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

Chapter 20: Water Badge

Hulbury opened before us with sea wind, market voices, and the sharp smell of salt moving between the buildings. After Route 5's crowded bridge, the harbor town felt wider, but not calmer. A crowd had already gathered near the main street, and the center of that crowd was impossible to miss.

Chairman Rose stood there in casual clothes and sunglasses, smiling as if every delay was another chance to greet supporters. Oleana stood beside him with a tablet held tight, her patience clearly running thin. Bede waited near them, posture stiff with ambition, while Relena watched the whole scene with controlled exasperation.

"Our sincerest apologies," Oleana said, voice crisp enough to cut through the crowd. "The chairman is quite busy. Everyone, please disperse."

"Oleana," Elena murmured. "Dad's assistant."

Rose waved as people began backing away. "No need to rush off! I can still do more autographs. Perhaps League Cards too!"

Relena sighed. "Darling, supporters are important, but you are making the street impossible to cross."

"Fans are important," Oleana said. "That is why the chairman must continue his work for their sake."

Bede stepped forward, eyes fixed on Rose. "I will do everything in my power to assist you too, Chairman."

Rose blinked. "Oh, and you were...?"

Bede's expression tightened for one second. "Bede, sir."

"That is right! Bede!" Rose said brightly. "I am impressed by how far you have come since I gave you that Pokémon all those years ago. Will you win the Gym Challenge, or perhaps one of the Trainers endorsed by Champions?"

"I will prove your faith was well placed," Bede said. "I will not lose to anyone."

He left with that same sharpened stride, and Elena hurried forward before Rose could be pulled away. "Mama! Papa!"

Relena's face softened immediately. "Elena. What a delightful surprise. Ash and Alice too. It is good to see you both."

Rose turned toward us. "We were just discussing you! How have things been going?"

"We are doing well," I said. "We made it through Route 5."

Alice nodded. "And we are aiming for Nessa's Water Badge."

Rose's smile brightened. "Then I have a brilliant idea, as tends to happen. If you secure badges from Nessa, I will host a celebration in your honor."

Oleana checked the time. "Chairman, we should really be going."

"Yes, yes." Rose waved with easy warmth. "Do your best, for the sake of Galar's future."

Relena stayed as Rose and Oleana moved away. Elena looked after them. "Mama, are you not going with Papa?"

"Sometimes allowing him to finish his work quickly is the best help," Relena said. "He will be at the seafood restaurant. Win your badges, and we can meet him there."

Then she handed League Cards to me and Alice. "You should have mine as well."

Relena's card did not feel like a Gym Leader's challenge card. It felt like an academy door, polished and formal, with enough warmth hidden behind the wording to remind me that Elena had not learned strength from nowhere. I tucked it away carefully.

We accepted them, and Relena guided us toward Hulbury's market. Stalls offered Incenses, herbs, fresh produce, fishing tools, and polished shells. Helen stopped at every food stand with the focus of someone gathering recipes, while Flora admired Water-type colors woven into scarves and bags.