Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 576: Why Did the King Rebel?

"Garchomp, Dragon Rush!!"

"Dragonite, Outrage!!"

BOOM!!

Mega Garchomp and Dragonite collided head-on, unleashing a shockwave so immense that Johan, seated in the stands, felt his butt slightly tingle. The arena-wide barrier trembled violently from the aftershock.

"If they don't reinforce that shield, the finals won't make it through," Lucian said as he stared intensely at the smoke cloud rising in the middle of the battlefield, not forgetting to complain.

Honestly—

The tournament organizers had done plenty of preparation this time.

They just hadn't expected the contestants to be this strong—especially Johan, who had been breaking the barrier since the early rounds, putting massive pressure on the event team.

"What's the outcome?" Flint looked more nervous than Cynthia, who was actually on the field.

It was all because of something Lucian had said the day before—

If Cynthia didn't beat Lance and reach the finals to face Johan, Flint's life afterward would be unbearable.

"See for yourself," Johan said, leaning on the railing.

"Ka-kaah~~"

"Draaa~~"

On either side of him, Gengar and Dragonite nodded in excitement.

The battle was intense—both Pokémon were completely glued to the action.

Especially Dragonite.

Because Lance's Dragonite was fighting, it could easily project itself into the battle, itching to jump in and brawl.

But Cynthia and her Pokémon were so powerful, both Gengar and Dragonite were secretly awed.

So strong.

So badly want to fight.

Seeing neither Pokémon showing even a hint of fear—instead practically champing at the bit—made Johan twitch slightly. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

When did his team become so battle-hungry?

At last—

The crowd held its breath as the smoke slowly cleared from the field.

Among the ruins, Lance's Dragonite lay on the ground, incapacitated.

And Cynthia's Mega Garchomp was gasping heavily, its ferocity slowly fading from its eyes. It threw back its arms and let out a victorious roar.

"Garrr——!!!!!!"

"OHHHHH!! The last Pokémon standing is—GARCHOMP!!!" the host screamed with exhilaration.

"Which means, the finalist is—Miss Cynthia!!!"

BOOM!!

The entire venue erupted like a volcano, cheers and screams shaking the skies—no less intense than the clash between the two titans moments earlier.

"Cynthia!!"

"Cabbage! My sweet Lady Cabbage!!"

"Miss Cynthia! We'll love you forever!!"

Thanks to Mega Garchomp's raw power, Cynthia overwhelmed Lance and secured her spot in the finals—where she'd face Johan!

On the field, Cynthia exhaled softly, brushed a lock of hair aside, and turned to scan the stands—locking eyes with Johan.

Their gazes met. Cynthia smiled faintly.

This time, we finally get to fight.

Let's see who really holds the power here.

Johan responded with a helpless smile.

He had hoped to face Lance in the finals—then hit him with some good old "Dodo" puns for a psychological one-two combo.

That, combined with actual combat, could've broken Lance's mental state and secured the win.

Fifty million Pokédollars in cash, plus materials...

But now it was Cynthia.

Eh, that worked too. He had given her quite a few tips yesterday, after all.

In the arena—

Lance and Cynthia walked to the center and shook hands.

"Well fought," Lance said with a smile, maintaining his poise.

"You too."

Among all the contestants in the World Youth Masters Tournament, Lance had been the one to put the most pressure on Cynthia. Even she hadn't been confident in her victory—it all came down to performance in the moment.

"In the finals—go beat the crap out of Johan!" Lance added with a hint of amusement.

Cynthia gave a little smile.

"Of course."

As both of them looked his way, Johan muttered under his breath, "Why do I feel like they're plotting something? This pressure's real..."

"She won!!" Flint burst into emotional tears.

Johan nodded.

Lance's downfall lay in being "born too early"—not having access to Mega Evolution.

And Cynthia's Garchomp was just too fierce. With Mega Evolution, it arguably outmatched even Steven's invincible Metagross.

In the games, Mega Garchomp may have been nerfed... but real life was a different story.

If Lance wanted to turn things around, he'd probably have to wait until he got his hands on a Tera Orb and the battles switched to Terastallization-only formats.

Only then could the "Normal-type Elite Four" rise again.

[Mathematical Magician]: Do you have time to stop by Castelia Café?

As Johan left the arena, this message popped up on his phone.

Huh?

That guy was one of his "patients" from way back—someone who wrestled with the human–Pokémon relationship.

Also from Castelia?

Ah, a Unova native.

That made more sense—Unova had suffered a lot from Team Plasma's philosophy. No wonder this person had issues.

Johan looked up at the sky.

Still early.

No rush preparing for Cynthia. For the patients he accepted, he always gave his best.

[Grain in the Field]: On my way.

He wasn't worried about safety in Castelia.

Just look at the people present: contestants, Champion Alder, Elite Four Thorne and Drake, plus top-tier trainers from all over the world.

Team Plasma wouldn't dare make a move right now—not even Giovanni would risk it.

So Johan made his way to Castelia Café.

Under an awning outside the café, a man sat alone, feeding bread crumbs to a Tranquill.

He took a sip of coffee. His eyes looked calm, but deep down shimmered with a kaleidoscope of conflicting feelings.

A trainer running to the Pokémon Center with an Eevee in hand... an old woman strolling with her Stoutland... a businessman riding a Zebstrika to work...

Pokémon were embedded in every aspect of human life.

And the relationship between them wasn't nearly as antagonistic as he'd once believed.

The more he saw, the more N doubted everything from his childhood.

But whenever he closed his eyes—

The small, dark room with a broken window would reappear. Injured Pokémon. A one-eyed Sandile. A Scraggy missing a leg. A Sigilyph with broken wings. A fur-less Growlithe...

The painful past clashed with the peaceful present.

Open eyes: paradise. Closed eyes: horror.

Two different "realities," evoking completely different feelings.

"Is that you, Mathematical Magician?"

A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts. A figure stepped into view.

Mr. Johan!

In N's world of monochrome, Johan burst in like a flood of color, radiating endless connections with Pokémon.

It was the second time N had seen this kind of aura.

Johan blinked in surprise too.

N?!

It really was N!

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar popped out of Johan's shadow, scratching his head.

Wait... this guy's aura felt kinda...

"I'm the 'Mathematical Magician,' or you can just call me N," he said, standing to greet Johan.

Johan looked around.

Team Plasma's "King" was here in Castelia? And the international police hadn't noticed?

Dock their pay.

He shook hands with N and sat opposite him.

"I know who you are," Johan said calmly.

N smiled wryly.

If Johan knew his name, it wasn't exactly a good thing—given he was still carrying the "Team Plasma King" title, and Johan was basically with the international police.

"Don't worry. To me, you're just another 'patient,'" Johan reassured.

N lowered his gaze, fingers interlaced. Not great at talking to people, he looked tense, maybe searching for the right words.

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar appeared beside him, smacking his shoulder.

Hey, kid. Chill. Johan doesn't bite.

".Thanks, Gengar."

"Ka-kaah~~"

Gengar grinned and floated up, pulling a funny face.

While N was lost in thought, Johan's mind was spinning too.

Sure, N was technically "king" of Team Plasma, but he was just a puppet to Ghetsis.

After Team Plasma's recent defeat, they'd gone underground.

But maybe N could be the breakthrough they needed.

Johan had a good idea of N's problem by now.

Although not a trained therapist for humans, N was a special case.

Finally, N spoke again.

"Mr. Johan."

"Mm?"

"You told me to go see the world... I did. I saw a lot, learned a lot. Maybe this world isn't what I thought it was..."

He paused.

"And now, I know what I want. But..."

"You're unsure whether what you want is right—whether it might hurt the world or Pokémon, right?" Johan finished for him.

N blinked.

With just a few words, Johan had grasped his inner state.

N had realized the lies of Team Plasma and Ghetsis. He saw how Pokémon and humans could coexist. He'd formed a new "ideal."

But without the "truth" to support it, that ideal was shaky.

Like Truman from The Truman Show, N had grown up in a false world built by Ghetsis. Now, stepping outside, he didn't quite know what to believe.

"Which world do you think is real? Or rather—which world do you want to believe is real?"

The tragic past? Or the peaceful present?

"I..." N opened his mouth, unsure how to respond.

"Maybe," Johan continued, "both worlds exist."

"Both?"

Johan went quiet.

One of his Poké Balls opened. Ninetales appeared, curling its tail around Johan's arm and nuzzling his chest.

To N, it looked like sunlight in a snowstorm—gentle, warm, and loving.

"This little one..."

Johan stroked Ninetales's head.

"Before I met her, she was hiding in a trash heap. I could barely recognize her..."

He recounted how they'd met, in simple words—but it stirred N's heart.

So this Ninetales was once just like those injured Pokémon from his childhood...

Johan's voice remained calm.

"And at home, I've got a pair of Hisuian Armarouge siblings..."

"So," N's voice trembled, "some things really do exist..."

"Undeniably." Johan nodded.

"I loathe Pokémon hunters. But I'll always help a Pokémon in need."

N knew that.

Otherwise, Johan wouldn't have helped him back then.

Plenty of news stories proved it too.

A cruel world did exist. But so did a beautiful one.

Most people only saw the good because someone else was carrying the burden.

N fell silent.

Johan sipped his coffee.

Hm. Tastes worse than what his Armarouge sister made.

After a long pause, Johan suddenly said:

"Help Pokémon, N."

"Huh?"

"Go help those who need it. Pursue your ideal."

"Help... Pokémon in need?"

N repeated it, thinking of an old dream.

"Mr. Johan, I once dreamed of building a paradise—a place where Pokémon could live freely and happily."

A haven for all those in need.

"That's a great idea."

Johan supported it.

He'd thought of building a sanctuary too, but—

"But... I don't have the means..." N admitted.

"Don't doubt yourself," Johan said seriously. "I believe in you."

N had abilities like Viridian's power, maybe even better.

Their eyes met. N felt warmth flood his heart.

When the whole world doubts you, someone believing in you—it's overwhelming.

"But the funds..."

"You think funds are an issue for you?" Johan asked.

"Huh?"

"I just found out I'm a puppet of Team Plasma..."

"You're their King," Johan interrupted again. "So act like it. Lead Team Plasma the right way. Take responsibility."

N was stunned.

"You're King. Don't you want to stop all of Team Plasma's Pokémon from ending up in prison?"

"So... I should take control of Team Plasma?" N said slowly.

"Shouldn't a 'King' be in control?" Johan asked.

Why should Team Plasma's king be anyone's puppet?

"Once you're in control, you'll have funds, resources. You can help fix past mistakes. Build your paradise."

Funds?

Team Plasma had plenty.

As for Ghetsis—just one of the Seven Sages. Why should he control the king?

N blinked at Johan.

It makes sense...

But could he overthrow Ghetsis?

Johan saw his concern and said firmly:

"If you need help—I'll assist."

N's eyes sharpened. He stood immediately.

"I'm willing to try!"

To build his ideal paradise, or "ideal kingdom," N would reclaim Team Plasma in full!

Johan couldn't help but think:

Why did the king rebel?

Ahem.

"Well then..." Johan stood to leave.

"Wait, Mr. Johan." N stopped him.

"Something else?"

"A friend... Can you meet them?"

"A friend?" Johan raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't come with you?"

"They're... a bit too conspicuous in Castelia," N said sheepishly.

Now Johan was curious.

Who could possibly cause a stir in Castelia right now?

Alder himself was in town!

"They're near Skyarrow Bridge, in the forest."

After a moment's thought, Johan nodded.

"Alright."

May as well.

And so—

Johan followed N toward Skyarrow Bridge, linking Castelia to Pinwheel Forest.

Shortly after they left—

A middle-aged man in a trench coat appeared at the café.

Face grim, he quickly radioed in:

"This is International Police, codename Looker—emergency alert! Team Plasma's 'King' has appeared in Castelia and met with Mr. Johan. Suspected abduction!"

"Repeat—Team Plasma's 'King' has taken Mr. Johan!!"

"Repeat!"

The alert surged through the police network, even reaching Alder—who was flirting with Officer Jenny at the local station.

"What?!" Alder's face paled. "Johan was kidnapped by Team Plasma's King?!"

Officer Jenny blinked.

Wait, kidnapped? Or just... taken?

Big difference!

But she quickly grasped the seriousness.

Forget the finals—just Johan's identity made this a national emergency.

And against Team Plasma?

Everyone knew Johan had stopped Team Plasma's plan in Opelucid, even destroyed their flying fortress.

This had to be retaliation!

Meanwhile, Drake was stunned too.

Johan—taken without a fight? Really?

Not buying it.

Unless it was poison, ambush, or sabotage... but what about Gengar?

In Johan's villa—

"Ridiculous." Flint tossed his phone aside.

"What's up?" Lucian asked.

"Junk message. Said Mr. Johan got kidnapped. Yeah right! By who? His strength? I'd be shocked if he didn't kidnap them! Not a peep of noise?"

Lucian adjusted his glasses.

"Good point."

He eyed Flint curiously.

"What's with that look?"

"Didn't expect you to have a brain."

Flint: "..."

"NND, Top 16—fight me!!"

Lucian: "???"

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Powerstones?

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