Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"Ka-kaah!"

So fierce!

But I like it!

Gengar chuckled and slipped into the shadows, diving right in.

The pitch-black cave was the perfect cover for Gengar.

When Gengar entered the cave, it finally saw what that creature looked like.

"Ka-kaah?"

Cyclizar?

Eh?

This guy looked somewhat like Cyclizar, but seemed different everywhere...

Similar giant lizard appearance, with two tire-like structures, except its skin was no longer green but presented as blue-purple. Blue-purple lightning danced on both sides of its head and tail, giving it a... very high-tech feeling.

Compared to Cyclizar, this guy was more dragon-like.

Just as Gengar was observing this creature, despite hiding in the shadows, the blue-purple being's eyes looked directly at Gengar.

Zap—

Golden arcs jumped again, striking the rock beside Gengar with a "crack," exploding into a charred hole.

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar sighed in relief, wiping its forehead.

Good thing I dodged quickly.

But Gengar was somewhat puzzled—how had this guy discovered it?

Logically, with Gengar's current shadow-hiding ability, even some legendary Pokémon would have difficulty sensing its presence, right?

Unless it was a legendary with particularly strong perception or special means...

Seeing arcs beginning to jump on the opponent again, Gengar quickly floated out from the shadows, showing a "kind" smile while indicating...

"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"

I mean no harm~

Zap—

Arcs jumped once more, but were again dodged by Gengar.

Gengar was frustrated.

Johan's "expressing goodwill" trick didn't work at all!

In fact, any normal Pokémon seeing Gengar's "kind" smile would feel creeped out.

Gengar also noticed this guy seemed very weak.

Being poisoned by Glimmora was one thing, but it also seemed to have some unknown problems of its own.

Additionally, this guy was extremely vigilant and seemed very aggressive, even able to "see" the hidden self.

Although Gengar felt taking down the opponent while it was weak wouldn't be a problem...

The opponent's hostility was for self-preservation—there was no reason to forcibly subdue it.

If it was a relatively kind, friendly Pokémon and they forcibly captured it, Johan would probably scold them.

More importantly, where would they take it if they captured it?

Send it to Johan?

If it was trouble, wouldn't Johan scold them anyway?

Gengar's little brain spun rapidly, finally deciding... let Johan handle it himself!

Thinking this, Gengar floated out and waved at Tyranitar and Snivy.

Time to retreat!

Tyranitar and Snivy looked at each other, glanced around at the Glimmora and Glimmet, then slowly retreated.

"Mmm..."

In the tent, Johan instinctively reached toward his pillow, took a Pecha Berry and bit into it. The paralysis quickly faded.

He opened his eyes, seeing the "terrifying" ghost face sticking out its tongue before him, and rubbed his face saying:

"Morning, Gengar. Did I oversleep today?"

Sitting up, Johan realized... it was still pitch black around them, and Ninetales, Tinkaton and the others were still sleeping.

Johan: "!!"

His eyes widened as he looked at Gengar's grinning expression, rubbed his temples, and carefully walked out of the tent to see Tyranitar and Snivy also standing outside.

"Huff—"

Slowly exhaling, Johan rubbed his temples.

Without asking, he knew Gengar had definitely taken Tyranitar and Snivy "exploring" in the middle of the night, then probably encountered some difficult or tricky problem and returned to find him.

After so much time together, Johan was used to this.

In the middle of the night, he didn't have the energy to be angry anymore. He rubbed his face and said:

"Alright, tell me what happened this time."

"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"

"Bangi~ Bangi~"

Gengar and Tyranitar each spoke their own version, both gesturing while talking, but neither made the situation clear.

"Snivy, you tell me," Johan ignored the two and looked at Snivy.

"Sni~"

Fortunately, Snivy managed to explain the situation clearly, and Johan understood the general cause.

"A Pokémon mistakenly entered Glimmora territory, got poisoned, hid in the depths. The Glimmora can't do anything about it, it won't come out, so they asked for your help. You were worried about hurting them, so you came back to find me, right?"

"Sni~"

Snivy nodded.

That was roughly the situation.

"Alright."

At least... since Gengar's group was trying to help other Pokémon, he'd temporarily forgive them for waking him in the middle of the night.

Looking up at the sky, the moon had moved toward the horizon and the sun hadn't risen yet, but it probably wouldn't be long until dawn.

"Fine, let's go. Let's see those Glimmora and that Pokémon that needs help."

"Ka-kaah~!"

I'll lead the way!

Since it wasn't dawn yet, he wouldn't disturb the resting Cyclizar. Johan walked with Gengar, Tyranitar and the others toward the cave where the Glimmora were.

Dawn was breaking.

Johan's group reached a cave entrance surrounded by rock walls and stones.

"Are you sure... this is the place?"

Because of the morning light, the faint purple glow from inside the cave was no longer visible.

"Ka-kaah..."

Should be...

The area all looked the same, and they'd seen at least ten similar caves on the way.

Without detailed maps and coordinates, or sufficient familiarity with the area, it would indeed be difficult to pinpoint the exact one.

This wasn't the first time Johan had asked this question.

Johan: "What do you mean 'should be'?"

He looked at Tyranitar and Snivy.

Tyranitar nodded heavily, but Snivy shook its head decisively.

Johan: "..."

Even at night, you shouldn't get lost, right?

Three of them, three different answers?

"Whatever, we'll know once we go in and look," Johan said helplessly.

Then he stepped into the cave.

The already dim cave without light didn't become any more visible with the morning light, and there were no Glimmet or Glimmora to be seen.

"Ka-kaah!"

Seeing this, Gengar immediately showed realization, pounding its fist on its palm.

This isn't the place!

It was too dark at night, this cave didn't emit blue-purple light, so the three of them never approached this cave—it was just one they passed by.

Next one, the next one for sure!

Johan shook his head.

"Next time you go out, you should at least bring Rotom along."

"Ka-kaah!"

I think so too!

Gengar agreed wholeheartedly.

Rotom: "??"

Exiting the cave—

Rumble—

Just as Johan's group walked out of the cave, they suddenly heard rumbling accompanied by falling rocks, as if something was climbing down from the rock wall beside the cave.

When they emerged from the cave, they saw...

Dense masses of orange, crab-like Pokémon with thick fur at their joints were crawling on the rock walls, staring at Johan's group with pairs of large, round eyes lacking much "intelligence."

"Ka-kaah?"

There are crabs in the mountains too?

Gengar looked at these crab-like Pokémon and couldn't help swallowing.

And they were all "cooked" crabs too.

Look how red they are—they must taste great...

Johan rolled his eyes unsympathetically.

"All you think about is food. These are Klawf, Rock-type ambush Pokémon that live in rocky areas and can freely crawl on cliffs. We seem to have accidentally entered their territory."

Klawf were relatively hot-tempered Pokémon. Unlike other crab Pokémon like Krabby and Kingler, Klawf couldn't just crawl sideways—they could also crawl vertically.

Additionally, Klawf's claws were extremely sharp. Once prey was caught by their claws, it was extremely difficult to escape.

Perhaps because of this, Klawf claws were considered a rare delicacy in the Paldea region. Many restaurants and hotels took pride in offering dishes made from Klawf claws.

Of course, most Klawf claws were naturally shed by the Klawf themselves.

But one couldn't rule out some profit-driven people engaging in illegal activities.

So in recent years, wild Klawf's attitude toward humans had grown increasingly hostile.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar seemed not to have heard Johan's words, suddenly widening its eyes and pointing at the rock wall above the cave.

There was a Klawf... several or even dozens of times larger than ordinary Klawf!

Even more exaggerated than the proportion between Galar region's Alpha Pokémon and their normal counterparts.

Those who didn't know might think it was a huge rock wall.

Such a big one... how much meat must be in those claws?

Following Gengar's pointing direction, Johan also saw this enormous Klawf. After a brief pause, he laughed.

"This really delivered itself to our doorstep..."

"Ka-kaah?"

The three little ones looked at him puzzledly.

"Titan Pokémon. This is the Stony Cliff Titan," Johan said.

Titan?

Gengar's group knew what Johan had come to find—Titan Pokémon!

And the Herba Mystica that Titan Pokémon protected!

Titan Pokémon were special Pokémon unique to the Paldea region. Their origins could be traced back two hundred years ago, when people found special plants in the depths of the Great Crater of Paldea and planted them in different locations according to their growth requirements.

These plants from the depths of the Great Crater of Paldea were the Herba Mystica Johan sought.

However, for unknown reasons, these planted Herba Mystica were never collected and became food for some wild Pokémon.

Those Pokémon that ate the Herba Mystica became today's Titan Pokémon!

Powerful and commanding large populations, they were often regional overlords.

Gengar's trio understood.

Soon Gengar proudly patted its chest.

"Ka-kaah!"

Aren't I amazing? I found a Titan Pokémon for you right away!

"Bangi!"

And me!

Johan and Snivy looked at each other.

Johan & Snivy: "..."

"Klawf! Klawf!"

At the same time, the Stony Cliff Titan Klawf rumbled low, and all the Klawf immediately sprang into action.

Dense masses of Klawf surged toward Johan's group like a tide.

Gengar, Tyranitar, and Snivy also immediately put away their joking expressions.

Gengar didn't move, while Tyranitar and Snivy each stepped forward, ready for battle.

"Tyranitar, Earthquake!"

"Snivy, Leaf Storm!"

Johan called out softly.

"Bangi!!"

Tyranitar's eyes immediately became sharp, returning to the terrifying Desert Tyrant. It roared powerfully and stomped the ground hard.

Rumble—

Instantly, the ground shook violently. The entire surface collapsed and cracked, and countless Klawf caught in the earthquake rolled their eyes and lost fighting ability.

Numbers, especially these Ground-type weak Pokémon, meant nothing before Tyranitar.

The only trouble might be...

"Tyranitar, take it easy—don't bury us too!"

Easy friendly fire.

"Sni!"

Snivy's tail swept up numerous leaves in a tornado-like sweep across the rock wall, catching many Klawf and directly making them lose fighting ability.

One attacked those on the ground, one attacked those on the rock wall.

Two moves cleared a large area like cutting grass.

The remaining Klawf stared blankly, seemingly not understanding what happened.

"Klawf!!"

Though more Klawf surged forward, the Titan Klawf couldn't sit still seeing this.

It immediately took giant steps forward with numerous Klawf.

Capture the leader first!

Otherwise, who knew how many Klawf were in this rocky area.

"Sni!"

Understanding Johan's intention, Snivy immediately took the initiative to attack.

"Bangi..."

Tyranitar looked regretful for not speaking up sooner.

But for opponents like Klawf clinging to rock walls, Snivy was indeed more suitable.

"Klawf!!"

Just as Snivy leaped toward the Klawf, the Titan Klawf roared low, and numerous rocks appeared from nowhere, rapidly flying toward Snivy.

Rock Slide!

Simultaneously, all Klawf received the Titan Klawf's command and used Rock Slide.

Dense masses of rocks appeared above Johan's group, like a terrifying rock rain about to fall.

"Bangi!"

Tyranitar showed no fear, crouching down and plunging both hands into the ground in front, then exerting force—

Boom!!

It directly lifted a huge rock layer, raising it overhead to shield Johan and Gengar.

Rubble crashed down, but Tyranitar didn't budge.

On the other side, the Titan Klawf's large Rock Slide attacked Snivy, but Snivy nimbly dodged using its agile form and vines.

Even these rocks became a faster path for Snivy to approach it.

Nimbly dodging, tail gathering leaves again, stepping forcefully on a flying boulder, Snivy leaped into the air, curled its body, spun 180 degrees mid-air, then struck down hard with its tail carrying the leaf tornado.

Bang!!

The massive Titan Klawf felt the sensation of flying through the air for the first time...

It was also confused.

No way.

That tiny little thing—how did it explode with such exaggerated power and destructiveness?

But the damage from hitting the ground and Leaf Storm followed, leaving the Titan Klawf no time to wonder why.

"Klawf—"

The Titan Klawf's eyes immediately turned red as it roared.

Crack—

Its orange-red hard shell cracked, but the Klawf's momentum rapidly climbed.

Ability: Anger Shell!

[Anger Shell: When HP drops below half from an attack, Defense and Special Defense decrease by 1 stage, while Attack, Special Attack, and Speed increase by 1 stage!]

Trading defensive ability for stronger explosive power and faster speed.

The enraged Titan Klawf immediately raised its giant claws and charged at Snivy.

"Sni..."

Snivy curled its lip.

It thought Titan Pokémon would be stronger, but they just looked bigger with more HP—what a letdown...

"Snivy, don't let it lose fighting ability. Just hurt it," Johan reminded.

Hearing this, Snivy, who had been preparing another Leaf Storm to finish the Titan Klawf, paused.

It had already used Leaf Storm twice. Combined with "Contrary," its Special Attack had received a 4-stage boost—equivalent to doubling!

With such explosive power, the opposing Titan Klawf definitely couldn't withstand it.

To keep it from losing fighting ability...

Snivy became interested.

Its tail swayed gently.

Both hands extended.

Hum—

Two emerald green leaf blades appeared from Snivy's arms.

Seeing the Titan Klawf charging like a mountain, Snivy showed no fear and charged forward instead of retreating.

Just as the Titan Klawf's giant claw fell, Snivy bent backward sharply, extending vines that wrapped around rocks behind the Klawf.

A lightning-fast slide under the Titan Klawf.

Swish!

Snivy appeared behind the Titan Klawf, crouched halfway down with leaf blades slowly retracting.

Thud—

The Titan Klawf collapsed directly, with two deep cracks on its abdominal armor.

"Klawf!"

The Titan Klawf finally panicked.

Enduring the pain, it hastily got up and ran toward the cave Johan's group had just exited.

Seeing their "boss" flee, the remaining Klawf immediately scattered.

"Let's go!"

Seeing this, Johan waved, signaling the little ones to follow.

"Gengar! Don't collect those claws—I won't cook them for you even if you do."

"Ka-kaah..."

Gengar's ears drooped as it dropped the collected Klawf claws and floated along.

Following the Titan Klawf through the complex cave system, they soon reached the depths.

A huge cavern with several holes in the ceiling let beams of light shine down.

In that direct light, a pale pink plant emitting a faint, enticing fragrance grew quietly.

Found it!

Herba Mystica!

"Gengar, thank the Klawf and let it sleep awhile."

"Ka-kaah~"

A few simple waves, and black mist enveloped the Titan Klawf. Before it could reach the Herba Mystica, it collapsed and fell into deep sleep.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the Sweet variety."

Looking at the pink, knee-high Herba Mystica plant, Johan rubbed his chin and muttered.

Sweet variety...

If he used this with "Rare Candy" to make a dish, he wondered what it would taste like and what effects it would have.

"Ka-kaah! Ka-kaah!"

Success! Success!

Gengar pulled out a small hoe, ready to pack and take away.

"Sni!"

Snivy spread its arms, blocking Gengar with a serious expression.

"Ka-kaah?"

Seeing this, Gengar was stunned.

Johan, also seeing this scene, raised an eyebrow somewhat surprised: "Snivy, can you... transplant?"

The Herba Mystica here had originally been brought from the Great Crater of Paldea's depths by Paldeans two hundred years ago. If they could transplant successfully, perhaps Snivy with its "Forest's Blessing" ability could too.

"Sni..."

Worth trying.

Snivy didn't guarantee success, but felt... there was a chance.

But regardless, uprooting and taking everything wasn't good.

"Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Johan agreed without much hesitation.

He'd originally wanted to find some Herba Mystica to try cooking and see what effects it would have. He hadn't planned to take everything, so if Snivy could transplant and keep it alive, that would be great.

"Sni!"

Feeling Johan's trust, Snivy nodded firmly.

Leaf Blade appeared again.

It gently touched the Herba Mystica plant, and the second-largest branch was removed, wrapped in emerald green energy, then stored somewhere unknown.

Only then did it harvest the leaves.

These leaves were the key to the seasoning.

"Job done!"

Herba Mystica +1!

Several hours later, the slowly awakening Titan Klawf looked at the bare Herba Mystica plant with only four or five leaves remaining and wailed.

But it also felt somewhat grateful.

Those guys... were actually quite nice, not uprooting everything and even leaving some leaves...

Just waiting for it to flourish again—who knew how long that would take.

"Are you sure this time?"

Johan, in good spirits after obtaining the Herba Mystica, followed Gengar's group to another cave entrance. It indeed didn't look particularly different from the cave where the Klawf lived—no wonder Gengar's group got confused.

This time Gengar got smart.

Coming to the cave entrance, it cupped its hands like a megaphone and shouted inside:

"Ka—kaah—"

Any—one—there—

Several Glimmet resting on the cave's rock walls were immediately startled, their blue-purple crystal petals immediately scattering as dust, which Gengar vacuumed up as "food."

"Ka-kaah!"

This time is right! This is the place!

The commotion wasn't small, so several Glimmora and a group of Glimmet inside floated to the cave entrance.

Seeing Gengar's group return, they understood and made way.

Following the Glimmora into the cave, Johan wasn't particularly worried about the toxic powder released by these Glimmet and Glimmora.

Never mind whether these particles could reach him with Gengar around—even if they did, compared to Gengar's toxins, these Glimmora's powder wasn't impressive.

But everything seemed to go smoothly.

Johan directly reached the cave's depths.

Zap—

A golden arc shot out. Having been prepared, it didn't cause any fright.

How to approach in this situation?

Johan had a method.

He closed his eyes.

Aura dwells within the heart!

Hum—

Invisible aura power immediately spread from him as the center.

Carrying goodwill, it approached that creature in the cave's depths.

When Johan "saw" the listless, exhausted creature curled up in the cave's depths, his eyes immediately opened.

He looked at Gengar's group with complete bewilderment.

"You said the one needing help—are you sure it's this guy?"

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar's trio nodded repeatedly, while the nearby Glimmora indicated: Actually, we're the ones needing help.

But that wasn't important anymore.

Because Johan discovered that the creature inside—this Pokémon somewhat resembling Cyclizar—was clearly Miraidon!

The cover legendary of "Pokémon Violet," the "Iron Serpent" Miraidon!

In other words, the future form of Cyclizar!

Johan: "..."

Good grief.

He'd wanted to see future and ancient forms, but encountering the "strongest" future form right away—wasn't that a bit too fast?

Buzz buzz

Sensing Johan's aura, arcs burst from Miraidon's body again.

"Kraa—"

Low calls filled with heavy wariness.

Miraidon and Koraidon were the two cover legendaries of "Pokémon Scarlet/Violet," but their personalities differed greatly.

Ancient form Koraidon was tenacious and fierce with unshakeable strong will, but also full of curiosity. Though wary of humans, it would sometimes actively approach and play with them.

Future form Miraidon was extremely calm, even cold. It possessed observational and analytical abilities that could see through personalities. Whether facing enemies or humans, it maintained machine-like indifference, rarely showing emotional changes.

Miraidon was more like a precisely designed, perfect machine.

It could sense human or Pokémon personalities, which was why it could detect shadow-hidden Gengar and Johan's aura power.

This made things somewhat difficult...

Despite Johan's aura carrying heavy goodwill, the cold Miraidon ignored such goodwill, maintaining the principle that any creature approaching while it was weak was an enemy. All who entered the cave might face its attacks.

Johan rubbed his temples.

"This couldn't be the one that escaped from the Great Crater of Paldea's Area Zero, could it? Triggered the 'game storyline'?"

According to the game's storyline, to make Miraidon feel goodwill might require...

Herba Mystica!

What a coincidence!

Actually, no.

Miraidon appearing here, weakened and accidentally poisoned by the Glimmora, perhaps it had originally come seeking Herba Mystica.

But who made the Glimmora's cave so similar to the Klawf's cave?

Whoosh—

Suddenly, Miraidon, wrapped in golden electricity, curled into a ball and shot from the cave's depths at extreme speed.

Hmm?

"Ka-kaah?"

It ran?

Gengar picked its nose, somewhat surprised.

Johan's heart stirred as he quickly followed outside.

He saw the weakened Miraidon hovering outside the cave, suddenly roaring toward the Great Crater of Paldea:

"Kraa—!!"

Terrifying momentum with extreme pressure burst forth amid scattering electricity.

Surrounding ground and rock walls were left with numerous charred marks.

This creature, which normally showed little emotional fluctuation or feeling, now had a voice carrying traces of tragedy and anger.

However, just after roaring, Miraidon fell to the ground, struggled briefly, then fell unconscious.

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Powerstones?

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