Chapter 29 The Aura Storm!
"Lucario! Mega Evolve!" Korrina yells as she presses her Key Stone on her hand, and Lucario growls and then starts to transform.
Once the transformation is done, Korrina cheers, "Lucario, we did it, we did it!" She runs to her partner and hugs him.
"So that is a Mega Lucario..." Zoey says in awe.
"Yeah. It looks awesome no matter how many times you look." Ash says as Pikachu and Sylveon nod in agreement.
"Allow me to present something that'll be used this moment." Says Clemont, who steadies his glasses.
"Oh no..." Golly mutters.
"The future is now thanks to science! CLEMONTIC GEAR on!" Clemont then presents some sort of meter with a cable attached to a self-made transmitter.
"I called it the Pokémon Power Meter." He says.
"Pokémon Power Meter?" Serena wonders.
"I swear if this machine breaks again..." Mark mutters.
"At least this one's straight to the point." Says Bonnie, who is relieved somehow.
"Anyway, this device can measure a Pokémon's power level, therefore we can tell how powerful Mega Lucario is now." Says Clemont.
"I will need a demonstration though for the meter to catch." Says Clemont.
Korrina then notices a lone boulder sitting in the meadow, she says, "Power Up Punch!"
Lucario then punches through the boulder and it turns into pieces, its waves also shoot through the others, and Clemont's machine's meter goes high as it gets off the charts.
"Wow, Lucario's power is incredible." Bonnie says as she sees the meter rise to the highest point.
"I know right? With Mega Evolution on our side, Lucario and I can plow through anything." Korrina says.
"Hey, Korrina, you don't mind if I have a battle with you?" Ash asks.
"Sure." Korrina says as they walk towards the sidelines.
"So Ash is going to try it first..." Gurkinn says to Aurora.
"I know." Aurora smiles. "Let's see how it goes."
"Alright Pikachu, let's start with Iron Tail." Pikachu then charges in with a tail made out of steel.
"Meet on with Bone Rush." Lucario then unleashes a powerful Bone staff, and it clashes with Pikachu's Iron Tail. Both struggle to overpower the other until Lucario loses his grip on his Bone, and the Iron Tail sends it hurtling towards the mountain, which then caused a big explosion as soon as it impacts.
"Unbelievable..." Clemont says, "The meter is doubled..."
"It's ok Lucario, it'll take time to get used to your new power." Korrina encourages her partner as he stands back up.
"Now Pikachu, use Electro Ball." Pikachu then charges a ball of electricity from its tail and fires.
"Dodge and use Power-Up Punch." The new power increases Lucario's speed and Lucario can easily dodge it and he manages to get in close and strike Pikachu, sending him back.
"Awesome, let's keep up the pressure." Korrina says as she looks at her partner, who is slouching all of a sudden.
"Lucario?"Korrina asks as suddenly Lucario becomes bloodthirsty and then doing punches on Pikachu, who is trying to dodge.
"Stop it Lucario!" Korrina yells, but instead of listening, he charges at Pikachu, who is struggling to get up.
Mark says, "This is bad... Lucario can't control his power..."
"Oh no..." Golly says.
Lucario is about to attack again, but this time, Ash decides to stand in front of his fallen partner and catches the fist.
"Ash!" Everyone is worried about his actions and Ash says, "I won't let you hurt my partner." He then slams him down to the ground, making him faint.
"Lucario!" Korrina says in worried. Ash says, "Korrina, take him to the Pokemon center now."
Korrina nods as she takes him away, Zoey asks, "How did Ash manage to do that?"
Serena says, "Well, it is his secret."
As Ash and his friends are now inside the Pokemon Center, Pikachu is healed and gets back to Ash's shoulder.
"How's Lucario, Nurse Joy?" Korrina asks.
"Lucario is still resting up, while he did take some damage, that's not the reason why he blacked out." She says. Korrina then inches closer she continued to explain.
"The reason was out of exhaustion, the energy burned too much and his body was simply too tired to continue." She says.
"But how..." Korrina asks.
Aurora says, "It lost control of his aura. Right? Dad?"
Gurkinn says, "Yes. There are times where at first a Pokémon may get manipulated by their own powers after the mega evolution. Which is why I have been researching it."
Korrina nods as Ash says, "Since we can't do anything to Lucario, why not come and watch the contest?"
"That is a good idea, maybe watching the contest will help you feel better." East says.
"I hope." Korrina says as they head towards the Contest Hall.
When they arrive there, Ash asks, "So Zoey, aren't you going to participate in this one?"
Zoey says, "I'll just watch since I need to relax for a while. Besides, I am here to see Aurora's amazing skills."
"I see." Ash says. As he goes registering, he hears someone calling him.
"Ash!" They notice Eve waving at them.
"Hey Eve!" Golly says as they high-five each other. "You're here?"
"Well, I can't miss this contest, duh." Eve says with a smile. "How are you doing?"
Ash says, "Great. Oh, guys, this is Eve, she is our cousin."
After the introduction, Clemont asks, "Ash, how many cousins do you have? Since we have met quite a lot of them."
Korrina says, "We have quite a lot because of Aunt Aurora. After all, the Ketchums is the most influential family in this Kalos Region."
Serena says, "I can tell since Champion Diantha is your aunt as well."
Ash says, "So Eve, if you're participating, then it makes us rivals."
"You bet." Eve says. "Let's not hold back, shall we?"
"Sure." Ash says as they bid farewell to others so they can get to the changing rooms.
At the stage, Lillian says, "Welcome everyone to the Geosenge Contest, today is special since we have our founder of the Contests, the Legendary Coordinator Aurora to give out an exhibition show!"
Everyone cheers as Aurora come to the stage. Aurora waves to the crowd and then take out two Pokeballs. "Let's do it! Charizard, Togekiss!"
Aurora tosses two Pokemon with stars and fire in the background.
"Now, Flamethrower to create a star for Togekiss to Spin around!" Aurora says as Charizard does it, Togekiss spins into the fire and then uses Dazzling Gleam.
At the stands, Serena says, "Wow...Ms. Ketchum is amazing..."
Zoey says, "Right? Aurora's performances are original and highly advanced. I tried to use that trick but I couldn't make it."
Golly says, "Yeah, since Mom usually practices a lot."
In the waiting rooms, Ash and Eve have dressed up as they watch the scene. "I can't believe that My mom would hide this from me." Ash says.
"She has some reasons." Eve says as she looks around. "And I guess that Team Rocket isn't here."
Ash turns around and doesn't see Jessie, he says, "I guess that Mom has sent them blast off really hard."
Aurora says, "Time for the ending! Focus Blast with Dragon Claw!"
Charizard slashes through the ball Togekiss made and it becomes fireworks.
"And that is it for Aurora's performance! A perfect way to start this contest!" Lillian says as everyone cheers, and the three judges also give good comments about the performance.
After a series of Coordinators, Lillian says, "And next, we have Ash Ketchum! Being Aurora's first son, let's see how he would go!"
Ash rushes to the stage with two Pokeballs in his hands. "Alright, Noctowl! Skarmory! I choose you!"
As the two Pokeballs open, two birds fly out of it gracefully, much to everyone's awe.
The two birds then start to fly around and do what Ash says. Use the Psychic to split Flash Cannon!"
Noctowl uses the move as the Flash Cannon starts to spin around and creates a big loop. "Spin around the loop and use Agility!"
The two birds nod as they spin around, they are also careful not to clash with each other and it creates a giant circle.
East says, "No way! That is the legendary move, Silver Infinity!"
"What? The move that only Aurora manages to perfect?" Clemont asks.
Once Ash's finished, Lillian says, "An astounding performance! Now let's hear what the judge has to say."
Contesta says, "Ash Ketchum here has broken the record of being the second one who perfects this wonderful move."
"I like it a lot." Suzukio says.
"Infinity Loop needs some hard work and the bond of both Pokemon and trainers, Ash has done a great job." Nurse Joy says.
Ash is happy as he hugs the two birds, then they all get back to the waiting room.
"That is nice work, Ash." Aurora says. "You perfect the move."
"I know, mother." Ash smiles.
Eve sends out Umbreon and Weavile, they did the Night Moon Dance as it also gets a lot of praise. Golly says, "Eve is doing well, too."
Bonnie says, "They are great."
As the results come, Ash and Eve all advance to the top 8. Ash smiles at Eve, "Looks like the higher chance we will be facing each other."
"I know." Eve says, "Let's give it all we got."
After a few rounds, Ash and Eve all advance and eventually face each other in the finals.
Zoey says, "So Ash and his cousin are facing each other, huh?"
Korrina says, "Yeah...I don't know who to cheer since they are even."
Gurkinn says, "You can cheer them both since they did a good job."
Ash is using Steelix and Donphan while Eve is using Sharpedo and Crawdaunt, leaving Ash at a disadvantage.
"We won't give up until it is over! Let's do the Sandstorm Phantom!" Ash says.
"Sandstorm Phantom?" Eve gasps as the field starts to become Sandstorm and traps both of her Pokemon. "Damn it...I didn't let them learn Rain Dance..."
Then they see both her Water Pokemon are being attacked swiftly. Lillian says, "What a combination! The two Ground Type Pokemon are moving just like phantoms in the Sandstorm!"
Eve says, "I know! Crawdaunt! Spin and Hydro Pump! Sharpedo! Surf!"
The two Water Pokemon manage to create a storm and the sandstorm is gone, Ash smiles, "Donphan! Now Rock Climb and Steelix, Dig!"
The two Pokemon then hit the opponents, causing them to faint.
"It is decided, the victory of Geosenge Contest is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
"Ash won!" Serena cheers.
"Eve is doing a good job, too." Gurkinn says.
"Yeah..." Korrina says in awe.
Eve recalls her Pokemon and says, "Ash, the last move sure caught me off guard."
"I know." Ash laughs.
After Ash gets his ribbon, they head back to the Pokemon Center to see Lucario. Zoey has bid them farewell as she got what she wanted to see, while Eve also stays with them for a while since she wants to see Korrina's Lucario.
Once Lucario is fully recovered, McGinty made the mega stone into a wrist band and gives it to Lucario to wear.
Gurkinn says, "Korrina, Lucario. This time I'll need you to challenge me." This causes shock to everyone as Eve says, "Grandpa? You're going to battle?"
Korrina nods and says, "Okay."
Before beginning to battle, both trainers Mega Evolve their Lucarios.
"Power Up Punch!" Korrina yells as Lucario charges forward.
"Block it." Gurkinn says as he blocks the move with its aura.
"Bone Rush!" Both Lucario clash with the attack as they won't back down. But Gurkinn says, "Aura Sphere!"
Korrina's Lucario is unable to deflect as it is sent back. When Korrina's Lucario gets back to its feet, it once again has its dangerous look.
"Power up with Swords Dance!" Korrina says, but Lucario neglects to obey instead and heads for a Power-Up Punch, which Gurkinn's Lucario dodges with its superior Aura.
"Not again..." Golly says.
"She still can't control it..." Aurora says.
Lucario continues to disobey Korrina's orders and is knocked out by another Aura Sphere, forcing it to return to normal.
"Lucario are you ok?" Korrina rushes to her partner's aid. Lucario nods but is also saddened that he loses control.
Korrina sighs, she hopes that the first time is only a fluke, but now she realizes that this is more serious.
"Grandfather...what is happening." Korrina asks.
"It's now very clear that you both act differently. That Lucario is acting on its own." Says Gurkinn. "It's clear that the both of you while focusing on the same goal. You're individuals in your actions, and not doing this as one."
"But no matter what we face. Lucario and I can overcome it with strength." Says Korrina, leaving a dissatisfied Gurkinn in her wake. "No." he says.
"Huh?" Korrina asks.
"I SAID NO!" Gurkinn shouts, surprising everyone at his outburst.
"YOU STILL TREAT THIS LIKE A THRILL! AND IF YOU THINK THIS IS THE WAY TO WIELD LUCARIO'S POWER?! THEN YOU'RE SADLY MISTAKEN!" Gurkinn says.
"Grandpa is really angry..." East says.
"It has been a while since I heard his outburst..." Aurora says.
"No choice, you're going on another training journey..now." He demands. Korrina is still shocked, she asks, "But, where would I go?"
"There's a trainer who lives on Pomace Mountain, she's been wielding Mega Evolution for as long as I am, if anyone can help you controlling Lucario's Aura, it'll be her." says Gurkinn.
"Ok, we'll go there." says Korrina, respecting her Grandfather's wishes.
Gurkinn says, "Ash, I want you guys to help her as well. Is that fine?"
Ash says, "Not at all, Grandpa. We will help."
Gurkinn nods as they are heading towards their new destination.
Here is a new chapter. Now Ash has three ribbons and he'll need two more to get to the grand festival. And Eve will also be Ash's rival of contests. The next chapter will be in Pomace Mountain Mega Evolution Training.