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

Chapter 36: Mirror Visitor

Reflection Cave waited ahead of us with its entrance set into the stone like a dark doorway beneath the mountain.

After everything that had happened with Diancie, Yveltal, Xerneas, and shiny Frogadier, a cave full of reflections sounded almost too fitting. I still caught myself looking at Frogadier whenever he moved near water or polished stone. His body had changed after Yveltal's Oblivion Wing, but he carried himself with the same quiet focus he had always shown. That helped, but it did not make the mystery easier.

Before we entered, my Holo Caster rang.

Professor Sycamore appeared in the projection, smiling with the kind of energy that made it seem like he had been waiting for this exact moment all morning. "Hello there, Ash. It looks like you have almost made it to Shalour City. That is fantastic."

"Professor Sycamore," I said. "It is good to hear from you."

He nodded brightly. "Your journey with your Pokémon through Kalos seems to be going swimmingly. I also wanted to remind you about someone in Shalour City who knows a great deal about Mega Evolution. People call him the Mega Evolution guru."

Serena glanced at me, clearly thinking the same thing I was. We had already met Gurkinn through Korrina's Lucarionite trial, and then Korrina had trained at my family's Flying-type Manor. Sycamore probably knew we had crossed paths with him by now, but his message still mattered because Shalour City was where Gurkinn's role became official.

Sycamore continued, "I know you have already been drawn into Korrina's Mega Evolution training, but when you reach Shalour City, you should still visit the guru properly. He may have more to tell you when you arrive at the Tower of Mastery."

"That makes sense," I said. "We will visit him."

Sycamore's expression softened slightly. "Also, please keep me informed about Frogadier. Your father contacted me with only a short summary, and I agree that the case is unusual. I will compare what you learn with my old records from Lumiose."

Frogadier looked up at the projection without stepping away from me. I could not tell whether that made him feel safer or more exposed.

"We will keep you informed," I promised.

"Excellent. I will be looking forward to hearing what you learn." Sycamore's image flickered, then the call ended.

Bonnie looked toward the cave entrance, then tugged lightly on Clemont's sleeve. "Is this it?"

Serena nodded. "That is Reflection Cave."

Clemont peered into the entrance with a cautious expression. "Is there something unusual inside?"

Serena smiled, clearly enjoying the chance to make him wait. "I am not saying anything. You will see for yourself."

Pikachu shifted on my shoulder, ears twitching toward the cave. His meaning reached me through the careful way he balanced excitement with caution. "The cave is quiet, but the quiet is looking back."

I took that as a warning and stepped inside with the others.

Reflection Cave lived up to its name immediately.

The walls were lined with crystals so reflective that the cave seemed twice as large as it really was. Every step showed us from another angle, and every light from Clemont's device scattered into dozens of thin beams. In one surface, I saw myself walking beside Serena. In another, Pikachu seemed to run ahead even though he was still on my shoulder. Behind us, Quilladin's armor caught the reflections and made him look like he was standing in a forest of himself.

Bonnie spun in place with her eyes wide. "These crystals are like huge mirrors."

Clemont's fear faded under scientific curiosity. "Incredible. These are not normal crystals at all. Their surfaces are so highly reflective that they act almost exactly like mirrors, but the angles distort distance in fascinating ways."