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

Chapter 24: Satellite Badge

Hop found us outside Grenomy Stadium while the fog still carried pieces of last night's neon. He came running from the street below the Gym steps with Wooloo at his side and Corvisquire circling once above him before landing near the entrance sign. His grin arrived before his words did.

"You two already have two Badges?" Hop said, looking from me to Alice. "Now that is what I expect from my rivals. I am going to get my second one right here, right now."

I smiled at the fire in his voice. Hop always carried excitement like it was something he could share by standing close enough. "Good luck, Hop. Luna's calm, but that usually means she knows exactly how to test you."

Alice nodded. "We will be watching."

"That is perfect," Hop said. "Then you will see how far I have come."

Gloria stepped beside him with her hands on her hips. "Do not trip over the first teleport panel."

Hop pointed at her with mock offense. "I have excellent balance."

Wooloo bumped his leg, round body pressing against him with eager trust, "Then let us roll forward without falling."

Hop laughed and rubbed Wooloo's wool. "That is the plan."

Drizzile stood behind Alice near a wet patch where the fog had gathered on the stones. It watched Hop's energy without joining it. The bright stadium doors reflected in its eyes, and for a second I wondered if it was thinking about yesterday's Contest stage, Espeon's control, or the reflection it still avoided when water was too still.

I did not ask. Some questions could wait until a Pokémon turned toward them first.

Hop headed for the Gym staff desk, already waving his Gym Challenge pass. We chose not to crowd him before the mission began. Instead, Gloria pointed toward the souvenir shop beside the entrance, where a purple uniform display glowed under the window lights.

"If we are watching," she said, "we might as well look around first."

That sounded harmless enough. In Galar, harmless shops still knew how to make everything feel official.

The souvenir shop smelled like new fabric, polished badges, and the faint sweetness of packaged snacks shaped like stars. Grenomy's Psychic theme covered every shelf. Small replica badges shimmered inside glass cases, and star-pattern scarves hung beside folders printed with Luna's Gym number.

The uniform drew everyone's attention first.

It was purple, but not a flat purple. Under the lights, the cloth shifted between deep violet and bright lavender. A red, blue, and yellow swirl spread across the shirt like a spiral galaxy, and matching wave patterns ran over the sleeves, shorts, and socks. The Psychic logo stood on the chest, crisp and bright against the moving colors.

Alice traced the air near the display without touching it. "That is a lot more dramatic than the Water Uniform."

"Psychic types do not do plain," Elena said.

Flora tilted her head. "It would look stunning in a Contest appeal."

Helen looked at the socks. "It would look impossible to keep clean."

Gloria pointed at the replica badge. "That badge is pretty."

"It is," I said. "But it stays a replica unless Luna gives it after a real battle."

The difference mattered. We had bought souvenirs before, and I liked them, but I had no interest in confusing a display case with a victory. My Grass Badge and Water Badge had weight because my Pokémon had earned them on the field. Hop was the one walking toward that chance now.