Pokemon: Psychic Master

December 2nd, Friday, Cloudy.

A gentle breeze swept across Cerulean City's port.

As a mid-sized city in Kanto, Cerulean didn't have an airport, but its bustling harbor compensated for it.

After stepping out of a taxi, Johan decided to visit the Pokémon Center first to check on his team's condition.

After all, a week of continuous training might have hidden effects that needed attention.

At the Pokémon Center…

To Johan's surprise, the place was unusually crowded with trainers and injured Pokémon.

Did Lt. Surge conquer Cerulean Gym?

This level of chaos seemed more fitting for the Thunder Lieutenant's antics than the Cerulean Sisters' calm demeanor.

The sight of so many wounded Pokémon even unsettled Gengar and the others.

Looks like the last Gym Leader's strength is no joke, Johan thought.

"Mr. Johan, are you here for that Pokémon as well?"

Nurse Joy's cheerful greeting caught Johan off guard as he reached the counter.

"If anyone can capture it, it might just be you," she said with a smile.

"Pokémon?" Johan blinked. "I'm just here to challenge the Cerulean Gym."

"The Cerulean Gym?" Joy tilted her head, surprised.

As a beginner-friendly gym, Cerulean was known for its simplicity, often serving as a first stop for new trainers to build confidence.

But Nurse Joy quickly added, "Unfortunately, the Gym is closed today."

"Closed?"

"Fridays are their usual maintenance days to prepare for the weekend water ballet shows."

Of course it is, Johan thought, exasperated. Classic Cerulean.

"So, why are there so many injured Pokémon?"

"It's because of a certain Pokémon."

Nurse Joy began explaining:

"Rumor has it that a powerful and mysterious Pokémon has appeared near Cerulean City. Many trainers have flocked here, hoping to capture it."

The wounded Pokémon in the Center were casualties of failed capture attempts.

This wasn't an unusual phenomenon in the Pokémon world.

For instance, the Meteor Falls in Hoenn drew crowds after reports of trainers capturing Bagon there.

Similarly, stories of wild Dratini in Kanto attracted hopeful trainers to specific river areas.

Johan nodded but didn't dwell on it.

Since the Cerulean Gym was closed until tomorrow, Johan decided to visit the film crew instead.

Coincidentally, the shoot location was near the coastline between Cerulean City and Vermilion City—an ideal opportunity to multitask.

Outside the Pokémon Center…

"Where's Gengar?"

Johan noticed his mischievous companion was missing.

"Oowu!"

Vulpix, perched on Johan's shoulder, pointed toward a nearby street.

Moments later, Gengar floated toward them, waving cheerfully.

"Ka-kah!"

"Where were you?" Johan asked suspiciously.

Gengar didn't even attempt to hide its actions.

"Ka-kah~~"

I went to deliver a challenge letter.

A mental image of Gengar squatting in front of Cerulean Gym, licking an envelope shut before slipping it under the door, popped into Johan's mind.

You're really eager for this Gym battle, aren't you?

1:00 PM.

Johan rented a small motorboat at Cerulean's port, planning to sail downstream to the film crew's location.

The boat wasn't large, but it was spacious enough for Johan and his Pokémon, and its slow speed made it easy to control.

Gengar donned sunglasses and positioned itself at the helm, gripping the wheel confidently.

The gentle breeze ruffled its grin as it declared, "Ka-kah! Watch me pilot this boat like a pro!"

SPLASH!

Out of nowhere, a Magikarp leapt out of the water near the boat.

With its usual vacant stare, it flicked its tail once and surged ahead, leaving the boat in its wake.

Gengar: "..."

Is this really a motorboat? Even the school daycare's old Granbull could swim faster.

Frustrated, Gengar glanced at the sluggish Magikarp splashing water in front of them.

A mischievous grin spread across its face as it activated Thunder Punch.

Electric currents surged through the boat's motor.

WHIRRR!

In an instant, the boat sped up, overtaking the Magikarp and leaving it behind.

"Ka-kah~~" Gengar taunted, waving at the Magikarp. So long, loser.

Meanwhile, Johan and the others were seated at the back of the boat, playing a game of Ludo.

Kubfu, stuck at the start for several turns, eventually gave up and began practicing punches on the deck.

When it was Johan's turn to play, he found himself on the receiving end of smug grins from Vulpix, Tinkaton, and Dragonair.

"Let me show you all why they call me the 'Ludo King,'" Johan declared confidently.

90 minutes later…

"Six, six, six! I need a six!" Johan yelled.

Desperate, he added, "I'll sacrifice Gengar's lifespan for a six!"

"Ka-kah!!" Gengar protested, feeling its imaginary years slipping away.

Finally, Johan got his first piece onto the board, triumphantly declaring, "The comeback begins now!"

Unfortunately, by this point, Vulpix had already dozed off, and Tinkaton was only a few moves away from victory.

Even Dragonair, typically unlucky, was well ahead with three pieces in play.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from the rear deck.

Turning around, Johan saw smoke and flames rising from the engine.

"Did… the motor just explode?"

Everyone turned to Gengar, who was quietly trying to sneak into the cabin.

"Gengar," Johan said coldly, grabbing its spike, "care to explain?"

"Ka-kah~~" Gengar chuckled nervously. It… um… exploded on its own?

Sitting by the railing, paddling with a wooden board, Johan muttered, "I should've known better than to let Gengar handle this."

"Ka-kah~~" Gengar tried to defend itself. But wasn't that Magikarp's fault too?

Johan shot it a withering glare.

Facts aside, what's your point?

The stranded boat drifted aimlessly in the middle of the river. Returning to Cerulean or pushing onward to Vermilion seemed equally impossible.

"Can you fix it?" Johan asked Tinkaton.

Tinkaton examined the motor and nodded confidently. "Cha!"

But some parts were beyond repair, and they needed replacement materials.

Suddenly, Dragonair glided down from above, its tail pointing toward the riverbank.

"Draaa!"

It excitedly called out, indicating a structure nearby.

"How far is it?" Johan asked.

Dragonair hesitated, unsure how to estimate the distance.

"Let's head that way," Johan decided. "Maybe we'll find something useful to repair the motor."

Whoosh!

A cold gust swept across the river, propelling the boat forward.

"Oowu!"

Vulpix leapt up, pointing toward the misty riverbank.

Amid the dense fog, a majestic silhouette emerged.

Johan's eyes widened as he recognized the figure.

"The embodiment of the north wind… Suicune?"

Suicune, the Aurora Pokémon, was one of Ho-Oh's legendary trio. Known as the incarnation of the north wind, Suicune often appeared where clear waters flowed.

Johan instinctively reached into his pocket, pulling out the Rainbow Wing.

The feather's glow pulsed softly, catching Suicune's attention.

Its gaze softened, though it seemed puzzled by the artifact.

Johan channeled his Aura into the feather, causing it to radiate with divine light.

Suicune nodded approvingly, its elegant movements exuding a calm authority.

"Draaa…"

A melodic call echoed as waves rippled across the river.

Suicune's north wind pushed the boat forward, guiding them downstream.

"It's leading us somewhere," Johan murmured, understanding Suicune's intent.

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Powerstones?

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