Part CX: A Fighting Chance
"At last, it is time to face you Ash." Korrina said as she finished rollerblading around the gym and come to a stop at her end of the battlefield in a fighting stance that was impressive given the wheels on her feet. "I've heard so much about you, time to see if you live up to my expectations."
"I intend to." Ash said with a grin. "So, let's get this started Korrina."
It was afternoon the day after they had arrived in Shalour City and finally Ash was going to face Korrina for his fourth gym badge. Usually, he'd have these battles in the morning, but they had to hurry across the sand bridge that formed at low tide to the island that morning which put them behind schedule. Then they had to awkwardly listen to a lecture from Gurkinn as he chastised Korrina for forgetting about the tides, again, but was glad that they were all there.
That was just before lunch, so he showed them the massive statue of a Mega Lucario with the Scroll of Secrets in its mouth in the center of the tower and explained the history of his family's ties to Lucarios and Mega Evolution. After that they grabbed lunch and then, once they'd digested it, it was time for the gym battle in the afternoon and for a second time Gurkinn would be officiating on of Ash's battles.
The battlefield itself was in the heart of the Tower of Mastery and was a large room with plenty of aerial space as Ash could barely see the ceiling above him. The battlefield was the lowest part of the room with sloped, high, walls leading up to a walkway that surrounded it where spectators could watch them. There were also random ramps and bars in strategic places that Ash had no idea what they were for until Korrina used some while roller blading around to get to her position on the battlefield.
Right now, Misty, May, Serena, and several Pokémon were up on the walkway watching and cheering though again only Misty and her Pokémon were dressed up in their usual cheer outfits, or some variation thereof based on Pokémon body type. The Pokémon with them were Piplup, Helioptile, Vulpix, Pikachu and Frogadier, the latter of whom was upset that he couldn't be in the battle but had accepted Ash's decision. The others were too big, or in Malamar's case too likely to slap Misty, to be allowed out.
"The gym battle between the Shalour City Gym Leader Korrina and the challenge Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town is about to begin." Gurkinn said from his ref's spot and now that Ash could see him and Korrina together he could see the familial resemblance between them thanks to the two side strands in Korrina's hair and Gurkinn's magnificent eyebrows. "This will be a three-on-three battle and the winner will be the trainer who knocks out all of the other's Pokémon. Furthermore, only the challenger can substitute. Understood."
"Yes grandfather." Korrina said with a nod and Ash saw a calm fall over her as she got into the zone showing that she was more than her bubbly personality when it came to battles. "I'm ready."
"As am I." Ash said nodding as well.
"Then begin!" Gurkinn said.
"Mienshao, let's do it!" Korrina said throwing out her Poke Ball.
"Hawlucha, I choose you." Ash said as he tossed his own Poke Ball.
The two balls burst open, and the fighting types appear on the battlefield almost instantly sizing each other up the way only their type knew how. Ash was surprised to see the Unova fighting type on the battlefield and had to pull out his Pokedex to scan it to remind him of it as it had been a while since he'd seen one.
"Mienshao, the Martial Arts Pokémon." The Pokedex chimed as it scanned Mienshao. "It wields the fur on its arms like a whip. Its arm attacks come with such rapidity that they cannot even be seen."
"Ok Hawlucha, this is going to be tough, but I know you can handle it." Ash said encouragingly. "This is your first gym battle so do your best."
"Hawlucha." Hawlucha responded with a nod fully intending to win this for his new human.
As he spoke, Hawlucha evaluated the fancy Pokémon before him with a keen eye. It was clearly a fighting type and one that relied on fluid grace rather that brute force to win. It was around his height, maybe a bit taller, and bipedal. It covered in grey fur with purple fur on its legs, the tips of its arms and tail, a band around its waist, eyelids, and head. There was also yellow fur on the tips of its whiskers and nose. This was a well trained and honed fighter, truly a worthy test for him in his first proper match for Ash.
"Hawlucha, I'm impressed." Korrina said. "There aren't many fighting types that are considered to be native to Kalos and Hawlucha is unique with its type combination as far as I am aware."
"I recently caught him, so this is his first official battle with me." Ash said with a grin. "Figured a great test of a fighting type was against a specialist of that type."
"Then I'm honored to be the first." Korrina said with grin. "Come at me Ash."
"Hawlucha, get in there with a Karate Chop." Ash ordered. "Be smart and avoid any attacks like you did when we met."
"Hawlucha." Hawlucha said with a nod as he ran at Mienshao.
"Mienshao, counter with Acrobatics." Korrina said with a smirk.
"Acrobatics?" Ash asked as Mienshao ran at Hawlucha. "Never heard of that move."
Ash got his answer a second later as Mienshao suddenly became surprisingly nimble and moved fast, too fast for it to be anything but a flying type attack and reached Hawlucha before he was expecting it. Hawlucha was smart though and instead of trying to dodge that attack as he wasn't sure he could, he struck up, his hands glowing with fighting type power, and slammed it into Mienshao's gut just as it hit him.
Hawlucha was thrown back with a wail of pain and hit the ground hard, rolling a few feet but his attack had landed and Mienshao had been sent into the air with a grunt and arched back before crashing into the battlefield. Ash saw an opening and took it.
"Quick, Flying Press." Ash said.
"Dodge and send it back with a Force Palm." Korrina countered.
Hawlucha was the first to his feet and ran at Mienshao. With all his strength, he leapt into the air and spread his wings and glided before pulling them in and rolling in the air to pick up speed. Mienshao was just getting up when Hawlucha opened his wings again, body glowing, and slammed into Mienshao's chest before it could avoid Hawlucha, let alone get an attack off.
Mienshao let out a yelp of pain as it was flattened and Hawlucha leapt off it and backed up to create a little space but remained close enough to strike as soon as Ash gave the command. The Flying Press wasn't enough to take out Mienshao though and it was up a second later and went straight for Hawlucha to land the Force Palm.
It was a good tactic given the space, but Ash had been training hard for this and with two fighting types in his current roster, he'd been able to get all his Pokémon used to a variety of their moves, along with how to avoid them and the other fighting type moves his friend's Pokémon knew. Force Palm just happened to be one of those moves and Ash and Hawlucha had developed a counter for it.
"Just like we practiced." Ash said as Mienshao closed in. "High Jump Kick."
Hawlucha didn't need to be told twice. He bent his knees and at the last second leapt up and twisted his body to avoid the palm making contact. It was harder than against Riolu as Mienshao was taller and thus had more range, but he managed it, barely. Then, while horizontal to the ground, Hawlucha infused his right leg with fighting type power and whipped it around to slam it at full force into the side of Mienshao's shocked face.
The blow kept up as Hawlucha spun in the air until it threw Mienshao sideways and across the battlefield. It didn't make a sound as it was hurled through the air before it crashed into the wall with a boom on the other side to Gurkinn as Hawlucha landed on his back from the move.
As Hawlucha was getting up the dust settled to reveal Mienshao on its side at the base of the wall, rubble strewn over and around it, and swirls for eyes. It was clear who had won the first matchup.
"Mienshao is unable to battle." Gurkinn said as Hawlucha got to his feet and returned to stand in front of Ash. "The winner is Hawlucha."
"Way to go Hawlucha." Misty cheered from the sidelines as Korrina recalled Mienshao. "Show them why you were a forest guardian."
"You did well Mienshao." Korrina said with a smile at the Poke Ball in her hand. "That Hawlucha was nimbler than I expected but don't worry my friend, it won't get past my next Pokémon."
"Hawlucha and I have been practicing against that move." Ash said simply. "It was the wrong choice against us. Your Acrobatics surprised me though, I've never seen that one before."
"I always make sure my fighting types know a move to counter their own type." Korrina said putting the ball away and pulling out her second. "Or at least one good against a type we're weak against. Acrobatics is a flying type move so it fits the first category."
"As I would expect from a gym leader." Ash said. "Stay in for now Hawlucha, I'll pull you if I feel it necessary."
"Hawlucha." Hawlucha said with a nod eager to continuing showing his skills for Ash.
"Good, I want to beat that Hawlucha without resorting to my last one." Korrina said as she threw the Poke Ball. "Machoke, let's do this."
The familiar second stage fighting type from Kanto appeared before Ash and he grinned. He'd recently beaten Kenny's and he'd been training against Misty's Machamp, so he knew how to handle one of these with ease. However, his grin fell when he realized something strange.
"Korrina, if I am right in assuming who your last is based on what May has told me and that Key Stone in your glove, you won't use any Kalos fighting types in this battle, right?" Ash asked. "That's odd if that is that case."
"Huh?" Korrina asked in return looking confused. "I caught Machoke and Mienshao when they were in their first stage forms here in Kalos but yes I don't have any of the four that are classified as native to Kalos. Why is that odd?"
"Oh well in my experience a gym leader almost always uses at least one Pokémon that is native to their region and type specialty." Ash said. "It's been a long time since I last faced a leader who didn't have one, or at least didn't use it in battle."
"I see, that does make sense to expect that." Korrina said thinking on what Ash had said. "I am the only Kalos gym leader who doesn't use a native of my type I think, though there is another who's primary is not a Kalos native Pokémon. I just never caught one and because my starter was a Riolu I didn't chose one of the usually 3 from Sycamore. If I had I would have gone with Chespin though."
"Why Chespin?" Ash asked as the two Pokémon continued to size each other up while their trainers talked for some reason.
"Because it's final form, Chestnaught, is a dual grass and fighting type." Korrina said and Ash suddenly remembered that Max had told him that back when they met his group at the canyon. "It's one of the four native fighting types, the others are Hawlucha, Pancham, and Pangoro with only Pancham being the only pure fighting type amongst them. I just never got any of them, so I don't use them."
"I guess that makes sense." Ash said thinking. "I have faced gym leaders who's type specialty doesn't have many native Pokémon to that region, so it was only a matter of time before I faced one that didn't have any against me."
"Out of curiosity." Korrina said. "When was the last time you faced one like me?"
"Last time I recall was against Watson, the electric type gym leader of Maudville City out in Hoenn." Ash said wracking his brain to figure it out. "Must have been about 5 years ago now I think and he's since acquired a Hoenn electric type. Unova is odd in that there is only one area where nonnative Pokémon are, and there are no gyms there, so all the gym leaders there used native ones with the exception of Roxie who has a Koffing."
"That makes sense." Korrina said. "I've never been to Unova, but I know that it has the largest population of Pokémon discovered or attributed to that region. I doubt there are many like me who don't have or use a native Pokémon in battle."
"You're the fourth out of the 44 gym leaders I've faced so far who's not going to use a Pokémon considered to be from your region." Ash said thinking on it. "Morty and Chuck in Johto are also like that but that is it."
"Er can you discuss this later." Gurkinn said. "Remember, you are in the middle of a gym battle."
"Oh yeah, forgot that." Korrina said with a slight blush of embarrassment. "Machoke, Focus Blast."
"Hawlucha, dodge that." Ash said as Machoke formed the ball between its hands. "And counter with Karate Chop."
Hawlucha ran at the Machoke as the ball of fighting type power was fired at him. With a leap, Hawlucha opened his wings and soared over the inaccurate attack before landing and rolling forward with the attack now harmlessly behind him.
Machoke was too surprised to react before Hawlucha popped up and struck it in the chest with a series of short, sharp jabs from it's Karate Chop that staggered Machoke back a few paces and did a good bit of damage. However, Hawlucha was still close to Machoke and Korrina knew what to do.
"Low Sweep." Korrina ordered.
"Jump." Ash countered. "And use High Jump Kick, you've practiced this."
Hawlucha had and he'd had plenty of experience against this move as it was one of his friend and rival Machamp's favorite ones to use. With ease Hawlucha leapt up and began to infuse his leg with fighting type power to strike Machoke. He didn't get the chance, however.
"Not this time Ash." Korrina said with a grin. "Machoke, Thunder Punch!"
"Machoke can learn that?" Ash asked confused as electricity suddenly crackled around Machoke's right fist.
Hawlucha's eyes went wide as he saw the sudden, super effective move a second before Machoke's fist slammed into his chest. He wailed as he was thrown back and hit the ground hard on Ash's side of the battlefield. He rolled over for a few moments before coming to a stop near Ash, sparking slightly as the last vestiges of the move left him. Two super effective moves were taking their toll on him but Hawlucha was still in the battle and groaned as he got to his feet, battered but still standing.
"I know you can finish this Hawlucha." Ash said encouragingly though he did realize that Hawlucha probably didn't have the strength to pull off a Flying Press and avoid Machoke at the same time. "High Jump Kick, dodge anything Machoke tries to hit you with."
"Hawlucha." Hawlucha said with conviction as he ran at Machoke one more time ready to show Ash that he was able to fight until the very end.
"Wait for it Machoke, this matchup is ours." Korrina said. "And hit it with Brick Break."
Hawlucha realized what was coming as he saw the fighting type power glow in Machoke's hand. There was no way he was going to dodge it which meant he'd likely be knocked out. Well, if that was the case then he was going to make sure that this Machoke knew it was going to cost it to beat him.
Machoke raised its arm as Hawlucha leapt into the air, his right leg glowing with fighting type power. Hawlucha swung his body sideways and kicked at Machoke as Machoke brought its arm down. The moves connected at the same time, Machoke's hitting Hawlucha in the side of his neck as Hawlucha's hit Machoke in the bicep.
Machoke roared in pain as it spun away from the hit taking a good amount of damage in the process. Hawlucha didn't say anything as he was driven into the ground hard enough to crack it and kick up a lot of dust in the process. When it settled Hawlucha was on his back, wings splayed and swirls for eyes.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle." Gurkinn declared. "The winner is Machoke."
"Hawlucha return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon and looking at the ball with a smile. "You did great in your first gym battle my friend, better than I could have asked for. You took out one of Korrina's and set us up for another win. She's full of surprises though, I didn't know a Machoke could learn Thunder Punch."
"Normally one can't." Korrina said as Ash put the ball away and pulled out his second one. "It's what breeders call an egg move. Machoke's father had to be one of a few Pokémon in the same egg group to provide it though I am not sure which Pokémon it was. I don't know much about how a move like that works but that's what a breeder told me when I asked him about it."
"I've heard of egg moves before." Ash said surprising Korrina. "I know how they're an inherited move from a Pokémon's father that the Pokémon otherwise wouldn't be able to learn."
"I see that you do know what they are." Korrina said impressed. "Few trainers know about them. Have you traveled with a breeder or something?"
"I have traveled with an aspiring breeder for a few years before he found his true calling as a Pokémon doctor." Ash confirmed. "But that's not who told me about it. If fact I don't think Brock even knew about them himself as he never once mentioned them to me."
"Then how did you learn about them?" Korrina asked.
"Misty has a Banette that she caught as a Shuppet on our journey last year." Ash explained. "And it knew a move called Destiny Bond, really useful move to know in fact. However, Professor Oak was surprised at that as it isn't a normal move for a Shuppet to know despite being a ghost type move. He looked into it and when we told him that we first found Shuppet in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town, a place known to have the three Kanto ghost types in it, he deduced that it was an egg move inherited from one of those Pokémon."
"Ah that would explain it." Korrina said with a nod. "Those moves are really useful; I think more should understand them but breeders who are also trainers are rare so it's not common to know about them unless you stumble across one."
"Agreed but let's continue this." Ash said tossing out his second Poke Ball. "Riolu, I choose you!"
"You have a Riolu!" Korrina almost squealed as the ball burst open and Riolu appeared before Ash already in a fighting stance as he prepared to once again give it all for his human. "And it looks really strong. I didn't know that you had one."
"I got it as an egg that was given to me by the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia after the Indigo Conference." Ash said. "She said it had been refusing to hatch in Sinnoh and brought it to Kanto when she was invited to the Conference thinking that I might be the right person for it as it was found in an area of Sinnoh I'd been to before and which remembered my connection to a Riolu there. Turns out I was the right person when it hatched for me."
"That means that this is the Riolu who's connected to your aura." Korrina said. "A bond that is near unbreakable. It's what makes Riolu and Lucario such useful Pokémon as they are pretty much only compatible with the human who's aura resonates with them. This is a match that I am going to enjoy. Show me what your Riolu can do Ash."
"With pleasure." Ash said. "Riolu, Force Palm."
"Keep it at a distance Machoke as it will be nimbler than you." Korrina said as Riolu ran towards it. "Riolus rarely know ranged moves so we can win like that. Focus Blast."
"You know how to handle this." Ash said with a grin. "Same as before Riolu."
Riolu just yipped in agreement as he ran, drawing strength and power from Ash's aura as he did. Ash was fully in this battle already which meant that his aura was flowing at full intensity, so it was easy for Riolu to use their bond to give him strength. That and as he saw the blast of fighting type power coming towards him he knew how to handle it.
At the last moment, Riolu went into a feet first slide and slid under it the way he'd done against that Heliolisk a while back though with more precision than before. Then, as soon as he was past it and safe, he raised his legs and slammed them and his left forepaw into the ground to launch himself into the air, arching his back as he did and came down onto Machoke.
All Machoke could do was stare in slack jawed amazement at the move before Riolu placed his right forepaw on his chest. With a bark, Riolu unleashed his power, augmented slightly by Ash's aura, and sent Machoke staggering back. Riolu just backflipped and then landed in a fighting stance watching as Machoke finished staggering. Then it fell back with a crash to land on its back on the ground with swirls for eyes.
"Machoke is unable to battle." Gurkinn declared as Riolu ran back to stand in front of Ash and await his next opponent. "Riolu is the winner."
"Go Riolu, you are as amazing as always." Misty cheered from the stands as Korrina recalled Machoke. "Keep it up Ash, only one more left to earn the badge, you can do it!"
"That Riolu is something else." Korrina said to the Poke Ball in her hand. "I've never seen one move like that, not even mine could do that back in the day."
"What can I say, my Riolu is one of a kind." Ash said as Riolu yipped in agreement feeling the love from his trainer through their bond. "Plus, we've faced that move before against Clemont, so we knew what to do against it."
"Well, it was certainly impressive." Korrina said pulling out her third ball. "But let's see it handle my best and Riolu's evolved form. Lucario, let's do this."
"Stay in Riolu." Ash said as the ball burst and a Pokémon he knew well in Lucario appeared before Korrina. "This is an experience I want you to have."
Riolu nodded and understood why as his evolved form appeared before him. He'd spoken with Pikachu and the others back at the ranch about their past battles and learnt that Ash had a habit of testing his Pokémon against their evolved forms to show how good they were together. It had begun with Pikachu against a powerful but slow Raichu and had happened several times since to a handful of the other Pokémon. Now it was Riolu's turn, and he was honored to face such a test.
It also helped that the Lucario in front of him was a magnificent of what his evolution was. It was a strong, power, and pristine example of what Riolu wanted to be when the time came. Instantly he knew that he was going to look up to this Lucario, especially if it showed how good it was in battle. That said, he was still going to do all he could to take it down.
"Start this off with Bone Rush." Korrina said.
"Force Palm Riolu." Ash ordered again.
Lucario ran at his pre evolved form, a bone made of aura forming in his paws as Riolu ran him in return. Lucario knew better than to underestimate this Riolu, he'd been one himself and as such could see that this one was stronger than he had been when he was a Riolu. That meant that he would have to be careful when facing it.
That proved to be correct as Riolu had his own idea what to do against his evolved form the moment he saw the bone. One thing Pikachu had told him about his win against that Raichu in his rematch was that he used the fact that he wasn't evolved to his advantage. He'd used his speed to win. Now Riolu was going to use his size and the type Lucario gained upon evolution against it.
As Lucario swung the bone down and at Riolu, Riolu leapt up and over it so that he could place his paw on Lucario's chest right above the central spike there. Then he unleashed a powerful blast of fighting type power from his palm that staggered Lucario doing more damage than it would on a Riolu because of Lucario's steel type. However, Riolu had overlooked one thing that cost him as he was flipping back to the earth.
Riolu couldn't learn Bone Rush and he'd never seen the ground type move before, so he didn't know how it worked. He didn't know that it wouldn't vanish upon a miss but keep up for at least 2 and up to 5 strikes. As such, he was caught in the side before he could land on the ground by Lucario's backswing.
Lucario was well trained with his bone, it was one of his favorite moves, so even getting hit after missing his first strike he was able to maintain his composure despite the pain and continue the move so that he could launch his counter attack. Riolu wailed from the impact as it was thrown to the side. Lucario didn't give it an inch as he spun the bone in his hand and brought it down onto Riolu driving him into the ground.
Riolu groaned from the impact, but he noticed the dust move and felt, more than heard, Ash's command to move so he rolled away missing the next strike that came down upon him. That didn't save him from the fifth and final one that struck him under the chin as he was trying to get up, snapping his head back before he landed hard on his back groaning in pain.
"Come on Riolu, I know you can do it." Ash said encouragingly and pouring his love and trust into Riolu not realizing that his aura was passively giving Riolu the strength he needed to continue. "Counter."
"Stop it with Metal Sound." Korrina said.
Lucario had been in the zone when he finished his maximum Bone Rush combo but had only landed three. Still, he was ready for his next order and was getting ready to use the defensive steel type move to disrupt Riolu and weaken him for the victory blow.
That didn't happen however as Riolu had drawn on Ash's aura and leapt up and at Lucario who was too close, and there was still enough dust cover for him to not realize this, to avoid it. That was why Riolu was able to land the double effective fighting type attack on Lucario before Lucario could get its Metal Sound off.
Riolu knew Ash hated how he had to take damage to use his two best moves, but Riolu didn't mind as he unleashed the attack by landing and uppercut to Lucario's chin in retaliation for the final Bone Rush hit. He was a fighting type; taking damage was just a price they had to pay in order to win. Still, it touched him that his trainer cared so much about him.
Lucario howled from the blow, both twice as effective as normal because of the physical attack he'd landed on Riolu and super effective thanks to Lucario's steel type. Still, he held strong as he staggered back from Riolu, putting more distance between them and as soon as Korrina saw this she countered, her own passive aura fueling him to remain in the fight.
"Aura Sphere." Korrina ordered. "Put some distance between you."
Before Ash or Riolu could react, Lucario formed and then fired off the blue sphere of fighting type power that never missed. It flew from his paws, faster than for any other Pokémon due to Lucario's natural connection to aura and slammed into Riolu before he could register more than what the move was.
Riolu was blasted back with a yelp of pain as he flew back to land on Ash's side of the battlefield. He rolled a few times before coming to a stop, panting but still in it despite all the damage he'd take.
"Get up Riolu." Ash said encouragingly. "I know you can do it; I have faith in you."
Riolu felt Ash's aura fill him more than ever before and it gave him strength as he slowly got to his feet, still panting to look at his evolved form who looked just as beat up as he felt. This battle had been intense, and he could feel the aura flowing from Ash stronger than ever before. It wasn't the only thing Riolu felt, he felt his friendship with Ash hit the point he'd been waiting for.
That was when he knew what was coming. It wasn't like he was ready for it or that it was time, it was more his trust in Ash and his love for his trainer had burst past that point in the middle of this battle. Ash was his friend, he always knew what was best for Riolu to make him better, stronger, smarter, and this was the moment it finally surpassed the threshold he needed it to reach. Without any warning and still just standing there and panting, Riolu suddenly glowed bright white.
"No way." Korrina said her eyes wide at the sight. "That's unbelievable for it to happen right now."
"Their bond and friendship must have reached the point needed during the matchup." Gurkinn mused. "Impressive and fitting for the moment."
All Ash could do was watch in amazement as Riolu grew. He got taller, his face elongated and became sharper, his ears larger and more pointed and the weird hair flap things came closer together behind his head. In addition, spikes shot out of the back of his hands and one out of his chest. Lastly his tail became more pronounced before the light faded and a second Lucario stood on the battlefield grinning at his opponent who just gave him a nod of approval and respect in return.
The only visible difference between the two Lucarios was the Mega Stone set into a cloth gauntlet on Korrina's Lucario's wrist. Somehow Ash had a feeling that that difference was about to be used.
"Not bad Ash." Korrina said as she recovered from her surprise at Riolu's evolution. "You and Riolu must have had a really strong bond that finally reached the point of evolution, it is a friendship evolution after all, so I know that you two are really close. Time for you to see my own bond with my Lucario though, something like that can only be responded to accordingly, it would be dishonorable of me not to do so. Now Lucario, unlock the power within. Mega Evolve!"
As Korrina said the last bit, she punctuated it with a series of kicks and punches that showed Ash that she was more than just a fun-loving skater girl, she was a fighting type gym leader and as such a martial artist as well. When she was done, she slammed her right hand onto her Key Stone and the weird, red light of Mega Evolution happened.
Korrina's Lucario glowed red as he and Korrina were connected, their hearts truly one, and he changed. He only grew a little taller, but Ash saw additional spikes form, along with more head tails and Lucario's tail became bushier. Lastly, it's legs seemed to smooth out and didn't have the odd appearance that it was wearing shorts. Then the light faded and Ash and his Lucario just stared at Mega Lucario before them.
Mega Lucario had a stronger, more feral look to it that Lucario did which made it even more intimidating. It had also gained an additional spile on each forepaw that looked more vicious than before, along with a matching set on its feet and two more on its chest at its shoulders. Then there was the color change.
For the most part it was roughly similar only the black of its paws and legs now extended in lines up it's arms that were jagged, similarly with the black mask on its face. The yellow chest fur had grown and now formed a flared collar of sorts and extended slightly past Mega Lucario's waist. It's tail also was now entirely yellow. Lastly there was the new red fur that covered its paws and the end of its head tails.
All in all, it looked really cool and menacing. Ash could see something a little berserk in Mega Lucario's eyes, but it was tempered and controlled, ready to unleash it when Korrina commanded it. It was clearly stronger though Ash wasn't sure how much of the damage it had taken had been mitigated by the Mega Evolution. Regardless, he was excited to see another Mega Evolution and ready to beat this one as well.
"It may have Mega Evolved, but we still got this Lucario." Ash said encouragingly, especially as his Lucario grinned before forming a blue sphere in-between its paws. "And I know what that is, Aura Sphere."
"Counter it with Bone Rush as you get in close." Korrina said as Lucario sent out his new move at his now Mega Evolved brethren. "And land the rest on it."
While a move like Aura Sphere wasn't going to miss, there was a way to deal with it and that was to destroy or block it with another move. Ash had once done something similar to a Magical Leaf the year before against Erika so as soon as he heard the order and saw the aura bone appear in Mega Lucario's hands he knew what was coming. He wasn't going to stand by and take it though.
"Keep up the pressure Lucario." Ash said. "And follow that Aura Sphere to get in close. As soon as you can, strike Mega Lucario with Reversal."
Mega Lucario struck the Aura Sphere with his bone and destroyed it to Lucario's surprise. However, he kept going forward behind the ball to hit his now enhanced fellow Lucario with his Reversal as he trusted Ash's judgement in this. It wasn't as strong as it had been against that Luxray or the Empoleon he'd beaten, but it would still be effective. At least that was what Lucario had been planning.
As the pair reached each other in the middle of the battlefield, Mega Lucario dodged Lucario's first fist of the all-out attack and struck him in the side again with the bone. Only this time Lucario felt it a lot more than when he was a Riolu and let out a howl of pain from it. That howl ended a second later as Mega Lucario used the third and last strike this Bone Rush allowed to swung the bone up and under Lucario's jaw.
Lucario was out before he hit the ground, arcing back and into the air before falling back limp the moment the attack landed. As soon as he was on the ground everyone saw the swirls for eyes.
"Lucario is unable to battle." Gurkinn said. "Mega Lucario is the winner."
"Lucario return." Ash said recalling his newly evolved Pokémon and looking at the ball smiling proudly at it. "You did great my friend and that evolution was unexpected but really needed. It is a shame that we didn't have it in the end, that Bone Rush worked better than expected, but all that means is that we need to train and see what else you can now learn as a Lucario. Don't worry, I have just the Pokémon to finish this up."
"That Bone Rush worked better against Lucario than Riolu because it is a ground type attack." Korrina explained surprising Ash as he thought that it was a fighting type attack, though when Korrina continued it would have been the same result if it was a fighting type move. "Which means that it is super effective against Lucario and not Riolu because of the added steel type upon evolution."
"Of course, I remembered that because it is why I chose my last Pokémon for this battle." Ash said remembering that there had been more than one reason for his final choice in this battle. "It's good against fighting and steel types so a good counter to a Lucario, or a Mega Lucario in this case. Well, it looks like I finally have the set."
"Huh?" Korrina asked confused. "The set?"
"Before Misty and I traveled Kanto last year May pointed out that the only two types I'd never caught up until that point were steel and ghost." Ash said remembering the conversation well as he put Lucario's Poke Ball away and pulled out his third and final one. "And she reminded me of that in Hoenn several months later when she told us about her Doublade as it is has both types. This was before the discovery of fairy types of course."
"Which you have one of anyway." Korrina said. "Your Mr. Mime added the type as you showed in that match against Cameron where you changed the world. I take it you caught a ghost type last year."
"Yes a Gengar that I caught in Lavender Town after an interesting adventure there." Ash said. "So, the only type I didn't have was steel until Riolu evolved that is. I knew I'd have it then, but I often overlook the fact that Lucario is a steel type as well as a fighting type as it is usually associated with its primary and not its secondary type. Of course, my final Pokémon is perfect for it."
"The one that has a Mega Stone." Korrina said grinning in anticipation of facing it. "Gramps spoke of your Charizard, and it is the perfect Pokémon against me so well worth a test of my Mega Lucario's skill. I've never faced a Mega Charizard before."
"Well, we will have to spare later and have a proper Mega Evolution battle if there is time." Ash said as he tossed out the Poke Ball. "Fletchinder, I choose you."
"Ok that I wasn't expecting." Korrina said surprised as the Poke Ball burst open and Fletchinder appeared before him with a caw. "Why that and not your Charizard?"
"Oh, I have him on me but Fletchinder has the same type combination as Charizard." Ash said while Fletchinder hovered there, wings beating in a steady rhythm as he awaited his first order. "Plus, I said I would come to Kalos with only Pikachu and Riolu and only use them and whoever I caught this year in battle."
"I can respect that." Korrina said understanding Ash's logic for using Fletchinder and not Charizard against Mega Lucario. "The best way to improve is to keep testing yourself rather than rely on your best."
"That is exactly how I treat a new region." Ash said with a nod. "I only have Charizard on me because of my battle with Kenny and the need for two more Pokémon to complete my team for a full battle. He's my best Pokémon and the only one who has a Mega Stone, so Professor Sycamore asked me to keep him on me for some studying as he hadn't seen Charizard's Mega Evolution before."
"He hadn't?" Korrina asked confused. "How? There was a Mega Charizard during the incident last year, Alain used one."
"Yes and that Mega Charizard is a dual fire and dragon type." Ash said. "Mine doesn't change types when he Mega Evolves. Apparently there are two types of Charizardite."
"Fascinating." Korrina said before Gurkinn cleared his throat to let them know that they'd gotten off topic again. "But I think we can discuss this with Sycamore when he visits next week. Let's finish this Ash."
"Yes, let's." Ash said with a grin. "Fletchinder, Flame Charge."
"Aura Sphere." Korrina said as Fletchinder's body ignited, and he flew at Mega Lucario. "There isn't much we can do to it that is effective, but we can still hit it and every hit will matter in this matchup."
"Fletchinder that move will hit and we don't have anything to block it." Ash said as Mega Lucario formed the blue ball of fighting type power between its paws. "So, keep up the move and fly through it. Trust me this will work. Wait for my order, I have a plan."
Fletchinder did trust Ash, he always did. Ash was the one who made him stronger and faster. He'd been able to evolve for Ash, so he'd put his faith in Ash for this. Well, that and he knew that he couldn't avoid the blue ball flying at him, but he also knew that between his natural resistance to it and the flames he was covered in would mitigate most of the damage and be able to power forward.
That was exactly what he did as he slammed into the ball, and it exploded obscuring Fletchinder due to the smoke of the explosion. The attack was stronger that he had expected but he pushed through it with his speed and then he heard Ash's order and would have grinned if he could.
"Peck!"
"What!" Korrina exclaimed as Fletchinder flew out of the smoke of the impact only slightly slower than before and slammed its glowing beak into Mega Lucario's chest.
Mega Lucario staggered back with a grunt of pain. Had he been a Riolu that would have taken him past his limit and knocked him out but thankfully his steel type reduced the damage of flying type moves from super to regular effectiveness. That still hurt though and even with Mega Evolution he'd taken a lot of damage in his battles so far.
Fletchinder saw that and had soared directly up in the air so that he was above Mega Lucario. Then he turned on his wing to dive just as Ash gave the order again showing how in sync they were as Ash knew just the move Fletchinder wanted to use.
"Flame Charge." Ash said and Fletchinder's body ignited again as he dove at full speed.
"Aura Spere." Korrina countered again. "Keep it away."
Alas the speed and location of the dive was not just coincidence. Fletchinder had seen how fast his opponent could attack with that Aura Sphere and had made sure he was in a position to attack as fast as possible with his own speed.
One of the advantages of having a battle-hardened warrior like Charizard around was that he had been able to learn from his new mentor and Charizard's numerous battles to think his battles through and take the initiative at times while trusting that Ash knew what to do. Trust went both ways and if he trusted Ash then Ash must trust him as well.
Ash had shown that in this case and Fletchinder let out a caw of triumph as he slammed into Mega Lucario's face at full speed just before the Aura Spere was released causing it to blow up and engulf both Pokémon. There was a large, but by some of Ash's standards not massive, explosion and dust billowed up from the spot where the Pokémon met. A second later Fletchinder shot up and out of the dust cloud cawing his victory as he flew back to hover in front of Ash.
That victory was all but confirmed before he reached Ash, or before the dust cloud settled, by a flash of red from within the dust cloud that they all knew to be a Mega Evolution ending. All they had to do was wait for the dust to settle to see Korrina's Lucario, no longer in its Mega Evolution form, lying on it's back in a decent sized crater with swirls for eyes.
"Lucario is unable to battle." Gurkinn declared the moment Lucario was visible. "Fletchinder is the winner. The gym leader is out of Pokémon and that means that the victor is the challenger Ash."
"We did it." Ash said cheering as Fletchinder flew back to him and landed on his shoulder to be congratulated by his trainer for a job well done. "You were amazing at the end Fletchinder, as was everyone else. We couldn't have won without Hawlucha and Lucario's efforts."
"Lucario return." Korrina said recalling her best friend, he'd need a good healing after a battle like this. "You were great as always, Ash really showed us how good he is in that one. I can't wait to see the Lumiose Conference this year."
Misty just cheered as she threw down her pom poms and before anyone could react, or a certain Malamar could intervein, she'd vaulted the small wall at the edge of the walkway and slid down the banked side like a slide. It was useful for that and the only way down quickly, though she did have to roll on landing and accidentally showed May and Serena what she had on under her skirt that neither girl wanted to see, mainly because both wished they could wear something like that for Ash.
Of course, Misty didn't notice this as she ran at Ash, Fletchinder seeing and knowing that his trainer's mate wanted to celebrate as well so he flew up to let them have their moment as he took a victory lap around the gym. Ash just turned and with a practiced ease caught Misty as she suddenly kissed him. It was their tradition to do this and if Misty had to be slapped for it than so be it, she wasn't going to let Malamar stop it even if she heard the telltale sound of a Poke Ball opening that was Malamar trying to prevent it.
However, as Misty continued to kiss Ash passionately, and making everyone present rather uncomfortable with the display of affection, nothing happen. There was no sudden yank, no spin, no savage slap, nothing. Misty wasn't complaining and just pressed herself closer in Ash's arms enjoying it for as long as possible until they got stopped. They were a second later though it wasn't like it had been the last time Ash had won a gym battle.
"Well, that's not something you see every day." Korrina said sounding near them. "Misty, are they both yours?"
"Both?" Misty asked surprised at the plural nature of the question as she broke away from Ash with a blush and turning to see the sight before face palming at it. "Yes they're both mine."
Right in front of Misty, his back to her, was her Machamp who must have burst out of his Poke Ball to protect her. That was because he was currently grappling with an irate Malamar, two of his hands holding her tentacles that were currently trying to choke him while the other two her body as he prevented her from reaching Misty.
"Malamar." Malamar squawked trying to push past her rival to slap Misty for her inappropriate behavior. "Malamar."
"Machamp." Machamp said as he stopped his fellow teammate from hurting their trainer for some reason, he was her protector and that included protecting her from her own Pokémon's strange habit of slapping, or in Piplup's case, freezing her whenever Misty did something they disagreed with. "Machamp."
"Malamar." Malamar said trying to explain to the muscle of the team that Misty deserved it for being inappropriate with her mate in public, they should save that for private later when they could be alone, and the Pokémon were getting pampered by a Nurse Joy. "Malamar."
"Piplup." Piplup said, he's followed Misty down the ramp as it looked fun and then seen his two friends get into it and was now taking Malamar's side as Misty probably deserved it, whatever it was that Malamar was punishing her for this time. "Pip, Piplup."
"Machamp." Machamp said shaking his head telling both of them to lay off Misty and if they tried he'd continue to protect her unless she actually deserved it and in this instance he didn't think she deserved it. "Machamp.
Meanwhile May and Serena were just staring at the whole seen in utter confusion unable to understand how Misty found Pokémon with such strange personalities. Meanwhile Pikachu and Frogadier noted that at least they weren't like that with Ash, except when he needed a shock for good measure, but Pikachu always saved those for when Ash really deserved it which wasn't often these days.
As for Misty's other Pokémon, Vulpix had buried his face in his paws from sheer embarrassment at his teammates' behavior while Helioptile just looked at the sight wondering if he should intervein or not. Only Furfrou wasn't present, and she was the lucky one as she didn't get to see the display her two biggest teammates were putting on in front of everyone.
"I'm so sorry for this." Misty said embarrassed as her Pokémon continued to argue while Piplup defended Malamar's side and tried to push Machamp with predictable lack of results. "Malamar likes to slap me when I do something stupid or inappropriate in public and that includes kissing my boyfriend after he wins a gym battle apparently seeing as she did it after the battle with Grant. However, I caught Machamp recently and he's a natural protector so he's likely protecting me as he doesn't agree with Malamar's judgement. As for Piplup, he's almost certainly on Malamar's side but me and my starter have a complicated and loving relationship."
"I see." Korrina said still confused by the sight, but appraising Machamp as he was a fighting type. "I gotta say, your Machamp is a fine specimen of fighting type Pokémon. Perhaps I can give you tips with him while you are here and we can spar a little, I always enjoy facing a strong fighting type."
"Sure, but first I have to deal with these three." Misty said walking over to her Pokémon and clapping her hands to get their attention. "Stop it. Now. Come on, we are going to talk about your behavior. Get over there. Move."
Misty pointed to a far corner so that they could talk. Machamp and Malamar instantly stopped grappling at their trainer's admonition of their behavior. Looking at her and her annoyed expression, they both turned and walked in that direction, Malamar with her tentacles crossed and huffing while Machamp hung his head in shame at his and Malamar's behavior. The only one left was Piplup.
"Pip, Piplup." Piplup protested. "Pip, pip, Piplup."
"You two." Misty said bending down and picking up the protesting penguin as she walked after her two chastised Pokémon. "You were part of this so you are getting a talking to as well and I am sure that if you try to freeze me Machamp will punch you into next week and in this case he'll be in the right. We need to sort this out now so that it doesn't happen again."
Piplup stopped protesting but he still didn't look happy in Misty's arms as she led them away to the corner. Vulpix just buried he face deeper in his paws in shame at their behavior while Helioptile decided that it was for the best if he just stayed out of it and hung back with Pikachu and Frogadier.
"Well, that was something." Korrina said as she approached Ash, who was totally confused by what had just happened. "Misty has some interesting and unexpected Pokémon. I wasn't expecting her to have a Machamp, let alone a Malamar, when I saw the ones she had on the sidelines. What is the orange one? I've never seen a Pokémon like that before. It's rather cute though I do prefer more rugged Pokémon."
"Oh, that is a Vulpix, a fire type Pokémon from Kanto that Misty got as an egg while we were on Cinnabar Island." Ash said looking over and feeling his confusion grow when he saw what Vulpix was doing. "It's not found in Kalos so it's a rare Pokémon in this region. As for Misty's Pokémon, well she's recently been finding some interesting ones as those aren't the most surprising Pokémon that Misty has."
"Really?" Korrina asked her eyebrow raised. "Because a Malamar is not the most common to begin with and the ones who do have that Pokémon tend to be, well I don't know but not pretty girls who wear a lot of pink."
"You should see her Spiritomb." Ash said. "He may be pink but that doesn't make up for the fact that he's the least likely Pokémon Misty owns. Ignoring the fact that he's a ghost and dark type, he's an exceptionally rare Pokémon."
"I'd be interested to meet that one, whatever it is." Korrina said though she had to repress a shudder at that type combination as it was one she'd never heard of but that negated fighting type moves against a type it should be super effective against. "I've never heard of Spiritomb before so I'm curious about it but another time. Right now, I'm curious as to how Misty caught a Machamp. Those Pokémon aren't common because of the trade evolution required to evolve a Machoke into them."
"It was wild when we met it so I guess it must have been released then for it to be a Machamp." Ash said thinking on it and realizing Korrina was right, it was odd to see either a Machamp or a Conkeldurr given how their evolutions worked. "Machamp was from the same adventure as Hawlucha, that is a whole story though and involves a Conkeldurr and an Ursaring as well."
"And Malamar?" Korrina asked. "How'd Misty end up with one of those Pokémon?"
"As for Malamar, she was caught by accident when Misty was trying to catch an Abra and decided to stay with her for some reason." Ash said as if it was normal but to Korrina that was far from normal. "She's the chaperone of the group now, as well as the mother figure for the Pokémon it seems."
"I feel like you have several stories to tell me in the coming days." Korrina said trying and failing to understand most of what Ash was saying. "May wasn't wrong when she said you guys had interesting adventures."
"Oh, we've had so many." Ash said. "And that's just going into the stories of those captures. Some of the others are just as wild for how that happened."
"I take it Spiritomb's was one such wild adventure." Korrina said. "Based on what you've said about it I can't imagine catching a Pokémon like that without some form of adventure along the way."
"Oh, that one was interesting for sure, but Misty is better at it than me as I wasn't present for most of it." Ash said. "But that's a long story that requires visuals, you can't understand a Spiritomb unless you know what one looks like and even that doesn't do them justice. You really have to meet one to fully understand it."
"Well, I look forward to hearing everything." Korrina said. "And we have some time but first it's time for your reward."
"Oh yeah." Ash said grinning as he turned to see that Korrina had a tray in her hands.
In the tray was a gym badge. It looked like a fist in a red boxing glove with gold edges and a cut out cuff punching the bottom corner of a gray thing. Ash wasn't sure what it was as it was a just a gray square with a bit cut out of it on the side that wasn't being punched but he didn't question it as all gym leaders had their own reasons for how they designed their badges.
"Here you go Ash, the Rumble Badge and proof of your victory at the Shalour Gym." Korrina said holding the tray up to him so that Ash could take the badge. "You earned it."
"Alright I got the Rumble Badge." Ash said as he gave his usual badge pose, Fletchinder flying down to chirp from his shoulder as he did it.
"Enjoy your victory." Korrina said putting the tray down and holding out her hand to Ash. "That was one hell of a battle, best one I've had all year. You truly lived up to what May said of you."
"That it was." Ash said with a smile as he took Korrina's hand, and they shook. "It was the best I've had so far as well. Thank you."
"I can't wait to watch you in the Lumiose Conference." Korrina said. "Now come on, let's get our friends and get our Pokémon looked at. There are some stories I really want to hear."
Ash just nodded as they went to go and get May, Serena, Pikachu, Frogadier and Misty's other Pokémon who were now dying from embarrassment as Misty argued with the others, well mainly Malamar, in the corner. She clearly needed another minute and then they could grab her and get their Pokémon looked at.
All that was for now, but Ash couldn't help but look to the future. They had an adventure to go on but then it was onto Coumarine City and all three things they had to do there. Ash couldn't wait, he was halfway to qualifying for the Lumiose Conference. He knew that he would get the other half in time as he continued his quest to become a Pokémon Master.
