Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 20: Masked Feature

The scout caught us outside Virbank Gym before the echo of Roxie's encore had completely left my ears.

He had been waiting beside the alley for us. His eyes went to the Toxic Badge case, then to tired Pikachu, then to the masks Alice, Reisa, and I still carried from the Colors Band performance.

"Hey, you," the scout said, almost bouncing in place. "I felt something special during your battle with Roxie. Please come with me to Pokéstar Studios."

Cilan's tiredness vanished so quickly that Iris leaned away from him. "Pokéstar Studios. We are finally going there."

Roxie came out behind us with her bass case slung over one shoulder. "You are heading to Pokéstar Studios?"

The scout nodded proudly. "That is the plan."

Roxie froze halfway through a grin. "Oh! The old man! I still have to get him back to work as captain."

She ran down the alley before anyone could stop her, shouting about ships, schedules, and irresponsible movie dreams. The scout watched her go with a nervous laugh, then looked back at us as if nothing strange had happened.

I glanced at Pikachu, who gave a small yawn against my arm. "We will go tomorrow. It is already late, and everyone needs rest after the Gym."

Pikachu's meaning came sleepy but satisfied. "Badge won. Movie later. Rest now."

"That sounds like the correct order," Alice said.

Reisa stretched her arms above her head. "Thanks for inviting me into the band again. Do you mind if I stay with you at Poison Manor tonight?"

"Not at all," Alice answered. "You helped us keep the stage from becoming Roxie's entire battlefield."

We walked back while Virbank's lights flickered over the streets. The Toxic Badge rested beside the Basic Badge now, and the weight of two official victories felt real. It was not peace, exactly. It was proof that the road was moving.

Golly and Eve were waiting near Poison Manor's entrance when we returned. Golly noticed the badge case first, while Eve noticed Pikachu's tired posture before she looked at anything else.

"So the Gym battle was successful," Golly said.

"It was tough," I answered. "Roxie made every note hurt, but we won."

Eve leaned down toward Pikachu. "And the poison?"

"Handled with Pecha Berries," Alice said. "Roxie gave one to Pikachu afterward."

Golly accepted that with a nod. "Good. No lingering symptoms?"

Pikachu lifted one paw weakly.

His meaning was proud despite the exhaustion. "I am tired, not broken."

"He says he is tired, not broken," I translated.

Reisa smiled. "That sounds like a victory report."

I looked around the entrance hall. "Where are Dad and the others?"

Eve answered smoothly. "They left for business. Poison Manor does not stop needing them just because we are here."

The answer was true enough, and it avoided dragging Adam, Dia, Palmer, and Gina into a public conversation that did not need them. Iris and Cilan accepted it without question, both more focused on the upcoming studio visit.

That night, Poison Manor stayed gentle. Muk tried to celebrate and nearly hugged me into the floor again. Gengar hung a fake movie poster with Pikachu painted like a monster, then pretended innocence until Alice laughed. For once, danger did not own every breath.