The soft orange glow of the ceiling lamp spread over the wooden round table, making the array of delectable dishes look even more tempting.
"Raise your glasses!" Johan lifted his cup high.
"Ka-kah!"
"Oowu!"
"Chu!"
"Driii!"
The four Pokémon also raised their glasses—well, sort of. Gengar and Tinkatuff used their hands, while Vulpix and Dratini used their tails.
"To celebrate our new home, let's down this MooMoo Milk!"
Clink!
Five glasses clinked together, their collision ringing through the room.
Then came the familiar glug-glug-glug sound as the creamy white liquid streamed into mouths, spilling a little down their sides.
"Ahh!"
With a synchronized sigh, they set down their glasses.
"Looks like the MooMoo Milk is out; we'll switch to berry juice next," Johan said.
The four Pokémon had been drinking through the MooMoo Milk at an alarming rate, especially Gengar since its evolution. If Johan let Gengar have its way, it could easily gulp down two or three crates in one sitting.
"Gengar, top them off!" Johan called out enthusiastically.
"Ka-kah~~"
Grinning wide, Gengar grabbed a batch of berries from their stock and began preparing fresh juice using the blender.
Johan's gaze swept across the table to his Pokémon.
"There's so much I could say…"
He smiled softly.
"…But it all boils down to one thing: For our friends. For our family!"
The four Pokémon cheered in unison.
"For our family!"
After a busy day of hosting the university exchange and moving house, Johan's Pokémon didn't seem to be the least bit reserved about their new home. In fact, they were more comfortable than ever.
When Johan finished his phone call with Cynthia out on the balcony and came back inside, he found his Pokémon gathered in front of the new 50-inch TV, binging a show together.
Without hesitation, he joined them.
After about thirty minutes of watching, Johan succumbed to the day's exhaustion.
He scooped up the yawning Vulpix and carried it to bed.
Meanwhile, Gengar, Tinkatuff, and Dratini stayed behind to clean up the mess they'd made during their TV session.
"Gengar, lights off!" Johan called out sleepily.
"Ka-kah!"
Click!
The new house plunged into darkness.
"Figures," Johan mumbled. "Only you could turn off the lights this thoroughly…"
Soon, he drifted into a deep sleep.
In the darkness, Gengar's eyes suddenly snapped open.
"Chu!"
Tinkatuff sat up straight in bed.
Dratini, bundled in a soft blanket, groggily rubbed its head against the fabric before reluctantly getting up.
"Oowu?"
Vulpix, still snug in bed, rubbed its eyes and let out a tiny yawn, a crystalline tear glinting at the corner of its eye.
"Ka-kah~~"
Gengar gestured for it to stay put, pressing a hand downward in reassurance.
Vulpix understood its "task" perfectly: Stay in bed to keep Johan company.
With a nod, it snuggled back into the blanket, resting its head on Johan's arm.
Once Johan was fast asleep, Gengar cackled and motioned to its companions.
"Operation Go Time!"
It floated out the window effortlessly, Tinkatuff following close behind.
Dratini, slightly confused but unwilling to be left behind, slithered after them—only to trip on the window frame, creating a bit of a ruckus.
Johan stirred but didn't wake, prompting the Pokémon to sigh in relief.
Under Gengar's experienced guidance, the trio made their way to a nearby clearing.
"Driii?"
Dratini tilted its head, unsure of Gengar's intentions.
Even Tinkatuff seemed puzzled.
Gengar didn't respond, flashing a sly grin as it pulled something out of its mouth.
It was a bottle of Erika's "Sweet Scent" Perfume!
Pop!
As the cap came off, the alluring fragrance wafted through the air.
A light breeze spread the scent further, carrying it deep into the night.
Both Tinkatuff and Dratini were momentarily entranced by the sweet aroma before Gengar snapped them out of it with a playful smack on their heads.
"Chu!"
Tinkatuff stared at the bottle eagerly.
"Driii…"
Dratini, too, looked at it longingly.
Gengar chuckled darkly.
But soon, their expressions turned serious.
With the scent spreading, it wasn't long before their "guests" arrived.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed as crimson eyes pierced the shadows—one pair, then two, then three…
A pack of Mightyena and Poochyena appeared.
They were followed by a Meowth leading a group of Alolan Meowth, a Muk, Golbat, and Raticate.
But the most menacing figure was a Krookodile striding forward.
Its body exuded an air of authority, with swirling sand around its feet, its dark red scales accentuated by jet-black stripes, and a pair of sunglasses perched atop its snout.
The arrival of the Krookodile immediately subdued the other Pokémon, their prior aggression dissipating as they deferred to the newcomer.
Gengar squinted as if realizing it had forgotten something.
Ah, right. I should've worn sunglasses too!
Then, its gaze fell on Krookodile's shades.
"Ka-kah?"
Are you the boss here?
Krookodile's gaze swept the area, searching for the source of the alluring scent before locking onto Gengar and its companions.
"Snap!"
It bared its fangs.
Newcomers, huh? Paid your protection fee yet?
Krookodile adjusted its shades, though it made no difference in visibility.
Gengar blinked in confusion.
"Ka-kah?"
You can see with those on?
Krookodile grumbled.
At first, it's a bit hard, but you get used to it.
Halfway through its explanation, Krookodile realized something wasn't right.
"Snap!"
Its tone shifted, barking a threat at Gengar and its team.
Gengar responded with a feral grin, raising a hand as dark energy coalesced around it.
"Ka-kah!"
From now on, this territory is under the protection of the Johan Family!
Krookodile froze for a moment.
What? Are you trying to take over?!
Unbeknownst to the opposing Pokémon, Gengar had picked up this habit from Gabite and Garchomp during their trip to Mt. Coronet.
Strong Pokémon should protect their territory, Garchomp had said.
The area around Mt. Coronet? That was Garchomp's domain.
And now, Gengar intended to claim this territory for itself.
"Snap—"
Krookodile's growl was cut off mid-roar as Tinkatuff's hammer, frosted over with ice, slammed into its face, sending it flying.
"Chu!"
Tinkatuff dashed forward, snatching its hammer mid-bounce with an excited gleam in its eyes.
"Chuu!"
That's MY opponent!
Chaos erupted as Pokémon clashed.
Dratini, initially confused, soon realized what was happening.
Was this… territorial conquest?
Surrounded by several opposing Pokémon, Dratini let out a determined cry.
"Driii."
They struck first. Don't blame me for this!
It unleashed a devastating Hydro Pump, sending a torrent of water crashing through the crowd.
That night, the clearing echoed with the sound of howls, growls, and crashes.
Friday Morning.
Johan woke from yet another bizarre dream.
This time, he'd dreamt he was a Leafeon, with Erika and her flower-arranging colleagues adorning him with floral designs.
"Another weird dream… What's next, turning into a Wailord?"
Stretching, he glanced around.
"Wait, where are the little ones?"
A sinking feeling hit him as he climbed out of bed, only to find…
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar grinned wickedly as it emitted a burst of white light.
At the same time, Vulpix mirrored the glow before their energies seemed to swap.
"Oowu…."
Vulpix let out a low whimper.
Johan froze in the doorway.
Were they… practicing "Pain Split" at full health?!
"...Seriously?"
Though their training methods baffled him, Johan couldn't deny their creativity.
At least they weren't causing trouble.
Relaxing slightly, Johan headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.
As he brewed, he made a mental note:
Vulpix has fully absorbed the Ice Stone. And now it's mastered "Pain Split."
Time to start gathering new resources again…
Sighing, he opened his phone to place an order for some affordable TMs.
"Maybe I should ask Lorelei for advice…"
He still hadn't been able to find a TM for "Aurora Veil."
The sound of a car engine outside caught his attention.
Moments later, Steven strolled in with a grin.
"Morning, Professor. Does this make me your first customer?"
Johan laughed.
"Sure does! I'll even give you a half-price discount."
As Johan prepared Steven's coffee, he couldn't help but marvel at his new life.
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Powerstones?
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