In a remote part of Rustboro City's outskirts in Hoenn:
"Ka-kah!" Haunter suddenly shouted, pointing upward.
Another flying one!
A powerful Garchomp glided through the air, landing with a thud that sent dust swirling around.
"Oowu!" Vulpix, alarmed, burrowed its head into Johan's arm, leaving its fluffy tail sticking up. Just from its aura alone, the sight of Garchomp—one of the strongest pseudo-legendary Pokémon in its final form—was enough to intimidate it.
Plus, Garchomp didn't exactly look friendly.
"It's here for you," Johan teased Haunter with a sidelong glance.
"Gulp—"
Haunter swallowed nervously.
"Ka-kah."
Don't say that...
Haunter's face turned a paler shade, though it was hard to tell whether it was out of fear or nerves. Seeing Haunter's unease made Johan relax slightly. A smile tugged at his lips.
Turns out, happiness is constant—it just shifts from the Pokémon to the Trainer.
Tap, tap—
Footsteps echoed.
As the dust settled, a woman appeared with cascading golden hair, dressed in a sleek black coat and fitted trousers. She walked gracefully in elegant black heels, a warm and polite smile on her face.
Future Champion of the Sinnoh region.
Cynthia.
Cynthia's eyes brightened when she saw Johan and Haunter. She walked over, Garchomp following closely behind.
"Garchomp," it growled lowly, never straying far from her side.
With Cynthia's poised presence juxtaposed against Garchomp's fierce visage, the pair embodied a striking "beauty and the beast" contrast.
Cynthia stopped in front of Johan, her gaze meeting his.
"[Grain in the Field]?"
Johan nodded and introduced himself, "Johan."
Recognition lit up Cynthia's expression as she mirrored the introduction, "Cynthia."
Johan chuckled.
"I never imagined 'Eevee Eats Cabbage' would turn out to be you."
"Hmm?" Cynthia tilted her head slightly.
"You're even more beautiful in person than in the videos," Johan added sincerely.
Cynthia's eyes widened slightly at the compliment.
"Thank you."
Her smile deepened as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"You're more eloquent than I expected."
Cynthia's gentle voice seemed to soothe even the timid Vulpix, who peeked out from Johan's arm.
"Oowu~~"
Such a beautiful lady!
Vulpix's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Though she couldn't understand Vulpix's words, Cynthia sensed the sentiment and her eyes crinkled into crescents.
She leaned down toward Vulpix. "Is this the little one?"
She had listened in when Johan and Haunter had saved Vulpix and even offered help back then.
"Yes," Johan replied, lowering his head too.
Up close, Cynthia's flawless features, high-bridged nose, and lightly tinted lips were captivating. A subtle, sweet scent reminiscent of vanilla wafted through the air.
Admittedly, it was quite pleasant.
"Ka-kah!!"
Haunter, who had been stunned for a while, suddenly snapped back, shouting in realization.
I remember who she is!
"Garchomp—"
Garchomp narrowed its eyes and swung its blade-like fin, creating a gust as it positioned itself protectively between Cynthia and Haunter.
The menacing aura made Johan and Haunter freeze, cold sweat trickling down their faces.
"Ka-ka…"
"Oowu!"
Vulpix squeaked and buried itself even deeper.
"Garchomp." Cynthia's brows furrowed as she called its name.
With a grunt, Garchomp lowered its fin, though it kept its sharp eyes locked on Haunter and Johan.
"My apologies," Cynthia said.
"Ka-kah~~" Haunter patted its chest, regaining some composure.
Scared the ghost out of me!
Johan shook his head, exhaling. Though startled by Garchomp's sudden action, he managed to keep calm. After all, his experience included dealing with Mewtwo as a "patient" and having encountered Heatran. Pseudo-legendary Pokémon were nothing new.
"Shall we take a look at Spiritomb?" Johan suggested.
"Of course."
Cynthia didn't hesitate. She tossed a Poké Ball, and with a flash of light, a peculiar keystone appeared on the ground.
From its crack, a swirl of purple and green mist emerged, coalescing into a vaguely face-like form.
Spiritomb!
"Shhhh-pah?"
Spiritomb surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings with wary eyes.
"Ka-kah (・・)"
Seeing Spiritomb, Haunter went stiff.
It actually came…
Johan rubbed his chin, eyes fixed on Spiritomb as he mused, "Honestly, it's got an oddly charming look, don't you think, Haunter?"
"Shhh-pah…o(////▽////)q"
Before Haunter could react, Spiritomb's shadowy face flushed with a tinge of embarrassment.
It was the first time anyone had called it attractive.
Haunter, meanwhile, shot Johan a look that said, Are you insane?
Cynthia smiled warmly. "I think so too."
She glanced at Johan interacting with Spiritomb.
At least their attitudes toward Pokémon were aligned.
Kneeling, Johan spoke softly, "Can you use Nasty Plot?"
"Shhh-pah?"
Spiritomb hesitated, then turned to Cynthia and Garchomp for confirmation.
Cynthia nodded.
"Shhh-pah—"
Spiritomb's aura shifted, emitting a cunning, deceptive energy.
In Johan's vision, Spiritomb's stats appeared:
[Spiritomb]
Type: Ghost/Dark
Ability: Pressure
Moves Known: Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Shadow Sneak, Grudge, Payback, Nasty Plot, Hex, Parting Shot, Sucker Punch, Curse, Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Hypnosis, Destiny Bond, Pain Split.
Mood: Happy, Shy, Anxious, Apathetic, Greedy, Angry... (A maze of emotions. But it's currently happy.)
Status: Optimal (Recovered well.)
Friendliness: 50 (You're the first to call it attractive.)
Johan clicked his tongue in surprise.
These are all the moves Haunter dreams of learning.
When he saw Spiritomb's complex array of emotions, Johan's eye twitched.
Wow. That's some real personality fragmentation.
Yet he felt a glimmer of relief seeing Spiritomb's high friendliness towards him.
No matter how convoluted its emotions were, it was still just a Pokémon, one easily pleased by its nature.
Holding up a finger, Johan said gently, "Follow my finger with your eyes. Let's do some simple tests."
"Shhh-pah."
The misty face contracted slightly, nodding obediently.
He's so kind…
Meanwhile, Haunter's eyes rolled mischievously, emitting a sinister chuckle.
Careful under Garchomp's watchful eye, Haunter sidled up to Cynthia.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
She had noticed Haunter's earlier expression, as if it had something to say.
"Ka-kah!"
I remembered who you are!
Haunter had been puzzled because Cynthia looked familiar but couldn't recall from where. Now it clicked!
Haunter opened its mouth, tongue curling out to reveal a phone, which it had stealthily taken from Johan.
In Cynthia's intrigued gaze, Haunter deftly unlocked it and browsed the history.
"Ka-kah!"
Found it!
Haunter grinned smugly.
Cynthia leaned in and murmured, "Cynthia's…"
"Haunter," Johan's voice called.
Haunter jumped in fright, hastily retracting the phone.
Cynthia only glimpsed part of it.
She tilted her head.
Cynthia's what?
Isn't that just me?
The screen seemed to show something about a show?