"Boss Piers!!"
"Boss Piers, Miss Marnie wuu wuu—"
Team Yell members rushed toward Piers with mournful faces, acting as if they had been beaten up.
Piers' face was already dark, and hearing these Team Yell members' words, his expression became even darker.
His dead fish eyes looked toward Johan and Marnie without any emotion.
Marnie kept her head down, still pondering what Johan had said earlier, not noticing Piers' appearance or paying attention to Team Yell members' shouting.
"Ahem."
Johan coughed lightly, breaking the somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Hearing his cough, several Team Yell members suddenly trembled all over, their shouting stopped abruptly as they quickly hid behind Piers.
Seeing their reaction, Johan's eye twitched.
Don't make it seem like I bullied you guys.
This was just an "instructional battle"—instructional, understand?
Piers withdrew his gaze.
He wouldn't think Teacher Johan was "bullying" Marnie. If Marnie hadn't initiated the challenge, as "Master Ball Tier," Johan couldn't have challenged "Ultra Ball Tier."
It's just...
Piers said flatly: "Wonder if Teacher Johan would like to battle me?"
Johan: "..."
Is this the classic "beat the young one, the old one comes"?
Battling Marnie, he could still control the situation and at least not cause too much destruction. But if he battled Piers, it might cause unnecessary damage to Spikemuth.
"Well, Mr. Peony, long time no see." Johan chose to "ignore" Piers.
"Hahaha—" Peony laughed and scratched his head. "It's only been half a month."
Piers rolled his dead fish eyes.
Actually, he knew Teacher Johan wouldn't accept his challenge—it was just a matter of making a statement.
Facing Peony's words, Johan couldn't help rolling his eyes irritably.
Such low emotional intelligence.
But having no choice, Johan continued: "Speaking of which, Mr. Peony, how did you end up in Spikemuth?"
Hearing this question, both Peony and Piers' expressions became somewhat serious.
Piers said: "This isn't a place to talk."
Hm?
Piers also knew what Peony was doing?
Peony came to Spikemuth to find Piers?
After brief consideration, Johan didn't ask further. "Then let's change locations."
Subsequently, under Piers' guidance, Johan, Peony, and Marnie came to Spikemuth's Gym.
Called Spikemuth Gym, it was actually more like a venue converted from a large warehouse, with an overall style that matched Spikemuth very well.
Clang—
Upon entering Spikemuth Gym, they immediately heard very rhythmic bass and electric guitar sounds, accompanied by drums and high-pitched vocals.
That sound...
Outside and inside the gym were completely different worlds.
They could see a stage in the center of Spikemuth Gym with spotlights.
On stage, lead singer Obstagoon, High Amp Form Toxtricity as guitarist, Low Key Form Toxtricity as bassist, and Rillaboom as drummer—
A complete rock band!
Below, a group of Team Yell members were waving flags and cheering, providing emotional value.
This scene—who wouldn't be confused?
Especially that purple fatty from the Johan household.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar immediately emerged from Johan's shadow. Seeing this scene, its eyes seemed to flash like they could emit electricity.
A rock band?
Gengar had always dreamed of having its own "Ghost Spirit Big Band."
Seeing this scene, how could it hold back?
It immediately shrieked and charged toward the stage.
"Roar?!"
Obstagoon saw Gengar suddenly appear before it, eyes widening as it glared fiercely and roared.
In Spikemuth, in Spikemuth Gym, someone dared steal its lead singer position?
Tired of living?
Probably didn't know what "Spikemuth Evil Rock Group" meant.
Moreover.
Just a Ghost-type Gengar—it was Dark and Normal-type Obstagoon!
The least afraid of Ghost-types.
How dare it?
Annoying!
Take my Obstruct!
However, for Gengar, it didn't care about any of this.
"Spikemuth Evil Rock Group"?
You probably haven't heard of "Johan Family's Outlaw Group."
Facing the fierce, aggressive Obstagoon charging at it with claws, Gengar very unreasonably directly formed a black sphere and pressed it toward Obstagoon.
Buzz—
The black sphere instantly enlarged, completely enveloping Obstagoon.
This made the two Toxtricity and Rillaboom watching change expressions.
Obstagoon couldn't win?
As bandmates, they couldn't tolerate this.
Rolling up their "sleeves," they prepared to join the group fight.
However, the black sphere came quickly and left even faster. When the sphere that had swallowed Obstagoon completely disappeared, their bandmate Obstagoon was already lying on stage snoring loudly.
Dark Void!
Hypnosis effect—outstanding!
Seeing Obstagoon already fallen asleep on the ground, the two Toxtricity and Rillaboom were simultaneously stunned, then felt a chill down their backs as they stiffly turned to look at Gengar.
They saw it looking at the three Pokémon with a smiling face, very "kindly" greeting them.
Instantly, sweat appeared on the foreheads of both Toxtricity and Rillaboom.
They were well aware of each other's strength. Obstagoon was definitely not weak, and as Normal and Dark-type Pokémon, they knew exactly how much it countered Ghost-type Gengar.
Now, having attacked first but still being instantly defeated by the opponent?
This...
Seems like this guy is pretty strong... the three Pokémon exchanged glances.
Gengar happily floated to where Obstagoon had been standing, one hand supporting the microphone stand, the other gripping the microphone in a very "professional" pose, ready.
Then Gengar discovered.
Eh?
Where's the accompaniment?
It immediately turned around, smilingly raising its hand upward.
"Ka-kaah!"
What are you standing around for?
Continue the music, continue dancing!
Or do you also want to first have a "beautiful" sleep?
The three Pokémon immediately shuddered and quickly picked up their guitar, bass, and drumsticks.
Clang!!
Passionate rock music resumed.
Seeing this Gengar's movements and poses so professional, maybe it was also a rock expert?
Letting it temporarily replace Obstagoon shouldn't be a problem...
Just as the three Pokémon were consoling themselves this way, Gengar opened its mouth.
"Ka-ka~ Ka-ka-ka-ka-ka~ kaah~ kaah~~ Ka-kaah~~"
Once Gengar started singing, they realized their mistake.
And it was a huge mistake!
This... listening too much could be fatal, right?
"No! No! Don't—"
"Quick! Run!!"
The Team Yell members below finally realized.
This Gengar was problematic!
Very problematic!
Run!
However, realizing this now was too late.
Bang! Bang bang! Bang—
One after another, Team Yell members hadn't run a few steps before falling like cut wheat.
The two Toxtricity and Rillaboom's faces gradually paled.
This was deadly...
As for Johan and the others, they had already entered a room with quite good soundproofing inside the gym, isolated from the noisy rock music outside, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
The four sat down.
Marnie was still pondering Johan's earlier words, somewhat "absent-minded."
But whether Marnie participated wasn't important anyway.
"Let me explain..."
After sitting down, Peony began describing his recent investigation discoveries and reasons for coming to Spikemuth.
It turned out.
After Johan told Peony that the Galar particles scattered throughout Galar region might originate from Wyndon, he had investigated and even cooperated with Leon.
In Peony's investigation, he gradually discovered that those Galar particles really did come from Wyndon!
This result was basically confirmed after he borrowed help from Professor Magnolia and Sonia.
The final verification required installing instruments in Spikemuth, which wouldn't be affected by Galar particles, to observe Wyndon to the west of Spikemuth as a "bystander."
Spikemuth had no power spots and the least Galar particles, so there would be minimal interference from scattered Galar particles, making results more accurate.
This was why Peony came to Spikemuth.
Since instruments needed to be installed in Spikemuth, he inevitably had to deal with Piers.
Plus Piers' dislike of Dynamax and his responsibility as a Galar League Gym Leader, he gradually became involved in the investigation.
"So..." After hearing Peony's account, Johan said: "You've confirmed those Galar particles indeed come from Wyndon?"
"Correct."
Peony nodded gravely. "However, Wyndon's power spots are naturally energy-rich, so neither Wyndon's residents nor Gym Leader Raihan noticed."
If Rose wanted to cover it up, he always had ways.
"Have you determined exactly where in Wyndon they're coming from?"
Hearing this, Peony and Piers exchanged glances.
Piers said flatly: "We suspect it's energy leaking from Macro Cosmos Group's 'energy plant.'"
Hearing the result, Johan wanted to applaud Peony and Piers.
Hadn't they found the correct "answer"?
Though it was under his guidance.
"So what's your next plan?" Johan asked.
Peony said:
"I've already contacted Leon. Leon has close relations with Macro Cosmos Group and Ro... Rose, so he should have ways to enter the energy plant for investigation."
When saying "Rose," Peony's expression was somewhat unnatural.
Although his relationship with Rose wasn't very good, and Peony felt like he lived in Rose's shadow even after becoming Champion.
But ultimately, Rose was still his brother.
Peony didn't want to believe his brother, who always talked about Galar region's future and making Galar League great, would do things harmful to Galar region.
But no matter what.
The energy plant definitely needed investigation.
And the only person who could execute this investigation was Leon.
Though Leon was close to Rose.
Both Peony and Piers quite trusted Leon's character and personality.
They believed if he really discovered something, he definitely wouldn't choose silence.
"That works."
Compared to their grave expressions, Johan seemed much calmer.
He already knew what Rose was doing. The only concern was how to respond after Eternatus awakened and escaped.
But now.
With sword and shield in hand, plus Calyrex waiting to be summoned, and himself, Peony, and Leon—three Champions.
With such a hand of "cards," could Eternatus still defeat him instantly?
"Just wait for Leon's results."
As long as they confirmed Eternatus was in the energy plant, Leon would definitely lead the charge, destroy the plant, and seal Eternatus.
Mission accomplished!
"We were originally waiting for Leon's reply." Peony said.
Piers glanced at Johan. "We only discovered it was you battling because we heard the commotion."
Why bring this up again?
"Ahem." Johan coughed lightly. "Let me emphasize again—that wasn't a battle, it was instructional."
Piers waved his hand in front of Marnie, but she remained unmoved. He looked at Johan: "This kind of instructional battle?"
"This, well, doesn't this show Marnie had some enlightenment? Her comprehension is quite high."
Beep beep—
At this moment, Peony's phone rang.
"It's Leon."
The caller ID showed Leon's call.
Peony pressed answer and turned on speakerphone.
"Mr. Peony, this is Leon." Leon's voice came through the phone.
"Leon, how did it go?" Peony asked directly.
Leon's somewhat helpless laugh came through the phone: "Mr. Rose... has me preparing for the 'Champion Cup.'"
Champion Cup?
The three were stunned.
Then they understood.
Right.
With the "Pokémon World Championships" gaining popularity and young Champions emerging from various regions—Johan, Cynthia...
Plus Lance, Diantha, and others who were preparing.
Leon should also be making his push for Champion.
"It's fine, Leon. You prepare well for the 'Champion Cup.'" Johan spoke up.
"Teacher Johan?"
Suddenly hearing Johan's voice, Leon was somewhat surprised.
"Teacher Johan, you've arrived in Galar region?"
"Yeah, I'm at the bottom of 'Master Ball Tier,' so I came to farm some points." Johan joked.
"Farm points? Oh, oh..."
Leon responded belatedly.
"Alright, prepare well."
After hanging up.
"Speaking of which..." Johan and Peony looked at Piers, who was also taking out his phone, showing he'd received new information from the League.
Sure enough.
The "Champion Cup" was about to begin.
Whether as Spikemuth's Gym Leader or as an ordinary trainer, this was an opportunity Piers pursued.
He didn't think he had no chance against Leon.
So.
Piers also had to prepare for the "Champion Cup."
That left only Johan and Peony.
However, Piers didn't immediately leave to prepare. After glancing at the two, he said flatly:
"Some things are already obvious."
Leon wanted to go to the energy plant but was assigned the "Champion Cup" by Rose?
Although there were indeed coincidental factors.
But if you excluded so-called "coincidences," didn't Rose seem somewhat deliberate?
Even if Leon had to prepare for the "Champion Cup," briefly visiting the energy plant wouldn't delay much time.
Regarding Piers' thoughts, Johan and Peony actually agreed.
So now the question was.
How to enter the energy plant? How to confirm if the problem really originated from the energy plant?
"Uh..."
Three figures appeared in Johan's mind as he said: "I might have a way."
"Hm? International Police?" Peony asked.
"No, there are more suitable candidates."
"More suitable candidates?"
Johan smiled without elaborating.
Time to play the trap card "Team Rocket Trio."
Others might have difficulty entering the energy plant under Rose's tight security, but the Team Rocket trio probably wouldn't have problems.
And not just the Team Rocket trio—International Police Officer Looker could also be deployed.
Since they were preparing to take initiative, Johan naturally made multiple arrangements.
Peony was just the obvious card.
Playing cards.
You needed magic cards, trap cards, and monster cards.
Seeing Johan unwilling to elaborate, Peony didn't ask further.
After all, such matters were quite secretive.
"Why are we doing hard labor here?"
At Galar region's "Galar Mine No. 2," the Team Rocket trio wearing work clothes and safety helmets were "digging" away.
They'd been so comfortable in Alola region before.
When tired, they could sleep. When hungry, they had endless berries and honey. Except for occasionally being bear-hugged by Bewear, life couldn't have been better.
But before enjoying it for long, they were transferred to Galar region for some... dangerous area infrastructure project?
Then they ended up mining here.
"I suddenly miss filming with the crew..." James said with a bitter face.
Even during crew filming, life was more comfortable than here.
"I heard Pichu evolved into Pikachu, and the crew is looking for new actors, meow~" Meowth said with some sadness.
"Evolved?!"
Both Jessie and James showed shocked expressions.
That mischievous yet capable Pichu had actually evolved into Pikachu?
Then both became somewhat sad.
"Does this mean we won't see it anymore?" Jessie murmured.
"Although it was usually mischievous, but..."
Only when truly lost did they realize its value.
"Is the replacement Pichu still a Pichu, meow?"
Meowth actually had the deepest bond with Pichu.
After all, they were the leads, the partners, loving and fighting in the show.
Though usually bullied badly, they had indeed built deep friendship and affection.
"Definitely not the same."
"Now I kind of miss it."
Jessie and James said.
"Speaking of which, where was it sent after evolving?" James suddenly asked.
"I heard it's being sent to Professor Oak's lab, meow?" Meowth wasn't too sure either.
Professor Oak's lab?
Jessie and James exchanged glances.
That was a very "dangerous" place.
But anyway...
"If there's a chance, we must see it again and at least say a proper goodbye!" Jessie said seriously.
"Right, meow!"
"Yeah!"
Both Meowth and James agreed.
Even more.
They had a thought.
If...
given the chance, maybe they could invite it to join them?
Then their trio's "ultimate combat power" would be set.
At this moment, James received a message from Johan and immediately perked up.
"It's a mission from Teacher Johan!"
"A mission from Teacher Johan?!"
Jessie and Meowth also immediately became energetic.
Were these damned mining days finally ending?!
"Infiltration investigation mission..."
Spikemuth, Spikemuth Gym.
"Alright, everything's arranged." Johan put away his phone.
"So what's next..." Peony asked.
"Let's wait a bit, let the bullet fly for a while. If there's time, farm some points."
Let the bullet fly?
Peony didn't quite understand Johan's words, but he understood some things couldn't be rushed.
Coincidentally, Penny had also come with Johan, so he planned to spend two days with his daughter first.
Several people walked out of the office.
Then they saw...
Gengar earnestly singing on stage, with Team Yell members fallen all over the ground.
On stage lay an Obstagoon, while two Toxtricity and Rillaboom had rolled-back eyes and foaming mouths, looking like they were about to collapse.
Johan: "..."
Piers: "..."
Peony looked at Johan, then at Piers, and lowered his head to cough lightly.
"Well..."
Piers: Stare!
"I'm leaving first. I miss Penny. Ha, haha—"
Peony quickly left.
Behind him came Piers' teeth-grinding roar.
"Johan—!!"
Then Johan's roar.
"Gengar—save me—!!"
Night fell.
Galar region, Wyndon.
Wyndon was a city with considerable historical atmosphere, located in the center of the entire Galar region, once the most prosperous city in Galar region.
Looking from afar, one could feel the overwhelming historical weight, especially the towering Wyndon Tower in the city center and the walls surrounding the entire city.
"From this angle, Wyndon really is spectacular." Flint stood with Johan on the "Brave Olivine's" deck, looking down at the entire city from above.
Then Flint became excited.
Such a large city—without thinking, there must be many experts inside, incomparable to that "broken place" Spikemuth.
Time to score big!
"Teacher Johan, there's nowhere to dock in Wyndon. Should we stop outside Wyndon?" Friede said.
"Fine."
Johan nodded while reminding: "But be careful. Outside Wyndon is the 'Wild Area'—the wild Pokémon there are quite strong."
"Understood!"
Their "Brave Olivine" couldn't always dock in cities or safe places—staying in the wild was inevitable.
This would test their "Rising Volt Tacklers Class" abilities.
"I'd say that lake over there looks good. Let's just stop on the lake." Old man Randall, sitting nearby with a fishing rod, fishing in mid-air, suggested.
On the lake, they could avoid most land Pokémon.
"Uh..."
Lake of Outrage?
Johan couldn't help wanting to give Randall a thumbs up.
Wanting to land in the Wild Area was one thing, but directly stopping at "Lake of Outrage"—Johan had to admire them.
His "stress test" was already over, but now they wanted to increase difficulty themselves, which had nothing to do with him.
"You decide for yourselves."
Though with Friede's strength, it would be troublesome at most but wouldn't become uncontrollable.
After landing.
Johan's group entered Wyndon, while Friede and others parked the airship at "Lake of Outrage."
This was destined to be a memorable night.
However.
Just as Johan entered Wyndon, a woman suddenly appeared wearing white robes, high heels, with long golden hair, cold expression, and tall figure.
She came directly before Johan and said:
"Welcome to Wyndon in our Galar region, Teacher Johan. I'm Chairman Rose's secretary, Oleana. Chairman Rose would like to invite you to dinner."
Rose?
Dinner?
Johan looked at the woman before him with a somewhat strange expression:
"Should I bring Pokémon?"
"Hm?"
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Powerstones?
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