Following up on where we left off, our heroes witnessed Korrina’s Lucario mega evolve for the very first time, but it went on a rampage. The reason for this rampage: Lucario lost control of its own aura, a phenomenon Korrina’s grandfather called Aura Storm Syndrome. To coax with this, Korrina was given a new trial by her grandfather. This assignment was to go to the Misty Mountains and train with his old mentor.

With Clemont prepping lunch, Korrina and Sunset decided to have the battle to help Lucario hone her abilities. Lucario’s opponent was Riolu.

“Excellent dodge, buddy! Now, use Rock Smash!” And Riolu followed her trainer’s command.

“Lucario, dodge it!” Korrina called. Her partner made a rather impressive backflip to evade the oncoming attack. “Now, use Bone Rush!” The staff formed in Lucario’s paws, and he charged forward.

“Dodge and use Metal Claw!" Sunset shouted.

Rloiu leaped up in time to avoid the Bone Rush and began his counterattack. But Lucario deflected it with a Power-Up Punch. Once again, Lucario had acted without his trainer’s consent.

“This battle is over,” Sunset shouted, and both Pokémon stopped. “Lucario, you did it again. Remember what Gurkinn said before we left Geosenge Town?”

---

In the past...

After Lucario had fully recovered, Nurse Joy and Wigglytuff wheeled him back into the lobby, where his trainer waited. “Lucario has fully recovered. Thank you for waiting,” Nurse Joy stated.

“Thank you, Nurse Joy,” Korrina replied. “Glad you’re feeling better, Lucario.”

Then Gurkinn stepped up. “Lucario,” he began, “there’s something you need to know… During your battle today, before you lost control, I noticed you had attacked without Korrina’s command. Relying on your own instinct rather than listening to your Trainer so much is part of the reason you were overwhelmed by your own aura. Complete understanding between Trainer and Pokémon is essential for mastering Mega Evolution."

“I’ve already assigned Korrina to a new journey. In the meantime, I want you to work on battling with your trainer, not with your instinct.” Then Gurkinn turned to Sunset. “Miss Shimmer, I want you to keep tabs on Lucario. If he acts before he listens, remind him of what I said.”

"I do my best sir," Sunset replied.

---

“This is a bad habit you need to break.” Sunset finished as Lucario nodded in understanding. It wasn’t long after that when I heard Bonnie calling us. Apparently, Clemont had finished lunch.

After we packed up the battle, we joined the others for lunch. Lucario joined the others as they ate the Poké Puffs Serena made for her.

"Say, Korrina, I heard you and Lucario grew up together, right?” Rainbow asked.

“That’s right,” she replied. “Lucario’s like a little brother to me.”

“If I may, what kind of training do you do at the Gym?”

“Well, my family’s Gym specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon, so not only do the Pokémon have to become strong but so does the Trainer. Ever since I was a little girl, and before Lucario evolved from Riolu, we’ve trained vigorously side by side. We even battled against my grandfather and his Lucario a few times before.”

“That sounds like a very good training exercise for you,” Clemont commented.

“Yeah, I guess. Grandfathers also introduced me to so many Trainers in the process, some of which with Pokémon who could Mega Evolve.”

“Really?” Ash asked. “Like what?”

“Well, besides Mega Lucario, the first Pokémon I saw who could Mega Evolve was an Ampharos.”

Clemont flinched. “I didn’t know Ampharos could Mega Evolve. I wonder if Dad knows…”

“I gotta look this up now,” Rarity pulled out her Pokédex and punched in the name. “Here it is. ‘Excess energy from Mega Evolution stimulates its genes, and the wool it had lost grows in again. This energy also awakens its long-sleeping dragon blood, making Ampharos an Electric- and Dragon-type."

"I'm sure once Riolu evolves, I make sure it can Mega Evolve," Sunset said.

---

After they finished lunch, the group continued on our journey. Soon, we made it to a cave at the edge of the mountain range.

Serena checked her guidebook. “Looks like this cave is a shortcut to your grandfather’s friend’s place...”

“We best keep close while we’re in here,” Clemont stated. “It’s easy to get lost in a cave.” And with that, we made our way in. Clemont activated his Heliolisk lamp to better illuminate the path for us.

But soon, they came across a fork in the cave. Three different paths stood in front of us, and we could not see natural light in either direction.

“This could be trouble…” Ash groaned.

Before we could find anything, though, we heard screeching from behind. Out of nowhere, a colony of Noibat swooped in and flapped over our heads. “What’s that?” Ash held up his Pokédex.

Noibat.The Sound Wave Pokémon. Noibat’s ears emit ultrasonic waves that can disturb its prey’s sense of hearing and damage opponents.

the Noibat began attacking us, stuffing themselves into our faces, carrying our Pokémon by the ears forcing them to scatter.

---

Ash, Serena, Bonnie, Rarity, Twilight, Sunset, Applejack, Lucario, and Zane had escaped as a number of us were separated from everyone else.

As night began to roll around, a lot of us were getting hungry. Serena pulled out a few of her Poké Puffs for us to share. As they ate, Lucario did not want any of them.

“Don’t you want your Poké Puff?” she asked. “You seemed to love them during lunch.”

“Maybe he’s worried about Korrina,” Bonnie suggested. “I’m a little worried about Clemont, too,”

“I’m sure they have each other, so they should be fine,” Ash assured us. “And if not, we’ll find them as soon as possible tomorrow morning.” That made Lucario feel better…

…temporarily. When night rolled around and the rest of us had gone to sleep, Ash heard noises nearby. Ash woke up to find Lucario practicing his Bone Rush under the light of the moon. So I got up to confront him about it. “Can’t sleep, huh?”

Lucario however was unfazed.

"I know you’re concerned for Korrina, and I can kinda relate," Ash told him. “This is the longest Pikachu and I have been separated in some time. But you know, we always find one another in the long run.” I could tell that got attention. “Like you and Korrina, we share a bond that no one can break. Sure, we can’t do something as fancy as Mega Evolution, but together, we’ve done things I could scarcely believe at first. I know you can overcome this Aura Storm Syndrome thing together.” And that was enough to calm Lucario to the point of him getting some sleep.

---

With Clemont, Rainbow Dash, Jaden, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Korrina, Hilda, and Pikachu...

“I can’t help it,” Korrina replied with a small smile. “Whenever Lucario’s not around, I can’t make myself fall asleep. Not so much a feeling of stress, more of a discomfort.”

“I get you,” Pinkie smiled. “Like when you’re younger and you can’t sleep because you lost your favorite toy.”

Her smile soon then changed to a look of unease. “Though… it’s not just that,” she told me. “Something about my battle with Ash in Geosenge town… I don’t quite understand.”

“You mean about Aura Storm Syndrome, right?” Applejack asked

“Yeah… that was the first time Lucario ignored me. He’s usually very obedient.”

“I’m sure there’s a logical reason for that… maybe he couldn’t hear you for some reason?” Clemont suggested.

He couldn’t hear me…?” Her thoughts lingered back to what happened at that battle. “Maybe because Lucario’s aura was so strong, he was in too much pain to listen.”

“Right. In any case, we’ll get our answer when we get to Misty Mountain. I know you two can conquer this Aura Storm Syndrome. You’ll make your family proud.”

She smiled at me in thanks. And soon enough she was able to fall asleep.

---

As morning came, Clemont and the others got ready to get moving.

"Now. I think we should start looking for them," Clemont said.

"Okay," Korrina agreed.

"Uh, guys, take cover!" Pinkie screamed as avoided a Flash Cannon and Sludge Bomb attack.

"What in tarnation?" Applejack asked. As if her words had summoned them, Team Rocket appeared and started to give off their motto.

"Team Rocket!" Rainbow shouted.

"Not you clowns, again," Hilda remarked.

"Taking your keystone and your Pokémon is no joke," Jessie said.

"You're not taking anything!" Pinkie said. "Togekiss, Out!"

"Magmar! Golurk! Marshtomp!" Jaden three of his Pokémon.

"Ninjask! Torchic!"

"Grovyle! Roggernola!" Both Applejack and Rainbow called theirs.

"Pumpkaboo!"

"Inkay!"

"Simisear!"

"Staraptor!"

"Yamask!"

"Slumga!"

"Magenmite!"

Team Rocket called for theirs, all of them including Meowth, Wobbuffet, Murkrow, and Houndour being geared up.

"Witness, our Mecha Evolution Power Armor Mark II!" Cylde shouted.

"Using science to amplify a Pokémon is wrong!" Fluttershy glared at them.

"Wrong we'll show you! Flash Cannon!" Clyde shouted as Magenmite fired Flash Cannon at Fluttershy before it could hit, one herPokéballs popped out showing Drillbur who came in and took the attack.

"Oh my goodness, Drillbur are you okay?!"

"Drill!"

"Ninjask. Hyper Beam! Torchic Fire Spin!"

"Roggernola, Power Gem! Grovyle, Energy Ball!"

The four of them fired their attacks only for Wobbuffet to use Mirror Coat and send to the air.

"Korrina, can you battle alongside, Pikachu?" Pinkie asked.

"No problem, Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Golurk, Shadow Ball!"

Both Pikachu and Golurk aimed their attacks at Team Rocket but were stopped cold by Slumga's Rock Slide.

"Simisear, Fire Blast!"

Simisear used Fire Blast that hit both Pikachu and Golurk.

"Staratpor! Use Aerial Ace!"

Staratpor headed straight for Korrina with Aerial Ace only to be stopped by Korrina's Luacario who used Bone Rush to block the attack then the rest saw Ash and the others catching up.

"Thank Celestia, you guys okay," Twilight was relieved. "So what did we miss?"

"Team Rocket has their Pokémon being power-up by their device," Applejack said.

"And can't even get close," Rainbow asked. "I'm open to ideas."

"There's is one solution, we have to Mega Evolve," Korrina said. "Lucario, are you ready?"

Lucario nodded.

"Good! Now Mega Evole!"

Lucario became Mega Lucario and stood at the ready. It used Bone Rush with the attack hitting its targets then got out of control. He was about to hit Rarity and Cottonee then Torchic muster its strength and stop it with Flame Charge then started to glow.

"You're evolving already!" Rainbow was stunned as Torchic evolved into Combusken.

"Combusken!" Combusken shouted.

"Stop it, Lucario!" Korrina shouted.

Lucario then turns to her and tries to strike her with Bone Rush, but it stopped just moments before striking her. Lucario stood there frozen in place then turned and face Team Rocket.

"Now Bone Rush!"

Lucario used Bone Rush striking both Pumpkaboo and Inkay just Combusken knock out Staraptor and Slugma with Brick Break.

"Togekiss, wrap it up!"

Togekiss used Aura Sphere and send Team Rocket flying.

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

"Woobuffet!"

"Murkrow!"

At that moment, Lucario returns to its normal form and is on its knees.

"Lucario, you okay?" Korrina asked.

I'm fine, just tired.

"You still have long ways to go, but you're on the right track," Sunset said and Riolu nodded in agreement.

"I wonder what it will take to get Lucario to master this power?" Applejack asked.

"Time will tell, AJ, all we can do is help whenever we can," Twilight replied.

To be continued...

Next Chapter: Chapter 28-The Bonds of Mega Evolution! Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 23 Minutes