Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"Smack!!"

Remo suddenly slapped himself.

Hiss—

Even Johan winced at the sight.

A bright red handprint instantly appeared on Remo's face, but his gaze was once again firm.

It wasn't over yet!

He was a proud and determined person—otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to provoke Johan in front of so many people. Just like how he would train relentlessly after losing to Alain in the future, he wasn't the type to give up just because he had already lost two Pokémon.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his final Poké Ball.

At this stage, there was no room for hesitation.

"Go, Chomp!!"

"Garrr—!!"

A burst of red light revealed a fierce Garchomp standing tall on the battlefield.

This was the foundation of Remo's confidence—the reason he dared to challenge Johan. His ace, the pseudo-legendary Garchomp!

"Garchomp, huh..." Flint instinctively shrank his neck and glanced at the Garchomp standing behind Cynthia with its arms crossed.

"Garrr! (▼皿▼#)"

He quickly averted his gaze.

Nope. Not the same at all.

"Johan-sensei's Indeedee seems to have gotten serious," Aaron noticed the change in its expression.

"Speaking of which, Johan-sensei's Indeedee is really strong."

As a specialist in Psychic-type Pokémon, Flint could feel the immense strength radiating from Indeedee.

"This Indeedee has never lost a battle in the café when facing challengers," Steven added.

"Never lost?"

Flint couldn't help but click his tongue. "Is this really just a 'café employee'?"

Steven chuckled. "It may seem that way, but... Sensei treats all his Pokémon the same. Whether it's food or items, Indeedee and Gengar receive the same treatment."

Indeedee, its younger sibling, and even Alcremie always got the highest-quality Pokéblocks, handmade by Johan himself.

Whenever Johan "restocked" on items like Dawn Stones, he never left them out either.

As a student of Johan and a regular at the café, Steven knew this well.

"Johan's sincere dedication to his Pokémon naturally earns him their unwavering loyalty," Steven mused.

"That's probably why his strength has grown so quickly."

Cynthia, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke, elegantly crossing her legs.

"Pokémon can sense the true hearts of their trainers and respond in kind—especially Pokémon like Indeedee, which are particularly attuned to emotions."

Indeedee had wanted to experience an official battle, so Johan had Steven bring it all the way from Hoenn.

Because Johan had promised it.

Of course, there was no denying that this Indeedee was exceptionally talented. But not everyone would train an Indeedee for battle.

The Battle Resumes!

"Chomp, show them the fruits of our training—Dragon Rush!" Remo shouted.

"Garrr—!!"

Garchomp swung its sharp crimson scythes and leaped high into the air, its body suddenly enveloped in the silhouette of a massive dragon.

"Indeedee, Trick Room."

Before Garchomp could complete its ascent, Johan and Indeedee moved.

"Ayeee~!"

Hummmm—

A transparent barrier expanded from Indeedee's center, covering the battlefield.

Speed reversal!

"Expanding Force!"

"Ayeee!!"

Rather than flinching at Garchomp's overwhelming presence, Indeedee's eyes sparkled with excitement.

A tidal wave of Psychic energy surged forth.

Remo knew all too well how devastating Expanding Force could be, but in this situation, there was no avoiding it.

Gritting his teeth, he gripped his umbrella tightly and swung it down, shouting:

"Chomp, charge through it!"

The vicious dragon pushed forward through the crushing weight of the Psychic energy, diving straight at Indeedee from above.

BOOM!!

Like a meteor slamming into the ground, the battlefield shook with a thunderous roar, sending up a massive cloud of dust.

"Did it hit? Is this a one-hit KO on Indeedee?"

"Not bad—Remo's Garchomp is actually pretty strong."

"Wait... is that... Heal Pulse?!"

As the dust settled, a soft green glow shimmered around Indeedee, restoring its condition back to a safe level.

Indeedee's eyes gleamed with Psychic energy, effortlessly holding Garchomp at bay just inches away.

It had been hit.

But Indeedee's Heal Pulse had instantly restored its health.

"Chomp!" Remo shouted again, his gaze sharp. "Outrage!"

"Garrr!!"

Garchomp's scythes scraped against Indeedee's Psychic barrier, producing an unsettling screech.

Its eyes turned blood-red as a violent aura erupted from its body, an ominous crimson energy swirling around it.

With a fierce roar, it swung its scythes down again.

CRACK!!

The Psychic barrier shattered as the attack sliced toward Indeedee.

"Ayeee!"

But Indeedee showed no fear.

One hand strengthened its Psychic defenses.

The other?

It simply patted itself with another Heal Pulse.

At that moment, the audience witnessed an unforgettable scene.

"Holy crap—is this instant healing?!"

"A healer tanking Garchomp's Outrage head-on?! This Indeedee is insane!"

"Hah! You're hitting me, but I'm healing faster than you can damage me!"

Even though Garchomp's attacks were fierce, they weren't enough to take down Indeedee.

And Indeedee, experienced as it was, handled the situation with remarkable ease.

Back when it had escaped with its younger sibling, this was exactly how it had fought—one hand healing, the other using Psychic power.

Indeedee's true specialty wasn't offense.

It was healing.

Just then, the Psychic Terrain faded.

"Chomp, now's our chance—go all out!!"

With the disappearance of the Psychic Terrain, Remo saw an opening.

Indeedee's advantage was gone—was it finally out of options?

Johan simply smiled and shook his head.

"Indeedee, let's finish this. Dazzling Gleam."

"Ayeee~!"

A blinding white light erupted from Indeedee's body.

"Garrr—!!"

Instinctively, Garchomp raised its arms to shield itself.

But within the overwhelming radiance, its body began to sizzle as if it were being scorched.

Garchomp let out a pained roar.

Then—

THUD!

Garchomp crashed onto the battlefield.

"Garchomp is unable to battle!" The referee waved the flag. "The winner is—Johan!"

"Ayeee~ (＾▽＾)"

Indeedee chirped happily. Upon realizing the battle was over, it immediately used Heal Pulse on Garchomp, soothing its injuries.

The audience erupted into another frenzy.

"So wholesome!"

"I heard Johan-sensei's Indeedee runs a café in the shopping district too!"

"Really?! Once the tournament's over, I'm buying a dozen pastries from there!"

Had this battle turned into a café advertisement?

After the Battle

Remo shook Johan's hand, his expression slightly ashamed.

"Thank you for the match. We lost."

"It's okay," Johan said with a smile, patting his shoulder. "You fought well too."

"Really?" Remo's eyes lit up with hope.

Johan smiled, blinked playfully, and said nothing.

Remo: "..."

SAY SOMETHING, DAMN IT!

Johan left the battlefield with Indeedee.

"Well? Was that satisfying?"

"Ayeee~"

Indeedee returned to its usual gentle demeanor, tilting its head playfully.

Johan chuckled, ruffling its fluffy head. "You little troublemaker."

Elsewhere—

"Garrr! (▼皿▼#)"

Cynthia's Garchomp crossed its arms and huffed out two puffs of white mist, clearly displeased.

That Garchomp... was way too weak.

It turned to Flint and gestured for him to follow.

"Garrr!"

"Let's spar."

Flint stiffened—then smirked.

"Fine! Let's go!"

Meanwhile—

As Johan and Indeedee walked down the hallway, a voice called out.

"Johan-sensei."

They turned to see a man politely placing a hand on his chest and bowing slightly.

Indeedee returned the gesture.

Johan raised an eyebrow.

"Tobias?"

Tobias had come looking for him.

"I'm honored that Johan-sensei knows of me."

As he spoke, Tobias's hand reached for his belt—

A duelist's instincts kicking in.

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates