Could it be that after losing to Alain in the Lumiose Conference, Ash went to collect Charizard's Mega Stone?
Korrina shook her head—this was beyond what she knew. So, she decided to stop thinking and just battle.
"Lucario, use Power-Up Punch on Charizard!"
Korrina's Lucario obeyed immediately. Though it could sense that this Charizard wasn't ordinary, it still followed its Trainer's command. In an instant, Lucario shot forward like an arrow, right fist raised high, slamming straight toward Charizard.
Even in battles involving Mega Evolution, a bit of early probing was normal. After all, Power-Up Punch boosts the user's strength if it lands—pretty cost-effective.
Ash, of course, wasn't going to just stand there and take it. Watching Lucario's incoming strike, he countered sharply:
"Charizard! Meet it head-on with Fire Punch!"
"Roar!"
Charizard bellowed, flames bursting around its claws. Its sharp eyes locked onto Lucario—and then it swung a flaming fist right into Lucario's punch.
At the instant of contact, the air shook visibly—a wave of pressure spread through the arena, strong enough to rattle the stands.
[RECURRING] Chloe (Goh's female friend) had to grab the rail tight, afraid she might be blown away.
"So strong! Charizard!"
"Your Lucario's not bad either!" Ash grinned.
Korrina's Lucario had gotten a lot stronger, but compared to Ash's Charizard, it was still clearly outmatched.
And yet—Charizard's attitude wasn't right. It looked… disinterested.
Ash frowned—this again! The same old arrogance!
He clenched his fists. If this weren't an official match, he'd have given Charizard a taste of his Aura Fist!
"Charizard, get serious! Use Flamethrower!"
Ash's tone sharpened, and the lazy Charizard instantly straightened up. Uh-oh—it remembered what happens when Ash "gets that voice."
It didn't want another lecture about the Top 16 loss at the Conference.
Its eyes hardened.
"Lucario, dodge—quick!"
Korrina instantly sensed the change—Ash's Charizard was actually trying now!
But it was already too late.
The blast of fire erupted like a tidal wave, scorching the rocky arena a deep orange-red. When it finally died down, everyone saw Lucario crouched low, barely holding up a Aura Sphere that had shielded it from total incineration. Its fur was singed, but it was still standing.
"Okay," Korrina smiled faintly, "enough warm-up."
"I was thinking the same thing!"
Ash grinned, raising his gloved hand—the one with the embedded Key Stone.
The meaning was obvious.
Korrina's eyes lit up; she did the same, showing off her own Key Stone.
"Didn't think you had one too, Ash! Now I'm really looking forward to this!"
Both trainers pressed their hands to their stones.
The Key Stones activated!
Brilliant seven-colored light burst from both stones, swirling and merging with the stones held by their Pokémon.
"Soar high—Mega Charizard X!"
"Strike true—Mega Lucario!"
Energy waves wrapped around both Pokémon, forming twin pillars of rainbow light.
[Wallace]: "So dazzling! How can such beauty exist? Is this the true charm of Mega Evolution?"
[Kalos Queen Aria]: "A light so fleeting yet eternal in memory—this brilliance is nature's gift."
[Steven Stone]: "Such a radiant power… I wish my Metagross could shine like that."
[Lance]: "I need one! I'm going to Kalos for a Mega Stone—my Dragonite's getting one too!"
[Professor Sycamore]: "Ah, Lance, you may be disappointed. Dragonite can't Mega Evolve—Metagross can, though."
[Lance]: "I suddenly feel worse!"
—
When the lights cleared, Mega Lucario stood transformed—its aura and power now wild and feral, black markings like scars covering its body.
Mega Charizard X, however—its entire body had turned jet black, with blue fire burning from its mouth and tail. Blue spikes jutted from its shoulders, and its wings glowed a deep azure. The fire around it burned hotter, deadlier.
"It's so strong!"
Korrina frowned—she realized her earlier instinct was right. This Charizard hadn't even been fighting seriously before!
"Lucario's looking good too—you've grown a lot!"
Ash's eyes blazed with excitement. As if responding, the blue flames around Mega Charizard X flared higher.
(Ash's Fire-type ability activates! Mega Charizard X's ability "Tough Claws" evolves into "Dragon Claws"—boosting physical attack power by 60%.)
When this line flashed across the broadcast screen, the entire world went silent.
Wait—Ash just activated a Pokémon ability himself?!
[Leon]: "What?! He can boost his Pokémon's ability? That's… That's illegal! I want that too!"
[Ash]: "I dunno either! The livestream system gave it to me—it just… works."
[Professor Oak]: "Then our theory might be true—the rewards from this broadcast link to the future! Anything earned now carries over five years later!"
[Flint]: "Sign me up! I want one too!"
[Volkner]: "Yeah right—you never even win a quiz question."
[Flint]: "I was just holding back!"
[Blaine]: "If that's real, it's a total game changer. Fire-type synergy—unstoppable!"
[Alain]: "…I suddenly feel like my whole career is pointless."
Meanwhile, in Kalos—
Alain, now working as a lab assistant, stared blankly at the screen.
That black dragon… it was all too familiar.
He clenched his fists.
Enough of research.
He was coming back.
—
"Both Pokémon have achieved Mega Evolution! Who will advance to the Super Class of the World Coronation Series? Let's find out!"
"Mega Charizard X—Dragon Claw!"
"Mega Lucario—Bone Rush!"
Their shouts overlapped, their timing flawless—so much that [RECURRING] Chloe could only stare, half-jealous.
Lucario conjured a glowing blue bone, spinning it in its hands, while Mega Charizard X's claws burned green with draconic energy.
They clashed!
"Clang!" The bone met the claw, sparks flying.
"Now, Lucario—show them how far we've come! Bone Rush combo!"
Korrina's eyes gleamed—her Lucario had managed to block a full Dragon Claw!
But she celebrated too soon.
"Don't let up, Charizard! Dragon Claw, again!"
Ash's voice boomed, and Charizard smirked—a cruel grin.
The green light of its claws deepened into a darker, deadlier shade—almost black-green.
"Crack!"
The bone shattered.
Lucario's weapon—gone.
Before it could react, Charizard's claw struck its abdomen full-force.
Lucario saw its life flash before its eyes—from the day it hatched to its first Mega Evolution. It accepted its fate.
"Lucario, get it together! Dragon Pulse!"
Korrina's shout brought it back. Lucario forced itself upright, cupping its hands as energy gathered between them—forming a shining rainbow dragon that shot forward.
"Charizard! Meet it head-on—Flare Blitz!"
Korrina froze. Was he insane?! Charizard was weak to Dragon-type moves!
But Ash didn't hesitate.
Because he trusted Charizard completely.
"Pika-pi!" Pikachu cheered from the sidelines.
Charizard roared, blue flames surging. The entire body became a blazing comet as it charged straight through the oncoming Dragon Pulse.
BOOM!
Explosion. Fire and light erupted like a starburst, shaking the arena.
When the smoke cleared—
A black wing cut through the haze.
Mega Charizard X emerged, soaring, cloaked in flame.
Lucario was barely standing.
"Lucario, move!"
Too late.
Charizard's fire swallowed Lucario whole.
"Lucaaaario!!!"
Fire-type, super effective—Lucario was out cold before it even hit the ground.
But Ash wasn't done.
"Charizard—Seismic Toss!"
Charizard's eyes lit up. Oh, that old classic!
It grabbed Lucario tightly, spread its wings wide, and shot upward—higher and higher—until it was a tiny black speck against the sun.
[Blaine]: "It's that move!"
[Misty]: "It's that move!"
[Brock]: "It's that move!"
[Bruno]: "What move??"
[Lance]: "Don't break formation!"
[Ash]: "Seismic Toss! Brings back memories!"
[Korrina]: "Huh? It's not even that strong, though?"
[Ash]: "It's not about power—it's about heart. It's special."
[Korrina]: "…What?"
Korrina, watching from the live feed years earlier, felt her heart clench.
Why was everyone treating Seismic Toss like it was a legendary finisher?
Had she missed something?
—
On screen—
The black dot reappeared.
Then plummeted.
Mega Charizard X descended in a flaming spiral, clutching Mega Lucario tight. Wind fed the fire, making it blaze hotter—Lucario's body trembling under the heat.
There was no escaping that grip.
Charizard's Dragon Claw ability flared once more—
and the Seismic Toss slammed home in a burst of blue flame.
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