Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"Mr. Giovanni has Mega Evolved!"

"And contestant Lance has chosen Terastallization! His Tera type is Water!"

Both using enhancement methods simultaneously ignited the live audience and broadcast viewers.

"Mega Evolution VS Terastallization?!"

"This is the decisive moment!"

"Charge!"

Lance and Giovanni looked at each other.

Actually, when Lance went undercover in Team Rocket, Giovanni had quite appreciated Lance. Now the two were facing each other in the stadium, fighting back and forth...

However.

Purely in terms of type matchups, Lance choosing Tera Water had a fairly obvious advantage.

Whether Tera Water or Tera Normal, both could largely eliminate Dragonite's original weaknesses, like Ice and Fairy-type weaknesses.

Although it couldn't provide enough enhancement to priority moves, Dragonite had mastered many Water-type moves. When facing Ground or Rock-type Pokémon, the threat from this aspect was obviously greater.

"It seems Lance really prepared for a scoring run," Cynthia said.

Changing from Tera Normal to Tera Water was quite targeted against Giovanni, known as "Giovanni of the Earth."

"Changing Tera types... is it that easy?" Johan murmured softly.

He still hadn't figured out how to change Terastallization attributes—whether it was like in the games, through collecting Tera shards.

Flint beside them sighed, "Are 'legendaries' now standard equipment for everyone?"

Whether Mega Tyranitar or Terastallized Dragonite, both displayed "legendary" level strength.

However, it wasn't that "legendaries" were everywhere, but rather that the contestants gathered at Wyndon Stadium were almost the top trainers in the entire Pokémon world, the most elite trainers from each region...

"Good!" Flint clenched his fist. "Next target—legendary!"

Fire blazed in his eyes.

"Ku?" Infernape distanced itself from Flint.

That easy?

Then "legendaries" would truly be everywhere...

Hearing Flint's passionate words, Johan snapped back to attention, glanced at him, then looked at the field: "Not Tera Flying, disappointing."

Meanwhile on the field.

After completing their respective enhancements, both called out almost simultaneously.

"Dragonite, Waterfall!" Lance shouted.

"Draaa!!"

In the vast sandstorm, water flow surged wildly, submerging large patches of sand and dust, forming surging waves that crashed toward Mega Tyranitar.

With Tera Water attribute enhancement, Dragonite's Water-type moves indeed gained tremendous boosts, seemingly ready to flood half the arena.

"Tyranitar!" Giovanni didn't give specific commands, merely calling Tyranitar's name once, but this single call seemed to contain all meaning.

Mega Evolution materialized the bond between Pokémon and trainer. Sometimes a single call was enough for the mental connection and understanding.

"Tar!!"

Mega Tyranitar heavily stomped the ground. The sandstorm that had been suppressed by Waterfall and water flow rose again, even more violent than before.

Moreover, the ground beneath Mega Tyranitar began cracking, with fissures of various sizes rapidly spreading.

These cracks didn't appear because of Mega Tyranitar's stomping power, but because—

"Tar?" Tyranitar beside Johan stopped eating again, eyes wide and body leaning forward slightly.

Johan nearby nodded seriously.

"Yes, the field is drying and cracking, water is rapidly dissipating—Tyranitar is commanding the power of the earth."

"Power of the earth?" Several people around looked over.

Obviously, this wasn't among the moves or methods they were familiar with.

Facing their puzzled gazes, Johan opened his mouth, not knowing how to explain for a moment. After thinking briefly, he said:

"Groudon..."

Groudon?

More specifically, Primal Groudon.

Because the earth on the field now was very much like... the Land of Endings!

Hiss—

When Dragonite's surging water fell to the ground, it actually jumped rapidly as if falling on red-hot iron, then quickly turned to steam and dissipated, not leaving even a trace of moisture!

Temperature!

The temperature inside the entire stadium barrier climbed frantically.

It was as if... magma was about to surge from underground.

"It seems Giovanni learned something new about the 'earth' from his encounter with Groudon," Johan thought admiringly.

Truly worthy of being "Giovanni of the Earth"!

Although he didn't accidentally "learn" a "knockoff" Precipice Blades like his own Tyranitar, as the ancient era's "God of Earth," encountering modern "Giovanni of the Earth" indeed taught Giovanni something.

His Tyranitar beside him showed a thoughtful expression.

Oh~~

Bang—

Dragonite's Waterfall crashed down thunderously. Mega Tyranitar didn't dodge or evade, instantly being submerged.

But within the surging water flow, Mega Tyranitar moved as agilely as a Water-type Pokémon.

Moreover.

The water flow dissipated at a visible rate.

"Tar!" Johan's Tyranitar punched its palm.

Understood!

A "Desert Tyrant" that can't swim isn't a qualified Tyranitar!

Johan: "?"

You watched for so long and understood this?

"Tyranitar, Thunder Punch!" The voice from the field came again.

"Tar!!"

Mega Tyranitar clenched its fist to gather lightning and charged straight at Dragonite that had just landed from Waterfall.

Some people had a general impression of Giovanni as "Giovanni of the Earth," thinking his specialty was Ground and Rock-type Pokémon.

This general impression wasn't entirely wrong.

But actually, Giovanni's mastery of other types wasn't poor, especially Pokémon like Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Tyranitar that could master moves of various types with very broad coverage.

Being called a "master" wasn't just because of "earth" or Pokémon training.

"Dragonite, Hydro Pump!"

Boom!!

Violent roaring stirred up scattered water droplets and sand particles, frantically battering the stadium barriers and triggering massive barrier warnings, frightening the front-row audience into gaping.

Two legendary Pokémon colliding without reservation—even Wyndon Stadium's Dynamax barriers were struggling.

When the tremendous commotion gradually subsided and vision returned to visible levels, they saw—

Mega Tyranitar and Terastallized Dragonite with all four arms firmly locked together, one above and one below, seemingly motionless but actually engaged in unimaginable wrestling.

This could be seen from the continuously collapsing ground beneath Tyranitar's feet.

The scorching heat, constantly rising steam, plus the freely dancing sandstorm suppressed Dragonite's Water-type move power while allowing Mega Tyranitar to withstand Dragonite's impact.

The faint golden arcs jumping on Dragonite's body also showed it had successfully resisted Mega Tyranitar's Thunder Punch. With its feet off the ground, it constantly guarded against possible Ground-type move impacts from Tyranitar.

Almost simultaneously.

Seeing the two Pokémon's wrestling match unable to determine a winner, Giovanni and Lance called out together.

"Dragonite, Aqua Tail!"

"Tyranitar, Outrage!"

A Dragon-type Pokémon using Water-type moves, while a Rock and Dark-type Pokémon used a Dragon-type ultimate move?

"Draaa!!!"

Dragonite twisted its body, its tail wrapped in surging water flow, lashing toward Tyranitar.

Tyranitar's already menacing face became even more terrifying due to its reddened eyes and rising dark red airflow.

"Tar!!"

Boom!!

Water flow interwove with exploding sandstorm, spreading misty vapor that once again obscured vision. The sound of something being heavily slammed to the ground came through.

Bang!!

Rumble rumble—

The already devastated field instantly collapsed.

Then came continuous collisions.

When the collisions reached their limit—

Everything fell into eerie silence.

When the referee and audience could see the field clearly again, everyone's pupils contracted sharply.

In the ruins.

Tyranitar, having shed its Mega Evolution, and Dragonite, having lost its crystal coating, still maintained their four-armed locked position, standing on the chaotic ground.

However...

Whether Tyranitar or Dragonite, both had lost the light in their eyes.

"Tyranitar and Dragonite are both unable to battle!!"

Whoosh!!

The venue erupted in thunderous commotion.

"Both lost battle ability simultaneously?"

"The fighting was too intense..."

"The score is so close—it's still 5:5?"

"But Champion Lance only has one Gyarados left in poor condition, while Mr. Giovanni's final Pokémon hasn't appeared yet. What will it be...?"

Both recalled their respective Pokémon.

Giovanni looked at Lance and nodded slightly without speaking. But those who understood Giovanni knew that his gaze toward Lance was full of admiration.

How old was Lance? How old was he as Team Rocket's leader?

To be pushed to this extent...

"Please, Gyarados!" Lance would never give up until the very end. He threw out his Poké Ball and summoned the Gyarados that had appeared first.

"Roar—!!"

Gyarados could feel Lance's determination.

Giovanni also summoned his final Pokémon.

Hum—

Wing vibrations hummed.

After entering, the audience couldn't even see clearly what Pokémon Giovanni had summoned—they only saw a green arc of light and the sound of air vibrations.

The next second.

Bang!!

The red Gyarados that had been roaring suddenly fell silent, staring with copper bell eyes, its expression frozen in place.

Lance was equally stunned.

What happened?

Most of the audience looked completely bewildered.

Only a few with exceptional eyesight or special abilities saw what had just occurred.

A... Beedrill?!

So fast!

Extremely fast!

And its movements were so swift, its attack so decisive, it had directly one-shotted Lance's final red Gyarados?!

Although Lance's red Gyarados was already in poor condition, but...

Only when there was a "thud" and the red Gyarados crashed heavily to the ground, with Beedrill hovering before Giovanni, did the audience slowly react.

"Bee-Beedrill?!"

"Gym Leader Giovanni's final Pokémon—'Giovanni of the Earth's' final Pokémon is actually a Beedrill?!"

"So-so strong!"

"Don't tell me this is actually Gym Leader Giovanni's 'trump card'?"

While the audience was making noise, the commentator finally snapped back to reality, stammering:

"Gio-Gym Leader Giovanni's final Pokémon is, is Beedrill!"

"Gyarados is unable to battle!" The referee also recovered from his daze and waved the flag to announce the result.

"Therefore!" the commentator took a deep breath, "The winner who successfully advances to the final is... Mr. Giovanni!!!"

Boom!!

The venue erupted in incredibly intense cheers.

Who could have imagined before the tournament that this nearly "out of nowhere" Gym Leader Giovanni could overcome all obstacles and reach the final?

"Awesome! I seriously suspect that final Beedrill is actually Mr. Giovanni's ace!"

"There are still masters! The Kanto region still has masters! Kanto truly deserves to be the League's birthplace—even a Gym Leader has such strength? Too incredible..."

"Doesn't that make Teacher Johan dangerous?"

"Surprise! Teacher Johan is in danger!"

Amid the falling confetti, Lance, having recalled Gyarados, smiled bitterly and walked to the center of the field to shake hands with Giovanni.

Giovanni rarely spoke first. Looking at Lance with appreciation, he said:

"To quote something Johan used to like saying... the future is yours, Lance."

Lance: "..."

Honestly, he hadn't expected to compete on the same stage as Team Rocket's leader, and lose...

But setting aside Giovanni's identity as Team Rocket's leader, Lance admitted he could feel that "master's" bearing from Giovanni.

Fortunately, Team Rocket was now transforming. Although it couldn't completely erase Team Rocket's past "evil," for the entire Pokémon world, the League, and countless ordinary people, it was a great thing.

"I hope..." Lance paused before saying, "there will be opportunities to battle again in the future."

Losing once wasn't scary. Among the many contestants participating in the Master Tournament, he had lost to Steven, Cynthia, Agatha, Bruno, and others.

It was just unfortunate that he couldn't reach the finals, couldn't meet Johan in the finals...

He really wanted to battle Johan going all out, like Cynthia had.

What a pity...

Giovanni smiled: "Next time, I'll train a student to battle you."

"Ah, ah?" Lance was stunned.

After speaking, Giovanni said no more and turned toward the contestant tunnel.

As for students, Giovanni already had someone in mind.

"Let us congratulate Mr. Giovanni once again for successfully advancing to the finals!"

"His opponent will be Teacher Johan!"

"Who will ultimately take the championship crown... let's gather again for the finals!"

The "Pokémon World Master Tournament" finally entered its final stage, and the two finalists were officially determined.

Johan VS Giovanni!

Post-match.

The news of Giovanni defeating Lance and advancing to the finals went without saying, but what was discussed most was Giovanni's nearly instantaneous Beedrill at the end.

The strength Beedrill displayed, why an ordinary Beedrill could be trained to this level, whether Beedrill was actually Giovanni's ace, and so on.

Such questions.

Additionally, there was much discussion about win rate assessments for the finals participants.

Originally, whether Lance or Giovanni advanced to the finals, many audience members thought Teacher Johan's chances of ultimately winning were very high.

After all, in many people's view, Cynthia and Lance's strength were comparable. Even if Lance had an explosive performance, Teacher Johan's raw strength was advantageous.

Moreover, Teacher Johan wasn't without records of "explosive performances."

But after Giovanni and Lance's match ended and that final Beedrill appeared, suspense arose.

Was Beedrill the ace?

Did Giovanni have even stronger Pokémon?

No one knew.

"Rational analysis—Teacher Johan is doomed!"

"That's really 'rational' of you."

"No matter what, forever supporting Teacher Johan!"

"Objectively speaking, Teacher Johan still has type advantages, right?"

"Type advantages? Wasn't Champion Lance's type advantage big enough today?"