Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 94: Elegant Room

Lacunosa Town felt quieter than it had during the Junior Cup.

The stadium still stood near the center of town, wide and familiar, but the noise around it had changed. During the tournament, every path had been crowded with rivals, spectators, and Trainers hoping their battle would be remembered. Now the place felt like it was holding an echo instead of a crowd.

I stopped near the entrance and looked up at the stadium lights.

"I wonder if Caitlin is here," I said.

Alice glanced toward the closed gates. "Because of the Junior Cup?"

"Yeah," I said. "She watched that tournament with Cynthia before. If I am going through the Elite Four path now, this place feels like the right place to find her."

Golly looked around the plaza. "At least this is a proper public battle site. I prefer that to mysterious buildings and surprise battlefield arrangements."

Iris grinned. "You prefer anything with clear exits."

"Yes," Golly said immediately. "That is called learning."

Cilan touched his chin, eyes bright with curiosity. "A stadium after towers, forests, and shrines. The next course may have elegance instead of wilderness."

Eve gave him a sideways look. "You sound excited."

"A Psychic-type Elite Four battle has a refined texture," Cilan said. "It is strategy served inside silence."

Before anyone could answer, a flower drifted in front of us.

It floated where no wind should have carried it, then opened slowly in midair. Pale petals unfolded like a stage curtain, and Caitlin appeared from the blooming light with her dress settling around her like a dream becoming human.

"It is I who appeared when the flower opened," she said, bowing gracefully. "You, standing over there, Ash Ketchum. It is a pleasure to meet you again."

I blinked once, then smiled. "It is nice to see you too. Last time I only got to battle your butler Darach in the Sinnoh Battle Castle, but this time I am going to win for sure."

Caitlin's smile was gentle, but her eyes were focused. "Ah, yes. I still remember that match from last year. You are a Pokémon Trainer with strength and kindness. What I look for in my opponent is superb strength. I am counting on you."

Reisa folded her arms behind us. "That entrance was unfairly pretty."

Iris leaned closer to her. "Do all Elite Four members practice dramatic entrances?"

Cilan coughed lightly. "Some of us simply have presentation instincts."

Golly ignored him and looked at Caitlin. "Is this an official medal battle?"

Caitlin nodded without offense. "Yes. The League already approved the match site. The stadium field is prepared, and the record system is active."

Golly relaxed by one degree. "Good."

Caitlin looked toward the empty seats. "This stadium held many ambitions during the Junior Cup. Today it can hold a quieter contest. I find that useful."

"Because there are fewer people?" Eve asked.

"Because Psychic battles are often misunderstood when the crowd only cheers for impact," Caitlin answered. "A mind can turn a battle before a body falls. If the audience watches only the fall, they miss the battle."

That sounded like a warning and a kindness at the same time.

I remembered Darach standing in the Battle Castle, calm and loyal, battling for Caitlin because her own power once overwhelmed her. Back then, I had faced the butler and not the princess herself. Now she stood across from me without anyone between us, and the quiet strength in her eyes told me that she had fought her own battles long before I arrived.