Days slipped by, and autumn in Rustboro was becoming refreshingly cool, especially with Haunter and Vulpix in the house—Johan had already dug out his thicker blankets.
[Famous Actress]: I gave your contact info to Lysandre.
Johan read the message on his phone and shook his head.
In the beginning, he'd been reluctant to get involved with someone like Lysandre—the leader of Team Flare, a man with significant resources, and a hidden alliance with the Kalos League. However, after spending time with Giovanni, Johan had come to see things differently.
After all, if he was already collecting "connections" with powerful figures, why stop here?
[Grain in the Field]: Got it. Whenever he's interested, I'm sure he'll reach out.
[Famous Actress]: Thanks for this!
[Grain in the Field]: No problem. Actually, there's something you could help me with too. I've been working on a story idea.
[Famous Actress]: Let's hear it.
[Grain in the Field]: Infernape's Battle on Mount Coronet.txt
[Famous Actress]: ?
[Grain in the Field]: It's an idea I've been toying with. After seeing Haunter binge-watch shows, I thought I'd try my hand at developing it. Maybe you could tell me if it has potential…
[Famous Actress]: I'll check it out, but I might not have a response until tomorrow.
[Grain in the Field]: No problem.
After finishing his conversation with Diantha, Johan leaned back in his chair, stretching.
"Let's see if this can become a profitable side gig."
Johan had toyed with the idea of becoming a "script ghostwriter" before but hadn't pursued it since his need for money wasn't that urgent, and he lacked industry connections. But with Haunter, Vulpix, and Tinkatink's resource needs ever-growing and Diantha as an "insider" he could trust, the idea seemed worth a try.
With the story's draft ready, he figured he might as well give it a shot. If it took off, it could be a good source of income, and if not, he wouldn't lose much. Besides, he had faith in the entertainment standards in this world of Pokémon—so maybe, just maybe, he stood a decent chance.
Just as he was settling down to rest, another message popped up.
[Psychic Girl]: Kadabra evolved!
Attached was a fresh photo of Alakazam, a Psychic-type Pokémon with immense power and an IQ said to reach 5,000.
[Grain in the Field]: Congrats!
Helping Trainers and their Pokémon achieve growth and evolution gave Johan a great sense of accomplishment. This marked the second Pokémon to evolve under his guidance, after Cynthia's Milotic.
[Psychic Girl]: You're impressive! I think you're really skilled, so I'm going to recommend you to my boss!
Johan chuckled, shaking his head.
Even after their brief exchanges, Johan could tell she was a headstrong girl with a slight rebellious streak. He made a mental note, tagging her in his mind as a "troublemaker."
The boss? Bigger than Giovanni? Johan doubted that. But it had to be said—this "Psychic Girl" had some impressive knowledge of Psychic-type Pokémon. Her notes on psychic techniques were instrumental in helping Vulpix gradually control its newfound psychic abilities.
After some thought, Johan replied with another question.
[Grain in the Field]: If I wanted to help my Pokémon strengthen its psychic powers, what would you recommend?
Her reply was prompt.
[Psychic Girl]: Meditation, obviously. (Isn't that common knowledge.jpg)
[Grain in the Field]: But what if the Pokémon can't learn the Meditation move?
Johan remembered that Vulpix couldn't learn "Meditate." It could, however, once it evolved into Ninetales.
[Psychic Girl]: Are you kidding? What kind of Psychic Pokémon can't use Meditation?! That's like a Dragon-type Pokémon not knowing Dragon Dance! (Surprised.jpg)
A bit harsh, Johan thought.
[Grain in the Field]: Uh, I meant non-Psychic Pokémon.
[Psychic Girl]: Oh, why didn't you say so earlier?
After a short pause, another message arrived.
[Psychic Girl]: Meditation isn't just a move; it's a state of mind. Anyone can meditate—even ordinary people and Pokémon. But, for most dummies, it's not worth the effort.
Ouch. That last bit stung a bit.
[Grain in the Field]: So…you don't actually know?
[Psychic Girl]: Ha! Just wait and see!
It hadn't taken long, but Johan felt he'd already cracked the "right way" to converse with her.
Soon, "Psychic Girl" sent him a document titled "Seventy-Two Methods of Meditation".
[Psychic Girl]: And if you want your Pokémon to develop quickly, you'll want some high-quality "Psychic Seeds."
Psychic Seeds!
These items were typically paired with "Psychic Terrain," boosting the holder's Special Defense. According to "Psychic Girl's" guide, using Psychic Seeds during meditation could amplify the effects.
But these weren't cheap! Unlike berries, which had widely available cultivation methods, few knew how to grow Psychic Seeds. From what Johan knew, Psychic Seeds ranged from $100 to $1,000 apiece—depending on quality.
What's worse, they were single-use items.
Johan sighed.
"If only I could just print Alliance dollars…"
He paused, rubbing his temples. "…or maybe, once the weather clears, I could make a quick stop at the Alliance Bank," he joked darkly.
Johan quickly shook off the thought, giving himself a mental slap.
"What am I thinking? Being around these 'outlaw' types has even got me thinking like one!"
[Psychic Girl]: By the way, I found something else while flipping through my files, figured you probably wouldn't understand it. Here, you can have it—no need to thank me! (Sunglasses.jpg)
With that, she went offline.
Johan guessed she'd probably gone back to challenging that "thing" she'd mentioned before.
Seeing her second document file made him perk up.
"Thirty-Six Essentials of Dream Manipulation"
Was she trying to compete with Steven for "biggest source of gifts"?
Bathroom.
Oowu!!
Vulpix jumped around in the bathroom, huffing out a stream of cold breath and freezing the shower head in place. Johan, grabbing Vulpix by the scruff, promptly ended its little tantrum.
All things considered, Vulpix was well-behaved in most aspects—except when it came to baths. It absolutely detested them. Every bath felt like a battle.
Fortunately, Johan had long mastered the art of handling it. No matter how much the little guy squirmed, it couldn't escape his grip.
He glanced over at Haunter and Tinkatink.
Ka-kah! Haunter's body was covered in soap bubbles, most of it submerged as it hummed an off-key tune. Meanwhile, Tinkatink was perched on the tub's edge, scrubbing Haunter's back with its hammer.
Then, Tinkatink accidentally slipped into the bath.
Plop!
With limbs flailing, it paddled desperately to stay afloat.
"See, Tinkatink's learned how to swim," Johan chuckled.
Oowu… Vulpix muttered.
But Tinkatink… doesn't know how to swim.
Ka-kah! Σ(дlll)
Johan: "!!"
A few frantic splashes later, Haunter managed to scoop the waterlogged Tinkatink out of the tub.
Oowu!
Vulpix and Haunter burst into unrestrained laughter as Tinkatink, fully drenched, expelled a blast of water that splashed right onto Vulpix.
Oowu… (▼皿▼)
Ka-kah— Haunter laughed harder, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Without another word, Johan stepped into the tub, Vulpix in his arms.
"Now, no more freezing the bathwater this time!" he warned.
The last time, Vulpix had accidentally unleashed a chill that froze the whole tub solid, locking Johan, Haunter, and Tinkatink in place for a full thirty minutes before they could break free.
Oowu…
Its fur soaked and its spirit deflated, Vulpix looked up with an expression that said, "I'm doomed…"
"Tomorrow's that big Trainer test you guys keep bugging me about. No baths, no battles!"
Ka-kah? Haunter gave him a puzzled look.
What's a bath got to do with battles?
"Washes away the bad luck! That way, all your negative moves will hit at double the rate!" Johan replied confidently.
Ka-kah? Haunter eyed him skeptically.
Superstitious, much?
It then submerged its head in the water, blowing bubbles in the shape of ripples.
Plop!
Excited by the idea, Tinkatink's eyes sparkled, and it jumped back into the tub, causing Johan to scoop it up again.
"What do you need negative effects for when you've
got that hammer?" he asked. To Johan, Tinkatink's raw strength alone could take on most opponents—no need for all Haunter's tricks.
Chu?
The small Pokémon blinked, raising both arms to point with its fingers, which began to glow faintly as it waved them in little circles.
Johan's eyebrows shot up.
Was that…Metronome?
Since when?
As if answering his question, Tinkatink proudly mimicked the voice of a certain Lucario from days earlier.
Luca!
Cynthia's Lucario?
No way.
A Fighting/Steel type trying to learn Metronome from a Fairy/Steel type…?
The light on Tinkatink's fingers intensified, and—
Tinkatink used Skill Swap!
It suddenly felt lighter, and nearby, Haunter's eyes gleamed with excitement.
With a devilish grin, Haunter shot up out of the water, yelling,
Ka-kah!!
"Now it's my time to shine!"
Johan's eyes went wide. This was bad.
"Vulpix! Use Confusion!"
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Powerstones?
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