A Visitor from Galar

5 bonus chapter's coming out at 11 AM EST. So I ask that you withhold you're powerstones until then.

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Nighttime.

Hoenn Region, Rustboro City.

"Every time I go out, I feel completely drained," Johan muttered as he looked at the still-lit café not far away.

At least the comforting glow of the lights brought him some solace.

"Tomorrow, I can finally sleep in," Johan said with a sigh of relief.

In stark contrast to Johan's relaxed expression, Gengar's face was full of determination.

"Ka-kaah!"

Tomorrow, we'll train hard!

Gengar hadn't forgotten the challenge ahead—the two most difficult gyms in Kanto. It couldn't afford to lose face for Johan when the time came.

Ding-dong!

As Johan pushed open the café door, the wind chime hanging above—a chime designed like a Chimecho—let out a crisp ringing sound.

"Welcome!"

Three familiar voices called out in unison as Meowth, wearing a waiter's uniform, immediately rushed to greet the newcomer.

"Johan-sensei?!"

When they saw that it was Johan, all three showed surprise, followed by delight.

"These are gifts I brought for you," Johan said, smiling as he handed out the items he had prepared for them.

For James, there was a shovel.

For Jessie, an apron.

For Meowth, a CD.

For Wobbuffet, a straw hat.

"You even brought us presents!"

The trio immediately burst into tears, hugging each other tightly in gratitude.

"Our officer, holding down the entire Hoenn branch on their own and still taking on such tough missions... and you still thought of us!"

"It's so moving!" x3

Truth be told, the trio had been through plenty of hardships. Even James, who came from a wealthy family, had faced hunger and setbacks after running away from home.

Yet this was the first time they had ever received a gift.

Even something small and seemingly ordinary held deep significance for them.

"Wobbuffet!"

Standing at attention, Wobbuffet saluted with tears streaming down its face.

Can you guys tone it down when you whisper next time? Johan thought, suppressing a wry smile as he looked at the group.

No matter what, the trio always came across as sincere and heartfelt.

In the original series, even though they often went after Ash and Pikachu, they were willing to help when they saw something truly unjust—sometimes even teaming up with Ash and Pikachu.

"By the way," Johan said, tapping the table to get their attention, his gaze sweeping across the group.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Johan-sensei, please just tell us what to do! We'll give it our all!" James said earnestly, wiping his eyes.

"That's right! Whatever Pokémon you want us to capture, we'll—"

"Mmmpf!"

Meowth and James quickly covered Jessie's mouth.

"Just tell us what you need, meow~," Meowth said with an awkward smile.

Johan rubbed his forehead.

"Build me a Gundam."

"Eh?" James blinked.

"What's a Gundam?" Jessie asked.

"Consider it done, meow!" Meowth replied instantly.

"Wobbuffet! ∠(°ゝ°)"

Johan tapped his head. "You're getting me off track here."

"It's like this. I want you to—"

He briefly explained his idea for a TV series.

"I'm going to act?!?" Jessie was the first to react, jumping up excitedly.

Among the trio, Jessie had always dreamed of being a star. Her old aspiration to become a celebrity seemed to burn anew.

Jessilynne returns to the stage!

"And you'll be the lead actress," Johan added without missing a beat.

As for Meowth, after much deliberation, Johan decided it was better suited for the role of the "cat" character than a Persian.

Although Meowth's smaller size might be a concern, if the co-star was a Pichu, Meowth would be the better fit.

Besides, Meowth's personal experiences with love were another compelling reason.

So, Johan decided to rename the project: "Meowth and Pichu."

As for James, he could serve as the director.

None of them would need extensive rehearsals—they could just be themselves.

"Although, the trio's connection to Pikachu seems unshakeable..." Johan thought, and then said aloud:

"No need to decide right away. Take your time to think it over. Production will take some time to organize, and the café can't do without you for now."

But Johan could tell—they seemed far more interested in making the series than running the café.

Friday. Clear skies.

With his Kanto journey temporarily on hold, Johan returned to his usual laid-back routine.

In the courtyard, Johan lounged in the sun, casually playing with the Pokédex Professor Oak had given him, while petting Vulpix's soft fur.

[Pokédex: Handcrafted by Professor Oak, this Pokédex contains a wealth of Pokémon data, including additional functions such as phone, gaming console, and GPS (trust me, you don't need it).]

The Pokédex has a Pokédex entry for itself?

Johan's expression turned odd.

He hadn't expected his usual system—which only displayed entries for Pokémon—to offer an entry for Professor Oak's Pokédex.

Is this professional rivalry?

After fiddling with it for a while and finding nothing particularly remarkable, Johan set it aside.

"Pokédexes without Rotom are still kind of basic."

"Oowu~~"

Vulpix lay curled up in his lap, its eyes closed as its tiny limbs kicked back and forth.

Johan smiled warmly, like a doting father.

Scooping up Vulpix, he pressed his face into its soft belly and took a deep sniff.

"Oowu! Oowu!"

The little Pokémon squirmed, kicking its legs in protest.

Weighing in at about 10 kilograms, Vulpix felt surprisingly light in Johan's arms.

Am I evolving into a super rookie myself?

His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Gengar and Dragonair in the courtyard, preparing a big move. Judging by the crackling electricity, they were about to practice Thunder.

Quickly, Johan stood up and called a halt.

Thunder was no joke—if mishandled, it could destroy the house.

The academy's training facilities would be a safer place for such exercises.

After all, if something went wrong there...

It would be the school's problem.

Rustboro Pokémon Academy: Weather Room.

The Weather Room allowed for adjustable conditions like rain, sunshine, and snow—ideal for practicing weather-based moves.

Once there, Johan set the room to simulate rain.

Two Pelippers appeared overhead, summoning a heavy downpour.

Johan stood under a rain shelter with Vulpix in his arms, while Gengar and Dragonair stood in the torrential rain.

Sizzle, sizzle—

Electric arcs crackled around Dragonair's horn.

Meanwhile, Gengar grinned mischievously, raising its hand where a blue-tinged electric current sparked.

Seeing this, Johan's expression changed.

You... Sasuke wannabe!

Are you trying to perfect Chidori?!

"Ready," Johan called out as he activated a switch, causing moving targets to appear in the training field.

"Thunder!"

Boom! Boom!

Two charred marks appeared on the wall.

The entire Weather Room shuddered slightly from the impact.

Perfect misses!

As expected from my Pokémon, Johan thought, feeling both impressed and resigned.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on practice, with Dragonair finally managing to execute a proper Thunder by the end.

At the same time, the massive commotion attracted attention outside the training room—particularly from the academy's staff.

When Johan exited, he found Vice Principal Martin waiting for him.

"Uh, Vice Principal Martin, about the training room..."

Johan felt like a child caught red-handed.

"Don't worry about it," Martin said generously. "But the principal wants to see you."

The academy really is wealthy... I guess I can train more freely in the future, Johan thought as he followed Martin.

On the way, Martin explained, "A trainer from the Galar region has arrived—apparently an old acquaintance of the principal. They're hoping to study at our academy."

"Wait," Johan interrupted.

"Galar? What's their name?"

After some thought, Martin replied, "I think it's... Bea?"

Phew.

At least it's not 'the man from the ads.'

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