1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 64: Red Light

We had barely finished changing out of the Dark Uniform when Spikemuth's narrow street erupted behind us. The grunts who had been arguing about concert towels stopped mid-shout, and a man came running from the direction of the outer gate, waving both arms like the whole town needed to move.

"Hey! There's trouble over on Route 9!" he shouted. "It's so bad, even the Champion's come to sort things out. You gave Piers a thrashing, didn't you? Head over there and help!"

The word Champion pulled everyone's attention tight. Leon being involved meant the trouble was already bigger than a blocked gate or a rowdy Gym Mission. I tucked the folded uniform under one arm and followed the man toward the road out.

Alice kept pace beside me, Eevee held close. Gloria jogged behind us, still glancing back at Spikemuth's signs. "Route 9 again? What could be making that much noise?"

A low boom answered before anyone could guess. The ground trembled under our shoes, and Pikachu's ears shot upright on my shoulder. The air beyond the tunnel flickered red for a second, not like sunset, but like Dynamax energy spilling where it should not be.

The people outside Spikemuth had stopped complaining about the shut gate. Challengers, shop workers, and Team Yell grunts all stared toward the road. For once, nobody cared which town supported which Trainer. The sound from Route 9 had turned every argument into the same question.

We found Leon near the route entrance, his cape snapping in the wind as people backed away from the tunnel. Charizard stood beside him, wings spread wide enough to hold the crowd's fear at a distance.

Leon turned when he saw us. "Thanks for coming, but I've got a handle on this. Whatever's making that noise, I'll see to it!"

"Are you sure you don't need our help?" I asked.

Leon gave me his usual bright smile, but there was tension behind it. "I already told you, didn't I? Keep your eye on the goal. For you, that means winning the Gym Challenge. The only Gym Badge left is Raihan's, right? Raihan is the only Trainer out there I consider a real rival."

Another tremor shook dust from the tunnel stones. Leon looked toward the sound, and Charizard growled low.

Leon adjusted his cap. "There I go again, stopping for a chat. Don't worry about a thing. The unbeatable Champion is here to look after things and keep you all safe."

Alice watched him sprint toward the tunnel with Charizard. "Bit cocky, isn't he?"

"Maybe," I said. "But he believes carrying the danger himself is part of his job."

Pikachu pressed his paws against my shoulder, eyes fixed on the red flicker ahead, "Strong backs can still bend if they never let anyone share the weight."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. That's what worries me."

Leon's back disappeared into the tunnel smoke before any of us could answer. Charizard followed with one last protective glance at the crowd, then folded his wings and plunged after him. The people around us cheered, but the sound carried worry underneath it.

A little boy near the railing asked his mother whether the giant Pokémon would come here. She told him the Champion would stop it, and he believed her because children wanted Champions to be walls. I understood that feeling, but I also knew walls could crack if everyone kept leaning on the same one.

The tunnel path was crowded when we reached the safer overlook. People were packed along the railings, whispering about wild Pokémon Dynamaxing outside the Wild Area. Some sounded excited, but most sounded scared. Dynamax was supposed to need Power Spots, stadiums, or dens. This felt wrong before anyone explained it.