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

Chapter 52: Voltage Promise

The next day, Lumiose City felt different from the night before. Prism Tower still stood bright above us, but the glow no longer felt like a celebration at the end of trouble. It felt like a challenge waiting for me at the top. Clemont had returned to his Gym, and I knew he was already preparing for the battle we had promised each other since the day we first met.

Serena walked beside me with a calm smile, but I could tell she understood how important this battle was. Bonnie stayed with us instead of waiting beside Clemont, which made the Gym entrance feel stranger than usual. Clemont was my friend, our companion, and the one who had helped us through so many problems. Today, he was also the Lumiose Gym Leader, and I had to face him with everything I had.

The Gym guide greeted us as soon as we entered, leaning forward with the same excited energy most Gym guides seemed to save for challengers. "What's cookin', good lookin'? My future Champ, back for more! The Pokémon Gym here in Lumiose City is full of Electric-type Trainers. You can feel the buzz, am I right? It is also known as a quiz Gym. You are looking a mite quizzical, friend. You want to know why it is called that? You will find the answers inside!"

"Quiz Gym again?" I muttered as I looked ahead. "I wonder how many quiz Gyms I really need to go through."

Bonnie grinned beside me. "Then it should be easy for you, Ash."

Serena gave me a teasing look. "So, Ash, what are you going to do this time?"

"Go straight to the correct answer," I said. "At least, that is the plan."

David adjusted his glasses while looking at the elevator layout. "That plan depends on the questions being fair."

Elline smiled at the glowing panels. "And on Ash not choosing the answer that looks like the most exciting battle."

I could not really argue with that, so I stepped forward. The elevator lifted us to the next floor, where a small square panel waited beneath the lights. The moment I stood on it, Bonnie's voice came through the speaker system, sounding much more official than usual.

"Quiz time!" Bonnie announced. "Ash, go ahead and step onto that square. You will have to answer my questions if you want to get any farther ahead."

"Just great," I said, but I was smiling despite myself.

A silhouette appeared on the screen, with three choices below it: Emolga, Dedenne, and Pikachu. The shape was familiar enough that Pikachu tilted his head from my shoulder as if he could not believe anyone would miss it.

Pikachu's meaning reached me through the playful spark in his eyes. "That one is easy, and you know it."

"I know, buddy," I said softly. "This time, we take the right path."

I walked toward the Pikachu answer, but a Schoolboy stepped into my way before the door opened. "Let's have a Pokémon battle before we compare answers!"

He sent out Dedenne, and I chose Diggersby. The match was quick, because Diggersby's Mud Shot struck cleanly and kept the Electric type from building momentum. Dedenne tried to recover with speed, but Diggersby stayed grounded, patient, and steady until one final hit ended the battle.

"You and your Pokémon have what it takes to reach the top," the Schoolboy said, stepping aside.

The screen flashed to confirm that Pikachu was the right answer. The elevator carried us higher, and the next floor lit up with another silhouette. This time the choices were Fletchling, Pidgey, and Taillow. I recognized the shape from traveling with Fletchinder and all the memories that had led there.

"It has to be Fletchling," I said.

A Rising Star named Estel blocked the path with a confident smile. "Bird Pokémon, hmm. Their silhouettes sure do come in all kinds of shapes. You think it is Fletchling, do you? This is still a Pokémon Gym, so it would not seem right if we did not battle."