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

Chapter 51: Wind Across Route 7

Hammerlocke rose ahead of us with its red-brick walls, iron gates, and the stadium towers catching the gray light above the city. After Opal's pink theater and the quiet ache of leaving Ballonlea, the heavy shape of Hammerlocke felt almost too solid, as if the city had planted its feet and dared the whole region to move it.

Sonia was standing near Hammerlocke Stadium with her coat pulled close and her notebook tucked under one arm. Yamper was not with her this time, but her eyes had the same restless spark they always carried when an answer was close enough to bother her.

She lifted a hand when she saw us. "Heya! The Badge collecting going well?"

"You bet," Alice said, smiling as she stepped beside me. "Ash and I each have five badges now. What about you and your research?"

Sonia's smile turned sharper, more thoughtful. "I've been doing some research on the ruins in Stow-on-Side. The sword and shield... what kind of Pokémon were they? Where are they now? I still have so many questions. I was thinking about taking another look at the tapestries in—"

The ground shuddered beneath us before she finished.

A dull boom rolled from the direction of Hammerlocke Stadium. The old stones under my shoes trembled, and several people nearby stopped so quickly that the street went silent except for rattling windows and startled footsteps.

Pikachu sprang onto my shoulder, gripping my jacket with one paw while his ears snapped toward the stadium, "That was not a normal battle sound."

"I know," I said quietly, already feeling the same pressure pushing against the air. It was not the clean roar of a crowd, and it was not the usual surge from a stadium battle.

Elena went pale beside us. "The stadium shook. That's where my father's power plant is."

Sonia fumbled her phone from her pocket as it buzzed. Her face changed when she saw the screen. "Huh? A Power Spot?" She tapped faster, then looked toward the huge stadium with disbelief. "The Power Spot Detector is getting readings from right under the city."

"What does that mean?" Helen asked, her voice low.

"It means Dynamaxing might be possible here," Sonia said. "In the middle of Hammerlocke. That should not be happening casually."

Flora drew closer to Elena. "Power like that under a city full of people is not something to test lightly."

Before Elena could answer, Leon hurried across the plaza, his cape snapping behind him in the unsettled wind. He looked calm enough for the crowd, but I could see the crease between his brows.

"You lot felt the shaking, right?" Leon asked.

"Everyone did," Alice said. "Is the stadium safe?"

Leon glanced toward the massive doors. "No panic yet. From what I heard, Chairman Rose and Adam are overseeing an energy test below the stadium. Something must have gone off balance."

"My father is down there?" I asked. The worry came fast, but not surprise. Dad had never been the type to stand far away from dangerous work if people he cared about might be affected.

Leon nodded once. "That is what I was told."

Sonia's grip tightened around her phone. "Leon, if the readings keep climbing, Pokémon in the city could Dynamax without a proper stadium field."

"That is why I am going in," Leon said.

"You will just get lost in your own hometown," Sonia said, already stepping beside him. "I'm going too."

Leon gave her a rueful look. "Fair."

Sonia turned back to us. "Leave the quaking to the adults for now. You have your own road to follow. Steamdrift, Circhester, the next badge, all of it. And I am still looking forward to seeing you compete in the Finals."