"Yoji!!"
Larvitar vibrated its arms and shouted excitedly.
Awesome!
This battle, while not particularly thrilling or exciting for Larvitar, gave it a sense of satisfaction.
Ever since birth, the little one had been eating and drinking well while growing, never missing daily training. Every time it watched Gengar and the others battle, it would get excited too, but...
Larvitar didn't have much concept of its own strength.
It had appeared in the "World Coronation Series" but hadn't battled since then.
It didn't know if this period of effort (crazy eating) had been effective, or if its training had been successful.
It had no accurate concept of this.
Anyway, during internal team sparring, it was always the one being shown mercy.
But this battle made it feel its own progress.
Mm, truly awesome!
It could eat even more enthusiastically later.
Facts proved that eating hard and strength improvement were related. Thinking of this, the little one couldn't help swallowing again.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't test the effects of Larvitar's recent 'Iron Defense' training," Johan looked at the excited little one with a smile.
However, it was better not to get injured. Although he wanted to test the Iron Defense training effects, who would want to watch their Pokémon risk injury?
Best if they never had to "verify" the Iron Defense training effects.
"Teacher Johan, could we take a photo with you and Larvitar?"
Viola recalled her defeated Spewpa, packed away her disappointment from losing, and picked up her camera with renewed excitement.
Losing to Teacher Johan... wasn't embarrassing.
But the scene of her first battle with Teacher Johan had to be preserved.
"No problem." Johan straightened his clothes slightly, and Larvitar also flexed its arms in a strongman pose, standing beside Johan.
"Get ready..."
Click—
The shutter quickly clicked, continuous shots ended, and Viola eagerly wanted to see the results.
But her expression gradually changed from initial excitement and anticipation to bewilderment, surprise, and finally horror.
Where did this Gengar come from?!
Every frame captured showed Gengar in different poses!
This was supernatural.
Oh right, Gengar was already a ghost, so never mind...
Seeing Viola's expression, Johan knew what she had photographed and immediately gave up the idea of asking for copies.
Their family already had piles of Gengar photos taken by Rotom that they couldn't store anymore.
"Congratulations, Marquis Johan, on successfully advancing to Marquis rank."
Butler Hennessy, representing the Battle Chateau, offered congratulations.
"Thank you."
Marquis!
He wondered if, with so many people gathering at the Battle Chateau this time, there might be a chance to directly break through to Duke?
Johan's gaze swept over those trainers watching from the second floor, but most of them averted their eyes.
Don't look at me!
Even an unevolved Larvitar cub could "destroy" a Gym Leader, and while there was type advantage... it was hard to imagine how strong Teacher Johan's Gengar would be.
Evening time.
The melodious music continued in the Battle Chateau, and the cuisine prepared by head chef Cilan received unanimous praise.
Johan seriously suspected that so many people gathering at the Battle Chateau this time were all here to freeload food and drinks.
Don't look at everyone acting like they weren't short of money - they wouldn't lack money to eat at Cilan's restaurant, but... who could refuse free gourmet food?
Just like his own little ones.
Today's several battles had also become dinner conversation topics, naturally including Johan's battle with Viola.
"Teacher Johan's Larvitar... although it hasn't evolved, I suspect it already has at least senior Gym Leader-level main Pokémon strength."
"Speaking of which, Teacher Johan wouldn't be planning to train Larvitar to Elite Four level or higher, right? I noticed Larvitar wearing an Everstone."
"Hiss—just for baby cup battles?"
"Cough, is it possible that we're all 'babies'?"
Johan pretended not to hear these discussions, having grown used to them anyway.
Heh, for baby cup battles? The League had already promoted his trainer level to Master rank - which baby cup would let Master-level trainers participate?
You say Master-level trainers are also babies? Then never mind...
"Johan, how many more days are you staying here?" Lance asked during dinner.
"Not sure." Johan put down his fork. "If things go smoothly, let's see if I can advance to Duke while taking advantage of this opportunity."
"Duke?"
Nearby Grant and Viola exchanged glances without speaking.
They knew very well how difficult advancing to Duke was, but the one speaking was Teacher Johan, and for him, as long as he could get matched with opponents, it should be quite fast.
Lance was different - he immediately became interested.
"Duke? I was originally planning to wait for Cilan to advance to Duke to see if I could battle him, but if you advance to Duke, we could spar."
Last time during the "World Coronation Series," Lance hadn't encountered Johan before being eliminated, which he still found very regrettable.
This time might be an opportunity...
Facing Lance's suggestion, Johan smiled politely without speaking.
Battle you?
Let's see if you can still find me after I advance to Duke.
Battling passionate battle-type trainers like Lance and Flint was what Johan least wanted to see - they'd power up at the drop of a hat, and who could handle that?
Nearby, Drasna was elegantly enjoying her food and smiled slightly, seeming to "predict" something.
Eating away, Johan's phone suddenly rang.
The caller ID showed Cynthia.
After answering, her gentle voice came through: "I heard you went to the Battle Chateau in the Kalos region?"
"You know about this already?"
The news spread so fast?
He'd only arrived this afternoon, had one battle, and Cynthia already knew?
"Battle Chateau battles are uploaded online." Cynthia chuckled. "Didn't you know?"
"Uh... I really didn't know."
Recently he hadn't been surfing the internet much, so he hadn't thought Cynthia would be paying such close attention.
While talking, Johan took his phone from Gengar, got up and walked toward the balcony, opening a webpage.
"The Possibility of Gengar Changing Egg Groups" "How Long Can a Ghost Float in the Sky" "How to Make Trainers Sleep More Soundly at Night"
Johan: "..."
He glared at Gengar through the window - what have you been browsing online?
Gengar shrank its head, pretending not to see, and continued devouring food.
"How's head chef Cilan's cooking?" Cynthia asked.
"Pretty good."
Johan seemed to see the little glutton licking her lips and couldn't help smiling.
At the same time, he found the Battle Chateau category page with his battle video.
There were quite a few comments below.
"Compared to me?" Cynthia asked curiously again.
"Me?"
Johan opened his mouth, but before he could finish speaking, he suddenly saw a comment from Cynthia under the video.
[Eevee Eats Cabbage]: Hmm... wonder whether Cilan or Johan cooks better...
As a public figure, Cynthia's comment naturally drew heated discussion.
"Wait, Teacher Johan can cook too?"
"Hold on! Why would Cynthia compare them? Could it be she's eaten his cooking before?"
"Cut it out, you're behind the times. Cynthia and Teacher Johan are a couple, don't you know?"
"What?!!"
Then came a chorus of wailing, as if Johan had stolen someone's precious cabbage, with "challenges" to Johan everywhere.
But one comment caught Johan's attention, or rather, this comment already had high engagement and likes because the commenter was Cilan himself!
[Three-Star Chef Cilan]: I'm quite curious too.
Wait!
A head chef not busy cooking but surfing the internet?
Johan felt like he'd been backstabbed by Cynthia.
"Johan? Johan?" Johan snapped back to attention hearing his phone calling.
"Oh, cough cough, I spaced out for a moment."
"Spaced out?"
"Mm, probably missing you."
"Hmm..."
What kind of reaction was that?
But soon, Johan understood why.
Flint's voice came through the phone.
"Big sis, the meeting isn't over yet, why'd you leave?"
Then came the sound of shoes tapping on the floor.
Johan: "..."
"You're in a meeting? With the speaker on?"
"...No." Cynthia said quietly.
Johan let out a long sigh of relief.
That was close - if Flint had heard that, tomorrow all of Sinnoh would know.
"That's good." Johan felt cold sweat. "In that case, help me beat up Flint."
"Hm?"
"Nothing, just feel like beating him up. Can't reach him myself, so please help."
"...Okay."
After chatting briefly, Cynthia finally said:
"Take care of yourself in Kalos. And... I miss you too."
After hanging up, Johan put away his phone with an unconscious smile.
Returning to the hall, Grant and Viola had buried their heads even lower, Lance wore a pig-like grin about to speak, and Johan's heart jumped - he'd forgotten about this equally perceptive person. Although Lance's style shouldn't lead to excessive behavior...
He immediately pointed at him:
"You speak up, and I'll post all your and Clair's embarrassing stories online."
Lance: "!!"
Such heavy resentment.
Nearby, Drasna smiled and sighed: "Youth truly is more beautiful than starlight."
Suddenly—
Buzz buzz—
The Battle Chateau hall's chandelier suddenly flickered.
Hm?
Everyone instinctively looked up.
What was happening?
Pop!
The next second, the lights went completely out, leaving only moonlight streaming through windows.
Power outage?
Soon, butler Hennessy led a group of maid-dressed attendants carrying candles into the hall, giving the dim hall a different ambiance.
"Apologies, everyone." Hennessy bowed to the surrounding area. "The castle's power system seems to have problems. We're finding someone for emergency repairs."
Power system again?
Johan frowned.
Lumiose City also had power system problems.
Drasna suddenly stood, walked to the balcony, spread her arms as starlight scattered down from the clear night sky, her eyes glowing with psychic light.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar tilted its head, looking at Drasna with interested eyes.
This was stargazing?
Interesting!
"Starlight guidance shows the cause is northward, probably... the Kalos Power Plant. The trouble isn't small." Drasna rarely showed a serious expression.
North? Kalos Power Plant?
The trainers in the hall looked at each other.
"Serious trouble?" Justice-driven Lance stood up, turning to Johan: "Johan, let's make a trip to check it out."
Johan: "???"
No, why are you dragging me into this?
But there was no choice.
Lance was a League investigator, and Johan was an International Police Inspector!
In terms of authority, when necessary, he could even mobilize Elite Four and below forces in a region.
Strictly speaking, Johan had the highest authority present.
"You two."
Another voice rang out, accompanied by "clank clank" armor sounds - clearly Elite Four Wikstrom!
As a follower of "chivalric spirit," he also had his sense of responsibility, especially since he was a Kalos region Elite Four.
"Let me join you two!"
Without waiting for their agreement, Wikstrom assumed a knight's solemn oath posture, one hand at his waist, the other holding a Poké Ball to his chest.
"I swear by the moon, I will definitely resolve this problem!"
"Then we'll trouble you, Elite Four Wikstrom!" Lance said seriously.
As someone with a righteous heart, Lance and Wikstrom were kindred spirits.
"It's my honor to fight alongside you two!"
Johan: No, could you let me say something?
Butler Hennessy also said: "I'll arrange a helicopter immediately."
Johan opened his mouth but couldn't speak.
Fine, fine, power plant it is. At most it's just a Zapdos - with Lance and Wikstrom charging ahead, he could just slack off.
Soon.
A helicopter rose from the Battle Chateau, flying toward the power plant.
As for Cilan...
A power outage didn't mean no fire - he still didn't know what was causing the outage.
Buzz buzz buzz—
The helicopter's rotor spun rapidly. Johan leaned against the window, watching the scenery pass below while listening to Lance and Wikstrom chatting through his headset, feeling incredibly helpless.
These two grown men... how could they talk so much?
They'd even gotten into family histories of the Dragon Tamer clan and Wikstrom's family.
Actually, their families did have some connection.
Three thousand years ago, when King AZ tried to use the Ultimate Weapon to revive his beloved deceased Floette, the resulting war destroyed everything.
The battle that took place near the Tree of Beginning, around Cameran Palace, was actually related to this.
Wikstrom's family included knights who served King AZ, and Cameran Palace wasn't far from Lance's Dragon Tamer clan territory...
The two great families had even worked together to overthrow King AZ.
However, after being revived, Floette learned that AZ had consumed numerous lives to revive it, became disappointed and left him.
King AZ suffered greatly, left his kingdom alone, but possibly due to the Ultimate Weapon's influence, gained eternal life. Where he lives now, no one knows.
"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"
Johan found it tedious, but Gengar was quite interested, nodding along.
The purple fatty only remembered a few points: Ultimate Weapon, revival, eternal life!
Its little brain couldn't help imagining... if Johan ever aged and died, could it use this method to revive him?
Or... it could fake death, then have Johan use this method to revive it?
That way, affected by the Ultimate Weapon, could Johan live forever?
Bonk!!
Johan irritably knocked its head.
Ow!
Gengar held its head, meeting Johan's serious gaze.
"Gengar, I know what you're thinking, but this method - neither I nor you are allowed to use it!"
Seeing him so serious, Gengar shrank and nodded obediently.
Oh...
But for Gengar, forget millions or billions of lives - none compared to Johan.
The little one had its own stubbornness in its heart.
Johan rubbed his temples.
He could suppress Gengar now, but what if later he...
Was he really going to leave a bunch of lawless "demon kings" for the Pokémon world?
The pressure was getting heavy.
"We're here." Wikstrom said.
The three looked down.
Kalos Power Plant was one of the largest power plants in the Kalos region, fully meeting the electricity needs of nearby cities, including the massive Lumiose City.
However.
The huge power plant, which should have been brightly lit even at night, was now pitch black from above. If Lance hadn't pointed it out, Johan wouldn't have recognized it as a power plant.
The Battle Chateau helicopter landed outside the power plant, and the three disembarked.
Their arrival naturally attracted the attention of Officer Jenny and others who had arrived earlier.
Earlier, when Lumiose City had power problems, the League sent many electricians to search Lumiose City for issues, thinking it was aging circuits or some malfunction, especially since Lumiose City was only having intermittent outages.
It wasn't until Johan gave Professor Sycamore a direction that League investigations slowly shifted toward the power plant.
But when Officer Jenny investigated near the power plant... the entire power plant suddenly lost power.
This caused the sudden outage at the Battle Chateau.
"Teacher Johan, Elite Four Wikstrom, Lance." Seeing the three appear, Officer Jenny visibly relaxed.
"What's the situation?" Lance asked.
Officer Jenny briefly explained the situation.
Kalos Power Plant had never had major problems since construction. This kind of large-scale outage without obvious damage like explosions was most likely caused by Pokémon.
But for Pokémon to drain the entire Kalos Power Plant's electricity... could it be a group of Electric-types?
"Where's the Lumiose Gym Leader?" Wikstrom frowned.
Lumiose Gym was an Electric-type gym. As the Gym Leader, shouldn't they investigate when outages occurred?
Officer Jenny looked somewhat embarrassed, glancing at Wikstrom before saying:
"Well... Lumiose Gym's Clemont retired last month due to his age and returned to his hometown. The new Gym Leader is still awaiting League approval."
Wikstrom's expression stiffened.
Johan and Lance exchanged glances.
Not knowing this as an Elite Four was... a bit embarrassing.
But thinking about it carefully.
Of the four Kalos Elite Four: Wikstrom was busy with knight training, Cilan was everywhere cooking, Drasna was a journalist busy with interviews, leaving one Dragon-type Elite Four Malva whose hometown was the Sinnoh region...
It wasn't much different from Hoenn, Sinnoh, situations - like they were cut from the same mold.
And Malva's side job was currently unknown, not necessarily handling main Kalos League affairs.
In Johan's view, Kalos League might match its own laid-back, tranquil atmosphere - emphasizing... going with the flow.
Otherwise, how could Lumiose City, the largest city in Kalos, lack a Gym Leader for a month?
Too damn "romantic"...
"Cough cough." Wikstrom coughed. "Then we can only investigate ourselves."
"I might be able to try." Johan said.
Everyone's attention turned to him as Johan took out his Rotom Pokédex.
Back at Professor Sycamore's Pokémon lab, when checking instruments, Rotom had vaguely sensed someone stealing electricity. Now at the power plant entrance, Rotom should sense it more clearly.
"Rotom, check the situation."
"Understood, Rotom!"
Rotom flew out of the Pokédex, found an electrical cable and dove in.
Buzz buzz buzz—
Golden arcs danced as it disappeared into the power plant in a flash.
Seeing this, Lance smacked his lips: "The League started promoting Rotom half a year ago. Looks really necessary now."
For any electrical, electronic, or current problems, having a Rotom was very convenient.
Plus Rotom could enter phones, Pokédexes, and special Rotom motor-equipped appliances.
Truly the "ultimate utility Pokémon."
However, Rotom training wasn't simple. Although being promoted, getting everyone one was still far away.
With Lance's status, applying for one shouldn't be difficult.
Wikstrom and Officer Jenny agreed completely.
Soon.
Rotom, which had rapidly entered the power plant, emerged even faster along the cables, like escaping for its life.
Hm?
"Help, help, Rotom! There's a big guy!"
Whoosh—
Rotom that flew out of the cables quickly dove into Johan's pocket.
This reaction, this escape speed...
"Big guy?" Several people looked puzzled.
The next second.
Buzz buzz buzz—
Massive golden arcs leaped up, terrifying electricity instantly filling all cables. The originally dark power plant became brightly lit again.
Buzz buzz buzz—
But as electrical output suddenly increased, lamp after lamp exploded with mournful sounds.
"Regieleki—!!"
An angry roar came from inside the power plant.
Hearing this clearly, Johan and the others' expressions changed, especially Johan who looked surprised.
The next moment.
BOOM!!
A massive rumbling sound erupted.
A completely golden figure made of electronic currents, with blue rings on both shoulders and abdomen, seven signal lights on its face, a golden giant bathed in lightning leaped out of the power plant!
Electric Pillar, Regieleki!
"This is..." Lance and Wikstrom looked surprised.
What Pokémon was this?
"Eleki!!"
Regieleki roared, its seven flashing signal lights violently jumping with red light, seemingly in a state of furious rage from interrupted dining.
Rotom's "big guy," the cause of the power plant outage, the culprit behind urban blackouts, was actually this legendary Electric Pillar, Regieleki?!
"Regieleki."
While the several people retreated, dodging jumping electrical arcs, Johan quickly explained.
"One of the legendary titans, said to be created by the King of Toilets—no, by Regigigas the Colossal Pokémon, called the 'Electric Pillar.' It's a Pokémon that lives by consuming electrons, but can also produce terrifying electrical currents."
Electric Pillar?
Legendary Pokémon?
Created by Regigigas the Colossal?
"Wasn't Regigigas said to have created only the three legendary titans?"
Regirock the Rock Peak, Regice the Iceberg, Registeel the Iron, how did an Electric Pillar appear?
Johan could only say he didn't know - later generations patching earlier generations wasn't new.
"Not just that. Besides the three legendary titans and the Electric Pillar Regieleki before us, there's also a Dragon Pillar, Regidrago!"
"Dragon Pillar?!" Lance's eyes burst with light.
Johan glanced at him.
No, you're a Flying-type Elite Four - why are you so interested in Dragon Pillar just because it has "Dragon" in the name?
Besides, Dragon Pillar was just called that - it was actually just a "dragon head." When Regigigas was creating Regidrago, it ran out of dragon crystals.
If it had been completed... who would be the King of Toilets would be hard to say.
However, whether Dragon Pillar Regidrago or Electric Pillar Regieleki, because they were too dangerous, they were both restrained.
Like the blue rings on Electric Pillar Regieleki - supposedly devices to suppress electrical currents, because ancient people feared Regieleki's power.
If fully unleashed, Regieleki's power would be further released.
Of course, the truth of such claims needed verification.
"Let's worry about Dragon Pillar later - this guy seems like we can only face it head-on."
Wikstrom's armor "clanked" as he showed no fear facing the imposing Regieleki.
He threw a Poké Ball, red light flashing as a Aegislash maintaining shield form appeared before him.
Bang!!
A golden arc like a whip suddenly swept over, blocked by the shield and deflected to the ground, leaving a crater with scorch marks and smoke.
"Seems so."
Lance said seriously, also throwing a Poké Ball, summoning his Dragonite. Its small wings flapped powerfully, creating gusts that blew away the sweeping electrical currents.
Why would Regieleki suddenly appear at Kalos Power Plant? This was temporarily unclear, but stopping the rampaging Regieleki was definitely right.
"Regi—!!"
Seeing Aegislash and Dragonite suddenly appear, Regieleki felt somewhat threatened.
This made the already angry creature from interrupted feeding even more furious.
Buzz buzz buzz—
Its seven signal lights faintly glowed purple.
Zap—
One of Regieleki's arms exploded, becoming countless snake-like golden currents, like thunder whips, lashing toward Aegislash and Dragonite while quickly weaving into a sky-covering net.
Thunder Cage!
Regieleki's exclusive move!
"Aegislash, King's Shield!"
Wikstrom's expression grew serious as he solemnly said to Lance and Johan: "Guarding is a knight's duty. Please leave defense to me!"
Clang!
With the ringing of blade against shield, a thick metallic luster appeared around Aegislash, the shield phantom expanding to seemingly envelope all of them.
"Good!" Lance responded without doubt, waving his arm and cape: "Dragonite, Dragon Dance, then Dragon Rush!"
"Draaa—"
Lance's Dragonite flapped its wings, rapidly ascending while surrounded by blue-purple dragon energy, its momentum surging as it transformed into a giant dragon diving toward Regieleki.
This guy - wasn't it also awakened by Arceus like Regice and Regigigas?
Johan had this thought but his hands weren't slow, directly throwing two Poké Balls.
"Armarouge, Aura Sphere!"
"Urshifu, Swords Dance!"
However, while throwing two Poké Balls, one at Johan's waist opened itself as Larvitar ran out on its own.
"Yoji!"
The little one spread its arms, shouting at Regieleki without courtesy.
Come on if you dare!
It even beckoned with its finger.
Come fight me!
"Regi—!!"
Regieleki's gaze fell on Larvitar.
Hm?
Seeing this, Johan raised an eyebrow.
Could it hear Larvitar's taunts and provocations?
Could he try communicating?
Because of the previous Regice incident, Johan didn't immediately try communicating, thinking he should subdue it first.
But now it seemed Regieleki wasn't completely enraged?
BOOM!!
Dragonite's Dragon Rush and Armarouge's Aura Sphere hit Regieleki solidly.
Massive rumbling accompanied countless scattering electrical arcs as the entire power plant sky erupted with golden serpents and soaring flames.
"Eleki!!!" Regieleki cried out in pain.
Aura exists in the heart!
Johan used his aura, his voice echoing in Regieleki's mind—
"Hey! Regigigas is calling you home for dinner!"
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Powerstones?
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