Pokemon: Spiritual Master

The sky was a crystal clear blue, and the gentle breeze carried a scent unique to Spikemuth as it brushed against their faces, accompanied by some commotion.

Flint and Flannery had already started their ranked battles, and the disturbance they caused had attracted quite a few Spikemuth "thugs" to gather.

Johan suddenly realized.

Wait.

I'm already "Master Ball Tier"—why am I still doing ranked battles?

But then he thought about it.

Rather than being at the bottom in "Master Replacement Battles" and potentially facing challenges from many powerful trainers, it would be better to...

Score a few points now, at least not to be at the bottom of "Master Ball Tier"—that would look bad.

Johan didn't think that with his current fame and strength, no one would dare challenge him in "Master Replacement Battles."

The upcoming "Master Ball Tier" would almost certainly all be Champion-level people, and those challenging in "Master Replacement Battles," even if not Champion-level, would definitely be close to Champion-level.

What was there to not dare challenge?

Moreover, there were quite a few people like Lance, Flint, and Leon who just liked challenging strong opponents for the thrill and excitement—only this way could these people unleash even stronger power.

To avoid more "big troubles" later, dealing with some "small troubles" now wasn't unacceptable.

While Peony hadn't arrived yet...

That works too.

After brief consideration, Johan said to Rotom: "Accept it. At most it'll be Marnie."

Since returning from the Alola region, through the academy's start of term, until now, his Pokémon hadn't battled for quite a while.

"Understood, Rotom! Accepting the challenge!"

The League's matching mechanism was actually quite humane.

It didn't forbid "cross-tier" challenges.

Like Flint, who had just accepted a challenge from "Poké Ball Tier"—emphasizing that even mosquito meat was still meat.

However, cross-tier challenges might seem like bullying "little kids" to outsiders, but for Flint and Johan, it wasn't a problem.

Additionally, "cross-tier" battle matching required challenges and agreement from both parties, to avoid certain people specifically targeting those with lower point rankings to farm points.

Moreover.

For "cross-tier" challenges, whether high-ranked challenging low-ranked or vice versa.

If the high-ranked person won, their gained points would be halved, and the low-ranked person's lost points would be similarly reduced.

But if it was reversed and the low-ranked person won, the gained points would directly double, or even more!

From such rules and systems, the League was actually encouraging low-ranked people to challenge high-ranked ones.

It also gave those with strong abilities but initially low rankings a faster climbing speed.

It had a feeling of... compensation points.

Of course, if people of the same "tier" within a certain range matched simultaneously, both parties' agreement wouldn't be needed.

"Several more 'Poké Ball Tier' and 'Great Ball Tier' challenges received, Rotom!"

Rotom Phone had just accepted an "Ultra Ball Tier" challenge according to Johan's wishes, and now there were so many "Poké Ball Tier" and "Great Ball Tier" ones?

"Spikemuth really lives up to its reputation..." Johan sighed.

Truly unconventional.

His "Master Ball Tier" status felt like it had no prestige at all in Spikemuth.

"Rotom, set it up—block all challenges below 'Ultra Ball Tier.'" Johan said.

Although he didn't mind bullying "little kids," he still wanted some face... cough, definitely not because winning against below "Ultra Ball Tier" gave zero points.

"Understood!"

Meanwhile.

In a factory converted into a "cheering venue" in Spikemuth, a black-haired girl was sitting sideways on a sofa, legs crossed, fiddling with her phone.

She wore a black studded jacket over a pink dress and black studded boots, giving off a dark, problem-child vibe.

Her black hair had bangs with seven strands on one side, while the other side was tied with a hair band. Combined with her cute appearance and fair skin, she also had a rock singer, energetic girl feeling.

This girl was Spikemuth's biggest idol, Marnie, sister of Spikemuth Gym Leader Piers, and the object of worship for Galar region's troublesome group "Team Yell."

Marnie's light blue eyes looked at her phone screen. When she saw the words "Challenge Accepted," she was briefly stunned.

A "Master Ball Tier" guy actually accepted her challenge?

Marnie had actually just wanted to try it out—after all, a "Master Ball Tier" trainer suddenly appearing in Spikemuth was quite surprising.

In the current Pokémon world, there were only so many people with "Master Ball Tier" ranking. Who would suddenly come running to Spikemuth?

Moreover, a "Master Ball Tier" trainer actually didn't maintain their dignity and accepted a challenge from someone like her who was nearly at the bottom of "Ultra Ball Tier"?

Who was so shameless?

Could it be Leon?

Had he already climbed to "Master Ball Tier"?

She'd only tried for fun, but since the other party accepted...

Marnie's eyes focused as she put away her phone and stood up, tidying her clothes and skirt slightly.

No matter what, since "Master Ball Tier" could accept her challenge, it was an opportunity for her. Even if she lost, she wouldn't lose many points, and she could test how big the gap was between herself, who had finally reached "Ultra Ball Tier," and "Master Ball Tier."

In the same factory, several Team Yell members holding posters and megaphones were also messing with their phones.

"Eh? 'Master Ball Tier'? Came to our Spikemuth?"

"Definitely wants to battle Piers or Miss Marnie. No way, we need to challenge him quickly!"

"Right, right! Everyone apply to challenge! Protect the world's best Miss Marnie!"

"Miss Marnie stood up!"

"So cute..."

"Where is Miss Marnie going?"

"Quick! Quick, follow her! Yell, start yelling!"

Marnie quickly walked out of the factory, heading toward the venue arranged by the matching mechanism.

Cheers came from behind her.

"Miss Marnie, do your best!"

"We'll always support you and yell for you!"

Team Yell members holding cheering posters and megaphones, speakers chased after her.

Team Yell, as the name suggested, was an organization born to yell.

Or more accurately, an organization specifically to yell and cheer for Miss Marnie. They couldn't be considered an evil organization—they were even more pathetic than the Alola region's "Team Skull."

For Team Yell, as long as you support Miss Marnie, we're friends. But if you battle Miss Marnie, we're enemies!

Protect the world's best Miss Marnie!

Hearing the crazy shouting fans behind her, Marnie's fair face felt somewhat hot.

Although she'd long adapted to Team Yell's existence... every time she heard this yelling and cheering, she still felt troubled and somewhat embarrassed.

But Team Yell's existence also made Marnie feel that at least their Spikemuth had its own power, letting her feel at ease.

This was a rather contradictory psychology.

But who made Spikemuth a forgotten, even abandoned place?

As Piers' sister, Marnie shouldered the great mission of bringing glory back to Spikemuth.

She had to make a name in this "Pokémon World Championships," had to become a famous trainer like Teacher Johan who could drive an academy, a city, or even a region.

That way, no one would be unaware of Spikemuth's existence anymore!

Marnie also silently encouraged herself.

Spikemuth's status in the Galar region could be said to have no status at all.

Because what the Galar League currently promoted was Dynamax and professional battle stadiums.

As everyone knew, Dynamax conditions were very harsh—not only requiring a Dynamax Band but also needing to be in specific locations to Dynamax.

In the Galar region, besides some outdoor environments, most cities where Dynamax was possible had specific stadiums.

Like Wyndon Stadium, Motostoke Stadium, and so on.

Stadiums let trainers and Pokémon safely Dynamax without worrying about causing destruction, while also providing audiences with good viewing platforms.

So besides older leagues and regions like Kanto and Johto, the Galar region had the most intense battle atmosphere.

Galar League Chairman Rose also used this method to increase Galar region's fame, attracting more trainers to battle, thus promoting Galar region's economic development.

But Spikemuth was awkward.

Because Spikemuth had no power spots, Dynamax was impossible, putting it somewhat out of step with the entire Galar region.

Over time, Spikemuth and its residents became somewhat self-destructive or xenophobic, believing outsiders were hostile and contemptuous toward Spikemuth.

This led to Spikemuth becoming what it was now—the entire town surrounded by spiked metal fencing.

It was also an important "cradle" for troublesome organizations like "Team Yell."

Spikemuth Gym Leader Piers also believed that even without using Dynamax, one could become a top trainer.

In such an environment and atmosphere, Miss Marnie, discovered to have outstanding talent, unknowingly shouldered Spikemuth's future burden.

Marnie quickly arrived at the battle venue arranged by matching.

A... battle field within Spikemuth, covered in graffiti and somewhat run-down.

"Sorry, are you the challenger?"

A sudden voice made Marnie instinctively freeze, warily turning her head toward the wall.

She saw a black-haired young man in black clothes, dressed very properly and wearing monocle glasses, looking quite refined and polite.

This person...

When Marnie saw the speaker's appearance, her heart trembled, and her eyes showed some shock.

Teacher Johan?!

Marnie was slightly dazed.

She had previously thought about becoming someone like Teacher Johan, using her own abilities and strength to make Spikemuth as famous throughout the Pokémon world as Kanaz Pokémon Academy.

She hadn't expected...

The "Master Ball Tier" trainer who came to Spikemuth was actually Teacher Johan?!

Actually, Johan was also somewhat surprised.

It was actually Marnie!

Piers' sister, and also a quite popular character from the "Pokémon Sword/Shield" games. Even in the real world, she had many fans.

Speaking of which.

This was Spikemuth—encountering Marnie wasn't surprising.

But... Marnie had actually reached "Ultra Ball Tier," which was quite surprising.

You had to know that as a Gym Leader, Flannery only started at "Great Ball Tier." Reaching "Ultra Ball Tier" was quite difficult.

After all, if you really ranked all the powerful trainers in the entire Pokémon world, Gym Leaders being outside the top 200 was too normal...

He'd originally guessed it might be Piers.

But with Piers' strength, reaching the top 100 should still be possible.

But Johan thought again.

This "Pokémon World Championships" was being held in Galar and Paldea regions. Trainers from these two regions had inherent ranking and climbing advantages.

Plus Marnie was originally a hardworking person, and if Team Yell interfered, reaching "Ultra Ball Tier" wasn't impossible.

But as more people climbed ranks, maintaining the tier would probably be difficult.

The Team Yell members who came with Marnie had originally wanted to see who dared battle Miss Marnie, wondering if they should deal with the opponent first... But seeing Johan:

"Oh no! It's actually Miss Marnie's idol, Teacher Johan!"

"Damn! This is dangerous—Teacher Johan is famously the 'Baby Trainer Killer'!"

"No wonder a 'Master Ball Tier' person would accept an 'Ultra Ball Tier' challenge—it's Teacher Johan, so that makes sense!"

"It's over! Miss Marnie, our Miss Marnie, wuu wuu—"

Idol?

As someone of common birth, Johan was actually an idol to many ordinary-born trainers.

Although Marnie was a Gym Leader's sister, due to Spikemuth's situation, she actually faced much more pressure than ordinary trainers.

Hearing Team Yell's "wailing" behind her, Marnie felt her cheeks burn, but her face remained expressionless.

"Ahem." Johan coughed lightly. "How about... we call it off? I'm good friends with your brother..."

If he "bullied" Marnie, wouldn't Piers come looking for him desperately later?

But if he forfeited, wouldn't he... become the first "Master Ball Tier" trainer with negative points?

Hearing this, Marnie immediately put aside all her thoughts and said seriously:

"No, Teacher Johan, this is a learning opportunity for me. Please continue battling me!"

Seeing Marnie's serious eyes, then looking at the constantly yelling, noisy, wailing Team Yell members behind her, Johan nodded slightly:

"I understand."

"Please don't hold back!" Marnie added, looking afraid Johan might go easy on her.

Hearing this, Johan smiled.

"Don't worry, I, Johan, never go easy on anyone, but you should also be prepared."

Marnie nodded, already gripping a Poké Ball in her hand. "The moment I became a trainer, I was prepared for all failures! But no matter how many failures, I won't give up!"

"Miss Marnie..."

"This is our light, our Miss Marnie!"

"Go for it! Miss Marnie! Beat Teacher Johan and we'll be completely famous!"

Although Marnie usually didn't allow them to interfere with battles or opponents, Team Yell members would actually secretly do some things.

But this time facing Teacher Johan, they really didn't have the guts to do anything underhanded.

Marnie had already ignored Team Yell behind her, looking at Johan with a straight face:

"This is Spikemuth—Dynamax is impossible. Neither my brother nor I have good feelings about Dynamax, so... if possible, I hope to see your enhancement method, Teacher Johan!"

Dynamax... I haven't used it either.

Actually Johan was quite curious about having his Pokémon Dynamax.

Gigantamax Gengar, Gigantamax Urshifu, and Dynamax Tyranitar... that Godzilla vibe.

However, as Marnie said, Dynamax was impossible in Spikemuth.

As for other enhancement methods...

"If there's a chance, I will." Johan couldn't guarantee—the prerequisite was naturally that Marnie could show sufficient strength.

Marnie took a deep breath, understanding the meaning in Johan's words.

"Then let's do this!" She pressed the button on her phone to call a referee.

A Rotom flying nearby received the information and immediately flew over.

The existence of such Rotom drones was also one of the reasons Galar and Paldea regions were chosen as venues for this tournament.

They could provide referees anytime and livestream filming.

To ensure fairness, all ranked battles in this tournament would be livestreamed and recorded in the League's database, searchable and viewable by anyone on the League's official website.

But this referee and filming job...

"Let me handle it, Rotom!"

Rotom Phone immediately flew out of Johan's pocket, then... with a flying kick, directly booted away the Rotom drone that had just landed.

The Rotom drone spun circles in the air, silently producing a question mark above its head.

?

"This Rotom will serve as referee and connect to League livestream channels. Prepare... 3, 2, 1, begin!"

The two's battle appeared on numerous League broadcast channels.

"Hm? Am I seeing this right? Teacher Johan?"

"'Master Ball Tier' VS 'Ultra Ball Tier'? First time in this tournament, eh?"

"Oh no! Teacher Johan ran to Galar region to beat up 'babies'!"

"The opponent is Miss Marnie?! Teacher Johan actually bullied our Miss Marnie?"

"Protect! The world's best Miss Marnie!"

Instantly, large numbers of viewers flooded the broadcast channels.

After all, just the title "'Master Ball Tier' VS 'Ultra Ball Tier'" was most attractive among the many simultaneous matches.

Such high-level matches weren't viewable anytime.

When people entering the broadcast discovered the battlers were Teacher Johan and Miss Marnie, word spread, and viewer numbers kept skyrocketing.

Meanwhile, Johan and Marnie had both prepared their Pokémon.

"Go, Morpeko!"

Marnie extended her hand flatly, and a small, agile spotted electric mouse ran along Marnie's arm and leaped onto the field.

It stood on two feet with hands in pockets, showing a cute smile and two round little teeth—a harmless appearance.

Morpeko was the eighth generation's electric mouse, a dual Electric and Dark-type Pokémon.

Don't be deceived by its current cute appearance—this was its "Full Belly Mode" form, the cute appearance.

When it changed to "Hangry Mode," it would turn black and become extremely aggressive and fierce.

When Marnie's Morpeko appeared, Johan's Poké Ball also opened. In red light, Servine appeared on the field.

"Servine? Still hasn't evolved into Serperior?"

"Don't underestimate Teacher Johan's Servine!"

"This is Teacher Johan's special Pokémon for bullying 'babies'!"

"Such scheming! Psychology students really have 'dirty' hearts!"

Servine was just a middle evolution—calling it a "baby" was reasonable, right?

"Peko?" Morpeko blinked its cute eyes, looking brightly at Servine.

It wasn't some fierce Pokémon, making Morpeko feel especially at ease.

It even greeted Servine very friendly.

"Peko~ (.o)"

At Johan's indication, Marnie got first move and actively attacked.

"Morpeko, Aura Wheel!" Marnie immediately commanded.

"Peko!"

Morpeko chimed lightly, electric currents bursting from its body. A golden wheel-like ring appeared before it, and Morpeko ran within the energy "wheel," speed instantly soaring as it charged at Servine with considerable force.

"Servine."

Johan lightly touched his glasses, struggling internally.

After much consideration, since he'd promised not to hold back, he decided not to hold back...

"Leaf Storm."

"Servine!"

Servine's expression immediately became serious, surging with powerful green Grass-type energy. Countless leaves formed from nothing, swirling into a terrifying leaf tornado sweeping toward Morpeko.

That terrifying airflow, the surging leaf tornado...

Morpeko, running energetically on its "wheel," saw this scene...

─=≡Σ(((つ＞＜)つ

It turned and ran on the "wheel."

Save me!

The Leaf Storm's huge commotion made livestream viewers gasp.

"This is eight years old?!"

"Get it now? This is completely a Champion-level Pokémon wearing Servine skin."

"Damn, facing such cute Miss Marnie, can't Teacher Johan show mercy?"

Marnie was also somewhat surprised by Servine's Leaf Storm power.

Was this really the move power a Servine should possess?

After Snivy evolved into Servine, its strength had already reached Elite Four level.

After training and growth over time, especially Mew's "guidance," its strength improved rapidly, now at the level of ordinary Elite Four ace Pokémon.

With such strength, even Marnie's brother Piers would find it very troublesome, let alone Marnie and her Morpeko.

However...

As Marnie said, she knew failure, so she wouldn't give up.

"Morpeko, keep running, use Protect!"

"Peko!"

─=≡Σ(Д`)

Green protective barriers plus Aura Wheel's protection barely helped dodge Leaf Storm.

Morpeko finally stopped, hands on knees, gasping heavily while its fur visibly changed to black-red, eyes fierce and red, aura changing from cute to vicious.

"Hangry Mode"!

Hm?

Marnie was stunned.

Although she'd known Morpeko since she was five, she'd never been able to control Morpeko's form changes.

However, she had grasped some characteristics of "Hangry Mode" Morpeko.

"Morpeko, once more, Aura Wheel!"

"Morpeko!! (▼皿▼)"

Black lightning burst from Morpeko, again constructing the previous "wheel," only this time it was black instead of gold.

"Servine?"

Servine was also somewhat surprised by Morpeko's form change.

But.

When it saw Morpeko being fierce toward it, Servine's eyes widened.

Being fierce to me?

You dare be fierce to me?

"Servine!! (#｀皿)"

Servine also showed a fierce expression.

Seeing Servine's expression, Johan held his forehead.

Whatever...

"Leaf Storm."

"Servine!! (▼-▼*)"

Countless leaves danced through the air, instantly sweeping the entire arena under viewers' shocked gazes. No matter where Morpeko was, it had no chance to run away.

"This, this..."

Team Yell members at the side watched nervously and fearfully.

Hey, you said no holding back and really didn't hold back at all?

How could you bear it?

Bang—

Morpeko flew out, smashing into the wall beside it, creating a dent, eyes spinning.

Unable to battle!

Regardless of whether "Aura Wheel" would change move types with Morpeko's state, technique had little effect before absolute power.

"Good fighting spirit." Johan thought for three seconds, then said quite seriously.

Marnie, who was about to recall Morpeko, was stunned, then seriously nodded.

"Mm!"

Teacher Johan was acknowledging her somewhat, right?

Then this next one...

After recalling Morpeko, Marnie more seriously threw out a Poké Ball. "Please, Houndoom!"

"Howl—"

A fierce black hellhound wearing white bones appeared on the field.

"It's Fire-type Houndoom!"

"Fire-type Pokémon! Miss Marnie is amazing after all!"

"Go Miss Marnie!"

Seeing Houndoom, Team Yell perked up again.

After Houndoom appeared, Marnie suddenly put both hands beside her mouth, exerted slight force, lifted the corners of her mouth, and showed a smile.

Team Yell became excited again.

"Ahhhh!! This is the smile Miss Marnie has been practicing hard so we wouldn't be sad!"

"Wuu, Marnie, my Miss Marnie!"

When Marnie made this gesture, the pendant around her neck suddenly burst with colorful radiance.

"Houndoom—"

"Mega Evolution!"

Buzz—

Light shot from the Key Stone, and Marnie's summoned Houndoom was immediately wrapped in this red light.

Mega Evolution?

Johan raised an eyebrow.

Not using Dynamax, Mega Evolution was indeed a very good choice.

Johan somewhat understood why Team Yell said Marnie was his fan.

Regarding Mega Evolution, he, Johan, had made considerable contributions and had some authority.

"Howl—!!!"

Mega Evolution light burst and scattered, the Mega Evolution symbol flashed briefly, and Houndoom had evolved into Mega Houndoom!

"Hellhound" Mega Houndoom!

Bright sunlight scattered from the sky, and surging flame waves immediately rose from Mega Houndoom's body.

"Houndoom, Flamethrower!" Marnie waved her hand.

"Howl—!!"

Roars carried terrifying flames surging toward Servine.

Fire-type!

Mega Evolution!

This made viewers instantly boil.

Great!

Miss Marnie had considerable strength after all.

No wonder she could reach "Ultra Ball Tier."

Then Teacher Johan...

Everyone looked toward Johan.

They saw him smiling, nodding approvingly.

Not bad.

Mega Houndoom and Marnie, just appearance-wise, were quite compatible...

Oh no! Teacher Johan was actually smiling?

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat.

They saw.

In Teacher Johan's hand appeared a green crystal emanating green light.

Grass Z?

Z-Move?!

Since Marnie asked him to use some enhancement methods, and now with Mega Houndoom's appearance, Johan saw it as an opportunity—at least it wouldn't seem too much like bullying.

So.

"Servine!" Johan's voice became serious.

Aura flowed into the Z-Crystal, activating its power.

Immediately, pure Grass-type aura power gathered toward Servine.

"Servine!"

Servine cried out, its body seeming to exist in a forest world, completely activating its internal power.

Forest's blessing!

Having used Leaf Storm twice already, under "Contrary" ability, Servine's Special Attack had reached an extremely exaggerated level. Now with a Z-Move added...

"Servine!"

Rumble!!!

Terrifying leaves swirled together, gathering like an overwhelming canopy.

With Servine's position as center, grass began rapidly growing and spreading, with many flowers blooming and petals dancing.

All leaves, grass blades, and petals gathered together.

Under Mega Houndoom's shocked gaze, they directly... extinguished its Flamethrower, then enveloped it.

"Is this Teacher Johan's strength?" Marnie looked incredulously at the dancing petals and leaves, stepping back half a step and murmuring softly.

Rumble—

Where leaves passed, flowers bloomed everywhere.

Around this dilapidated battle field, grass grew on the ground, vines climbed walls and fences covering various graffiti. The originally lifeless place suddenly became vibrant with life.

Livestream viewers and Team Yell members swallowed again.

This Z-Move's visual impact was no less than Dynamax!

It could even change the surrounding environment...

Bang—

Leaves and petals scattered.

In beautiful colorful splendor, Houndoom's Mega Evolution energy had faded. It lay in the grass and petals, unable to battle.

Marnie stared blankly at this beautiful yet failed scene, somewhat dazed.

"You did very well." Johan's voice suddenly came. "If during Mega Evolution you could be closer to your Pokémon's heart, Flamethrower's power would be stronger."

"Hm?"

Marnie looked at the smiling Johan.

Was he giving her guidance?

Being closer to Pokémon's hearts?

"I understand..."

"Think about what Pokémon want, and you'll understand." Johan added.

What Pokémon want?

"Mm..." Marnie fell into thought.

She felt this seemed to enter her knowledge blind spot.

"Battle over! Winner is 'Master Ball Tier' Johan!" Rotom Phone announced the result.

Both their points changed somewhat.

At this moment.

A hoarse, low, somewhat serious voice suddenly came.

"Teacher Johan, came to Spikemuth to 'bully' my sister?"

Dark-faced Piers appeared beside the field.

With him came Peony, waving and smiling at Johan.

Piers came?

Team Yell members all ran toward Piers with mournful faces.

"Boss Piers, Miss Marnie was bullied—you must stand up for us!!"

Johan somewhat awkwardly scratched his face.

Oh no, why did it feel like he'd run to someone's house and beaten up their sister?

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Powerstones?

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