[Assist Power]: Base power 20. The move's power increases based on the Pokémon's stat boosts (up to a maximum of 840)!
With three uses of Minimize, Chansey's evasion rate had already skyrocketed. Combined with the Sword Dance boost it had stolen from Rhyhorn and three uses of Calm Mind...
The sheer power of this Assist Power exceeded not only Nurse Joy's expectations but also Flint's wildest imagination.
Watching Joy's excitement, Johan couldn't help but wonder...
Have I opened Pandora's box again?
Does every healer secretly have the heart of a damage dealer?
...Well, it didn't really matter.
After all, how could adorable Nurse Joys ever be at fault?
Not every Joy could be like the prosecutor Joy who had a Latias at her command.
"Cheeky Rock Slide" wasn't some top-tier strategy. Its brilliance lay in its simplicity, making it perfect for Joy, who wasn't accustomed to battles.
Didn't Flint look reluctant to approach her after the match?
Compared to the resource-heavy Perish Song Stall Team, Rock Slide Chansey was far more accessible.
And if Joy paired Chansey with an Audino—one hurling poison, the other slinging Rock Slide, both constantly Switching while healing and tanking hits...
Joy could absolutely dominate doubles matches.
Audino could even Mega Evolve.
"Truly... filthy."
Johan sighed.
"But hey, it's not like I'm the one using it."
That evening, Johan and Flint stayed the night at the Pokémon Center near Viridian Forest.
Little did Johan know...
The Cheeky Rock Slide strategy he had demonstrated left Joys across the Pokémon world tossing and turning in their sleep.
And they weren't the only ones losing sleep.
The wild Pokémon of Viridian Forest were also having a rough night.
"Ka-kah~~!"
Their King of Terror had arrived!
Aboard a Plane to Hoenn.
Johan reviewed the pilot episode of Meowth and Pichu.
To his surprise, the production team had moved quickly.
Of course, the episode wasn't ready for release yet—the editing was still rough. The early version had been sent to Johan for feedback.
Even so, Johan had to admit...
"Truly a masterclass in typecasting."
Especially Jessie.
The way she captured anger—despite the scene only showing her lower body—was spot on.
"Ka-kah~~"
Gengar, munching on two poison fangs it had swiped, laughed uproariously.
Vulpix rolled across Johan's lap, giggling uncontrollably.
Tinkatuff and Dragonair were also laughing their heads off.
Their reactions confirmed it—the show had a promising start.
Johan sent Matori a message.
He told her it was good to go, and they could begin preparations for the release.
While there were a few deviations from his original script, Johan had to admit that some impromptu elements from Meowth and Pichu brought unexpected brilliance to the show.
After watching the episode, Johan also realized...
This was the Pokémon world. Not everything needed to follow his original concepts—unique, Pokémon-specific elements could make the show even better.
"Ah-choo!"
Gengar suddenly sneezed.
"Caught a cold?" Johan asked.
"Ka-kah, ka-kah~~" Gengar rubbed its nose and waved dismissively.
Probably just someone thinking about me, it mused.
Who could it be?
Team Rocket?
The electronic pet?
Or... Giant Gengar?
Who cared?
The important thing was, I'm still this popular!
Gengar donned its sunglasses and laughed triumphantly.
Watching Gengar's smug antics, Johan couldn't resist saying:
"Gengar."
"Ka-kah?"
"When I was a kid, I thought sneezes meant someone was thinking about me. But later, I realized... it's just my older self."
Johan sighed dramatically, his tone laced with nostalgia.
"Ka-kah?"
Gengar scratched its head, struggling to grasp Johan's words.
But as it pondered them, the gears in its mind began to turn...
And then it hit.
"Ka-kah..."
This... is so depressing.
Seeing Gengar's defeated expression, Johan chuckled.
"Ah-choo!"
Johan sneezed.
"Ka-kah?"
Ears drooping, Gengar gave him a sorrowful look.
Is your future self thinking of you too?
Rubbing his nose, Johan smirked.
"Wonder which girl is thinking about me this time?"
"Ka-kah!" Gengar tilted its head.
Didn't you just say—
But Johan interrupted with a grin.
"Dummy, I was talking about when I was a kid."
Gengar blinked, the realization dawning.
You sly dog.
As it processed the ruse, Gengar let out a menacing laugh and lunged at Johan.
"Wait, Gengar! I was joking—no, not the drool! This is a new shirt—!"
Rocket Base, Viridian City.
"Boss."
Matori approached Giovanni, her expression unusual.
"Yes?"
She handed over a tablet displaying research data.
"After some analysis, the researchers discovered..."
Matori took a deep breath before continuing:
"They believe Johan's conversations with Mewtwo could be compiled into data... capable of evolving Porygon."
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Taking the tablet, he skimmed through the findings.
The comparison of Porygon and Porygon2's capabilities was striking.
Most notably, Porygon2 exhibited signs of self-awareness, independent learning, and improvement.
"Giving an AI the ability to think for itself?"
Matori nodded stiffly.
To be honest, she'd found it hard to believe at first. But the data didn't lie.
Previously, Porygon had been regarded as a soulless machine, following predetermined instructions.
But now, Porygon2 was showing signs of independent thought?
Turning a soulless machine into something with feelings?
"So this is the power of a Pokémon psychologist," Giovanni mused, setting the tablet aside.
Matori pursed her lips.
"I believe it's not just any Pokémon psychologist—only Johan could achieve this."
Giovanni nodded in agreement.
"Is the name 'Porygon2' his creation?"
"Yes."
"And the researchers suspect... Johan might be able to evolve Porygon2 further?"
Matori hesitated before nodding again.
Giovanni chuckled.
"Do you think Johan is aware of this?"
"Probably not."
"Then let's keep it that way."
Giovanni opened a drawer and retrieved a customized USB drive.
"Send this to him as a token of appreciation."
"What is it?" Matori asked, curious.
Giovanni smirked.
"Secrets of the Earth."
Sunday. Rustboro City, Hoenn.
The rain from the previous night had cleared.
Johan stood by the window of his café, letting the crisp morning air fill the room.
The faint scent of rain mixed with greenery, refreshing his senses.
Sunlight streamed in, warming the bed where Vulpix stretched luxuriously before curling back up, licking its paws.
Noticing Johan's gaze, Vulpix smiled sweetly, its six tails swaying as its ears twitched.
"Oowu~ ()..°"
It yawned, clearly still sleepy.
Johan chuckled.
Sometimes he wondered—was Vulpix more feline or canine?
"Vulpix, let me teach you a morning stretch," Johan said suddenly.
"Oowu?" The little fox tilted its head.
Johan folded his blanket neatly and placed Vulpix on top.
"Follow my lead. Head up!"
"Oowu~" Vulpix raised its head, stiffening its limbs.
"Head down!"
"Oowu..." It flopped onto the blanket, looking exhausted.
"Already tired?" Johan laughed, scooping it up and pressing his face into its soft belly.
"Oowu~ Oowu~~"
Who needed stretches when cuddling was so much better?
Originally, Johan had planned to head straight to Kalos, where Professor Cozmo awaited his assistance.
However, a message from Professor Martin reminded him that term finals were approaching, and teachers needed to prepare.
Though Johan felt his presence at the meeting wasn't crucial, he figured he'd already shirked his duties enough lately.
It was only fair to attend before heading to Kalos.
"Chu~"
On the balcony, Tinkatuff let out a call as a familiar Delibird approached.
It carried a package, undoubtedly another delivery from Giovanni.
"Ka-kah?"
From the ceiling, Gengar yawned, accidentally falling through the floorboards and landing on the bed.
By the time Johan returned, Gengar had already plugged in the USB drive, wearing an unusually serious expression.
"What's in it?" Johan asked, curious.
The screen displayed the words: Secrets of the Earth.
Johan: "..."
Sure, Giovanni's Secrets of the Earth was a renowned move...
But...
I don't even have a Ground-type Pokémon.
Gengar didn't even know a single Ground-type move—what was it so serious about?
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Powerstones?
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