Chapter 26

When we head to the gym, we find the gym is a huge skating rink. The Gym Guide says, "What's the plan, Hitmonchan? How's the future Champ today? This is the Fighting-type Gym of Shalour City! You on your guard? Doesn't matter if you come from ahead or from behind around here! Just run into all the Roller Skaters and beat 'em! That's your ticket!"

"I see..." I mutter as I need to use my Roller Skates. So I start to move and the first gym trainer is Roller Skater Shun. "Hey, hey! You've gotta have some impressive skating skills in order to have caught up to me! You won't show me up in battle, though."

He uses a Pancham, a Throh, and a Machoke, so I go for Slurpuff to battle, with the Fairy moves, all three Pokemon are easily defeated. "What?! No way! You've got me beat in Pokemon battles, too?"

After defeating one trainer, the platform towards the battlefield rises. I know what I'm going to do then. The second Gym trainer is Roller Skater Dash. "You look like you could use some lessons! Don't worry- when it comes to speed skating and Pokemon battling, you won't find a better teacher!"

He uses a Heracross only, so I go for Vivillon, using the status moves and Air Slash to defeat it in the end. "Looks like I've got nothing to teach you that you don't already know!"

The third gym trainer is Roller Skater Rolanda. "This skate-and-battle train doesn't stop for anyone! Nonstop and full speed ahead! Go, go, go!"

She goes for Sawk and Hariyama, so I go for Aromatisse, using the Fairy and Psychic moves to defeat the two Pokemon. "You stopped me right in my tracks! That's no fun!"

The final gym trainer is Roller Skater Kate, she says, "Just who do you think you are, stopping me while I'm skating?!"

She uses a Meditite and a Mienfoo, I decide to go with Gengar since it has been a while since he had a gym battle. Gengar defeats the two Pokemon with ease using Dream Eater after Hypnosis. "Oh, you stopped me because you wanted a battle? Why didn't you just say so?"

"Excuse me?" I roll my eyes as the final platform rises. And that's when Korrina jumps onto the stage and yells, "Time for Lady Korrina's big appearance!"

We all look at her with a dumbfounded expression, and she says, "Haha, I'm just messing around with you! I know, you're rollin' in the aisles, right? I already know you're a strong Trainer, so let's get this show on the road!"

"Look out. I'm givin' it all I've got. And soon, I'll win." I say.

"Alright, Mr. Confidence, bring it!" Korrina says. "Mienfoo! Let's do it!"

The first Pokemon is Mienfoo... I see. "Let's have a great battle, Mienfoo. Hawlucha, I choose you."

Once the Fighting Type Pokemon appears, Korrina says, "I knew he'd go with Hawlucha. Alright, then, Ash, show me what you got!"

"Mienfoo, use High Jump Kick!" "Dodge it!" I command, but it is too late as Hawlucha is hit. "Wow...so fast..." I gasp.

"Let's keep up the pressure, use Drain Punch! Let's go!" Mienfoo starts to attack as I mutter, "Damn it, Hawlucha isn't speedy enough, block the attack."

Hawlucha blocks the attack, but his energy is drained a little. I say, "Hang in there and use Karate Chop!"

"Deflect it with a kick!" Korrina says as she blocks the attack. David says, "Mienfoo's got such precise movements."

"Oh. I can't watch!" Bonnie says while hugging her brother.

"It doesn't look like Hawlucha can do anything." Elline says.

"Force Palm!" Hawlucha is being sent down to the ground once more, and Korrina says, "so come on and surprises us some more, Ash. We're ready."

"Hawlucha, can you still battle?" Hawlucha nods and I say, "Then use Flying Press!"

"Mienfoo, use Swift!" I'm surprised. "Not a fighting type move? Try to dodge the stars if you can!"

Hawlucha has been trying to do it, but the last one hits him and he falls down before even reaching Mienfoo. "Hawlucha, no!"

"Come on, Ash! Don't disappoint us. Let's wrap it up! Okay, Mienfoo?" Korrina says.

"How am I going to win this..." I mutter before looking at Serena, who's looking at me with worry.

Korrina says, "Use High Jump Kick!"

I see the attack and I have an idea. "Hawlucha. Don't move, draw it in." I say.

When Mienfoo is now closer, I yell, "Go for it!"

Hawlucha jumps in the air at the right moment, causing Mienfoo to miss and also deal some damage.

"When High Jump Kick misses, the attacker will take damage equal to half of his HP...nice." David says.

"Now Karate Chop! Let's go!" I say as Hawlucha manages to hit Mienfoo.

"Use Force Palm!" "Use Flying Press!" Then Hawlucha dodges the attack and hits Mienfoo hard, causing it to faint in the end.

"There you go! One nothing!" I say.

"Alright, Ash. You might be ahead for now. But the next battle won't be so easy." Korrina says. "Here we go, Machoke! My second Pokemon!"

I decide to switch out to Fletchinder, and it is another Flying type. "Alright, Fletchinder! Flame Charge!"

"Machoke, run and jump!" Then Fletchinder misses the attack and then finds that Machoke is above him. "Brick Break, let's go!"

Machoke hits the Pokemon and then sends him to the ground. "That's some power..." Elline mutters.

"Hey, get up, Fletchinder, now." I say.

"Low Sweep, go!" As Fletchinder is about to get up, Machoke hits him hard and it sends him out of the battlefield. But Fletchinder manages to hold on.

"Way to hang in there, now use Steel Wing." Fletchinder charges with his wings glowed, but Machoke blocks the attack, and then it throws Fletchinder.

"Razor Wind!" I yell, as Fletchinder is thrown into the air and uses the attack, which damages Machoke a little.

"Focus Blast!" Korrina yells. "Flame Charge, let's go!" Fletchinder dodges the attack and then strikes Machoke hard, causing it to faint.

"And that's two-nothing." Serena says.

"But I wonder what is Korrina's last Pokemon, she did mention she won't be using Lucario for this one..."

"Now my final Pokemon, let's go! Hawlucha!" I was surprised that her final Pokemon is a Hawlucha. I decide to stay with Fletchinder. "Let's do this! Flame Charge!"

I try to attack Hawlucha, but it just blocks before going for Feather Dance, lowering Fletchinder's Attack stat.

"That Fire-type move really packed a punch, but try this on for size! Focus Blast!" I try to have Fletchinder use Steel Wing to dodge, but much to my shock, Hawlucha is already behind Fletchinder and uses Power-Up Punch, knocking Fletchinder down to the ground.

"You were great, Fletchinder. Now it's two on one." I mutter.

"Just because I'm not using Lucario doesn't mean you can look down on me. Hawlucha is also one of my strong partners. Now who will you be using next?"

I decide to have a Hawlucha and Hawlucha battle, and they both go for the Karate Chop battle, but with the Flying Press, both of them slam with each other, and much to my surprise, my Hawlucha is the one that faints and not Korrina's.

"Oh no..." I frown before recalling Hawlucha. Then I say, "Espurr! I choose you!"

The final Pokemon for me is Espurr, and I have it use Psybeam, hitting Hawlucha. Korrina says, "Use Bounce!"

Hawlucha jumps into the air, and then it hits Espurr, which causes it to get paralyzed. "Don't give up, Disarming Voice!"

I yell, and Espurr goes for the loud roar that deals damage to Hawlucha, before going for Psybeam once more, knocking the Hawlucha out.

"Yes! Espurr! You were awesome!" I say while hugging my female Espurr.

"That was an amazing battle." Bonnie says.

"Once again, you managed to surprise me." Clemont says.

Korrina says, "Oh! I have been defeated! Alack, alay! Lady Korrina gave a terrible display! This is it. I must give up my title and admit that your strength far exceeds- Just teasing! But here's your Badge. Boy, you'll be rolling in 'em soon!"

I receive the Rumble Badge, and she says, "If you've got a Rumble Badge, then you can trade Pokémon up to Lv. 50 with your friends and they'll be ready to roll! They'll love you, all right! And you'll be able to roll over waves using the HM Surf, even outside battle!"

Then she closes her eyes and says, "Now for Grandpa's favor, you'll have to go to the Tower of Mastery first. I'm sorry for sending you this way and that. I swear, I'm not giving you the runaround! You've done great rolling with the punches. So great that I'd like to ask you a favor... Battle me again, won't you? But this time, it won't be just another Gym Battle... I want a battle between equals! As two Trainers who can use Mega Evolution! I'll be waiting for you with Lucario at the top of the Tower of Mastery!"

We understand, and after we leave the gym, we head to the Tower of Mastery, and that's when Gurkinn says, "Ash, the time has come. With Korrina having her own Lucarionite, it is time for you to obtain your own Lucarionite."

"Really? So that's what Korrina means a battle between equals..." I mutter.

"Naturally, it's pointing toward Mega Island." Korrina says.

We all take a boat to the Mega Island, we learn that many Mega Stones can be found there, which is why it's called the Mega Island. The process is not that easy, such as a frozen hillside that we slipped and slid down towards a ravine, Lucario helps us by grabbing the edge of the cliff, and we also have Charla and Clemont's Aipom arm to help us. We notice that it is an Abomasnow that does the freezing.

Then there is a battle between Salamence and Pidgeot, which causes us to be separated because of the Gust attack. Lucario, Serena, and I are now at a rocky area filled with erupting pillars of lava, and we try to have Gyarados use Rain Dance to create a raincloud to get out of the area, and after a while, we finally find our own Lucarionite.

"This is the Steel Forest." Korrina says.

And that's when the others arrive and we're delighted. I say, "Lucario seems to have sensed something inside. I think it is a Lucarionite."

Then we have Lucario use Aura Sphere, but the impact sends a shockwave through the metal spike, shattering it and revealing a Lucarionite, which strangely floats in mid-air. A laughter fills the air, and an old man referring to himself as the Mega Evolution Sage appears before them, floating in the air as well thanks to his Alakazam. He is lowered to the ground and declares that if we wish to get the Lucarionite, we'll have to get past him first.

The Mega Evolution Sage starts the battle by Mega Evolving his Alakazam and having it bring the Lucarionite behind it. Lucario makes the first move with Aura Sphere, which Alakazam counters with Psybeam. Lucario then uses Double Team and charges at Alakazam, who uses Psychic to fire its spoons at the copies and locate the real Lucario amongst them, before following up with Tri Attack, which knocks Lucario down to the ground and inflicts paralysis. Regardless, Ash tells Lucario to jump up using the metal spikes. However, the paralysis catches up to Lucario mid-jump, causing him to fall down again. Ash encourages Lucario to try again, and while the paralysis hinders this attempt as well, Lucario manages to leap over Alakazam by grabbing on its beard, successfully grabbing the Lucarionite.

The sage turns out to be Gurkinn in disguise, and he congratulates us with our bond. Korrina mutters, "You always go too far, Grandpa..."

"Sorry." Then we all head back to the Tower of Mastery, and that's when we climb to the top of the tower. Korrina says, "I really love this place! When I'm here with my Pokémon, looking at the wide-open sky above, all my worries disappear, and I feel like I can do anything!"

She turns to us and says, "Thanks for coming all the way up here. So, whaddya say, Ash? Will you and Lucario battle against me and my Lucario? A Lucario-on-Lucario battle! It will be nothing short of riveting. They both have Lucarionite in hand! How about we get this show on the road?"

I smile, "Of course."

"I can feel Lucario's passion. Perhaps it's just that it doesn't want to lose to the other Lucario, but it may be that it's just on the same wavelength as you... Ready, Lucario? Let's give it all we've got!"

Then we are having a Lucario and Lucario battle, and everyone is excited to see the battle. Both of us Mega Evolve our Lucario, and then we decide not to move. Elline asks, "Why isn't anybody moving?"

"Because both Lucario know that they can't afford to lose this round." Clemont says. "They're trying to be extra careful. This is going to be a true battle of wills."

"I've never seen anything like this before." David says.

"And I have never been this nervous as well..." Bonnie says.

"Alright, Lucaio. Use Bone Rush!" As Lucario charges. Korrina says, "Draw him in and use Bone Rush as well!"

Then they clash with their bones and then Ash says, "Now use Power-Up Punch!" "Block it!"

Both Pokemon clash once more, but Korrina's kicks it back to his side. "Lucario, Aura Sphere!"

Lucario manages to hit Korrina's and she is surprised, "An Aura Sphere after getting hit?"

"That's our battle style." I say.

"Then we'll use Aura Sphere as well." Korrina says as the attack hits my own Lucario. "No, Lucario!"

My Lucario struggles to stand up and then its aura flares on the field. Korrina says, "Looking good, Ash and Lucario."

"That's because I am going to win this." I reply.

"Lucario, Metal Sound!" Lucario shoots out the waves and I command, "Use yours to block the sound."

As the sounds are reflected, Korrina says, "Aura Sphere!" "Lucario, use Bone Rush to send it back!"

Then Lucario uses the Bone Rush like it is his baseball bat and then it hits the Aura Sphere back. "How is that even possible..." Korrina is shocked as they see both Pokemon are still standing.

"Ash, you and your Lucario are amazing to make that Aura Sphere into a baseball."

"I thought it would be able to wrap this up after striking a home run." I say.

"But now it is time to wrap this up. Power-Up Punch!" "You too!"

Both of them punches at each other, they all send back and they all yell, "Aura Sphere!" Then both Pokemon also hit each other with the sphere. But I say, "Now finish it with Bone Rush!"

Are the Aura Sphere, Korrina's is not fast enough to dodge the Bone Rush, and finally, it goes down and returns to normal.

"Way to go, Lucario." I hug my Lucario. Korrina says, "What an explosive battle! I could tell that both Mega Lucario didn't hold anything back!"

"Yeah. Thanks, Korrina, for a battle like that." Then we bid farewell to Korrina and Gurkinn as we leave the tower.


Here is the gym and the Mega Lucario battle. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be more evolutions and more places to explore.

Ash and Serena's Pokemon:

Venusaur, Charizard x2, Blastoise, Pikachu x2, Alakazam, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Pinsir, Gyarados (Shiny), Eevee, Aerodactyl, Ampharos, Scizor, Heracross, Houndoom, Tyranitar, Gardevoir (Shiny), Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Banette, Absol, Garchomp, Lucario, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Quilladin, Braixen, Frogadier, Bunnelby, Fletchinder, Vivillon x20, Litleo, Flabebe (Rainbow), Skiddo, Pancham, Furfrou, Espurr x2, Honedge, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Inkay, Binacle, Clauncher, Helioptile, Tyrunt, Amarua, Hawlucha, Dedenne, Carbink, Yveltal, Diancie