until we meet again."

With a soft sigh, Johan prepared to recall Nidoqueen into her Luxury Ball.

"Wait. Could you hand this to Gym Leader Giovanni for me later?"

Before recalling her, Johan handed Nidoqueen a piece of paper.

"Ne-do!"

Although Nidoqueen couldn't understand the dense writing on it, she nodded firmly.

With that, Johan recalled her into the Luxury Ball and handed it to the waiting Delibird courier.

He discreetly slipped the Delibird a few energy cubes.

Delibird's face immediately lit up.

"Beli~~"

It waved at Johan and the others before flapping its wings and heading toward the Kanto region.

Johan and his Pokémon stood on the rooftop, waving goodbye until the courier disappeared from sight.

Truthfully...

After spending so many days together, there was undeniably some attachment. But Nidoqueen had her path, and Johan had his.

Just as Johan turned to console the three little ones...

He found they had already moved on from the sadness of parting.

They were laughing as they walked downstairs, debating what Johan might cook for dinner.

Wait—just like that?

Halfway down, Haunter noticed Johan wasn't following. It floated back and tugged at him.

"Ka-kah~~"

Hurry up, old man, or I'm taking over the kitchen.

Johan twitched.

So I'm just a heartless cooking tool to you?

As Haunter dragged him along, Johan couldn't help but ask:

"Seriously, you guys aren't feeling sentimental at all?"

Haunter blinked, confused.

"Ka-kah?"

Sentimental? Why? We'll see her again.

"Huh?"

So philosophical?

Haunter grinned widely, its red tongue flapping.

"Ka-kah~~"

We made a promise with Nidoqueen.

"A promise?"

Johan raised an eyebrow.

Haunter dramatically pointed to the sky, cackling gleefully.

"Ka! Kah!"

We promised...

To meet at the summit!

Johan: "!!"

Wait, do you guys understand what it means to promise a summit meeting with Nidoqueen?

Are we challenging Giovanni?!

Seeing Johan's "shocked" expression, Haunter thumped its chest confidently.

"Ka-kah~~"

Don't worry—I'll carry us to victory!

Wednesday Morning

Johan went about his usual routine, bringing the little ones to school.

He had an afternoon class, but the lesson plan was already prepared. The session went as usual—packed with students, somewhat tedious content, yet not a single person dozed off.

Afterward, he stopped by the administration office to request two days off.

Technically, a research instructor like Johan or Professor Cozmo could disappear for a couple of days without raising eyebrows, provided they weren't scheduled to teach or handle important tasks.

However, Johan's case was a bit unique, given that he also ran the Pokémon psychology consultation room.

To his surprise, Principal Minjiang approved the leave immediately without asking for a reason.

Johan's online popularity had skyrocketed recently.

He was becoming something of a poster child for Rustboro Pokémon Academy.

With no pressing obligations, Minjiang saw no reason to deny his request. Still, he reminded Johan to return before Saturday's semifinals.

Although the Elite Eight matches had concluded less than three days ago, the office had already been inundated with media inquiries.

Many wanted to livestream Saturday's semifinals and even hoped to arrange an exclusive interview with Johan.

Several companies had offered sponsorship deals, requesting only a small logo on Johan's outfit during the broadcast.

The academy declined the sponsorships outright.

Rustboro Pokémon Academy didn't lack funds, being backed by the Hoenn League and giants like Devon Corporation.

However, they welcomed media coverage, believing it could attract more talented students.

Even though Johan downplayed his chances in the semifinals, Minjiang insisted that even just "showing up" was better than not attending.

And so, Johan secured his leave.

Wednesday Evening

As the sun set once again, Johan boarded a flight to the Sinnoh region with his three little ones.

It was his first trip outside of Hoenn since arriving in this world. To say he wasn't a little excited would be a lie.

And he wasn't the only one.

Haunter had its entire face pressed against the window, tongue out, inadvertently giving the airline a free glass-cleaning service.

"Ease up. Don't corrode the glass," Johan warned.

At this altitude, even the tiniest gap could lead to depressurization—or worse.

"Slurp—"

Haunter retracted its tongue, nodding in understanding.

Vulpix lay on Johan's lap, its expression unusually solemn.

"Oowu..."

If the plane depressurizes, grab the oxygen masks first. If the engines fail, latch onto Haunter. If there's an explosion, use Blizzard to douse the flames... we might survive...

Listening to Vulpix's muttering, Johan broke into a cold sweat.

No need to prep for disaster so thoroughly...

"Where's Tinkatink?"

Noticing Tinkatink was missing, Johan scanned the cabin. He found the little one holding its hammer, standing by the emergency exit with a curious tilt of its head.

"Chu!"

Suddenly, Tinkatink's eyes lit up. It leapt toward the door handle.

Johan: "!!"

"Haunter, get Tinkatink back here!"

He hurled Haunter in Tinkatink's direction. Thankfully, Haunter reacted quickly, grabbing the airborne Tinkatink just in time and bringing it back.

Facing Johan's stern glare, Tinkatink chuckled sheepishly.

"Chu~ Chu~"

That door's metal seemed top-notch!

Johan: "..."

He promptly strapped Tinkatink to his seat with a safety belt, ensuring it wouldn't wreak havoc.

Planes in the Pokémon world were far sturdier than those in his previous life, made of high-quality metals.

After all...

In the skies, wild Flying-types were a constant threat.

And that was on a good day.

A worse scenario might involve an encounter with a certain cameraman deity...

Or a literal meteorite containing an alien being that just so happened to be Rayquaza's dinner.

Which Rayquaza might still lose to.

"Don't worry too much, lad. That little one won't be able to open it."

A bespectacled, wiry old man seated nearby chuckled.

"Hmm?"

"This plane's metal was crafted from special black gold excavated in Oreburgh City—extremely sturdy. Plus, the air valves are sealed during flight. No ordinary Pokémon could breach it."

"Oh..." Johan nodded in realization.

No wonder the flight attendants hadn't intervened earlier.

The old man coughed lightly.

"This old geezer had a hand in that matter."

A bigshot involved in aircraft development?

Before Johan could respond, the old man clicked his tongue.

"My Snorlax accidentally opened the door once. After that, they made sure no one else could."

Johan: "..."

So that's what he meant by 'having a hand in it'?

Wait—you actually released Snorlax on a plane?!

"How much did you have to pay?" Johan asked, curious.

The old man waved dismissively.

"Eh, just a few hundred thousand."

"Ka-kah! Σ(дlll)"

As the flight continued smoothly, Johan chatted casually with the quirky elder.

"Ka-kah!"

That's Mount Coronet!

Haunter's excited cry drew the attention of Johan and his little ones to the window.

"First time in Sinnoh, huh, lad

? If you don't mind, the old geezer could host you for the night," the old man offered.

Johan smiled and shook his head.

"Thanks, but I've got a friend picking me up."

The elder didn't press the matter further.

As the plane prepared to land, Johan asked:

"By the way, I didn't catch your name, sir."

The old man grinned warmly.

"Just call me Mitch. Mitch Berlitz."

Berlitz?!

Hearing that surname, Johan froze in shock.

The Berlitz family!

A 200-year legacy—the wealthiest family in Sinnoh!

They were practically on par with the Stone family in Hoenn!

The plane landed smoothly in Hearthome City.

Exiting the airport, Johan immediately spotted a Spiritomb holding a sign with his name. Beside it stood Cynthia, her face adorned with a warm smile.

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Powerstones?

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