Ash the Iron Trainer

by Mar 'Darry' Darren

It was a freak storm. One that separated Ash from Misty and Brock but not with Pikachu. And yet Ash was able to find an entire new region and be reunited with a friend that he never thought he will see again. With four young Pokémon found in a crate as eggs, Ash will take this new region and in the future, Kanto with skill and Mega Evolution!

10. Town of Stones, Tower of Mastery

Ash, the Iron Trainer

From the Town of Stones to the Tower of Mastery

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

"Pokémon" – Normal Speech

'Pokémon' – Thoughts

Pokémon – Flashback

Pokémon – Move Names and Pokémon Abilities

{Pokémon} – Pokédex

Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer,

"Ice Fang!"

"Agility!"

Ash had gotten Pikachu on top the mega evolved Aerodactyl when it tried to clamp freezing teeth onto Pikachu. It was tough since Pikachu was sore from that Dragon Claw. "Thunder!"

At close range, that could have done a lot of damage but Mega Aerodactyl was not to go down so easily as before. It did, however, a lot of damage as evidenced by Mega Aerodactyl's oblivious discomfort and tired state.

"Shake Pikachu off and use Fire Fang!" Grant yelled and Mega Aerodactyl was able to dislodge Pikachu from its topside and clamped on him with fire infused fangs! And yet when Mega Aerodactyl noticed something off about what he had chomped and has in his mouth. It was disgusting to say when Mega Aerodactyl spat out a doll that looked nothing like Pikachu and yet had somehow came out of nowhere and took that attack which could have taken our Pikachu instead.

Grant and Mega Aerodactyl looked for the real Pikachu until they heard,

"Pikachu, use Electro Ball now!" Pikachu tore through the rocks he was hiding behind with his aching body to launch yet another ball of lightning at Mega Aerodactyl.

"Catch with Thunder Fang!" That was a definite and unique strategy and Mega Aerodactyl was able to stop the Electro Ball with its teeth covered in lightning itself. That was how it was able to stop the super effective move.

"Use Quick Attack at Aerodactyl's mouth!" Pikachu didn't know why but did so anyways, trusting Ash as always. When Pikachu got within inches of the Fossil Pokémon's mouth, Ash gave one last command, "Iron Tail in his mouth!" That was silly and risky and yet that was how Pikachu liked it.

Pikachu gave all of its power into its mighty tail which turned to steel itself and attacked the Electro Ball from within Mega Aerodactyl's jaw, forcing it down the throat and unleashed its electric might from within the Pokémon itself.

"Aerodactyl!" Grant cried out while having to cover his eyes from the sheer intensity of the lightning that consumed his Mega Evolved Pokémon from within. Everyone else had to do the same to protect their eyes from the light that was almost as bright as the summer midday sun. When the light did die, there was only Pikachu still trying to stand on his four sore and tired legs and a crater.

Inside was a small trail of smoke, coming from the mouth of a regular Aerodactyl. Not budging from that spot, not even an inch. It was time for the referee,

"Aerodactyl is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! Since Gym Leader Grant has no more available Pokémon, Ash Ketchum wins this Gym Battle!" He announced while Ash just walks to Pikachu, ignoring any cheer with guilt in his heart. When Grant granted the Cliff Badge for winning, shaped like a cliff or a rock climbing wall, Ash just took it and placed it with his Bug Badge and picked up his exhausted Pikachu, tired and hurt from that last stunt.

Meanwhile, Serena still cheered for her friend since he fought hard and just managed to pull through. She found out that there was something about Ash that, no matter what he does, he always made her feel like he is in charge and things will always turn out alright.

XXXXX

After Ash's Gym Battle with Grant, he and Serena went back on the road and have seen more Pokémon. Pokémon like,

{Sigilyph, the Avianoid Pokémon. Sigilyph keeps enemies from invading its territory with its Psychic powers and was the guardian of cities long ago.}

And,

{Emolga, the Sky Squirrel Pokémon. Emolga lives in trees and uses its cape-like membrane to glide through the air.}

All this was just dandy since Grant told Ash that the next Pokémon Gym was all Fighting types. But Ash realized after seeing a trainer teaching a rock type move to a Machop that Flying types can be countered by this Gym Leader so he instead choose these Pokémon to join him;

{Golett, the Automaton Pokémon. It is said that Golett was instructed to protect people and Pokémon by the ancient civilization that created it.}

And,

{Hawlucha, the Wrestling Pokémon. Possessing an artistic way of executing its moves, Hawlucha takes great pride in their elegance.}

Serena was having her own choice of Pokémon and caught some of her own,

{Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon. Depending on circumstances, Eevee can evolve into many forms.}

And,

{Snubbull, the Fairy Pokémon. While it may appear gruff and grumpy, deep down, Snubbull is a kind and caring Pokémon.}

Of course, they were sent to Professor Sycamore's place since she had a full set on her hands already. Ash promised that once they reached the next town, they will give the switching Pokémon routine a go and a start so she will be able to get used to in her own pace.

In fact, she had to take things a lot slower ever since the Chespin incident. She had nightmares of that trainer returning and continuingly harassing her while Ash bared no concern at all. Nurse Joy called it Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD for short. Unfortunately, Serena is still a ten year old so she was not prepared for this type of disorder so there was the danger of her losing her sanity.

Nurse Joy suggested that Ash will always comfort her. Make sure that she is never on her alone. Make sure that she will never be left by herself in the face of danger since that is a large jolt to a broken vase, could make it shatter. Nurse Joy also said that she will inform all her cousins or otherwise, identical counterparts about this incident so they can help when and wherever the trainers need it. According to her, this never happened before.

Ash understand perfectly and promised, to best of his ability, to see that Serena will recover and overcome this PTSD and became a happy girl and then a woman as well. Serena herself was just glad to have a boy like Ash for a trainer. Pikachu even made sure to help out too and protect Serena whenever Ash couldn't do it himself.

Of course, before they got far from Cyllage City, "Hold it!" A voice emerged from the woods and so did a most curious sight that landed right front of the two trainers.

It was a young girl, around her teens. She was wearing a one-piece white shirt that came with a skirt that all had red outlines. It was the same color as her skates and helmet. She was wearing black under pant underneath. Her eyes were a sky blue and her hair was a bright blonde that was molded into a large ponytail in the back and with two smaller ponytails to both her sides. Finally, she had a white fingerless glove that had a colorful stone embedded like with Viola's hairpin and Grant's keychain.

And by her side was a Pokémon for sure. It was a bipedal, canine-like Pokémon, with fur that is predominantly blue and black. It possessed a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw, in addition to a third on its chest. It had a long snout and ears. It possessed cream-colored fur on its torso, and blue fur on its thighs that resembles shorts. It had a medium length tail of the same blue color as well. It stood on its toes rather than on its entire foot. Finally, it has four small black appendages on its head.

"My name is Korrina of Shalour City and this is my partner, Lucario!" She introduced herself with as much radiant cheerfulness that she was almost as bright as the sun in the midday sky.

"Nice to meet you Korrina. My name is Ash Ketchum." Ash said while shaking Korrina's hand. "This is my very first Pokémon and my partner, Pikachu. And this is Serena, she is my closet friend and showing me around Kalos." Ash finished while holding Serena by the shoulders and placing her in front of him, making her blush at the close contact.

"Nice to meet you all, again!" Korrina said while Lucario nodded while responding in its own tongue. That reminded both young trainers since they both ever saw a Pokémon like this one,

{Lucario, the Aura Pokémon and the evolved form of Riolu. Lucario reads the thoughts of others and anticipates their movements by sensing their auras.}

According to the rest of the info from the Pokédex, Lucario can study this energy called 'Aura' to predict the movements of their opponents and track their quarry. They also have the power to manipulate this energy in an offensive manner, in the form of explosive spheres of energy. Lucario can understand human speech, and have been reported to communicate with humans through telepathy.

Lucario is considered to be prideful, and is extremely loyal to its Trainer. It also seems to have a natural sense of justice. It usually lives deep in mountains very far from people to improve their skills. It is an exceptionally rare Pokémon. Though its diet is unknown, one Lucario was seen eating Berries and plants, like roses. It has been seen eating chocolate, even though chocolate is not part of its natural diet.

"Your Lucario looks really strong, you must be a really good trainer." Ash said and both Korrina & her Pokémon blushed at the compliment.

"It's no biggie, after all the two of us had been together for like forever. That is how we got so strong!" Korrina said and Lucario nodded. Ash and Serena just left it at that. Then Korrina challenged Ash to a fight, saying that they are working on a winning streak of one hundred victories in order to be allowed to advance their training. Also they will be given an item that will allow both of them to obtain great power in their duels.

That was why she challenged Ash to a duel with his Pikachu against her Lucario. Too bad that Ash was reluctant trainer even when he is usually excited to accept any Pokémon duel. Ash said that it was an unjust kind of a duel since it was too soon for Pikachu to even stand ground with Lucario and that was how the duel went.

"I said that I was sorry! I thought that your Pikachu was stronger!" Korrina tried to apologize but Ash was not the type to forgive and forget something like that so easily.

"Sorry to disappoint you since you challenged a trainer with only two Gym Badges and if you are here only to mock us about being weak then get lost." Ash said something like very coldly. He sure was in a bad mood and Korrina knew that.

"Listen, I will make up for this by letting you see Mega Evolution happen…"

"We already did, for both of my Gym Battles Korrina, but we never get to see just how does a trainer get their hands on a Mega Stone and outfit their Pokémon with it." Ash said, "If you can help us see such a thing then maybe you will make up and up to your grandfather too." Ash said and Korrina was shocked at that last statement. "Well?"

Korrina shrank again under the glaze and weakly nodded. Just how scary can Ash be in order to intimidate a trainer like her? Later, Korrina showed them to Geosenge Town where A town can be found lined with mysterious stones and encircled by strange ruins of old. But to Korrina, it was also a town that sells stones of all types as well as other Pokémon items.

Ash had gotten such items such as a Spikey Helmet for his Ferroseed, a Black Belt for his Ledian, Hard Rock for his Skiddo, and Soft Sand for his Quilladin. Ash even got a Light Ball which is supposed to teach an egg move that is inclusive to the Pikachu Evolution line, Volt Tackle. That is unless the Pokémon is born to a Pikachu holding a Light Ball. Still, someone told Ash that he will need to find an expert in Electric Type Pokémon if he wanted his current Pikachu to learn Volt Tackle; fortunately, the Gym Leader in Luminose City, whom Ash has yet to meet, is such a trainer.

Meanwhile, Serena did some shopping for stones with Ash's help of course. And she had somewhat better luck than him since her Audino and Kangaskhan can evolve with the help of stones; Ash just helped her determine if the seller is really what he or she is talking about by summoning her Pokémon and see if the 'Mega Stones' are real or not. They didn't have any trouble at all and Ash figured that Korrina won't mind sharing some secrets with them both once they find the Mega Stone for Lucario.

But unlike the Audinite or the Kangaskhanite, both were easily bought in the market, no one ever had anything close to a Lucarionite. That is until they ran into a good friend of Korrina's mentor and grandfather who said that there is a good source of Lucarionite within the mines up north of the town. It took a while to find their way but when they came across entrance of a mine shaft for sure, Ash had to notice that it was rather warm for a tunnel into the cold earth and there was no such heat source naturally in the mines.

Once they went down the tunnel and opened a door that obliviously put there unnaturally, they walked into a vast room with a lake that had a path going right across and ending with a tall spike rock with stairs leading to a pedestal that had some kind of yellow-red glowing rock with a symbol in the center. One that is like the Mega Stones Voila and Grant had and used against Ash.

"Is that it Korrina?" Ash said and the trainer on skates just frantically nodded.

"It's got to be! Lucario, we are really close this time!" The Aura Pokémon nodded along and when the two raced ahead of their friends, they were intercepted by some kind of red blur that prevented them from even getting up the stairwell.

Serena was scared by this arrival and this nearly caused her PTSD to check in so she hid behind Ash who clutched her hand with his own while using the remaining free hand to take out his Pokédex to scan this being which was definitely a Pokémon.

{Blaziken, the Blaze Pokémon. Blaziken leaves its opponents charred with its fiery punches.}

Blaziken is a bipedal, chicken-like Pokémon. The majority of Blaziken's body is red with accents of beige, yellow, and gray. Behind its head, there are beige, hair-like feathers that continue downward and surround its chest and abdomen. It has a small red face with a V-shaped crest on its head. Blaziken's eyes are semicircular with yellow sclera and blue irises, and its mouth is similar to hooked beak. It has featherless, gray hands with three fingers each, and three clawed toes that are not normally visible due to the shaggy, yellow feathers on the bottom of its legs. A female has a shorter mask and hair than a male.

Blaziken has strong, muscular legs that give it great lower body strength. This lower body strength helps its kicking and jumping abilities. Blaziken's wrists have gray wristband-like markings capable of producing a tuft of fire above them. Blaziken can also make flames spout from its ankles. This allows it to cloak its feet or fists, and it uses these abilities while practicing a form of martial art. These combined abilities allow it to use its former signature move, Blaze Kick. Its flames burn more intensely when it faces stronger opponents. Every several years, its old feathers burn off, and new, supple feathers grow back in their place.

"That spells trouble for Lucario." Ash said, "According to the Pokédex, Blaziken is a Fire and Fighting Type. Any STAB move will be super effective against a Fighting and Steel type like Lucario." Serena understood perfectly and remained hidden behind Ash as they both watched as Korrina and her Lucario figured that they needed to fight Blaziken in order to obtain the Lucarionite. Still, it was not an easy match since Blaziken was obviously well trained and like Ash said, Lucario was at a disadvantage for sure since Blaziken used moves like Flamethrower, Blaze Kick and Force Palm.

Still, Korrina and Lucario fought to win but even with Bone Club doing super effective damage, they eventually lost to the overwhelming odds from the start. But before Blaziken could finish off Lucario, "Stop! The match is over and the trial is complete!" Blaziken seemed to be well recognized with the voice as the Blaze Pokémon backed off from Lucario for Korrina and her friends to tend to it. "You have done well my granddaughter."

That voice was where the Lucarionite laid and out of the shadows came an elderly but spry man whose figure was like a military officer. Ash and Serena knew who he was from the last statement he utter, Korrina's grandfather. "Sir, my name is Ash Ketchum from the Kanto Region and this is Serena, a local trainer and my best friend."

Serena was wondering why they were doing the introductions like this and why she felt a little hurt that she was only Ash's 'best' friend. She nearly forgot about all that when she heard chuckling coming down the stairwell. "Is that so? I always enjoyed to see just what young trainers a generation presents to us old veterans. Let me guess, you are new friends of my granddaughter and came with her to see her win right?"

"Korrina promised us that we will see just how Mega Evolution actually happens and if it is not too much to ask, can we learn about it too?" Ash said and Korrina's grandfather chuckled once again and nodded before facing his granddaughter in question who hadn't move from her spot alongside her fallen Lucario. "Don't be like this Korrina, you passed." Ash said to the confusion of Serena and Korrina as well as Lucario but to Korrina's grandfather and his Blaziken, it is respect along with a smirk on their faces.

"Why? Me and Lucario lost so how can we pass?" Korrina brought up but flinched when she saw Ash frown at her.

"If you failed then why did you still want to fight Blaziken? You knew you could have lost but you still fought to win. Most will just flee to avoid adding defeat on their record of wins but you didn't because you are a better trainer than that." Ash said. "Your Grandfather said that you are Gym Leader as well and so, winning and losing are so natural that they pretty much don't make a difference. Willing to give up or not does. And that is the attitude that I am going to have to build if I want to learn about Mega Evolution."

XXXXX

Later the next day,

"That was so cool Ash!" Serena screamed and seemly for the umpteenth time ever since Ash had made quite the first impression on Gurkinn, Korrina's grandfather. But a lot had happened after they first met and Korrina's Lucario had finally achieved Mega Evolution.

When Ash asked for Korrina's Lucario to try out its new form, something went wrong. The Lucario, still in its new form, had started to get out of control. Korrina's Lucario could have killed Ash and his Pikachu, the former tried to save the latter from. It also nearly went after Serena if Ash didn't buy enough time, distracting Lucario, for Korrina to cancel the Mega Evolution and return the Aura Pokémon back to its Pokéball.

It took a while and even a trip off the map to a secret location, home to the one who had mastered Mega Evolution herself and even taught Gurkinn how to master the process long ago. The latter knew that she, Maple, could do it again and this time, with Korrina. Ash and Serena wanted to be there for Korrina when the traveling trainer needed help. It also benefited Ash as Maple trained a Mawile and kept her keystone instead her walking staff while a Mega Stone, Mawilite, attached to her Pokémon.

Seeing that Ash had obtained and trained a Mawile of his so well, Maple had granted Ash an additional Mawilite so that Ash can use it once the trainer obtains a keystone. Serena was told that the only way for any of her caught Pokémon to undergo Mega Evolution will be to gain a keystone for herself as well.

After all that, Korrina saw that, for an entire battle's timespan, Lucario had finally gained control over the raw power that the Mega Evolution forced him to take in. Then it was time for Korrina to admit that, since she was the Shalour City Gym Leader, she needed to head on ahead and prepare for Ash's Gym Battle with her.

Meanwhile, Ash and Serena went back on the map and road at their own pace. This gave them all the time in the world to take in yet another route filled with Pokémon that they didn't see before today.

And the Pokémon they encountered included the following;

{Nidoran , the Poison Pin Pokémon. Its poison pin is quite powerful for its size, but its horn is smaller than a male's.},

{Nidoran , the Poison Pin Pokémon. Its horn is larger than the female's and its Horn Attack is quite powerful.}

{Nidorina, the Poison Pin Pokémon. The evolved form of the female Nidoran. It emits supersonic waves from its mouth to confuse its enemies.}

{Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokémon. The evolved form of the male Nidoran. Its highly developed horn is extremely powerful.}

{Hariyama, the Arm Thrust Pokémon. Hariyama can send a truck flying with its powerful Arm Thrusts.}

{Starly, the Starling Pokémon. Starly normally travels in a flock, but when alone, it is hard to notice.}

{Staravia, the Starling Pokémon. Staravia flies over forests and fields, and travels in large flocks.}

{Chingling, the Bell Pokémon. It makes sounds by vibrating an orb in the back of its throat, and it moves by hopping.}

{Stunky, the Skunk Pokémon. It protects itself by spraying a foul smelling liquid from its hindquarters which lasts for twenty-four hours.}

{Throh, the Judo Pokémon. Throh is driven by an irresistible urge to throw larger opponents. A wild Throh uses vines to make a belt, which increases its power when tightened.}

{Sawk, the Karate Pokémon. Sawk ties its belt to get pumped up and give its punches an extra bit of power. Disturbing its training angers a Sawk.}

And,

{Dedenne, the Antenna Pokémon. Dedenne communicates long distance with other Dedenne by sending radio waves through its antenna-like whiskers.}

Sadly, they weren't that interested in catching more Pokémon that day despite how powerful or cute some of they looked like. That was because according to Turner back on Route 7, there are still plenty of castles in Kalos as Battle Chateaus and here on Route 11 is supposed to be where the next one is. Serena had been trying to handle PTSD as well as getting back her confidence in battling.

That was what she did for several hours, with Ash's help, until…

"There! The next Battle Chateau!" Ash suddenly shouted and Serena saw the familiar building in the distance. And it was just with the sight alone that made her nervous all over again but she steadied her breathing and Ash helped her cease her shaking by holding her hand. Entering, they were shown that not only Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny have identical looking family members throughout the Kalos region, but all sorts of Turners and Mollys; all of them are the owners and staff of each Battle Chateau in Kalos.

Regardless of this new development, Serena and Ash soared throughout the place. It took Ash a few hours of nonstop battles but he was able to gain enough points from his battles to become an Earl with some left over. But the points needed to ascend to the next rank of Marquis will be much harder. Since Ash had pretty much wiped the place clean of trainers, he decided to do like the first time; watch Serena and on how she fares in her own battles. And now, there was this one last battle in which victory will earn Serena, finally, the rank of Viscountess.

When she sent out her Braixen, both of them braced for anything. And that 'anything' came in the form of another Pokémon that Serena never seen before but Ash seemed to know it right on the spot. And it was a…

"Nidoqueen!" Ash yelled, he had seen this Pokémon before. In fact, it was the Pokémon fighting on the TV in his room that he was watching. On the evening before he was to get his first Pokémon and eventually slept in; but all that had allowed Ash to get a Pokémon of no better starter than Pikachu.

Seeing that Serena and Pikachu were confused, Ash took out his Pokédex in a hurry to scan the Nidoqueen.

{Nidoqueen, the Drill Pokémon. Nidoqueen has thick skin covering its entire body, protecting it from whatever techniques are used against it.}

Nidoqueen is a large, bipedal blue Pokémon with distinct reptilian features. Its lower jaw, chest plates and lower torso are cream-colored. It has a horn on its forehead, narrow black eyes, and large, spiny ears. There are toxic spikes running down the length of its back, and its body in encased in extremely hard scales that serve as excellent protection from any attack and stand up when Nidoqueen is excited or provoked. It has a thick, powerful tail. This is a female only species; the male counterpart is Nidoking.

Nidoqueen can be quite fierce and is very protective over its young. This Pokémon is at its strongest when it is defending its young, and will try to seal the entrance to its burrow to protect them. When in contact with foes, it can poison them with the spikes from its back or cause small tremors by slamming the ground. It is also adept at sending foes flying with harsh tackles and it uses its hefty bulk to execute powerful moves. Nidoqueen lives in hot savannas and plains.

"Now the battle for the title of Viscount begins!" The Molly of the Route 11 Battle Chateau announced so the trainer, named Jumu simply, took the first strike.

"Use Body Slam!" Nidoqueen charged for Braixen, in an effort to land some damage with her own body weight.

"Use Reflect!" Serena knew that she can't get overconfident so she is going to try and rearrange any circumstance to back her up instead of pushing her down. And Braixen was able to conjure up a mystic barrier that stopped Nidoqueen where it hurt the most, when the Drill Pokémon was just in front of Braixen herself. "Now use Fire Spin!"

Braixen then took out the stick that was naturally kept in her rear tail in order to surround Nidoqueen, cause it damage and severally limiting any movements of the Drill Pokémon. "Get out of there using Superpower!" Jumu called out and Nidoqueen was able to pack in enough power to unleash it in all directions, cancelling out the Fire Spin. But,

"Will-O-Wisp!"

"Protect!" Serena gasped to see that Nidoqueen was able to block and avoid any negative effects of the Will-O-Wisp. "Chip Away!" Nidoqueen charged and landed a considerable amount of damage while surprising everyone with her speed.

"Flame Charge!" Serena roared and when Braixen was engulfed in flames, she charged at Nidoqueen.

"Protect again!" Once again, Nidoqueen had stopped Braixen cold with the nigh impenetrable sphere of protection. "Tail Whip and Body Slam! Superpower!" Jumu had actually turned the tables and now Braixen was on her last legs with all the damage done by the Drill Pokémon.

And with exhaustion draining away any of Braixen's heath, it looked like Serena will lose again. But, "Serena!" The trainer, on the verge of giving up, saw that Ash was still going strong on her victory by the look in his eyes and that was before this, "Look at Braixen!"

Braixen had actually got up from the ground, looking she was possessed. Then her body started to glow bright red and then she scream. Screamed, roared if you prefer to the very heavens themselves as the temperature around her had a hit a major and sudden increase. This surprised Serena but had intimidated Nidoqueen and her trainer.

"That is Blaze! It's kicking in!" Ash remarked and Pikachu could only nod in response. "Serena, this is your chance! Take it!" And almost like her body went into autopilot, she did.

"Fire Spin and then use the flames for Will-O-Wisp!"

Serena called out and Braixen roared before using her new power over fire to create an even greater circle of flames that hurt twice as much as the first. And this time, Braixen couldn't miss with Will-O-Wisp when the fire prison was all she needed. Braixen sent a storm of fireballs onto Nidoqueen who screamed in pain. Apparently, the effects of using Superpower include lowering of not only Attack power and also Defense too. So that was while Nidoqueen's burn had caused more damage than normally.

"Try to ignore it and use Superpower again! And then Earth Power!" Jumu was panicking and so was Nidoqueen, just what Serena had been training for. When Nidoqueen pulled out any focus through the scorching pain from the burn and managed to get out of yet another Fire Spin, she struck the ground to unleash something of a contained earthquake into the direction of Braixen. But Serena had thought of something like and just for matchups like this own.

"Light Screen and then jump on it!" It was something unusual and yet and Braixen had managed to dodge the otherwise, super-effective Earth Power using the specially made Light Screen as a floating foothold for only a few seconds since Braixen wasn't a Psychic type yet. Now Nidoqueen had lost all that focus and had to feel all the pain the burn was causing that was also depleting of her health.

"Superpower, now!" Nidoqueen still tried to land a hit onto Braixen who stayed, now on the ground, waiting for Serena's next move.

"Flamethrower!" Braixen took the same branch and set Nidoqueen alit with flames until Nidoqueen fainted.

"Nidoqueen is unable to battle! Serena is the winner and thus, she will ascend to the status and rank as Viscountess!" Serena couldn't believe it, she finally did it! She got to become a Viscountess and can finally catch up with Ash! She smiled for the first time since Pewter City and when she saw that Ash was walking down to congratulate her, she openly hugged and kissed him; she didn't care what the audience thought for the moment. She just wanted to do what she could to say 'thank you' to Ash in every way possible.

That day was to be the best one in her entire life and Serena will never forget it. Ever. And that is for sure.

XXXXX

And then it was time to hit the road again and not much further since the last path to Ash's Third Gym Battle is the Cave of Reflections. It is a medium sized cave system that naturally forms rocks that reflect much better than most mirrors. That is why the name was given.

Inside the Cave of Reflections were the following Pokémon;

{Wobbuffet, the Patient Pokémon. Wobbuffet like to live in dark areas so they can keep their pitch black tail concealed.}

{Roggenrola, the Mantle Pokémon. Roggenrola's body contains an energy core which is hard as steel from being compressed underground.}

{Solosis, the Cell Pokémon. A membrane filled with fluid surrounds Solosis's body which allows it to live anywhere. It defeats its enemies using its formidable Psychic-type powers.}

{Carbink, the Jewel Pokémon. It has slept underground for hundreds of millions of years since its birth. It's occasionally found during the excavation of caves.}

And,

{Mime Jr., the Mime Pokémon. It can quickly imitate anyone it sees. It can sense people's emotions as well, and when it senses danger it will erect a barrier, so it can escape.}

But there was this Pokémon that caught Ash's interest and it helped that it also wanted to go with him as well. What a convenient coincidence since this Pokémon pretty much has a very natural advantage over Fighting type Pokémon. This Pokémon was called Sableye.

{Sableye, the Darkness Pokémon. Sableye normally live within caves and eat rocks. They use their sharp claws to dig through the earth.}

Sableye is a bipedal Pokémon with a dark purple body. It has pale blue, gemstone-like eyes, which allow it to see in low light and sparkle in the dark. It also has a red gemstone on its chest, and its back has a blue and green gemstone as well as another red one. These gem-like eyes and adornments on its body are caused by its diet, which consists of rocks and raw gemstones. It also has sharp teeth and claws. It is feared by people, since it is said to steal a person's soul if they look into its eyes. It is nocturnal and is rarely seen. It lives in caves.

And there was this one that Serena also took a liking too and had to send her Audino back to Professor Sycamore's place. It was a female Mr. Mime.

{Mr. Mime, the Barrier Pokémon. By rapidly moving its fingers, Mr. Mime can stop air molecules to create an invisible wall.}

Mr. Mime is a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon with a round, white body with a red spot in the middle. Its light pink arms and legs are connected to its body by red spheres. Its knees have small, white coverings. There are red pads on the tips of its white fingers, and its black feet curl upward at the tips. Blue growths extend from the sides of its pale pink head, and there are red circles on its cheeks.

From birth, this Pokémon is an excellent pantomime. As it matures, it gains the ability to solidify air molecules by vibrating its fingertips. This ability allows it to create invisible objects with its gestures. It punishes those who interrupt its act by slapping them. Mr. Mime is usually very rare, but can be found in suburban areas.

But the trip was nothing but encounters and those two additions while Ash and Serena waited for something big to happen. It never did. That was a disappointment for sure since they had plenty of adventures on the previous routes and locations and otherwise events that one will never forget. Ash just decided that he already had his share of excitement for one day and was just glad that he had discovered a Pokémon that not only he took a liking to but will be a helpful addition to his team; and the exact same can be said for Serena too because she looked so happy with her own team and even the newly caught Mr. Mime was playful and cheerful with her, just what the poor girl needed for her PTSD.

And so, after all these adventures, Ash and Serena were finally in Shalour City. And it was a marvel to behold. This city looked so bright after all those encounters and time spent in the darkness of the caverns. What really stood out about this city was the giant tower in the horizon. It was of a design that was amazing to the eyes of both trainers.

That was where Ash was to have his Gym Battle with Korrina. Ash couldn't wait for it but he was not the type to rush in at the first chance he has like he did when he first met Pikachu. He was going to be sure that his Pokémon are up to the task not up to their heads in overconfidence. That was a mistake that we all make even though we try hard not to. Ash will have to try anyways.

End of Chapter 10.

*Hey guys, thank you for all the support! I really need it and I do feel like it will take me weeks to complete this chapter with Writer's Block giving me headaches in this nightmare. And I was never able to make Christmas Day but I am finally done. Please tell me what you think and I will work hard to imagine it in the next chapter starting next January I am afraid. With all the days left of the year, there is no way I can make another chapter like this ready to publish. But I will get started when something comes to mind, believe it. Finally, have a good New Year's Eve!*

Pokémon on Hand;

Ash – Pikachu (Male), Honedge (Male), Pawniard (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Frogadier (Female), Fletchinder (Male), Skiddo (Male), Quilladin (Male), and Sableye (Male).

Serena – Braixen (Female), Plusle & Minun (Female), Mr. Mime (Female), Cubone (Male) and Kangaskhan (Female).

Off Hand;

Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), Snorlax (Male), and Smeargle (Male), Ferroseed (Female), and Hawlucha (Male).

Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), Swirlix (Female), Audino (Female), Snubbull (Male), Eevee (Female).