Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 45: Tournament Bonds

The old Cold Storage should have looked familiar, but the place in front of us barely felt like the same part of Driftveil anymore. The cold warehouses and worn paths had become a bright battle facility with banners, glass, metal, and crowds moving toward the doors.

Clay stood proudly near the entrance with Hugh beside him, looking like he had dragged half of Driftveil's future out of the ground with his own hands.

"Here we are!" Clay called, spreading one arm toward the building. "What do you think? Great building, huh? This is where the Pokémon World Tournament takes place. Ain't she pretty? Follow me, tads!"

Iris leaned back to see the top of the building. "He really changed the whole place."

Cilan's eyes sparkled. "A cold storage reborn as a stage of battle. That is a transformation with bold seasoning."

Hugh crossed his arms, but his eyes were already fixed on the entrance. "As long as strong trainers are inside, I am ready."

Alice walked beside me as we entered. The inside was even louder than the outside, full of screens, registration counters, practice rooms, and trainers from different cities studying tournament brackets.

I felt Pikachu shift on my shoulder. His excitement was real, but so was mine. After Clay's mine and Hugh's anger, seeing so many trainers gathered for battle made Driftveil feel alive in a different way.

Pikachu's meaning came bright and eager. "This place smells like sparks before thunder."

The main lobby had display cases showing badges from different regions and screens listing battle formats I had only heard about from older trainers. Some stations showed rental rules. Others explained rotation timing, type restrictions, tournament brackets, and battle point prizes.

Golly slowed in front of the rule board. "This facility is not only for entertainment. They are standardizing formats, documenting match results, and encouraging legal competitive battles in one controlled place."

Eve looked toward the crowd. "That also means anyone can watch strong trainers and learn what they value."

"Exactly," Cilan said. "A public kitchen for battle culture. Everyone can taste the techniques, but the chefs still choose what to serve."

I followed his gaze and saw younger trainers pressing against the rails, eyes shining as older competitors tested moves in the practice rooms. After everything Team Plasma had done with the idea that trainers hurt Pokémon by battling, this place felt like Driftveil answering with something noisy and imperfect, but alive.

Zoroark watched the crowd without disguising himself. A few children pointed at him, whispering excitedly instead of fearfully. He noticed, and for one breath his claws flexed as if he expected old suspicion.

Zoroark's meaning came careful and small. "They are looking because I am rare, not because I am a lie."

"Right," I whispered. "You can be noticed without being hunted."

Alice heard and smiled at him. "That applies to both of you."

Clay led us to the main hall, where Cheren was waiting with his glasses pushed up and a folder in one hand.

Cheren sighed when he saw Clay. "Why did you call me here too? I am busy looking into something."

Clay laughed like that was exactly the answer he expected. "This time, I am going to have you participate in the Driftveil Tournament. Anything goes in this tournament. Eight people enter, and if you win three times, you are the champion."

Cheren gave him a tired look. "You never change, Clay."

"The one who has to show everyone what Pokémon battling means is you," Clay said. "Your pal is not here either, so I am counting on the power of youth. Everyone likes up-and-coming stars."