Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 367: The Hungry Duo (BONUS)

Sinnoh, Sunyshore City.

"Is Gym Leader Volkner renovating the Gym again?"

"This time, it feels even more intense than before..."

"Maybe he's working on some new tech? Feels like it's about to explode—let's get out of here!"

"..."

Outside the Gym, Volkner listened to the constant rumbling from inside and the passing pedestrians' chatter.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Today is... the third day?" Volkner muttered.

Suddenly, he felt impressed—both with himself and with the Gym he had built.

It had managed to last three days under Johan's training.

That's actually... incredible!

Flint patted him on the shoulder in consolation.

"It's fine. Out with the old, in with the new—just take it as completely shedding your past, lazy self."

Volkner gave him a look.

Easy for you to say.

It's not your Gym.

Not that he really cared about the damages.

He hadn't done any Gym battles for so long that all the League's allocated maintenance funds had just been sitting there untouched.

He had plenty to burn.

But he was curious—

What kind of training could cause this much destruction?

So... when Johan battled him, was he holding back?

"By the way, I heard that restaurant is holding another event. Want to check it out?" Flint suggested.

"Seven Stars Restaurant?"

Volkner immediately knew which one he meant.

Seven Stars Restaurant was the most upscale eatery in all of Sinnoh.

Many of the region's wealthiest people dined there.

It was also a famous battle restaurant—but unlike others, it specialized in Double Battles.

Every so often, Seven Stars Restaurant would hold a special event:

Win a Double Battle, and you could eat there for free.

Back before Flint left Sunyshore and Volkner became a Gym Leader, they used to frequent the place for free meals.

It was also where they had first shared their dreams and aspirations.

Flint figured—Volkner needed to reaffirm those aspirations.

And conveniently, the event was happening again.

"What about Johan?"

Volkner glanced toward the Gym as Johan emerged with his Pokémon, seemingly finishing up training for the day.

"He'll come too."

Flint grinned.

"Johan loves food—whether he's cooking it himself or tasting someone else's."

At the same time—

Johan was speaking to Dragonite.

"...That's the gist of it. Next time there's an Earthquake, feel the earth's flow first..."

Giovanni's book The Secrets of the Earth was finally proving useful after Dragonair's evolution.

Dragonite had become the only Pokémon on Johan's team capable of using multiple Ground-type moves.

It was a huge boost to his team's overall coverage.

Plus—

Volkner had built specialized training machines to help his Electric Pokémon resist Ground-type moves.

Perfect for Dragonite's training.

Gotta admit, Volkner's traps and gadgets were very useful for practice.

"Draaa~~"

Dragonite nodded earnestly.

During training, it had already gotten its tail stuck in Volkner's machines five times.

"Johan, want to grab a meal?" Flint called out.

"Ka-kaah!"

At the mention of food, the Pokémon instantly perked up.

"Sure."

Johan had no reason to refuse.

Who turns down food?

But—

"I mean... it's just a meal. Do we really have to bike this far?"

The sun was setting.

Johan, on a bicycle, sighed.

When Flint and Volkner took him along on their bikes, he had felt that something was off.

Why were they leaving the city just for food?

By the time they had been pedaling since noon until dusk, he knew—

He had been scammed.

Besides—

"If the restaurant is that far, why not drive?"

"Cycling is good for your health!" Flint beamed, flashing a thumbs-up.

"Back then, Volkner and I rode our bikes to Seven Stars. We're just reliving our childhood!"

You two are reliving memories—so why am I being dragged along?!

At that moment—

Johan swore to get himself a Rotom Bike.

"Where's Buck?" Johan asked, noticing he wasn't with them.

"Oh, Buck took a car earlier to reserve a table," Volkner said, smiling innocently.

Johan: "..."

You had a car all along?!

Don't think that just because you're smiling like a proper Sinnoh Champion I'll let this go!

Flint, you're on my list.

"We're here!"

Flint pointed at a grand, luxurious building—

Seven Stars Restaurant.

"Exquisite flavors beyond your imagination!"

That was their slogan.

Located by Lake Valor, Seven Stars Restaurant was part of a complex known as Lakefront Hotels.

Unlike Snowpoint's frozen Lake Acuity, Lake Valor had warm, resort-style buildings.

Every year, travelers and Sinnoh locals flocked to dine there.

Especially trainers—

Because a win in a Double Battle meant—

Free food.

Unlike buffets, which still aimed to make a profit, this restaurant's dishes were normally expensive.

But only during special events did battles determine whether you could eat for free.

It was simply the owner's personal hobby.

That meant—

Johan had no moral guilt about unleashing his Pokémon here.

When they arrived, long tables lined the restaurant's outdoor corridors, covered in food.

And—

It looked like a buffet.

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Flint explained,

"These are just appetizers. The restaurant owner prepares them so every participating trainer and Pokémon can be in top condition before their battles."

Pure luxury.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Upon hearing this, a plump, shadowy hand extended from Johan's own shadow—

And swiped an entire table's worth of desserts, plates included.

The only thing left behind was a neatly stacked tower of empty plates.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Came the sound of Gengar munching.

Johan casually picked up a piece of cake and took a bite.

"Leave some for the others, Gengar."

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar's voice echoed from the shadow—it had already saved portions for the rest.

"Amie?"

Volkner suddenly spotted someone at a corner table—

With a mountain of empty plates in front of her.

Long chestnut hair tied into twin braids, a light blue dress—

A girl who looked extremely gentle and elegant.

Olivine Gym Leader Amie.

Her signature Pokémon were an Ampharos named "Lumi" and a massive Steelix.

People called her "The Girl of Impenetrable Defense."

"V-Volkner?"

Amie turned pink, hastily explaining,

"T-These were left by the last diner!"

She mumbled at the pile of plates.

Despite her delicate appearance—

Amie was a legendary big eater.

She was just too shy to admit it.

Johan glanced at her table, then at Gengar's stash.

Hmm.

Probably only Gengar could out-eat her.

Johan did remember her, though—

From the days of HeartGold & SoulSilver, when he spent ages looking for medicine for her Ampharos.

Sailing endlessly.

Battling dozens of Swimmers.

Volkner chuckled and introduced her.

"This is Flint. And this is Johan."

"Johan?"

Amie's eyes sparkled.

"It's an honor to meet you, Johan!"

She wasn't unfamiliar with him.

Partially because of battle livestreams—

But mostly because her best friend Erika constantly talked about him over the phone.

Flint jabbed a thumb at himself.

And me?

"Nice to meet you, Amie," Johan greeted her.

"Amie is the Olivine Gym Leader. She visits Sunyshore often," Volkner added.

"B-Because the lighthouse here reminds me of Olivine's..." Amie quickly emphasized.

Not because of Seven Stars' "Battle-to-Eat-Free" promotion.

If even Amie had come from Johto for this event—

It really showed how famous the restaurant was.

Just as Johan had this thought—

A voice called out from behind him.

"Johan?!"

Turning around, he saw a pink-haired girl in a blue tank top, white pants, barefoot, with a bandage on her nose.

"Maylene?"

Johan recognized her immediately.

Veilstone Gym's Fighting-type Leader—

Another human Machamp.

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Powerstones?

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