Ed's Pokémon on Team…

Wartortle (male) Level 32: Rapid Spin, Water Gun, Bite, Aqua Tail, Protect

Pidgeotto (male) Level 31: Feather Dance, Quick Attack, Twister, Gust, Whirlwind

Houndour (male) Level 32: Dark Pulse, Thunder Fang, Ember, Feint Attack, Fire Fang

Electabuzz (male) Level 31: Shock Wave, Iron Tail, Electro Ball, Light Screen, Thunder Punch

Muk (male) Level 31: Disable, Sludge Bomb, Minimize, Screech, Mud Bomb

Ed's Pokémon at the Pokémon Center:

Beedrill (male) Level 28: Toxic Spikes, Twineedle, Rage, Fury Attack, Bug Bite

Chapter 37: The Great Pokémon Race

For the past week, the trainers were walking on Route 18, training their Pokémon and getting ready to head to Fuchsia City and the Fuchsia Gym. However, as they continue down the path, the looks on their faces were priceless when they stopped walking. They were excited to see a golden gate standing high above them with a green sign on the ground.

"Well, it's about 50 miles to Fuchsia City," said Kevin, looking at the map, "However, if we go straight… we can get into the Safari Zone and cut into the city."

"Wait a minute? We are illegally going into a Pokémon preserve?" asked El.

"Well," said Kevin, "What do you mean?"

"We have to pay to get into the Safari Zone," said El, "It's not just a place to cut through. You can't even battle the Pokémon with your own."

"Why not?" asked Ed.

"It's considered poaching and endangerment of species," said El.

"Well, if there's a gate, then there has to be someone to take money," said Ed, "Let's go through."

The trainers nodded as they reluctantly join Ed to the Safari Zone. As they continue walking in the woods, they noticed a red ticket counter with a guy wearing a park ranger outfit.

"Hey, y'all. Welcome to the Safari Zone," he said.

"Hi," said Ed, "We are here to pay to get to the Safari Zone."

The ticket holder shook his head, "Sorry to say this but I can't let you go through today… unless you are a participant in the Pokémon Race?"

"Pokémon Race?" asked the trainers.

"Yeah," he said.

John looked at Ed, "We should do it."

"We should?" asked Ed.

John nodded, "Yeah! It will be fun!"

Ed looked at him and then turned to Kevin, "Okay."

They all returned back. Ed took out a few bucks as he looked at him, "Here you go."

"Thank you," said the ticket holder, "Now, who's your Pokémon partner?"

Ed sighed as he looked at him, "Muk…"

The other trainers looked at him with aghast. Ed smiled as he stepped aside. John paid up next as he looked at him, "Snorlax!"

Kevin looked at the ticket holder as he paid for his ticket, "Onix."

El smiled as she went to pay her ticket, "Ariados."

Finally, Rachel decided to pay as she looked at them, "Wait a minute… I have Pokémon but they are unrideable!"

"Want to use Bayleef?" asked Kevin.

The ticket holder shook his head, "Has to be the trainer's Pokémon only."

Rachel sighed as she looked at them, "It's okay. I'll film it."

Kevin shrugged as he nodded, "Okay."

The ticket holder smiled, "Here, I'll give you a wristband. Follow the dirt path and then veer right."

Rachel smiled as she looked at him, "Thank you very much."

As they continued down the path, they noticed a few wild Pokémon walking around. John yawned as he put his hands behind his head, "This is an awesome place. I hope we get to capture Pokémon."

"We might do that type of game when we are done with the race," said Ed, smiling as he looked at John.

"Is it true though?" asked John.

"True about?" asked Ed.

"Dratini? I hear Dratini live here. I would love to get one!" said John, "Maybe, I could also capture a Scyther."

Kevin nodded, "Scyther is pretty cool."

"Any cute Pokémon?" asked Rachel, "Hmm… like Nidoran?"

"I don't know," said Ed.

El nodded, "Yes there are Nidoran here!"

"YAY!" shouted Rachel, "I would love to get one!"

As they reached the fork in the road, Rachel headed right. The trainers looked at her as she waved her hand, "Good luck!"

The trainers continued walking into the woods. Eventually, they got to a rocky path with a checkered flag on top. To the right, there was a mountainous stadium-seating area. Ahead of them, there were a group of trainers already ready to go.

"This is going to be interesting," said Ed, turning to the others.

"You're telling me," said Kevin, "So, how are you going to ride Muk if he's full of sludge?"

Ed smiled as he looked at him. He dropped the backpack as he took out a black jumpsuit. Slipping in, he smiled as he looked at him.

"Acid Resistant and Odor Resistant… thanks to Professor Oak's help," said Ed.

"How did you even get the suit?" asked El.

"Sunny Town. Told me I needed it and teleported it to me," said Ed.

"Alright… we should probably get to the racetrack," said Kevin.

"Brucey, come out!" yelled John.

Brucey, John's Snorlax popped out. Snorlax yelled as he went to fall asleep. John took out the flute. As he played it, Brucey turned around with a look of anger.

"We are getting ready to race and you are just going to sleep?" asked John.

"Snor… lax," he said, angrily.

"Excuse me," said John.

El got on her Ariados, Ed climbed on Muk, John climbed up on Snorlax while Kevin got on his Onix. As the four of them were at the start line, they noticed another trainer looking at them. He has dark brown hair with jade-colored eyes. He wore a Pangoro hat, a navy blue jacket with an orange outline, black cargo shorts and black boots. He had a chocolate Popsicle in his mouth. His Jolteon stood there, strong and ready to race.

"Nice," he said, smiling.

"Thanks," said Ed, petting Muk, "This is going to be interesting."

"Cool," he said, zipping his navy jacket, "You might want to take a shower when that's done."

"I already thought of that," said Ed, "Name's Ed."

"Skyler," he said, smiling.

As the two trainers looked at the passageway, a judge appeared on the side, "Welcome to the Pokémonathon of the Safari Zone. There are five areas that people need to go through… I hope you are ready."

Rachel smiled as she was standing in the stands, eating popcorn with Pikachu next to her, "This is going to be fun."

"Pikachu!" she said, eating popcorns.

"On your marks… get set… go!" he yelled, taking out his pistol and pulling the trigger. The Pokémon started charging across. As they started scurrying through the path, Onix charged forward as Brucey started running. John was holding on for dear life.

"This is why we need seat belts," said John, trying not to throw up.

El's Ariados started scurrying with El holding on, "This is easy."

As the Pokémon continued scurrying through the woods, they headed toward the rocky mountains of the Safari Zone. Muk smiled as he saw the rocky hill. Using his hands, he reached up with Ed holding on.

"Careful, Muk! I will slip and fall!" yelled Ed.

"MUUUUK!"

Ed narrowed his eyes as he felt Muk drag his body up the hill. Next to him, Onix and Kevin were climbing up the hill.

"Kevin!" yelled Ed.

"Have fun!" said Kevin.

Jolteon and Skyler charged up from behind while Snorlax started walking up the hill with John trying to hold it in. Ariados used Spider Webs to climb easier.

"So far, Ed is in last place with Muk."

"Muk!" yelled Ed.

"Muk… come on!"

After twenty minutes, Muk managed to get up the hill to have a few people with their Pokémon run past them. Ed yelled as Muk slipped down the hill. Ed closed his eyes as he and Muk became one sludge ball, rolling down the hill as they headed past the rest of the competitors. Ed yelled as Muk flew into the river, which had stones for Pokémon to cross.

"Onix, wait!" yelled Kevin.

Onix roared as he dove into the water with Kevin. As they got to the other side, they continued racing.

"I forgot your skin is water resistant," said Kevin.

Onix nodded.

Snorlax jumped up and dove into the water. El and Skyler looked at each other as the waves of water rose and crashed on top of them. El and Skyler were thrown to the ground with Ariados and Jolteon. A trainer with an Arbok was hit and thrown across the water and into the trees.

"Great!" said Ed, struggling as he landed on the ground with Muk on top of him.

"It seems that Ed and Muk are disqualified!" yelled the announcer.

"I already know!" yelled Ed, yawning, "I need a shower."

Meanwhile...

"Snorlax!" yelled John, hanging on for dear life. The year supply of Pokémon food was in sight. It was obvious why Snorlax was running faster than the other Pokémon. As Kevin and Onix went to pass him, Snorlax turned around and pushed Onix away. Kevin yelled as he was hanging on to Onix's horn.

"Onix, play nice! Don't get us disqualified!" yelled Kevin.

Behind them, Skyler and Jolteon were running toward them while El and Ariados were struggling to get there. A few minutes later, the finish line was in sight. The four Pokémon and their trainers were in line. Immediately, Snorlax jumped up into the sky with Onix reaching from behind. Onix's tail smacked Jolteon and Skyler and then El and Ariados.

"SNORRLLAX!"

"ROAAARR!"

"SHIT!" yelled John.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" yelled Kevin.

Rachel, who was watching this, took out her cell phone and started filming, "This is hilarious!"

SMASH!

Kevin and John were on the ground while Onix and Snorlax were fighting over the Pokémon food.

"It seems that Onix and Snorlax have won the race!" yelled the announcer, "And now they are fighting over the Pokémon food!"

Kevin and John looked at each other as they slowly got up. Using their Poké Balls, both Pokémon returned.

"Want to split the food?" asked Kevin.

"I don't see why not!" said John, smiling as he looked at him.

Later that day…

Ed stepped out into the fields. He was wearing his usual clothes and he smelled ten times cleaner.

"I will never use Muk again," said Ed, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, that was a stupid idea," said El, looking at him.

Ed nodded. He yawned as he saw the sun setting, "So, where's Skyler?"

"Skyler decided to continue on his journey… after he goes to the hospital," said Kevin.

"Hospital?" asked Ed, "What happened?"

Rachel laughed as she took out her phone, "This."

As Ed watched the video, his mouth dropped as he saw what happened. He looked at John and Kevin. Kevin looked at John. John started scratching his head, "Rachel, may I have that video?"

"No," said Rachel.

"Rachel… I want that video!" said John.

"Nope. Blackmail and memories of our journey!" said Rachel.

John looked at her with anger. She looked at him as he started running after her. Ed looked at El and Kevin, sighing.

"I don't know about you… but if we can get to Fuchsia City soon, I could go for a Pokémon Center… and I need sleep," said Ed.

Kevin nodded, "And I need to go to the hospital."

"Why?" asked Ed.

Kevin looked at him as he showed his arm, "I don't think my arm is moving…"

"WHAT?" yelled Ed and El.

A/N: That was going to be a fun chapter for the group. It sucks Rachel couldn't do it… maybe the next race in a different region? We will see. I want to thank LeTantris for helping me out by sending his character. I might use him for the Indigo League (which we haven't gotten to yet, but we'll talk when we get there). So, more adventures in the Safari Zone await next time. Click the review button, please.