Pokemon: Psychic Master

"Articuno?!"

A gasp came from the audience.

"It's really Articuno!"

"The legendary Pokémon, Articuno!"

To have an Articuno appear during the Ice Sculpture Competition was unprecedented in the event's history.

The crowd stood up collectively, gazing at the majestic figure gliding through the air, its movements summoning a light snowfall.

Even the contestants stopped what they were doing to marvel at the sacred silhouette bathed in the golden hues of sunset.

Lorelei's eyes sparkled as she admired the beauty of Articuno.

Nessa, too, watched the legendary Pokémon in awe, feeling her worries dissolve like melting snow.

"Oowu~~"

Vulpix tilted its head upward, its light blue eyes shimmering with wonder.

So beautiful…

"Don't let it distract you," Johan reminded Vulpix.

"It's just Articuno."

The crowd was stunned by his casual tone.

Articuno, after all, is a mythical Pokémon.

But Johan had seen Ho-Oh before—and that was while it carried a camera crew.

Back then, even his Tinkaton nearly brought it down.

Sure, Articuno was a legendary Pokémon, but members of its species weren't exactly unique. The one above them was likely just an ordinary Articuno, not one of the Legendary Trio.

And besides, Johan thought, after seeing the Galarian Birds… this one doesn't even compare to that ridiculous walking chicken.

Vulpix nodded obediently and redirected its focus back to their sculpture.

Johan, however, noticed something unusual. He reached into his pocket and felt the Rainbow Wing. The feather, which usually glimmered with vibrant hues, had grown dim.

"It's just Articuno, not Ho-Oh. What are you getting worked up over?" Johan muttered under his breath, infusing his aura into the feather.

The Rainbow Wing brightened immediately, returning to its resplendent state.

"Caw?"

The Articuno above seemed to notice something. It turned mid-flight and soared back toward the arena.

"It's coming back!"

"Is it looking for something?"

"A feather? Could it be one of its own feathers?"

Articuno surveyed the arena with a swift glance before locking its gaze on Johan and Vulpix.

Under the astonished eyes of the audience, contestants, and judges, a snow-white feather floated gently from the sky, spiraling down to Johan and Vulpix.

"Oowu?"

Vulpix blinked, wrapping its six tails around the feather.

As an Ice-type Pokémon, Vulpix felt an unexpected chill emanating from the feather.

Johan was taken aback. Was this feather drawn here by the Rainbow Wing?

The Articuno's feather wasn't as fussy as the Rainbow Wing—it emitted a faint, soft glow. Its cold energy spread outward, but Vulpix quickly tucked it into the thick fur of its tail, suppressing the chill.

The feather seemed to invigorate Vulpix as it shivered slightly, looking refreshed.

"Caw—!"

Satisfied, Articuno nodded and flapped its wings powerfully, disappearing into the horizon.

The audience erupted into chatter.

"Did Articuno choose them?"

"It's a sign of recognition!"

"That feather must be a blessing from Articuno!"

As the spectators marveled, some began to notice the nearly finished ice sculpture crafted by Johan and Vulpix.

"It's incredible!"

"That looks just like them—it's so lifelike!"

The ice sculpture depicted Johan and his team in stunning detail. Every Pokémon, from Gengar's mischievous pose to Tinkaton's steadfast strength, looked alive. Even the smallest nuances of their personalities were perfectly captured.

"It's like they're real!"

"Articuno must have been admiring this sculpture!"

Johan and Vulpix exchanged glances.

"So, do we still need to pull any strings?" Johan joked.

Well, in a way, they had already pulled a "string"—the Rainbow Wing.

The feather in Johan's pocket seemed to shimmer faintly as if acknowledging the thought.

Vulpix, however, appeared a bit conflicted. It wasn't sure if the attention was truly for their efforts.

Was their hard work being overshadowed by a single feather?

Johan noticed Vulpix's unease. Carefully picking it up, he reassured it, "No, this is just Articuno showing us recognition. The judges won't let a feather sway their judgment."

"Oowu?" Really?

"Of course," Johan smiled.

"This panel includes an Elite Four member. Do you think Articuno's presence would intimidate someone like Siebold?"

Johan added with a smirk, "And there's also Wallace's mentor, Adam. He's no pushover either."

"Besides," Johan said, giving Vulpix a confident look, "have you considered that maybe our sculpture was already the best?"

Vulpix's eyes lit up. It had put in countless hours of practice, sculpting snowmen every day. With its innate talent and dedication, there was no reason to doubt its abilities.

The judges unanimously agreed: Johan and Vulpix's sculpture was the best.

Articuno's appearance may have brought attention, but the artwork's quality was undeniable.

Other contestants had created extraordinary pieces:

Lorelei and her Jynx sculpted a Lapras.Wulfric and his Walrein shaped an Altaria.Nessa and her Pelipper created a Milotic.Candice and her Sneasel depicted an Abomasnow.

However, the complexity and detail of Johan and Vulpix's piece—featuring a Trainer and five Pokémon—set it apart.

Johan and Vulpix were awarded first place, receiving a "Never-Melt Ice" and a large batch of Aspear Berries sponsored by Lysandre Labs.

But for Johan, the trophy was secondary.

The real reward was Vulpix's newfound confidence. The little Pokémon finally realized it wasn't just any Ice-type—it was extraordinary.

Second and third place went to Lorelei and Wulfric, respectively.

Although Nessa didn't make the top three, her experience—from meeting Johan to seeing Articuno—helped her find clarity in her goals.

"Congratulations, Johan. And Vulpix, too," Siebold said as he handed over the prizes.

"Thank you."

"Your sculpture was the most remarkable I've ever seen!" Siebold added warmly.

"Oowu~!"

Vulpix puffed out its chest proudly.

Articuno's appearance turned the Ice Sculpture Competition into a legendary event, becoming a hot topic throughout Snowbelle City and the Kalos region.

Afterward, Johan joined Lysandre for a coffee meeting.

That night, Johan and Lysandre sat in a quiet café. The snow-covered streets of Snowbelle City glistened under the moonlight.

The two exchanged pleasantries but refrained from diving straight into their agendas.

Johan knew Lysandre's ideals well, thanks to his memories of another life. Similarly, Lysandre had researched Johan extensively through Diantha and Sycamore.

After a prolonged silence, Lysandre finally spoke.

"May I call you Johan?"

"Of course," Johan replied.

"What do you think of this world?"

Johan stroked Vulpix's fur as it purred contentedly.

"Beautiful, mysterious, and full of life," he answered.

Lysandre's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Of course," Johan continued, "there are imperfections, too. Things that could be better."

This last remark struck a chord with Lysandre, who leaned forward, his tone more earnest.

"And if I told you there was a way to create a new, pure world—one without flaws?"

"Not an easy feat," Johan replied.

"But if it were possible?"

Johan smiled faintly. "Then why not try?"

This response pleased Lysandre, though Johan knew better.

Lysandre wasn't someone easily swayed by a single conversation.

Still, Johan decided to play along, using the opportunity to subtly steer the discussion.

As they parted ways, Lysandre gifted Johan a TM for Dark Pulse.

Standing outside the café, Johan stared at the TM in his hand, musing aloud, "Maybe Giovanni would be better suited to deal with someone like Lysandre…"

After all, I'm too much of a nice guy for this.

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Powerstones?

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