Professor Cerise Laboratory.
This large, aged estate resembled a centuries-old mansion with its expansive courtyard, giving it an air of mystery from the outside.
According to Professor Cerise, he converted it into his research lab after becoming a Pokémon Professor. The interior was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, while the outer courtyard, though smaller than Professor Oak's extravagant garden, was still much larger than Professor Sycamore's.
Johan couldn't help but marvel.
"All Pokémon Professors are loaded, huh?"
At this moment, Johan, his Pokémon, Professor Cerise, Chrysa, and Ren were gathered in the lab. Professor Cerise was busy transferring data from Rotom and the equipment placed at the abandoned power plant into his database.
As for the captured Pokémon hunters, Staal and Maya, they had already been taken away by the ever-reliable Officer Jenny.
When she saw the infamous pair, Officer Jenny was visibly shocked.
These two were notorious Pokémon hunters, known for targeting rare and powerful Pokémon—both wild ones and those already owned by trainers.
But when she learned it was Johan who had apprehended them, she wasn't surprised in the least.
In fact, after detaining the two, she even asked Johan for a commemorative photo.
Thanks to Johan's influence and his strategy of training a special "Jenny Task Force," the Officer Jenny clan had grown significantly stronger, with an increased success rate in apprehending criminals. This had earned Johan a solid reputation among the Jennies.
He even requested Officer Jenny to update him if the hunters revealed any valuable information about their operations. Jenny readily agreed, considering his status as an advisor to the Hoenn League's Special Investigations Unit.
The focus then shifted to Rotom.
Rotom, the Plasma Pokémon, is an Electric/Ghost-type and the only Pokémon with this unique combination. Its remarkable ability to inhabit electronic devices grants it different forms and abilities.
Entering a lawnmower turns it into Mow Rotom (Electric/Grass), allowing it to use Leaf Storm.A refrigerator transforms it into Frost Rotom (Electric/Ice), enabling it to use Blizzard.Similarly, it can inhabit a microwave, washing machine, or fan to become Heat Rotom, Wash Rotom, or Fan Rotom, respectively, gaining new typings and moves such as Overheat, Hydro Pump, and Air Slash.
Aside from these, Rotom can also inhabit other devices like smartphones, Pokédexes, or drones, making it a versatile and sought-after Pokémon.
Unlike Porygon, which relies on networks, Rotom simply needs any electrical device to enter.
Johan couldn't help but think about the infamous competitive strategy, "Bird Egg, Bloom Doom, Metagross Doomscroll"—the painful memories still fresh.
After collecting data, Rotom reentered Professor Cerise's phone, while Johan's Pokédex updated with Rotom's information:
Moves: Will-O-Wisp, Electroweb, Double Team, Astonish, Confuse Ray, Charge, Thunder Wave, Hex, Substitute, Pain Split, Ally Switch
Upon seeing its move set, Johan smirked. If he didn't know better, he'd think this was Gengar 2.0.
In fact, with its Levitate ability, Rotom arguably resembled Gengar even more than Gengar itself.
"Rotom isn't particularly suited for direct battles," Professor Cerise explained with a smile. "It has a little quirk—it loves taking pictures."
Perfect match for Gengar!
Professor Cerise continued, "This Rotom entered my phone during a research trip to Rotom Island. I never caught it, but it decided to stay and assist me with data collection and storage."
Turning to Johan, Professor Cerise added, "Since you're still missing a sixth Pokémon, why not take Rotom along? It could help provide information about other Pokémon or their habitats—and it might even handle a few minor tasks for you."
Johan pondered the offer.
Maybe Rotom could fix his broken boat from earlier. And as a backup, it could fill the sixth slot he needed to qualify for the Indigo League.
Plus, at home, Rotom might mow the lawn, do laundry, or vacuum the floors. A true utility Pokémon.
"Rotom, what do you think?" Professor Cerise asked the Pokémon in his phone.
Rotom peeked out, tilting its head as it studied Gengar.
How does this guy always find the camera's center?
Despite using Ally Switch to change positions, Gengar still landed in the perfect spot for every shot.
"Rotom," Johan called out with a smile.
Rotom turned toward him, curious.
"I don't need you to battle," Johan explained. "All I need is your help with little things—information, minor tasks, and maybe some photography. You'd be free to take as many pictures as you like."
Rotom's plasma frame quivered with excitement.
This is the guy who faced down Zapdos!
"And," Johan added with a grin, "if you come along, I might even introduce you to the Pokémon world's greatest photographer someday."
Rotom's eyes sparkled, its whole body vibrating with enthusiasm.
Rotom dashed into Johan's Luxury Ball without hesitation. The ball didn't even twitch—it accepted the capture instantly.
Before Johan could open the ball, Rotom popped back out, excitedly zipping around.
With Rotom added to his team, Johan now had a multi-purpose Pokémon companion. However, when Gengar handed Rotom its old phone as a "home," something odd happened.
Rotom shot out of the phone in terror, its plasma form shaking.
Something's wrong with this phone!
Johan raised an eyebrow.
Gengar shrugged innocently, but Johan had a sneaking suspicion. Maybe it was the strange "digital pet" Gengar had installed.
"Here," Johan said, offering his own phone instead.
But when Rotom tried to enter Johan's phone, it immediately bounced back out.
Now utterly panicked, Rotom quivered mid-air, its expression a mix of despair and exhaustion.
Professor Cerise, Chrysa, and Ren exchanged puzzled glances.
This isn't the kindergarten bus, Loto!
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates