Chapter 25 A Festival Reunion!
On the airplane, Ash grabs the cookie bag from Pikachu and says, "Pikachu, you should stop eating it, we're about to arrive."
Serena looks outside the window and says, "I can't believe we are back to Kalos. I mean, it sure has been a while since we travel around Kalos together."
"And we are landing at Shalour City. I still remember the time when I battled against Korrina for the third badge..." Ash says.
"You tried to mimic Tierno's dancing style, but you decided to go with your own style." Serena says. "But we are here for the battle festival, so you have to win it."
"You bet." Ash says.
After getting to the stadium, Ash is using Pikachu to battle a trainer with a Clawitzer.
"Clawitzer! Use Flash Cannon!" The trainer says, but Pikachu counters it with Thunderbolt. As the battle clashes, A trainer with a Lucario is watching how Ash is battling.
"Use Iron Tail!" Ash yells, and Pikachu dodges Clawitzer's Crabhammer to defeat the Pokemon.
"Clawitzer is unable to battle." Rotom drone says. "The winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
"This is our contestant Ash Ketchum's third constructive win! If he wins the next battle, he will be reaching the Great Class!" The announcer says as the picture shows Ash in rank 1022.
At the same time, Serena is outside capturing 4 Flabebe with Red, Orange, Blue, and Yellow flowers. She also notices Ash walking towards her and she smiles, "Look Ash, see what I've caught!"
Ash looks at the Flabebe and says, "Four different Flabebe...are you going to capture the white one as well?"
"But that is hard to find." Serena sighs. "What about you? How are your battles?"
"We only need one more win to reach the Great Class. And it is thanks to our Pokemon." Ash says as his Noivern, Gengar, and Riolu nod.
Just then, Riolu feels an aura emitting, and he starts to run. "Riolu!" Ash says, and Serena asks, "Where is he going?"
"I don't know." Ash says as they chase after Riolu, only to stop as they see a Lucario in front of them.
"A Lucario..." Serena says.
"And not any other Lucario..." Ash says.
"Hey! Ash! Serena!" They turn around to see Korrina skating up to them.
"Korrina! It's so great to see you again!" Serena greets the girl.
"Yeah, long time no see, Korrina." Ash says. "We sensed your Lucario's aura."
"And how have you been? Pikachu?" Korrina pets the Pokemon, as it squeals.
As the other Pokemon are confused, Serena says, "Everyone, this is Korrina, she is the Shalour City Gym Leader and she specializes in Fighting Type. Ash had a battle with her and it was awesome."
Noivern, Gengar, Riolu, Raboot, and Sylveon are in awe at the gym leader. And Korrina notices Ash's Riolu and says, "You have captured a Riolu as well?"
"Yeah, I hatched it from an egg." Ash says.
"I see, I hope you'll grow strong with Ash." Korrina says to Riolu, and he looks at Korrina's Lucario with his eyes filled with admiration.
"So are you going to take part in the Battle Festival as well?" Ash asks.
"Of course, but I'm not doing it as a gym leader, but as a World Coronation Series participant I am also aiming to beat Leon as well."
"So how is your rank?" Serena asks, and Korrina shows them her Rotom Phone, as she is ranked 1001. "I also need one battle to enter the Great Class."
"Then how about we battle?" Ash says with determination. "We'll see who gets to advance to the next class."
"I agree." Korrina says, and Ash turns to Riolu, "Riolu, watch Lucario's battle real closely, will you?"
Riolu nods, and Serena says, "Well, there is still some time, how about we try to find the White Flabebe first?"
Ash smiles, "Of course."
As they are walking, Korrina asks Serena, "So are you and Ash a couple?"
Serena sighs a little and says, "Well, he did confess a few months ago. So I guess so."
"That's great for you. I knew you can do it." Korrina says, "By the way, how are Clemont and Bonnie doing, are you going to find them after this is over?"
"I guess so." Serena says, "We might be able to stop by Lumiose City."
Then they also spot another Lucario, and they find Korrina's grandfather, the Mega Evolution Guru: Gurkinn.
"Grandpa? What are you doing here?" Korrina asks.
"Going my training." Gurkinn turns to Ash and Serena as he says, "Oh, and it's nice to see you two, Ash and Serena."
"It's nice to meet you as well." Ash and Serena say in unison.
"Let me guess, you are here for the Battle Festival, am I right?" Gurkinn asks.
"Yeah, and Korrina just promised me a battle, to see who gets to go into the Great Class." Ash says as Pikachu shows his determination as well."
"I see." Gurkinn laughs a little, and Korrina says, "Geez, but just so you know, Ash. I am not going to lose this time, I have become stronger as well after you defeated me in that Gym Battle."
"You bet." Ash says.
Now Ash and Korrina are at the stadium's Rock Field, as they are prepared for a two-on-two battle.
"Now we will commence this Normal Class battle on the Rock Field! It will be Ash Ketchum versus Korrina! And the crowd is going wild! After all, it's our very own Shalour City Gym Leader Korrina. As for Ash Ketchum, he is a trainer who came all the way here from Kanto."
"Let's do this." Ash says as he is now prepared, and Pikachu and Riolu are cheering at the stands.
Korrina says, "Hey! Riolu, cheer for my Lucario, will you?"
Ash says, "No way, Riolu is going to cheer for me."
"All right, both sides send out your first Pokemon at the same time!" Rotom Drone says.
Ash and Korrina throw their Pokeballs and reveal a Mienshao and Gengar.
Serena scans the Pokemon as it says, "Mienshao, the Martial Arts Pokémon. A Fighting type. Mienshao uses the fur on its arms to attack at speeds too fast for the human eye to see."
"So her Mienfoo evolved..." Serena says, remember how Hawlucha had a hard time against the Pokemon until Ash gives up the dancing style battling.
"Battle Start!" Rotom drone says.
"Let's get the first move! Acrobatics!" Korrina says. Mienshao uses the Flying Type move and hits Gengar, crashing it to a rock.
"So fast..." Ash mutters.
"Mienshao's blindingly fast Acrobatics attack left Gengar no time to dodge!" Announcer says.
"Gengar! Are you okay?" Ash asks, and Gengar nods.
"Use U-Turn!" Korrina says.
"Use Psychic!" Ash says. Gengar uses Psychic to lift up a boulder in an attempt to block the move, but Mienshao simply leaps over it and scores another hit, before switching out to Lucario.
"U-Turn...that move switches out Pokemon after using the attack." Serena mutters.
"That sure is a fine call." Gurkinn adds.
"Use Bone Rush!" Korrina says.
Lucario uses Bone Rush, which Gengar tries to dodge and counter with Shadow Ball, but Lucario either avoids or blocks all the Shadow Balls before attacking Gengar, easily taking it out of the fight, much to Ash's shock.
"That sure is super effective..." Serena mutters.
On the sidelines, Riolu's admiration towards Lucario only grows. The announcer says, "Gengar didn't stand a chance! Gym Leader Korrina doesn't disappoint the crowd!"
"But that sure is so quick, Ash and Gengar didn't have time to strike back..." Serena adds.
"That's their strength. Ever since the time you helped them, Korrina and her Pokemon are now as one." Gurkinn says.
"But Ash is going to win, I'm sure." Serena says with determination.
As Ash recalls Gengar, Korrina recalls Lucario and sends Mienshao back out, Ash says, "Noivern! I choose you!"
After the Dragon Type Pokemon appears, Korrina says, "Noivern, huh? I had seen him during the Kalos League, but I wonder how will he go..."
"Noivern! Dragon Claw!" Ash yells. "Mienshao! High Jump Kick!" Korrina says.
The matchup begins with a clash of High Jump Kick and Dragon Claw, which seem evenly matched.
"Use Double Slap!" Korrina
This strategy not only does its intended job of increasing Noivern's Attack power and Speed, but also uses Mienshao's Double Slap to make Noivern spin faster and thus repel Mienshao.
"How is that, Korrina?" Ash says.
"We're not done yet! Use High Jump Kick!" Korrina says.
"Use Acrobatics!" Ash yells, and Noivern strikes first to take out Mienshao as it slams into a rock.
"The effects of the Dragon Dance are clear as day!" Announcer says, and Mienshao is seemingly knocked out.
"Great job! Noivern!" Ash cheers for his Kalos Pokemon, who roars in affection to Ash.
"That's one win for Ash! And the key to his victory was Dragon Dance! What will Korrina do?"
"You're up, Lucario!" Korrina says as she sends out her final Pokemon. "Battling you really gets me fired up."
"Same here." Ash says. "I think it's time you show us what Lucario can really do."
Serena says, "Here it comes..."
Korrina says, "All right...here we go!" She starts to strike poses before touching her Key Stone, the light surrounds Lucario as it starts to Mega Evolve. After the glowing is done, Lucario has now become a Mega Lucario.
"Mega Lucario..." Serena gasps.
"Mega Evolution is a phenomenon first discovered in Kalos, which brings out a Pokémon's hidden strength through the Pokémon's bond with a Trainer. Now Ash is in trouble." Gurkinn says.
"Don't worry, Noivern, back in the Kalos League, we have defeated a lot of trainers and their Mega Evolutions. Just do what you always do."
Noivern nods, and Ash says, "Now use Dragon Dance again!"
Noivern starts to charge up once more, and Korrina says, "Playing careful, huh? That's not like you. Use Aura Sphere!"
Noivern flies up with its increased speed in an attempt to avoid the incoming attack, but the Aura Sphere still heads straight towards it upon being fired.
"Use Boomburst!" Ash yells, but the counterattack attempt comes in too late, and the Aura Sphere hits its mark.
"Let's finish it! Power-Up Punch!" Korrina yells.
Lucario follows the assault by jumping up and pummeling Noivern with a series of Power-Up Punches mid-air, eventually sending it crashing down to the rocky battlefield. Despite all the damage it has taken, Noivern is still able to stand up.
"Mega evolution really is strong. Now what should we do..." Ash is thinking, but then he has a plan. "Use Hurricane!"
Noivern nods as it starts to surround Mega Lucario in powerful winds that send small pieces of rock at it.
"Is that even possible?" Korrina mutters. "We won't give up! Use Aura Sphere!"
Korrina fights back by having Lucario launch two simultaneous Aura Spheres in opposite directions, dispersing the Hurricane.
"Power-Up Punch!" "Dragon Claw!"
Both sides then launch their final attacks, Lucario with Power-Up Punch and Noivern with Dragon Claw. Both attacks connect, and both Pokémon fall, only to shakily stand back up.
After a few tense moments, Lucario falls down and reverts to normal, Drone Rotom says, "Lucario is unable to battle! Which means Ash Ketchum is the winner!"
"It was a fierce match! But the winners are Ash Ketchum and his Noivern!" The announcer says, "Korrina and her Lucario also fought admirably!"
Ash smiles and says, "We won!" He rushes to hug Noivern, and he says, "That's incredible! Noivern!"
Noivern carefully bites his head to show his affection, and Ash says, "Wait, wait, wait..." But it is too late as they fall down to the ground.
"As the result of victory, he is now moving up to the Great Class! His ranking is now 921!" The announcer says.
"We're in the Super Class!" Ash cheers.
Korrina comforts Lucario and says, "Don't worry, you did well, Lucario."
Riolu also comes up and he is still full of admiration towards Lucario, which Korrina and Lucario are glad to see.
After getting outside, Gurkinn says, "Congratulations on moving up to a class, Ash."
"Thank you." Ash says.
"We're not done yet, right, Lucario?" Korrina asks.
Serena also gives Ash a hug and says, "You did it, Ash. I am so proud of you."
"Thanks, and Noivern did a good job as well." Ash says.
Just then, a white flower Flabebe rushes past them, and Ash says, "That's a White Flower Flabebe!"
"Let's go after it! See you guys!" Serena says as she and Ash rush off to chase the Flabebe.
Here is a new chapter, I know a lot of you want me to write a chapter for Clemont and Bonnie to reunite with Ash and Serena, but it will come eventually, right now I want to write the battle of Korrina. I decide to let Noivern battle instead of Dragonite, I mean, they are both Dragon and Flying Type, and they have similar movesets. I hope you like this chapter.