Chapter 400 - Social Etiquette and the Feather of the New Moon
I'm done!
Darkrai felt miserable.
If it continued to "play" any longer, it wasn't just going to lose here—it might even get kicked out of the Darkrai lineage altogether.
With a resentful glance at Johan, Darkrai turned to leave.
"Wait a second," Johan suddenly called out.
"What now?" Darkrai tensed up.
"I'm giving you a box of Pokéblocks." Johan tossed a box into the air. "Consider it an apology."
Darkrai didn't deliberately drag people into nightmares—it was simply its way of gathering energy, part of its "training."
Since it only did this once a year, it was already holding back a lot.
So, giving it some Pokéblocks was a way to make up for it.
Darkrai instinctively caught the box and scoffed.
"Wow, I'm so grateful for this junk."
Johan smiled faintly.
For a wild Pokémon that had never tasted Pokéblocks before, these top-tier ones were quite the temptation.
Don't worry, I didn't put anything weird in them.
"If you like them, how about we—"
"Farewell!"
Darkrai cupped its hands together in a mock gesture of respect, then sank rapidly into the shadows.
As the last wisps of white mist and half of its head remained visible, its voice rang out again:
"Hmph! If you ever want revenge, come find me anytime—I live on Fullmoon Island!"
Cresselia: ???
Revenge?
Revenge for what?
Johan opened his mouth, speechless.
He was just about to ask Darkrai if it wanted to star in a movie. He had written a script for Nightmare Realm and thought Darkrai would be perfect for the role.
He was trying to build a good relationship with it using Pokéblocks...
And it just ran off?
As Darkrai completely disappeared from view, Johan noticed Marshadow in the background, clutching a small stick in its hands and gritting its teeth.
"Marsha! (▼皿▼#)"
That guy just stole my food!
"Oh well, you can run, but you can't hide forever."
First, he needed to finish his tasks and compete in the tournament—then he'd think about his new movie.
His gaze then shifted to Cresselia.
Cresselia shuddered slightly, and a gentle yet nervous telepathic voice echoed in Johan's mind.
[It lives on Newmoon Island.]
"I know," Johan nodded with a smile.
[No, really, it lives on Newmoon Island.]
"I really know."
Johan sighed.
Although Cresselia was the New Moon Pokémon, it actually lived on Fullmoon Island. It was said to only appear on new moons, but since Darkrai often showed up during full moons, Cresselia actually appeared then as well.
Seeing that Johan was certain, Cresselia quietly sighed in relief.
The last thing it wanted was to be minding its own business on Fullmoon Island, only to get dragged into another nightmare.
It had seen what Gengar was capable of.
[Thank you...]
Cresselia finally expressed its gratitude sincerely.
After all, Johan and his team had helped drive Darkrai away, saving it a lot of energy.
[As a token of appreciation...]
A soft, shimmering feather floated from Cresselia's body, landing gently in Johan's hands.
A Feather of the New Moon!
...Another feather?
Johan's mouth twitched. "Thanks, I guess."
Still, it was a "legendary" resource, so its value was undeniable.
[I have imbued this feather with the 'Power of the New Moon.' Use it wisely. I believe you and your... Pokémon will bring peaceful dreams to many.]
As it spoke, Cresselia's gaze swept past Gengar before settling on Ninetales.
At least one of them seemed normal.
"We will," Johan nodded sincerely.
Even without Cresselia saying it, that was already something they strived to do.
That pure, genuine Aura of his made Cresselia's respect for him grow a little more.
[Then I shall take my leave.]
"Would you like a parting gift?" Seeing that Cresselia was about to leave, Johan pulled out another box of Pokéblocks.
Cresselia initially wanted to refuse—it wasn't the type to do good deeds for rewards. Otherwise, it wouldn't silently dispel nightmares every time Darkrai appeared.
But then it remembered the look on Darkrai's face when it opened its box...
[Much appreciated.]
Raising its crescent-shaped head, Cresselia let out a soft hum as it ascended into the night sky, leaving behind a brilliant trail of starlight.
These scattered lights drifted over Canalave City, dispelling every lingering shadow of nightmares.
At the same time, the box in Johan's hand was enveloped in psychic energy and vanished in an instant.
"Ka-kaah?"
They're all gone?
Gengar scratched its head.
Not a single fight? That was two whole boxes of Pokéblocks down the drain...
Johan chuckled. "Understanding the way the world works is a kind of knowledge. Social etiquette is an art. And among Pokémon, the same rules apply."
The little ones all looked confused.
Why did he suddenly start speaking so profoundly?
Johan sighed and simplified his words:
"When they accept our gifts, they'll owe us a favor. Next time we need something, they won't be able to refuse. Like, say, teaching Ninetales a new move or ability."
Ohhh~~
Now they got it.
"At the very least, the next time we meet, they'll show us some respect."
"Goka~~"
Charcadet had learned something today.
So respect isn't just earned through strength—it can also be traded through favors.
Got it.
"Well, do you like it?" Johan held up the Feather of the New Moon for Ninetales.
This thing was perfect for it.
[Feather of the New Moon: A feather that glows like moonlight. Said to possess the power to dispel nightmares. (Blessed by the Guardian of Dreams, the New Moon's Gift)]
It wasn't bad.
At the very least, it would enhance Ninetales' Hypnosis and might even boost its psychic abilities.
"Oowoo~ o(〃'▽'〃)o"
It was clear—Ninetales was pleased.
"It does look nice." Johan tied the feather to a string and hung it around Ninetales' neck.
Surprisingly, the soft green hue of the Feather of the New Moon actually suited it well.
A bit of green never hurts.
"Oowoo~"
Ninetales lifted its head proudly, showing off its new accessory to the others.
"At least it's real."
In the anime, Team Rocket once forged a "Feather of the New Moon."
According to Meowth, it was actually just a Pidgey feather, bent slightly and coated with glow-in-the-dark green paint.
It looked exactly like the real thing—so much so that even Officer Jenny couldn't tell the difference.
But now that Johan had that thought in his head...
He couldn't unsee it.
Case closed.
Cresselia is just a Pidgey evolution.
Shaking his head, he pushed the ridiculous thought aside.
Tonight had brought another gain—
Ninetales had learned Moonblast!
With Moonblast as a single-target move, Dazzling Gleam as an AoE attack, and Misty Terrain as a team-wide buff, Ninetales now had the holy trinity of Fairy-type moves.
Time to slay some dragons.
That was the biggest win for Johan.
After all, it had learned the move for free!
No TMs, no expensive Fairy-type resources—
Free things are the best.
"Oowoo~"
Ninetales yawned, looking pitifully at Johan.
Tired...
The Feather of the New Moon was already doing its job?
"Alright, bedtime." Johan gestured.
The little ones all filed inside.
But halfway through, Johan stopped, narrowing his eyes.
"Gengar."
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar tilted its head.
Johan's lips curled into a very sinister smile as he whispered something in Gengar's ear.
Moments later—
"WHAT THE HELL?! HOW DOES GARCHOMP KNOW DRAGON DANCE?! S-STAY BACK!!"
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
Lying in bed, hugging Ninetales, Johan smiled in satisfaction.
Revenge is a dish best served immediately.
The next morning at Wake's restaurant, Flint sat at the dining table with dark circles under his eyes, tearing apart a piece of bread lifelessly.
"You're up early, Flint."
Wake, feeling refreshed and in a good mood, finally "remembered" his presence.
Flint looked around, then lowered his voice and asked, "Wake... do you think Garchomp can actually learn Dragon Dance?"
Wake gave him a strange look.
"Why don't you ask Cynthia's Garchomp and find out?"
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