Kalos region, outside Geosenge Town.
At the plaza where Route 10 intersected with the town, several oddly-shaped jagged stones stood tall.
A young man in a small suit with silver-blue short hair stood in the plaza, looking at these stones that were considerably taller than him, feeling somewhat moved inside.
"It seems Mr. Steven is very interested in these stones."
At this moment, a man in a black suit with a lion-like hairstyle walked over with a gentle smile.
Beside him was a girl wearing a wide-brimmed round hat and a white dress, with a graceful figure.
Steven turned around, showing no surprise at seeing the man and woman, and greeted them with a smile:
"Representative Lysandre, Miss Diantha."
Then he looked back at the stones in front of him, saying softly:
"I'm just interested in different stones."
He gently raised his hand, slowly placing it on one of the stone pillars. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a slightly furrowed brow.
"They..."
"What's wrong?" Diantha adjusted her hat and asked.
Steven shook his head, let out a light sigh, and smiled again. "Maybe it's just my imagination. I always feel... these stones carry a kind of 'heaviness.'"
"Heaviness?" Diantha didn't understand.
She couldn't comprehend Steven's ability to "read" things from stones.
However, Lysandre's eyes flashed slightly when he heard Steven say this.
"Speaking of which, why would Miss Diantha have time to come to Geosenge Town?" Steven changed the topic.
Hearing this, Diantha smiled slightly.
"I happened to be filming nearby. The little pastries at Geosenge Town's Ocean Snow Hotel are quite famous."
Balancing filming work with some League duties kept Diantha quite busy.
However, taking time out of her busy schedule to eat her favorite foods was one of Diantha's small pleasures.
Like many participants in the "Youth Master World Championship," Diantha had already become a candidate for the Kalos Elite Four.
Actually, in some ways, Diantha and Steven were quite similar.
In Hoenn, Steven could basically guarantee the Champion position due to his outstanding strength and talent, plus being backed by Devon Corporation, as long as Teacher Johan didn't suddenly develop "ambition."
In the Kalos region, Diantha was the same, except she was backed by Lysandre Labs, through her friendship with Lysandre.
However, Steven also had Teacher Johan's backing, while Diantha had Professor Sycamore.
"Mr. Steven, the items your company requested are all ready." Lysandre also spoke up.
"Thank you for the trouble." Steven bowed slightly, took another look at the stones, gave a simple farewell, and walked toward the town.
Devon Corporation had been cooperating with Geosenge Town for a long time. Starting from Steven's great-grandfather, Joseph Stone's grandfather's generation, they had gradually been cooperating with Geosenge Town.
It could be said that Devon Corporation's current massive scale owed much to Geosenge Town as a key component.
After Lysandre Labs gradually took over Geosenge Town's mineral share, Devon Corporation also had considerable cooperation with Lysandre Labs.
After Steven left, Diantha looked at Lysandre with a slight frown:
"You seem reluctant to let Steven stay here long?"
Others might not notice, but as Lysandre's good friend, Diantha could see some of Lysandre's thoughts.
To this, Lysandre remained noncommittal.
After a while, Diantha sighed softly.
Lysandre had changed.
He was gradually becoming someone she felt somewhat unfamiliar with.
She always had a feeling... that Lysandre seemed to be planning and preparing something, but she could never put her finger on it.
"Teacher Johan has come to Kalos." Diantha said.
Lysandre nodded.
Teacher Johan obtaining the "Duke" title at the Battle Chateau still had some influence in the Kalos region.
Looking at her old friend, Diantha said kindly:
"If you have time, meet with Teacher Johan."
After Lysandre's last meeting with Johan, Diantha could sense from his expressions and words that he held considerable approval for Teacher Johan.
Although there hadn't been much communication since, but...
"I definitely want to meet him." Lysandre showed a smile.
Lysandre's first impression of Johan was quite good. When they first met... they had gotten along well.
This might be someone he could win over, Lysandre thought.
Changing the world was destined to be a path full of thorns. If he could find more like-minded people on this path... that would undoubtedly be fortunate.
However, exactly how things would go depended on this meeting.
According to the news, he should be arriving at Geosenge Town soon, right?
"So delicious!"
Korrina held a piece of cream cake, with cream on her lips, unable to help crying out in shock, showing an expression of both surprise and happiness.
Her long hair hanging behind her head like bananas trembled.
Korrina, who had been "persistently following," never expected that "mixing" with the team would let her mooch food, and she certainly hadn't expected Teacher Johan's cake to be so delicious.
"Bea would definitely like this more."
Bea liked eating cake but often didn't dare eat it to maintain her figure and because she cared about others' opinions, frequently wanting to eat but not daring to.
"Ka-kaah~~"
Gengar had its arm around Korrina's Lucario's shoulder, telling it about other Lucario.
For example, the Lucario from Cameran Palace, and also Cynthia's Lucario - they were all its good brothers.
"Lucario..."
Korrina's Lucario immediately felt pressure, listening while nodding seriously.
"Yoji?"
Larvitar handed Diancie a diamond.
Want some?
"No, no thank you." Looking at the diamond, Diancie waved its hands repeatedly.
It was almost sick of diamonds back in the Diamond Kingdom, and besides, the diamonds in Larvitar's hand weren't even as high quality as those in the Diamond Kingdom.
More importantly...
Not everyone could have teeth good enough to eat diamonds like candy like Larvitar.
Even as princess of the Diamond Kingdom, if it wanted to digest a diamond, it would take... at least quite a while, and it mostly fed on other minerals.
Moreover, compared to diamonds and minerals... Diancie felt that Johan's energy cubes and those cakes and snacks were more tempting.
Larvitar didn't insist, tossing the diamond in its mouth. There was still a small pile beside it to eat slowly, something to pick at.
"Teacher Johan."
At this time, Korrina skated over to Johan's side and asked quietly: "I didn't notice earlier, but that pink Pokémon that looks like a princess - what Pokémon is that?"
Although she was from Kalos, Korrina had never seen Diancie.
You're just noticing now? Johan shook his head.
"Diancie, princess of the Diamond Kingdom, basically... a variant of Carbink."
"Carbink?"
Korrina looked at Diancie again. It did indeed have some Carbink features, but...
"...Variant, the difference is quite big..."
Johan smiled without explaining further.
"Little Cucumber, can you and Lucario perform Mega Evolution now?" He changed the topic.
"Little Cucumber?"
"Cough cough, well, got used to calling you that. Korrina."
"Oh..."
"Mega Evolution, I don't know either..." Korrina shook her head. "Grandpa says we're not ready yet."
She hadn't gotten Lucario's Mega Stone yet.
Another pair who haven't mastered their own power, Johan thought, involuntarily looking at Diancie.
Diancie was like this, and Korrina with her Lucario were the same.
Actually, in Johan's view, if Korrina got Lucario's Mega Stone, she and Lucario should be able to successfully Mega Evolve.
The difference was just how long they could maintain it and how much pressure Korrina would need to bear.
As a "Mega Evolution family," Korrina's grandfather Gurkinn definitely had different requirements for Mega Evolution than ordinary trainers.
Rustle rustle rustle—
The bushes lightly swayed.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar raised its head, locking onto the source of the disturbance. It looked toward Johan, but saw Johan also looking at it and slightly shaking his head.
Seeing this, Gengar immediately understood and continued joking around with Lucario.
For some reason, Lucario felt very cold staying near Gengar, feeling its hands and feet were freezing.
Just then.
Rumble rumble—
The previous subtle sounds immediately became heavy footsteps and rumbling, coming from behind Diancie!
Diancie, who had been eating energy cubes, finally reacted, turning around sharply to see...
"Roar!!"
A Rhyperior with scars on its face, fierce and menacing, wearing gray heavy armor, rushed out from the bushes behind it.
Following the Rhyperior were seven or eight quite robust-looking Rhyhorn!
This was a wild Rhyhorn herd!
As princess of the Diamond Kingdom, Diancie had never seen such a scene. Especially facing the Rhyperior's ferocious face, it froze in place, dropping the energy cube in its hand.
"Yoji!"
Larvitar, sitting not far away, reacted quickly.
Actually, when the ground had started shaking earlier, Larvitar had already felt it, but it thought it was an earthquake and didn't pay much attention.
"It's the Rhyhorn herd near Geosenge Town!" Korrina shouted.
Geosenge Town, famous for its stones, was surrounded by forests and large and small stone piles and stone forests, home to many Rock and Ground-type Pokémon.
For example, Onix, Geodude, Rhyhorn, Diggersby, and so on. It was even said that someone had once caught the pseudo-legendary Gible here.
Moreover, the Kalos region was known for horse and rhino racing. Like Serena's mother from the anime "Pokémon XY," she was an excellent Rhyhorn rider, and Serena could also manage it, if not expertly.
Therefore, many people came to the area around Geosenge Town to try catching Rhyhorn. Some succeeded, but more failed.
On one hand, the excellent natural environment and minerals around Geosenge Town made the local Rhyhorn grow quite well with considerable strength.
Plus, frequent battles from capture attempts naturally raised their experience and levels.
On the other hand, the Rhyhorn around Geosenge Town lived in large and small herds.
Like Ash catching Tauros, when facing a herd, either you catch one... or you catch a group, or don't catch any at all.
Thus, gradually, the Rhyhorn herds around Geosenge Town became targets that ordinary trainers didn't dare provoke.
This group of Rhyhorn and the leading Rhyperior appeared naturally because they smelled food.
The energy cubes Diancie was eating were the same ones Johan usually fed Larvitar, quite tempting to Rock and Ground-type Pokémon.
Facing the fierce Rhyperior, Diancie instinctively stepped back.
"Yoji!"
Larvitar was much smaller than Diancie, and compared to Rhyperior it was tiny, but it showed no weakness, instead coming in front of Diancie.
"Diancie."
At this moment, Johan spoke up.
"Hm?"
Diancie instinctively looked over, hearing Johan say:
"Diamond Storm!"
Diamond Storm?
Hearing Johan's words, Diancie slowly reacted.
It seemed like it could battle?
Right, it could battle too!
Diancie's expression gradually became serious. Pink light appeared on its hands, then it raised them. A storm like pink airflow spread from its hands in a spiral pattern, quite brilliant with pink crystalline sparkles.
But...
Even Korrina could clearly feel that Diancie's reaction speed, this move's release speed...
Was this really Teacher Johan's Pokémon?
However...
This move was truly beautiful.
She initially thought it was dust, but careful observation revealed it was all crystalline pink diamonds!
Actually using rare pink diamonds to create a storm?
No wonder this move was called Diamond Storm...
Moreover, Korrina was also puzzled. Diancie's move execution looked wrong everywhere, but the move's power wasn't weak!
But it was still too slow.
The fierce-faced Rhyperior had already attacked first, its horn spinning with a buzzing sound, glowing earth-yellow - clearly the Ground-type move Horn Drill!
But Diancie's reaction was slow, though Larvitar's wasn't.
The little one blocked in front of Diancie, facing the charging Horn Drill...
Bang!!
The ground exploded as Larvitar leaped up, then clapped its palms together, actually catching Rhyperior's horn in its palms!
Seeing this scene, Korrina's eyes widened.
Catching a blade with bare hands?
Worthy of a Fighting master's Pokémon!
However, this Rhyperior's strength really wasn't bad. Larvitar's small body and small palms really couldn't stop Rhyperior's Horn Drill.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle—
The ridged horn kept grinding against Larvitar's palms, making harsh, tooth-aching sounds.
"Roar!!"
Seeing a little one dare use its hands to grab its horn, Rhyperior felt looked down upon, roaring and using full force.
"Yoji?"
When Larvitar found its hands not only couldn't hold the rapidly spinning horn but were getting hot and painful from the friction, it also got serious, "growling" and biting down directly.
Crack!!
The sudden sound made Rhyperior stop moving, its expression becoming somewhat dazed.
Its, its horn... cracked?!
Lucario sitting next to Gengar shivered, gently rubbing the fur on its arms that was showing signs of standing up.
It really could bite through...
What kind of teeth were those?!
Rhyperior and the Rhyhorn behind it all froze.
You had to know, Rhyperior and Rhyhorn had "horn" in their names, showing how important horns were to them - this was their hardest body part!
"Yoji!"
After biting through Rhyperior's Horn Drill, Larvitar immediately released its mouth and landed.
Bang!
The ground kicked up dust.
Then Diancie's Diamond Storm swept over, carefully avoiding Larvitar and striking Rhyperior.
Boom—
Rhyperior was sent flying.
The pink crystalline diamonds turned to dust and dispersed.
"It worked!" Diancie cried out in delight.
It looked down at its hands.
It never expected... it could use moves with such power?
On Diancie's body, especially those pink diamonds, a faint glow appeared.
[Diamond Storm: Creates a storm of diamonds to deal damage, with a chance to greatly increase the user's Defense.]
Diancie's Defense +2!
"Roar!!"
Seeing their leader sent flying, the Rhyhorn immediately became angry. Following the middle one's roar, all the Rhyhorn lowered their heads and kept kicking with their hind feet.
Charge!!
Rumble rumble—
A group of Rhyhorn charged forward, the momentum even greater than Rhyperior's Horn Drill.
Diancie showed panic again.
But Johan's calm voice came again, seeming to echo in its heart, bringing comfort and reassurance, significantly reducing Diancie's panic.
"Diancie, Reflect."
"Larvitar... smash them."
"O-okay..."
Diancie pressed its lips together, reacting obviously faster than the first time. As its hands moved, a transparent wall appeared in front of it and Larvitar.
Larvitar was undoubtedly much more natural than Diancie, not even needing Johan's precise commands to know what to do.
It first lifted a foot and stomped heavily.
Rumble!!
The ground immediately cracked, and two charging Rhyhorn fell into the fissure.
Then it used the stomping's recoil to leap up, grabbing a bounced rock and hurling it at another Rhyhorn.
Boom!!
The rock shattered, the Rhyhorn became dizzy and fell over with spiraling eyes.
Finally, it stood among several Rhyhorn, grinning happily.
"Yoji! (ˊ〇ˋ*)"
Come at me together!
Rumble rumble—
Dust billowed.
Diancie stood to the side, pink eyes showing an expression that had never appeared in its life as a princess.
This was... battles between Pokémon?
This was... my power?
"Diancie, Diamond Storm to finish."
"Yes!"
This time Diancie's answer was decisive. It immediately raised both hands, and the storm of pink diamonds swept out once more...
"Yoji!"
Larvitar rode on Rhyperior's head, one hand grabbing its ear, the other raised in a fist, about to strike down.
Submit or not?!
"Roar..."
Rhyperior wanted to cry.
Big brother.
Little master.
Can't you understand Pokémon language?
I've already shouted "I submit, I submit" no less than seven or eight times.
My horn was almost bitten off, and including myself, the entire Rhyhorn herd was beaten down. How could I not submit?
This time we provoked the wrong targets...
"Yoji?!"
Submit or not?!
Larvitar asked again, its clenched fist already falling.
At this crucial moment, Rhyperior seemed to finally "understand," immediately producing a mineral from somewhere, its surface glowing slightly, obviously rich in minerals.
Sure enough, seeing this mineral, Larvitar immediately stopped and happily took the mineral, jumping down from Rhyperior's head.
"Yoji~"
Good that you submit.
Rhyperior: "..."
Under Larvitar's "tyranny," Rhyperior and the Rhyhorn all "submitted."
"This is part of your power." Johan walked to Diancie, who was looking down at its hands, saying gently.
"My... part of my power?"
Diancie clenched its palms, looking up at Johan, seeing his slight smile.
"To master your own power, you first need to understand what 'yourself' is, who you are."
These words left Diancie somewhat confused.
Johan didn't say more.
Diancie had been protected too well by the Diamond Kingdom, yet bore so-called responsibility and mission.
Perhaps even now it didn't know whether it was working hard for the Diamond Kingdom or to prove itself.
If you can't even recognize yourself clearly, how can you control yourself?
"Thank you..." Diancie said seriously.
It felt that Johan was helping it "master its own power," making it grateful from the heart.
"I... I don't have anything on me..."
Saying this, Diancie pressed its palms together, condensing a pink diamond about half a fist's size, looking into Johan's eyes:
"Although this diamond will disperse soon, but... I can only use this to show my thanks for now..."
Johan didn't mind, taking the diamond and putting it in his pocket before it dispersed.
Anyway, what he was after were the small Carbink mineral veins... cough cough, he was someone who helped others without expecting reward.
Korrina on the side finally understood.
So Diancie wasn't Teacher Johan's Pokémon, but like herself, came seeking help and training.
Then... could she also get some suitable training opportunities to better meet the Mega Evolution requirements for herself and Lucario?
Korrina looked at Lucario.
Only to see...
Lucario was shivering.
Gengar was really freaking cold...
"Yoji!"
Larvitar wore sunglasses, riding on Rhyperior's head, holding a branch from the Tree of Beginning and pointing forward.
Setting aside the props, it really had some "general" presence.
Rhyperior grimaced as it ran, with several Rhyhorn beside it.
On Rhyperior and several Rhyhorn were tied ropes connecting to a wooden cart behind.
Don't say.
This Rhyhorn cart... was actually pretty fast.
And the cart Tinkaton built actually had some "off-road" capability, not too bumpy.
On the cart sat Johan, Korrina, Gengar, Lucario, Diancie...
Korrina sat at the front, full of excitement.
She was obviously experiencing this kind of "transportation" for the first time, feeling... it was much more fun than roller skating.
Originally Johan planned to rent an off-road vehicle in Geosenge Town.
But since the Rhyperior herd delivered themselves, shouldn't he make good use of them?
Thus the "Rhyhorn Cart" was born - pure physical power, pollution-free, cost-free, and fast.
Traveling on the road, occasionally a car would pass, and people in the cars would inevitably cast envious glances.
Cars were common, but Rhyhorn carts weren't.
Moreover, this group of obviously strong Rhyhorn running together on the road was quite impressive.
So Johan simply didn't enter Geosenge Town, heading directly toward Orrans Forest.
They traveled with stops and starts, resting and eating.
Not particularly rushing, stopping to rest and admire unique scenery when they saw it.
Occasionally encountering some aggressive wild Pokémon, most would be taught to behave, no, taught to be well-behaved Pokémon.
This made the Rhyhorn quite "indignant" - why did other Pokémon only get beaten for misbehaving, while they had to pull carts for their mistakes?
But when Johan used aura to massage their tired bodies in the evening and they ate delicious energy cube food, the Rhyhorn's attitudes immediately changed, only wanting to say...
Pulling carts was truly wonderful.
This made the Rhyhorn and Rhyperior not only lose their resistance but actually hope to pull for longer.
Being tired was real, but the enjoyment was also real.
However, the journey the Rhyhorn hoped for ended after two days.
With their help, Johan successfully reached Orrans Forest and met Officer Jenny and the League police.
"Teacher Johan?"
When the Officer Jenny in charge of liaison saw the "Rhyhorn Cart," her mouth gaped, looking stunned.
This was possible too?
"Yoji~"
Larvitar gently patted Rhyperior's head, and they slowly stopped.
After two days together, Rhyperior and the Rhyhorn found that Larvitar was actually quite easy to get along with.
Being Ground and Rock-type Pokémon, their relationship had gotten much closer.
The League police exercise content was quite rich - Pokémon battles, Pokémon racing, scent tracking, one-against-many and many-against-few tactical drills, etc.
Not only Officer Jennys from Kalos, but also from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and other regions.
Being surrounded by a group of Officer Jennys asking for autographs, that scene really...
In the end, Johan couldn't tell which Officer Jenny was which.
This kind of thing probably only Brock could manage.
Johan had once seen a post saying you could distinguish Officer Jennys by skirt length, but...
What the hell skirt length - couldn't keep staring at Officer Jennys' skirts, right?
"Teacher Johan." An older Officer Jenny wearing the "Chief Inspector" rank called him over.
This one was the exercise's head supervisor.
The Chief Inspector rank also indicated she was from the Alliance Headquarters' Jenny higher-ups.
"Officer Jenny."
Johan nodded in greeting, since this was one of the few he could recognize.
She took out a box, smiling: "This is an internal reward for arresting two master thieves."
Internal reward?
Johan opened the box with some surprise - inside were actually two Rare Candies!
This stuff was scarce. Even Hoenn League headquarters didn't have many, and Johan had already taken two last time.
Something money couldn't buy.
Others getting Rare Candies, this kind of top-tier item, would probably immediately feed them to their Pokémon.
But for Johan, now he had sugar for cooking - perfect for braising pork. These Rare Candies were much better than rock sugar.
"By the way, Officer Jenny, although I was invited here, I still don't know what I should do in this exercise?" Johan couldn't help asking.
No one had told him what to do.
"You don't need to do anything." Officer Jenny said.
"Don't need to?" Johan was puzzled.
The older Officer Jenny smiled: "Teacher Johan, just by coming, those young Officer Jennys became much more motivated. That's the greatest help to the exercise."
Johan awkwardly touched his nose.
So he'd become a mascot?
Like the atmosphere-boosting mascot at sports events?
"Of course, if during the exercise Teacher Johan notices any shortcomings, we hope you could point them out."
The older Officer Jenny said seriously: "More sweat in peacetime training and exercises means less blood and fewer losses when facing real incidents."
Johan quite respected the Officer Jennys who worked diligently to protect each region.
Just this dedication deserved respect.
"If..." the older Officer Jenny showed some hesitation.
Seeing this, Johan said: "Officer Jenny, please speak directly if there's something."
"Ahem, it's like this..."
After choosing her words, the older Officer Jenny continued: "If possible, of course only if conditions allow, could Teacher Johan help the Officer Jennys and League police adapt to handling sudden legendary and mythical Pokémon incidents?"
"Hm?"
"Recently, legendary and mythical Pokémon incidents have been frequent in various regions, but whether Officer Jennys or League police lack experience in handling legendary Pokémon - we could even say we have none. And Teacher Johan, you..."
Are famously the "Legendary Pokémon Man."
The older Officer Jenny didn't say this last part.
Johan's expression became somewhat strange.
Good grief.
This was the real "objective," right?
Have the Officer Jennys adapt to handling legendary Pokémon situations?
The Pokémon world didn't have that many legendary Pokémon...
Besides.
Legendary Pokémon weren't something Johan could summon at will. What, call legendary Pokémon from other regions to fly over?
They'd definitely give him a talking-to.
Eh?
Wait.
Johan suddenly remembered.
He actually did have a suitable candidate on him, one that had recently caused quite a stir in the Kalos region before being suppressed.
Regieleki!
The older Officer Jenny wasn't demanding or requiring, but requesting - requesting assistance under suitable conditions.
Of course, if it wasn't appropriate, she wouldn't say anything and would completely understand.
After all, this was a legendary Pokémon, not some random cat or dog that could be casually brought for exercises.
"Well..."
Johan pressed his cap brim, looking at the older Officer Jenny and asking: "Would you... provide meals for the legendary Pokémon?"
Didn't he find his reimbursement target?
"Eh?"
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Powerstones?
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