Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 500: Larvitar’s First Battle Experience

Battle?

Asking for a battle right after a photo and autograph—wasn't that the same as pulling up your pants and pretending nothing happened?

"Ahahaha—" Old Wattson let out a hearty laugh and clapped. "Good, good! How about letting this old man join too?"

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Johan: "..."

You two planned this, didn't you?

He glanced around.

His gaze landed on Larvitar, and he had an idea.

The little guy had been training hard recently.

On one hand, it was motivated by the rest of the team—all older siblings working hard—and with all the ore and Pokéblocks it had been eating, it needed to burn off that energy.

On the other hand, Larvitar had set its sights on the upcoming Youth Masters Tournament and was giving it everything it had.

Only... its actual battle experience...

Besides some occasional practice battles with the team, it had barely fought for real.

If Larvitar really wanted to participate, it'd need that experience—and Johan was ready to help make that happen.

And facing Roxie, an Electric-type specialist? Larvitar, a Ground-type Pokémon, would be the perfect counter.

There might be a level difference, but with a type advantage, it wouldn't be hopeless.

Noticing Johan's gaze, Larvitar perked up and shot its little hand into the air, nodding its head vigorously.

I can do it! I've got this!

"Pfft—" Roxie couldn't help but chuckle, covering her mouth. "So cute."

She squatted in front of Larvitar. "Wanna battle?"

"Yoji!"

Power!!

"That's a spirit worth respecting," Roxie praised.

Johan: "..."

Alright then.

Let's see how the little one does.

Once Johan gave the nod, Larvitar's fighting spirit burned even brighter.

"Yoji!!"

It almost looked like a tiny Godzilla.

Since they were already in the Gym, there was no need for any extra setup. Johan and Roxie each took a side on the battlefield.

Old Wattson eagerly volunteered to be the referee.

"Each side will use one Pokémon. The match ends when one is no longer able to battle!" The old man had clearly listened to a lot of Gym matches—he announced the rules fluently.

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar, leading the cheer squad, started cheering loudly.

It was their little bro's first real battle—of course the whole family was going all in.

"Yoji!"

Larvitar clenched its little fists, fired up and ready.

"Send out your Pokémon!"

Roxie already knew who Johan was sending, so she didn't hesitate. She called out:

"Go, Galvantula!"

This kind of friendly sparring match wasn't about winning or losing—it was about enjoying the battle. So she didn't send out her ace, Zebstrika or Emolga.

Instead, she chose a Pokémon whose level and strength might be closer to Larvitar's: Galvantula.

Red light flashed.

A spider-like Pokémon covered mostly in golden fur appeared. It had six legs, six eyes, purple stripes on its back, and purple fuzz on its belly.

"Galvantula! The Electroweb Pokémon. Bug and Electric-type. If you get hit by its barbs, you'll be paralyzed for three days and nights—Rotom!"

As a Bug/Electric-type, Galvantula no longer had an Electric weakness—but it was weak to Rock and Fire.

However, since Ground-types are immune to Electric moves, Larvitar still held the type advantage.

"Yoji!"

Larvitar trotted into the arena, looked up at the Galvantula—easily a size bigger—and gulped.

Its first battle—of course it was a little nervous.

"Don't worry. Just follow my lead. If you lose, it's on me," Johan's warm, steady voice echoed in its ears.

Larvitar turned back and saw Johan's calm, kind smile—and calmed down.

It slapped its cheeks with a "pop pop."

Let's go!

Once both Pokémon were in place, Wattson raised and dropped the flag.

"Battle, start!"

Roxie instantly switched into battle mode, her thin arm cutting through the air. "Galvantula, Electroweb!"

"Zzzzz..."

Sparks danced across Galvantula's body, and a mass of sticky web shot from its mouth, rapidly unfolding mid-air into a net heading straight for Larvitar.

"Larvitar."

Johan ignored the oncoming web and calmly called out:

"Dragon Dance."

A strange rhythm radiated from Larvitar as its aura surged.

Dragon Dance?! From a Larvitar?

Glacia and Wattson both blinked.

While Larvitar was dancing, the Electroweb hit.

Electric moves were useless against Ground-types—but the web's stickiness still clung to Larvitar, slightly hindering its movement.

That's the difference between games and reality.

And that's why Roxie had used Electroweb, even knowing it was a Ground-type.

But—

After the Dragon Dance boost, even with the web's hindrance, Larvitar's speed had barely changed—and its physical power was now higher.

Roxie hadn't expected it to know Dragon Dance.

First exchange, and she and Galvantula were already behind.

But Roxie didn't flinch.

Despite being a famous celebrity model, she had solid battle experience. She'd competed in the Mixed Tournament, Unova Gym Leader Cup, World Gym Leader Cup, Type Expert Tournament, and more.

"Galvantula, Energy Ball!"

This was the true reason she'd chosen Galvantula.

Grass-type move: Energy Ball!

Galvantula wasn't a Grass-type, but Larvitar was quadruple weak to Grass!

Bzzz—

A green orb of energy formed rapidly in front of Galvantula and shot toward Larvitar.

But Johan had been waiting.

As soon as Roxie spoke, he responded in near-perfect sync:

"Dig."

He knew Galvantula all too well—one of the most annoying double battle Pokémon.

Plus, when Galvantula used its move, Johan had already scanned it with the Pokédex and got a read on its stats.

"Yoji!"

Dust flew.

Larvitar dove underground in a flash, avoiding the Energy Ball.

Roxie frowned slightly.

Was that luck?

Coincidence?

Or... a read?

"Galvantula, get off the ground!" she snapped.

Get off the ground?

Galvantula?

Whip—

Galvantula shot a thread from its tail end, latching onto the ceiling, lifting itself into a hanging position.

That's new...

"Charge another Energy Ball!"

From up high, Galvantula's six eyes scanned the arena. As soon as Larvitar popped up, it'd strike.

Another green orb formed quickly.

If this dragged on, Larvitar would be instantly KO'd when it emerged. Johan knew that—and acted fast.

"Now!"

Before the Energy Ball fully charged, there was still time.

Roxie brushed her hair and smiled.

Pointless.

Unless Larvitar could fly—

Boom!!

The ground exploded. Huge chunks of rock burst upward.

Huh?

The massive flying debris blocked Galvantula's vision—even with six eyes, they only offered different angles—not x-ray sight.

"Rock Slide!"

In the moment Roxie and Galvantula froze, Johan and Larvitar struck back.

"Yoji!"

Larvitar kicked a massive boulder into the air—right at Galvantula.

No one would've guessed the tiny creature had such strength.

Roxie's face changed. "Dodge!"

Galvantula's thread extended, trying to lower itself to avoid the rock.

It was working!

But—

Johan and Larvitar weren't aiming at Galvantula—they were aiming at the thread.

Crack!!

The seemingly tough silk snapped under the impact.

Galvantula plummeted to the ground.

Johan didn't hesitate. "Stomping Tantrum!"

Larvitar was ready. The moment Galvantula hit the ground, its foot slammed down.

BOOM—

A massive crack split the earth. The trembling ground roared, rubble flying everywhere in a cloud of dust.

The impact was even more dramatic than Earthquake.

Roxie, Glacia, and Wattson all stood frozen, mouths slightly open.

That was... Stomping Tantrum?

When the dust settled, Galvantula lay in the rubble—unable to battle.

One hit—KO!

Sure, Ground-types are immune to Electric moves, but that didn't mean their attacks should do that much.

Then everyone remembered—

Stomping Tantrum had a special effect.

Stomping Tantrum: Ground-type move, power 75. If the previous move missed, this move's power doubles!

Larvitar's previous move hit only the silk—didn't damage Galvantula.

Even Dig had missed.

Add the Dragon Dance boost—

Still, this Larvitar's Ground-type power was ridiculously high.

Didn't look like a baby pseudo-legend—it was already showing signs of being a true "Sandstorm King."

"Yoji!!"

Larvitar jumped up in excitement. All that eating and training hadn't been for nothing!

It secretly popped a rock into its mouth, chewing away—when a flicker of doubt crossed its eyes.

During the battle, it felt like...

The stone beneath it had shrunk a little when it touched it.

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Powerstones?

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