A Legendary Rematch

by AmourshippingCanon

With strange sightings in the Wetlands in Kalos, Professor Cerise sends Ash and his friends to investigate. Wondering if legendary Pokemon are at the core of the mystery, and with a Pokemon Coronation Series battle festival approaching, Ash is eager to embrace the challenge. Old friends and old rivals return in this three part story.

2. The Lumiose Battle Festival

Chapter 2: The Lumiose Battle Festival

"All right, Goodra, finish this with Ice Beam!"

"GooooDRA!" the Dragon Pokemon roared in response to Ash's call, unleashing the icy beam of energy across the field, leaving a frosty path behind it, before it struck hard against the opposing Gogoat.

The grass type was thrown from its feet, spinning through the air, before crashing to the ground in front of its trainer. Its horns were already encased in ice from an earlier ice beam, but the damage was further after this one, with its entire side covered in a thick layer of frost. It didn't move and the yellow Rotom-drone zoomed forward, inspecting the scene, before making its call. "Gogoat is unable to battle! The winner is Ash Ketchum. World Coronation Series rankings updated!"

"Yeah!" Ash cheered, running out to hug Goodra as he heard Goh and Chloe cheering from the stands behind him. "That's three wins already, Goodra! We're going way up in the rankings!"

It hadn't taken long for Ash to move on from his strange dream and the mission he and his friends had been on in the Wetlands. Of course, they were technically on the lookout for signs that there were legendary Pokemon being used in this Battle Festival, but they'd yet to see any sign of them. Ash had obviously been excited about the prospect of battling against them, but he'd been having a blast so far regardless. There were plenty of strong trainers that had come to Lumiose City for this festival, and getting a chance to fight alongside Goodra had been really fun.

As Ash, Goh and Chloe headed to the Pokemon Centre after the battle with the Gogoat, planning to get Goodra refreshed quickly before Ash looked for another opponent, he noticed the others were apparently just as happy with how things were going. Chloe in particular, who hadn't seen Ash participate in one of these festivals yet, seemed to have a spring in her step. She was asking plenty of questions about how Ash had been able to react so quickly to a particularly tough strategy the Gogoat trainer had been using.

"I couldn't believe it when Goodra took all those hits while using Bide," she said once they had given Nurse Joy Goodra's pokeball. "I didn't think there was any chance after that."

"Goodra's got strong defence," Goh pointed out, leading the way as they headed outside to wait. "With his Hydration ability along with Bide, he's a tough one to beat."

"I can always count on Goodra," Ash said, grinning as he looked to Pikachu, who's cheeks had sparked as they went outside. "He's one of the toughest Pokemon I know!"

"He sure is! I would know since he beat my Luxray!"

Goh and Chloe jumped at the new voice, but Ash and Pikachu whipped around with huge smiles on their faces. And, as Ash turned, it was confirmed right away. He couldn't help the gleeful laugh that escaped him as he moved forward to greet the two people that were now approaching him and his friends.

Clemont and Bonnie didn't look too different from the last time Ash had seen them. Clemont was still in his blue jumpsuit with his invention-filled backpack and Bonnie in her brown shirt and puffy white skirt. The latter couldn't restrain herself as she looked at Ash, and she ran forward, while the small, orange rodent-like Pokemon that had been on her shoulder, rushed towards Pikachu.

"Ash!" Bonnie cried out, hugging him as her Dedenne greeted Pikachu with sparks emitting from his cheeks. He knew now why Pikachu's cheeks had sparked when they'd come out of the Pokemon Centre.

"Bonnie! It's good to see you. I was hoping we'd see you guys around here," Ash said, hugging her back, before Bonnie released him so he could shake Clemont's hand. "Have you been busy at your gym? Or with your inventions?"

"Both," Clemont said. "I've made a lot of modifications for Clembot since you left Kalos. And the gym is doing better than ever. You'll have to check it out!" He looked to Chloe and Goh. "You guys are welcome to come, too."

Goh and Chloe smiled awkwardly, and Ash quickly made the introductions. "Goh and Chloe, these are my friends Clemont and Bonnie from my journey here in Kalos. Clemont and Bonnie, these are Goh and Chloe from back in Kanto. Me and Goh are helping Professor Cerise at his lab in Vermillion City and Chloe, his daughter, helps us out sometimes, too."

"Whoa! That sounds so fun!" Bonnie exclaimed, looking at Goh and Chloe with shining eyes. "Can I come and help out at the lab when I'm a trainer?!"

"Uh...well I'm sure my dad would consider it," Chloe said, laughing nervously. "He certainly finds Ash and Goh helpful."

"We could use another person," Goh murmured. "Then when when Team Rocket gets in our way we can get rid of them faster!"

"Those guys still bother you?" Clemont asked, looking amused.

"Yeah," Ash said, shaking his head. "But we can usually deal with it." He grinned, pulling out his Rotom-phone and opening up his rankings page. "Have you guys checked out the World Coronation Series? I've been moving up the rankings a lot today!"

Bonnie's eyes widened as she looked at Ash's ranking. "Wow! You're higher than Korrina!"

Ash and Goh stared at her, frowning. "Korrina?" Goh asked. "The one with the Lucario?"

"The one and only!"

Ash spun around, grinning once more as he saw the Shalour Gym Leader approaching them, her long blonde hair sticking through her rollerblading helmet as usual. "Korrina! You're competing in the festival?"

"Of course!" she said, finally reaching the group and holding up her own Rotom-phone. "I've gone way up in the rankings already. And I've gotten way stronger since we last battled."

"We ran into Korrina when we were looking for you after you called us saying you were going to be in town," Clemont explained to Ash. "She's been telling me I should sign up for this Coronation Series thing for awhile."

"You should!" Ash said excitedly. "You'd probably get up into a really high ranking."

"It'd be awesome if we all got into the Master Class!" Korrina added, eyes shining as she stared out towards the stadiums where the battles were being held. "We'd all have a chance at battling Leon that way."

"So you're interested in battling Leon, too?" Chloe asked, looking surprised as her eyes darted around at all the newcomers.

"Oh yeah," Ash said, grinning sheepishly, "you weren't there at the last festival. This is Korrina, the Shalour City Gym Leader. Korrina, this is Chloe. She's here with us for a research mission we were doing before the festival. Professor Cerise is her dad."

"Nice to meet you," Korrina said happily, after a quick murmured greeting from Chloe. "And yeah, just like Ash, I want the chance to battle against the best. And Leon is the best there is right now." She stared off towards the stadiums again, looking thoughtful. "I've heard some people saying there's a competitor here that's moved up the rankings super quickly, though, and they think he might have what it takes to beat Leon."

Ash laughed, standing up straighter. "They're probably talking about me!"

Korrina grinned, but she shook her head. "I didn't finish. There's a rumour he has a rare Pokemon with him and that only a handful of people have ever beaten it."

Ash frowned, exchanging a knowing look with Goh and Chloe. Clemont noticed and seemed interested. "Have you guys heard of this trainer?" he asked.

"Well," Goh said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "we don't know anything about who it might be, but we had wondered if there might be a trainer here with...some particularly strong Pokemon."

They briefly explained the research mission Professor Cerise had sent them on, and the strange readings that had been discovered in the Wetlands and then nearby Lumiose City. Korrina seemed as pumped up as Ash about the idea that someone was potentially competing with legendary Pokemon, and Bonnie was hoping they were really cute. Clemont, though, seemed curious about Ash's dream, which he mentioned briefly towards the end of their story.

"I wonder why you would've dreamed without the presence of that Pokemon...unless there was something else there." He glanced towards Prism Tower, and Ash had the sense his old friend was thinking about using one of his inventions. Ash had always admired Clemont's inventions. After all, science was so amazing. But, he didn't feel like having something blow up in his face at the moment.

"I think it might've just been a weird dream. Probably had nothing to do with any Pokemon," he said, shrugging.

"Just too excited about seeing cool Pokemon, you're dreaming about them hiding from you, right Ash?" Korrina suggested, laughing it off. She looked eager now, clearly excited by the prospect of this strong trainer and the potential of a legendary Pokemon being used. "We need to get out there and do some battling!"

Ash grinned, holding up his fist confidently. "You bet! Time to rank up!"

---

Once Ash collected Goodra back from Nurse Joy, the group headed back to the stadiums where the festival was being held. Unfortunately for Ash and Korrina, who were each asking around for the mysterious super strong trainer or someone using a legendary Pokemon, there was no luck. In fact, when asking one trainer if they had heard of anyone using a legendary Pokemon, Ash was laughed at, and told he shouldn't be competing if he believed a silly rumour like that. He ended up defeating that trainer soundly with Pikachu, much to Bonnie's delight.

"I know I heard some people talking about it around here somewhere," Korrina murmured, once they were circling back to one of the battlefields furthest away from the Pokemon Centre. "Maybe it was just a rumour that they thought that strong trainer would be here."

"It certainly seems strange that nobody has mentioned it if they are here," Clemont said, looking around as though thinking he could spot the trainer they were hoping to come across.

"Maybe they're just waiting for the right opponent and haven't come out in the open yet," Chloe suggested, watching a screen distractedly, where a battle was being shown.

Ash nodded, thinking that made sense. "Well, if that's the case, we should be battling even more! That way we can show that we're a couple of the strongest trainers here!"

"Yeah! If you can get this trainer's attention and then battle them, maybe we can get some tips on where to catch some really rare Pokemon!" Goh said excitedly, looking around hopefully.

"I wonder if-"

Ash's voice was cut off abruptly as Korrina's Rotom-phone suddenly rang out. She blinked in surprise, before pulling it out and staring at it with narrowed eyes as it announced a challenger in the Coronation Series was nearby. She smiled, looking around, before her gaze rested on someone lurking in a shadowy entrance to the nearest stadium. All Ash could see was what looked like a red cape disappearing around the corner as the person went inside.

"Well, might as well accept," Korrina said, grinning as she looked at where the trainer had departed to. "Clearly they're in a rush to get battling. Hopefully this mystery trainer sees the battle!"

"Sounds like a plan!" Ash said, exchanging excited glances with his friends. "We'll be cheering you on!"

They followed Korrina into the stadium. It appeared this one was one of the larger ones, with only a single battlefield arranged, but more seats for spectators and more room for other trainers to congregate and arrange their own battles. It seemed the most recent battle had just finished and a crew was working to clean off the field, and the trainer that had challenged Korrina was already making his way across to his position. Ash and the others quickly wished Korrina luck as she moved forward, before heading to get their seats. Ash noticed a Rotom-drone moving down to the battlefield as the cleaning crew departed. As it did, it zoomed around the mysterious challenger, and for the first time, Ash got a good look at him. It seemed Pikachu had as well, because at the same instant, they both gasped.

"No way..."

Clemont, who had sat down next to Ash, glanced at him curiously. "Something wrong, Ash?"

Ash was silent a moment, and Clemont leaned forward, looking somewhat concerned. The others noticed, glancing over curiously as well. Finally, Ash answered as he looked down upon the trainer that he now recognized. The trainer who had ended his hopes of winning the Sinnoh League so long ago. The trainer who had possessed incredibly powerful Pokemon.

"It's him..."

"Him?" Bonnie asked. "What do you mean?"

Chloe seemed to understand, her eyes widening as she followed Ash's gaze to the trainer down below. "Wait...you think this is the trainer you were looking for? How do you know?"

"Because...I've battled him," Ash said, finally turning to the others. "His name is Tobias. He won the Sinnoh League back when I challenged it. He beat me in the semifinals."

Goh looked amazed. "You mean you've seen him use a legendary Pokemon in battle?"

Ash nodded, feeling his heart racing as he watched Korrina and Tobias ready themselves down below. "He used a Darkrai. It won every battle up until the semifinals and wiped out half my team. My Sceptile beat it, but then..." He gave a shaky laugh. "Then he sent out a Latios."

"What?!" Goh, Clemont and Bonnie all nearly shouted at once.

"He had a Darkrai...and then a Latios?!" Goh exclaimed, eyes darting between Ash and Tobias. "That's not even fair!"

"He was able to catch them," Ash pointed out. "And he was able to train them. He might even have more Pokemon like them. He's the kind of trainer you dream of battling and defeating." He was getting excited now, and his voice shook as he leaned forward. "I can't wait for a chance at a rematch!"

"It's Korrina's turn first, though," Clemont said. "I wonder how she'll do."

As Clemont finished speaking, they heard the announcer suddenly speak up, calling the names of the two trainers for thos who hadn't heard the Rotom-drone. "This will be a one on one battle and whoever wins this Super Class battle will take a nice jump up the rankings. Let's see who wins! Will it be Kalos' own...Korrina?! Or our mysterious visitor from Sinnoh...Tobias?!"

Korrina was the first to call out her Pokemon. Ash wasn't surprised at all to see Lucario emerge. Ash did notice Tobias looking on in interest. Clearly he seemed to have noticed Korrina at some point during the festival. Lucario wasn't a surprise to him, and he seemed eager to test himself against it based on his expression. Ash expected he wanted to see how he fared against Mega Evolution.

"A strong opponent deserves my faithful friend," Tobias announced, smiling as he pulled out his pokeball. "Darkrai, come on out!"

Ash heard gasps around the stadium as the shadowy form of Darkrai emerged from Tobias' pokeball. Korrina immediately looked back at Ash. He grinned, noticing the excitement in her eyes at the challenge in front of her. Battling against Darkrai wouldn't intimidate her or her Lucario.

"So this is what Professor Cerise was getting power readings for," Goh said, eyes wide as he stared at Darkrai. "And his other Pokemon were probably the other energy readings he was noticing."

"Do you think Korrina will be okay fighting against that...?" Chloe asked, sounding nervous. "No wonder people get nightmares from it..."

"Korrina can use Mega Evolution," Bonnie said happily. "She can handle it."

The tension was felt throughout the crowd as the Rotom-drone positioned itself between the two Pokemon and clarified the conditions. It would be a true test for the power of Mega Evolution. Could it handle a legendary Pokemon? Or, would Darkrai overwhelm Lucario as it had done to many of Ash's Pokemon back in the Sinnoh League.

"Let the battle begin!"

"Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Korrina shouted quickly, clearly hoping to keep Tobias and Darkrai on the defensive from the beginning. Ash couldn't blame her. He knew it would be very tough once Darkrai had her and Lucario in his control.

"Ruru!" the Aura Pokemon cried out, pulling his arms back and firing of the blue sphere. Unfortunately, Tobias and Darkrai were just as quick.

"Ice Beam, now!" Tobias ordered calmly, narrowing his eyes as the sphere rushed towards his Pokemon. Darkrai stayed where he was and raised an arm, just as calm as his trainer. An icy jet of energy rushed out and exploded against the Aura Sphere, causing smoke to billow high into the air. Tobias wasn't done, though. "Dark Void!"

Darkrai's body seemed to become even darker somehow as shadows surrounded him. Then, he raised an arm and a large, black sphere with a purple aura formed in front of him. He fired it forward with a grunt and Korrina and Lucario were unprepared for the speed of the attack. It struck the Aura Pokemon and immediately knocked him off its feet, sending him falling hard onto his back.

"What's Dark Void?" Bonnie asked, leaning forward, her eyes wide with fear for Korrina and Lucario.

"It puts the opposing Pokemon in a deep sleep," Clemont explained, his voice tense. "It's one of the ways Darkrai can cause some of those nasty nightmares its known for."

"It gets worse, though," Ash warned, knowing what was coming next based on his memories of his own battle with Tobias. And, sure enough, as Korrina called for Lucario to wake up, Tobias made his next order.

"A shame we never got to witness your Mega Evolution," he said confidently. "I suppose you weren't the challenge I thought you would be. Dream Eater!"

"No! Lucario, wake up!" Korrina cried, trying in vain once more to wake her sleeping Pokemon. Lucario remained immobile on the ground, however, and a moment later, Darkrai floated forward ominously and raised his arms as a shadowy, transparent copy of himself rushed towards the Aura Pokemon. It struck, and immediately, Lucario cried out as a dark aura surrounded him and Darkrai. One seemed to be in pain, however, while the other seemed to grow stronger.

"Not many Pokemon can withstand Darkrai's Dream Eater," Tobias informed Korrina as gasps carried through the crowd once more. "It is impressive that your Lucario is lasting even this long."

"Come on, Lucario..." Ash whispered, watching as Lucario writhed on the ground, his nightmares from the Dark Void and Dream Eater combo draining more and more of his energy.

"What can Korrina do?" Goh asked. "How can Lucario escape this?!"

But Korrina and Lucario, like Ash and his Pokemon, weren't ones to give in easily. There was an instinct to fight on in them, no matter the situation. "You can do this, Lucario!" Korrina called out. "Wake up!"

"RURU!"

The Aura Pokemon leaped high into the air as he escaped the hold Darkrai had on him, the Pitch-Black Pokemon staggering back in surprise. The sudden break from the nightmare seemed to have stunned both Tobias and Darkrai, giving Korrina the perfect opportunity to fight back. She didn't miss it, and the crowd gasped as she and Lucario moved into action immediately.

"Lucario, Bone Rush!"

"Ru ru!" Lucario cried out, bursting forward, the bone of light forming in his arms before he swung out and sent Darkrai crashing to the ground.

"Amazing!" the announcer yelled in response as gasps rang out through the arena. "It looked like Tobias and his incredible Darkrai were going to control this match, but Korrina and Lucario are fighting back."

"We've got one more trick!" Korrina shouted, raising her arm and touching her finger to the Mega Ring. "Lucario, Mega Evolve!"

"RURU!" Lucario roared, spreading his arms and embracing the energy surging within and around him as bright, blinding lights extended from his Lucarionite to Korrina's Key Stone. Ash could barely see, but finally, as the light dimmed and he heard Chloe's surprised murmur nearby, he saw Lucario in his much more intimidating Mega Evolved form.

"It's now a match of the legendary power of Darkrai against the surge of strength granted by Mega Evolution!" the announcer shouted. "This match just got very interesting, folks!"

"Well, it certainly has gotten interesting," Tobias said, looking curiously at Lucario as Darkrai floated upwards. "You even managed to fight back fairly well before Mega Evolving. Unfortunately, Darkrai remains too strong, I believe. But we'll see how you fare. Darkrai, Dark Pulse!"

"Lucario, Aura Sphere!"

Both Pokemon aimed quickly, before unleashing their powerful long range attacks. The swirling purple energy from Dark Pulse rocketed towards the massive blue sphere thrust forward by Lucario. They clashed in the centre of the battlefield and exploded loudly against each other. The crowd gasped, feeling the energy ripple outwards. Darkrai staggered back slightly, but Lucario stumbled, his Mega Evolution unable to give him enough balance to fully handle the explosive force from the two mighty attacks.

"Ice Beam, now!" Tobias shouted, ready to take advantage quickly.

"Metal Sound!" Korrina countered, clearly hoping Lucario could respond quickly enough.

"Ru?" Lucario looked surprised as Darkrai shot forward quickly. He managed to slam his arms together, the sound waves starting to ripple outwards, but Darkrai's Ice Beam easily overwhelmed them. The icy energy struck Lucario hard in the chest, knocking him hard on his back. Once again, he tried to quickly get to his feet, Korrina calling for another Metal Sound, but Tobias was in control.

"Dark Pulse, once more!"

Ash's eyes widened, somehow even further surprised by Darkrai's speed as he launched himself higher into the air, before unleashing the swirling, dark energy. It crashed through Lucario's second attempted Metal Sound, slowing only briefly as they met. Then, it struck Lucario and knocked him back, flipping through the air. He was breathing heavily as he quickly struggled to his feet.

"If he wasn't Mega Evolved this would be over already..." Clemont said, stunned. "You managed to beat this Darkrai, Ash?"

"My Pokemon had to wear it down quite a bit as a team," Ash admitted. "And Darkrai seems even stronger now."

"Power-up Punch!" Korrina shouted desperately, clearly with her and Lucario's last ditch effort.

Tobias merely laughed. "Dark Void."

"Ru!" Lucario ran at Darkrai as the Pitch-Black Pokemon descended. He pulled back his fist and lashed out with everything he had. "RU!"

Darkrai took the hit, and Ash could see that he felt it. But, his strength was on display, and there seemed to be a point to taking the hit. As he unleashed the black orb of Dark Void and it struck Lucario, putting him to sleep, Ash knew what it was.

Mega Evolution wasn't enough to stop Darkrai, or any of Tobias' legendary Pokemon.

"Finish with Dream Eater."

The crowd could only watch in stunned silence as the last of Lucario's energy was stripped away and his form reverted to normal. A moment later, the Rotom-drone zoomed forward and declared him unable to battle. As the crowd cheered and the announcer recapped the highlights of Darkrai's dominating performance, Ash looked to his friends.

"Well...I can see why Professor Cerise was getting such strong readings," Goh murmured.

"And that's not even the only Pokemon that was noticed," Chloe added, looking nervous, but also intrigued.

"Who could possibly beat this guy?" Clemont said, looking stunned.

Bonnie seemed completely unconcerned. "Ash can beat him, right Ash?!"

Ash blinked in surprise, turning to look at Bonnie. He felt a strange fogginess in the back of his mind. It was like he was trying to remember something, but couldn't quite place what it was. And he almost felt as though something was watching him but as he turned around, nothing was there. He shook his head a moment later, though, turning once again to Bonnie with a smile.

"Of course! I'm ready as soon as I get a chance!"

"Well...he's looking up here," Goh said, nudging Ash and pointing.

And sure enough, down on the battlefield, next to his Darkrai, Tobias stood. He must've just been speaking with Korrina, as she was just now walking away from him, but now his attention was directed elsewhere. He smiled as Ash's eyes met his.

"I've wanted a rematch with you for a long time," Ash whispered, even though Tobias couldn't hear him from this distance.

Tobias seemed to understand nonetheless, nodding before he turned away, heading off to prepare for his next battle. Their next battle.

"I'll need to prepare my Pokemon," Ash said, looking back to his friends. "I'll-"

Ja...

Ash turned around, feeling again as though something was watching him. He felt something familiar in the air. He was reminded of his dream. That sound...he knew it, didn't he? It was hard to understand, but it seemed almost like...

"Could it be...?"

Ash grinned. Perhaps he really did have a chance at beating the opponent that had once appeared so impossible to surpass.