Before we get started, I'd first like to apologise for something I forgot to apologise for int eh end notes of the last chapter, and that's for cutting Paul and Elio's match short. I needed something to have that group find out about Aura, and that's the best I could come up with. So, to make up for that, I'm giving them a rematch here. But other than that, I don't have much of a plan for this. But I'll try my best. At this point, I'm just trying to get these chapters over with so I can write the climax. But with all that said, enjoy.
Chapter 76:
Ready for This
While leaving Gliore with Serena, Ash sneezes loudly, and almost gives himself and Serena away. They've managed to disguise themselves again and slip out of the city without being seen by Vultures. But the sneeze is loud enough to nearly draw attention to them. However, Pikachu manages to cover for them by running into a different alley and making louder noise, allowing the other two to get away. "Bad time for someone to be talking about me, huh?" he jokes, which makes Serena laugh. Pikachu re-joins them and leaps on Ash's shoulder. "Nice one buddy, thanks!" Ash tells him. Pikachu puffs his chest with pride. "Don't mention it!" Pikachu replies. Now out of Gliore and free from the journalists. Now they're free to go back to Vaniville a recuperate, before they head to Lumiose to watch Bonnie compete in the League.
However, they're barely half an hour away from Gliore when Ash's phone begins to ring. Grumbling in annoyance, Ash pulls it out and has the Rotom inside to answer. When it does, Clemont's face appears on screen. "Hey Ash, Serena," he says, "good job with the Master Class by the way." Serena thanks him. "What is it Clemont?" Ash asks, getting them back on topic. Clemont nods at this. "Detective Looker wants to speak with you as soon as possible," he explains. "How quickly can you get back to Lumiose?" Serena uses her nav to see. "About half a week on Charizard!" she replies. Clemont smiles at this. "Excellent!" he says. "I'll let them know to expect you then. See you!" Then, he ends the call. Ash pulls out Charizard's ball and he and Serena climb on. "Ready to go?" he asks. She nods, clutching onto his back. Ash blushes at this, then they take off.
Back with Max and Bonnie, by the time Max has finished explaining everything he knows about Aura, Bonnie has recovered from the blast. Max notices that when she purposely lets the Aura Blast out, it seems to wear her out a lot more than when she does it by accident. Paul seems both very impressed and rather annoyed. "So, all this time, Ash Ketchum had a strange power and he never used it in any of our battles?!" he exclaims. "It wouldn't do any good in a pokémon battle," Bonnie explains. "Not unless he uses Pikachu or any pokémon who can use Aura." Paul nods at this, and starts thinking about which pokémon use Aura. At least, that's what Max thinks he's doing anyway. Once Bonnie is able to stand up on her own, they all set off again.
Over the next few days, the group travels as quickly as possible in order to get to Lumiose in time for registering for the League. At a few points, they need to use their flying types to quicken the pace. They don't dare use them too much, however, since they only have 5 flying pokémon between all of them, Max's Pidgeot, Paul's Honchkrow, Elio's Noivern and Iris's Dragonite and Mega Evolved Haxorus. Out of all of the newly discovered Mega forms, Haxorus is Max's favourite. He has 2 more blades on either side of his face, his armour is a lot more sturdier and a bit bulkier. He has a spiked tail, and two new blades on his elbows. Completing the new look are a pair of large red wings, which are black on the underside. Surprisingly, he can even use these wings to fly, something that the group takes advantage of whenever they can.
About half a week since Bonnie's Aura Blast, the group finds themselves arriving in Laverre once more, and checking into the Pokémon Centre there. They sit around on some of the couches and chat amongst themselves about various topics. During these conversations, Elio suddenly remembers something. He pulls out his whiteboard and scribbles something down on it, before showing it to Paul. "We never finished that battle we were having before the avalanche," he wrote. "Want to have that now? Or tomorrow?" Paul grins as he hands the board back to Elio. "You know," he replies, "I was just thinking the same thing!" Elio beams at this. So, everyone gets something to eat rather quickly, then they all follow Elio and Paul out into the streets of Laverre.
They arrive at the spot outside the shopping centre where Max and Paul had their battle months ago. Despite it being the early evening, the place is well lit, and there aren't too many people around, making it the perfect place to have their battle. Before they do however, they agree to try to keep it contained in this area, and to not allow their attacks to hit anything other than the pokémon and the ground they're standing on, if they can help it. With all of those agreed upon, Georgia volunteers as referee and goes over the usual rules of a one-on-one battle. Once she's done, both boys send out their pokémon. They end up choosing the same pokémon as before, Electivire and Incineroar. Both pokémon let out cries of anticipation upon seeing who they're going to battle, then they begin.
Elio starts the match off by clapping, which causes Incineroar to use Flame charge. Electivire manages to dodge the attack, then run in with Thunder Punch. Elio stomps his foot and Incineroar dodges the attack as well. But at this, Electivire quickly spins around and hits Incineroar in the back with Thunder Bolt. Incineroar cries out, then wheels around. Elio snaps his fingers twice, which has Incineroar charge in with Darkest Lariat. This time, Electivire isn't quick enough to didge it, and takes the hit. It tries to use another Thunder Punch, but Incineroar manages to get out of the way. Then, Incineroar uses Flamethrower when Elio whistles, which Electivire takes a face full of. It tries to use Thunder Bolt again, but Incineroar is able to dodge that too. Then, he goes in for another Darkest Lariat, which Electivire is able to avoid. Electivire strikes Incineroar with Thunder Punch, then hits him point blank with Charge Beam. But Incineroar is able to tank the hit, then strike Electivire with one last Flame Charge, which knocks Electivire out.
"Electivire is unable to battle!" Georgia calls. "Making Elio the winner of this match." Elio punches the air at this, then returns Incineroar to his ball. Lillie rushes over to him and hugs him tightly, only to spring away a few seconds later when she realises what she's doing. Miette walks over to Paul and pats him on the back, as if nervous of how he'd react. Paul just returns his Electivire, then approaches Elio. "I must say," he says, "that you have to be one of the most impressive battlers I've ever faced." He extends his hand, but Elio doesn't shake. "He's not a big fan of touching," Lillie explains. "Just give him time to grow used to you." Paul nods, then retracts his hand. "Well then, if you're competing in this league, maybe it won't be as easy as I first thought," he comments. "But tell me, is this your first league?"
No one from the Alola gang says anything for a bit. Then, Hau looks at Elio, who gives him a look and a nod. Hau nods as well, then explains to Paul, Miette, Iris and Georgia about what happened when Elio tried to compete in the Alola League. When he's finished, the girls look appalled by this. "That's so cruel!" Miette exclaims. "How could they agree to that!?" "Because they're stuck in the past," Gladion gripes. "To them, the idea that someone like Elio could do this good in battle is unheard of." Paul approaches Elio and puts a hand on his shoulder. Elio recoils slightly, but doesn't move away. "I've fought many different trainers in my time," he tells him. "Including Frontier Brains and Champions. But you are one of the most challenging trainers I've ever fought. It takes a lot to earn my respect, but you definitely have." Elio beams at this and extends his hand from his bottom lip, the sign language for thank you. The group then heads back to the Pokémon Centre, discussing Elio's situation and the League in general.
Meanwhile, back in Lumiose, Ash and Clemont meet up at the entrance to Lumiose Tower. Serena wanted to come too, but Looker forbade it. So, she waits in Vaniville for Ash to return and tell her what was discussed. Looker joins the two half a minute later, then they head inside. As they walk down the halls of the tower to a more private meeting room, Looker says to them, "There's another person involved in this meeting. He will be along shortly. We are to wait for him before we start." "Who is it?" Clemont asks. "And is he the one who called us here in the first place?" Ash adds. Looker nods to Ash, before addressing Clemont's question. "I shan't say here," he explains. "It may draw the attention of our little Rattatta." Clemont nods in agreement. They arrive in the meeting room and wait around for a little while.
Finally, the person who called them all together arrives. "Alain!" Ash exclaims, standing up. The Champion of Kalos nods gravely. "Good to see you again Ash," he replies. "I only wish it was under better circumstances." Ash nods in agreement and the two shakes hands, before Alain shakes hands with Clemont and Looker. "What do you need?" Clemont asks. "Is this about Team Terra?" Alain nods. "I was only informed of their incoming attack a few days ago," he explains. "Detective Looker here asked me about it, and I told him I had no idea what he was talking about." Ash and Clemont's jaws drop. "But we sent you a letter!" Ash exclaims. "How did you not receive it?" "I believe the letter may have gotten lost," Looker theorises. "In any case, it means that our situation is more dire than we realised. Agents Hilda and Hilbert have been tracking their progress, and believe they are a mere fortnight away, at best."
"Which means I do not have enough time to gather enough officers to defend this place," says Alain. "Not without causing mass panic, and certainly not without disrupting the League." This is dire news indeed. "So, what do we do?" Clemont asks. "Do we have a chance of stopping them?" At this, Ash slams his fist on the table. "Of course we do!" he says, with fierce determination. "We always have a chance. As I always say, 'Don't give up until it's over!'" Clemont nods at this, his face matching Ash's. Then, he turns to Looker and Alain. "I'll muster up as many employees as I can to act as security," he tells them. "If I split them into smaller groups and separate them, maybe that might at least shorten our list of suspects for Team Terra's Diglett." "Good idea," Looker agrees. "As Champion Alain said, this is terribly short notice, but I will try to gather any agents I can to monitor Lumiose City." "And I will be staying in Lumiose until after the League is over," Alain adds. "As should you Ash. Hopefully with our combined presence, it'll at least cause Team Terra's forces to grow concerned."
"I'm staying in Vaniville with my girlfriend anyway," Ash replies. "So, I'll be very close." With all of this agreed, Alain and Looker make a few calls, while Clemont goes out to inform his staff about the increase in security. "With any luck, this will all be over before the League starts," says Alain as the other three get ready to leave. "And hopefully, nothing will come of Team Terra's threat." But unfortunately, things would not be so easy. For Team Terra's Diglett is listening in to the conversation. As the group leaves the room, the spy slips away from the hall, and heads to the nearest Pokémon Centre to place a call.
Wow, I am so sorry for how late this is, but this Easter Weekend was very busy. In fact, the next chapter will probably not be coming out until Thursday instead of Wednesday. It all depends on how much of a plan I have by then, especially since I have like 5 essays to write this month. Christ on a stick I am not doing myself any favours lol. But anyway, see you in the next chapter, whenever I manage to get that out.