Chapter 69: Her Master
After claiming victory over Isis at the Spirit Pass Gym Ash and Nikki headed back to the Pokémon Center where Ash could make some changes to his team. He decided to give both Shuppet and Gengar some time off while bringing over Lucario, leaving an open space for any potential future capture he may make.
"So, where to next?" Nikki asked.
"That all depends on where the next Area Boss is located," Ash replied.
"Well, let's check the Pokécomm," Nikki suggested. Ash took out his Pokécomm and checked the map feature. The Pokécomm quickly registered his two new badges and pulled up the location of the next Area Boss.
"Looks like they a bit north of where we are now," Ash said. "Let's see… Valley of the Iron Fist."
"Sounds intimidating," Nikki commented. "And that's where the next Area Boss is located?"
"According to the Pokécomm it is," Ash said. "Looks like that's our next stop." With their next destination set Ash and Nikki gathered their things and headed out.
Not long after leaving Spirit Pass the group came across a large clearing. This gave them the perfect opportunity to get some training in, so they stopped and called out all their Pokémon. While Nikki went over some Contest routines Ash decided to do some special training with his newly evolved Lucario.
"Okay, Lucario, let's work on teaching you some new moves," Ash suggested. "What do you say?"
"(I'm ready whenever you are,)" the Aura Pokémon responded. Ash nodded and took out his Pokécomm, looking up the various attacks Lucario could learn. Eventually he came across an attack that caught his eye.
"How do you feel about learning Bullet Punch?" he asked.
"(That sounds good to me,)" Lucario agreed.
"Okay. Now all we need is someone for you to battle against." Ash looked over at his other Pokémon, trying to decide who should battle against Lucario. Eventually his eyes landed on Onix.
"Hey Onix! You mind sparring with Lucario for a bit?" he asked.
"(Sure,)" Onix agreed as he took his place across from Lucario.
"Okay then. Let's get this training session started!"
A short distance away from where Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon were training a lone Pokémon was doing some training of her own. She knew she was one of the strongest Pokémon in the area, but she wanted to become stronger. She just didn't know how to do that. Just when she was about to move to a different location the sounds of a battle caught her attention.
"(What is that?)" she wondered. Cautiously she followed the sounds of the battle, making sure to stay out of sight. She was eventually led to where Ash and Nikki were training their Pokémon.
"(Trainers,)" the Pokémon commented. As she looked on her eyes landed on Lucario, who was currently sparring off against Onix. Her eyes got big as she watched him fend off an Iron Tail with little effort.
"(He looks strong,)" she said. She continued to watch as Ash gave instructions to Lucario.
"Okay, your defenses are looking good. Now let's try that Bullet Punch," he said. Lucario nodded and prepared his attack. His fist gave off a silvery glow as he threw a lightning fast punch at Onix. The Rock Snake Pokemon barely had time to prepare himself before the attack made contact.
"You okay, Onix?" Ash asked.
"(I've got to admit that one stung a little bit,)" Onix replied. "(It was so fast I almost didn't see it coming.)" Some of the other Pokémon had stopped what they were doing to watch the sparring session and were now talking amongst themselves about Lucario's attack.
"(Man. Talk about fast,)" Pikachu commented.
"(I know. It might even be too fast for you to dodge,)" Pidgeot said. By now the observing Pokémon had seen all she needed to see. She was convinced that she needed to test herself against Ash's Lucario to see where she stood. She walked out into the open, catching the attention of both Ash and Nikki.
"What's that?" Nikki wondered.
"Looks like a Meditite," Ash answered. He took out his Pokécomm and scanned her.
Name: Meditite
Species: The Meditate Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It meditates to heighten its inner energy and to float in the air. It eats one berry a day.
"What's a Meditite doing here?" Nikki pondered. Before she could get an answer the Meditite approached Lucario.
"(I'd like for you to battle me please,)" she requested. Her request seemed to take Lucario by surprise.
"(You wish to battle me. If I may ask, why?)" he wondered.
"(I saw you battle that Onix earlier. You appeared to be very strong. I am one of the strongest Pokémon in this area and I want to prove myself against the strongest Pokémon there are,)" Meditite explained. "(So please, battle me so I can see where I stand.)" It seemed like a strange request, but at the same time it was one Lucario could respect.
"(Very well. If you wish to battle me then we shall battle,)" Lucario agreed.
"(Thank you,)" she said.
"(Ash, if you don't mind I'd like to battle her on my own,)" Lucario requested. Ash agreed as the two Pokémon took up positions opposite of each other and took uip battle stances. At first glance Ash could tell this Meditite was going to be no pushover.
"Lucario's going to be in for one tough battle," he commented.
"You think so?" Nikki questioned.
"Oh yeah. Just look at that stance she took. She means business," Ash responded. They continued to watch, waiting to see which one of them would make the first move. That proved to be Meditite as she attacked with a flame-covered fist.
"That's a Fire Punch," Nikki commented. "If that lands it'll do super-effective damage." Lucario was well aware of that fact as he knocked her attack to the side and countered with his Force Palm, knocking her back a bit.
"(That was a wise choice for an opening attack,)" Lucario praised. "(You tried to take advantage of a type match-up with that Fire Punch. I'm impressed.)"
"(Thank you for the kind words. I've worked hard to be prepared for any kind of situation,)" Meditite replied.
"(I can tell,)" Lucario said. "(So, shall we continue?)" Meditite agreed as the two of them once again took up battle stances. Then, Meditite closed her eyes as her body began giving off a strengthening aura.
"(I see… she's using Meditate to strengthen her next attack,)" Lucario mused. He tensed up, getting ready for whatever attack Meditite would come at him with next. He wouldn't have to wait long as the Meditate Pokémon launched into a kick, striking Lucario in his chest and knocking the wind out of him a bit.
"That was a Hi Jump Kick," Ash said. "This Meditite is just full of surprises."
"(Not bad. That one had a bit of power behind it,)" Lucario commented once he had caught his breath. "(You increased you Attack power with Meditate before striking with Hi Jump Kick.)"
"(I see you've been studying my moves,)" Meditite observed.
"(In order to defeat a strong opponent one must study them,)" Lucario explained. "(Well, I've seen your moves. Now let me show you mine!)" In the blink of an eye Lucario attacked with his Bullet Punch, catching Meditite off guard with the speed of his attack. She barely had time to block the attack before Lucario's fist struck her. Then, before she could recover, he swiped at her with his Shadow Claw, causing a great deal of damage with the attack.
"Looks like Lucario turned the momentum in his favor," Nikki said.
"For now. I think this battle still has more to deliver," Ash stated. Despite taking a great deal of damage from Lucario's attacks Meditite picked herself up and got ready to go back on the offense.
"(She's resilient, I'll give her that,)" Lucario mused. He then took up a battle stance and waited for Meditite to make a move. He didn't have to wait long, for Meditite quickly charged up a Fire Punch in each of her hands and charged, furiously throwing punches at the Aura Pokémon. Despite the onslaught Lucario was able to block each attack. This only frustrated Meditite as she continued to throw one Fire Punch after another.
"This battle's just about over," Ash commented.
"What makes you say that?" Nikki wondered.
"Look at Meditite. Her attacks are getting sloppy," Ash pointed out. Meditite threw a few more Fire Punches before changing her attack strategy, putting a bit of distance between herself and Lucario before launching into a Hi Jump Kick. Unfortunately for her Lucario had enough time to dodge the attack, causing her to come crashing down. As she recovered Lucario powered up a Shadow Claw. Right when Meditite made it to her feet the Aura Pokémon slashed at her, knocking her back down to the ground.
"It's over," Ash said. As Lucario stood ready to continue the battle Meditite held a hand up, beckoning him to wait a moment.
"(I… I yield. You win,)" she announced. Hearing this Lucario relaxed his stance. Now that the battle was over Ash, Nikki and the other Pokémon gathered around to congratulate him.
"(That was a fine battle, my friend,)" Absol said.
"(I agree. You two really put on a show for us,)" Pidgeot added.
"(Thank you, though the battle wouldn't have been as good if my opponent didn't push like she did,)" Lucario stated. He approached the Meditite, who was just no getting back up.
"(That was an excellent battle. I can see why you're one of the strongest Pokémon in the area,)" he told her.
"(And yet I still lost. That shows that I still have much to learn,)" Meditite said.
"(Perhaps what you need is guidance,)" Lucario said.
"(What do you mean?)" Meditite questioned. Before answering her Lucario turned to Ash.
"(If I may make a request I'd like for you to bring her along with us,)" he said. "(I think she'd be a valuable member of our team. Plus, I think we could become much stronger by training together.)" Ash wasn't expecting this request out of Lucario, but at the same time he could see the logic in what he said.
"If Meditite's okay with it then it's fine by me," Ash replied.
"(You really think he could help me become stronger?)" Meditite asked.
"(I do. Under his guidance we have all become much stronger. I truly believe he could do the same for you,)" Lucario responded. Meditite thought about this for a bit before coming to a decision.
"(Very well. If it'll help me become stronger I'll join you on your travels,)" she announced.
"Alright then. Welcome to the team." Ash knelt down in front of her, an empty Poké Ball in his hand. He held the ball out to her. With a smile on her face Meditite pressed the button, letting herself be drawn into the ball. Moments later a 'ping' went off, signaling that the capture was successful. He then called her back out.
"(I thank you for bringing me along. I promise you won't regret this decision,)" she said.
"I know I won't," Ash replied. By now the sun was beginning to set, bathing the sky in an orange glow.
"You want to go ahead and make camp here?" Nikki asked.
"Sounds good to me," Ash responded. With that Ash got busy putting the tents up while Nikki prepared to make a meal for everyone. All in all it was a very eventful day.
Ash's Pokémon team has added a new member in a very powerful Meditite. How much stronger can she become? And how will this play into Ash's future Area Boss battle? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
Please review