Hex and the Therapy Call

Ding! Your account... 50,000 Pokédollars transferred. Available balance: 125,000 Pokédollars.

"Ka-kah?!"

Gastly was in shock, staring at Johan's phone, eyes wide.

How did you manage that?!

Johan's expression tightened, and after taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, casting a resigned glance at the bustling crowd around him.

"I... sold a bit of something."

If there had been a cigarette in his hand at that moment, the picture would've been complete.

"Ka-kah!! Σ(дlll)"

Wait a second...

Johan quickly raised his hand, but before he could give Gastly a flick, he remembered that Gastly was a gaseous Pokémon—one flick, and he'd be back to chomping on Pecha Berries.

After calming himself, Johan glared at Gastly. "What kind of nonsense are you thinking about? Wait a minute—why do you even know about that?"

"Ka-kaahh..." Gastly laughed awkwardly, eyes darting to the side.

Well, there was that time I saw your old phone...

"Forget it, we're going to buy the TM now," Johan cut him off, turning and walking back towards Rustboro's department store, a sour expression on his face.

Gastly followed behind, eyes sparkling. I think... I've figured out something interesting!

A few minutes later...

An emotionally pained Johan and an excited Gastly walked out of the store, holding a brand new TM disc in hand. The store clerk waved them off with an even wider smile than before.

"This is robbery... How is a Hex TM so expensive?"

Johan scrolled through his bank account on his phone. Available balance: 20,000 Pokédollars. His heart ached even more at the sight of it.

"Ka-kah! Ka-kah!"

Gastly nodded in full agreement, looking equally distressed.

Yeah! With that much money, I could've bought a mountain of energy cubes and MooMoo Milk!

More importantly...

This type of TM wasn't like the ones in the games. You didn't just use it, and your Pokémon would immediately learn the move. Gastly would have to sit down, watch the instructional video, and follow along with the training regimen.

Still, it wasn't all bad. The TM included plenty of tips from experienced Trainers on how to master the move, improve its effectiveness, and integrate it into real battles. There were even several video demonstrations of Hex being used in actual combat as reference.

"Well, it's better to get it sooner rather than later. The faster Gastly learns it, the better," Johan reassured himself.

At least it would be safer than Gastly randomly learning Toxic and testing it out on him like last time. He could end up dead from Gastly's "experiments" one day if he wasn't careful.

"Grrr..."

Gastly's stomach growled loudly. It looked up at Johan with pleading eyes—after all, spending the day calming down crazed Pokémon and the afternoon's training had taken its toll.

I'm starving. I've practically withered away! Hurry up and make dinner!

"Alright, alright. Let's go home."

Johan waved Gastly off and began walking, his frustration fading.

After all, earning money was always for Gastly's sake. Today, he had just fulfilled another promise.

As night fell, Johan and Gastly made their way through the narrow alleyways, with Gastly floating behind him.

Luckily, the streets were empty. Seeing this scene in the dead of night would probably terrify anyone who happened to pass by—especially with Gastly's eyes bloodshot and dark circles beneath them, looking like a ghost who had gone days without food. One sight of Gastly in this state would scare the soul out of anyone.

Rustle... Rustle...

As they passed the small neighborhood dump, both Johan and Gastly heard a noise.

This was an old neighborhood with many alleyways and few main roads, so the garbage collected here could pile up for days before being taken away. Now, the dump was a veritable mountain of trash.

Thankfully, it was autumn. In summer, the smell alone would be as unbearable as standing next to a Muk.

Johan rarely took this path, only when necessary. Today, he was using it to take a shortcut home since Gastly was famished.

In the dim moonlight, something in the garbage heap seemed to move.

"Ka-kah!"

It's alive!

Gastly hissed, lowering its voice.

Even so, in the dead of night, the sound echoed clearly in the quiet alley.

The wriggling stopped.

"It's probably just Grimer or Muk attracted by the smell of the garbage. I should file a complaint tomorrow," Johan muttered, quickening his pace.

Finally back home, after devouring the dinner Johan prepared—enough food for five people—Gastly was now lazily sprawled across the sofa, watching the instructional Hex video from the newly bought TM.

As the video went on, Gastly's playful demeanor gradually faded, and its expression grew more focused. It nodded occasionally, finally understanding some of the techniques it saw.

Meanwhile, Johan, having shed his apron, stepped out onto the balcony alone.

He stared at his phone's contact list, his fingers gently running over the phone case.

A cool breeze blew through, rustling his black hair as a determined look crossed his face.

Some things you just can't avoid.

He opened the profile of "Eevee Eats Cabbage" and hit the voice call button.

This was what he meant earlier when he mentioned "selling something."

Of course, the 50,000 Pokédollars wasn't some shady deal—it was for the psychological treatment services he had provided previously.

This time, the client had asked for an in-person session, but Johan had firmly declined.

After some negotiation, they settled on a therapy session via voice call, which was still within Johan's comfort zone.

Johan had mentally prepared himself. No matter how gruff or booming the voice was on the other end, he would stay composed.

For the sake of professionalism... and money.

It didn't take long for the call to connect.

"Hello?"

Johan blinked in surprise.

It was a woman's voice.

Not just any voice, but a smooth, soothing tone, slightly low-pitched yet surprisingly pleasant. There was a hint of fatigue that added a certain... softness to it.

"Ahem." Johan cleared his throat, quickly regaining his composure. "Hello, this is 'Grain in the Field.'"

He couldn't help but exhale in relief.

Anyone would prefer a patient who was easy to talk to, right?

"Could you explain how the consultation fees work? I'm not really sure..." The woman's voice trailed off uncertainly.

I'm not really sure either... Johan thought, unsure how to respond. He tentatively offered, "Uh... how about we charge based on time?"

"How much per session?"

For a moment, both Johan and the woman on the other end, who was none other than Cynthia, had the same blank, clueless look on their faces.

"Emm... I haven't fully assessed Feebas yet, so maybe... 1,000 Pokédollars?"

He didn't want to overcharge, especially since she had already paid him a good amount for the previous consultations. After all, even if she was a "cash cow," Johan wasn't about to exploit her too much. He had to have a conscience.

"Wouldn't that be a bit too cheap?"

Cheap?

Before Johan could respond, Cynthia spoke up again, "How about 2,000 instead?"

Well, if you insist...

Johan agreed quickly.

Your account... 12,000 Pokédollars transferred. Available balance: 32,000 Pokédollars.

Huh?

"I've sent the payment over. Let's book the first hour, and if we need more time, we can extend it."

Johan: "???"

So... she meant 2,000 Pokédollars per ten minutes?

Yikes...

He temporarily set aside his "conscience."

"Alright, then. Tell me what's been happening with Feebas."

They finally got down to business.

"Well, Feebas has been a lot more lively during the day, much more energetic. But lately, at night, she's been having these dreams..."

Cynthia described Feebas' recent situation.

"Dreams? What kind of dreams?"

"Feebas hasn't been able to describe them in detail, but it seems like she's always dreaming about a strange Pokémon... A very peculiar one."

Dreaming about a strange Pokémon?

Johan glanced back at Gastly, who was now deeply engrossed in the Hex video, wearing a very serious expression.

After thinking it over, he suggested, "Here's what we'll do. Move your phone closer to Feebas, and I'll attempt a simple hypnosis therapy. We'll try to relax her mind and determine whether the dreams are caused by internal factors or something external."

"Alright."

After the sound of some shuffling, rustling, and hurried footsteps, Johan heard the faint rustle of leaves and the gentle trickling of water through the phone.

"Okay, I'm ready."

"Alright, get Feebas to follow my instructions. Or, better yet, since she trusts you more, you can guide her through the process. Start by taking deep breaths... Slow down your breathing, in and out... gradually..."

Johan's voice became softer, his tone slower, as he painted a calming mental image for Fe

ebas.

About twenty minutes later.

"Has Feebas fallen asleep yet?"

"Hello, are you still there?"

"Hello?"

"Did she... fall asleep?"

"Hello?"

"..."

The only sound left on the call was steady breathing.

Should I hang up?

Two thousand for ten minutes...

After half an hour passed.

Yawning, Johan finally climbed into bed. He gently tucked the now fast-asleep Gastly, who was drooling all over the sheets, under a blanket.

"Goodnight," he whispered, turning off the lights and ending the call.