Pokemon: Psychic Master

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

-----------

The dilapidated house.

Johan hired a local construction team in Blackthorn City for repairs.

The team looked extremely professional, equipped not only with top-tier machinery but also with Pokémon like Machoke and Gurdurr assisting the work.

When Johan inquired, he discovered something unexpected—the team was from Devon Corporation!

He couldn't help but marvel at the situation.

Devon Corporation, the infrastructure overlord, had finally extended its reach into Silph Co.'s territory.

After all, Silph Co. didn't dabble in construction.

But for Johan, this turned out to be a blessing.

Flashing his "Devon Special Consultant" badge, he managed to negotiate a steep discount with the construction team's leader.

As for the Dragon Clan members who came to investigate the commotion, Johan dismissed their concerns with a simple excuse: a mishap during Pokémon training.

However, the skeptical looks he received lingered until one of them muttered, "As expected of one of Master Lance's friends."

It was then Johan realized—this construction team was probably on retainer thanks to Lance's frequent "incidents."

With the repairs underway, Johan took his four Pokémon out for a stroll through the city.

They were already quite familiar with Blackthorn's streets, so their destination was clear: the food district.

Dratini was brimming with curiosity, its gaze darting around as they walked.

It had likely spent most of its life in the Dragon's Den and wasn't accustomed to bustling city life.

But it didn't take long for Johan to fully grasp the meaning of "luck balance."

In just the short walk from the Dragon Clan to the marketplace, Dratini had stepped into two puddles, nearly fallen into a storm drain, and tripped over a loose cobblestone.

Fortunately, the little one seemed used to such misfortunes.

Dratini didn't complain, sulk, or curse its seemingly innate "bad luck aura."

Instead, after every mishap, it would straighten up and mutter words of self-encouragement:

"A strong Pokémon never relies on luck!"

This filled Johan with a sense of bittersweet admiration.

Dratini's resilience was even more impressive than its status as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

It was hard to imagine how many setbacks it had endured over its life, but it had chosen to remain optimistic rather than give in to despair.

That spirit alone was something truly remarkable.

"New shop opening! Grand discounts! Don't miss out!"

As they entered the food district, an enthusiastic voice called out.

"Ka-kah~~"

Haunter pointed toward a lively crowd gathered nearby.

Curious, Johan and his Pokémon approached.

It was an ice cream stall, managed by a woman with long red hair dressed as a server.

She energetically waved customers over, while a Meowth held a sign promoting the business.

Behind the stall, a young man with blue hair busily prepared orders.

Watching the three work in sync, Johan felt a vague sense of familiarity.

Before he could dwell on it, Haunter floated forward and raised its claws, signaling for five portions.

"Five portions? Big customer!"

The red-haired woman's eyes lit up, and she called excitedly to the back.

But then, the Meowth noticed Dratini at Johan's side. Its eyes widened, and it quickly tugged at the woman's sleeve.

The trio huddled behind the stall, whispering among themselves.

Moments later, the red-haired woman emerged, her smile suspiciously wide.

"Would you like to try our newest flavor of ice cream? You can sample it in that little grove over there~"

She gestured toward a small wooded area nearby.

Do they think I'm three years old?

Johan sighed inwardly, staring at them.

"You're..."

Before he could finish, something strange happened.

It was as if an unseen switch had been flipped.

The three exchanged knowing glances, then struck synchronized poses.

"Since you've asked so sincerely..."

"...We shall graciously tell you!"

"To prevent the universe from being destroyed!"

"To protect the peace of the world!"

"To uphold the evils of truth and love!"

"The lovely, charming villains!"

"Jessie!" The red-haired woman discarded her server uniform.

"James!" The blue-haired man dramatically held up a rose.

"Team Rocket, soaring through the galaxy! White holes, a bright tomorrow awaits us!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

Johan felt his soul leave his body as his toes curled in secondhand embarrassment.

No way...

Of all places, he had run into the Team Rocket trio in Blackthorn City.

"Hey, Jessie, do I look cool?" James asked, biting down on his rose.

"How would I know?" Jessie rolled her eyes. "But I do think our introduction was..."

"SO GREAT!" the three shouted in unison, vibrating with excitement.

"Are you still selling ice cream?" Johan asked, pressing a hand to his forehead.

"Of course! Of course!" James stammered.

Jessie kicked him, glaring. "What are you talking about? Look at that Dratini! If we deliver such a rare Pokémon to the boss..."

Their eyes sparkled simultaneously as they imagined the rewards.

"Promotion! Pay raise! Leadership roles!"

Johan: Shouldn't you have a Wobbuffet by now?

Without Wobbuffet, they were missing a vital 10% of their comedic synergy.

"Oh, I see. So you're performers?" Johan said suddenly, feigning realization.

"You should know, the police station is only a minute's drive from here. You might want to choose a different identity for your act."

"Wha—WHAT?!"

The trio stiffened, cautiously glancing at the police station's insignia in the distance.

"Oh, so this was just a performance. No wonder this stall feels so dedicated."

"Exactly! Team Rocket openly revealing themselves in Blackthorn City? That's ridiculous."

"With the Dragon Clan here? They'd never dare."

"But this ice cream is pretty good. Are you still selling?"

"YES! OF COURSE!" the trio shouted in unison, instantly switching back to their server personas.

"That was close..." James muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

"We can't afford to blow our cover!" Meowth added nervously.

Meanwhile, Johan and his Pokémon quietly left with their ice cream.

Watching them leave, Meowth sighed. "That guy's a real class act."

"Yeah, what a nice person," James agreed.

Even Jessie nodded in agreement.

In the distance, Matori, who had witnessed the entire scene, pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

How do you not recognize the target standing right in front of you?

She exhaled deeply and decided to follow Johan into a nearby restaurant.

Inside, Matori approached Johan's table, smiling politely.

"Hello, Mr. Johan. I'm Matori, an assistant to Mr. Giovanni. May I join you?"

Johan blinked, then casually motioned to the seat. "Ah, you're one of us. No need to be formal. Sit."

One of us?

Matori's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm here on behalf of Mr. Giovanni to express our gratitude and to reimburse you for the treatment of his Nidoqueen."

She placed a check on the table, but along with it, something else slipped from her pocket.

Clink.

It was a bright red R insignia badge.

Johan froze.

Matori feigned surprise. "Oh, my, did I drop something?"

Her acting was abysmal.

Johan let out a long sigh.

So this is a test?

He maintained a calm facade, pocketed the check, and smiled warmly.

"Would you like to join us for lunch, Ms. Matori?"

Afterward, as Matori made her report to Giovanni, she hesitated.

What had Johan really meant by "one of us"?

Finally, recalling their conversation, she simply said:

"He referred to us as... 'one of us.'"

If Johan had been there, he would have muttered: Do you work for the tabloids or something?

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates