Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 573: Mega Metagross vs. Mega Gengar!

Under the spotlight, the radiant aura around Metagross contracted. It had successfully completed Mega Evolution—

Mega Metagross!

Its silvery steel body grew larger, all four limbs extending forward. Four smaller limbs branched from behind, and the "X" symbol on its face now glowed with fierce clarity.

"Metagross!" Steven lifted his arm, confidence radiating from his face.

"GONG-GONG!"

Mega Metagross responded to Steven's call, and the crowd exploded in cheers.

They were the tournament's most iconic pair, gaining legions of fans during the event.

"Return, Ceruledge."

Johan's voice cut through.

"Goka."

Though Ceruledge was reluctant to miss the chance to clash with Mega Metagross, it had already reached its physical limit. The earlier combo of Fire Blast and Bitter Blade hadn't done enough damage. Its part of the battle was over.

Ceruledge returned in a flash of red light.

"No matter what... you did excellently," Johan said softly to the Poké Ball.

Ceruledge and Urshifu had already given him a strong advantage. But now, facing Steven and his Mega Metagross, as a teacher...

Johan chuckled lightly.

"Gengar."

"Ka-kaah~!"

Gengar, who had been impatiently waiting, emerged from Johan's shadow and floated onto the field.

"The fifth Pokémon from Johan is Gengar!" the announcer shouted.

Ace vs. ace—again?

Gengar tossed aside its sunglasses and flexed its arms. That familiar wicked grin and building energy ignited the crowd's anticipation. Everyone held their breath.

How would Johan fight?

Johan unfastened his suit, the wind tugging at his clothes as he revealed a dazzling Key Stone hanging from his monocle chain.

At the same time, Gengar stuck out its tongue—wrapped around a shimmering Rainbow-colored Mega Stone.

The crowd tensed.

Was this it?

Even Steven's smile deepened, his gaze sharpening.

"It's coming, Metagross."

"GONG."

Mega Metagross gave a solemn nod.

Not just Steven—the Pokémon had been waiting too.

Johan shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.

"Gengar!"

"Kakaah!"

If the student longed for battle, then the teacher couldn't let him down!

WHRRRRR—!

The Key Stone flared, responding to the Mega Stone in Gengar's tongue. A prismatic beam of light connected them.

Suddenly, all light vanished.

Only Gengar's shadow stood at center stage, cloaked in thick Ghost-type energy forming jagged sigils behind it.

"Mega Evolution!"

"KA-KAAAH!!"

Black fog merged with blinding light. Ghostly energy exploded in all directions as the entire arena pulsed with Gengar's aura.

"Oh my god, Johan is too damn cool!"

"This is the semifinals, right? First time he's used Mega Evolution!"

"You don't get it—that's his love for his student!"

When the mist cleared, Mega Gengar stood tall. Its spiked back gleamed, its third golden eye glinted with sinister charm, and its huge grin oozed deceit.

"Ka-kaah."

Crouched low, arms bristling with dark energy, ripples of shadow radiated outward. The arena itself seemed to fall under its control.

"What is this? Did Ghost-types get a terrain move?"

"No—it's 'Shadow Tag,'" Lucian said gravely. "Every Pokémon on the field is now trapped."

Nearby, Flint muttered, "I almost thought this was a Ghost-type battlefield..."

Sunny Day helps Fire and Grass, Rain helps Water and Electric, Sandstorm helps Rock and Ground... Psychic and Fairy have terrain moves, even Grass and Electric get both.

But Ghost? Nothing.

"Bug-types too," Aaron grumbled.

"But now Metagross has Tough Claws—plus the Baton Passed +2 Attack. That's still dangerous," Lucian added.

"Might be too much for Gengar post-Mega," Cynthia suddenly said.

Everyone went quiet.

On the field:

"GONG."

Mega Metagross locked eyes with Mega Gengar, excitement gleaming in its red eyes.

Typing-wise, they countered each other—no clear winner.

But Gengar had more stamina left.

It was time.

Boom! A sonic boom erupted as Metagross surged forward, its claws trailing psychic energy.

"Zen Headbutt!" Leon shouted. "Mega Metagross takes the first strike!"

Mega Gengar only smirked, letting its own Ghost energy surge—

"Shadow Punch!" Johan called.

"Ka-kaah!"

Two black mist-like bats flew from Metagross and merged into Gengar—stealing its Attack boost.

Mega Metagross felt a sudden drain—but kept charging.

Gengar swung—

CLASH!!

Silver steel and black energy collided.

The ground shattered.

The crowd gasped.

"Okay—Johan's Gengar punches... but THIS is too much, right?"

"Even with boosted Attack—head-on with Metagross?!"

"Metagross, did you forget breakfast?!"

"GONG!"

Metagross roared, unleashing stored energy.

BOOM!

Gengar flew back—mid-air, it stuck out its tongue mockingly.

Outwardly: Ha! Didn't even hurt!

Inwardly: I'M IN PAIN. I WANNA GO HOME.

Johan winced.

But this was the best possible trade—stealing the Attack boost had reduced Gengar's damage intake.

Gengar stabilized and flung a spiral of Will-O-Wisps.

WHOOOOSH!

Mega Metagross blocked with a psychic barrier.

"Psychic!" Steven commanded.

Its barrier reversed, reshaping into a beam of mental energy.

BANG!

Gengar dispersed into shadow.

"Where is it?"

The whole field was covered in darkness—anywhere could be a hiding spot.

"Left!"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar reappeared with a wicked grin, hurling two spiraling Shadow Balls.

BOOM! BOOM!

Metagross roared—taking the hit—but had locked on.

"Psychic Fangs!"

Instead of dodging, it charged straight at Gengar, arms forming sharp, glowing "teeth."

"Gengar, Phantom Force—evade!"

Head-on was suicide.

Gengar vanished into the shadows—blending with the darkness.

"Future Sight, now!"

Using strategy, Steven activated a predictive strike.

Being Johan's student meant understanding Johan's habits.

"GONG!"

Metagross scanned the shadows with data and psychic power.

It found Gengar.

"Found him!" Johan murmured. "That's the risk with familiarity."

"Now—max power Psychic!"

WHRRRRR—!

Caitlin, in the stands, gasped. Metagross's power... terrifying.

Psychic energy burst toward a seemingly empty space.

"Gengar!"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar burst from the ground, grinning—and holding a huge Shadow Ball.

I predicted your prediction.

BOOM!

The clash of Ghost and Psychic turned the air into a howling void.

Black and silver energy spiraled into a vortex.

KRA-KOOM!!!

Dust engulfed the arena.

"Did... did someone just get erased?!"

"Wait! It's not over!"

A flash of black moved in the haze.

BOOM!!!

Metagross flew backward—its arm marked by strange black lightning?

Even Johan blinked.

When did Gengar... learn that?

Turns out, Gengar had been inspired—by the DNA Splicers and a mysterious black orb Alder gave him.

Just a small tweak to Shadow Ball.

The point is—

Mega Metagross was a physical powerhouse.

Gengar? A Special sweeper.

And Ghost > Psychic.

"Metagross!"

"GONG!"

It hovered weakly.

In its mind, memories flashed—being rejected by its kin due to shiny coloring. Meeting Steven. Growing up, learning, digging for stones.

Now it fought not as a loner, but as a partner.

This fight—it must see to the end.

Steven felt it.

He once wanted to quit—but since meeting Johan, everything changed.

Now, he'd become a trainer worthy of respect.

Time for their ultimate move.

"Let's go, Metagross!"

"GONG!!"

"Zen Headbutt!"

Psychic energy spiraled, gathering like a cyclone.

"Ka-kaah..."

Gengar stared ahead—feeling the strength of Steven and Metagross's bond.

Mega Evolution is powered by Mega Stones—but fueled by bond.

And right now, Steven and Metagross burned with it.

Johan and Gengar looked at each other—and smiled.

They wouldn't lose in bond!

Gengar crouched, placing both hands on the dark ground.

All the shadows across the arena rushed into him—coalescing.

He licked his lips, forming one Shadow Ball in each hand...

Then fused them.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Let's go.

Black and silver energy surged from both ends of the arena.

CRASH!!!

The impact was the fiercest of the tournament so far.

The entire stadium shook. Staff members sweated bullets.

BOOOOOM!!!

Time blurred.

Then—silence.

The dust cleared.

Metagross had lost its Mega form, floating weakly, covered in ash.

The arena was dead silent.

"Who... won?"

"Was that a draw?"

"Feels like cheating's the norm now..."

"GONG..."

Metagross spotted Gengar—also de-Mega'd, but still standing, purple and round, head held high.

It sighed, energy fading—

BAM.

Collapsed.

"Metagross!"

Steven cried out—but smiled.

"You did great."

And though unconscious, Metagross seemed to smile back.

"Metagross is unable to battle!"

As the ref waved the flag, the audience was silent.

What about Gengar?

Then—

"Ka-kaah."

Gengar stood firm, chubby and triumphant.

The crowd erupted.

"GENGAR'S A MONSTER!!!"

"This isn't a Youth Championship—it's an Elite Four final!!"

Gengar, huffing, licked its tongue.

That Metagross had been terrifying.

Good thing it fought Ceruledge first.

Still—

Hehehe, I win!

From now on, Johan better add a prefix when calling him.

Invincible Gengar? The Mighty Gengar? Gengar the Great?

"Gengar."

"Ka-kaah?" It turned to Johan, who looked concerned.

What about the prefix?!

"Want to rest?"

Though Gengar had won, it wasn't unscathed.

Plus, Steven still had Skarmory and one more Pokémon.

"Ka-kaah."

It scratched its butt.

Let's see who comes out first.

If it's Skarmory, let "Hammer Girl" (Tinkaton) handle it.

Otherwise, Gengar still had some fight left.

Steven retrieved Metagross, smiling.

Losing didn't shake him—he understood the gap now.

Time to work harder.

"From now on... four days a week digging stones. Gotta train more."

His hand grasped his final Poké Ball.

"Go, Excadrill!"

So not Armaldo?

Ah, likely part of the early sandstorm strategy involving Lileep.

Which got disrupted by Urshifu and Tinkaton.

Still, Gengar might be able to finish it!

"SCREECH!!"

Excadrill showed no fear—grinding its blades with anticipation.

"Excadrill!" the announcer called.

It was a Unova-native species—showcasing regional diversity.

"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"

Seeing its opponent, Gengar slapped its cheeks twice.

Nope. I'm not going down yet!

In the stands, Cynthia relaxed. Her Garchomp behind her stared ominously at Flint, Lucian, and Aaron.

All three gulped.

If Cynthia faced Johan next—either way, they were doomed.

Time to throw someone under the bus.

Lucian: "What?! Flint, did you say Cynthia might not make the finals?!"

Flint: "???"

Meanwhile—

Excadrill was fast asleep. Burned. Paralyzed. Asleep.

Gengar? Happily munching on its dreams.

Dream Eater.

Gengar... may have gained weight.

"Good god—be human, Johan!"

Steven sighed.

He returned Excadrill.

He'd gone head-to-head with Johan. Faced Gengar's mind-numbing control.

And understood—why others had walked away trembling.

No more!

Skarmory didn't need to be Tinkaton's next chew toy.

Time to train harder.

And so—Johan and Steven's match concluded.

"Let's congratulate Johan for reaching the finals!!! He's the first finalist of the Youth Masters World Championship!!"

ROOOOOAAAR!!!

The crowd went wild.

Johan had made it!

Legend!

Amid the deafening cheers, Johan shook Steven's hand.

"Teacher..."

"Bring your own ingredients for dinner tonight," Johan replied casually.

Steven: "???"

Watching his teacher's breezy departure, Steven smiled.

Same teacher.

Same student.

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Powerstones?

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