Chapter 16: Mega Aura Storm of Trials!
Well, after having to deal with some apalling disguises on Team Rocket's part, our little group was walking along at a nice calm pace without a care in the world.
"This is such beautiful weather, it's so nice out." Serena commented.
"Yeah, it's brilliant." "Froakie." Me and Froakie nodded, contented.
"You know, a day like this makes you just wanna run! Let's go, Pikachu!" And just like that they were off!
"Hey! Come back!" I called to them, but knowing that was useless, I gave chase with an accompanying Froakie.
Too bad I overshot it and ran past them. 'Oops.'
"Alright! Two trainers!" Suddenly a figure landed in front of me!
"Woah!" I quickly applied the brakes and stopped in front of the figure.
It was a girl who looked about the same age as me, she was wearing a red and white outfit with a skirt with matching skates and helmet, complete with her bright grey eyes and long blonde ponytail. She looked familiar for some reason...
"Who are you?" Ash asked.
"Can we help you with something?" Clemont added as the rest of our group caught up.
"Yes! Numbers 99 wnd 100! And that's gonna be you and you!" She continued happily.
"Numbers 99 and 100?" Ash echoed.
"What are you talking about?" I thought aloud.
"What do ypu think? I'm talking about you two and me having pokemon battles!" She cheered.
"So your a trainer?" Clemont said.
"That's right. My name is Korrina, and over there's my partner." We looked behind us to see a Lucario jump down from the trees! It ran towards us before jumping over and landing next to its trainer.
"I've never seen a Lucario before..." I breathed as I got out my Pokedex.
'Lucario, the Aura Pokémon and the evolved form of Riolu. Lucario reads the thoughts of others and anticipates their movements by sensing their auras.'
"Wow! It's so cool!" Bonnie went sparkly eyed.
The two high-fived each other. "We're in top form today!" "Ura!" They fist pumped. "So we're having our battles, right?"
"Sure." Ash agreed, whilst I just kept staring.
'She seems so familiar...but I can't put my finger on it...'
"Hey!" Korrina's voice snapped me out of my stupor. "You'll battle too, right?"
"Of course." I nodded. "Practice before the Shalour Gym sounds good."
"Really? Your challenging the Shalour Gym?" Korrina looked at her Lucario with some hidden knowledge. "Are you all trainers? Battling the Gym?"
"No, we're not challenging any gyms." Serena stated.
"But as far as being trainers, you guessed right." Clemont confirmed.
We all made our introductions before making our way to a large open field for our battles, with Ash being first. As I sat down though, my mind continued to drift. 'Have I seen her somewhere before? Does someone I know look similar to her? I just don't know...'
"...Hey Froakie." I whispered.
"Froakie?" He responded.
"Do you think Korrina is familiar in anyway?"
He thought for a moment, but eventually shook his head. "Fro."
"No, huh? Hmm..." I began thinking again.
"Froak!" Froakie brought me out of it and pointed to where the group had gathered.
"What!? It's over already!?" I facefaulted before rushing over, Pikachu was eating a Sitrus Berry, so I could safely assume he lost.
"Your Pikachu's quite strong Ash, but I don't think your ready to challenge the Shalour Gym." Korrina told him.
"Really?" Ash asked. "Why?"
"Because I'm the Shalour City Gym Leader!" She declared.
"What!?" We all gasped.
"No wonder your so strong!" Bonnie marvelled.
"Now that's 99 straight wins! Only one more to go!" Korrina and Lucario smiled, before both their stomachs growled. "Ah! There's nothing more embarrassing then a growling stomach! But we really can't help it, 'cause pokemon battles sure make you hungry!"
"Ura!" Lucario said in annoyance.
"I know what you mean, I'm feeling kinda hungry too." Ash admitted.
"I could have a bite to eat." I agreed.
"Alright, why don't we all have lunch?" Clemont suggested.
"Alright!" Me, Ash and Korrina cheered together.
OCXY
Soon we were all sitting at a table having lunch in the fresh grassy plains. I immediately tucked into several sandwiches as Korrina complimented Clemont's cooking, whilst Froakie, Pikachu, Dedenne and Lucario were having some of Serena's PokePuffs.
As we were eating, I noticed a familiar stone inserted into her left glove. "Hey...is that a Key Stone?"
"Huh? Yeah! My grandfather gave it to me." Korrina confirmed.
"Can your Lucario Mega Evolve?" Clemont asked.
"Nope." She denied. "You see, Lucario doesn't have a Mega Stone yet. But you know, one of my ancestor's was the very first person to Mega Evolve a Lucario!"
"Seems like you know a lot of heritage." I commented.
"Yep, you see a tradition at the Shalour City Gym is that you must have a pokemon that is able to Mega Evolve." Korrina explained. "We decided we needed 100 victories in a row before we went to Geosenge Town to find a Mega Stone."
"So that means that Elliot is your 100th straight win?" Serena said.
I choked slightly on my sandwich. "Hey, who said I was gonna lose?"
"Still, 99 victories seems a little fantastical, even for a Gym Leader." Serena pointed out.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me." She got out a book filled with Pokemon footprint pictures.
"Wow, they're from pokemon you battled against?" Bonnie exclaimed.
"Yeah." She showed us a few pictures before she remembered something. "Ah! I forgot to ask Pikachu to stamp its paw!" Grabbing some ketchup, she squirted Pikachu's paw with it and stamped it in her book.
"That's...innovative." I sweatdropped as Pikachu happily licked the ketchup off.
OCXY
After packing up lunch, I stood opposite Korrina in the fields. "Froaaaaaak..."
"Hold on, Froakie." I stopped him before getting out a Poke-Ball. "I've decided to use this pokemon, so you just sit back and study how Lucario battles, okay?"
"Froakie." He nodded.
"Okay! Chimchar! Show 'em your spirit!" I tossed the ball forward.
"Chimchar!" The fire monkey cheered upon being sent out.
"Go, Chimchar!" "Denne!" His playmates called.
"Here we go, Elliot!" "Ura!" Korrina and Lucario nodded.
"Ready when you are!" "Chihihimchar!" We replied.
A premature Gym Battle?
Korrina and Lucario vs. Elliot and Chimchar
"You can have the first move." Korrina offered.
"Thanks! Chimchar, use Ember!" I cried.
"Chiiiiiimchar!" The little pokemon took a deep breath before exhaling embers at Lucario, but it easily dodged!
"Lucario's so fast!" Serena commented.
"Flame Charge!" I said, pointing forward.
"Chimchimchimchimchar!" He stomped repeatedly, kicking up debris smoke that surrounded him, before charging forward covered in fire.
"Metal Sound!"
"Ura!" Lucario banged the spikes on the back of its paws together, generating silver soundwaves that blasted away the flames surrounding Chimchar!
"Alright! Now use Bone Rush!" Lucario put its paws together before slowly moving them apart, creating a long bone made of whit energy, dashing over and whacking Chimchar back to my feet!
"Chimchar! You okay!?" I gasped.
"Ch...Chi...CHIIIIIIMCHAAAAAAAR!" He burst into tears.
"Oh no, Chimchar..." I walked over and held him to calm him down as he sucked his thumb.
"Is Chimchar okay?" Korrina asked worriedly whilst Lucario looked nervous it had seriously injured it.
"It's okay, Chimchar's just a little young." I reassured them as I put him down. "Can you still battle?"
"Chim." He nodded before toddling back onto the battlefield.
"Then use Flame Charge again!"
"Chiiiiiim..." This time red aura rings appeared in front of him. "Chaaaar!" As he jumped through them he was set ablaze.
"Lucario, endure it!" Korrina called. Lucario nodded before running forward and taking the Flame Charge head on! He skidded back with a wince.
"I'm surprised it could take that attack, Lucario must be able to endure a lot of attacks." Clemont noted.
"Yeah, but now Chimchar's got more speed!" "Denne!" Bonnie and Dedenne countered.
"Use Swords Dance!" Lucario closed its eyes as energy swords floated around it before fading away, he then gained a powerful red aura.
"We'll counter power with speed! Flame Charge, one more time!" I punched forward.
"Chimchimchimchimchimchimchar!" Chimchar once again flew forward.
"Give it a Power-Up Punch!" Korrina fist-pumped.
"Uuuuura!" Lucario's fist gained an orange aura, that rushed forward and hit Chimchar, cancelling Flame Charge and sent him sprawling back!
"No way!" I gasped.
"Now, Bone Rush again!" Lucario created another bone this time jumping up and bringing it crashing down with a big explosion! Little Chimchar was thrown out and landed in front of me, lying on his stomach.
"Chimchar!" I called to the little pokemon.
"You go, Lucario!" Korrina cheered. "Guess that makes victory number 100!"
"Chimchar..." I mumbled.
"...Chi..." We all looked at the little fire type, who was struggling to its hands and knees.
"Woah..." "Ura..." The two breathed.
"Chi...im...Chaaaaar!" Chimchar stood tall, covered in bruises, but its fighting spirit intact.
I was touched by the little pokemons determination, before I remembered we had a battle to win! "Your right! We don't give up 'till the last move! Use Ember!"
"ChiiiiiiimCHAAAAAR!" Chimchar sucked in as much air as posssible, but instead of breathing out small fire particles, a whole stream of fire erupted and swallowed up Lucario!
"Lucario!" Korrina gasped as he pokemon skid back and fell to its knees, smoke drifting heavily off of its body.
"Wow Chimchar! You just used Flamethrower!" I marvelled.
"Chim? Chimchar! Chihihihihimchar!" He did a little victory dance.
"Yay, Chimchar!" Bonnie cheered.
"Wow..." Korrina stated as Lucario recovered.
"Ura!" Lucario shook its head and charged forward.
'Its attacking independently?' I thought in confusion. "Chimchar, use Thunderpunch!"
"Chiiiiim..." Chimchar clenched its right fist, turning it yellow as sparks crackled off of it.
"Uuuuu..." Lucario pulled its fist back, gaining an orange aura to show its Power-Up Punch.
"Chaaaaar!"
"Raaaaaah!"
The two punches collided in a fierce explosion, I strained to peer through the smoke, seeing a heavily panting Lucario, and an unconscious Chimchar.
"Ah!" "Fro!" We ran over to our partner and picked him up. "Chimchar..."
"No! Chimchar!" Bonnie and Dedenne panicked.
"Here." I looked to see Korrina holding out a Sitrus Berry.
"Thanks, Korrina." I said as I took it. "Eat this, it'll make you feel better."
"Chiiim..." Chimchar groaned as he ate the berry, slowly perking up into his usual self. "Chimchar!"
"Yay! Your all better, Chimchar!" Bonnie celebrated.
"That was a great battle!" Korrina praised. "You and Chimchar must have a strong bond to give each other that motivation and confidence!"
"Guess so." Me and my two pokemon smiled.
"And that makes victory number 100!" Korrina cheered with Lucario as she got out her book and let Chimchar stamp his hand on it. "Now we're ready to head to Geosenge Town and find a Mega Stone!"
The thought of Mega Evolution clicked something in my mind, and I stood up. "Hey Korrina."
"Hm? Yeah?"
"The thing is, I want to learn about Mega Evolution as well!" I explained. "And I was wondering if I could accompany you to Geosenge Town?"
"Don't forget about us!" Serena noted.
"Yeah, we're friends now after all!" "Pika pika!" Ash and Pikachu agreed.
"Really?" Korrina beamed. "Thank you! I'd love that!"
"Urah!" Lucario agreed.
"So which direction are we going in?" Clemont asked.
"I'd saaaaay...that way." Korrina pointed, and so we began walking, strangely, me and Korrina were at the back with Froakie and Lucario. Chimchar was playing with Bonnie and Dedenne up front. "...Say, Elliot."
"Yeah?"
"I feel like I know you from somewhere..."
I almost stopped when she said that. "Y-You do?"
"Uh-huh. But I can't quite put my finger on it..." She strained for a minute before smiling again. "Oh well, I'll remember it eventually." She then skated to the front with Lucario, whilst me and Froakie stared at her in bafflement.
OCXY
We arrived in Geosenge Town surprisingly soon, and quickly started looking for a Mega Stone, but there were stones everywhere! Dawn Stones, Fire Stones, Dusk Stones, all of them! But we couldn't find any Mega Stones...
"No luck..." I admitted as I stared at the three dominant stone pillars. "But I must admit, this landmark is amazing!"
"Froakie!" My partner croaked.
"Elliot!" Korrina called.
"Huh?" I said.
"Come on!" She seized my wrist and dragged me over where everyone else was, standing in front of a Hiker preparing a camera. "We're taking a picture!"
"C'mon Elliot!" "Denneeeee!" "Chihimchar!"
Korrina dragged me over next to her and Lucario. "Is everybody ready?" The Hiker asked. "Okay, three...two...one..." I smiled as the picture was taken. "Got it! I'll have these developed right away."
As the pictures were being developed, Clemont said that the hiker had actually told him about a cave where Mega Evolution Stones, and hopefully Lucarionite, were found.
We got back our pictures (me and Froakie noticed how Serena had got next to Ash) and set off up the mountain. Though the furthest we got was a dead end, so we had to backtrack. "Wonder if we went the wrong way?" Ash thought aloud.
"It's possible we took a wrong turn..." Clemont suggested.
"Ahhh! We've gotta find that cave and that Lucarionite!" Korrina complained.
Bringing up the rear, I happened to notice something. "Hey...these rocks look kind of outta place..."
"Froak?" Froakie hopped off of my shoulder and examined them, before nodding in agreement.
"Ura." Korrina's partner walked up to us.
"Do you agree, Lucario?" The pokemon nodded in confirmation. "Then let's see what's behind here! Froakie, Water Pulse!"
"FrooooaKIE!" "Uuuuurah!" With Lucario assisting with Power-Up Punch, the rocks shattered, revealing a pathway between the mountain!
"Wow! You found it!" Korrina praised as the rest of the group joined us.
"Do you think someone hid it on purpose?" Bonnie asked, with Chimchar thinking deeply.
"Whatever, all that matters is Elliot, Froakie and Lucario found it!" Ash nodded.
"It was nothing really..." The three of us smiled.
Walking down the path, we found a cave entrance to venture inside of with the help of Clemont's Heliolisk based Clemontic Gear out of his backpack to light the way. Halfway through though, the sound of screaming was heard.
"Wh-What's that!?" Serena panicked.
"A zombie!?" "Chiiiiim!" The very mention caused Chimchar to start crying.
I peered into the darkness to see figures literally flying towards us! "Hit the deck!" We lay flat against the ground as familiar figures shot over our heads. "Team Rocket!?" I facefaulted in disbelief as they went straight out of the cave.
"They must've snuck in ahead of us." Ash murmured.
'What could have sent them flying like that?' I thought as I looked at Froakie worriedly. 'What's in there?'
Now more hesitantly, we descended further and further into the mountain, until we found a wooden door, already opened. 'Why is something manmade here?' Despite this, we walked through.
We were now in a spacious cavern, with water reflecting off of the walls to provide light, a long rock path with pillars on either side of it leading up to a rock altar, on which lay a large, craggy chunk of beautiful orange crystal with red and silver swirls inside of it. Lucarionite.
"This isn't natural..." I said. "Somebody made all this..."
"Great! Now Lucario will be able to Mega Evolve!" Ash ignored me.
"Let's go get it!" Korrina and Lucario then ran forward.
"Wait a second!" I tried to warn them, before a pokemon suddenly jumped down and attacked Lucario! Luckily the Aura Pokemon was able to defend itself, its opponent landing in front of the sought Lucarionite.
"Hold on, that's..." I got out my Pokedex.
'Blaziken, the Blaze Pokémon. Blaziken leaves its opponents charred with its fiery punches.'
"What's a Blaziken doing here?" Clemont thought aloud.
"Blaziken must be the one who threw Team Rocket out." Ash said.
"I'm scared!" "Chiiim!" The two children hugged each other tightly.
"Is it mad?" Serena asked.
"It's protective." I answered, pointing behind it. "It's guarding the Lucarionite."
"So that's how it is, we have to defeat you first!" Korrina smirked. "I think you guys should stand back, this is the last hurdle to Lucario Mega Evolving."
"...Good luck, Korrina." I said.
Lucario and its trainer stood opposite the Blaze pokemon. "Hello, Blaziken, my name's Korrina, and I challenge you for the Lucarionite!" Blaziken seemed to understand, jumping down, ready for battle. "Alright! Power-Up Punch!"
Lucario jumped forward with a blazing fist of energy, but Blaziken easily jumped out of the way before hitting its opponent full on with a Blaze Kick! Lucario landed safely, but Blaziken charged!
"Dodge it!" Lucario ducked and weaved frantically around the flurry of Blaze Kick's, but it was having difficulty and was being grazed repetitively.
"Blaziken can move so fast!" Clemont acknowledged.
"Use Metal Sound!" "Ura! Raaaaaaaaaah!" Clanging its backhand spikes together launched silver soundwaves at Blaziken, making it clutch its head in pain. Then Lucario charged with a double Power-Up Punch that Blaziken blocked!
'It's attacking without command again...' I thought worriedly.
Blaziken blasted Lucario with a Flamethrower, sending it crashing into the ceiling and falling back down.
"Lucario!" Korrina ran towards it.
"Korrina! Stay back!" I shouted.
"Blazikeeeeen!" The pokemon launched another Flamethrower, narrowly missing Korrina but burning up her picture in the process.
"KORRINA!" Ash blocked my path.
"She wants to do this on her own, it's important to both of them." He stated.
"But..." "Froak..."
Blaziken grabbed Lucario by the head and threw him at the wall, smashing into it before landing in the water.
"Damnit..." They were getting pummeled out there! And I just had to standby and do nothing!? "...Your right..." I admitted. "This is your fight, right Korrina?"
"...Ash, Elliot, you two get it." Korrina smiled before standing up. "That's right! No matter who we're up against, we'll never turn and run! Right, Lucario?"
The pokemon sitting in the water gritted its teeth and stood up, once more facing the Fire/Fighting type. "Lucario, Power-Up Punch!"
"Raaaaah!" With both fists powered, Lucario threw punches wildly at Blaziken, who dodged and blocked until finally getting pushed back, then charging in with a Bone Rush.
'Attacking independently AGAIN...'
Nonetheless Lucario beat Blaziken down and pinned it to the ground with several bones, before going in for one last Power-Up Punch.
"Enough!" The voice stopped Lucario in its tracks. "You have won." A man with HUGE eyebrows then stepped out of the shadows, seriously, they were really long! "Well done, Korrina."
"Grandfather!?" Korrina gasped.
"That's your grandfather!?" The rest of us gasped.
"Yes, they call me the Mega Evolution Guru, my name is Gurkinn." He introduced himself.
"What's Korrina's grandfather doing here?" Clemont wondered as he got out a Poke-Ball.
"You fought honourably Blaziken, now return." Gurkinn thanked the pokemon as it was recalled.
"What's going on?" Korrina asked in bafflement.
"Can I take a guess?" I offered. "You had Korrina journey here and fight Blaziken to test her, right?"
"Very observant young man." He nodded. "And I am pleased to say you passed with flying colours. Well done, Korrina! And you as well, Lucario!"
"Grandfather..." "Rah!" They smiled.
"Now, go forth and take what you've earned." Korrina ran up the stairs and gently picked up the chunk of Lucarionite.
"We finally got it!" She cheered, as Lucario howled with happiness.
OCXY
Soon we returned to Geosenge Town, where the Hiker (Called McGinty...yes, you read that correctly) from before was actually waiting for us. Turns out that Gurkinn had actually asked for his help in assisting Korrina, pointing us in the right direction. And now that Lucario held it's Mega Stone, we were ready to witness it's Mega Evolution.
"Here we go, Lucario!" Lucario nodded, ready. "Now! Mega Evolve!" Placing her palm on her Mega Stone, the two stones connected through streams of light, and Lucario began glowing.
Lucario's black markings changed slightly, with more colours being added, smaller spikes grew above its ones it already had, yellow fur growing to its tail, and its aura feelers either side of its head growing longer, the light dispersed with the symbol of Mega Evolution, revealing Mega Lucario.
Lucario looked at itself, sweeping its arm in a test of power to create a powerful airwave. "Awesome Lucario! Your aura's really strong now." Korrina complimented, as we all ran over, adding our own compliments.
'It's just like when we saw that four way battle!' I thought in excitement.
Lucario continued to punch and kick the air, releasing bursts of aura each time. "Froak." Froakie praised his new power, to which the Aura Pokemon nodded.
"You wanna try out your new power, right?" Korrina asked, making Lucario nod.
"Korrina, let's battle!" Ash jumped at the oppurtunity. "It'll be like a preview for our Shalour City Gym Battle!"
"Sure!" Korrina agreed.
So whilst the rest of us stepped back, Lucario and Pikachu took battle stances. "Mega Lucario's first battle! Watch us, Grandpa!" Korrina waved.
"Let's see how this turns out..." McGinty mumbled.
Mega Lucario's First Battle!
Korrina and Mega Lucario vs. Ash and Pikachu
To be honest, I'd prefer not to talk about this battle, but I suppose I have to have a form of explanation...the battle went normally halfway through, Lucario definitely was shown to be much stronger through a knocked away Bone Ruch obliterating the edge of a mountain.
But soon, Lucario changed, it gained an animalistic look in its eyes, and stopped following Korrina's commands. It attacked much more violently, Biting Pikachu's tail and kicking him away, it was almost too painful to watch.
Soon Ash had to run in and protect his friend, and despite Korrina's pleas, Lucario leapt at both of them with a Power-Up Punch!
"Oh no!" I got out Espurr's Poke-Ball, but I fell short to Gurkinn, who's Lucario appeared and blocked the attack with a single arm, not even having to Mega Evolve!
"Korrina, Lucario, enough!" Gurkinn commanded.
Still growling ferociously, Lucario passed out and de-evolved. Gurkinn walked over and picked up the Lucarionite. "McGinty, please take this." The other man nodded and held the stone.
"Lucario..." Korrina knelt down by her partner, a pained look on her face. "What...happened to you?"
'How could Mega Evolution...have done that!?' I thought in horror.
OCXY
We soon arrived at the Pokemon Centre, waiting anxiously until Pikachu was rolled out on a stretcher, and we were given the news that Lucario was recovering simply from exhaustion.
"Exhaustion is understandable." Gurkinn said. "A pokemon will use up large amounts of energy upon Mega Evolving, if it is too much to handle." Korrina looked down under her grandfathers stern stare.
"Ash and Pikachu, I'm so sorry for what happened." She bowed in apology.
"It's alright, Pikachu's fine now." "Pikapika!" The pair reassured her.
"That's all that matters!" "Denne!" "Chim..." The fire starter still had tears in his eyes after being frightened by Mega Lucario.
Korrina looked close to tears, and seeing that made me feel an unrecognizable sense of guilt, so I spoke up. "Besides, you got Lucario to Mega Evolve, and if you two work together, I know you can pull it off!" "Frooooakie!"
She calmed down at that. "Your right, Elliot. If anyone can do it, it's Lucario!"
Gurkinn walked over and sat down in a nearby seat. "Grandpa, was your Lucario like that when it first Mega Evolved?"
"In a way." He said with closed eyes. "But still-"
"But still!?" Korrina interrupted.
He fixed her with that same look. "That battle with Ash was hardly worthy of praise."
I shot my own look at him before McGinty walked in. "Sorry ta keep ya waitin' Gurkinn!"
"Ah, McGinty, did you finish it?"
"Aye, it turned out well if I do say so meself." He opened a box that contained the Lucarionite in a small spherical shape more like the previous ones, and it was fitted into a red wristband-like holder...where do people get these things!?
"Thanks, Mr. McGinty." Korrina smiled as she accepted it.
"Did YOU make this, Mr. McGinty?" I asked.
"Aye, and I'm proud of my handiwork." He nodded.
As we waited for Lucario's recovery, we discussed why it acted the way it did, saying how it was like a completely different pokemon, that it was because it couldn't control its new power, and other reasons. Gurkinn said it was due to Lucario's aura being at full power when it Mega Evolves, and its instinct focuses purely on battling.
"If I can say something..." I spoke up. "Even before we found the Lucarionite, Lucario would sometimes use attacks without being given commands. I think its because of Lucario's battling instinct surpassing its trust with Korrina."
"If that is true, then Korrina must get that instinct under control before even thinking about Mega Evolution." Gurkinn said, making Korrina look down again.
It was then that Lucario was wheeled out, and Korrina happily greeted it, attaching the new Mega Wristband to Lucario's left arm, which it was very pleased with.
"Lucario...we've learned that mastering Mega Evolution takes a whole lotta work, but I know we can do it!" "Rah!" The pair smiled.
Gurkinn however, maintained his facial expression. "Korrina, please come with me. I think we should have a battle."
"Wow! A battle? It's been so long! Let's master Mega Evolution this time for sure!" "Rah!" The two cheered.
"It appears you don't understand what Mega Evolution is really about." He said in a slightly harsh tone before walking towards the door. "Come outside."
Me and Froakie glared at him. "What's his problem?" "Froak..."
OCXY
Soon granddaughter and grandfather were standing opposite each other on a battlefield, each with a Lucario, whilst we sat on the sidelines. Both of them Mega Evolved their Lucario's, aura billowing everywhere.
"Listen Ash, Elliot." She said to us. "We've never beaten my grandpa and his Lucario before, not once."
"Yeah, but this time'll be different!" Ash nodded. "You'll win and master Mega Evolution for sure!"
"Just...be careful." Was all I could say.
"Alright! Power-Up Punch!" Korrina's Lucario charged forward with a glowing orange fist.
"Block with your aura." With nothing more then a swipe through thin air, Gurkinn's Lucario tossed Korrina's back like a ragdoll!
"With just it's aura!?" Clemont gasped.
"Gurkinn's Lucario has complete control over it's aura." McGinty explained. "Fact is only when a pokemon and a trainer are truly able to understand each other, that an aura heightened to its complete and utter limit can be controlled like that."
"Come ON!" Korrina yelled. "Stop treating me like a little kid and battle me seriously!"
Gurkinn's giant eyebrow twitched. "That's what we're doing. This is how aura pokemon SHOULD be battling! Now! Bone Rush!" Gurkinn's Lucario created a long GOLDEN bone, wielding it expertly.
"Use Bone Rush too!" Korrina's Lucario broke its single bone into two and charged, the two charged and slashed at each other, until Korrina's knocked Gurkinn's off of its feet!
"That was awesome!" "Froakie!" We praised.
"Way to go, Korrina!" "Pikapika!" Ash and Pikachu added.
"You doing great Lucario! Keep it up!" Korrina said as Gurkinn's Lucario landed on its feet. "Awesome..."
"It's best you don't underestimate us." Gurkinn advised. "Right then...Aura Sphere!" His Lucario charged a sphere of pure aura in its palms that it threw.
"Use Bone Rush! Crush it!" Her Lucario crossed its bones as a defence, but the attack easily broke through and sent it flying back.
"His Lucario's aura is just stronger..." I mumbled.
"You can do it, Lucario! I know you can beat that Aura Sphere!" Korrina coaxed, but when Lucario got back up, it had that beastly look in its eyes. "Lucario! But why!?"
"Chiiim!" Chimchar hid behind Bonnie in fright.
"So the real battle begins..." Gurkinn's Lucario braced itself.
"Lucario! Can you hear me!?" Lucario roared in response. "Swords Dance!" Instead it charged forward. "What are you doing!?"
It charged with a Power-Up Punch. "Stop it. Now." Gurkinn's Lucario once again blocked the attack. "Dodge with your aura!" His jumped up as her's swiped with its leg.
"Lucario, listen to me!" Korrina called desperately. "Bone Rush!"
"Aura Sphere!" Before Lucario could even react, an Aura Sphere slammed into it full force, sending it crashing down in a big explosion before de-evolving.
"Our battle is over." Gurkinn stated as Korrina ran over to her partner.
"Lucario! Lucario, wake up!" Korrina begged as we joined her.
"Well done." Gurkinn said as his Lucario de-evolved.
Korrina's Lucario weakly opened its eyes. "I'm so glad your awake." Korrina sighed as she helped it, only for Gurkinn to stand over them. "...It's hard..." Tears built up in her eyes. "Why though!? It Mega-Evolved again but we still couldn't control it!"
"I'm afraid the only ones to blame for a lack of change are you two!" Gurkinn declared. "Lucario, the reason you are consumed by your aura is because of your overconfidence in your power, shown by your attacking excessively without Korrina's command, and is nothing short of arrogant." Lucario hung its head in shame.
"Korrina, because you allow Lucario to do just that, shows you don't truly understand it. The way things are now, becoming stronger is impossible. You two have spent too much time together, and because you believe you truly understand each other, you have neglected the training that will make you stronger! It's this sort of immature behaviour that's unbecoming of the Shalour Gym Leader!"
The two looked at each other. "I don't get it...I don't get it at all, we battled so much-"
"WHY YOU FOOL!" Gurkinn suddenly shouted. "I order you to go on another training journey! There's a trainer who guided me since I was young who lives on Pumice Mountain, this trainers partner is also a Mega Evolved pokemon, they will teach you what you need to see beyond the surface of Mega Evolution."
"Hey!" I stepped between them. "Don't talk to Korrina like that! She's your granddaughter isn't she!? Stop being so harsh!"
"E-Elliot! What are you doing!?" Korrina panicked.
"Would you rather I not help her at all!?" He asserted, but I stood my ground. "Who are you to involve yourself in these matters anyway?"
"I want to learn the power of Mega Evolution too!" I jabbed a finger at myself.
"Froakie!" Froakie puffed out his chest.
"Is that so?" He stared at me for a long time, neither of us budging an inch. "...If you believe this to be a trivial matter...then I shall issue you a challenge!"
Getting out a Poke-Ball, he let out his Blaziken, though this time I noticed a Mega Wristband around its left wrist. "I will lend my Blaziken to you. If you bond with it enough to allow it to Mega Evolve, I will allow you to keep this." He then attached a red Mega Ring to my left wrist.
"However, if you should fail in this task, you shall be FORBIDDEN to challenge the Shalour City Gym! Do you accept these terms?"
"I do." I said without hesitation.
"What!?" Everyone yelled.
"Elliot! Think about what your doing!" Serena panicked.
"Yeah! You'll never be able to battle Korrina!" "Denne denne!" "Chimchar!"
"I've made up my mind." I stated.
"Elliot..." Korrina said, slightly guiltily.
"Very well then, let's see if you are capable of Mega Evolution." Gurkinn said.
"Your gonna need all the bonding ya can get." McGinty added.
I turned to the pokemon. "Blaziken...I don't see you as a wall I have to overcome...I see you as a new acquaintance to get to know. And I hope, in time, you'll see me as a friend." Blaziken nodded at the statement.
OCXY
Soon we were walking along another pathway having said farewell to Gurkinn and McGinty. Me, Korrina, Froakie, Blaziken and Lucario were walking together whilst everybody else was in front.
"You didn't have to do that..." Korrina mumbled. "Grandpa is always serious. If you fail, you'll never be able to challenge me, and Blaziken is HIS pokemon!"
"I just didn't want to see you get upset again..." I admitted. "...That reminds me..." I got out my picture and gave it to her.
"Is this...?"
"Yours got burned, didn't it? I asked McGinty to print an extra one for me to have, you can have mine."
She stared at it before smiling. "Thank you Elliot...and...the more I'm with you...the more I feel we really have met before...I hope I can remember that..."
Froakie and Lucario shared a smile between them, whilst Blaziken looked at the group with interest.
'This is it...' I thought. 'It's time to learn the secrets of Mega Evolution!'
Next time: The gang travel to Pumice Mountain, facing many dangers on the way! On arrival both Korrina and Elliot train in the pure essence of Mega Evolution, but will they master it? And will their entwined pasts finally come to light?
Phew! I finally got it done before Christmas!
Pawniard: What do you want? A medal?
Aaaaaah! Your back!?
Pawniard: Problem?
Nope...
Pawniard: Good. Let's hope you can actually keep on schedule NEXT YEAR!
Right...thank you to everyone who has supported, reviewed and stuck with this fanfic throughout 2014! Merry Christmas!
Pawniard: Merry Christmas!