AUTHOR's NOTE: Just thought I'd letcha' guys know, I'm going to update this story weekly from here on in! I only put this chapter here as a bonus for this week, but the next chapter will be coming next week!

Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Her Strongest Enemy

Lucia and Bagon were surrounded by trees. Lucia's fists were raised, beckoning her Bagon to come at her. Bagon was glaring at Lucia and ready to strike.

"C'mon, Bagon!" Lucia cried. "Come at me!"

Bagon cried out before charging at Lucia. Lucia stood and waited, watching Bagon jump into the air. Lucia threw a punch. Bagon flipped to dodge Lucia, and then latched onto her trainer's arm. Lucia gasped as Bagon scurried closer to her face. Now standing on Lucia's shoulder, Bagon threw a punch- but stopped short. Lucia stared like a Deerling in headlights. Bagon slowly pulled his fist.

"Aw, c'mon, Bagon," Lucia mumbled. "This is the third time you stopped yourself from hitting me!" . Lucia grabbed him and put him on the ground. "I bought a lot of revives for this! I even bought a Full Revive too.." Bagon frowned. "We need to think of a better strategy for training." Lucia said. "I can't train with you if you're not willing to hit me.".Bagon lowered his head in shame, looking close to tears. Lucia crouched down to him to pat his head. "Aww, don't be sad, Bagon…" Lucia said. "I know you don't want to hurt me because you love me too much." Lucia stood up. "We just need a training partner. One that's willing to not pull any punches." She spun to Gardevoir, who was watching them silently. "Hey Gardevoir, want to fight?"

Gardevoir shook her head.

"Ugh, figures." Lucia raised a bent finger under her lip as she started thinking. After a while, Lucia finally spoke again.

"...Do you want to fight me and Bagon?" Lucia asked again. Gardevoir tilted her head in confusion before shaking her head again.

"Do you want to fight me and Bagon?" She asked again. Gardevoir shook her head again.

"Do you want to fight me and Bagon?" She asked once more. Gardevoir shook her head again in annoyance.

"Do you want to not fight me and Bagon?"Gardevoir shook her head. After a brief second the Psychic type's eyes widen in realization.

"HA!" Lucia cried, pointing at the astonished Gardevoir. "Now you have to fight us! Get ready, here I come!" The adolescent let out a battle cry as she charged after the Psychic-Fairy type. Gardevoir watched her come after her, and just before Lucia's fist reached her, Gardevor teleported away.

"Huh!?" Lucia cried, looking around for Gardevoir. "Where'd she...?" Lucia spun to Bagon, who was sitting on the ground and staring vacantly at her trainer. "You see her?" She asked. Bagon shook his head. "Ugh.. now what're we going to do?"

"I know!" Lucia's eyes lit up. "Let's find a wild Pokemon to fight!" Bagon shouted its name happily in agreement. The two exchanged a nod as they started running ahead.

As Lucia and Bagon ran looking around trying to find Wild Pokémon, Gardevoir watched from afar, standing atop a tree branch. As they moved, Gardevoir leapt to the next tree, staying close to the two.

The two ventured forth for a while, searching all around for wild Pokémon. They checked under rocks for Bug-types, in bushes for Grass-types, and near rocks for Rock-types. But no matter where they looked, they couldn't find a single wild Pokemon.

"Ugh, where are they?!" Lucia cried in frustration. "Why aren't there any wild Pokemon? Bagon, are you scaring them away?" Bagon shrugged. Lucia sighed deeply. Bagon's eyes drifted away for a moment as Lucia started to think. Bagon gasped once he saw the head of a Zigzagoon pop out of a bush. It quickly withdrew back into the bush, and Bagon spun quickly and hit her leg to get her trainer's attention.

"Not now, Bagon,, I'm thinking," Lucia said.

"Bagon! Bagon!" Bagon hit her shin again, and harder than usual. Lucia grabbed her foot and yelped.

"Augh! What was that for, Bagon!?" Lucia cried. Bagon lept into the air, pointing with its stubby arms the direction the Zigzagoon went.

"Huh?" Lucia asked. "Did you find a wild Pokemon!?" Bagon nodded swiftly. "Lead the way!" Lucia cried. The two started running in the direction Zigzagoon ran off. The Zigzagoon was nowhere to be found, but the two kept running. They kept running for a long while.

"Bagon?" Lucia asked, running out of breath, "You think the Pokémon got away?! It must be quick..!" The two of them kept running until they reached a small cave. Lucia stopped running once she reached the cave entrance and rest her hand on the wall.

"Oh boy.." Lucia said, gasping for air. "Okay. Let's take a small break."

"Bagon.." Bagon frowned.

"Ugh.. I have no idea where any of the Wild Pokemon are hiding!" Lucia cried. "Ugh, it's annoying!.. Wait." Lucia turned to the cave. "There's a lot of Pokemon in caves, right? We've gotta find one in here. C'mon, let's go!"

Bagon nodded, and the two ran into the cave. Meanwhile, from behind them, Gardevoir leapt off of the tree and landed in front of the cave entry. She crossed her arms and sighed, and once she stepped inside to follow the duo, she stopped short.

In front of the three of them was a single Machoke wearing a Shaolin Monk's robe. He sat with his back turned to them as though he were meditating.

"It's a Machoke!" Lucia cried. "Let's catch him so we can train with him!" Lucia brandished a Pokeball.

Machoke's eyes opened instantly upon hearing the word 'train.' He stood up and turned around. He stared with intense eyes and looked as though he were frowning. Gardevoir looked as though she were ready to say something. This Machoke looked dangerous, a little too dangerous- but she stayed quiet. "Here comes the Pokeball!" Lucia threw the Pokeball straight at the fighting type.

With swift movements, Machoke caught the ball from the air.

"What!?"

"Bago-!?"

Gardevoir widened her eyes and uncrossed her arms in shock. Machoke crushed the ball right in front of them, letting it break into pieces and fall to the ground.

"Did- Did he just-..!" Lucia was trembling. "He broke the..!" Mahoke clenched his fists and raised them, staring at Lucia and Bagon with intense concentration.

"Oh- Oh no..!" Lucia cried. Lucia blinked and Machoke was gone. Before she could shout in surprise, Machoke re-appeared in front of her and punched her squarely in the face. Lucia let out a pained cry as she flew into the cave walls. Shards of rock fell onto the young girl, blanketing and covering her entire body save for her face.

Bagon cried out in surprise as Machoke turned to face him.

"Bagon..!" Bagon leapt at Machoke head-first, only to be caught in Machoke's grasp. He hurled Bagon away. Machoke then disappeared in a flash, re-appeared in front of Bagon as he flew and slammed his fist on the Dragon type like a hammer. The force of the blow was so great the earthy ground below broke apart. Dust exploded out and soon cleared, revealing Bagon to be lying in a tiny crater of Machoke's creation. Machoke then raised his foo and slammed it onto Bagon's back. The dragon type screamed in agony.

Gardevoir's eyes flashed. She took one step foward.

"Leave..!" Lucia cried out angrily, and Gardevoir stopped short. Lucia bared her teeth. "Leave Bagon ALONE!" Lucia let out a long and fierce War cry as an azure light shined from the cracks of the debris that fell over her. Soon, a burst of dragon-type power erupted like a geyser within Lucia, blasting away the debris. Lucia pointed her own thumb at herself as the rocks rained around her. Machoke slowly turned around.

'It may not look it- but I'm wearing an Invoker!" Lucia said. "That means whatever moves Bagon can use, I can use too! Here I come!" Lucia let out a battle cry as she charged after Machoke. She raised one fist, and it radiated with Azure-colored Dragon energy before bursting and forming a claw.

"Take this, Dragon Claw!" Machoke ran to Lucia. He raised both his arms and they shined with a reddish-glow. The two closed the distance and attacked one another. Lucia was fast, but Machoke was faster, landing a Cross-chop onto the girl's shoulder blades. Lucia's shoulders tensed up as she shouted in pain. Machoke then mercilessly landed blow after blow.

Lucia could feel Machoke's knuckles dig onto her nose, his leg slam onto her ribs and chest, and his elbow slaming onto the top of her head. The fighting-type finally swept the trainer's legs and stomped on her head. Lucia cried out in pain, trying to grab the fighting type's leg to pull it off in desperation. Machoke then picked up the fallen girl and pulled her on her hair to lift her up. Lucia was covered in bruises and shrieked. Machoke pulled his fist and landed a devastating punch to her stomach. Lucia let out a sharp cry.

Gardevoir shouted out its own name in intense anger. Machoke spun his head and saw Gardevoir radiating with intense Psychic energy. Her eyes were glowing pink.

"No..!" Lucia cried. "Don't..! Interfere..!" Gardevoir's eyes widened in shock as the psychic energy disappeared from her eyes. "This.. is my fight.. My.. battle..!" Lucia roared. Machoke turned back to Lucia.

He smiled as though he were proud.

Then, he slammed Lucia's body onto the ground with so much force that her body bounced. Lucia gasped for air, her eyes were wide open with pain, and once she landed on the ground, her consciousness faded.

"BAAAGOOOON!" Bagon grit its teeth in intense rage. Machoke turned around to face the Bagon, who was glowing with an intense dragon-type arua. The Machoke smiled and raised his fists.

"Still too slow, Machop!" An older looking bald man wearing a shaolin monk's robe had his foot planted on a Machop's head. The machop was wearing the same Shaolin monk robe as he did. They were in the same cave they always trained at- the one near Littleroot town. Where little to no Wild Pokemon inhabited.

"If you want to become stronger, then you have to grow from this pain!" Machop tried his hardest to push himself up, but the weight of the monk was too much. "You want to be the strongest Machop in the world, right?! You have to earn the title of the strongest! And to do that, you must struggle!"

Machop cried out in intense determination, slowly pushing himself up despite the monk's weight. Brushing his leg aside, Machop rushed to his feet once again. The Pokémon's entire body was ready to give out then and there. He glared intensely at the old man, who left his fighting stance and smiled.

"Good job," He said. The monk planted his fist on his open hand and bowed. Machop beamed in heappniess did the same. "You know I don't have much time left in this world, there are new disciples like you every day. Human deciples. These old bones won't be able to discipline all of them. I want you to take over once I'm gone."

Machop's eyes widened in shock. Tears started to well in his eyes. "I know it will be tough for you, but I know if I teach you my style of teaching well enough, you'll be able to continue my legacy. Teach with my methods. Stay in this cave, and train the ones who come here asking to train. If they wish to become the strongest, then they must earn through preservation and spirit. Teach them this the hard way." The old man smiled. Machop nodded quickly and smiled with bright and enthusiastic eyes.

The robe wearing Machoke stared at Bagon with his still and disciplined fists in the air. The two stared at each other for a while before Bagon finally charged after his opponent. Machoke prepared to strike as Bagon lept into the air. The dragon type opened his mouth, and tiny Embers no bigger than pebbles flew out. Machoke crossed his arms in defense, assuming that the Embers were targeting him. The embers flew right past the Machoke and exploded the ground around him, causing dust to rise and obscure his sight. As Machoke flinched, Bagon emerged from the dust, flying head-first like a rocket. The fighting type blocked his Headbutt and threw a punch once Bagon bounced away from his body. Bagon spun his entire body to dodge, then opened his mouth to release a laser-beam of Dragon energy. Machoke's feet dragged against the floor as he defended himself against Bagon's Dragon Pulse.

"Baaagooon!" Bagon cried out, keeping the Dragon pulse going as much as he could. Machoke grit his teeth and pushed against the laser with all of his might. With his feet digging deeper into the ground he marched foward. Step by step, Machoke came closer to the Bagon, and then finally, managed to come close enough to grab Bagon by the head. Bagon squirmed about in desperation before Machoke, dragged the Dragon-type's body across the earthy ground. Bagon cried out in agony as his body was then shoved into the cave walls. Machoke raised both of his fists as he began pummeling the dragon type mercilessly. The Bagon let out a pained cry with every punch that connected. The mighty fighting type finished his combo with a final Chop to the head, knocking it down to the ground with a thud. Bagon's consciousness faded as he closed his eyes. He looked down at the fallen Bagon, then picked him up. He turned and tossed him to where Lucia was. As he flew in the air, he was caught by a Psychic type's energy, and then gently let down to lay next to Lucia. Gardevoir was standing before the two of them, radiating with a psychic-type aura. The two Pokémon stared at each other.

Then, suddenly Machoke sighed. He turned, and then sat on the ground before crossing his legs. Gardevoir flinched once she saw this. Looking back and forth at Machoke, who wasn't moving, and Lucia, Gardevoir turns to her trainer's daughter and her Pokemon, and extends her arms, preparing to heal them both.

"Machoke!" Machoke roared, turning his head slightly. Gardevoir's eyes flashed, she turned to the Machoke, who was glaring furiously at Gardevoir. Gardevoir nearly furrowed her brow, then nearly gasped in realization of what Machoke wanted to do. With a sigh of understanding, Gardevoir stepped back. Suddenly, the young trainer slowly opened her eyes.

"Ugh...!" Lucia groaned. She tried standing up, but pain washed over her entire body and caused her to tumble back down to the floor. "Bagon..!"

"Ba…goo…" Bagon grumbled in pain himself, he met the gaze of his trainer as he breathed heavily.

"This.. this Machoke's strong.." Lucia cried. "Really… Really strong."

"B…Bagon.." Bagon mumbled.

"But…! if we're gonna become the best team… in all of Houen..!" Lucia clenched her fist as she tried to stand up again. Her body trembled with weakness. "If you and I.. want to achieve our dreams… yours to fly… and mine to become Champion..!" Bagon grit his teeth and started to stand up himself. "Then we.. have to.." Lucia finally stood up. Her back was hunched over, and her arms hung low. Her heart was racing, and her breathing was fast. Bagon barely managed to stand up himself. "Then we have to beat him..! Together.." Lucia cried. "Together, okay!?"

Machoke finally stood up. He turned around and saw the determination in the team's eyes. He smiled a bright and proud smile before entering a battle stance.

"You ready..?!"

The three of them stared at each other for a long while. No one knew who was going to make the first move. It was so quiet that they could hear a pin drop.

Lucia let out a battle cry, and so did Bagon. Machoke let out a raging battle cry as well as they both charged at each other. Machoke threw a punch and landed it on Lucia's stomach. She cried out in pain before grabbing the fighting type's arm and pulling him down to let Bagon fly over and slam into Machoke head-first. Machoke grabbed his own face in pain as Lucia closed in, letting out a barrage of punches and kicks at the Machoke

Machoke cried out in pain with every attack. Lucia threw a kick only for Machoke to catch it. With herculean strength, Machoke hurled Lucia toward the cave ceiling. Lucia crashed into it back first and gasped in pain. Bagon leapt onto Machoke from behind, biting as hard as he could on his neck. Machoke struggled to get him off as Bagon scurried about his body like a squirrel would a tree. As Lucia fell to the ground and rushed to her feet once again. Machoke threw Bagon aside before Lucia came in to throw a punch. Machoke grabbed her fist, twisted it, and landed a devastating punch to her face.

Lucia's face turned in recoil of the blow, but then, slowly, she started pushing her face against the Machoke's knuckles to look him in the face.

"Is that all you've got..?!" Lucia roared, grabbing Machoke's wrist.

"I said is that all you've got?!" Lucia's entire body radiated with intense dragon-type energy before tossing Machoke's arm away. She roared as the intensity of her aura increased.

"BAAAGOOOON!" Machoke spun around and saw Bagon radiating with the same aura.

"Let's finish this, Bagon..! With Dragon Rage! Hit him with everything we've got!" Machoke spun back to Lucia. The trainer's aura flowed like a rampaging flame. Then, suddenly, it became like a river, flowing outward and toward Lucia's back. The aura started to take shape into something else. The flaming aura disappeared and took the shape of large Dragon wings.

"Gar-Gardevo-" Gardevoir gasped in intense shock. She'd never seen something like it.

"You.. will never..!" Lucia glared with the intensity of 10,000 suns. "Clip our WIIIIIIINGS!" Lucia's new wings flexed with intensity.

"BAAAGOOON!" Bagon cried out as though he were in agreement. Lucia and Bagon charged at the Machoke. Machoke looked back and forth and seemed fraught with panic.

"M-Macho-!"

"TAKE THIIIS!" Lucia cried. Both Bagon and Lucia struck their opponent at the same time. A brilliant explosion of Dragon energy erupted in the cave, destroying it from the inside. The dust settled, and revealed azure flames burning the rocky debris. An azure-flame ring formed around the trio. Lucia kept her arm extended as her wings faded away. Not once did she turn to face the Machoke, who was standing still and burnt to a crisp. His robe was mostly torn to ribbons. Machoke turned around to see Bagon, who wasn't turning to face Machoke either.

The fighting type smiled before falling to his knees, and then collapsing. Lucia fell to her knees herself. When she turned to see Machoke flat on the ground, she breathed a happy sigh of relief.

"We did it..!" She said, clutching her shoulder and walking toward the fallen Machoke.

Bagon approached Lucia and smiled. Lucia gave a thumbs up to her partner. Gardevoir teleported to Lucia's side and smiled. Lucia smiled back, then turned to look at the unconscious fighting type.

She pulled out a Full Revive from her Pocket and sprayed it onto Machoke.

"B-Bagon!?" Bagon cried out. Slowly, Machoke blinked as his consciousness was restored. He leapt to his feet.

"That was an amazing fight," Lucia said. "You'd be an awesome sparring partner and teammate. Can you join us on our adventure?"

Machoke shook his head.

"Oh," Lucia said with a frown. "That's too bad. Hm. Can I at least, Uh… train more with you? You were the strongest opponent I've ever faced- No, wait. Uh," Lucia raised a bent finger to her lower lip. "Technically, you were my first opponent ever, but uh- that doesn't make you any less strong! Can you please train with me?" \

Machoke beamed with excitement and quickly nodded. Lucia grinned and bounced with joy.

"Yes!" She cried. "Did you hear that, Bagon!? We're gonna become stronger!"

"Bagon!" Bagon jumped with joy.

Machoke exchanged looks with Gardevoir. Gardevoir sighed deeply and looked away.

"Hey- uh, Gardevoir?" Lucia spun to the Psychic type. "Can you uh, heal us both? I healed Machoke, so it wouldn't be fair if we came after him again with our current state. Gardevoir sighed once again and extended her arms. A green light pulsated from her arms as she began healing the two.

"We're gonna get super strong from this Machoke, I know it!" Lucia said excitedly. "We're gonna be strong enough to take on the world, I just know it!"

"Bagon!" Bagon cried out in excitement.