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

Chapter 57: Scarlet Current

After Water Manor, Palmer kept sending messages that were half Whirl Cup advice and half older-brother teasing. Reisa treated every shoreline, pool, and wave as practice. I did the same with Lapras, Feraligatr, Slowking, Politoed, Quagsire, Seadra, Lanturn, and Corsola, though I still wondered whether Palmer had done me a favor by registering me.

Scarlet City rose from the Whirl Islands like a festival built on water.

Flags snapped in the sea wind, bridges connected the harbor streets, and wave-shaped banners hung from the stadium walls. Water-type Trainers filled the streets with their partners: Seel barked near fountains, Staryu spun in shallow pools, Poliwhirl stretched beside practice docks, and Corsola rested near the check-in line.

Lillie stood beside me and smiled at the city. "It feels different from a Gym city."

"It is more like a whole region decided to sing the same water song," Reisa said.

Kris looked from the harbor to the stadiums. "It is also a tournament city with very serious crowd-control routes."

East nodded, already studying the stadium map on his Rotom Phone. "Check-in first. Stadium A and Stadium B split the preliminary rounds. Spectator routes are marked in blue."

Ethan grinned. "You already mapped a city we entered five minutes ago."

"Only the part where people can get lost before a match," East said.

Smeargle chirped beside him and painted a small blue arrow on a waterproof card.

Pikachu sat on my shoulder with his ears high, watching the harbor and the crowd. "There are Water Pokémon everywhere. Stay close so I don't lose you in this crowd."

"I agree," I said softly.

Espeon walked beside me and glanced toward a line of fountains. "I remember the Water Manor better, but this place smells exciting."

Togetic floated near Lillie and spun once over the bridge. "I want to see the big arena."

The wait itself felt ceremonial. A woman in blue robes checked names while officials handed out match cards and arena assignments. Behind them, the Great Sea Spirit Sapphire rested on a guarded stand, its blue jewel catching the sunlight beside several attendants and Officer Jenny.

Kris noticed my glance. "That scepter must be important."

A nearby official heard her and smiled. "It is the Great Sea Spirit Sapphire. The Sea Priestess Maya uses it during the Whirl Cup ceremony. Please keep behind the marked line."

Reisa stared at the scepter with quiet respect. "I have never seen anything like it."

When our turn came, the official confirmed the registrations we had already submitted and handed each of us a card. Mine showed Stadium A. Reisa's showed Stadium B.

"So we are split up at first," I said.

"That makes sense," Reisa said, though her eyes stayed on my card for a second longer. "If we both keep winning, we might meet later."

Ethan leaned over my shoulder. "How many rounds do you have to go?"

A tournament staff member answered before I did. "Only sixty-four Trainers advance from the preliminaries. With this year's entry count, you need two wins."

"That will be a piece of cake," Reisa said.

Croconaw pushed out of his Poké Ball in a flash of light and snapped his jaws confidently. "Then give me two opponents. I want to battle."

I repeated it, and Lillie smiled at him. "You certainly sound ready."

Before the practice arenas opened, everyone gathered in the main plaza for the opening ceremony. Maya stepped onto a harbor platform carrying the Great Sea Spirit Sapphire. The crowd quieted as she raised it beneath the Whirl Cup banners.