Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 482: Solar Beam? No, Solar Blade!

A sailboat cruised across the endless ocean. Compared to the vast sea, the once seemingly large vessel now appeared rather small.

Johan sat on the deck at the bow, a sunshade umbrella propped up as he fished.

Baby Lugia and Larvitar had tired themselves out from playing and were now napping beside his chair, basking in the warm sun, completely at ease.

Especially Baby Lugia—after growing close to Johan, it had completely forgotten that it had been "kidnapped." With Larvitar keeping it company, it hadn't thought about Lugia at all.

Splash—

Water splattered as Cynthia lifted her fishing rod, reeling in a Remoraid that flailed, splashing droplets into the bucket beside her.

Seeing this, Johan glanced at his own bucket on the other side—completely empty except for seawater. His eye twitched.

That didn't make sense.

"Stop looking. You haven't caught a single one."

Across from Cynthia, Caitlin smirked in amusement.

"You say that like you've caught a ton."

"Cynthia has three, I have one, even Gengar caught two. What about you?" Caitlin shot him a sidelong glance.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar grinned, licking its tongue—it had never been this successful at fishing before.

All thanks to Johan "helping" by doing worse.

"My bait must be expired."

Huh?

As soon as he said it, Johan froze.

Why did that sound familiar?

Cynthia stretched lazily, her black trench coat draped over her chair. Now, in just a sleeveless top, her slender figure was elegantly outlined as she stood up.

"You—"

Johan snapped his head around.

According to "how this scene plays out," wasn't he supposed to get hit in the back of the head by a rock right about now?

"Hmm?"

Just as she walked behind him, Cynthia was startled by his sudden movement.

"N-Nothing." Johan coughed into his fist.

He wasn't trying to play some double-role narrative—he was just overthinking things.

"Where are you going?" he quickly changed the subject.

"It's too hot. I'm going to change." Cynthia casually tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Wait for me, Cynthia! I'm coming too!"

Hearing this, Caitlin immediately dropped her fishing rod and ran after her.

Change... clothes?

Sunlight, the ocean, fishing... put those together...

A certain image flashed through Johan's mind.

Suddenly, he felt a slight warmth in his nose.

Cough.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar seemed to have caught on to something, sidling up with a wicked grin, fishing rod in hand, raising its eyebrows at Johan.

"W-What?"

Johan snapped out of it. "Watch this—today I'm catching a big one. I'll make fish head soup for lunch!"

"Ka-kaah~ (д.)"

Gengar looked doubtful, leaning in so close its cool purple face almost touched Johan's.

"Yoji... (ε`)" Larvitar smacked its lips.

Hehe, fish head soup!

"Bwooo... (ε`)" Baby Lugia murmured.

As long as it's not roast pigeon, it's fine.

"Keep staring, and you're not getting any!" Johan growled at Gengar, feeling a bit guilty.

Gengar immediately raised its hands in surrender.

But its teasing gaze made it clear—it had seen right through him.

Huh?

Suddenly—

Johan felt a heavy tug on his rod. His eyes lit up. Finally, a bite!

With a sharp pull, he reeled it in. The translucent fishing line sparkled in the sunlight as a bright orange Magikarp arced through the air.

It flopped onto the deck, staring blankly while thrashing about.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar pointed at the dull-eyed Magikarp and burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?!" Johan gritted his teeth. "Fish head soup needs Magikarp!"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar suddenly gasped, jerking its own fishing rod—it had a bite too!

And then...

Two Magikarp flopped side by side on the deck, flapping in unison as if slapping Johan and Gengar across the face.

Johan & Gengar: "..."

Another Magikarp swarm?

Wait, why did he think another?

"Not that it matters—they're all inedible anyway."

Whether it was Magikarp or Cynthia's Remoraid, they couldn't be eaten. He was aiming for normal sea fish.

"Keep going..."

"Cha~!"

Under the watchful eyes of Cynthia and Caitlin's Pokémon, Ceruledge twisted the dial on its chest—transforming into Armarouge.

"Garrr?"

"Lu-ka?"

Garchomp and Lucario tilted their heads, question marks forming above them.

What's going on?

"Cha~"

But Armarouge's focus was entirely on Roserade.

Roserade raised its rose-like hands, gathering tiny motes of light under the sunlight. The glowing particles coalesced into a shimmering sphere.

Then, with both flowers aimed at the sea—

Buzz—

A brilliant white beam shot forward, slicing through the distance in an instant. The surface of the ocean erupted in a spectacular burst, spraying rainbow-colored mist into the air.

Solar Beam!

Every movement had been slow and deliberate, as if demonstrating each step for Armarouge to observe.

"Cha..."

Armarouge's eyes glowed with understanding.

Clack!

Its armored arms locked together, forming a golden cannon.

"Garrr..."

Garchomp and Lucario's eyes gleamed.

Even they had to admit—that looked cool.

Buzz—

Sunlight streamed down, gathering into the cannon's barrel, forming a searing golden sphere.

But—

As soon as enough energy had built up, it scattered before taking shape.

A failure.

But this was Armarouge's first attempt at Solar Beam. Given the complexity of the move and the fact that it wasn't a Grass-type, failing on the first try was expected.

Yet Armarouge seemed to have realized something.

It twisted its chest dial again—transforming back into Ceruledge.

"Lu-ka..." Lucario murmured.

That transformation... didn't add up.

Clang!

Ceruledge crossed its twin blades over its chest. Tiny golden sparks of sunlight gathered once more.

This time, instead of forming a light sphere, the energy fused into its twin swords.

And—

Instead of dispersing, the golden glow became more solid.

Clang!!

The two blades gleamed, transformed into twin golden swords.

Solar Blade!

Huh?

Johan, watching from afar, had a strange expression.

It was supposed to be Solar Beam—how did it turn into Solar Blade?

Was this... creative learning?

Well, in a way.

For both Ceruledge and Armarouge, Solar Beam wasn't something they could naturally learn.

They could only acquire it through TMs or special training.

But Solar Blade was different—it was a move Ceruledge could already learn.

All it had lacked was the right opportunity.

Since it had now figured out how to gather solar energy, it instinctively used Solar Blade instead.

"Lu-ka!"

Lucario gestured for a spar. With a focused breath, it extended a glowing blue Bone Rush staff.

Ceruledge didn't hesitate. It already knew Lucario's strength well.

It charged forward, twin golden blades flashing.

Clang! Clang—

Golden swords clashed with the blue staff, sparks flying with each impact.

After a final collision, the two Pokémon retreated simultaneously.

Lucario nodded in approval, dismissing its weapon while shaking its hands—not bad.

For a first attempt, Ceruledge had done well.

Meanwhile, Ceruledge stood still, deep in thought.

It was analyzing its own technique, refining every movement.

"Don't wreck the deck," Johan, who had now caught seven Magikarp, reminded them.

"Garrr—!!"

Garchomp growled.

You dare tell me how to fight?!

Johan just sighed—he was used to Garchomp's attitude by now.

On the side, Cynthia—now in a light blue short-sleeved shirt—sat gracefully, fishing with a small smile.

Clearly, despite the sun, sea, and fishing, neither she nor Caitlin had changed into swimsuits this early in the season.

"Commander Johan, a group of Pokémon is approaching." In the captain's cabin, the handsome guy spotted something unusual on the radar.

Wild Pokémon?

Johan squinted toward the horizon.

"That is..."

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar reacted first, leaning over the railing in a classic "Monkey King lookout" pose.

A swarm of Frillish!

Frillish?

"They're Frillish, Roto!"

Rotom activated its zoom function, focusing on the misty, cloud-like cluster of Pokémon drifting toward them.

"Frillish, the Floating Pokémon. Water/Ghost type. Males are blue, females are pink. They are drawn to life energy and are known for attacking cruise ships, Roto!"

"An irregular formation... Looks like they're coming for you, Gengar."

"Ka-kaah! Σ(дlll)"

I may not be smart, but don't try to fool me!

Blue and pink bodies bobbed as they pulsed through the water, their eerie red eyes fixated on the ship, drawing closer with each undulating motion.

Veteran sailors often said that encountering Gyarados or Sharpedo at sea wasn't as terrifying as running into a school of Frillish. These ghostly creatures could silently sap the strength from both people and Pokémon.

To be fair, their round, floating bodies, glowing red eyes, and Ghost-type aura did bear a resemblance to Gengar.

No wonder Gengar almost believed it.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Johan, watching Gengar's "panic," smirked slightly, neither confirming nor denying anything. Instead, he tapped his chin thoughtfully.

Life energy...

Many Ghost-type Pokémon were drawn to life energy, like Chandelure.

There were even old rumors claiming that Chandelure could quietly drain a Trainer's life force.

Johan had encountered many Chandelure owners before, but he had never seen anything to suggest they were secretly energy vampires.

Still, life energy was a mysterious force in the Pokémon world.

"Alright, we've got work to do, little ones."

Though there were many Frillish, they weren't enough to pose a serious threat.

"Garrr~"

"Roar~"

Before Johan could give the order, Dragonite and Garchomp had already charged forward.

"Dragonite, Garchomp—Dragon Rush!"

"Garrr!! (▼皿▼)"

Don't order me around!

Despite its grumble, Garchomp still cloaked itself in draconic energy, lunging forward alongside Dragonite.

The battle had begun.

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Powerstones?

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