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

Chapter 92: Mimi's Friend

We were back at Normal Manor the next morning, while Lumiose City kept rebuilding and the Elite Four remained busy with recovery work. Terry checked on AZ and Eternal Flower Floette elsewhere in the manor.

Mom gathered Serena, Alice, and me in one sitting room after breakfast. She had a file in hand, and the sparkle in her eyes told me she was about to pull us into something.

"Ash, Serena, Alice," Mom said. "There is something I need to discuss with you, if you are all okay with that."

"Sure," I answered, though Serena and Alice looked just as confused as I felt.

Mom looked toward Lumiose City. "Lumiose is a destination known around the world. Many people live here, and even more come to visit. Wherever people gather, trouble is never far behind."

I stared at her for a moment. "Are you saying you are going to become a detective? If that is the case, why not call Minami? She is the detective, not me."

Mom smiled softly. "Maybe she inherited that from me. Being a detective requires a hard-boiled heart, but even that heart can stumble, falter, and doubt. That is where partners come in. If we join forces, I believe we can bring a little more peace to Lumiose City."

Alice folded her arms. "This sounds like one of those things where we say yes and then discover the case is stranger than expected."

Serena smiled anyway. "Well, I guess we should do it."

"I mean, what is worse than that?" Alice asked.

Mom placed the file on the table with dramatic pride. "For your brave answer, I thank you. Lumiose City will regain its tranquility. Now please read the notes."

The first request came from a Lumiose City mothers' group. Children were spending time in the back alleys, and one mother feared her son might ruin his entrance record for an elite Ace Trainer school. The reward was described as enough money to last a week.

I lowered the page. "I understand being worried, but it is not automatically bad if kids want to hang out together."

"That is why we investigate before judging," Mom said. "Start with the alley leading off South Boulevard. My instincts tell me something fishy is happening there, and I will join you when I can."

Pikachu climbed onto my shoulder, his ears twitching toward the city. His steady look reached me clearly. "We should listen first."

That sounded right. After everything Kalos had suffered, the last thing children needed was adults assuming the worst before understanding anything.

The alley off South Boulevard was narrow, with tall walls, stacked crates, and chalk marks across the stone ground.

The moment we entered, three school kids jumped out with Poké Balls ready.

"This is our place," one boy declared. "If you want to pass, battle us."

Serena glanced at me. "This reminds me a little of that kindergarten group from Unova."

"It does," I said. "But if a battle helps them trust us, then we can battle."

The battles were quick and careful. We did not push too hard, and the kids looked more excited than angry afterward. They were guarding a place that mattered.

Mom caught up to us as the last battle ended. Before she could question anyone, a small shape moved at the edge of the alley. An Espurr stood half-hidden in the shadow of a crate, staring at us with wide, wary eyes.

Mom's voice softened. "Why, it is an Espurr. But to threaten humans like that, it is apparently none too gentle. It may consider this area its territory."