Pokémon: Above the Top-Chapter 237: Planning for the Future Ace

"Didn't expect there to be a Pokémon Center even in Sand Arc Forest. Not having to sleep in a tent feels amazing!"

Mark lay on the comfortable large bed, letting out a groan as Sato and Joseph walked in behind him

Sato went straight to the living room, ignoring Mark's not-so-subtle attempt to claim the big bed.

The Pokémon Center in Sand Arc Forest wasn't very large, but due to the overwhelming number of Trainers arriving to catch Pokémon recently, the shortage of rooms had become a real issue.

Even after pulling some strings with Nurse Joy, Sato had only managed to secure a single luxury suite normally reserved for internal staff.

Living room, dining room, kitchen, studio, gym, and a rest room for Pokémon... it had everything, except it only came with one large bed.

Sato stepped into the living room and saw that the couch was big enough anyway. He didn't like sleeping next to anyone else, so he simply gave the bed to Mark and Joseph.

"Why would you assume I want to sleep next to Mark?" Joseph said "calmly".

Mark clutched his chest, feeling deeply rejected.

"Then I'll take the studio," Sato said after thinking about it. Getting Nurse Joy to bring an extra bed shouldn't be too hard.

Once the three of them settled in, they each started doing their own thing.

For a Breeder, there was always something to do if you wanted to be busy. Recently, Joseph had acquired a handwritten journal from Madame Kaori, and he'd been immersed in studying it ever since.

Sato noticed a report from the Joy family confirming two new Mega Evolutions: Absol and Banette.

Thinking of the two unknown Mega Stones he still had in hand, Sato called Lilian Joy directly.

Mark sat on the big bed, watching both Joseph and Sato busying themselves. Suddenly, he felt a wave of emptiness and boredom.

"I'm going out for a walk. Don't take my bed while I'm gone!" Mark shouted loudly.

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"..."

No one responded.

Mark pouted, tossed his backpack onto the bed to claim his spot, and headed out on his own.

In the studio, Sato was already connected on a call with Lilian.

"I saw the reports, you guys confirmed Absol can Mega Evolve now, right?" Sato cut straight to the point, skipping any greetings.

But Lilian was used to that. She nodded and said, "I know what you're going to ask. The Mega Stone you have isn't for Absol. There aren't many Dark-types left either. Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

The Mega Stone Lilian was referring to was actually the first one he ever got... the one that had never been successfully identified.

Sato could sense Dark-type energy from it, which is why he assumed it was compatible with Dark-type Pokémon.

But judging from what Lilian just said, she had likely already tested it with nearly every Dark-type Pokémon.

Back at Mt. Pyre, Sato had even let Sableye try to resonate with the stone but it hadn't reacted at all.

There were only a handful of Dark-type Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, and if it wasn't Absol either, then Sato could finally be sure which Pokémon the stone was meant for.

Gyarados!

After Mega Evolution, it became Water/Dark-type, which was why Sato could sense the Dark-type energy, but Dark-type Pokémon themselves couldn't resonate with it.

"Alright, I'll take it slow then. Oh, and by the way, the Mimicry Space really is amazing. Pupitar's strength has improved a lot. Thanks."

Sato didn't linger on the topic and smoothly shifted the conversation to Pupitar.

"Of course! It's basically powered by money, after all," Lilian proudly praised her family's product.

Regardless of the decisions made by the upper ranks of the Joy family, people like Haruka and Lilian -those who actually had ties with Sato- were still making a clear effort to maintain their relationship with him.

After all, it was undeniable that Sato was remarkably talented. The Joy family might not give him a Mega Stone, but they still wanted to find other ways to make up for it.

And the fact that Sato was still the one making the call made Lilian happy... but she still responded carefully each time, with a subtle undertone of trying to please him.

"By the way, if I want to get Tyranitar's Mega Stone, what price would I have to pay?"

Sato spoke bluntly, catching Lilian off guard.

Ever since she learned that the family had officially announced Tyranitar's Mega Evolution, she knew it was only a matter of time before Sato would bring it up.

"I... I'm not sure..."

"Can you ask Haruka for me? I know Tyranitar's Mega Stone is valuable, but if possible, I'd like to buy it."

"Buy... buy it?"

"Yeah. Or I can trade something of equal value. Other Mega Stones, or some useful intel."

"Al... alright, I'll help you."

Lilian lowered her head, unable to meet Sato's gaze.

According to the verbal agreement between Sato and Haruka, the Joy family was supposed to give him the Mega Evolution Stones for Houndoom, Gengar, Sharpedo, and Pupitar for free.

But verbal agreements were still just that, verbal. Even Haruka hadn't anticipated that Sato would have so many Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.

So from the time Gengar's Mega Stone was discovered until now, there hadn't been any contact from Haruka Joy. It wasn't hard to guess that part of the reason was guilt.

Now, Sato was saying it plainly: 'I know your family didn't honor the agreement, and I'm not in a position to argue. I'll accept it. But now I want to purchase the Mega Stone that should've been mine. Name your price.'

Awkward, to say the least.

Lilian quickly hung up the call. Sato stared at the darkened screen in silence for a moment, then chuckled lightly.

Technically, asking to buy Tyranitar's Mega Stone was a bit of a slap in the face to the Joy family.

But Sato had no choice. Respect isn't handed to you, you have to earn it. If all you do is retreat and tolerate, people will just think you're easy to push around.

Since the Joy family higher-ups were willing to ignore his agreement with Haruka for profit, they probably wouldn't risk severing ties with him completely either.

Still, you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. After sorting out everything involving the Joy family, Sato picked up the phone again and called Lance.

"Sato! I've got good news. We just discovered another new Mega Evolution! Know Camerupt from the Hoenn Region?"

"Oh? Is this its Mega Stone?" Sato replied casually, pulling out the other unidentified Mega Stone he had on hand.

"Hey, that looks like it! Let me take a closer look." Lance leaned in, examining the stone seriously before nodding. "Yep, no doubt... that's Camerupt's Mega Stone... I gotta say, Sato, how do you keep finding these so fast? Your luck's kinda unfair!" Lance said with exaggerated envy.

"I've been raising a mascot lately, so my luck's been better," Sato replied, cracking a rare joke.

"Pichu, huh? It is pretty cute."

"Pichu?"

The drowsy Pichu resting on Sato's shoulder heard its name and blinked open its eyes. When it saw the handsome red-haired guy on the screen, it got shy and quickly burrowed into Sato's collar.

"Lance, I actually called to ask for your help with something," Sato said, gently stroking the bashful Pichu as his tone turned serious.

"What is it? Just say the word!" Lance straightened up a bit, dropping the banter.

"I want to find a Tyranitar Mega Stone for Pupitar in advance..."