1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 14: Solar Bloom

Route 32 sloped toward Union Cave, but I kept hearing Charizard's roar whenever wind crossed the hills. Pikachu stayed close on my shoulder while Chikorita walked beside me with her Miracle Seed.

East had released Mareep after breakfast and compared the tail orb's faint glow with daylight. Noctowl paced beside him while Croconaw and Marill walked ahead with Reisa.

Chikorita's leaf turned toward the cliffs, then toward Lillie, and finally back toward me. She had been quieter since Charicific Valley.

Pikachu planted both paws against my shoulder. "Charizard wanted to stay there. We still need to reach Union Cave."

"I know," I said quietly.

Lillie heard both of us and squeezed my hand once. Togepi rested against her other arm, watching Chikorita with wide eyes.

Ahead, Reisa walked with Croconaw and Marill on either side. Croconaw still carried himself proudly after evolving, although even he kept glancing back toward the cliffs.

East pointed toward a wooden sign beside the road. "There is a town ahead."

A smiling Sunflora and a yellow ribbon filled the sign beneath the words: WELCOME TO SOLAR TOWN — HOME OF THE SOLAR CONTEST AND ANNUAL SUNFLORA FESTIVAL.

Reisa stopped so suddenly that Marill bumped into her leg.

"A Contest," Reisa whispered, staring at the sign.

Ethan grinned. "You finally found one."

"I was hoping to find one after another week of practice."

"You have Marill and Croconaw with you now," I said. "Start with the appeal and worry about the next round when you reach it."

Lillie nodded. "They already know how you signal your turns."

Croconaw thumped his chest. "We can do this."

Marill spun once and sent a few bubbles around Reisa's shoes. "And we will make it pretty."

Reisa looked down at them, took a breath, and nodded. "All right. I am entering."

East smiled at his sister. "Mom and Dad taught you plenty. The judges are watching what you do with it."

"That somehow made me more nervous," Reisa said, but she kept walking toward town.

Solar Town was bright with Sunflora banners and yellow streamers. The Contest Hall stood beside a sunny garden plaza crowded with Trainers, festival workers, and families carrying paper sunflowers.

Reisa stared at the doors as though Falkner might be waiting behind them.

Before we joined the crowd, East recalled Mareep so the little Electric type would not be jostled inside. Noctowl remained outside beside him.

I nudged her shoulder. "Registration is inside."

"I know. My feet are moving."

Marill tugged gently at her sleeve.

Reisa looked down. "Right. We are going."

Inside, the hall smelled of polished wood and flowers. Reisa registered, changed, and returned wearing an aqua dress patterned with sparkling shells.

East went completely still for a moment.

Reisa frowned at him. "Do I look strange?"

"No. You look really good."

She blinked. "That took you a long time to say."

"I was checking whether anything would catch during a turn."