Pokemon: Spiritual Master

The idea of battling atop ruins associated with Groudon and Kyogre was unusual, but Johan couldn't help finding the situation somewhat ironic.

However, Groudon and Kyogre slumbered far below the sea in their caverns, far beyond the reach of ordinary submarines. Even if someone tried to disturb them, they wouldn't wake so easily. If it were that simple, leaders like Archie and Maxie would have succeeded long ago.

Brandon seemed intent on thoroughly investigating the ruins. Since he wouldn't be returning to the Battle Frontier anytime soon, Johan agreed to battle here.

"Alright," Johan nodded.

This way, the battle wouldn't interfere with dinner plans.

When Steven, Flannery, and Roxanne learned the battle would be on-site, they were surprised.

"What about the live broadcast?" Flannery asked.

Steven shrugged. "Mr. Scott has been so busy lately. It might be for the best."

The surge of visitors to the Battle Frontier due to Johan's popularity, the comet's appearance, and the successful livestream had Scott swamped.

"Besides, the series has already been a huge success," Steven added.

Anabel, intrigued by the upcoming battle, decided to stay and oversee the match after sending the captured poachers back to base.

Brandon's Battle Pyramid opened its upper tier, revealing a large battleground.

"Johan, smash him! Johan, smash him!"

Jirachi, free from pretending to be an ordinary Pokémon, waved its tiny fists with enthusiasm.

Johan sighed, rubbing his temples.

"It's Gengar's fault Jirachi's picked up this behavior," he muttered inwardly.

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar smirked mischievously, ruffling Jirachi's hair in approval.

The battle was set to be a 3-on-3 rotation match, with Anabel acting as the referee.

Brandon, ever serious, swiftly entered battle mode.

Johan mirrored his intensity.

Brandon was the first to act. "Go, Dusknoir!"

Out came a ghostly Pokémon wrapped in gray bandages, its single red eye gleaming ominously.

"Dusknoir, the Gripper Pokémon, Ghost-type. Its hollow body is said to trap wandering souls. Staring into its eye is said to lead to doom!"

Even RotomDex hesitated to look directly at Dusknoir, while Gengar turned its head away in mild fear.

Johan chose Ninetales as his opener. The elegant Ice Pokémon gracefully unfurled its tails, summoning a swirling snowfall.

"A solid start from Johan," Roxanne noted.

Flannery pouted. "I wanted to see a Ghost vs. Ghost match between Dusknoir and Gengar."

"Let's begin!" Anabel declared.

"Dusknoir, Fire Punch!"

Brandon crossed his arms, issuing his command with authority.

Dusknoir's massive fists ignited with flames as it charged toward Ninetales.

"Aurora Veil!"

Ninetales swiftly conjured layers of shimmering light within the falling snow.

Dusknoir's fiery fists clashed against the barriers, shattering layer after layer. Its brute strength was terrifying.

"That's incredible!" Flannery gasped.

Even Roxanne was impressed. "Breaking through multiple layers of Aurora Veil with pure force... Brandon's Dusknoir is something else."

Ninetales barely managed to maintain the final layer of protection. It exhaled softly, relieved.

"Ninetales, Dark Pulse!"

Ninetales unleashed a wave of dark energy, crashing directly into Dusknoir.

But the attack struck only an afterimage.

"Substitute!"

Dusknoir reappeared behind Ninetales, its eye glowing malevolently.

"Now, Confuse Ray!"

Brandon seized the opportunity.

Dusknoir began emitting a disorienting light.

"Seal it!" Johan countered.

[Imprison: Prevents opponents from using moves that the user knows.]

Ninetales emitted a soft psychic glow, immediately cutting off Dusknoir's Confuse Ray.

Brandon and Dusknoir froze in surprise.

Johan didn't let the opening slip.

"Blizzard!"

Ninetales unleashed a fierce snowstorm, engulfing Dusknoir.

"Dusknoir, surround yourself with Will-O-Wisp!"

Brandon attempted to mitigate the damage by creating a fiery shield.

But Ninetales had no intention of letting up.

The storm intensified, enhanced by its psychic energy. When the snow cleared, Dusknoir was frozen solid, flames suspended mid-air within the ice.

"What power..." Brandon murmured.

Roxanne shook her head. "The turning point was Imprison. It completely disrupted Dusknoir's strategy."

Brandon recalled Dusknoir and sent out his second Pokémon.

"Go, Solrock!"

The levitating Sun Pokémon emerged, and Brandon wasted no time.

"Iron Head!"

Johan quickly recalled Ninetales, sending out Dragonair in its place.

"Dragonair, Extreme Speed!"

The nimble Dragon Pokémon narrowly avoided Solrock's rapid assault.

Brandon's eyes gleamed with respect. "Quick reflexes..."

Solrock immediately followed up. "Stone Edge!"

Sharp rocks erupted from the ground.

"Fly up and Dragon Dance!" Johan countered.

Dragonair danced gracefully in the air, evading the rocky spikes and boosting its power and speed.

Brandon wasn't deterred. "Rock Slide!"

Large boulders rained from above, slamming Dragonair into the ground.

Johan winced. Solrock's attack speed was impressive.

Brandon pressed the advantage. "Earthquake!"

The ground trembled violently, but Dragonair responded quickly.

"Extreme Speed, then Dragon Rush!"

Dragonair charged forward with blinding speed, cloaked in a dragon-shaped aura.

"Block it with Rock Tomb!"

Solrock used its psychic powers to create a barrier of rocks, but Dragonair smashed through it.

The clash sent both Pokémon crashing to the ground.

As the dust settled, Dragonair emerged, battered but victorious.

"Solrock is unable to battle!" Anabel declared.

Flannery cheered. "Two down!"

Roxanne wasn't as optimistic. "Brandon still has his ace..."

Brandon smiled faintly, recalling Solrock.

"Johan, your bond with your Pokémon is extraordinary. Now, let's see how you handle this!"

He threw his final Poké Ball.

"Registeel, stand firm!"

The massive Iron Pokémon landed with a resounding thud, its metallic body gleaming ominously.

The final battle was about to begin.

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Powerstones?

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