Hey guys! Now, before you kill me, let me tell you: THIS CHAPTER WILL BE SHORTER THAN USUAL. Why? Because I've been busy and not too well past week, but I promise that whatever I write will be good. Promise. Now, shall we?
Chapter 13: A Wave
Misty grabbed the baton from Serena, who was carted away from Nurse Joy almost at once. She had chosen Corsola for the last part of the race, as the coral Pokemon worked both on water and on land.
Speakshow's voice boomed out.
"Trainers, your signal to swim will come in the next three minutes, and once you reach the shore, your arrow will appear in one minute! Get ready!"
Misty and Corsola took their time, and surveyed who were there. To her delight, she saw a good selection. Mary, Dawn, Brock as well. This was going to be fun.
Then, she heard the gong sound. "On your mark!"
The trainers tensed.
"Get set!"
Misty knelt, and grabbed Corsola tightly. They stepped into the water, and prepared to jump.
"Go!"
Misty and Corsola leapt into the water, and Misty, while underwater, saw many others plunge in. She surfaced, gasping, gripping Corsola's spines. "Let's go!"
Corsola tore through the water, soaking Misty in its wake. But she didn't care. After Ash had left her so long ago, she had led the Cerulean gym, and had practically lived in the water. Rescuing Gyarados had sure been something else. She remembered Gary's terrified face when he had nearly broken down her door to check if she were alright.
She kicked, working to give Corsola any speed she could, and she felt them move faster.
Mary was working hard as well, thrusting along with Espeon. The Psychic type was using, well, Psychic, to make the duo zoom through the water. Brock was working with Marshtomp, which was using Protect, and surfing on it along with Brock.
Dawn was the most impressive. She and Piplup had created a whirlpool of water, and were riding on it. Piplup's Whirlpool shone blue, silver and white. It was a true testament to Dawns' coordinating skills.
Speakshow's voice rang out. "And it looks like Dawn, Misty and Mary are dominating the water race!"
Misty turned her head and saw Mary gaining on her. With a jolt, she realized that the latter's hood had come off, revealing long hair and startling blue eyes. Where had she seen those eyes before?
Lucas was sitting bolt upright in his seat, ghastly white, his eyes fixed on the girl in the water whose eyes were mirror images of his own. Kat, following his gaze, felt her mouth open as her gaze landed on Mary.
Not Mary.
Meera.
"It can't be," Lucas whispered at last, his voice hoarse. "I saw her die. But she's here… How?" he whispered. Kat looked at his eyes and didn't see the calm boy she once knew. His eyes were locked on Meera, and she saw desperate hope burning in his gaze. Meera was here, even though Fiona herself had said that she was gone.
But here she was.
Lucas made a low keening sound in his throat. "Fiona said she was gone," he hissed, echoing Kat's earlier thoughts.
"But she's here," he continued shakily.
"Are you sure it's Meera and not a girl who looks just like her?" Kat asked.
"No,' Lucas replied quietly, but the look in his eyes fascinated Kat. "I'd recognize her anywhere. Oh, Meera," he said, looking longingly at the screen. Kat had to look away from the expression on his face.
Fiona looked at the competition, her usual braid flopping between her shoulder blades. So young Meera had returned. It had been necessary to lie to Lucas, telling them that his little sister had died, so that he would join them. He had been so reluctant otherwise. She remembered that boy of a few years ago, saying numbly that he would join them as his little sister was gone. His feelings didn't matter. They were unimportant in the face of their grand plan.
Surprise would be necessary, so as to throw him off, but not too much. She needn't sound overenthusiastic either. After all, she was his boss.
Misty strained, kicking hard and breathing encouragement to Corsola, who in response swam faster. She could see a little more distance between the two of them and Mary and company, but she couldn't relax now.
Suddenly, she felt Corsola slow down, and felt sand under her water-soaked body. Scrabbling for a grip on the loose sand, she half-climbed half-walked onto the shore. "You can do it, Corsola!" she breathed. She took a deep breath, and saw a few LC staff standing to the side, holding towels and water bottles, and some Super Potion.
She walked over to them, and using a soft, fluffy towel, she rubbed herself down, heaving a sigh at the feel of the soft towel on herself. Corsola had a few scrapes and scratches on, so she quickly treated them with Super Potion and downed a bottle of water.
With a ping, the blue arrow appeared.
She saw Dawn, Mary and Brock emerge, and threw them a challenging smile, which all of them returned. She then turned and ran straight into the forest. Her team was going to win. For sure.
Author's Note: Welcome back, and sorry for the late upload! So, Lucas finally gets the truth on Meera, and we see Fiona's crueller side. Part 2 of the race will happen next chapter, so stay tuned!
Now, before I vanish until Sunday, as usual, a huge thanks to all the amazing people who supported me so far. You guys mean a lot. Please review because now we're entering the more critical part of the story, and I would like to know what you guys think of it, so please leave a few words! With that said, see you all next Sunday!
Review and keep smiling,
Leaflame.