Johan had some knowledge about Lysandre. Of course, this was limited to what he knew from the original games.
After all, the X/Y generation introduced Mega Evolution, which was his favorite mechanic in the entire series. Naturally, this led him to explore the backstory of X/Y a bit deeper.
From what he knew, Lysandre had indeed started as a compassionate person, just as Diantha said. Both Team Flare and Lysandre Labs were originally founded to help those in need.
But later, Lysandre came to realize that some people began to see his assistance as an entitlement. If he didn't help them, they would curse him, mock him, or even try to ruin his reputation.
Over time, he grew disillusioned with the selfishness and constant strife of humankind.
It was around this time that Lysandre's worldview began to shift. He decided that only by reducing the population could he prevent further competition and discord.
Eventually, his thinking reached a breaking point: he planned to unleash the "Ultimate Weapon" of three thousand years ago, harnessing the power of the legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal to wipe out all living things in one fell swoop.
Lysandre's descent into darkness was gradual, but the path was clear.
Speaking of Lysandre, though, one could not ignore another figure closely tied to him.
Three thousand years ago, there was a king in Kalos known as AZ who, in an effort to resurrect his beloved Pokémon sacrificed to war, created the Ultimate Weapon.
Legend has it that AZ still lives, ageless and undying to this day.
Lysandre was able to locate and awaken the Ultimate Weapon because he was a descendant of AZ's younger brother. In a way, Lysandre could be considered AZ's heir.
And perhaps there was something in his bloodline that predisposed Lysandre to his obsession.
Three thousand years ago, AZ became fixated on reviving his lost Floette, a fixation so intense it drove him to create a weapon that took countless innocent lives.
And now Lysandre, similarly devastated by the ugliness he saw in the world, had grown equally consumed by his plans.
It seemed unlikely that these parallel obsessions could be entirely unrelated to family lineage.
Johan pinched the bridge of his nose.
To be honest, unless he wanted to expose Lysandre's identity and plans outright, there was no way to reject Diantha's request.
It sounded perfectly reasonable.
Besides, she had just helped Haunter learn Shadow Ball.
After taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he finally spoke.
"If—" he paused, choosing his words carefully, "if someone's thinking has changed noticeably in a short time, there's a high chance they've experienced some kind of emotional shock, leading to a shift in perspective."
Diantha nodded in agreement. "That's what I suspected, too."
"So really, without knowing what caused this, it's hard to take any effective 'measures,'" Johan continued, subtly putting the issue back on Diantha.
In truth, regardless of a person's identity, it was only when you understood the root cause of their actions that you could find a way to intervene.
"That sounds very reasonable," Cynthia agreed from beside him.
Diantha fell silent, lost in thought.
After a long pause, she finally murmured, "You're right. I'll try to have someone look into it. Hopefully, it's nothing serious."
Cynthia added, "However, even if you do uncover the reason, it might still be best to meet him face-to-face. Only in person can you truly 'treat' the issue."
She was speaking from her own experience.
In situations like Spiritomb's, where things were complex, a face-to-face approach was crucial. A few sentences, or even a video chat, could never convey the full picture.
Hearing Cynthia's suggestion made Johan feel a tightening in his chest.
Just because you're Cynthia, you think I won't argue with you, huh?
"That's a good point," Diantha agreed, nodding. "I'll see what I can do."
Johan opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
The only comfort he had was that even if Diantha did reach out, Lysandre likely wouldn't agree to meet him.
If they only communicated through the web, it wouldn't be as dangerous.
That is, if Lysandre would even accept "psychological counseling" in the first place, which seemed unlikely.
And besides, if Diantha were to uncover Lysandre's true motives, the League would probably act immediately.
"Thank goodness. The advantage is still mine," he thought with relief.
In the end, Johan couldn't refuse Diantha and Cynthia's suggestions, so he silently accepted them.
After that, he settled back in his seat, sipping his coffee.
Meanwhile, Cynthia and Diantha conversed quietly beside him. Despite their different styles, the two women had a close bond, and now that they had time together, it seemed there was no end to their chatter.
Soft laughter and radiant smiles would occasionally punctuate their conversation, adding to the scenic beauty of the afternoon.
Johan, for his part, wisely refrained from interrupting. Only Vulpix, curled up in Cynthia's lap, seemed to be "listening in" on their conversation.
As evening fell, Johan, Cynthia, and Diantha shared a peaceful afternoon together.
In the sunset's soft glow, the pink clouds painted their faces like delicate blush, casting a warm, lingering light.
"Gardevoir…"
Just then, Diantha's Gardevoir returned, with Haunter following close behind.
And for once, Haunter seemed unusually subdued, lost in thought and unusually serious.
"It looks like it went well," Diantha observed, noting the satisfied gleam in Gardevoir's eyes.
"Ka-kah!" Haunter perked up, its eyes sparkling. Tonight calls for some grilled lamb!
All that seriousness… just for that?
But knowing Haunter, if it wasn't confident, it wouldn't be acting this smug.
Johan guessed that if he asked it now, he'd be met with Haunter "grinning from ear to ear."
Sure enough, when nobody seemed to pay attention to it, Haunter threw a hopeful look in Johan's direction.
Aren't you going to ask?
Its sunglasses were already in place, ready to show off.
But Johan turned away, pretending not to notice.
Haunter was indignant.
Cynthia chuckled and turned to Diantha. "Have any plans for dinner?"
"You're inviting me?" Diantha replied with a smirk.
But Cynthia simply pointed at Johan with a playful smile and said, "He's inviting us. We're eating at his place."
What? Hold on, I didn't agree to this!
"Oh?"
Diantha cast an intrigued look at Johan, then suddenly stood up and raised her phone to her ear.
"Minami? An event tonight? I was just on a break… all right, I'll head over now…"
With that, she quickly slipped on her sunglasses and hat, giving a quick farewell wave to Cynthia and Johan before dashing off with Gardevoir.
Johan: "?"
Hey, was her phone even on?
Cynthia just smiled mischievously in response to his silent question.
Johan sighed, raising his hands in surrender. "Fine, I'll go grocery shopping."
It's just one meal, after all. Besides, it's for my "generous benefactor."
"Vulpix," Cynthia whispered to the small fox.
"Oowu?" Vulpix's ears perked up.
"Gonna be tasty, right?"
Following Haunter's lead, Vulpix thumped its little paw on its chest and nodded, its eyes twinkling.
Leave it to me.
Outside the supermarket, Johan had left Cynthia, Haunter, and Vulpix waiting to prevent any potential "shopping meltdowns."
Sunset gradually dipped closer to the horizon.
Cynthia sat on a nearby bench outside the supermarket, one knee tucked up as she leaned forward.
"Haunter, Vulpix," she called softly.
"Ka-kah?"
"Oowu?"
"For you both, Johan is a very important person, right?"
Ever the prankster, Haunter suddenly grew quiet and solemn, nodding emphatically.
"Ka-kah!" He's family! Someone I'd protect with my life!
Vulpix whined in agreement.
"Oowu…" He's… "like a dad," you know?
"Hmm?"
"Ka-kah?"
Catching Cynthia and Haunter's startled gazes, Vulpix quickly waved its paws, cheeks turning a rosy pink.
"O-Oowu!" Just, you know, like a metaphor!
"That's really nice…"
Cynthia gently brushed a strand of golden hair from her face, smiling softly.
Some trainers see Pokémon as mere tools, steps toward fame, measures of their own strength.
But others view them as partners, friends, even family.
Pokémon are straightforward—how you treat them is how they'll treat you in return.
The truest mark of a trainer's worthiness can be seen in their Pokémon's behavior towards them.
Cynthia was also a trainer who genuinely loved her Pokémon, always holding to the wisdom of an ancient inscription:
"All life meets with other life, and through that encounter, something new is born."
This was true of humans and Pokémon alike.
In this respect, she felt she shared a kindred spirit with Johan.
"What are you all staring at?"
Loaded with bags, Johan gave a puzzled look at the odd expressions on the faces of Cynthia, Haunter, and Vulpix.
They all seemed oddly quiet and thoughtful—especially Haunter, who wasn't acting like
itself at all.
"Ka-kah!"
But Haunter quickly recovered, flashing a mischievous grin as it zoomed over to lick Johan's face. Taking the bags from Johan's hands, it carried them with pride.
"Oowu!"
Vulpix leapt from Cynthia's arms and nestled in Johan's, affectionately licking his chin with its cold little tongue.
One side icy, the other ticklish.
Johan instinctively pulled out a Sitrus Berry, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as he looked over at Cynthia.
"What did you say to them?"
Cynthia merely smiled, a hint of playful mystery in her eyes.
"That's a secret."
What's with the secrecy?
The sun was setting behind them, casting long shadows as they walked together.
Johan's voice echoed through the air, followed by the excited laughter of his Pokémon.
"I got it all—your lamb chops, Vulpix's pancakes and cheese, and Cynthia's dessert…"
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Powerstones?
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