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

Chapter 26: Sunken Trust

Lunch on the Muraille Coast tastes better after a hard stretch of traveling.

The sea is bright today, and the wind carries salt over the rocks while our Pokémon rest in small groups around us. Pikachu sits near my plate, watching the waves with one ear tilted toward every splash. Froakie crouches on a flat stone close to the water, still as a statue until a wave breaks, then his eyes follow the foam back into the sea. Fennekin naps beside Serena's bag, while Pancham tries to look serious even with crumbs stuck near his mouth.

Serena looks toward the coast after packing away the last of the food. "Before we head deeper toward Cyllage, maybe we should train near the water."

I nod while wiping my hands. "The Gym is Rock type. More practice with Water-type movement would help."

Clemont adjusts his glasses. "That is a reasonable plan. Rock-type battlefields can be uneven, so movement might matter as much as type advantage."

Bonnie hugs Dedenne close. "Does that mean fishing again?"

Serena smiles. "Maybe. We found Binacle and Clauncher because of fishing. There might be another Water-type partner nearby."

David looks over the coast with a thoughtful frown. "Muraille Coast has strong currents. If we fish here, we should be careful."

Elline stands on a rock and watches the water swirl around the lower cliffs. "Careful sounds smart. That sea does not look gentle."

We move to a sheltered spot where the rocks form a natural barrier against the stronger waves. I cast the line out while Serena kneels beside Froakie, talking quietly about using jumps to cross uneven rocks. Froakie listens with his usual calm focus, but I can feel his attention flick toward the fishing line whenever it moves.

Before anything bites, we train for a while. Froakie practices leaping from one wet rock to another without slipping, and each landing is quiet enough that even the waves seem louder. Samurott stands in the shallows and sends small waves toward him with careful swings, forcing Froakie to adjust his timing instead of simply jumping far. Serena works with Fennekin and Pancham nearby, using stones as markers so Pancham can practice dodging across uneven ground without turning every landing into a pose.

Pancham's meaning reaches me with stubborn pride. "I know the training is useful, but I still believe a heroic landing should count for something."

Serena sighs when Pancham freezes after a jump with one paw raised dramatically. "Pancham, the pose comes after you are safe."

Fennekin gives a dry little huff.

Fennekin's meaning reaches me clearly. "I agree completely."

That makes me smile, because our team is learning in different ways at the same time. Froakie studies the path before leaping. Pancham wants to make the leap look impressive. Fennekin wants the whole pattern to stay controlled. All of those lessons might matter once we face Grant's wall-like battlefield.

The training gives everyone a reason to focus, but fishing keeps pulling Serena's attention back to the water. She checks the Old Rod line twice, then looks at me with that quiet excitement she gets when a simple idea might turn into a new friend.

"I know we should train," she says, "but after Binacle and Clauncher, I keep wondering who else is out there."

"That is fair," I say. "As long as we remember that every bite is not a battle request."

Clauncher snaps its claw from the edge of the shallows, as if disagreeing with that lesson from personal experience. Binacle grips a nearby rock and watches the line with both heads, clearly ready to judge any future catch.