Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World

Misty had received a pile of useful items, while Ash stood to the side, looking on longingly with wide eyes full of envy.

"This is for you."

Hikaru didn't hesitate. Though he didn't have Pikachu's exclusive item—the Light Ball—he did have alternatives that were just as effective.

"I know exactly what you're after. Take these: canned electric supplements. They'll boost the base Speed stat of your Electric-type Pokémon."

"And this here—'Black Powder.' I can't reveal its source, but it helps Electric- and Dragon-type Pokémon grow stronger and enhances the power of their moves! Just have them carry it with them."

Besides these, the Electric Amplifier was another solid tool. Hikaru tossed Ash a compact device that looked like a square power bank, but inside, it was empty—devoid of any Electric-type energy.

"You'll need to charge it yourself. Train with it alongside the matching amplifier module, and it can trigger a burst state in your Electric-types—pushing them past their own limits!"

"Push past their limits?"

"Yeah. But you'll need a proper training regimen. Still, if you've passed the Mt. Tensei trial, your bond with Pikachu must be unbreakable. In that case, train in your own way."

"Believe in your Pokémon, and believe in yourself. Here—consider this a gift from me." Hikaru handed over a new Courage Charm. Ash couldn't help but glance back toward Molly, who was still chatting with Delia.

Courage Charm…

Ash gripped it tightly.

He wouldn't lose his courage. He was going to win the Johto League for sure!

"Thank you, Mr. Hikaru!"

"No need to thank me. Go chase your dreams. Oh, and take that Charcoal from Charizard too. If there's any gear you need before the League, feel free to contact me. Just follow my shop via your PokéDevice. I'll likely be out traveling during the tournament, but crafting tools is easy. I'll ask some Pokémon friends to deliver them to you."

Of course, keeping Ash's pocket money in mind, Hikaru advised him to choose items based on real battle needs—or consider "equipment rentals."

In passing, Hikaru also asked Ash for details about the trial he went through.

The events from the movie had grown hazy, but hearing it directly from "the victim" helped paint a clearer picture.

Ash had encountered a boy and girl named Soji and Makoto during the chase for Entei. The three briefly traveled together, and there was also a guy named Cross—rude, arrogant, and obsessed with power. Cross once made Ash lose all passion for battling.

That trial ended in disaster. Cross's dark heart corrupted the Rainbow Wing. Not only did Ho-Oh never appear, but its messenger, Marshadow, showed up instead—to "correct" everything—by killing them all.

"Marshadow controlled a bunch of Pokémon… and I think I… died?" Ash scratched his head, unsure. But one way or another, he had reunited with Pikachu, the Rainbow Wing returned to normal, and maybe it was Ho-Oh's power that brought him back to life.

When the flowers bloomed atop the Rainbow Rock, Ho-Oh appeared and battled Ash in a test of courage.

Well, Ash dying wasn't exactly new—he died once when fighting Mewtwo too.

Now, physically speaking, not only did Ash have the Super Rookie constitution… but at this point, he was pretty much on the same level as the Legendary Beasts. After all, he was resurrected by Ho-Oh. Becoming a minor god wasn't too far off.

"Thanks. That info really helps. The Pokémon on Mt. Tensei gather at the summit to seek Ho-Oh's power. Marshadow controls them to attack… it's definitely not safe."

"But I don't have the Rainbow Wing, so the shadow proctor probably won't come after me."

Anyway… Hikaru muttered to himself.

He wasn't a chosen one!

Still, Marshadow's typing was a perfect counter to Doublade… If the trial started, things would definitely be tough. But if it came to a real fight… my Muk would do just fine! Let Marshadow see how Hisui trainers battle!

As for Brock, of course Hikaru hadn't forgotten him. Brock's items were the easiest to provide—Hard Stone and Metal Coat!

The Hard Stone used by the Hisuian Typhlosion earlier had been forgotten. Perfect—Hikaru could sell it to Brock. The Metal Coat, meanwhile, would let Brock's ace Onix evolve early into Steelix!

"Speaking of rocks, I've got some great stuff here."

"Yeah, yeah… huh?!" Brock suddenly remembered something. "Mr. Hikaru, do you know the Hoenn Champion, Steven?"

"What, did he meet you?"

"Well, it was actually my father. Last month, there was a fossil research conference at the Pewter Museum. I couldn't attend, so my dad went in my place. He said he met Steven, who mentioned he was on his way to visit a professional with deep knowledge about Rock-types."

"Could it be…?"

"Expert is a bit much—Steven's far more well-versed in geology than I am." Hikaru shook his head, but he didn't deny that Steven was referring to him. Brock immediately straightened up with respect!

As a Rock-type Gym Leader, Brock used to spend his time digging around Mt. Moon for stones—just like Steven. He was also a hobbyist geologist. Now, he was working toward his dream of becoming a Pokémon Breeder.

In the games, Brock's title is "The Rock-Solid Pokémon Trainer."

Of course, that's a bit different from his anime counterpart. In-game Brock is more serious and stoic—a full-on tough guy. Still, he has a hidden trait: when he starts laughing, he can't stop. Compared to the anime's Brock, he lacks some of that gentler side.

Brock also had a secret Pickup ability. He once claimed, "I often find discarded items while hiking through the mountains. Leaving them lying around could affect Pokémon, so I pick them up."

"This is for you too." Hikaru sold Brock a highly valuable TM—one that was a godsend for Steel-types!

"Body Press? I've never heard of that move."

Brock frowned, confused. But after Hikaru explained when and how to use Body Press, Brock couldn't keep his poker face.

Use Defense instead of Attack? The higher the Defense, the stronger the damage?!

With that move, Steelix would be unbeatable!

Oh, and he still had a Forretress—Bug/Steel and noble!

The move was pricey, sure, but for his Steel-type team, it was absolutely worth it.

"It's powerful, sure—but you still need to land the hit. If you miss, it's useless. But if you master it and weave it into your attack strategy, you can crush your opponents when they least expect it. Works even better when used with Iron Defense!"

WOOOOO–

A car horn blared from outside the Snowdon Mansion. Professor Oak, Officer Jenny, and a group of research assistants had rushed over as soon as the crystallization incident ended!

With the chaos finally over, everyone inside the house stepped out, gazing at the fully risen morning sun and the vibrant, lush greenery around them.

"This… this is what a true green field looks like."

Molly looked up at the sky. The clouds had formed the shape of Entei, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"…Thank you," the child whispered softly. A heartfelt thank you to her "father."

With everything settled, another sunny, beautiful day had begun!

And now… Professor Oak would take the stage.

Crowds of stunned onlookers, reporters, and investigators began to gather—eager to uncover what had just happened. The reporters especially wanted a scoop.

But Hikaru quietly slipped back into the house, retracing his steps toward the tower of the Snowdon Mansion.

It was the way back.

Halfway up, he heard voices from the tower.

"There are cops everywhere below…"

"Even if we wanted to leave, we couldn't."

"Sonna-nonsense!"

The Team Rocket trio were huddled at the topmost window, peering down at the gathering crowd below, sighing in defeat.

"But no matter what…"

"This world has lost one lonely girl… but gained one lonely woman—Jessie!"

"And a young man still wrestling with loneliness… James!"

"The moon is forever alone, nya!"

"Look! The wind blows across this green field!"

"Even if we're alone… we're still partners!"

"This… feels kinda… beautiful."

"Sorry to interrupt your poetry." Hikaru's voice suddenly rang out from below. "With talent like that, you should publish a book. It might even sell well."

Team Rocket trio froze.

Ah! It was that strange guy—the one who controlled Entei and suddenly popped up out of nowhere!

"I just want to ask you a few things." Hikaru looked up at them. Though they had fought side by side earlier, the trio still seemed nervous around this mysterious man.

"Wh-what do you want?" Jessie eyed him cautiously. James grabbed a Poké Ball, but quickly muttered, "We'd never win… no point in fighting…"

Hikaru thought for a moment.

There was no way these three would spill the beans about "green tech" if asked directly. So… he'd need a little trick. After all, while Team Rocket may be loveable and charming, they were still villains. A bit of coercion wasn't out of line.

Time to use—

"Recognize this?"

Hikaru held up a card.

It had a blood-red 'R' printed on it!

A Team Rocket HQ access card! Functionally identical to the in-game "Lift Key!"

"T-that's… the special elevator card from HQ!"

Jessie and James, former elites, instantly recognized the craftsmanship. They were convinced—this was the real deal. The elevator card that led to Giovanni's room!

"Y-you're one of Team Rocket's executives?!"

What a twist! They never expected this mysterious man… to be one of them!?

Could he be a new recruit, handpicked by Giovanni himself during his training travels?!

"Ahem. No need to be so direct," Hikaru said, clearing his throat and putting on a stern demeanor.

The lighting in the tower was poor—Hikaru angled himself just right, casting half his face in shadow, exuding that classic villain pressure.

He activated the ability Pressure.

The trio could feel the weight!

"This may be our first meeting, but your performance… wasn't too bad."

"O-of course! We didn't do much though!" they stammered, groveling in sync—but then huddled up, whispering among themselves.

Jessie looked skeptical. "Do you really think he's an exec?"

James seemed unsure. "Didn't the boss stop recruiting after leaving HQ?"

Meowth sighed. "We've been chasing that twerp forever—we don't know anything about HQ, nya."

"But!" they all said at once—

"That is the elevator card."

"And that pressure is real. He looked all heroic before—but now he really seems like a villain!"

"Like a true bad guy, nya!"

Ahem! Hikaru deliberately cleared his throat, interrupting their chatter. "Sounds like you need to verify my identity?"

Not like they had any way to do that, of course.

"Team Rocket is everywhere… don't tell me you've forgotten Giovanni?" Hikaru said cryptically, adding more made-up "lore" to his persona.

Besides, in the original timeline, the trio rarely saw Giovanni in person. Most of the time, it was his secretary that contacted them. And even when he appeared, it was usually in Meowth's fantasies.

In this timeline, Giovanni had followed the game plot—defeated by Red and Ethan, he went off on a solo training journey. Even Mewtwo didn't know where he was now. The remaining Rockets were clueless too.

A man with no fixed location… made for the perfect scapegoat.

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]

[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]

[Thank You For Your Support!]