5 bonus chapter's coming out at 11 AM EST. So I ask that you withhold you're powerstones until then.
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Taking control of the battlefield?
Johan: Doesn't exist.
Celadon University: As expected of the "Master Strategist."
Thankfully, this was a relatively private exchange event, so there wasn't a large audience to witness what had just unfolded.
Every year, Pokémon academies across different regions engaged in exchange programs—or rather, exchange battles—designed to hone the combat skills of academy-trained trainers.
Outside the official matches, academies often arranged smaller, informal exchanges, like this one.
These were more aptly described as "friendship matches"—a chance to test the waters and learn from each other.
Johan initially thought he was holding an unbeatable hand: two Kings and a Joker—an easy win.
To his surprise, the opposition wasn't weak either, boasting their own two Kings and a smaller Joker.
Still, Johan was unbothered.
After all, this was just a friendly match, meant to gauge abilities. And besides…
He had Steven. Victory was in the bag.
His gaze swept over his team:
Steven with his calm smile, Roxanne with her slightly tense expression, Flannery with the fire burning in her eyes, and… Gengar, wearing a menacing grin and pointing at itself.
Johan's forehead twitched.
"Gengar, what are you doing?"
Gengar stuck out its tongue and licked its lips.
"Ka-kah~~"
I want to face off against that magician guy again!
Johan sighed and took a deep breath.
"Roxanne, you go first."
Roxanne stood up with a serious expression.
She interpreted Johan's decision as a sign of trust in her abilities—an acknowledgment of her strength.
After all, she was the only one among the trio who had actually battled Johan before.
Noticing her nervousness, Johan offered encouragement:
"Don't overthink it. It's just a friendly match. Focus on doing your best."
Roxanne nodded solemnly.
"And if things get tough, we'll just throw Steven in to sweep the field," Johan joked.
Steven: "?"
Roxanne chuckled, her tension easing noticeably.
Not far away, Erika patted Bugsy on the shoulder, signaling him to take the stage.
Thus began Roxanne vs. Bugsy!
Bugsy was a Bug-type specialist.
Among all Pokémon types, Bug-types were generally considered one of the weaker ones. While they only had three type weaknesses, their attacks were ineffective against seven types, giving them poor coverage.
Rock-types, on the other hand, were not particularly strong either. Although their offensive coverage was better than Bug-types, they had five type weaknesses.
That said, Rock-types were super effective against Bug-types.
This meant Roxanne held the advantage against Bugsy.
Round 1: Roxanne's Geodude vs. Bugsy's Pinsir
Bugsy clearly wanted to make a strong impression. His Pinsir, though pure Bug-type, was incredibly strong and had learned several Fighting-type moves, which posed a significant threat to Geodude.
Unfortunately for Bugsy, Geodude's defense was outstanding.
Roxanne, having learned from Johan, employed his "Iron Defense Slam" strategy.
Even though Fighting-type moves were ineffective against Bug-types, the damage boost from stacking Iron Defense before slamming Pinsir proved to be very effective.
Round 2: Roxanne's Nosepass vs. Bugsy's Scyther
Bugsy's ace, Scyther, managed to defeat Geodude with its superior speed. However, it fell to Roxanne's Nosepass shortly after.
The reason?
Scyther's quadruple weakness to Rock-type moves.
"Professor, mission accomplished!"
Roxanne returned to Johan, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she reported her victory.
"Well done," Johan praised her, despite noting areas where she could improve.
On the other side, Bugsy looked dejected, but Erika quickly stepped in to console him.
"You did well, Bugsy," Erika reassured him.
Since this was a friendly match, the two teams were seated close enough to hear each other's conversations. Johan's voice carried over to the Celadon team.
Bugsy, his eyes slightly red, looked at Johan, who smiled and said:
"Starting with Pinsir was a solid choice—you handled it well."
Bugsy blinked in confusion.
Wait… Is he implying there was a better strategy?
"But if you'd started with Scyther," Johan continued, "you could've used its speed advantage to stack Swords Dance, then Baton Passed to Pinsir. Pinsir could've swept the team."
Everyone—including Steven, Flannery, Erika, Will, and Brock—exchanged glances at this revelation.
"That… That makes sense," Bugsy said softly. "But what if Geodude attacked immediately and didn't give Scyther a chance?"
"Then you could've opened with Tailwind and followed up with U-turn," Johan explained. "Pinsir would've had the upper hand regardless."
Bugsy's eyes lit up with realization.
It really would've worked!
Roxanne, overhearing this, suddenly felt less pleased with her victory.
Is Professor Johan using this to warn me not to become overconfident?
"Professor?" Flannery interrupted.
Johan shook his head before she could say more.
"Flannery, this is just a friendly match," he said. "As teachers, our job is to impart knowledge, guide, and resolve doubts. That responsibility isn't limited to one academy, one student, or one match."
Was this even a strategy?
To Johan, it was common sense.
To everyone else, however, it was profound wisdom.
Steven, Roxanne, and Flannery exchanged looks, their respect for Johan growing.
This is our teacher—Professor Johan!
Bugsy, Brock, and Will also felt newfound admiration.
"Thank you, Professor Johan," Erika said with a smile.
Before Johan could respond, she added, "I'm starting to believe you don't use underhanded tactics after all."
Johan: "…"
Now you believe me?!
Johan glanced at Gengar.
Gengar: "Ka-kah~~ (ε｀)"
Round 2: Flannery vs. Brock
Just as Bugsy lost to Roxanne, Flannery lost to Brock.
Her Fire-types had no advantage against Brock's Rock-types.
Still, the friendly atmosphere remained intact. Both teams exchanged strategies and observations, fostering genuine learning.
Flannery was disappointed, but her spirits lifted when Johan reassured her:
"Don't worry. I'll teach you a new strategy in a couple of days."
"Really?!"
See? She'd already forgotten her loss.
Erika then turned to Johan with a playful smile.
"Professor Johan, don't you think you owe me a gift?"
"Huh?"
"Let's have a battle," Erika proposed.
"After all, nothing says 'gift' like a one-of-a-kind match."
Instantly, everyone's excitement surged.
A battle between professors!
This was the hallmark of inter-academy exchanges—when differing philosophies clashed, the professors settled it on the battlefield.
Erika continued, "I heard you recently challenged both Saffron and Viridian Gyms and earned their badges."
Johan blinked in confusion.
How does she know that?!
"Also," Erika added with a sly smile, "Professor Oak himself called you a 'Master of the Mind.'"
Johan: "???"
How did news spread so quickly?
Still, seeing Erika's playful expression, Johan sighed.
So this is about avenging Yuka, huh?
"You'd better not cry when you lose!" Johan warned with mock ferocity.
Erika clasped her hands coyly.
"Oh, how frightened I am~"
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