Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
It took me hours to get started writing this chapter; I had the writer's block and I don't know how to start a story. And after the fourth chapter, that's when Lucas starts to travel with them. Riolu attacks: Force Palm, Quick Attack, Reversal, and Endure
Another bright and warm morning in Sunnyshore City, but it is always like that. Ash and the others woke up and ate their breakfast. Ash wanted to get some last minute practice before his match against Volkner later this afternoon, Dawn wants to practice as well. Ash asked Lucas to have a practice battle with him, Lucas accepted the offer. They agreed to have a 1-on-1 battle; Brock and Dawn stopped whatever they were doing and decided to watch. All of them decided to let out all of their Pokémon to watch.
"Good Luck Ash." Lucas said with a smile.
"You too!" Ash said.
Brock is going to be the referee of the match; he gave them the go signal to let out their Pokémon. Ash picked his Pikachu; the small yellow mouse hopped into the arena waiting for his opponent to come out. Lucas smirked and let out his own Pokémon; a flash of light appeared and disappeared showing a small, blue, dog-like Pokémon.
"I didn't know you have a Riolu!" Ash said in surprise.
"If both trainers are ready;" Brock raised his right hand as they nodded "Then BEGIN!" slashing his hand down starting the battle.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" the mouse launched a lightning bolt at Riolu.
"Riolu use Quick Attack to dodge," he sped off to another direction leaving the spot where he was get struck by lightning. "Now attack Pikachu with it."
He ran towards the Pikachu a trail of dust behind him; Pikachu jumped out of the way, but Riolu followed him jumping a little higher than him.
"Now use Force Palm!"
Riolu's palm began to glow showing a visible ball of energy; he then put his palm on Pikachu while still in midair, he then fired a huge light green blast from his palm. Pikachu landed flat on his back and a thud.
"Pikachu are you okay!" Ash sounding worried.
Pikachu stood up on all fours and looked at Ash giving him an intense look of determination.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
"Dodge with Quick Attack, Riolu!"
Pikachu ran up to Riolu with his tail starting to glow white; he leaped upwards and twirled to gain more power, but Riolu dodged with ease.
"Pikachu use Volt Tackle!"
Pikachu ran trying to catch up to Riolu while covering himself with yellow electricity; he surpassed Riolu's speed and slammed himself against Riolu.
"Great work Pikachu!"
Riolu was hit pretty hard, but managed to get back up on his feet. He was squinting one eye; Lucas noticed and figured out how to put this to his advantage.
"Pikachu, let's finish this with a Thunderbolt!"
A bolt of lightning is coming towards Riolu.
"Use Endure!"
Riolu planted his feet firmly on the ground and readied for the attack to come. The attack has finally reached Riolu and struck him; electricity surged all over his body, but he did not faint.
"Riolu now use Quick Attack!" Close to fainting he did not disobey instead he got even more determined to fight.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
Again Pikachu's tail glowed and he ran up to attack; they we're only a few meters apart when Pikachu leaped and twirled his body ready to slam his tail against Riolu, but he changed course and dodged leaving Pikachu to strike the ground instead.
"Now use Reversal!" Lucas said calmly with crossed arms on his chest.
Riolu who was behind Pikachu when he dodged, giving an all-out attack on Pikachu; attacking with all what's left of his energy. The attack varies from the user's health; with one final blow with his right paw he knocked out Pikachu; Brock declared Lucas the winner. Ash never thought he would turn this match around by sacrificing some health.
Ash ran up to Pikachu; holding him in his arms he congratulated him for a job well done, Pikachu gave a small smile. Dawn and the other Pokémon went to his side; Dawn's Buneary crying because her crush was hurt. Lucas and Riolu went up to Ash and Pikachu to thank them for a great battle; when Buneary saw Riolu her sorrow turned into anger.
"That was a great battle Ash." Lucas smiled at him.
"Yeah, I can see why you were able to beat Volkner." Still holding the tired Pikachu.
"You guys should go to the Pokecenter." Brock said.
Just then Buneary walked up to face Riolu, she then started to rant about what happened to Pikachu, but Riolu didn't look like he was listening; he was staring at the Pokémon in front him for some reason.
They all sweatdropped; except Lucas, who was looking at his Pokémon with a very interested face. Ash stood up and started walking to the direction of the Pokecenter; Dawn and Brock recalled their Pokémon except for Buneary who insisted to stay outside. Then all of them followed Ash.
Riolu also stayed outside of his Pokeball, though he was staring at the Pokémon in front of him. On the way, Buneary kept looking back at him to glare and every time she did, she caught him staring at her.
There at the Pokecenter and had their Pokémon checked; Nurse Joy said they would be okay. They were all relieved especially Buneary, who hugged Pikachu; Riolu felt a little disappointed seeing her giving affection to the mouse. Lucas saw his Pokémon's face and wanted to talk to him alone later.
Its 10:00 am in Dawn's Poketch and all of them wanted to eat lunch; they all decided to eat at the park and have some of Brock's infamous cooking. Ash also wanted to see all of Lucas' Pokémon while Dawn wanted to get to know him more.
They released their Pokémon to eat and have fun also to meet some new friends. Lucas was the last to release his team; Ash and the others were amazed how strong his team are, which consists of a Magmortar, Electivire, Lumineon, Togekiss and a Garchomp.
"Now I can really see why you beat Volkner!" Ash shouted in awe.
Lucas' Pokémon scanned their surroundings and seeing a bunch of Pokémon they never met before; Ash, Brock and Dawn's Pokémon either looked amazed or scared of the powerful Pokémon in front of them especially at the dragon type.
Lucas stepped up in front of his Pokémon to introduce them properly. "This is Togekiss, an energetic fellow. Lumineon, he can't possibly do any wrong. These guys are Magmortar and Electivire; Magmortar is the more sluggish guy, while Electivire is very hyperactive and believe it or not their best friends. And finally this is Garchomp; unlike other Garchomps he's not ferocious but the opposite."
The Garchomp nuzzled his trainer's cheek and Lucas patted his head in return.
After they all got acquainted they played with each other no longer feeling scared of the powerful Pokémon. Magmortar and Electivire were playing with Pikachu, Pachirisu and Cyndaquil; Lucas' Togekiss was flying around with Ash's Staraptor and Dawn's Togekiss; Lumineon was just swimming in the nearby lake accompanied by Buziel and Piplup; Garchomp was getting to know Infernape, Torterra and Mamoswine more. Brock's Pokémon joined in too, except for Chansey and Croagunk who busy helping Brock prepare lunch.
Ash couldn't stand watching them have fun so he joined in with them, while Lucas sat under a shady tree with his Riolu on his side. Their serenity was soon interrupted by a blue haired girl with her Buneary.
"Hey Lucas I just want to apologize about my Buneary's actions." Apologetic look etched on her face. Her Buneary went closer to Riolu, her face equally apologetic as her trainer; she apologize to him, but he looked to his side and saying that it's okay. She immediately perked up, holding his arm she dragged him to meet the others.
Lucas looked very pleased not noticing the girl sitting beside him. He turned his head and looked straight at her amazing eyes, she was also gazing in his.
Lucas was the first to speak up. "Hey Dawn can I tell you something." She nodded excitedly and began to take in whatever he was going to say. "It's about Riolu." Her excitement just then fell. "I think he's... lovesick."
"With whom might I ask?"
"Well, I believe that he likes your Buneary." Removing his hat and scratching the back of his head.
"Really! That's so cute!" Getting on her knees she turned to him; her whole body now facing Lucas.
"But he's a bit shy and I think he might not have a chance." Lucas said, his head looking down.
"Huh, why?" Dawn said while losing her cheerful attitude.
"It's because your Buneary already has a thing with Ash's Pikachu."
"Don't worry Lucas," she sat again and pointed at the direction of their Pokémon. "I know that he'll find hope."
Lucas motioned his head to where she was pointing to and saw his friend playing with Buneary and being happy in probably more ways than one.
Lucas spoke up.
"Hey. Dawn," she looked at Lucas with a curious face. "You know Dawn; I want to tell you another thing." Lucas faces her.
"What is it Lucas?" Hoping it wasn't about their Pokémon.
He was scratching his cheek with one finger with a tint of red in it. "Have you ever met Princess Salvia?" Dawn's heart ached, but did not show any of it.
"Yes, I have. But why do you want to know?"
"Well, I have this thing for her." Dawn's heart ached even worse and she didn't know why. Dawn just gave him a questioning look.
"I watched the Arrowroot Contest, and I saw her up on balcony." Dawn kept listening. "And I saw her cheer you on and giving you encouragement; that is what I want from a girl."
Dawn was backtracked, because he doesn't know that she and the princess changed positions for the day. She then blushed realizing that he had a thing on the princess which was her all along.
Lucas wasn't facing her anymore, but looked straight instead smiling from the memory; he continued. "She's also very beautiful." Dawn blushed harder.
Lucas saw this in the corner of his eye and smirked. Dawn doesn't know that he met Princess Salvia already and she told the story when she entered her first Contest.
"Lunch time everybody!" Brock shouted so everyone could hear.
They all gathered around and started to eat Brock's cooking.
"Wow Brock. Your cooking is really good." Lucas said taking another bite of his food. His Pokémon also agreed also munching over their food.
Embarrassment was on Brock's face. "Thanks Lucas."
At the Gym Doors
"You ready Ash?" Brock asked.
"You know it, right Pikachu!" Pikachu getting pumped up agreed with his trainer.
They knocked on the door. The door automatically opened up for them and waiting in the arena was the gym leader, but he wasn't alone there sitting behind him was Jasmine with a smile on her face.
"Before we start I want to mix it up first." Ash was looking confused. "Instead of a single battle let's make it a double battle."
"Okay Volkner, but who's your partner?"
"Right behind me."
Jasmine stood up and went up to be beside Volkner.
"I also want your partner to be Lucas," Volkner pointing to the beret wearing boy. "I want a rematch with you Lucas and I want this match to be a something to remember." Volkner grinned.
Lucas also returned the grin and was now standing beside Ash gave his partner a nod and a smile, Ash returned it as well.
"Okay if both teams are ready, this will be a two-on-two battle;" the robotic referee said. "BEGIN!"
"Go Infernape!" letting out the monkey with his head lit up with flames. "Go Magmortar!" Lucas sent out his sluggish friend, the light faded and saw his Pokémon sitting down snoozing. He sighed and the others fell back; he then woke him up.
"Go Luxray!" a lion liked Pokémon appeared with eyes that feel like their seeing right through you. "Go Steelix!" a giant serpent Pokémon with a body made of steel came out.
"Infernape use-" Ash halted his command.
"WAAAIT!"
Someone burst through the doors and all eyes were on the guy's hair instead of his eyes. Its impossible not to notice his giant afro especially the colour of it which was red.
"Uhm... sorry about interrupting but I didn't want to miss a single thing." Going to where Dawn and Brock was and sitting.
"Oh and I see that we accomplished the mission." Flint whispered to Dawn and Brock, and they nodded.
"By the way Flint," Brock started. "Where were you yesterday?"
"You don't want to know." He smiled meekly remembering his unfortunate day.
The battle finally begun with Ash starting it with a Mach Punch from his Infernape.
The Infernape ran at its target which was Steelix, but Jasmine stopped the attack by blowing Infernape away with a Sandstorm. Volkner then countered with a Thunder Fang; biting Infernape's arm. Lucas attacked with a Flamethrower; the claws of Magmortar disappeared and pointed his arm at Luxray, then flames came out of his arm aimed at Luxray, but Luxray blocked the attack with a discharge.
"Seems that the match is almost equal." Brock exclaimed, and the two other viewers nodded. "But one smart strategy can turn the tides over."
"Or one horrible mistake from the other team." Flint said spookily.
"Infernape use Dig!" he tunnelled underground.
"Magmortar use a Lava Plume!"
Magmortar retrieved both his hands inside his skin and large amount of fire came out that caused an explosion around him, creating a mix of smog and fire to cover the area and the flames attacked the two opponents.
"Yeah. Way to go Ash, Lucas!" Brock yelled at his seat. "Having Infernape go underground when Magmortar used Lava Plume, because the attack hits all Pokémon foe or not." He explained.
"Don't get to cocky," Volkner reminded them. "Luxray use Discharge!"
The attack directly hits Magmortar.
"You're not forgetting about Iunfernape are you?" Ash smirking.
"Oh we're not," Jasmine answered back. "Use Iron Tail on the ground."
The giant steel Pokémon slammed his tail on the ground and out came a surprised Infernape, but Jasmine didn't stop she let Steelix attack once more with another Iron Tail. Infernape landing on Magmortar, they were both groaning.
"We're not finish yet!" Ash yelled. And both Pokémon stood up ready to battle once more.
"Use Sunny Day!" A bright light came and it just got even hotter.
Dawn was slouching from the heat, and Brock almost getting dizzy from it. Flint on the other hand stayed the same, watching the battle more closely than ever.
"Let's finish this Ash." Lucas said to his partner.
"Double Flamethrower!" they shouted in unison.
"Steelix use Hyper Beam!"
"Luxray use Discharge full power!"
The two combined attacks collided with each other, an explosion came afterwards. Smoke covered the whole stadium; the viewers were all standing up to see who won. The smoked cleared and showed two towering figures standing and two flat on their backs.
"The WINNERS are..." the robot waited until the smoke cleared entirely, and when it did. "ASH AND LUCAS!"
Volkner and Jasmine returned their Pokémon after thanking them for their efforts. Volkner walked up to them followed by Jasmine holding onto his arm.
"Here Ash," Giving him the badge. "You deserve it, and Lucas I would give you one, but you already have." He laughed.
"Thanks Volkner," Ash did the pose when he always gets a new badge and saying his line. "Now I can compete in the Sinnoh League!" he cheered jumping up and down.
Flint came down the stands with Brock and Dawn.
"I have a question for you Volkner." Everyone turned to the Elite Four. "Why make it a double battle, and why didn't you pick me as a partner?" he said the last part with puppy-eyes.
"Just as I said I want this match to be amazing, that's why I made it a double battle so Lucas can join in. Also I wanted to experience my first tag battle with Jasmine." He kissed the head of the girl wrapped around his arm. She giggled.
"You guys are going steady!" Dawn interrupted. "That's so wonderful!" she squealed.
"Not only us, but..." Volkner and Jasmine got out one Pokeball and released whatever is inside of them. Two electric Pokémon came out and started nuzzling each other. "These guys too." A Raichu and an Ampharos was showing affection for all of them to see.
Brock started to cry. "So many lovers in one place!" he said in between sobs.
"Yeah, tell me about." Lucas said coolly giving Dawn a winked and she winked back.
"Hey Ash," Lucas referred to the now normal but still joy filled boy. "Can we travel together to Lily of the Valley? That's where the Conference will be held."
"Of course Lucas!" he raised his hand for him to shake which he did. "Besides I want a rematch with you" a look of determination on Ash's face, Lucas saw fire in his eyes and deep inside him his just itching for another battle. Dawn watching the two new friends and felt the fire burning in both of them, all in all she was just happy that Lucas will be joining them for the rest of their journey.