Episode 10: The Basics of Battling 101

The next day...

"The play was wonderful, Roxanne!" Max raved. "I'm still amazed how the kids pulled off a Salamence transformation."

"I would ask the drama teacher, but she would not be pleased revealing behind the scenes secrets." Roxanne smiled as she arrived in her classroom and started getting her lesson plan for the day in order. "I also want to thank you all, for volunteering to help me with my lesson on type matchups and Mega Evolution. They know almost all the types--we only have Fairy, Bug, and Psychic left to teach them."

"May's got two of those covered--a Ralts that knows Disarming Voice." Ash explained. "What's funny is that her Ralts uses my Heart Song as her Disarming Voice!"

"Interesting..." Roxanne smiled before turning business like. "First, I want you and Brock to explain and then demonstrate Mega Evolution, and then have May show off her Ralts against my Geodude to demonstrate the Fairy type."

"We'll do it!" Ash replied as the bell rang for classes to change.

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"...but what you may not know is that some Pokemon evolve even further, a process called Mega Evolution." Roxanne explained as she wrote the term on the chalkboard. "Does anyone know any Pokemon that can undergo Mega Evolution?"

"The Eon Dragons!" a boy announced.

"Yes, Latios and Latias are two examples...what else?" Roxanne asked as she scanned the room for raised hands.

"Altaria?" a girl guessed.

"That's another one." Roxanne nodded as she added Altaria to the list.

One by one, the children named different Pokemon capable of Mega Evolution. But when Roxanne checked her list some minutes later, she noticed three Pokemon in particular missing. "You've managed to come up with a sizable list, but there's still three Pokemon of Houen you haven't thought of yet...anyone want to guess what they are?"

"Our starters?" a girl hesitantly guessed.

"Yes! Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert can Mega Evolve as well." Roxanne explained as the boys released Swampert and Sceptile for the kids to see. "To let you see how this process works firsthand, I've asked my dear friend and fellow Rock Leader Brock of Pewter City and his companions to demonstrate it for us."

Brock couldn't resist taking a bow for the children as he led Swampert to the head of the class. "Thank you all..."

A wipe off map of the Kalos region near where he stood gave him an idea. "Far away in the Kalos region, at this point right here..." He paused to draw an arrow marking the Tower of Mastery's location on the map. "...is a place called the Tower of Mastery. Many people come there to brave its trials and earn a Mega Ring, which is one component of inducing Mega Evolution."

Some oohs and ahs wafted through the room as Ash and Brock showed off their Mega Rings. "The other thing you need is something called a Heart Song, a song deep within your heart that conveys your feelings to the Pokemon." Ash went on. "When your feelings and your Pokemon's feelings combine, that induces Mega Evolution."

"Kinda like a superhero transforming on TV?' a boy asked.

"Something like that, but a Pokemon can only remain in its Mega Evolved state for one battle." Brock cautioned. "In addition, no two people will have the same Heart Song--unless a Heart Song's owner dies, their Mega Ring is shattered, or that particular Heart Song is passed down in a family."

"Having said all of this, some people never choose to sing their Heart Song." Ash added. "So now that we have told you how Mega Evolution works, now Brock and I will demonstrate it."

With that, he held his Mega Ring skyward. Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

A red burst filled the room, making some of the children shield their eyes as Sceptile transformed. They cheered, however, when Mega Sceptile emerged.

Brock was next. Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...

More awed gasps filled the air as Mega Swampert emerged. Roxanne then interjected "The Heart Song is also crucial to a Fairy type attack called Disarming Voice...who remembers how the Heart Song affects Disarming Voice?"

"If the Ralts that knows Disarming Voice knows someone with a Heart Song, the Ralts will mimic that person's Heart Song." a girl replied.

"Of course, this Heart Song is only a mimic, and so can't induce Mega Evolution." Ash cautioned.

Roxanne motioned for May to come closer. "May...will you show the class your Ralts?"

"Sure..." May then heaved a Poke Ball skyward. "Come on out, Zelda!"

You called? Zelda smiled as she materialized before the excited children.

"Geodude, let's go!" Roxanne also heaved a Poke Ball skyward, revealing a familiar rock shaped Pokemon with long arms.

[Do I have to play the punching bag again?] Geodude complained, making some of the children giggle.

"This is only for demonstration purposes...I'll give you a Potion afterward." Roxanne assured the antsy Geodude.

She then addressed May. "All right, May...tell Zelda to perform Disarming Voice."

"Okay...Zelda, use a low powered Disarming Voice." May instructed Zelda.

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Zelda sang, creating a glowing sound wave that even at low power, sent the Geodude flying backwards several inches into a trash can.

[Ow...even at low power, that packed a punch.] the Geodude commented as it emerged from the pile of paper wads and pencil shavings on the floor, to the children's giggles.

Even Roxanne was impressed. "If that was low powered, I can only imagine what full power looks like!"

TO BE CONTINUED...