Pokemon: Psychic Master

"I can capture a Pokémon in the Dragon's Den?"

The next day, while heading back to the Dragon's Den with Lance and Clair, Lance shared the "good news" with Johan.

"I didn't want you to worry, so I didn't mention the 'Dragon Trial' yesterday," Lance said, scratching the back of his head with a cheerful smile.

He then explained the details of the Dragon Trial.

Hearing the full story, Johan couldn't help but hold his forehead.

What a situation...

He was already struggling to keep up with the costs of raising Haunter, Vulpix, and Tinkatonk. Adding another Pokémon to his team...

Still, letting go of such an opportunity felt wasteful. After all, the Dragon's Den housed many powerful Dragon-types, including pseudo-legendaries like Dragonite.

Any trainer would be ecstatic at such a chance.

But the real issue was...

Could his current financial situation support raising a pseudo-legendary Pokémon?

He thought of how Cynthia raised her Garchomp.

Just yesterday, she had asked him to buy a batch of Dragon Scales for Garchomp's food, transferring five million Pokédollars without batting an eye.

And that was just for Garchomp's snacks!

Haunter was already eating enough to rival a Snorlax.

Vulpix, despite its size, also had a hearty appetite, and it still needed a high-quality Ice Stone and a Mental Herb for its training.

As for Tinkatonk, its dietary needs had increased dramatically after its evolution. Its obsession with fitness and forging metals was racking up expenses that rivaled the cost of an Ice Stone.

Most critically, all three were bound to evolve sooner or later.

When that time came, Johan couldn't even imagine how much his daily expenses would skyrocket.

Adding a pseudo-legendary into the mix?

Lance might be the most effective wallet assassin I've ever met.

Johan sighed inwardly, vowing to bring up the concept of a "Dragon Tamer Tax" to Lorelei someday.

Still, Johan was pragmatic.

He wasn't about to capture a Pokémon just because it was rare or powerful. Pokémon should be chosen based on mutual agreement.

He resolved that if he didn't find a compatible partner, he wouldn't force the issue.

"Drii~!"

As soon as they entered the flower fields of the Dragon's Den, the sound of Dratini's voice caught their attention.

They spotted the little dragon rubbing its body against a moss-covered rock with a determined expression.

Nearby, Dragonite watched with an amused smile.

Moments later, Dratini's body began to glow faintly, and its skin wrinkled. With a gentle twist, its outer layer turned white and slowly peeled away.

"Ah, it's shedding!" Johan said, realizing what was happening.

"Dratini shed their skin periodically as they grow," Lance explained with a smile.

The shed skin of a Dratini, Lance noted, was a rare material often used to make premium boots for trainers.

Haunter, always curious, floated over to pick up the discarded skin. Its mischievous eyes gleamed as it turned into a shadowy mist and slipped into the skin.

Seconds later, Haunter reappeared wearing the shed skin, looking like a bizarre Dratini imposter.

"Ka-kah-kah-kah~!"

Haunter cackled gleefully.

Dratini, seemingly intrigued, circled Haunter, inspecting it curiously.

Watching this, Johan chuckled softly.

Dratini wasn't a bad choice at all.

Though it had that strange "Luck Balance Phenomenon," its uncanny ability to turn bad fortune into good during battles could compensate for Johan's shortcomings.

More importantly, it was "overfed"—it didn't seem to have a huge appetite, at least for now.

But what stood out the most was Dratini's ambition.

It clearly aspired to greatness, likely influenced by its father, Dragonite. That sense of pride and determination made it a good fit for Johan's team.

Still, his priority today was checking on Gyarados's condition and planning the next steps for its treatment.

Looking at the massive red form snoring peacefully, Johan could tell Gyarados was much better than yesterday.

Restful and sufficient sleep is crucial for recovery.

"Alright, time to wake up."

Turning to Dratini, Johan called:

"Dratini, I'll need your help again."

Dratini, already by his side and eager, responded instantly.

"Drii~!"

Once again, Dratini delivered its signature Thunderbolt.

"ROAR!!!"

The furious roar of a newly-awakened Gyarados echoed through the den.

But before it could act on its rage, Tinkatonk's hammer came crashing down.

THUD!

Gyarados slumped unconscious.

Dratini sighed in relief, only for Johan to call out:

"Dratini, one more time."

"Drii?!?"

Realizing the cycle was repeating, Dratini cast a sympathetic glance at the massive Gyarados.

Eventually, after countless rounds of "electric therapy" and Tinkatonk's hammer of justice, Gyarados regained some emotional depth.

From "despair," its mood now included "anger."

After ensuring Gyarados was peacefully asleep again, Johan turned to Lance.

"Gyarados is recovering well. In two days, it should reach a stable condition. After that, it's up to you as its trainer to care for it."

Lance nodded earnestly, vowing to take full responsibility for Gyarados's rehabilitation.

As they prepared to leave the Dragon's Den, Dratini stood nearby, listening quietly.

It seemed hesitant, glancing at Dragonite for guidance.

Dragonite, however, simply crossed its arms and leaned against a tree, pretending not to notice.

Some decisions must be made independently.

Dratini's gaze followed Johan as he walked away, his team chatting and laughing around him.

Seeing Haunter's antics, Vulpix's sweetness, and Tinkatonk's strength, Dratini's eyes gradually filled with resolve.

True greatness requires courage!

Just as Johan was about to leave the flower field, something coiled tightly around his wrist.

He turned to see Dratini's serious expression.

"Drii~!"

Lance and Clair exchanged knowing smiles, quietly stepping aside.

"Oh, finally making up its mind?" Clair murmured.

Lance smirked. "Pokémon and trainers are naturally drawn to each other."

"I see you've made your decision."

Johan crouched down, pulling out a Luxury Ball.

But before he could offer it, Dratini's tail stopped his hand.

"Drii~!"

"You want to battle?" Johan asked, stunned.

Dratini nodded firmly.

Its determined attitude brought a smile to Johan's face.

He turned to his team. Dratini scanned Haunter, Tinkatonk, and finally Vulpix.

When its gaze settled on Vulpix, the little fox tilted its head in surprise.

"Challenging an Ice-type like Vulpix? Bold choice," Dragon Elder said with a chuckle.

Dratini's expression faltered slightly.

Ice-type?

It had carefully avoided Haunter and Tinkatonk, assuming they were too formidable.

The soft, adorable Vulpix had seemed like the safest opponent...

But now, faced with Vulpix's icy resolve, Dratini began to question its judgment.

"Let's see what you've got!"

Vulpix leaped from Johan's arms, its voice clear and determined.

Dratini hesitated only briefly before steeling itself, sparks of electricity flickering around its body.

Snow began to fall. The temperature dropped rapidly.

Vulpix's eyes glimmered as a fierce Blizzard swept forth.

"Drii~!"

Caught in the icy gale, Dratini froze mid-charge, its freshly shed skin unable to withstand the cold.

Crystals of frost encased its body.

"Stop, Vulpix," Johan called, halting the attack.

As the Blizzard subsided, Dratini stood frozen, encased in ice.

"Courageous effort!" the Dragon Elder remarked solemnly.

Johan sighed, tossing the Luxury Ball.

Whether or not he had misjudged Dratini's spirit, this was a Pokémon he could trust.

Click!

The ball barely shook before locking in place.

Dratini was officially captured!

Looking at his team—Haunter, Vulpix, Tinkatonk, and now Dratini—Johan felt both proud and slightly apprehensive.

A mischievous ghost, a determined fox, a hammer-wielding berserker, and a pseudo-legendary dragon...

It's starting to feel like I'm assembling a team to shorten my lifespan.

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Powerstones?

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