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

Chapter 26: Mine Pressure

Hop did not stay with us after Grenomy. He had his Psychic Badge, his own pace, and that restless fire he carried whenever a new goal appeared. By the time we left Hulbury's side of the road again, he had already sent one message full of exclamation marks and then moved on ahead.

That felt right. Hop was our rival, not another shadow walking behind us until the next battle. His road crossed ours often, but it was still his road. Alice read the message, smiled, and put her Rotom Phone away without trying to call him back.

The path toward Galar Mine No. 2 ran under heat that still clung from the earlier harsh sun. The open ground shimmered behind us, but the mine entrance ahead looked cooler and darker, with damp air drifting from it like the earth itself was breathing.

Gloria slowed near the entrance sign. "It is odd, is it not? Kabu is a Fire-type Gym Leader. Why train in a wet mine full of Water and Rock pressure?"

Helen answered before anyone else could. "That is exactly why Dad would train here. Fire-types cannot grow by practicing only where everything helps them. Water and Rock force him to think harder."

"That sounds like Kabu," Alice said.

I looked at the mine mouth, where purple crystal light glowed against steel rails and shallow water. "Then we should pay attention too."

The entrance area carried the marks of work and training at the same time. Old rails curved toward deeper tunnels, fresh footprints crossed damp patches, and heat-scorched stones near the wall suggested someone had tested Fire-type control here without letting the flame spread. Helen noticed those marks immediately.

"Controlled bursts," she said. "Not wild flames. Dad would never train carelessly in a mine."

Elena studied the rails. "A place like this punishes careless movement."

"That might be why it is useful," Flora said. "It makes every step honest."

Yamper was already running circles near the tracks. The open ground outside had given it space, and the mine's electric lamps gave it traces to follow. It sniffed near one rail, dashed to a post, then bounced back with its tail wagging so fast it looked like a spark trying to escape.

Thievul watched from a safe distance with narrowed eyes.

Yamper noticed that and immediately decided Thievul was part of the game. It launched itself forward, barking without words, and Thievul slipped away with practiced dignity.

"Yamper," Alice warned, "do not chase Thievul into the mine."

Yamper skidded, paws scraping stone. Its eyes stayed bright, but its body shifted. The playful energy did not vanish. It lined itself up, pulled tight into focus, and surged down the track path toward a flickering lamp before turning back with perfect control.

It followed the electric hum from lamp to lamp, not randomly anymore. Every dash had a target. Every turn had a reason. When a loose cable sparked near a signpost, Yamper stopped short, lowered its body, and sent a tiny jolt into the grounding plate instead of leaping at it.

Alice's eyes widened as she stepped closer. "Yamper?"

Light burst around Yamper in answer.

The glow stretched Yamper's body longer and leaner, its legs strengthening beneath it. When the light faded, Boltund stood on the path, electric sparks snapping lightly from its fur. It gave one quick shake, then ran a clean circle around us so fast that Gloria's hair lifted in the wind.

Pokédex Entry Updated — Ash and Alice's Shared Galar Record

Boltund, the Dog Pokémon. Electric type. It channels electricity into its legs to keep running with incredible speed, turning playful energy into focused movement over long distances.