"Really?" Cynthia's expression turned serious.
Having seen Johan's capabilities firsthand, Cynthia trusted his judgment implicitly.
Johan breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had successfully diverted the conversation.
He began explaining Spiritomb's complex nature. As a Pokémon composed of 108 different spirits, its unusual behavior was often out of its own control. Spiritomb was essentially a collection of fragmented, sometimes contradictory, consciousnesses. While not all 108 spirits were distinct—some had merged—this still made for a deeply complex mindscape.
Worse, if this delicate balance were disturbed, the malicious, deceitful spirits could break free on their own.
In the original lore, even elite trainers fell victim to Spiritomb's influence, becoming its unwilling puppets.
Surprisingly, Spiritomb's current state was relatively stable, which Johan found unusual—until he remembered that Cynthia was its Trainer. In that case, it made perfect sense.
"I understand." Cynthia took a breath, nodding seriously before walking into the suite's bedroom.
Understand what? Johan thought, puzzled.
Just then, his phone pinged with a new message.
[Your account has been credited: 1,000,000 Pokédollars. Balance: 2,476,723 Pokédollars.]
Johan's eyes widened in disbelief.
A moment later, Cynthia emerged from the room, holding the latest Eevee-themed phone, murmuring to herself, "I didn't realize my allowance was getting so low."
Allowance? Johan was stunned. You call a million Pokédollars an allowance?
Before he could respond, she added, "I know it might not be enough, so after the exhibition match, I'll top it off."
Is this what life with a wealthy benefactor feels like?
Johan's thoughts raced: If only I could have ten more clients like her!
"There is actually a way to expedite Spiritomb's treatment," Johan said as he and Cynthia sat down at the hotel desk to strategize.
"Oh?"
"The best solution is to gather a group of strong Trainers. When the restless spirits within Spiritomb can no longer be contained and start scattering, we'll subdue them all at once." Johan clenched a fist in demonstration.
Cynthia's brows furrowed as she glanced around the room.
Garchomp and Haunter were fixated on a video playing on a phone. Lucario stood nearby with crossed arms, pretending not to care but casting furtive glances at the screen.
Eevee and Vulpix were building a snowman, with Eevee gleefully burying itself in the snow Vulpix created. Milotic was gracefully swimming in the pool while Roserade sat by the edge, feet soaking in the water as they shared grooming tips.
As for Spiritomb… it was nestled in a corner, pretending to be a potted plant.
"Isn't our team enough?" Cynthia asked.
Johan's eyes scanned the room again before he pursed his lips. "Just to be safe."
He added, "Don't worry, I know who to call."
Steven was the first who came to mind. Lance, who would be in Hoenn for the exhibition, was also an obvious choice.
Cynthia, too, considered her contacts: her friend Diantha and Caitlin were likely candidates.
They agreed to maintain Spiritomb's stability until they gathered enough capable Trainers in Sootopolis City.
"Here," Cynthia said, handing Johan two envelopes.
He opened the first one—it was another invitation. Great, he thought wryly. That makes three now. I could probably trade these in for a luxury suite.
The second envelope, however, was unexpected. It was an invitation to the "Pokémon Researcher Conference – Spear Pillar Edition."
"Professor Rowan asked me to give this to you," Cynthia explained. "If you have the time, you should attend."
"I definitely will," Johan replied.
Outside the Rustboro Grand Hotel
"Ka-kah…" Haunter's eyes darted nervously at Johan, who was holding its phone. The screen displayed a streaming platform with a VIP subscription open.
"Do you understand why this is wrong?" Johan's tone was stern.
Haunter looked sheepishly at Johan, then back at the VIP subscription screen. Finally, it nodded emphatically.
Johan flipped to the annual VIP package on the screen, ready to confirm.
"Ka-kah?" Haunter's eyes widened.
"It was an ad, and I clicked on it accidentally while researching. You believe that, right?" Johan pressed.
Cynthia appearing in a swimsuit contest? Clearly clickbait.
Haunter glanced at Johan, then at the subscription page, and nodded solemnly.
"Ka-kah!" I believe!
Hesitating for even a second would be disrespectful to the VIP subscription.
"Good." Johan clicked confirm, gifting Haunter a year's subscription, costing a few hundred Pokédollars.
He sighed, relieved. Crisis averted.
"Oowu?" Vulpix tilted its head, puzzled by the exchange.
"Eevee!" Cynthia's Eevee's cheerful voice sounded as she emerged from the hotel, holding Eevee.
Cynthia had changed into a light blue top with a white casual jacket, exuding a more youthful, lively air.
"Sorry for the wait," she said, a slight blush on her pale cheeks from hurrying.
"What shall we eat?" Johan asked. As her host, it was only proper to treat her to dinner. Besides, Cynthia had given him all her spare cash, forgetting to save any for herself.
The situation made Johan smile ruefully.
"Hmm…" Cynthia's brow knitted in thought, finger twirling her golden hair. The dilemma was evident.
"Eevee…" The small Pokémon face-palmed, resigned to the upcoming indecision.
Johan, realizing what was happening, chuckled. Right. The future Champion of Sinnoh suffers from chronic indecisiveness.
He raised a hand to his temple. "Never mind, let's go with Hoenn's specialty."
Both Cynthia and Eevee visibly relaxed, smiling in relief.
Johan knew Rustboro's dining scene well. If there was one local specialty Sinnoh didn't have, it was "Volcanic Barbecue."
Cooked on unique volcanic stones from Mt. Chimney, the meat carried a distinct, smoky essence. Expensive, but worth it.
Soon, they arrived at "Torkoal Grill," a renowned restaurant in the city center.
At that moment…
"We're late today. We'll visit Johan tomorrow and head to Sootopolis with him and Steven," said a familiar figure with a billowing cape and deep red hair.
Lance, accompanied by the Blackthorn Gym Leader Clair, strolled through Rustboro City.
Hearing Johan's name, Clair's eyes narrowed slightly.
Johan's tactics had made Lance's battles with Lorelei much tougher.
"Since we're off-duty, how about we try this—Hoenn's famous volcanic barbecue?" Lance suggested.
But as they reached the restaurant, they found themselves face-to-face with Johan and Cynthia.
"You…?" Lance's expression was stunned.
Johan blinked in surprise.
"What a coincidence."
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This marks the end of bonus. I'm trying to get up the rankings so powerstones would help! Thank you.