Chapter 4: Ready, steady, skate!

"You're ABSOLUTELY sure this is the right way Clemont?" Ash enquired with a hint of annoyance evident in his voice as they aimlessly wandered the expanse of fields that made up Kalos' route 4 pathway.

"That's what the map says." Clemont shot back looking up from the expanse of geographically marked paper he had been examining "and it's not like the entire region has magically changed overnight."

"Can you two stop bickering!" Bonnie protested, trying to honourably force herself between the brewing argument "Maybe we should focus on finding out where we are going instead?"

"well we wouldn't be in this situation if SOMEBODY could read a map right." Ash started.

Indifferent to their squabble Jack trailed behind the rest of the group, turning Riolu's shrunken Pokeball in one hand and reminiscing about a particularly close battle he'd had a few hours prior.

They'd been on the road for about 2 days now, Jack wasn't sure it was quite hard to tell out here, and since his departure from Lumiose city Jack had made it his honorific duty to battle anyone or anything that was unfortunate to cross his battle hungry path.

Whilst it was now true that he and Riolu had become a force to be reckoned with, he remained uncertain of his overall preparedness for the significant task ahead of him. Santalune city - Clemont had informed him - would be the site of his first match in the Pokémon Gym Challenge, a thought which not only filled him with excitement but also with dread.

He had heard growing up as a child aspiring to be the very best trainer that Gym leaders were an elite group of individuals that served as periodic tests to be overcome by anyone which to be granted entrance to their respective league. By this rite he thought to himself, to beat one in battle would be no easy feat at all.

Yet, here he was. en route to his very first Pokémon Gym.

By the time he'd returned from his wandering thoughts, he'd walked straight into the back of a disgruntled Clemont, who now clambered to his feet with a customary "Sorry Jack, but please next time watch where you're going wont you!"

Jack hastily apologised before glancing over the shoulder of his jumpsuit-clad companion to see what was the source of their abrupt stop.

The answer met his eyes almost immediately,

The ground had suddenly melted away into a grassy incline, stopping suddenly to form a startling valley which seemingly swallowed up the surrounding area in a strange oval shaped embrace. At the bottom of valley was a small concrete structure where a dozen miniature figures could be seen gliding up and down artificial slopes and railings.

"Wow" they all sighed taken aback by the sight

"Maybe we should go check it out?" Ash suggested, a proposition to which they all eagerly agreed.

Cautiously descending the rolling slope they made it in one piece to the bottom of the valley, approaching the structure they could now see it was populated by 20 or so skaters. Jack watched in awe as they performed gravity defying tricks whilst, to his and Ash's utmost glee also partaking in Pokémon battles.

On that note the two of them rushed toward the shabby wooden shack positioned next to the skate park - as somewhat of a makeshift help centre - to enquire about what was going on, leaving Clemont and Bonnie stranded in a cloud of dust.

:***:

Returning from the temporary kiosk (4 pairs of roller skates in hand), Ash and Jack told the other two that the skate park had been initially founded for trainers to combine their love of battling and skating into one ultimate spot and that skating enthusiasts from all over the region often visited to test their skills against other fanatics.

At this they had then immediately proceeded to ask if they could participate and had therefore returned with 4 pairs of well worn, badly smelling roller skates.

Finishing tying his final skate Jack steadily rose from the bench. It was probably now crucial to mention that Jack had only skated twice in his life: once when he was a small child, desperately clinging to the hand of his mother, the second when he was much older - an event that had landed him a couple of days in Lumiose general hospital. So it was fair to say things were not looking promising.

Turning to his friends he could see that he was not alone.

Clemont and Ash both as ungraceful as he, now cling to each other in a feeble attempt to stay upright, Bonnie on the other hand seemed well accustomed to the skates which she used to slide gracefully across the floor, circling the two struggling friends - laughing at their inexperience.

Averting his eyes, Jack scanned the maze of unforgiving concrete for seemingly strong opponents.

A brutish man in a enormous leather jacket, lumbering clumsily around on skates straining under his immense weight. Nope

A group of young skaters showboating on an elevated ramp. Nah

Then maybe…

"Gotcha" he thought to himself as he locked eyes with a young girl dressed in a striking white and red attire sat a short distance away with a powerful looking Pokémon bearing a somewhat distinctive resemblance to his own Riolu dozing by her side in the afternoon sun.

Haphazardly making his way over Jack drew Riolu's Pokeball from his belt.

"Hey." he said casually, ignoring the fact he'd made a stumbling fool of himself on the way over. "You seem pretty tough, want to battle?"

She said nothing, only fixed him with a cool and collected glare which, in contrast with the locks of pale blonde hair which stuck wildly from her helmet, was slightly off-putting to Jack.

"Battle?" She stated blandly.

"I'd love to! you can be the latest trainer to fall before the might Korrina, fighting type trainer extraordinaire!"

Jack was slightly taken aback by this immediate change in demeanour but was still fired up for battle all the same.

"Alright!" He exclaimed "Lets do this thing!"

It was then he felt a sudden force upon his shoulder.

Turning around he found himself face to face with a towering mass of a Human being, the man he had seen earlier.

"You wanna battle Korrina huh?" the man grunted "You'll only embarrass yourself.

"Oh yeah?" Jack retorted "If you're so sure battle me right here, then we will see who's weak."

"You're on small fry." the giant laughed before pacing backwards and drawing a Pokeball from his belt.

"That's Charlie, do try to ignore him." Korrina said flatly "He means well he's just got a funny way of showing it."

"Besides." she said with a grin "I'm intrigued to see how this plays out hotshot." and with that she joined the crowd which had now formed around the two.

Sensing this was his moment a young skater who Jack had seen free-styling earlier rushed forward and introduced the match:

"Here here everyone, this will be a 1 on 1 match up between Charlie and umm…what did you say his name was again? Jake? Oh thats confusing, Jack the challenger!"

And with that the trainers threw out their Pokémon.

"Machoke come on out!"

"Riolu i choose you!"

The crowd cheered as both Pokémon materialised on the ground before their trainers.

"Machoke huh." Jack thought to himself as he drew his Pokédex from his pocket.

Machoke, the superpower Pokémon: its muscular body is so powerful , it mist wear a power-save belt to be able to regulate its motions.

"Better stay clear of those arms then." Jack noted to himself

And with that the battle commenced

"Ok Riolu start with a double team let's go!"

Riolu burst into a dozen identical clones which all charged in unison at Machoke

"Machoke, low sweep."

In one fluid motion all clones were wiped out including the original which was thrown backwards several feet before landing upright and ready to go again.

"You've got heart kid maybe i was wrong about you." Charlie admitted "Still you're not even close to matching me."

"We will see." Jack replied, "Riolu, force palm on the ground!"

Riolu gathered energy around its hand and slammed into the ground, causing a cascade of rubble that temporarily blinded Machoke.

"Double team!"

"Quickly Machoke, Close combat in a circle."

Machoke regained its composure and began striking in circles as various Riolu clones sprung from all directions toward it. The dust cleared and Machoke stood still standing over a struggling Riolu.

"Ok Machoke finish this with-" Charlie ceased his cry as the Riolu at Machokes feet disappeared.

"RIOLU USE DIG!" Jack cried as Riolu sprung from the dirt at Machoke's feet, landing a powerful punch which sent Machoke flying.

Riolu landed serenely at Jack's feet as Machoke raised its muscular form and readied itself for attack.

"Forward Machoke, close that gap!"

"Riolu do the same!"

Both Pokémon sprinted toward each other as they primed their fists for another clash.

"Now Riolu force palm, over and over!"

"Machoke, use cross chop again and again!"

A flurry of blows cascaded as both Pokémon struggled against the other.

At one end of the makeshift arena, Jack felt the same familiar chill wash over him. He shut his eyes. There stood facing him, a look of determined understanding upon its face was Riolu, not knowing why Jack crouched down and held out his fist to his partner and Riolu returned the gesture.

Jack opened his eyes.

His pupils now stained with a blue aura, he watched as Riolu to the amazement of the crowd began to blaze with a cloak of similarly blue power.

Riolu turned and looked at Jack nodding with clarity.

"Riolu FORCE PALM!"

Riolu cried out as its hand became an indistinguishable mass of blinding yellow light, enveloping the scene of the two Pokémon as it collided with the midsection of the bewildered Machoke.

Machoke fell as everyone stood, frozen in awe.

The strange aura faded from the eyes of Jack and the body of Riolu as they turned go face the on looking crowd and then their opponent.

"We did it Riolu awesome job!" Jack yelled running to his Pokemon who collapsed into his arms with a satisfied "rarr"

Charlie recalled Machoke to its Pokeball before marching in his reckless manner toward Jack and offering a hand.

"Not bad kid, not bad at all."

Jack took it with a grin

"Let's battle again someday yeah."

"for sure!"

And at that the crowd dispersed still shocked at what they had just witnessed, leaving only Ash Clemont Bonnie and Korrina stood waiting for him expectantly.

"THAT WAS AWESOME, WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY YOU HAD SOME INSANE BLUE GLOW POWER INSIDE YOU!" Ash exclaimed - articulate as always.

"I don't know it just sort of happened." Jack replied honestly

"well it was mightily impressive." Clemont interjected "That guy was seriously no joke."

"Beyond impressive." Bonnie nodded in confirmation

"I must admit." Korrina said "I know Charlie well, he's pretty tough so to beat him like you did you must be one to keep an eye on."

"well you better watch it, because i want to battle you next!" jack enthusiastically replied

"I'd run that by Riolu first." she said nodding toward Jack's partner who was seemingly remaining upright through sheer will power alone.

"You're right, some other time then." Jack said

"Riolu return, take a good rest buddy you've earned it."

:***:

The sun had nearly set by the time they'd handed in their skates and made their way up the grassy verge back onto the beaten path of route 4.

"So i guess this is farewell for now then Korrina." Jack said "shame we couldn't have that battle."

"I'm sure we'll get the chance soon enough." she said airily

"Anyways I've got to get going, the train back to Shalour city is due to leave pretty early tomorrow and my Grandpa will be wondering where on earth i've got to, but don't worry i have the feeling we will be seeing each other again sooner than you'd think."

and with a final wave she skated off and over the rolling hills and into the distance until she became a mere speck to Jack and his friends.

"So." Jack said turning to Clemont "That map of yours say anything about a Pokécenter nearby?"

"Oh screw the map." Ash said

and he started off into the distance, the others following in his wake.

End Chapter 4


Hey, so here was a little filler story i came up with to pad out the time between capture chapters, Gym battles and other story based stuff. These wont be a primary focus but they'll pop up every so often so make sure to let me know if you enjoyed this one! and yes for all of you wondering this chapter is evidence of a developing aura connection between Jack and Riolu just to not only give Jack a powerhouse to contend with Ash's Greninja but also to add more depth to that side of my rendition of the bond phenomenon (yes its returning in this story).

so yeah as always hope you enjoyed.

Destros

- Also updates to the story may not be as frequent in the next month or so as i have quite a lot going on in real life.