Johan watched as Tinkatink was enveloped in a radiant white light.
For some reason, he thought, Of course. It's my Pokémon—evolving should be no surprise.
After all, wasn't Haunter's evolution triggered by wanting to wear a knight's armor during the school festival?
He smirked. Yeah, this is normal.
Beside him, Professor Carolina and Cynthia were more confused than anything.
They alternated glances between Tinkatink and the Adamant Orb.
The orb stimulated Tinkatink's evolution?
This might be a groundbreaking discovery!
Haunter's eyes swirled in waves. It pulled out a white handkerchief from somewhere, mock-wiping its tearful eyes with a sinister grin.
It had the distinct vibe of a proud older sibling watching their sibling grow up.
Vulpix, on the other hand, appeared more concerned.
Does evolution hurt? it wondered nervously.
But truthfully, it cared about something much more important: What if evolution makes me ugly?
Vulpix secretly felt that ever since Gastly evolved into Haunter... it had gotten less attractive.
Amid the brilliant white light, Tinkatink's body began to change. It grew larger, its tiny ponytail elongating into a proper braid. The purple crystal-like structure on its chest expanded symmetrically to both sides, and its height shot up from 40 cm to 70 cm.
When the light faded, its new form was revealed.
Tinkatuff now stood confidently, cradling the Adamant Orb like a treasure. With a gleeful curiosity, it leaned forward and gave the orb a tentative lick.
Its eyes squinted into narrow crescents, and it shivered slightly, as if it had tasted a cold, refreshing ice cream on a hot summer day.
Yet, after evolving, the Adamant Orb seemed to hold less of a magnetic pull over Tinkatuff.
It reluctantly returned the orb to Professor Carolina, its gaze lingering.
It flicked its light pink braid and turned to Johan, eyes wide with realization. It had finally noticed its evolution.
"It evolved into Tinkatuff," Cynthia said softly.
Johan knelt to pat the taller Tinkatuff on the head, smiling warmly.
"Congratulations—you've grown taller."
For a moment, Johan felt a pang of bittersweet pride, like a parent seeing their child grow up.
Tinkatuff leaned into his hand, eyes closing in delight.
It let out a triumphant cry: I'll grow even taller! I'll be as tall as you one day!
He wanted to say, That's your height limit, buddy.
But it didn't seem like the right moment to crush its dreams.
Tinkatuff then noticed its now-massive hammer, which had grown significantly along with it.
If Tinkatink's previous hammer was a metallic toothpick, this was a full-blown sledgehammer. Its impressive size and heft matched Tinkatuff's newfound presence.
"Chu! Such a big hammer!"
Tinkatuff's eyes sparkled as it reached for the hammer's elongated handle.
With a tug, it discovered it couldn't lift it.
But instead of feeling discouraged, Tinkatuff's face lit up with excitement.
It tightened its grip and pulled harder, finally lifting the hammer.
With a determined glint in its eye, it started swinging.
The hammer cut through the air, creating gusts that sent leaves rustling.
"What incredible strength," Professor Carolina murmured in awe.
Even without being a trainer, she could tell the hammer was extraordinarily heavy.
Yet in Tinkatuff's hands, it seemed weightless. She shuddered to imagine the destruction one swing could cause.
Frost began to form on the hammer as Tinkatuff infused it with its Ice Hammer move.
Johan's Pokédex updated, displaying Tinkatuff's new information:
Moves: Ice Hammer, Fake Out, Astonish, Fairy Wind, Baby-Doll Eyes, Metal Claw, Rock Smash, Sweet Kiss, Reflect, Light Screen, Substitute, Protect, Rock Tomb, Stone Edge
Mood: Excited, Jubilant (What a fantastic hammer!)
Condition: Excellent (It seems to have absorbed a special metallic powder. Maybe you should investigate.)
Friendship Level: 100 (Mama, I've evolved!)
Special metallic powder?
Johan glanced at the Adamant Orb in Carolina's hand.
Could Tinkatink have absorbed some kind of metallic residue from the orb?
As for Tinkatuff's move pool, it had only gained two new moves:
Rock Smash: A Fighting-type move with a chance to lower the target's Defense.Sweet Kiss: A Normal-type move that inflicts confusion.
Great, Johan thought. Now it's learning "dirty" moves too.
But knowing Tinkatuff's personality, it probably wouldn't use such tactics often. It preferred straightforward power—hitting hard and fast.
Now, Johan also had a better idea of how to refine its signature move, "Hammer Sleep."
Satisfied with its practice swings, Tinkatuff suddenly remembered its Mini-Nose statue.
Its hammer was bigger now—surely it could finish what it started!
It dashed to the statue and began hammering furiously.
The sound of its strikes echoed loudly. Compared to its earlier attempts, the progress was astounding.
Tinkatuff proudly showed Johan its hammer, now infused with the remnants of the Mini-Nose statue.
"Great job." Johan ruffled its head affectionately.
Still, he thought with a sigh, now that it can absorb objects into its hammer more easily, Steel-types are doomed.
Tinkatuff beamed at the praise, its eyes crinkling in joy.
Haunter and Vulpix circled Tinkatuff, marveling at its transformation.
"Ka-kah~~" (Was I this impressive when I evolved?)
"Oowu~~" (So not all evolutions make you ugly...) Vulpix murmured, letting out a tiny sigh of relief.
Haunter froze in shock.
"Meeting Pokémon really is the greatest thing in life," Cynthia said with a soft smile as she watched.
Carolina glanced at her granddaughter with a knowing expression.
Night fell over Celestic Town, stars twinkling in the clear, snow-dappled sky.
Johan slumped into a deck chair, staring at the cosmos with a deep sigh.
Why had he agreed to take over cooking for Cynthia and her Pokémon?
Cooking for Cynthia was fine. But why did he have to include her Garchomp and Lucario in the deal?
Between Haunter and Garchomp alone, their appetites were nearly killing him.
Sure, snowfield barbeques were charming, but doubling his workload was exhausting.
At least Garchomp had forgiven him for leaning on Cynthia's shoulder earlier.
Cynthia, carrying a sleepy Vulpix on her shoulder, raised her phone.
She was about to snap a selfie.
Johan forced a grin and gave a peace sign for the camera.
The photo captured the pair and their Pokémon against the backdrop of the sparkling night sky.
"Yo, Cynthia! Long time no see!"
A loud, brash voice shattered the peace.
Johan turned to see a familiar flame-like hairstyle.
His Infernape stood by his side, exuding fiery determination.
What was he doing here at this hour?
Johan's confusion deepened, but Cynthia's expression darkened.
"Cynthia!" Flint shouted. "This is my 91st challenge!"
"Garchomp," Cynthia said coldly.
Sensing her mood, Garchomp flew to her side.
"Dragon Rush," Cynthia commanded icily.
"Wait—already?!" Flint yelped in panic as Garchomp charged.
A blazing blue dragon erupted through the night sky.
Flint and his Infernape were sent flying, their screams fading as they crash-landed into a tree.
Cynthia scoffed and turned on her heel.
"Johan, let's go home."
Sweating nervously, Johan scrambled to follow.
Back at the tree, Flint groaned in defeat, dangling from a branch.
"Darn it... Lost again!"
He glanced down at a bespectacled man standing below.
"Lucian, it's your turn!"
Lucian adjusted his glasses, his movements stiff.
"I must be out of my mind to humor you at this hour."
Muttering under his breath, he released his Bronzong.
, Johan lay on his bed, fast asleep.
Haunter floated down from the ceiling and nudged Vulpix and Tinkatuff awake.
The three Pokémon tiptoed out of the room.
Across the hall, Garchomp, Eevee, and Spiritomb did the same.
The six Pokémon exchanged sly grins.
Operation: Midnight Adventure—Go!
This marks the end of the bonus, powerstones please.
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates