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

Chapter 99: Noble Spirits

The Lumiose City League Stadium looked different when we returned to it as challengers for the Champion. I had already battled here in front of a roaring crowd, and the memory of the Kalos League final still lived in every bright wall and open path. Back then, Alain's mask and my own name had tangled together until the whole world learned the truth. This time, there was no mask left. I was Ash Ketchum, carrying four Elite Four medals and walking toward Champion Diantha.

Serena stayed beside me, and Pikachu rode on my shoulder with his tail brushing my cheek. Alice, Clemont, Bonnie, Elline, David, and Emma followed close behind. Mimi walked beside Emma's feet, while Dedenne clung to Bonnie's arms. Squishy stayed tucked in Serena's bag, quiet but watching the stadium lights with calm eyes.

At the entrance to the main field, my parents were waiting with President Charles Goodshow, Uncle Paris, and Aunt Diantha. For one heartbeat, the Champion battle disappeared from my mind, and all I saw was family.

Elline and David ran forward first, tackling their parents in a hug that nearly knocked Paris off balance. Diantha laughed softly and held both of them close, her Champion poise becoming something warmer and private for a moment.

Emma and I did the same with Mom and Dad. Mom's injury had healed enough for her to stand without looking fragile, but I still hugged her carefully. Dad held us both, one arm around me and one around Emma, and Emma's shoulders shook a little before she steadied herself.

Mom brushed my hair back. "You made it to Diantha."

"I did," I said. "All four medals."

Dad smiled with quiet pride. "Then walk onto that field as yourself."

Diantha stepped toward me after releasing Elline and David. She looked like Aunt Diantha for one moment and Champion Diantha the next. The change was gentle, but I felt it.

"Welcome at last, Ash," Diantha said. "I have been waiting for our battle for a long time."

"Thank you, Diantha," I answered. "I am ready to battle you and earn my sixth regional Champion victory."

Goodshow chuckled beside us. "As energetic as always, Ash?"

I grinned. "Some things do not change."

Even while I smiled, I could feel the difference between this battle and the Kalos League final. The League had been about proving I could stand at the top of a tournament. This battle was about standing across from the person who represented Kalos itself. Diantha was family to Elline and David, a friend to my parents, a movie star to the crowd, and the Champion everyone had trusted before Team Flare tried to tear that trust apart. Challenging her meant challenging all of that history with respect, not trying to erase it.

Diantha's eyes sparkled. "Then let us give Kalos a battle worthy of the journey that brought you here."

The stadium field opened beneath the sky, surrounded by a crowd that rose into thunder the moment we stepped out. The sound hit my chest harder than I expected. There were people from Lumiose, people from towns we had passed through, Trainers who had watched the League, and children waving flags with Pikachu and Greninja drawn on them. After everything Kalos had survived, this was not only a Champion battle. It felt like the region proving it could cheer again.

Serena's voice cut through the excitement from the audience side. "Serena, everyone, over here."

I looked over and saw Tierno, Shauna, Trevor, Calem, Sawyer, and Mairin waving from a section near our friends. Serena hurried over to them with Bonnie, Clemont, Alice, Elline, David, and Emma.

Serena smiled in surprise. "You all came to see the battle?"

Shauna clasped her hands. "Of course. We could not miss this."