Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 581: One Blade to Banish Evil, One Blade to Calm the Soul!

Chapter 581 - One Blade to Banish Evil, One Blade to Calm the Soul!

Cynthia hadn't expected Armarouge to survive Destiny Bond.

And even more surprising, Johan didn't withdraw it after defeating Spiritomb.

She quickly realized the reason.

He figured—after her Gastrodon and Milotic had fallen—none of her remaining Pokémon could counter Armarouge.

To be fair...

Among Cynthia's usual lineup, Glaceon, Roserade, and Lucario were all disadvantaged against Armarouge.

But—

Armarouge was nearly out of stamina.

And Johan's Dragonite, already heavily worn down, couldn't possibly open with Dragon Dance again to pose a threat to Garchomp.

Shfft...

Just as Cynthia felt she shouldn't let Johan get too comfortable, one of the Poké Balls at her waist shook.

Her expression shifted slightly.

She calmed herself, reached for that Poké Ball.

"Unyielding warrior—Lucario!"

A flash of red light.

The Aura Pokémon stepped forth, serious and composed.

"Luu-caa!"

Aura rippled subtly around its frame.

Facing an opponent capable of resisting Destiny Bond, Lucario—as a true fighter—would go all out.

"Cynthia's fourth Pokémon—Lucario, the Aura Pokémon!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Cynthia's Lucario was one of her most iconic Pokémon, known for its indomitable spirit.

"A solid choice, especially since Armarouge's defense has been worn down," Alder commented.

"Goka!"

Perhaps sensing Lucario's powerful aura—or meeting its intense gaze—Armarouge's expression turned serious, the flames in its eyes blazing brighter.

"Luu-caa!"

Lucario brought its hands together. A bright blue sphere of aura energy formed between its palms, spinning with buzzing intensity.

The wind kicked up around it.

Armarouge, sensing the power in the air, didn't hesitate.

It raised its cannon—flames brewing.

Hummmm—

Aura Sphere and Flamethrower collided head-on, erupting in a massive explosion that hammered the arena's shields.

BOOM!!!

Winds and heat swirled into a blinding screen of smoke.

The audience held their breath, waiting to see the aftermath.

Whoosh—

A sudden gust cleared the field.

Neither side seemed seriously damaged.

"Luu-caa!"

Lucario stood firm, feet planted, hands raised at chest level as a glowing blue bone club materialized in its grip.

It spun the bone, stirring the air.

Johan pressed his lips together.

Then it hit him—Bone Rush is a Ground-type move!

"Armarouge!"

"Goka!"

With a nod, Armarouge's red-gold flames receded, replaced by ghostly blue.

In a blink, its form shifted—

Ceruledge!

The swords rang out as they unsheathed, cutting through the fire.

One blade to banish evil. One blade to calm the soul.

Lucario's eyes lit up with battle-lust.

"Lucario, Extreme Speed!"

"Luu-caa!"

Gripping its bone tightly, Lucario burst forward in a flash of white light—closing in instantly!

"Ceruledge, counter it—Bulk Up!"

"Goka!"

Ceruledge raised its twin swords, locking onto Lucario's aura. As the bone swung down, Ceruledge parried with its blades.

Clang!!

Bone met steel. Sparks flew.

Both Pokémon stared intently, locked in clash.

I'm not slower than you!

Crack—!

A new fracture split across Ceruledge's armor.

But Bulk Up had raised its strength and defense—its aura surged in kind.

"Swords Dance!"

In response, Cynthia commanded Lucario to raise its attack even more.

Clang clang clang—

The bone and twin blades clashed rapidly—metallic echoes and bursts of sparks filled the arena.

Both Pokémon's speed increased steadily.

Steadfast!

Steadfast: When flinched, this ability increases Speed by 1 stage.

Johan winced—"Isn't Steadfast supposed to be passive? Lucario's controlling it?! Might as well call it 'Speed Boost'!"

"Lucario, Bone Rush!"

"Luu-caa!"

Clutching the bone tight, Lucario swung with determined power.

Its will alone could shatter stone.

Unyielding resolve—that's its true weapon.

Earthen energy enveloped the bone, and it struck in a relentless barrage.

"Ceruledge, Bitter Blade!"

"Goka!"

The twin blades crossed before its face—rubbing together to spark tiny flames.

Double Slash!

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Lucario's flurry was intense—but Ceruledge's twin swords blocked blow for blow.

The crowd cheered wildly.

"So intense! So thrilling!"

"Feels like a martial arts film—no, even better than a martial arts film!"

"These two are born warriors!"

Truthfully, the average viewer couldn't keep up with their movements anymore.

Only the big screen replays let them follow what was happening—though the broadcast director was probably losing hair by the minute.

Johan and Cynthia had stopped using words.

They now directed their Pokémon through aura alone—telepathy.

Much faster than speech.

BAM!!

Bone and blade clashed again—shockwaves separated them at last.

Shff!

Lucario skidded back, bracing its bone against the ground to halt.

Ceruledge plunged both swords into the earth, dragging deep, scorched grooves before coming to a stop.

Both panted heavily.

Lucario looked slightly better—its breath visible in the cold air.

Ceruledge's earlier fight had taken a toll—despite the type advantage, it was struggling.

But its fighting spirit was burning brighter than ever.

It had finally found a worthy opponent—it refused to fall until it could no longer stand.

Lucario's gaze reflected mutual respect.

You. I acknowledge you.

"Luu-caa!"

Lucario pointed its bone at Ceruledge.

One more round!

"Lucario, Water Pulse!"

Hummm—

Water swirled around the bone.

Johan considered withdrawing Ceruledge—but he knew it wouldn't accept that.

"Will-O-Wisp!"

Fwoosh fwoosh!

Flames ignited on the blades.

Speed maxed—activate Phantom Force!

Shffff—

Ceruledge vanished into the shadows.

"Watch out!" Cynthia warned.

"Luu-caa!"

Lucario closed its eyes—Aura expanded, scanning every ripple in the air.

There!

It pivoted, striking backward with its bone.

CLANG!!

One blade intercepted—but the second came from a blind angle.

"Luu-caa!"

Lucario's opposite hand extended—an aura spike forming at the wrist.

Aura Sphere!

BOOM!!

Another powerful exchange—neither side giving in.

But Ceruledge was faltering.

Its mind flashed back—

To the day it sat alone in the nursery, as all the others were picked by Trainers.

Days became weeks.

Eventually, it became the undisputed "boss" of the nursery.

Some thought it rejected weak Trainers—but the truth?

It didn't want to see them cower when they learned what it consumed daily.

Then—

Johan came. No hesitation.

He chose it. Believed in it. Took it home.

When told about the cost of feeding it charcoal, Johan winced—but bit the bullet.

When it needed the rare Curse Armor to evolve, Johan spent time and effort crafting it himself.

Ceruledge knew—its armor had been painstakingly forged.

So it trained relentlessly, trying to match the likes of Gengar.

And this—this was not where it would fall.

"Goka!"

For Johan!

Its blades crossed again, sparking fiercely.

Flames receded, but the light in its eyes burned hotter than ever.

Flare Blitz!

"Luu-caa!"

Lucario sensed the shift—acknowledged it.

Your resolve won't go to waste.

But—

We fight too—for Cynthia.

The bone shortened, condensing into pure energy at its fists.

Hummmmm—

Lucario breathed deeply, slowing the world around it.

Locked onto Ceruledge with absolute clarity.

Even if you're a Ghost...

Mind's Eye—Open!

This is not just a fight to survive—

This is a fight for honor. For pride.

Focus Blast!

Aura—Unleashed!

The stadium fell into breathless silence.

No one dared move.

WHOOSH—

Fire and aura collided in the most direct and dramatic way possible.

BOOOOOOM!!!

The world turned white.

Utter silence—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Then—

RUMMMMMBBBLLLLLLEEEEE!!!

The earth shook. The reinforced barriers shuddered violently.

Smoke swallowed everything.

When it finally cleared...

Ceruledge and Lucario stood on opposite ends.

Flickering flame. Twitching ears.

"Luu... caa..." Lucario knelt, panting, sweat dripping from its brow.

"Goka..."

Ceruledge's flames died—it collapsed.

Whirr—

A red light returned it to its Poké Ball.

Johan's face was filled with pain.

Was it for Ceruledge—or the armor repair bill?

Probably both.

"You didn't lose. Next time, we'll win."

In truth—

Given Ceruledge's worn-down condition, this was already an incredible outcome.

It fought on through sheer will—and the Fire of Life.

It doesn't count. Johan declared shamelessly.

Lucario, however, gave only respect.

A worthy rival.

"Luu-caa!"

Whoooosh—

The crowd exploded.

Everyone could breathe again.

That match...

Until the final moment, no one knew how it would end.

"Lucario's amazing! Ceruledge too!"

"I really thought it'd be a double KO!"

"Wait—Focus Blast hitting a Ghost-type? Didn't expect that!"

"And Armarouge surviving Destiny Bond?!"

Thud—

On the big screen, Ceruledge/Armarouge's icon dimmed under Johan's name.

Sharp-eyed viewers realized—

"Wait a minute... Isn't this the first time Johan's actually lost a Pokémon in this tournament?"

"Wait WHAT?!"

"Not just this tournament—ever!"

"This means Cynthia's earned serious cred!"

When did defeating Johan's Pokémon become a badge of honor?

"Lucario?" Cynthia called softly.

"Luu-caa..."

Lucario slowly stood and returned to her side.

She smiled wearily.

Sometimes, a Trainer must respect their Pokémon's will.

Lucario's message was clear—

I'm not done yet.

It extended its bone into a staff, planted it on the ground, resting its hands atop it.

Staring at Johan with burning eyes.

Next!

Johan grinned.

Alright then.

There's more waiting to fight you than I can count on one hand.

Another Poké Ball at his waist twitched.

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Powerstones?

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