Pokemon: Spiritual Master

"So strong..." Roxanne murmured.

The power of that Shadow Ball was overwhelming—it felt like her Pokémon wouldn't have survived even with ten lives.

Registeel had fallen.

"So... did Johan win?" Flannery muttered softly.

The battle felt surreal.

Registeel, God of Steel, was leagues stronger than Darach's Articuno from the day before.

But the true shock wasn't just Johan's victory—it was Gengar's Mega Evolution and the devastating Shadow Ball that followed.

Mega Evolution!

Was this power unique to Gengar?

Everyone present—Steven, Roxanne, Flannery, Anabel, and even Brandon—was left stunned by Gengar's transformation.

The Mega Evolution itself was surprising enough, but the Shadow Ball's sheer force was something they couldn't comprehend.

"So strong..." Anabel whispered, marveling at the display.

She suddenly realized: during their Battle Tower match, Johan had held back.

Otherwise, her Metagross wouldn't have stood a chance.

"Was I just a baby in Johan's eyes?"

The group quietly settled on a new metric:

If Johan didn't use Mega Evolution against you, you were officially a baby trainer.

Brandon approached Johan after recalling his fallen Registeel.

"You've won," he said solemnly.

"I don't fully understand what this 'Mega Evolution' is, but I can feel it—it's a testament to the deep bond between you and your Pokémon."

"You've shattered the final barrier."

He retrieved a golden emblem from his pocket.

"This 'Symbol of Courage' is yours."

"Ka-kah!"

With a wide grin, Gengar eagerly accepted the badge.

It knew these Frontier Symbols weren't particularly valuable, but this one was a hard-earned trophy. Johan had poured everything into this battle—even using Mega Evolution. The symbol was well-deserved.

Johan chuckled, shaking his head.

Mega Evolution wasn't something he could use casually. Even with his current endurance, the aftermath left him feeling drained.

"Gengar, pass me a piece."

"Ka-kah?"

Gengar tilted its head, rummaged in its bag, and handed Johan a chunk of a Sitrus Berry candy.

Johan popped it into his mouth and chewed.

"Hm... not bad. Sweet."

Now he understood why Gengar loved Sitrus candies but avoided energy roots—they weren't as tasty.

"Teacher!"

"Johan!"

The crowd of spectators—Steven, Roxanne, Flannery, Anabel, and Jirachi—all rushed toward Johan.

"Johan! You're amazing!"

Jirachi squealed in delight, launching itself into Johan's arms.

Johan laughed, giving the little Pokémon's cheek a playful pinch. "So soft... like a marshmallow."

Jirachi pouted but remained cuddly, nuzzling against Johan.

The warmth of their bond was palpable.

In truth, Johan had considered using Jirachi against Brandon if all three Titans were sent out. But forcing Jirachi into battle wasn't something he was willing to do.

This little one deserved peace after its millennium-long slumber.

Jirachi seemed to sense Johan's thoughts. Even as he pinched its cheek, it clung to him affectionately.

With the final Symbol of Courage in hand, Johan and his team had officially conquered the Battle Frontier.

On the Return Flight

Flannery couldn't contain her curiosity.

"Teacher, what is Mega Evolution?"

Johan glanced at her, gently stroking Jirachi's head. "Mega Evolution... well, it's something Professor Sycamore has been researching extensively. It's somewhat similar to Galar's Dynamax phenomenon."

He explained the basics of Mega Evolution—how it required specific Pokémon, a Mega Stone for the Pokémon, a Key Stone for the trainer, and most importantly, a deep bond between them.

Anabel's eyes widened. "So it's not just about items—it's about the bond too?"

Johan nodded. "Exactly. Without that bond, Mega Evolution might fail or even harm both the trainer and Pokémon."

He briefly mentioned Ash and Greninja's "Bond Phenomenon," which operated on a similar principle.

Steven leaned forward. "Which Pokémon can Mega Evolve?"

Johan chuckled. "It's still under research, but... your Metagross can."

Steven's eyes lit up with excitement. "Metagross... can Mega Evolve?"

Flannery gawked. "Steven's already terrifying with Metagross. If it Mega Evolves, it's game over!"

Johan laughed. "That's the nature of Mega Evolution—it raises the stakes. For example, Cynthia's Garchomp and Aggron can Mega Evolve too."

Roxanne looked thoughtful. "Doesn't this mean champion-level trainers will get even stronger?"

Johan nodded. "Precisely. Mega Evolution adds a new dimension to battles. It's a game-changer."

Flannery smirked. "Poor Lance. No Mega Evolution for him?"

The group burst into laughter, imagining Lance's dismay.

As the conversation continued, Johan dropped hints about other Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution—Blaziken, Lucario, Houndoom, and more.

Back at the Battle Frontier

Palmer, the Battle Frontier owner, was stunned when he arrived at Brandon's island.

The sight of the battered Battle Pyramid left him speechless.

"You used all three Titans, right?" Palmer asked Brandon.

Brandon nodded solemnly. "I did."

"And... you still lost?"

Brandon's expression remained serious. "Yes. Johan was simply stronger."

Palmer was incredulous. "Wait... was it close? Did you at least take down one of his Pokémon?"

Brandon shook his head. "No. It was 3–0. He swept me."

Palmer felt faint.

News of Johan's victory spread like wildfire. Headlines celebrated his conquest of the Battle Frontier.

"Johan, the Rising Star of a New Generation!"

"Three Days to Dominate the Battle Frontier!"

Meanwhile, far away in Unova, a young trainer named Tobias stepped out of his house, only to be mobbed by reporters.

"What do you think of Johan's victory?"

Tobias adjusted his cap, his expression calm. "I'm a fan of his."

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