Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"You're going back to Hoenn?"

Late at night.

Cynthia wore cute Jigglypuff pajamas, her golden hair cascading down as she lazily yawned while showing surprise in her eyes.

Suddenly saying he needed to return to Hoenn at this hour?

Moreover... the Master Tournament draw had already concluded, and the so-called "Eight Masters Battle" was about to begin.

If not for seeing Johan's serious expression, Cynthia would have reached out to feel his forehead.

Had something major happened?

Or some emergency situation?

Seeing little Cynthia's expression grow serious, Johan knew she'd misunderstood and smiled:

"It's nothing major, just a somewhat personal matter I want to find an answer to."

"I'll come with you."

Cynthia immediately turned to go change clothes.

Johan quickly grabbed her hand, saying: "It's really nothing major, just a hypothesis I need to verify, truly. I'm telling you so you won't worry, and to avoid those guys asking questions."

"Really?" Cynthia turned around.

"Of course."

"Can I... know what it is?" Cynthia asked somewhat hesitantly.

Johan had said it was a personal matter.

"How could there be anything you can't know." Johan pinched Cynthia's fair cheek, smiling: "It's just because it's uncertain that I didn't tell you directly."

After pausing, Johan said with slight hesitation: "I think Dragonite might be able to Mega Evolve."

"Dragonite?"

Cynthia was stunned.

With Mega Evolution's emergence, all Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution had basically been announced, including Rayquaza.

After all, Mega Evolution required Mega Stones...

That wasn't entirely correct.

Johan and his Gengar could Mega Evolve without relying on Mega Stones.

But in most cases, both Mega Stones and Key Stones were indispensable.

If Dragonite could Mega Evolve, why hadn't the League's many search teams and all the world's trainers found Dragonite's Mega Stone?

Like Lance—with Dragonite as his ace Pokémon, if it could Mega Evolve, why would he have the "Normal-type Elite Four" nickname?

"So I'm very uncertain too," Johan said.

Cynthia looked at him deeply.

From Cynthia's understanding of Johan, if he truly had no confidence, he definitely wouldn't choose this late bedtime hour to return to Hoenn.

He must have some leads to act this way.

Then Johan briefly described how he'd discovered the clues.

Actually, thinking back carefully.

From when Dragonite completely digested Rayquaza's orb fragments, from the giant rainbow meteorite's appearance, from Gengar's proficient Mega Evolution, from when Johan and Gengar could bond-evolve without Mega Stones—Dragonite had shown various reactions...

"So you're going back to Hoenn to find Rayquaza?" Cynthia understood Johan's intention from his explanation.

If Rayquaza had caused Dragonite's changes, enabling Dragonite to Mega Evolve...

That would make sense.

After all, Rayquaza had nearly beaten up the Hoenn duo over that giant rainbow meteorite.

"Going to try," Johan nodded.

What if?

Since so many Pokémon could Mega Evolve, why couldn't there be one more Dragonite?

Ash could make his Greninja bond-evolve...

"Will there be enough time?" Cynthia asked.

"Worst case... I'll ask Giratina or little Hoopa to open a portal," Johan smiled.

"Mm."

Cynthia smiled gently.

She'd forgotten Johan had this "skill."

"Then you... mm, go and come back quickly, stay safe."

"Don't worry."

Watching Johan's quickly departing figure, Cynthia's smile was gentle as she involuntarily imagined Lance's expression seeing Johan with Mega Evolved Dragonite...

That would be quite interesting.

The next day.

Hoenn region.

"Next meal, I'll definitely give you more than Dialga and Palkia!"

Johan called to Giratina, whose fierce head was poking through the massive rift opened in midair.

"Garruu~"

Giratina immediately showed satisfaction, giving Johan a "kind" smile before turning and disappearing into the "Distortion World."

It had been pulled away as labor before finishing yesterday's drama—time to hurry back and catch up!

"Phew—"

Johan exhaled lightly.

Giratina could only send him outside Hoenn, otherwise though the Hoenn duo wouldn't fight Giratina due to Johan's presence, any movement from them would be enough to startle Hoenn's people.

So to avoid unnecessary trouble, Johan didn't have Giratina open the "portal" directly within Hoenn region.

"Let's go, Dragonite, to Sootopolis City, Sky Pillar."

"Draaa~~ (ˊˋ)"

Dragonite carried Johan, happily heading toward Sky Pillar.

Hoenn, Sky Pillar.

The massive Rayquaza coiled around this pillar closest to the ozone layer, resting as it lowered its head, crimson eyes looking down at Johan.

[Master Tournament?]

Its expression became strange.

[You're not thinking of having me help you fight in the Master Tournament, are you?]

Johan spread his hands: "I'd like to, but they'd have to give you a chance to participate."

Rayquaza slightly raised its head, surging with powerful airflow, displaying its aura as "Dragon of the Sky."

Then immediately stared intensely at Johan.

[Three meals?]

"What?" Johan was confused.

[Three meals, and I'll solve those so-called organizers for you, including all your opponents!]

Johan: "..."

No way.

This realistic?

Reshiram stole your title, Rayquaza.

He waved dismissively: "Stop fooling around, let me finish talking."

Interrupting halfway was very rude, Rayquaza.

Then Johan explained about Dragonite and his hypothesis about Dragonite's Mega Evolution.

After listening, Rayquaza looked at the chubby Dragonite beside Johan.

The little one was playing with clouds from "Sky Pillar" like snowballs, rolling them round and shaping them, trying to make Rayquaza's form but only managing a line.

Dragonite felt this was wrong, coiling the line up, immediately creating... a lump.

Rayquaza: "..."

So annoying.

But considering helping Johan would owe him a meal, Rayquaza suppressed its irritation and took a deep breath.

[It can.]

"Can?" Johan's head shot up as Dragonite also looked over in surprise.

Really possible?

Rayquaza looked at Johan strangely, asking back:

[You never knew?]

"Should I know?"

[How do I—what's the human term—Mega Evolve? Do you know?]

"Of course," Johan said: "You have a special organ inside that, after being activated by that giant rainbow meteorite, lets you Mega Evolve through this organ."

[Wait, you know this much?]

Rayquaza slowly backed away, looking at Johan with strange, wary eyes.

But quickly realized that while this was secret to others, it wasn't confidential information between it and Johan.

So it coughed twice:

[Cough cough, not just Mega Evolution—my energy storage and using certain moves like Dragon Ascent all go through it.]

Dragon Ascent?

Johan looked at Dragonite.

His Dragonite had also learned Dragon Ascent from Rayquaza, though the "censored version."

Could it be...

Rayquaza nodded at Johan, indicating his thoughts were correct.

Did he think its shed scales and green orb fragments were free?

Did he think any random Dragon-type Pokémon could learn Dragon Ascent?

Even the "censored version."

[Does it really like flying?] Rayquaza asked again.

"Indeed."

Dragonite had to fly several circles daily to feel satisfied. Previously Gengar took it out for air, afraid its bad luck might encounter something unfortunate.

Now... as long as it didn't meet legendary Pokémon, at most a few tumbles wouldn't cause problems. Dragonite went wandering alone.

Rayquaza also constantly flew around the ozone layer or space...

Johan frowned.

"But if Dragonite can indeed Mega Evolve, I shouldn't have only noticed now..."

[Still missing something.]

"Missing something?"

Rayquaza pondered briefly as a broken light green orb flew from its body.

[Whatever, here you go. It's already broken anyway.]

Rayquaza's green orb!

For Dragonite?

Why didn't you bring this out earlier?

[And this.]

Rayquaza somehow produced a meteorite.

[The meteorite you asked me to find carrying "cosmic energy"—take a look.]

Cosmic energy?

Little Jirachi's power source!

This meteorite was obviously far inferior to the one Eternatus had summoned.

But... finding another meteorite carrying "cosmic energy" meant little Jirachi could maintain consciousness this way!

As long as it didn't make wishes or excessively consume its energy, the little one might truly stay conscious indefinitely.

"Thank you," Johan said sincerely.

Thanking not just for the meteorite, but also the half-broken green orb.

Rayquaza waved its claw.

[Let's get practical.]

Johan laughed helplessly.

Felt like Reshiram should really give up the "Dragon of Truth" title.

Then he called Gengar from the shadows, producing large quantities of Energy Cubes.

Rayquaza immediately nodded with satisfaction.

Understanding.

[Remember to call me when I can participate.]

After saying this, Rayquaza immediately roared, sweeping up Energy Cubes toward the ozone layer.

It preferred enjoying delicacies in the ozone layer.

Watching the hurried Rayquaza, Johan grinned.

"Such a rush?"

He hadn't even brought out his first-developed "secret seasoning" cuisine.

Oh well.

There'd be other opportunities.

Looking at Dragonite.

"Draaa~ Draaa~"

Dragonite looked eagerly at the half green orb in Johan's hand, flapping small wings and calling softly.

"Here, it's definitely yours anyway."

Johan handed the green orb fragment to Dragonite.

Dragonite didn't hesitate, directly throwing it in its mouth, teeth grinding against the orb with "crunching" sounds—obviously couldn't bite through.

This scene made Johan's eye twitch.

From some point on, his Pokémon's eating had become so simple and brutal.

Started with Gengar?

Or Tyranitar?

Gulp—

Dragonite was straightforward—if it wouldn't break, just swallow it whole.

Johan: "..."

Didn't that feel uncomfortable?

"Draaa~ (ˊˋ)"

After eating, Dragonite seemed very happy, small wings constantly flapping as its body faintly glowed light green, then...

Then nothing happened.

"How do you feel?" Johan asked.

"Draaa~" Dragonite gently patted its chubby belly, scratching its head.

Still hungry~

Johan: "..."

Why did Dragonite seem infected by Tyranitar too?

Let me try myself.

Johan took out his Key Stone, closing his eyes.

Aura dwells in the heart!

"Draaa!!"

Dragonite's wings instinctively trembled.

Soon, Johan opened his eyes with some excitement.

There really was a reaction!

Having performed Mega Evolution so many times with Gengar and Tyranitar, even bond-evolving with Gengar, Johan was extremely familiar with Mega Evolution and Key Stone reactions.

Just the reaction wasn't as strong as Gengar and Tyranitar's.

Rather... it was like Gengar during bond evolution without Mega Stones.

"With mine and Dragonite's 'shared hardships' relationship..."

"Draaa draaa~"

Dragonite flapped its wings and flew up.

Strong winds whipped around "Sky Pillar" as Johan's clothes fluttered, his expression suddenly becoming sharp.

"Dragonite—"

"Draaa!!"

Galar region, Wyndon City.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 'Eight Masters Tournament' battle site!!"

The commentator's passionate voice echoed throughout.

"Today's battlers are Lance from Johto region and Leon from our Galar region!"

Boom!!

Leon was fighting at home plus being a popular contestant, obviously enjoying high support.

Lance, as the first famous among Johan's generation, also had considerable popularity.

Moreover, while others only had one region's support, Lance had both Kanto and Johto backing him!

Under countless expectations and attention, two handsome cape-wearing figures emerged from their respective contestant tunnels.

"Why do they love capes so much?" Flint couldn't help asking.

Cynthia didn't bother answering. Before Lucian could speak, a voice came from nearby.

"Because capes are their true bodies."

"Teacher Johan?"

Flint looked at the breathless Johan with surprise.

Didn't he go back to Hoenn?

"Back?" Cynthia, whose face showed little emotion, smiled slightly upon seeing Johan.

"Mm."

Johan sat directly beside Cynthia, making Caitlin's blonde hair bristle until Diantha's laughing comfort finally calmed her.

"Went smoothly?" Cynthia asked softly.

Johan grinned at her words.

"Heh."

He nodded.

Cynthia's eyes immediately sparkled with amazement she couldn't suppress.

Dragonite could really Mega Evolve?!

Following Johan's mischievous gaze to Lance on the field, Cynthia immediately understood his thoughts and couldn't help covering her mouth as her eyes curved with laughter.

Johan was still so mischievous.

Flint, Lucian and others exchanged glances.

What riddles were these two playing?

Why so happy?

Everyone looked confused while only this couple knew what they were discussing.

Johan was naturally thinking of giving Lance a little shock!

"This scene looks familiar," Johan couldn't help raising an eyebrow when focusing on the field battle.

Lance VS Leon.

Red Gyarados VS Charizard!

Too "familiar."

"Gyarados, Aqua Tail!" Lance swept his cape, roaring commandingly with full momentum.

"Charizard, dodge!"

Leon showed no weakness, calmly commanding with a wave.

"Don't think such attacks can hit us, Senpai Lance," Leon smiled.

Leon still respected Lance greatly.

When he left Galar to learn and battle with other regions' trainers under Rose's support, his first stop was Kanto region where Lance had helped the directionally-challenged him considerably.

Though calling him "senpai," appearance-wise... Leon obviously looked more mature than Lance.

Lance smiled: "Whether it hits doesn't affect our tactics!"

Hm?

Leon was confused, then quickly realized and hurriedly looked skyward.

He saw...

Though Charizard avoided red Gyarados's exaggerated Aqua Tail, the water carried upward... formed torrential rainfall.

"Rain Dance!!"

Splash splash—

Torrential rain poured down.

Rainy weather!

"Gyarados, Thunder!"

"Come back, Charizard!"

Leon's Poké Ball's red light timely recalled Charizard as massive lightning struck the ground, immediately blasting a charred crater.

"Tsk."

Johan clicked his tongue.

This was the Lance versus Leon battle he wanted to see...

Gyarados VS Charizard—Leon's Charizard was strong, his ace, but was Lance's Gyarados weak?

Even if Gyarados wasn't Lance's ace, its strength was definitely formidable.

Leon seemed at a disadvantage.

But he quickly sent out a Pokémon to turn the tide.

"You're up, Swampert!"

"Swift Swim" Swampert, Water and Ground-type, gained even more benefits in rain than Gyarados!

Leon's expression grew serious: "I have plenty of experience dealing with weather tactics!"

Raihan in the audience curled his lips.

Yes, you have experience—always picking on my weather. Have the guts to bully Teacher Johan!

"Come back, Gyarados!"

Lance also decisively recalled Gyarados, sending out...

Kingdra!

Also with "Swift Swim" ability.

"For these two to determine a winner really isn't simple..." Johan sighed softly.

Young Lance versus even younger Leon...

"Next match, it's our turn again..."

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Powerstones?

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