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

Chapter 80: The Isle of Armor

Mom called for us just as Alice and I were sorting through the last pieces of Galar's strange new normal.

The main crisis was over. Sordward and Shielbert were facing consequences, Sonia had Hop at the lab, and Zacian and Zamazenta were finally resting with the rest of our team. That should have meant a quiet morning, but Mom's voice carried the tone she used when she had already decided something was good for me.

"Ash, Alice," she called. "Could you come here a moment?"

Alice looked at me. "That sounds like a plan we were not told about."

"It usually is," I said.

We found Mom waiting near the front room with two passes in her hand and a smile that was a little too innocent.

"Considering that you became Galar Champion, helped save the region, and somehow ended up with ceremonial royal duties," Mom said, "do you not think you deserve a break?"

"We could use one," I admitted. "But what are you really suggesting?"

Alice smiled politely. "Yes, Ms. Ketchum, this sounds like a break with training hidden inside."

Mom laughed. "You caught me. I want you both to visit the Isle of Armor. A special friend of mine runs a place there called the Master Dojo, and I think training with him would be valuable for both of you."

"Training after becoming Champion," Alice said. "That does sound like Ash's kind of break."

Pikachu climbed onto my shoulder and stretched, "A quiet road is still better when it has a battle at the end."

"See?" I said. "Pikachu agrees."

Mom handed us the passes. "You will need these Armor Passes to board. Enjoy yourselves, but do try to rest between disasters."

"We will try," I said.

Mom looked unconvinced, but she hugged us both anyway.

I knew what she was really doing. She was giving us a road that belonged to us again. Galar had just buried us under titles, ceremonies, and responsibilities, and even if those mattered, they were not the same as walking somewhere new with a partner beside me.

Alice slipped her Armor Pass into her bag and glanced at the window. "Do you know anything about this special friend?"

"Only that Mom trusts him," I said.

"That can mean he is wonderful," Alice replied, "or terrifying."

"Sometimes both," I said, remembering too many teachers.

Mom heard that and smiled far too proudly. "You will like Honey too."

"Honey?" I repeated, caught by the name.

"You will see," Mom said, and refused to explain anything else.

That was usually how adults started adventures they wanted us to walk into before we could ask enough questions.

Wedgehurst Station was busier than I expected. Travelers moved between platforms, and a staff member stood near two trainers whose clothes made them impossible to ignore.

The girl wore a purple-and-green outfit that reminded me of Poison-type Gym colors, while the boy had an elegant Psychic-style uniform and floating Poké Balls circling him like he wanted everyone to notice how calm he looked.

"The train to the Isle of Armor has arrived," the announcement rang. "Those with the Armor Pass, please board."

The staff member asked to check their passes.