The Moment of Lumiose Truth
Alec's POV
The group had just arrived in Lumiose City and Ash was all too excited for his gym battle while Bonnie was excited to see her brother again. "Lumiose City, we're back again," Ash said when they saw Prism Tower in the distance.
"And we get to see Clemont too!" Bonnie added.
"So Ash, you ready?" Serena asked.
"You know it! Ready for battle!" Ash added.
Alec smiled at Ash's excitement before he turned to Cassidy. "So, what are you going to do?" he asked her.
"I think I'll stick around for Ash's gym battle before I head off the Snowbelle," Cassidy answered.
"Awesome! Then you'll really get to see how I battle!" Ash said excitedly to Cassidy.
"I'm looking forward to it," Cassidy replied.
The five then headed off towards Prism Tower where Clemont, Chespin, and a robot that Alec assumed was Clembot were waiting. Chespin and Pikachu immediately ran up to greet each other while Ethan and Eve came over a bit slower.
"Hey Clemont," Ash greeted him.
"I'm back!" Bonnie shouted as she ran up and hugged her brother.
"It's good to see you too Bonnie," Clemont said as he hugged Bonnie back.
"It's a pleasure to see you two again," Clembot said to Ash and Serena before looking at Alec and Cassidy. "However, I believe we haven't been introduced. I'm Clembot," he said.
"It's… a pleasure," Alec said, feeling a bit awkward about the robot.
"Kind of weird. Something like that is something you see in the movies, not the real world," Cassidy whispered to Alec.
[You're telling me,] Ethan added.
[Agreed,] Eve commented.
"So Bonnie, how's everything been going?" Clemont asked her.
"Awesome. Looks like everything's going well for you too," Bonnie said before adding, "You're not going to believe all the nice girls I was going to ask to take care of you till someone prevented me from doing so," she said while glaring at Alec.
"Your welcome," Alec answered which caused Cassidy to burst out laughing.
"Anyway, so much has happened since you left," Bonnie added.
"Calm down. You can tell me about it later," Clemont told her.
Bonnie then went to stand with the rest of the group. "You don't need to tuck me into bed anymore. Serena does that now," Bonnie stated, not really listening to Clemont.
"So Clemont, are you ready for me to challenge the Lumiose Gym?" Ash asked him.
"Yeah! Totally ready," Clemont answered enthusiastically.
"Oh, before I forget, Braixen, let's go!" Serena said as she threw out her evolved starter.
"Wow, Fennekin evolved into Braixen! Fennekin was exceptionally cute, but Braixen is beautiful," Clemont commented.
"We've been practicing some new performance routines that should give us something to work with at Showcases," Serena added.
"Now with Braixen you'll come up with all sorts of routines," Clemont stated.
"That's not the only surprise. Tell him, Serena," Bonnie said to Clemont before turning to Serena.
"Oh yeah. When Braixen evolved, I actually started understanding Pokémon," Serena told him.
"You mean like you Alec?" Clemont asked him.
"Exactly like me. I'm thinking this is something that's a family ability, though it has to be unlocked through a strong connection to a Pokémon," Alec theorized. "And Braixen isn't the only Pokémon that's evolved," he added as he threw out Inferno.
The Torracat appeared next to Braixen and looked at Clemont. "Wow! I've never seen anything like this. What is it?" Clemont asked and Alec remembered that Clemont didn't know Alohan Pokémon.
"Torracat," Alec told him.
"Looks quite powerful," Clemont commented.
"And check this out," Ash said as he threw out Goodra.
"Your Sliggoo evolved into Goodra!" Clemont said in surprise.
"Uh-huh, he's a lot stronger now. I'm all set for our battle," Ash told Clemont.
[And we're going to win!] Pikachu declared from Ash's shoulder.
"We'll see," Clemont said confidently as Alec, Ash, and Serena returned their Pokémon.
The group then entered the gym and the doors opened up to show the battlefield in front of them. While Ash, Clemont, and Clembot took their positions, the others went up to the spectator's area to watch the battle.
"Now, Braixen, Pancham, Skiddo, come on out," Serena said as she released her three Pokémon.
"You too Dedenne," Bonnie said and the small mouse hopped out of Bonnie's bag.
"Now make sure you cheer for Ash and Clemont," Serena told the Pokémon.
[Between the two of us, I'm rooting for Ash,] Ethan said to Alec.
"I heard that Ethan," Serena commented.
[Okay, I'm used to you understanding me, but now that she can do it is odd,] Ethan commented.
"You'll get used to it," Alec reassured his partner.
[This is lame,] Chespin said as he sat down with the group in the stands.
"I take it you're not battling Chespin?" Alec asked.
[Unfortunately,] Chespin answered.
"Then you can cheer with all of us," Bonnie reassured him.
The Pokémon said their approval and Chespin smiled. "Sounds like I made it just in time," a man said as he sat down in the stands with the group.
"Daddy?!" Bonnie said in shock.
"Wait, that's your dad?" Cassidy asked in surprise.
"Name's Meyer. A pleasure to meet you, miss?" he asked Cassidy.
"Cassidy, and this is Alec," she introduced to Meyer.
"Oh, Champion. It's an honor," he said.
"Thanks," Alec said, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the title. He still wasn't used to people calling him that.
"Dad! You came?" Clemont asked with the same amount of shock as Bonnie.
"I came to see what kind of Gym Leader my boy has become. Ash, give my son one of the greatest battles of his life," Meyer stated.
"Right! You bet I will," Ash replied.
"I appreciate that Ash," Clemont said before turning back to the stands. "Hold on to your hat dad."
"Don't forget. I'm going to win that Lumiose Gym Badge!" Ash shouted.
"And don't forget that I've been training hard since we've last seen each other. This won't be a walk in the park," Clemont responded.
"The Lumiose Gym Battle between Ash and Clemont will now begin. This will be a three on three match. And the battle will be over when all three of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue. Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions during the match. And now, bring out your first Pokémon!" Clembot said.
"We're all ready. So here it is. Go Bunnelby!" Clemont shouted as he released the rabbit.
"Alright Pikachu, you're up!" Ash shouted and Pikachu ran onto the field.
"Bunnelby against Pikachu. This will be an interesting matchup," Meyer commented.
"And now, battle begin!" Clembot declared.
"Ash! Here's to a good battle!" Clemont stated.
"Right! There will be no holding back!" Ash declared.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, calling the first attack.
"Make a dust cloud with your ears Bunnelby!" Clemont called out. Bunnelby slammed his large ears into the ground that threw out some of the sand on the field that blocked the Thunderbolt.
"That was pretty clever," Cassidy commented and Alec had to agree.
"Now Bunnelby, use Dig!" Clemont commanded and Bunnelby spun like a drill before diving into the ground.
"Pikachu, run and don't let Bunnelby track you!" Ash ordered. Pikachu started moving about, but Clemont had other plans.
"Now Bunnelby!" Clemont shouted. Bunnelby popped out of the ground in front of Pikachu and used his ears to send Pikachu back.
"Wait, isn't this…" Bonnie started but lost her voice.
"What?" Alec asked, but Bonnie didn't answer.
"Alright Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash shouted. Pikachu ran into Bunnelby, sending him back to Clemont but he managed to recover quickly.
"Bunnelby, Double Slap!" Clemont called out. Bunnelby jumped over to Pikachu and started hitting the mouse with his ears.
"Iron Tail, let's go!" Ash commanded. Pikachu jumped into the air and prepared to slam down on Bunnelby.
"Bunnelby, catch it with your ears!" Clemont called out quickly. Bunnelby's ears closed around Pikachu's tail, but for some odd reason, Pikachu and Ash were smiling.
"Incredible," Serena commented.
"Right. You three weren't there, but up until this point, Ash and Clemont have used the same moves as their first battle. Of course, that got interrupted by Team Rocket," Bonnie stated.
"So this is a continuation of that battle," Alec realized.
"That's one way to put it," Meyer stated.
"Last time you surprised us with that Electro Ball, but not this time. Use Wild Charge!" Clemont shouted, getting everyone's attention back onto the battle.
Bunnelby threw Pikachu before slamming into him with the Electric-type move. "Now use Dig!" Clemont called out and Bunnelby dove underground.
"That's smart. Using Dig so Clemont doesn't take more damage while Bunnelby takes the recoil," Alec stated.
"Clemont must have planned that," Cassidy added.
"Pikachu, be careful. Here it comes!" Ash called out.
Bunnelby burst out of the ground and slammed into Pikachu. "This is about more than just victory to me. I want to bring the best out of all my challengers!" Clemont declared.
"Then we'll show you our very best! Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Ash shouted.
"Bunnelby, Dig!" Clemont called out before Pikachu could land his attack.
"Use Iron Tail! Slam it on the ground!" Ash shouted. Pikachu jumped into the air and slammed his steel enforced tail on the ground, breaking it apart and throwing Bunnelby to the surface. "Iron Tail! One more time!" Pikachu jumped up with his tail ready and slammed it into Bunnelby, sending the rabbit into the ground with a dust cloud.
"Bunnelby is unable to battle. Pikachu is the winner," Clembot declared.
"That was amazing!" Serena shouted.
"Aww, I feel bad for Bunnelby," Bonnie said sadly.
[Alright Pikachu! You showed that rabbit who's boss!] Ethan cheered which got him a glare from Serena.
[Come on Clemont! You can do this!] Chespin shouted in response to Ethan.
"Well, Ash looks like he's having a great time," Serena pointed out.
"He's been looking forward to this since he won his fourth badge. Of course, he's enjoying himself," Alec stated.
"Here's Pokémon number 2! Come on out!" Clemont shouted and he threw out a Heliolisk.
"Pikachu, return," Ash said and Pikachu ran back over to Ash. "Alright! I choose you!" Ash shouted as he let out Goodra.
"So Goodra's your second Pokémon," Clemont stated.
"He's gotten really strong, so look out!" Ash told Clemont.
"Go for it, Heliolisk and Goodra!" Bonnie cheered.
"Now Goodra, Dragon Pulse!" Ash called out. Goodra fired the purple, blue, and red dragon-shaped beam at Heliolisk, who dodged at the last second.
Heliolisk then started running around Goodra and it was clear that Goodra had a hard time keeping up with Heliolisk's movements. "I'm getting dizzy," Bonnie commented as she watched.
"I'll warn you, you won't be able to do anything about Heliolisk's incredible speed," Clemont said to Ash. "Use Flash!" Heliolisk's frills opened up and emitted a bright light that blinded Goodra. "Now Dragon Tail!" Clemont shouted. Heliolisk slammed his tail into Goodra, sending the larger Pokémon flying.
When the dust cleared from Goodra slamming into the ground, Goodra was struggling to remain balanced while standing. "You okay Goodra?" Ash asked him.
[A little dazed, but I'm fine,] Goodra answered.
"Let's go! Use Dragon Pulse!" Ash shouted. As Goodra prepared to fire, Heliolisk ran up towards Goodra being too close to him when Goodra fired, so the Dragon Pulse missed. Heliolisk then continued to run circles around Goodra.
"Thunder Wave!" Clemont shouted. Heliolisk fired the attack from his tail which paralyzed Goodra.
"Goodra, return!" Ash called out, returning Goodra to his ball.
"So what will you do now Ash?" Clemont said, a little too confidently for Alec's taste.
"'Kay. I choose you!" Ash shouted and Hawlucha was let out.
"Why Hawlucha? Heliolisk has the advantage," Serena questioned.
"Heliolisk is part Normal-type, so that evens out the type advantage. I think Ash is going for a speed on speed battle," Cassidy theorized.
"That sounds like Ash," Alec commented.
"Hawlucha, use Karate Chop!" Ash shouted.
"Heliolisk, Thunder Wave!" Clemont called out. Before Heliolisk could launch his attack, Hawlucha appeared in front of him and slammed Karate Chop into him. "Parabolic Charge!" Clemont shouted.
Heliolisk fired an electric ball into the sky and shot electricity all over the field. Hawlucha attempted to dodge and was successful at first, but was hit by the electricity. The ball then exploded and healed Heliolisk.
"We're not done yet! Flying Press!" Ash ordered. As Hawlucha glided down to use his signature move on Heliolisk, he used Flash which blinded Hawlucha for a brief moment before evading the attack.
"Now, Parabolic Charge!" Clemont commanded. Heliolisk fired the electric ball into the sky again but Hawlucha didn't have time to dodge this time and was hit immediately.
"Got it!" Ash suddenly shouted.
"What does he have?" Cassidy asked.
"A plan," Serena answered with a smile.
"Hawlucha! I think I've found an opening!" Ash told his Pokémon.
"Use Flash!" Clemont shouted.
"Lure it in!" Ash shouted as Heliolisk ran up to Hawlucha. "High Jump Kick!" Ash shouted quickly when Heliolisk was in Hawlucha's face. Hawlucha slammed his knee into Heliolisk, sending him into the wall.
"Heliolisk is unable to battle. Hawulacha's the winner," Clembot declared.
"Yeah, Ash! Way to go!" Serena cheered.
"Should I complain about you not being neutral or should I leave you alone since he's your crush?" Cassidy asked Serena, which caused her to blush immediately.
"Way to go Hawlucha!" Ash called out.
[I'm amazing!] Hawlucha shouted proudly.
"You surprised me. Though I have to ask, what was that opening you saw?" Clemont asked Ash.
"It's frills. Whenever Heliolisk used an attack it stopped moving for a second. So I had to wait for that to happen to land an attack. With Hawlucha's speed, I knew we could do it," Ash answered.
"That's pretty clever," Meyer complimented.
Clemont smiled when he heard Ash's answer. "I see. As a Gym Leader, I thank you," he said. ", Ash. My third and final Pokémon! Luxray, you're up!" Clemont shouted.
Luxray roared when he appeared. "Hawlucha, are you still okay?" Ash asked.
[I'm ready to win this!] Hawlucha declared.
"Alright, use Flying Press!" Ash commanded. Hawlucha jumped up into the air and slammed down onto Luxray.
"Luxray, Electric Terrain!" Clemont ordered. Electricity suddenly surged across the battlefield.
"Great strategy son!" Meyer called out.
"That won't stop us! High Jump Kick!" Ash shouted.
"Wild Charge!" Clemont ordered. Luxray was surrounded by electricity and ran into Hawlucha's attack, which sent Hawlucha flying.
"Look at that power," Serena commented.
"With that attack being super effective and boasted by Electric Terrain, that had to hurt," Alec stated.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle! Luxray's the winner!" Clembot declared.
"Way to go Luxray!" Bonnie cheered.
[That's showing the Clemont!] Chespin added.
"How's Ash going to do this with Electricity Terrain up?" Serena wondered aloud.
"Ash will find a way. He's got a habit of coming up with interesting strategies," Alec pointed out.
"Go for it Pikachu," Ash said and Pikachu ran onto the battlefield.
"So Ash plans to use the Electric Terrain as well. Good plan," Cassidy said.
"Now Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.
"Bite into Pikachu's Thunderbolt with Thunder Fang!" Clemont shouted. Luxray followed through and stopped Pikachu's attack dead in its tracks. "Wild Charge!" Luxray charged towards Pikachu and the mouse didn't have a counter so he was hit by the attack but recovered quickly.
"Swift, let's go!" Clemont called out. Luxray jumped into the air and sent the stars towards Pikachu.
"Knock those back with Iron Tail!" Ash shouted. Pikachu sent all the stars back to Luxray and they all hit, but when Pikachu landed back on the ground, he stumbled.
"Now, use Wild Charge!" Clemont called out, seeing the opening. Luxray ran out of the smoke from Swift and slammed into Pikachu.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Luxray's the winner!" Clembot declared.
"This could go either way now. Both Ash and Clemont's last Pokémon have taken damage, but with Goodra paralyzed and Luxray getting a boost, I'd say this is more in Clemont's favor," Alec noted.
"Let's see how Ash counters that," Cassidy said.
"This will be the last battle. Whatever happens, no hard feelings," Clemont said to Ash.
"Agreed, but I'm going to win," Ash said confidently.
"Show me what you've got Ash. All the way to the final move," Clemont encouraged.
"You can count on that. Goodra, I choose you!" Ash shouted.
"Let's see how you handle this with Goodra's current state," Clemont said.
Ash looked deep in thought before he smiled. "We'll just make the battlefield work for us!" Ash shouted, which confused everyone. "Goodra, use Rain Dance!"
A storm cloud then formed above the battlefield and it started pouring inside. The Electric Terrain then disappeared and Goodra looked healed. "Looks like Clemont got outsmarted by that one," Meyer commented.
"What do you mean?" Bonnie asked.
"Goodra's ability is Hydration. When it rains, it heals the users status condition," Meyer explained.
"Smart thinking to have something that heals status conditions. Especially in a gym where paralyzing is bound to happen," Cassidy added.
The rain cleared with both combatants ready to finish this fight. "Alright then. I'll play it by ear! Luxray use Swift!" Clemont ordered.
"Use your tail and knock them back!" Ash ordered. Goodra smacked the stars back to Luxray.
"Dodge and use Thunder Fang!" Clemont shouted. Luxray moved around the stars and prepared to bite down on Goodra.
"Bind!" Ash shouted. Goodra brought up his tail and Luxray bit down on it hard.
"What's Ash up to? I'm surprised he'd take up a passive stance," Meyer wondered as Goodra swung his tail around and threw Luxray off.
"Bind uses the opponent's energy against them. Ash is hoping Luxray will do enough damage so Goodra can knock him out with one powerful attack, but not so much that Goodra is taken out before he can fire," Alec explained.
"We'll just beat you before you're charged up. Wild Charge!" Clemont commanded. Luxray charged in towards Goodra and took the attack. "Still hanging on. Alright then, Swift!" Clemont shouted and Goodra took the attack as well.
"I hope Ash does something soon cause I don't think Goodra's got any more in him," Cassidy pointed out.
Goodra's body was then surrounded by a red outline. "Now let 'er rip!" Ash shouted. Goodra then fired the white beam at Luxray which caused a massive explosion.
When the smoke cleared, both Luxray and Goodra were struggling to stand. Luxray then fell to the ground. "Luxray is unable to battle! Goodra is the winner! Which means the winner goes to Ash of Pallet Town!" Clembot declared.
"We did it Goodra!" Ash shouted as he ran up to his Pokémon.
The group left the stands and stood behind Ash on the battlefield. "Clemont, thanks for an awesome battle," Ash thanked Clemont.
"Congratulations Ash," Serena said.
"That was pretty impressive," Cassidy said.
"That's Ash for you. He's definitely someone looking out for," Alec added.
"Thanks," Ash said to the three.
"Wow! I've never seen you look so totally cool before!" Bonnie exclaimed to Clemont.
Meyer then wrapped his arm around Clemont. "That was some terrific battling. I'm so happy to see what a fine young man you've become," he said as he started tearing up with joy.
"Well Ash, we did what we promised. So here's proof of your victory here today," Clemont said as he pulled out the badge.
"Alright!" Ash shouted as he took the badge.
"With that being badge number five, where are you off to next?" Clemont asked.
"Well, there is the Snowbelle Gym…" Ash started.
"Or maybe Laverre City. I heard it's a very interesting place," Cassidy suggested.
"Does this mean we'll stop traveling together?" Bonnie asked her.
"For now. Who knows, maybe we'll meet again," Cassidy suggested.
"Alright then. Laverre City it is!" Ash declared.
"You're going too, right son?" Meyer asked Clemont.
"Of course," Clemont answered.
"Yippee! My big brother's traveling with us again!" Bonnie cheered.
"Well, you need someone who's cool and calm. You and Alec can get into some pretty crazy battles," Clemont pointed out to Ash.
"Fair point," Alec conceded.
"You have a great time. Leave the gym to me," Clembot told Clemont.
"Let's continue on our journey together, alright?" Clemont asked, holding his hand out to shake.
"Deal," Ash answered as he shook Clemont's hand. "Great to have you back."
Serena, Bonnie, Alec, and their Pokémon along with Pikachu and Goodra then put their hands in a pile and threw it up into the air.