Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 498: Roxie: I’m Your Fan!

April 12th, Saturday, clear skies.

"Anyone who didn't know might think this is Lumiose City."

Johan had just arrived in Mauville City and couldn't help but smack his lips in amazement as he looked at the bird's-eye-view ad display on the side of the road.

Mauville wasn't always like this, but under Old Wattson's efforts, it had been remodeled into a circular city reminiscent of Lumiose City in Kalos.

At the city's center stood a tall tower called "Spire Pillar," similar to the Prism Tower of Lumiose, symbolizing the friendship between Kalos's Lumiose and Hoenn's Mauville.

When something goes wrong in Mauville, the Spire Pillar emits a strong beacon alert.

"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"

Gengar shouted excitedly.

Now that they were in Mauville, of course they had to rush to the Gourmet Plaza—its belly couldn't wait.

Hearing the little purple blob's eager cries, Johan gave a helpless smile.

"Let's go, let's go."

He got on his bike and headed toward the Gourmet Plaza.

After Devon Corporation successfully constructed the Verdant Tunnel, travel between Rustboro and Mauville became much easier—no more detours or mountain treks, just straight through the tunnel.

This tunnel also helped stimulate interaction and development between two of Hoenn's major cities, which was the whole reason Johan had pushed for it in the first place.

Fortunately, thanks to Johan's suggestion, the wild Pokémon of the Verdant Mountains were relocated properly.

Possibly because of Roxie's fashion show, Mauville was bustling. Everywhere you looked, people had Pokémon by their side—Dodrio-riding workers, Delibird-carrying mailmen, elderly folks walking Poochyena, a pigtailed girl bouncing along with a Pichu in her arms...

Johan pedaled slowly, taking in the scenery of Mauville.

Though Mauville and Rustboro weren't far apart, they had totally different urban styles.

They arrived at Gengar's dream destination—Mauville Gourmet Street. Posters for Roxie's fashion show were plastered everywhere.

It was obvious that her visit had given the food plaza a big business boost.

But that didn't have much to do with Johan.

After storing his bike inside Gengar's belly, he summoned the crew and dove into food heaven.

"Boss, takoyaki, please!" At a takoyaki stall, Johan glanced at the drooling Gengar and tiptoeing Larvitar. "Ten servings to start."

"You got it!"

The shop owner happily agreed, calling on his Pokémon partner, Octillery, to help.

Octillery? Grilling takoyaki?

Johan looked a little weirded out.

Surely they weren't using... Octillery meat?

His eyes drifted to those plump, red tentacles.

But clearly, Johan was overthinking it.

Octillery was just the perfect helper—those tentacles were like having four extra arms. In no time, the ten orders were ready.

Drizzled with sauce, topped with katsuobushi flakes—the kind that curled and danced the moment they touched the hot takoyaki...

Johan handed them out, then grabbed a tray for himself and dug in with a toothpick.

He had to admit—

Octillery knew how to grill takoyaki. Delicious.

And this was just stop number one on their Gourmet Plaza tour.

"Cha!!"

Tinkaton's eyes were already locked on a cotton candy stand across the street.

Since they were here to feast, Johan wasn't about to start worrying about nutrition. Eat what you want, drink what you want, having fun was the goal.

"Ten sticks of cotton candy."

"Ten village-style sandwiches."

"Ten sweet rice balls."

"Ten Magnemite pancakes."

Magnemite pancakes were actually savory okonomiyaki—made of eggs, water, and flour on an iron griddle, topped with bonito flakes, onions, cabbage, bean sprouts, pork, etc.

They were called "Magnemite pancakes" because the griddle was heated by a shop full of Magnemite.

"Rotom, I think we could replicate this..."

Johan took a bite and was impressed.

"Roto... (PД`q.)·.'゜"

Rotom covered its face in despair.

I'm already working like a dog, and you want me to do more?

Fueled by frustration, Rotom bit down on the pancake.

Mm, tasty~

Before long, Johan and the gang were walking around, eating, holding bags—it was clear they were big spenders.

Delicious, but pricey, Johan thought.

Still, he said nothing.

They were already here—no need to ruin the mood by talking about money.

"I did some research before coming. Mauville's signature dish is its mixed noodles."

Johan alternated between sweet rice balls and salty pancakes, a sweet-and-savory combo that was pure chaos.

Seeing all the little guys glance over, he grinned. "Anyone still got room?"

Shoo shoo shoo—

All the little Pokémon, even while chewing, raised their hands.

Johan sighed tearfully.

Of course. Shouldn't have even asked. His squad could eat an entire city's worth of food.

"Let's go."

They soon arrived at a bustling noodle shop with a huge sign.

It was packed—standing room only. Most customers opted for takeout and ate elsewhere.

"Johan?"

A familiar voice called out.

He turned.

"Glacia?"

There she was, dressed elegantly in noblewoman's attire, wide-brimmed hat shading her face—Glacia of the Elite Four.

Then Johan remembered—she was a frequent visitor to Mauville Gourmet Plaza, and this noodle shop was her favorite.

But—

Wasn't Glacia super busy?

How'd she find time to come get noodles?

"Already ordered? Wanna eat outside?" she offered with a smile.

"Sure."

The staff worked fast, and Johan's ten orders were ready in no time.

They sat at a public table in a quieter corner of the plaza.

The little ones immediately tore in.

Especially Gengar—noodle fanatic. Johan had once lured it in with a single cup of instant ramen.

Slurp slurp slurp.

Johan and Glacia stayed silent, focused on their noodles—it wouldn't taste as good if it got cold.

Soon—

"Whew—" Johan exhaled, sipping some broth.

No wonder this place was so popular. These noodles were incredible.

"Ka-kaah."

Gengar smacked its lips, eyes sparkling at Johan.

Johan knew exactly what it wanted and waved him off with a chuckle.

"Go on, go."

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar immediately led the others back to the noodle shop.

One bowl was never enough.

Meanwhile, Glacia dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Seems like your team loves it."

Johan smiled. "It's tasty, no doubt."

When she finished, he asked, "So, Glacia, what brings you here?"

She sighed, rubbed her temples, and shot him a mock-glare.

"Because of you slackers."

Johan looked embarrassed and didn't respond.

I'm not even Elite Four or League staff—what's this got to do with me? he thought.

"Roxie's fashion show," Glacia said, returning to the topic.

"Huh?" Johan blinked. "That's why?"

The Elite Four were really micromanaging now—even celebrity events?

But Glacia explained, "It's to promote the Youth Masters World Championship."

That clicked.

"You mean... it'll be held in Unova?"

"Yep."

It all made sense now.

Roxie's show wasn't just for fun—it was a promotional event for the championship.

And Glacia's presence here? She probably chose Mauville for the promotion herself—central Hoenn, easy travel from other towns... and probably an excuse to eat noodles.

"You're participating too, right? Didn't you know it's in Unova?" Glacia asked.

Johan scratched his head.

He was joining, but hadn't paid much attention—Drake had signed him up.

His plan was to just show up when the time came.

Unova, huh... Never been there.

Said to be based on America, Unova had lots of parallels—Pokémon Hollywood, Marshal's GI look...

It was far from Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, and Hoenn—but actually closer to Alola.

"The event's in Castelia City," Glacia added.

Castelia? One of the biggest cities in the Pokémon world—full of cultural fusion, and sights not found anywhere else.

They chatted more about the championship.

"Oh, right," Glacia said, "Devon Corporation acquired that ghostly giant submarine."

"Devon? Submarine?"

Johan tensed. That didn't sound good.

Groudon wasn't sleeping in Mt. Chimney. It was probably sealed with Kyogre deep under the sea.

That underwater cavern couldn't be accessed by normal means—it had a powerful seal.

In Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, Team Aqua used Devon's submarine tech to build Abyssal Submarine 1, broke the seal with a drill powered by infinite energy, and awakened Groudon and Kyogre.

Johan sighed.

In the manga, Magma and Aqua used another method. The anime was different too.

No way to fully guard against it.

The real keys were the Red and Blue Orbs.

Whatever—Rayquaza will deal with it, Johan thought.

"You're gonna make a nice profit from this," Glacia said with a smile.

Devon was filthy rich. Since they bought the submarine, Johan was entitled to a cut.

And since Devon was close to the League and contributed so much, the price wasn't high.

Still—better than nothing. At least Johan would get paid.

Getting paid? Good stuff!

"Come on, let's go meet Roxie and Wattson?" Glacia offered.

"Meet Roxie?"

"Sure."

He stood, a bit confused. "Why aren't Gengar and the others back yet?"

They went for noodles, didn't they?

He'd finished chatting and they still weren't—

Uh-oh.

Johan rushed to the noodle shop.

"This Gengar's amazing! Ate that much?"

"Not just Gengar—Dragonite, Urshifu, Larvitar too..."

"Larvitar's the smallest, but eats just as much!"

Johan pushed through the crowd, face pale.

The little ones were buried in a mountain of empty bowls.

Even Ninetales—who usually ate the least—had ten.

A waiter stood guard like a hawk, eyes glued to them to prevent dine-and-dash.

Johan clutched his forehead.

He really wanted to bolt.

Glacia chuckled.

"Miss Glacia..." Johan said under his breath.

"Hm?"

"So, uh... chatting with you distracted me and they... overate. Can this be reimbursed?"

Glacia: "..."

"Ka-kaah."

Gengar gave an awkward—no, ingratiating—smile.

Larvitar hung its head, hiding behind Gengar. To it, Gengar's back looked... heroic.

They ate together, but Gengar took the blame alone. True leadership.

As Gengar would say: as the boss, taking the fall is part of the job!

Johan shot it a glare but didn't say more.

It was just a hundred bowls. What could he even do?

Other than feel the sting in his wallet.

Gengar sighed with relief.

I knew Johan wouldn't scold me—hehe.

Mauville Gym.

A yellow-brown building marked with a giant golden lightning bolt.

"Ha ha ha ha—"

As they entered, they heard a loud, cheerful laugh. "Glacia, Johan, you're here!"

Wattson, an old veteran like Drake, was a powerful senior Trainer.

"Old man."

"Gym Leader Wattson."

They greeted him.

"Johan, you're right here in Rustboro and barely visit. Volkner's always talking about you."

Wattson was the extroverted type—instantly familiar and friendly.

Good thing Johan was used to it, or it'd be overwhelming.

"Next time, for sure," Johan said earnestly.

"Good, good."

Clop clop clop—

Hoofbeats approached.

A tall girl with golden hair and a sleek headset, riding a Zebstrika sidesaddle, appeared.

Roxie, Gym Leader of Virbank, and the star of the show.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar gasped.

A live Roxie!

Roxie heard the voice and looked over. Her eyes lit up when she saw Johan. She nudged Zebstrika to speed up, then hopped off and ran over.

Face slightly flushed, she exclaimed:

"Live—Professor Johan!"

She looked just like a fangirl.

Wait... wasn't that what Gengar did?

"Professor Johan, can I get a picture with you? I'm your fan—no wait, you're my fan... no I'm your fan!"

She sparkled with energy, eyes wide.

"Uh?"

Johan blinked.

Didn't that come out backwards?

Glacia and Wattson exchanged a look—equally confused.

Gengar's eyes spun mischievously. Who knows what it was thinking.

Roxie pulled out a Meowth & Pichu poster. "Can I get your autograph?"

Ah, now Johan understood.

She was a big fan of Meowth & Pichu.

As an Electric-type specialist, loving a cheeky Pichu made sense.

Follow current novℯls on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

"S-sure." Johan signed the poster, thinking, Team Rocket's merch game is strong—reaching even Unova.

That should earn him a good cut this year.

After the signature, Roxie wanted a selfie.

When Johan saw Gengar holding the phone, and Rotom filming on the side, his heart skipped a beat.

"Ka-kaah~ (・∀・)"

"Professor Johan, battle me?"

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Powerstones?

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