I was given the idea of releasing bonus weekly so from now on every week, Sunday 11 AM EST, I will release 5 bonus chapters after the 2 official chapters are released.
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Three million dollars or even a million-a-month salary really amounts to nothing when you're supporting three Pokémon.
Just buying a "Power Band" for Tinkatink set him back 800,000. Fortunately, the band finally managed to tame Tinkatink's exaggerated strength, so he could at least expect no further unplanned "renovations" in the house—for now.
As the "Berry Mixer" hummed quietly, a fresh batch of Pokéblocks was completed.
The batch used premium berries of higher quality and variety, with recipes and techniques Johan picked up from Wallace's guidance.
The moment the Pokéblocks were ready, their rich aroma wafted through the entire room.
"Chu!"
Smelling the enticing aroma, Tinkatink immediately moved forward to take a bite, only to be held back by Vulpix.
Even the usually greedy Haunter kept its distance.
Tinkatink blinked, puzzled.
"Chu?"
Ka-kah! Haunter cautioned.
Little did Tinkatink know that every time Johan made new Pokéblocks…
"And what's with those looks?" Johan demanded.
Wasn't trust the foundation of any Pokémon and Trainer relationship?
Ka-kah! Haunter said with a deadpan expression.
You first.
"Since when do Trainers taste-test Pokéblocks?" Johan said, rolling his eyes.
Ka-kah.
Don't you always swipe our snacks?
Oowu! Chu!
Vulpix and Tinkatink nodded their heads in unison.
Johan's eye twitched.
Finally, under the watchful gaze of the three Pokémon, Johan picked up a translucent Pokéblock.
After a brief hesitation, he popped it into his mouth.
As the Pokéblock broke apart, a sweet and tangy flavor bloomed across his taste buds. He could feel a pleasant warmth spread from his stomach, filling him with a refreshed sense of energy.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Under the three's scrutinizing stares, Johan murmured, "It appears I do have the potential to become… a true Pokémon nutritionist."
Haunter and the others instantly realized—this batch of Pokéblocks was actually delicious!
With a collective cheer, the three little Pokémon pounced.
Haunter, Vulpix, Tinkatink: (`ヮ´)
Just as Johan arrived at the counseling office door, keys in hand, he ran into Professor Cozmo.
"Professor Cozmo? Long time no see! Off digging up rocks again?" Johan asked, surprised.
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen Cozmo in over a month. Although the academy didn't keep a close watch on their elective professors, skipping classes for a month without being fired was quite impressive.
Cozmo waved a tired hand. "I was called to Mossdeep Space Center for some research. Notified the academy."
The Mossdeep Space Center—the largest astronomical facility in Hoenn, and the same place that first tracked Rayquaza. Originally under Greater Mauville Holdings, the center was later acquired by the Devon Corporation after the former went under.
"Back just in time for midterms?" Johan chuckled.
"Can't avoid it," Cozmo replied with a wry smile, ruffling his untidy hair. He looked exhausted. "I pulled an all-nighter to finish the test papers—haven't slept yet."
Johan gave him an impressed thumbs-up. "Don't let me hold you up. Go get some rest. I'll lock the door and cover for you if anyone's looking."
Cozmo waved him off, about to head to his office, when Johan stopped him.
"Wait a minute."
"Hmm?"
At Cozmo's questioning look, Johan hesitated briefly before saying, "Professor, there's something I haven't told you yet. Do you remember that time you were getting hypnosis therapy in my office…?"
He explained how the Gastly living inside that mysterious stone had ended up with him. Initially, Johan hadn't told Cozmo the whole story, as he'd suspected someone might be targeting the stone, which would've put Cozmo in danger.
But now that it seemed the danger had passed, there was nothing left to hide.
Before Johan could finish, Cozmo raised his hand, laughing.
"Ah, I was wondering what you'd say. But by your account, Gastly has probably been in that stone for centuries. That stone was its home long before I came across it—I'm the one who was the 'thief,' after all."
"Well, it just felt right to let you know…" Johan said, scratching his head.
Cozmo clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm really just a researcher who's curious about the stories behind these strange stones. Once the mystery's been solved, their purpose to me is fulfilled."
He wasn't like Steven, who loved to collect all kinds of stones. Cozmo was simply passionate about uncovering and studying them.
"Just one request: If Gastly ever remembers any of its past, share its stories with me, if you can."
With that, Cozmo returned to his office, hung an "Out" sign on the door, and locked it behind him.
Johan smiled to himself.
"Mossdeep Space Center…" he mused.
Could it be that they've discovered a giant meteorite? That would be a huge deal.
"Then again, don't those usually appear after Steven becomes Champion?"
The current Steven wouldn't stand a chance against Rayquaza and Kyogre fighting back-to-back.
So, it probably wasn't about the giant meteorite after all.
Back in the counseling room.
Midterms were in progress, but Johan wasn't scheduled to proctor any exams, so he enjoyed the peaceful morning, made himself some coffee, and let his three Pokémon play around the room.
He opened his computer and logged into the League's official website.
The latest headline was an explosive one:
"Breaking! Ice Queen Lorelei 'Single-Handedly Defeats' New Investigator, Dragon Tamer Lance!"
Pffft!
Johan nearly choked on his coffee.
Curious, he clicked the article.
It was indeed about Lorelei and Lance's battle, but the paparazzi had only managed to film the opening moments before Lorelei noticed and froze the camera solid.
So, the "defeat" was mostly a clickbait exaggeration.
"Gotta love this world's creative journalism," Johan muttered, chuckling.
He'd thought earlier that Pokémon's marketing industry lacked imagination, but now he was starting to reconsider.
And then he noticed another article rapidly climbing in popularity.
"Cynthia Spotted in Hoenn's Lilycove City with a Mystery Man! Photographic Evidence!"
???
Curious, Johan opened the link, only to find a photo of him and Cynthia on the boat to the Eternal Tree.
However…
Not only did Cynthia's face not show, but Johan himself only appeared as the faintest of outlines—barely even a silhouette.
The star of the shot, taking up most of the frame, was Haunter, flashing a peace sign with a mischievous grin.
Johan: …
The comments were hilarious.
"Whoa! Trying to scare us, are ya?"
"Starts with a pic, but the rest's all fiction. 'Photographic evidence' my foot!"
"What?! Cynthia has a boyfriend? There goes my youth… Oh, it's a ghost story. Never mind."
"I can confirm—I was the guy sitting across from her!"
"…uh…"
Most were skeptical, turning the post into a free-for-all of jokes and satire.
But because of the catchy headline, it quickly became the day's top story, surpassing even Lorelei's "defeat" of Lance.
The photographer, however, seemed undeterred, doubling down in the comments.
"I swear on Rayquaza that this is real! And he's actually pretty good-looking…"
"Alright then," Johan muttered, amused.
He gave the post a like, tossed in a few coins, and followed the page.
At some point, Haunter appeared over Johan's shoulder, snickering.
Ka-kah! Pretty dashing, huh?
"Why didn't you tell me about the photo?" Johan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ka-kah? Haunter blinked.
It's just me in the picture. What's it got to do with you?
Huh. He had a point.
After scrolling further, Johan found another curious comment.
"So, not to be nosy, but I also saw them in Rustboro. I even snapped a pic, only…"
The comment had photos attached.
And once again… every shot featured Haunter, peace sign raised.
Johan was momentarily stunned.
He turned to Haunter.
Who was rubbing his chin, frowning at the pictures.
Ka-kah! Not great. This one's okay. That one, though… hmm.
Quietly, Johan raised his phone and took a picture of Vulpix, who was curled up on the couch.
Click!
But when he looked at the image, he saw…
Haunter, flashing the peace sign yet again.
Ka-kah! This one turned out well!
Johan took a few more random photos around the office, and every single shot contained Haunter, front and center.
Ka-kah? Putting together a gallery for me? Hang on—let me put on my best look.
Johan: …
What is this, some innate power called "Always the Main Character?"
Where does he get such intense "camera presence" from?
Did Haunter think he was Giratina?
Looking over at the framed photo on his desk of him, Cynthia,
and their Pokémon at the Eternal Tree, Johan felt somewhat reassured. That picture, at least, was perfectly normal.
After the day's exams, Johan submitted an application for the Trainer Instructor's evaluation at the Academy—a request that, at his Pokémon's constant nudging, he finally couldn't resist.
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Powerstones?
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