"All done."
Professor Oak, in an uncharacteristically pensive mood, finished uploading the data on the massive Dragonite from Johan's Pokédex into his computer.
He tilted his head, gazing out the window at a forty-five-degree angle, his eyes brimming with nostalgia, regret, and sorrow.
"Ka-kah…"
Gengar stood nearby, pressing its fingers together in a gesture of apology.
It genuinely believed that its "Fearsome Technique" had been too effective, scaring the old professor into a depressive state.
However, Blue was equally puzzled.
What's going on with Grandpa?
He turned to Johan for answers, as the latter was the only one who seemed unfazed.
Sighing softly, Johan patted Blue on the shoulder.
"That's an old story. Better for kids like you not to ask."
Someday, when Blue inevitably crossed paths with Agatha and got inexplicably walloped by her, he'd probably understand.
Blue nodded hesitantly, unsure if he truly understood.
Wait!
"But, Johan, sir, aren't you a generation younger than my grandfather?"
After some time, Professor Oak seemed to shake off his melancholy. He slapped his cheeks lightly and took a deep breath.
"Oh ho ho! A Dragonite of such enormous size—truly a rare sight!"
Johan and Blue exchanged a glance.
He's back?
"It was your Gengar that captured the footage, wasn't it? Splendid work!"
Professor Oak's kindly smile returned as he patted Gengar on the head.
Johan and Blue instinctively took a step back.
Well, he's back… but not completely.
"Ka… Ka-kah…"
Even Gengar, usually fearless, floated to Johan's side, hiding behind him.
This old man is giving me weird vibes… like he's sizing me up.
Johan twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth.
"Fine, hide if you want," he said.
Gengar nodded vigorously and sank into Johan's shadow.
Once Gengar was gone, Professor Oak slowly regained his composure, focusing his attention back on the research material.
"Do you think the massive Dragonite could be connected to the Dynamax phenomenon in Galar?"
Finally, back to normal.
Johan and Blue both let out a sigh of relief.
Hearing the mention of "Dynamax," Johan's eyes flashed with thought.
Indeed… there might be a connection between the giant Dragonite and Galar's Dynamax energy.
In theory, Dynamax was limited to the Galar region due to Eternatus' energy field. But as with most things, there could be exceptions.
Who knew if, thousands of years ago, some stray fragment of Eternatus' power had leaked beyond Galar?
Johan shook his head, amused at the thought. Dynamax being exclusive to Galar was just a temporary notion anyway.
Someday, there might well be an "Energy Transmission Device" to spread Dynamax globally.
After all, when Mega Evolution was first discovered, Professor Sycamore also said it could only occur in Kalos.
And once, Professor Oak himself claimed there were only 151 Pokémon. How many were there now?
By Johan's count, more than a thousand.
As fascinating as the origins of the giant Dragonite were, Johan found himself more intrigued by the idea of seeing Mega Evolution vs. Dynamax vs. Terastallization in action.
Now that would be a sight.
'Hmm… Am I forgetting something?'
"Hello? Magnolia, it's me, Oak! I've just sent you some data on a massive Dragonite. Let me know if it's of any help."
While Johan's thoughts wandered, Professor Oak was already on the phone with Professor Magnolia, Galar's leading authority on Dynamax and one of the developers of the Dynamax Band.
Boom!
A sudden explosion echoed through the backyard.
Startled, the lab researchers paused, but after a brief moment of surprise, they returned to work with practiced indifference.
"Ah, it's that time again."
"Those troublemakers just can't stay put…"
"I wonder how long it'll take them to adapt."
Muttering complaints, the researchers resumed their tasks.
"Magnolia, something's come up on my end. We'll talk later." Oak quickly hung up, dashing toward the backyard.
Blue, unfazed, followed at a relaxed pace. Clearly, this was routine.
Johan, curious, trailed after them.
In the backyard, a crowd of Pokémon had gathered, radiating hostility.
Surrounded by their accusatory stares were three Kabutops, their triangular heads gleaming under the sunlight and scythe-like arms raised in a defensive posture.
"Kabutops?"
Ancient Pokémon with the dual Rock/Water typing, Kabutops were thought to have gone extinct, existing now only through fossil revival.
"Johan, sir, you recognize them?" Blue asked in surprise.
After all, Kabutops were incredibly rare, and most people never encountered one in their lives.
"What are they…" Johan trailed off, narrowing his eyes at the scene.
The Kabutops stood back-to-back, emanating a low, guttural hum.
"…Hunting?" Johan guessed.
In ancient times, Kabutops were apex predators. Their fierce disposition was legendary.
Blue sighed.
"Reviving them wasn't easy, but clearly, they're struggling to adapt to the modern environment. Situations like this happen often."
"Roar!!"
A massive Ursaring, its eyes tinged red with rage, bellowed and charged forward.
"Ka-bu!"
"Kabu-kabu!"
The Kabutops responded with sharp cries, their voices resonating like some ancient chant.
"…Wait," Johan's expression grew peculiar.
"Ka-kah?"
Gengar peeked out of Johan's shadow, curious.
Based on Gengar's "translation," the Kabutops and Ursaring's argument went something like this:
Ursaring: "I was just washing my feet by the lake!"
Kabutops: "Where's the ocean?"
Ursaring: "Are you trying to steal my honey?!"
Kabutops: "We just want directions!"
Ursaring:
Kabutops:
Listening to the nonsensical exchange, Johan's suspicions solidified.
These two sides didn't even understand each other!
Revived ancient Pokémon didn't share a common language with modern Pokémon.
Was this some kind of Pokémon-version of The Duel at the Forbidden City? Except instead of a duel, it was a brawl.
The Kabutops, however, didn't seem intimidated; if anything, they looked thrilled.
"Hahaha—friends, why don't we all just calm down?"
Professor Oak waded into the crowd with a cheerful laugh.
'Without Ash's Bulbasaur to mediate things, this place is bound to be chaotic…' Johan thought wryly.
"Roar!!"
The enraged Ursaring snarled at Oak, swinging its massive paw at him.
Whack!
Once again, Professor Oak was sent flying in a graceful arc.
Johan: "…"
Seriously, doesn't this man have Pokémon of his own?
"Kabu!"
A Kabutops' blade-like arm began glowing with a torrent of water energy.
"Roar!!"
The Ursaring opened its maw, energy gathering rapidly within.
Blue's face paled.
"This is bad!"
Johan gave him a side-eye.
Your reactions are always a beat too late, aren't they?
Whoosh…
Delicate snowflakes began to fall, drifting lazily from the sky.
Snow?
The gathered Pokémon froze in confusion.
"Oowu~"
A lilting, ethereal hum resonated through the air. Gentle yet commanding, it softened the hostility in an instant.
"Ka-kah!!"
To some Pokémon, however, the sound became a bone-chilling laugh—the ominous cackle of Gengar.
The ringleaders, the Ursaring and Kabutops, trembled visibly. Yet, to the Kabutops' surprise, they could understand Gengar's speech.
Cradling Vulpix in his arms, Johan strolled leisurely into the crowd. His warm smile and quiet words seemed to diffuse the tension as Vulpix, its eyes glowing faintly with psychic energy, shaped the falling snowflakes into intricate, soothing patterns.
One by one, the Pokémon fell into a peaceful slumber.
The first toppled over, followed by another, and another—like dominos, until all were fast asleep.
Blue helped Oak to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief at the scene.
Oak's gaze was deep as he observed Johan and his Pokémon.
The humming Vulpix, the mischievous Gengar, the vigilant Tinkatuff with its hammer, the curious Dratini…
He chuckled softly.
"What incredible synergy. Did you see it, Blue?"
"Huh?"
Blue blinked in confusion.
Someday, he'd understand.
Oak continued, "He instinctively read each Pokémon's likes, fears, and emotions. His coordination with his own team is flawless."
Blue finally noticed that the sleeping Pokémon wore expressions of contentment—except, of course, for the troublemakers.
His heart pounded with awe.
How was this possible?
Oak, sensing his thoughts, smiled and said softly:
"That, my boy, is the work of a Mind Whisperer."
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Powerstones?
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