The Paldea Saga: Treasures and Trials

by Pocketbook

Tired of the burden of fame, Ash Ketchum, Monarch of the World, decides to disappear into a whole new adventure in the far-away land of Paldea. Eager to participate in the region's famous "Treasure Hunt," Ash must first attend Scarlet Academy and its rigorous Battle School, where he'll meet trials a plenty alongside new friends and rivals...and old flames. SatoSere.

35. Chapter 35: Whirlwinds and Sandstorms

Arthor's Notes: Hey all! Here's the next chapter! A bit of a set-up chapter but now that we're fully back in Paldea, the pacing is definitely going to pick up so strap in for a bumpy ride! Not much else to report

Thank you to all who read and commented on the last chapter!

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Chapter 35: Whirlwinds and Sandstorms

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Southern Province, Paldea

After half a day traveling with Gary Oak, Clemont had already formulated the opinion that Ash's former rival was… interesting.

Of course, Clemont was never one to judge. And it wasn't that Gary was unpleasant or unkind—quite the opposite, in fact. He shared much of Ash's charisma except it seemed to be channeled differently. But there was also a certain energy about the researcher that Clemont couldn't quite pin down: a mix of charm, self-assuredness, and a touch of something less polished.

Once he really got going, Gary had no trouble talking about himself, and Clemont suspected it wasn't a matter of arrogance anymore but simply a habit left over from his younger years. Between discussions about their research, Gary had seamlessly woven in anecdotes about his own accomplishments, his travels, and—most notably—his storied rivalry with Ash.

Listening to the almost stream-of-conscious narrative, Clemont pieced together a clear image of Gary's younger self: a boy who exuded confidence to the point of cockiness, all of which was exacerbated with an inherent claim to fame. He was Professor Oak's grandson, after all, a fact that seemed to carry with it an expectation of greatness. And then there were the cheerleaders. Gary had mentioned them in passing, but Clemont couldn't help but balk at the sheer absurdity of the detail. A group of adoring fans, following him everywhere? It was no wonder Gary had grown up with a sense of vanity—of both person and situation. Handsome, privileged, and brimming with talent, Gary had practically been built to be insufferable.

But as Gary recounted the shifts in his relationship with Ash, Clemont found himself reevaluating his assumptions. The defeat at the Indigo Plateau had humbled Gary, forcing him to shed his arrogance and antagonism. By the time of the Silver Conference, his rivalry with Ash had transformed into something deeper: a friendship built on competition and mutual respect. And Clemont had smiled at the story of Gary handing Ash his half of the Poké Ball. The inventor thought it was a fitting end, and he liked stories with tidy conclusions.

And just as Clemont really reflect on how the Kanto researcher had layers of depth, Gary asked:

"So did Ash always have a knack for ogling Serena or was that an 'after Kalos' thing?"

After a while, The rocky slopes of the Southern Province canyon loomed around, their sharp edges bathed in the muted oranges and browns of the late afternoon light.

Gary yawned, his shoes kicking up loose gravel along the dirt trail west of Artazon. Beside him, Umbreon darted in and out of the growing shadows. Up ahead, Clemont moved more deliberately, one hand adjusting the strap of his pack while Chespin perched cheerfully on his shoulder, munching on a berry. The two young men cut through the canyon's jagged path, the distant shimmer of Levincia's coastal skyline just barely visible to the east.

Seeing as he'd talked about himself copiously for the first part of the journey, Gary thought the least he could do is ask Clemont some questions about himself.

"So, what have you been doing for fun these days?"

Soon enough, the inventor launched into an enthusiastic explanation about his and Clavell's latest experiments with Tera Energy—using portable containment units to isolate and stabilize raw Terastal energy samples, observing how the energy's frequency might align with the molecular structure of the crystals in caves. "Like a tuning fork resonating with a specific pitch," the lemon-haired Kalosian was saying, his eyes gleaming behind his thick glasses as he gestured animatedly.

Gary bit his lip to suppress a groan, nodding absently. He had been hoping to take his mind off of work, and this walk was getting boring…if he had to see one more red rock…and why was there a knot in his neck?

After running a hand through his auburn hair, Gary reached for his Rotom Phone, scrolling idly through messages. No new replies. Not even from Ash. Of course, he had to be careful with his communication, knowing Navarro could probably access his emails or messages in some way. That thought made Gary grumble under his breath, feeling the sudden urge to throw the device into the nearest canyon.

Clemont paused mid-sentence. "What's up?" he asked, sensing Gary's frustration.

"Nothing," Gary muttered, switching to a news app. Headlines of Ash and Serena flashed on the screen: "Kanto's Star Couple Spotted in Viridian City!" and "Ash Ketchum and Serena Tour Cerise Labs Together." One photo showed Ash with his arms comfortably around Serena's waist, both of them laughing—clearly on some sort of date.

Gary rolled his eyes. Great. He was out here, slowly dying of dehydration, and Ash was living it up on 'vacation' with his girlfriend. Life was so unfair.

He turned the phone toward Clemont with a raised eyebrow. "Think they'll even come back?"

Clemont leaned over, Chespin craning his neck to see. The inventor smiled. "Looks like they're having fun!"

"Maybe too much fun." Gary wiggled his eyebrows, tilting the phone to highlight Ash holding Serena. "Getting cozy, aren't they?"

Clemont shook his head, his disapproval evident. And that was when it struck the inventor: "You remind me of my sister." He muttered, "and not in a good way."

Clemont's attention returned to the small machine in his hands.

Gary exchanged a wry look with Umbreon before he glanced at the device, his interest begrudgingly piqued. "What's that supposed to do again?"

Clemont's tone brightened. "This is my Tera Energy Detection Transmitter—TEDT for short! I have designed it to pick up influxes of Terastal energy in the surrounding vicinity. With any luck, it might lead us to a Tera Cave. The energy signature should be most potent near these locations, so I'm hoping—"

Gary raised an eyebrow, interrupting him with an impatient grunt. "To pick up on any energy spike—yeah, yeah, yeah."

Clemont adjusted his glasses, undeterred. He closed his eyes for a moment to lift an erudite finger. "The future is now, thanks to science!"

"Whatever you say, Professor Brainiac." Gary gave a little salute and pulled out a protein bar from his pocket, breaking it in half and giving some to Umbreon.

Clemont didn't respond, focused on the flickering screen of his invention. Chespin, perched on the inventor's shoulder, mimicked his trainer's concentration, squinting at the device as if he could understand its mechanics.

Suddenly, the TEDT emitted a sharp, rapid beeping sound. Clemont's eyes widened behind his glasses as he studied the readout. "This could be it!" he exclaimed, fingers flying over the controls.

Gary straightened, suddenly alert. "What's it detecting?"

"A major Tera Energy flux!" Clemont's voice brimmed with excitement. "If I can just…" He trailed off, squinting at the fluctuating data on the screen.

The TEDT sparked suddenly, and Clemont's fingers faltered. "Wait—no—!" He tried to stabilize the device, but it emitted a loud pop and a burst of smoke. The explosion left both Clemont and Gary covered in soot, their faces blackened.

Gary's mouth twisted into a grimace, and then a snarl. "You're kidding me."

Through the grime, Clemont grinned, unphased. "Whoops!" He hesitated, glancing nervously at the smoldering remains of the EDT. "A minor setback. But, it seems we may have located a Tera Cave… and one with a lot of energy..." the inventor trailed off, his knuckles whitening around the machine in excitement.

"Great," Gary sighed, wiping his face while Chespin and Umbreon snickered off to the side. "Where exactly?"

Clemont gestured to the broken device. "I caught a glimpse of the general location on the GPS before the Tera Energy Detection Transmitter…malfunctioned. If you give me a map, I can maybe circle the area."

"Did I mention how original the name was?" Gary slipped off his backpack, pulling out a map with a grumble.

Clemont ignored him, carefully spreading the map out on a nearby rock. He marked a spot with a pencil, his hand steady despite the lingering soot.

Gary leaned over, studying the mark. "So, should we check it out first, or…?"

Clemont shook his head, adjusting his glasses. "Based on the readings, it would be better to be prepared. And we should have Ash with us."

Gary nodded, folding the map and sliding it back into his pack. He gazed out at the dry horizon, squinting against the fading sunlight as if he could see trouble looming like the shadows before him—and suddenly he felt like running in the opposite direction.

But that wasn't what Ash would do.

With a little resigned smirk, Gary tightened the straps of his pack and nodded towards his Umbreon.

"Then let's go get him."

---

Area Two, Northern Province, Paldea

The gang woke early, stirring under the gray veil of pre-dawn light. The campsite buzzed with quiet activity, each person focused on their preparations for the long trek ahead. Eri's orders had been clear: they needed to move swiftly and efficiently if they hoped to reach the Area Three mines by midday.

With a sigh, Arven rubbed the back of his neck before reaching for his rolled-up sleeping bag. He tugged it tight, snapping it beneath his worn backpack with practiced ease. The motions were automatic, but his mind was elsewhere. His dirty blonde bangs fell into his eyes as he worked, and he brushed them aside with a worried huff. Beside him, Mabosstiff stirred, stretching before settling back down, his head resting on his paws.

Arven reached over to scratch behind the Pokémon's ears, his fingers lingering in the familiar fur. The canine let out a low, contented sound, finishing the last bits of his breakfast. Arven's hand drifted to his pocket, his fingers brushing against the cold, hard edge of the keycard inside. The weight of it felt heavier than it should. Anxiety coiled in his stomach, twisting tighter with every passing second. He wished none of this had to happen—wished he could stop Eri and Caph Squad by calling Clavell or someone from the Academy. Let them handle it.

But he couldn't. Not when the Herba Mystica was at stake. Not when his father's whereabouts dangled just out of reach. He clenched his jaw, swallowing the guilt that threatened to overwhelm him. I'll make it right later. Somehow. For now, he needed answers, and this mission would bring him closer to them.

"Come on, buddy," Arven said, slinging his pack over his shoulders with a resigned sigh.

Mabosstiff, sensing his trainer's mood, let out a soft whine before giving an encouraging huff. He nudged Arven with his nose, falling into step beside him as they exited the large tent.

Outside, the camp was alive with movement. Eri stood at the center, her sharp voice cutting through the morning stillness as she issued instructions to a small group of Team Star members. Carmen stood at her side, nodding along and occasionally chiming in with her own input. Nearby, Nemona, Penny, and the others gathered their gear, their Pokémon milling about in various states of readiness.

Nemona had her pack neatly arranged at her feet. She was double-checking her gear, her Pokémon standing nearby. Pawmo stretched his arms, emitting tiny crackles of electricity to wake itself up.

Bonnie sat cross-legged beside a small pile of supplies, her Dedenne perched on her lap as she secured a small scarf around his neck. "Perfect!" she declared, lifting the little Pokémon up to inspect her handiwork. Dedenne squeaked in approval, its whiskers twitching with excitement.

Penny was kneeling next to Vaporeon, carefully securing her own pack. The Water-type helped organize her items with her long tail, occasionally nudging a water bottle or Poké Ball into place. "Thanks," Penny muttered, her tone distracted as she checked the straps on her bag.

Goh rummaged through his gear, his Grookey and Gimmighoul perched on either shoulder, one holding a berry, the other brandishing a coin. "I know I packed it…" the cityboy muttered, digging through his bag while Aliquis leaned against a nearby rock, arms crossed, watching the chaos with an air of mild exasperation.

Water bottles were secured, ration packs were distributed, and first-aid kits were checked twice over. Team Star members handed out protein bars and energy gels, insisting they'd need the extra boost for the hike.

Arven hesitated, eyeing the Caph Squad group as he walked up to the others. "I don't know about this, guys," he muttered, his voice low.

Nemona smirked and placed her hands on her hips before giving her long ponytail a confident flip. "Well, on the bright side, there's going to be twelve of us and one Pokémon. How bad can it be?" She seemed clearly excited about the upcoming adventure, despite whatever delays it added to her own agenda.

Sensing this, Arven gave her a flat look. "Did you miss the part where I mentioned how this Pokémon is huge?"

Bonnie scratched her cheek, glancing nervously at the group. "They do seem to be forgetting that detail. But at least this one doesn't fly! Right?" She forced a laugh, though her own nervousness was evident.

Arven sweat-dropped. "Not reassuring."

Nemona waved him off with a grin. "No problema. And it's not like we're battling a giant Paradox Pokemon thing."

Goh chuckled, adjusting his pack. "Yeah, seriously. How difficult can it be to take down a worm?"

Penny, not looking up from her Rotom Phone, chimed in dryly. "Depends what kind of worm we're dealing with..."

Arven groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're all not helping."

Before he could say more, Eri approached, her confident stride radiating energy. "We move out in ten minutes," she announced, her commanding presence seeming to bolster the group's confidence. "Pack smart. No extra weight. We don't know what we're walking into, and I don't want anyone lagging."

Arven caught Carmen's eye as she passed, her face unreadable but her gaze lingering on him a beat too long. He looked away, his hand instinctively moving to his pocket, where the keycard seemed to burn against his skin.

Meanwhile, the group nodded at Eri, murmuring their agreement.

Eri's smile widened and she exchanged a thumbs up with her Annihilape. "Great."

As she walked away to leave everyone to finish their preparations, Arven frowned, following her. "How are you not the least bit nervous?" He asked, almost frustrated that the Caph Squad leader seemed as stubborn as Nemona.

Eri glanced at her team, her expression softening as she spoke with absolute sincerity. "My friends give me strength," she said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Before she could say more, someone called her away.

But Eri's words hung in the air, and for a moment, Arven fell quiet. Despite his skepticism, he couldn't help but feel the faintest flicker of admiration. He wished he could feel that way too. But for now, all he could do was push forward—and hope they were ready for what lay ahead.

---

The Meowth balloon drifted silently over the forest, its tattered design blending awkwardly with the predawn sky. Inside, Jessie, James, and Meowth leaned over the basket's edge, their sharp eyes following the movements of Team Star's camp far below. A small device, cobbled together from scraps of Rotom Phone parts, Magnemite casings, and what looked suspiciously like an old karaoke machine microphone, hummed softly between them. Dubbed the "Eavesdroptron 3000" by Meowth, it allowed the trio to tune in to conversations below with eerie clarity.

Meowth adjusted the dials with a practiced paw, his ears perking as snippets of Team Star's plans filtered through the tiny speaker attached to the device. "Dis thing's got range like ya wouldn't believe," he muttered proudly. "It's sharper than a Zangoose's claws."

James peered closer at the blinking lights, nodding approvingly. "It does have a certain…villainous charm, doesn't it?"

Jessie rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "Focus, you two. What are they saying?"

Meowth's paw hovered over the dial, fine-tuning the frequency. A voice crackled through, carrying Eri's instructions to her team. Words like "giant Pokémon," "Herba Mystica," and "move swiftly" caught their attention. Meowth's ears twitched, and his eyes lit up. "Dere it is! Da worm an' a mystical weed!"

Meowth scratched his chin, his whiskers twitching in thought. "Alright, so lemme gets dis straight: Our options are to nab da Pokémon at da camp while dey're distracted, or go after dis giant worm ting they're talkin' about?"

James leaned in, eyes sparkling. "So it's true! A giant Pokémon and rare ingredients ripe for the taking!"

"What are the statistics of success for each endeavor, Meowth?" Jessie's smile grew feral as she adjusted her gloves with a snap. "Don't want to take any chances!"

The feline reached for a small, patched-together device resembling a calculator and began furiously punching buttons. "Let's see here… For da camp: Our success rate of catching Pokémon in groups is a whopping 22 percent! However…" He paused dramatically, glancing at his companions. "Da attainment rate after five minutes? Zero percent."

Jessie nearly fell over before gathering herself and tossing her hair with an irate flip. "That is impossible, Meowth!" Then tapping her chin, "I'm sure some numbers slipped through your calculations. What about capturing this giant Pokémon? What are the odds?"

Meowth squinted at his device, his paws tapping a few more keys. "Well, uh… since we've nevah actually tried catchin' a giant Pokémon, we ain't got no conclusive data. But accordin' to my calculations…" He pressed one final button, and a loud beep followed. "We've gots a two percent chance!"

Jessie froze mid-sneer. "How are you even getting these numbers?"

"Uh…" Meowth scratched the back of his head, holding up the jerry-rigged device.

"Ah! But two percent is still better than zero," James grinned, lifting a pretentious finger.

Jessie pushed his head downward, rolling her eyes. "Thank you, Captain Obvious!"

Meowth waved a paw to regain their attention. "But here's da real kicker! If we manage ta bag a giant Pokémon, we wouldn't needs to report to anyone! No bosses, no schemes, just us! No one would wants to challenge us then!"

Having recovered, James leaned back, folding his arms behind his purple hair. "You know, we've been working for the system far too long. A life of servitude to underwhelming bosses and poorly structured plans…" He sighed wistfully. "What if we broke free?"

Jessie's eyes gleamed with sudden inspiration. "We should consider a start-up!"

James blinked. "In what, exactly?"

"One step at a time, James!" Jessie snapped, then waved a hand dismissively. "But truly, retirement is too boring, and reporting to a boss with an outdated sense of fashion does not 'give life.'"

Meowth crossed his arms, a scheming twinkle in his eyes as he leaned toward Jessie and James. "Wit' a giant Pokémon, we could finally capture dat Pikachu and dat red dragon—and officially start our own criminal mastermind organization!"

"Oooh!" James's face lit up with excitement. "I do like the sound of that."

Jessie clapped her hands together, her grin widening. "Excellent! It's settled. We'll follow them, nab the giant Pokémon, and secure our future as Paldea's most fashionable criminal masterminds!"

The trio huddled closer, their voices blending into animated whispers as they plotted their next move. Above them, the balloon swayed gently, carrying them toward destiny—or disaster.

---

Levincia, Paldea

The airport hummed, a blend of cheerful announcements, the melodic tolling of distant trolleys, and the chatter of travelers moving in every direction. As soon as she'd stepped off the plane, Dawn had immediately felt a rush of excitement. The vibrant, modern design of the terminal was like nothing she'd ever seen before. Polished floors reflected bursts of color from digital screens displaying flashy advertisements, while bright murals stretched along the walls, celebrating Paldea's culture, natural beauty, and exotic Pokémon. Overhead, a skylight let sunlight pour in, bathing the terminal in a golden glow.

"This place is incredible!" Dawn hugged Piplup closer, her voice rising with a squeal as her blue eyes darted to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Beyond them, the Million Volt Skyline of Levincia glistened in the distance, a stunning blend of sleek skyscrapers, neon accents, and the sparkling ocean just below. It was like the city itself was alive, buzzing with possibility.

Beside her, Lisia lowered her vibrant sunglasses just enough to peer at the scene before her. "Finally," She placed a hand on her hip and tilted her head with an approving smile towards her Altaria, who floated behind her like a cloud, "A region with architecture that's not afraid of some color."

May, trailing behind and starving, unwrapped a candy bar she had grabbed off the plane. "Lisia, you love monochromatic cool tones. You've literally said they're your colors." She took a big bite and rolled her eyes, exchanging looks with her Glaceon, who was waiting for her trainer to share.

The turquoise-haired idol waved a dismissive hand. "Well, those are my colors. Obviously." She cast a dramatic glance at her outfit, which was carefully coordinated in icy blue and silver. "Of course, I would never wear orange. You want me to look like a Hariyama?"

"That is actually a wild comparison," May deadpanned.

Dawn snorted at the quip, shaking her head. Lisia's larger-than-life personality was as entertaining as it was exhausting. Turning back to the windows, Dawn's breath caught again. The skyline seemed to shimmer as sunlight reflected off its towers, and below, the ocean stretched endlessly, its surface glittering in soft blues and greens.

Beside Dawn, May took a small brochure that Glaceon had fished out of her trainer's bag. With a mouth still full of candy, the brunette mumbled, reading aloud, "Levincia, the coastal gem of Paldea, is famed for its golden beaches, cutting-edge tech, and vibrant nightlife…"

The words seemed to echo in Dawn's mind, each one feeding a growing sense of renewal. She felt invigorated just being here, surrounded by the buzz of a region so alive. It was as if the energy of Paldea was seeping into her, waking parts of herself she hadn't realized had grown dormant. This was the start of something new—a fresh chapter, a chance to prove herself on a dazzling new stage.

Her Rotom Phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the spell. She pulled it out and saw the message from Guillermo Lebarón:

I trust you made it safely. I will call tomorrow with details about the banquet. Your friends, of course, are also invited. But I look forward to personally introducing Paldea to the Pearl of Sinnoh.

Dawn's cheeks flushed as she read the message, quickly swiping her phone off and tucking it away before her friends noticed. But May's sharp eyes caught the motion, and she leaned in with a wicked grin, her eyebrows wiggling. "Oh? Who was that?"

"None of your business." Dawn glared at her, the blush in her cheeks deepening.

May only snickered, thoroughly enjoying her friend's reaction, but Lisia's attention had wandered. A faint murmuring swept through the terminal, and people began pulling out their phones, craning their necks as if to catch a glimpse of something—or someone. Lisia arched a perfectly manicured brow and adjusted her sunglasses, her interest piqued. It was always a curiosity when such attention was not directed at her.

"What is going on?" she murmured, more to herself and Ali than her friends. With a flourish, she removed her sunglasses entirely and placed a hand on her hip, scanning the growing crowd. Then she saw it—a flash of yellow fur and a mess of raven-black hair.

Lisia gasped so loudly it turned heads, her designer purse nearly slipping from her fingers. She clutched it tightly, disaster narrowly avoided, before whispering excitedly to her companions. "You guys… is that…?"

Dawn and May turned sharply, their eyes following Lisia's gaze.

Ash waved politely at yet another group of people calling out his name, their voices blending with the general din of the terminal. Flashes of camera phones flickered as he moved, Pikachu perched on his shoulder and scanning the crowd with a mix of curiosity and weariness. Ash forced a smile, his hand lifting in a casual wave before quickly dropping to his side.

"We're back alright…Just smile and keep walking," he muttered under his breath, half to Pikachu, who responded with a soft, sympathetic "Pika."

Ash tried to focus on anything but the murmurs and snapping photos. He was waiting near the terminal's exit while Serena helped Brock with some mix-up in customs. Ash hadn't caught all the details, but it sounded complicated enough to make him grateful it wasn't his problem. Still, the delay made him itch with impatience. He just wanted to grab their bags and leave. The constant stares were a little more grating than usual for some reason.

Maybe it had to do with being bombarded by news and messages as soon as he'd arrived. On the TVs around the airport, headlines about Geeta flashed at him in bold text: "Academic Chairwoman and League Champion Geeta Remains Missing—No Leads Yet." Ash frowned. Subsequent news didn't help either: "Diego García Surges in Polls: Isabel de Castilla left without support."

And if all of that hadn't gotten to him, there was also Eduardo Navarro's text message, which seemed to find him just as he landed:

I will be in Levincia for the opening Contest. Let's meet.

Ash sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Navarro's timing was impeccable, as usual. He glanced up, his eyes darting across the crowded terminal. Being back in Paldea felt strange. There was a pull in his chest, like the region itself was welcoming him home, but it also carried the weight of everything he'd been trying to leave behind. The responsibilities, the mysteries, the questions that didn't have easy answers—all of it was here, waiting for him.

The flight itself had been uneventful, though long enough to make him restless. Serena had spent much of the time curled against him, dozing off with her head on his shoulder while Pikachu slept on her lap. Ash had tried to let the feeling of her relax him, but his mind wouldn't stop racing.

When they had landed, reality had hit hard. The first gut punch came when Serena's phone rang almost immediately, and Ash heard the name Kathi-Grace before Serena took the call. He'd only caught snippets of her end of the conversation—"the Coordinator's Banquet tomorrow night," "Yes, of course, I'll be there"—but it was enough to make his stomach sink.

The Banquet. Ash had tried suppressing a groan. He really hadn't wanted that to be the first thing they talked about off the plane, so he'd chosen to keep his mouth shut. Still, the tension had immediately thickened like a haze around them, though Ash tried not to let it bother him.

Serena had avoided looking at him after hanging up, choosing instead to gaze out the plane window. Ash knew she wasn't angry, but the silence was hard to take. When she finally spoke, her voice was quick and clipped. "I'm have to meet with Tulip tonight. To try on a few things for everything going on this weekend."

Ash had nodded stiffly, shrugging. "No worries. Brock and I will check into our hotel and see where the others are at."

"Right…" Serena had murmured, biting her lip. The tension was unbearable, but before either of them could say more, Brock had interrupted, holding up a ridiculous assortment of souvenirs.

"Serena!" he'd exclaimed, practically shoving a shiny pair of earrings shaped like Slowpoke tails into her hands. "Do you think Miriam will like these? Or maybe this?" He pulled out a hat that was a chaotic mix of floral prints and Pokémon patterns, grinning proudly. "I'm trying to cover all my bases!"

Serena had laughed softly, her tone as gentle as ever. "Maybe hold off on gifts for now, Brock. You don't want to lovebomb her." And soon the tone had returned to being light and cheerful while Serena helped Brock rehearse his first date proposal to the school nurse.

Now, as Ash waited, he felt his frustration creeping back. He sighed again, casting a sideward glance at Pikachu, who tilted his head knowingly. "Man, I just wanted to land and relax," Ash grumbled, lifting his cap to run a hand through his messy hair. "Why does everything have to get so complicated?"

"Pika…" Pikachu replied, patting Ash on the head with a little paw.

Before Ash could dwell on everything more, a high-pitched squeal pierced the air, followed by excited shouts calling his name. He blinked, looking up as the crowd around him began to shift and part. His brow furrowed, but his eyes immediately caught something unmistakable—a familiar Piplup waddling energetically, followed closely by a sleek, graceful Glaceon.

Pikachu's ears twitched first, his tail rising with recognition before he sprang from Ash's shoulder, landing lightly on the floor. He darted toward the approaching pair with a jubilant "Pika pi!"

Ash's eyes widened, his voice rising in surprise as he noticed two equally familiar trainers. "Dawn!? May!?"

May's laughter rang out as she clutched Dawn's arm, her excitement bubbling over. "Ash!" she called back, grinning ear to ear.

Dawn was breathless, her cheeks flushed from sprinting through the terminal the moment she'd spotted him. "Ash!" she beamed, extending a hand for a high five, which he eagerly returned. "This is crazy! We knew you were here in Paldea, but…"

Dawn's thrill at seeing him was immediate, washing over her like a wave of comfort. For a moment, it felt like old times, like the months and distance between them hadn't existed. Memories of their last time together in Kanto flashed through her mind. She had visited Cerise Labs to spend time with Chloe, and Ash had dropped by with Pikachu. She remembered how he'd been doing well but had carried a restless energy, pacing as he vented about the "boring" duties of being a champion.

Dawn smiled to herself, recalling some of those duties—endless meetings with sponsors, public appearances, photoshoots, and constant media engagements that seemed to sap his energy more than any battle ever could. He'd grumbled about how he missed the thrill of traveling, the unpredictability of the journey, and the simple joy of battling for fun rather than obligation.

She had sympathized with him, knowing how much he thrived on adventure and the freedom to chase his dreams. Dawn had even been there when Brock first mentioned Paldea. She remembered Ash's initial curiosity about the region, his questions about its Pokémon, its battles, its mysteries. She had encouraged him, nudging him toward the opportunity to explore something new. But she hadn't known what he'd decided—he hadn't mentioned it again before she left—not until seeing him on the news with Serena.

Now, standing in front of him, Dawn felt a swell of pride and joy seeing him fully immersed in a new adventure. "It's so good to see you again!" she laughed.

"You too!" Ash's grin was wide and boyish as he replied, "What are you guys doing here?"

May jumped in, catching Ash also by the arm. "We just landed for the contest season! We didn't think we'd run into you so soon!"

As they exchanged greetings, the lingering tension from earlier seemed to lift slightly, replaced by the bright, familiar presence of old friends. Dawn glanced down at Pikachu and Piplup, who were already chattering excitedly, and couldn't help but feel that this was exactly the kind of welcome she hadn't realized she needed.

May suddenly squealed again, squeezing both of her long-time friends. "How amazing is it running into you in our first hour here!?" Then feeling something nudging her leg, "And hi, Pikachu!"

Pikachu chirped happily, bouncing from ground to May's outstretched arms, where he nuzzled her cheek affectionately. "Pika, pika!" he cried before hopping over to Dawn, who giggled as he pressed his cheek against hers.

Behind them, Lisia approached, her green eyes glittering with interest. She stepped between Dawn and May, gently parting them with a light push on their shoulders. "So this is the famous Monarch, hmm?" she said, her voice lilting with amusement. She held out a pale, doll-like hand. "Hi, I'm Lisia."

Ash took her hand, shaking it a bit sheepishly. Lisia's gaze lingered on him, sharp and appraising, and he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks under her feline stare. So this was the boy Serena had been in love with for practically her entire life. Lisia had to admit, he was cute in a rugged, unpolished way. Not exactly her type—he lacked any style or panache she typically admired. But there was something intriguing about his boyishness, his rough-around-the-edges look. Still, she was grateful that Serena had taken it upon herself to dress him better. The trim pants and white sneakers Ash wore were certainly different from pictures Lisia had seen of him in his horrific, outdated jeans.

Despite this, Serena had spoken about him endlessly, about his unwavering kindness, courage, and determination. Dawn and May had echoed those characteristics of his, sharing stories of his impact on their lives. He must be something special to have left such an impression on so many. Yes, Lisia thought, she was curious about Ash Ketchum.

Ash cleared his throat, still feeling a bit awkward under her intense gaze. "Lisia," he repeated as he let go of her hand. Something about the name sparked recognition. "Oh, you're—"

"Contest Idol extraordinaire, yes," Lisia cut in smoothly, her teeth flashing in a dazzling, almost predatory smile.

Ash grinned, suddenly unphased. "I was going to say, you traveled with Serena, right?"

"I did." Lisia's smile widened, her tone light but pointed. "And now you are traveling with her, hmm? How's that going?" She looked around, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "Wait, shouldn't she be with you? Weren't you two just in Kanto?"

"Wait," May, about to chime in, hesitated mid-sentence. "Lisia… how do you know that?"

Lisia smirked, pulling out her phone and waving it airily. "I know everything. When will you learn?"

Dawn sweatdropped, tugging on Ash's sleeve. "Ignore her, Ash. She can be… a lot."

Ash chuckled good-naturedly, scratching the back of his head. "It's fine. Actually, Serena's around here somewhere." He glanced around for her, then paused as a thought struck him. Turning back to the girls, he asked, "Wait, are you all here for the contests too?"

Dawn beamed. "I am! They—" she tilted her head toward May and Lisia— "are on vacation. They're sticking around to see the first contest. I decided to leave the Contest Idol scene and get back in the game."

"Hey, that's awesome!" Ash raised a fist in celebration before turning to May and Lisia. "And I heard you've all been killing it as Contest Idols!"

Lisia sniffed, flipping her turquoise hair dramatically. "If by 'killing it,' you mean dazzling audiences with our beauty, talent, and grace? Then yes, we have."

May's lips seemed to move to the side of her face as she mumbled, "His vocabulary is limited."

A vein popped in Ash's head, and he jabbed a finger in her direction. "Hey! I heard that!"

Before he could properly defend himself, Ash heard Serena's voice parting the littered groups of people lingering by them—still snapping photos.

Both the honey-blonde and Brock emerged from the crowd, their conversation drifting toward Ash and the others.

"And that's how you sweet-talk security into returning your exotic ingredients," Serena said, a triumphant smile on her face as she lifted a delicate finger, her Sylveon trotting nearby.

Brock scratched the back of his head, his expression embarrassed. "I don't think that technique would've worked for me…"

Serena sighed, shaking her head with a sweatdrop. "Why did you have to bring a 'blazing firefruit' from Kanto anyway?"

Brock shrugged, holding up a small, glowing orange fruit encased in a protective container. The fruit's fiery veins pulsed faintly, giving off an almost imperceptible heat. "Miriam loves spicy dishes, and this is the spiciest ingredient in Kanto. It's supposed to add a perfect, fiery kick to any recipe!" The Pokédoctor frowned, "You think they'd have believed me when I said it was for culinary purposes…"

Serena groaned, her fingers rubbing her temples. She was about to elaborate when she felt her throat suddenly constricted, a pair of arms wrapping tightly around her neck.

"Serena! At last!" Lisia's voice rang out, clear as a bell—or a megaphone…

Serena's eyes went wide as she struggled to breathe. She clawed lightly at Lisia's arms, trying to loosen the grip. May, beside them, hurriedly tried to pry Lisia away, her face etched with panic.

"Lisia!?" Serena managed to croak, her voice hoarse as she caught sight of May's familiar grin. "May!?"

Lisia finally released her, her hands sliding to Serena's shoulders as she began to jump up and down. Serena wheezed, gulping down air while her wide eyes stared at the turquoise-haired girl in disbelief.

Entirely unbothered by Serena's near-suffocation, the Contest Idol gave an impish wink and held up a finger. "I know, I know. We should totally be angry at you for ghosting us, but…" She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically, her gaze sliding toward Ash, "I know you've been busy." She leaned in closer, her tone playful. "But you can't hide from us forever, so all is forgiven!" With that, she pulled Serena into another fierce hug.

Serena sighed into the embrace, her shoulders relaxing slightly as the worry she'd been carrying eased. She really had been concerned about upsetting her friends with her inconsistent texts and missed calls, but it seemed they understood. The familiar warmth of their company was instantly comforting, and she let herself melt into it.

Over Lisia's shoulder, May caught Serena's eye and gave her a quick wink, her lips moving silently as she mouthed, "We'll talk later." She subtly tilted her head toward Ash, who stood a few feet away, talking with Dawn. Serena's cheeks flushed as she caught May's meaning, her blush deepening when Lisia tightened her hold once more.

Meanwhile, Dawn's gaze kept drifting towards Serena. She couldn't help but watch her, taking in how naturally Lisia clung to her arm and how Serena seemed completely at ease with it. Lisia rarely let her guard down, but around Serena, it was like she didn't have to try so hard. They were close—really close—and it made Dawn wonder: What was it about Serena that drew people in like that? May seemed to be under the same sort of 'spell.'

But curiosity came with a side of nerves. Serena wasn't just as gorgeous as she looked in photos—she was even more so in real life. (Of course, Ash had a knack for traveling with pretty girls—a coincidence Dawn always found hysterical.) But there was something about this girl—her poise, the way she smiled and filled the space with something warm, the way she just seemed so put together. She didn't look eighteen; she carried herself like someone older, more experienced. Dawn had to admire that…

And she found herself wanting to get to know the honey-blonde, too. Serena had been a name in conversations for so long—May gushing about her style, Lisia bringing her up constantly, even Ash mentioning her here and there whenever she'd visit him. But meeting the famous honey-blonde now? It was clear there was a lot more to Serena than just the stories.

Dawn glanced back at Ash and caught him watching Serena like she was the gravity in the room. His eyes were soft but focused, and there was this little smile tugging at his lips. It stopped Dawn short. She'd never seen him look at anyone like that before.

It threw her off. Like there was something different about him—something heavier, more grounded. It wasn't bad, exactly, but it wasn't the Ash she'd traveled with. And that made her chest tighten for a second.

Still, Dawn wanted to acknowledge what she knew about his new relationship, even if she kept it lighthearted. Nudging Ash gently, she leaned closer. "So… she met your mom?" she asked, grinning a little.

Ash blinked, looking at her like she'd just yanked him out of a daydream. "Uh, yeah. She did."

Dawn snickered, her grin widening. "Did she get Delia's seal of approval?" She poked him lightly in the ribs, laughing as he winced.

"That and more." Brock chimed in before Ash could answer, folding his arms with a grin. "Good to see you, by the way!"

Dawn spun to Brock, her energy bubbling over. "Good to see you, too!" she said before throwing an arm around both of them, pulling them down with a yelp. "It's so good to see you both! I'm so pumped you're here in Paldea for another epic adventure!" She let them go, grinning from ear to ear. Then she turned to Ash, her fist raised in a mock challenge. "I bet you've already caught some awesome Pokémon. When are we battling, huh?"

Ash straightened, that competitive spark of confidence lighting up his face. Pikachu leapt back onto his shoulder, chirping excitedly. "Anytime you're ready, Dawn. But don't get mad when I win!"

Dawn could have sighed with relief, but instead she snorted, smirking. "I see some things don't change, Ketchum! You'd better bring it!"

"Um, we're in an airport…" Brock cleared his throat, his hands on his hips.

May, immediately noticing the fiery dynamic sparking between Ash and Dawn, crossed her arms with a knowing smirk. Besides their similar personalities and competitive natures, both Ash and Dawn would rather avoid logistics. "And we need to get our bags. Check into our hotel. Find clothes to wear for the little soirée tomorrow night…" May listed off their 'to-do's with her fingers.

Glancing back at Ash and Dawn, Serena couldn't help but notice how the two seemed to deflate a little at the mention of schedules, the wind going out of their sails. For a moment, she saw clearly a similarity between them—a shared energy, that same spirited enthusiasm that could be quickly dampened by reality. It made her smile softly before stepping forward, her hand extended graciously to the blunette.

"Hi, Dawn. I'm Serena," she said warmly. "I've heard so much about you! And not just from Ash but from competing in the contest circuit. You're a legend!"

Dawn blinked, caught off guard by the compliment, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks as she took Serena's hand. She then clasped her arms behind her back, suddenly unsure of how to respond. "I, well, I'm not all that!" she said with a small wink, her voice light but betraying a twinge of mixed emotions.

Ash beamed, stepping closer with his usual enthusiastic energy. "I can't believe you guys haven't met yet! But Dawn, Serena's right—you are a legend! Man, this Grand Festival's going to be awesome with you both competing."

Serena glanced at Ash, catching the spark in his eyes as he spoke about Dawn. Something flickered in her chest—something she couldn't quite name—and it made holding her smile just a little harder. Her gaze shifted back to Dawn, her voice steady but carrying an edge of curiosity. "So, you're officially competing?"

Dawn didn't miss the slight apprehension in Serena's eyes. Instead of shying away, it seemed to steel her resolve. "I am!" she said firmly, and beside her, Piplup struck a pose.

"All the best coordinators across the regions were invited to come, but…" May turned to Dawn with a teasing grin. "Dawn got a special invitation." Her wink made the blunette groan softly, clearly annoyed.

"A special invitation…?" Serena asked, tilting her head, wondering.

Before she could ask more, Lisia waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, but don't worry!" she said waving her sunglasses by the temple tips. "May and I have taken it upon ourselves to keep promoting Contest Spectaculars. We're just here for a little vacation—and, of course, to see you and Dawn compete in your first Paldean contest." Her knowing gaze settled on Serena for a moment before gliding to Ash. "And we've got so much to catch up on."

Dawn turned to the young champion, scooping Piplup back into her arms. "We need to catch up too! Maybe get some training in?"

Ash's grin widened, the suggestion igniting something inside him. "Absolutely." The idea of training with Dawn felt like slipping into an old, comfortable rhythm. Seeing her and May again had reinvigorated him—it was like being back on their old journeys when life was simpler, filled with nothing but Pokémon, dreams, and battles.

Serena, standing just beside them, felt a faint chill settle in her chest. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped herself. Instead, she stayed quiet, one of Sylveon's ribbons slipping around her wrist.

As they began to walk towards baggage claim, the group naturally broke into smaller clusters. After finally getting a proper introduction, Brock fell into step with Lisia—over whom he respectfully fangirled and asked for various autographs "for his sisters."

Lisia's face lit up, and she graciously signed several items for him, offering him her signature wink. "Anything for the family of a gentleman!" she teased, making Brock blush.

At baggage claim, Ash and Dawn fell into easy conversation until his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen as Clemont's name popped up alongside a short message:

In Levincia. Meet us at Pokémon Center South.

Ash's lips twisted into a small frown as the conveyor belt started to churn. His eyes lingered on the message, the weight of it pressing into him.

May leaned closer, her dark blue eyes blinking with a doe-like expression. "What's wrong, Ash? You look like someone asked you to share food."

Hearing this, Serena glanced over, her brows knitting in concern. Ash caught her gaze and forced a reassuring smile. "It's Clemont—another one of our friends," he explained to the group. "He's in town and wants to meet up."

Serena's brow rose, her confusion quickly turning into worry. If Clemont had left the Academy, it must have been important…likely something to do with his Terastal research…

She bit her lip.

"So, Serena, are you going to come with us to see our hotel?" Lisia clasped her hands together before fluffing Ali's feathers with excitement. "Apparently, it's fab-u-lous. El Gran Palacio!" She twirled her fingers for emphasis.

Brock perked up. "Isn't that where we stayed, Serena?" He turned to her, smiling as she nodded. "It's beautiful. Are you staying there again?"

Serena, only half paying attention as her thoughts swirled, touched the locket at her neck. "No, actually," she said after a beat. "Tulip invited me to stay with her at her studio."

Lisia's eyes went wide, and she let out an audible squeal. "Tulip?! As in Casa Lavanda's fashionista extraordinaire, Tulip?!" She clapped her hands again in delight. "You know her?!"

A small smile tugging at Serena's lips. "She's been my sponsor and mentor while I've been in Paldea. She's helped me a lot with my contests and performances and…" She didn't say more, not wanting to get into all of the details she'd had to deal with of late—at least not here…

"She sounds amazing!" May's face lit up, touching Serena's arm and giving her a look as if she was beginning to notice Serena's conflicted expressions, "We'd love to meet her—whenever it's easiest."

Serena's smile grew warmer as she grasped May's hand. "I'm sure you can. I'm supposed to meet her and Kathi-Grace at her warehouse tonight. You're welcome to come along."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Lisia exclaimed, already pulling out her Rotom Phone. "You can show us the hotel, give us a tour of the city, and then take us to meet Paldea's preeminent fashion icon. It's perfect!"

May sweatdropped as she watched Lisia furiously input the plans into her phone's calendar. Once Lisia added something to her schedule, it might as well have been chiseled into stone. Serena seemed to recognize this too, her resigned expression shifting into an amused smile.

Still, a small ache lingered in Serena's ribs. She was thrilled to see her friends and share her world with them—really, she was—but the thought of separating from Ash, especially after so many uninterrupted days together, felt like something tearing at the edges. And now, with Clemont's unexpected arrival, her thoughts were torn. She wanted to know what was going on, but there simply wasn't enough of her to be in two places at once.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Ash's hand rested gently on her shoulder. "Hey," he leaned closer, his voice low and steady. "Don't worry about me. I'm sure it's nothing—maybe Clemont's just here to hang out or see the contest."

Serena nodded, though she didn't answer right away. Somehow, she doubted it was that simple. After a moment, a thought struck her. "Can you also check in with the others? Clemont will probably want an update on Bonnie."

Brock, already on the same wavelength, gave her a thumbs-up. "Was planning to call Arven on the way to the Center."

Serena relaxed a little at that, then turned back to Ash. "What's your plan?"

Ash grinned, knowing full well that he didn't have a plan, but that he should probably make one so that she felt better. "Brock and I will crash at the Pokémon Center until we hook up with the others. Then Nemona will know the plan. I think we have a Blitz game this weekend."

That made Serena laugh softly. It was such a classic Ash answer.

Ash stepped closer, keeping his movements slow and measured, even though he could feel everyone watching. He tried not to care. He just hated the idea of saying goodbye to Serena, even if it was only for a little while. The thought of being apart tugged at him in a way that made his ribs hurt.

He leaned in slightly, his voice low, meant just for her. "I'll call you tonight?"

Serena looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his, and for a moment, everything else faded away. They didn't need to say much—her gaze held everything he needed to hear, and he hoped his did the same for her.

After a beat, she nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her hand moved up to cover his, giving it a quick squeeze before letting go.

"Aw… you're not gonna kiss?" Lisia popped up beside them, her pout exaggerated and her green eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Lisia!" May exclaimed, hands popping up to her red face, scandalized by her friend's forwardness. She was considering buying a leash for this girl..

Lisia simply shrugged and placed her sunglasses back onto her nose. "What? You're all such prudes."

Dawn, who really hadn't wanted to interrupt the moment (mostly because it had been very strange to see), rolled her eyes. "No, you are just nosy."

Lisia leaned in, pointing directly at Ash with a sly grin. "Don't tell me you don't want to see him lay one on her. You have to be at least a little curious." She wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis.

May and Glaceon tilted their heads, half-considering the statement, while Dawn and Piplip scrunched their faces in mild disgust. "You're insane," Dawn muttered.

Brock scratched his chin and mumbled mostly to himself, "Yeah, there are some things you don't come back from."

Ash, already blushing furiously, whipped his head toward the Pokédoctor. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Serena, whose cheeks were nearly as red as Ash's, did her best to pretend none of this was happening. Her eyes darted toward the conveyor belt, and she seized the first excuse she could find. "Oh look, our bags!" she squeaked, stepping away quickly.

Ash turned to watch her slip toward the baggage claim, his expression falling slightly. He let out a quiet sigh, frustrated with himself. His shoulders slumped slightly as Pikachu gave him a sympathetic look, and he muttered something under his breath before grabbing the bags.

---

Area Two, Northern Province

The path to the mines was a winding, uneven trail that cut through dense foliage and rocky outcroppings. The late morning mist lingered in the air, giving the landscape a quiet, ethereal quality. The group walked in relative silence at first, their footsteps crunching against the dirt path as their Pokémon moved alongside them.

Never one to stay quiet for long, Nemona took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Eri. "You know, Mela and Giacomo weren't exactly happy to see us at first either," she began, her tone chipper despite the subject. "But once we explained what we were doing, they warmed up. Well, kind of. Mela yelled a lot, but Giacomo actually helped us come up with some plans to handle the bullying crisis back at the Academy."

Eri nodded politely but didn't respond, her painted gaze fixed on the horizon. Carmen, walking just ahead, rolled her eyes. "Yelled? Sounds like Mela."

Nemona pressed on, going into detail about the incident during Homecoming. "And after that things really picked up. People were starting to talk more about Team Star—mostly bad—and we wanted to make sure the truth was out there. That's when we ran into Iono. You know her, right? The influencer?"

Carmen groaned audibly. "Who doesn't know Iono?"

"Well," Nemona continued, "she suggested we make a documentary about Team Star. Something that could show people what really happened and why you all deserve to be seen differently."

Eri tilted her head slightly, her expression patient but distant. It was clear she was only half-listening. Carmen, on the other hand, looked like she was about to burst. "Do you ever stop talking?" she snapped, glaring over her shoulder.

Nemona crossed her arms, frowning at Carmen. "Do you ever stop pouting? You'll get frown lines, you know."

After exchanging glances with Vaporeon, Penny sighed, stepping in to temper the conversation. "What Nemona means is that maybe a documentary could help set the record straight. People do need to hear your side of the story."

Nemona whirled back on the Caph Squad leader with a blinding smile. "Well? What do you think?"

Eri blinked, clearly pulled from her thoughts. "About?"

"Coming back to the school. The documentary. All of it!" Nemona clapped her hands together, growing excited again.

Eri's expression turned conflicted, her tone guarded. "I don't know."

Nemona's frustration returned. "About what?"

"Any of it," Eri admitted, her eyes silver through her contacts.

"Why?" Nemona asked, throwing her arms up. "Don't you want people to know the truth?"

"Yes, but the truth is… complicated," Eri replied, her voice steady but heavy with meaning.

Bonnie, who had been quietly listening, scrunched her nose in tandem with Dedenne and Pawmo—both perched respectively on her shoulders. "What do you mean?"

Eri sighed, glancing around to make sure the other Team Star members were out of earshot. "Team Star started as a refuge. A place for students who were bullied to feel safe. But not everyone had the same idea of what that meant. Some squads just wanted to be left alone. Others…well, they wanted revenge."

Penny's eyes widened in shock. "What? Who? Why?"

Eri winced, clearly reluctant to share more. "We used to have a Big Boss. When they were around, everything ran smoothly. But then there was this scandal…"

"Operation Starfall?" Nemona interjected.

Eri winced, pulled her wild hair back into a tamer ponytail as the sun grew hotter overhead. "Yeah. It involved both Scarlet and Violet Academy. There were dropouts, expulsions. It got bad," she glanced at her Annihilape, who huffed. "The Big Boss took sole responsibility for everything, making a deal with the Violet Academy director to exonerate Team Star. But the deputy director erased the records of the incident to protect himself. He got fired not long after, and most of the faculty resigned."

The group fell silent, absorbing the weight of her words.

"The Big Boss suggested disbanding Team Star afterward. Then they left to study abroad," Eri continued, her lips puffing outwards as she let out a long breath, "But we… we couldn't let go. We kept the team going, hoping the Big Boss would come back someday. But then friendships turned into rivalries. Squads started arguing, and one squad even began badgering trainers on the road—exactly what we'd fought against."

Penny seemed to be holding in a swell of emotion and she clenched her fists, ignoring her Vaporeon's warning mew. "Which one?"

"I… I can't tell you. Not now," Eri said firmly. "I've been trying to handle it, and I don't want outsiders judging us. There's too much hurt to deal with already."

Bonnie piped up, her voice hesitant. "What was the scandal? Why did everyone get expelled?"

Eri shook her head. "It's not my place to say. It's in the past, and what's done is done. Look, Team Star are the victims in all of this, but we're not perfect. We've made mistakes. That's why I'm now sure about this documentary thing." The Caph Squad leader pulled at her platinum wig as if adjusting it in a rare display of self-consciousness. "It's not just about uncovering the truth. It's about deciding what that truth means."

Everyone was silent for a beat, processing.

Eventually Nemona softened, nodding. "But maybe… maybe the truth could still bring healing instead of more hurt."

Eri smiled faintly but didn't look convinced. "Maybe."

Nemona then turned and looked upward to tap her chin, tucking one arm beneath the other. "Who's this Big Boss, anyway? Mela mentioned them too."

Eri shrugged. "No one knew their real identity. They wore a mask with their getup, and a lot of our meetings were virtual. But they were awesome. If they ever came back, maybe things would get set straight."

"Then maybe we can find them!" Nemona snapped her fingers, grinning as Pawmo jumped back onto her shoulder.

Penny shot her a look. "Didn't you hear her? This 'Big Boss' or whatever went abroad."

Nemona shrugged. "Doesn't mean we can't track them down."

Aliquis, who'd meandered near enough to hear the conversation about the scandal, groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Don't we have enough to deal with here in Paldea?"

As the group devolved into bickering, Arven trailed behind, his head low as Mabosstiff walked silently at his side. He was lost in thought when a hand tapped his shoulder, startling him.

Eri suddenly stood beside him, seemingly needing a break from the others. She smiled at Arven, a little amused by his seemingly glum expression, "So how did you get wrapped up with… all of them?" she asked, pointing her chin towards the group with a smirk.

Arven glanced up just as Nemona pulled on Aliquis's ponytail with a childish pout on her lips while Penny and Goh tried to separate them before the ace trainer could retaliate. He then shook his head with a sigh. "Would you believe me if I said I honestly don't know?"

Eri giggled softly. "Yeah. I think I would."

He glanced back down at the ground, his shoulders slumping.

Eri hesitated before speaking again. "Is it hard? Going to school, I mean… even with your father…"

Arven looked up at her, startled by the question. Few people ever asked him about it, and fewer still actually cared. Why would Eri? They barely knew each other. But still, she didn't seem to be prying—rather, just wanted to know. For a moment, he hesitated, unsure how to answer.

"It is—or, was," Arven finally said, his voice low and thoughtful. He glanced at his Mabostiff, who wagged his tail encouragingly and gave a gruff bark. Arven's lips quirked. "But it's gotten easier." He admitted, his gaze dropping back to the ground, shoes scuffing against loose gravel. "Though I still don't feel like I belong anywhere."

Eri stopped walking and placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip steady but not heavy. Her voice softened, carrying a quiet strength. "We all have a place we belong, Arven. Sometimes it just takes us a while to find it."

Her words struck a chord he hadn't expected. Arven blinked, the sincerity in her tone leaving him momentarily speechless. He wanted to ignore it, brush it off like he usually did when people offered nice empty words. But there was something about the way Eri said them—like she wasn't just trying to comfort him but genuinely believed what she said.

Arven stole a glance at her, who was now focused ahead, her expression calm but determined as they continued walking. She seemed so sure of herself, even with everything she'd just revealed about Team Star's fractured history.

Maybe, he thought, she understood what it felt like to not quite fit in.

---

Levincia

The Pokémon Center's sliding glass doors swished open as Ash, Pikachu, and Brock stepped inside. The midday sun cast long shadows across the polished floor, and Ash immediately felt a welcome rush of warm air. Tugging at the collar of his blue vest, he grumbled to Pikachu, "Feels like it's gotten way colder here since the last time we were in Paldea."

"Pika…" Pikachu agreed, hopping off Ash's shoulder to land lightly on the floor. With a little jump, the electric mouse activated a second set of automatic doors, earning a chuckle from Brock.

Ash lugged his bag inside, his stomach growling loudly. "Any news from the others?" he asked, glancing at Brock.

The Pokédoctor winced, "I tried calling, but no one's answering. They must not have signal?"

Ash mirrored Brock's look, offering a half-smile. "Let's just say no new is good news…for Clemont's sake. I'm sure they're just fine."

Inside, the familiar warmth of the Pokémon Center settled Ash's nerves. After checking in at the front desk, Nurse Joy handed them keys to their room with her usual cheerful efficiency. Ash barely gave her a wave before his focus shifted entirely to a nearby vending machine.

"Be right back!" Ash said, marching toward the glowing display of snacks with Pikachu in tow. The electric rodent pawed at the glass, pointing to a bag of chips, which Ash honed in on without hesitation. "Good choice, buddy," he said, pressing the button. He added a bottle of lemonade, a protein bar, and a packet of energy gummies for good measure.

Pikachu balanced the snacks in his little arms as Ash popped open the chips, stuffing a handful into his mouth. He barely got a chance to swallow before a familiar voice cut through the hum of the Center.

"Business as usual, huh?"

Ash turned, still chewing, and saw Gary leaning casually against the wall. He looked tanned but slightly haggard, his auburn hair messy and lip quirked in a smirk. Beside him, Umbreon stood alert, his ears twitching as if amused.

Ash raised a brow, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Wait a second…"

He glanced past Gary and saw Clemont standing near the lobby's seating area, chatting animatedly with Brock while Chespin balanced on the inventor's shoulder. The Spiny Nut Pokémon began to sniff the air until locking eyes with Pikachu, grinning mischievously at the bag of snacks.

Pikachu began to slowly back away.

"You're here with Clemont?" Ash asked, still trying to process the reunion.

"If you'd answered any of my calls during your little honeymoon, you'd know that." Gary crossed his arms, his smirk turning into an irritated frown. "When were you planning on calling me anyway? I'm offended."

Ash rolled his eyes, snorting. "Calling you was on my list of to-do's, trust me."

Gary gave him a look. "Like you even have a list. Unless it reads, 'Serena, Serena, Serena…' then I guess I can be convinced you have a list of things 'to do.'"

Ash's jaw tightened as he clapped Gary on the shoulder—not gently. "You know, I didn't miss you. Not at all."

Gary gave his oldest friend a crooked smile, brushing off the jab with a casual shrug. "Oh Ashy-boy, lighten up. I'm here breaking my back to help you figure out this Area Zero, Turo, blah blah nonsense while you don't even invite me on your little vacation."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "I thought you couldn't leave the region."

"An invite still would've been nice."

Ash considered this for a moment, though he couldn't imagine inviting Gary in a million years. Finally, he said, "Look, I just wanted to show Serena around Pallet Town. You know, introduce her to Mom and everyone."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Gary said as they made their way back to the others. "I bet Gramps got a kick out of that… even though I'm sure he was busy with that conference. Would've been nice to know you were going to Kanto so I could've slipped him some info. Could've helped you too."

Ash glanced at Pikachu, who nodded in agreement. "He did help, actually. I'll catch you and Clemont up on everything, but after you tell me what's going on."

Before Gary could respond, Clemont's voice cut in—having spotted the two as they made their way back toward the lobby. The inventor's face brightened as he waved, adjusting his glasses in that familiar, precise way of his. "Ash! Good to see you!" he greeted, his tone warm but carrying a hint of amusement. Then, with a sly glance at Gary, he added, "Seems you were right. He's much more responsive to my texts than to yours."

Ash winced, a guilty smile tugging at his lips. "Uh…"

Gary crossed his arms and muttered under his breath. "Figures."

Clemont's gaze flicked around the lobby, his expression turning curious. "Where's Serena? Is she with Bonnie?"

"Bonnie's with Nemona and the others," Ash explained, scratching his head. "I'm sure they'll be back in the city soon. Serena's with some old friends who came in for the contest season."

Clemont nodded thoughtfully, his expression briefly softening before it grew more serious. The last time he brought up the possibility of a Tera Cave, Clemont had sensed some tension between Serena and Ash. He'd hoped they'd resolved things by now—especially after the Titan Bombirdier incident—but he wasn't one to pry into personal matters. That was Gary's specialty, apparently. All the inventor could do was trust that Ash and Serena were keeping their lines of communication open.

"Probably for the best," Clemont said, sighing lightly. "Our business is somewhat urgent, and we don't have time to wade through logistics."

He reached into his bag, pulling out a well-worn map, and spread it across the nearest table. His tone turned clinical, professional. "We think we've located a Tera Cave a few hours west of Levincia. Based on the readings I was able to gather before my TEDT… well, before it exploded—"

"Your what?" Brock interjected, leaning in with a puzzled expression.

"One of his fancy gadgets that works for about five seconds," Gary said dryly.

"Ah," Brock said, as if that explained everything.

Clemont cleared his throat, ignoring them. "As I was saying, the energy readings suggest that this Tera Cave is highly active, which could mean…"

"There's a Paradox Pokémon inside," Ash finished, his voice low but certain.

"Correct," Clemont confirmed, adjusting his glasses again. "But as you know, Tera Caves are unpredictable. They don't stay active for long. Any delay, and we risk losing the trail."

Ash's gaze drifted to the map, his expression hardening with determination. "Right." He worked his jaw as he began to piece together Clemont's plan. "And I guess you want to see what happens to me when I go into a Tera Cave, huh?"

Clemont nodded. "Yes. It might help us better understand your connection to the Tera crystals."

Straightening and crossing his arms across his chest, Brock turned to Ash. "Did Oak say anything about that when you showed him the Tera Shard you found on Koraidon?"

Ash shook his head. "No. And neither did Cerise. They said they couldn't figure it out from just the shard."

Gary tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What Tera Shard are you talking about? The one you had in Clavell's office?"

Ash met Gary's gaze. "No, not that one. There's a lot to catch you guys up on, but maybe we should talk on the way to the cave." The young champion turned back to Clemont, "How soon should we go?"

The inventor glanced at the map, then at the clock on the wall. "Immediately, if we want to get there before nightfall."

Ash tipped his cap back and ran a hand through his hair, his brow furrowed. His face was set with determination, but he let out a long breath. "Right."

Brock clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Ash, why don't we drop off our luggage first? We can just bring what we need."

"Yeah, good idea," Ash said, then turned to Clemont. "I'll need to call Serena, too. Just to let her know what's going on."

"Good idea." Clemont gave him a small, understanding smile. "Gary and I will wait down here." Then turning to the Pokédoctor, "Brock, you're welcome to come. It might help if you did. Strength in numbers."

Brock grinned. "You don't even have to ask. I'm always along for the ride."

After rescuing Pikachu from Chespin, the snack-thief, Ash followed Brock up to their room, the two of them tossing their bags onto the beds.

The young champion dug through his belongings quickly, swapping his current pants for a pair of worn jeans and pulling on an old black shirt. He paused briefly to strap on his gloves, but his hands faltered as a wave of unease settled over him. His stomach flipped at the thought of calling Serena.

He really didn't want to start their time back in Paldea like this. He wished he had the chance to talk to her in person, but now, with things moving so fast, all he could do was make sure she was in the loop. Even so, the idea of her insisting on coming with them gnawed at the back of his mind. He doubted she would, not with her contest preparations, but the thought lingered and he wasn't sure how he'd react.

And then there was the banquet. The thought of Guillermo Lebarón still made Ash's jaw tighten, but knowing May and Dawn would be there made him feel a little better. If anyone could see through a guy like that, it was them.

"Why does our first day—no, our first hour—back have to be this crazy?" Ash muttered to Pikachu, shaking his head as he pulled out his Rotom Phone. He scrolled through the touch screen until Serena's name appeared, then pressed the call button.

He waited as the phone rang, the sound stretching longer than he expected. His stomach sank as the ringing stopped.

No answer.

---

Area Three, Eastern Province

An endless sprawl of rugged terrain dotted with craggy outcroppings and narrow paths winding between hills stretched out before Eri and company as they drew nearer to the mines—their entrances carved into the rocky landscape like gaping maws. A faint haze hung in the air, a subtle metallic tang of ore lingering as they approached.

Aliquis surveyed the expanse, throwing his hands in the air. "It could take days for us to comb through this whole area!"

Nemona turned to Eri, her hands on her hips. "Do we know where the Titan Pokémon's been spotted recently?" Meanwhile, Pawmo jumped off her shoulder and began sniffing the ground.

"The northeast quadrant." Eri nodded, shielding her grey eyes from the sun. "I thought we'd start there."

As they approached the entrance to the quarry, the terrain grew steeper, the rocks underfoot shifting unsteadily. The entrance to the tunnel came into view—a large, dark opening that seemed to swallow the light around it. Yellow tape crisscrossed the opening, fluttering faintly in the breeze. A sign nearby read, Restricted Access—Do Not Enter.

"Well, that seems ominous," Penny deadpanned, her glasses flashing as she tilted her head curiously.

Goh shrugged. "It is the weekend."

Carmen shook her head. "Still, the mines shouldn't be taped off. This is public access. This particular tunnel connects to a route that trainers and travelers take all the time to get to the quarry."

Eri didn't hesitate. She ducked under the tape, her Annihilape following closely, and gestured for the others to follow. "Come on."

Arven hesitated at the entrance, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "Are you sure about this? I'd rather not have the word 'criminal' stamped across my permanent record." Beside him, Mabostiff whined, as if also concerned by the idea of winding up behind a cell.

Nemona opened her mouth to retort but faltered, clearly not thrilled about anything tainting her pristine reputation.

"Trespasser isn't the same as criminal, Arven," Goh quipped.

Bonnie and Dedenne both sweatdropped. "Uh…" The lemon-haired girl drawled.

Nemona straightened, forcing confidence into her voice. "It's fine! We'll just tell Officer Jenny we were trying to help!" She grinned at Pawmo who nodded as if that was a great idea.

Arven only rolled his eyes, muttering as he reluctantly ducked under the tape, "Oh, don't worry, officer. Sure, we were trespassing, but it was because we, a bunch of young adults with hopeful ambitions, were just trying to do your job."

Eri snickered, the sound surprising everyone. She waved off the group's looks with a grin. "The police already think Team Star is a bunch of delinquents. We'll take the fall if anything happens. No big deal."

Carmen narrowed her eyes. "That's… generous."

Eri shrugged, winking at her friend. "But we won't get caught." She glanced at her Annihilape, who chortled ominously in agreement.

The group ventured into the tunnel, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Dim lights lined the passage, flickering faintly, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance in the corners of their vision. The air grew cooler, tinged with the faint scent of damp earth and rust.

"Anyone else feel like we're in a horror movie?" Aliquis muttered, his voice low.

"No." Penny smirked. "The pretty boy's usually the first to go. And you're still here."

Bonnie laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls.

"Not funny," Aliquis grumbled.

Toward the end of the tunnel, the group came to a large steel door that sealed off the cave's exit. The imposing structure was bolted firmly into place, and a small control pad blinked faintly at its side.

Carmen stepped forward, her eyebrows knitting together in surprise. "These doors are never shut!"

One of the Team Star grunts shivered, glancing at her Machoke. "This Pokémon must really be causing an issue."

"Is there another way to get to the route?" Bonnie looked around nervously, hugging Dedenne closer to her.

Eri rubbed her chin. "Yeah, but it's another hour or two of walking around the mines, and we don't really have that kind of time."

Arven felt sweat forming at the back of his neck, his fingers twitching against the keycard in his pocket. He glanced at the others, who were already discussing their options.

Penny stepped up to inspect the control pad. "I could try hacking this. Can't be too hard." She slung her Poké Ball bag from her shoulder, pulling out a small toolkit filled with compact gadgets. "Give me ten minutes, and if I can't get it open, we'll reassess."

"Awesome," Eri grinned.

Nemona flipped her ponytail and pulled down on her gloves with a confident smirk. "Told you our team could help!"

Penny rolled her eyes but set to work, pulling apart the cover of the control panel and examining the circuitry inside. As she tinkered, sparks occasionally flickered, and the faint hum of machinery filled the air. The others settled nearby, snacking and chatting in low voices, though their anxiety was palpable.

Arven, however, stepped away from the group, his eyes flicking nervously between Penny and the closed door. Finally, he wandered over to her, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

"Hey…" he started hesitantly.

Penny didn't look up, her fingers deftly working on a set of wires. "Kind of in the middle of something, Captain Fret-a-Lot."

Glancing around to make sure no one was looking, Arven pulled the keycard from his pocket and held it out to her. "This might help…"

Penny froze, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at the card. "Two questions. Why do you have this, and why didn't you just say something before?"

"Because I really shouldn't have it." Arven avoided her gaze, his voice low. "And I don't really want to explain…"

Penny paused her work, tilting her head slightly as she studied Arven. Her sharp, calculating gaze lingered on him, taking in his stiff posture, the way his fingers fidgeted slightly. Whatever this keycard represented, it was clearly weighing on him. She had a dozen questions swirling in her mind, but none of them felt worth prying into—not right now, at least.

She let out a quiet sigh, slipping the card into her pocket with a practiced motion. Secrets, especially heavy ones, were something she knew all too well. "Fine," she said, then shrugged. "But I get to take the credit."

Arven managed a wan smile. "Deal."

Making a show of punching a few buttons on the panel, Penny discreetly slid the keycard into a hidden slot on the control pad. The machine beeped, and the steel doors rumbled to life, sliding open with a metallic groan. Bright sunlight flooded the tunnel, revealing the sprawling expanse of the mines and the route beyond.

Penny stepped back, deadpanning, "As a certain honey-blonde would say: 'Ta-da.'"

Nemona's face lit up. "Penny, you're a genius!" She and Pawmo squealed, clasping each other's hands.

Penny shrugged again, tucking her tools away.

"Nice job," Eri approached, a little skeptical but appreciative. She gave Penny a quick once-over, like she was trying to figure out the quiet, tech-savvy girl.

But then her attention shifted, catching Arven standing off to the side, leaning against the tunnel wall. He had his arms crossed, his head tipped down slightly, but his eyes flicked toward the group every so often.

When he glanced up and caught Eri's steely eyes, he practically jumped. He muttered something under his breath, fiddling with the strap of his pack like it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

Eri didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what was up with him, but she figured she'd find out soon enough. For now, she just let it slide, following the group as they started moving forward.

---

Levincia

Serena hadn't expected her first day back in Paldea to be such a whirlwind—but she really should have known better. After all, life with Ash and their friends had never been anything but fast-paced and unpredictable.

The afternoon had been fun, even if exhausting. Lisia, May, and Dawn had dragged Serena to their hotel, and the moment they checked in, the lively chatter began. The Contest Idol trio—mostly Lisia—filled Serena in on their efforts to promote Contest Spectaculars in Sinnoh and Kanto. Lisia recounted their successes with flair, claiming they'd reinvigorated the contest scene, forcing more demands for traditional contests to have more audience input as opposed to relying solely on judges.

"Judges like Jordan and Keira have been in the pockets of contest bureaucrats since their infancy," Lisia said matter-of-factly, flipping her turquoise hair over her shoulder. "Not that those spoiled rich kids can help it."

"Since their 'infancy'? Someone's been reading those long articles with big words in them again…" May snorted into her water bottle, but Serena saw the gleam of agreement in her eyes. "Lisia's not wrong," the brunette added. "It's been good to shake things up. We all agree that traditional contests need a breath of fresh air. You can't have the same judges over and over again. And it's way too difficult to become a judge these days."

After the political talk died down, Serena turned to May with a light smile. "How's Max doing?"

May brightened at the mention of her brother. "He's great! He's collecting gym badges in Hoenn right now. He just beat Wattson last week and hasn't stopped bragging about it since."

Serena listened intently as May and Lisia continued to catch her up on their lives. Her heart felt full, being surrounded by friends she hadn't seen in so long. It wasn't lost on her how rare and precious these moments were.

Eager to show them more of her world, Serena had taken the lead and given them a tour around Levincia. They strolled through the bustling city streets, stopping at boutiques, cafes, and scenic spots overlooking the glittering ocean. And while Lisia and May kept busy with the sights, Serena found herself speaking to Dawn more, trying to bridge the gap between familiarity and friendship.

At one point, as they walked along the Million Volt Skyline, Serena turned to the famous blunette coordinator. "So, how did you get into contests? Was it something you always wanted to do?" she asked, watching Sylveon pad lightly beside Glaceon and Altaria while Piplup remained in Dawn's arms.

Dawn, who had been relatively quiet throughout the afternoon, perked up at the question. "Oh, definitely!" she said with a bright smile. "It's something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember."

She launched into her story, describing how she'd begun her Pokémon journey with an overconfident Piplup. "He was so stubborn," Dawn said, glancing at the Pokémon now waddling happily beside her. "He didn't trust me at first, and I wasn't sure if we'd ever figure it out. But then, after rescuing him from a swarm of Ariados, we became best friends."

Serena listened, fascinated.

"I knew from the beginning that I wanted to be a Coordinator," Dawn continued. "My mom's a Top Coordinator, so I've always looked up to her. But I didn't really understand what it meant to have a relationship with Pokémon and to work together with my team until I started traveling with Ash and Brock. Their experience helped me so much."

Dawn went on to describe her journey with Ash, sharing stories about how they pushed each other to become better trainers. "We always had this thing where we'd high-five whenever one of us accomplished something," Dawn said, her voice gentle with nostalgia. "It sounds silly, but it meant a lot. We trained together, supported each other—it was like we made each other better trainers without even trying."

"And then?" Serena prompted, sensing there was more to the story. The sun glittered on the sea, casting bright reflections on both the girls' faces.

"And then it was time for us to part ways," Dawn smiled and shrugged. "But I felt like I had to learn new things and grow stronger by myself anyway."

Serena grinned, her expression warm as she looked at Dawn. "Hmmm," she hummed softly. "I felt the same way after traveling with Ash."

The blunette tilted her head, "Yeah?"

Serena's gaze drifted for a moment, lost in thought as she considered how to explain it. "Traveling with Ash taught me so much—about Pokémon, about my dreams, who I am and what I really wanted. He has this way of making you believe anything's possible, you know? Like, no matter how hard something seems, you can do it if you just keep trying and never give up."

Dawn nodded, her eyes bright with agreement as she and Piplup exchanged happy glances.

"But after a while," Serena continued, "I realized I had learned everything I could from him. He's amazing, but I knew if I wanted to keep growing, I needed to figure things out on my own. To see what I could accomplish without always looking to him for answers."

Her voice softened as she added, "It wasn't easy at first. Ash makes everything feel… brighter." She blushed and glanced at the floor as if trying to hide her coloring cheeks. Clearing her throat, she went on, "Leaving that behind felt strange. But it was important for me—to figure out who I was, not just as a trainer or performer or coordinator, but as a person."

Dawn couldn't help but smile as she listened to the honey-blonde. It was clear from the way Serena spoke—how her voice grew gentle, how her eyes lit up—that she'd admired Ash for a very long time—that it hadn't been Lisia just exaggerating. The thought made Dawn's chest soften toward both Serena and Ash. It was… cute, really. The way Serena seemed to look up to him, and the way Ash, for all his awkwardness, seemed to be so sweet to her in return.

"That's really brave, Serena," Dawn said, her smile widening. "It's not easy to do that—to go off on your own like that. Especially when you're trying out something new and challenging like coordinating! I can't imagine having to start my contest journey by myself."

Serena adjusted her hat as the wind picked up and pushed a few strands of hair away from her face. "It was worth it, though!" she grew excited, reflecting on it all, "And honestly? Even though I had to go my own way for a while, I think it's made my relationship with Ash stronger. We both grew into who we needed to be, and now, it feels like we're standing side by side—not one of us always leading the other."

Dawn's smile softened, and she gave Serena a small nod of understanding.

Lisia strolled alongside the group, nibbling on a tortilla de patata wrapped in paper. She broke off a piece and handed it to Ali who trilled happily before delicately eating it from her hand. "Geez," Lisia mumbled from behind her flashing sunglasses, "this guy seems to inspire a lot of people."

May chuckled, glancing at Serena with a sly grin. "He has that effect." She suddenly popped up behind the honey-blonde, grabbing her shoulders with both hands and giving her a playful shake. "Which is why it's not hard to see how Serena fell for him."

Serena blushed, her cheeks warming under May's teasing. Dawn lips quirked up as she walked alongside them, her gaze drifting briefly to the ships rolling into Levincia's harbor in the distance. "You know, I want to hear more about that," she said, her voice casual but curious. "I heard you've known Ash longer than any of us!"

Serena's color deepened, but she couldn't avoid their expectant gazes. As they continued to wander away from the harbor and back onto the colorful streets, she began to recount her history with Ash. For Dawn's sake, she started with the summer camp in Pallet Town, describing how she'd fallen and hurt her knee and how Ash had been the one to help her, encouraging her to get back up. Then she spoke about Kalos—how meeting him again had changed everything for her, reigniting dreams she didn't even know she'd had.

May interrupted often, giggling as she told Dawn about Serena's "escalator kiss" moment.

Dawn snorted, shaking her head. "I'm surprised he's not brain-dead after that stunt."

The girls all burst into laughter, even Serena, though her cheeks were still pink.

Serena wrapped up her story, telling the girls how, despite her best efforts—and the years apart—she couldn't get over her feelings for Ash. Seeing him again in Paldea had made it impossible to ignore. At first, things between them had felt off, like they were circling around something unspoken—unresolved tensions from their kiss in Kalos. Serena had nearly convinced herself that everything had been a mistake, until one night after a Showcase, Ash had asked her if they could be "more than friends."

May's eyes widened in disbelief, a hand flying to her mouth. "I can't believe he actually found the nerve…"

Meanwhile, Dawn only smiled a little to herself. She wasn't surprised. When Ash realized he wanted something, he generally went after it without hesitation. That was just who he was—determined, focused, and relentless when it came to his goals. What surprised Dawn more was that Ash'd been able to recognize how he felt about Serena in the first place. Still, she was relieved for his sake—and Serena's—that it had worked out. That Ash had been able to work through his feelings.

Switching gears, Dawn smiled, "So Ash's drive really rubbed off on you, huh? From Top Coordinator to Kalos Queen, and now back to Top Coordinator again? What made you want to get back into contests again?"

Serena stiffened slightly, the question hitting a little closer to home than she liked. She didn't want to share how her first run as a Top Coordinator had felt like a fluke—a title she'd stumbled into rather than truly earned. And standing before Dawn now, one of the most renowned Coordinators of their generation, only deepened the feeling. How could she have called herself the best when she hadn't competed against someone like Dawn?

Pushing the thoughts aside, Serena forced a faint smile and lightly touched the locket hanging from her neck. "I'm just…" she trailed off. Her eyes flickered briefly to Dawn before dropping to the pavement. "I've just always loved a challenge."

It was the truth, but not the whole truth. And Lisia gave Serena a look from beneath her sunglasses, sensing something off.

Dawn's own brows raised slightly at Serena's response. She studied Serena for a moment, but as the seconds passed, she felt a spark of something familiar. A competitive spirit rose within her, ignited by Serena's quiet determination.

"That makes sense to me," Dawn nodded, watching their Pokémon play around a stone fountain. She felt like there was a challenge in Serena's words—and Dawn wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

Serena clasped her hands behind her back as she warily turned back to Dawn. "And you? You've been a Top Coordinator in Sinnoh, Hoenn, Johto, became a Contest Idol, and now you're back to traditional contests?" The honey-blonde pointed towards the blunette in a good-natured, teasing smile, "What made you want to come to Paldea?"

Dawn's smile tightened ever so slightly, though she kept her response measured. "Let's just say I left some things unfinished in the traditional contest world," she said, her voice careful not to betray too much. "Plus, becoming a Top Coordinator in every region isn't such a bad dream, right?"

Lisia, daintily cleaning her fingers on a napkin, rolled her eyes. "You're both insatiable, if you ask me," she threw away the tissue in the nearest trash bin. "Sometimes it's nice to just dismantle systems and then soak in the fame and sunshine, you know? Take it from me and the Princess of Hoenn."

May flinched at that, whipping around to glare at Lisia. "Hey! I have lofty goals too!"

"Oh, don't be like that," Lisia teased, her grin turning wicked. "You're an institution in Hoenn. They'd crown you as the queen of the region if it were a diplomatic monarchy." She paused for effect, her green eyes glinting mischievously. "And then maybe Drew would be crowned king? That is, if you ever let the poor boy win…"

Serena burst into laughter, clutching Lisia's arm as she whispered conspiratorially, "You know, I think May keeps competing in Hoenn just so Drew doesn't get a chance to win."

"That's not true!" May protested, her face already turning red—though Glaceon was snickering behind her.

"Oh, please," Lisia said with a dramatic sigh, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair as they walked through a shaded street. "You think the more ribbons you have, the more likely that boy will notice you're girlfriend material. When really, you should just tell him how you feel." She leaned closer to Serena, lowering her voice but not her volume. "I keep telling her to just tell him."

"Lisia!" May shrieked and began stomping her feet like a petulant child.

Dawn, feeling slightly on the outside of the playful banter but wanting to help May out, chimed in. "Sometimes it's fair to let the guy make the first move," then muttering, "we do enough work as it is."

Lisia snorted. "Let me tell you something," she said, tapping her finger against the air. "Boys won't make the first move unless the signs are clear and obvious. Yes, they're that scared. Yes, they're that clueless."

Serena tilted her head thoughtfully. "I don't think that's entirely true."

"What!?" Lisia spun on her, eyes wide. "You're supposedly dating the most clueless of them all!"

Serena rolled her eyes, though a faint blush nipped her cheeks. "That might be true, but our situation was, well, different." She smiled a little, "And even if Ash was scared, he still did something. Besides, I don't think giving a boy encouragement always counts as 'making the first move.' I mean, I didn't kiss Ash again. The next time we kissed, he kissed me. And before that, he told me he wanted to be more than friends."

May grabbed Serena by the arms, shaking her slightly. "Okay, but how? How did you actually get Ash Ketchum to do that?!"

Blushing deeper, Serena stammered, "I mean…Even if I wasn't trying to be, I think I was pretty obvious about how I felt about him—even after we saw each other again…"

Lisia shook her head, pulling out a nail file. "You were always a terrible liar," she said casually, filing one nail. "I never believed you for a second when you tried to convince me you'd stopped having feelings for Ash."

"Well, I was trying to move on," Serena grumbled, blue eyes narrowing. "But, May," the honey-blonde turned back to the Hoenn girl, "I think you should just find a way to tell Drew how you feel. You guys like to play at being rivals, right? That might be confusing to him. If you like him, let him know. Then it's up to him to decide what to do, and at least you won't have any regrets!"

May listened, her expression growing thoughtful. Slowly, she nodded, determination sparking in her eyes. "You're right. I've probably been giving him mixed signals… which doesn't help. I just wish guys would do something if they feel a certain way."

Serena sweatdropped, shrugging. "That would be ideal, but sometimes they need a little nudge. Then they do something." She winked. "Like Ash."

Dawn listened from the periphery, shivering slightly as she took it all in. The idea of confessing something so personal—being the first to admit feelings—was hard to imagine. To her, it felt like losing in a game of tug-of-war, a moment of vulnerability that could tip everything out of balance. The thought unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite put into words. In the end, she was happy not to be a part of the conversation.

After wandering Levincia's lively streets and grabbing smoothies at a quaint cafe, the group finally arrived at Tulip's warehouse. Casa Lavanda's storefront gleamed with elegance, its lavender-hued decor standing out against the city's modern aesthetic. Serena paused at the door, glancing down at her Rotom Phone. A missed call notification from Ash blinked on the screen.

"That's… weird," Serena murmured, frowning slightly. Ash rarely called unless it was something important. Her fingers hovered over the screen, debating whether to call back, but the sound of Lisia's excited voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Come on, Serena! We're dying to meet Tulip!" Lisia called from the door, practically bouncing on her heels.

Serena glanced down at Sylveon, who waited patiently at her side, her ribbons fluttering as if urging her to decide. After a moment's hesitation, Serena tucked her phone away, telling herself she'd call Ash later. Or maybe he'd call her again that night—like they'd planned. Either way, they'd have a chance to talk.

Smiling softly, she followed her friends into Casa Lavanda.

---

Area Three, Eastern Province

Penny led the group as they emerged from the opposite end of the tunnel into an expansive landscape that stretched as far as the eye could see. The mining fields sprawled out before them, dotted with craters and jagged ridges where the earth had been stripped away. Abandoned machinery lay scattered across the terrain—rusted excavators, toppled conveyor belts, and skeletal frameworks of long-forgotten rigs. Weeds had begun to reclaim the equipment, their spindly stalks climbing over metal limbs and weaving through exposed gears.

The air here was thick and heavy, carrying the sharp scent of metal and the earthy undertone of disturbed soil. A faint humming sound echoed across the landscape, the last remnants of machinery left to idle somewhere deep within the quarry. The faint vibration seemed to seep into the ground, buzzing faintly underfoot.

The group trudged forward. Dust swirled in lazy eddies, kicked up by the occasional gust of wind that swept through the open expanse. Here and there, the glint of iron deposits caught the light, gleaming like dull stars in the otherwise muted palette of the landscape.

Goh shivered slightly, glancing at Grookey, perched on one shoulder, and Ghimmighoul, balanced on the other. The eerie stillness gave him the creeps.

"Feels apocalyptic," he muttered, his voice low.

Grookey gave an enthusiastic nod, his tiny hands gripping his hair for balance, while Ghimmighoul merely shrugged. The little ghostly Pokémon hopped off Goh's shoulder, landing with a metallic clink on a rusted pipe. His golden eyes scanned the area, spotting a faint glimmer beneath a pile of debris. Without hesitation, it scurried off to investigate, his focus entirely on his eternal quest for coins.

Aliquis squinted at the landscape. "Would make a good Blitz field, actually," he said, as if already picturing the layout of hoops and Cyclizar racing through the uneven terrain.

Nemona gasped, her hands flying to her face. "¡Por todos los santos! We have a game in two days. I totally forgot!"

Eri, walking a few steps ahead, turned her head slightly, her tone wistful. "How's the team this year?"

Aliquis puffed out his chest, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Actually, we're pretty good! Might have a chance at the Cup this year."

Eri chuckled softly. "We'll see." Her expression then grew sour, "Apparently, Violet Academy's still undefeated…"

Nemona smirked, her competitive spirit flaring. "Not for long. They've never faced a team like ours this year!"

"I'm just amazed you have the capacity to hold two problems at once," Penny shook her head, rubbing her face.

The group continued walking through the quarry, the landscape shifting subtly as they moved deeper in. The ridges grew steeper, and occasional collapsed tunnels left gaping holes in the ground. Worn tracks for long-forgotten mining carts crisscrossed the terrain, their rusted frames creaking faintly in the wind. Broken shovels, discarded helmets, and shattered crates dotted the path.

Bonnie, bored of the slow pace and her companions' chatter, scampered ahead with Dedenne. The younger girl darted from one spot to another, her curiosity drawing her to every strange shadow and glint of metal. She crouched to turn over rocks, peered into the dark entrances of excavated tunnels, and marveled at the occasional gemstone embedded in the quarry walls.

"This place is so cool!" she called out, her voice echoing through one of the larger tunnels. The sound bounced back at her, distorted and faintly eerie, but Bonnie found it delightful. She laughed, spinning around to face the others. "Hey guys, watch this!"

She darted toward another tunnel, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Hello!" she shouted, her voice once again echoing back. The effect made her giggle even harder, her laughter ringing out in the still air.

Nemona glanced up from her conversation, her brow furrowing slightly. "Bonnie, maybe don't wander too far ahead!"

But Bonnie was too caught up in the thrill of exploring to pay much attention, her laughter mixing with Dedenne's squeaky giggles as they continued to scurry from one spot to the next. Her excitement seemed to cut through the tension of the desolate environment, though Arven, walking near the back, couldn't help but wince. He muttered, "I don't know if that's a good idea…"

Bonnie turned back to him, tilting her head. "Why not?"

The ground beneath their feet began to tremble, the faint vibrations quickly escalating into a deep, rhythmic rumble. Pebbles danced across the cracked ground, and loose rocks tumbled from the ridges above. The air filled with an ominous hum, and the group froze, their eyes darting to one another in alarm.

"Please tell me that's someone's stomach," Aliquis slumped, his head between his hands.

Meanwhile, Carmen let out a series of curses while Eri shouted, "Everyone, hold on!" as they steadied themselves against the intensified rumbling.

Suddenly, the earth seemed to split asunder as a massive creature burst forth from one of the mining tunnels. Dust and dirt erupted into the air, creating a choking cloud that partially obscured the creature as it emerged. The thing was colossal, its body segmented like that of an earthworm but entirely metallic. Each segment gleamed with an iron sheen, catching the faint sunlight in dazzling streaks. Large, expressive eyes blinked down at them, conveying a strange mix of fury and agitation. Its body stretched high above them, coiling and writhing as if testing the air before it dove back into the ground with a deafening crash, disappearing into another tunnel.

The sheer size of it was overwhelming—easily as long as several train cars, and thick enough that its shadow darkened the ground wherever it moved. Even in the brief moments it was visible, it dominated the entire landscape.

Aliquis stumbled back, shielding his eyes from the dust. "What the heck!?"

Carmen immediately jumped into action. "Grunts, formation!" she barked, her voice cutting through the noise like a whip. "Fan out and secure the area! Don't let it catch you off guard!"

The Team Star grunts snapped to attention, calling out their Pokémon and spreading into defensive positions around the group. Machoke, Primeape, Toxicroak, and other Fighting-Types stood ready, their trainers shouting commands to keep their focus.

Penny, having lost her footing in the commotion, brushed the dust from her glasses and sat back up, "You know, when people kept saying 'worm,' I'm not sure why none of us didn't immediately think, 'Oh yeah, Orthworm.'"

Goh, still holding onto Grookey as Ghimmighoul scurried back to his shoulder, quipped, "Well, there's also Caterpie and Wurmple?"

"Not around here…" Eri sighed, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. "But I don't think anyone was hoping for Orthworm," she muttered, already calculating the challenge ahead. The Steel-type's defenses would be formidable, and its sheer size would make it even harder to handle.

She crouched slightly, pressing her palm to the ground, trying to sense the vibrations beneath her. The Orthworm was still moving, its burrowing creating a rippling sensation underfoot like waves radiating outward. Eri's eyes darted toward a tunnel behind Arven, her expression sharpening and a gasp forming between her lips.

"Arven! Watch out!" she shouted.

Arven barely had time to react before the earth erupted behind him. Orthworm surged upward, its enormous body crashing through another nearby tunnel, sending rocks and debris flying in all directions. Its head loomed over him, yellow eyes glaring down with an almost sentient malice as its segmented body stretched above the group, blotting out the light.

"Of course," Arven muttered under his breath as his body started to shake all over. He motioned for his canine companion. "Mabosstiff, let's go! Crunch!"

Mabosstiff lunged forward without hesitation, its jaws glowing with dark energy as it bit down on Orthworm's gleaming body. The attack landed, but Orthworm barely flinched, the sheer scale of its form absorbing the blow. With a roar, it swung its massive tail, an Iron Tail that swept across the area like a steel avalanche. The force of the attack sent dust and dirt flying, and several trainers had to dive out of the way to avoid being struck.

The battlefield descended into chaos as the Titan burrowed again, its movements shaking the ground and leaving everyone struggling to maintain their footing. Eri clenched her fists, her eyes darting between her team and the massive creature as it reemerged further down the quarry.

Aliquis narrowed his eyes, standing his ground despite the quake-like rumbling beneath his feet.

"This is going to be like a game of whack-a-mole!" his voice a little wobbly from the pandemonium. Still, he managed to reach for his Poké Ball. "Alright, Meowscarada—let's get this worm's attention! Flower Trick!"

Immediately upon being released, Meowscarada darted forward with feline agility, leaping onto a nearby ridge for better vantage. She spun her wrist, conjuring a storm of sharp, glowing petals that shot through the air toward Orthworm's massive frame. The attack landed on one of the Titan's exposed segments, but the steel plating barely dented. It was like throwing pebbles against a mountain.

Orthworm roared, its body writhing as it dove back underground. The movement sent ripples through the ground, shaking the battlefield like a ripple in a pond. Seconds later, the Titan reemerged beside the ridge on which Meowscarada stood. The cliff began to crumble beneath the feline's feet.

"Jump off! Quick!" Aliquis shouted, running away from the precipice himself before he was buried beneath the rocks."

Soon enough, the crumbling landscape churned up the dry, dusty terrain, allowing Orthworm to gather a whirling Sandstorm that engulfed the area. The wind howled, carrying fine grains of sand that stung against exposed skin and forced everyone to shield their eyes.

Goh turned his back to the wind, Grookey clutching his shoulder tightly and Ghimmighoul hiding in his bag. "This does not help our field advantage!" he shouted, spitting sand from his mouth.

Shouts rang out across the battlefield as Orthworm struck again. Its massive Iron Tail crashed down with devastating force, sending waves of energy that knocked several Team Star grunts off their feet. Their Pokémon were thrown backward by the impact, many of them fainting as the colossal attack overwhelmed them.

"Fall back! Regroup!" Carmen yelled, her voice barely audible over the storm. She clenched her fists, her expression tight as she recalled one of her own fallen Pokémon. Beside her, her Primeape remained standing.

Eri crouched slightly, closing her eyes against the relentless sandstorm. The howling wind and stinging grit made it nearly impossible to see or hear, but she focused on the vibrations underfoot. The ground trembled rhythmically as Orthworm burrowed and shifted and she could feel its movements in her bones. She pressed her hand against the rocky ground once more, spitting out the platinum hair getting stuck to her lips.

"It's coming again," she muttered, popping upright and into a battle stance. She pointed sharply toward a nearby tunnel. "Annihilape, get ready! Use Rage Fist when it comes out!"

Her Annihilape growled low, his spectral fists glowing with dark energy as he braced itself. Moments later, Orthworm erupted from a tunnel to their right. Eri's timing was perfect. "Now!"

Annihilape leapt into action, his dark-lit fists slamming into Orthworm's exposed underbelly with a thunderous impact. The Titan roared, the force of the attack briefly halting its momentum, but its retaliation was immediate. Orthworm reared back, its segmented body twisting before slamming into the ground with an Earthquake. The entire battlefield shook violently, the tremor sending cracks spiderwebbing across the quarry floor.

Through the swirling sand, Nemona caught sight of Bonnie, who had been thrown off her footing and was clinging to a boulder for stability. Nemona forced her way through the storm, her hands shielding her eyes, and grabbed the younger girl by the arm.

"You stay with me," Nemona said firmly, her voice cutting through the wind. She crouched slightly, making sure Bonnie was steady on her feet, before turning her gaze toward the chaos. Her eyes sharpened, narrowing into determined slits. This was no time to mess around.

"Lycanroc, let's go!" she called, releasing her Pokémon with a quick toss of its ball. The wolf-like creature landed nimbly, shaking off the dust as it prepared for orders.

Nemona saw the Orthworm slither through a new opening in a nearby precipice, heading towards a group of Team Star grunts led by Carmen. "Rock Slide!" Nemona commanded, "Let's stop that thing in its tracks!"

Lycanroc howled, her paws slamming into the ground as she summoned a cascade of boulders from the cliff from which the Orthworm emerged. The rocks crashed down in a semicircle, forming makeshift walls that boxed in part of the Titan's exposed body, blocking it off from the Team Star group and limiting its ability to burrow. Meanwhile, Nemona's Pawmo darted forward, sparks crackling along her fur.

"Pawmo, Thunderbolt! Electrify the ground around those walls!"

Pawmo complied, her electricity surging into the earth. The bolts raced along the ground, creating a trap of charged soil in an attempt to keep the Orthworm above ground. But the Titan's erratic movements made containment difficult. The Rock Slide walls crumbled as Orthworm's tail lashed out, and the electrified patches of ground were rendered ineffective as it burrowed once more.

Further back, Goh called out his Cinderace, his fiery form a stark contrast against the storm's muted palette. "Send a Pyro Ball into that tunnel, Cinderace! Let's keep Orthworm on the run!"

Cinderace leapt into action, spinning rapidly as it conjured a blazing orb of fire between its feet. It kicked the Pyro Ball with precision, sending it hurtling into the cavern in which Orthworm disappeared.

The flames seemed to do the trick as Orthworm reappeared, angry and only wanting to find another refuge.

"Keep it up!" Goh urged, and Cinderace launched a barrage of Pyro Balls, the fiery projectiles illuminating the battlefield. One managed to hit a softer segment of Orthworm's body, eliciting a pained roar. The Titan's movements grew more frantic, its manic burrowing creating even more chaos.

Arven tried to focus, to keep his breathing steady, but every inhale seemed to pull more sand into his lungs. The relentless storm battered him, the grit stinging his skin and clouding his vision. Around him, mayhem reigned. Pokémon struggled against the swirling winds, their movements sluggish as they were buffeted by flying debris. Team Star's grunts were shouting commands, their voices swallowed up by the roar of the sandstorm. Yet one by one, their Pokémon fell—collapsing under the relentless blows of Orthworm's Iron Tail or fainting from sheer exhaustion.

This had been a horrible idea, Arven thought, clutching Mabosstiff's fur, his loyal partner growling low, cackles raised. They had come here with a plan—or at least the hope of one—but nothing could have prepared them for the sheer scale of the Titan Pokémon. Orthworm was more than just a powerful opponent; it was an unstoppable force.

Meanwhile, Bonnie clung to Nemona's side, her small hands gripping the older girl's shirt as she tried to shield herself from the storm and the attacks. Her face was pressed into Nemona's side, and her lemon-yellow hair whipped wildly in the wind. On her shoulder, Dedenne clung desperately, her tiny paws gripping Bonnie's hair as she squeaked in alarm.

"Don't let go of me!" Nemona gritted her teeth. Her stance was steady, her eyes narrowed as she scanned the battlefield, already strategizing her next move.

Bonnie, though frightened, peeked out from behind Nemona, squinting through the sand. The scene was a blur of shadows and light—fireballs from Goh's Cinderace, boulders crashing from Lycanroc's Rock Slide, dark energy from Eri's Annihilape—and the gleaming metallic body of Orthworm as it slithered through the attacks.

As Orthworm's shadow passed by, Bonnie's eyes caught something unusual. She squinted harder, focusing on a jagged object protruding from one of Titan's segments. It was an iron spike, long and rusted, likely a piece of abandoned mining machinery. The Titan's movements caused it to shift slightly, and even from a distance, Bonnie could see the way Orthworm flinched with each movement.

"What was that?" she whispered, coughing as she inhaled sand.

Dedenne squeaked in response, her tiny ears twitching as she pointed toward the spike.

Bonnie's eyes widened. "Whatever it was, it looked like it really hurt!" She paused, glancing at her Pokémon partner. "Maybe that's why Orthworm is so angry?"

Dedenne nodded, her whiskers twitching.

Nemona, meanwhile, had taken out her Rotom Phone, aiming it toward the battlefield. After seeing the Team Star grunts and their Pokémon doing their best against the Orthworm, she'd been struck by an idea. Maybe she could get some footage of them—document them to show the world how they were only trying to help! It probably wasn't the best time for a video shoot…but no one would believe them if she didn't get something!

Nemona stepped back slightly, trying to get a better angle as the Team Star grunts rallied and their Pokémon launched coordinated attacks. The sandstorm swirled around her, but her focus was entirely on framing the shot.

"Hey, Nemona!" Bonnie called, tugging at her sleeve, but Nemona didn't hear her.

As Nemona shifted for a better view, Orthworm's massive body suddenly began moving toward them, the rumbling causing a shockwave of air that sent Bonnie stumbling backward. The young girl yelped as her footing gave way, and before she could steady herself, Orthworm's enormous body surged past, creating a powerful draft that swept her off her feet.

Nemona turned, feeling Bonnie's grip fall away from her shirt. She gasped, "Bonnie!" her Rotom Phone falling away as she reached out, but it was too late. The wind carried Bonnie forward, and with a gasp, she found herself sucked up against Orthworm's metallic body. The Titan's smooth surface offered no grip, and she slid forward, clutching Dedenne tightly to her chest as the enormous creature writhed beneath her. Finally, she managed to clutch one of the cyan ovals lining either side of its body.

Back beside Nemona, Penny turned, her expression deadpan even in the bedlam. "And the world's worst babysitting award goes to…"

"Not the time, Penny!" Nemona snapped, already scrambling to recover her phone and chase after Bonnie.

---

Levinicia

The moment Serena set foot into Casa Lavanda's expansive warehouse, she was accosted by Kathi Grace. The manager came barreling toward her, a clipboard in hand, her tone flustered as she rattled off a flurry of appointments, calls, and emails that apparently required Serena's immediate attention. "Serena, there's a backlog of emails we need to get through, I've rescheduled your livestream to next week, and the media team has been asking about the promos you missed. Oh, and don't even get me started on—"

Kathi-Grace paused mid-sentence as her gaze finally landed on the trio of coordinators trailing behind Serena. She blinked, giving them a distracted nod of greeting. "Oh, hi there. Welcome to Paldea."

May, sweatdropping at the manager's discombobulated state, offered a weak smile. "Keeping busy, huh, Kathi Grace?"

Kathi-Grace sighed, running a hand through her neatly pinned-up hair. "Well, when the Kalos Queen disappears for three days with her boyfriend, I keep very busy."

Serena winced, scratching her cheek. "Sorry…"

Before the conversation could spiral further, the sound of clicking heels echoed across the warehouse floor as Tulip, flanked by her Espathra, floated gracefully into the room. The Alfornada Gym Leader exuded her typical poise and sophistication, her lavender coat flowing behind her like a cape. Espathra's piercing gaze swept over the group, and all the girls instinctively straightened.

Serena gave a polite introduction, her tone warm but reserved. Lisia, however, immediately launched into a gushing stream of compliments. "Oh my Arceus, it's you! I've been dying to meet you—your designs, your style—everything is absolutely flawless!"

Even May and Dawn, while less effusive than Lisia, looked impressed. Dawn in particular studied Tulip with a mix of admiration and curiosity, noting the Gym Leader's commanding presence and effortless sense of style. She was already in love with all the clothes around them.

After a round of quick introductions, Tulip took a moment to study the Contest Idol trio more closely, her discerning gaze sweeping over each of them. She had heard of them all, naturally. Lisia exuberance brought a small smile to the Gym Leader's lips, while May's warm, grounded demeanor was easy to read as reliable and experienced. But it was Dawn who seemed to hold Tulip's attention the longest.

Tulip's Espathra mirrored its trainer's curiosity, tilting its elegant neck slightly as it regarded the blunette. "Dawn, yes?" Tulip said, her accented voice rich with intrigue. "Previously Top Coordinator in Sinnoh, Hoenn, and Johto, if I'm not mistaken?"

Dawn smiled modestly, nodding. "That's me."

Tulip's eyes glittered with interest as she continued. "Impressive. Not only for your achievements but for your family legacy as well. Johanna is a legend in her own right. I imagine growing up with her as your mother must have shaped you into quite the Coordinator."

Dawn's expression softened at the mention of her mother, a touch of pride flickering across her face. "It definitely inspired me to start, but I've tried to make my own path. I've had a lot of great mentors along the way."

"I well imagine that, darling," Tulip replied, eyeing the pretty blunette over once more. "When I first read about you, you struck me as someone who knows exactly what they're doing—what they want," Tulip added with a nod of approval. "That combination of confidence and skill is rare—and invaluable in contests. A judge can sense when one has a fire in them—a fire that gives a person manos de oro."

Dawn's cheeks flushed slightly at the praise, but she managed a humble smile. "Thank you. That means a lot."

Serena stood nearby, watching the exchange. While she was happy for Dawn, something about Tulip's easy admiration made her stomach twist. She found herself glancing away, her fingers brushing the locket at her neck for reassurance. Sylveon nuzzled against her leg, sensing her unease, but Serena couldn't help the flicker of doubt that crept in as she compared herself to Dawn.

Where Dawn had a full, polished team of Pokémon that was equipped for contest battles, Serena's team was only half-formed in many respects—and Feebas had a long way to go, having just joined her team. The contrast gnawed at her as Tulip continued to engage with Dawn, asking questions about her contest strategies and her Pokémon. It made Serena feel as though her team—and by extension, her journey—was unfinished.

Eventually, Tulip looked up and smiled at everyone. She clapped her hands together as she gestured toward the impeccably arranged racks of clothing. "Well, any friend of Serena's is a friend of mine," she said smoothly. "Take a look at some of the racks, mujeres. I'd be thrilled to have Contest Idols and Coordinators wearing my brand for this weekend's festivities. Choose a couple of outfits at your pleasure."

The girls exchanged excited glances before diving into the collection. Lisia was the first to grab a dress, a flowing teal number with intricate beadwork that caught the light like a cascade of tiny stars. She held it close to her chest, her eyes brimming with dramatic tears. "At last," she said, her voice quivering, "Arceus has recognized my importance, and I am being blessed."

Even Dawn couldn't hide her excitement. She began pulling outfits off the racks, holding them up in front of her to show her Piplup and Togekiss—whom she'd let out of her Poké Ball for a second opinion.

Serena lingered a little behind the others, her eyes skimming over the racks without really seeing them. She decided to let her the rest of her team out for some fresh air, and immediately Pancham began diving into piles of clothes while Sylveon took it upon herself to accessorize Feebas, who looked on with wide doe-like eyes at all of the beautiful fabrics.

May, peering through a rack of skirts, caught sight of Serena's withdrawn expression. She leaned forward, slipping her head through the rack. "Serena? Are you okay?" she whispered.

Serena blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh, I'm fine," she said quickly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She forced a smile and gestured toward the shelves. "These clothes are just… incredible, aren't they?"

May frowned slightly, unconvinced. "I'm sure it's a lot being back," she said after a moment. "And how are you going to keep up with your Kalos Queen duties during the contest season?"

Before Serena could answer, Kathi Grace, who had been sorting through her planner nearby, interjected with a drawl. "Palermo isn't thrilled," she said bluntly, not even looking up.

Serena sighed as well, exasperated. "I'm just not going to be able to do as many promotions," she admitted. "We can film Pokévision videos here in Paldea, and I'll be at the opening ceremony, but after that, I'll be competing in contests until it's time for the Masterclass Showcase."

Kathi-Grace winced, tapping her pen against her clipboard. "I guess we'll make it work…"

May turned back to Serena with a small smile. "Glad to see you're still as focused as ever," she said, trying to sound encouraging.

Serena managed a small smile, glancing at the Princess of Hoenn. She hesitated, feeling guilty for not being entirely open with one of her closest friends. "It is hard, coming back," she admitted finally. Her voice softened as her thoughts turned to the last few days. "Ash and I had a really good time in Pallet Town… and there's a lot going on for him here."

May snorted lightly, tossing some blouses into a pile she intended to try on. "He always has a lot going on." Then, seeing Serena wince slightly, she backtracked. "But, as his friend, I know it isn't easy watching him go through some of the challenges he faces. So I can't imagine how you must feel."

Serena's gaze dropped as she smoothed out the fabric of a skirt she'd pulled from a nearby rack, her fingers tracing its delicate embroidery. "I just want to be strong enough to be there for him," she said quietly.

May tilted her head, frowning thoughtfully. It was strange to hear Serena say something like this. "What do you mean, Serena? What do you mean by 'strong'?"

Serena shrugged, frustration flickering across her face. The doubts she'd thought she had dealt with about her own abilities were circling back, this time laced with new nuances. Competing with Dawn only seemed to magnify them. "I don't know," she said, shaking her head slightly. Deep down, she knew she didn't have to be perfect for Ash. He never expected that from anyone. But she didn't want to be defined solely as "the Monarch's girlfriend" or be some "damsel in distress" whenever Ash had to deal with a world-ending crisis. And she definitely didn't want people wondering why Ash was with her instead of someone with the stature of a League Champion. "I just want to make sure my best is good enough. And that people take me seriously."

May looked genuinely confused, as if she didn't understand. "I don't think you can quantify that," she said honestly. "And since when did you care what other people thought?" It didn't sound like the Serena she knew.

Serena's mind flicked briefly to Guillermo Lebarón and his underhanded attempts to ruin her career. She shook the thought away and muttered, "I just have a lot of people watching me now…"

"You've always had a lot of people watching you," May tried not to sound worried, but she didn't like what she was hearing, "Serena, what's really going on?"

Before Serena could answer, Tulip clapped her hands sharply, her commanding presence drawing everyone's attention. "¡Vamos!" she called, her voice echoing across the warehouse. "Let's go out!"

Dawn blinked in surprise, exchanging glances with her Pokémon before turning back to the gym leader. "Go out?"

Tulip flashed a dazzling smile as she slipped back into her lavender coat. "To eat, of course. I know a dazzling rooftop restaurant. Perfecto—for a night like this."

Lisia scrunched her nose as she glanced at a clock on the wall. "It's nine o'clock."

Tulip waved dismissively, her gold earrings jingling with the movement. "Yes, a little early, but it does not matter. We have a busy day tomorrow, and you all will need the energy. You are all attending the Coordinator's Banquet, yes?"

Lisia squealed and clutched Ali's feathers. "Yes! Dawn's sponsor invited us!"

Serena furrowed her brow slightly. "Who's—"

"Oh, I remember now!" May cut in, snapping her fingers. "In my guidebook, it said they eat late in Paldea! Which is why I've been snacking all day." She looked triumphant.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "You snack all day anyway."

May, sheepishly turning to Tulip, said, "I just really love food."

"Oh, darling, then you're in the right place." Tulip smiled indulgently.

As the girls began gathering their things, Serena lingered for a moment, pulling out her Rotom Phone. Ash hadn't called again.

She frowned. Immediately, she tried calling him but it went straight to voicemail.

Maybe it's my signal, she thought, but tried not to be too disappointed.

Pushing her unease aside, Serena joined the others, determined not to let her doubts ruin the evening. But as they headed out into the city, she couldn't quite shake the thought of Ash's missed call—or the nagging feeling that she still had so much to prove.

---

Mesagoza

Brutus stood at the threshold, knuckles white as he pressed the door open with slow precision. The room beyond him was expansive and sterile, polished marble floors gleaming faintly in the light of a solitary chandelier. Heavy velvet curtains muted the wintering sun, leaving the space dim and cold, the air heavy with the faint scent of antiseptic. Inside, a woman lay propped up against a stack of pillows on an imposing four-poster bed, her frail frame dwarfed by the sheer size of it.

Beside her, perched on a stool too small for the scale of the room, was an Alcremie, its creamy, swirled form offset by the dainty strawberries nestled in its head. The Pokémon fussed over the woman's blankets, tucking the edges neatly around her delicate frame before turning to greet Brutus with a cheerful trill. With practiced care, Alcremie dipped a damp cloth into a basin of cool water and placed it gently on the woman's forehead, the motion tender and deliberate.

The woman's dark eyes flicked to the door, warmth flaring through their ever-present weariness. She smiled weakly, the corners of her lips trembling with the effort.

"Brutus," she murmured, her voice barely more than a breath.

The silver haired trainer stiffened though stepped inside, his polished shoes echoing against the floor as he crossed the room. At her bedside stood a vase of pale lilies, their pristine petals pristine but lifeless in their arrangement. A young doctor stood nearby, checking an IV drip with clinical disinterest while a couple of Chanseys flitted here and there about the room, folding cloth towels and bedsheets.

"How is she?" Brutus asked, approaching the doctor first. His gaze never left the woman's frail form.

The doctor glanced up briefly. "Stable. No significant changes since yesterday to la señora," he said flatly before returning to his work. He didn't bother to offer false reassurances.

Brutus nodded stiffly and turned to his mother. He hesitated for a moment, his hands finding the furthest corners of his pockets, then said, "How are you feeling, Teresa?"

Teresa smiled faintly, her amusement softening the tired lines of her face. "You never call me 'mother' anymore…" she murmured. Her voice was too fragile for the teasing to fully land, but it lingered between them nonetheless.

Brutus's lips pressed into a thin line.

Eventually, Teresa's soft laugh dissolved into a shallow cough, but she waved him off before he could react. "You always did take things so seriously, just like your father," she said, her tone laced with affection. "Tell me, how are your studies?"

"They're fine," Brutus replied vaguely, his tone carefully neutral despite the flare of anger he felt at the mention of his dad. "The usual."

Teresa started slightly, as if remembering something, and gestured to her Alcremie. The Pokémon perked up, then hurried to a small, ornate chest on the bedside table. It rummaged inside for a moment before withdrawing something round and brightly colored—a lollipop, large and glossy, the wrapper with swirling patterns of red and blue. Alcremie carried it delicately in her hands, presenting it to Brutus with a delighted chirp.

Teresa's eyes glimmered with faint nostalgia as she watched. "Do you remember? You loved these when you were little. You'd beg for one after every doctor's appointment."

Brutus took the lollipop, turning it over in his hand with a skeptical glance. "No," he lied, suddenly annoyed as he studied the candy, as if he could see his pathetic childhood. "I always found them childish."

Teresa's smile faltered, her gaze dropping to her hands. Silence stretched between them, heavy and unspoken, as she sensed the growing distance in his brooding demeanor. He was pulling away, convinced her situation was hopeless. Still, she lifted her gaze and asked gently, "And your weekend?"

"I have a Blitz game in Levincia." Brutus shifted uncomfortably.

Her expression brightened slightly. "Levincia. Your father is also going to the coast, I hear. Will you be traveling with him?"

Brutus's jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. "He's not my father," he said coldly.

Teresa fell silent, her dark eyes clouding. After a long moment, she whispered, "It's my fault…"

"No, it's not!" Brutus snapped, his voice harsher than he intended. He looked away, his hands clenching at his sides. "I'm the disappointment," he muttered under his breath. His mind flashed to Ash Ketchum—always grinning, always winning, always everything Brutus was not. He felt the bitter knot of resentment tighten in his chest. "Anyway, I have to go."

Teresa reached for him weakly, her voice trembling as she said, "Te amo."

Brutus froze, his back to her. His shoulders stiffened, but he didn't turn around. Without a word, he left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

The marble corridor outside was dim and empty, the faint echoes of his footsteps reverberating off the cold walls. But as he moved toward the grand staircase, a subtle sound—too soft to be coincidence—caught his attention. In the shadows, someone was following him.

---

Author's Notes:

Alright, so we will finally see the conclusion of the Orthworm conflict next chapter; and then we'll see Ash and "bros" head to the Tera Cave and deal with whatever's in there…

Other exciting scenes on the horizon: the banquet, a Blitz game, the first contest…

Lots to get to so stay tuned!