Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 491: Johan: I Know a Lot of Friends

"Roooar——!!!"

Amid the wind and rain, Garchomp was wrapped in a radiant multicolored Mega Evolution aura. As Cynthia's mind connected with her partner's, it burst into a beam of evolutionary light.

The majestic Mega Garchomp slashed its massive scythe-like arms through the air, dispersing the lingering Mega energy before charging head-on toward the Shadow Lugia.

Boom!!

Clad in a deep violet dragon-like armor, Mega Garchomp collided directly with Shadow Lugia, which was cloaked in psychic energy.

Like two meteors crashing in the sky, the impact triggered a terrifying shockwave and stirred the sea into even greater chaos.

"Bwooo!!"

Shadow Lugia roared.

Its mind was no longer fully coherent. The destruction of the Dark Ball had washed away much of the slaughter, rage, and hatred clouding its thoughts. But the red chains wrapped around its body were still affecting it.

Its subconscious told it to stop fighting. Yet its body, still under influence, acted on instinct — out of control.

Because of that, its power had weakened compared to earlier. But even so, it still held a clear upper hand over Mega Garchomp.

"Huff—"

Standing aside, completely exhausted, Drake exhaled in relief.

He could tell clearly: Shadow Lugia was weaker now. But it was still a Legendary. The fact that Cynthia and Garchomp could even contend with it spoke volumes about her strength.

The young truly were formidable...

That was the thought that flashed through Drake's mind.

As a veteran of the League, seeing such outstanding younger trainers emerge filled him with joy.

If he had any regrets... maybe just that Cynthia wasn't from Hoenn.

But he quickly brushed that off.

It was fine!

Sinnoh had Cynthia, but Hoenn had Johan.

And also Steven, Wallace — all incredibly gifted trainers whose talent had already begun to bloom.

He could almost see the wave of youth gradually pushing them old-timers off the stage, taking up the role of trailblazers.

"I wonder when Johan will rise to the top..." Drake mused.

Boom!!

As the clash between Shadow Lugia and Mega Garchomp shook the skies, the two Pokémon recoiled from each other.

Cynthia stood upon the icy surface frozen by Glaceon. Beside her stood Lucario, Spiritomb, Milotic, and others.

Along with Caitlin and her team of Psychic-types.

Drake was exhausted. But they could still hold the line!

"Bwooo——!!"

Shadow Lugia howled again, its terrifying aura mirroring the raging natural forces: crashing waves, pouring rain, and crackling thunder — this was divine power.

That pressure kept Cynthia and Caitlin tense, unable to let down their guard for even a second.

"Garrr——!!"

Mega Garchomp roared back, unwilling to show weakness.

Even if it couldn't win, it wouldn't lose in spirit!

But let's face it — a land-based dragon fighting an airborne battle over the sea was a tall order.

Then—

"Bwooo~~"

A tiny, trembling cry rang out — sorrowful, scared, and childlike.

Shadow Lugia froze midair. A hint of clarity flickered behind its blood-red eyes. Its gaze dropped.

And quickly found the massive submarine — and the figure standing atop it.

On that person's shoulder, a little Lugia was curled up, eyes wet with sadness.

A flicker of gentleness flashed through Shadow Lugia's gaze.

Its child...

Hearing the same voice, feeling the same shift, Cynthia and the others also turned toward Johan. Seeing he was safe, Cynthia finally exhaled in relief.

"Lugia, stop," Johan called, his coat billowing in the wind. He looked up at the massive creature, fused with the darkness above.

Its eyes still burned with rage, but deep within, hesitation flickered. It didn't attack — it merely stared at this tiny human.

Johan understood: the Dark Ball was gone, but Lugia hadn't recovered. The red chains were still suppressing it.

And part of the reason was Lugia's distrust of humans.

Which was understandable.

From its perspective, whether it was Hunter J, Ghost, Johan, or Cynthia — they were all humans.

That preconception, under the influence of the Dark Ball and the chains, was being amplified.

As a Pokémon psychologist, Johan could interpret parts of Lugia's inner turmoil.

With a sigh, he jumped off the submarine.

Dragonite swooped in beneath him, catching him mid-air and carrying him upward.

"Easy," Johan muttered, patting Dragonite's neck.

"Draaa."

Dragonite chirped softly.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar popped out of the sub and slipped into Johan's shadow.

Rotom was now in full control of the submarine. But against Shadow Lugia, Gengar still had to protect Johan.

"Oowoo~"

"Cha~"

"Garruu~"

Ninetales, Tinkaton, Urshifu, and Ceruledge landed on the ice near Cynthia, all looking up, wary.

If Lugia attacked, they had to be ready.

Caitlin frowned, Psychic power crackling unconsciously.

But Cynthia stopped her, never looking away from the sky. She simply said, "Trust him."

"I mean no harm," Johan said softly, raising both hands in peace.

"Bwooo~~"

Little Lugia sobbed, as if trying to vouch for him — this human was a good person.

Shadow Lugia's gaze remained conflicted. Logic and instinct wrestled violently for control.

But it couldn't attack Johan — not with the child on him!

"I know a lot of friends. Maybe you know them too..." Johan began, though inside he was nervous as hell.

Face to face with a Legendary — and an unstable one at that — who wouldn't be?

Gengar, Dragonite, I'm counting on you!

As he spoke, Johan reached into his coat.

"Bwooo?" Lugia's pupils narrowed.

Was he pulling out... another Dark Ball? A red chain? A petrification gun?

Its body tensed.

Then—

Johan pulled out a feather glowing in brilliant rainbow light.

"Uh, oops. Wrong one."

Rainbow Wing: "...?"

But Lugia instantly recognized it — Ho-oh's feather.

They used to be "neighbors" near Ecruteak, until something drove them apart. That was when Lugia began to lose faith in humans.

Yet this feather meant... Ho-oh trusted this human?

Then Johan pulled out another one — snow-white.

Articuno's feather!

Then...

Zapdos's feather.

Then...

Moltres's feather.

Shadow Lugia: "..."

Is he... flexing his social circle?

Johan began sweating. His nerves were messing with his coordination.

So he just pulled out every feather from his pocket.

"Oh, not this one."

He put Cresselia's Lunar Wing back.

"This kid..." Drake chuckled. "Is he building a feather fan?"

Who the hell collects this many Legendary feathers?

Finally, Johan took out the Silver Feather — Lugia's.

Together with the baby's cries, Shadow Lugia exhaled deeply.

That was the whole point.

Feathers from so many Legendaries meant Johan had good relationships with all of them — someone possibly worthy of trust.

"I know you're hurting," Johan said sincerely, raising his hand, the other still full of feathers, and locking eyes with Lugia.

"Let me help you."

"Draaa~"

Dragonite added a soft cry of support.

"Ka-kaah~~ (≦☆)"

Gengar poked its head from Johan's shadow and flashed a victory sign.

"Bwooo..."

Dark energy surged from Lugia's body as Johan approached. Its aura intensified.

Pressure!

Buzz—

Buzz—

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Responding to Lugia, Dragonite's body began to glow faintly green. Gengar's mist formed ghostly faces.

Lugia was stunned.

This—

This human...

So many Legendary auras clung to him?

Even Lugia had never met that many!

Opportunity!

As Lugia froze, Johan made a snap decision — leapt forward and grabbed the red chain on its body.

"Bwooo!!!"

Startled, Lugia instinctively recoiled — was this human tricking it?!

Its wings flared—

"Bwooo!!"

But the baby Lugia's desperate cry rang out, freezing it again.

Before Lugia knew it, it was being choked.

By Dragonite.

From behind, Gengar was charging up a Shadow Ball.

"Draaa~ Draaa~!"

Dragonite whispered frantically: calm down! Calm down!!

Lugia's eyes rolled back. If it had attacked earlier, neither Dragonite nor Gengar would've gotten close. But because it hesitated...

Now it was being manhandled!

Whose fault was this?!

"Dragonite! You're choking it to death!"

Johan's voice cut through.

"Draaa?"

Huh?

Dragonite glanced at Lugia's paling face and was... delighted?

"Hey, it's turning white!"

Cling cling cling—

The chain rattled.

Having used the red chain once before, Johan had some experience. He injected aura — and the chain began to shrink.

Lugia's sanity rapidly returned. It didn't resist.

If it had, Dragonite's arms couldn't have held it.

Crash—

The chain shattered into dust.

Negative energy ebbed like a receding tide.

Lugia gasped as Dragonite released it. With a flap of its wings, it hovered over the ocean.

The waves calmed. The skies began to clear. Rain stopped. Thunder faded.

A golden ray of sunlight broke through the clouds.

Everyone — Cynthia, Caitlin, Drake, even Looker — let out a deep breath.

Resolved?

Wait!

Lugia was still dark!

Everyone tensed again.

But Lugia remained still, eyes closed, flapping just enough to hover. No aggression.

"Bwooo?"

Little Lugia's eyes lit up. Though the color hadn't changed, it felt the familiar presence — like a mother.

It fluttered down from Johan's shoulder, landed on Lugia's back, nuzzling affectionately, murmuring softly.

"Bwooo!"

Shadow Lugia's eyes snapped open — no longer red, but clear blue.

It beat its wings, carrying Johan and the baby skyward.

"Draaa?!"

Startled, Dragonite glowed green, ready to chase — only to be halted by psychic energy lifting it upward.

Not just it — Gengar, Ninetales, Tinkaton, Urshifu, Ceruledge — all were returned to their Poké Balls.

Cynthia and the others were stunned.

"Garchomp!" Cynthia shouted.

"Garrr—!"

They prepared to act, but then—

Johan's voice echoed in their minds, through aura:

"Don't follow. I'm fine. Lugia just needs a moment. I'm giving it therapy."

Cynthia and Drake exchanged looks.

Therapy?

As a Pokémon psychologist, Johan likely knew best.

Lugia needed a peaceful environment.

And it hadn't just taken Johan — it took all his Pokémon too. Except...

"Wait—what about me?! I didn't get on board! Lugiaaa!!" Rotom cried from the sub, baffled.

"...It should be fine now," Drake finally sat down on the ice, completely drained.

Facing Lugia head-on...

Even a restrained one had nearly killed him.

"Garrr..."

Mega Garchomp's energy faded. It landed beside Cynthia, silently asking — should we pursue?

Cynthia shook her head.

It's over.

She waved. "Rotom."

"Here!"

Hearing Cynthia call, Rotom rushed over and clung to her — no way it was getting left behind again!

She chuckled and patted it gently.

"There's one more thing," Cynthia said, turning to Caitlin.

Something Johan had asked her to handle.

Caitlin rolled her eyes but activated her powers.

In her sight, faint psychic trails appeared — drifting from the ruined shipwreck.

"What is it?" Drake asked.

"The two that escaped," Cynthia said.

"Them?"

Drake froze.

"You let them go on purpose? Or... was that Johan's plan?"

Cynthia nodded.

Given the situation, reducing uncertainty was key. Those two probably still had secrets.

Hunter J and Ghost had been captured — but might not talk. Or not completely.

They might even be counting on their boss to rescue them.

Johan knew about Cyrus, but the man still had his "Sinnoh noble" image. The League couldn't move on him directly.

Team Galactic had gone into hiding.

But using Saturn and Jupiter as leverage could expose them — and open a hole.

Then it'd all follow naturally.

Of course, the rest was Cynthia, Volkner, and Flint's job. Johan had done his part.

Caitlin retracted her power and looked at Cynthia.

"Warehouse. In Sunyshore."

There it was — the lead.

Cynthia pulled out her phone.

"Warehouse, Sunyshore. Move in."

On the other end were Volkner, Flint, and Aaron.

"Got it, boss lady!"

They'd wait until Saturn and Jupiter thought they were safe — and strike.

Safer, and more informative.

Under the blue sky, a small island appeared through the mist.

Clouds parted. The island emerged like a mirage.

Johan, pale from the flight, recognized it immediately.

This must be where Lugia and the baby lived.

"Bwooo..."

Lugia landed gently, feeling Johan's discomfort and slowing its pace.

"Bwooo~~"

The baby cheered, flitting between them.

Johan shook his head, slowly recovering.

He took a deep breath and looked around.

It was small but beautiful. Almost untouched. Hidden by mist, a true paradise.

He sat on a rock and looked at Lugia.

"Let's begin."

Therapy time.

This was part of his promise.

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