Chapter 92: Mega: The Next Evolution

The following morning, Ash and Lucario were up bright and early. Lucario couldn't wait to try out his new Lucarionite, and Ash was more than happy to oblige. Except their friends weren't quite as keen.

"Ash, why must you get up at the crack of dawn?" Goh moaned as he rubbed his eyes, Chloe leaning on him as she tried to stay awake. Ash chuckled, rubbing his head sheepishly.

"Heh, sorry guys. Lucario was dying to try out Mega Evolution, and I just couldn't say no!"

Despite how exhausted she was, Lillie couldn't help but smile at her boyfriend's willingness to help his Pokemon.

"Now then, are you ready Lucario?"

"Cario!"

Ash raised his right hand, taking a second to admire his Mega Ring before placing his fingers on it.

"Now, Mega Evolve!"

Lucario howled, feeling the energy flow into him. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling…

But as soon as it started, it stopped, leaving Lucario the same as always, and very confused, as was everyone else.

"What happened? Did something go wrong?"

Ash shook his head, refusing to let this setback get the best of them.

"Let's try again!"

"Lucario!"

"Alright, then! Lucario, Mega Evolve!"

Ash went through the motions once more, only to get the same results, much to their confusion.

"I don't get it, what went wrong?"

"Maybe they did the pose wrong?"

Lucario's face fell, disappointed that he couldn't get the hang of it. Ash smiled kindly, and patted him on the head.

"Don't worry, buddy, we'll get it."

But Lucario didn't respond. This gives me an idea.

"I don't know what our problem is, but I know someone who might be able to help. Do you remember Korrina?"

Lucario perked up.

"Her Lucario had trouble with Mega Evolution as well. What do you say we pay her a visit?'

Lucario jumped up, and immediately began running towards Shalour City, making everyone chuckle.

"I'll take that as a yes?"

"Aura Sphere, Lucario!"

Korrina's Lucario roared, forcing his attack straight through the opposing Quilladin's Wood Hammer to strike his opponent. Quilladin, already exhausted from such a lengthy battle, finally gave out and collapsed.

"Quilladin is unable to battle! Lucario is the winner, which means the battle goes to Korrina!"

Korrina beamed, skating down and pouncing her Lucario in a bug hug once his mega evolution had worn off.

"You were awesome, Lucario!"

Lucario smiled, and returned the hug. Her opponent, while saddened by the loss, returned his Pokemon with a smile.

"Don't worry Quilladin, you did great. We'll get her next time."

With that, the trainer left, leaving Korrina to meet with Clemont.

"You and Lucario did great!"

Korrina giggled, and kissed him.

"Well, it helps that I had my amazing boyfriend cheering for me the whole time."

They were just about to go in for another kiss when Ash and his friends came in through the door.

"Ash! What's up? How's Riolu?"

Ash smiled, and gestured for his Lucario to step forward. Korrina smiled, and her Lucario patted his younger counterpart on the head, making him smile.

"I saw your match against Palmer the other day! You guys were awesome!"

Ash chuckled, and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Heh, thanks. How high are you in the rankings?"

"I just reached the Ultra Class last week. So, what brings you to Shalour City?"

Ash explained the situation with Lucario and their trouble with Mega Evolving.

"And then I thought about you and Lucario, and I thought maybe you could help."

Korrina scratched her head, not really having an answer for Ash.

"I don't know, Ash. I'd love to help, but I don't know what could be causing these issues."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance."

Korrina's grandfather Gurkinn stepped into the room.

"Really?"

"Tell me Ash, how strong is your bond with Lucario?"

Ash was about to answer when Gurkinn stopped him.

"Yes, I am aware that Riolu evolves with high happiness, but how deep is your bond truly? Do you trust each other with your lives? Can you honestly say that you know each other inside and out?"

Ash and Lucario exchanged a look.

"I…I don't know."

Gurkinn sighed.

"As I thought. You see Ash, in order for a Pokemon to Mega Evolve, they and their trainer must be completely in sync. No doubts, no secrets kept between them, they must trust each other completely."

Ash studied Lucario for a minute. What could he be hiding?

"Luckily for you, I believe I may be able to help. Come with me."

Gurkinn led the two into a large, empty room and instructed them to sit down. As they waited, he began to brew tea.

"I don't know much about Aura, but I do have the notes of my ancestors. They say that in ancient times, Aura Guardians were able to connect with their Pokemon on a deeper level through long meditation."

"Wow! But…I'm not that great at sitting still and meditating."

Gurkinn chuckled.

"Yes, I've noticed. That's why I'm brewing this tea. It helps relax you, and keeps your mind focused."

Once the tea was brewed, he poured it into a cup and handed it to Ash, who drank it.

"Well?"

"I mean, I do feel relaxed, but…"

Gurkinn nodded.

"Not to worry, I came prepared. Alakazam!"

The Psychic type Pokemon came in, and clanged his spoons together. The psychic vibrations coming from them sent Ash into a trance, allowing Gurkinn to continue.

"Now Ash, focus on my voice. Close your eyes, and focus on Lucario's aura."

Ash did so, feeling it incredibly easy.

"Now, keep your mind focused on Lucario's aura. Don't allow any other distractions to disrupt you. Deeper, deeper…"

As Ash continued his meditation, he slowly felt the building around him disappear. Instead, he found himself in a Pokemon den nestled deep in the woods. Two Lucario were staring at their egg, but something was off. They seemed…disappointed. With a grunt, the two left, leaving the egg all alone, making Ash gasp.

"How could they…wait. Could this be Lucario's memories?"

Weeks passed in the span of seconds before his eyes until he saw a group of Pokemon Poachers come through the area, nabbing Pokemon left and right before one of them spotted the egg.

"A Riolu egg! This will fetch a pretty penny in Kanto."

Seeing what they were doing, Ash charged forward in rage.

"Leave them alone!"

But he passed right through the poacher, since he was only an observer of things that had already happened.

The scene shifted to weeks later, with Riolu's egg still intact. The Poachers, sick of waiting, dumped it in the woods.

"I don't care how much money we stand to make, this dumb thing won't hatch!"

Many similar scenes whizzed past him just like that. A trainer would find Riolu's egg and take it in for a few weeks, but would eventually get rid of it somewhere after they lost patience waiting for him to hatch.

At last, he saw Nurse Joy hand the egg over to Scott.

"You're welcome to have it, but I must warn you he hasn't hatched in months."

Scott smiled.

"Not to worry, I have a feeling he's just waiting for the right person to come along."

The last images he saw were of his and Lucario's journey. Him winning Lucario's egg, Riolu hatching, their battle against Bea, and finally Riolu's evolution against Avery.

Ash gasped as he snapped out of his trance, all of the images playing back in his mind before he turned to face Lucario.

"Lucario…was all of that true?"

Lucario whimpered, and nodded.

"Are you…are you afraid I'll abandon you too?"

Lucario nodded, before he felt Ash give him a tight embrace.

"I would never do that, you have my word. I'd never give up on my friends, and you and I are friends. Lucario, even if we never master Mega Evolution, I don't care. I just want us to be friends."

Lucario smiled, and hugged Ash back. Once the two had cried it out, Ash turned to Gurkinn.

"Thank you, Mister Gurkinn. You really helped us out."

"Of course, Ash! Considering all you've done, it's the least I can do."

A few minutes later, Ash and Lucario were standing on the battlefield, ready to give it one last go.

"Alright Lucario, ready?"

"Cario!"

Ash closed his eyes, brushing his fingers along the Mega Ring.

"Mega…EVOLVE!"

Lucario howled, allowing the energy to flow into him, empowering and transforming him. And this time, instead of the transformation failing, he succeeded, standing proud in his new form. Everyone could only watch in awe as Lucario flexed, proud of his new form.

"Alright Lucario, you look awesome!"

Lucario smirked, and flashed Ash a thumbs up.

"Bea won't know what hit her!"

At the mention of Bea's name, Korrina perked up.

"Excuse me, did you just say Bea? White hair, martial arts outfit, gym leader in Galar?"

"The very same! Why?"

Clemont stepped in.

"She challenged Bea to a World Coronation Series match a few weeks ago, and…it didn't go too well."

Ash winced sympathetically.

"Yeah she beat me pretty badly the first time we met, too."

"Anyway, do you have a match with her coming up?"

Ash shook his head, and explained about the Battle Festival that would be coming up. Korrina smirked confidently.

"Well, I hope you don't mind some friendly competition, because I also got an invitation to compete!"

Ash smirked.

"Bring it on!"

"I know, let's train together for it! Lucario and I can help you guys get the hang of Mega Evolution."

Ash smirked.

"You've got it! Clemont, are you coming as well?"

"Yeah Clemont, come cheer me on!"

Clemont had to sadly shake his head.

"As much as I would love to, I can't. Bonnie called me the other week and said she'll be coming for my Gym soon, and I promised her I'd battle her instead of Clembot."

Korrina smiled, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah, aren't you such a good big brother? Don't worry, you'll be there in spirit!"

Clemont smiled, and after kissing Korrina goodbye left for Lumiose City. Once he had left, Korrina turned to Ash.

"What do you say we start training now? If you want to have the ins and outs mastered by then, you need to start now!"

Ash smirked.

"You're on!"