Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 619: Arceus, Let’s Battle!

Ancient times, Michina.

Johan slowly opened his eyes, raising his hand to block the warm but blinding sunlight. The fragrance of fields filled his nostrils, and melodious birdsong reached his ears.

As his eyes fully opened, he saw verdant fields, trees laden with fruit, flowing waters, and the towering temple.

"Have we... returned to the past?"

Cynthia's voice came through, looking at the scene before them with awe on her face.

"It seems so," Johan nodded, adjusting his clothes and suppressing the discomfort caused by the space-time travel.

Using the power of the Time God Dialga, Johan and Cynthia had, according to plan, traveled back to ancient Michina—back to where Arceus's hatred began.

"Then we—"

Johan looked up at the sky.

According to the plot, Arceus would appear in the evening during the total lunar eclipse. If Dialga hadn't sent them to the wrong time, it would be tonight.

The sun was already setting, casting a golden hue over the fields, covering the entire town in a hazy yellow veil.

Time was limited.

"We need to enter the temple, find Marcus who betrayed Damos, and retrieve the 'Jewel of Life.'"

This was their ultimate goal.

But it wouldn't be an easy task.

Although nominally the Michina Temple was built by Damos and the people of Michina to thank Arceus, in reality, the temple was controlled by Marcus, who posed as Damos's subordinate.

To counter Arceus, Marcus had already made numerous preparations in the temple, gathering many Pokémon under his control.

Although losing the power of the plates made Arceus vulnerable to attacks of the types those plates would normally nullify, to think that just dozens or hundreds of Pokémon's attacks and some mercury could take down Arceus...

These Pokémon must be quite powerful.

Getting caught in an ambush would be troublesome.

Most importantly—

The temple was enormous, with a complex interior. Blind searching might waste precious time.

"Hmm."

The two began weaving through the alleys of Michina, steadily approaching the location of the Michina Temple.

Soon.

They arrived at an alley in a corner of the temple. Before them stood the towering temple. How to enter without being discovered was a critical issue.

"It's best to wait until dinner time. Guards in such temples usually change shifts at that time, so the chance of being discovered will be smaller," Cynthia suggested.

As a mythology scholar, Cynthia had a certain understanding of ancient human life.

At the same time, Cynthia had made some mental preparations.

If necessary, to save time... she would try to attract the attention of the entire temple's guards, creating time for Johan.

But just after she spoke, she noticed Johan acknowledging her words but then looking for something in the nooks and crannies of the temple.

Meanwhile.

The Poké Ball at Johan's waist opened by itself, and Larvitar ran out.

It walked to a wall, gazing at the majestic temple before it, and couldn't help but swallow.

"Yoji..."

I think... I could chew out a hole without anyone knowing. What do you think?

The soft muttering didn't catch the attention of the two humans. The little one nodded to itself.

Since you're not objecting, I'll take that as agreement.

Then Larvitar found a corner that seemed like it wouldn't attract much attention, zeroing in on a stone brick that looked particularly tasty, and prepared to bite.

However.

Before it could act, the stone brick moved on its own, then fell down and was caught by Larvitar.

"Yoji? (ω`)?"

Next, a golden little head poked out from the hole where the brick had been.

It locked eyes with Larvitar.

"Pi-Pichu?"

It was an adorable little Pichu, with black fur on one ear forming a spiky shape.

Pichu and Larvitar stared at each other for a moment, and just as Larvitar was about to call out, Pichu hurriedly covered its mouth.

"Pichu Pichu!"

Signaling it not to make noise.

Larvitar's eyes rolled around twice, and it nodded with its mouth still covered.

The Spiky-eared Pichu, seeing this, gave a sly smile, beckoned to Larvitar, and ducked back into the hole it had emerged from.

Larvitar scratched its head and tried to follow.

But Pichu seemed much smaller than Larvitar, and while Pichu could dart in at once, Larvitar's little bottom got stuck outside.

"Yo-Yoji! Yoji!"

At this moment, a Gengar that had witnessed the whole process floated out from the shadows. It gave an evil grin and raised its foot.

THUMP—

Larvitar tumbled into the passage with a "roll roll roll."

Gengar licked its tongue and also turned into a black mist, slipping inside.

After entering, Larvitar, Spiky-eared Pichu, and Gengar found themselves in a secluded corridor within the temple.

"Yoji?" Larvitar stood up, dusting off its bottom while fixing its gaze on Gengar with suspicion.

Did you just kick me?

Gengar put on a clueless expression.

"Ka-kaah?"

Kick you? Who? Where?

Larvitar began to doubt its judgment.

Maybe I felt wrong?

"Pichu Pichu?" Pichu waved its tiny hands, asking Larvitar and Gengar where they came from and how they got to the temple, warning that it was very dangerous here.

"Yoji! Yoji!"

Larvitar also waved its little hands, putting on a fierce look, then pointed at Gengar.

As if to match Larvitar's narrative, Gengar's black mist surged, transforming to look somewhat like... Dialga—well, Dialgar.

Then the two little ones spoke back and forth, leaving Pichu tilting its head, its ears drooping together, utterly bewildered.

What are you talking about? What's time swoosh swoosh, space zoom zoom, electronic pet roar roar...

Larvitar and Gengar exchanged glances.

"Ka-kaah!" Gengar raised a finger.

Wait for me.

With that, Gengar turned back into black mist, floating out of the corridor to the temple exterior, where Johan and Cynthia were already waiting at the spot where the brick had fallen.

Johan couldn't have missed his Pokémon's movements.

"Ka-kaah~Ka-kaah~"

Gengar spread its arms, gesturing something.

"So, you've met that Spiky-eared Pichu, right?" Johan asked.

He had been looking for Spiky-eared Pichu, knowing that with the little one's curiosity, it might encounter them as newcomers.

And given Spiky-eared Pichu's familiarity with the temple, having it as a guide would save them a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Gengar nodded repeatedly.

"Spiky-eared Pichu?" Cynthia looked puzzled.

"That's Damos's partner," Johan explained briefly.

After all, about Spiky-eared Pichu... it would be hard to explain in a short time. This was a Pichu that could "travel through time and space."

"Pichu?"

"Yoji?"

While Gengar was explaining to Johan and Cynthia, Spiky-eared Pichu and Larvitar poked their heads out of the hole again.

But the already small hole, with two little ones poking their heads out simultaneously...

"Pi-Pichu!"

"Yoji!!"

Spiky-eared Pichu and Larvitar were stuck, their cheeks red!

After much effort to "rescue" the two little ones, Pichu was breathing heavily, while Larvitar once again eyed the temple walls, noting that the bricks were quite hard.

"Pichu, could you please lead us to Damos, to Marcus? We want to help Damos," Johan bent down, asking in a gentle voice.

"Pichu?"

Pichu tilted its ear, looking at Johan, then at Cynthia, seemingly sensing goodwill from them. It then got down on all fours, turning toward a back door and running.

"Pichu~!"

After a few steps, it didn't forget to wave at them.

"Yoji~~"

Larvitar and Gengar immediately followed.

"Vii~~"

Victini, finding it fun, also happily floated along.

Under Spiky-eared Pichu's guidance, Johan and Cynthia bypassed most of the temple's guards, arriving at the prison where Damos was held.

Of course, there were guards outside the prison, which was unavoidable.

But for Johan and Cynthia, a few such guards...

"Ka-kaah~"

In the blink of an eye, several unprepared guards were on the ground.

It's worth noting that humans of this ancient time didn't have advanced tools like Poké Balls to "contain" Pokémon, but rather restrained them like tamed animals, placing restrictive shackles on them.

Moreover, in this period, humans referred to Pokémon as "magical beasts."

So, as long as they didn't cause too much commotion or let the large number of Pokémon imprisoned in the temple be released, they would be relatively successful.

Damos sat in the prison with his head in his hands, his expression painful and conflicted.

He wanted to return the "Jewel of Life" to Arceus, but his subordinate Marcus's betrayal prevented him from doing so. Now he was suffering from the guilt of failing Arceus's trust.

Until he heard the sound of guards falling outside the prison.

Looking up.

He saw a man and a woman in "strange attire" standing at the door, along with his partner Pichu and other "magical beasts."

"Mr. Damos, the time for your appointment with Arceus is approaching," Johan said.

At the steps of the high tower in the Michina Temple.

"Marcus should be up there. There's only one way up, and the guards are much stricter now than before," Damos said grimly, gritting his teeth.

Johan and Cynthia stood at the foot of the stairs, exchanged a glance, and both smiled.

Earlier, they were concerned about wasting time, but now...

The sun hadn't completely set yet.

There was enough time.

Johan threw out a Poké Ball, summoning Urshifu.

Cynthia also summoned Lucario.

For this relatively narrow terrain where it was difficult to maneuver, these two were undoubtedly the most suitable.

"Garruu!"

"Lucari!"

Urshifu and Lucario looked at each other, and Lucario smiled.

Shall we compete?

Urshifu clenched its fists, also grinning.

Let's do this!

The next second.

"Intruder! There's—"

"Someone! Come—"

BOOM—

In Marcus's palace, he heard a faint commotion from outside, furrowing his brow.

"What's all this noise outside?" he asked.

As soon as he opened the door.

He saw Urshifu and Lucario standing at his doorway, fists raised.

Seeing these two Pokémon, Marcus's pupils contracted sharply.

But his reaction was quick, or perhaps due to the critical moment, his alertness was good. At the instant he saw Urshifu and Lucario, his body dodged to the side while shouting:

"Kill them!"

As Marcus moved aside, a Pokémon wearing a chair-like apparatus and shackles on its back appeared behind him... Heatran!

"Heatran?" Cynthia was surprised to see this Pokémon.

"ROAR—!!"

Heatran let out a roar, its mouth opening wide as a scorching magma flame erupted from its mouth, instantly engulfing the entire doorway.

Marcus stood up with a cold face.

Although he hadn't figured out what was happening, the fact that they dared to come here so openly indicated that the intruders were no ordinary people, and might not be instantly defeated by Heatran. So...

He took up his staff, "I will make you pay for your recklessness!"

Marcus prepared to wake all the "magical beasts" imprisoned in the temple, to make these people food for the beasts!

But just as he raised the staff, he suddenly felt his hand loosen.

Hmm?

Looking back, he saw his staff somehow in Gengar's hands.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar played with the staff, tossing it lightly, revealing a smile.

Not light at all—clearly good quality metal. Tinkaton would be very satisfied.

Marcus's expression changed drastically, and he immediately called out: "Bronzong, Hypnosis!"

A Bronzong with shackles flew out from the corner, attempting to use Hypnosis on Gengar, but...

Gengar indicated that it had been a long time since any Pokémon had tried to use Hypnosis on it.

Then Gengar raised its hand with an evil grin, a faint light appearing in its crimson eyes.

Hypnosis?

Reflect!

Bronzong fell into a deep sleep.

Marcus looked dumbfounded at this scene.

The next second.

BOOM!!!

The magma flame spewed by Heatran exploded, accompanied by the sound of flowing water.

Urshifu assumed a stance, water flowing around its fists and feet.

Beside it, a stern-faced Lucario held a blue bone staff horizontally in front.

"Aqua Jet!" Johan's voice came from behind the door, along with Cynthia's.

"Bone Rush!"

BANG BANG BANG—

Marcus's trusted Heatran retreated step by step under the impact of water fists and bone staff. As Urshifu delivered its final punch and Lucario landed its final bone staff strike.

BOOM—!!

Heatran flew backward, embedding into the solid wall of the temple.

"How-how is this possible..." Marcus stared in disbelief, his face filled with inability to accept what he was seeing.

Heatran was a powerful magical beast he had captured from a volcano!

In the entire Michina, there wasn't a single magical beast that could match it, yet it didn't even have a chance to fight back against this bear and dog combination?

"Garruu!"

"Lucari!"

Urshifu lowered its fists, and Lucario's bone staff dissolved into dust. The two exchanged a glance and bumped fists.

A draw.

"You-you who exactly are—"

Before Marcus could finish, Johan said: "Gengar, let him have a long, deep 'dream.'"

"Ka-kaah~"

THUD—

Marcus fell stiffly to the ground, his body twitching slightly, foam coming from his mouth.

At the same time, Johan took the staff from Gengar's hand, lightly turned the mechanism, revealing the orb at the top of the staff emitting a strange light—the Jewel of Life!

The treasure formed by combining the Ground, Water, Grass, Electric, and Dragon-type plates.

"Yoji..."

Larvitar looked at the jewel, swallowing.

Why did it have a feeling... that eating this jewel would make it invincible?

"Is this the item?" Cynthia asked softly.

"Yes," Johan nodded, then took a deep breath, "Whether it works or not... depends on this time."

"Thank you both."

Damos looked at the brilliant "Jewel of Life," expressing sincere gratitude to Johan and Cynthia.

"Mr. Damos, I believe you understand the consequences of not returning the jewel," Johan said, slowly looking up as night fell and the bright moon was gradually being swallowed by shadows.

The lunar eclipse had begun!

Damos tightened his grip on the staff, saying gravely:

"Arceus is our benefactor. We cannot repay kindness with betrayal for the sake of some so-called 'risks'!"

"Vii~"

Victini, sitting on Johan's shoulder, nodded.

The little one could feel the sincerity from Damos.

"Ka-kaah!"

Suddenly.

Gengar pointed to the night sky.

And there.

After the moon was completely covered by shadow, a beautiful light appeared in the dark sky, followed by a sacred, pure four-legged deity radiating a gentle glow, descending through the air.

The sacred light made everyone feel a warmth flowing through their hearts, bringing a sense of sublime tranquility.

"Is this the legendary Original One, Arceus?" Cynthia gazed at the white figure, feeling an inexplicable stirring in her heart, as if... she had some connection with such a being.

"Arceus!" Damos's face lit up with joy as he raised the staff, revealing the "Jewel of Life." "This is our promise!"

[Damos]

Arceus's voice was neither male nor female, but sounded extremely gentle and magnetic, inspiring no hostility.

Seeing the "Jewel of Life" that Damos brought out, Arceus's expression became even gentler, but when its peripheral vision caught Johan and Cynthia behind the platform...

Woosh—

Whether it was an illusion or not.

Johan felt as if Arceus's body momentarily showed afterimages, flashing and quickly recovering, but Arceus's previously gentle tone and expression changed, becoming serious.

[You should not be here, humans!]

The voice resonated in Johan and Cynthia's minds, though Damos didn't seem to hear it.

As a light flickered in Arceus's eyes, it seemed to "see" everything, understanding the process and reasons.

Since Arceus had raised this point, Johan knew he couldn't just stand by and watch Damos return the "Jewel of Life" for a happy ending.

He stepped forward, releasing his aura to convey goodwill, saying:

"We came for you, Arceus."

[You think changing history will end everything?]

Arceus slowly descended, its four feet lightly touching down on the platform, even ignoring Damos who stood beside it with the "Jewel of Life," looking somewhat confused.

Hearing this, Johan's expression shifted slightly.

From Arceus's words, it seemed to already know what would happen in the future?

If it could foresee the future, then why...

Arceus seemed to read his thoughts and spoke again.

[You have disturbed the river of time, so of course I can know.]

This explanation made sense to Johan.

Their arrival had changed history to some extent, and they had used the power of the Time God Dialga, but where did Dialga's power come from?

Arceus.

If the time river hadn't been disturbed, could Arceus not foresee the distant future?

Wait a minute—Ash could come and it's fine, but when we come it's not? Is this targeted discrimination?

Setting aside his jumbled thoughts, Johan looked directly at Arceus and said:

"Arceus, we just want to resolve your misunderstanding about humans."

[Misunderstanding?]

Arceus even laughed contemptuously.

Woosh—

A "screen" that only Johan, Cynthia, and their Pokémon could see appeared before them.

What it showed was... the Michina where Johan and the others had originally been!

Lucian, Flint, and Aaron, at Johan's instruction, were searching for the lost "Jewel of Life" in the Michina ruins, part of Plan B.

Meanwhile, Dialga and Palkia, having eaten and drunk their fill, were lying on the ground nearby for a short rest.

As the "camera" focused on them, they seemed to sense something, opening their eyes and raising their heads in confusion.

What was wrong with this scene?

Johan frowned slightly.

But the next second.

The image on the screen changed.

In the sky far outside Michina, a flying battleship was approaching at high speed. From the insignia on the ship, it was clear they were—

"Team Galactic!" Cynthia's voice was grave.

The camera zoomed in, showing a scene inside the battleship: sitting in the command chair was the Team Galactic leader—

"Cyrus?!"

Cynthia's eyes widened.

She was no stranger to Cyrus, a famous businessman in the Sinnoh region who had invested in many Sinnoh industries with his vast wealth, considered part of Sinnoh's upper class.

Many League higher-ups had good relationships with him, such as Cynthia's grandmother, Professor Carolina, whose research institute had received funding from Cyrus.

Cyrus was the leader of Team Galactic?

For Cynthia, this was a completely unexpected revelation.

But Johan's focus was more on the two items in glass cases on either side of Cyrus: two brilliant spheres.

"The Lustrous Orb and Adamant Orb!"

With his prompt, Cynthia also noticed the two orbs.

But weren't these orbs supposed to be one with the Celestic Historical Research Center—her grandmother's place—and the other in the Eterna Historical Museum?

Just before she and Johan traveled to the past, she had sought her grandmother Professor Carolina's help to borrow the two orbs. How could they be in Team Galactic's hands?

In the image.

Team Galactic researcher Charon wore a sinister smile, manipulating a screen while saying:

"Leader, we've detected the source of time and space."

The usually impassive Cyrus showed unprecedented fervor on his face, along with boundless desire for Dialga and Palkia.

He slowly stood up, his gaze seemingly penetrating the vast distance to land on Dialga and Palkia, his fist gradually clenching.

The human heart is imperfect; only by destroying the current world can a new, perfect world be created!

The screen image disappeared.

Arceus's gaze fell on Johan again. It didn't speak, yet seemed to say so much.

That look seemed to ask: Is this what you call a misunderstanding about humans?

Cynthia bit her lip. She stepped forward to say something but was stopped by Johan's outstretched hand.

Johan stared at Arceus, "As the Original One, is your understanding of humans so one-sided?"

[Hmm?]

Arceus's voice deepened, seemingly detecting a questioning tone in Johan's voice.

But Arceus soon laughed again.

[You seem very eager to prove something?]

"Emotion," Johan said gravely.

At the same time, Gengar floated out from his shadow, landing in front of him, wearing sunglasses with hands on its hips, facing Arceus directly.

Johan continued, unaffected by its presence:

"Which you bestowed upon humans and Pokémon."

Then more Poké Balls opened.

Ninetales, Tinkaton, Dragonite, Urshifu, Ceruledge, and Larvitar all appeared before him, looking up at Arceus.

"But you."

Victini, Rotom, and a grim-faced Darkrai all appeared before him.

They formed a row, seemingly wanting to become a wall between Johan and Arceus.

"Know nothing about this emotion."

[Know nothing?]

Arceus laughed in anger, its gaze sweeping over the Pokémon in front of Johan, a pressure emanating from its status as the Original One.

Emotion was just an insignificant part of its long existence...

As the Original One, when did even ordinary Pokémon dare to face it directly?

Even Dialga and Palkia wouldn't dare!

Except for that rebellious dragon...

Right, this human did have Giratina's aura about him.

On the other side.

The Poké Balls at Cynthia's waist also all opened, and her Pokémon—Garchomp, Lucario, and other companions—all stood in front of her.

They sensed the threat from Arceus and felt its strong pressure, but...

"Ka-kaah!!"

Gengar had one hand on its hip, the other pointing at Arceus.

Are you thinking of hurting Johan? You'll have to get through us first!

The little ones were all united in hostility, even the unevolved Larvitar, baring its teeth and waving its claws, showing no fear of the Original One.

At this moment.

Arceus was momentarily stunned.

It seemed to feel the pure bond between these humans and their Pokémon.

A bond as bright as the sun in the night.

Not just the Pokémon that Johan had captured.

Even Victini and Darkrai, two mythical Pokémon with decent power, shared a similar strong bond with him.

The girl on the other side and her Pokémon were equally impressive.

Woosh—

Suddenly.

Brilliant light of Mega Evolution burst forth from Gengar and Garchomp, materializing the power of their bonds.

"You ask what I want to prove?" Johan said.

His clothes billowed though there was no wind, his gaze serious and determined.

He didn't deny that in the Pokémon world, he had seen many dark, infuriating, and even disturbing villains, but...

To define all humans and Pokémon in the Pokémon world, to measure human and Pokémon emotions based on just a few people, was too one-sided.

The righteous Lance, the wealthy but gentle Steven, the beautiful and kind Cynthia, the chuunibyou but passionate Flint, the complaining but diligent Lucian...

They and their Pokémon shouldn't be defined by a minority.

Johan and his Pokémon certainly shouldn't be represented by these people!

"Arceus!" Johan stared at Arceus without backing down.

"Let's battle!"

Darkrai: "OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

"Gengar, Mega Evolve!"

"Garchomp, Mega Evolve!"

"Ka-kaah!!"

Brilliant light fully bloomed on Gengar, black mist surging forth, instantly enveloping it before receding in a flash, becoming internalized.

"ROAR!!"

Garchomp spread its arms and roared to the sky, its eyes blood-red and aura gushing forth, the power of Mega Evolution becoming its best fuel at this moment.

This contradicted Johan's plan and was completely unexpected, but...

There were some things he had to do, had to prove. Otherwise, what did his time with his Pokémon mean?

This was for everyone, and even more for their little one!

Arceus watched the scene before it, waves rippling in its eyes, its heart involuntarily stirring with surging emotion.

This was the first time a human had, in such a forthright manner, led his Pokémon to challenge it.

It was in this moment that Arceus suddenly felt that it too was a Pokémon—just a special kind of Pokémon.

Arceus didn't move, nor did Johan, Cynthia, and their teams rush to attack.

Their opponent was Arceus, after all. In a real battle...

Arceus slowly closed its eyes, and when the anger and disappointment in its heart slightly receded, its "vision" seemed to broaden somewhat.

[Human, I must admit, your bond shines like a rainbow.]

After a pause, it continued:

[If you truly have the determination, you shouldn't try to prove anything to me in this way, but rather... to the "me" of the future.]

To put it simply...

Why not just confront the "me" of your time directly?

Why come back to the past and stir up temporal chaos?

Johan: "..."

Wasn't this trying to make things as simple as possible while minimizing risk?

[Go back and prove it to the one who needs proof.]

Arceus's voice seemed to be receding into the distance, and the vision of Johan, Cynthia, and their Pokémon seemed to be blurring.

Hmm?

Johan felt disoriented.

Why did it feel like this Arceus was not the same as the one that had awakened?

After a brief daze.

"Teacher Johan? Boss?"

Flint looked at the two who had suddenly appeared, showing some surprise.

"Is it over?" Lucian couldn't help but ask.

"No."

Johan and Cynthia exchanged a glance, then began unbuttoning their shirts, looking at the gradually setting sun, and said softly:

"Just came to let you know."

"It's raid time."

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Powerstones?

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