Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 42: Seaside Orders

The road away from Valor Lakefront smelled different after the Wallace Cup. The air still carried flowers and lake water, but the breeze ahead had salt in it. Route 213 opened slowly, first through resort paths and soft grass, then toward the sound of waves beyond the trees.

Dawn walked with her ribbon case held close against her chest. Lopunny stayed beside her, taller than Buneary had been, but still glancing up whenever Dawn's steps slowed. Piplup marched on Dawn's other side like he was guarding both of them from anyone who might say the victory had been luck.

Lillie smiled whenever she saw Dawn touch the ribbon case.

"You have checked it five times already," Lillie said gently.

"I know," Dawn said, blushing. "But if I do not check it, it still feels like I dreamed the whole thing."

"No need to worry," Lopunny said through the meaning that reached us softly. "I remember standing there too."

Dawn's eyes warmed as she looked down.

"That helps," Dawn whispered with a small smile.

I understood why she kept checking the ribbon. The Wallace Cup had not erased all of her doubts in one night, but it had given her proof she could hold when those doubts came back. Seeing Lopunny beside her made the proof feel even stronger, because Dawn had not only won a ribbon. She had helped a partner grow while everyone was watching.

Lillie squeezed my hand once, like she knew what I was thinking.

"That stage did something good for them," Lillie said quietly. "We should protect that bright feeling."

Tox walked behind us with Chansey beside him. Happiny had become Chansey so recently that I still caught myself expecting a smaller shape when I turned around. Chansey carried Tox's medical pouch against her side with careful pride.

"Your posture has improved," Tox said to Chansey. "Do not overcorrect. New height changes balance, and balance affects carrying safety."

Chansey nodded seriously, like that was the best compliment she could have received.

Daniel adjusted his glasses while watching the horizon.

"Route 213 should place us near the seaside approach toward Pastoria," Daniel said. "That means coastal Pokémon, resort activity, and likely a higher concentration of people selling food."

Gladion looked ahead without smiling.

"Which means trouble if Team Rocket is nearby," Gladion said.

Pikachu's ears twitched sharply at the warning.

"Do not say their name too loudly," Pikachu's meaning warned. "They hear trouble like Stunky hears bad smells."

I laughed despite myself, and Stunky gave Pikachu an offended glance from near Tox's feet. Chansey patted Stunky's head before the smell argument could become a real argument.

The road curved, and the trees finally broke open. Blue water stretched beside the route, bright under the morning sun. Food stands lined the beachside path, selling pastries, fruit skewers, and sweet honey cakes shaped like Combee cells.

Our Combee popped out of her Poké Ball before I called her, spinning once in the salty breeze.

"Combee, you felt that too?" I asked.

She hovered forward, wings humming faster. Beyond the food stands, wild Combee gathered over patches of seaside flowers. Their movement reminded me of Amber Castle, but this colony felt smaller and more exposed, with no hidden walls or queen's chamber to protect them.