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

Chapter 27: Trap Road

The deeper path of Galar Mine No. 2 did not let us forget the battle with Bede. His voice was gone, but the damp tunnel kept every sharp word alive, repeating it through water, rail, and crystal until even the silence felt crowded.

Hop had moved on ahead before us, which was what I expected from him. He chased Gym Challenge progress like a flame finding dry wood, and if Kabu might be somewhere deeper in the mine, Hop would not wait for our group to count every puddle.

Alice walked beside me with Dottler resting in its Poké Ball and Absol close enough to brush her leg. She had won, but winning against Bede had not made the tunnel easier. It had only changed the pressure from insult into expectation.

Boltund trotted ahead, then stopped at each bend as if remembering not to outrun the group. Greedent carried berries like a serious duty now, checking the younger partners whenever a distant clang made them flinch.

We found Team Yell near a split in the rails, blocking the path with banners, stomped boots, and enough noise to make the crystals shake. Two grunts stood in front of Alice before they even noticed the rest of us.

"'Scuse me, mate," one grunt said, leaning closer. "You're one of them takin' part in the Gym Challenge, right?"

Alice did not step back. "What if I am?"

The second grunt grinned. "Crikey, that's really somethin'. We'd love a battle against a great Trainer like you."

"That sounds less like admiration and more like blocking the path," Alice said.

A familiar voice called from the tunnel behind them. "Look at you, Alice! Surrounded by fans already."

Hop stepped into view from the side path, dust on his shoes and excitement in his grin. He had come from another tunnel, not from traveling with us, and the sight of Team Yell only made him brighter.

The first grunt spun on him. "Oi, jog on, mate! We're in the middle of a conversation here."

Hop pointed at himself. "And I'm Hop, the Trainer who'll be your next Champion. If you're bothering my rival, that sounds like my conversation too."

Gloria muttered, "He really does announce himself like a stadium poster."

Team Yell did not appreciate that. Within a minute, the tunnel became a battle space. Alice sent out Galarian Farfetch'd and Raboot. Hop sent out Corvisquire. The grunts released Linoone and Thievul, both moving with the sharp rhythm Team Yell seemed to favor.

I had seen enough of Team Yell by now to understand they were not like the organizations that tried to swallow a region. They were loud, loyal, and reckless, using Dark-type partners with a fan's stubbornness instead of a conqueror's plan. That did not make them harmless when they blocked a mine path.

Elena watched their banners move in the tunnel air. "They fight like fans who decided cheering was not enough."

Gloria grimaced. "That may be worse for everyone walking past them."

Farfetch'd met Linoone's charge with its leek held like a shield. Raboot darted across the damp stone, feet quick even where the water tried to steal balance. Corvisquire rose as high as the tunnel allowed and snapped its wings down to force Thievul away from Alice.

The mine made the battle tighter than any open route. Every dodge had to respect rails, puddles, and low crystal shelves. Alice adjusted first, moving Farfetch'd into the center where its leek could control space instead of chasing speed it did not need.

"Farfetch'd, hold the center!" Alice called. "Raboot, pressure from the side!"

Raboot kicked off a dry patch, landed beside a rail, and struck before Thievul could use the shadows behind the carts. Farfetch'd gave Linoone no room to build a straight rush. Hop's Corvisquire filled the last gap, turning the narrow ceiling into an advantage instead of a limit.