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

Chapter 28: Spotlight Pressure

When we arrive in Blackish Town, the first thing we see is not the road toward Shalour. It is a huge poster showing Diantha with her Gardevoir under bright stadium lights.

The poster does more than advertise a battle. It makes the whole street move differently. People stop walking to take pictures, shopkeepers lean out from doors, and children point at Diantha's Gardevoir as if a paper image might turn into the real Champion if they stare hard enough. I have been around enough public attention to recognize the energy in the air before it closes in.

Elline recognizes it too. Her shoulders tighten even while she smiles at the poster.

David notices first. "You do not have to answer anyone just because they ask loudly."

"I know," Elline says. "I just wish knowing that made the cameras quieter."

Her Ralts drifts closer to her side, while David's Ralts watches him with the same careful worry. The two siblings are walking toward their mother, but the town sees them as part of Diantha's spotlight before it sees them as themselves.

Elline stops so suddenly that Mareep bumps lightly against her leg. "That is Mom. She is doing an exhibition battle today."

David looks from the poster to the crowd gathering near the stadium. "Wonderful. That means we can see her before the road pulls us forward again."

"I want to challenge her to a battle too," I say before thinking better of it.

Serena gives me the look that means she knew I would say that. "Maybe let her finish the exhibition first."

The stadium entrance is already crowded with reporters. Cameras flash as people call Diantha's name, but Kathi Lee blocks the hallway like one person trying to become a locked gate.

"Kathi Lee," Elline calls across the hallway.

Kathi Lee turns, sees Elline and David, and immediately sighs. "Just great. You two are here too."

The reporters turn before we can escape. Someone recognizes David and Elline as Diantha and Paris's children. Someone else recognizes me as Champion Ash Ketchum. Questions start flying so fast that even Clemont looks like he wants to hide behind his backpack.

Questions hit them faster than answers can form.

"Elline, are you preparing for the screen like your mother?"

"David, will you become an Electric-type star like Paris?"

"Do either of you plan to challenge the Kalos League?"

"Is traveling with Ash Ketchum part of Diantha's training plan for you?"

David's smile stays polite, but it turns thinner with every question. Elline looks ready to snap back, then stops because snapping back would become tomorrow's headline. I hate watching that. Battles at least have rules. Crowds sometimes pretend they do not.

David's Ralts steps partly in front of him, small body trembling with protective feeling.

Ralts's meaning reaches me before the hallway door closes. "He is trying to be kind because he thinks every answer reflects on the family, but the pressure is pressing into him from every side."

A hand reaches through the noise and guides us into a private hallway. The man smiling at us has the calm confidence of someone used to cameras, electricity, and chaos.

"Nice to see all of you," Paris Volt says.

"Daddy!" Elline hugs him before she can remember reporters might still be watching.

David smiles in relief. "What are you doing here?"

"Why would I not be with your mother when work finally brings us to the same town?" Paris asks. "Ansha is staying with Delia today, so she is safe from this reporter storm."