1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 53: Storm Discipline

Cianwood's morning started with Reisa opening her ribbon case again.

The fourth ribbon sat beside the other three, blue and coral catching the light from the Pokémon Center window. She looked at it like she still expected it to disappear if she blinked too long, and Corsola stood proudly on the table beside her breakfast plate.

"It is still there," Ethan said, leaning over with a grin. "I checked three times for you."

Reisa closed the case with a sheepish smile. "I know. I just wanted to see it once more before we move on."

Lillie stirred her tea. "You earned it. You are allowed to enjoy that."

Azumarill nodded solemnly beside Reisa's chair, while Lanturn's antenna lights blinked in a quiet rhythm from the floor.

Lanturn's meaning reached me and Lillie with a soft glow: "A guide light should be looked at. That is how it guides."

I repeated it, and Reisa laughed under her breath. "You are all going to make me cry before breakfast is finished."

East was already standing near the door with Smeargle beside him. The new Pokémon had painted a little map on a scrap of paper, showing the Pokémon Center, the Contest Hall, the dock, and a bold arrow toward the part of town where the Gym should be.

"We should find the Gym next," East said. "If Chuck is available, Ash and Ethan can both challenge him before we decide whether to return to Olivine or check the Safari Zone."

Ethan pushed back his chair. "Now that sounds like a plan."

Kris packed her notes carefully. "Chuck uses Fighting types. After yesterday's Contest, today is going to feel much less graceful."

"Fighting can have its own rhythm," Reisa said.

"Sure," Ethan said. "Mostly the rhythm of someone getting thrown through the air."

We left the Pokémon Center after breakfast and followed East's route marks toward the docks. The sea breeze felt stronger than it had the day before, and the wooden boards creaked beneath passing sailors. A crowd had gathered near one open space by the water, where a huge man and a Poliwrath were training.

The man stood with his arms spread wide. "Again, Poliwrath!"

Poliwrath lunged forward with a grappling rush, caught the man, and threw him in a clean arc through the air. He hit the sand hard enough that several people gasped.

I ran forward before thinking. "Are you okay, sir?"

Lillie knelt near him, horrified. "What were you thinking, taking a Submission like that? That was not safe."

The man sat up with a huge grin. "That was perfect!"

Poliwrath flexed proudly, and the man sprang to his feet like being thrown had only woken him up.

"I am proud of you, Poliwrath!" he shouted, hugging the Water and Fighting type with enough force to make Ethan step backward. "That Submission attack is absolutely perfect!"

Kris stared. "He is either extremely trained or extremely reckless."

"Possibly both," East said after a careful pause.

The man turned toward me suddenly. "You in the hat! What is your name?"

"I am Ash," I said. "This is Lillie, Reisa, East, Ethan, and Kris."

"Good names!" he boomed. "What are you doing in Cianwood? You would not happen to be looking for the Cianwood Gym, would you?"

"Yes," I said, answering before Ethan could. "I want to challenge the Gym Leader."