Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 31: Fire and Keystone

We were almost ready to leave Hearthome City when Barry burst into the road like the whole city had been waiting for his entrance.

"Ta-daah!" Barry shouted, pointing straight at me with one hand while his bag bounced against his shoulder. "Kept me waiting again, Ash! Let's see how much tougher you and I have gotten, right here and now!"

I looked at Lillie, Dawn, Gladion, Daniel, and Tox. None of them looked surprised. After everything that happened in Hearthome, a Barry interruption almost felt normal.

"Seriously?" I asked, though I was already reaching for a Poké Ball.

Barry grinned like that was the answer he wanted. "Hey, you're Trainers! You're expected to be ready for battle. No whining! No waiting! Let's get the show started!"

The battle was fast because Barry battled the way he ran, all energy and almost no patience. His Buizel rushed forward with Aqua Jet, his Roselia tried to slow Pikachu down with vines and petals, and his Chimchar came out burning with the same stubborn pride Barry always carried.

Chimchar watched from beside Lillie, his hands tucked close to his chest. He flinched when Barry shouted commands too quickly, but he did not run.

Barry's Chimchar pushed through one last exchange and began glowing before our eyes. The small Fire type stretched taller, its limbs strengthened, and the flame behind it burned with a sharper edge.

"It's Monferno!" Dawn gasped, her Piplup hopping beside her.

Barry cheered so loudly that nearby Starly scattered from a fence. "That's what I'm talking about! Now we're really getting somewhere!"

Our Chimchar did not cheer. He stared at Barry's Monferno with an expression I could not read at first. It was not jealousy, exactly. It was fear that evolution was another thing someone might demand from him before he was ready.

His Monferno fought hard, but Pikachu and Staravia kept our rhythm steady. When the battle ended, Barry stared at his fainted team as if the ground had personally insulted him.

"Waaaagh!" Barry cried, grabbing both sides of his head. "You KO'd my team again? This messes up my dream of becoming the greatest Trainer ever!"

"You did get stronger," I said, smiling at him.

Barry froze for one second before pointing at me again. "No! I just need to get tougher and keep winning. One day, you'll see! I'm going to challenge the Veilstone Gym next!"

Lillie's eyes sharpened at the name. "Veilstone is our next Gym goal too."

"Then don't be late!" Barry shouted, already backing away. "You'll be blown away by how much tougher I'll be next time!"

He ran off before anyone could answer. The dust he kicked up drifted over the road, and Chimchar watched until Barry disappeared around the bend.

A fisherman near the water gave Dawn a bright smile after Barry left. He held out a rod with the proud look of someone sharing a treasure.

"Hmm!" the fisherman said warmly. "A Good Rod is really good! Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course!" Dawn answered, accepting it with both hands.

Piplup puffed up proudly beside her, already acting like it had been personally trusted with the rod. Dawn laughed, and that laugh helped the road feel lighter again.

By lunchtime, we had found a quiet place near the route where the grass was soft and the wind carried the smell of water. Everyone let out Pokémon to eat, stretch, or help with the small chores that made traveling feel like home.