Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 520: World of Ice?

Unova Region, Giant Chasm.

A maze of intertwining tunnels, all coated in thick frost, riddled with branching paths.

For ordinary people, just getting close to the cave is near-impossible—the sheer cold alone is enough to drive most back, let alone trying to delve deeper.

Even Johan felt the chill and couldn't help but rub his arms.

Thankfully, Ceruledge moved closer, its flaming blade dispersing some of the cold around him.

It was hard to imagine how Team Plasma ever managed to capture Kyurem if it had been inside this cave. If Kyurem had even a bit of sense to "stay put," Team Plasma's entire crew would've turned into frozen husks.

Johan had thought the earlier open area was Kyurem's main ground for battle, but now he realized—this cave was the true domain of Kyurem.

Fortunately, with Ninetales there to sense and interpret the cold energy around them, they could avoid getting lost among the endless forks in the cave.

Outside, many Ice-type Pokémon had been active, but within the cave—they were nowhere to be seen.

Even with Kyurem captured, the residual force it left behind was enough to deter other Ice-types from approaching.

Of course, Cryogonal didn't count—they were practically Kyurem's extensions.

So, Johan and his team did encounter a few Cryogonal, but none were a real threat.

Eventually, the space opened up, Ceruledge's flame illuminating the vast chamber.

"This... this is the real Giant Chasm," Johan murmured.

The entire area was covered in layers of thick ice, and cold poured in from every direction, gnawing at their bodies.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales scanned the cavern, locking onto a particularly dense patch of ice in one corner.

Even Johan could feel it—that area was colder, more potent than the rest. That was where Kyurem had left its mark. It was the true source of the spreading frost.

Cold.

Johan had gotten used to being chilled by Ninetales, but even from a distance, he could feel this cold.

Thick frost mist wafted out like a living entity.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar, curious, reached out to poke the mist—just to see what it was.

Crack—crack—

The moment its fingers touched the mist, frost spread rapidly, encasing its entire body in ice.

A second later—

Gengar turned into an ice sculpture.

Thankfully, it wasn't trapped—it phased out into a puff of black mist, leaving behind a crystal-clear statue of itself.

"Ka-kaah?"

Gengar stared at the shimmering ice sculpture—his own reflection—and his mischievous grin returned.

Cold? Oh, absolutely. Even for a ghost who lived in darkness, this was chilly.

But fun? Also yes.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

"Yoji!"

Seeing this, Larvitar tried to copy it—running toward the mist to make its own ice sculpture—but Johan stopped it.

"Don't even try it!"

You're 4× weak to Ice. You really wanna test fate right now?

Ceruledge raised its hand, unleashing a swipe of blue ghost-flame at the frost mist. But the flame instantly froze on contact.

"Yoji..." Larvitar shrank back.

Holy crap—it could even freeze fire?

Yeah, okay. Let's not.

"Go on, Ninetales."

Noticing the eager light in Ninetales' eyes, Johan nodded.

"Oowoo~"

Without hesitation, Ninetales leapt into the mist, padding gracefully toward the block of ice left behind by Kyurem.

And as it entered, the outward-spreading frost stopped, gradually pulling back—gathering around Ninetales like it had found a new master.

Johan and the rest began exploring the cavern, keeping their distance from the frost and ice block. Though still cold, it was no longer dangerous.

"Yoji!"

Larvitar punched a nearby ice wall with a small fist—

Thunk!

Not a scratch. Just a few ice chips.

Not convinced, the little guy threw two more punches. Same result—just faint white marks.

"Yoji..." It scratched its head.

"Cha!"

Tinkaton came over, hammer in hand. She gestured for Larvitar to step aside, then planted her hammer behind her and slammed it forward.

BOOM!

With a mighty swing, cracks spread through the wall like lightning.

"Yoji!"

It worked!

Larvitar jumped up, cheering.

Hammer Sister! One more! One more!

"Cha~!"

Tinkaton grinned and gave the wall another full-powered slam.

CRASH!

Ice exploded, shards flying everywhere—Larvitar leapt up and immediately chomped on one of the larger chunks.

Crunch crunch.

Mm. Not bad.

So... all that effort just to eat ice?

Johan raised an eyebrow.

But then—

Once the ice broke away, Johan saw the rock wall beneath. It was rugged and uneven, faintly reflecting hints of metallic shine.

"This is..."

A meteor crater!

According to legend, thousands of years ago, the Shaka family received the DNA Splicers—the same year a meteor fell near Lacunosa Town, creating Giant Chasm.

But the tale was unconfirmed. Since the cave had always been engulfed in frost, no one had ever been able to excavate it properly. All projects had failed.

But now, Johan could confirm—it was true.

Some even said Kyurem was the meteor itself. But Shaka once claimed Kyurem was the empty shell left when Reshiram and Zekrom split—and developed its own consciousness.

Johan believed Shaka was right. The DNA Splicers were key to reuniting Kyurem with the other dragons.

In the movies, Keldeo had faced Kyurem in a form capable of fusing with either Reshiram or Zekrom—that's why it was called the "Strongest Dragon on Earth."

But Keldeo and the three Swords of Justice had said—this Kyurem hadn't shown that ability.

"Yoji!"

Suddenly, Larvitar leapt toward the crater wall—biting into a bump on the surface, trying to chew off a chunk.

Johan: "..."

Yeah. The only thing that could make Larvitar lose control like this... was rare ore.

Tinkaton's eyes also sparkled.

This crater wall was rich in rare metals—her favorite.

Johan sighed.

Ninetales absorbing Kyurem's frost made sense—it helped stop the spread.

But if Larvitar and Tinkaton kept gouging the place...

"What if Kyurem comes back and finds its lair 'eaten'...?"

Kyurem: "I left for ONE nap, and now my home's been stolen?!"

"Ah, whatever. Ninetales still needs time to finish absorbing the energy. Larvitar and Tinkaton can't wreck the whole place... probably."

Once Ninetales was done, it could refreeze the wall. Problem solved.

Time passed.

Larvitar, Tinkaton, and Ceruledge went to work on the crater wall.

Ninetales' absorption accelerated—the massive chunk of ice gradually vanished, and the temperature in the cave rose ever so slightly. More importantly, the spread of cold stopped altogether.

In Lacunosa Town, residents only noticed a slight chill, thinking it was a late spring cold snap—nothing serious.

Meanwhile, the wild Pokémon that had fled the cold now returned to their habitats.

Johan looked around the chewed-up cave wall and winced.

He may have underestimated Larvitar's appetite... and Tinkaton's destructive power.

Thankfully, Ninetales had finished.

The frost in the cave had mostly dissipated.

"Oowoo~~"

Ninetales returned to Johan. At a glance, there wasn't much change—but on closer inspection, its already snowy fur now sparkled like pure crystal.

But what really caught Johan's eye...

Was the item Ninetales carried in its mouth.

Two palm-sized scales—mostly white with grayish-black edges. They had a rocky texture.

"Scales?"

Johan took them—and a surge of freezing cold immediately made his fingertips go numb.

He quickly used aura to block the chill.

"Are these... Kyurem's scales?"

And not just any scales—reverse scales, perhaps?

That explained why the frost remained even after Kyurem's departure.

"Oowoo~"

Ninetales nodded.

Two scales...

Johan thought for a moment and handed one to Ninetales.

"You keep one."

It might be weird for an Ice/Fairy-type to hold a Dragon's scale, but the Ice energy within was too valuable.

"Oowoo~~"

Ninetales accepted it without hesitation.

"As for the other..."

Johan looked over.

And spotted Dragonite backing away, smiling awkwardly.

Johan grinned. "It's yours, Dragonite."

"Draaa..."

Sure, it wanted the Dragon scale—but Kyurem was Ice/Dragon. And Dragonite, being Dragon/Flying, was 4× weak to Ice...

"I believe in you," Johan said, placing the scale in its hands.

"Draaa..."

Fine. If he said so...

"Fatty."

Dragonite: "..."

If it didn't toughen up against Ice, it'd end up like Lance—forever at the mercy of Ice-type specialists like Lorelei.

Larvitar had given the advice.

After all, it was 4× weak to Grass, yet it chewed the World Tree's branches daily for fun.

Dragonite could do the same.

Warm up every day with a Kyurem scale. Problem solved.

"You don't want to lose to other Ice-Dragons, right?"

Because let's be honest—Ice/Dragon is a broken combo for Dragons to face.

It was only slightly more fair than that "Dragon Traitor" Altaria.

And Kyurem wasn't the only Ice/Dragon around—there was also Baxcalibur in Paldea.

"DRAAA!!"

At that, Dragonite firmly accepted the scale.

Even as it tucked it away with a pained grimace, the fire in its eyes was unmistakable.

"Ninetales, help restore the cave."

Looking around at the wreckage, Johan's eye twitched again.

"Larvitar, Tinkaton—that's enough!"

"BUURP~"

Larvitar rubbed its full belly, glanced longingly at the crater wall, then nodded.

"Cha!"

Tinkaton wiped her brow, patting her hammer with satisfaction.

She was pretty sure her next Ice Hammer would hit way harder.

Once they stepped back, Ninetales breathed out a wave of frost—sealing the walls in thick, pristine ice.

Huh?

Johan's eyes narrowed.

That speed... that power...

"Glaciate?"

He'd never seen Kyurem use it before, but... could this be?

Though the Pokédex didn't list any new moves, it definitely looked stronger.

Crack, crack, crack—

The ice spread, restoring the cavern to a state of pristine cold.

The frozen world returned.

Ninetales had clearly gained a lot from this trip.

Within moments, the cave was whole again.

"Oowoo~~"

Ninetales called out lightly, as if casting just a casual Icy Wind.

The cold in this place made Ice moves effortless.

"Maybe one day... we'll ask Kyurem ourselves."

Assuming it returns—and is open to a conversation.

"Let's head back."

The cold had been stopped. Larvitar had feasted. Tinkaton had collected metal.

Mission accomplished.

Now Johan needed to report Kyurem's disappearance—and the possibility of Team Plasma's next move—to Alder.

Also—

The Genesect issue.

They were free now—unshackled from Colress's control—and would likely begin searching for a home.

But their home from 300 million years ago was long gone.

If they started building one of their own...

It could mean devastation on a massive scale.

"Why do I feel like I'm becoming their babysitter?" Johan muttered.

As he exited the maze-like tunnels—

He saw Keldeo, now transformed by its resolve, waiting outside the cave with the three Swords of Justice—slightly recovered, standing tall.

They expressed their deep gratitude.

And said—

If Johan ever needed them, they'd come.

Also—

They offered to teach his Pokémon the way of the sword.

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Powerstones?

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