1. Ash's Story (Part 7: Kalos)

Chapter 5: Sleeping Stones

Santalune Forest rose ahead of us with deep green shadows, tangled branches, and the familiar feeling of stepping into a place where the path could disappear if we stopped paying attention. The moment I saw the tall trees, I thought of Viridian Forest back in Kanto.

Serena walked beside me with Fennekin in her arms, and she looked around with the same recognition in her eyes. "This place reminds me of Viridian Forest," she said.

"Yeah," I answered. "The trees feel different, but the feeling is close. A first forest always makes the journey feel real."

Pikachu sat on my shoulder and watched the branches carefully. His meaning came warm with old memory. "Forests hide trouble, food, friends, and Beedrill. Usually Beedrill."

"I really hope this forest is kinder about that," I said.

Bonnie looked up at the canopy as if expecting Beedrill to appear just because Pikachu mentioned them. Clemont moved closer to her, while Dedenne peeked from her bag and sniffed the forest air.

Bunnelby tapped the soil with one ear, then gave a satisfied cry when the path stayed firm. Scatterbug clung to Serena's sleeve for a moment before crawling onto a low leaf and watching the grass with careful eyes.

Froakie walked beside me with his arms folded, acting like the forest did not impress him. Still, his eyes moved constantly, and I knew he was taking in every branch, stone, and patch of cover.

We had not walked far before Shauna appeared from behind a tree, waving both hands as if she had been waiting for us to arrive. Her Froakie stood beside her, looking excited by every rustle in the grass.

"Hey, everyone!" Shauna called. "I knew something interesting would happen if I walked with you."

Bonnie tilted her head. "You came into the forest because you thought something would happen?"

Shauna nodded confidently. "Exactly. Yesterday had a Contest, starter Pokémon, and Ash winning a ribbon. Today has to have something too."

"That is not how probability works," Clemont said, though he sounded more amused than critical.

David looked around the forest. "With Ash, Shauna might be safer assuming the strange thing will happen."

Elline laughed softly. "That is one of the most accurate things you have said today."

We continued together, and the forest path twisted between low bushes and thick roots. Fletchling flew ahead to scout, while Bunnelby tapped the ground now and then, testing soil like a guide who cared deeply about everyone's footing.

Clemont glanced at Serena and me after watching Bunnelby return to us. "Ash, I noticed something yesterday. You and Serena are sharing Pokémon. May I ask why?"

"That is a good question," I said. "One of our goals is to fill the Pokédex by capturing and understanding many Pokémon, but there are too many species for one person to care for properly alone."

Serena nodded. "So we share the Pokémon we travel with, and others are cared for by family or trusted partners."

"Some are also with Lillie and Alice," I added. "They are probably somewhere on their own journeys right now. The point is that the Pokémon still have homes, training, and people who love them."

David looked at Clemont. "As for where many of them stay, the Ketchum family has a lot of houses. They can place one type of Pokémon in one house if they need to."

Elline smiled at Bonnie's shocked face. "That means there are more than eighteen houses connected to Ash's family. Considering how many people his parents adopted, it makes sense."