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

Chapter 63: No Dynamax, No Excuses

The inside of Spikemuth did not feel like the other Gym towns. There was no wide plaza leading to a shining stadium, no giant screen promising a roaring Dynamax finish, and no crowd funneling through polished gates. The Gym path was the town itself, narrow, loud, stubborn, and painted in neon.

A Team Yell grunt blocked the street before we could reach the first turn. He held out a folded uniform with both hands, trying to look official while still bouncing on his heels like a fan waiting for a concert to start.

"Hold on, mate," he said. "If you're gonna take on the Gym Mission, you'd better change into your uniform."

I took the Dark Uniform and looked down at the sharp black-and-pink design. It matched the Gym's style so closely that I understood why Team Yell looked less like outsiders here. They were not only fans filling the street. They were part of Spikemuth's challenge.

Gloria leaned closer, trying not to laugh. "If they add face paint, people might mistake you for one of them."

"I'll skip the face paint," I said.

Alice smiled as I headed into the changing room. "Probably safer. Pikachu would still give you away."

Pikachu waited with her until I came back out. The uniform felt strange after so many stadium outfits, but it fit the town's energy: rough edges, bright lines, and no apology for standing apart. Pikachu climbed onto my shoulder and patted the collar with one paw.

Pikachu's ears tilted toward the dark street ahead, "This town wants you to hear its pride before you judge its walls."

"I hear it," I murmured. "Now we just have to make it through."

The grunt pointed down the street. "If you're looking for the Gym Leader, he's straight ahead from here. Course, straight ahead in Spikemuth still means getting through us."

He stepped aside just enough to reveal another pair of grunts blocking a narrow passage between two buildings. One cracked his knuckles while the other waved a Team Yell towel like it was a battle flag.

"Gym Challenger," the male grunt called. "You want to get past me, but I don't want that. Basically, it's a battle between our desires."

Gloria stared. "That is one way to explain standing in a doorway."

I released Grapploct, and the grunt sent out Linoone. The street lights flashed across Grapploct's muscles as he settled into a low stance, still proud of the body he had gained during the Dark Type Job. Linoone charged fast, claws scraping sparks from the pavement.

I swung my arm forward. "Grapploct, Superpower!"

Grapploct caught Linoone's rush and drove forward with controlled strength. The hit sent Linoone sliding back, defeated before the grunt could build any drama from the ambush. Grapploct flexed once, then looked at me for approval.

"You and your Pokémon broke through," the grunt groaned. "I don't wanna let you through, but since I lost, I guess I'll step aside."

He squeezed himself out of the passage with an exaggerated sigh. The way ahead opened, but only for a few steps.

The next bend ended against nothing. I kept walking and nearly bumped into an invisible wall that shimmered when Pikachu's tail brushed it. A Kantonian Mr. Mime appeared with both hands raised, smiling like it had been waiting for someone to appreciate the trick.

Gloria blinked. "A Kantonian Mr. Mime?"

Alice leaned closer to the barrier. "So Galarian Mr. Mime really is different. Ice type, right?"

"Yeah," Gloria said. "But this one looks like it came all the way here just to be part of the joke."

The Mr. Mime tapped the invisible wall with one finger. Two grunts jumped out from behind a sign as if they had planned the timing perfectly and only barely managed not to collide with each other.