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

Chapter 62: Rings Unbound

The desert Pokémon Center felt almost unreal after Lost Hotel's stale darkness. The windows were bright, the sand outside shimmered, and Serena returned from the counter with plates of donuts stacked high enough to make Bonnie's eyes sparkle.

Serena set the plates down like she had just presented a Contest appeal. "Tada, everyone, dessert is ready while we rest."

Clemont adjusted his glasses, already tempted. "Those smell amazing, Serena, and I am saying that after seeing a vending machine try to sell us sandproof soup."

Bonnie leaned over the plate before Clemont could stop her. "They look so fluffy, and Dedenne is already trying to choose the biggest one."

Clemont's Dedenne pressed close to Bonnie's arm, and his twitching whiskers carried a very clear meaning to me. "The biggest donut is definitely the most important one."

I laughed as I took one with Serena. "They are really good. Serena, you keep getting better at making desserts."

Serena's cheeks warmed, but her smile turned playful as she opened a travel guide on her Rotom Phone. "Then how about trying authentic donuts next? Dahara City is close by, and their specialty is famous enough to be in the guide."

Elline leaned closer, brushing sand from her skirt. "Dahara City sounds like a nice change after haunted hallways and broken memories."

David looked over Serena's shoulder when she showed us the picture of the huge tower rising above the city. "That ring shape on the tower looks a lot like the ring markings on you, Ash."

I touched the ring-shaped marking on my body before I could stop myself. "Yeah, it really does."

Before we could think too deeply about that, Samurott coughed beside the table, and steaming heat puffed from his mouth like he had swallowed a Fire-type furnace.

Serena quickly pushed a cup of water toward him. "Samurott, drink this before you burn your tongue worse."

Samurott accepted the water with both paws, and his embarrassed stare carried his meaning clearly. "That berry was not a donut, and I regret everything."

I spotted a tiny red Tamato Berry stem near the plate and frowned. "Someone is playing tricks on us."

A round golden ring opened in the air above the table, and a small gray hand slipped out, reaching straight for the donut tower.

Pikachu leaped from my shoulder and grabbed the edge of the ring, his ears snapping back as his meaning hit me. "Ash, that hand is stealing our food."

I lunged after him. "Pikachu, wait, do not pull it yet."

Serena grabbed my arm, trying to keep me from toppling over the table, but the ring widened under our combined weight. The Pokémon Center, the donuts, and Clemont's startled shout twisted into golden light, and Serena and I fell through the portal together.

We landed in a tumble on warm stone, and I rolled just enough to keep Serena from hitting the ground too hard. Pikachu landed on my chest a second later, still clutching half a donut like he had won a battle.

Serena pushed herself up with a dizzy blink. "Ash, are you okay after that fall?"

I nodded while helping her stand. "I am okay, but I would really like to know where we are now."

The small golden ring shrank beside a little Mythical Pokémon with curved horns, a pink tail, and mischief written across its face. It held the stolen donut with both hands and chewed like it had every right in the world.

Hoopa gave us a bright grin. "Were you surprised by Hoopa's ring trick, Ash-kan and Sere-kan?"

Serena stared at the Mythical Pokémon, then at the busy streets around us. "That is Hoopa, and this is already Dahara City."