The Pantheon

Indigo Plateau

The Indigo Plateau was brighter than she expected.

Ashley stopped just inside the main hall, half-blinded by how much metal and glass there was. Every wall gleamed, every surface reflected another light. Even the tiles looked like they'd been buffed by a team of Chansey on caffeine.

Janus walked two steps behind as always — quiet, alert, and pretending not to notice how her head kept turning every few seconds. Venus padded on her left, the soft sound of her paws blending with the hum of air conditioning, while Mercury trotted on the right, his fur giving off faint, harmless sparks whenever he brushed against her leg.

It smelled faintly of disinfectant and expensive polish. A few guards stood by the elevator banks, and people in suits hurried between wings with clipboards and earpieces, they probably even took coffee breaks very seriously. Ashley watched one nearly trip over a cable and sighed.

"Look at this," she muttered, low enough that only Janus would catch it. "All these people walking around looking busy... and not one of them's holding a Pokéball."

Janus's voice came out calm and faintly amused. "They serve their purpose. After all, not everyone battles."

"Yeah, but they could at least look like they've touched grass in their lives," she said. Mercury made a soft chirping sound, tail flicking like he agreed. Venus, more direct, let out a short bark that startled one of the passing interns.

That earned them a few stares, which later turned into more stares. Then, predictably, whispers.

Ashley groaned, pulling her hat lower even though the effort was useless — her face was plastered across half the region at this point. "Oh, come on," she said under her breath. "I can't even get five minutes without someone recognizing me? What's the point of the Plateau if it's just another meet-and-greet?"

Mercury snickered in his own crackling way, the sound sparking through the air. Venus pressed closer to her leg, humming softly, while Janus walked on like none of it existed. "You do realize," he said, "that fame is not something you can hide from simply by complaining about it."

Ashley shot him a look over her shoulder. "I could if everyone around me stopped acting like they just met a celebrity every time they come across me."

"You are, technically, a celebrity."

"Don't remind me."

She was halfway to convincing herself that no one else would come up when a voice called out — high, a little shaky, and way too eager.

"Miss Ketchum!"

Ashley turned and immediately regretted it. A League staff member was hurrying toward her, clutching an official badge and a clipboard, her face bright red and her eyes wide like she'd just spotted a Shiny Eevee.

There were, unmistakably, hearts in her eyes.

"Oh, Arceus," Ashley muttered. "Here we go."

The woman came to a stop right in front of her, breathless but beaming. "Welcome to the Indigo Plateau! I've been assigned to escort you to the Elite Four's meeting room. It's such an honor to meet you— I've watched all your matches! And contests!"

Janus gave her a sidelong glance, the polite but unmistakable kind that said compose yourself. Venus wagged her tail, sensing the staffer's excitement, and Mercury tilted his head as if wondering if this one might be carrying snacks.

"Thanks," Ashley said, rubbing the back of her neck. "Uh... nice to meet you too?"

The woman nodded so fast her Bellsprout nearly tripped over her own roots trying to keep up beside her. The little Grass-type blinked up at Venus and waved a leaf shyly. Venus chirped back, earning herself a delighted squeal from the trainer.