Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 87: First Song

Morning came to Lily of the Valley Island with a noise that made sleep feel impossible. Outside the Trainer Village, footsteps crossed the paths early, Pokémon stretched in practice fields, and the stadium screens repeated the first-round schedule over and over.

I stood in front of my locker with three empty slots on the team display, staring at the choices like the screen might answer for me if I waited long enough. Nando's name was beside mine, calm even in glowing letters. That fit him too well.

Lillie leaned against the next locker, already dressed for her own early match later in the round. "So, Ash, what Pokémon are you going to use against Nando?"

I glanced at her and smiled. "It is a secret."

Her eyes narrowed with gentle suspicion. "Even from me?"

"Especially from you," I said gently. "You are someone special to me, but you are also my rival here."

Lillie looked away, but her smile gave her away. "I guess that is fair."

Pikachu sat on the bench between us, watching the locker screen. His meaning came thoughtfully. "Choosing is also a battle. We begin before the field sees us."

I touched his head. "That is why we choose carefully."

The League lockers felt different from any Gym waiting room. Every bag around us belonged to someone who had already earned eight badges, and every trainer who passed the doorway carried the same hard hope. No one here had arrived by accident.

Across the room, I saw trainers checking move lists, polishing Poké Balls, or standing silently with their partners. Some looked confident. Some looked terrified. Most looked like both at once, and that made them feel more real than any bracket screen.

That made my own choices feel sharper. I could use type advantage against Nando, but Nando was too thoughtful to lose just because a move chart said he should. He battled like music, and music changed direction when someone tried to trap it.

The door slammed open before Lillie could answer. Barry rushed in, turned too sharply, and crashed straight into me. My shoulder hit the locker, and Barry somehow looked offended first.

"Barry, what is the problem?" I asked.

"My problem? You bumped into me!" Barry shouted, then grinned so fast it almost looked like a second expression had hit him. "No fine, though. I already chose my three-Pokémon team, and I am going to win today!"

Lillie folded her arms. "Then maybe you should reach your battlefield before it starts."

Barry froze, looked at the clock, and yelled. "I am late again!"

He ran out again, nearly colliding with the doorframe. The silence lasted three seconds before Conway appeared behind Lillie with his usual impossible timing.

"If you want to know Barry's likely team composition, I can tell you," Conway said.

Lillie jumped and almost bumped into me. "I do not need to know!"

Conway adjusted his glasses, smiling like the reaction itself was data. "Information rejected. Fascinating."

He slinked away down the hall, and Lillie muttered something too quiet for him to hear. I laughed, but the sound settled quickly. My own match was next, and Nando would not be won by laughing at Conway's timing.

Dawn met us outside with Piplup beside her and Togekiss gliding overhead. Gladion, Tox, Daniel, Serena, Alice, my siblings, Mom, Dad, and Golly were all heading toward the stands. Seeing them together made my chest tighten in a way that had nothing to do with nerves.