Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 63: Enchantment Cup

The Junior Cup banners were already moving in the morning wind when we reached the tournament grounds.

Lacunosa Town felt different from Undella. Undella had carried salt, sea light, and the kind of quiet that could break without warning. Lacunosa felt older, like every wall remembered stories people still lowered their voices to tell.

Pikachu sat on my shoulder and watched the crowd gathering outside the stadium. His meaning came bright but alert. "Many strong steps. Many waiting sparks."

I touched his head gently. "Yeah. This is going to be busy."

Alice walked beside me with Emboar's Poké Ball at her belt. She still watched the edges of the crowd before watching the center, but her shoulders were not as tight as they had been after the Reveal Glass crisis.

Iris hurried ahead with Axew in her hair and Dragonite's Poké Ball in her hand. "I hope Dragonite is ready. I know he wants to battle."

Golly looked at Iris over her clipboard. "Ready and medically cleared are not the same thing."

Iris puffed her cheeks. "Nurse Joy cleared him."

Golly nodded once. "Then I have no objection."

Cilan smiled with theatrical relief. "Excellent. A Dragonite seasoned by courage and checked by medical procedure has a far more balanced flavor."

Eve groaned as we approached the registration arch. "Please let this tournament have less chaos than the villa."

That hope lasted until we saw Alder leaning over Cynthia's hand with a grin that belonged nowhere near an official tournament table.

Alder said, "Cynthia, every time I see you, the day becomes brighter than Volcarona's wings."

Cynthia gave him the kind of smile that made even Champion-level confidence look fragile. "Alder, the Junior Cup begins in fifteen minutes."

Trip stood nearby with his arms crossed, looking more embarrassed by Alder than impressed by him.

I walked over carefully. "Alder, Cynthia, good morning."

Alder turned to me and laughed. "Ash! You made it. Good. A tournament without you would taste like soup without salt."

Trip's eyes sharpened. "I am here for the chance to battle Alder. If winning this tournament is the path, then I will win it."

I looked at him and felt the old pressure in his voice. He still wanted strength to prove something, maybe to Alder, maybe to himself, maybe to every person who had ever made him feel smaller than his goal.

Georgia's voice cut across the courtyard. "Well, well. If it is not the Dragon girl and her walking excuse factory."

Iris turned with an immediate glare. "Georgia."

Burgundy stood beside Georgia and pointed dramatically at Cilan. "And I, Burgundy, will finally prove that Cilan's evaluations are stale leftovers!"

Cilan placed one hand over his chest. "Your passion remains aggressively sour."

Eve groaned. "They really are here to annoy us."

Reisa laughed from behind us. "Yeah, but Nate and Rosa have not come."

Hilbert adjusted his cap beside Hilda. "They have been very busy these days. No wonder they missed it."

Dawn walked over with Piplup at her feet and Luke behind her. "There sure are a lot of pains in the neck here."

Piplup puffed proudly. His meaning came like a tiny drumroll. "Battle stage. Stand tall. Do not trip."

I laughed because Piplup sounded more prepared than half the crowd. "Good advice."