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

Chapter 11: The Opening Ceremony

Morning had barely settled over Motostoke when Hop burst through the Budew Drop Inn lobby like the sun itself had challenged him to a race. His bag bounced against his shoulder, and his eyes were bright enough to wake anyone still half-asleep. "Morning! This is it! My legend really begins now! Watch out, Ash, Alice, Victor! I'll beat you all to Motostoke Stadium!"

He dashed through the front doors before any of us could answer properly. The lobby bell rang after him, and the quiet that followed felt almost funny. I stared at the door, then at Alice and Victor. Hop had left so quickly that even Pikachu only managed to lift one ear before he was gone.

Helen folded her arms, blinking at the empty doorway. "Is he always like that when there is a battle waiting somewhere?"

Gloria sighed with the patience of someone who had known Hop for years. "Yeah. Sometimes I think he wakes up already running."

Flora laughed softly, adjusting the edge of her sleeve. "At least the stadium will not need to wonder whether the challengers are excited."

Near the side of the lobby, Marnie sat beside a low table with Morpeko on the floor in front of her. She was feeding it carefully, piece by piece, as if a missed snack could become a crisis. Morpeko clutched the food with both paws, its round eyes watching every movement.

Victor lifted one hand in greeting. "Hey, Marnie. Good to see you again before everything gets loud."

Marnie looked up, her expression guarded at first, then warmer when she recognized him. "Good to see you too, Victor. Guess everyone's headin' for the same place."

Alice crouched just enough to look at Morpeko without crowding it. "That Pokémon is adorable. What kind is it?"

"That's Morpeko," Marnie said, passing another bite down. "It's always hungry, so I have to keep feeding it before its mood goes the wrong way."

Morpeko pressed its snack against its chest, then leaned toward Pikachu with a tiny spark jumping between its cheek pouches, "You smell like lightning, but food comes first."

Pikachu tilted his head, amused instead of offended, and tapped one paw lightly against the floor beside Morpeko, "Then eat quickly, because the big place outside is calling everyone."

Marnie noticed the exchange, though she read it as posture and energy rather than exact meaning. "Looks like Morpeko does not mind your Pikachu. That is rare when breakfast is involved."

"It helps when both of them understand hungry electricity," I said, smiling as Pikachu flicked his tail.

Marnie rose once Morpeko finished the last piece. Her calm returned, but her eyes carried the same determination I had seen the night before. "The Gym Challenge is finally startin'. I'd wish you luck, but I'm afraid I'm goin' to be the one who wins."

Victor smiled, steady but respectful. "Then I hope we get the chance to battle when both of us are ready."

For a moment, Marnie's cheeks colored faintly. She looked aside before the smile could fully show. "Come on, Morpeko. We'd better get moving." Morpeko hopped after her, still chewing, and the two left the inn together.

Alice watched them go, curiosity pinching her brow. "What was that little blush about?"

Victor looked suddenly interested in the floor. "Maybe stadium lights are already making everyone warm."

Gloria covered a laugh with one hand, while Flora gave Victor a knowing look that he pretended not to notice. I decided to spare him before the teasing grew sharper. "We should head there too. Hop is probably trying to outrun the opening ceremony by now."