A/N: I know it's short, but I was pretty busy today and didn't really have any plans for this chapter. Enjoy, because the next one is going to be eventful!

Update: Oh my dear Xerneas. THIS STORY HAS TEN THOUSAND READS. Today had honestly been an emotional roller coaster today- playing the last episode of Life is Strange and crying like a walrus, and now smiling like a maniac from this?

I've never expected anything like this to happen. In fact, I didn't expect the story to last this long- I just figured I do a bunch of timeskips, not do one chapter for nearly every day in Sky's life.

I'm so thankful for all of this, guys. I always thought people would hate my writing, but now thousands of people decide to click on my work? It means so much.

I'm not really sure what else to say. So I'll go with something simple:

Thank you!

Thirty Six – Stronger

They decided to stay in Ambrette Town for one more day, just for a little rest before heading back to Shalour City.

Sky felt especially nervous since Ash told her that Korrina, the gym leader there, could achieve Mega Evolution with her Lucario. She wondered if she would stand a chance against her…

That morning, Ash asked her where the ring came from. Sky smiled, and told him it was from Clemont- he seemed a little confused, but seemed to accept that. Sky noticed Serena and Bonnie pointing out the ring every now and then, smiles on their faces. That only introduced a frown onto hers.

For the entire day they stayed in the Pokémon Center, like they did the previous day. Everyone agreed that a break would be nice, and that Sky would need to train some more.

Ash wouldn't tell her about Korrina, but they trained a little against Hawlucha, since it was a fighting type like Lucario. Sky was using Kirlia at the moment, but their battle was interrupted when someone familiar entered the battlefield, scowling.

Her long dark purple hair was tied back loosely in a ponytail. Her face was covered in black makeup, and her lips were black as well. Her clothes were completely edgy. Sky scowled. It was Meg.

Meg just walked over towards her frowning. "What're you doing here, wimp?" She asked, sounding bored.

Sky's eyebrows furrowed. "Why do y-you care?"

Meg rolled her eyes, shrugging. "Don't know." Then her eyes travelled down to Sky's hand, and she saw her Key Stone. Meg's eyes widened. "What is that?!" She demanded.

Sky hid her hand. "Th-that's my Key Stone…" She mumbled.

Meg blew some loose hairs out of her eyes. "Never took you to be a Mega Evolution person. What Pokémon do you have that can Mega Evolve?"

Sky looked away. "N-none of your business." She avoided her gaze.

Meg laughed. "Oh, I see. You don't have any yet. Where did you even get that thing?"

She stared towards the ground, her hands behind her back. "My mom gave it to me." She said quietly.

Meg rolled her eyes again. She seemed to have a habit of doing that. "Then you must be some lucky, spoiled brat. Get back to your battle."

Sky scowled as Meg walked away. Her fists were clenched and her legs were shaking.

Clemont walked over quickly, placing a hand on her shoulder. The others watched in worry. "Don't let her get to you, Sky." Clemont advised. "She's horrible."

Sky nodded. "I know…" She said through clenched teeth. "But she's kind of right, really…"

Clemont wanted to protest but Sky turned around to resume her battle with Ash, throwing out commands with twice as much confidence then before.

Clemont sat back down after realizing that trying to talk to her would do no good. She was just too riled up from Meg appearing, he guessed.

Kirlia quickly defeated Hawlucha, but was exhausted. Sky went over slowly, and apologized. "I'm sorry… I j-just felt mad." Kirlia nodded, but then glanced into Sky's bag- it was as if it sensed something.

Kirlia reached in and pulled out the Dawn Stone, eyes widening. It then looked up to Sky.

Sky smiled lightly. "I w-was going to tell you, but yeah… Th-the scientists gave us a Dawn Stone. You can evolve with that."

Kirlia blinked and stared at the stone in awe. The evolution would only trigger once the trainer and Pokémon were both ready. Kirlia knew right away what it wanted to do- it hugged the Dawn Stone to its chest, looking up at her expectantly.

Everyone gathered around them, watching in awe as Sky nodded. " Alright. But only if you want to." Kirlia showed its approval with a huge smile- then Sky concentrated, closing her eyes. Suddenly Kirlia began to glow, growing so tall it was about the same size as Clemont.

Its form kept changing, then finally it blinded them so much that everyone had to close their eyes. Then the glow quickly faded.

Where Kirlia once stood was a Gallade in fighting stance. Sky's eyes widened and she watched with the others as Gallade sliced with its blade-like arms in mid-air, a confident smirk on its face.

Sky didn't hesitate to hug Gallade. It hugged back, then chanted: "Lade ga." As if saying thank you.

Sky broke apart the hug, looking up at Gallade. "Let's work together to get much stronger, okay? I know that together- me, you and my other Pokémon- we can do a-awesome things." Gallade nodded in agreement.

Now, as Gallade felt newfound energy, Sky and Ash trained some more. Meg's insults were long gone in her mind; all she focused on was her training and thoughts of the future.

She never felt so confident that they could honestly beat all the gym trainers.