Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 568: The Semifinal Matchups Are Set

Red—who, in the original story, became the Kanto League Champion after just one year!

Especially in Pokémon Generations, he walked the "Champion's Path" to earn the title.

Green, likewise, also became Champion of the Kanto League within a year. He also walked the Champion's Path.

The only difference was... Green held the title for only thirty minutes.

The one who dethroned him?

Red—called "The Battler" by Professor Oak himself.

Johan had already met Green, but seeing Red was a surprise. Even more so because it was here, in the Unova region.

"Ahem... Hello," Johan recovered from his surprise and greeted them calmly.

He quickly adjusted his emotions.

Sure, in the original lore, Red and Green were legends—but in this world, they were just talented rookies. Things didn't have to follow the same timeline.

Maybe one day Red and Green would be just as amazing—but in one year? Probably not.

After all, even Steven, Cynthia, and Lance hadn't reached Elite Four or Champion level yet.

Besides...

Could anyone really out-weird Boppy?

Johan welcomed the group inside. Professor Oak smiled warmly and introduced Red, then glanced around the room.

He was probably looking for Gengar.

But Gengar was currently hiding in Johan's shadow, trembling.

"Mr. Johan," Red suddenly stood up, his expression serious. "I know it's abrupt, but please accept my challenge!"

...Huh?

Even Green blinked in surprise.

Wait, you're actually serious?

Professor Oak, however, grinned without surprise.

He'd been the same way in his youth.

"That's not really necessary..." Johan smiled and shook his head.

Tempting as it was to flex on a young Red—it just wasn't worth it.

"Please!" Red clutched a Poké Ball in determination.

Seeing his resolve, Green's expression turned serious as well. He gritted his teeth and said:

"If that's the case, then please accept my challenge too, Mr. Johan!"

Great, one Red wasn't enough—now Green too.

Johan turned to Professor Oak.

But the professor simply kept smiling and said nothing.

Fine.

Johan understood that look.

Challenges like this were common in the Pokémon world. Just like in the original series—every time Ash met a Champion or Elite Four member, he'd challenge them on impulse.

Winning didn't matter—battling did.

It was simply part of the culture.

"After the tournament's over," Johan said at last. freewebnoveℓ.com

"Got it!" Red and Green's eyes lit up with excitement.

"I need special training!" Red jumped up.

"Special training needs a partner," Green stood up too.

The two locked eyes. Sparks flew in the air.

Tch...

Red and Green were probably on par, but Green might have a slight edge right now.

Still, Johan figured it was good to meet them.

After all, both were from Pallet Town.

If any Legendary Pokémon or villainous threats popped up later, they'd make good meatshields—er, helpers.

Even if Red wasn't quite as physically overpowered as Resurrection-Ash, he had tanked an Onix head-on with no damage. That's something.

After introducing them around (and not finding Gengar), Professor Oak took his leave.

"Ka-kaah..."

Gengar sighed in relief from the shadows.

"The world's really becoming more exciting, huh, Gengar?" Johan said with a laugh, lounging on the sofa and petting Ninetales' silky fur.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar blinked, not understanding the sudden comment.

Even Johan wasn't sure why he felt that way.

When he first came to this world, all he wanted was to be a simple teacher with one or two Pokémon.

But somewhere along the way, the identity of "Trainer" began to outweigh "Teacher."

His passion for battling slowly overtook his laid-back dreams.

Probably because of his Pokémon.

Each of his partners—whether it was mischievous Gengar, cautious Ninetales, fiercely proud Dragonite—they all embraced battle. Thrived on it.

And that was fine.

Because Johan's love for Pokémon hadn't changed.

He cared for each one of them, for their unique personalities and emotions.

Just like Cynthia always said: when lives collide, something new is born.

Steven's invincible Metagross. Cynthia's regal Garchomp. Flint's fearless Infernape. Leon's brave Charizard.

And in the future...

Ash's unruly Charizard. Master Brother's resilient self. The heart-syncing Greninja.

And Red's future Venusaur. The Snorlax that could stop a high-speed train barehanded.

More and more Pokémon would shine alongside their Trainers.

What a beautiful thing.

The bonds and growth between Trainer and Pokémon would only grow stronger, shining like a diamond.

"Ka-kaah~"

Gengar didn't get what Johan was muttering, but it could feel his joy.

So naturally—it was nap time!

It pulled out a little blanket, curled up on the ceiling, drooling adorably in its sleep.

Today's battle against Leon had taken a lot out of it—after all, it handled Inteleon, Mr. Rime, and Mega Charizard Y all by itself.

Judging by its satisfied grin, it must've seen some glowing praise online.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales curled up with its head on Johan's lap, sighing contentedly. As long as it was with Johan, nothing else mattered.

With those two resting, others were still wide awake.

"Goka~"

Ceruledge tapped on its newly-repaired armor—courtesy of Tinkaton—and nodded in satisfaction.

It could feel its armor growing stronger with every fix.

Next time, it would shatter even tougher foes!

"Yoji~ Yoji~"

Larvitar mimicked Johan, rocking in its food-bowl-turned-bed while crunching on snacks.

If not for its species, it'd look like a total chubby couch potato.

Tinkaton was still happily hammering away. Raihan's Duraludon had donated loads of metal lately, keeping her busy.

But the most focused?

Urshifu.

Due to recent matchups, Urshifu hadn't appeared in battle.

It never complained—but Johan could tell it was itching for a fight.

"Garruu~"

It practiced punches in mid-air, channeling both Single Strike and Rapid Strike styles.

"Coach Ku," Johan said.

"Garruu?"

Urshifu looked over, puzzled.

"Wanna teach me how to use Aura?" Johan grinned.

"Garruu!"

Urshifu crossed its arms and nodded firmly.

Say no more!

Hidden in its chest fur, a piece of the Fist Plate shimmered red.

—

The next morning, the last quarterfinal match took place: Lance vs Caitlin.

Honestly?

With her psychic powers suppressed, Caitlin didn't stand a chance.

Lance's team were all Flying-types—but most of them had "Dragon" in their names.

And dragon bites aren't just for show.

They chomped their way through Caitlin's team.

Afterward, she flopped into Cynthia's arms, much to Johan's envy.

Cynthia, of course, promised to avenge her.

The happiest person was Lorelei.

"That's just how he is—don't take it personally!"

She played the role of comforting big sister, soothing Caitlin while "exposing" Lance's ruthlessness.

"Anti-Lance League" just gained a new member.

They kept chatting—and Caitlin discovered they both liked cute plushies.

Who'd have guessed ice-cold Lorelei had such a soft spot?

Their friendship blossomed instantly.

—

Meanwhile, the boys were rallying Flint.

"You've still got a shot, man! Beat Cynthia, and we'll make you the boss!"

Lucian, in a maroon suit and reading a book, grinned mischievously.

"Mhm!" Aaron nodded eagerly.

Flint was full of confidence—not sure if it was thanks to last night's training with Lucian or just hype.

"Don't worry. I'll beat her—today!"

Beep—

A phone chimed. Everyone turned to Johan and Gengar, who were putting theirs down.

"Oh, it's nothing," Johan said casually. "Just recording a historic moment."

"Ka-kaah Ka-kaah~"

Gengar nodded and discreetly forwarded the video to Cynthia.

Loyalty first.

Lucian saw through it instantly but didn't call it out.

"Glad someone recorded it," he said smoothly. "I forgot to hit record."

"Really?" Flint scratched his head.

Steven bit his lip, struggling not to laugh.

"Don't hold back," Lance chuckled, patting Steven's shoulder. "Let it out."

Steven coughed twice, side-eyeing Lance.

Bro... You do realize you're the next to fight Cynthia, right?

And you're laughing?

Lance, though, had zero awareness.

Meanwhile, Gengar received Cynthia's reply.

[Eevee Eats Cabbage]: Gengar smile.jpg

—

That afternoon, Cynthia and Flint's match began—heavily anticipated by fans.

"Breaking news! This will be their 149th official battle. They know each other very well!"

The announcer declared.

In the audience—

"Why're you looking at me? This must be Lucian's doing," Johan said sternly.

"Huh?" Lucian blinked.

"Match has started!" Johan quickly changed the subject. "Oh, starting with Gastrodon? Cynthia's serious."

Water/Ground Gastrodon could wipe most of Flint's Fire-types off the map.

But Flint had learned from Leon.

"SolarBeam? Flint's playing tactical now?"

The match was fiery and fun.

Even though Flint had lost to Cynthia 148 times, his passion never faded.

"We won't give up, Infernape!!"

"Ku!!"

Infernape's flames flared wildly, turning the battlefield red.

Blaze activated!

Infernape went beast mode, defeating Cynthia's Lucario and Milotic—

Only to fall to her Garchomp.

A glorious defeat, forever etching Flint and his Infernape into fans' hearts.

—

With Flint's loss, the final four of the Youth Masters World Championship were set:

Lance, Steven, Johan, and Cynthia!

Johan had expected this... but still muttered:

Damn... how are we supposed to win now?

He called Lance "the Dodo" for fun—but never underestimated his strength.

He remembered watching Lance on the news when he first arrived in this world.

That was less than a year ago.

How fast everything had changed.

Steven was his student, sure—but they were more like friends. Johan had helped Steven grow, and Steven helped him, too.

That invincible Shiny Metagross had just as much care and effort poured into it as Gengar.

As for Cynthia...

She was Johan's original sugar momma.

Her Garchomp might be 4x weak to Ice...

But since Cynthia regularly took her baby Gible hiking up Mount Coronet, it had definitely built up resistance.

So yeah... fighting her?

That'd wreck Gengar's already-sensitive stomach.

Johan could only sigh:

"Mewtwo, save me."

After Cynthia's match ended, the semifinals were officially announced:

Johan vs Steven!

Lance vs Cynthia!

Steven looked at Johan, eyes burning.

Finally. A match against his teacher.

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Powerstones?

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