1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 32: One Heart

Great Kalos Canyon rose ahead of us like a wall of sun-warmed stone, and the Flying-type Manor stood near its edge with familiar wings circling above it.

Korrina slowed as we approached the manor path, her Lucario walking at her side with its shoulders tense. After leaving Geosenge Town, she had tried to sound confident, but I could tell the last battle still followed her. Mega Evolution had answered her, but not in the way she wanted.

I looked at the manor and then back at her. "Are you sure this is the place your grandfather wanted you to visit?"

Korrina cupped her hands near her mouth. "I think this is it. Hello! I am Korrina from Shalour City! My grandfather told me to come and see you!"

The front door opened before her voice faded. My dad stepped outside, calm as ever, and his eyes moved from me to Korrina's Lucario like he had already guessed the whole story.

"Well," Dad said with a small smile, "look who came back."

I hurried forward and hugged him. "Hi, Dad. It is nice to see you again."

He returned the hug, then looked past me at Serena and the others. "Come in, everyone. A training problem should not be discussed on the doorstep."

Inside the manor, the air smelled like polished wood, open windows, and the flower beds outside. Molly and Terry were already there, both sitting near a table scattered with ribbons, vases, and trimmed stems.

Molly jumped up first. "Big Bro, you finally came back."

Terry stood beside her with a proud little smile. "We have been training with Dad while you were traveling."

"That is great to know," I said, looking between them. "You both look stronger already."

Serena greeted them warmly, and Bonnie immediately drifted toward Molly and Terry like she had found two new teammates. Clemont, Elline, and David looked around the manor with interest, especially when a shadow passed across the window and revealed a Flying-type Pokémon circling outside.

Dad let everyone settle before he turned to Korrina. "Gurkinn sent you because my mother, Mabel, once taught him. If he told you to find this place, then he believes you need something that ordinary battle training cannot give."

Elline's expression softened. "So he was talking about Grandma Mabel. We never met her because she passed away before we were born, but her training still reaches people."

David looked at Dad carefully. "Uncle, can you help Korrina and Lucario control Mega Evolution?"

"I can try," Dad said. "But first I need to see the problem myself. Ash, would you mind helping?"

I nodded because I already understood what he wanted. "I will battle her and keep it controlled."

Korrina straightened right away. "If this is what helps Lucario, then we are ready."

Lucario stepped forward with determination, but the tightness in its paws made me think of Geosenge again. Its meaning reached me through the way it stared at the battlefield before Dad even marked the space. "Power answered me once, and I do not know how to quiet it."

I chose Mawile for this battle. She stepped in front of me with calm confidence, the jaws behind her head opening slightly as if warning Lucario not to rush without thinking.

Korrina raised her Key Stone. "Lucario, let us Mega Evolve."

I touched my Key Stone too. "Mawile, we will answer together."

Light covered both Pokémon. Lucario became Mega Lucario, aura pressing outward in sharp waves, while Mawile Mega Evolved beside me with her twin jaws gleaming like polished steel. Dad watched silently, not judging the power, only the rhythm between Trainer and partner.