I took a deep breath to keep myself from bursting into hysterical giggles like Piplup or steaming like Aaron. A light green lock of hair that stuck up like a leaf curled up and stretched out like an angry person lifting weights. "Gone fishing? Gone fishing? Byron doesn't even fish!"

The GONE FISHING sign on the Canalave Gym door mocked us. I patted Aaron's shoulder. "Cheer up, Aaron. There's no need to worry! We know Byron likes to train on Iron Island, right? So let's look for him there."

Aaron nodded. We boarded a ferry to Iron Island. The sight of the drawbridge raising to allow the boat passage never ceased to amaze me.

I leaned forward on the deck. The sea breeze tickled my bare arms and neck as my long hair blew back. I hadn't felt this light in so long.

"Everyone, come on out!" I sent out my team to enjoy the boat ride. Buneary acted like a little lady, perched on the railing. Piplup and Ambipom hopped around each other; it hadn't been long since they reunited when the ping pong master Mr. O returned Ambipom to me so the talented Pokémon could compete in the Wallace Cup. Togekiss flew to the skies with a joyful cry, while Mamoswine pawed the dock. Slightly fearful of the water around us, Quilava huddled near me, his flames receded. I picked him up and held him close so we could both enjoy the view.

Aaron called out his Pokémon, including the ones we borrowed from Ash to fly on. Talonflame and Noivern joined Togekiss in the air. Meanwhile, Heracross latched onto a patch of honey left on the railing. Aaron ran toward his Pokémon and cried out, "Ah, no, Heracross—don't do that!"

Quilava and I looked at each other and giggled.

Soon, we arrived at Iron Island. Aaron and I returned most of the Pokémon to their Pokéballs, though Piplup stayed at my shoulder, and Heracross buzzed around to let off some of the sugar. We hiked up the steep cliff and explored the mine where strong trainers trained among the wild Steelix and Mawile. There was still no sign of Byron. Instead, a young man shouted, "Lucario, use Bullet Punch!"

"Dawn, look out!" Aaron exclaimed. Above us, rocks tumbled down, threatening to crush us. Lucario pummeled the rocks, smashing them to smithereens.

"Piplup, Whirlpool!"

Aaron had a Poké Ball in his hand. "Noivern, help out with Whirlwind!"

The Pokémon's coordination was excellent. Whirlwind amplified Whirlpool; together, no small rock touched us.

A stranger jogged over to us. For an instant, he seemed to be dressed in Medieval knight gear, an unfamiliar gold insignia on his hat. Then the moment passed, and I recognized Lucario's trainer. "Riley!"

"Hello, Dawn. Are you and Aaron okay?"

"Thanks to your help—and Lucario's. Your Pokémon is so strong and fast!"

Riley took off his hat and nodded his thanks. Lucario mirrored the gesture, bringing one paw next to the spike on his chest. "Your praise humbles us."

On second thought, time-distorted Riley shouldn't have been a stranger. Even in a more modern outfit, he resembled a knight. A dark blue cape flowed behind him, and a mega ring gleamed on his right middle finger over his dark leather glove.

I bubbled with excitement. "I want to show you how much my Pokémon have grown, too."

Riley's eyebrows lifted. Aaron grabbed my shoulder. "Wait, Dawn, you're friends with Riley?"

"Of course. I met him while traveling with Ash and Brock. It's been forever—I should have said hi sooner."

Riley smiled. "Or perhaps we were meant to meet like this. I am honored to accept your challenge."

Riley and Lucario showed us to a hidden passage that led up to the top of the mine. Noivern circled around us, riding the winds with ecstatic cries. Riley held out a hand. "You may decide the format of the battle, Dawn."

Not long ago, Kenny had battled Gardenia one-on-one. I wanted to step up my game. "Let's make it a double battle."

Aaron walked toward the middle. "I'll be the referee. As the challenger requests, this will be a double battle between Dawn, Top Coordinator, and Riley, candidate to succeed Byron as the next Gym Leader of Canalave City. The battle will end when—"

"Wait, what?" I exclaimed. "Riley is Byron's successor?"

Riley smiled politely. "Only a candidate."

"Long overdue," Aaron replied. "He would have become a Gym Leader sooner, but he deferred the position to Roark. But Riley is as strong as any other Gym Leader."

Aaron and I exchanged a look. If we couldn't find Byron, then we could ask Riley to battle Ace.

Aaron continued, "The battle will end when both Pokémon on either side faint. Ready?"

Riley and I nodded.

"Battle—begin!"

This was a combination I hadn't used in a while. "Mamoswine and Quilava, spotlight!"

"Lucario and Corviknight, to the battlefield!"

Lucario was a familiar Pokémon, but I'd never seen the other one. It vaguely resembled Staraptor, if Staraptor wore knight armor. I scanned it on my Pokédex.

"Corviknight. The Raven Pokémon. Flying and steel type. This Pokémon reigns supreme in the skies of a faraway region. The black luster of its steel body is known to drive terror into the heart of its foes."

I put away my Pokédex and planted my hands on my hips. "Quilava and Mamoswine aren't scared."

If my Pokémon chose this moment to shudder... Riley held out his hand. "You may have the first move, Dawn."

"Ooh, you're gonna regret playing the gentleman." I planted my block heel on a low rock. "Mamoswine, use Earthquake! Quilava, Protect!"

Earthquake wouldn't affect Corviknight, which was smart thinking on Riley's part to provide a buffer against any challenger who thought they could sweep with a ground type. But it would still hit Lucario hard.

Riley maintained his composure. "Corviknight, set up Iron Defense; Lucario, dodge and use Feint!"

Lucario leaped on the rocks, running faster than Mamoswine's Earthquake could keep up. When he reached Quilava, he kicked one of the tall rocks to break it apart, using the pieces to conceal himself.

Quilava's eyes darted around, trying to find his opponent. Lucario appeared at his blind spot and delivered a sharp jab that sent my Pokémon skidding several feet.

"My turn now," Riley declared. "My Pokémon, target Mamoswine—Lucario with Aura Sphere, Corviknight with Body Press!"

"Mamoswine, dodge it!"

Lucario's Aura Sphere – a glowing turquoise orb of energy – swerved to follow Mamoswine. The Aura Pokémon must have communicated silently with Corviknight, because the Raven Pokémon adjusted her own course.

I winced at the impact. "Mamoswine, are you alright?!"

Aaron raised a hand and jogged over to check. "Mamoswine can keep battling!"

"Awesomesauce." Now for a combination I hadn't done in forever. "Mamoswine, use Ice Shard on Quilava!"

Both young men gawked, bewildered. Riley's Pokémon exchanged a glance.

When I'd first coordinated this, Cyndaquil was small enough that he would start with Flame Wheel, but now that he'd evolved, his Flame Wheel might be too strong to lead with. Encased in ice, Quilava was ready to attack—but instead of fire, he glowed with radiant white light.