When Quilava started glowing in the ice crystal, I almost panicked. The pearl tassels on my scarf flounced as Piplup and I hopped around in excitement. This was the same glow that Kenny's Sunkern had before she evolved into a magnificent Sunflora. Was Quilava about to evolve?

White turned to scarlet and golden flames. Flame Wheel looks a little different from this perspective.

Riley regained his composure fast. "Corviknight, break through their defenses with Drill Peck!"

Corviknight streamlined her wings and spiraled like a drill. What once was a beautiful casing became a burdensome prison preventing Quilava from dodging. But all the energy from Corviknight's swift flight and powerful attack had melted the ice just enough for her to get stuck.

"Mamoswine, use Ice Fang to grab Corviknight!"

"Lucario, strike true with Bullet Punch!"

Corviknight cried out when Mamoswine's jaws crunched her right wing, ice brittle on steel. The moment of glory did not last long. Hearing the crack from Bullet Punch's impact jolted me sharper than a crack of lightning. Mamoswine fell over.

Aaron raised a hand to make the call. "Mamoswine is unable to battle!"

I returned Mamoswine to his Poké Ball. "You were wondrous out there, Mamoswine. Take a good rest."

At that moment, Corviknight broke through the ice casing. Quilava's flames burned her, and she screeched as she struggled to fly away. Quilava lunged after her.

"Lucario, protect your partner with Bone Rush!"

A bone materialized in Lucario's paws, elongating to the size of a staff. He swung it in an upward arc to catch Quilava just as the fire type reached the flying Pokémon.

The double collision sent Quilava and Corviknight flying in opposite directions. While Corviknight recovered, Lucario rushed at Quilava.

"Quilava—Protect!"

"Lucario, Feint!"

Feint broke through Quilava's protective barrier. Corviknight joined the fray, and both steel types took turns darting in and out to whittle down my remaining Pokémon. Quilava was fast, but he began to tire from battling two opponents on his own.

Aaron raised a hand to stop the battle. "This isn't fair. It's two-on-one, and Riley is on par with many of Sinnoh's strongest trainers. Dawn—"

"We're not giving up," I said through gritted teeth. "Quilava and I have battled plenty of powerful trainers. When the opponent is gigantic, we jump; when his might threatens to quash, we hit faster and harder. We're not giving up."

Quilava looked back at me, his eyes wide. I nodded. He shone with radiant light and grew, his own might a power to behold.

Typhlosion loomed bigger than Lucario, almost the same height as Corviknight's altitude. His flames spiked majestically as he roared. A pattern of magma formed down his back, reminding me of a volcano prepared to...

"Typhlosion, use Eruption!"

Typhlosion's bellow resonated with the fiery stones launched at Riley's Pokémon. It didn't matter that it was two-on-one; it wouldn't matter how many foes Typhlosion faced. Eruption would hit them all.

Corviknight squawked as she spiraled into a rapid descent. Riley caught her, his sweeping cape putting out the flames. "You battled valiantly, Corviknight. Rest well."

Aaron exclaimed, "Cor—Corviknight is unable to battle! Hey, man, at least let me call it. I'm the referee!"

Riley removed his hat. "My apologies, Aaron." Looking directly at me, he continued, "Dawn, I am honored that your Pokémon evolved during this battle. It is evident that you're giving it your all. To honor your Typhlosion, I would like to mega evolve my Lucario for the remainder of the battle."

I grinned at him. "Don't hold back, Riley."

Riley put on his hat and kissed the mega ring on his middle finger. Lucario's appendages elongated, resembling a cape. I could imagine Riley and Mega Lucario as vigilante partners defending Iron Island and Canalave City.

"Lucario, my partner, use Aura Sphere!"

"Typhlosion, blow them away with Eruption again!"

Mega Lucario dodged Eruption this time, his appendages billowing as his own attack struck true. Typhlosion panted. I narrowed my eyes. The wearier a Pokémon, the less powerful Eruption became.

Riley caught on, too. "Lucario, get close and use Bone Rush!"

Oh, he knew. Close combat was not Typhlosion's specialty; meanwhile, Lucario was adept at all kinds of fighting—ranged, close combat, melee.

"Surround yourself in fire, Typhlosion!"

The fire came more from Typhlosion's breath than his back. I beamed. Evolution opens up so many possibilities! "Typhlosion, use Flamethrower!"

At such close range, Lucario had no time to dodge. Fire washed over him until he reverted back to his original form and fainted.

Aaron rushed to make the call. "Lucario is unable to battle! Dawn and Typhlosion are the victors!"

Riley supported his Lucario, who slung an arm over his trainer's shoulders to get up. I shook his hand in good sportsmanship, and he smiled. "That was a wonderful battle, Dawn. I'm happy for your Typhlosion."

Aaron grabbed me in a hug, lifting me off my feet. "I'm so happy, too! Congrats!"

I ruffled the older trainer's light green hair, flicking the leaf-shaped strand good-naturedly. "Thanks, guys."

Riley gestured with his chin. "I know a kind soul who will heal our Pokémon before we leave Iron Island."

Aaron and I began to follow Riley back down the mine when Aaron said, "Wait—you said 'before we leave Iron Island'."

"Yes." Riley glanced back. "I understand the predicament your friend is in. I do not believe I am the right opponent for him," he raised a placating hand before Aaron could protest, "but I would like to show my support. And in the event that there is no suitable opponent, then I would be honored to battle the two of you."

Aaron blinked. "Thank you."

"And although I can't speak for her, I believe my friend would also like to accompany us back to Hearthome City."

I looked up at Riley. "Who is this friend of yours?"

"Here she is."

A beautiful young woman with leaf-green hair in a thick braid reaching the back of her knees greeted us at the edge of the mine. Her long green skirt swished with her movement and the sea breeze outside, while her brown hiking boots were scuffed from maneuvering around the rough terrain. Her Chansey tended to a bruised Geodude. I didn't think rock types could get bruises.

The healer smiled softly at me. "Hullo, Dawn."

"Hi, Cheryl."

Aaron shook his head with a smile. "It's like everyone knows everyone here, you'd think Sinnoh's a small town instead of a vast region."

While Chansey emanated a soothing Heal Pulse, we briefed Cheryl on the situation. Unsurprisingly, she insisted on joining us. "I may not be a strong battler like Ash or Riley, but a healer comes in handy. And I've heard of all the treasures hidden away in Amity Square. If Nerissa would let me in—"

I stuck my tongue out. I did not like the lady in charge of Amity Square. "Nerissa's mean. She has a super strict list of what she calls cute Pokémon. She likes Happiny, but not Chansey."

Cheryl's eyes widened. "I've heard nasty things about that lady. It seems like they're true."

"That's not our concern right now," Riley said. "One thing at a time. We must make haste to the Hearthome Gym."

Aaron froze. "Has Lucario sensed something? Is Ace okay?"

"We should hurry."

Riley rode on Corviknight, while Aaron kept Noivern. Since Cheryl wasn't experienced with flying, I let her ride Togekiss, whose flight was more gentle. Talonflame's flying was strongest, so I led our formation. We flew over the seas at breakneck speed. I lifted my arms and sat up, relishing the wind blowing through me.