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

Chapter 82: Mushrooms of Every Type

The moment Alice and I stepped outside the Master Dojo, a line of tired students came dragging six Slowpoke back toward the door.

For one second, I thought the first trial had ended before we even reached the Soothing Wetlands. The students looked muddy, winded, and proud, while the Slowpoke stared dreamily ahead with Klara and Avery's missing uniform pieces still held in their mouths.

"It seems like we are late," I muttered.

Alice frowned. "Maybe not. Look at their feet."

The Slowpoke's toes twitched against the ground.

Pikachu leaned forward from my shoulder, tail snapping once toward the nearest patch of wet grass, "They are waiting for the students to relax before they run again."

"Pikachu noticed something," I said.

The warning came just in time. All six Slowpoke twisted free at once, slipped between the students, and shot away in six pink streaks. The dojo yard filled with groans as the students scrambled after them again.

Alice grabbed her Rotom Bike handles. "Then we still have a chance."

"Right," I said. "Let's win this properly."

Before we could ride away, a woman near the path waved us down. "Hello to you! I assume you both have Rotom Bikes, right?"

"Yes," I said, trying not to look too impatient, "but we are in the middle of a trial."

"Then this is perfect timing," she said. "I can customize your bike so it runs smoother and leaves a stylish trail behind. Faster and cooler is never a bad combination."

Alice and I exchanged a quick look. A better bike could help against Mustard's Slowpoke, and those Pokémon had already proved that normal running would not be enough.

I chose Glistening Black. Alice chose Sparkling White.

The Rotom Bikes shimmered as the woman worked. Mine gained a dark shine like polished night, while Alice's gleamed bright enough to catch the sea wind. When we pushed forward, the wheels hummed with new strength.

"Now we split up," I said. "Three for you, three for me."

Alice nodded. "Do not let them make you chase in circles."

"I was about to tell you that."

She smiled, then shot toward the left side of the Soothing Wetlands. I took the right, following a dust cloud that bent around the water like a living thing.

The first Slowpoke tried to trick me by running straight, then cutting sideways through tall grass.

"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" I called.

Butterfree swept above the reeds, wings scattering sparkling powder ahead of the Slowpoke. The pink blur ran into it, slowed, blinked lazily, and settled down with Avery's Dojo Jacket still in its mouth.

"Good job," I said, retrieving the jacket. "That is one."

The second Slowpoke was faster. It ran along the water's edge, forcing me to steer hard over soft ground. It slid around a shallow pool, used a fallen branch like a ramp, and almost vanished behind a curtain of reeds.

"Pikachu, cut off the turn with Electroweb!"

Pikachu sprang from my shoulder and launched a net of electricity across the path. The Slowpoke skidded just enough for me to catch up. A careful Thunderbolt ended the battle without hurting it badly, and I recovered the Dojo Tee and Shorts.

The third Slowpoke had found trouble before I found it.

A Druddigon stood in the reeds, growling low while the Slowpoke trembled beneath a stolen glove and legwear. The wild Dragon type was not part of the trial, but it was part of the Isle of Armor's lesson.