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

Chapter 9: Master Recognition

We made it back to Lumiose City through the gate from Route 4, and Prism Tower rose above the streets like it had been waiting for us. The last time I stood here, I had not even earned one Kalos badge, and the tower's Gym had thrown me out before I could properly challenge it.

Serena looked around with bright eyes, taking in the clothing, shop windows, and city movement all at once. "The last time I was here, I did not have much time to look around. This city really must be the center of the fashion universe. Everyone is so well dressed."

"It is a beautiful city," I said.

Serena lifted her gaze toward the tower. "And Prism Tower is incredible."

Clemont's smile became strained. "Yes. It certainly is."

Lumiose looked even larger now that I was not being dragged toward a broken Gym entrance. Cafés opened along the street, fashionable Trainers passed with Pokémon groomed almost as carefully as their outfits, and taxis moved through the avenue with practiced city rhythm.

Serena slowed whenever a shop display caught her eye, especially when hats, ribbons, or bags appeared behind glass. Fennekin seemed to approve of the city too, holding her head higher as if Lumiose had been designed with stylish Fire types in mind.

I wanted to enjoy that excitement with her, but Clemont and Bonnie's nervousness kept pulling my attention back. They were not simply shy about returning home. They looked like people trying to walk past a mistake before it noticed them.

Bonnie nodded a little too quickly. "I guess it is okay."

Their reactions were strange enough that even Litleo glanced up from beside me. Pikachu's meaning brushed my thoughts with quiet curiosity. "Electric siblings smell nervous."

"The Lumiose Gym is inside that tower," I said.

Serena turned toward me. "So you already challenged that Gym?"

I rubbed the back of my head, remembering the trapdoor far too clearly. "I showed up there and tried to challenge it."

Then I told her the truth about the machine at the entrance, the four-badge requirement, the electric shock, and the trapdoor that had thrown me out before I even met the Gym Leader.

Serena frowned. "A Gym that wants challengers to have at least four badges sounds unusual."

"Actually, that part is not impossible," David said. "Some Gym Leaders prefer challengers with more experience. Norman and Fantina come to mind. The strange part is using electric shocks and trapdoors to chase challengers out."

Bonnie suddenly grabbed Clemont's sleeve. "Since that is how the Gym works, why do we not leave Lumiose City?"

Clemont nodded too fast. "That may be wise. There is much to see outside the city."

"But I was looking forward to exploring Lumiose," Serena said.

"We can do that next time," Bonnie said, pulling harder. "Let us go right now."

Before they could drag us away, a cheerful voice called from the street. "Well, if it is not my Clemont and Bonnie."

Clemont froze. Bonnie froze beside him. Dedenne peeked from her bag as a man on a scooter rolled toward us, with an Ampharos riding calmly behind him.

"Dad, is that really you?" Clemont said.

"Ampharos came with him too?" Bonnie added.

The man stopped with a wide smile. "I am Meyer. I run an electronics shop in this city along with Ampharos here."