Pokemon: Spiritual Master

Registeel, the Iron Titan, stood tall, its head adorned with seven glowing dots and its metallic body shimmering under the light.

Steven couldn't help but marvel at its majesty from the sidelines.

"Registeel, the legendary Iron Titan. Information is scarce, Rotom!"

Even the RotomDex, with its vast database, had little to offer on Registeel.

Johan, however, felt a slight headache coming on.

"Steel-types..." Johan muttered under his breath.

Of the Regis, Registeel was the most troublesome for his team. Its Steel-typing rendered Ninetales' Ice moves four times weaker, and Gengar's Poison moves were entirely ineffective.

"Come back, Dragonair."

He recalled his Dragonair, which had taken significant damage from its battle with Solrock.

After a moment's thought, Johan made his decision.

"Ninetales, you're up again."

"Oowoo!"

The Ice Ninetales re-entered the battlefield, summoning a fresh blizzard.

"Wait... is he serious?"

Steven, Roxanne, and Flannery exchanged bewildered looks.

Johan had previously withdrawn Ninetales against Solrock's Iron Head, citing its quadruple weakness to Steel. Yet now, he sent it out against a Steel Titan?

"Did... Johan grab the wrong Poké Ball?" Flannery asked hesitantly.

Roxanne shook her head. "No way. Johan isn't someone to make that kind of mistake."

"Maybe he's trying to chip away at Registeel's stamina?" Roxanne speculated.

Steven crossed his arms. "Let's wait and see. Johan always has a plan."

"Nasty Plot."

Johan's command was calm and decisive.

"Oowoo!"

In the swirling snow, Ninetales lifted its elegant body, its mind focusing intensely as it prepared for a decisive strike.

Brandon's eyes narrowed. "Registeel, Flash Cannon!"

The seven glowing dots on Registeel's face pulsed rhythmically. A silvery light coalesced into a powerful beam that shot toward Ninetales.

Layer after layer of Aurora Veil shattered under the pressure of Flash Cannon.

"The power... it's incredible!" Flannery gasped.

Even Roxanne looked uneasy. "It's clearly stronger than Dusknoir and Solrock. Registeel is on a completely different level."

But Ninetales managed to dodge at the last moment, landing gracefully despite the overwhelming force.

"Good work, Ninetales. Baton Pass!"

With a nod, Ninetales leapt back, its elegant form retreating as Gengar emerged from the shadows.

"Ka-kah!"

The grinning Gengar entered the field, inheriting the boosts from Ninetales' Nasty Plot.

"Baton Pass?" Brandon muttered, his expression stiffening.

From the sidelines, Flannery suddenly understood. "Oh, I see now! Johan used Ninetales to set up and pass the boosts to Gengar!"

Roxanne frowned. "But even with those boosts, Gengar is at a disadvantage against Registeel. Its Poison moves are useless, and Steel resists Ghost."

"Thunder Wave!"

Brandon ordered swiftly, sending crackling yellow energy toward Gengar.

"Dodge it."

Johan's response was just as quick.

"Ka-kah!"

With a mischievous laugh, Gengar melded into the shadows, evading the attack entirely.

"Registeel, behind you!" Brandon shouted.

Gengar emerged from Registeel's shadow, holding a faintly glowing orb of blue static—Thunder Wave!

But Registeel stomped the ground hard, raising a slab of rock to block the attack.

Brandon smirked. "Earthquake!"

"Will-O-Wisp!"

The ground rumbled violently as Gengar was knocked back, clutching its sides. But the eerie blue flames it released had taken effect, burning Registeel and halving its attack power.

"That burn was crucial..." Flannery murmured.

Roxanne nodded. "If not for that, Earthquake might've knocked Gengar out entirely."

"Is Johan planning to use Destiny Bond again?" Roxanne speculated.

The thought crossed Anabel's mind as well. She vividly remembered Gengar's Destiny Bond tactic against her Metagross during their battle at the Battle Tower.

"No need for that," Johan thought, meeting Gengar's gaze.

"Gengar, ready?"

"Ka-kah!"

Gengar's wide grin widened further. It slammed a foot down dramatically, dark energy swirling around it.

Brandon's eyes narrowed as he felt an ominous shift in the air.

"This energy... could it be...?"

A brilliant light formed between Johan and Gengar. From Johan's hand, the Key Stone on his glasses emitted a radiant glow, connecting with the stone embedded in Gengar's chest.

"Mega Evolution..."

A dazzling transformation ensued as Gengar's body underwent a spectacular change. The once-playful specter now stood as a terrifying force, its colors deepened, its presence heavier, and its aura overwhelming.

"Mega Gengar!"

The sheer intensity of Mega Gengar's Ghost energy made even Brandon take a step back. Registeel, though stoic, seemed momentarily shaken by the oppressive aura.

"Registeel, Lock-On!"

Brandon commanded, his voice steady despite the tension.

Golden crosshairs appeared in Registeel's vision, locking onto Mega Gengar's position.

"Thunderbolt!"

But before the move could fire, Johan and Gengar acted as one.

"Shadow Ball!"

A massive sphere of dark energy materialized above Mega Gengar, its size and intensity dwarfing any Shadow Ball seen before.

The world seemed to hold its breath as the two attacks collided.

BOOM!

The explosion rocked the Battle Pyramid, sending debris flying and shattering the reinforced glass. Dust filled the air as the two trainers steadied themselves.

When the dust settled, Registeel lay motionless, its armor scorched and cracked.

"Registeel is unable to battle! The winner is Johan!" Anabel declared.

Cheers erupted from the sidelines. Jirachi spun happily in the air.

Johan and Gengar exchanged tired but triumphant smiles.

"We did it."

Gengar gave a playful thumbs-up.

Brandon stepped forward, recalling Registeel. Despite his loss, a smile crept onto his face.

"Johan, your bond with your Pokémon is remarkable. Mega Evolution... that was extraordinary."

Johan nodded, still catching his breath. "Thanks. It's not perfect yet, but we're getting there."

As the audience applauded, Johan turned to his team, already thinking about their next challenge.

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Powerstones?

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