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

Chapter 99: Galarian Star Tournament

Wyndon Stadium looked brighter after the Crown Tundra. Snow, ruins, and strange lights from the Max Lair still lingered in my memory, but the stadium stood ahead of us with roaring screens, polished steel, and the familiar promise of battle.

Alice walked beside me, Pikachu on my shoulder, watching the entrance where Leon had told us to meet him. The former Champion had sounded excited on the phone, which usually meant something enormous was already moving before anyone finished asking questions.

Leon waved from the gate. "Ash! Alice! You made it. Come on, follow me to the Battle Court."

"You still have not told us what this is," Alice said, though her smile said she expected something loud.

Leon grinned. "That is because it is better when everyone hears it together."

Inside the stadium, the Battle Court was already filled with familiar faces. Hop and Victor stood near the front. Milo and Nessa talked beside Bea and Gordie. Raihan leaned against a rail with his usual confident grin, while Piers kept one hand near his microphone stand.

Marnie waved when she saw us. Bede gave a short nod that tried very hard not to look friendly. All around them, Gym Leaders, rivals, and challengers carried the same restless feeling. Nobody had come for a quiet meeting.

Klara and Avery arrived with dramatic timing. Klara's smile was bright enough to be dangerous, and Avery's cane tapped the floor with precision.

"Klara and Avery," Alice said, recognizing them at once.

Hop blinked. "You two are from the Master Dojo, right?"

"As expected from one related to the former Champion," Avery said. "Your memory possesses a certain elegance."

Hop looked lost immediately. "A certain what?"

I heard Alice sigh beside me, and I hid a smile.

Klara leaned forward proudly. "We have been working hard since you beat us before, and now I am the Poison-type Gym Leader."

"And I," Avery said, lifting his chin, "am the Psychic-type Gym Leader. Naturally, my magnificence was impossible to ignore."

Marnie arrived beside us with Morpeko tucked close to her. "Good for you two. Gym Leader work can wear you down, but it is worth it."

Bede folded his arms. "Some of us already understood that, though I suppose late understanding is still understanding."

Pikachu tapped my cheek lightly, eyes moving across the court, "The stadium is full of rivals, but nobody came here empty-hearted."

"No," I said. "Everyone brought something they want to prove."

Leon stepped to the center of the court and raised both hands. The chatter faded. Even Raihan stopped smirking long enough to listen.

"Thank you all for coming," Leon said. "I wanted to explain this in person, because Galar deserves battles that make Trainers and Pokémon reach higher together."

Raihan laughed. "Getting serious on us, Leon? What is this grand idea?"

Leon pointed at him. "Do not start, Raihan. I am trying here."

He took a breath. "I grew stronger because I kept chasing rivals. Hop grew stronger because he chased me, then found his own path. Ash proved how far a Trainer can go when bonds keep pushing forward. So I want to bring that fire to all of Galar."

The screens flashed, and the crowd beyond the court roared as Leon's voice rose.

"I declare the Galarian Star Tournament open!"