"Ash? Are you coming?" Goh asked sticking his head into Ash's room. "I'll catch up with you guys in a bit. I have some things to take care of first." Ash said waving goodbye. Misty had invited them to the Cerulean City gym's pool. After a bit of deliberation, even Parker was going. Ash however had some things he needed to take care of first.

"He said he'll catch up with us." Goh said running out to the others. "Maybe we should stay, and make sure everything's okay." Lillie said worriedly. "Don't, trust me. It's a losing battle. If Ash wants our help he'll ask, but until then, he'll fight tooth and nail for us to not interfere." Chloe warned. "That's Ash for you. He wants to figure things out himself first." Gladion said, as the five of them headed North.

"Let's see, who's registered for the Wallace Cup." Ash said looking through the entries. He saw several familiar faces including May, and Misty surprisingly, but nothing on Serena, or even Dawn for that matter. "How did you just disappear?" Ash asked looking at the photo of him, Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena after the Kalos League. He was deep in thought, when he felt his phone go off. "This'll have to wait for a bit, I have a challenge." Ash said slipping on some shoes before running towards where they were located.

"You should know, we aren't allowed to battle here!" Ash shouted out. The challenge was issued inside the arena. "Wallace won't be happy if he finds out!" Ash shouted. "Then it's a good thing I'm your challenger." Wallace said stepping out of the shadows. "But before we begin, I have a gift. It's from Steven." Wallace said. Suddenly the stage lights all came on, and Ash saw a small metal box with a letter on top of it.

Ash,

Never properly thanked you for your help back in Lumiose. I hope this makes up for the wait. Use it well, these were not easy to obtain.

-Steven

Ash opened the box to find a mega bracelet, and stone inside. "No way!" Ash said shocked grabbing them. "Did he say who this was for?" Ash asked Wallace. "I wasn't even aware that's what was inside." Wallace said shocked at Steven's generosity. "Well now that gifts are out of the way. Let's Battle!" Ash said holding out a Pokeball. "Let's!"

"Ah Parker! Stop splashing so much!" Chloe yelled. "It's a pool. You're going to get wet anyways." Parker taunted swimming away creating as many splashes towards his sister as possible. "Did Ash say what he was working on?" Misty asked approaching Goh. "No, but can I ask you something?" Goh asked back. "Sure what's on your mind?" Misty said sitting on the edge of the pool. "What's the deal with you and Ash? I mean you guys act like the best of friends one minute, and then making fun of each other's shortcomings the next." Goh said a bit confused. "The relationship Ash and I have is unlike any other. We started traveling together right at the start of each of our journeys." Misty said thinking back to the day she met Ash. "So when we make fun of each other's losses, or tactics, it's because we were there when they happened for the first time." Misty said with a smile. "I remember the first gym battle Ash ever faced he was up against a ground type and use Pikachu of all things. I know he knows better now, but when the mistake happens, I still enjoy pointing it out, just as he would to me." Misty said with a smile.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

"Whiscash hold your ground!"

The electricity passed right along the outside of Whiscash, dispersing moments later.

"Oh man! I completely forgot Whiscash is a ground type!" Ash groaned. "Pikachu come back. Sceptile it's your turn!" Ash said sending out the grass type.

"Whiscash use Hydro Pump!"

"Sceptile dodge, and then use Leaf Blade!"

Sceptile easily ran out of the way, striking Whiscash hard.

"Now Whiscash use Flail!"

"Sceptile get out of the way!"

Sceptile was to close, as he was thrown into the water surrounding the arena. "Sceptile!" Ash yelled running to the edge. "Scep!" Sceptile yelled, jumping out of the water. Ash watched as the mega stone started to glow. "It can't be? Sceptile catch!" Ash said throwing the mega stone forward. "Time for a whole new level of power!" Ash said excitedly activating his mega ring. In moments, Sceptile had Mega Evolved.

"Now Sceptile use Dual Chop!"

"Whiscash use Protect!"

While Whiscash's shield held up against the first hit, Sceptile had moved enough for the second hit to land. Dealing enough damage to knock Whiscash out. "Whiscash return." Wallace said returning his Pokémon. "I see why Steven entrusted you with a mega ring as well." Wallace said with a smile. "What do you mean as well?" Ash asked in fear.

"Misty, that mega evolution of yours, can anyone do that?" Chloe asked swimming up. "Not exactly, it takes a lot of work to get what's required." Misty said a bit nervous. "You also need a strong bond between trainer and Pokémon or things could go bad right?" Lillie asked having joined in. "Yeah, if there isn't a level of pure trust, even the most loyal of Pokémon can go out of control when Mega evolved." Misty said. "I wonder is any of Ash's Pokémon has what it takes?" Chloe said wondering what was taking Ash so long.

"Sharpedo use Aqua Jet!"

"Sceptile use Leaf Blade!"

Things were bad. Wallace had mega evolved his Sharpedo, and was using the water in the arena to attack from all angles.

"Now use Ice Fang!"

Sharpedo kept out of the water landing the final blow knocking out Sceptile. It's mega form fading, as it went down.

"You did great Sceptile." Ash said returning his Pokémon. "Looks like it's up to you Pikachu!" Ash said sending Pikachu back out.

"Sharpedo use Aqua Jet!"

"Pikachu get out of the way with Quick Attack!"

Ash was glad Misty had been thorough with the arena. Despite being surrounded by water, it was set up so that the stage stayed dry for the most part.

"Sharpedo use Aqua Jet again!"

"Pikachu knock it off course with Iron Tail!"

Sharpedo went spinning as it got hit from Pikachu.

"Now stick your tail in the water, and use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. Sharpedo was still mega evolved so it didn't need the water, but making it less available gave them an even playing field.

"No matter Sharpedo use Crunch!"

"Pikachu use Quick Attack, and then Discharge!"

Pikachu ran right past Sharpedo, but the offset electricity seemed to do the trick.

"Now use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.

The bolt of lightning hit hard, as Sharpedo went down, it's mega form reverting.

"Very good Ash. I can't wait to see how you perform here in a few days." Wallace said happily. "It'll be a show to remember." Ash said with a smile. "Come on Pikachu, let's go meet with the others." Ash said excitedly.

"Hey everyone!" Ash called out heading towards the pool. "Ash you made it!" Misty said happily. "About time." Gladion said. "Why are you wearing a girls bathing suit though?" Lillie finally pointed out. It's less confusing for other people if my outfits at least look like they belong to the same person." Ash said with a shrug. "Hey Ash, is that what I think it is?" Goh asked looking at Ash's wrist. "Yep, as of now, me and my Pokémon can start Mega Evolving!" Ash said with a proud smile.