1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 4: Avance Trail

Route 2 opened ahead of us with tufts of tall grass, low trees, and the kind of beginner-road calm that never stayed calm for very long. Serena walked beside me with Fennekin in her arms, while Froakie moved near my feet, still pretending yesterday's injuries had never happened.

Bonnie hurried ahead with Pikachu, and Clemont kept reminding her not to rush into the grass without looking. David and Elline followed behind us, both watching the route with interest because Kalos gave every road its own personality.

Near the first open stretch, we found Calem and Shauna standing together. Shauna waved as soon as she saw us, while Calem held a Poké Ball with the careful focus of someone about to demonstrate something important.

"Oh! Hi, guys!" Shauna called.

"Hello," I said. "What are you doing here?"

"Calem is teaching me how to catch a Pokémon," Shauna said proudly.

Calem nodded and turned toward the grass. "Watch carefully, Shauna. First, you weaken the wild Pokémon, then you throw the Poké Ball when the timing is right."

A Bunnelby popped from the grass, ears twitching with sharp alertness. Calem sent out Fletchling, and the little bird moved quickly, striking just enough to weaken Bunnelby without hurting it badly.

"Now," Calem said, throwing the Poké Ball.

The ball clicked after three shakes, and Shauna stared at it like she had watched a magic trick.

"Wow! The Pokémon went inside the Poké Ball?"

Everyone looked at her for a moment. Even Bonnie seemed surprised by the question.

"Seriously, Shauna?" Calem asked. "Did you forget already? Your Froakie is in a Poké Ball too. Anyway, I will share some Poké Balls with you."

Shauna accepted them with bright eyes. "Do you think I can catch Pokémon with them too?"

"If you throw one at a Pokémon around here after weakening it, you probably can," Calem said.

"Okay!" Shauna cheered. "If I find a cute Pokémon, I will throw lots of Poké Balls, and then we will become friends."

David smiled faintly. "You have some teaching skill, Calem."

Serena nodded. "His parents are strong Trainers, after all."

Calem's expression softened, but he shook his head. "You can talk about my parents if you want, but their skill does not automatically become mine. I still have to prove myself."

That answer made me respect him more. Calem was proud, but he did not hide behind someone else's name.

Shauna practiced holding one of the empty Poké Balls after that, turning it in both hands like she was afraid it might open by accident. Calem patiently adjusted her grip and explained that throwing wildly was not the same as throwing with care.

"Catching is not only about owning a Pokémon," Calem said. "You have to show the wild Pokémon that you are paying attention. If you throw too early, you scare it. If you battle too hard, you hurt it. The timing matters."

Shauna nodded with unusual seriousness. "So I need to watch what the Pokémon wants too."

"That is a good way to say it," Serena said.

I looked at Froakie when she said that. He noticed my glance and turned his head, pretending he had not heard anything. Still, I knew he understood. After yesterday, listening was something both of us needed to keep practicing.

"Be seeing you," Calem said, and he left with Shauna toward another part of the route.

After Calem and Shauna left, the trail became quieter, but the ground did not feel as simple as it looked. Small holes marked the dirt between patches of grass, and Bonnie nearly tripped before Clemont caught her with his Aipom Arm.