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

Chapter 63: Final Wind

Dendemille Town welcomed us with windmills turning above golden fields, the steady creak of wooden blades blending with the laughter of people gathering near the Contest Hall. After Dahara City's collapsing space and Hoopa's rings, the simple sight of flour shops, warm bread stalls, and banners snapping in the wind felt like the world was giving us a softer place to breathe.

The route into Dendemille still carried dust from the desert, but the town itself felt cooler because every breeze seemed to be caught, turned, and softened by the windmills. Wagons moved sacks of grain along the road, children chased wind toys beside the fences, and every shop window had some kind of Contest decoration tied to it. Even after everything we had seen, a town preparing for a Contest could still make my heart beat faster.

Serena walked beside me with Eevee in her arms, while Gourgeist drifted a little above the road and watched the spinning windmills with bright curiosity. Hoopa kept close to my shoulder, turning his ring between his hands as if he wanted to pull a donut stand closer but was trying very hard to behave.

Clemont checked the town map and pointed toward the large building near the center square. "The Dendemille Contest is being held today, and registration is still open for another hour."

Bonnie jumped in place, making Dedenne cling to her hood. "Ash, this is perfect. You only need one more ribbon, right?"

I touched the ribbon case in my bag, feeling the four ribbons already inside. "Yeah. If I win here, I will have all five ribbons for the Kalos Grand Festival."

Serena smiled at me, but her eyes softened with the weight of how far we had come. "Then this really could be your final Kalos Contest before the Grand Festival."

Eevee shifted in Serena's arms and stretched her paws toward me, her ears lifting with a determined sparkle. The way she looked from the Contest Hall to my ribbon case carried her meaning clearly. "I want to stand on that stage too."

I looked at Serena, and she nodded without hesitation. "Eevee has been practicing hard. I think she is ready for the Appeal Round."

I knelt in front of Eevee and offered my hand. "Then let us make your first big Contest appeal something you can be proud of."

Eevee pressed her paw into my palm, and her little body trembled with nervous excitement instead of fear. That alone told me she was not asking because the stage looked fun. She was asking because she wanted to grow.

Before we entered the hall, we found an open practice field near one of Dendemille's smaller windmills. Several Coordinators were already rehearsing there, using the wind to shape ribbons, petals, powders, and light. Braixen stepped forward with her branch held carefully in both paws, ready to help Eevee practice timing.

Serena released Gourgeist beside us. "Gourgeist can help with battle rhythm later, but this appeal belongs to Eevee."

Gourgeist spun happily, and the sway of her pumpkin body carried her meaning. "I will make the stage spooky and beautiful when it is my turn."

Braixen tapped her branch against the ground and sent a small flame curling upward. Eevee dashed beneath it with Quick Attack, then leaped through a ring of Swift stars that scattered like little sparks in the wind. The movement was gentle, bright, and very Eevee.

A sudden gust cut across the field from the windmill, stronger than the others. A practice board came loose from a nearby frame and flew toward Eevee before anyone could reach her.

Braixen moved first. She swung her branch and burned the board apart, but the impact cracked the wood with a sharp sound that made her freeze.

Serena gasped and ran to her. "Braixen, are you hurt?"