Pokemon: Psychic Master

"Somewhat… I know a little about it," Johan replied.

The Kalos region was believed to be the birthplace of Pokémon Mega Evolution, with places like Shalour City and its Shalour Gym as key sites of the phenomenon.

Professor Sycamore, an expert in the field, had already made significant progress in researching Mega Evolution, with several of his papers published on the Pokémon League's researcher forums.

"That's great news!" Sycamore's excitement was evident as he continued explaining.

Mega Evolution, also called Super Evolution, allows certain Pokémon to transcend their natural limitations and temporarily evolve further, gaining immense power in the process.

However, this extraordinary transformation requires two critical items:

A Mega Stone unique to the Pokémon species. A Key Stone held by the trainer.

Johan himself possessed a Gengarite, the Mega Stone specific to Gengar. Theoretically, all he needed now was a Key Stone, and he could enable his mischievous purple partner to Mega Evolve.

But it wasn't that simple.

Mega Evolution also demanded a deep emotional bond and trust between the trainer and the Pokémon. This vague yet critical concept of "bond" was the reason Sycamore sought Johan's expertise.

As one of the few researchers exploring trainer-Pokémon relationships as a serious field of study, Johan was well-known for his work in this area.

"Emotions are difficult to quantify," Johan thought.

Most researchers avoided this topic, as it lacked tangible metrics or data points. However, as a Pokémon psychologist, Johan's work focused precisely on such abstract concepts, which gave him unique insight into the matter.

Sycamore proposed that Johan visit Kalos to assist with furthering Mega Evolution research. In return, he offered compensation—not just as payment but as research funding.

"Professor, there's no need to discuss payment," Johan said modestly, "I'd be happy to contribute to the Pokémon world in any way I can."

After the call ended, Johan leaned back in thought, his gaze falling on Gengar.

Among his Pokémon, only Gengar currently had the potential to Mega Evolve.

"Why do I feel uneasy about this?" Johan murmured.

Mega Evolution drained significant mental and physical energy from both trainer and Pokémon. Recovery often couldn't be expedited even at Pokémon Centers.

In Gengar's case, Johan wasn't just worried about the strain.

He knew his mischievous purple partner too well. If Gengar learned about Mega Evolution, it would likely obsess over mastering it in no time—potentially wreaking havoc in the process.

Johan pictured the aftermath: wild experiments, frantic apologies, and being summoned for stern tea sessions with Officer Jenny.

"Or worse…" Johan muttered, "Gengar might even figure out how to Mega Evolve on its own to avoid getting caught by me."

That thought sent a shiver down his spine.

For now, he took solace in the fact that he only possessed Gengarite. Without a Key Stone, the risk was contained—relatively speaking.

"Steven probably has a collection of Mega Stones and Key Stones lying around without knowing their purpose," Johan mused.

Given Steven's personality, it wouldn't be surprising if he casually gifted Johan a full Mega Evolution set.

After all, this was the same Steven who handed over a Sceptilite worth a small fortune to a rookie trainer in the Hoenn region—just because he could.

Johan shook his head, chuckling at the thought.

"As a teacher, I can't accept extravagant gifts from students. I'll just have to earn it myself."

If Mega Evolution training required additional resources, then Johan would need to earn more Pokédollars.

Thankfully, the "Meowth & Pichu" TV series was shaping up to be a lucrative venture. With its potential success, Johan could expect a steady income stream.

Pair that with the café's growing popularity, and his financial worries might soon be over.

"Work comes first," Johan said with a grin, quickly deciding to visit Kanto next.

Under the night sky, Johan glanced at the oversized bathtub that once comfortably housed his Dratini. Now a fully evolved Dragonair, the tub seemed woefully inadequate.

"When it becomes a Dragonite…" Johan muttered, his gaze shifting to the ceiling. "Even the room height will be a problem."

Meanwhile, Gengar hung upside down from the ceiling, sparks of blue electricity crackling between its fingers.

"No practicing Thunder indoors!" Johan barked.

"Ka-kah…" Gengar sheepishly scratched its head before floating outside to spar with Tinkatuff under the moonlight.

Johan settled back into his seat, flipping through some light reading.

The next morning in Kanto's Viridian City, Gengar made a dramatic exit from the production set.

Waving goodbye to Team Rocket's trio and Wobbuffet, it pulled out a shrunken Toxic Orb and began licking it like a piece of candy.

Johan's eye twitched at the sight.

The orb, once the size of a fist, had been licked down to a mere bead.

"Toxic Orbs aren't consumable!" Johan scolded internally. "I'll have to buy another one now…"

The thought of spending more money on Gengar's antics made his heart ache.

When Johan arrived at the Viridian Gym, the entrance was packed with teenagers brimming with energy. Each carried their Pokémon, ready to prove their worth.

"What's this about?" Johan asked Matori, who had accompanied him.

"Giovanni is looking for an exceptional trainer," Matori replied, her tone betraying nothing.

"A champion to defeat Team Rocket, huh…" Johan thought, his expression complicated.

He could already imagine the result.

Giovanni, you have no idea what kind of person you're about to choose.

Led by Matori, Johan entered a secure room deep within the gym. Inside was his newest "patient"—a Porygon2.

The upgraded digital Pokémon hovered near the walls, seemingly engrossed in inscribing cryptic messages all over the room.

"Ghosts, dreams, self-awareness… meaning is meaning…"

The writing covered every surface, including the ceiling.

Johan's lips twitched into a wry smile. "Looks like someone's been hanging out with Mewtwo."

He called out, "Porygon2."

The digital Pokémon paused, swiveling its round head to stare blankly at Johan.

"Let's talk," Johan began, keeping his tone calm.

Porygon2's blank eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity.

"How about some quick questions?" Johan continued, waiting for a reaction.

The virtual Pokémon nodded—barely perceptible but enough.

"Here's the first: if you're driving and must choose between hitting a person or a cat, which would you hit?"

Without hesitation, Porygon2's screen displayed the answer: "Cat."

"No," Johan corrected gently, "you hit the brakes."

Porygon2 froze. Its digital eyes blinked, processing the unexpected response.

Johan smirked and pressed on.

"Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

"Chicken," came the immediate response.

"Which year's chicken?"

"...Egg?"

Johan chuckled inwardly.

It's starting to question itself.

After a rapid-fire series of paradoxical questions, Johan ended with a simple yet profound query:

"Who are you?"

The room fell silent save for the faint hum of Porygon2's processing circuits.

Finally, with a soft "thud," the digital Pokémon slumped to the floor.

"Uh, Johan-sensei… is it okay?" Matori's voice trembled from the intercom.

Johan stood, brushing off his hands.

"It's fine," he assured her. "We're done here."

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Powerstones?

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