The Psychic Girl, Sabrina

In the game, evolving Kadabra into Alakazam is similar to evolving Haunter into Gengar, as both require a Trade Evolution.

Back before the introduction of the Link Cable item, evolving Pokémon like Haunter into its final form was a hurdle single-player fans struggled to overcome.

However, the situation is slightly different in the Pokémon world.

That's because "trading" essentially replicates the special magnetic fields found in the wild, which are necessary to stimulate certain Pokémon to complete their evolution.

This explains why wild Alakazam, Gengar, and Golem are seen in the wild.

To be honest, questions like these shouldn't be directed at someone like Johan, a Pokémon psychologist. Although not widely known, this is general knowledge.

Still, after some thought, Johan decided to respond.

[Grain in the Field]: You could try using the Link Cable item or attempt Trade Evolution.

The response came faster than expected.

[Psychic Girl]: If that worked, why would I be asking you?

Johan: "??"

To be honest, this was the first time he had encountered someone with such a short temper.

Birds of every feather, huh.

Johan patted his cheeks to snap himself out of his "keyboard warrior" mindset. He had a hunch that the person on the other end had quite a bad temper. If he butted heads with her...

Things could easily escalate into a "doctor-patient dispute."

However, her words did make him think more deeply.

Typically, Pokémon like Kadabra or Haunter evolve immediately through the use of a Link Cable or Trade Evolution methods.

But from what she was saying, it seemed like she had already tried those methods without success.

Since this world's reality can't follow game mechanics to the letter…

[Grain in the Field]: Can you describe Kadabra's current state or tell me what it usually does?

[Psychic Girl]: What else can it do? (eye-roll emoji) It just meditates, spaces out, and meditates again.

[Grain in the Field]: What about its eating and sleeping habits?

[Psychic Girl]: ??? Do Psychic Pokémon need to sleep? Do you even know what you're talking about?

Johan: "…"

Taking a deep breath, Johan forced a smile.

[Grain in the Field]: Well, I think you should try asking Kadabra what it wants. Even though it's a Psychic-type, it's not a machine. It has its own thoughts, routines, and preferences. It can't just be stuck meditating all the time.

[Grain in the Field]: Try adding some color to its life.

He wanted to add more, but noticed that the user had gone offline!

"Ka-kah?"

Gastly seemed to notice Johan's mood, floating over curiously.

"It's nothing," Johan replied, waving it off with a smile.

"Ka-kah~~"

Gastly grinned and floated away to find Alolan Vulpix to play with.

So, it's that whole "Psychic superiority complex" thing, huh? Johan thought darkly. Maybe Mewtwo should give them all a reality check!

Dangerous thoughts flickered in his eyes as he headed for the bathroom.

After splashing his face with cold water, Johan stared at his reflection in the mirror.

My emotions are all over the place… It seems that taking in Vulpix has put an invisible strain on me.

This kind of mental state wasn't acceptable for a Pokémon psychologist and trainer. Not only could it impact himself, but it could also affect his Pokémon.

Luckily, he realized it in time.

Kanto Region—Saffron City

As the most prosperous city in Kanto, Saffron is home to the Pokémon world's corporate giant, Silph Co., as well as two powerful gyms.

Deep within the Psychic-type Gym lies a room cluttered with a multitude of plushies—some shaped like people and others resembling various Pokémon.

Seated among these plushies is a girl in her late teens, wearing a form-fitting red outfit and long, straight hair.

She is Sabrina, the Psychic-type Gym Leader.

Standing before her is her Kadabra.

"Kadabra, do you need sleep?" Sabrina asked flatly, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Before Kadabra could answer, Sabrina's eyes began to glow with an eerie blue light.

In sync, Kadabra's eyes reflected the same blue glow.

With a slight shake of Sabrina's head, Kadabra awkwardly mirrored her movement.

Seeing this, Sabrina smiled softly and murmured:

"See? Psychic Pokémon don't need to sleep."

When the blue light in Sabrina's eyes faded, Kadabra returned to normal. A flicker of resistance crossed its eyes but quickly vanished.

"Still…"

Sabrina tilted her head slightly, as if reconsidering.

"…it couldn't hurt to try, right?"

Kadabra blinked, a hint of surprise showing in its gaze as it glanced at Sabrina.

Adjusting his mindset, Johan exited the bathroom and spotted Gastly and Alolan Vulpix seemingly getting along, laughing together.

Yet, the more he listened, the more something felt off.

He saw Gastly lead Alolan Vulpix to a large mirror.

"Ka-kah~~"

"Let me tell you something. In our family, the most important skill is Hypnosis."

"Oowu?"

Vulpix tilted its head, not fully understanding, but nodded earnestly.

Pleased, Gastly nodded back.

"Ka-kah Ka-kah!"

"Next is… Transformation!"

Huh? Johan, pouring himself a glass of water, listened curiously.

Gastly's first lesson seemed reasonable enough. As the Pokémon of a psychologist, mastering Hypnosis wasn't a bad idea.

Alolan Vulpix had already learned Hypnosis, and judging by the strength of its Psychic, it seemed to have considerable psychic abilities to build on.

But what was this about "Transformation"?

Johan watched as Gastly's black fog began to shift and change, its appearance morphing.

"Ka-kah!"

"Now I'm… Gastly-Belle!"

"Oowu!!"

Alolan Vulpix's eyes sparkled with admiration.

Gastly smirked, the black fog shifting again under Vulpix's expectant gaze.

"Ka-kah!"

"Now I'm… Ghost-Tina!"

Pffft—

Johan nearly spat out his water.

"Oowu—"

Vulpix gazed in wonder, its expression more admiring than ever.

Gastly is amazing!

To be fair, ever since Gastly learned Substitute, its shape-shifting abilities had indeed improved.

"Ka-ka-ka~~"

Gastly couldn't stop grinning.

It decided to keep pushing its "elder sibling" advantage.

"Ka-kah~~"

"And after that, the most important thing… is scaring people, attacking from behind!"

Johan quickly put down his glass and picked up the soft and squishy Alolan Vulpix.

"It's time for bed."

If he let Gastly keep teaching, he feared the young Vulpix might pick up some very questionable habits.

"Oowu~~"

Being suddenly scooped up, Alolan Vulpix blushed slightly, letting out a low whimper before burying its head into Johan's chest.

Johan couldn't resist reaching out and running his fingers through the fluffy fur on its head, a contented smile spreading across his face.

The stress he'd been feeling slowly melted away.

Turns out, nothing relieves stress better than petting a cat… or rather, an Alolan Vulpix.

"So soft and cool to the touch. This is the good stuff."

"Oowu~~"

Vulpix purred softly, making a sound similar to a cat's purr.

"Oowu!"

"Ka-kah?"

Seeing Alolan Vulpix being whisked away mid-lesson, Gastly was stunned.

It hurriedly floated after them.

Wait! I haven't finished teaching yet!

"Whether Vulpix wants to grow stronger, train, or battle, that's up to her," Johan's voice called back.

Gastly nodded thoughtfully.

That makes sense…

Then it paused.

Wait a minute, didn't I already teach that lesson?!

"Gastly, turn off the lights."

Click!

Relieved that Johan hadn't caught on, Gastly happily floated towards the bed.

"Ka-kah—"

"I'm coming too—"

But after the lights went out, neither Johan nor Gastly noticed…

In the large mirror they had been standing in front of earlier, a pair of crimson eyes blinked open, filled with confusion.

"Where's the login failure?"

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Powerstones?

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