Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon
AN: I think that aura and pulse moves are related because they are both covered by the ability Mega Launcher, they can both hit any pokémon in a triple battle, and Lucario can learn all of them by level up except for water pulse. However, he can learn water pulse by TM in gen four. That's basically my reasoning. If anyone wants to incorporate this theory into their own fanfic, be my guest.
Chapter Sixteen
After several days at sea, Ash and co. had finally arrived at the westernmost city of Sinnoh, Canalave. The first thing they did was to check in at the pokémon center and reserve a room. Later, while Brock went to figure out if there was a direct ferry to Sunnyshore; Ash went to go train with his pokémon. After Brock returned, he told Ash that there was one, but it had multiple stops. So the duo decided that they would walk to Sunnyshore. After they finished talking the sun began to set so everyone went to go get dinner before going to bed.
The next day, Ash, Brock, Pikachu, and Gallade entered the Canalave Gym where they met Byron. After Ash challenged the miner, the two battlers took to their respective sides of the field as a referee stepped up to the square in the middle.
"This will be a three on three battle between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and our very own Byron of Canalave City. Since this is a battle for a coin, neither side is able to substitute pokémon. The battle will end when one trainer is out of pokémon. Battle begin!"
"I choose you, Infernape!"
"Let's go Klefki!"
Let's see. Klefki is also a fairy type, so it will resist fighting types moves. "Let's start strong with flamethrower!"
"Use spikes and dodge!"
Klefki rotated as jagged pieces of metal appeared on Ash's side of the field. After all the spikes appeared, Infernape was able to launch his flamethrower at Klefki who managed to dodge the powerful attack in the nick of time.
"Spikes once more!"
Klefki rotated again and more pieces of metal appeared on Ash's half of the field.
"Flamethrower!"
Once again, Infernape released a billowing stream of fire and directed it towards Klefki who was only partially able to dodge this time. Though damaged, Klefki still had enough energy to fight.
How is that Klefki moving so much faster than my Infernape? And these spikes are really bad. The more spikes Byron sets up, the more damage my next two pokémon will take. I have to end this quickly. "End this with flare blitz!"
"Quick Klefki, use toxic!"
A bright red aura engulfed Infernape who then charged at Klefki, who was unable to dodge in time. However, just as Infernape was about to come into contact with Klefki, Klefki spewed a dark, purple substance at Infernape. Not taking notice of the attack, Infernape continued his attack and slammed into Klefki, who was sent flying. Klefki landed on the ground with so much force that smoke appeared, engulfing both Klefki and Infernape. When the smoke, Klefki had swirls in its eyes and Infernape started coughing.
"Klefki is unable to battle! The winner is Infernape!"
"You did a good job Klefki. Return." Byron pulled out a pokéball and recalled Klefki. He then pulled out a second pokéball, but before releasing his second pokémon, Byron addressed Ash. "Well, Ash, you managed to beat my lead, and now I've set up enough spikes to significantly weaken your next two pokémon. And Infernape will slowly lose more and more health as toxic takes its tow."
"We'll still win! But how did your Klefki manage to attack so quickly?" Ash inquired.
"Ash, if you want to win the Cup, you're going to have to study more than just moves! My Klefki has the Prankster ability, which means that all non-damaging moves gain a priority."
"Which makes them go before my Infernape can attack!" Ash exclaimed in realization.
"Correct." Byron nodded in approval. "Let me show you how useful abilities truly are!" With that, Byron flicked his wrist, causing his next pokémon to appear. "Sandstorm, Excadrill!"
"You really like causing damage without actually attacking." Ash felt proud of himself because he remembered that sandstorm causes damage to pokémon who weren't either rock, ground, or steel.
"Kind of. My Excadrill also has a powerful ability called Sand Rush! In a sandstorm, his speed doubles! Now use earthquake!"
Before Ash and Infernape could blink, Excadrill hit the ground and caused a small earthquake. The vibrations of the ground caused Infernape to trip and fall. Just as he was getting up, Infernape started to cough again. Once the toxic subsided, Infernape collapsed to the floor knocked out.
"Infernape is unable to battle! The winner is Excadrill!"
"Return Infernape, you did great!" Ok. I need a pokémon who also works well in a sandstorm. That means I need a ground type to still have the type advantage. Let's see, I have Donphan, Torterra, and Gabite. Which one to pick? Wait a minute! Abilities! Gabite has Sand Veil! That means that his evasiveness increases in a sandstorm. "Go Gabite!"
"Now you're thinking Ash. Gabite will now have an easier time dodging my attacks in the sandstorm. Unfortunately, he still takes damage from the spikes!"
Just as Byron announced this, Gabite stumbled from all of the metal scattered on the field. However, he soon recovered and got back up and bared his fangs at Excadrill.
"Earthquake!" Both Ash and Byron announced simultaneously.
As both pokémon slammed the ground the gym really started to vibrate. Brock could feel the vibrations as his seat in the stands started to shake. Byron planted his shovel into the ground to give him something to hold on to. Ash and Pikachu, meanwhile, were being forced to jump up and down due to the earthquake. After the smoke from the earthquake cleared, Gabite was seen panting but standing. Excadrill, on the other hand, was knocked out.
"Excadrill is unable to battle! The winner is Gabite!" As the referee announced this, the sandstorm subsided.
"It seems I'm down to my last pokémon. No matter! You can't defeat the iron defense of my Bastiodon!" With that, Byron sent out his signature pokémon.
"Ok Gabite, let's use beat Bastiodon like we beat Excadrill. Use earthquake!"
"Protect!"
Once again, the ground vibrated; however, Bastiodon was unaffected due to his shield. The same could not be said for the rest of the field, which by this point was barely walkable.
"Time to get in close then. Use brick break!"
"Wait for it Bastiodon." Gabite rushed at Bastiodon with a glowing claw. Just as Gabite was about to connect, Byron called out, "Use toxic!"
"Not again!" Ash screamed from his side of the field.
After Gabite hit Bastiodon, he started to cough just like Infernape as toxic took effect. Bastiodon, on the other hand, didn't seem that much weaker.
"How did Bastiodon take no damage?" Ash demanded an answer. "You didn't call out protect!"
"I didn't have to. Your Gabite isn't a fighting type, so brick break isn't boosted. It may deal times four damage, but my Bastiodon has incredibly high defense, so it absorbed the attack. You'll need to know all of this if you want to win the Cup, Ash."
"Whatever, Gabite use dig!"
"Wait for it…" Byron trailed off.
Gabite burrowed under the ground and headed towards Bastiodon. As Gabite neared Bastiodon, Byron called out, "Protect!"
Just as Gabite came close to Bastiodon, a shield appeared and blocked Gabite's attack. Gabite then started to cough again as toxic intensified, causing Gabite to fall.
"Gabite is unable to battle! The winner is Bastiodon! Both trainers are now down to their final pokémon!"
"Return Gabite! You did great! I choose you, Gallade!" Ash's newest pokémon took to the field and was also damaged by the spikes. "Use drain punch!"
"Toxic!"
Gallade rushed at Bastiodon and smashed a fist into the defensive wall. As the fist connected, Bastiodon spewed more purple gunk at Gallade, who then started to cough. However, this time Bastiodon did look tired because Gallade was a fighting type so he received the same type attack bonus.
"I'm afraid you lose Ash. You won't be able to attack me because my Bastiodon will use protect and eventually, toxic will sap your Gallade of his health. There's no way out!"
"We'll see! Gallade keep using drain punch non-stop!"
"Keep using protect, Bastiodon!"
And so a pattern emerged. Gallade would charge at the panting Bastiodon who would block would protect. Toxic would then take effect and weaken Gallade. This pattern kept up for a while, and finally, Gallade also started to pant as the toxic sapped him of his health. However, the brave pokémon didn't give up and kept using drain punch. And finally, the protect shield shattered! As Gallade's fist connected with Bastiodon at last, there were cries of "Yes" and "No" from opposite ends of the field. The second drain punch knocked out Bastiodon, whoo collapsed to the ground with swirls in his eyes.
"Bastiodon is unable to battle! The winner is Gallade. That means that Ash Ketchum has won the battle!"
After recalling their pokémon, Byron and Ash approached each other. "Congratulations Ash! You were able to penetrate my iron defense! As proof of your victory, here is the steel coin!"
"We just won the steel coin!" Ash posed with the coin.
"But Ash, you need to study more than moves. Your knowledge of stats and abilities is lacking. That's a problem because many trainers like to exploit that."
"Ok Byron. I promise I'll work on that."
"Good. Farewell and good luck with the rest of the tournament!"
"Thanks!" Ash shouted as he, Pikachu, and Brock left the gym.
The trio entered the pokémon center where they spent the night before departing for Sunnyshore the next day.
-Line Break-
Lucario looked at himself and realized that he was a lot smaller. After closer inspection, he realized that he was once again a Riolu. He also realized that he was trapped in some sort of container. Panicking, the now Riolu started to attack the container. After a while, it started to crack before completely breaking. Riolu looked around before seeing a young boy looking at him. The boy was reminiscent of a younger Gowly. The two hugged, and Riolu completely forget about his earlier panic.
The scene then shifted to the duo facing off against an Onix. This must be our first gym match. The pokémon thought.
Before long, the scene shifted again, and Riolu was evolving. Now a Lucario once more, Lucario realized that he was reliving his memories.
The scene shifts again, and Lucario is facing off against a Hydreigon. Lucario turns his head and sees an older, but still younger than the actual, Gowly. The man looks to be about thirty. The Hydreigon's trainer looks to be about sixty and looks just like Gowly. Lucario then realizes that this is the memory of them beating Gowly's father. Sure enough, the scene changes, and Gowly and his pokémon are being crowned as Commissioner.
Shifting yet again, Lucario is fighting Mewtwo who launches a powerful shadow ball at Gowly. Unable to move due to psychic, Lucario is forced to watch the attack strike his master. No! The pokémon howls out in pain before being shaken roughly.
"Wake up Lucario!" The Commissioner shouts at his sleeping pokémon. Eventually, the jackal-like pokémon woke up and looked around the room. Recognizing the surroundings, Lucario calmed down. "Are you okay?"
I am. I just had a nightmare.
"Want to talk about it?"
No. I'll be fine.
"Okay. Just know that I'm here if you ever want to talk."
Deciding he wanted to change the subject, Lucario asked, Where is Mewtwo?
"He has yet to awaken. His injuries were graver than yours. I left Gardevoir with him in case he wakes up. The two never fought and since they're both psychics, he should feel a little bit safe."
Okay. Lucario then stood up from the medical bed. Do you want me to interrogate him when he wakes up?
"No. I have a different mission for us. I've given him some sedatives which should keep him knocked out for a few days. We, in the meantime, are going to Cameroon Palace and the Tree of Beginning."
To meet with Mew?
"Precisely. Mew will probably know about this pokémon, since they look similar. Let's go then."
With that, Gowly and Lucario walked out of the Pokémon League Tower. Gowly then sent out his Salamence who roared. The duo then climbed onto Salamence's back before flying off towards Cameroon Palace in the Kanto region.