Chapter 20

The Moment of Lumiose Truth

Plenty has happened since Clemont left us for certain personal training. Perhaps the biggest of these events was Jessie, James and Meowth quitting Team Rocket for good and joining us in our journey. It took us all by surprise, but we were happy to take them under our wing - provided we kept an eye on them. Ash, it seemed, was the most pleased by this revelation. They had been obsessively pursuing him and Pikachu since… basically the start of their journey, and now, he felt as though a large burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Now, after many months of travel and battle, we have finally returned to Lumiose City… I took in a heavy breath of the surrounding air. "It feels like forever since we've been home," I sighed.

"Why don't we start by meeting Clemont and going for your next Gym Badges?" Bonnie suggested.

"Sounds like a great idea," Brock replied. "I'm sure he's eager to show us the fruits of his training."

Traffic held us back a little, but we finally made it to Prism Tower. As we approached the landscaping surrounding the Tower, I realized something - Clemont did not know about what happened at Grace Tower. I quickly turned to Jessie, James and Meowth and explained the situation to them. "Here's what I'm thinking… give me two minutes to explain what happened at Grace Tower, and then you come over to us?"

"Yeah… that would probably be best…" Meowth muttered.

As we approached the Tower, we saw the Gym Leader walking out the door, alongside Clembot and a few others. Bonnie ran over to hug one of them in particular. "Daddy!" Bonnie leaped into his arms.

"There's my baby girl!" Meyer squeezed her tight.

"What brings you here, Professor?" Ash asked.

"Research," he replied. "Clemont invited me over to witness his first Mega Evolution battle."

We all looked at our intelligent friend. He grinned with confidence as he rolled down his sleeve to reveal a Keystone embedded in a white bracelet.

Then it was my turn to grin. "Good for you, Clemont! So who is it? Ampharos? Manectric?"

"You'll see…" said the Professor, "...and I'd like to see Mega Diancie while we're at it."

"Oh, you know about that?"

"That's not all that happened…" Ash stated. He and Serena each pulled out a Poké Ball and opened them up to reveal Goodra and Braixen, respectively.

Clemont was impressed with their evolutions. "Fennekin was exceptionally cute, of course, but Braixen is beautiful! And I heard that Goodra is a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon! There's a lot of power under that huggable exterior!"

Then we told them about Grace Tower, and our encounter with Giovanni and Malamar. "…and you'll never guess who it was that rescued us," I concluded. I then gestured to the three, letting them know it was safe to come out. As they approached us, Clemont and the others looked a little alarmed, but we reassured them that they saved our lives.

"Why?" Meyer asked with a glare. "I mean, I'm grateful that you saved my daughter and all, but why?"

"A shadow of disgrace has been cast over Team Rocket," Jessie told him. "It's a cause we no longer wish to be part of."

"Fine… As long as you keep your mitts to yourselves, we're cool." Clemont turned his attention back to us. "So, as long as you're here, how about we have those Gym Battles I promised?"

As we rode the elevator, Ash and I were discussing who would battle Clemont first. We were a little indecisive for various reasons, but Clemont had made our decision for us.

"I wanted to give you two a Pokémon battle you'd never forget," Clemont stated, "so today only, I want to do something that's never been done before in my Gym… a Double Battle! Brianna and Ash, versus me and my… guest."

As we reached the Lumiose Gym battleground on the top floor, I noticed something in the middle of the room. There stood a girl I did not recognize at first. She was dressed in a manner similar to my Mega Evolved form, yet looking more unique. It was mostly dark blue, as well as her hat, hair and eyes.

She seemed a little timid as we came over. "Uh-um... Hi... Do you remember me?"

I tilted my head a little. "Should we?"

Clemont looked back at me. "Think back to the Power Plant."

It took a second to click, but when it did… "Evelyn?!"

"H-hi…"

"You look so different from your Team Flare persona! And that dress… where have I seen that style before…?"

Before I could recall, Serena squealed excitedly, making everyone jump from shock. "You're one of the Battle Chatelaines, aren't you?! I'm a big fan of yours!"

"The Battle Chatel-What-Now?" Misty asked.

"They're only the most stylish Pokémon Trainers in all of Kalos!" Serena uttered out.

Evelyn began to explain on Serena's behalf. "You see… My sisters and I form a group called the Battle Chatelaines. We own a place down in Kiloude City called the Battle Maison, where Pokémon Trainers battle against one another for prizes."

"I see," Ash interjected. "Like the Battle Subway in Unova."

"That's right! Anyway, there are four different styles of battle: Single, Double, Triple, and Rotation Battles. If you defeat a certain amount of Trainers, you get to battle one of us. My specialty is Double Battles. Since you saved me from Team Flare, you're more than welcome to battle there whenever you like."

"I'll put it on the list." Ash pulled out a pen and paper and jotted 'Battle Madison' on it.

With that, it was time to battle. The four of us made our way to opposite ends of the field - Ash and I on one side, Clemont and Evelyn on the other. Clembot stood at the halfway mark, to act as the referee. "The first Team Gym Battle of Prism Tower will now commence. Each Team Member will have the use of one Pokémon. The battle will be decided when either Pokémon is unable to continue. Furthermore, all capable Pokémon are required to Mega Evolve at their earliest opportunity. Please present your Pokémon to the field."

I looked at my Rock-type friend. "Let's go, Diancie!" She nodded and bounded in front of me.

Pikachu was about to join her, but Ash stopped him. "Sorry, buddy, but I have a different plan for this one…" he then released Goodra onto the field.

Clemont pulled out one of his Poké Balls. "Okay, Lucky! The time has come!" He threw it out and his partner emerged. Lucky was now wearing a collar around his neck with a Mega Stone.

"Luxray can Mega Evolve?!" almost everyone stated at the same time.

Dexter prepped his camera. "Ready to update data!"

But what really surprised us was Evelyn's partner! "O-Okay… Let's go!" She released her partner into the battlefield. It was one of the last Pokémon I was expecting. It had a quadruped build like Luxray, it was mostly yellow, and it had two large fangs protruding from its mouth. It roared majestically as it was released.

"Evelyn's partner is…!" Misty began.

"Raikou! That's who!" Brock added.

Raikou
The Thunder Pokémon
An Electric-type
The roars of this Legendary Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down.

Ash smiled with confidence. "A Mega Evolution and a Legendary Pokémon… this is gonna be fun!"

"3…2…1… you may begin," Clembot stated.

Brianna & Ash VS Clemont & Evelyn
Cocoa & Goodra VS Lucky & Raikou
Battle BEGIN!

Still a little shaken up by this sudden revelation, Diancie and I gripped our necklaces.

"Keystone/Mega Stone, grant us the power we need! Beyond evolution… MEGA EVOLVE!"
"The sincere love in a Trainer's heart, Mega Brianna!"
"The innocent love in a Pokémon's heart, Mega Diancie!"
"Our hearts are one! Mega Evolution!"

"Way to nail it, Diancie! Now it's my turn!" He raised his right arm and pulled down the sleeve. There on his wrist was his new Keystone embedded into a white bracelet. He tapped the stone and the energy surged between him and Lucky. "The future is now, thanks to our bond! Mega Evolution, ON!"

We all stared in awe as Lucky began to rise to a bipedal stance. His mane grew magnificently, though it quickly became evident that what we saw was solidified electrical energy.

"Whoa!" I breathed as the rest of our friends cheered "Clemont, your partner looks magnificent!"

"Thank you," he replied. "But let's see if he has the strength to match… Lucky, use Electric Terrain!" Lucky roared proudly. The surrounding area glowed a bright yellow.

"Electric Terrain powers up any and all Electric-type attacks," Meyer explained to his daughter. "Since most of Lucky's moves are Electric-type, this will provide a tremendous advantage."

"Well played, Clemont!" Ash commented. "Now, it's my turn! Goodra, use Dragon Pulse on Raikou!" A quick charge later, Goodra fired his projectile.

"Use Protect!" Evelyn cried out. Raikou roared as a barrier formed in front of it, protecting it from the blast. "Thunderbolt, now!" From its mouth, a lightning bolt fired at the offender. But strangely, the Thunderbolt was redirected toward Lucky. "Wha…? Is Mega Luxray's ability 'Lightning Rod?'"

"I… I guess so."

Brock then explained to the girls. "Lighting Rod redirects all Electric-type attacks toward itself and powers up the user."

"So in that case… Shadow Ball!" Raikou fired off a black orb from its mouth, aiming at Goodra.

"Moonblast, let's go!" I shouted. Diancie fired a pink orb at Raikou's Thunderbolt, neutralizing the attack.

"Not too bad," Clemont commented. "I'm rather impressed."

I smiled with confidence. "There's more than one way to skin a Meowth."

Someone in particular winced. "Uh, that is not my favorite expression, Princess…"

"Ooh, sorry…" I replied as I realized what I said. I then turned my attention back to the battle at hand.

"Lucky, use Wild Charge on Goodra!" Lucky sprinted forward, an aura of yellow in his wake.

"Goodra, dodge and use Ice Beam!" Goodra jumped in the nick of time. Then it fired off a light blue beam at Lucky.

"Great job!" Brock called out from the bleachers. "Goodra's gotten tough for having evolved twice in as many weeks!"

"No surprise, they're good," Evelyn commented then looked at her Tag Battle partner. "I have an idea to trump them. Will you help me out?"

Clemont's grinned. "Absolutely."

"First off, let Raikou attack! Shadow Ball! Let's go!" The Legendary Pokemon opened its mouth and fired off its electric-type attack at both Goodra and Diancie.

"Dodge it!" Ash and I called out. Both of our Pokémon jumped away before the Thunderbolt could make contact.

"Now, you let them have it!"

"Lucky! Use Wild Charge!" Lucky leaped up at the two and charged his attack. His attack struck Goodra, who crashed into Diancie. They were both slammed into the ground hard.

"Are you two okay?" Ash called out. Goodra got up and nodded in reply.

Diancie jumped down from Goodra's back, holding herself in pain. 'I'm okay… but it was like being crushed by a boulder - there's no fat on that Pokémon!'

"Shadow Ball again!" Evelyn shouted. Raikou fired another lightning bolt.

"Quick, Diancie! Protect!" The Jewel Pokémon waved her arms out to hold off the oncoming attack.

"Thunder Fang!" Clemont called out. Sparks of yellow electricity form inside Lucky's mouth. The sparks grew, forming into four fang-shaped, electric masses, and they stretched to the outside of its mouth. Luxray then bit down onto Goodra with the four electrical fangs. Thankfully, Goodra was able to break free from his grasp. To make matters worse, Thunder Fang's secondary effect paralyzed Goodra. He winced from the coursing electricity.

"This is bad," I commented. "If it wasn't for this Electric Terrain, I would think we had a shot, but they're too powerful!"

But Ash smiled. "Goodra, use Rain Dance!" Goodra yelled as it summoned dark rain clouds, blotting out the ceiling. Heavy rain poured all over the battlefield, and it looked like the Electric Terrain disappeared. Additionally, Goodra himself glowed green for a moment as it started to feel rejuvenated.

Misty smiled. "That was Hydration!" She told our friends in the bleachers. "Hydration is an ability that heals the Pokémon's status condition when it rains."

I looked at my human partner. "You planned for this, didn't you?"

"Guilty as charged," he replied. "This is the perfect battle setting for Goodra, so we can give it all we got!"

I was rather proud of my friend. Ash's unpredictability wreaks havoc on even the most carefully laid plans. It was no wonder Jessie and James had trouble with defeating him.

Clemont looked at Evelyn. "Let's just play it by ear, okay?"

"R-Right!" She replied. "Shadow Ball, let's go!"

"Lucky, use Swift!" Both of their attacks launched at Diancie, who tried to shield herself with her arms.

"Diancie, use-!"

But before I could finish, Ash called to his partner. "Goodra, get in front of Diancie, and use Bide!" Goodra did precisely as told and took on both attacks. He held his ground, just barely, and his body began to glow with a menacing red aura. "Way to hang in there, Goodra! Now, DOUBLE THE DAMAGE!" From his mouth, a white beam filled the area with a blinding light. The beam was just precise enough to strike both Lucky and Raikou at the same time. They were both shoved through Clemont and Evelyn and into the door behind them.

"Raikou!"

"Lucky, no!"

As the dust settled, there lay Lucky on top of Raikou, reverting back to his original form.

"Lucky and Raikou are unable to battle," Clembot stated, "This battle has been decided. The winners are the team of Ash and Brianna."

The two of us came over to our Pokémon in praise for our victory. As we did so, Diancie and I came to Goodra. 'Goomy… you've really grown strong, haven't you? Thank you…' She smiled with pride and hugged her friend.

Meanwhile, Clemont and Evelyn were helping their partners up. The latter spoke to the former. "I'm s-s-so sorry! I didn't m-mean for anything like this to... It wasn't supposed to happen like this!"

"It's fine. There's no shame in losing," Clemont looked at his opponents. "I'm glad whenever I get to learn something new thanks to strong challengers like those two."

As Lucky slowly rose, the runes appeared on the battlefield as Venusaur stepped up. Lucky started to glow and a form of yellow energy flowed from him. It began to manifest into a yellow crystal heart.

His Trainer smiled as he called out to me. "Well, to the victor go the spoils! The Citrine Heart is now yours! I just came up with the name now actually…"

Lucky let out a roar as it passed the Pure Heart onto me. After I absorbed it into my person, I quickly checked a list of my own. "That makes six… eleven more to go!"

The four of us met at the center of the field, as well as those waiting in the bleachers. The Professor put away his camera, content with the footage from our battle. I was certain it would provide some excellent data for his research. Clemont's family embraced him with pride. "Well done, son! I'm so happy to see what a fine young man you've become!"

"Well, I've learned from the best," he replied. Then he turned his attention back to us. "And what's a Gym Battle victory with a Gym Badge?"

Clembot then opened its chest to reveal two Badges within, he pulled them out to present them to us. "This is the Voltage Badge, to prove your victory against the Lumiose Gym."

"Thank you," we both replied as we accepted our prizes. Ash smiled eagerly. "Just three more, and we can enter the Kalos League."

"I wonder where we should go next?" I asked.

Evelyn spoke up. "If I may… I would recommend Laverre City to the north. The Gym Leader is a friend of my family. She even designed this outfit I'm wearing!"

"Sounds good!" Ash smiled. "Thanks a lot for your help!"

"N-no! Thank you. This is the least I could do for you saving a Battle Chatelaine!" she told us. "On that note, I should return to Kiloude City. Please come challenge me to a Double Battle again sometime!"

We all said our goodbyes as we watched Evelyn head for the elevator. Then we returned to the Gym Leader. "So Clemont, will you be coming with us?"

His glasses glistened. "You bet! After all, I'm a member of Team Bellerose, aren't I?"

The rest of us gathered around in a small circle. "Team Bellerose!" we shouted as we placed our hands atop one another's.

Then I noticed a few hands missing. I saw Jessie, James and Meowth standing away from us. They seemed a little aloof, as though they did not feel like they belonged just yet.

I smiled. "Come on, bring it in!" They were a little hesitant, though not as much as last time. They placed their hands on ours. Meowth had to be held up since he was shorter than Bonnie. "Everyone, let's go!"

With our rather unexpected Gym Battle resulting in a victory, Ash and I have secured another Gym Badge, and in my case, another Pure Heart. Now, Clemont has returned to our group. Where might I find the next Pure Heart? Who was the Gym Leader of the Laverre Gym? What adventure awaited us next? The answers to come as our journey continues…