1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 3: First Partners

Alice and I reached Wedgehurst just as the crowd began to swell around the station road.

The town was smaller than Hammerlocke and warmer than the Lake of Outrage, but the noise ahead made it feel like a stadium had squeezed itself between the houses.

Pikachu stood on my shoulder, ears high. Alice walked beside me with Eevee in her arms, both of them watching the same direction I was.

"That does not sound like a normal morning crowd," Alice said.

"No," I agreed. "That sounds like someone famous just arrived."

We slipped closer to the edge of the gathering, careful not to push. Then I saw the orange wings over the crowd first, followed by the bright cape that half of Galar seemed able to recognize from a mile away.

Leon stood near Charizard, smiling like every cheer gave him more energy instead of wearing him down.

"Hello, hello, Wedgehurst!" Leon called. "Your Champion has returned. I promise I will keep doing my best to give you battles worth watching!"

The crowd answered him with thunderous applause.

A man near the front cupped his hands around his mouth. "Leon! You and Charizard are the greatest!"

Leon laughed and lifted one hand. "Thank you! But do not forget, the point of watching battles is not only cheering. Train your partners, learn from each match, and come challenge me someday."

Charizard lowered his head beside him, proud but calm.

Charizard's tail flame leaned toward Leon as he gave a deep rumble, eyes bright with steady challenge, "Let them come. Strong wings are meant to meet stronger winds."

I smiled before I could stop myself. "That Charizard has not changed much."

Alice glanced at me. "You know him well enough to hear that?"

"Well enough to know he likes being challenged."

Leon's voice carried again. "Galar's Trainers can grow stronger together. Fill the Gym Challenge with courage, and maybe one of you will make me battle harder than ever!"

The crowd roared around us.

A familiar voice suddenly cut through the noise. "Lee!"

Leon turned at once, and his face lit up in a way that had nothing to do with cameras, fame, or Champion speeches.

Hop came running from the road with Victor and Gloria behind him. Hop looked ready to launch himself into the air from excitement, while Victor kept pace with the steady expression of someone used to chasing after storms. Gloria slowed when she saw the crowd, one hand gripping the strap of her bag.

"So my number-one fan in all the world came to pick me up," Leon said, opening his arms. "Look at you, Hop. I reckon you have grown exactly an inch and a quarter since last time."

Hop puffed up proudly. "That is the sharp eye that kept you undefeated, Lee!"

Leon laughed and ruffled Hop's hair. "And these two must be Victor and Gloria. Hop has told me loads about you."

Victor smiled politely. "Hopefully not only the embarrassing parts."

Gloria gave a quick grin. "I bet he says I am annoying."

Leon's laugh rolled over the crowd. "He talks fast enough that it is sometimes hard to sort the categories."

The three of them relaxed, and I was glad. Meeting Leon in front of a cheering crowd could make even a brave person feel like they had stepped onto a stage too early.