Intro:The Pinto Regions' Ocher Championships are in four months. Slade still has to earn three more badges to compete. Slade and his girlfriend Raisa have friendly competitions, complete with prizes, to spice up their journey, and their love life. Rated M because I haven't decided yet. Random pokemon stars may appear.
Chapter 1:
Slade tossed the pokeball he had in his hand. It opened with a pop and a starmie appeared, rays spinning quickly around its jeweled center. "Rain dance, Starlet!" Starmie stretched its rays back ward as rain began to fall over the clearing. "Thank you, that was great. Now return." A red beam caught the water pokemon and drew it back into the pokeball.
Slade stood beneath the branches of a maple tree and watched as the ground beneath the withered shrubs and flowers soaked up the rain. Seeing that this area of the Creonike Forest was so arid, he wanted to do something to help the environment and prevent a forest fire.
As Slade stood under the tree, a girl came up from the path behind him, and stopped at a distance. Raisa had seen Slade's use of Starmie to create the storm. As the rain continued to fall, she quietly moved closer to her boyfriend, while trying to keep her presence a secret. She saw the parched flora, and understood why Slade had acted. That was one of the things she loved about the muscular, brown-haired boy--he always did what he could to help.
Several minutes passed before the rain stopped. Slade looked over the area, decided that the shower had lasted long enough, then pulled out his pokenav to check his location. He really had to get going if he was going to--
"Hi Slade. I caught up to you. Not afraid of a little rain are ya?" Raisa teased.
Slade turned to look at the red-headed girl standing behind him. Slade grinned, then replied, "Nope. Just getting in a little training, waiting for a feisty, little torkoal to show up. What kept ya so long, by the way?"
Raisa stuck her tongue out, then giggled. "I saw this really cute guy, and I couldn't stop staring. He--" Slade reached out and pulled her against his chest, stopping her voice with a kiss.
"Thanks! I think you're cute, too. Stare all you want, but keep all your kisses for me."
"Awwww, Slade, you sure know how to," Raisa looked up into his eyes, and winked, "spread a girl's fun. Well, since the race was delayed due to rain, how about we pick it back up again tomorrow morning?" Raisa asked.
Slade and Raisa had been traveling together for four months. Slade was collecting the badges of the Pinto League. The couple often held races and other challenges to make their journey more interesting, as well as keep them moving at a steady pace through the Pinto Region. Slade had three more badges to win, with only four months left before the start of the Pinto League's Ocher Conference.
"Sure. I'll claim my "winner's trophy" from you tomorrow, but tonight..." Slade said with a wicked grin, then whispered the rest in Raisa's ear.
Raisa looked up at Slade with a smirk, "Really? In that case, I'll take two."
The couple laughed as they began walking up the path leading them north, towards Hilliardburg, home of the next gym.
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A/N: This fic is more about the journey than gaining badges, etc. I hope you'll enjoy it. Please R&R. Ideas about competitons and prizes are welcome. grins I might learn a thing or two!