Pokemon: Spiritual Master

With Kubfu leading the way, Johan and his team safely returned to the entrance.

However, that didn't mean they were out of danger.

Between the entrance and the other side of the mountain lay a long and winding tunnel.

The massive commotion caused by Heatran could easily lead to a tunnel collapse if they weren't careful.

Additionally, the magma within the cave was unusually turbulent. If they recklessly charged into the tunnel to escape, the backflow of magma could prove just as troublesome and dangerous.

"We can't let Heatran get any closer. Its movements could bury the tunnel!"

Steven, with his experience in mining, spoke with authority.

As he spoke, he threw out two Poké Balls.

"Aggron, Armaldo, the tunnel is in your hands!"

"Garrr~!"

"Ka-kah~!"

Clad in heavy metallic armor, Aggron possessed the sheer strength to withstand any boulders that might fall within the tunnel.

Likewise, the armored Armaldo could use its sharp claws to ensure the tunnel remained unobstructed.

"Ninetales, go help them," Johan said.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales leaped from his belt.

Despite the cave's scorching heat and the surging magma, Ninetales wasn't entirely powerless—though it was certainly less agile than it would be outside.

Instead of fighting, it was better suited to reinforcing the tunnel alongside Aggron and Armaldo by freezing and strengthening it.

The arrival of the nimble Ninetales brought a refreshing chill behind Johan's team, slightly alleviating the oppressive heat from the magma.

"Garrr!!"

Heatran paid no heed to Johan's plans and let out a deafening roar.

A scorching, golden-red light rapidly gathered in its mouth.

"Teacher!"

Flannery, who had been holding back the magma, shouted, signaling him to look at Heatran.

"I see it!" Johan responded gravely.

Within his sight, information about Heatran's incoming move materialized.

Magma Storm!

Heatran's signature move!

Not only did it possess immense destructive power, but it also created a prolonged fiery storm that prevented Pokémon from switching out.

Given the current terrain and magma-filled environment, the move would likely bypass accuracy checks altogether.

"Flannery, go find the Volcanic Keystone! Steven and I will handle this!" Johan ordered, frowning.

"The Volcanic Keystone?"

Flannery was momentarily stunned.

"It's a solidified rock formed from cooled magma, closely linked to Heatran's existence. I suspect the keystone has loosened, which is why Heatran is so agitated."

The exact relationship between the Volcanic Keystone and Heatran was unclear.

To draw a comparison, it was akin to the connection between Spiritomb and the Odd Keystone.

In Pokémon Generations, Flint's younger brother, Michael, had calmed a raging Heatran by restoring the Volcanic Keystone to its rightful place.

Flannery didn't have time to question how Johan knew so much about Heatran.

The real issue was—how was she supposed to find the Volcanic Keystone in such a vast, magma-filled area like Mt. Chimney?

"Where do I look?" Flannery asked urgently.

Johan's mind raced.

He recalled his first visit to Mt. Chimney's interior with Steven, when their Gastly had discovered a peculiar stone within the mountain.

Perhaps that stone was the Volcanic Keystone?

"I think I know a place. Gengar!"

"Ka-kaah!"

Gengar floated out from Johan's shadow.

"You remember, right?" Johan asked.

"Ka-kaah!" Gengar gave a thumbs-up—it knew exactly what he was referring to.

"Great!" Johan turned to Flannery. "Gengar will lead you there!"

"Understood!"

Flannery quickly summoned her Torkoal, which dove into the magma. She leaped onto its back.

With Gengar guiding them, Flannery and Torkoal set off in search of the Volcanic Keystone.

But first, they had to get past Heatran!

"Garrr!!"

At that moment, Heatran's Magma Storm had fully charged, and a blazing torrent of molten fire erupted.

"Metagross!"

"Kon-ginn!!"

A layer of heavy psychic energy enveloped Steven's shiny Metagross as it charged straight toward the fiery onslaught.

Zen Headbutt!

BOOM!!

The terrifying collision sent molten lava flying. Metagross was blasted backward, crashing into the rocky wall.

To be fair—

Steven's Metagross was incredibly powerful, but against the Fire-Steel type Heatran, it was at an absolute disadvantage.

Moreover, the lava cave was Heatran's home turf, amplifying its strength the more the magma surged. Metagross alone wouldn't be enough to stop it.

Steven frowned and took a deep breath, reaching for his lapel pin.

Johan's eyes twitched—he quickly stopped him.

"Steven!" Johan called out. "I'll handle this."

Now wasn't the time for Mega Evolution.

Sure, Mega Metagross would gain a significant power boost.

But unless they could defeat Heatran in one decisive strike, that temporary surge in strength would only allow them to stall for a short while.

Besides, Steven wasn't yet fully proficient with Mega Evolution—if he overexerted himself here...

That would only increase Johan's burden.

Steven was briefly stunned, then relaxed.

Right.

Johan was here.

It wasn't time to go all out just yet.

Steven smiled slightly. "Teacher, I'll leave it to you."

Johan tossed out two Poké Balls.

"Dragonite, Charcadet!"

"Draaa~"

"Goka!"

Two figures, one large and one small, materialized.

Johan chose not to summon Tinkaton for now—like Metagross, it was a Steel-type and wouldn't fare well in this environment.

Thinking about it—

The magma wasn't just a problem for Steven. It hindered Johan too, albeit to a lesser extent.

"Dragonite, Water Pulse!"

While Flannery and Gengar had successfully drawn Heatran's attention, it sank lower into the magma, stirring it up further.

Whoosh—

A rushing stream of water struck Heatran, cooling its temperature and pulling its focus onto Dragonite.

"Garrr!!" Heatran's rage wasn't extinguished—it only grew stronger.

"Goka!"

Charcadet stepped forward.

"Sir, would you consider granting me some respect?"

Heatran didn't even glance at it.

"Goka! o(>O<;;)σ"

Charcadet turned to Johan, pointing at Heatran.

It's ignoring me completely!

Johan, who could relate, spoke with conviction.

"No need for words. Attack."

"Goka!"

A fierce flame erupted around Charcadet, forming a heat wave that rivaled Heatran's own.

"Ku~!"

Kubfu stepped up beside Charcadet, assuming a battle stance.

It had been training for so long, yet every time a major battle happened, it was stuck playing a support role.

Sure, "Coach Kubfu" was satisfied with its leadership role...

But!

Sometimes, it wanted to fight head-on too!

That was the pride of a legendary Pokémon!

Their combined auras flared, battle spirits soaring!

Johan, sensing their determination, smiled.

Very well.

They had already caught Heatran's attention.

Now all they had to do was hold it off.

"Dragonite, cover them."

"Draaa~"

Dragonite flapped its wings, staying beside Johan while pumping its fists in support of Charcadet and Kubfu.

It wanted to fight the powerful Heatran itself—but supporting its teammates was more important.

"Teacher..." Steven, still worried, stood beside Johan with Metagross. "Will they be okay?"

After all, Charcadet and Kubfu hadn't even evolved yet...

"They'll be fine!"

Johan's reply was firm, without a shred of hesitation.

If a Trainer didn't believe in their Pokémon—who would?

No matter the outcome, at this moment, they were undeniable.

"It's coming!"

"Garrr!!"

Heatran's golden-red energy surged once more.

Kubfu and Charcadet crouched slightly, ready to meet the attack head-on.

BOOM!

Flames exploded, shaking the entire cave violently—

The battle had begun.

The fiery shockwave swept through the cave, causing intense tremors as the burning magma churned wildly.

"Goka!!"

Charcadet roared, standing firm in the face of Heatran's inferno. Its small body trembled under the pressure, but its eyes remained unwavering.

Respect isn't given—it's earned!

If it wanted to be acknowledged, it had to prove itself first!

"Ku!!"

Behind it, Kubfu clenched its fists.

Even as its fur became singed by the heat, it didn't take a single step back.

One punch.

Then another.

And another.

Each strike tore through the raging flames, breaking small gaps in the fiery onslaught—only for the gaps to immediately close.

But Kubfu didn't stop.

Faster.

Stronger.

More precise.

Each punch flowed like a ceaseless tide, each strike more powerful than the last.

Heatran's eyes narrowed slightly.

This little one...

For a brief moment, a sliver of surprise flashed in its molten gaze.

But it didn't hold back.

Heatran let out another earth-shaking roar, gathering even more fiery energy in its core.

At that moment, Johan closed his eyes.

Aura.

Through the fusion of their energies, he traced the weaknesses in Heatran's attack—weaknesses that Kubfu had already begun exposing.

Johan's eyes snapped open.

"Found it!"

"Charcadet—Blast Burn!"

"Goka!!"

Flames exploded around Charcadet, surging in intensity as Johan infused his aura into the attack. The fire rippled with an unfamiliar energy, causing Heatran to instinctively flinch.

BOOM!!

A massive eruption engulfed the battlefield.

Johan's timing was perfect—right as Heatran's previous burst of energy had weakened and before it could unleash another attack.

The clash of heat waves sent ripples through the air, distorting the cavern's walls as magma surged violently.

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Johan clenched his fist.

"It's our turn!"

"Kubfu—Close Combat!"

"Ku!!"

Kubfu took a deep breath, the heat distorting the air around it. Then, in the blink of an eye, it dashed forward.

Steven immediately reacted.

"Metagross!"

With a burst of psychic power, Metagross manipulated the shattered rock fragments, creating a path over the lava.

Kubfu raced forward, each stone beneath its feet vanishing the moment it passed.

Heatran's head snapped up—

And all it saw was a blur.

BAM!

A single, direct punch to its metallic body.

Followed by another.

And another.

And another.

Each strike landed faster than the last, relentless and overwhelming.

"Garrr!!"

Heatran let out a pained roar as the relentless barrage of blows forced it backward.

"Did we... win?"

Steven, watching the impossible unfold, murmured in disbelief.

Johan shot him a sideways glance.

Did the heat melt his brain?

Two-times effectiveness or not, Kubfu wasn't going to take down Heatran in a single round of attacks.

But still...

For Johan, Charcadet, and Kubfu—this was already a kind of victory.

No matter the damage dealt—

They landed their hits.

And that alone was enough.

"Ku! zzZ..."

Kubfu staggered backward, exhausted, but Metagross swiftly caught it.

Charcadet's flames flickered, its strength dimming.

But both Pokémon stood their ground.

Their eyes remained locked onto Heatran.

Heatran, on the other hand, stared at them—

And for the first time...

It acknowledged them.

Because pain was something it rarely experienced.

And now—

It had a fresh, burning wound on its back.

That charcoal Pokémon's flames...

That little bear's fists...

Both of them... had something real.

"Garrr!!"

Heatran let out a deep, rumbling growl—one of genuine battle spirit.

It had accepted them.

But it wasn't done fighting.

"Dragonite."

"Metagross."

Johan and Steven spoke simultaneously.

Their two strongest Pokémon stepped forward, prepared for the next round.

Just then—

HUMMMMM—

A mysterious glow shone from the depths of the magma, illuminating the entire cavern.

"Garrr...?"

Heatran turned its head.

The glow...

The Volcanic Keystone.

Someone had found it.

Johan and Steven exchanged glances.

Flannery was faster than expected.

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Powerstones?

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