*Thud...thud thud...thump!*

"Ow! Hrggh...Uh...I yield!" 16 year old Aaron yelled, slapping the floor twice as he was pinned...again, by his Lucario, Luci. She got off of him, and went over to the edge of the mat they were sparring on, and put her 2 front paws on the floor, looking up at him, obviously waiting to start again. Aaron was still trying to get up from being beaten for the 5th time that morning, "Aw come on Luci, I'm already tired. Doubt I would be a good opponent after all that..."

The Lucario shook her head, "Too bad, you know that your the only one who can spar me."

With a sigh, Aaron managed to get up and go to the opposite side of the ring, and took up the same stance as Luci. She's right...Luci is my only Pokemon, and it's only me and her living in this cabin, Aaron thought, And she doesn't really try to hurt me...at least not badly. Both of them lived in a cabin out in the woods near Shalour City, where the Tower of Master stood with its famous statue of a Mega-Lucario inside. As he prepared to take on Luci again, old thoughts passed through Aaron's mind. How long has it been since I first found her, and when I showed her the tower?

Aaron had been living in the woods, watching over the cabin for his family while they were working at the other end of the region, when he first met Luci, a Riolu at the time. She had been in a battle of some kind, and the beaten, injured Riolu was hiding under the cabins porch when Aaron first found her as he came back from visiting the nearby city. He heard he whimpering from her injuries, and after a small chase, multiple bites, and a punch to a very painful area, Aaron managed to carry her inside to try and treat her wounds. In the present, Aaron gave a small smile. Luci has always been stubborn and resilient, maybe too much for her own good.

It took some time and some more small wounds on Aaron's part, but soon Luci came to trust Aaron, and enjoyed his company and help. After catching and naming her, Aaron also enjoyed the help and company Luci offered him. Helping with cabin life, regular sparring and more made both their lives better, and both the Lucaio and human were happy. Aaron suddenly frowned, remembering when their happy life together changed. After I took her to see the statue of the Mega-Lucario...she changed.

Aaron had brought Luci, still a Riolu at the time, to Shalour City to pick up supplies. He thought it would be nice to show her the famous statue, but when she saw it, Luci changed. She soon evolved when they got back to the cabin, as well as gaining the ability to communicate with Aaron, and she told him, "I will become just like that statue, a Mega-Lucario, and I will not stop training until I'm strong enough."

That was 1 month ago, and now all Luci cared about was sparring. The Pokemon living in the woods around them soon became too weak for Luci, and Aaron became the only suitable opponent. He couldn't take her to challenge Gyms and other trainers, having little money as it was coming in from his parents, and had no real experience with Pokemon battles anyways. Aaron soon found himself in a less-than-fortunate situation, he wanted Luci to be happy and try to help her fulfill her dream, as impossible as it sounded, but he knew training was only have the battle to Mega-Evolution. She just doesn't understand the bonding required between a Pokemon and their trainer. All she cares about now is training and meditating, does she even listen to me anymore? Aaron thought. Come to think of it, has she even smiled, or laughed once since she evolved? He remembered the happier days he spent with Luci when she was a Riolu, and the contrast that today was to those memories.

Aaron was suddenly brought back to the present as Luci rushed at him. He block her first 2 punches, and tried to counter with a punch of his own, but was quickly brought down with by a sweep of Luci's legs. He tried to roll away, but Luci had predicted that, and jumped onto his back while he was face down and tying to roll. She grabbed both of Aaron's arms and pinned them behind his back. She stared at the wriggling body of her trainer, and shook her head with disappointment. Come on Aaron, if I'm becoming stronger than you, how will I train...how will I become a Mega-Lucario? Luci thought.

About 10 seconds of fruitless struggling later, Aaron yelled, "I yield!" once again, and Luci got off of him. She then headed to the corner of the training room and sat on her meditating mat, and did the only other activity she did to train, meditating. Aaron took a bit longer to get up, but after he did, he approached the Lucario. "Luci...look at me." She opened 1 eye to look at him. "There is more required to Mega-evolving than just this-"

"I know," Luci said and she suddenly stood up, looking into Aaron's eyes, being almost the same height as he was. "If you are becoming weaker than I am, I must do something else, without you," she said with frown, "All else that I know is meditating with my aura. If that is all I can do to achieve Mega-Evolution, than so be it." She turned her back on him and sat down on the mat again.

Aaron looked away, thoughts passing through his mind. She's even more stubborn and serious than when I met her, and is she even rejecting me...? Feeling hurt, he turned to leave the room. Come on Luci, just smile, or laugh, anything but this...You aren't the Pokemon that I loved living with. Is it that hard for you just to smile? Wait... An idea began forming in Aaron's mind. As dumb as it sounds, could it really break her out of this slump she's in? Only choice I have...or she just might start living in the training room. He turned to the Lucario again, clearing his throat to get her attention, "Ummm, Luci, I have an idea." The Lucario turned her head, eyes still closed, but listening. "Have you heard the phrase 'Learning from failure'? Maybe if you let me win in a sparring match, perhaps it may help a bit?"

Luci turned back to face the wall, in thought, Really Aaron? Is that the best idea you can come up with?...Well it's better than nothing, Before standing up and facing Aaron. "If that is the best option, as much as I don't like it, then we could try."

With a grin, Aaron went back over to the mat ring and took up stance, while Luci took her place, looking bored. Aaron rushed forward and started with a single punch, which Luci expertly blocked. He then followed up by sweeping Luci's legs out from under her, similar to what she did to him. She landed on her butt, and Aaron quickly made his way behind her. He wrapped his legs around her waist, and put his arms under hers, then over, pulling back. Luci now had her arms pinned outwards, unable to move them, and was pinned to the floor by Aaron's legs. "You know," the Lucario commented, "I could have easily moved before you made your way behind me. Heck, I could have jumped back from that leg sweep, your just to slow Aaron."

"Says the Lucario who is pinned at the moment?" Aaron shot back.

"Whatever, I yield," Luci said, in a bored, emotionless tone.

"You see, that's been the problem with you and I," Aaron said, not letting Luci go, "That tone, all you care about is training, day in and day out. We never talk or spend time together, like when you were a Riolu, anymore."

"Well, I'm not a Riolu anymore, in case you haven't noticed, or are you blind?"

"Bonding between a Pokemon and trainer is just as, if not more important to achieve Mega-Evolution. And you, Luci, have been neglecting that."

"Nothing is more important than training! Now can you let me go?!" she said, starting to raise her voice and struggling against Aaron's pinning grip.

"Nope, not until you promise to spend a day with me, no training or sparring of any kind, just bonding as Pokemon and trainer."

Luci stopped struggling and shook her head, "A day without training? You know I would never agree to such a ridiculous idea...So are you just going to hold me until I agree to that?" She said while trying to wiggle her stuck, outstretched arms, "Cause if so, we are going to be here for a while."

"Oh, we will be here for a while, until you agree, yes. Though I doubt you are gonna enjoy it, so why not just promise me you'll do what I say?"

"Hmph, you obviously don't know my patience. Have you seen how long I've been able to meditate Aaron?"

"I've seen how long you've been able to meditate without interruption. Though I doubt you can focus or enjoy our sit while you are laughing uncontrollably."

"Wait, laughing? Why would I be laughing-"

Aaron quickly changed his grip, raising Luci's arms above her head and wrapping his left arm around them. He then laid back onto his back, keeping his legs around the Lucario's waist, so that Luci was still pinned to his body. It ended up to Aaron being on his back, his legs around Luci's waist, pinning her body, her back on his stomach. His left arm wrapped around both of Luci's arms kept them pinned above her head, while keeping his right arm free.

"I've also noticed that since you evolved, you haven't smiled or laughed once, which is a shame. I always liked it when you laughed and smiled as a Riolu. So, since you won't agree to a day just to bond as Pokemon and trainer, and since you have never laughed in such a long time, thought I'd get 2 Fletchlings with 1 stone." Wow, I sound different when I'm not the one pinned...neat.

Luci was completely still, Wait, he doesn't mean to. Before quietly saying, "You don't mean to..."

"Yes, and when you think about it, this is still training in a sense, since Tickle is a Pokemon attack."

Luci's eyes went wide and started to struggle against Aaron's grip, but it was no use. Aaron brought up his right hand and started to scratch a little under her chest spike at her furry belly. Luci's reaction was instantaneous, squirming in Aaron's grip while soft giggles come from her muzzle, "HeeheeheestahpitheeheestahpAaronhahahahah!"

"Nope," he responded, starting to tickle Luci harder, "not until you agree to what I said."

Luci began to squirm and laugh harder. No! I can hold out! I won't be beaten! I...won't...Luci found it difficult to focus as she laughed harder. "Ahahahaha!Staphittttt!Hahahahahh!Aaarhahaharonnnn!"

"You still have that great laugh by the way Luci. Shame it's been so long since I've heard it. Now, what about here..." Aaron said as he started to tickle around and in Luci's small navel.

Aaron was surprised by Luci's reaction, bucking against his legs that were still holding her waist to his body, her feet kicking empty air, "Hahahahahah!Nothahhaahtherehahahahah!"

"Not there? Ok then, what about here?" he said, as he moved his hand into her underarms.

"Nooohohohoho!Hahahahahah!Staphpstaphstaphhhhhhh!Hahahahah!

"Wow, if your this weak to a tickle attack, it's a good thing no Pokemon has used it on you yet. Now, only one other spot left." Aaron said as he began to dig into her sides.

The Lucario's reaction was similar to when he attacked her bellybutton, "Nooohahahahah!Staphithahah!Aarhahahonnnn!Pleaheheheheehsseee!"

"You know what you have to say to stop this Luci, I'm waiting."

"Hahahaahahahahah!Ohohohohohkayheheheehey!Ihahahgivehahahahah!"

Aaron slowed to a near stop, but continued to run a finger around Luci's furry navel, occasionally dipping it in, "Well Luci? Do you agree?"

Luci continued to squirm and giggle, but managed to get out, "Yesssseheheheh!Nohohotrainingheheh!Ihahahagreehehehehe!"

"On your honor?"

"Yessheheeheheh!"

"Good! Thank you Luci!" Aaron said as he released her from his grip. He rolled and sat up on his heels, watching the Lucario breathe on the mat. As she turned to face him, he gave her a sincere smile. "Sorry Luci, but there is more to it all than just training. Bonding between a trainer and Pokemon is required to achieve Mega-Evolution, and I want you to achieve your dream. I just had to...convince you about the bonding, as well as getting you out of that slump you've been in. You ok Luci?" he asked as he reached out a hand.

Luci just stared at him for a few seconds, as her breathing became normal again. ...It's just like when he had to hold me down to give me a Potion for my wounds when we first met...Hmph, he still cares about me that much to attack me?...She took Aaron's hand and stood up, and stared into his eyes, and nodded.

Aaron smiled and began to walk out of the room, "Come on! I'm hungry for some lunch, and I think we both could rest for the rest of the day, don't you think?"

Luci nodded and began to follow Aaron out of the room, but as soon as she saw him leave, she stopped, standing in the room all by herself. So, you want to bond as a Pokemon and trainer, right Aaron? Ok then, I have to admit, maybe I was a bit wrong on what I need to achieve Mega-Evolution...Thanks...But as for the bonding, Luci thought as a mischievous grin began to grow on her face, I'd assume my revenge would count as bonding? After all, you would be smiling...and laughing." The Lucario's mischievous grin become a smile as she walked out of the room, but Luci was already planning the 'bonding' with Aaron that would occur the next day.