Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 78: Blaze Promise

We found Barry on the road not long after leaving Daybreak Town. The morning had barely settled, but Barry was already running like the entire route had challenged him to a race. Chatot copied his first shout from my shoulder, and Barry shouted back at it without realizing he was answering a Pokémon.

"So how have you guys been?" Barry asked, skidding to a stop with both arms spread. "It has been a while since we stopped Team Galactic together!"

"Yeah," I said, smiling despite the sudden noise. "A lot has happened. Dawn just earned her fifth Ribbon for the Grand Festival."

Barry turned so quickly that his scarf snapped behind him. "Seriously? Dawn, that is awesome!"

Dawn lifted her Ribbon case with both hands, still looking like she could hardly believe all five spaces were finally filled. "I finally qualified. The Grand Festival is really waiting now."

Barry gave her a thumbs-up, then spun toward me and Lillie with the same unstoppable energy. "So did you finally get your eighth badge yet?"

Lillie and I shook our heads together.

"We are heading to the Sunyshore Gym now," Lillie said.

Barry suddenly laughed like he had been waiting for that answer all day. "Here is the deal. I already beat the Sunyshore Gym!"

He opened his badge case and showed us all eight Sinnoh badges. The Beacon Badge shone beside the others, bright and sharp enough to make my own seven badges feel heavier than usual.

"What did you expect?" Barry said, tapping the case proudly. "This talented Twinleaf Town Trainer is heading for the Sinnoh League!"

Gladion looked from Barry's badge case to mine. "Ash, Lillie, you have some catching up to do before you reach Paul and Barry."

"Wait," Barry said, pointing at Gladion. "Paul has eight badges too?"

I nodded. "We heard he already got his eighth."

Barry's whole face changed. The pride stayed, but now it had a rival's spark inside it. "Then Paul is going to be in the League too. You two better get to Sunyshore right away. This is waiting for you."

He held up the Beacon Badge again.

Lillie studied it closely. "Palmer warned us Sunyshore would be unusual."

Barry grinned so hard that Chatot copied the shape of his laugh. "The Sunyshore Gym is the best."

"The best Gym?" I asked with honest confusion.

Barry nodded so fast that Chatot copied the motion with its whole body. "The best. You will see. It is flashy, powerful, and totally worth the trip."

We decided to stop at the Pokémon Center before pushing on. Everyone needed food, and I wanted to check on Monferno after all the heavy traveling. Since the Distortion World, he had been training with sharper focus, but I could tell he was carrying more than simple battle energy.

Pikachu's meaning came quietly from my shoulder. "Fire partner is listening to something inside."

"I know," I whispered back. "We will listen too."

Paul was already at the Pokémon Center when we walked in. He stood near the healing counter with his arms folded, watching his Poké Balls more than the people around him. The room felt quieter around him, as if even the other Trainers had decided not to interrupt.

Barry saw him immediately and rushed over. "Paul! Battle me!"

Paul looked at him once. "No."

Barry nearly tripped over his own feet. "What do you mean, no?"