Pokemon: Psychic Master

Crash!

A shaky, pink Jeep finally skidded to a stop, colliding with the roadside guardrail.

Amid the gasps and murmurs of nearby onlookers, a young woman with curled orange ponytails, stylish glasses perched on her forehead, and a chic brown coat staggered out of the car. Her makeup was impeccable, but her movements betrayed a hint of clumsiness.

"Jo...Johan-sensei!" she called out, heading straight for him.

"Sonia?" Johan blinked, slightly surprised.

The girl stopped, pointing to herself as her green eyes widened. "Wait, Johan-sensei knows me?"

"Leon showed me your picture," Johan replied casually.

At that, Sonia's pale cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink. "I-I see..."

Leon had her picture on his phone?

"What brings you here?" Johan asked, steering the conversation away from her embarrassment.

Snapping back to reality, Sonia explained, "Leon said this was your first visit to Galar and that you might not be familiar with the region. So he mentioned it to my grandmother, and she sent me to greet you."

"Oh, my grandmother is Professor Magnolia."

Why go through Magnolia instead of a direct call?

Clearing her throat, Sonia continued, "Please, Johan-sensei, hop in!"

Hop in?

Johan glanced at the battered Jeep, which looked ready to fall apart at any moment. Memories of Sonia's infamous driving skills resurfaced.

In Galar, two names were infamous for their travel mishaps.

The first was Leon, who couldn't find his way out of a Pokémon Center.

The second was Sonia, the "road menace" who was blissfully unaware of her lackluster driving.

These two childhood friends—partners-in-chaos—were a perfect match.

Johan shook his head, contemplating a fitting duo nickname for them.

"Maybe I should drive?" Johan suggested tentatively.

"Huh?" Sonia tilted her head.

Johan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I mean, as a first-time visitor, driving myself might help me get a better feel for Galar's culture."

A reasonable excuse.

Sonia hesitated but eventually handed over the keys. "Alright."

She stepped aside, carrying a Yamper in her arms as she climbed into the passenger seat.

Yamper was one of Sonia's key partners, an adorable Electric-type with boundless energy.

Relieved, Johan cradled his Vulpix as he slid into the driver's seat.

"Super cute!" Sonia gushed, spotting the icy Vulpix.

Her cartoonish enthusiasm lit up her emerald eyes like stars as she reached over to gently tug Vulpix's fluffy ears.

"Au...Oowu?"

The little Vulpix turned to Johan for help, but its soft, pleading gaze only charmed Sonia further.

Even Yamper wasn't immune. It hopped down from Sonia's lap and darted toward Vulpix, tail wagging furiously as it panted with excitement.

"Au-Oowu~"

The Vulpix shyly greeted its admirers.

With that, Yamper was utterly smitten.

Sparks of electricity crackled around its wagging tail as it eagerly tried to strike up a conversation.

"Yamper?" (Hungry?)

"Oowu~~" (Not really.)

Before the conversation could continue, Gengar suddenly emerged from the shadows in the back seat. Its long, crimson tongue lolled out menacingly as it loomed over Yamper.

"Ka-kah!" (I'm thirsty!)

Startled, Yamper froze, eyes wide as its legs stiffened. With a dramatic thud, it collapsed in fright, limbs twitching.

"Yamper!" Sonia cried, rushing to her Pokémon's side.

Johan pinched the bridge of his nose as Yamper lay limp, drooling foam.

Gengar scratched its head in confusion.

"Too scary?"

Thankfully, Vulpix blew a soft puff of icy air at Yamper, bringing it back to its senses. Johan wasted no time apologizing profusely to Sonia and her companion.

"You're quite the skilled driver, Johan-sensei," Sonia remarked as they set off.

That wasn't true—Johan's driving was cautious and slow, the kind one might expect from a grandparent.

It only highlighted just how terrifying Sonia's driving must be.

"Where to?" Johan asked.

"Um, well, let me check..." Sonia opened the glove compartment and pulled out a map, which she studied intently.

Johan glanced over, immediately spotting the issue.

"You're holding it upside down."

"Huh? Oh!"

No wonder Leon and Sonia were childhood friends.

"Here, let me handle it." Johan took out his Pokédex and activated its GPS.

"A Pokédex?" Sonia raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, a gift from Professor Oak," Johan explained.

Although he rarely used it, its navigation features proved handy.

Their ultimate destination was the Isle of Armor, but Johan decided to make a brief stop at Wyndon's largest shopping mall.

"You can't visit empty-handed," Johan reasoned.

"Full Restores, Antidotes, Paralyze Heals, Max Potions... Gengar, don't grab too many—50 of each should do."

"What? They don't have enough stock? Fine, just give me what's available."

With their shopping complete, Sonia led Johan to Galar's Flying Taxi headquarters.

The Flying Taxi service, operated primarily by Corviknight, could take trainers almost anywhere in Galar.

Through Sonia's connections, they secured a seasoned pilot—a man bundled in a thick coat with goggles and a woolen hat.

"Is this the young man I'm picking up?" the pilot asked, smiling warmly.

He was one of the few people who knew the Isle of Armor's location—a trusted friend of Mustard's.

"Yes, please take care of him," Sonia replied, bowing politely.

"No problem."

The pilot excused himself to check on his Corviknight.

"Johan-sensei," Sonia suddenly said, her voice hesitant.

Johan turned to her, curious.

After a moment's pause, she blurted out, "I want to study in Hoenn!"

"Hoenn?" Johan blinked.

Sonia nodded. "Kabu told me so much about it—I'm really curious!"

Kabu, Galar's Motostoke Gym Leader, hailed from Hoenn.

"Plus... I want to study under you, Johan-sensei!"

Johan was taken aback.

Sonia, determined to grow stronger, wanted a fresh start. Hoenn seemed like the perfect place.

"Your grandmother doesn't mind?" Johan asked.

"She's fully supportive!" Sonia exclaimed.

"Well, then, you're always welcome in Hoenn," Johan assured her.

Recruiting Sonia to Rustboro Academy was a win. Martin owed him lunch for this.

Just then, a massive Corviknight descended from the sky, clutching an old-fashioned taxi in its talons. The pilot waved cheerfully.

"All set! Ready for liftoff!"

But Johan's smile froze.

The Luxury Ball at his waist trembled.

In a flash of red light, Tinkatuff appeared, hammer in hand, its eyes locked on Corviknight with a fiery intensity.

Picking up a rock, it tossed it into the air and swung its hammer with unrelenting precision.

A mighty clang echoed through the sky as Corviknight spread its wings wide.

The battle for the heavens had begun.

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Powerstones?

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