Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 489: Fellow Trainer, Please Stay

The Cursola unique to the Galar region, along with the suspected "black mane" of Spectrier, made it hard for Johan not to associate Ghost with Galar.

In the movie, Ghost's identity was barely explored—he was merely a necessary villain for the plot.

But in the real Pokémon world, no one simply appears out of thin air.

From the information Johan had gathered, he now had a new theory about Ghost's identity.

Could Ghost have ties to the Galar region?

Wait a minute!

After subduing Ghost and obtaining the "black mane," Johan suddenly thought of something.

The "black mane" and the "black carrot" were precisely the two key ingredients Calyrex used to create the Reins of Unity.

And now, he might just have both.

Which meant... the Black King?

But now wasn't the time to think about that. If he didn't restore the "Crown of the Sea" quickly, the wild Pokémon inside the Sea Temple—and Ghost's underlings—would all drown.

Handing off the unconscious Ghost, his Chatot, and the ghostly coral to Milotic, Johan carried the thick crystal rods from Ghost's backpack into the Sea Temple's core.

He inserted all the prismatic crystals into the dark sockets.

"You stay here too, and wait peacefully to hatch."

Johan placed the Manaphy Egg among the crystal cluster of the "Crown of the Sea."

Once the Sea Temple finished resurfacing and returned to the ocean, the barrier would protect it. All it had to do was wait quietly to hatch.

When the "Crown of the Sea" was fully restored—

Buzz—

A mysterious force surged from within, and the massive Sea Temple miraculously began rising swiftly toward the surface. The backflowing seawater drained rapidly before their eyes.

Johan looked down at his hands. "As I thought, Ash didn't get the 'Blessing of the Sea' from restoring the Crown of the Sea."

The Manaphy Egg shook slightly.

Meanwhile—

With Shadow Lugia's help, Hunter J, Saturn, and Jupiter reached the surface.

Dark clouds cloaked the night sky. Rain poured steadily. Thunder rolled within the black clouds, like fury gathering strength.

"There's no reason to stay. Our mission is complete," Saturn said calmly.

Their objectives: First, to test the recreated Red Chain based on Giratina's version, using Lugia as a template to gather data. Second, to fulfill their promise to Hunter J—restoring her team's power.

That meant both her squad's numbers and personal strength.

Forcing a capture of Shadow Lugia—Hunter J's power was now undeniable.

Their goal had been to eliminate Ghost's Pirate Hunter crew and take their place. With Ghost gone, Hunter J could take over the crew and their massive submarine.

That would give them a sea-based escape option, making them less vulnerable to League pursuit.

But thanks to Johan's interference, taking over Ghost's crew wouldn't be so easy anymore.

And Shadow Lugia wasn't as controllable as they'd hoped. Even with the replica Red Chain and Dark Ball, it resisted.

It was best to leave for now and regain full control over Shadow Lugia.

Compared to a crew and submarine, Shadow Lugia was far more valuable.

Though Hunter J felt deep pain at the loss of so much "money," she knew Saturn was right.

However—

It wasn't up to them anymore.

Perched on Shadow Lugia's back, Hunter J suddenly sensed danger and looked up.

BOOM!!

A golden thunderbolt split the dark sky, revealing a man standing atop his Salamence—a familiar figure.

A lean but ocean-strong man in a captain's coat flapping in the wind.

"Hoenn Elite Four member, Drake!"

With a small smile and sharp eyes, Drake said, "I've been waiting."

Back when they assigned Johan to lead the special strike team, he and Bertha had promised to step in when needed.

If now wasn't the time to use the Elite Four, then when?

But even Drake was surprised by the savage presence of Shadow Lugia.

Even Lugia...

Hunter J narrowed her eyes and coldly threw a Poké Ball. "Salamence!"

But she didn't send Salamence to fight Drake—she leapt from Shadow Lugia's back to her Salamence, shouting:

"Lugia!"

"Bwooo—!!"

Shadow Lugia roared furiously, its rage seeking a target—and Drake was perfect.

Whooooosh—

The sea grew even wilder, wind and rain howling, lightning striking randomly. The flickering light let them barely see.

As Shadow Lugia charged, Drake's face changed, and he tossed out several Poké Balls.

Altaria, Flygon, Kingdra, Dragalge—and Salamence.

Only his Haxorus was left behind, unsuitable for this environment.

The full force of Drake's team—against Shadow Lugia!

"Bwooooh—!!"

From the ship came a desperate, childlike cry.

The baby Lugia!

It stared at Shadow Lugia, tears streaming down, its cries drowned by thunder and rain.

"Yoji! Yoji!"

The Larvitar clung to the baby Lugia's foot. No matter how hard it flapped, it couldn't lift off.

Calm down! Calm down!

Larvitar tried to soothe it.

Hearing the baby's cries, Shadow Lugia suddenly paused mid-attack.

Zzzzzz—

Then red and purple electricity crackled over its body, drawing a scream of pain.

"Bwooo—!!"

"Alakazam!"

Saturn tossed a Poké Ball, summoning Alakazam, who caught him and Jupiter with Psychic power.

They had spotted the baby Lugia and Larvitar aboard the rocking sailboat.

"There they are."

They exchanged glances and descended.

If they could capture the baby Lugia now, controlling Shadow Lugia would be easier later.

And if they could raise it from youth—it might surpass Shadow Lugia someday!

"You two!"

Looker stepped between them with Croagunk, his voice righteous and stern.

"You're under arrest!"

"Gu!"

Croagunk's orange cheeks pulsed as it eyed Saturn, Jupiter, then turned to glance at the baby Lugia and Larvitar.

Though it recalled Johan's warning—

In such a case, it should tranquilize Looker and escape.

But—

Now wasn't the time to retreat!

Sometimes survival meant retreat, but when someone needed protection—

"Gu!!"

Croagunk stood firm with Looker.

Never back down!

"Hmph!" Jupiter sneered and tossed a Poké Ball, summoning her Skuntank.

"Double-Edge, crush them!"

Croagunk tensed—this opponent was strong, but it still chose to face it head-on!

Just then—

"Yoji!"

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

Larvitar's voice rang out.

"Dodge!"

Croagunk didn't understand but trusted it instinctively and shifted aside.

Then—

Larvitar, holding baby Lugia in one hand, stomped with its little foot.

CRACK—!!

The deck turned earthy, split open, and tore toward Skuntank.

Everyone was stunned.

BOOM!!

The ground erupted under Skuntank, stopping it cold, burying it in debris.

Next second—

BOOM!!

The ship split in two!

Everyone froze—even Croagunk and baby Lugia.

"That was... a stomp?" Jupiter muttered.

Sure, Skuntank was weak to Ground, but its level far exceeded Larvitar's!

Was that Earthquake?

"That's a baby?!" Saturn's expression was no better.

The boat cracked in half!

"Yoji!"

Larvitar stood proudly, arms akimbo in front of baby Lugia.

You think Johan left me behind for nothing?

I'm here to protect baby Lugia and that idiot Looker!

And with this delay—

"Garchomp, Dragon Claw!"

Cynthia and Caitlin finally reached the surface.

They weren't surprised by Drake's appearance and immediately targeted Hunter J, Saturn, and Jupiter.

"Gothitelle, Psyshock!"

Caitlin floated in midair, hair swirling.

Still angry she'd been woken from her nap!

Cynthia, with Garchomp and Gastrodon, landed on the deck.

"Roserade, Growth!"

Roserade's roots spread through the ship, binding the cracked vessel together.

Facing Cynthia's icy demeanor, Saturn and Jupiter instinctively backed off.

Elsewhere—

"Bronzong, Trick Room!"

Caitlin's Poké Ball floated up. Red light flashed—Bronzong appeared.

DONG—!!

Its deep chime echoed. Ancient runes glowed blue.

In a flash—

Blue light radiated, enclosing Hunter J and Salamence in Trick Room.

"Garrr!!"

Within the Trick Room, Salamence felt sluggish, weighed down.

Hunter J thought of Lucian.

"Why do you psychics all love Trick Room?"

At sea, her power was limited.

Originally, with Shadow Lugia, she wasn't afraid of Johan's trio—but Drake changed everything.

And baby Lugia's cries made Shadow Lugia harder to control.

If Drake couldn't win, at least he could stall.

All because of Ghost!

He'd triggered some Sea Temple mechanism, causing the flood. Otherwise—

With air in the temple, they could've crushed Johan's group with Lugia.

"Weavile!"

Hunter J wouldn't give up. She hurled a Poké Ball.

"Weavile!"

Weavile fell, surrounded by Dark-type energy, lunging at Caitlin and Gothitelle.

Dark beats Psychic!

"Hmph!" Caitlin scoffed.

She knew Dark-types countered Psychic—but in Trick Room, speed reversed.

"Dodge!"

Weavile missed, diving toward the sea.

Hunter J smirked—it wasn't about landing a hit.

Crack—

Weavile's ice spread across the sea, forming a platform.

Neither sea nor sky suited her—but ice did.

Hunter J tossed two more Poké Balls.

"Ariados, Drapion!"

Bug- and Dark-types—perfect against Psychic-types!

At the same time—

Buzz—

She raised her left arm. A brownish beam shot at Caitlin—but hit a Psychic barrier.

"A petrification ray?" Caitlin's eyes narrowed. Johan had warned her.

And as for Dark-types—

"Who says Psychics can't beat Dark-types? Gallade, go!"

The warrior of Psychic-types—Gallade—appeared, dual blades gleaming.

One slash knocked back Drapion, the next struck Weavile!

Chaos erupted. One-on-one duels broke out everywhere.

Saturn and Jupiter were overwhelmed by Cynthia's full force—barely able to fight back.

She and Garchomp moved fluidly, suppressing them and even aiding Drake.

"Spiritomb, Confuse Ray!"

Caitlin held the advantage over Hunter J.

Even with high-tech tools like the petrification gun, Caitlin had fewer limitations at sea.

Hunter J's only advantage—Dark-types.

As for Drake—

He had it the worst.

Facing Shadow Lugia directly—this was a real Legendary Pokémon!

Its weather manipulation, oceanic powers—it was overwhelming.

And with "Recover," it couldn't even be beaten—just stalled.

If not for Cynthia's occasional help, Drake might've lost Pokémon by now.

For a member of the Elite Four to last this long said a lot.

Not all Elites could survive a clash with Lugia.

Hunter J waited for Drake to fall.

Then—

Torrential roar—

The sea parted.

The Sea Temple, sunken for who knows how long, began to surface!

What?!

Everyone turned.

If the temple emerged, that meant... Johan was coming.

If Lugia didn't defeat Drake in time, Johan's return would tip the scale decisively!

Hunter J, Saturn, and Jupiter would be—

Saturn and Jupiter exchanged a look and steeled themselves.

"Crobat, Air Slash!"

"Toxicroak, Sucker Punch!"

But not at Cynthia or her Pokémon—their targets were Larvitar and baby Lugia!

Cynthia was ready.

"Lucario! Roserade!"

But as Lucario and Roserade turned to defend, Saturn gave the order:

"Alakazam, Teleport!"

"Zaaam!"

Alakazam enveloped them and vanished—abandoning Crobat and Toxicroak.

When the situation is dire—cut losses.

They'd completed their mission. The data was collected. A few lost Pokémon were a small price.

"Damn it!"

Hunter J cursed. Furious.

Now she faced Caitlin—and soon Cynthia.

She could barely hold off Caitlin. Against Cynthia? No chance.

So Hunter J made a ruthless choice.

"Lugia, destroy everything!"

"Bwooo—!!"

Shadow Lugia screamed, unleashing storms, tidal waves, thunder.

A divine-level display of power.

"Salamence, we're retreating!"

As everyone scrambled to defend against the chaos, Hunter J escaped.

She even abandoned Ariados, Weavile, and Drapion.

Clutching the Dark Ball—her grip on Shadow Lugia.

As long as she held it, she had hope.

"Think you can run?"

Caitlin shouted, but Cynthia held her back.

Caitlin looked confused, but Cynthia's eyes were icy—yet confident.

"First, calm Lugia."

That was the key.

If they didn't stop Shadow Lugia here, the destruction it could unleash on land...

"What about her?"

Cynthia gently touched Caitlin's head and said with certainty:

"She won't escape."

The Sea Temple was already halfway up, yet Johan hadn't appeared.

If he wasn't waiting for Hunter J to make her move, Cynthia wouldn't believe it.

Hunter J had no hope of escape—especially not without the Dark Ball.

"That Dark Ball is crucial," Johan had told them before heading back.

"Garchomp!"

"Garrr—!!"

Cynthia grinned, bold and confident. "Let's go meet Lugia."

"Damn it! Damn it!"

Hunter J cursed again, trying to calm herself.

At least she still had the Dark Ball—Lugia was hers.

With it, she could still win!

"Garrr, Garrr," Salamence cried.

Hmm?

Hunter J narrowed her eyes.

Splash—

Ripples spread. A massive submarine surfaced.

A submarine?

Ghost?

In the shadows—on top of the submarine—a handsome, sunlit-smiling young man tipped his hat.

Johan!

Inside the sub—

Ghost's crew huddled in a corner while Gengar gleefully chattered, guiding the sub with Rotom.

"Ka-kaah!"

This beast is fun to drive!

On top, Johan smiled with a glint of mischief as he looked at Hunter J.

He said calmly:

"Fellow trainer, please stay."

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance Chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates