Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"Pult—"

"Draaa!!"

After hazard-setting tactics could no longer take effect, Nemona unhesitatingly chose to engage in direct confrontation with Johan.

It had to be said.

Even setting aside tactical aspects, the ability Nemona displayed was absolutely worthy of the title "Champion."

Even...

From a certain perspective, Nemona performed with more experience and capability than young Champions like Lance and Leon, and showed more courage than veteran Champions like Alder.

Boom!!

Dragonite, wrapped in a blue-purple dragon aura, tore through Dragapult's Dragon Pulse and charged straight toward Dragapult.

"Dragapult, Phantom Force!"

Dragapult flicked its tail.

Originally only Dragapult's tail was invisible, but in an instant it was like donning Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, completely disappearing from Dragonite's sight.

"Draaa?"

Dragonite's form immediately stalled, hovering in mid-air as it looked around searching for Dragapult's figure.

"Dragon Darts!"

Swoosh swoosh—

Two dragon arrows wrapped in blue-purple Dragon-type energy shot out from an unseen corner, rapidly approaching Dragonite.

Bang! Bang!

Dragonite's reaction speed was also quick. Although the Dragon Darts came from behind, it still quickly turned around and swatted out Dragon Claws, batting away both Dreepy.

After being swatted away again, the two Dreepy showed no hesitation and immediately vanished invisibly.

On the field, it seemed only Dragonite remained as a single Pokémon.

"Gone?"

"Phantom Force can maintain for such a long time? And can use moves while maintaining invisibility?"

"Isn't this a bit unfair? You can't see the opponent, but they can hit you!"

"However, this does fit President Nemona's identity as the 'second master of stall.'"

This was indeed a bit unfair.

But... that was only for others.

Regarding the move Phantom Force, not to mention Johan, even Dragonite was very familiar with it. Wasn't it one of the signature techniques of their purple, chubby teammate back home?

However, the Phantom Force used by Dragapult was different from Gengar's Phantom Force.

Gengar directly tore through space and drilled into the "Distortion World" where "electronic pets" resided, while Dragapult relied on its own innate invisibility talent.

This was actually much easier to deal with than Gengar's method of disappearing by tearing through space.

After all, Gengar's disappearance and appearance only had tiny spatial fluctuations when leaving and returning, while Dragapult's physical form was always on the field.

But precisely because of this, Dragapult could use Dragon Darts while maintaining Phantom Force.

And as long as Dragapult was on the field, for trainers with aura power, psychic abilities, and such capabilities, finding it wasn't difficult.

This could be considered gains and losses balanced.

However, for dealing with Dragapult in this state, Johan had a more straightforward, simple, and effective method...

"Dragonite, Blizzard!"

"Draaa!!"

Dragonite flapped its wings, and a cold current immediately swept over, creating a terrifying blizzard.

"Dragapult!" Nemona immediately signaled for Dragapult to avoid it first. After all, without Hail's enhancement, Blizzard had low accuracy to begin with.

But... whether by coincidence or because of Dragonite's good luck, just as Dragapult moved to one side, the blizzard happened to sweep toward it.

It looked as if Dragapult had run right into it.

The audience couldn't see this, or they would definitely complain.

However, soon the audience could see Dragapult's figure.

Under the blizzard, the invisible Dragapult not only revealed its form due to the snowflakes sticking to it but also took the impact of the blizzard.

"Draaa!"

Dragonite grinned.

Wasn't it found now?

"Dragonite—"

Johan's expression became stern as he waved his hand and shouted:

"Dragon Rush!"

"Draaa!!"

Dragonite once again summoned its fierce dragon aura, tearing through the air and roaring toward Dragapult.

Seeing this was unavoidable, Nemona's expression also hardened as she shouted: "Dragapult, Dragon Rush!"

Dragapult's body immediately surged with blue-purple Dragon-type energy, dispersing the surrounding ice and snow while flicking its tail and charging fearlessly toward Dragonite.

Dragon Rush VS Dragon Rush!

Boom!!!

The terrifying impact shockwave spread out, continuously battering the arena barriers.

Under the audience's gaze, the commentator's passionate voice echoed through the boiling arena.

"Dragapult is unable to battle!!"

Whoosh—

The entire venue erupted again.

"Draaa!!"

Hovering in mid-air, Dragonite had quite a few scales shattered, but it excitedly hovered in the arena airspace, flapping wings and waving arms as it roared with excitement.

Exhilarating!

Nemona had lost her third Pokémon.

Field change!

Rumble rumble—

Nemona recalled Dragapult, rubbing the Premier Ball while feeling considerable pressure.

Although Johan's Urshifu probably wouldn't return due to poisoning, and Dragonite had also consumed considerable stamina due to Chesnaught's Pain Split plus the collision with Dragapult, but...

Ultimately, Teacher Johan hadn't lost a single Pokémon yet.

The current score was 3-0.

She had to do something.

Looking at Dragonite still excited in mid-air, Nemona slowly narrowed her eyes.

Soon, the field change was complete.

At the referee's signal, Nemona took out her fifth Premier Ball and threw it out without hesitation.

"The decisive moment, Kingambit!"

Bang!!

The heavy body landed on the newly replaced sandy field, kicking up large amounts of dust.

Gleaming sharp blades collided and rubbed against golden sand particles, producing dense, crisp sounds.

Kingambit!

The evolution of Bisharp, a Dark and Steel-type Big Blade Pokémon.

"President Nemona's fifth Pokémon is—Kingambit!" the commentator immediately announced.

"Gam!"

Kingambit patted its heavy armor and stood up with great presence, displaying a weathered yet commanding and imposing appearance.

With a low roar, Kingambit's body immediately surged with a powerful aura.

Moreover, this aura continued climbing, and that domineering invincible stance was as sharp and unmatched as the giant blade on its head.

"This..." the commentator was momentarily speechless.

Although Kingambit was registered in the Galar region Pokédex, because Kingambit's evolution requirements were extremely high and it was very rare, many people had limited understanding of this Pokémon.

Leon immediately explained from the side:

"This is Kingambit's ability 'Supreme Overlord.' Each time a Pokémon loses its fighting ability, it gains massive benefits when entering battle."

Leon had helped the commentator out more than once today, but his expression had never been as grave as now.

Not only because of the considerable boost Kingambit's "Supreme Overlord" ability brought it.

But more because... the aura Kingambit displayed.

Combined with the "Supreme Overlord" ability's enhancement, Kingambit was almost reaching legendary levels, wasn't it?

If—

"Dragonite, Focus Blast!"

Leon could sense the threat Kingambit posed, and Johan naturally could too.

So he rarely chose to strike first!

"Draaa!!"

Dragonite brought its hands together, assuming a "Kamehameha" stance as terrifying energy gathered between its palms.

This scene rather resembled a beam struggle setup.

Unfortunately, the long-range moves Kingambit could master were... rather limited.

"President Nemona's Kingambit is powerful, but its greatest weakness is Fighting-type moves."

Leon seemed to take over the commentator's job.

"And Dragonite's greatest advantage as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon is the moves it can master—its attack coverage is very broad!"

There was another thing Leon didn't say.

That was, relying on Dragonite's aerial advantage plus Kingambit's quadruple weakness to Fighting-type, even though Nemona's Kingambit was very strong, it wasn't impossible to defeat.

Actually, the audience understood this point without Leon saying it.

Quadruple weakness to Fighting-type.

This weakness was too obvious.

"Draaa—"

Dragonite brought its hands together, and the energy ball formed from surging Fighting-type energy immediately shot toward Kingambit on the ground.

Just then, Nemona took out a Tera Orb and threw it toward Kingambit.

"Show your general's bearing, Kingambit!"

Crack crack crack—

The Tera Orb's power enhanced Kingambit, immediately transforming into crystal covering its entire body.

When Dragonite's Focus Blast descended, the crystals on Kingambit shattered and scattered, completing Terastallization!

Boom! Boom!

Two explosion sounds erupted.

The commentator opened his mouth wide and stammered: "King-Kingambit split Dragonite's Focus Blast in half?!"

The reason there were two explosions was precisely because the giant blade atop Kingambit's head had actually cleaved Dragonite's Focus Blast in two!

This exaggerated scene made everyone's eyes widen.

However... what was most shocking wasn't just Kingambit splitting the Focus Blast, but also because...

"Tera Flying!" Leon said gravely.

Kingambit's Tera type was actually Flying-type!

Double resistance to Fighting!

"Gam!"

Kingambit, covered in transparent crystals all over its body, raised its head to stare directly at Dragonite in mid-air, its eyes full of cold light.

"Draaa?"

Dragonite looked at Kingambit's gaze and scratched its belly.

Acting tough now?

Seeing this scene, Johan's reaction differed from all the audience and top trainers like Leon.

He chuckled with a "heh."

Worthy of being "Master of Stall President Nemona."

Glimmora's hazard-setting, Dragapult's Dragon Tail and invisible Dragon Darts, Altaria's Roar, Chesnaught's Roar, Spiky Shield, and Pain Split, plus Tera Flying Kingambit...

If Nemona wasn't the master of "stall," who was?

However, Johan had actually anticipated this move from Nemona.

The reason he still had Dragonite use the unfamiliar Focus Blast was precisely to force out Nemona's Terastallization.

Dragonite didn't only know Fighting-type moves.

Compared to the unfamiliar Focus Blast, Ice and Electric-type moves were all Dragonite's specialties.

But combined with Terastallization and the "Supreme Overlord" ability, Kingambit after completing Terastallization had now reached legendary level strength!

"Worthy of someone who's been Champion for nearly ten years..." Johan murmured.

Unlike Leon and Lance's rising stars, and unlike Alder and Master Mustard's heroic twilight, Nemona was the only Champion among all Eight Masters participants who was at her absolute peak!

Moreover, Nemona was also the best user of Terastallization among all contestants.

As everyone knew, whether Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, Terastallization, or other enhancement methods, the benefits each brought were related to the user and Pokémon.

Obviously, Nemona's Terastallization not only changed Kingambit's type but also granted Kingambit tremendous power increases.

Legendary!

This wasn't the first Pokémon in this Master Tournament to appear at or "temporarily" boost to legendary levels.

While everyone was shocked by Kingambit splitting the Focus Blast and by Tera Flying, Nemona wouldn't forget this was still a battle—her battle with Teacher Johan!

As for legendary level... from what she knew, Teacher Johan had more than one Pokémon that had reached legendary levels: Gengar, Ninetales, and even... including this very Dragonite before her!

The pressure was always on her side.

So...

"Kingambit, Kowtow Cleave!"

"Gam!!"

The crystal-covered Kingambit roared lowly, and the large golden blade atop its head actually shot directly toward Dragonite in the sky at incredible speed!

Damn, is this Ultraman Seven?

"Dodge, Dragonite!"

"Draaa~!!"

Dragonite flapped its wings, its chubby-looking body moving with incredible agility.

But Kingambit's blade was fast and precise. Dragonite barely managed to dodge, still getting scales torn on its arm.

In the games, this was a move that never missed.

"Behind you!" Johan's pupils contracted as he urgently called: "Dragonite, Extreme Speed!"

"Draaa—"

Dragonite's body glowed white.

Swoosh—

A blade flash disappeared instantly.

Ding!

Kingambit caught the returning large golden blade and placed it back as its helmet.

"Draaa?"

As the white light faded, Dragonite turned its head to look at its other arm, where several scales mixed with traces of blood scattered down.

A boomerang blade too?

"Tsk," Johan clicked his tongue. "For an opponent like this, I should have sent Ceruledge..."

Ceruledge was most interested in weapons and such.

But obviously now, Dragonite was the most interested.

"Draaa!!"

A violent aura surged from Dragonite's body.

That dark red airflow signified the precursor to using Outrage.

Johan smiled.

In the contestant seating area, Cynthia, who had been sitting, glanced at Lance and stood up with a smile.

"Eh? Big sister, why are you standing up?" Flint couldn't help asking.

Cynthia gave him a sideways look. "We'll all be standing up soon anyway."

"Eh?" Flint looked confused.

Everyone else also cast puzzled glances.

Why stand up?

"Wait!" The clever Lucian seemed to sense something from Cynthia's words and quickly stood up, saying with disbelief: "Big sister, don't tell me..."

"Here it comes," Cynthia said softly.

On the field, Johan loosened his collar.

Now.

This is our Champion Time!

"Dragonite—"

Johan suddenly shouted.

"Draaa!!"

Dragonite, sharing Johan's intentions, naturally understood what Johan meant. Its eyes suddenly brightened as its wing-flapping frequency involuntarily increased.

Feeling Dragonite's excitement, Johan's face was also full of smiles.

"Mega Evolution!!"

"Draaa!!!"

Hum—

Dragonite's body immediately emitted emerald green fluorescence, followed by seven-colored rainbow light suddenly rising, then evolution light appeared, completely enveloping Dragonite!

Lance: "?!!!!"

Lance in the contestant seating area immediately shot up from his position, staring with incredulous eyes as he gripped the railing.

If this weren't during a match, he probably would have jumped down already.

Reacting the same way as Lance were Flint and others who had been confused earlier, all showing rather stunned expressions.

And those ordinary audience members needn't be mentioned—disbelief was written directly on their faces.

Live stream comments and forum discussions exploded even more directly.

"Dragonite? Mega Evolution? Did we hear wrong? Is this a joke or..."

"Didn't the League already announce all Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution?"

"This is... did the League miss one? Or is this a newly discovered Mega Evolution? Or something like Mega Evolution but not actually Mega Evolution?"

"Bad! Dragonite's about to take off, hurry up and catch one!"

"Laughable, you think Dragonite is cabbage? Catch one just like that?"

"But this way, won't Lance be taking off?"

Whether Lance would take off was unknown, but Dragonite was definitely about to take off.

"Draaa—"

Wings wrapped in snow-white feathers pierced through the evolution white light. The seven-colored symbol of Mega Evolution flashed briefly, and Dragonite, whose appearance had changed, appeared in everyone's sight.

The overall shape hadn't changed much, and the small wings on its back still existed, but atop its head, a pair of massive snow-white wings flapped, accompanied by gusts of strong wind.

Its tail became more slender, and in the middle section near the tail's end, there was also a crystal orb like those at the end of Dragonair's tail, emanating peculiar light.

Mega Dragonite!

At first glance, it looked somewhat like... a combined form of Dragonite and Dragonair.

Those wings atop its head, that crystal orb at its tail that could control weather and airflow.

Johan had actually complained about these when he first saw Mega Dragonite.

Regardless of what Mega Evolved Dragonite looked like, one thing was certain: its strength had gained tremendous improvement!

This point could be seen from the reaction of the "Lance Support Group" from Blackthorn City's Dragon Clan who had originally come to support Lance in the audience.

If this weren't during a match, this group of Dragon Clan members would probably have jumped down just like Lance.

"Mega Dragonite?"

Nemona also looked with amazement at Dragonite that had completed Mega Evolution.

As League Chairman and Champion, even she didn't know that Dragonite, this pseudo-legendary Pokémon, could actually Mega Evolve.

Originally, because Dragonite couldn't Mega Evolve, it had been somewhat outpaced by other pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Tyranitar, Metagross, Salamence, and Garchomp, but now...

"Mega Dragonite." Leon had also stood up from the commentary booth, thinking of Lance's Dragonite while feeling the changes in Teacher Johan's Dragonite.

"Legendary..."

Johan waved his hand broadly and shouted:

"Dragonite, Thunder!"

Rumble—

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Powerstones?

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