A/N

We have reached the end! This was a wonderful (and fun) thing to write and I'm just glad I'm awake enough to enjoy it ^_^

Gee, I'm still so sick and there's nothing good on TV. Kind of makes me wish I had more channels. But alas, that has nothing to do with anything.

So, now that I've finished this little series, I guess I'll have to get back to my other project. I'm such a procrastinator! Haha but seriously, I need to work on that. It'll be up... eventually. If schoolwork lets up anytime soon and I actually get a break. If not, I'm sure I'll procrastinate some more with a one-shot or two. Oh, and thanks to everyone who read this, or reviewed or whatever. Even if I do write just for the sheer enjoyment of it, it's still nice to have feedback ^_^

Oh, one more thing. For those who don't know, the title of this particular one-shot ("Ne Plus Ultra") means "the pinnacle of" or something along those lines. I love online dictionaries!

11 - Ne Plus Ultra

Featured Characters - Red, Green, Kotone, Hibiki and Silver

Pairings - None (Except maybe really, really slight {almost non-exsistant} SoulSilverShipping)

Prompt - "So what's the point of fishing for magikarp at the Lake of Rage anyway?"

Hibiki hooked a berry onto his fishing rod then cast it as far out into the lake as he could. His marill ran about excitedly behind him, chasing Kotone's feraligatr.

'We've been fishing for magikarp all day,' Kotone complained, dropping her rod and flopping backwards to lie on the ground, 'how long does it have to take to catch one big enough to break the record?'

'As long as it takes to catch record-breaking magikarp,' Red sighed. His pikachu, which sat on his head, pricked up its ears and looked around. Then it turned and jumped onto Kotone's feraligatr's back, apparently teasing Hibiki's marill.

'Why did I let you talk me into helping with this?' Silver asked. He'd long since given up trying to fish out a magikarp of the appropriate size and had instead begun to worry that he was getting sunburnt. But even so, he was happy to have been invited, even if he stubbornly refused to show it.

'Because you like winning, even if it's something small like this.' Kotone chirped. She rolled her head to the side and smiled up at him.

'I think that might be the only reason I'm still here,' Green said. His face was set in determination as he cast a sidelong glance at Red. The Kanto Champion had made his resolve clear, focusing intently on the bubble float that bobbed along at the end of his line.

'C'mon guys, we have to win that competition!' Hibiki encouraged, clenching his fist and grinning his goofy grin. Except this time it wasn't so much goofy as it was unwavering.

'Why? The prize is an Elixir. We all have tons of those.' Kotone put her hands under her head to form a makeshift pillow.

'But we can also win something we can't pick up off the ground.' His eyes were shining with awe as he looked up at the sky.

'Here we go...' She rolled her eyes.

'What would that be? Honour?' Silver asked, a slightly sarcastic edge to his tone.

'Yes, indeed it is honour!' Hibiki exclaimed loudly. His marill turned to face him as he said it and imitated his movements exactly, crying out in pride.

'You're so lame,' Kotone teased. She yawned and closed her eyes. 'Even if we've been here all day, it's still nice to have fun with everyone.'

'It's nice not to be surrounded by snow,' Red agreed. His eyes never left the bubble float he continued to watch.

'See, that's the spirit!' Hibiki grinned. 'Now let's catch us a record-breaking Magikarp!'

Green sighed in defeat as he reeled in his line to find that his bait had been eaten for the sixth time that day. He threw his fishing rod to the ground and crossed his arms in frustration. 'Those damn fish keep stealing my bait!'

'Giving up?' Red asked slyly.

Green scowled at his rival before snatching his fishing rod up. 'Not when I can still beat you.' They stared each other down for a moment before turning back to watch their respective bubble floats.

'Maybe I should give it one more try.' Silver sighed. He cast his line lazily, letting it fall relatively close to the shore.

'You just wanna beat the three of them, don't you.' Kotone laughed.

He smiled. 'Maybe just a little.'

'Shh, you're scaring the magikarp away,' Hibiki scolded.

Half an hour passed in silence and for a few brief minutes, Kotone fell asleep. She jerked awake when her feraligatr tripped over and nearly squashed Hibiki's marill, which scampered out of the way just in time and proceeded to cower beside its trainer for the next ten minutes.

But then the silence was disturbed when one of the bubble floats on the lake was pulled down beneath the surface.

'That's your line, Silver!' Kotone cried, scrambling up to a sitting position and pointing at the ripples spreading across the surface.

'I can see that.' He smiled and began attempting to reel in whatever had taken the bait. When it became apparent that he was struggling, Kotone jumped forwards to help.

Together, they pulled the line as hard as they could while rising to their feet, trying to gain the upper hand in the game of tug-of-war they were playing. Soon enough, Red and Green had both grabbed onto the fishing rod and were helping to pull it further and further from the lake as Silver continued to try to reel the troublesome fish in.

Hibiki looked at the four of them, jaw dropping a little, as they all pulled in an attempt to bring whatever was on the line in. He continued to watch for a few more minutes before realising that he too should be helping. Jumping to his feet, he ran over and joined the struggle.

With the last trainer throwing his strength into the match, the pokémon was finally pulled from the water. It was a huge magikarp, which flopped frantically in an attempt to get back to the water.

'Get the tape measure!' Kotone shrieked as she gave up her hold on the fishing rod and ran forwards, her feraligatr following close behind. They both grabbed hold of the magikarp to keep it from escaping back into the water.

Red scrambled around in his bag for the measurement tool, which he finally found. With Green's help he succeeded in determining the size of the magikarp.

'Well, does this one win, or what?' Hibiki asked nervously. 'Is it a record-breaker?'

Green's eyes were wide. 'It's a record-breaker.'

Hibiki turned to Silver. He didn't want to say it, but a small part of him wouldn't let it pass by without acknowledgement. 'I guess congratulations are in order.'

'If you think so.' The red-head turned away to hide his smile.

They would later remember that day through a photo of them all standing side by side, supporting the weight of the magikarp between them. Behind them the light from the sunset was reflected in the water, and little flecks of it shone in the air like scattered BrightPowder.