Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 574: Gengar the “Invincible” Influencer

Johan had defeated Steven and clinched the "Master vs. Student" battle, securing his spot in the finals!

The match instantly became the hottest topic online.

Most of the discussion centered around Ceruledge and Armarouge's form switching.

At first, viewers were already amazed by the fact that Ceruledge and Armarouge could switch forms freely—but then Johan showcased something even more shocking.

Ceruledge could wield both sword and cannon simultaneously?!

Cannon for range, sword for melee!

Swordsmen fear ranged casters, and casters fear being rushed—yet Ceruledge could do both, a total combat powerhouse.

After Ceruledge first showed off form switching, Charcadet's popularity had surged. Now, with this new hybrid form, the hype was even more explosive.

Many trainers from Paldea were now begging Johan to please write a book—no, publish a research paper, because everyone was drooling over his techniques.

Aside from Ceruledge, Urshifu, who had mastered both Single Strike and Rapid Strike Styles, was another hot topic.

Not because people expected to chase after Kubfu like they did Charcadet—it's a legendary Pokémon, after all, only obtainable from Master Mustard on the Isle of Armor.

Instead, the buzz came from Leon's phone call—especially his use of "Little Jojo" as a nickname.

As for the Mega Metagross vs. Mega Gengar clash?

It was, hands down, the most intense and exciting moment of the entire match.

This proved one thing clearly:

Mega Evolution is still the dominant power-up method in high-level matches.

Yes, Z-Moves and Terastallization exist. But compared to Mega Evolution, both have their limitations.

Z-Moves only power up one move, offering unique effects but limited use.

Terastallization alters or boosts typing—great for counterplay, but Tera Orbs require huge energy input. Outside Paldea and Blueberry Academy, there's no way to recharge them.

Mega Evolution, however, boosts stats, typing, and abilities, providing broad and dynamic enhancements.

Moreover, Mega Evolution's power ceiling and floor are determined by the trainer's bond with their Pokémon. For trainers passionate about battling, that emotional connection matters just as much as raw power.

It's perfect for trainers—and Pokémon—who excel under pressure.

Still, Mega Evolution has a major drawback: very few Pokémon can use it. Unlike Z-Moves and Terastallization, which are more universally applicable.

Dynamax/Gigantamax, in contrast, applies to all Pokémon and offers solid boosts—but it only lasts three turns, and can only be triggered in Galar's special Power Spots.

As of now, there's been no known case of combining multiple power-ups.

No Mega Evolution + Z-Move. No Mega + Tera.

The reason? It would physically overwhelm the trainer.

Even Mega Evolution alone already puts huge strain on most trainers. Many can barely sustain it even with the right Mega Stone and Key Stone.

Add another power-up on top? The trainer might collapse before the Pokémon does.

And the Pokémon would also face major physical and mental burdens.

Post-Match, Lunchtime.

"Gengar."

Johan stopped the purple chubby shadow trying to sneak off, tiptoeing exaggeratedly.

"Ka-kaah...?"

Gengar awkwardly turned around, scratching its head and forcing a smile—pretending not to know what Johan wanted.

Johan didn't say a word. He crossed his arms, sat back in his chair, and smiled knowingly, humming through his nose.

That smile terrified Gengar. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar glanced left, right, avoiding eye contact.

Under the pressure of Johan's silent stare, Gengar cracked.

Suddenly, it raised a hand and pointed skyward.

"Ka-kaah!"

Look! A UFO!

"Yoji?"

"Cha?"

"Where? Roto?"

Tyrunt, Tinkaton, and Dragonite all got fooled, turning toward the window.

Rotom even readied its camera to film the "UFO."

...There was no UFO.

And Gengar tried to use the distraction to escape.

Johan smiled.

He casually grabbed Rotom and clicked a snapshot of the empty space in front of him.

CLICK—

On Rotom's screen: a photo of Gengar posing with a peace sign.

"Roto...?"

Rotom was utterly confused.

At the same time, Johan's other hand latched onto Gengar's head spike.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar blinked—then forced a sheepish grin.

"Trying to run?" Johan chuckled scornfully.

"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"

Gengar frantically waved its hands.

Run? Me? No way! I was just really excited by the UFO...

But Johan's stare silenced him again.

Gengar raised both hands: I surrender.

Then, with a roll of its tongue, it pulled out the DNA Splicers that Shaga had entrusted to Johan.

Johan just smiled—he already knew Gengar had it.

"Ka-kaah..."

Gengar reluctantly rolled out a pitch-black stone—the orb Alder had secretly given it.

"What's this?"

Johan took the orb, curious, and let go of Gengar's horn.

"Ka-kaah..."

Gengar slumped, ears drooping, nervously fidgeting.

Originally, the DNA Splicers had no reaction when Gengar studied them.

But with the black orb, the Splicers began to respond—and Gengar started "learning" things from it.

"Don't tell me it's a Dragon Stone?"

Nearby, Dragonite perked up.

In the games, Dragon Stones were the dormant forms of Zekrom and Reshiram.

In Black/White 1, there were no DNA Splicers—just the "Light Stone" and "Dark Stone."

These functioned similarly to Splicers.

Could this be Zekrom's Dark Stone?

If so, Alder must've retrieved it from a museum or from Dragonspiral Tower.

Either way, it was black and resonated with the Splicers—most likely Zekrom's stone.

"How did you learn from it?"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar perked up, pulling out its phone, showing Johan a picture.

Onscreen: a massive head eavesdropping.

Digital Pet Giratina!

Giratina blinked as it realized Gengar had exposed it—slowly turned to stare at Johan.

A chill ran down its spine.

[NOT MY FAULT.]

The screen flickered, then went black. Giratina vanished.

Johan: "..."

You little traitor... you're not done stirring up trouble in Sinnoh, and now you're poking around Unova?

Giratina, the "Screen-Peeping Dragon," lived up to its name.

Still, Gengar hadn't learned anything dangerous, so Johan didn't press.

Kids—Pokémon included—deserve some secrets, as long as they're not harmful.

Maybe Gengar had just wanted to surprise him with a cool new skill?

"Alright. Go play."

Confirmed Gengar had gained a new skill—good enough.

"Ka-kaah~!"

Gengar ran off gleefully, likely to message Giratina and explain its betrayal.

Johan rubbed his chin.

He used to worry Gengar might be negatively influenced by Giratina...

But now it seemed like Gengar was influencing Giratina instead.

"After all, when lives connect, something always grows from it..."

In its own way, Gengar's "influence" might be another form of invincibility.

Later That Evening.

CLICK—

"Teacher."

Steven had arrived for dinner at Johan's place.

Behind him, Metagross carried bags of groceries with all four claws, maximizing efficiency.

"Steven, hand the bags to Rotom. Find a seat."

"Understood."

"Ro-Rotom?"

"GONG-GONG—"

Rotom looked at the massive grocery load—then at itself.

...How?

Just then, a voice from the kitchen: "Garchomp, give him a hand."

"GARHHH—"

Garchomp, who had been resting on the floor, got up with a sigh and helped.

Steven noticed Cynthia leaning against the kitchen door.

"Why is Cynthia at the kitchen door?"

On the couch, Lucian said nothing. Flint, bruised and bandaged, motioned toward a sign on the door.

Steven looked:

"Gengar and Cynthia: Not Allowed Inside!"

"COUGH!!"

Steven nearly choked on his water.

Only Johan would dare post something like that.

In the kitchen, Johan hummed to Meloetta's classical tune, commanding Rotom and chatting with Cynthia.

He missed the Indeedee siblings—prep work was easier with them.

"Against Lance, Ice-types are important," Johan said.

He and Cynthia were planning for her battle tomorrow.

"You and Lorelei both said that," Cynthia sipped her Moomoo Milk tea.

"Lorelei, huh?" Johan chuckled. "Of course. It's the Dodo Bird."

Somehow, "Dodo Bird" had become Lance's nickname among their circle.

No one knew how it started, but Johan claimed innocence.

Everyone had nicknames.

Lance: "Dodo Bird"

Lorelei: "Old Lady"

Flint: "Pyro-Puff"

Cynthia: "Boss Lady"

Leon: "Mr. Commercial"

Johan: None of this is my fault.

"Your Glaceon will be key."

Cynthia's Glaceon was strong—she'd trained it seriously even as an Eevee.

After all, her screen name was "[Eevee Eats Cabbage]," showing her deep love for Eevee.

"Still," Johan added, "If you get a chance, try to catch a Fairy-type."

Cynthia wasn't a mono-type trainer, but she lacked a Fairy-type in her roster.

Fairy, like Steel, Ghost, Dark, and Normal, offered immunity matchups—great against specific opponents.

Steven had Mawile, for instance. Give it a Mega Stone, and it becomes a "Dragon Slayer."

Cynthia's eyes lit up.

"Any suggestions?"

She'd been considering it—but hadn't found the right opportunity.

"Ice Ninetales?"

She liked it, but—

"You're not Lorelei," Johan said. "No need to counter Lance so directly."

Alolan Ninetales had great synergy—Fairy + Ice plus Snow Warning—but Cynthia didn't use snow synergy.

Also, she already had Glaceon.

Johan thought for a moment.

"Togekiss."

"Togekiss?"

"Fairy/Flying. Great support or pivot. And 'Serene Grace' is common."

Cynthia considered it—imagining a cheerful little Togepi—then smiled.

"Sounds fun."

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Powerstones?

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