Disclaimer: I Don't own Pokemon.
Chapter 8: Not That Bad
Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie are on their way towards the site of Ash's next gym battle, Cyllage city. They had set off early in the morning and bid farewell to Alexa and her sister Viola. As the group trailed their way outside the city they talked about Ash's progress from his previous gym battle. Being the center of all the compliments of his friends, Ash can't avoid being flattered by the kind words from his friends. They continued talking until something rather important came to Ash's mind…
"Uh guys…Do you have any idea how to get to Cyllage city?" Ash inquired as he scratched his head being clueless about the direction that they will take.
"I can help you with that Ash!" Serena answered as she open a pink device that displays a mini map of the whole Kalos region. She zoomed in a particular section and pointed it to Ash.
"From here we must return to Lumiose in order to take the route towards Cyllage city."
"Hmm if we are going back to Lumiose city I might as well try to challenge the gym there too."
"That's a good idea Ash! But why didn't you challenge the Lumiose city gym when you were still there?" Serena wondered.
"I tried to, but Clemont and Bonnie told me that the gym leader there was not present. I suppose maybe by the time we arrive there the gym leader should have returned, right Clemont?"
"H-huh? M-maybe! But I doubt it…" Clemont nervously answered.
"And why is that?" Ash wondered.
"Uhmmm..uhhhh" Clemont was left speechless about Ash's question that made the raven-haired trainer suspicious about Clemont. He feels like Clemont is trying to hide something but what may that be? Ash has no clue.
"Ash your still new in Kalos right? Maybe you should just focus in trying to catch your fourth pokemon!" Clemont suggested trying to change the subject. Clemont mentally face-palmed about what stupid distraction was that? But to Clemont's surprise, his distraction has worked like a charm to the raven-haired trainer.
"Your right Clemont! I'm soo thrilled whenever I think about what next pokemon I will get here in Kalos! I just obtained my first gym battle and now I'm planning to fill the fourth slot of my team!" Ash replied.
"Ash will you let me take care of your fourth pokemon like the rest of your team?" Bonnie asked with sparkles in her eyes.
"Sure Bonnie! As long as you can handle all of them." Ash winked.
"Of course I can!"
"Wow your already aiming for your next catch...you are really fast Ash." Serena commented.
"So tell me Serena, do you plan to catch a new one?" Ash asked.
"Maybe…I don't know yet, I think I'm still contented having Fennekin and Scatterbug with me." Serena replied as she turned her gaze towards the two pokeballs that are attached to her belt. She loves how her pokemon interacts, whenever she gives them time to play, she always watch and observes the two, both pokemon really get along.
"Hey guys, why don't we take a break?" Ash suggested.
"That's a great idea, my legs are killing me!" Clemont whined.
"Oh come on Clemont, with that kind of attitude it will be more difficult for me to get you a wife!" Bonnie scolded her brother Clemont. Ash and Serena just giggled as they watched the two. The group ate some snacks and relaxed a bit. They were really enjoying their free time, specially Clemont. They continued chatting with each other until they felt the ground shaking and the rocks around them trembling. They were quickly alarmed and at the same time confused, except Serena. She was familiar with this situation. Something like this would have been caused by a Ryhorn race. The group soon saw the Rhyhorn and their riders approaching them.
"Quick guys run!" Serena shouted. The group managed to run away and avoid the incoming stampede of the Rhyhorns. They watched the racers pass them and soon heard a siren nearby. It seems to be the siren of Officer Jenny. They soon found where the sound was coming and they were right, it was Officer Jenny. She approached the group who was currently confused and startled about the events, well except Serena.
"What are you doing here?! This road is currently closed for the annual Rhyhorn races!" Officer Jenny informed.
"We're sorry Officer Jenny, we didn't know." Ash apologized.
"Hmm well that's acceptable, if your all heading to town then follow me." Officer Jenny leaded the group towards the town. As soon as they've arrived, Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie were all amazed by what they saw. There was a giant screen on the middle of town that telecast the Rhyhorn races. The group was led them to a ranch where Officer Jenny explained them the event of their town. She also mentioned that the upcoming Rhyhorn race tomorrow will accept first-timers. After hearing this, the raven-haired trainer quickly got excited.
"Wow that's great! I want to enter!" Ash declared that surprised his friends. Even Pikachu was surprised by his trainer's declaration.
"Well you can rent a Rhyhorn here in this ranch, feel free to choose one." Officer Jenny informed.
"Wow so you get to pick the one you'll use? That's awesome!" Clemont exclaimed.
"Look at all the Rhyhorns! They are all so cute!" Bonnie said as she pointed and climbed the fence.
"They all look energetic!" Ash commented.
"I'll be taking my leave and go back to my work, good luck on you race Ash, goodbye everyone!" Officer Jenny waved goodbye to Ash and his friends.
"Thanks Officer Jenny! Now time for me to pick one!" Ash walked nearer among the Rhyhorns and got excited when he one of them took his attention. He was about to approach it from behind with caution but he was stopped by Serena.
"Don't do that Ash! If you approach I Rhyhorn from the back it might get alarmed! You must approach it in front to show it that you mean them no harm."
"Wow you seem to know a lot about Rhyhorn Serena" Ash complimented.
"You should approach it like this…" Serena approached the Rhyhorn from the front and petted the spiked pokemon. "Hmm this guy seem to be docile and clever, right?"
"Rhyy!"
"You are so good Serena at this Serena, how did you know all these?" Bonnie asked with amazement.
"Uhhmm my mother taught me about the basics of being about a Rhyhorn racer back in Vaniville town. " Serena explained.
"I suppose your mom is a Rhyhorn racer?" Clemont asked.
"Yeah, actually she is a professional, her name is Grace Yvonne."
"WOW! You are the daughter of the great Grace Yvonne? That's soo cool Serena!" Clemont exclaimed.
"You see, our father, Clemont and I are fans of her. We used to watch her races in television way back when she was still active in Rhyhorn racing." Bonnie explained.
"Ohh I see, I never really thought that she was this famous." Serena replied.
"So are you also aiming to follow you mother's footsteps?" Ash asked.
"Nope, Rhyhorn racing isn't that bad but I think there is something out there that is waiting for me, something that I still don't know at the moment." as Serena said this, a weak breeze made her smooth blond hair sway. Come to think of it, Serena never did informed Ash and the others about what her goal is.
"I understand, anyway since you are experienced in Rhyhorn racing, can you teach me? Please I beg you." Ash requested.
"What? Uhhmm I don't know Ash…" Serena was surprised about Ash's sudden request. She thought that she escaped Rhyhorn racing from her home but here she was now getting involved in another Rhyhorn race.
"Please Serena…" Ash begged.
"Please do it and teach Ash, Teacher Serena" Bonnie also tried to convince Serena to approve Ash's request.
"You know that Ash is always excited about facing new challenges Serena and you know that, it's going to be fun helping him most specially that YOU are the daughter of the famous Grace Yvonne." Clemont added.
"Hmm well oh alright, how can I say no to all of that?" Serena winked to her friends that made them rejoice.
"Alright!" Ash, Clemont and Bonnie exclaimed in unison. After this, Ash and Serena changed outfits that are more suitable in Rhyhorn racing.
"So how do we start?" Ash asked.
"First, you must learn to ride your Rhyhorn." Serena answered.
"Can you show me how?"
"Do I really have to?" Serena protested trying to avoid riding the Rhyhorn.
"Well if you don't want to I think I can manage." Ash then attempted to climb up Rhyhorn's back but failed. He thought that he could do it the second time around, thus, he continued to try climbing up the spiked – pokemon's back but all still fell in the end.
"Hmm Ash is making no progress whatsoever" Clemont commented.
"I don't get it, is their some kind of trick to do it?" Bonnie stated with a confused tone.
"Please Serena can you show me how to do it? Please?" Ash pleaded.
"Well if I really have to…" Serena eventually gave in to Ash's request.
"First you have to step in Rhyhorn side and carefully jump yourself towards Rhyhorn's back lake this" Serena demonstrates the first step. Much to Ash's surprise, Serena accomplished this effortlessly unlike him.
"Wow that was amazing Serena!" Ash complimented. Upon hearing this Serena can't help but blush a little.
"T-Thanks…"
"Now can you show me how to command Rhyhorn to move forward?"
"Well that's simple, you just have to…" before Serena can even continue her sentence, the Rhyhorn she was currently riding began to thrash everything around and shook Serena off its back. Serena lost grip and knocked towards Ash. Both of them fell to the ground with Serena on the top of Ash.
"Serena! Ash! Are you alright?" Clemont shouted in concern for his friends.
"Yeah I think so…" Serena answered. Her landing was not that hard than she expected, she thought that the ground will be harder, she then looked where she was sitting and found out that she didn't fell in the ground.
"I'll be more than fine if you stand up please." Ash stated being the one who became the landing spot of Serena.
"Oh my! I'm so Sorry Ash!" Serena quickly regained posture to stand and help Ash to stand as well.
"It's alright, hey we can't stop now, I want to learn to Rhyhorn race!" Ash exclaimed being more determined than earlier.
"Well you sure are full of energy, you never cease to amaze me." Serena whispered to herself.
"What was that?"
"N-nothing! Nothing at all, c'mon we should use the remaining time of the day to train you, remember the race is tomorrow morning."
"Right!" the spent the whole day with the Rhyhorn. It was hard teaching Ash but somehow he found ways to catch up with Serena's instructions. Bonnie at the moment, who was watching the two can't help but giggle. Seeing her friends interact seems somewhat sweet. Sure she is just a kid, but Bonnie knows a lot more than her brother when it comes to romance. Clemont was busy inventing new items that may help them in the future. After sometime, Ash, Serena, Bonnie, and even the Rhyhorn's were alarmed after hearing a huge explosion. As soon as they turned to Clemont, they sighed and immediately got back to their works. They should have that it was Clemont all along.
"Serena! Serena! Look! How am I doing?" Ash shouted as he tries his best to grip on whatever he can hold on Rhyhorn's back.
"Wow Ash is really improving." Clemont said.
"Way to go Ash!" Bonnie exclaimed.
"Stop talking you might bite your tongue! Maintain your Grip, be one with Rhyhorn!" Serena shouted. As soon as she heard the things she just said, she immediately remembered her mom and all those Rhyhorn training sessions with her mother back in Vaniville town. She knew she hated Rhyhorn racing, but she never knew that it was also fun. Seeing Ash successfully ride the thrashing Rhyhorn made her realize that all those Rhyhorn's practice with her mom wasn't that bad, not that bad after all.
"I've finally manage to get along with Rhyhorn! Isn't that great Pikachu?" Ash asked his loyal partner who was currently watching him with Bonnie.
"Pikaa Pikachu!" Pikachu then jumped towards Ash shoulders.
"I hope you'll win tomorrow Ash!" Bonnie said giving Ash a thumbs up.
"Good luck tomorrow Ash, I know you'll do great!" Clemont added.
"You know Ash, you should rest early today. You'll need a lot of energy for tomorrow's event." Serena winked.
"Uh yeah I guess you right, but before I do, I just want to thank you for everything Serena, I promise I'll win tomorrow for you." Ash said as he scratched his cheeks.
"I know you will Ash…" the group set their sights towards the town's pokemon center. Right after they finished diner, they got to their rooms and slept. Well, all of them except Serena. She's with Fennekin and Scatterbug inside the room's kitchen baking cookies.
"Hmm I wished he's like these cookies I made for him." Serena giggled.
"Fenne?"
"Scaat?"
"Sshh! Stay your voice down or you'll wake them." Both pokemon nodded in response to their trainers command.
"I hope they'll turn out great."
To Be Continued…..
