Author's Note:
Okay, now time for the final part of the summer Academy arc. This has something I have been looking forward to introducing and I need to thank one of the readers for suggesting it, GA Pokemon Fan. We see another old Pokemon of Ash's, one which I wasn't going to bring in until the Kalos episode: Bonnie on the Defence. Although I was stumped about the best way to introduce it, so I took a few liberties with the episode. Well, might as well get started, enjoy...
I do not own Pokemon... No matter how hard I try-Athalon (sorry for the bad pun)
Chapter 10: One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team:
"Students, it is my honour and pleasure to announce the final activity for this year's Pokemon Summer Academy." Rowan announced over the speaker. "It is without a doubt our biggest programme, the Pokemon Triathlon. And everything you have learnt this week will play a key role.".
"The starting line is here at the Academy and everyone will start simultaneously." The blue haired assistant explained to the red team. "We have prepared a Pokeball for each of you, but you won't know which Pokemon it will contain beforehand.".
"Like what we did on the first day." Serena concluded.
"Which means we work with whatever Pokemon pops out." Dawn added.
"You will ride the chosen Pokemon through the forest and towards this lake." The assistant continued. "Here you shall swap your current Pokemon for a water type, which you'll ride across the body of water.".
"So, it's the luck of the draw, both times." Brock reasoned.
"Exactly." The assistant replied, before continuing. "Once you have crossed the water, you will return the Pokemon to the assistant before the marathon starts. You run it with one of your own Pokemon, and under no circumstances can you attack another participant.".
"This is going to be awesome." Ash declared, as he looked to Pikachu on his shoulder. "Right buddy?".
"Pika Pi." Pikachu agreed.
"Finally, the points are allocated like this." The assistant continued. "First place gets fifty points; second place gets thirty points and third place gets twenty points. Good news for the red team, as the total amount of points is including all the team's participants.".
"Wow, so that means if we do well then we can over take the blue team." Angie reasoned.
"Great, we're going to show them." Ash declared. "Me and Pikachu are going straight for the top.". Angie smiled seeing his determination, despite pushing Serena yesterday at the ghost race both parties were thankful to her as it stopped her from being dragged into the portal, not realising the initial intention behind it.
"Don't be so sure, Ash." Serena butted in. "If this race is luck of the draw then I want to win it too, and so you will have to settle for second place.".
"Is that so?" Ash asked, as he leaned his forehead against hers.
Serena sneaky stole a peck on his lips.
"Yep." Serena replied, confidently. "Wanna make it, interesting?".
"Wh-what do you mean?" Ash asked, as the tone in Serena's voice made him lose all confidence.
"The loser has to do something for the winner, no arguments." Serena replied with a triumphant smirk.
Ash smiled and stole a peck on Serena's lips.
"You're on." Ash replied, that doesn't sound too bad of a bet. "Don't worry, I want make you do too much.".
"Thank you..." Serena replied, before a smirk crossed her face. "Just don't expect me to make the same promise.". Ash sweat dropped scared to think about what Serena will make him do.
Angie looked at the couple upset, even though they are a couple being competitive was what she did with Ash. Now, Serena is taking that away as well, what else does she want to take?
Everyone is at the starting line. Dawn; Serena and Angie returned Piplup; Fennekin and Shinx respectively, while Conway told Dawn he considered her to be his biggest rival.
"Alright, let's put this Pokemon triathlon in motion." Rowan declared at the starting line. Lifting a flare gun up. "Get set... Go!". On the go he pulled the trigger to signal the race starting.
As everyone set off, Ash; Serena and Angie were neck and neck in the lead with Dawn; Brock and Conway following shortly behind. Serena was the first one to make it to the stand with the Pokeballs, and she quickly grabbed the closest one without much thought.
"I choose you!" She shouted, borrowing her boyfriend's call. She released the Pokemon and to her dismay, it was a Rhyhorn. "... Oh, goodie.". At least her stupid mother's lessons will be a little help.
She slowly approached the ground rock type from the front before kneeled by his side and stroking his horn. She knows that she has to gain the Rhyhorn's approval before she can even think about riding it.
As Serena did this, Ash; Angie; Dawn; and Brock all grabbed their Pokeballs. Throwing them, Ash had a Spoink, Angie had an Ariados, Dawn had a Dodrio and Brock had an Onix. Those four-started riding their Pokemon as Serena hoisted herself onto Rhyhorn's back and slowly guided it too turn around.
"Yeah, giddy up." Ash called as Spoink bounced along with the raven-haired boy on his back.
"Let's move it!" Angie cheered as she rode on the bugs back which was neck and neck with the psychic type.
Suddenly a massive cloud of dust broke through the four leads and zoomed into first place. Leaving Ash; Angie; Dawn and Brock all in the dust. It was hard to make out but it looked like Serena riding the Rhyhorn.
"Alright it's the last day of the Pokemon Summer Academy." The blue haired assistant announced into a microphone from a hot air balloon. He was acting as the commentator for the race. "While first place can't be made out due to their speed, the group behind consists of: Ash; Angie; Dawn and Brock all from the red team. But can any of them catch the speed demon in the lead?".
A second wave of trainers collected their Pokemon which consisted off: A Tauros; Camelrupt; Blastoise; Drapion; Ursering and Shiftree. Although coming up behind this second group was a mighty Garchomp.
"Arg! You all better get out of the way!" The boy on the dragons back cried.
The Camelrupt in the lead took a dive to avoid the Garchomp, which caused it to erupt. The startled the dragon and chaos ensued with almost all the Pokemon launching off an attack in fear and causing a massive crash.
"Whoa, were looking at a multi people and Pokemon pile on the field." The blue haired assistant announced.
In front of the pile up, a Dugtrio burst out of the ground with Conway on its back.
"I had a feeling that travelling underground was the only way to go." Conway smirked as they dug back underground.
Serena was the first to arrive at the water section and got off Rhyhorn, returning him to his Pokeball. As much as she hates to admit it, she is quite adept at handling them, she just doesn't enjoy it. She quickly traded the Pokeball with one of a water type.
"Let's see whose next!" Serena called as she released her water type. With an elegant cry, it was revealed to be a beautiful Milotic. "So, beautiful...". The sea snake lowered her head and Serena climbed up. The duo started swimming across the water as Ash and the others showed up. Ash caught a glimpse of his girlfriend riding the most beautiful of Pokemon before they disappeared.
"Put your tongue away." Brock chuckled.
Ash quickly snapped out of his trance and the group of four returned their Pokemon, quickly swapping their Pokeballs. Ash released his first to find a Mantyke. He quickly jumped on its back and sped after his girlfriend.
"Oh no you don't." Angie cried as she released her Lapras. Soon those two were off after the Pallet Native. "Quick Lapras, we have to beat Ash.".
As soon as that name was mentioned, the water ice type looked shocked. Narrowing her eyes, she could make out the familiar silhouette of her old trainer. Putting her foot down she soon became neck and neck with Ash and Mantyke. To both trainer's surprise, Lapras didn't try to overtake him and just began to nuzzle her head against the raven-haired boy.
"Hahaha, your friendly, aren't you?" Ash laughed. "But we're still gonna win, full speed ahead Mantyke.".
Mantyke sped up but Lapras was not about to lose her trainer again after so long. The two-remained neck and neck and despite Angie's pleas for Lapras to take the lead, the water ice type refused to stop showing Ash affection.
"I wonder what's going on with that Lapras..." Dawn wondered as she rode on a Sharpedo's back.
"I wonder..." Brock replied thoughtfully as he rode on a Feraligatr back. He can remember when Ash travelled the Orange Islands without him and Ash mentioned that he had made friends with a certain Pokemon during that journey but it couldn't be the same one, could it?
To Dawn's surprise, A Floatzel rose from in front of her and Sharpedo, with Conway on its back.
"It's Conway." Dawn gasped.
"Guilty as charged." Conway replied. "Well my dear, I will need to catch up with you later.". He laughed creepily as Floatzel dived back under the water.
"Thank you, Milotic." Serena thanked.
She returned the water type and released her own Fennekin. She was in the lead. To her surprise a Floatzel jumped out of the water and landed on the land with Conway climbing off his back. He was surprised to find Serena here.
"Well, would you look at that. I guess my time would've been spent better analysing you." Conway concluded as he turned Floatzel and let his own Slowking out.
Serena was creeped put by this guy.
"Don't even think about it." Serena replied before turning to her fire starter. "Come on Fennekin, let's go.". The honey blonde girl and fire fox ran off, shortly followed by Conway and Slowking.
"Oh no he doesn't." Ash cried as he landed on ground. Quickly returning Mantyke he took off after Conway and Serena, knowing how that guy creeps his girlfriend out.
"Calm down, Lapras." Angie cried.
She tried to recall the transport Pokemon but she was having none of it. In her fit, she froze half the lake, causing another crash with Dawn and Brock involved. She also froze Angie and the assistant in place before freezing the land and skating across it to try and catch up to her trainer.
"And the final stretch begins with Serena leading the pack. Followed by Conway and then Ash." The assistant announced. "But what is this, the Lapras has joined the race and put the other competitors on ice. What could've gotten into the loving and caring water ice type?".
"Go and pick on someone else!" Serena cried as Conway creepily stalked behind her.
"Once I start keeping tabs on someone, I don't stop." Conway laughed. Ash caught up.
"Leave Serena alone, or else." Ash ordered, getting himself in between the creepy guy and his girlfriend.
Coming up behind them, Lapras saw that her trainer was not happy with how this guy was approaching that girl and decided to do something about it, if Ash taught her anything, it's that you should always be happy to help. With another Ice Beam, she froze Conway and Slowking in his tracks. Now, Serena; Ash and Lapras take the top three spots. As they ran into the cave.
Nothing significant happened in the cave except Ash and Serena were neck and neck with Lapras struggling to keep up. Running onto the school grounds it looked like it would be a photo finish... Until.
"Lapras!" The transport Pokemon cried as she ran into Ash.
Knocking Serena over the line first, Ash; Pikachu and Lapras took a solid second place. As all participants were dazed, Lapras continued to nuzzle against her trainer which was really confusing Ash. This Lapras isn't just friendly, it is like she knows him...
"In first Place, we have Serena and Fennekin." The assistant declared as Rowan waved the flag. "And in second its Ash and Pikachu.".
"Well done, you two." Rowan praised as he approached the two trainers and three Pokemon.
"Hehehe, thanks Professor." Ash laughed as he couldn't get up due to Lapras nuzzling against him. "But what is up with this Lapras?".
"I don't know, I caught her in the Orange Archipelago after she fended off poachers while her school escaped." Rowan explained. "While she has always been gentle, I haven't seen her be affectionate like this before.".
Ash looked into the water ice types eyes as she looked back. A giant grin broke out as he jumped up and hugged her tightly.
"It is you, Lapras!" Ash cheered.
"Pardon me?" Rowan coughed, interrupting.
"Ya see, I knew Lapras back when she was an infant." Ash explained. "She was separated from her school then because of a storm and we travelled around the Orange Archipelago together. I ended up letting her go to re-join them, where she became the new leader.".
"Hmm, very well. Here is Lapras' Pokeball." Rowan replied as he handed the Pokeball. All the other competitors were back as well as the assistance with the Pokeballs. "No-body was seriously injured but because of the pile ups we had to call them out of the race.".
"Are you sure?" Ash asked, as he held Lapras' Pokeball in his hand.
"Of course, Lapras has seemed to choose you as her trainer all by herself." Rowan replied. "Now, everyone is invited to the end of camp bonfire tonight.".
"Alright, I've reunited with... Lapras." Ash cheered as he held the Pokeball out, Pikachu and Lapras cheered from behind striking poses. Ash used his Pokedex and selected to send Buizel's Pokeball to the lab.
Serena smiled and once they were done celebrating she wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed her lips into his. Ash held her waist as he returned the kiss, while Pikachu and Lapras caught up...
At the bonfire, Ash was spending time catching up with Lapras, while Brock and Dawn stood near the fire. Angie was off to the side, and Serena decided to go and join her for a final goodbye.
"Angie, what's wrong?" Serena asked.
"It's all over." Angie replied.
"Huh?" Serena questioned.
"You know, over." Angie replied. "It's the last night.".
"Yeah... Of course." Ash replied.
"I must've gone to the Summer Academy a million times before." Angie replied.
"Really?" Serena questioned. "So how does this one stacks up to the others?".
"In a lot of ways, it is the best one yet." Angie replied. "But in other... I'm just glad it is over.".
"How come?" Serena asked.
"Well... I got to meet Ash." Angie replied. "Not only is he an awesome trainer, but he also saved my life when that portal opened.".
"Well Angie, you also saved my life..." Serena replied. "I still need to thank you for that.".
"You don't need to thank me for that Serena... Really." Angie sighed. "... If anything, I owe you an apology for that day.".
"An Apology?" Serena questioned. "How come...".
Angie turned bright red, how can she apologies for being jealous and going psycho stalker on the girlfriend of her crush without giving the information away?
"It... Doesn't matter why, just sorry." Angie hastily replied. The green haired girl stood up and started walking away, while looking at the ground. Angie stopped and looked at Serena one last time. "And Serena... Take care of Ash, alright.".
And... Done. So, now the summer Academy is over and Ash has Lapras back with him. Expect another released Pokemon to show up soon. Would you like a scene where Ash introduced Serena to his mum or would you like that just in the background, I'm fine either way. Plus, the more I think about it, I think I will start introducing none cannon Pokemon for Ash so here's my plan, Ash is going to trade all but one of his Tauros so he can have thirty Pokemon. Just no legendries, so go and suggest them although only a few of them will be introduced at a time. just know I am less likely to make them appear if they originate from Unova or Kalos. Next chapter will be: Playing the Levelling Field. See ya next time...