Evolve, Purple Round Buddy!

The old lighthouse, its walls covered in dust.

Knock knock—

Johan tapped lightly on the door.

Haunter poked its head through the door.

At this point, Johan was almost used to Haunter's casual disregard for physical boundaries.

"Ka-kah."

"The door's unlocked."

"Oowu?"

A sound came from inside, and with a creak, the door slowly swung open.

A flash of fiery red appeared—

It was a Vulpix!

"Oowu?"

The Ice Vulpix perched on Johan's head tilted its head in curiosity as it saw the other Vulpix.

"Oowu?"

The red Vulpix, peeking out from behind the door, also tilted its head, seemingly equally curious.

Thump—

The Ice Vulpix leapt from Johan's head onto the ground. The two Vulpixes stared at each other, their eyes filled with intrigue.

"Chu?"

Tinkatuff rubbed its eyes, confused.

"Why are there two Vulpixes? Though... they don't look exactly the same."

"This must be Researcher Bill's Vulpix," Johan guessed.

Researcher Bill was a renowned figure—one of the greatest Pokémon researchers of his time. He was not only the developer of the Pokémon storage system and time capsule but also a Pokémon reviewer and an esteemed member of the Pokémon Association.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Bill was also a skilled trainer, once teaming up with Lt. Surge to battle against Elite Four Bruno.

And this red Vulpix? It was Bill's loyal Pokémon, primarily tasked with guarding the lighthouse.

Still, Johan found himself more impressed with how much the Ice Vulpix had grown.

The once-shy, timid little fox that couldn't approach strangers or Pokémon had now taken the initiative to greet another Pokémon.

While it was true that the red Vulpix being another Vulpix helped ease the introduction, it was undeniable that the Ice Vulpix had come a long way.

Although...

It wasn't timid anymore, but it had grown noticeably more cautious.

"Oowu~~"

"Oowu~~"

The two Vulpixes quickly became acquainted, their tails wagging happily.

"Vulpix, is someone here?" came Bill's voice from inside.

"Researcher Bill, it's me—Johan."

"Oh, Johan? Come in, come in! I'm a bit busy at the moment."

At his invitation, Johan carefully stepped inside.

The interior was as cluttered as he expected: books and devices piled haphazardly, many of them collecting layers of dust. The dim lighting added an air of gloom to the space.

Reminding his Pokémon not to touch anything, Johan ventured deeper into the lighthouse.

Soon, he found Bill.

The professor was drenched in sweat, struggling to take off what looked like a Magikarp costume.

Johan paused, bewildered.

Although it wasn't the familiar Omanyte suit, it still perfectly matched the image he had of Bill in his mind.

At least...

It wasn't some hybrid fusion of Rattata or Nidorino.

"Ka-kah!"

Haunter, however, seemed thrilled. It floated up to Bill and examined him closely.

A moment later, its outline shifted, and it transformed—

Into a black Magikarp, complete with its tongue sticking out.

Bill stared in surprise.

"You like cosplay too?"

"Ka-kah ka-kah~~"

Haunter grinned.

"When it comes to transformations, I'm a pro!"

With this shared "interest," the man and Pokémon clicked instantly, grinning at each other.

"Ahem."

Johan couldn't help but clear his throat.

"Oh, sorry about that, Johan," Bill said, snapping back to reality.

Scratching his curly brown hair in embarrassment, he finally managed to wriggle out of the Magikarp suit.

"I was experimenting with the device you and Lance sent over. I was curious about how a Magikarp would react to a unique magnetic field, so I..."

"Got it. Totally understand."

No, he didn't.

This wasn't an experiment—this was plain eccentricity.

Bill was a confirmed oddball.

"By the way, that equipment you sent solved a huge problem for me!" Bill exclaimed, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Huh?"

Johan recalled that Cynthia had mentioned that Bill's communications device wasn't entirely stable. It had potential failures that could harm Pokémon.

Now, with the help of Rocket's research materials, it was somehow perfect?

Bill launched into a technical explanation, his passion lighting up the room.

"That machine is incredibly specialized! Some parts of it are designed specifically to stimulate Pokémon evolution, which was precisely what my earlier models lacked—"

Mid-sentence, Bill seemed to realize something.

"Ah, sorry! I think I'm rambling," he said sheepishly.

He gestured toward a large machine nearby. The contraption had two platforms on either side, likely meant for Poké Balls.

"This is the Communications Device. Once I finalize the parameters, it'll be complete!"

With that, Bill turned his eager gaze toward Johan.

Johan pulled out a folder—a set of additional data that Lance had asked him to deliver.

"Thanks!" Bill said, his eyes lighting up as he grabbed the folder.

"Just a moment. While I adjust the device, why don't you tell me about that red Gyarados?"

Johan took the opportunity to recount the details, sparing no effort since this involved Haunter's evolution.

"Evolution is irreversible, Johan. Are you and Haunter ready?" Bill asked abruptly while tweaking the machine.

Ready?

Johan turned to Haunter.

The ghost Pokémon gazed back, its mischievous grin unwavering.

It blinked once—then twice.

Suddenly, its smile stretched even wider.

"Ka-kah!"

"Ready? What's to prepare? Let's do this!"

Johan chuckled.

Typical Haunter.

Actually...

Haunter had thought this through more than anyone might imagine.

It had seen Johan work hard to provide for them, raising the four of them despite all the challenges.

Haunter thought to itself:

Lance, Steven, Cynthia—they all win big tournaments with their Pokémon. If I can become that strong, Johan could finally earn rewards without breaking his back, right?

Haunter's mind also lingered on a memory from long ago—

A calm morning, bubbles floating in the air, as Johan washed clothes on the balcony.

That morning, when Johan smiled and said:

"You're family."

That memory had solidified Haunter's resolve.

It wanted to help.

"Isn't that sweet," Bill said, looking up from his work.

"In Haunter, I see an unshakable trust in you, Johan, and a bond that's hard to describe. Honestly... I think even if you became a ghost, Haunter would follow you."

Johan winced.

Couldn't he have phrased that better?

Also—Haunter! Why are you nodding?!

"Well, if you're ready, then let's begin," Bill said, grabbing a Poké Ball—the key to a successful trade evolution.

"This is it?" Johan asked. "No more tests?"

"Don't worry. It's just final data adjustments."

Bill waved off the concern, brimming with confidence.

"Besides, I've personally tested it. Works like a charm!"

"Personally...?"

A bead of sweat formed on Johan's temple.

Was this really okay?

Still, Bill was the foremost expert on trade evolutions. Johan didn't have much choice.

"Ka-kah ka-kah!"

Haunter was already pacing in circles, practically vibrating with anticipation.

Johan took a deep breath, withdrew Haunter into its Poké Ball, and stepped up to the machine.

"Let's do this."

Bill and Johan placed the Poké Balls into the device's trays on either side.

As Bill activated the machine, it began to hum and whir.

"Whrrr... Whrrr..."

Johan couldn't help but worry.

What if something went wrong? What if Haunter came out as some bizarre fusion, like "Hauntata" or "Ghosdle"?

Bill studied the machine, muttering, "Hmm?"

"What is it?"

"Your Haunter... It's unusually strong. The amount of untapped potential it has is astonishing!"

Well, of course.

This was a thousand-year-old ghost with a penchant for sneaky snacks and rare treats.

"Are you sure this is safe?"

"For the last time—yes! It's perfectly safe!" Bill insisted, slamming his hands on the machine.

Even so, Johan couldn't ignore the growing turbulence.

From his pocket, Johan's phone lit up.

[Young Man]: ?

A faint crimson eye flickered on the screen.

[Young Man]: Does my 'alt' need help?

Click—

The machine hissed as white steam billowed out.

Finally, the Poké Balls reappeared, sitting quietly in their trays.

Bill exhaled in relief.

"Success."

Johan grabbed Haunter's Poké Ball, his hands trembling slightly.

"Go ahead," Bill encouraged.

Taking another deep breath, Johan pressed the button to release his Pokémon.

A burst of black mist surged out, filling the room with an eerie chill.

The fog was thick, the temperature plummeting.

Within the mist, Johan thought he saw a shadow—something large and dragon-like.

Wait. Was that... Giratina?

"Whoosh!"

The dark mist quickly condensed into a vibrant purple form, surrounded by dazzling white light.

Purple and white intertwined, a silhouette taking shape.

"Ka-kahhh~~!"

The voice was different, yet unmistakably familiar.

Gengar!

The purple round buddy had arrived—shining in all its mischievous glory!

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Powerstones?

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