Chapter 18

" Damn, that was badass! " Malva said, wrapping her arm around Atsumu's neck before he removed her arm. " You really know how to inspire someone, I'm going to try some new things with my Chandelure now. "

" Knock yourself out. Just be sure to challenge me at one point. " Atsumu said.

" I'll call you, just be sure to turn up. " Malva said, lightly punching Atsumu's arm.

" Sorry to disturb you, but Atsumu, congratulations, " Lysandre said, shaking Atsumu's hand and patting his shoulder, " You'll be heading to Hoenn with Alain for our research. " Lysandre said.

" Not even a minute in of being your partner and you're already sending me to do work. " Atsumu deadpanned.

" You got something interesting to do... " Lysandre asked.

" Nope. " Atsumu said.

" Then there are no problems. " Lysandre said joyfully, " You'll be leaving tomorrow morning. "

" I refuse. Make it the day after. " Atsumu said.

" I already booked the tickets. " Lysandre said.

" Don't you have private jets? You're rich. " Atsumu said.

" Waste of money. First class is better. " Lysandre said.

" ...Fine. " Atsumu said, agreeing, Malva chuckling in the back, finding the quarrel entertaining while Alain was contemplating.

...

Finding themselves on the plane the next day, Atsumu and Alain were greeted with first-class seats.

" So what's the difference between first class and economy? Is it just the better seats or is it the silence? " Atsumu asked the flight receptionist.

" It's all of that combined with delicious food. You'll be having a 5-star lunch and dinner on this plane ride, and drinks are free. " She told him, guiding Atsumu and Alain to their seats.

" Oh... " Atsumu uttered in surprise.

" Oh indeed. Please make yourselves comfortable and press this button if you need anything. " The attendant said before walking away.

" Is this your first time using first class? " Alain asked.

" Yep. The only flight I've been on was when I came to Kalos. " Atsumu said sitting down in his seat near the aisle while Alain took the window.

" I was sure Charizard hit Chandelure, but it was a Shadowball. How did you do it? " Alain asked.

" Confuse Ray. " Atsumu answered.

" Confuse Ray? But that only causes your opponent to get confused by purple rays, how does that equate to Charizard hitting a Shadowball? " Alain asked.

" Chandelure placed used Confuse Ray on the Shadowball and programmed the Confuse Ray to affect opposing Pokemon and Trainer to show what he wanted you both to see.

In this case, he wanted you to see him instead of a Shadowball. This also made you lose track of him which is why it seemed he appeared out of nowhere.

It's just misdirection. " Atsumu explained, taking out a pair of headphones.

" Then why Imprison? Your Chandelure has Flash Fire, right? " Alain asked.

" You sure about that? " Atsumu asked.

" Ye...No...I don't know. If he had Flash Fire, he wouldn't need to use imprison since all fire-type moves wouldn't work, but he used it and used Astonish when Charizard used Blast Burn... " Alain rambled. " I don't know. Why did he do it? "

" Confusion breeds opportunity. By making you question what his ability was, Chandelure knew that you would soon lose your cool, which was when he could come in and go for the KO. " Atsumu said.

" That...You're Chandelure came up with that? On his own?! " Alain asked.

" Yes. " Atsumu said, trying to find a good song to play.

" But that strategy...Is it based on your battling style? " Alain asked.

"I and Chandelure faced countless opponents, the same is true for the rest of my team. " Atsumu said, putting on the headphones, and laying back on the chair.

Alain wanted to ask more questions but upon seeing Atasumu place the headphones, stopped and looked out the window, pondering Atsumu's response.

' If that's true, then all of his Pokemon could fight on their own without his explicit instructions. Then how strong is he when they are working together at full strength? ' Alain thought, taking a glance at Atsumu, before looking at his keystone.

...

Tobias walked through the streets of Lumiouse city, this wasn't his first time. He was wearing baggy clothes instead of his regular outfit to draw attention towards himself as a mystery to others. His feet carried him in the direction of a Pokemon battle taking place.

The participants had a Fletching and Starly respectively, going at each other in aerial combat. Tobias merely watched from the sidelines, his eyes staring at the two trainers' expressions more than the actual match.

They were having smiles on their faces, happy with what they were doing at the moment, and possibly moving closer to accomplishing their goals. They were making progress, yet he wasn't. All that happened once he started his journey here, was failure. He lost against Atsumu, against Viola and to top it all off, his starter is afraid to face even a random Pikachu.

Darkrai, his legendary starter, is afraid to face even a low-level Pikachu in Santalune Forest. No matter what he tried, Darkrai always gave up when seeing resolute eyes, eyes that reminded him of the one who gave him this fear in the first place.

Tobias watched until the end before walking away. His mind pondered on what he should do. He needs to make progress and get 8 badges, so he can participate in the league. He hasn't given up, his dream will be a reality! But, what would all this be for, if his starter wasn't there to stand by his side?

Tobias pondered as he walked, the decision weighing on his mind. He has thought of what his next play should be and his mind began to waver heavily. Nothing has worked, his words have not reached Darkrai, and every minute that ticks by, makes his skin crawl.

What should he do?

Buying a sandwich, Tobias sat on a bench, simply watching as people walked by. The fluttering of wings attracted Tobias's attention. Looking to his right, a Murkrow sat on the bench eyeing the sandwich in his hand.

Making eye contact for a good couple of seconds, Tobias ripped off a [piece of his sandwich and placed the sandwich on the bench. Murkrow eyed the piece of food and Tobias slowly moved closer to grab the piece and swiftly moved back to eat his piece.

Tobias ate his sandwich, taking bites alongside the Murkrow. He would give the Murkrow more pieces and the Murkrow would eat the pieces. A peaceful atmosphere fell upon them, the two kept eating until the sandwich was finished. Murkrow flew away and Tobias walked away, each going in opposite directions.

...

Walking into the Tower of Mastery, Ash, and gang looked around, admiring the inside where there was a large spiral staircase going to the top of the tower. All the Pokemon who can mega evolve had statues built alongside the staircase.

" Woah! " Bonnie exclaimed, stars in her eyes.

" This is so cool. " Serena said, taking out her phone and beginning to take pictures.

" Impressive, isn't it? " A voice called out.

The gang turned their heads towards Korrina, who walked towards them with Lucario by her side. Instead of the usual look she had, the one they engraved into their minds when they first met her, Korena was different now.

Her roller skates were gone, replaced with regular sneakers. Her shorts were replaced with yoga pants. Her top, replaced with a plain shirt and a black jacket over it, was halfway zipped. Finally, her long hair cascaded down her back inside of being in a ponytail.

" Hey, Korena. " Ash greeted after accustoming himself to the new change.

" Hey Ash, you're here for a gym battle, right? " Korrina asked, walking up to him.

" Yep. Though, I can wait if you're not feeling it. " Ash said.

" No need. I had already asked for a break from the league before. Needed to have some things put in order and they gave me a week, can't have my gym closed for more time than that. " Korrina waved off.

" So, we'll be having our battle right now. Clermont, if it is alright with you, can you act as the referee for this match? I asked for a substitute referee until a get a permanent one, but he won't be for another 2 hours. " Korrina explained.

" Don't worry about it. " Clemont waved off. " Do you have the documents with you? I'll sign them quickly while you too prepare yourselves. "

" Yeah, I have them. Follow me. " Korrina said, beckoning them to follow her.

" So, just putting this out there, but you look great Korena. " Bonnie said with a thumbs up.

" Thanks, Bonnie. " Korrina thanked with a small smirk on her face.

" What have you been... doing this whole week? " Serena asked hesitantly.

" Mostly just sorting out the paperwork. Though, it's also why I decided to change my appearance, it actually less time to get ready nowadays. " Korrina commented with a smile.

" Really? Then what about your hair? " Serena asked.

" That's the only thing that takes more than 5 minutes to take care of in the morning. " Korrina chuckled while handing Clemont the papers.

" How are you feeling? " Ash asked.

" Well... better. Still crummy about a few things. " Korena answered.

" Oh yeah, I hope you're prepared to face off against a mega. " Korrina said to which Ash grinned.

" I have. It would be a waste if couldn't face off against you at your strongest. " Ash said.

" So true. " Korrina said.

" And done. " Clemont said, handing Korena the papers.

" Well then, let's get this show on the road. " Korrina smirked.

...

Ash and Korrina stood on opposite ends, staring at each other as Clemont walked to the referee position and listed the rules.

" Bring out your first Pokemon. " Clemont said.

" Go Mienfoo. " Korrina said.

" Go Hawlucha. " Ash said.

Mienfoo and Hawlachu appeared on the battlefield, staring at their opponent, ready to fight.

" Both trainers ready? Let the 3v3 battle, begin! " Clemont yelled.

" Aerial ace. " Ash said.

" Detect and Force palm. " Korrina said.

Hawlucha launched himself forward, covered in a blue-white glow. He stretched his arm out to lariat Mienfoo. Mienfoo saw this coming using Detect, dodging out of the way by stepping out of the way to the right, letting Hawlucha pass by.

Then he landed a strong force palm to Hawluchas back, launching him forward. However, Hawlucha was able to regain his balance and came to a stop.

He looked up to see Mienfoo in front of him with a Focus punch charged up. Undeterred, Hawlucha went forward, parried Mienfoos arm, and threw Mienfoo over his shoulder.

" Acrobatics. " Korena commanded.

" Feather dance. " Ash called out.

Mienfoo landed on the ground with grace before rushing toward Hawlucha. Hawlucha dodged the kick that was aimed at his head and started to release feathers. Mienfoo kept up the pressure, sending a mix of palm strikes and kicks at Hawlucha. But Hawlucha danced around the strikes, blocking and parrying while feathers descended around them.

" U-turn. " Ash said.

Hawlucha surrounded itself in a green-brown colored aura, jumped forward, and slammed its foot into Mienfoo. Using him as a foothold, Hawlucha pushed off Mienfoo and returned to Ash.

" Swords Dance. " Korrina commanded as Mienfoo recovered in order to set Mienfoo's attack to neutral.

" Fletchinder, Quick Attack, Aerial ace. "

As Fletchinder appeared from his Pokeball, it immediately gave out a cry before speeding towards Mienfoo who had finished using Swords Dance.

"Quick Guard. " Korrina called out.

Energy came out from Mienfoo's palms created to hands that blocked Fletchinder's strike. Mienfoo skidded backward from the force but held its ground. Fletchinder felt itself slow down and backed away from Mienfoo who came to a halt.

" Double team, Flame Charge. " Ash yelled.

Fletchinder wrapped himself in flames, flying towards Mienfoo, diving straight towards him before using Double team to duplicate himself. Multiple Fletchinder overlapped and flew towards Mienfoo, the real one ambiguous.

" Detect and quick attack. " Korrina called out with a smile.

Mienfoo dodged the attacks at the last moment, the copies slammed into the ground, kicking up a dust cloud. Mienfoo came out of the dust cloud with multiple copies of Fletchinder coming towards him. He continued to dodge them, but Fletchinder continued to get faster because of Flame Charge.

" Force Palm the ground! " Korrina called out.

Striking the ground with Force Palm, a significant impulse of aura from Mienfoo slammed into all the Fletchinder, getting rid of the copies and hitting the 'actual' Fletchinder.

" Rock Slide. " Korrina called out.

A large number of rocks appeared above Fletchinder who had just stabilized himself in the air. The rocks slammed into Fletchinder and brought him to the ground, burying him underneath the rubble.

" Aerial Ace. " Ash yelled.

' Huh? But Fletchinder... ' Korrina thought, but she was interrupted when something blitzed past by her side straight towards Mienfoo who could avoid the attack.

Fletchinder slammed his body into Mienfoo rocketing himself and Mienfoo straight into the wall behind Ash. Large cracks appeared on the wall from the impact while Fletchinder flew away.

The dust cloud settled down and showed an unconscious Mienfoo leaning against the wall.

" Mienfoo is unable to battle. " Clemont announced.

" Nice job Fletchinder. " Ash praised.

' Double team was a distraction and the Fletchinder that was hit with rock slide was a substitute. The real one was using Flame Charge around the perimeter of the field. ' Korrina thought, looking at the trench around the area.

' Once I thought we had got in a good one, Fletchinder struck for a knockout. ' Korrina thought before saying, " That was good! Where did you get that idea? "

" Trying something new after getting inspired by you know who. " Ash replied.

" That right. " Korrina smiled, " Then I guess we can take this up a notch. Machoke, your up. "

Machoke landed on the battlefield with a thud, flexing its muscles upon entry. He looked towards Fletchinder who was flying above him, readying himself for battle.

' Machoke isn't faster than Fletchinder but I don't know his ability. Does he have No Guard or Guts? ' Ash thought.

" Rock Slide. " Korrina called out.

Ash's eyes widened rocks began to fall across the entire battlefield. Fletchinder looked at the rocks and began to dodge each one at the last second. Noticing this occur, Ash wondered if Machoke had Guts or if he was purposefully missing.

" Fletchinder, double team. " Ash called out.

Multiple copies appeared on the field as Rock Slide came to an end but Korrina had a smile on her face.

" Fling! " Korrina called out.

" Protect. " Ash called out.

Machoke grabbed one of the rocks materialized by the use of Rock Slide earlier, his muscles bulking up before he threw the stone straight at the real Fletchinder who used Protect to block the attack, eyes widening at being found out.

' No Guard! ' Ash confirmed.

" Machoke, keep using Fling. " Korrina called out.

" Steel wing, spin, and get high up. " Ash called out.

Machoke grabbed more stones and began to throw them at Fletchinder from below while Fletchinder used Steel Wing and began to spin. There was no point in dodging but destroying the rocks was an option. Fletchinder got into position and faced downward...

" Brave bird! " Ash called out.

" Endure. "Korrina called out.

Fletchinder rushed downward, all its speed boosts made him a blur to Machoke but smiled as Fletchinder rushed towards him coated in a blue glow. Crossing his arms, Machoke braced for impact and Fletchinder slammed into Machoke.

Machoke slid back on the ground, his legs busting through boulders but he took the attack, grinning at Fletchinder. Fletchinder's eyes widened when Machoke grabbed him by the neck not allowing him to escape.

" Counter! " Korrina called out.

" Flame Charge! " Ash called out.

Fletchinder's eyes hardened, setting himself and Machoke ablaze in flames before Machoke knocked out Fletchinder with the right hook Counter. Fletchinder flew back straight into the wall behind Ash, cracks forming on the wall.

" Fletchinder is unable to battle. " Clemont announced.

' Machoke was using Bulk up before using Fling, so his attack and defense kept raising. Fletchinder wouldn't be able to do much, he would get hit eventually because of No Guard. But because of the Bulk Up and Endure, Machoke could take the hit and use Counter. ' Ash thought, taking his time to return Fletchinder. ' Can't even switch out as Machoke would definitely take out Fletchinder in a single strike before he even fully entered his Pokeball. But, Machoke did take a lot of damage...'

' Machoke took a lot of damage from that attack. Seriously, that was close. So who are you sending in now> ' Korrina thought.

" Pikachu, you're up. " Ash told his partner.

Pikachu gave a shout of confirmation, heading out into the field.

" Pikachu already? Not going to save him for last for a climatic finish? " Korrina asked.

" Like I said, trying something new. " Ash said.

" Machoke, use Bulldoze. " Korrina called out.

" Quick Attack, Thunder Wave. " Ash called out.

Before Machoke's leg even began to lower to stomp the ground, Pikachu had already appeared next to the fighting type and landed a Thunder Wave on Machoke, paralyzing him. Machoke felt its body lock up due to the electricity and was unable to stay standing, falling towards the ground.

" Thunderbolt. " Ash called out.

Pikachu had gained a bit of distance already before launching a Thunderbolt straight at Machoke as he was falling. The Thunderbolt hit its mark, electrocuting Machoke before he fell to the ground unconscious.

" Machoke is unable to battle. "

Korrina called back her Machoke and smiled. Taking out Lucario's Pokeball, she sent Lucario onto the battlefield. Lucario's mega stone was visible on the arm bracelet he wore.

" 1 against 2, yet I seem to have the advantage..." Korrina said with a smirk.

" It seems that way, doesn't it? " Ash grinned.

" Yep, considering that this will be our first official battle while using Mega Evolution. " Korrina pointed out.

" Then I apologize in advance for starting off with a loss. " Ash said.

" That apology is null and void, considering we're going to win. " Korrina said, raising her left hand, " Lucario, it's time. "

Touching her keystone, a white light erupted from the stones, whisps of light connecting with whisps that had erupted from Lucario's mega stone. Engulfed in blue-colored light, his form changed till his transformation was completed, becoming Mega Lucario.

" Pikachu, get ready to win. " Ash called out. His confirmation was a loud shout of agreement from his starter.

Standing in front of each other, Pikachu and Lucario observed one another, muscles tensed for action once the other made the first move.

____________________________________________________

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