//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Pokemon Battles // Story: Light and Darkness // by FandomPlays1234 //------------------------------// As Lucario continued to guide Starlight and her party up to the castle, Starlight noticed that they were now under the black clouds that had covered the sky over the castle. She looked up and saw that they were slowly approaching the castle. Twilight looked up with a worried look. She felt uneasy about something but Starlight wasn't sure why she looked so concerned. "We're almost there," said Lucario. "If we just make this last climb we'll reach the entrance," At that moment a loud screech halted the party in place. The group looked ahead to see a large green reptilian beast blocking their path. The beast had two large wings on it's back and a long tail that ended in a barb. His green scales and glowing red eyes only made him more intimidating. "Oh god it's Ridley," groaned Mario. Th beast growled as a spirit emerged from behind him. "Yep, just as expected another spirit battle," said Villager. "Poyo," said Kirby. "Hang on, let me handle this," said Lucario. "Wait are you sure?" asked Starlight. "Trust me I know what I'm doing," said Lucario. "Well then I guess we'll leave it up to you," said Starlight. Lucario stepped forward to face Ridley. He growled as smoke rose from his nostrils. Lucario raised one of his palms as aura surrounded it. "Raphael, help me," said Lucario. Suddenly Lucario's body began to glow in a rainbow light as a spirit emerged from Lucario. "Wait you can use spirits too?" asked Starlight. "What you thought you were the only one?' Asked Lucario. Just then Ridley let out a screech as he came rushing. Lucario turned to face Ridley and just as he slashed at Lucario with his claws, Lucario suddenly vanished catching Ridley off guard. "What the?" asked Starlight. He suddenly came rushing in out of nowhere and landed a flying kick into Ridley's face and sent him flying. "You can teleport too?" asked Starlight. "No, it was a move called Extreme Speed," answered Lucario. "It's a move that allows me to move at incredible speed which I use to attack opponents," Suddenly Ridley let out an angry roar and stomped the ground causing an earthquake. "Back up," said Lucario. Starlight didn't ask questions. She quickly ran back to her party and watched as Lucario stood his ground. "Wow he must be strong if he can withstand an earthquake," said Twilight. "No it's just the ability of a spirit," explained Link. Lucario waited as Ridley flew up into the air and attempted to dive bomb onto him. As Ridley came crashing down, Lucario rolled to the side and grabbed Ridley. He began pounding him with a fistful of aura before throwing Ridley to the side. As Ridley crashed down on the ground, Lucario put his palms together to form an aura sphere. Ridley scrambled to his feet and growled. He came rushing towards Lucario again. But just as he got close, Lucario hurled the aura sphere into his face. Ridley yelped as he went skidding back several yards. Lucario took this chance and rushed in. He grabbed Ridley and began pounding him once more before letting him go and thrusting his palm into Ridley's chest. He let out a screech as he crumbled to the ground. Light burst out of Ridley's limp body as the spirit emerged. "Too easy," said Lucario dusting himself off. "Maybe I should've taken this opponent," said Starlight walking up to him. "And why do you say that?" asked Lucario. "Cause it looked way too easy for you," answered Starlight. "You can take the next," said Lucario. "Great," Starlight said sarcastically as she opened the album. "Now come along, we're nearly there," said Lucario. He continued to make his way up as the party followed behind. They finally reached the gate of castle after several more minutes of walking. "So we're finally here," said Villager. "Poyo," said Kirby. "Well let's not waste time," said Starlight. She was about to walk through when Lucario stopped her. "Wait," he said. "What is it?" asked Starlight. "Someone's here," said Lucario. "Who?" asked Twilight looking around. Lucario closed his eyes as his four feelers slowly rose. "Um what are you doing?" asked Twilight. "Remember what we said about how Lucario can sense the aura of all things?" asked Mario. "Oh that," said Twilight. Lucario opened his eyes. "They're on top of the gate," he said. "What?" asked Starlight. The party took a step back and looked up to see another Lucario standing on one of the pillars. "Is that you?" asked Link. The Lucario opened his eyes and stared down at the party with a evil red glare. He jumped off and in front of the gate. "Oh great I hate dittos," groaned Lucario. "You hate what?" asked Twilight. "It's a Smash Term," said Mario. "So you must be the intruders I've sensed," said the opposing Lucario. "Seems to me you're trying to get to the boss's castle," "And I assume you're guarding the gate?" asked Starlight. "Hmph, sharp missy," said the opposing Lucario raising his palm. Starlight looked back at the real Lucario. "I remember what I said," sighed Lucario. "He's all yours," Starlight smiled as she turned to face the opposing Lucario. "Well I hate to break to you, but we're getting past no matter what you say," said Starlight. "If you can survive long enough that is," said Lucario. "Bring it on," said Starlight drawing her sword. The rest of the party backed up giving the two space. After a short stare down with each other, Starlight rushed out, her sword at the ready. As she swung at Lucario, he quickly sidestepped out of the way and thrusted his palm forward sending her skidding back. Lucario put his palms together, creating an aura sphere. Starlight waited with her sword at the ready. After a minute or two, Lucario hurled the aura sphere which Starlight reflected and ran after. Lucario quickly shielded to protect himself only for Starlight to rush in and grab him. He hit him a couple of times before throwing him into the air and kicking him. The opposing Lucario put his paws on the ground to stop himself. "Not bad," said Lucario. The opposing Lucario ran towards her and attempted to grab her, but Starlight quickly rolled to get behind him and kicked him in the back. The fake Lucario growled as he thrusted his palms forward knocking Starlight back. Starlight dusted herself off and raised her blade. Lucario ran at her only to get slashed by Starlight's sword. As he held his face in pain Starlight rushed in a grabbed him again. She hit him several times before throwing him to the side. As Lucario slid to a stop, Starlight rushed in an kicking him in the face. "Starlight is becoming a true fighter," said Villager. "You think?" asked Mario. "She definitely have potential," said Link. "Yeah potential," grumbled Twilight. "Is something wrong?" asked Lucario. "This just comes to show how my lessons of friendship doesn't work," said Twilight. "Well it IS Smash bros," said Mario. "Hey she's got it," said Villager. "Poyo," exclaimed Kirby. The party looked over as Starlight reflected another aura sphere from the fake. The fake shielded himself only to be grabbed by Starlight again. She threw him up and blasted the fake with a magic blast. The fake Lucario let out pained scream as his body fell to the ground. Light burst out of his limp body as the spirit emerged. "Amazing as always," said Mario clapping. "Thanks," said Starlight opening the album. The spirit jumped in and the stone statue crumbled into dust. "Well now that's done how about we camp out here for the night?" asked Link. "It's getting pretty late," "Yeah, and since we're already here, all we have to do is get up and go through the gate," said Villager. "Then it's settled," said Lucario. So Starlight's party began setting up camp for the night. This was it, tomorrow, they were going to investigate the castle.