Chapter 26: From Kalos With Love Part 1

"Alright, who's ready for adventure!"

"Pika Pika!"

Ash stepped out into Shalour City, taking a deep breath of the fresh air after such a long flight. His old friend Korrina, who was the local Gym Leader there, had called asking him for a World Coronation Series Battle. Ash, eager to advance to the next rank, readily accepted, so he, Lillie, and Goh caught the next flight to Kalos.

"Ash, Lillie! Is that you?!"

To their surprise, Clemont and Bonnie waving to them

"Clemont, Bonnie! Good to see you guys again!"

"You too, Ash! What brings you to Shalour City?"

"I've recently joined The World Coronation Series, and I want to challenge Korrina to a battle. What about you guys?"

Clemont fidgeted a bit, clearly a little nervous.

"Actually, I have a date tonight."

"Yeah, and I came along to help him get ready!"

"Actually Bonnie, I think I'm good. Why don't you go see Ash's battle?"

"No way! I need to make sure you don't screw this up!"

Seeing that his friend was desperate, Ash decided to step in and help.

"Hey Bonnie, if you come with us, I'll let you hold my newly hatched Pokemon."

"Newly hatched? Let me see, let me see!"

Ash smiled, and sent out his Riolu. Bonnie squealed, and gave the fighting type a big hug.

"Oh, he's so cute!"

But Riolu didn't like the affection, and pushed her away with an Aura Sphere. It wasn't strong enough to actually hurt her, but it did force her away from him.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I forgot, Riolu doesn't like affection."

"Aw, it's okay! I still think he's the cutest thing ever!"

Riolu turned away from her, trying to hide his blush at the compliment.

"Big brother, is it okay if I go with Ash and his friends?"

"Of course, Bonnie. Just make sure to stick with them and do as they say, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know!"

Bonnie quickly ran over to Ash's group, Clemont silently mouthing a thank you to Ash before leaving to get ready.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Hey, slow down!"

Ash and Lillie laughed as she dragged Goh away before catching up with them.

On their way to the gym, Ash and Lillie decided to catch up with the little girl.

"Have you started your journey yet, Bonnie?"

"No, I still have a month. But as soon as I'm able, Dedenne and I are going to conquer the league!"

"Dene!"

"Well, it's great to see that you have a goal!"

"Thanks, Goh! What's your goal?"

"I plan to one day catch and study Mew!"

"Really? Don't you have any easier goals in mind?"

"Hey, what's wrong with that?"

"No one's ever seen Mew! How do you know it exists?"

"I've seen it!"

"Oh yeah? Prove it!"

Ash and Lillie laughed as the two of them argued all the way there. At last, however, Ash had to intervene.

"Guys!"

"What?!"

"We're here."

Gurkinn, Korrina's grandfather, greeted them at the door.

"Ah, Ash, Bonnie, welcome. And who might your friends be?"

"I'm Goh, and that's Lillie."

"Any friend of Ash's is welcome here. Please, come in."

Gurkinn led them into the gym. Goh and Lillie gawked at the massive indoor roller skating rink that surrounded the battlefield. However, Korrina was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she? Don't tell me she got scared and wimped out!"

Ash and Bonnie shared a laugh. They had a good feeling that they knew exactly where she was. But before they could say anything else, the sound of wheels on rails echoed throughout the gym. Turning their heads, they saw a female figure skating her way around the rink. She made one full lap before leaping onto the stage, skidding to a stop right before the edge.

"Ash, welcome! Glad to see you accepted my challenge."

"Long time no see, Korrina! You know I never back down from a challenge!"

"Hey, what about me? What am I, chopped liver?"

Korrina smiled, and ruffled Bonnie's hair.

"Of course I couldn't forget you, Bonnie! And I see you have some new friends."

"Hi, I'm Lillie!"

"And I'm Goh!"

"Nice to meet you guys. So Ash, catch any new Pokemon?"

Ash grinned, and took out a Pokeball.

"Sure have. Come on out, Riolu!"

Korrina squealed when she saw the baby Pokemon, and tried to pick him up. Riolu was quicker, however, and jumped out of the way.

"Oh my gosh, he's so cute! Lucario, you've got to see this!"

Korrina sent out her lucario, who smiled and ruffled his pre-evolved form's head. Surprisingly, Riolu smiled, and hugged the larger Fighting type's arm.

"Alright Ash, you ready to get this started?"

Riolu smiled, pumping his fists ready to fight, only to be disappointed when Ash picked him up and set him aside.

"Sorry buddy, but you're still a little young for this. Pikachu, keep an eye on him, will ya?"

"Pika!"

Riolu huffed, but complied and took a seat next to Lillie on the sidelines. After Ash and Korrina got ready, a drone rotom flew into the room.l9o

"Attention, a World Coronation Series Battle is about to get under way! Trainers, please state your name and hometown for verification!"

"Ash Ketchum, Pallet Town!"

"Korrina, Shalour City!"

"Verification complete! This normal class battle between Ash Ketchum, Rank 1,100, and Korrina, rank 1000, will now commence! This will be a 2-on-2 battle, and will go until both Pokemon on either side are unable to battle! Both trainers shall send out their first Pokemon at the same time! Ready? Battle…START!"

"Mienshao, go!"

"Talonflame, I choose you!"

"Mienshao, use Swifft!"

"Go for Acrobatics, Talonflame!"

Ash's Flying type swooped in, powering through the flying stars to strike at Mienshao, knocking the Fighting type back, though it managed to land gracefully.

"Now go for Aerial Ace!"

"Force Palm, Mienshao!"

Talonflame swooped down, ramming right into Mienshao's fist. For a while, the two did combat in this way, neither one showing signs of wearing out.

"Hi-Jump Kick, Mienshao!"

"Fly up high to avoid it!"

Mienshao jumped, trying to deal a powerful kick straight to Talonflame's gut, only for the flying type to swoop upwards to safety, sending her opponent flying right into a wall. While Mienshao cringed and tried to recover, Ash took his chance.

"Talonflame, use Brave Bird!"

While Mienshao tried to recover, Talonflame swooped in and rammed him, his body glowing a beautiful aura. His energy already depleted from the long battle, Mienshao collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

"Mienshao is unable to battle! Talonflame is the winner!"

"Alright, way to go Talonflame!"

"Mienshao, return! You did great."

Korrina grinned wickedly, before taking out her last Pokemon.

"I bet you know who this is, don't ya?"

"Bring it on! My Pokemon are ready!"

"Alright then, you asked for it! Go, Lucario!"

Korrina's ace growled, punching the air to intimidate Ash. Riolu smiled, and imitated him, making Lillie smile.

"Pah, piece of cake! Talonflame is a Fire and Flying type, Lucario is a Fighting and Steel Type. What a terrible matchup!"

"Don't be so sure, Goh. I've got the feeling Korrina has a few tricks up her sleeve."

Sure enough, Korrina raised her Mega ring, ready to bring out her ace in the hole.

"Alright Ash, no holding back! Lucario, Mega Evolve!"

Lucario howled as the energy flowed into his body, morphing into his Mega Evolution, much to Goh's surprise. Bonnie giggled at his reaction.

"Told you she had another trick up her sleeve."
"Woah, so cool! I've never seen a Mega Evolution in person before!"

"Alright Talonflame, start off strong with Flame Charge!"

"Full power Aura Sphere, Lucario!"

Lucario brought his hands together, charging up a powerful attack while Talonflame flew right towards him, flames surrounding her body. Just as she was about to hit him, Lucario unleashed his attack, creating a small explosion that sent them both flying apart. Both were quick to recover, though Talonflame was starting to wear down.

"Go for an Aerial Ace, Talonflame!"

"Flash Cannon, Lucario!"

Before Talonflame could gather her bearings, a powerful beam of light struck her, blinding her long enough for Korrina to make her move.

"Thunder Punch, Lucario!"

By the time she could see again, it was already too late. Lucario leapt up, striking her with an electricity charged fist, causing her to cry out in pain.

"WIng Attack, Talonflame!"

"Hit her with another Thunder Punch, Lucario!"

In a desperate attempt to maintain control, Talonflame lashed out with her wing, only for Lucario to block it before dealing another fast punch. This proved to be too much for her, and she crashed down on the ground hard, Lucario landing not too long after.

"Talonflame is unable to battle, Lucario wins!"

Korrina smiled, flashing Lucario the thumbs up, which he reciprocated.

"How do you like them apples, Ash? Had enough yet?"

But Ash smiled. This was the kind of action that he lived for.

"Are you kidding? We're just getting started!"