Part CLXXIII: Alain's Request

Ash and Alain faced off in the field of yellow flowers that was now their improvised battlefield. It was likely going to get damaged given the power both trainers could bring to a Pokémon battle but there wasn't anywhere else to have the battle as this was the only time they'd cross paths before the Lumiose Conference ended.

That was because Ash and the girls were heading southeast to Aquacorde tomorrow providing that Misty retrieved the Banette she was currently trying to retrieve from the Chamber of Emptiness. Meanwhile Alain would be remaining for a few days before going off on his own adventure with Mairin unless his plans changed as a result of this battle.

As such this battle, one that Alain had requested as soon as he could after Misty had entered the Chamber of Emptiness, had to take place right away. Alain had been told when he'd seen his old friend, and potentially something more when both were ready, Sabi or to use her full name Sabrina, to seek out Ash Ketchum and face him in a Pokémon battle as she felt that it could help Alain out if he battled Ash.

Sabrina was the Saffron City Gym leader in Kanto region, Ash's home region, who Alain had gotten to know when she was in Kalos on a journey of recovery following Ash inadvertently giving her her life back when he and a wild Haunter snapped Sabrina out of whatever she was in when she was fully addicted to her powers while trying to earn the Marsh Badge. She'd always credited Ash with giving her that chance, though it hadn't been until their reunion a few weeks back that she'd told Alain his name and that she was now helping out some of the girls close to Ash to repay him.

In the process, Alain was still a little confused on the finer details, Sabrina had ended up back in Kalos for bit which had made him happy and seen him again when she surprised him during a brooding session at a Pokémon Center. Both acknowledged in their own ways that they had feelings for each other but had their own issues to deal with first.

For Sabrina it was her ongoing recovery from her addiction and becoming comfortable with her feelings while overcoming her fear of intimacy. For Alain it was rediscovering himself and forgiving himself for his actions that had led to the Lysander Affair the year prior.

He'd told Sabrina of said incident when they met up and she'd told him to seek out and battle Ash Ketchum while implying he should request Ash's most interesting Pokémon as his opponent. That had been when she'd divulged her own history with Ash and how Alain would see him anyway as he was Misty's boyfriend and Misty was the Sinnoh Top Coordinator who'd been asked to retrieve the Banettite as she had a Banette that likely had the bond to Mega Evolve so it was a no-lose situation to ask Ash for a battle.

Sabrina had gone on to say that Ash was unique in how he helped people, mainly because he didn't seem to realize exactly what he was doing, but when he battled you, you learned things about yourself that you didn't think possible. That was why she said Alain should face him as Ash might be able help him in his own special way.

Alain had already heard a fair bit about Ash Ketchum from May the year before, she spoke of him and his influence on her a fair bit, so he was more than willing to give this a go. Now it was time for that battle, and he was going to give it his all and see just how good Ash was and what a battle with him was like. After all, this was the Indigo Conference runner up from the year prior and the revealer of fairy types, so he had to have some serious skills to him.

For his part Ash was just eager for a battle with a strong trainer. He'd heard of Alain's skills and while he knew that at the moment Alain wouldn't Mega Evolve his Charizard as he didn't have a Key or Mega Stone anymore, which was a shame as apparently Alain's Charizard was the other Mega Evolution for Charizard that Ash really wanted to see, it was still going to be a good match regardless. Plus, Ash hadn't faced a trainer since Wulfric, the practices with the girls were great but their skills weren't the best to train him, so he was ready for this challenge.

"Right, this will be a standard Pokémon battle." Professor Sycamore said as he took the ref spot while May, Serena, Mairin, Mairin's Chespin Chespie, and Piplup finished setting up camp and came over to watch the battle. "It will be a one-on-one battle with each trainer using one Pokémon. The winner will be the trainer who's Pokémon knocks out the other and Mega Evolution is allowed. Is that clear?"

"Yup." Ash said with a grin as he pulled out his Poke Ball knowing exactly what Pokémon to use.

"Show me all your strength Ash." Alain said pulling out his own Poke Ball.

"Alright then begin." Professor Sycamore declared.

"Greninja, I choose you." Ash said sending out his Greninja.

"Charizard come out." Alain said throwing out his own Poke Ball.

The Poke Balls burst open at almost the same time revealing the fully evolved water starter from the Kalos region and the fully evolved fire starter from the Kanto region facing each other across the field. The amusing thing was that the Kalos starter was the Kanto native's Pokémon while the Kanto starter the Kalos native's. One thing that May noted was that Alain's Charizard no longer wore the metal chest piece thing with its Mega Stone in it confirming that Alain hadn't yet replaced it.

Regardless, both Pokémon eyed the other up and instantly knew that this was going to be one hell of a battle. For his part, Alain's Charizard could see the power and strength of the Greninja before him just from the Pokémon's stance and poise, this was a strong Pokémon that knew how to handle itself in battle and had the type advantage on him.

As for Greninja, he easily noted that the Charizard before him was on the same level, if not higher, than his own human's Charizard which was the ace of the entire team that all tried to best. This was a Charizard that had seen and won countless battles against tough opponents so a win over it would be big for Greninja even with his type advantage. He couldn't wait for this test.

"Greninja start us off with Water Shuriken." Ash ordered.

"Block that with Dragon Claw." Alain countered as the battle began in earnest.

Greninja slapped his thighs and pulled off a pair of Water Shurikens from the stars there and tossed them right at Charizard as fast as he could. It was impressive, Alain couldn't deny that, and the speed at which Greninja attacked was faster than most he'd faced but Charizard could match that, and dragon type power coated his claws to form his Dragon Claw attack.

He got it formed just in time to slash the first two Water Shurikens in two causing them to burst into mist while May and Serena gasped at the speed and precision Charizard showed in defending against the attack. He kept it up to slash the second two as Greninja tossed a total of 4 at Charizard but he blocked all of.

Ash grinned despite not landing the hit. This was clearly a powerful Charizard, and he was already getting pumped, his and Greninja's wavelengths slowly getting closer and closer, and the battle had only just begun. It looked like both speed and deception would be needed, and Ash already had the next move planned.

"Alright Greninja, use Double Team." Ash said. "Then Night Slash, I know you can land it."

"Get high Charizard and disperse it with Blast Burn." Alain countered as Greninja began to run at Charizard before leaping and forming several shadow clones of himself. "Make sure that Greninja is hit."

Charizard roared as he took to the sky with a powerful flap of his wings and looked out over the vast array of Greninja clones. This Greninja was strong, but he was stronger, and he opened his mouth to unleash a fiery explosion of, well, fire, that lit up the field and engulfed all the Greninja clone before incinerating the flowers and scorching the earth of the makeshift battlefield.

It was an impressive move that showed off Charizard's raw power even if he had to cool down after using it, but he knew that he'd hit the Greninja, so he had a moment, or at least he thought he'd hit his foe. In reality, Greninja had used the leap and the many clones of Double Team to get high into the air and above Charizard so that he was not hit by the Blast Burn that torched the battlefield. Thus, he was able to fall down and slash Charizard across the face with his Night Slash attack the moment the opening presented itself.

All Charizard could do was look up in shock, same with Alain, as Greninja landed the hit, though it didn't trigger a critical hit this time, and drove Charizard down to the ground with a crash that kicked up dirt. Greninja landed easily and Ash was already ready before the dust cleared.

"Water Shuriken." Ash ordered.

"Brace and counter with Steel Wing." Alain said as Greninja pulled the stars of water off his thighs again. "Get Greninja into the air so that you can land a Thunder Punch on it."

Ash wasn't sure why Alain hadn't ordered a dodge or a block until he saw the Water Shurikens, only two this time, cut through the dust, dispersing it and slamming into an immobile Charizard's chest. So that was it, Blast Burn was such a powerful attack that it required a cool down like Hyper Beam did. That meant that even with Greninja's type resistance to fire type attacks he'd be hurt by it.

This time he'd avoided it, landed his Night Slash and created an opening that landed both Water Shurikens on Charizard who roared in pain from the super effective hit. However, this was a Charizard strong enough to best one of the Elite Four's Mega Evolved Pokémon so a little water wouldn't take him out as he roared and pushed off the ground with his powerful legs with enough force to crack it and extended his wings as he did.

The speed was unreal, only Charla in the Charicific Valley had had that kind of speed for a Charizard, at least in Ash's experience that was. Not even his could match that and he and Greninja didn't have time to react before Alain's Charizard's wings turned to steel and slammed into Greninja's gut, lifting him off the ground and into the air as Charizard kicked off in to get some serious altitude with Greninja still bent over his wing.

Thankfully, the steel type attack wasn't that effective on Greninja, but the damage was only incidental for Alain and Charizard. They needed to get Greninja into the air for the real powerful move in Thunder Punch, the move they had to deal with most water types, and Charizard tipped forward to drop Greninja from his wing as he reached the apex of his climb into the air and clenched his right fist, electricity crackling as it formed around it.

"Night Slash." Ash said as Greninja began to fall to the ground, even in this situation he wasn't going to give up or be out of it. "Block it at least Greninja."

"Dodge and punch it." Alain said as the blade of dark type power was formed in Greninja's hand.

Charizard roared in agreement as he titled his head back and the Night Slash missed his throat by millimeters though it didn't go out as the nature of the move was to work until blocked or an opening was found, or until Charizard landed his counter. In this case it was the counter as Charizard snapped his head down, dove forward and punched down using his dive to add speed to his Thunder Punch as it slammed into Greninja's chest before he could bring the Night Slash to bear again.

Greninja didn't have time to call out as the super effective move landed and he was blasted down almost as fast as Ash's own Charizard had blasted Kenny's Mega Alakazam towards the ground below. Thankfully, there was no Mega Evolution boost here nor were they that high, so the effect was just a boom as Greninja cratered the ground on impact that kicked up a lot of dust.

For his part Charizard flew around the area once before landing in front of his trainer ready and wary. This Greninja was strong, he wouldn't go down from just one super effective hit so he had to be ready as was Alain who was smiling a true smile at the intensity of the battle that amazed Mairin to see as she hadn't seen him look so happy in a long time.

"I know you're still able to fight Greninja." Ash said as he felt his bond with Greninja tell him that his Pokémon was still in this fight and that they were almost there. "So, let's show Alain and Charizard all that we have."

From within the still billowing dust and in the center of the crater a wounded, batter, but still very conscious Greninja groaned but he rose to his feet knowing that what his human spoke was true. They were still in this battle, and this was a Pokémon on par with that Abomasnow he'd faced if not stronger, closer to that Gardevoir that he really wanted a proper rematch with. He was going to win this, and he fully trusted his trainer to ensure it.

That was just what they needed to reach push their bond once more past the point of Greninja's ability and trigger it. Their emotions were in sync, this was a battle both wanted to win, and their hearts were one, so it was time to once again trigger the Battle Bond phenomenon and like with Abomasnow this was the perfected, true, and full bond that Ash and Greninja had with each other.

"Alright Greninja it's time." Ash said grinning as he clenched his fist and felt his and Greninja's hearts become. "Let's get stronger and stronger and stronger!"

Alain, Sycamore, and Mairin all gasped as a golden helix of light formed around Ash and from within the dust still obscuring Greninja that connected to each other in seconds. Then, there was the sound of roaring waves as an intense water vortex shot up and out of the crater and into the sky clearing the remaining dust in the process.

This only lasted a second however before it bust but it didn't fall to the ground, rather it coalesced into ball of water on Greninja's back before morphing into the giant, 4-pointed, water shuriken there as the rest of Greninja changed slightly to take on similar traits of Ash that surprised those who hadn't seen it before. Ash-Greninja had been achieved and he leapt up and out of the crater to stand in a ready stance before the stunned Charizard and Alain.

"That is unbelievable." Alain said his eyes wide. "It's like Mega Evolution but you didn't touch the Key Stone on your hand."

"It's not Mega Evolution." Professor Sycamore said a device now in his hand that wasn't reading any Mega Energy. "That's something different and yet it is very similar at the same time. It's fascinating to see."

"That is Ash-Greninja and the Battle Bond phenomenon." May said with a smile. "And this battle has just been taken to a new level."

"Alright Greninja, let's show them our full power." Ash said ignoring the chatter from the sidelines as he had a battle to win. "Night Slash."

"Dragon Claw." Alain got out as Ash-Greninja pushed off the ground and almost flew at Charizard, the blade of darkness being formed in both hands this time as he moved.

Charizard roared and formed the dragon type attack, getting it around his claws and around right as Ash-Greninja reached him and slashed, blocking it and holding it there as he was pushed back slightly. This was a whole new level from the Greninja and Charizard could only compare it to being Mega Evolved himself for speed and power he now felt coming from Greninja. In both regards this upgraded Greninja had both on him and Charizard was forced back by the moves exploding against each other.

"Aerial Ace." Ash said his moves mimicking Ash-Greninja's.

"Dodge it by getting into the air and use another Blast Burn." Alain said as Ash-Greninja's hands glowed with flying type power.

"Keep it up, dodge and land that attack." Ash said as he matched Ash-Greninja's punches with his own.

Ash-Greninja was on Charizard before he could get into the air and landed the Aerial Ace with a few blows to Charizard's gut, but Charizard powered through it and took to the skies with a powerful flap of his wings that staggered Ash-Greninja with their power. The moment Charizard was clear he unleashed another fiery explosion down at the battlefield and this time he knew he wouldn't miss as Ash-Greninja was right below him when he unleashed it.

The intense fire type attack slammed into Ash-Greninja and the already scorched battlefield and washed over both, blackening the ground and doing half damage to Ash-Greninja due to his resistance to the fire type attack. Ash for his part grimaced in pain from the blow, something that only added to Sycamore's confusion at what was going on, but he powered through it as he punched up knowing that Ash-Greninja was still in the fight.

Before Charizard, who was still cooling down, or Alain could react, Ash-Greninja leapt through the remains of the explosion, his paws glowing with flying type power, and slammed a fist into Charizard's under chin in a savage uppercut. Ash-Greninja wasn't done though as he pivoted in the air the moment he was clear of Charizard and kicked him with a glowing foot, again Aerial Ace, into the side of the face to drive Charizard to the ground with a crash.

Charizard hit the blacked and hot ground with a boom that again kicked up dust and covered his body as Ash-Greninja flipped back to land in a combat stance a fair bit away. There was a roar from the dust, and it cleared to show a battered but still in the fight Charizard rising to his feet ready to continue.

"This, this is what I've been waiting for, what I've been missing." Alain said a grin on his face, one neither Mairin nor Sycamore had seen in years, but it was certainly a welcome sight to them. "Can you feel their incredible power Charizard?"

Charizard just roared in response as he slow got to his feet, this was something he'd not felt since facing that Mega Blastoise that bested him a while back, this was true power. This was just what he and his human had been missing for a long time.

"If only we could Mega Evolve, that would be the right thing to do to match such power." Alain said surprising even himself with his words as this was the first time he wanted to Mega Evolve since the incident and even before it had been more to win, get stronger, and collect data and not just for the thrill of the battle and to match his opponent's power with his own like he wanted to at the moment. "Oh, to face this Greninja with the massive power of Mega Evolution at our side, what a battle that would be."

Alain was again surprised by his own words as he meant every one of them, he really wanted to Mega Evolve Charizard, he wanted to face this Greninja and his powerful trainer with his own full power. It was a strange feeling, one that he felt deep down in his gut and chest, a warmth, a desire to get stronger to match the power before him. This was what he was missing, what he'd been seeking since even before the incident, he'd been seeking a true rival, a worthy opponent, someone strong who could push him and then some and Ash Ketchum was doing just that.

Sabrina was right, this was a trainer unlike any other in the world. In the course of a battle that still wasn't over he'd shown unreal skill, a power up Alain didn't understand, and lit a fire inside Alain that he'd forgotten he had. He wanted to get stronger again, he wanted to be the best, to be able to stand as an equal to Ash and face him again with his full power to see how that compared to Ash and his Greninja's unbelievable power.

"I get, I get why I was told to face you, thank you Ash." Alain said as he found his path, course there was still a lot more to do and his planned battle with Sabrina would help even more but he wouldn't face her without Mega Evolution because he'd at last found a reason to get a new Key and Mega Stone, that reason was to one day truly face Ash Ketchum on his level. "So, let's finish this. Thunder Punch."

"Dodge and counter with Night Slash." Ash said as Charizard leapt into the air and tore at Ash-Greninja with electricity encasing his fist.

Ash-Greninja leapt up and back to avoid the attack and formed the blades of dark type power once again, but Charizard had his movements now and twisted in the air to match Ash-Greninja's move and rolled to avoid a slash before he punched out. Again, the super effective move landed on Ash-Greninja's chest and blasted him back and to the ground. This time however he rolled with it and landed on his feet, skidding back and creating a grove in the still warm ground before coming to a stop.

"Press the attack." Ash said through the pain he felt at the hit Ash-Greninja took through their bond. "I know you can do it Greninja."

Ash-Greninja understood that and as he stopped he bent his knees and leapt up and at Charizard, the pair of Night Slash blades still in his hands as he moved. It was impressive and Alain was fully into this battle as he prepared for another clash.

"Dragon Claw." Alain said.

"Not this time." Ash said the dragon type attack again formed over Charizard's claws. "Dodge and land it as soon as that opening presents itself."

As Ash spoke he was moving his body, his fists clenched as if holding the attack as well and Ash-Greninja matched his moves as he slashed out at Charizard in the air while Charizard returned the favor. For a few seconds they engaged slashing, dodging and even parrying at times as the two attacks clashed with each other before at last the opening presented itself to Ash-Greninja.

It came when he caught the Dragon Claw on one of his Night Slash blades and pushed it up to open a shot to Charizard's chest that Ash-Greninja didn't waste as he slashed the dark type move across the exposed chest of his opponent this time the critical hit triggering to add to the move.

Charizard roared in pain as he was thrown back and into the ground with a crash and Ash-Greninja used the move to gain height above Charizard as he looked down at his grounded foe. Ash saw the opening and was already on it as Charizard hit the ground.

"Now, Water Shuriken." Ash said as he rose his hand to over his shoulder as if to grab something and then swiftly thrust it forward and down in smooth motion.

That move was mirrored by Ash-Greninja as he grabbed the Water Shuriken on his back, drew it, and tossed it down hard and fast in one smooth motion while still rising in the air. The water type attack flew true and as Charizard rose his head and Alain opened his mouth to order a counter to the move but before he could it slammed into Charizard's face and exploded, mist covering Charizard as it drove him back to the ground and covered his body.

Ash-Greninja landed facing his foe as the mist cleared ready to attack again but it wasn't needed. The moment the mist cleared they all saw the result. Charizard was on his side, mouth open, tongue out, and swirls for eyes. The final Water Shuriken had been too much for him and for the first time since Siebold and his Mega Blastoise, a Pokémon and its trainer had bested Alain and his Charizard.

"Charizard is unable to battle." Professor Sycamore said his eyes wide at what had happened. "Greninja is the winner. This battle goes to Ash."

Ash let out a sigh as the transformation fell from Greninja and both he and his Pokémon staggered from the end of the phenomenon but remained standing. They were getting better at this and now that it was perfected it wasn't as draining but it still took a lot out of them. Still, they'd won and that was what counted and what a win it was. That was truly a battle that Ash enjoyed as it was one that really challenged him and pushed him to the edge and then some.

"Charizard return." Alain said as he recalled Charizard and looked at the Poke Ball in his hand before continuing in a low tone that no one else could hear. "You fought well old friend, that was the best battle we've had in a long time. She was right, battling with Ash helped a lot and thanks to him we know what our next step is. Take a good rest, you earned it. Next time we battle it will be against her and this time we'll have some new items because it is time to retrieve them at last."

"That was amazing Greninja." Ash said with a smile as he walked out to pat Greninja on the back, a little tired from the battle but otherwise ok through Greninja would need some healing items after all the hits he just took. "Even without Mega Evolution, that was as tough as Wulfric for sure if not tougher. We keep getting stronger by the day, the Lumiose Conference will be ours."

"Strong doesn't begin to cover it Ash, I've never felt a strength like that in a battle before and I've had my fair share of battles with Mega Evolved Pokémon." Alain said a smile on his face despite his loss as he walked forward over the scarred, impromptu, battlefield towards Ash. "You and your Greninja share a bond I've never seen before. That isn't Mega Evolution, it's something much deeper but the result is just as powerful."

"Thanks Alain, it's called the Battle Bond phenomenon and is Greninja's ability though other than knowing that only one Greninja per generation will have it we don't know much more about it." Ash said as Alain reached him and held out a hand for Ash to shake after a good battle which Ash did. "You're really strong yourself, I haven't faced a true challenge like that this year other than my brief battle with Diantha when she tested my Greninja. Even my loss to Wulfric wasn't like that as there were other issues I had to overcome that prevented me from winning when we first met."

"You'll have to tell me more about those sometime as they sound interesting but first I want to say this." Alain said as he let go of Ash's hand. "Thank you for giving me that battle Ash, it was just what I needed."

"It was?" Ash asked confused. "I know you wanted to face me so I'm glad it helped, battles always help me, so I'm happy to help a fellow trainer out."

"I was told to face you in battle by an old friend and she wasn't wrong." Alain said smiling. "Ever since my mistakes last year I've been lost as I try to atone for what I helped cause. When Mairin's Chespie got hurt I did all I could think to do was to become stronger with Charizard and that was used by Lysander for his own evil purposes. In the wake of it I got rid of the Key and Mega Stones he'd given me to start anew. Part of that was becoming a Mega Evolution researcher for the Professor again, something I still want to do, but now that I've faced you I've realized what I've been missing."

"Oh, and what is that?" Ash asked.

"A challenge though there is still more I must do to fully understand what I want and ultimately where my path will take me, but I now have a direction thanks to you." Alain said. "I haven't lost since Siebold beat me with his Mega Blastoise and he's one of the Kalos Elite Four but even with this loss I learned a lot."

"That's good." Ash said still a little confused but going with it. "Are you going to share what direction you're going in?"

"Not yet, there is someone else I must battle now, a battle we planned when I last saw her, only now I need to get a few things before I see her again so I must leave first thing in the morning to retrieve them." Alain said, he knew where to find what he wanted but he'd been putting them off until now because he hadn't felt ready and hadn't realized that what he needed to go get them was for a truly challenging and fun battle to motivate him. "After that I will know more and if anyone can advise me on that front it's her. I will say this, I want a rematch with you Ash and not just against Greninja but a full battle against your strongest team."

"I don't get most of that." Ash admitted. "But I would love to battle you again Alain and see just how strong your other Pokémon are. I hope that you'll have a Mega Stone and Key Stone then because I'd like to see your Charizard at full strength."

"I promise you Ash that when we next meet I will have both and we can have a full rematch with Mega Charizard and Ash-Greninja as its being called, a fitting name for what that transformation does and requires." Alain said. "I am sure the Professor will ask more about the Battle Bond phenomenon, but I just want to see how Mega Charizard stacks up especially with the change of Charizard's secondary type from flying to dragon negating that water advantage of yours."

"I've heard of that Mega Charizard evolution and am eager to see it as I have the other one." Ash said. "And while I'd like to battle it with my own Mega Charizard it is more fitting that I use Greninja when that day comes, so I look forward to that day."

"I think we all will." Professor Sycamore said as he and the girls finally joined them having had their own brief discussion while Ash and Alain had their moment. "And you have to tell us about the Battle Bond phenomenon over dinner Ash, as well as your battles with Diantha and Wulfric that May and Serena informed me played a role in perfecting it. I haven't seen them lately, but I'll be seeing Diantha soon as she'll be with me for the Lumiose Conference, so I'll get a full update from her then."

"It's a long story full of a few adventures and a near death experience but of course I'll tell you." Ash said with a smile as they began to head back to the camp and await Misty's return. "A lot went on."

"Tell us about it." May said. "This is a true Ash adventure minus a legendary Pokémon or two being involved."

"I'm just glad it all worked out." Serena said. "It was…"

"Oh, did I miss a whole battle while I was in the Chamber?" A new, very familiar, voice suddenly called out and the turned to see Misty walking towards them from the entrance to the Chamber of Emptiness her right fist clenched by her side and Banette floating next to her. "I'm not surprised Ash used that time to battle Alain, May did suggest it. So, who won?"

"Ash did." May said as Piplup began to waddle over to his trainer. "More importantly though, are you ok Misty?"

It was a fair question as they all noticed that Misty's eyes were a little red and puffy and didn't fully match the smile on her face while it was clear that she'd rubbed her face vigorously before returning to them. It looked like she'd been through some sort of ordeal in the Chamber so naturally they were all concerned.

Misty for her part tried to dismiss it with a shake of her head. She wouldn't tell them what she saw, and frankly seeing May and Serena so soon after the visions she'd seen was hard even if she knew that they were fake, but she knew they'd ask so she'd have to give them something to assuage their concerns.

What she really wanted to do was run up to Ash, kiss him and hold him tight while feeling his arms around her but that wasn't proper right now and after experiencing the pain of him being with someone else, thankfully not real, she couldn't subject May and Serena to it knowing how it must feel to them whenever she and Ash got a little too cute while together. Tonight, however, she'd not leave Ash's arms in their tent because she needed it after what the Chamber showed her.

Instead, she just bent down and used her left arm to scoop Piplup up and hug him tight. He hugged her back sensing that something was wrong and tried to ask Banette, but Banette just said that it was something they'd not understand but to show all his love for their human as she needed it right now which Piplup naturally did. Misty smiled wider as she felt Piplup's love and returned it for a moment before finally answering May as the others reached her.

"I'm fine May." Misty said knowing she sounded a little forced and she saw the sympathy in Alain's eyes as she looked around as he understood what entering the Chamber of Emptiness was like. "It, it was a lot to handle, and that place is well named. I'll never venture in or frankly near it again because whatever it is, it's not normal."

"That is how I felt after I faced it." Alain said seriously. "It's not a pleasant cave and even just being outside it reminds me of when I entered it, so I'll be happy to leave it behind me once again in the morning."

"It's not and I can see why no one faces the same thing as what I faced was unique to me." Misty said her voice heavy. "But I understand your warnings Alain and like you I'll never speak of what I just went through so please don't ask. All I ask is that we have a good time now as that's what I need. So, tell me how the battle went and how Ash won, and let's have a good night before leaving this area as soon as we can in the morning."

"That is fair." Professor Sycamore said and while Ash, May, and Serena did want to know what Misty had been through they heard her tone and decided to just be there for her however she wanted them to be there for her and let her handle it as best as possible. "Did you get the Banettite though?"

"Of course, I did." Misty said happily as she held out her right hand and opened it to show her new Mega Stone in the palm of her hand as Banette cheered next to her. "I feel like the Chamber tested me to make sure I was worthy of it, to ensure that my bond with Banette was strong enough for it and I passed. He claimed the Mega Stone when it was all done, and it made everything worth it. I'll never go there again but I don't need to seeing as I got what I came for."

"Amazing, some Mega Stones do require challenges to collect them it seems, and I am sure that there is a deeper reason for why those seeking Banettite had to go through a test to get it." Professor Sycamore said looking at the Banettite in Misty's hand. "It's yours and I assume you have a way for Banette to have it, but would you allow me to study it in the lab for a bit Misty? I don't need it right away but as I said there's another potential Mega Stone for you near here that works out for your travels and it's probably not wise to have two Mega Stones on Pokémon in your roster at the same time though without a Key Stone it should be fine."

"That's fine, I'd like to make the item that will hold it, I already know what it will be, and set it up with Banette first, but I can do that in Aquacorde while Serena prepares for her Contest then I can send Banette back to you." Misty said understanding the Professor's eagerness to examine the Mega Stone but wanting sometime with it and Banette first. "And I promise I won't use it until Lumiose City. I've already decided when I want to first try it out and against who, but I'll let you know nearer the time when that happens so that you can be there for it."

"Of course, I would like to be there for when you use it as I hear that Mega Banette is a little different though the only known trainer to Mega Evolve a Banette in Kalos left the region several months ago." Professor Sycamore said. "And waiting is for the best I feel."

"Thank you." Misty said as she closed her fist again and brought her hand to her side, but she wasn't going to let go of her prize just yet. "Now that all that is out of the way can you tell me where Pinsir's Mega Stone is."

"You know that it's for a Pinsir?" Alain asked surprised. "Or at least that's my theory at least."

"Hard not to know seeing as the only Pokémon I have that can Mega Evolve at the moment are Banette and Pinsir so if it's not for Banette then it has to be for Pinsir." Misty said with a shrug. "I'm not like Ash who has several that can Mega Evolve, I only have two."

"Yeah same here." May said looking at the Professor. "So, Professor, where is that Venusaurite I've been needing?"

"Still tracking it down." Professor Sycamore admitted. "And remember, Shauna has claim to the first one found so you will have to wait until a second one is discovered."

"I know, I'm more than happy with just my Blazikenite but still looking for more now that Ash has multiple, and Misty will soon have a second." May said. "I don't want to fall too far behind them."

"How many Pokémon of yours can Mega Evolve?" Alain asked Ash intrigued. "I know that you have two stones, one for your Charizard that's different from the one I used last year and the other your Pidgeot, but how many can Mega Evolve? I have a Metagross and Tyranitar as well that have Mega Evolutions, but I've never tried with them as I'm not sure my bond is strong enough unlike with Charizard. You're the first person I've heard who's Mega Evolved two Pokémon."

"I don't actually know." Ash admitted. "I know my Lucario can, I've faced a Mega Lucario back in Shalour City when I challenged Korrina, and I know Septile can because Brendan's Sceptile had a Mega Stone when I saw it for the first-time last year though like with my Charizard he had to remove it due to the Indigo Conference rules at the time, but I don't know with the others."

"If I may, you have a total of 9 that can Mega Evolve." Professor Sycamore told Ash which surprised him. "You already have Mega Stones for your Charizard and Pidgeot that I know of and based on the Pokémon I've been told that you own, your Heracross, Sceptile, Gengar, Lucario, Glalie, Garchomp, and most recently Aerodactyl are known to Mega Evolve though the last of them we only discovered in the last few months."

"Oh, cool guess I've got a lot of stones to find then." Ash said pleased by the news of how many Mega Evolution capable Pokémon that he had. "But in time, I do have the Lumiose Conference to focus on first."

"Well in the meantime there is a second I can get so can you tell me about it." Misty said reminding them that that was what had started the conversation in the first place and asking again. "Where is Pinsir's Mega Stone?"

"We haven't confirmed that it is Pinsirite." Alain said. "Only that there is a Mega Stone buried in an old tree in the north west corner of Santalune Forest."

"But we theorize that it is for Pinsir based on what happened when we went to get it." Mairin said excitedly. "There was a Pokémon guarding it but not taking it despite being a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution itself, so we figured that it was waiting for its natural enemy to face it for the Mega Stone hence why we think it's for a Pinsir."

"We could have easily beaten it but decided that it was best for a Pinsir to face it for the Mega Stone." Alain said. "Just in case and as you are known to have one, Misty, and I know what the Chamber is like so I thought maybe you would like an easier one to go for after we realized that you were one of the best suited trainers to get it."

"That is kind of you, a battle is nicer for sure but there's just one problem." Misty pointed out. "My Pinsir hates battling."

"Come again?" Alain asked blinking, he'd seen Misty's Pinsir back at the lab and it seemed a little friendlier and strangely shier than most of its kind and was always by the side of an oddly battle hardened looking female Vileplume, but he'd not expected this. "Pinsirs are naturally aggressive Pokémon."

"Not my darling girl." Misty said causing another surprise. "Yes my Pinsir is female like half the species, and she doesn't like to battle but she does love to show off her moves in an appeal. I'll need to have Vileplume with me as well, she's Pinsir's best friend and the only one who Pinsir will battle with so if she's there then Pinsir may battle this Pokémon with her encouragement. By the way, what is the Pokémon guarding it?"

"It's going to be a Heracross." Ash said surprising all of them as they looked at him. "What?"

"How did you know?" Alain asked.

"Because when I caught my Heracross in Johto it was part of a colony that had some rivalry with a Pinsir colony at the time that was made worse by Team Rocket's meddling in the area." Ash said with a shrug. "Course my Heracross doesn't care for this kinda stuff, it just likes nectar and honey and shared some with Misty's Pinsir after she caught her, but I know there's some natural enmity between them."

"That is the case with the colonies here and seems to be the general case everywhere but Alola where there's another bug type there that challenges both Pinsir and Heracross, so they work better together there." Professor Sycamore said. "But that is the general idea. So, can you do it Misty?"

"I can, I'll bring both Pinsir and Vileplume in for it and send back Banette with his new Mega Stone and Espeon." Misty said with a nod. "After the Aquacorde Contest that is."

"That is understandable and thank you Misty." Professor Sycamore said with a smile. "I know that it is a lot to ask but you are the best for it as you have a strong bond with your Pinsir as well."

"Plus, we have to traverse Santalune Forest anyway." Serena said. "So, it makes sense that we'd collect it as we're passing by it anyway."

"We do?" Misty asked.

"Well yeah, it's between Aquacorde and Lumiose City so we can get the stone on the way." Serena said. "I should know, I've been through it before a few times seeing as my home in Vaniville is due south of Aquacorde. Even if I win in Aquacorde, any 5th Contest this time of the year will be north of Santalune Forest so as to be as close to Lumiose City as possible."

"Oh, then yeah that's no sweat at all." Misty said with a smile. "And don't worry Professor, after the Chamber of Emptiness, a battle to retrieve a Mega Stone in Santalune Forest won't be an issue. I'm still going to Mega Evolve Banette first though as I did get his Mega Stone first and went through a lot to get it."

"Make sense." Professor Sycamore said. "And don't worry May, I'll find that Venusaurite one day."

"Thank you professor." May said as suddenly Ash's stomach roared. "But I think Ash wants dinner right now, as do I, so we should adjourn for that."

"I could really use some good food as well." Misty admitted. "And an early night."

"Then let's get moving, the camp is ready, so it won't be long." Serena said as they started to make their way to the camp, but Ash had other ideas.

"Well while they're making dinner, do you have a moment Alain." Ash said as he put an arm on Alain's back and began leading the surprised older boy away from Professor Sycamore and the girls. "I've got a favor to ask in private."

"Ok." Was all Alain could say as he and Ash left the earshot of the others to discus what Ash needed while they began to get dinner ready for a needed meal after an eventful day.