Pokemon: Psychic Master

"Don't be discouraged—the future is yours."

As Johan shook hands with Daida in the center of the battlefield, he offered the young trainer some encouragement.

"T-Thank you, Johan-sensei."

Hearing such kind words, Daida felt a bit better. After all, he was younger than Johan.

The world is full of kind people after all…

Pop!

Kubfu's snot bubble burst. It rubbed its eyes and yawned as it finally woke up.

"Ku?" (Is it my turn to battle now?)

Johan's eye twitched.

Daida couldn't hear Kubfu's words, but its sleepy expression said enough. Seeing it, Daida froze, then his face crumpled. Tears welled in his eyes as he turned and ran.

Come to think of it, while I may be younger than Johan…

It's only by a few years! He's already a renowned Pokémon psychologist, strategy master, and researcher, while I… I can't even win against a sleeping opponent.

This world is full of malice!

Watching Daida flee, Kubfu tilted its head in confusion and turned to Johan.

"Ku?" (What's wrong with him?)

Johan took a deep breath.

Kubfu, the ultimate psychological and physical crit machine. Its attacks didn't just take down Pokémon—they shattered the trainers' spirits too.

Truly devastating.

From the stands, the spectators had plenty to say:

"That was brutal."

"The lesson here? Never battle a teacher."

"More importantly, never battle a psychology teacher!"

"This is why Johan-sensei is the best."

Amidst the jokes and teasing, Johan's popularity surged even higher.

"His only flaw is that he's too quick—too efficient."

"It doesn't even look like he's trying."

Johan couldn't help but agree.

He hadn't exerted himself at all, yet his opponent had already fallen.

Kubfu seemed to feel the same—if it had realized the match was already over.

This victory secured Johan a spot in the Top 64.

For a first-time League participant, reaching this stage was an impressive feat. Few trainers achieved something as remarkable as Ash's top 16 finish in his first tournament, which was practically a miracle.

Afterward, Johan joined Ash and the others to watch more matches, but finding them uninspiring, he decided to take his Pokémon for dinner instead.

The plaza bustled with energy, not just from spectators but also from fans without tickets, watching on large outdoor screens. These displayed rankings, match highlights, and the progress of various participants.

"From the Sinnoh Region, Reiji sweeps his opponent 3-0!"

"Unova's star trainer Gudrian and his Feraligatr are unstoppable, taking out challengers in one bite!"

"Melemele Island's Ilima from Alola Region has fans swooning—and his Gumshoos sweeps too!"

Hearing Ilima's name, Johan paused.

Ilima was the future Captain of Alola's Melemele Island and the first wielder of the "Eevee Z." As one of the Alola Pokémon Academy's top graduates, he was someone to watch.

Johan initially thought there wouldn't be too many familiar faces in this tournament, with Reiji being a rare exception. Yet here was another formidable trainer.

"Seems like I shouldn't let my guard down…" Johan murmured to himself.

After a pleasant dinner with Professor Oak and the others, Johan returned to his League-assigned hotel room.

Spacious and comfortable, these accommodations were designed to help trainers bond with their Pokémon.

Johan brought back some small cakes for his Pokémon, enjoying coffee on the sofa as they dug into their treats.

The League's official website was flooded with tournament headlines, but one thing stood out:

"Still no signs of the rumored Legendary Trainer…"

As Johan passed a small, delicate cake to Ninetales, the fox Pokémon quickly devoured it in a single bite, pausing to lick Johan's hand.

"You're getting more dog-like by the day…"

Previously, Vulpix had daintily nibbled its food, but since evolving, it polished off cakes in one gulp. Its appetite and speed had grown exponentially.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales licked its lips, but its gaze carried a hint of disappointment.

It's good, but not as good as what Big Sis Maid makes.

Gengar, meanwhile, showed no such preference. With a quick flick of its tongue, the cake vanished into its maw.

Kubfu, sitting with Dragonair and Tinkaton, scratched its head in confusion.

"Ku?" (Did I really battle today?)

Tinkaton pointed to the TV, which was showing highlights of Kubfu's sweep.

"Cha!"

"Draaa?" (Will it be our turn tomorrow?)

Dragonair seemed eager.

"You'll all get your chance," Johan assured them.

He didn't know who tomorrow's opponent would be or what the battlefield would look like, but they'd be ready.

"Get some rest tonight so you can do your best tomorrow."

Johan clapped his hands, signaling bedtime.

"Ka-kah~"

Gengar eagerly ran to turn off the lights.

Ninetales immediately burrowed under Johan's blanket, its tails wrapping snugly around itself as it sprawled across the bed.

Evolved or not, it's still clingy…

Johan felt his face pale as the icy aura seeped into him, but exhaustion quickly claimed him.

Dragonair checked his reflexes by tickling his foot. Satisfied that Johan wasn't frozen solid, it coiled up at the foot of the bed.

However, Gengar had other plans.

Its mischievous grin widened as it crept toward the window.

"Ka-kah?"

It gestured toward the other Pokémon, inviting them to join its late-night exploration of the Indigo Plateau.

Tinkaton and Dragonair hesitated but ultimately declined, prioritizing rest for the next day's battles.

Kubfu, meanwhile, was already snoring.

"Ka-kah…"

Gengar sighed, but its scheming mind quickly shifted to another accomplice: the Rotom Pokédex.

"Rotto~?"

"Ka-kah!"

Soon, the livestream was live: "Nighttime Exploration of Indigo Plateau with Gengar!"

Viewers flooded in.

"This is the first Pokémon livestream I've seen!"

"Is Gengar taking us to a haunted house?"

"Say what you want—Gengar is adorable!"

Gengar, with its innate camera sense, played up its antics, fully embracing the role of a streamer.

From a shadowy corner, a small figure observed curiously.

"Masha?"

Marshadow tilted its head, trying to understand Gengar's bizarre behavior. It seemed to attract attention… but Marshadow remained too shy to approach.

As it contemplated, a chilling presence suddenly filled the air.

Marshadow instinctively sank into the shadows.

The livestream abruptly cut out.

"What happened?"

"Did Gengar's signal drop?"

"Maybe it encountered another ghost!"

"Uh, Gengar is a ghost, you dimwit!"

"Rotto…"

Rotom trembled as a low tapping echoed nearby.

"Ka-kah."

Gengar, however, seemed unfazed, grabbing the Pokédex confidently.

From the darkness emerged a hunched figure with long, loose hair, a cane tapping rhythmically against the ground.

It was Agatha, one of Kanto's Elite Four.

Had Johan been present, he would have recognized her instantly. Professor Oak would have realized it even earlier—when the air grew cold.

"Child," Agatha's voice rasped, "this is no place for you. Where is your trainer?"

Gengar didn't retreat. Instead, its eyes sparkled with excitement.

Reaching into its mouth, it retrieved a phone and pulled up clips of Agatha's battles.

"Ka-kah!!" (You're that scary old lady!)

Agatha blinked in surprise.

I… have a fan?

She took a closer look at the mischievous Pokémon.

Its ghostly aura was remarkably potent, rivaling even her own Gengar's.

Her lips curled into a rare smile.

"Your trainer must be quite skilled…"

"Ka-kah~" (He's sleeping.)

Gengar pointed toward the distant hotel.

Agatha's curiosity deepened.

"Bring him tomorrow," she said, her voice softening ever so slightly. "I'll show you something special."

Gengar pondered this, mimicking Johan's thoughtful pose, before nodding.

"Ka-kah!"

Waving goodbye, it bounded away, Rotom in tow.

Agatha watched it go, her curiosity piqued.

Just who is this trainer…?

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates