Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 415: The Toxic Ladder Strategy, Tactical Rotom!

As the announcer introduced the match, it was time for Johan and Gordie's battle.

Amid the wave of cheers from the crowd, both trainers stepped onto the battlefield.

Judging from the audience's reaction, both of them had a solid fanbase.

"Professor Johan, please take care of me!" Gordie was unexpectedly polite.

"Likewise," Johan responded with a smile.

"Trainers, send out your Pokémon!" The referee raised the flag.

At the same time, Johan and Gordie each sent out their first Pokémon.

"Go, Barbaracle!"

Gordie's first Pokémon was Barbaracle, the Rock- and Water-type Pokémon known as the Collective Pokémon!

Its appearance was quite peculiar—at first glance, it looked like seven barnacle-like limbs fixed onto two large rocks, forming its body. Even its "head" was just another barnacle limb.

And Johan's first Pokémon was... Rotom!

"Barbaracle, the Collective Pokémon! A Rock- and Water-type. It is said that each of its limbs can move independently, Rotom!"

The moment Rotom appeared, it didn't forget its "primary job."

"Wait, is that... a Pokédex?!"

"Hold on, did Professor Johan just send out a Pokédex?"

"But that Pokédex... looks like a real Pokémon..."

"..."

The crowd was in an uproar when they saw the Pokédex-shaped Rotom on the field. Even Gordie looked a bit taken aback.

He had watched a lot of Johan's battle footage, but... he had never found the Eevee that Leon mentioned, nor had he ever seen this Rotom before.

However, Gordie didn't think Johan was sending out Rotom to mock him. Instead, he felt...

This might be another one of Johan's hidden aces.

After all, that legendary super strong Eevee Leon mentioned—almost no one had actually seen it. It was rumored to be one of Johan's strongest secret weapons.

If that was the case, this Rotom probably wasn't weak either.

Not to mention, as an Electric- and Ghost-type, Rotom had a strong advantage against Barbaracle.

"Barbaracle, stay alert. Take this seriously!"

"Skaaah!!"

Barbaracle took a battle stance, ready to fight.

"Rotom, Roto! Σ(дlll)"

But Rotom?

Rotom was just a "small, weak, and helpless" photographer! It didn't need this kind of intensity...

While frantically taking pictures, Rotom spun in circles toward the audience stands.

It could clearly feel the difference between filming on the field versus off the field—the opponent, the crowd, the big screen, the torches... everything was different.

And with so many people and so many cameras watching...

It was a bit nervous.

"Rotom, you done taking pictures? Switch forms."

From Johan's shadow, Gengar emerged—then opened its mouth wide and spat out a... washing machine!

"O-On it, Roto!"

Rotom quickly snapped a few more photos, then zipped back to Johan's side before leaving the Pokédex and diving into the washing machine.

The moment it entered, the washing machine's form changed, taking on Rotom's signature markings.

The Toxic Ladder Strategy. The Root of All Evil. The Infamous Water-Washing Machine. Wash Rotom!

Rotom still wasn't that common at this point, so many spectators were seeing it for the first time—especially its Washer Form.

"It transformed?!"

"First it was a Pokédex, and now it's a washing machine?"

"What kind of Pokémon is Rotom?!"

Wash Rotom, when fused with a washing machine, changed its typing to Electric/Water.

This unique typing, combined with its Levitate ability, meant that its only weakness was Grass-type moves.

Gordie frowned slightly.

He knew about Wash Rotom, but this was his first time battling against one. He wasn't entirely sure how to deal with it.

Johan patted Rotom, who was still a little nervous, and said:

"I've given you a secret weapon. Don't worry—if you don't want to fight, just run."

"R-Roto..." (⊙﹏⊙)ゞ

Rotom nodded vigorously, feeling relieved.

No problem. If things got rough, it could just run away—after all, it had already taken enough pictures!

"Battle, begin!"

With both trainers ready, the referee officially started the match.

As soon as the flag dropped, Gordie made the first move.

"Barbaracle, Shell Smash!"

Shell Smash: Shatters its own shell, lowering Defense and Special Defense while significantly increasing Attack, Special Attack, and Speed.

This was a classic all-out offense strategy for Barbaracle—trading defense for maximum power.

Crack!!

A visible crack appeared on Barbaracle's rocky shell, and in return, both its offensive stats and Speed skyrocketed. Its aura surged.

Feeling Barbaracle's intimidating presence, Rotom tensed up.

But after going through so many crazy experiences with Johan—even facing Regigigas and Heatran—it managed to stay calm.

So, as soon as Gordie shouted his command, and Johan responded, Wash Rotom made its move.

"Rotom, Trick."

Trick: Swaps held items with the target, leaving both Pokémon locked into their new items.

Whoooom—

A blue light surrounded Rotom, enveloping both it and Barbaracle. Then, their held items swapped places.

Rotom received Barbaracle's Focus Sash.

And Barbaracle? It received Rotom's held item... a Choice Scarf!

"Wait... what?! Trick into Choice Scarf?!"

"Holy crap, Johan, have some mercy!"

"Barbaracle can only keep using Shell Smash now?! Endless Shell Smash Barbaracle?!"

Some spectators had assumed that Johan had changed his battle style after his past few aggressive matches.

But now, today, right in front of them—

He was back to his usual dirty tricks.

Even Gordie's eyes widened.

Wait.

Being locked into Shell Smash?!

How was he supposed to play like this?!

Honestly? Gordie had no idea how to handle this situation.

"Rotom, Thunderbolt."

A Trick-Choice Scarf Wash Rotom—that was textbook toxicity.

"Roto!"

Seeing that its opponent was stuck in an infinite Shell Smash loop, Rotom immediately relaxed. It unleashed a burst of dazzling golden electricity, striking Barbaracle head-on.

Boom!!

"Return, Barbaracle!"

"Skaaaah!" Barbaracle staggered back from the electric attack, just as it was recalled into its Poké Ball.

Gordie frowned.

As expected of Johan's Pokémon—his reaction time was insanely fast. Even though he had managed to withdraw Barbaracle in time, it still took some damage.

At least...

It wasn't knocked out.

Actually, Johan was internally sighing.

Withdrawing a Pokémon mid-attack—this was one of the annoying loopholes in real-world Pokémon battles.

Using a recall to dodge damage.

However, since Gordie had withdrawn Barbaracle and was summoning a new Pokémon, Johan and Rotom had time to act.

"Roto!"

Rotom was already charged up and ready to go.

Gordie took a deep breath and threw out his second Poké Ball.

"Your turn, Stonjourner!"

Emerging onto the battlefield was a massive Pokémon composed of large, irregularly shaped rocks. Its legs were especially thick and sturdy, making it well-suited for powerful kicking attacks.

Bzzzt—

As Stonjourner appeared, golden static sparks burst from Rotom, striking the Rock-type Pokémon right on entry.

Thunder Wave!

Stonjourner was paralyzed!

Johan was a little surprised by Gordie's choice.

He had originally thought Gordie would send out his Contrary Shuckle, using its Fortress Strategy to stall.

But Stonjourner...

That was an interesting pick.

Because Stonjourner had only one ability: Power Spot.

Power Spot: Increases the power of allied Pokémon's attacks by 30%.

This ability made Stonjourner a great support Pokémon in doubles.

But in single battles?

Even as Johan processed this, Gordie remained confident. He clenched his fist and called out:

"Stonjourner, Wonder Room!"

Whooom—

Stonjourner lifted both arms, and an eerie, shimmering barrier descended onto the battlefield.

Within this Wonder Room, the Defense and Special Defense stats of all Pokémon swapped!

"Oh, I get it now! Stonjourner has insane physical Defense but terrible Special Defense. With Wonder Room, its Special Defense just skyrocketed!"

"And since Stonjourner is naturally super slow, the paralysis Speed drop doesn't really matter."

"Rotom is a Special Attacker, right?"

"But... Stonjourner is already paralyzed, and knowing Professor Johan..."

Johan had anticipated this move, so he immediately followed up:

"Rotom, Will-O-Wisp."

"Roto!"

A burst of blue spectral flames ignited around Stonjourner, burning it on the spot.

Stonjourner is now burned!

The audience instantly knew what was coming.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

They had seen this before.

A few days ago, Johan had played the role of an all-out attacker.

Today? He was back to his status-inflicting, stall-heavy, toxic playstyle!

"Stonjourner, Gravity!" Gordie called out, staying unfazed.

Bzzzt—

Arcs of energy crackled around Stonjourner as it released a strange, invisible force.

Suddenly, a distorted gravity field spread across the battlefield.

Stonjourner's massive stone legs sank slightly, and dark energy rippled outward from its core.

Wash Rotom's Levitate ability was nullified—forcing it to land on the ground!

"Roto!!"

But Rotom was unfazed. The washing machine's front door swung open, and a surge of water burst out, rushing straight toward Stonjourner!

Hydro Pump!

The attack hit dead on!

Under the effects of Gravity, all moves except one-hit KO attacks had increased accuracy.

And Hydro Pump—one of Wash Rotom's strongest Water-type moves—was no exception.

However, because of Wonder Room, Stonjourner's Special Defense was now swapped with its high physical Defense.

So, despite taking a super-effective hit...

It survived!

"Rotom, again—Hydro Pump!"

Another powerful torrent of water shot out, slamming into Stonjourner!

"Stonjourner, Earthquake!"

Bzzzt—

But this time, the paralysis kicked in—and Stonjourner failed to move!

If Gordie had gotten just one successful Earthquake off, Rotom might've been in trouble.

But... paralysis had finally worked in Johan's favor.

And with the burn damage ticking away, Stonjourner collapsed.

Stonjourner is unable to battle!

Gordie... smiled.

The Stone Formation was now complete.

Now, the real battle was about to begin!

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Powerstones?

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