Pokemon: Psychic Master

"Gengar, you're a ghost too, you know," Johan said helplessly.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar froze for a moment before realization dawned on it.

Oh, right. I'm a ghost too!

It had spent so much time scaring Johan with nightmare-inducing pranks that, after living together for so long, it nearly forgot its own ghostly identity.

"Chu?"

Tinkatuff tilted its head in surprise.

So, Gengar-bro is a ghost too?

Johan sighed and shook his head.

He and his team had always thought of Gengar as a companion, a family member—never as a ghost.

Besides, what kind of ghost eats like a bottomless pit?

Breaking free from Team Rocket's grip, Johan stepped toward the café.

However, after just a few steps, a ripple of aura stirred within him.

The cozy café bathed in the sunset suddenly transformed into a shadowy, ancient mansion nestled in the mountains. A pavilion outside was draped in blooming wisteria vines, their violet petals cascading in an enchanting display.

The atmosphere grew chilling, with icy tendrils of cold creeping up from the ground.

Clack, clack, clack—

The sound of wooden geta sandals echoed closer, striking against the mansion's creaking wooden floorboards.

A young girl in a wisteria-patterned kimono emerged from the mansion, her glossy black hair tied in an elegant bun. Her innocent smile lit up her face as she skipped toward the pavilion.

Suddenly, a playful Misdreavus sprang out from the shadows, startling the girl.

The girl fell to the ground, her wide eyes brimming with tears.

The Misdreavus, its red necklace gleaming mischievously, began to laugh with glee.

But before it could revel for long, the girl, noticing the Pokémon, broke into a smile.

She mimicked Misdreavus's expression, her laughter mirroring its own.

The Pokémon froze, bewildered. It had never encountered such a reaction before.

Years passed, the seasons cycling through countless wisteria blooms.

The once-youthful girl now had silver in her hair, while the mischievous Misdreavus had evolved into a Mismagius.

"Find someone who will be good to you," the elderly woman murmured weakly, seated beneath the wisteria arbor.

But Mismagius didn't leave.

It stood vigil by her grave through years of wind and rain, until even the once-vibrant wisteria vines withered from neglect.

CRACK.

The dreamlike vision shattered.

Johan blinked, finding himself standing outside the café once more.

A deep purple Mismagius had appeared at the entrance.

Its crimson eyes shimmered with age-old memories. The trio of red gemstones adorning its chest were dulled, and its polite, almost apologetic smile reflected a dignified air.

Mismagius.

"Oowu?"

Noticing the unexpected visitor, Vulpix and Gengar made no aggressive moves.

The aura of the Mismagius carried no trace of hostility.

The spectral Pokémon offered them a gentle smile.

"Woo~"

Its voice was melodious, ethereal, and tinged with fragility.

"Who are you?" Johan asked softly, sensing no ill intent.

Mismagius's gems flickered faintly, and with a soft rustling sound, a flyer materialized in midair.

A flyer?

Johan frowned.

He had never made promotional materials for the café.

At the corner of the flyer was a distinct handprint. The size and shape unmistakably belonged to—

"Gengar?"

"Ka-kaah!"

Busted!

Gengar let out a nervous laugh and attempted to slink away, but Johan grabbed it by the spike on its back, lifting it like a misbehaving child. Its short legs kicked futilely in the air.

"Kaah…"

Defeated, Gengar drooped its ears and nodded reluctantly.

Yeah, it was me.

Mismagius's gems glimmered briefly as it confirmed:

"The flyer said this place could help Pokémon in need."

The Pokémon's voice resonated gently within Johan's mind.

Johan shot Gengar a skeptical look.

Could one handprint really convey all that?

Gengar responded by sticking out its crimson tongue.

Slllurp!

Johan: "..."

Expressionless, Johan bit into an Aspear Berry.

Meanwhile, Gengar cackled gleefully and shot a triumphant glance at Vulpix and the others.

See? A little charm gets you off the hook. Take notes!

However, Mismagius's crimson eyes betrayed a longing envy as it observed the interaction.

After a brief pause, Johan asked, "What do you need help with?"

He quickly added, "Just to clarify: I'm a Pokémon psychologist, a teacher, a trainer, a researcher, and a café owner—but not a miracle worker."

Mismagius blinked slowly, then responded:

"I wish to see her again—by any means."

Its gaze shimmered with hope.

Johan fell silent.

The girl from its memories…

"Is that possible?"

Johan took a deep breath.

If his mischievous ghost companion had promised help, it was his responsibility to see it through.

Moreover, one of the café's founding goals had been to aid Pokémon in need.

"Come inside," Johan finally said.

Inside the Café

"What… do I need to do?" Mismagius asked hesitantly, nervousness and a flicker of hope in its voice.

"Just lie down here," Johan replied, gesturing to a soft, single-seater couch.

Without hesitation, Mismagius floated over and settled itself onto the couch.

"Now, relax completely and follow my instructions," Johan said gently.

"Vulpix."

"Oowu~~"

Vulpix leapt onto Johan's lap, prepared to assist.

It's been a while since I've done this, Johan mused as he began.

"That year, when wisteria bloomed…"

Under Johan and Vulpix's hypnosis, Mismagius allowed itself to sink into tranquility.

Bit by bit, a vivid memory began to weave itself together.

Sunlight filtered through the arbor, dappling the ground with warm, golden hues.

"Missy?"

Mismagius trembled, spinning around at the familiar voice.

Tears welled up in its eyes as it beheld the girl from its past.

The years melted away.

"Why are you crying again?" the girl teased, her smile radiant.

She knelt, gently hugging Mismagius.

"It's okay," the girl murmured.

"Just live your life well—that's enough for me."

As Mismagius nestled into her embrace, it inhaled the faint, floral fragrance it had missed for so long.

I only ever wanted to stay by your side…

In the present, a tear rolled down Mismagius's cheek.

"Ka-kaah…"

Even Gengar looked forlorn.

Vulpix's eyes glistened, while Tinkatuff and Dratini clung tightly to Johan.

"Birth, age, illness, and death are all part of life's natural course," Johan said with a smile.

The group drooped even further, weighed down by melancholy.

"Instead of dwelling on what's far ahead," Johan continued, "let's focus on living the best life we can today!"

Gengar perked up first, its tiny fists clenched.

"Ka-kah!"

Even as a ghost, I won't let you go!

Johan sighed, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.

How did you manage to twist my words like that?

"It's said people might reincarnate as Ghost Pokémon," Johan mused.

"If you don't remember me in your next life, I'll just track each of you down!"

He grinned, playfully mimicking a ghost.

His team, however, exchanged resolute looks.

Even if lifetimes pass, we'll never forget you.

Above, a shadowy, ethereal figure floated beneath the rising moon, scattering stardust in its wake.

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Powerstones?

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