Chapter 306: The Battle in the Spirit World

Feng Lu: “Wah! This is the Spirit World? My soul has left my body!”

Wan Long: “The Spirit World—perfect material for a novel. It looks no different from the real world!”

【The soul was briefly drawn to the edge of the Spirit World—the border between the Moon Kingdom and the Spirit World. That great dragon has interfered with our world!】

A voice from Emolga reached them:

【This is the perfect chance! Offer it a battle that satisfies its soul!】

Before they could connect the machine linking time and space, one of the three great dragons had already launched battle—using the unique Spirit World to create the miraculous spectacle of soul-to-soul combat!

The Azure Dragon let out a colossal roar!

【If you defeat me, I shall become your ally!】

【What we seek is born from battle: endless souls and the hearts that transmit gratitude!】

Guang Tai and the Pokémon’s souls drifted through the sky, flying free and unbound!

Facing the legendary god of another universe, sending all out was the safest strategy.

Intense soul energy flowed through N’s body, uniting his will with the Azure Dragon’s!

“Strange Wind!”

The Azure Dragon summoned a soul storm—the Strange Wind, normally a chilling gale, now blazed with brilliant, fiery light within the soul vortex, boosting the Azure Dragon’s every stat!

Aegislash raised its golden shield, entering its King's form as it faced the legendary god.

Then, the rhythm of the stars began to spread!

【The king blessed by the gods, channeling the stellar currents, spreading the fragrance of stars, wielding the ultimate power that transcends time and space—the ancient force of temporal change!】

【Excellent! Show me greater power! Let this strength reach the soul—explode!】

Five Pokémon with different abilities were individually named by the Azure Dragon—only Wave Water hesitated.

“Oh, you all have special abilities? I’m not jealous at all, really.”

“Liar! I’m dying of envy!”

“Grr!” At that moment, Wave Water suddenly felt out of place.

Was I too… normal?

“Steam!”

Though many thoughts still churned in his mind, his Trainer’s voice reached him—Wave Water resolved to find a way to gain a special ability of his own.

Otherwise, this was team bullying!

A massive jet of steam erupted from its mouth, scalding water striking the Azure Dragon!

The soul vortex spun violently—the Azure Dragon let out a soul-shaking roar!

Shiny Giratina-Origin Form VSTAR!

Banish Impact!

Instantly, the Pokémon’s soul abilities were weakened by one tier—the drop in soul power lowered their stats!

“Heavenly Power!”

Guang Tai’s heart sank—the Azure Dragon’s Heavenly Power had finally manifested, but this was only the tip of the iceberg; it was still…

The Azure Dragon revealed its ability:

【Failed souls turn into flames of resentment—souls that burn fiercely can instantly reverse the tide of battle!】

【The Star’s Requiem. When ten suppressed souls accumulate, any of your Pokémon will be instantly knocked out by me!】

The number of suppressed souls now equaled the total number of N’s defeated Pokémon: six!

Giratina’s gaze locked onto Wave Water.

All other Pokémon had special abilities—energies that could partially resist his Heavenly Moves. But this ancient dragon had no special power at all!

Though strong, in soul-level combat, this was fatal!

Banish Impact again!

The soul-weakening roar struck once more—Aegislash raised its shield to block it, while Wave Water let out an angry roar.

“Ugh! Bullying a dragon!”

You think I lack special energy, so I’m the weak point? I’m the strongest dragon in the team—I’ve fought every Pokémon in Unova!

“Roar!”

Flamethrower!

Flames slammed into the Azure Dragon’s body—but it showed no sign of distress; the soul vortex blocked and absorbed the fire, making its own soul burn even hotter!

Violent lightning erupted from the Azure Dragon, striking Wave Water with crushing soul-thunder—while simultaneously, the other Pokémon unleashed their attacks upon the Azure Dragon.

N mounted the Azure Dragon, closed his eyes, and merged his consciousness with the soul-dragon.

He knew—he was now the medium, the human soul carrying the dragon’s soul to interfere with the world.

This feeling—he had never experienced it before.

The Azure Dragon let out a distant dragon cry; as heaven and earth shifted, the stars began to turn, the sealed fate seemed to unravel—the light falling from the cosmic heaven was—

Meteor Shower!

The most powerful Dragon-type move: meteorites fall from the sky onto the opponent. After use, the user’s Special Attack plummets due to recoil!

Dragon-type moves possess immense piercing power; normally, Meteor Shower is formed from Pokémon energy—but the Meteor Shower the Azure Dragon summoned was pulled directly from the cosmos itself!

Comets, meteors, meteorites!

Endless soul-stars rained down like a storm!

Carrying blazing soul-fire!

“It’s fine—we have the same power!”

The hero’s resolve! The hero’s will!

When power was weakened, they raised it again—using Star Pulse to drastically boost energy!

Cosmic divine power from the stars poured into the Pokémon; Guang Tai called for his final item.

Victory Shard!

The Victory Shard from Victini—said that whoever bears Victini’s power will inevitably win in the end!

It greatly boosts the strength and stamina of humans and Pokémon—in soul form, it enhances the “soul” itself!

The Pokémon’s souls began to glow!

The souls drifting in the Spirit World’s fissure witnessed it all.

They gasped in awe!

【Immense soul power!】

【Not ordinary energy—it’s Victini’s power!】

Among the souls were those who had witnessed the legendary victorious Pokémon.

When the fierce soul-fire was ignited by the heart,

The will to win was passed on!

“Terrakion, use Stone Edge!”

Sharp rock energy formed in rows between the falling meteors; with a low growl, Terrakion sent them hurtling through the stars, one after another striking Shiny Giratina’s soul!

Critical hit!

Then, the roars of two ancient dragons echoed simultaneously!

Wave Water did not believe he could lose to Giratina—power was stirring within him.

Even without a special ability, with his Trainer’s support, even a monster from heaven held no fear!

A unique power surged through Wave Water!

Ancient Activity: When carrying a Drive energy or under Sunny Weather, the highest non-HP stat increases by 30%; if that stat is Speed, it increases by 50%!

Wherever there are insects, there is clear sky—and this soul world was not dark; precisely because of the stars’ descent and the burning souls, it blazed with radiant light—this brilliant soul-sun maximized Ancient Activity’s power!

Ancient Power, activate!

Amid lightning and crimson light, Wave Water’s dragon soul soared through the air, gathering immense power before erupting in one explosive burst!

Dragon’s Roar, then—

Overwhelming Power, activate! Drastically increases move power when landing a critical hit!

“Miss Dancer, help!”

Guang Tai looked toward Miss Dancer’s soul!

Clap! Clap! Elegant Miss Dancer flapped her leaves—a wave of encouragement energy surged onto Wave Water!

Helping a Partner: The aided Pokémon’s move power increases by 50%!

Maximum power—Dragon Pulse!

The roaring dragon light pierced through endless meteorites!

The Azure Dragon was struck squarely by the overwhelming Dragon Pulse!

Roar! Wave Water let out a proud cry!

But from within the vortex of dragon energy came a dark storm.

The Azure Dragon gasped violently; as searing soul-winds rose, it vanished into the shadows.

“It’s Shadow Sneak! Use Protect!”

Yet against a god with Heavenly Power, the voice of the heart was suppressed—black shadows burst forth with silver dragon claws, delivering violent shocks that weakened the souls of two Pokémon in the Spirit World’s sky.

The Azure Dragon declared:

【Count has reached eight!】

This was like Death’s countdown—just seeing the numbers was enough to crush one with immense pressure!

The silvery-white dragon did not pause; it launched a second wave of attacks immediately!

The spirit of Shieldon flew toward its companions, but its fervent soul-fire surged forth, coalescing into a searing explosive of ghostly flame!

【Count reached 9!】

The last one is

“Awooo!”

Dragon Pulse! Leafeon launched a Dragon-type strike into the air at the silvery-white dragon, then followed it with Dark Pulse!

With Starlight Guidance, Leafeon could amplify specific types of guidance in certain environments. In this realm of swirling stars, Ghost-type moves should have been strengthened—but because of the power of the stars, Dragon and Dark energies surged dramatically!

【Effective attack, but room for improvement!】

The silvery-white dragon roared. Suddenly, a dark glow lit up the sky!

Shadow Claw!

Shieldon activated its King’s Posture and slashed forward, its monocle glinting as it struck a vital point!

Fierce Power, ignore recoil, activate Iron Will!

Miss Yè lifted her leaves.

Guidance!

Through proper and rational guidance, boost the attack and defense of all allies!

Shieldon swung its massive shield. Take this Double-Edge Hammer!

The petrified shield crashed down hard on the silver dragon’s head—and in that instant, the other Pokémon’s attacks arrived!

The silvery-white dragon took the hits and vanished again into shadow—its target unchanged!

Leafeon was blasted away by Shadow Sneak, using guidance to mitigate the damage—but…

Suppression is complete—the soul is weakening!

【Count reached 10!】

The silvery-white dragon’s mouth unleashed a massive Shadow Ball!

A shadowy energy, vast as a mountain, pressed down! In the dragon’s roar, an eerie chorus of stars emerged.

It was the Star’s Requiem—one of the most incomprehensible terrors of the starry realm and the soul world!

It could instantly slay any Pokémon! This was suppression at the soul level!

“Slain? This is also an abnormal energy wave?”

In that instant, Guang Tai suddenly realized something.

White Forest had once granted him a special power.

Sacred Flame!

Psychic—though it lacked the mantras to enhance mental strength like guidance, it was the most direct force tied to the mind!

A closed mind breeds powerful Psychic energy—but a pure heart breeds equally powerful force.

In soul form, no items could be carried—but still, blue and yellow lights appeared in Guang Tai’s eyes.

Legendary Blue Crystal and Yellow Crystal—lend me your power.

“Mirror Reflection · Sacred Counter!”

Brilliant white light, mixed with blue and yellow rings, formed a colossal Psychic barrier under the gaze of the soul, the stars, the silvery-white dragon, and the Pokémon spirits!

The Star’s Requiem, accompanied by legendary power, descended—its crushing slaying force capable of felling any Pokémon. The swirling stars, the black-and-white cosmos, and the blazing soul energy crashed against the barrier!

The silvery-white dragon’s eyes reflected the white barrier. Its golden mask opened, and its chanting faded.

【You blocked it with your own power?】

【The Soul Giant resisted the Star’s Requiem! When the Star Souls sleep, the universe falls utterly silent! You—your soul actually…?!】

The white barrier swallowed the sound waves of the Star’s Requiem, then hurled them back with greater force!

While wandering among the stars in this soul realm, he had once glimpsed another world—where “another self” of his possessed the battle technique “Dragon Breath Counter”—strikingly similar to this!

But that counter could only reflect weak attacks!

“Gaaah!”

The silvery-white dragon let out a novel, excited roar!

The star’s power struck back at it with double force—intense, silent spiritual energy washed over the dragon’s soul-body, while the Pokémon spirits roared in fervor!

Yes! That’s it!

As ruler of the soul realm, even I am wounded by my own power!

Even the stars shine for you!

The fierce, living energy—this is what it manifests as in the soul realm!

【Soul vortex—I offer my soul. Soul clash has reached its zenith! I will not fall easily!】

【Even double the Star’s Requiem cannot bring me down! This power comes from the Star Soul—and from me! I am one of the rulers of the soul realm!】

The silvery-white dragon’s soul was greatly weakened—but its battle lust surged even higher, its soul-body blazing with searing light!

Soul Power, Soul Guidance!

The guidance of different lives carries different strengths. Compared to Psychic, Soul Guidance is harder to wield—but its ceiling is far higher!

Guidance Bullet!

“The ruler of the soul realm has unleashed Soul Guidance—guidance is the symbol of life, not of Ghost!”

【I yearn for the fiery pulse of life! Come, try to block this power!】

【The Star’s Requiem won’t be used just once! I still have strength—the Star Souls are watching! Do you know how many lost, drifting souls fill the universe? The stars in the soul realm are their luminous souls!】

Again—Banish Impact!

The vortex wind of soul-weakening howled fiercely—the colossal Soul Guidance crashed down like a storm!

And with the Soul Guidance came the Star’s Requiem once more!

“Hrrr~”

In soul form, no Poké Balls exist. Only six Pokémon spirits were dragged into the soul world—no more could be summoned.

But six… is enough.

The Pokémon spirits roared, breathed, whispered—unending energy surged from their souls!

Fight! Fighting is proof of existence! If the ruler of souls wishes to feel it—let it experience it firsthand!

Sacred Flame, activate!

“The Soul World… no, the Tower of Heaven is also an ancient ruin.”

The power of the Ancient King—using the King’s ability, one’s power surges to unimaginable heights within ancient ruins!

Those blessed by the Ancient Spirit’s favor—mighty spirits now bloomed!

N’s soul resided within the silvery-white dragon. He watched this scene—awe, curiosity, then… joy.

“So… this is the true power of those Pokémon!”

“These Pokémon come from different eras, wielding different powers. To wield them freely and fight a being like you—that is their life’s journey.”

“How wondrous—I can experience such a clash of powers firsthand!”

Starlight waves, ancient might, ultimate power transcending time and space… So this is another new world!

【Ugh! This pressure is…】

The silvery-white dragon suddenly felt a crushing force. It fixed its gaze on Miss Yè among the Pokémon spirits—that elegant ancient Pokémon, which had copied its ability!

Pressure! The pressure from the stars would drain its stamina—and double the energy cost of its moves!

The soul’s consumption during power concentration and move release would intensify!

“Mera!”

The Bug spirit writhed, struggling desperately, eager to unleash its power!

Heat Wave GX! Through the vast expanse of time and space, this ultimate power unleashed a Fire-type attack—burning away all elemental energies on the target!

Scorching hot winds roared into collision with Soul Guidance—every ally activated Sacred Flame to strengthen their moves!

Soul Guidance twisted and expanded, its energy warping into a soul shockwave, igniting a massive soul-fire storm!

【Give it everything! You and I—who will claim victory? This is the final blow!】

The silvery-white dragon’s Star’s Requiem swept forward—the dragon’s battle lust ignited. It would not let Guang Tai use Mirror Reflection again!

From its mouth, it gathered a pitch-black radiance of starlight!

It was the same power that once trapped Deoxys in nightmares—the Dark Pulse replicated by Leafeon, the Dark energy from the stars!

Psychics fear Ghost, Dark, and Bug most—and among these three, it possessed two!

The Dark-type aura could suppress Psychic use—for Psychics, Dark was their mortal enemy!

Perhaps Sacred Flame could absolutely counter evil energy—but this Dark Pulse was star-born energy, a force of nature!

This time, the Dark Pulse was not meant to break through the Pokémon formation—it was aimed at the Trainer’s soul!

【Ancient King, call out! Call my name!】

The strange Unova connection reactivated—something stirred at the edge of the soul realm.

Call my name?

In the real world, the Giant Key emitted a guiding light—starlight waves, soul waves—summoning the Legendary Giant to the battlefield.

Giant Key, enter connection.

But not to let the keyholder enter the other world—

But to bring the colossal monarch of the Moon Kingdom to this side!

Entering the realm of souls from the Land of the Moon, Ghost-type power possesses exceptional penetration, but is utterly ineffective against one type.

That type is Normal.

A towering figure of pure white arrived in this world—no one could tell if it was its true form or its soul. When the Lullaby of the Stars fell once more, when the Azure-Silver Dragon unleashed its full might to strike down all Pokémon in a single blow—

“My name is Regigigas!”

The Legendary King of Giants has crossed the Lunar Realm and arrived!

The same stellar might, the same soul’s power—after a long activation period—now emerges: the Complete Form of the King of Giants!

Boom!

The King of Giants, who once dragged the Southern Continent, is not the one from Snowpeak Temple—but the Giant King of Ross Mountain possesses power the Snowpeak Temple King lacks.

Regigigas·VSTAR!

Star Guardian!

【If the opponent has only one Pokémon, lock onto it and erase all powers attached to it!】

The King of Giants roared, its signal lights flashing rapidly!

The soul-energy of annihilation crashed against the Giant King’s shield.

Effect: 0!

“Regigigas!” Guang Tai, riding on Wave Splash, commanded the King of Giants: “Use Ice Punch!”

The cold that wrapped Ross Mountain and the Land of the Moon—even the cosmos—froze into crystalline snow as the Giant’s massive fists struck the Azure-Silver Dragon’s armor with crushing force!

This punch—perfect effect!

The fierce soul-energy began to recede from the Azure-Silver Dragon; the power of the Soul Realm no longer amplified it, and the swirling stars halted!

The Azure-Silver Dragon let out a cry of agony!

【The King of Giants! Has he come!?】

Regigigas’s signal lights emitted an incomprehensible sound!

From the mouth of the Shiny Giratina, a potent soul-wave surged—though weakened, it remained one of the rulers of the Soul Realm!

Ghost-type power is useless against the Normal-type King of Giants—then use Fighting-type moves!

Regigigas would not let the wave-beam fire; it seized the Azure-Silver Dragon’s jaws with a sudden grip!

It looked like it was crushing—but “Crush” is useless against a Ghost-type ruler of the Soul Realm; only raw impact matters. But isn’t there another move, similar to Crush, yet of a different type?

That special move, which no Pokémon can naturally learn, is right here!

Steel-type light glowed along Regigigas’s arms!

“Use… Heavy Slam!”

Guang Tai heard the Giant King’s inner voice—this unknown move was one of the techniques later artificially created!

Steel-type Heavy Slam: crush the opponent with arms or pincers. The more HP the opponent has, the greater the power—this is a weakened version of the King of Giants’ signature move, Crush!

Boom! The Azure-Silver Dragon’s wave-beam was forcibly pushed back! It let out a low roar, its body glowing strangely, and charged straight at Regigigas without dodging!

The King of Giants… arrived just in time, didn’t he?

Pain Share: combine your HP with your opponent’s, then evenly split it between you both!

This is a Normal-type move—but the ones who master it… are precisely Ghost-types!

How could a ruler of the Soul Realm not know Pain Share?

It’s just that, usually, there’s no suitable opponent to use it on!

As “Giratina,” your HP and stamina are extremely high—sharing HP with other Pokémon is merely a simple weakening.

But the King of Giants is different! He’s a pure HP sponge!

As the Azure-Silver Dragon neared the Giant King’s body, a golden shield suddenly flared open!

At the critical moment, Shieldon burst into battle, using its Royal Shield to block this “attack!”

【Hmph! When I challenged Arceus, it was thanks to my shield!】

Shieldon’s blade bent slightly, yet its single eye gleamed with pride!

Using such a dirty move as Pain Share? Rare technique indeed! But… our Royal Shield is no less shameless!

Shiny Giratina’s stats began to drop!

【You?! Well done! But why did you move first?】

The Azure-Silver Dragon’s pupils shrank sharply!

Though he’d noticed during battle that the opponent’s Pokémon often acted unexpectedly, it had always been within his ability to respond—but this time… no warning?

The Azure-Silver Dragon’s awareness turned to the distant Miss Qun!

She was making strange gestures!

It was… “After you!”

Support your ally or opponent’s action, making it occur immediately after this move, ignoring Speed and Priority!

【So that’s how it is!】

The King of Giants’s furious roar echoed in his mind!

Guang Tai: “Regigigas! Payback!”

Dark-type charge attack: if used after the opponent, its power doubles!

A massive fist wrapped in black radiance smashed against the Silver Dragon’s faceplate with unstoppable force; violent Dark-type energy surged through its entire body!

Now!

Ancient Activity: increased.

Sacred Aura: increased.

Victory Fragment: activated.

Use maximum-power Dragon Pulse!

“Huuu!”

The command was transmitted; the attack launched simultaneously. From Wave Splash’s mouth erupted a cataclysmic Dragon-type force, piercing through the frozen soul vortex, striking the vital point once more!

“Gaaahh!”

Shiny Giratina was struck by Dragon Pulse—the explosive Dragon-type power shattered its defenses; its soul-energy plummeted violently, its spirit body trembled, then crashed down in ruin!

Amid the soul vortex and flames, something was being reborn. Guang Tai saw it—a gem glowing with white-gold radiance!

【Repeated critical hits! Tremendous power!】

【But I foresaw the King of Giants’s arrival. Still, listen—the souls are cheering! This battle was splendid!】

The Azure-Silver Dragon struggled to lift its head, its soul weakened—but its mood was joyful.

【The power of life has been infused into the Soul Realm… a new bead, forged from gratitude, blazing souls, and fervent life.】

The radiant creation was not the White Gold Pearl.

It was the “Great White Gold Jade!”

The Azure-Silver Dragon of another world reshaped its own jade through this battle—and elevated it further!

【The pearls left behind in the mortal world no longer matter. Through this battle, I have gained all I desired, all I wished to see, all I longed for!】

【Then… as promised, I shall become your arm!】

【Take my power!】

The Azure-Silver Dragon faded away. All souls returned to their bodies. The Land of the Moon vanished. The Soul Realm disappeared. People returned to the world of the living!

【Partner, are you alright?】

Deoxys’s voice echoed from the Master Ball. During the soul transfer, Shiny Giratina had not sent Deoxys into the special space—when Guang Tai and the others vanished, Deoxys had been terrified!

How could a mere battle turn into this? That Azure-Silver Dragon… truly a monster from heaven!

“I’m fine. I’m alright!”

Guang Tai sensed his own power.

His soul-energy had grown stronger!

In Guang Tai’s eyes, the soul-fires of his Pokémon burned brighter and fiercer than ever!

The great soul enhancement—this was the gift from the Azure-Silver Giratina!

Powerful souls hold infinite potential and emotion; when combined with Soul Liberation, they unleash unimaginable combat power!

And in his hand—a silver emblem appeared, though it vanished moments later.

【Defeated Team Plasma’s N. Defeated the alternate-world Shiny Giratina (Soul Ruler). New power greatly strengthened!】

【Your Pokémon’s EVs and growth levels have risen sharply! Your Pokémon have learned new moves!】

【Shieldon learned Wild Charge / Block; Miss Qun learned Petal Dance / Dream Eater; Tyranitar learned Rock Polish / Wide Guard!】

【Riolu learned Deceive / Magnet Rise; Combusken learned Detect / Magnet Rise; Wave Splash learned Knock Off / Quick Return!】

“Hey, Feng Lu? Wan Long? And Guang Tai—what are you doing here?”

The shocked voice of Elder Ju snapped everyone back to reality.

The battlefield had shifted from Heaven’s Tower to the underground of Ross Mountain. The previous events felt like a dream—except for the white giant standing ahead, proving the Soul Realm battle had not been an illusion.

“Watch out!”

Elder Ju panted heavily; around them swarmed countless Pokémon, all roaring in frenzy and unleashing moves randomly.

The white giant’s signal lights flickered chaotically—it seemed to have completed its task through sheer will alone, and now slipped into weakness and confusion.

“That’s it, King of Giants! Destroy this place!”

Smula was startled by the sudden reappearance of the group, but it didn’t matter—he had already plunged all Pokémon here into chaos using the prototype Akroma device; even the Elite Four’s Pokémon had gone berserk.

This device could endlessly awaken Pokémon’s latent potential—but due to uncontrollable power, it was deemed a failed invention.

However, under certain special circumstances, it is perfectly suited!

When the Giant King descended into chaos, just as the fist that had been battling the dragon turned to strike back, the yellow crystal on Guang Tai’s chest blazed with brilliant light!

【Use my power—lend it to me!】

Unlike the silent blue crystal, the voice within the yellow crystal had appeared for the second time.

Although still weakened from using the Victory Shard, Guang Tai’s mental capacity had been greatly increased by the White Forest, and with the yellow crystal’s power, this weakness was nowhere near as agonizing as the first time!

Guang Tai removed the pendant and poured all his remaining mental energy into it.

Brilliant yellow light flooded the entire dark room, turning it as bright as daylight!

The strange electromagnetic waves ceased instantly; simultaneously, the Acroma prototype in Smula’s hand crackled with electricity and exploded with a bang!

(End of Chapter)