Well, here it is, the third part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. Ash knows what is coming so now it is time to prepare and that starts with making sure that he has all that he needs for it in Kalos so it's time for a trip to Sycamore's lab to kick off his preparations. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part and there are two guest reviews to respond to that will also answer any questions as best I can which I will do now. Do please do keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all.
To Pearl shipper (guest), don't worry, your clothing ideas were good and better than what I've got so far just not right for Champions. I have many future plans though including a stand alone story in Paldea (more hints on that soon) where the idea of a schoolgirl outfit for Dawn would really fit given what Paldea is known for so having the idea already there is good and I've made not of Dawn's new Contest outfit as well. Thank you for your support, this will be the longest of the series by chapters at the very least and likely word count so there is a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks, months and years as this will take more than 2 years to complete its upload cycle. I've never heard of that story but if it's that good then thank you for the high praise. Do keep reading and enjoying my work.
To Lucarioblue (guest), just wait and see and you'll get your answers, possibly sooner than you expect. I have a lot of plans and once this arc is over and the full plot of Champions is laid out you'll see more so just be patient and all will be answered in due time.
Anyway, that is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CXCII: Preparing for the Challenge.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Part CXCII: Preparing for the Challenge
"Ash, welcome back, Brock, welcome to the Pokémon habitat in my lab." Professor Sycamore said as Ash and Brock were led into the large conservatory style area of the lab where all the Pokémon who stayed here were able to get out of their Poke Balls and relax. "I know it's not much but unlike the other professors who are in small towns, I'm in a big city so space is limited."
"I understand and you've done a great job here." Brock said as he looked around lab noting the foliage, grass, water, and trees that filled the space as Pokémon of all types played in it and socialized with each other or just relaxed where they were most comfortable. "There's ample space and a good terrain with things for all types. I assume that you have stuff for subterrain Pokémon that is also cool for ice types."
"We've excavated a section for them and I have a special area for ice types that desire the colder temperatures." Sycamore said with a nod. "I have a Garchomp myself, long story there, and he helps here where he can so he sorted out the underground area. Currently he's in his Poke Ball though, he had a busy day yesterday."
"A good break then." Brock said understanding. "I'll want to look at all the Pokémon here to give them a general checkup as it can't hurt. That and it helps me improve my own skills as a Pokémon Doctor."
"Of course, I appreciate it." Professor Sycamore said. "We all do."
As Brock and Sycamore chatted, Ash looked around the lab noting that it was the same as when he'd last seen it though that made sense as there wasn't much room for change here. Some of his Pokémon were already registered and out here as they'd been in the lab for the finals and thus stayed when they all got together to celebrate so it didn't take long for Charizard, Pidgeot, Conkeldurr, Hawlucha, Dunsparce, and Sigilyph to make their way over once they realized Ash was back, the first two showing off their Mega Stones, to greet Ash. Ash just smiled as they headed over.
With his Pokémon were Cossette and Sophie, two of Professor Sycamore's assistants, who had been busy in the lab that day. As soon as Ash's Pokémon had headed over they'd come with them to see what was going on and realized who it was. Noticeably not with them was the professor's last assistant, Alain, who along with his friend Mairin weren't present yet.
That was fine with Ash, he knew Alain at least would be here at some point so he was going to wait for him as he discussed things with Sycamore and Professor Oak who was staying at the lab but wasn't present yet either. It would be just them today as everyone else had their own plans for the day, the first of the week that Ash had to prepare for the challenge that was to come.
The others were, for the most part, getting ready in their own ways though. Dawn, Misty, May, Serena, and Miette were having a girls day to sort out what they needed to support Ash in his upcoming battles along with getting some new outfits for the coming year while Lucy and Ash's mother accompanied them to help out, and in Lucy's case get measurements for the girls who'd traveled with Brock as they'd be bridesmaids at her wedding. It was going to be a fun but long day for the girls, one that Ash was glad he wasn't part of.
Meanwhile, Max and Bonnie were having their own day together as they gathered final supplies to begin their own new journey and discussed the finite details of what was to come for their own trip. They were going to head out to Galar in a few days, before Ash's challenge, to meet up with their friend Owen there and sort some stuff out in that region with him at the daycare his family owned and ran though they'd watch the battles Ash was about to have on TV while there before they headed to Kanto for their year in that region.
Ash couldn't fault Max for wanting to get on with his own journey, he'd done the same countless times before when he was done in a region and eager to get onto the next and continue growing so he wished his friend luck on his trip. Max was going to be taking the same approach as Ash and only travel with one Pokémon, in his case his Gardevoir, and build a new team on the year.
This would likely include at least one Galarian Pokémon from his time there and then a bunch of Kanto ones as well so Ash was looking forward to one day seeing what new Pokémon Max had and battling them. As for Bonnie, she was going to keep her Dedenne and Chandelure with her but the rest would stay with Clemont in Lumiose City while they were away so she too could grow.
Speaking of Clemont, he wasn't present as he was going to stay neutral in Ash's prep as a gym leader, though he was letting them crash at and use the Lumiose Gym which was more than appreciated, so he wasn't going to be a part of this. He'd be around though and Cilan was currently with him discussing and viewing Clemont's inventions. Cilan was into that kinda stuff so he was fascinated by them and was seeing if any might help him as he journeyed around Kalos this year.
They all had plans and were sticking to them for today so that come tomorrow they could really begin the training in earnest for Ash's battles with the Kalos Elite Four. On that vein, Ash needed the Pokémon he was going to chose between for the coming battles and as such he'd spent the night before, after the party ended of course, choosing which Pokémon he wanted to bring in to start working with and choose.
He already had a rough idea of the teams he was going to use and with his large selection of Pokémon he could, and would, use a different team for each battle as he tailored each team to the specifics of the Elite Four member he was facing. The advantage of 4 on 4 matches was that he had some leeway with who to chose and could completely avoid a repeat thus keeping the Elite Four guessing so he was doing just that as he determined which Pokémon would be best for which challenge and wrote them down to bring them in.
In total he was going to bring in over half of his Pokémon for this and then select from them who he would use so today was an important day. That said, Ash did have a few who were set in stone for the battles and with at least two, Charizard and Pikachu, having their roster slots and opponents already assured. The other few he knew he'd use would come down to who was best for which opponent but he had an idea who to use where.
After that it was just a matter of choosing the right Pokémon for the right opponent as Ash fully intended to win all the battles he faced so he had to be as tactical and smart as possible for them. That would come though as his Pokémon reached him and Charizard greeted him with a usual Flamethrower that hit Ash in the face and upper chest right after Pikachu leapt away to safety, a smile on his draconic face as Ash fell onto his back on the grassy ground.
"You've certainly got a good selection of Pokémon this year, Ash, I watched you in the Lumiose Conference but seeing them all in person is something else." Brock said as Ash's Pokémon mobbed his charred body on the ground. "And Charizard is the same as ever I see."
"Yeah, he's been great this year and useful in a few situations though he's not had a proper battle yet so I can't wait to use him in the coming challenge." Ash said as he coughed out soot and sat up to play with his Pokémon. "I also made a lot of new friends this year as you can see."
"How'd you come by some of them?" Brock asked as he joined Ash and Pikachu explained to those who didn't know who Brock was and that they were in great hands with him as well so Dunsparce and Hawlucha came over to great him as Pidgeot flew down to land next to Brock and peck him for food which Brock pulled out to hand to him with a smile. "I didn't spend enough time with you when Lucy and I visited a few months back to get the full story so I'm intrigued to learn how you got these Pokémon as your capture style tends to be unique."
"It's a long story, here let me get everyone out." Ash said as he stood up and pulled out his Poke Balls and tossed them into the air. "Come on out guys."
The balls burst open and out came Lucario, Noivern, Talonflame, Goodra, and Greninja. They all cheered at being out and were greeted by the others though Charizard and Greninja exchanged a glance the moment the latter was out.
They'd known each other since Greninja was a Frogadier when Charizard came in to teach that brat that was harassing Ash's mate a lesson that he'd, and that area of Kalos for that matter, would never forget. Since then Charizard had, like the others, watched Frogadier grow stronger and eventually evolve into Greninja, the one with the special Battle Bond phenomenon that made him even stronger as Ash was the trainer who could properly unlock it.
That had taken a bit to master but after a defeat at the hands of Wulfric they had been able to work out their issues to maximize and perfect the Battle Bond phenomenon. As such it was now clear that Greninja was in Ash's upper tier of Pokémon and while Charizard refused to relinquish his spot as the number 1 strongest that made him Ash's ace, he could still respect Greninja as one of the best.
That had led to a healthy rivalry between the fully evolved starters as Greninja sought to show that he was Ash's best and his chance to earn that spot for himself was in the Lumiose Conference. Charizard had shown time and time again that he was a top level Pokémon before Mega Evolution, which only made Charizard stronger, but in the end when it had mattered the most Charizard had fallen in the deciding matchup for Ash in Kanto the year before when all was on the line. He'd been the first to have a chance at bringing Ash a Conference win and had failed.
That job had then fallen on Greninja afterwards as he was the regional ace for Ash's Kalos team and unlike Charizard, he'd delivered the victory in the end. Where the others had failed, Greninja had succeeded in winning that final clash, that last battle needed to end a Conference with Ash on top where victory meant ultimate victory and defeat ended Ash's chances once again.
To add to it Greninja had done so against an electric type that knew a fighting type move so he'd been at a disadvantage the entire time and yet he'd still managed to win. To him that gave him the top spot but he'd needed to use his Battle Bond ability against a Pokémon that didn't Mega Evolve and Charizard had been around longer so it was still up in the air between them hence the glance between them.
Regardless, no Pokémon before Greninja had managed to challenge Charizard's spot at the top but challenge it he did. Charizard didn't mind though, he relished it as it forced him to get stronger and better as well if he wished to keep that spot and he fully intended to do so. This coming challenge was just the arena the Pokémon needed to settle it and show who was Ash's best.
Still, Greninja knew that he wouldn't have managed to get to where he was without the rest of the Kalos team this year helping him get stronger. He also knew that he wouldn't have had the shot to win the finals had it not been for that specific team fighting to get to that point so he praised and thanked them for their work in it.
They were the second team to represent Ash in the finals so those who'd been selected for such teams, minus Pikachu who'd been on both, had a lot of status points amongst Ash's Pokémon so those on the Kalos finals team were eager to meet the Kanto finals teal. They had already met Charizard but had yet to meet the others. That would change soon as it was obvious that Dragonite, Gengar, Leavanny, and Krookodile were all on the shortlists for the challenge so would be coming in today so they'd finally get to meet the other finals team in full.
That would be interesting for sure. Pikachu had explained to them that back in Kanto on the ranch they all had a healthy rivalry with each other over who was the best and took pride in their great victories while helping each other when they lost so that they could get better which was why those caught in Kalos wanted to meet that team.
To add to it Conkeldurr had backed this up as unlike the others from Kalos he'd spent time there after his capture to improve his personality, learn the ropes and becoming a better Pokémon for it. That really showed now, Hawlucha could vouch for Conkeldurr's drastic improvement, so Greninja and the others were looking forward to meeting more and seeing how they stacked up against them.
"They all look strong and healthy just as I'd expect from you Ash." Brock said as he looked over them while Greninja and Charizard finished their stare down. "So how'd you come by them?"
"Well the first one was Greninja." Ash said patting Greninja on the back who turned and nodded at that. "I came across him as a Froakie in Lumiose City, he helped out against Team Rocket but got hurt in the process so I took him here and he decided to join me on his own."
"Greninja was special even as a Froakie, he must have known that he was the once in a generation Froakie born with the potential to have the Battle Bond ability should he evolve to a Greninja so he wanted a strong trainer that could bring that out I think." Professor Sycamore said coming over and to which Greninja nodded though that feeling had been subconscious to him, he'd known he was different and needed the right trainer which had turned out to be Ash. "As such he kept either coming back on his own or being returned by new trainers who couldn't handle him so I just left him to choose himself and he chose Ash. As you can tell that worked out well."
"It certainly did." Brock said. "And fitting for Ash, he almost never catches a Pokémon normally though I am surprised that he didn't a Pokémon capable of flight, as he's always caught one of them first in each new region he's been to. Even his first Johto catch, a Heracross, can fly though it's not a flying type Pokémon."
"I did catch some normally and the first Pokémon I caught outside of Lumiose City was a flying type." Ash said. "Talonflame, as a Fletchling, took some of our food but it was so well done that I knew I had to catch it so Pikachu, Froakie and I went after it, avoided Beedrills on the way thankfully."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod.
"Ah yes, you seem to have the ire of Beedrills everywhere." Brock said with a chuckle. "They really don't like you."
"Not my fault, they just have it out for me for some reason." Ash said. "Anyway, we avoided them and Fletchling impressed me so Froakie and I battled it and subsequently beat and caught it. It's been with me since before my first gym battle and grown strong, evolving first against Kenny and then again during a fire festival we attended to win a race against a Talonflame."
Talonflame cawed in agreement at that and how he'd evolved to beat a fellow Talonflame. He'd really grown this year with Ash and made it known to this human who Pikachu spoke so highly of. Hell, Talonflame had a great victory over a Mega Pokémon in that final that he knew would boost his cred with Ash's older Pokémon when they showed up and learned of his role in securing Ash's long desired Conference victory.
"After that I caught Conkeldurr and Hawlucha on the same day." Ash said causing Brock to blink. "That was something else."
"Come again?" Brock asked. "You've not caught two in a day since the herd of Tauros you caught in Kanto while at the Safari Zone."
"Well it happened and it was a wild adventure for sure." Ash said with a grin as Hawlucha nodded, Ash had shown him strength and he was glad to get stronger from it while Conkeldurr just looked embarrassed at it because of how bad he'd been back as a wild Pokémon. "Conkeldurr and an Ursaring were bullies in a forest we passed through and Hawlucha defended it but he couldn't get his final move right to truly win. I helped there but then Conkeldurr and Ursaring showed up with a Machamp who had been the protector before them and attacked us before turning on Machamp when he learned the truth thanks to Dawn."
"Wait so your Conkeldurr was a bully?" Brock asked and Conkeldurr nodded embarrassed at his past actions and how he'd tricked Machamp into going after Hawlucha though it had worked out in the end because Ash had caught him and now he was better and stronger for it. "And wait that Machamp…"
"Is with Dawn now yes." Ash said with a nod confirming it as Brock had met Dawn's Machamp and Malamar while he was here last as they always traveled with her. "He and Hawlucha teamed up to take down Conkeldurr and Ursaring before telling us to catch them which we did. As you can see Conkeldurr has become a strong and good Pokémon but from what I've heard Ursaring is still being a problem so Dawn keeps him at the ranch in Pallet Town as her Pokémon there help get him acclimated to being her Pokémon. I know she wants to bring him into her team but he's just not ready yet."
"Well that explains why you have a second trade evolved Pokémon though this one is different to your Gengar but I already know that story." Brock said. "Interesting but even though this was a near normal capture it seems typical for you given the situation. That still doesn't explain how did you get Hawlucha and Dawn her Machamp though."
"We offered them the chance to join us and they wanted a battle to prove it, I went with Frogadier and Dawn chose Malamar, so we did but both ended in ties which was enough it seemed as they both agreed to join us." Ash said and Hawlucha nodded at that. "Thus, in the end the forest was safe and we had new friends."
"Somehow that just sounds like a standard day for you." Brock said with a chuckle as he processed it. "Who came next?"
"Sigilyph." Ash said to which Sigilyph made the noise he made when making an affirmation. "We went to find a Mega Stone for Professor Sycamore after the Shalour Gym battle and found Sigilyph guarding it. Fletchinder was set to find it and had to battle Sigilyph to get it, knocking Sigilyph out in the process. The problem was that we were in a cave with water at the bottom so I caught Sigilyph to save it. Turned out to be a good catch."
Sigilyph made another noise at that. He'd not expected it but he'd been beaten that day, as well as saved as it might have been bad if he'd hit the water while unconscious, so he was more than willing to aid Ash as it made him stronger. He'd done just that and even got a gym win out of it that would look good to the others, and as a rare psychic type for Ash, as well as the first to be a staple on his team given that Mimey tended to help out Ash's mother more, he had prestige there as well.
"And that Mega Stone, what was it?" Brock asked.
"Pidgeotite which meant that I got to keep it." Ash said with a grin as Pidgeot nodded and showed off the cuff on his left leg that had his Mega Stone there. "I intend to debut it in an official battle in the challenge but I have yet to decide which battle to use it in. I know which one Charizard will be in but not Pidgeot yet."
"Only you'd manage that Ash." Brock said shaking his head. "So that just leaves Dunsparce, Goodra, and Noivern."
"Dunsparce was spur of the moment." Ash said. "I was getting berries for the Pledging Festival in Coumarine and ran into it while doing that. I fortunately had a Poke Ball on me so I caught it. Didn't expect to but not complaining as it's turned out to be a strong Pokémon I can use in several situation. As for Goodra, he literally fell on me out of the sky as a Goomy and I helped him out to get stronger and he joined me, evolving pretty quickly actually. Lastly I got Noivern as an egg which I won in a fighting type tournament that I entered Lucario, Hawlucha, and Conkeldurr into that Lucario was victorious in. As you know, Noivern evolved in the Wallace Cup."
"I remember that, it was a classically well timed evolution for one of your Pokémon as it secured your victory over Brianna right as she was losing it." Brock said recalling the Wallace Cup well and how Ash had upset all three favorites on the Kalos circuit last year en route to a finals loss to Serena. "You'll have to tell me all about that fighting tournament though, reminds me of that grand prix thing we entered in Kanto years back that you won with Primeape, but another time as it will likely take some time."
"That it will as it was a lot larger than that grand prix we entered." Ash said with a nod. "It was an epic tournament that's been going on in Kalos for years but in the end Lucario came out on top."
"You've really had an interesting year in Kalos but that's typical for you." Brock said with a smile as Lucario let out a bark of pride at winning the tournament while Hawlucha and Conkeldurr swore they'd get another chance one day to win as well and prove that they were as good as Lucario who'd quickly become the pinnacle of Ash's fighting types in their eyes. "I'm just surprised that you never dealt with a legendary situation."
"I really haven't since Sinnoh I think." Ash said thinking on it. "Well I had some stuff in Unova but nothing like normal which is actually quite odd for. May dealt with it the year before me here though and I bet that Iris is dealing with something in Alola."
"Seems like you've rubbed off on everyone." Brock said with a shake of his head. "Good to hear how your Pokémon came to you, sounds just like you to get them in a varied and interesting manner. Now, ff you don't mind, I'll begin my checkups now."
"Of course." Ash said turning to his Pokémon. "Ok guys, line up and let the Pokémon Doctor look you over. I want all of you fit and healthy for what is to come and there's no one I trust more than Brock. I still don't know who I'll be using on my teams but everyone should be ready for it."
All his Pokémon nodded or made noises of affirmation at that as Pikachu coordinated them into a line in front of Brock who began to pull out what he needed to give them all a good checkup while also letting out his Chansey and Croagunk to assist him. They all wanted to be on the teams for the coming battles though only 16 would get that honor so they all needed to be fully healthy for it which this would be the first step there.
"Speaking of teams." A new voice said and Ash turned to see Professor Oak walking over to them having entered this part of the lab as Ash was mentioning his upcoming teams. "Did you decide on who you want to bring in for them? We should know right away so that we can get them here today."
"I did." Ash said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a list of 20 Pokémon that he wished to bring in to consider for the coming battles and handing it to Professor Oak. "These 20 are the ones, in addition to my Kalos Pokémon, Lucario, Charizard, and Pidgeot, that I am considering using in what is to come. I want the others to come through over the week so that they're all here to support me and see the trophy we all won as one big team for I wouldn't be here without all of them but this is a serious, once in a lifetime, challenge so I need to be extra careful with who I select."
"I understand." Professor Oak said as he looked over the list and noted that it was all of Ash's top tier Pokémon that could be useful in the battles he was about to have. "They all look like good choices indeed."
"Is it on there?" Professor Sycamore asked. "The one we discussed?"
"It is, I expected as much as it's got a type advantage on Malva though I wasn't sure if it was strong or experienced enough for this but that might change if it works." Professor Oak said as he put the list away for the moment. "Tracey has just finished rounding up all your Pokémon Ash so they're ready to go. I'll get them in a moment but first I say we test out this device from Dr. Akihabara."
At that Oak pulled out the portable transfer device and handed it to Ash. Ash recalled it from the night before but he was a little confused about it so he just held it not sure what to do with it.
"Right, instructions." Professor Oak said remembering that the night before had not been the right place for it. "Just put it on the ground, press the activate button, that's the red one on the side, and it should turn on. Then all you need to do is take out your Pokedex and it should connect with it. As you are currently in a location registered for your Pokémon there is no need to worry about sending a Pokémon back, just call over one of yours from home. Any will do but it may be best to go for one not on your list as this is a test and the ones on your list are for the coming battles."
"Yeah that would be best." Ash said thinking and deciding on the perfect one to go through it first. "Let's check this out then."
Ash knelt down as he was speaking and placed the device on the ground and then pressed the red button on the side. He pulled his hand away and as he did there was a mechanical beeping as the thing turned on, lights flashing on it that Ash didn't understand, and then the disk split in half along its circumference and with a slight whir the top half rose on up on legs until it was about the size of an egg incubator that Ash had seen. As it did a light field, the science and tech was beyond him, flickered to life between the legs of it and the whole thing glowed.
Following the instructions, Ash pulled out his Pokedex and turned it on. Rather than show the normal screen, however, it showed a screen that said 'connecting' on it as it hooked up to the device before it said 'connected'. Then, before Ash could do anything, it changed to an updating screen likely due to the tech in front of him requiring it. That took a few moments as they all watched the situation unfold while Brock and his Pokémon continued checking up on Ash's Pokémon behind them.
Finally, it was fully synched and uploaded and the screen changed to a menu that Ash blinked at as it was new to him. It told him that he was now connected to the Portable Pokémon Transfer System, the PPTS, and showed Ash where his Pokémon storages were, which was each regional professor's lab that he'd visited, who was in storage, and as it had his current location let him know that he could transfer any Pokémon without limit now due to where he was.
It was all beyond him but then again Akihabara was the madman who'd created a virtual Pokémon and developed the transfer system so it shouldn't surprise him that he made something like this. This was going to be really useful for whatever future journeys Ash might have, providing that it worked.
Regardless, Ash was amazed at this. Provided that it worked it would make things so much easier when it came to exchanging Pokémon. As such he quickly familiarized himself with the device and what it could actually do.
Then, when he'd determined that it would work, he went to a section that said, 'Pokémon Stored in Pallet Town' and expanded it. It showed him a list of all his Pokémon there, which was all but the ones he had with him in Kalos as he wasn't storing Pokémon anywhere else. along with a Poke Ball next to it showing that they were all in their Poke Balls. That meant that all Ash had to do was select the right Pokémon, and then hit the 'confirm' button that he wanted it transferred, which he did.
A moment later the whole device lit up and there was a flash inside it and suddenly a Poke Ball was there. Ash just blinked as the light field went out indicating that he could collect the Poke Ball which he did as he reached in and pulled it out without issue.
Once the Poke Ball had been removed the lights went back on but Ash didn't plan on doing more so he hit the shutdown button on his Pokedex and the system went back to normal in a reverse process so that it was a disk again. In time Ash would use it to send Pokémon back as well but that would come as he stood up, handed the disk to Professor Oak, who was just as amazed at what had happened, to hold onto for the time being.
"Right, let's see if this worked." Ash said as he pointed the Poke Ball away from him to open it. "Come on out…Muk."
The ball burst open and a second later Ash's Muk, who he'd not selected mainly because none of the Kalos Elite Four were grass or fairy specialists and he wasn't really expecting any to have dual types with fairy at least as Ash had not heard of a dual fairy and either fire or dragon type while none of the dual fairy and water types were prevalent in Kalos and steel was immune to poison so that negated poison's advantage completely. Ash would use one poison type but that was for a different reason so Muk was going to be around for training but not participate in the battles.
As such he made the most sense to come in for this and the moment he did he let out a loud 'Muk' and glomped Ash in a Muk hug that staggered Ash before flooring him under the happy, sentient, mound of sludge. It was just the way Muk greeted him.
"I'm happy to see you as well Muk, it's been too long." Ash said with a chuckle from under one of his oldest Pokémon who was smiling on top of him. "Welcome to Kalos."
"Ash's Muk is rather interesting." Professor Sycamore said watching it as Ash tried to extricate himself for under his Pokémon. "Very affectionate, I've never seen a Muk like that though I've not really seen many Muks in my time."
"It has a long story but it's a bit like his Conkeldurr in a way." Professor Oak said. "It was a boss Pokémon of sorts but after Ash caught it, it's attitude changed, and it's smell improved as it was so bad when Ash first caught it that it seeped out of the Pike Ball. Now it does this with everyone."
"I see, fascinating." Professor Sycamore said as Ash managed to extricate himself form Muk who then turned to Pikachu to hug him but Pikachu leapt up onto Charizard's shoulder for safety as he began to introduce Muk to the others while Muk took a place at the back of the line to give Brock a Muk hug when he got done with the checkups. "Ash certainly catches some Pokémon with rather unique personalities. As does Dawn for that matter."
"That he does and his nature really rubs off on those who know him." Professor Oak said with a smile. "And it's good to see that the device works."
"Yeah it's really cool and so long as the return feature works as well it will be really useful going forward." Ash said with a grin as he managed to make his way over to them only smelling slightly of Muk. "So I still need to test it out more but that can come after the challenge."
"A wise idea." Professor Oak said as he pulled out the list Ash had given him now that the test with the Portable Pokémon Transfer System was over. "We'll use the standard system for these."
"Cossette, Sophie, can you two sort this out." Professor Sycamore said taking the list and handing it to his assistant. "Bring them in but start with the ones who can Mega Evolve, Alain should be back soon so he'd want to see them as well."
"Of course Professor." Cossette said as she took the list before she and Sophie headed over to the lab's transfer machine to sort it out. "Alain should be back any moment as well."
"Excellent." Professor Sycamore said. "Just in time as well."
"Right, where is Alain?" Ash asked looking around. "I was expecting him to be here already so…"
"I apologize Ash, I had to run some errands and make sure Mairin had what she needed for when we left Kalos after your challenge." A new voice said and Ash turned to see the young man he'd met once before walking down the steps into the lab a small smile on his face which Sycamore noted and was pleased to see that Alain was getting happier already as he'd been down for too long even after the incident was resolved. "We're going to be spending the year in Kanto so I wanted her to have everything she needed. When we were out she ran into Bonnie so they're helping each other now."
"Oh cool you're going to Kanto." Ash said. "That's awesome but why?"
"Well part of it is that after our battle I really found that spark of competitiveness again." Alain said as he approached them. "It inspired me to go and find a new Mega Stone for Charizard, the same type as the one I used to have as Charizard is used to that variant of Mega Evolution, and a Key Stone for myself because my loss to you reminded me why I want to get stronger only this time I want to get stronger for myself so that I can face you again."
"Same, especially now that you have a Mega Stone again." Ash said with a grin. "That battle was intense and you didn't Mega Evolve so I want to see what you can do with Mega Evolution on your side."
"Yeah I got them and then battled my friend Sabi near Aquacorde Town to confirm that I wanted to get stronger and I do because I won against her Mega Slowbro and it was fun." Alain said with a smile of his own while Ash tried to recall why he knew the name Sabi but couldn't recall where he'd heard it before. "After that we chatted, she knows a thing or two about making bad mistakes in the past and healing from them, so she suggested I go to Kanto and challenge gyms there both to grow stronger and spend some time away from Kalos which would be good for me."
"She suggested Kanto because of that?" Ash asked a little confused now.
"Well she has her own reasons to want me in Kanto but it was after I told her about how you were going to face the Lumiose Conference and she understood what facing you meant, she'd been the one to suggest it in the first place as well." Alain said as Ash got even more lost. "And then you went on to win the Lumiose Conference which has only inspired me more so this is what I'll do for the next year, head to Kanto, challenge gyms, and enter the Indigo Conference to win it."
"That sounds like a great plan, Alain." Ash said understanding the last part at least. "I've got a lot of friends challenging Kanto in the coming year so I wish you the best there and I can't wait to battle you again."
"Same Ash and I'll be leaving after your challenge but I wanted to help you with that." Alain said. "First with some knowledge that I have about two of the Elite Four who you're about to face and second by giving you something I found a while back while tracking down a Mega Stone signal in Glittering Cave out by Ambrette Town and when we determined which Pokémon it was for we figured that you may find some use for. Course you're going to have to train with it and make sure that your heart is one with that Pokémon but if it does work it will give you a good chance against one of the two Mega Pokémon I know you'll face."
"You know two of the Megas?" Ash asked a little stunned. "That I'll likely face that is."
"That's the advice I'm giving you and as you have Greninja that is know for its Battle Bond ability, and your reputation destroying Pokémon Center battlefields with that Mega Charizard of yours is also known, so I figured it's not too much to tell you two you'd face." Alain said as Ash looked a little sheepish at the memory of how he'd destroyed the battlefield and damaged the Pokémon Center in Geosenge Town with Mega Charizard. "That and both are well known, so much so that a simple search would reveal them. I can't speak to the other two though, I never faced them nor do I know which of their Pokémon they'd use for Mega Evolution though with their type specialties you can made educated guesses."
"I'll take any help I can get." Ash said as he pushed the memory of the destroyed Pokémon Center battlefield, and the damage to another, from his mind while his Charizard tried to look as innocent as possible at his actions. "So who are they? The ones that you know that is."
"The ones I know are Malva's and Siebold's Mega Pokémon." Alain said. "I've already told you Siebold's actually back when you beat me as he was the last to beat me before you when he beat me and Charizard with his Mega Blastoise. I won't say more than that but that's his Mega Pokémon. It's one you've actually already faced."
"Yeah Tierno had one." Ash said glad that he already kinda knew what he was getting into with a Mega Blastoise. "That was a fun battle and good to know, I can strategize well there. Of all the Elite Four I am in the best spot against him what with Misty's expertise in the type and the experience I had against Tierno now."
"He's tough so don't count him out." Alain said seriously. "They all are, you have to be to reach the Elite Four."
"I won't." Ash said seriously. "And Malva? What does she have?"
"She has a Mega Houndoom which I am sure you've not faced as I think hers is the only one in Kalos that can Mega Evolve." Alain said as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a pouch that he tossed to Ash. "So this will help with one of them, if you can use it."
Ash caught the pouch and opened it. There was a slight glow from it the moment he opened it so Ash reached into it to pull out a spherical stone that was the source of the glow. It was a lilac stone with a purple swirl in the center that had a dark gray swirl on it with a narrower, even darker purple, one as well. It was clearly a Mega Stone and Ash stared at it in amazement at being given another one.
"That will work for one of your Pokémon, one that very few have though you aren't the only one in Kalos with one registered to you." Alain said pleased at Ash's reaction. "Course you need to have a deep enough connection for it to do so, so that's going to take training."
"Of course." Ash said as he put the stone away and back in the bag as he'd ask about that in a moment because seeing it reminded him of something else Ash had once asked Alain to help with and he needed to know if that was sorted out now. "And what about the favor I asked. Did you manage to find what I was looking for and get it set to the specifications I asked for?"
"Yup, right here." Alain said pulling out a second pouch as Brock finished his checkups, and extricated himself from Muk with the aid of Chansey as Croagunk just croaked his laugh at that, to join them. "I couldn't make it to the celebration yesterday because I was getting the final things sorted with it so that it was to the specifications you required."
"What's that, Ash?" Professor Sycamore asked.
"Oh that, it's something I asked Alain to sort out for me." Ash said with a grin. "And it's just in time as well."
"I've got to ask." Alain said as he handed the second pouch to Ash "What's it for and why did you need this specific configuration for it? It's doable just not common."
"Well, I guess I can tell you as there is something I need to ask of both Brock and Professor Oak." Ash said as he gathered the men together. "Don't tell anyone but here's what it is and why I need it. See…"
At that Ash told them of what he had requested Alain to make and what he planned to do with it on the last night before the challenge. They were stunned by it but supported the plan and agreed to stay quiet about it though they needed one more person to make it possible but he'd easily be on board once he knew what was going. It would be the icing on the cake before the challenge in Ash's mind and he had to do it before then.
However, that was at the end of the week as now was the time to begin his training in earnest. That was exactly what he did after he finished explaining and got his other Pokémon as Ash turned his focus on the challenge to come.
This feels like a good place to end this chapter on, a nice little set up for what is to come with some teases and slight cliffhangers. I am sure that many can guess the Mega Stone but naturally that will not be confirmed until the time is right and as for Alain's other thing, well that was first teased back in Part CLXXIII but of course I won't give that away either. As for the rest of this Part, there's not much to say and I've already decided on Ash's teams for the coming battles so stay tuned to see who made the cut. That is all that I have however so I will leave this Part off here. As always please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.
Stringdog