Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 534: A Righteous Beatdown?

The moon hung high, the stars sparse.

The residents of Opelucid City and members of the League were still shaken, unable to calm themselves from the shock and joy of what had just transpired.

Nearly encased in ice, the massive airborne warship had exploded like a meteor in the sky. A mysterious and powerful Pokémon, the teamwork of top Trainers, Mega Gengar ripping open a spatial rift, and everyone working together to send that monstrous ship into the void...

Every moment had gripped their hearts.

"Teacher Johan, Miss Cynthia, Miss Caitlin—thank you all so much."

With a long sigh, Shaga offered his heartfelt thanks.

Had Johan not given an early warning, had he not suspected Team Plasma's diversion tactic, there was no way Shaga alone could have defended Opelucid City.

Vio alone was no match, but Vio with the Dark Triad? That would've overwhelmed him.

Not to mention—Team Plasma actually launched their airship and fired the "Kyurem Ice Cannon"—that was completely beyond Shaga's ability to handle.

Of course, Wanlong and Lenwu's arrival had made a significant difference too. Between the two, they'd taken down dozens of Team Plasma members.

Now, with Colress having fled and the airship fallen, most of the Team Plasma operatives had either escaped or been captured.

Cynthia shook her head slightly. "We just took a gamble."

Johan added, "It's not over yet."

Shaga's expression shifted. "You mean... the dragon that was taken away? That was Kyurem?"

"Yes."

Shaga exhaled slowly.

As a Dragon-type specialist and from the family that protected the DNA Splicer, Shaga wasn't unfamiliar with Kyurem.

In fact—

He knew more than most.

Kyurem, dubbed "the strongest dragon on the surface," didn't rely solely on its Ice-type power.

"No wonder..." Shaga muttered. "No wonder the Ice Cannon was so terrifying. If not for your Pokémon, Teacher Johan, I'm afraid the entire city would've been frozen solid."

No wonder Team Plasma had acted so boldly.

While Shaga had been told by Alder that Kyurem may have been captured, he'd been skeptical. Not because he doubted Alder—but because he knew how terrifying Kyurem was. It shouldn't be that easy to catch.

But now, the truth was undeniable.

Given that—

Shaga looked at Johan, memorizing the face of this young Trainer.

When everyone else rushed to Lacunosa to chase Team Plasma, it was this man who uncovered their real target. Whether by intuition or luck didn't matter.

What mattered was—

Even when faced with Team Plasma's full assault, including a legendary Pokémon, he stood firm and stopped them.

And when Plasma, in desperation, tried to sacrifice both ship and dragon to destroy Opelucid, it was Johan who led the effort to avert the catastrophe.

From Shaga's perspective—

Johan was nothing short of a hero.

"Teacher Johan..." Shaga's expression turned solemn. "I believe this item... it's safer in your hands."

Johan's eyes narrowed as he saw what Shaga took out.

The DNA Splicer.

A sacred relic passed down by Shaga's family for generations. Said to be connected to the truth and ideals of the twin dragons. Legend had it only a true hero could be recognized by and use it.

And yet, for generations, no one in Shaga's family had ever been recognized.

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"So... Team Plasma was really after the Splicer in your possession," Caitlin murmured.

What they wanted with it remained unclear.

But one thing was certain:

Whoever held the DNA Splicer would become a target of Team Plasma.

This major incident might only be the beginning. Once they regroup, they'd come back.

So the Splicer—precious as it was—was now a blazing-hot potato.

"Teacher Johan," Shaga said awkwardly. "I know holding this might bring you trouble. But I believe... your strength is enough to protect it."

Johan rubbed his brow.

"Trouble" didn't even begin to cover it.

Holding this thing might make Reshiram or Zekrom treat him as an enemy.

As for Team Plasma?

No Genesect, no Kyurem—there wasn't much they could do now. They'd probably fall apart soon.

"Besides..."

Shaga added, "If that was really Kyurem just now, the DNA Splicer might be useful."

Johan's expression shifted slightly.

After all, Kyurem, Zekrom, Reshiram, and the Splicer came from the same origin.

If he could use the Splicer, perhaps it could allow communication with Kyurem?

He looked to Cynthia and Caitlin.

Cynthia nodded gently. "If Shaga says so, you should take it."

She had already done research into the Splicer and its lore. If it stayed in Shaga's hands, who's to say Opelucid wouldn't face another attack?

With Johan, she trusted it would be safe.

And if not—she was there to help.

Besides...

"The DNA Splicer is quite helpful for Dragon- and Ice-type Pokémon."

Really?

In Black/White, the Splicer wasn't present—it was the Light/Dark Stones.

But in Black 2/White 2, the Splicer replaced those stones as the core item.

Dragons and Ice-types... This would be good for Dragonite and Ninetales.

Given all that—

Johan accepted it. "Very well... I'll borrow the DNA Splicer and see if it can help with Kyurem."

"Excellent!!"

Shaga accepted Johan's "borrow" phrasing with a smile.

Didn't matter. As long as Johan had it, that was enough.

If he ever gave it back... well, if Shaga was still alive by then, they'd talk.

As for Johan—

Once this World Championship was over, he was heading back to Hoenn.

Let Kyurem or the dragons come find him there if they dared.

"So I'll leave things here to you, Shaga. I need to check on Kyurem," Johan said gravely.

"We're coming too," Cynthia and Caitlin said at once.

Kyurem's power was immense. Even if Mewtwo had carried it off, it hadn't gone far.

Even now, snow still fell over Opelucid.

Shaga nodded heavily. "Please... take care of it."

He had his hands full.

Plasma remnants remained. While the chaos had mostly subsided, order hadn't fully returned.

As mayor, he had to restore peace.

Besides, he doubted he'd be of much use anyway.

Most of his Pokémon were spent after fighting Vio and the Dark Triad.

No need to drag the team down.

"Let's go!"

Johan and Cynthia locked eyes, then turned to Caitlin.

She pouted, then placed a hand on both their shoulders.

Buzz—

Teleport!

Using Mewtwo's psychic presence as a beacon, it was uncomfortable—but fast.

"Eh?"

Wanlong and Lenwu arrived a beat too late.

"They're gone..."

Shaga explained everything quickly, and they decided to help stabilize Opelucid and finish rounding up Plasma while waiting for the others to return.

Meanwhile—

In a forest outside the city.

"Calm down!"

Mewtwo was encased in a spherical psychic shield, gritting its teeth as it blocked Kyurem's relentless icy blasts.

The area had become a frozen wasteland.

Snow blanketed everything. Cold surged outward, burying the forest in a blizzard.

ROAR!!

Kyurem, eyes blood-red, raged uncontrollably.

When Johan and the others appeared, it felt like they'd returned to Mt. Coronet's peak.

Maybe worse.

Johan's head throbbed.

He hadn't expected Colress to pump Kyurem so full of "stimulants" before setting it loose.

If only Kyurem had been sealed inside the ship before it woke up. Then it would've gone straight to the Distortion World and been someone else's problem.

Giratina: ???

"Let's see..."

Johan pulled out the DNA Splicer and injected it with Aura.

"Let's see if this works..."

"Johan! We're here!!"

Hoofbeats rang out.

Keldeo and the Swords of Justice had arrived!

They'd been recovering since the Genesect incident. Now, fully healed, they were ready.

Perfect timing!

Time for a righteous beatdown!

"Yoji!!" Larvitar's eyes lit up.

My red steed has arrived!

Buzz—

The DNA Splicer pulsed in Johan's hands.

Huh?

Kyurem paused.

Far away, atop a lonely tower, a milky-white orb trembled faintly.

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Powerstones?

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