"It's locked," Alex tugged on the handle slightly. "That's weird. I guess the gym's not open at the moment."

"It is still morning," Robert said. "Maybe they don't open until after lunch."

"We can always go check the Tower of Mastery itself," I said, pointing back the way we had came. We had woken up to see that the path to the island where the Tower of Mastery and the gym was located was now able to be crossed. We had come over once we filled our stomachs, but the gym appeared to be closed.

"Hello!?" I called out as we walked into the Tower of Mastery. The tower looked old, but it seemed to be maintained well. A ramp started at one end of the circular area, leading up and around, going all the way up the tower. And in the center, standing at least 50 feet high, was a statue of a Mega Lucario. The pedestal he stood upon was 7 feet high by itself with a door facing us. Upon it was a symbol.

"The Mega Evolution symbol," Robert said, going up to it and rubbing his hand across it.

"Indeed."

We turned to see an old man standing in the entrance to the tower. He had a path of pale blonde hair on top of his bald head, his eyebrows ridiculously long. He wore a sort of track suit, the Mega symbol emblazoned on his heart.

"Welcome," he smiled. "To the Tower of Mastery, youngsters. I assume you're the others sent by Professor Sycamore."

"Ash and the others were already here then?" Alex asked.

He nodded. "I am Gurkinn, commonly known as the Mega Evolution Guru. Sycamore said he sent two groups of trainers my way, seeking the knowledge of Mega Evolution. He must think very highly of you three. He normally doesn't tell trainers about me. Mega Evolution isn't for anyone to use, nor can all Pokemon possess the ability. Only those with a strong enough bond with their Pokemon can fully unlock the full potential of it."

He chuckled as he moved past us. "That Ash kid, he had the nerve to say he couldn't accept my offer of a mega ring."

"Really?" that surprised me. From what I knew of Ash, he always wanted to get stronger.

Gurkinn nodded. "He proved himself worthy to posses it when he faced my granddaughter, Korrina. She's the gym leader of this city. He thoroughly beat Mega Evolution without using it himself. He decided that he wouldn't need the power of Mega Evolution to beat anyone using it. It's for the best anyway. With the Pokemon he has currently, he couldn't mega evolve them if he wanted to."

He stood in front of the door. "I will not say if any of you could use Mega Evolution or not. Not until you have proven yourselves worthy."

We heard a noise behind us and a girl zoomed in on roller skates. She spun a circle around us once before stopping beside Gurkinn. She wore a white and red dress skirt with black shorts beneath. She had a long blonde ponytail poking out from the back of her helmet, bangs shooting out from the front.

"Hey there trainers," she waved while grinning. "My name's Korrina. I'm the gym leader of Shalour City and a wielder of Mega Evolution."

She jerked a thumb at herself. "Beat me, and you'll be able to possibly wield it yourself."

Gurkinn smiled. "My granddaughter is quite energetic as you can see. But if any of you wish to learn of Mega Evolution, you must first beat Korrina."

Korrina looked riddled with excitement, so I stepped forwards. "Then I'll challenge you first."

She grinned widely. "Then meet me at my gym."

She zoomed past us and out of the tower.

"Good luck trainers," Gurkinn said. "I'll be waiting."

He turned around and disappeared behind the green door.

"Man," Robert sighed. "This blows. I was kinda hoping to get Mega Evolution, but I guess I don't really need it anyway."

Alex patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. If either Zeno or me can use it, we'll make sure you can get plenty of data for Professor Juniper."

"That's right," I said. "I'm pretty sure I can though. Having Riolu and all."

"True," Robert perked up. "You guys better get me good data."

Alex and I chuckled. "No problem."

...

I stepped onto the dirt battlefield of the gym, Alex, Robert, and Frogadier sitting in the stands. He would be sitting out this match, as I wanted to break in some new Pokemon to battling. Korrina stood at the other end of the battlefield, tossing a pokeball in the air then catching it. The referee stood off to the side.

He raised his hand. ""The gym battle between Zeno the challenger and Korrina the Shalour Gym Leader will now begin! Each side will have the use of three Pokemon and the battle will be over when either trainer's Pokemon are unable to continue! Only the challenger may substitute Pokemon!"

"Greetings Challenger Zeno," Korrina smiled. "I've heard quite a bit about you from Viola and Grant. Well, you and Alex, but I was told to watch out for your clever tricks. I already battled Ash and boy did he know how to battle."

She pointed her pokeball at me. "After that, I'm ready for anything you have to throw at me. So, bring it on!"

"Will do," I unclipped my first pokeball, realizing I was about to battle with my newest partner who came straight from Galar. "Let's begin then! Come on out!"

The Pokemon popped out of the pokeball and onto the battlefield. Seeing him again made me remember what Robert's pokedex had on this Pokemon.

"Rookidee, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. It will bravely challenge any opponent, no matter how powerful. This Pokémon benefits from every battle—even a defeat increases its strength a bit."

Korrina sent out a Mienfoo, waiting for me to start.

"Alright then," I grinned. "Let's win this together, Rookidee! Use Peck!"

"Stop him with Fake Out!" Korrina spun around in one spot, stopping to point her finger at Rookidee. Mienfoo leaped towards Rookidee, slamming her open palms against the Flying type. Rookidee fell to the ground, but immediately got back up.

"Don't be discouraged," I shouted. "Pluck!"

Rookidee flew at Mienfoo as she fell back towards the ground, jabbing his beak into her multiple times, pulling roughly.

"Knock him back with Double Slap!" Korrina yelled as Mienfoo cried in pain. The Fighting type knocked Rookidee backwards, landing back on the ground.

"Now use Power-Up Punch!" Korrina commanded.

Mienfoo's fist glowed as she shot towards Rookidee.

"Dodge!" I shouted.

Rookidee flew up, but Mienfoo leaped upwards, slamming her fist into Rookidee's side.

"Quick!" I yelled. "Air Slash!"

Rookidee spun around, slashing his wings, the air being slashed as well. It slammed into Mienfoo, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Heal with Roost!" I commanded.

Rookidee scrunched up his body, feathers all over his body sticking up, before they all disappeared, leaving Rookidee healed.

"Swift!"

Mienfoo began shooting golden stars towards Rookidee and a couple collided before he was able to fly upwards, but the rest changed directions and smashed into him.

"Finish him with Smelling Salts!" Korrina cried.

Mienfoo leaped into the air once more, readying both palms.

"Air Slash!" I shouted.

Mienfoo deflected the attack and slammed Rookidee towards the ground. He crashed and fainted as Mienfoo landed on the ground beside him.

"Rookidee is unable to battle! Challenger Zeno, please bring out your next Pokemon!"

I returned my newest Pokemon. "Sorry Rookidee. We win some and lose some. All we need to do is understand each other more. Then we'll both become stronger."

I clipped his pokeball to my waist, then swung a different one. "Mawile!"

She appeared on the battlefield, her back jaw snapping. She looked back at me and I gave her a confident grin.

"We haven't had much time to get to know one another," I said to her. "But battling is one of the best ways to understand each other. So, let's win this, you and me."

"Maw," she said and turned towards Mienfoo, eyes sharpening and her back jaw closed tightly.

"Mienfoo," Korrina said. "Drain Punch!"

Mienfoo's right fist began glowing green and she charged forwards.

"Sucker Punch!" I shouted.

Mawile leaped over Mienfoo, swinging her back jaw against Mienfoo's back.

"Iron Defense," I said. "Take advantage of time."

"Don't give them that opportunity!" Korrina yelled. "Jump Kick!"

Mienfoo leaped and twisted midair, aiming straight for Mawile.

"Don't dodge!" I shouted, Mawile's eyes narrowing, as if she didn't know whether to trust me or not. "Wait... NOW! IRON DEFENSE!"

Just as Mienfoo was about to hit, Mawile's body hardened into steel for just a split second, causing Mienfoo to be repelled. Mawile was mostly unharmed, taking only minuscule damage, but the jarring impact dealt great damage to Mienfoo. The Fighting type was wobbly when she tried to stand, showing just how injured she was.

"Finish her with Draining Kiss," I said. Mawile's lips glowed and green energy floated from Mienfoo's body and into Mawile's, causing the Fighting type to faint and Mawile to be healed.

"Mienfoo is unable to battle!" the ref called. "Gym Leader Korrina, please send out your next Pokemon!"

"Interesting way of using Iron Defense," Korrina praised as she returned Mienfoo. "Where'd you learn that?"

I remembered watching that battle, in agony of knowing every second watching was another second Lillie was in danger. Yet, I couldn't help but take mental notes from their fight, Guzma's and Cassandra's. Guzma especially, the way he used Iron Defense to protect his Pokemon.

"Let's just say I learned it from an old rival," I answered.

"Fair enough," Korrina said, grinning. "Now show me more of what you can do! Let's go, Hawlucha! Wing Attack!"

Hawlucha landed on the battlefield and his wings glowed brightly. He charged forwards, preparing to strike.

"Knock him back with Fairy Wind!" I commanded.

Mawile swung her hand up, a pink wind slamming into Hawlucha, breaking off his attack.

"Don't let up!" Korrina encouraged. "Submission!"

Hawlucha charged forwards once more and I yelled, "Fairy Wind again!"

"Don't think that'll work again!" Korrina shouted. "Bounce!"

Hawlucha bounced high above the battlefield, avoiding the Fairy move. He tucked in his wings and dived towards Mawile.

"No time to dodge!" I thought. "Iron Defense!"

"Aerial Ace!"

As Mawile's body turned to steel, Hawlucha used Aerial Ace to break off from his attack and land on Mawile's right side. I saw Mawile's eyes widen as her steel protection faded away.

"Submission!" Korrina yelled.

Hawlucha tackled Mawile and roughly slammed her into the ground, pinning her tightly, her face scrunched up in pain.

I gripped a fist. If she stayed there for a while, upped defenses or not, she was going to lose.

"Iron Head!" I shouted. "Break loose!"

Mawile's head turned to steel and she swung it upwards, slamming her own head into Hawlucha's. He stumbled backwards as Mawile leaped to her feet, her back jaw snarling fiercely.

"Play Rough!" I yelled.

Mawile was the one to tackle Hawlucha and she began beating him up with her fists and jaw as they kicked up a dust cloud, obscuring them from sight. After a second, Hawlucha was kicked out, severely weakened.

"Use Crunch to finish him!" I commanded.

"We're not finished yet!" Korrina shouted. "Brick Break!"

Hawlucha's hand glowed as he charged.

"Jump and Crunch!" I shouted, Mawile jumping at the last second, turning her body so her back jaw could crunch down on Hawlucha's head. "Now finish him!"

Once she landed, her back jaw swung back, flinging Hawlucha into the air. He fell down, fainted.

"Hawlucha is unable to battle!" the ref called. "Gym Leader Korrina, please send out your final Pokemon!"

Korrina returned him and laughed. "Geez! You're strong! I don't get too many battles that push me this far!"

She held up an Great Ball. "But, this is where your strength and spirit will really be tested."

She threw it up in the air, a Lucario being sent out in kneeling position. He stood and set his gaze on Mawile and me. He was strong. Stronger than most.

Korrina held up a gloved hand. "Now, let's see what you're really made of."

She breathed. "Lucario, go! Unlock the power within!"

She shot out her hand and pressed her other hand on the orb embedded into the glove. A bright white light shot from between her hands and connected with the mega stone on the bracelet Lucario wore on his left arm.

"Mega Evolve!" Korrina shouted, Lucario howling, the pitches and tone changing. His body was enveloped by white light and his form changed. With another howl, the light had gone. His black and red appendages attached to his head floated softly as a powerful aura flowed around him.

"Get ready, Mawile," I narrowed my eyes. "This is gonna get intense."

"You have no idea," Korrina grinned. "Lucario, Bone Rush!"

Lucario slammed his palms together, spreading them apart, creating a silver bone. Once it was a meter long, he dashed forwards, wielding the bone in one hand.

"Sucker Punch!" I shouted.

Mawile leaped at Lucario, jaw swinging.

"Aura!" Korrina shouted.

A visible wind erupted from Lucario's body, slamming into Mawile, knocking her back. Lucario took advantage of her being surprised and appeared behind her, slamming the bone into her back. She flew across the battlefield, before skidding along the ground roughly, before finally coming to a stop.

The ref didn't bother checking to see if Mawile could get back up. "Mawile is unable to battle! Challenger Zeno, please send out your final Pokemon!"

I returned Mawile. "You got us this far, Mawile. I feel like I know you better, if only just a little."

I raised Arcanine's pokeball. "Don't be disappointed. We'll win this for sure! Let's go, Arcanine!"

Arcanine howled upon entering the battle, flames licking at the corners of his mouth. He instantly set his gaze on Mega Lucario and crouched, knowing we would be going all out for this match.

"Oh," Korrina looked surprised, but excited all the same. "He looks strong. Really strong. Looks like I can't hold back."

"Good," I grinned. "'Cause we won't either! Arcanine, Extreme Speed!"

"You too Lucario!" Korrina shouted.

Both Pokemon seemed to disappear, only to reappear in the middle of the battlefield, both striking each other at the same time.

"No," I thought, as both Pokemon skidded back along the ground, creating small grooves in the dirt. "Lucario's faster, but only just a little. If we can overcome that gap, I'm sure we can beat him."

"Arcanine!" I shouted. "Flame Wheel and Agility!"

Arcanine spun into a wheel of fire, racing towards Lucario, gaining speed.

"Stop him with Force Palm!" Korrina ordered.

Lucario slammed both paws together, small sparks of electricity created, then he shot out an open palm, blasting away Arcanine's fire. The resulting blast sent Arcanine flying backwards and he rolled along the ground.

"Get up buddy!" I yelled.

Arcanine got to his feet, hurt, but still able to fight.

"If he keeps attacking like that," I clenched my teeth. "Arcanine will go down for sure. He has the advantage. Speed and power. We just have to overcome the former."

"Extreme Speed and Agility," I said. "Don't let him catch you!"

Arcanine began racing around the arena like a bullet, gaining more speed as he went.

"Like we practiced," Korrina said, the glint in her eye making me freeze for a moment. "Bone Rush Trap!"

Lucario began making tons of silver glowing bones, each one getting thrown into the ground, littering the battlefield with them.

"Weave around them!" I shouted.

Arcanine's speed reached its max as he dodged Bone Rush after Bone Rush. Then, Lucario was there.

"Power-Up!" Korrina yelled, thrusting her fist forwards. "PUNCH!"

Lucario slammed a glowing fist forwards, slamming it into Arcanine's face, blasting him backwards into several of the bones. Arcanine struggled to rise, breathing heavily.

"I don't think we can beat them," my mind was racing. "How is Mega Evolution this strong!? We only beat Kamake's Mega Absol before because Mahina was created to take down Ultra Beasts."

"Hau was able to beat one though," I remembered, thinking back to his battle against Mega Abomasnow during the Pokemon League. "He didn't really know what he was up against at the time, yet he managed to beat a mega with a just-thought-of strategy. If he can do it, then so can we."

"Heh," I breathed. "We're trying to catch up to Hau now then, aren't we. How things change."

I raised my head, grinning despite the situation. "If we can't win this battle here and now, we'll never be able to prove we're stronger than our rivals! Let's show them the strength of our spirit! Let's show them we're worthy to wield Mega Evolution!"

Arcanine howled, fire blasting from his body, streaming behind him.

"We'll never give up," I raised my fist. "No matter how strong our opponent is, no matter the situation. We'll always strive to win! Arcanine! Extreme Speed!"

With the sound of an explosion, Arcanine blasted himself forwards, fire and heat racing off of him. His speed was so insane, I saw sparks of electricity amongst the flames. He slammed into Lucario before he or Korrina could react, blasting him backwards.

Arcanine came to a stop, the fire and heat fading away as Lucario stood. Whatever that temporary power-up was, it might've just saved us.

"Lucario!" Korrina cried. "They showed us their spirit! Now let's show them ours! Aura!"

He howled as he launched himself forwards, a fierce wind of aura surrounding him, being wielded by his spirit alone.

"There's only one way left to win," I thought. "Arcanine, get behind him!"

Arcanine sped around Lucario in just a second, an orange glow surrounding him.

"NOW!" I roared. "REVERSAL!

Arcanine slammed his body against Lucario, knocking both of them forwards. They tumbled over each other, Arcanine getting to his feet faster and pinning Lucario.

"Aura!" Korrina yelled as I shouted, "Heat Wave!"

Opposite forces collided, resulting in an explosion, knocking Arcanine back and cracking the ground beneath Lucario. Arcanine didn't get up, but Lucario's form shimmered and he transformed back into a regular Lucario. Both had fainted.

I wiped the sweat from my brow. The heat from the battle, both figuratively and literally, had caused me to become exhausted. I let myself fall back on my butt, breathing heavily.

Korrina skated over to me, lending me a hand. Gripping it, she pulled me up.

She grinned. "Congratulations. You've proven yourself worthy."

I smiled, but felt a little unsure. "You sure? I mean, both of our Pokemon fainted."

"Perhaps," Korrina shrugged, handing me a gym badge. "But, that blazing spirit you and your Arcanine have, that surprised me. I haven't the faintest idea what it really was, but that alone proved to me you're worthy. This Rumble Badge is proof of that, as well as the Keystone grandfather will be giving to you later."

She returned her Lucario, so I returned Arcanine as well.

She turned back to me as Alex and Robert joined us. "You go rest up your Pokemon at the Pokemon Center. You three can come back tonight for the Keystone."

Korrina gave Alex an apologetic smile. "Sorry, but it would be better for our battle to be tomorrow."

Alex shook her head and smiled. "No, it's fine. A battle like that would exhaust any Pokemon."

Korrina nodded and rolled past us to the doors. "We'll be expecting you three tonight!"

I breathed out a sigh. "Man, that was exhausting. Dunno why. Feels like this battle just really wore me down."

"Well," Alex gave me a soft smile. "You'll have time to rest as well as your Pokemon before-"

Suddenly the lights shut off, plunging us into darkness, the only light coming from the doors.

"Wha-" Robert looked around. "The heck!?"

"Something's wrong," I said, feeling uneasy. "Come on, we have to hurry!"

I took off at a run, my exhaustion forgotten, as I raced for the doors.

You know, I can't help but love these cliffhangers. I hate 'em when they happen to me, but I take a certain pleasure doing this to all of you. I hope you readers enjoyed the chapter. Managed to get past 3000 words again, it's been a while. A bit of a warning though. I might not get the next chapter out next weekend, maybe not at all during Christmas Break. Before and after Christmas I'm going to be busy helping my friends then I'll be starting a D&D campaign with them. I'll likely have time to write after Christmas, but you never know. If all goes according to plan, I do have something planned for Christmas day, but it may or may not happen. You all will just have to wait and see. Well, that's it for this chapter. Till next time. Toodles