"How did you end up in Kalos?" Johan asked.
Lance laughed heartily and said: "I happened to be executing a mission in Kalos. After completing it, I still had some time left, so I thought I'd come to the 'Battle Chateau' for a couple of matches before heading back."
Johan wanted to give a thumbs up and say "truly worthy of the 'Dragon Master'" - really persistent about battles.
But then he thought, "Wait, weren't you on an undercover mission?"
Wasn't Lance undercover in Team Rocket?
Speaking of this, Lance couldn't help but show some helplessness, scratching his head with some distress.
"Sigh, don't mention it. My undercover mission wasn't even complete when I was ordered to stop and hurry back to challenge for Elite Four position - an old veteran wants to retire."
Lance becoming Elite Four wasn't surprising - it was inevitable.
However, when Lance became Elite Four and wanted to challenge for Champion, his "good days" would come.
Actually, what Johan was more curious about was...
"You were ordered to stop?"
"Yeah." Lance shrugged. "I thought I was doing pretty well, sending reports back regularly. I had even infiltrated Team Rocket's middle-upper management and was preparing to push for an executive position."
Middle-upper management? Pushing for executive position?
Lance, when you say these things... why do you sound so enthusiastic?
"How was Team Rocket?" Johan probed.
Since it was Johan, an International Police Inspector, and their relationship was good with mutual understanding, Lance didn't hide anything.
"Strangely enough, Team Rocket internally... aside from competitive pressure being quite high, the benefits... were actually pretty good."
No delayed wages, fixed holidays for festivals, gifts and subsidies for major holidays, and if you went on field missions, there were field allowances and overtime pay...
"Johan, you don't know - if you become a Team Rocket executive, not only does your salary double, but also..."
Lance enthusiastically explained to Johan.
The more he talked, the more animated Lance's expression became, and Johan suddenly understood why the League ordered the undercover operation to stop and why they urgently called Lance back.
If they didn't call him back... the great "Dragon Master" Lance might really become a Team Rocket executive!
Could they actually see a Special manga version Lance recreation?
What a pity...
However, Team Rocket was indeed "honest" - regardless of who you were or your background, within Team Rocket it was merit-based, providing sufficient competition while giving enough advancement opportunities and benefits.
No wonder so many people were willing to fight desperately for Team Rocket and Giovanni.
Moreover, now that Team Rocket was beginning to transform, Lance had been undercover for so long but couldn't find much "evidence" against Team Rocket. Instead, his own beliefs and views about Team Rocket had changed somewhat.
"Perhaps..."
When Lance became Elite Four, then Champion, would be when Team Rocket completed its transformation...
This might also be one of Boss Giovanni's far-reaching strategies.
"Speaking of which, Johan, how did you come to Kalos and end up at the 'Battle Chateau'?" Lance asked in return.
"Oh." Johan snapped back to attention and shrugged casually: "Me? We're here for vacation."
Vacation...
Lance: "..."
Both coming to Kalos - he was here for a mission, Johan for vacation. How could the difference be so great?
While the two were talking, Grant had finally climbed to the Battle Chateau entrance.
"Marquis Grant, it's an honor to serve you." Castle butler Hennessy maintained his gentle, polite demeanor.
Grant was obviously familiar with Lance - not only one of the few Dukes in the Battle Chateau but after simple greetings, they walked toward the castle together.
The vast Battle Chateau was decorated quite luxuriously but not ostentatiously. Inside stood towering white jade pillars, and melodious cello and piano ensemble music drifted from the hall's corners.
When the three entered the hall, quite a few eyes gathered, with some people obviously recognizing Johan and Lance.
"Teacher Johan?"
"Teacher Johan came to the Battle Chateau too?"
"There's also Duke Lance - this is getting lively..."
"Duke Lance isn't worrying, but I wonder if Teacher Johan will get matched?"
"If he gets matched, there's nothing we can do."
Groups of people in the hall whispered among themselves.
"It's Elite Four Siebold! He came out too..."
From inside the castle walked a young man with fluffy blonde hair wearing white chef's attire - none other than Siebold, Kalos region's Water-type Elite Four member!
Siebold hadn't participated in Unova's "World Coronation Series" because he was already Kalos's Elite Four at that time.
However, Johan wasn't unfamiliar with Siebold - they'd had some interactions.
Like during the ice sculpture competition, Siebold was a special guest and had briefly interacted with Johan when presenting awards to him and Vulpix.
"Would the three of you like to dine?" Siebold maintained his smile.
As today's special invited chef for the Battle Chateau, Siebold was dedicated to his duties.
For him, compared to his Water-type Elite Four identity, Siebold preferred his work as a chef.
Johan was actually used to this.
The Kalos region, based on France, was filled with a tranquil, lazy romantic atmosphere throughout.
This was why many trainers were more enthusiastic about their "side jobs" and why so many trainers had side jobs.
Hadn't future Champion Diantha and the Elite Four set a good "example"?
Therefore, in many people's subconscious perception, Kalos region trainers' strength... was somewhat inferior to other Leagues.
This was understandable.
Sitting in a corner of the hall, Siebold and the castle staff began serving the three men food personally prepared by Siebold.
Johan wasn't actually hungry, but if you asked whether he could eat... he could definitely always eat.
After all, whose family didn't have several babies that could never be fed enough?
"Ka-kaah~!"
Gengar swallowed the exquisitely decorated pastry on its plate in one bite, smacking its lips - it seemed to taste quite good.
But while Gengar thought it tasted good, the portion was way too small.
Meanwhile, Larvitar looked eager to try - according to "rules," the next portion should be its, hehe!
"Excuse me, could we share a table?" a voice came from behind Johan.
Looking toward the voice, they saw a middle-aged beautiful woman around thirty, with purple hair in an updo, wearing a black form-fitting bodysuit and a white flowing cape.
Seeing the newcomer, Grant quickly introduced: "Teacher Johan, this is Ms. Olympia, Gym Leader of Anistar City."
Anistar Gym Leader, Olympia...
Olympia seemed quite familiar, sitting in the chair beside Johan while smiling and greeting: "Teacher Johan, Mr. Lance, Gym Leader Grant."
After sitting down, Olympia continued: "The starlight guided me to the Battle Chateau - I didn't expect to really meet the person I was meant to see."
Hm?
Olympia wasn't just a Gym Leader but also a psychic, with fortune telling as a side job, often helping people with astrology and predictions, known as "the one who lights the way with starlight."
This day was really getting lively...
Johan asked with some confusion: "Ms. Olympia, what do you mean by 'the person I was meant to see'?"
Could a fortune teller... predict what was about to happen in the Kalos region?
If she could predict it, that would be great - Johan could time his escape to avoid getting involved if possible.
Olympia smiled mysteriously, her wrist moving slightly as miniature stars seemed to twinkle in her hand.
"The starlight will guide everything. For Teacher Johan, the time has not yet come."
Johan: "..."
Could riddling people please get out of the Pokémon world?
Johan was quite speechless about this, pouring the food the waiter had just brought into Larvitar's mouth to prevent it from eating the plate too.
"Today is truly lively," Olympia said meaningfully.
Clang clang clang—
The ringing collision of metal armor echoed as everyone's attention was drawn to the sound from the castle entrance.
Bright silver heavy knight armor, a tall sturdy figure, Poké Balls hanging at the waist like a long sword...
"Elite Four Wikstrom?"
"Elite Four Wikstrom came too... today is really lively..."
The newcomer was none other than another Elite Four member from the Kalos region - the Steel-type Elite Four member who called himself "Man of Steel," Wikstrom!
Johan looked at Lance, Grant, and Olympia in front of him, then at knight Wikstrom standing at the entrance, plus Siebold currently busy in the back kitchen.
Good heavens...
Tell him this was a Masters tournament venue and he'd believe it.
Today truly was... everyone and their ghost had to make an appearance...
"Ka-kaah..."
Gengar stared blankly at Wikstrom's imposing armor, its dazed expression gradually bursting with irrepressible brilliance.
Knight, armor!
Wasn't this exactly what it had dreamed of?
Gengar spun around, rummaging through Johan's waist, quickly finding Tinkaton's Poké Ball, opening it and pulling Tinkaton out.
"Cha?"
Tinkaton was napping and, being called out by Gengar, drowsily rubbed its eyes twice. Following Gengar's indication, it looked toward Wikstrom walking into the castle.
"Cha!"
The moment it saw Wikstrom, Tinkaton perked up, even unconsciously tightening its grip on the hammer handle.
Fine metal!
Not giving it a couple of hammer strikes would be such a waste...
"Ka-kaah!"
Make me a set like this one!
Gengar called out.
"Cha?"
Tinkaton glanced at Gengar's chubby, round appearance, then at the majestic Wikstrom across the way...
This style?
"Yoji..."
Seeing Gengar's attention completely captured by the armor, Larvitar's eyes darted around as it quickly poured what should have been Gengar's portion into its mouth.
Then it immediately put on a "watching the show" expression, nodding in agreement.
Yes! Yes yes! Right right right! This set is good! This style is good!
Lance and the other two couldn't help but find it amusing.
Johan's Pokémon really were a bunch of treasures - not only full of strange ideas but actually planning to act on them when they had such thoughts.
This might be what made Johan's Pokémon training different from others.
Other trainers' Pokémon, while not rigid, were more or less influenced by their trainers and learned so-called rules to better integrate into human society.
This wasn't actually problematic - like riding Rapidash and Gogoat following traffic rules.
But Johan's family?
Facing traffic lights, they wouldn't run red lights, but... Dragonite would choose to fly overhead, Larvitar would wonder if digging through counted as running a red light, and if Johan didn't stop Gengar, it would probably... well, turn the red-green light into a green-white light.
The Pokémon's natural instincts weren't overly constrained.
"Count Johan, sorry to interrupt your meal, but your opponent has been matched." Castle butler Hennessy approached the dining table with some apology.
"Matched?"
So fast?
Although this was Johan's first time at the Battle Chateau, Grant had explained quite a bit along the way.
Normal Battle Chateau matching was usually slow - even for Counts, waiting two or three days was considered fast. By Marquis and Duke levels, you might not get even a few battles per year.
However, Johan reconsidered - because Siebold came as head chef, plus Siebold's Duke promotion battle, attracting many people, faster matching made sense.
Butler Hennessy said: "Yes, your opponent is fellow Count Viola. The rules will be 2v2 singles mode, though if both parties agree, rules can be changed."
Countess Viola?
Another Gym Leader...
Were Kalos region's Gym Leaders and Elite Four planning to hold a convention at the Battle Chateau?
"Thank you for your trouble," Johan said.
The opponent didn't matter anyway - with his current rank, he couldn't match against Siebold, Wikstrom, or Lance.
"You're too kind." Butler Hennessy bowed slightly. "However, before the battle, please change into these dueling clothes..."
This was Battle Chateau tradition.
Both sides needed to change into Battle Chateau attire before battles - traditional clothing similar to formal wear and robes with capes, to demonstrate chivalric etiquette.
Johan naturally wouldn't refuse.
Soon, he changed into brand new black formal wear and a light green cape, immediately transforming his entire aura.
Johan was quite satisfied with this outfit, except for the cape's color...
"To make life bearable, you must have some green on you..."
The Battle Chateau's capes represented respective ranks to some extent.
Baron corresponded to white, Viscount to blue, Count to green, Marquis to yellow, Duke to red, and the highest Grand Duke to purple.
Led by Hennessy, they came to the castle's back garden with spacious, solid battle grounds surrounded by waterways and towering jade pillars.
Three sides of this battle field were open space, with one side being the castle's viewing building where many trainers, learning of the battle, had hurried over to secure the best viewing positions.
Lance, Grant, and others were naturally among them.
"It's Teacher Johan..."
"Teacher Johan got matched with an opponent on his first visit to the Battle Chateau? Wonder which 'lucky' person it is."
"The opponent... seems to be Gym Leader Viola?"
When Johan arrived at the battle field, his opponent appeared across from him - a girl around twenty with short silver-gray hair, also wearing battle attire and a light green cape.
None other than Viola, Gym Leader of Santalune Gym in the Kalos region.
She held a camera, aimed at Johan's side, apparently preparing to take a beautiful photo of her opponent.
However, when she saw her opponent's appearance through the viewfinder, Viola's mood immediately became complicated.
How could it be Teacher Johan?!
If I surrender now... can I lose fewer points?
Viola made a crying face while forcing a smile: "He-hello, Teacher Johan..."
She had come to the Battle Chateau, applied for battle matching with the castle butler, then went behind the castle to take photos, only to be notified she'd been matched with an opponent. Who knew it would be the famous Teacher Johan!
Supposedly, this Teacher Johan could punch legendary Pokémon to pieces.
Moreover, she'd heard that this Teacher Johan seemed quite enthusiastic about "baby cup" battles to fulfill his "teaching responsibilities," even specifically making a Larvitar wear an Everstone to maintain its "baby" appearance.
Seeing Viola's expression, Johan seemed to guess what she was thinking and sighed inwardly...
My reputation has been completely ruined by those fan-turned-hater fans.
But he still smiled and said: "Nice to meet you, Gym Leader Viola. I heard you're skilled in photography?"
Speaking of photography, Viola immediately got distracted and became somewhat excited.
"Teacher Johan is also good at photography?"
Johan shook his head. "I don't understand it, but I have a little one at home who loves photography..."
"Rotom~~"
Rotom-Dex popped out of Johan's pocket and playfully greeted Viola.
Johan also continued: "Its dream is to become the world's number one 'photographer.'"
Ho-Oh: Feeling somewhat offended.
Viola's eyes sparkled: "Oh? Then after the battle ends, we must have a good photography competition!"
"Ready anytime, Rotom!"
Rotom also perked up immediately.
Johan's face showed a strange expression.
Just for photographing Gengar, Viola would probably get quite a scare.
However, through Johan's conversation, Viola's pressure immediately decreased significantly.
It's just Teacher Johan... Hmph! If you're capable... if you're capable, I'll just lie down for you to see!
"Go, Vivillon!"
Whoosh—
The light and agile Vivillon fluttered its wings, stirring up a breeze as it appeared on the field, accompanied by falling crystalline dust.
As a Gym Leader, Viola specialized in Bug-types, which was somewhat related to her years of walking and photographing in forests.
"Gym Leader Viola's Vivillon is quite powerful."
Among the watching trainers, some had challenged Santalune Gym and naturally understood Viola's strength.
In the Battle Chateau, rank didn't completely represent strength.
"Tsk tsk, too bad the opponent is Teacher Johan..."
"Indeed."
Teacher Johan, while still considering himself an "ordinary trainer" and "ordinary teacher," no one dared actually see him that way.
Supposedly, Teacher Johan had at least Elite Four-level strength, possibly Champion level or stronger.
Champion Alder of Unova had once said in an interview that if he faced Teacher Johan at full power, his win rate might not even be ten percent.
Excluding exaggeration and mutual flattery, Teacher Johan might truly have Champion-comparable strength.
Champion versus Gym Leader... the gap was obvious.
After all, Gym Leaders' strength might vary due to age, inheritance methods, and other factors, but Champions... were definitely among the strongest trainers in a region.
Facing Viola and her Vivillon, Johan raised an eyebrow.
This... really isn't me wanting to bully people...
"Go, Larvitar."
"Yoji!!"
Hearing Johan, Larvitar immediately ran in with its little legs, full of momentum.
Vivillon, being Bug and Flying-type, was immune to Ground-type but had a 4x weakness to Rock-type.
Johan didn't want to take such a huge type advantage, but the problem was if he didn't send out Larvitar, the advantage would be even greater.
Whoosh—
Vivillon flapped its wings, its wing patterns like fierce eyes releasing a terrifying aura.
Intimidate!
Sensing the aura from Vivillon and seeing those eye-like wing patterns, Larvitar froze.
But the next second, the little one clenched its fists and "bang bang" punched its own head twice, then roared at Vivillon.
"Yoji——!!"
I wasn't raised to be scared!!
Vivillon's round little eyes unconsciously contracted, especially seeing the two red marks on Larvitar's head, feeling somewhat stunned.
This guy... so scary, it even hits itself when it gets serious...
"Mm, a tough little one, I like that." Wikstrom in his armor laughed from the viewing area.
As a knight, he valued chivalric spirit most, and facing Intimidate with this method was very appealing to him.
Lance also smiled broadly: "Johan's Larvitar really has a rough style."
Rough style?
If Larvitar knew Lance evaluated it this way, it would definitely want to have a good discussion with Lance.
I'm the Desert Tyrant's cub and quite smart too!
Besides, what do you mean rough style?
This is clearly a tyrant's royal dominance!
Didn't you see how that Vivillon got scared?
"Vivillon, Water Pulse!"
Although Vivillon was Bug and Flying-type, having "rain" in its name and being active on water surfaces during its Surskit stage, it wasn't like it couldn't use Water-type moves.
Buzz—
Water vapor gathered around Vivillon, forming a glowing water orb in front of it that shot straight toward Larvitar.
Using its flying ability and agile form, Vivillon confronted Larvitar for a moment, found Larvitar's "opening," and immediately struck without hesitation.
As the Water Pulse was thrown, Vivillon didn't stop moving but quickly circled behind Larvitar.
Even if this attack missed, the initiative advantage remained with Viola.
From this, it was clear Viola's practical battle level wasn't bad.
However...
"Larvitar, block it," Johan commanded.
Block it?
How?
Larvitar grinned, showing a "fierce" smile, and raised its foot to stomp hard.
BOOM!!
The solid battle field ground suddenly shook, and a huge rock rose like a seesaw after Larvitar's stomp.
Bang—
The water flow hit the risen rock and scattered.
"So... so Rock-types can counter Water-type moves like this..."
Some trainers said they'd learned something new and felt enlightened.
"Dragon Dance!"
Taking advantage of the blocking moment, Larvitar's momentum began rising continuously. Seeing this, Viola's heart jumped, not daring to hesitate:
"Vivillon, Energy Ball, interrupt it!"
Green fluorescent light flickered as Vivillon, positioned behind Larvitar, quickly condensed an Energy Ball and hurled it at Larvitar's back, trying to interrupt its Dragon Dance.
But it was too late.
"Crunch!"
"Yoji!!"
Larvitar called out "viciously," spun around sharply, and opened its mouth wide to meet the incoming green Energy Ball.
Under Viola's astonished gaze, the Energy Ball condensed with Grass-type energy was... crunched to pieces by Larvitar!
"Cru-, crunched? Grass-type Energy Ball is... this easy to crunch?"
Many trainers exclaimed in shock.
"Yoji... (￣~￣)"
Larvitar indicated: Doesn't taste as good as the World Tree's branches.
Buzz—
Simultaneously, Larvitar's body glowed again, its momentum rising once more!
"We-, Weakness Policy?"
Someone recognized the item Larvitar was holding.
[Weakness Policy: When the Pokémon holding this item is hit by a super effective attack, its Attack and Special Attack are raised by 2 stages each!]
"No, we understand the logic, but..."
"How dare Teacher Johan give Larvitar a 'Weakness Policy'!"
With 4x weakness to Grass and Water, with Larvitar's small first-stage body, wouldn't a 4x super effective move one-shot it?
Yet the reality was Larvitar not only took it but also crunched the Energy Ball.
Johan smiled slightly.
His Larvitar used World Tree branches as teething toys and Leaf Stones as snacks.
Through such unreserved intensive training, the little one's resistance to Grass-types had indeed improved considerably.
Of course, being able to take the Energy Ball and appear relatively unharmed was also because Larvitar had crunched it.
"Stone Edge!"
Since everything was ready, it was time to counterattack.
"Yoji!"
Larvitar raised its foot again and stomped toward the ground.
Rumble rumble—
Sharp rock spires rose from the ground one after another, shooting toward Vivillon like spears.
"Vivillon, dodge quickly!" Viola waved her hand urgently.
Whoosh—
Wings beating, Vivillon maximized its agility, and the seemingly powerful Stone Edge attack missed completely under the audience's surprised and admiring gazes.
"Damn, confirmed by eye contact - definitely the real Teacher Johan."
"Great power, but useless."
"Hahaha— 80% accuracy move whiffing, truly worthy of Teacher Johan."
Johan coughed awkwardly and softly said to the chest-thumping Viola:
"Rock Slide."
Good thing he'd calculated this possibility - if 80% accuracy wasn't enough, use 90% accuracy moves!
There's always one that... there's always one move that can hit.
Sure enough, Vivillon, already forced into a corner dodging Stone Edge, faced Larvitar's determined Rock Slide - rocks flying like cannonballs at extreme speed - and finally ran out of dodging space.
BANG!!
Rocks shattered, Vivillon cried out and fluttered down from the air, losing fighting ability!
"Yoji!!"
Larvitar roared powerfully again.
I, the Desert Tyrant's cub, am very strong and very smart!!
It had to be said, setting aside Larvitar's self-proclaimed statements, it truly displayed some Desert Tyrant momentum and bearing at this moment.
One-shot KO!
The watching trainers had various expressions.
Although Vivillon had a 4x Rock weakness, plus Larvitar's boosts, a one-shot seemed normal.
But... they unconsciously looked at the huge rock fragments scattered on the ground and couldn't help swallowing.
So this was supposedly Rock Slide? Those who didn't know might think it was Rock Wrecker.
"Vivillon is unable to battle," butler and referee Hennessy announced. "Countess Viola, please send out your next Pokémon."
Viola recalled Vivillon, muttering quietly:
"It's all lies. This Larvitar... is definitely a Tyranitar wearing Larvitar skin."
Though muttering, her movements weren't slow - she'd been mentally prepared anyway.
"Go, Spewpa!"
Spewpa was the Kalos region's "regional bug," and due to living and growing in different environments, its wing patterns would vary greatly.
Currently known were 20 different Spewpa wing patterns, making it a popular Bug-type for many Bug-type trainers to collect.
Viola's Spewpa was the relatively common "Garden Pattern" form.
However, Spewpa, like Vivillon, was Bug and Flying-type, with 4x Rock weakness.
Also unable to take one hit from Larvitar - how to battle?
"Spewpa, Poison Powder! Stun Spore!" Viola changed tactics.
Colorful wings fluttered, scales falling with poison and paralysis effects.
She was trying to limit Larvitar's mobility before slowly wearing it down.
"Using 'status' tactics against the most 'status' trainer?"
"But logically, Larvitar has no countermeasures, right?"
Countermeasures?
"Larvitar, Sandstorm!" Johan waved his hand.
Scales?
Wonder if they could fall normally in a sandstorm.
"Yoji!"
Sand rose rapidly from under Larvitar's feet, instantly filling the air with terrible dust that immediately swept across the entire battle field.
Those colorful scales from Spewpa were immediately scattered by the raging sandstorm.
Even Spewpa itself swayed in the sandstorm.
Though the battle wasn't over, the outcome was decided.
Spewpa's methods couldn't restrict Larvitar, so it just came down to when Larvitar's moves would hit Spewpa.
After two Rock Slides missed and the third hit Spewpa, the battle ended!
"Spewpa is unable to battle!"
Hennessy announced the battle result: "The winner is Count Johan!"
After brief silence, applause erupted.
Then Hennessy announced again: "In view of Count Johan's strength and this battle's points, Count Johan is promoted to Marquis Johan!"
Some commotion in the venue.
Promoted to Marquis in one battle?
But when the sandstorm cleared and people saw the field, they stopped talking.
With this kind of strength and destructive power... suggest direct promotion to Duke.
The Battle Chateau Marquises waiting in the matching queue suddenly felt a chill.
Oh no... they wouldn't get matched with Teacher Johan, would they?
Can we cancel matching now? Is there still time?
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Powerstones?
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