Episode 32: Aurora Proves her Might! The Colorless Challenger!
"Hello New York City!" Dylan announced as he and Ashton arrived in the Big Apple. "It feels good to be back in the States after being away for so long."
"Don't you still have to fight "The Colorless Dragon" for that electric cat Pokémon?" Ashton reminded him.
"I remember, but I really want to meet up with Kris again," Dylan said, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, aren't you interested in finally meeting her teacher?"
"You mean that Achroma guy? I dunno, he seems kinda sketchy," Ashton crossed her arms.
The two made their way to where Kris was currently staying, arriving in Grand Central Station as per the blue-haired girl's instructions. Once there the two were giving another text from Kris, guiding them to one of the subway platforms where a white, blue, and grey subway car pulled up, the doors opening for them. Stepping inside, the train car raced down the tracks, suddenly taking a divergence through a false wall and stopping at what looked to be an old train station, with bits of lab equipment strewn about.
"Hey guys!" Kris greeted, waving to the duo as they got off the train. "Welcome to Achroma Labs. This is where my teacher does his research."
"Not sure how I feel about your teacher working out of a murder basement, Kris," Ashton joked.
"He's a bit eccentric, but this place has some of the leading research on Pokémon and technology in it," Kris said. Taking the two into the lab, they saw that most of the Pokémon here were of the Steel type, watching over experiments and moving around heavy equipment. Standing in front of an observation room was Kris' teacher, the mysterious Achroma.
He was a tall man with blonde hair that that a prominent blue steak that wrapped around his head, glasses covering his eyes and a grey lab coat over his body. "Well hello, children," the man greeted. "I'm Colress, a scientist working on pushing the limits of research and bringing out the hidden potential in Pokémon. Currently Kris has been helping me study all the different forms of bonds that humans and Pokémon can have, and recording your battles has also added to my research as well."
"Colress… aren't you the guy that was working with Team Plasma a few years back?" Ashton asked.
"I was merely using their fundings to further my research. I was then pardoned by the International Police after I helped them with their Ultra Wormhole problem," Colress explained. He then turned to Dylan. "Now then, as a Pokémon researcher I can give out Gym Badges thanks to the Legendary Pokémon I have here at Achroma Labs. Kris told me you have just one more badge to get, yes?"
Dylan nodded. "Yeah, and I was told by an electric cat Pokémon that my partner, Aurora, would have to face a Colorless Dragon."
"Oh, you must be referring to Mercury," Kris said, pointing to the observation room. The group looked inside to see the electric cat Pokémon training his skills inside against Suicune. "He showed up at our lab a few days ago and said he was waiting for the wielder of the Ancient Stone."
"It's rare to see a Zeraora up close like this," Colress said, his glasses shining in the light.
"Zeraora…" Aurora repeated, coming out of her Poké Ball. "If he, Mercury, is here, then that must mean that the Colorless Dragon is here as well."
"Indeed. I was giving said dragon by an… let's call him an associate of mine," Colress said. He pressed a button to activate the intercom in the room. "All right, you two, training is over. I have some guests that wish to participate in a Legendary Battle."
Mercury and Suicune exited the room, Suicune giving Kris a nuzzle while the Zeraora stared at Aurora. "You came. Let your trial commence soon," Mercury said.
"I'm ready," Aurora gave a nod.
"Since it's a Legendary Battle, we can bring two other Pokémon with us," Dylan reminded her. "I think Joker wants to spread his wings for a battle."
"I will assist as well," Mercury said.
"Then just hop into the room and we'll get started," Colress said. The three entered the room, with Dylan calling out Joker to join the battle as a hole opened up in the floor. "I wouldn't say having a Flying type Pokémon is wise for this battle, but that is your own decision. Let me see the potential in your bonds as you face my Pokémon…"
A freezing-cold air rose up from the pit as a raised platform brought up a grey dragon with bits of ice covering it like armor and soul-piercing yellow eyes. "That's… Kyurem, the dragon of nothingness…" Ashton said.
"I've studied Kyurem in the past, but now I can freely bring out its potential without using it for nefarious schemes," Colress said.
Kyurem gave a roar, making Dylan flinch before steeling himself. "Okay team, this is for our final Gym Badge… Let's do it!" Clutching his necklace, Aurora's body glowed as her Mega Stone activated, turning into Mega Ancient Lucario while Mercury sparked up his claws and Joker flared out a wing.
Keep on running faster, just like an arrow!
We're going with the flow, just like an arrow!
I'll keep on thinking sharply, just like an arrow!
Now I know that is how we should live!
Kyurem opened its mouth and started spewing out ice, freezing the room around them into its own icy cavern. This didn't deter its challengers, however, as Aurora and Mercury dug in their claws to find footing while Joker hovered in the air.
Crossing over green mountains and watching white clouds float on by
Let's keep crossing on through the wilderness, piercing it just like an arrow!
"Let's make sure it can't catch us!" Dylan commanded.
"Unfezant!" Joker cried, whipping up a tailwind to give his teammates a burst of speed.
Even if I end up getting turned around, traveling this twisting roadway
There's no way that we'll be apart, I can promise that!
Mercury zipped up to Kyurem, the dragon going for a Slash attack that the Zeraora parried with a dual chop. Aurora then came in to assist with a Meteor Mash, pushing Kyurem back a bit. "I might not be Steel type at the moment, but that should still break through your icy defenses!" the Lucario boasted.
If even we can't come to an agreement, as the day fades into night
I'll give my apologies
And show
What's in
My heart!
Joker swooped down to deliver a Night Slash, making Kyurem whip around and throw a Scary Face at the Unfezant, making Joker flinch at the sight. The bird stayed determined and used U-Turn to back off for the moment.
Stronger than a rock, just like an arrow!
Higher than the sky, just like an arrow!
Showing kindness to all, just like an arrow!
Now I know that is how we should live!
"Aura Sphere!" Aurora shouted, tossing two balls of aura at her opponent. They exploded against Kyurem's icy body, the dragon roaring as it blasted out intense cold from its body.
"That's Glaciate, Kyurem's signature move," Colress explained. "It brings everything around it to a stop, whether it be through decreasing their speed or freezing them solid."
Lounging on afternoon days, letting out yawn of boredom
But when a I hear a cheer from one of my friends, I know it's time for us to go!
Aurora flinched as she was blasted with ice. "Not again…" she shivered as the cold substance coated her body.
"Stand strong, Aurora!" Mercury called, shattering the ice coating her body. "This battle isn't lost yet!"
Even if there are times now, when I'm shocked and need to slow down
I steel inside myself this liberty and keep on running forward boldly!
Aurora nodded, before calling on Shadow Claw to slash away at Kyurem. The dragon started spewing out Dragonbreath, but had the attack blown away by Joker's Dual Wingbeat.
I lay underneath the stars at night, and wonder if we'll be all right
But I laugh to myself
And know
That it's
Our time!
"Plasma Fist!" Mercury shouted, slamming his paws into the dragon as electricity surged between them. Kyurem roared from the attack, giving Joker time to go in for another Night Slash while Aurora used another Meteor Mash.
"If you keep believing in your dreams, everything will turn out just fine"
Those are the words I reflect on the most, the ones that you told me that day!
"The bonds Dylan is showing with his Pokémon is better than your previous data showed, Kris," Colress said.
"Yeah, him and Aurora have a bond that can't be beat! Except by me, of course," Ashton nodded, crossing her arms.
Keep on running faster, just like an arrow!
We're going with the flow, just like an arrow!
I'll keep on thinking sharply, just like an arrow!
Now I know that is how we should live!
Aurora, Mercury, and Joker worked together as a team, dealing quick damage to Kyurem as they stayed on their toes, avoiding Glaciate and Dragonbreath whever the dragon used those attacks and parrying Slash if they got too close to its claws.
We're aiming forward now, just like an arrow!
We're shining brighter now, just like an arrow!
Towards the target of our dreams!
'Everyone, thank you for getting me this far…' Dylan thought. "Okay guys, it's time to end this!"
"Right!" Aurora replied, jumping backwards and charging up her aura. "Joker, Mercury, cover me!"
Sometimes I can't see the road ahead, and I don't know where to go
But I know this truth:
you will be there
Right here
My friend!
Mercury and Joker kept up the pressure with Plasma Fist and Night Slash, the Zeraora even using its electric power to boost Joker's Dual Wingbeat hits with additional damage. "It's weakening… just one more major blow will end it," Mercury said.
Even the summer sun shining so bright, gets hidden there behind the clouds
But whenever we get together now, we bring on the light!
"Dylan, let's do this together," Aurora said.
Her Trainer nodded, copying her motions as his necklace glowed brightly. "Aura Storm… Team Attack!" they shouted in unison, the Lucario launching a massive Aura Sphere that broke off into miniature versions of itself, surrounding Kyurem in a storm of Fighting type energy.
Burning with a passion, just like an arrow!
Fighting for the glory, just like an arrow!
Reaching out a hand, just like an arrow!
Oh my heart never wants this to end!
Each of the Aura Spheres pelted down on the dragon, breaking through its defenses until the strain was too much to handle. With one last cry, Kyurem fell to the floor, knocked out.
We're aiming forward now, just like an arrow!
We're shining brighter now, just like an arrow!
Keep aiming forward now, just like an arrow!
Let's keep on shining now, just like an arrow!
And you're one of them too!
Aurora let out a sigh of exhaustion, her Mega Evolution fading as the battle was concluded. She almost fell over, but not before Mercury caught her. "You did well, bearer of the Ancient Stone," the Zeraora said.
Aurora blushed at the closeness between them. "Oh, well, thank you…"
"Unfezant!" Joker cried, getting between the two as he posed dramatically.
"You all did great," Dylan said with a laugh.
"It was spectacular to see your bonds up close and personal," Colress said, clapping as he entered the room with Ashton and Kris. "As a reward for beating Kyurem, please accept this Achroma Badge."
Dylan accepted the badge, which was in the shape of the symbol of Zekrom and Reshiram, but colored completely gray. "This is it… our final Gym Badge!" Dylan cheered, all of his Pokémon coming out to celebrate.
"Now all we have to do is go to London and register for the World Tournament!" Ashton exclaimed.
"I'll be coming with you for that. I've been following both your journeys up until now, so I've gotta see how it ends," Kris said.
"Do make sure to capture some more data for my research," Colress said. He then gave a curious look to Mercury. "And what about the Zeraora here. He came to test Aurora's ability, but what will you do now."
Mercury closed his eyes. "The barer of the Ancient Stone has proven herself to me, but I would like to continue with her training. If I may, I'd like to travel with you, Dylan, and your team."
"Sure, we can do that. But you can only register six Pokémon for the World Tournament…" Dylan said. He looked over at his team. "I'd need to let one of you guys sit out our biggest challenge yet, but I don't know if I can make that decision."
"Un… fezant," Joker said, giving a bow.
"Joker says that he'll let Mercury take his place," Delphi translated. He looked at the Unfezant and gave him a kiss on the beak, making Joker blush and hide his face with a wing. "Look at you, making a heroic sacrifice. How sweet… Now, as for you, Mercury, you better treat my Aurora right!"
"Since when was I yours…?" Aurora shook her head with a sigh, making everyone else laugh.
"Well, no time to waste! Let's ditch this murder basement and get going!" Ashton cheered, running out at full speed with Dylan and Kris not far behind.
As Colress watched the kids go, he noticed a flashing warning on one of his computer monitors. A Porygon-Z appeared on the screen, pointing out an error in the system. "Hm, it seems that someone is trying to hack into my research data," Colress said, his glasses flashing in the light. "And the hacker is… Well, that's unexpected. Tell me, Cipher, what brings you crawling back out of the dark…"
Author's Note
Dylan's battle theme here is "Like An Arrow!", the second Japanese opening theme for the Best Wishes (Black and White) Pokémon anime.
This encounter was based on my own first playthrough of Black 2 where the original Aurora was the one to take out Ghetsis' Kyurem.
Mercury is based on my own Shiny Zeraora I got during an event in Pokémon Sword.
