Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 9: Oreburgh Stone

Route 203 stretched east of Jubilife with open grass, low cliffs, and enough Trainers on the path to remind me that Oreburgh was close.

After the Contest, Dawn walked with her Contest Pass tucked safely away and Buneary beside her. She had lost to Zoey, but she did not look smaller from it. She looked like someone carrying a lesson she planned to use later.

Lillie walked with Finneon's Poké Ball in one hand, still smiling whenever she glanced at it. Shinx trotted near Pikachu, acting like he was only following the road and not quietly admiring Pikachu's sparks.

Pikachu's meaning came amused from my shoulder. "Little spark keeps looking when big spark turns away."

I smiled and scratched Pikachu's head. "Give him time. He just joined us."

The road felt different from the Contest Hall. There were no judges, no lights, and no timer counting down points, but the Trainers waiting along the route watched us with the same hunger to test themselves.

Dawn glanced toward the grass again, and Piplup marched beside her like he expected a rematch with every wild Pokémon in Sinnoh.

Buneary stayed a little behind Dawn, still shy around crowds, but she looked steadier than yesterday. Every few steps, she glanced at Pikachu and then quickly pretended she had not.

Lillie noticed and smiled without teasing her. That was probably wise, because Buneary's Ice Beam had already proven she could express embarrassment very directly.

Turtwig walked beside my legs, while Bidoof kept close to Lillie. Both of them were still new to our rhythm, but they had already learned that our group stopped for trouble instead of walking around it.

Before anyone could comment, a familiar voice shouted from ahead.

"Hey, Dawn! Tell me you got tougher!"

Barry rushed toward us so fast that several Starly scattered from the grass. He stopped right in front of Dawn with both fists on his hips.

Dawn crossed her arms. "Why don't you say it first?"

"Me?" Barry said, pointing at himself like she had asked an impossible question. "Do you even need to ask? Of course I got tougher. Come on, let's battle it out!"

Dawn took one careful step back. "No thank you. I really do not want to battle right now."

Barry's eyes widened like refusing a battle broke some law of nature.

"I will battle you," I said.

Barry spun toward me with a grin. "You? Fine with me. Just because you are a Champion does not mean I am going to lose!"

We moved to a clear patch beside the road. Barry threw his first Poké Ball so fast that I almost missed the flash.

Barry shouted, "Starly, go and show them speed!"

I chose Finneon because she was still new to our team, and Route 203 gave her room to move in the shallow stream beside the path.

Finneon's meaning came bright and eager. "Wide air. Shallow water. First road battle."

Barry's Starly opened with Quick Attack, but Finneon slipped beneath the stream's surface and rose with Water Gun. Starly fluttered hard, trying to regain its angle.

"Starly, Wing Attack!" Barry ordered.

"Finneon, use Aqua Ring, then Water Pulse!" I called.

Water circled Finneon's body before she sent a rippling pulse straight into Starly's path. The hit knocked Starly down, and Barry recalled it with a frustrated gasp.