PWT Arc: An External Challenge
"Are you disappointed?" Mari asked when the two were back in their room.
"Not at all..." Jacky replied, lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling. "Chris was just too strong. I have to live with that. Mari, no matter what, you have to keep fighting. You can't let yourself get distracted now that you've landed in the semifinals."
Mari nodded and held out a donut to Jacky. She accepted it gratefully and bit into it.
"Now there's more and more chance that I'll have to face Chris," Mari muttered. "Potentially, I have three Pokémon that have an advantage against his beast of a Pokémon, but with Chris, it hardly matters. That guy is a menace.",
"Well... you're going to have to figure something out.",
"You don't say. Hey, I'm going down to the bulletin board. You coming?" Jacky nodded and left the room with her. On the way, Jacky brought up another subject. "Medicham is back on its feet, by the way... I was over at the Pokémon Center briefly while the last battles came to their conclusions, and the nurse confirmed that it's strong enough to fight again... I wish I'd known that sooner." She sighed. "Anyway...",
"I'm glad Medicham has recovered", Mari said honestly.
"To be honest... I don't think having it by my side to fight would have changed much..." Jacky opined openly.
They reached the entrance hall. Chris was still first place according to ratings. Laslow had also maintained his position, followed by Soleil, and Mari shared fourth place with Kattlea. "Mh... fourth place. Doesn't bother me."
The sound of skaters on laminate was audible as Corrina joined the two. "Hi! I knew I'd find you down here. I've just been waiting.",
"Hey." The two smiled at her.
"Those battles today were intense! I really had goosebumps." She smiled at Jacky, "Don't feel bad about losing. It wasn't you or your Pokémon. You didn't do anything wrong.",
"Thank you." Jacky gave her a thin smile. "Listen, you were going to tell us something... about this." She pointed to her glove.
"I know, that's why I'm here." Corrina smiled. "I promised, after all, didn't I? These Key Stones are special because they can unleash the power of any so-called 'Manarious Stone', also commonly and mostly referred to as a 'Mega Stone', through strong synergy and resonance. Mega Stones have a special power sealed inside them that only allows the Pokémon they're compatible with to perform what's called 'Mega Evolution'.",
"What is this... Mega Evolution?", Jacky inquired.
"Well, to put it simply... The stones are catalysts to channel a Pokémon's true power and unleash it for a limited period of time. The release of this power requires the body to change in order to be able to withstand it. So, Pokémon that can release these special powers change into a higher form for a short time. And this process of transformation is called 'Mega Evolution'. To reduce any confusion regarding the name of this process... It is not to be equalized with 'normal evolution', per say. Mega Evolution is only temporary, while a normal evolution is permanent. The Pokémon transforms back to its normal form after the battle it fights comes to a close and its power is no longer needed. However, it's not that simple, either. A Pokémon is not always able to handle these new powers from the very start, despite its body adjusting to it. Also, the Pokémon and their trainer have to have a particularly strong bond when synergizing with a mega stone, otherwise, it won't work the way you want it to.",
"I see..." Mari nodded and looked to Jacky. "So then, Dino's Pinsir has a Mega Stone and can become even stronger than it already is... Granted, that's insane."
Jacky nodded. "I agree... So, next question. Can every Pokémon do this?",
"No." Corrina shook her head. "Only a few Pokémon have been discovered to be compatible with certain mega stones. Unleashing their inner powers will not work with every mega stone, but only with certain ones that react to the Pokémon. Therefore, these Mega Stones were named after the Pokémon with which they are compatible. And each one is different in color, which is why you can tell which Pokémon the stone belongs to. For example, Lucario's catalyst stone is called a 'Lucarionite'. If you find a mega stone, experts will be able to identify which Pokémon it is compatible with.",
"But you can use literally any key stone to activate the catalyst?", Mari continued.
"That is correct." Corrina nodded. "That's all there is to know about this, honestly. That said, I gotta go again. See you around!" And off she went.
"From the sound of it, unleashing mega evolution isn't always risk-free," Mari muttered. "I guess power always takes its toll.",
"Seems so... It's an intriguing topic, indeed. What are we gonna do for the rest of today?",
"Going for a swim in the river?",
"Sounds good." Jacky nodded.
They fetched their swimming gear and left the building. However, as they walked down to the river, they encountered Laslow. He stopped. "Oh. Hello.",
"Hello, Laslow." Mari greeted him.
"Um... Uh..." Jacky immediately blushed. "Hey, Laslow... Where were you headed?",
"Me? " He brushed back a strand of hair. "Just buying some baked goods from a shop nearby. My condolences for dropping out, by the way. You put up a good fight, even for who it was you were dealing with.",
"I-It's fine... Only one can win, after all..." Jacky mumbled. "B-But thanks, hearing that from you means a lot to me!",
"Does it? I'm glad then. But since we happened to run into each other... I remember that you said you would've liked to challenge me if you had a choice on the matter.",
"Uh... Yeah...",
"Since this chance has been taken from you now, I decided to look for you to make an offer. It's... maybe not tournament-related anymore... but since you've wished for it, I wanted to ask you if you were still interested in challenging me. And in case you are, I'd be open to battle with you at any time that is to your liking."
Jacky's mind raced as if chased by a horde of Mightyena. She couldn't think straight. "A-a battle? You really... want to battle with me?",
'Oh Arceus, you sound like a schoolgirl crushing on someone so hard she swallowed her own tongue', Mari groaned in her thoughts.
"I think I told you before I'd be up for it in case it happens", Laslow said. "And if I wouldn't want to battle you, I would not have suggested it, would I?",
"Uh... Y-yeah, right! Silly me. Uhm... s-sure. Gladly."
Laslow smiled warmly and Jacky felt her knees turn into pudding. His smile was so... indescribable. "Thank you for accepting the offer", he said. "I'm looking forward to this battle... I am positive I could learn a thing or two from you.",
"F-from me? But you're already incredible the way you are, wh-what would you have to learn from me?",
"Well, we will see, right? I am sure you have some tricks in store I could learn from. It's not like I want to copy you, of course, but I like to expand my personal horizons.",
"Th-That's perfectly okay! Though I'm n-not sure if I'm the right person to go to for this... Where... are we going to have this battle...?",
"Somewhere quiet, I'd suggest..." Laslow tapped his chin. "How about Route 6? I am sure we'd find a peaceful corner.",
"Sounds great." Jacky nodded.
"But before we go..." He looked at her in a concerned manner. "Are you... uncomfortable around me? Should I keep my distance next time?",
"Wh-What? Why?",
"You seem tense and nervous.",
"Oh... n-no, I like that you talk to me!"
Mari suppressed the urge of facepalming herself. This girl was completely lost. Laslow seemed unsure of what to say next, because he paused for a moment. "...Oh. Seems I've got the wrong impression then... Still, if you're not feeling well, please tell me. I don't want to make things awkward and uncomfortable for you.",
"It's fine! No problem, really! I'd like to get to know you better! If, uh... th-that's okay with you! You seem like a genuinely kind and helpful person!",
"I've left a good first impression then, I take it?",
"Y-yes, very much! I admire you a lot, really! That's why I hope to learn from you too!",
"It's mutual, then. Good, I'm relieved I didn't put you into an awful spot... You seemed like you were about to panic... But if there really is nothing to worry about, then let's get going."
They made their way to the route and found a rather secluded area that perfectly served as a ground for a battle. Laslow turned to her. "I think this will do. Now then. Let's get started.", "O-Okay!" Jacky nodded. "I won't hold back, not even against you! Let's go, Luxio!" Luxio appeared in front of her, snarling. "I did not expect anything else", he said with another one of his charming smiles. "Let's go all out on this one and treat it like an official battle. Gothorita, let's start." Laslow sent out his psychic-type Pokémon. "I propose a 4-on-4 battle, is that okay with you?"
Jacky nodded. "Sure. That's perfectly fine.",
"Is it smart to use Medicham again right away...?" Mari asked. Jacky nodded. "It's back in top shape. That's what the nurse assured me.",
"If you're sure..."
Jacky looked at Laslow and had to struggle to stay calm. "Okay... Luxio, use Discharge!" Luxio discharged a wave of electricity. Gothorita disappeared and reappeared in another place. "Hey, that... that was teleportation! It can do the same thing Guardevoir can do?",
"Surprise." Laslow smiled slightly. "Let's go for it, Gothorita. We're on it. Double Slap!" Gothorita nodded, jumped forward, and hit Luxio with three strikes before the Electric Pokémon jumped back. "Thunder Fang!" Luxio hissed and struck back, however Gothorita dodged without much trouble. "Psychic." Gothorita's eyes glowed as it lifted Luxio into the air and flung it to the ground. "Now Future Sight." Jacky remembered his strategy in the tournament. 'Hmm... you won't catch me with that...',
"Luxio, keep moving!" Luxio hissed and ran around Gothorita. "Psyshock!" Laslow commanded. Gothorita lifted its arms and shards of psychic energy surrounded Luxio. They rained down on it, but Luxio jumped away and the splinters dug into the ground. "Discharge!" Gothorita raised its arms in front of its body and sat out the attack before leaping forward and striking with Double Slap. Luxio narrowly dodged it. "Now, Gothorita! Hold it in place!" Gothorita's eyes glowed brightly and Luxio froze in mid-motion, shackled by invisible power, as the Future Sight crystals became visible above it and shot down. It was hit hard and landed on the ground. Jacky gritted her teeth. "Darn... I know your tactics and still I couldn't do anything..."
Luxio straightened up again. Laslow tilted his head slightly to the side. "Hmmh...",
"But now, I'm prepared for it! Charge, Luxio!" Sparks jumped out of Luxio's fur.
"Well then..." Laslow stretched his arm forward. "Psyshock, Gothorita!" Once again, shards formed around Luxio before Gothorita hammered them down on it. Luxio quickly jumped away and tried a direct attack on its foe, but the latter lifted it back into the air with Psychic. "Charge again, Luxio!" While it couldn't move, it continued to charge up. Gothorita raised its arms and attacked again with Psyshock. This time, the shards drilled into Luxio's fur and Gothorita hurled it through the air. It skittered across the floor and howled. "Now Double Slap!"
Gothorita attacked. Luxio heaved itself back up onto his paws. "Discharge!" It sent a wave of electricity towards Gothorita and the psychic-type Pokémon was hit. Paralysis spread throughout its body. "This is our chance, Luxio! Thunder Fang!" Luxio rushed forward and its attack struck true. Gothorita sank to its knees and then slumped to the side. "Not bad!" Laslow withdrew it.
"Thanks..." The praise made Jacky's heart beat faster. She knelt down to Luxio and petted it before withdrawing it. "Go on",
"Have it your way. Grovyle, let's go!" Laslow's Grovyle landed on the field, its blades glowing menacingly. "Medicham, let's go!" Jacky's Medicham landed on the ground after its long rest. It raised its arms ready to tackle the fight.