29

"Okay," Norman said, after a few minutes. "Now – it's time for the other gym battle."

Ash nodded. "Yeah – this is actually kind of a special one..."

"It is?" Norman asked. "I mean – well, it's me, but I don't think that's what you mean."

Linoone churred with laughter from Norman's chair.

"I mean... well, Keldeo's been around for about a year," Ash explained. "But it's just about time for him to go back home to Unova."

"Ah, right," Norman agreed. "I see now. You'd like to give him a grand sendoff."

"Pretty much," Ash agreed. "Do you have anything that could work for that?"

"I think I might..." Norman said, thinking about it. "It won't be the start, though. Say... do you want four versus four?"

Ash considered. "Yeah, that sounds good."

"Right," Norman nodded. "Okay-"

There was a tap on the window.

Ash and Norman looked and saw Swellow there. She waved a wing, and nodded.

"Oh, great!" Ash smiled. "Looks like the spectators are here!"

Norman blinked. "...who?"

"Oh, right, Swellow went and got them," Ash explained. "Is the door open?"

The gym leader nodded. "Yeah, it's open..."

Swellow nodded, and vanished from the window.

A few seconds later, the door creaked open.

A very old Treecko stopped at the threshold, put his palms together, and bowed. "May we enter your building?"

"He's asking if he can come in," Ash supplied.

"Oh – well, sure," Norman agreed. "I guess there's a reason for this?"

"They're Sceptile's relatives," Ash explained, as about two dozen Treecko and one Grovyle trooped in and sat along one wall.

His Sceptile materialized with a flash, and walked over. "I'm glad you could come."

"It's good to see you," the old Treecko said. "And the company you keep, as well. I'm glad you were able to find peace."

"How is the tree?"

"It's doing well," the elder informed him. "Budding nicely, much more healthy than it's been. Your friend did a good job."

"She's-" Sceptile began, then smiled. "Yeah. She's a good friend."

He turned to the Grovyle. "I hadn't realized you'd evolved."

"It was a week or so ago," the Grovyle said. "I'm still getting used to it."

"It comes in time," Sceptile said. He held up a hand. "And before you ask me how I know..."

"...it's complicated," Grovyle agreed.

"Who's that, Sceptile?" Ash asked, coming over.

"Grovyle," Sceptile deadpanned.

"You know what I mean," his trainer laughed. "I guess she's a relative?"

"She's my aunt," Sceptile explained. "She taught me how to battle when I was younger."

"It wasn't that long ago..." the Grovyle said, shaking her head.

"Well!" the elder said. "Let's see how young Sceptile has put your lessons into practice, shall we?"

"I take it you're using Sceptile first," Norman said, taking a Pokéball from his belt.

"Pretty much," Ash agreed.

"Right. Dunsparce!"

Ash checked to see it was indeed a Dunsparce, then sighed. "This is getting a bit cruel..."

"What's that?" Norman asked.

"Oh, I kind of want to catch a Dunsparce some day," Ash replied. "Just... you know, I never seem to get a chance."

"I've had that," the Normal-type gym leader agreed. "I've always wanted to train a Minccino, but it's never been the right time..."

He shrugged. "Oh, well. Right – ready, Dunsparce?"

Dunsparce contrived to look ready.

"Remember, Sceptile, don't break the walls," Ash said. "Okay, you know what to do!"

"Begin!" Brock called.

Sceptile darted forwards, blades flashing blue, and swiped at Dunsparce in a one-two combination.

Halfway through the first attack, however, Dunsparce tapped his tail on the floor.

And it rained rocks.

Caught thoroughly off guard, Sceptile converted his lunging charge into a quick retreat. His blades blurred as they swung up to slice falling bits of rock apart, and when he slid to a halt again there was a pile of gravel on the floor.

"What just happened?" Ash asked, blinking.

Norman smiled slightly. "I'm glad I managed to surprise you, you know..."

Sceptile paced for a moment. "I see that simply getting close won't work. Hmmm..."

Dunsparce interrupted his pondering by firing a large rock at him.

Moving with balletic precision, Sceptile sliced this rock to gravel as well, and followed up with a stream of Bullet Seeds as a counter-attack.

Showing surprising agility, Dunsparce dodged most of them. His eyes flashed, and he fixed Sceptile with a glare.

Sceptile scowled, and sprang sideways – clinging onto the wall for a moment, before coming back down from above.

Dunsparce replied to this by headbutting him.

"Ow!" Sceptile said, then hit the floor back-first. "Ow... that little land snake hits hard."

"Think you've got it handled?" Ash asked, worried.

"Sure I do," Sceptile confirmed. He sprang back to his feet, using his tail to push himself further erect, and both blades began to glow again.

"Sacred Sword!"

Dunsparce hit him with a Fire Blast.

Sceptile crossed his arms, letting the shimmering blue blades take the forefront of the attack, and then powered forwards as all the accumulated fire exploded.

Bursting through the five-spoked blast of flame, he slashed at Dunsparce, and managed to score a hit which knocked the Normal-type several feet backwards.

"Look out!" Ash called. "Your tail's on fire!"

Sceptile flexed, bringing his tail to where he could see it, and frowned at the smouldering flames down the end.

"Is Cousin Sceptile okay?" one of the Treecko asked, tugging at Grovyle's leaves.

"He'll be fine,"Grovyle assured. "Look."

As she pointed, Sceptile handled the flames in a slightly unorthodox way. He tensed, then whip-cracked his tail around in a circle so fast it blew the flames out in one go.

"Wow!" another young Treecko said.

Sceptile smirked, then his hand whipped up to catch a small rock aimed for the side of his head.

"Okay, that's it!" he said, tail flaring green. "Frenzy-"

"Don't break the gym!" Ash said very quickly.

The green glow died. "Fine."

Sceptile reached up and adjusted his twig, then contemplated Dunsparce again. "Okay, let's try this instead."

A bright light began to glow in his palms.

Seeing he was charging a Solarbeam, Dunsparce fired another ball of rock at Sceptile. It whistled through the air, glowing a faint red, then Sceptile deflected it with his tail and smashed it to pieces.

"Something's not-" Ash began, then interrupted himself. "Wait, I get it!"

Sceptile used Solarbeam.

Dunsparce tapped his tail on the floor, and an enormous howling blizzard materialized from nowhere. It blocked the glittering Solarbeam in an instant, and carried on to engulf Sceptile in a whirlwind of snow and ice.

When it faded, Sceptile was half-encased in blue-clear ice.

Dunsparce tilted his head, then bounced another rock off Sceptile's nose.

"Think you can get out of there?" Ash asked.

By reply, Sceptile concentrated. His arm-blades, which had dimmed to green, began to glow once more in the brilliant green-blue light of his Sacred Sword-

-and the ice exploded off him.

Drew sat back in his chair, sighing. "Man, but that was a good meal!"

Roselia nodded, patting her chest. "Selia..."

His newly-regained Masquerain chittered happily, hanging upside-down from the curtain rail.

"What about you, Leafeon?" Drew asked, looking over at the bed.

Leafeon let out a chirping purr, smiling.

Roselia frowned. "Rose?"

Drew looked down. "What is it, Roselia?"

Roselia shrugged, gesturing at Leafeon. "Rose. Lia-rose."

"...no, sorry, not quite understanding," Drew said, with a shrug.

"Leeeeaf," Leafeon said, tail waving lazily.

Roselia jumped off her stool and walked over to the bookshelf. Rummaging through it, she pulled a book off the shelf and opened it.

Holding it carefully in both flowers, she walked over with it and laid it out in front of Drew. "Lia. Rose."

Drew looked down at the book, then at Roselia.

His eyes widened, and he looked at Leafeon. "Is she right?"

Leafeon nodded, looking satisfied.

"Huh," Drew said, frowning. "I wonder who we know who might be a good place for an Eevee egg..."

Chunks of ice showered outwards, and Sceptile slapped his tail on the floor to break off what little remained.

"Watch out, Sceptile!" Ash warned. "Dunsparce has used Ancientpower a lot – he's going to be really charged up!"

"What do you suggest?" Sceptile asked, and sliced another Ancientpower rock to bits with his blue-shimmering Sacred Swords. "Every time I try to attack I get set on fire, encased in ice..."

"Yeah, but you just need to push through that!" Ash explained. "He's not that tough, so you can beat him – you just need to hit him!"

Sceptile considered that, then nodded – clenching his fist. "Got it."

He crouched, and paused for a moment – then lunged forwards.

Dunsparce tapped his tail on the ground again, and an avalanche of rocks rained down.

This time, though, Sceptile was ready. He tucked into a forwards roll, tail glowing a bright green, and smashed right through the Rock Slide without slowing.

Completing his roll and landing back on his feet, he lashed out with his Sacred Sword. Dunsparce unleashed a storm of flame, knocking him backwards from the force of the Fire Blast, but Sceptile didn't particularly care for being set on fire right now – he just powered through and connected with the other Sacred Sword.

Dunsparce skidded back about twice his own body length, then focused again.

"Zen Headbutt!" his trainer called, and Dunsparce came blasting forwards at staggering speed. He wove around Sceptile's blocks and slammed directly into the Grass-type's forehead, and Sceptile stumbled back a step from the stunning impact. As he tried to recover, Dunsparce added to his woes by shooting a stream of flame that joined up with the fire already smouldering on Sceptile's tail.

"Leaf Storm!" Ash called.

Sceptile reacted on automatic, using the attack and trusting to Ash to have a good reason for ordering it.

This time, unlike with Guy, it was a real Leaf Storm. Dozens of glowing leaves peppered Dunsparce – some of them burning from their passage through the flames – and the Normal-type was whirled into the air by the powerful attack.

Wings whirring frantically, Dunsparce managed to gain control of his trajectory just before hitting the floor – and there was a wham as Sceptile's last-minute lunge with Sacred Sword connected.

"Ow," Sceptile finally said, and collapsed forwards on top of the unconscious Dunsparce.

Ash blinked. "Uh... Suicune? Can you give us some help?"

Suicune complied by putting the fire out. With a lot of water.

"I'm glad this gym has good drainage," Norman said, a couple of minutes later. He looked at the slight scorch marks on the floor of his gym. "I think most of those are probably from Dunsparce, so... yeah, you've not really damaged my gym yet. From what I've heard from Johto, that's pretty good from you..."

"Yeah, I've been trying," Ash agreed. "Okay, I guess that counts as a draw..."

"That was pretty cool!" one of the Treecko said, speaking up now he wasn't ankle-deep in water. "That Dunsparce was really powerful – I didn't know something that wasn't a Fire-type could make that much fire."

"Normal types have strange and varied combinations of attacks," his mother said. "It's one of the lessons you should learn."

"I see," the Treecko agreed. "I wonder what Pokémon we'll see next?"

There was a flash from Ash's side of the field.

"Ah, a Lucario!" the elder noted. "Very wise Pokémon – and powerful, too. This should be an interesting battle."

Norman sent out his own Pokémon, and the Treecko settled down to watch.

"May I sit with you?" a cool voice asked.

The elder blinked. "Certainly, my lady. It's an honour."

"It's the best place to watch from," Suicune smiled. She sat down, and smiled as one of the Treecko children promptly climbed up her back for a better seat. "And you're a brave one."

"Thanks!" the young Grass-type said cheerfully, sitting down atop her head. "I can see much better from up here!"

Lucario bowed. "I hope our battle is a well-fought one," he said, straightening. "And that we both-"

"Are you trying to say I look like a wimp?" his opponent asked, bristling.

"My apologies," Lucario tried. "I didn't mean to cast any sort of aspersions on you. I'm just trying to be polite..."

"Yeah, well, I don't need chivalry," the Lopunny said. "We going to fight or what?"

"I think we should start," Lucario recommended, glancing at Brock. "Before I say something else wrong..."

"Having trouble with her?" Brock asked.

"...like that, yes," Lucario sighed, as Lopunny scowled. "I think you just made him very upset indeed."

"...oh, right," Brock said, quietly. "Sorry. Uh – begin?"

Lopunny blurred forwards, lashing out with a low kick which slammed into Lucario's shin. He followed that up with a second kick delivered from below, and then Lucario countered with a Force Palm which knocked the incoming Sky Uppercut off course.

Both combatants rubbed the points they'd been hit, and began to circle a little more warily.

"Ash?" Lucario asked. "I can't just use Aura Storm, right?"

"No, because that would break the gym," Ash agreed.

"Right..."

A moment more, and then both lithe Pokémon moved in again. This time, Lucario got off the first blow – scything out with a kick which turned into a Vacuum Wave, and which Lopunny flipped over before Bouncing into the air.

Lucario used the extra preparation time to wind up an Aura Sphere, then had to fire it quicker than he'd expected as Lopunny used his ears to 'kick' off the roof.

One foot out in front of his body, Lopunny used Blaze Kick – wincing as the Aura Sphere hit home, then slamming into Lucario's shoulder and knocking him sprawling.

Following up on his success, Lopunny darted in behind Lucario and gave him a Fire Punch to the back of the neck.

Lucario rode the blow, letting the impact flip him forwards. He put one palm down, using it as a pivot, and drove both feet into Lopunny's abdomen – pushing him backwards with a whoosh of air.

Tucking into a forwards half-roll, Lucario kicked out a leg which skidded across the floor of the gym as he shed momentum. A blue glow built in his hands as he readied another Aura Sphere, but once more Lopunny blurred in too fast for him to have time to spin it for greater impact.

A Mega Kick clanged into his forearm, knocking it wide and sending the Aura Sphere shooting off to burst on the gym wall.

The next few seconds were a blur of blows – Force Palms, Fire Punches, Blaze Kicks, a Drain Punch which went wide, and a few hastily-attempted ranged attacks – until Lucario forcibly opened the range by deliberately botching an Aura Sphere and blasting himself and Lopunny apart.

The bunny did a slow flip and landed on his paws, and took his stance again. "That's a bit more like it!"

Hopping back a step, he crouched and then leapt – using a Jump Kick to come down in a devastating blow.

Lucario skipped backwards to keep the range open for a moment longer, and raised blue-glowing paws to form a Protect screen.

Lopunny's foot crashed down on the unyielding green shield – then his ears whipped round, coming around the Protect, and one of them grabbed onto Lucario's arm.

To the amazement of most of those watching, Lopunny then used his ear to whip-crack himself around, repurposing the recoil that Lucario had tried to turn against him and gaining speed for a Blaze Kick into Lucario's side.

Reacting as soon as he realized what Lopunny was doing, Lucario twisted his body to throw the Normal-type's judgement off, but the blow still connected and sent him sprawling.

Unfortunately for Lopunny, the Fighting-type had tightened his grip on Lopunny's ears as he did so, and so Lopunny was sent flying towards the wall as well.

"I can barely keep track of what's going on!" Max said. "I didn't know Lopunny was this good, Dad!"

"He's watched all Lucario's fights I could get the footage for," Norman replied with a wink. "He's kind of motivated."

"Right," Max said, as Lopunny ran back in with his fist blazing with Fire Punch. Lucario ducked under it, landed a quick Iron Tail as a counterblow, and then fell back before Lopunny's attack.

The young trainer frowned. "Wait, I recognize this..."

Norman winked.

Fist flickering a cool blue, Lucario dodged away from Lopunny's attacks.

He stepped back and a little to the right, avoiding a scything Blaze Kick. Back again, always giving ground, not wasting time on counterattacks.

"Stop doing that!" Lopunny raged. "Fight back, damnit! Or at least let me hit you!"

Lucario felt the Aura around them.

Nearly there.

He took two more steps back and to the right, tighter now, and then swept his fist around as the Ice Punch on it glowed with fierce, cold fire.

Lopunny reached into his ear fluff, pulled something out, and put it in Lucario's free palm. "Hey."

In the frozen moment before the air spiral clicked over to mix, Lucario looked down at his free paw.

A Flame Orb flickered sullenly in it.

"Surprise!" Lopunny said, and punched upwards with an Ice Punch of his own.

Unfortunately for Lucario, that meant he was now the hot point.

Then the Flying Dragon Uppercut activated.

The instant tornado plucked at hats all around the gym, and picked the heavy Steel-type up before whirling him around in two complete circles.

"Whoa!" Ash said, startled. "I didn't know that could-"

Lucario's palms blazed blue, cutting him off. Then his whole body followed, as he summoned a great deal of Aura, and his now-clenched fists switched to Fire Punch and Ice Punch.

The Aura Pokémon swept them around in wide arcs, following the tornado, and then pointed them both at Lopunny.

Lopunny stopped looking smug.

"Razor Wind," Lucario said, and launched a combined Aura Sphere. It shot across the intervening space, and the artificial tornado followed it with a whoosh.

Lopunny's ears closed as a makeshift shield, and as a result he was just picked up and battered into the wall by the attack.

Lucario landed with surprising gentleness on the planking as the slap of impact died away, and took a deep breath before letting it out.

"Uh... Lucario?" Ash asked. "You do know you're on fire, right?"

"No, actually, it had completely escaped my attention," Lucario said blandly.

Lopunny shook his head, then got back up again. "Okay, I didn't expect that..."

He took a stance, and light began to glow on his fist. "But take this! Focus-"

Lucario used Fling.

The Flame Orb hit Lopunny with a thwack, disrupting the preparations for his Focus Punch and setting him on fire as well.

"Ow!" Lopunny said, shaking his tingling fist. "Right – Drain Punch!"

Lucario let the attack come in, then shifted his own stance as Lopunny reached him. "Copycat!"

Both Pokémon punched one another. Green light crackled out as the two identical attacks collided, and energy streamed between the two as they fought for the upper hand.

The clash of flashing witchfire lasted several seconds before it slowly died away, leaving both Pokémon standing there with their fists still touching.

Then, very slowly, Lopunny fell over.

"All right!" Ash said, enthused. "Nice work, Lucario!"

"Yeah, that was great!" Pikachu agreed.

"Thank you," Lucario said, gingerly lowering his fist. "Can someone put me out now? I'm still on fire..."

Suicune put him out as well.

"I should start to charge for this..." she mused.

Lucario brushed suds off his side. "How did you make it-"

"Bubblebeam mixed with it," she explained.

"I see."

"Torkoal, ready for your gym battle?" Ash asked, sending the Fire-type out.

"Well... yeah," Torkoal agreed, shifting his neck. "I mean, we did discuss it..."

"Yeah, good point," Ash agreed.

Norman sent out his own Pokémon, a big beefy Exploud. "I'm too experienced with you by now to think that's a normal Torkoal, so I'm just going to assume he's got some ridiculous trick you worked out."

"Not really," Ash replied. "He's a relatively recent recapture, and he was back at the ranch meeting everyone for a bit."

Norman shrugged. "In that case, I guess I'll manage to get a bit of my own back."

He nodded to Brock, who raised his hand. "Begin!"

"Boomburst!" Norman ordered promptly, gesturing.

Exploud inhaled, and then launched out a visible wave of sound.

Torkoal yelped, and pulled his head and legs back inside his shell. The sound-burst hit, broke off his shell, and refracted into the air as a loud BANG.

"Ow," May winced. "Uh... can we get some kind of soundproofing?"

Affirmative, Ethan supplied. Kris? Dexter?

"Good idea," Max agreed. "Dad? The Porygons can set up some Light Screens so we don't get deafened..."

I will shield the visitors, Dexter volunteered, materializing and moving over to them.

Exploud glanced back at Norman, who gestured a few times.

"...wait, is he deaf?" Ash asked. "Huh."

He shrugged. "Okay – anyway, the battle!"

"Took you long enough," Pikachu muttered.

Torkoal stuck his head out of his shell. "Is it – good."

Faint white smoke began to leak out around his neck.

Norman made the same gesture he'd done before, and Exploud fired another Boomburst.

As he did, though, Torkoal jumped – and a breathy whistle sounded into the gym, as jets of white smoke – steam – propelled him violently into the air.

"Knew it!" Norman said, as the Boomburst passed harmlessly underneath the Fire-type.

"I didn't teach him," Ash said. "But I think Squirtle did."

"And trust me," Brock added. "If this is it, we got off lucky."

Torkoal had turned a slow flip in the air while his steamblast's momentum had lasted. Now he landed back on the floor with a thud, and staggered a bit. "That still gives me a bit of a headache..."

Shaking his head, he launched a Flamethrower at Exploud – who blasted it aside with a Hyper Voice and followed that up with a bubble of water.

Air pressure rammed into the water from behind, bubbling it out into a Water Pulse, and Torkoal did another hasty steam-eruption dodge to get out of the way.

"Don't use Overheat, Torkoal!" Ash reminded him. "Keep your heat up – that way you can do your steam better!"

"Right!" Torkoal agreed. He landed, steadied himself, and fired a burst of flame from his nostrils. "Hey!"

Exploud looked blank.

"...oh, yeah, you're deaf," Torkoal remembered. "Anyway-"

He launched a Flamethrower forwards.

Exploud blocked this one the way he had the first, then opened his mouth and shouted – this time an Echoed Voice, which started loud and just kept getting louder and louder.

Torkoal walked back a step, grimacing at the sound, then his expression hardened. "Okay, try this!"

He leaned forwards, and unleashed another burst of steam.

This one came from his rear leg-holes, rather than all four leg holes, and sent him flipping forwards and over Exploud's head.

Landing on his back, spinning once, and levering himself hastily upright, Torkoal fired a Flamethrower at the back of his startled opponent.

Then he discovered that Exploud have tubes at the rear too.

A thunderous blast of sound blew him backwards towards the wall, and he hit with a wham.

Ash squinted, then saw that Torkoal had had time to withdraw before actually hitting the wall, and he seemed more or less fine.

Unfortunately, in the time it took him to reorient and get his head back out of his shell, Exploud had turned to focus on him once more.

Norman gave two hand signals.

Exploud nodded, grinning, and then shouted loudly enough to make the trainers cringe even inside their sound-damping Reflect screens.

The Uproar bounced around the room, amplifying and resonating, and Torkoal winced at the sheer sound.

He Withdrew again, head returning to his shell, and then Exploud stepped forwards.

His foot slammed down on top of Torkoal as he Stomped, and then Stomped again – still keeping up the Uproar.

White steam began to leak out again. More visibly this time.

"Exploud!" Norman called, waving to try to get his attention.

The deaf Normal-type was too busy stamping away to notice.

Until, that is, Torkoal reached peak pressure. Then, with an ear-penetrating shriiiiek twin jets of boiling smoke launched Torkoal forwards – out from under Exploud's foot, pinwheeling off his other leg, and hurtling around the gym like a frisbee with its own ideas on where to go.

The errant tortoise bounced off three walls, the floor twice, and the emergency door pusher – making it open a few inches with a clack – before gaining control of his trajectory and cancelling most of the momentum with another steamburst.

What was left of his speed led to an ungainly, skidding landing, and he wobbled a bit before sitting down quite firmly.

Then Exploud hit him with another Boomburst.

When Torkoal pushed himself back upright, he was all the way over in the corner of the room.

"Okay... ow?" he asked.

"You're doing fine, Torkoal!" Ash said. "Just... a bit underpracticed at this move! Don't worry, it's working great!"

"Good, it doesn't feel like it," Torkoal said candidly.

"Hey..." Ash began, frowning. "Could you use that steam as... an attack?"

Torkoal's expression became a frown of consideration. "...I'm not sure how, but... well, I guess it's a bit like fire..."

Norman signalled.

"Uh oh!" Torkoal gulped, and used a burst of steam to launch himself upwards.

It barely sufficed to get him six inches into the air, and he flopped back to the ground before desperately using a Flamethrower to disrupt the sound wave.

It still hurt.

Once the worst of the echoes had died away, Torkoal Withdrew – deciding, correctly, that he'd just run out of steam and that he'd need more of the stuff.

"I'll let you know when to come out," Ash said, watching Exploud carefully as the Loud Noise Pokémon watched Torkoal in turn.

Steam oozed up from Torkoal's shell, first in driblets then a steady stream.

"Okay," Ash added, and then spoke quickly. "When I say now, go up then forwards then do an attack from over his head. Now!"

Norman took a moment to parse that, and was still thinking of how to explain to Exploud by the time Torkoal was doing it.

The first jet of steam came from all four of Torkoal's leg holes, and sent him vertically upwards. The second was just from his rear two, and flipped him forwards – and then the third and fourth, coming within moments of one another, stabilized him pointing downwards then launched him violently forwards.

Exploud fired his ready Boomburst, and clipped Torkoal's tail – sending him pinwheeling sideways, rotating through the air on all three axes.

"Now!" Ash said.

Torkoal unleashed all his stored, high-pressure, high-temperature steam at once.

The result was a little surprising to everyone in the room.

The white vapour which rises from a kettle is not actually steam, per se – it is water vapour. Condensed water in tiny droplets, albeit at a high temperature.

Real steam, on the other hand, is invisible – and takes up more space.

The result of this abrupt release was, essentially, an explosion. Exploud was hammered to the floor, Torkoal bounced off the roof, and the emergency doors were blasted violently open as most of the pressure took the easiest route out of the building.

The rest of it just condensed, forming an instant mist that hung in the air and left it feeling like a steambath.

"My ears hurt..." Max said, wincing.

"What?" his sister asked.

"What?" Brock asked.

"Torkoal!" Ash said, looking for his Fire-type. He spotted the testudine after a moment, and sighed with relief. "I was afraid you'd ended up embedded in the ceiling..."

"Pardon?" Torkoal asked, shaking his head.

He noticed Exploud standing up, and quickly shot an Ember at him.

That seemed to be too much, and the Normal-type fell over.

Ash pointed. "Does that mean I win?"

Norman inserted a finger in his ear and waggled it about. "Sorry, I didn't hear you..."

Ash sent out Keldeo. "Okay, ready for this?"

Keldeo nodded, smirking. "Sure thing!"

He turned back to Norman. "So, what's it going to be? Oh, do you have a Regigigas – because I'd be less surprised than you'd think..."

"No, I don't," Norman said, shaking his head. "I do have a Girafarig, but I don't think he'd do very well. No, I've got this."

He threw the Pokéball, and his final Pokémon for this gym battle materialized in a flash.

Keldeo blinked. "That's a-"

"Oh," Ash realized. "A Ditto."

The pink blob waved.

"Begin!" Brock called.

Keldeo's horn flashed, and he charged forwards, swinging his Sacred Sword-

-and it clashed off the blade of another Keldeo.

The jarring impact rang through the gym, and Keldeo took a step back.

Rolling his neck, the Ditto slashed a Sacred Sword at Keldeo's flank, and the real Legendary skipped to one side before retaliating with another clash of sword on sword.

Keldeo gave ground a step, and used the momentary reprieve to switch to Resolute Form. Secret Sword flashed into being on his horn, and the two Pokémon clashed blades once more.

Ditto feinted right, then swiped left-right with his horn. Keldeo was forced to move several steps to the right to blunt the impact, and locked swords with Ditto for a moment before shoving him backwards. "Yah!"

Charging a Focus Blast, Keldeo was forced to fire it early as Ditto jabbed for his side, and the attack burst on a Water Gun from the fake Legendary.

After another clash, Keldeo decided to switch tactics – gambling he was better in the air than his opponent. He fired a Hydro Pump which lifted him into the air for a moment, and fired a ranged Leaf Blade diagonally downwards.

Caught off guard, Ditto replied by charging forwards – under the attack. He turned at bay in the open emergency door, and then Keldeo knocked him backwards out of the gym.

Ash and Norman stared through the door for a few seconds, as the clash of sword-on-sword continued.

"I... guess we're having the rest of this one outside?" Ash asked.

"Looks like," Norman agreed.

Keldeo jetted through the air on Hydro-Pump-spraying hooves.

A green flicker of light shot past him, and he spun around with dexterous ease to return fire with a ranged Slash before landing on the roof of a building.

His double clattered to the tiles a moment later, and the two Pokémon fenced back and forth on the terracotta for a couple of seconds before the Ditto gave ground and stepped back onto the apex of the roof.

Blade hit blade, and Keldeo put enough force into the hit that his knees and hocks quivered. His opponent wasn't quite so well braced, and hit the roof in a sliding crash before scrabbling back upright and sweeping his bright Sacred Sword around in an arc.

Forced to check his stride, Keldeo had to let Ditto get to his feet, and then it was his turn to handle a jarring attack.

Using sprays of water from his hooves, Keldeo just about managed to avoid falling – then his hooves slipped on the now-wet rooftop and he had to go airborne.

His double followed, trying his luck with a Focus Blast which Keldeo's horn swiped out of the air.

Neither of them noticed the children looking out of the school they'd fought on top of.

"Well, I guess this means Keldeo's getting a good send-off..." May said, watching the two near-identical Pokémon, the constant fencing, and the back-and-forth movement which never seemed to end up quite the same way twice. "They've been going for ages!"

"Yeah," Ash agreed. "Got a good view, Dexter?"

I have, Dexter agreed. I missed the bit when they first went outside, the time they were behind that hedge, and when they were in the middle of the fountain, but apart from that I have the full battle so far.

The real Keldeo – distinguishable mainly by the feathers in his mane and the longer blade of his horn – used a complicated one-two-three combination of attacks, and Ditto was knocked to the side. Recovering quickly, the fake Keldeo jumped sideways onto a merry-go-round – and, bending his knee, used a massive blast of water to set the merry-go-round spinning.

Keldeo blinked, then wound up for a powerful Secret Sword as his opponent came around again – only to be wrong-hoofed as Ditto jumped clear of the ride entirely and swept in from his side.

The Water-type Legendary rode with the impact, but that didn't make it not hurt, and he winced before retaliating with an Aura Sphere and jumping backwards onto the high ground he'd noticed before.

"Should we tell them they're fighting in the middle of a playground?" Norman asked, diffidently.

Ash shrugged.

Keldeo lunged, blade flashing, and his doppelganger blocked with a musical skirl of Sacred Sword on Secret Sword.

Then Keldeo kicked out with his foreleg and hit Ditto in the knee.

The ersatz Keldeo collapsed, blocked Keldeo's next two Leaf Blades with desperate movements, and then fired an almighty rush of water from his hooves which propelled the two combatants violently apart.

Recovering his footing first, the double fired a Leaf Blade from his own horn which hit the staggering Keldeo in the shoulder.

Keldeo forced himself to his hooves anyway, launched off a Secret Sword which intercepted the follow-up attack halfway between them, and grinned.

"Hey,"

The Ditto cocked its head on one side.

Keldeo's horn lit up again, this time a swirling energy which seemed barely contained on the blade. "Air Slash."

"But-" Ditto began, startled, and only just managed to get his horn in place to block in time. "But that's not a move-"

"You copied me a whole twenty minutes ago!" Keldeo replied, the swirling air already building up on his horn again. "Ash trained me in a lot of things, but the most important thing was to never stop learning – never stop trying, not even for a moment!"

He launched a second Air Slash, then charged forwards after it.

Ditto managed to block this one, too, but the swirling Flying-type energy tugged at the integrity of his blocking Sacred Sword. Then Keldeo's blazing golden Secret Sword hammered into it, and the weaker move shattered.

Flanks heaving, Keldeo pointed his blade at his foe. "Yield," he said, between breaths.

Ditto stared back for a moment, then bent his knee and bowed. Between that moment and the next, he dissolved back into his base form.

"Well," Norman's voice came, intruding suddenly on Keldeo's combat focus. "I suppose you didn't break the gym..."

Shaking his head for a moment, Keldeo looked around to see what Norman meant.

The play area... could best be described as an ex play area. The metal and wood structures were mostly intact, but there were cuts in the grass all over it and a number of divots from an overloaded Hydro Pump or other.

"...oops," he said, noticing the crowd of schoolkids watching, and waved awkwardly. "Uh... sorry?"

The applause made him feel better, though.

After some hasty clean-up work – helped by the Treecko – had been done, Norman smiled ruefully and handed over a Balance badge. "I suppose there wasn't any real doubt about this..."

"I don't know," Ash replied with a shrug. "You certainly know your type – those were some neat tricks."

"I bet I could put that on the sign," Norman chuckled. "'Norman. Petalburg City gym leader. Knows some neat tricks.'"

"Well, you do..."

"That makes three of us," May said, as Ash put the badge in his box. "Hey, Brock, are you going to get a Balance badge too?"

"I'm not sure I'm allowed," Brock defended himself. "Besides, I'd rather handle-"

"Who?" Max asked, as Brock paused. "You were going to say you'd rather battle Flannery or Winona, weren't you?"

"Well... yeah..."

"And you have how many Rock-types?" Max pressed. "You've got more Ground types than Rock types."

"...you don't have to be cruel about it," Brock muttered.

Ash sighed.

"So," he said, softly. "I guess this is goodbye."

"Yeah," Keldeo agreed, smiling sadly, and slipping the transceiver into his saddlebag. "I guess it is."

He took a deep breath. "Ash – I've enjoyed my year with you like... nothing else I've ever done," he began. "It's been a chance to pay you back, a chance to learn, and... it's just been so much fun meeting and knowing and training with all the Pokémon you've got."

Ash nodded. "And I'm really glad you could travel with me too, Keldeo," he replied. "You're a powerful Pokémon, but – you're a good friend, too."

"Thanks," Keldeo said.

"We'll miss you too," May volunteered. "I mean, you've only been with us for a bit in Hoenn, but it was great – I can see why Ash was so glad to run into you earlier than he was expecting."

Max nodded.

"Since Misty's not here, I'll say the goodbye for her," Brock informed him. "So – from her and from me, Keldeo, good luck and be safe."

"You bet!" Keldeo smirked. "I won't forget any of you – and you better let me know if you need any help, Ash! I'll come running, you can count on it."

"Thanks," Ash said with a smile.

"And that goes for you too, Pikachu," Keldeo added. "And you, Lucario. If Ash gets in trouble without realizing he should call me..."

"Hey, I'm not that bad... am I?" Ash asked.

His friends nodded. "Yep."

"Completely."

"Like, have you... like... met you?" Skitty drawled.

"...actually, no," Ash said, distracted. "But by now I can't help but think I really should have..."

There was a general agreement.

"I have to admit, after a year with you – after time breaking, after legendary Pokémon and hordes of fossils and even energy-devouring monsters, I kind of think being back with the Swords of Justice will be kind of a vacation..." Keldeo said.

Ash gave Keldeo a quick hug, and the Water-type put his hoof up in return.

After a few seconds, they separated, and Ash handed Keldeo his Pokéball. "Keep it safe."

"I will – I'll remember you by it, as well," Keldeo promised.

Then Lucario gave a slow nod. "It has been an honour."

"Thanks!" Keldeo grinned. "Oh – Absol, any idea if I'm going to get into trouble?"

Absol considered, reaching out with her senses.

"I can't feel anything," she said, after several seconds. "On the whole, you should be okay."

Nodding his thanks, Keldeo waved one last time and turned.

Then he stopped.

"What's wrong?" Ash asked, worried.

Pikachu frowned. "...you forgot to arrange how you're going to get home, didn't you?"

"...yes, yes I did," Keldeo agreed.

After a moment of silence, Max snapped his fingers. "Got it! Just ask Jirachi!"

"Can you teleport me all the way to Unova?" Keldeo asked, frowning.

Uh... not sure, Jirachi admitted. I guess we could try?

"Try wishing that you'll get home quickly," Max suggested. "That way, even if he can't send you all the way, he can sort it out so you're able to head home."

"Sounds great!" Keldeo agreed. "Thanks, Max! Kind of glad I don't have to hire a shipping container again or something..."

"No problem," Max replied with a smile.

Keldeo cleared his throat. "Jirachi? I wish that I could get home to the Swords of Justice – quickly."

Jirachi's tags began to glow with a soft light. Then they flashed, and Keldeo was gone.

"I hope he gets home safe," May said.

A light, drizzling rain beat down on Indigo Plateau.

With a flash of light, Keldeo materialized, and looked around in surprise.

"...I guess Jirachi couldn't get me very far," he said, disappointed. "That's a pity..."

Looking around, he wondered what he was supposed to do now. Then he spotted a house which looked a bit familiar-

"Oh, right!" Keldeo realized, speaking out loud. "That's Misty's house! I guess she'll know what I should do!"

He cantered briskly over, and knocked on the door with his hoof.

Nothing, for several seconds. Then there was a click, and Golduck opened the door. "Who is it?"

He looked up. "Oh. Keldeo – weren't you with Ash?"

"I'm on my way home, and apparently this is on the way home," Keldeo explained. "Is Misty in?"

"No, she's out," Golduck replied.

"Is that Keldeo?"

Keldeo turned, and saw someone coming up the path. "Who are you?"

"I'm Will," the young man explained – smoothing his formal outfit. "Misty asked me to make sure her house was kept up while she's away."

He extended a hand. "You are Keldeo, right? The Swords of Justice had a lot of good things to say about you when I did my challenge against them."

"You did your Elite Four challenge against the other Swords?" Keldeo repeated. "Then – maybe this is why Jirachi sent me here to get home!"

"If you need to get home, I can sort you out," Will agreed. "Duosion!"

The Psychic-type materialized, and waved.

"Remember where we met the Swords of Justice?" he asked. "Can you send Keldeo back there?"

Sure!

"Where is Misty, anyway?" Keldeo asked.

Golduck shrugged. "Like I know. She's been away for-"

-Keldeo landed on a scree slope, and his hooves worked quickly to prevent a tumble. Once he was stable, he slid the rest of the way to the bottom of the slope and looked around.

"Hey!" a deep, booming, familiar voice called. "Long time no see, Keldeo!"

"Terrakion!" Keldeo called, turning towards the voice. "Virizon, Cobalion – it's great to see you all!"

He broke into a gallop, charging across the valley towards his friends, and the others did as well.

"Welcome home, Keldeo," Virizion smiled, as they slowed once more. "It's been too long."

"Indeed," Cobalion nodded solemnly. "We'll want to hear all about it."

"And tell you all the cool stuff we did without you!" Terrakion agreed.

"Oh, there's a lot to tell!" Keldeo agreed. "It's going to take days."

"Then we better get started!" the burly Rock-type said promptly. "How about you go first – what was that thing you were doing in the Pokémon League?"

"You were watching the Silver Conference?" Keldeo asked.

"That we were," Cobalion confirmed. "And you truly did us honour, Keldeo. But Terrakion is right – that trick you used is new to us all, and I am not the only one looking forward to using it."

The Water-type smiled. "I'll be glad to teach you guys. But – first, I should tell you how I came up with it. See, I was trying to use Aura Sphere and Sacred Sword at the same time-"

"Why?" Virizion asked.

"I was fighting a really tough Hitmonchan, and he was kind of distracting me..."