Bankrupting for an Ice Stone (BONUS)

After listening to Mr. Bend's account, Johan had pieced together the cause of Hypno's nightmares. However, when it came to dealing with the Nightmare Pokémon, Darkrai, he had no concrete solutions.

For now, he advised the couple to monitor Hypno closely and promised to assist again if the problem persisted.

At the invitation of Mr. Bend and Mrs. Shannon, Johan and Steven enjoyed a simple yet delicious homemade meal.

Johan couldn't help but appreciate the slow, idyllic pace of rural life.

On the way back…

Johan's phone vibrated with a notification.

[Your account: +500,000 Pokédollars. Remaining balance: 4,036,723 Pokédollars.]

A single session of Hypno therapy had earned him half a million Pokédollars.

The generosity of Mr. Bend and Mrs. Shannon left Johan secretly astonished.

It also reinforced a sobering realization: to enjoy such a carefree lifestyle, one first needed financial freedom. Otherwise, it wouldn't take long before the idyllic dream turned into collective hunger.

Still, Johan admitted to himself that he enjoyed "worldly" patients like this.

If only every client could be as "worldly."

With his bank balance crossing the four-million mark for the first time, Johan began to contemplate his next steps.

"Steven," Johan asked from the car, "you're knowledgeable about stones. Do you know where I could find a high-quality Ice Stone?"

Steven looked up from his phone, pondering for a moment before replying:

"The best Ice Stones are rare and expensive. But I do have connections. If you want, I can gift you one—"

"Stop." Johan raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.

At that moment, Johan regretted being Steven's teacher.

If he weren't Steven's mentor, he wouldn't have to refuse such a tempting offer. But as his teacher, Johan couldn't bring himself to accept something so extravagant.

"Just tell me the price," Johan insisted, suppressing his inner turmoil.

"For the very best Ice Stone," Steven hesitated, knowing Johan's pride, "it would cost around four million Pokédollars."

Four million?!

How did Steven know exactly how much was in Johan's bank account?!

If Johan bought the Ice Stone, he'd be left with just over 30,000 Pokédollars—a devastating blow to his finances.

But Johan also understood that Steven's price was likely the best in the entire Pokémon world.

Seeing Johan wrestle with the decision, Steven hesitated before suggesting, "I could cover part of the cost for you—"

"No need," Johan interrupted firmly, gritting his teeth.

"Buy it!"

Four million Pokédollars? Small change.

This Ice Stone wasn't just for Vulpix's potential evolution—it was an investment.

Even though Vulpix was hesitant about evolving, Johan wanted to be prepared for the moment it decided.

"Oowu~~"

Vulpix blinked its bright blue eyes, letting out a soft cry of approval.

The next morning…

A package arrived via Pelipper Delivery.

To Gengar and Tinkaton's disappointment, it wasn't delivered by Pidgey or Pidgeotto.

The Pelipper dropped the package, then flew off at top speed without even waiting for a tip.

"Ka-kah…" Gengar withdrew its outstretched hand, sulking.

However, the thrill of opening packages quickly lifted its spirits.

"Ka-kah~~!"

With nimble hands, Gengar ripped through the packaging, revealing a finely crafted wooden box.

Johan carefully opened it.

Whoosh—

A chilling aura filled the room as soon as the box was opened.

"Oowu~~!"

Vulpix's eyes sparkled, and it excitedly wagged its six tails.

Inside was a perfectly polished, diamond-like Ice Stone, its pale blue surface gleaming brilliantly.

Holding the Ice Stone, Johan sighed.

"So this is what bank-breaking looks like."

A single stone worth four million Pokédollars… Collecting stones was an even more expensive hobby than collecting antiques.

Johan's thoughts drifted briefly to the Pokémon Special manga.

"In Vermilion City's port waters, there were Eternal Evolution Stones for fire, water, thunder, and grass. I wonder if they're still there—or if they even exist in this world."

Eternal Evolution Stones were legendary items capable of inducing evolution without being consumed. Priceless treasures by any standard.

Johan shook his head, refocusing on the present.

Looking at Vulpix, who gazed at the Ice Stone with conflicted eyes, he asked gently:

"Have you made up your mind, Vulpix?"

Vulpix hesitated, its eyes glinting with hope.

But after a moment, it stepped back and shook its head.

"Not yet, huh?" Johan smiled knowingly, carefully putting the Ice Stone back in its box.

What Johan didn't know was that Vulpix's hesitation wasn't out of fear or indecision about evolution itself.

It worried that evolving would mean losing the ability to cuddle on Johan's shoulder, curl up in his arms, or snuggle in his lap.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar suddenly shouted, pointing at the wooden box.

It turned out the box had a hidden compartment containing two smaller, darker stones.

These were Mini Dusk Stones, similar to the Mini Ice Stones Johan had received before.

Dream Eater had gifted a Mini Dusk Stone once, but Gengar had long since consumed it.

"Looks like these are from Steven," Johan mused, touched by his thoughtful student.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar wasted no time popping one of the stones into its mouth, savoring it like candy.

With the Ice Stone in hand, Johan felt a sense of relief.

To celebrate, he announced, "Feast tonight! Dragonair, go ask the caretakers what they want to eat."

"Draaa~!"

Dragonair gleefully slid down the staircase, eagerly relaying the message.

Seven peaceful (and frugal) days passed…

During this time, Johan prepared the final exam papers for his Pokémon Psychology class and submitted them to the administration.

With most of his responsibilities handled, his winter vacation had unofficially begun.

One day, in the middle of writing training plans for his team, Johan received a call from Matori in Kanto.

"Johan, we've wrapped up this phase of filming. Would you like to review the edited episodes?"

"That fast?" Johan was surprised.

He had written a thirty-episode script, and only three episodes of Meowth & Pichu had aired so far.

"Not only that," Matori continued, "we need you to weigh in on sponsorship deals, advertising, and broadcast rights."

"Alright, I'll come to Kanto," Johan agreed.

He also realized something else:

The Indigo League registration was approaching.

Johan glanced at his team. He still needed a sixth Pokémon, and he was one badge short.

If he wanted that lucrative prize money…

"Matori, book me a ticket to Kanto," Johan said decisively.

"Understood."

Hanging up, Johan turned to see his team gathered behind him.

"Ka-kah?"

"Are we challenging the final Gym?" Gengar asked excitedly.

"The strongest Gym?"

The others leaned in expectantly.

Johan scratched his cheek, hesitating.

"Well… something like that."

The team erupted in cheers, each eager to prove itself.

"Ka-kah!"

"Draaa!"

"Ku!"

Kubfu even tugged Johan's pants, declaring itself ready to take on Cerulean City's Gym Leaders.

Johan sighed.

"Let's hope the Cerulean Sisters don't cry…"

With that, Johan packed his bags and flew to Kanto's Saffron City.

Unbeknownst to him, the Rainbow Wing tucked in his pocket began to glow faintly, as if sensing something extraordinary on the horizon.

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Powerstones?

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