So, some of you may have noticed that I skipped writing the episodes 'Up Close and Personable' and 'Ghoul Daze', which are part of the Pokemon Summer Academy arc. The reason for this is because I felt like I couldn't give Casey much of a role, so I figured I'd just move on from them both instead of writing something uninspired and unentertaining.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy this chapter and all the chapters that are to follow :)!
She smiles once more at the Blaze Pokemon before turning to Duncan, who's approaching with Nidorina at his side. He extends a hand out to her, "Thanks for a great battle, Casey. You and Blaziken were awesome."
"Thanks, Duncan. You and Nidorina were great, too." She replies, hand clasping over his as they do a solid handshake.
Two rivals - friends - standing alongside each other with equal respect for one another. That's part of what the Pokemon Summer Academy is about.
Pokemon Summer Academy - Sinnoh
"Students, it is my honor and pleasure to announce the final activity at the Pokemon Summer Academy. Without a doubt, it's our biggest programme: the Pokemon Triathlon. The things you've learnt this week will play a key role."
All eyes land on Yuzo at the front of the classroom once the intercom cuts off, everyone eager to know what Professor Rowan's talking about. It's their final day at the Pokemon Summer Academy, and in Casey's eyes it's kinda bittersweet. Regardless, they're all excited to hear all about their final activity. Casey has a feeling that it's going to be the best one yet.
"The starting line is here at the academy, and everyone will begin simultaneously. We have prepared a Pokeball for each one of you, but you'll have no idea which Pokemon it contains ahead of time." Yuzo explains, gesturing to a small drawn map on the blackboard behind him as he talks.
"Like what we did on the first day." Ash murmurs to her side, his eyes fixed on Yuzo.
She's noticed that about the Pokemon Summer Academy: it really encourages the use of Pokemon that you've never met before. It's a good way to teach them about working with Pokemon, actually.
"You and your Pokemon will find your way through the forest and head towards the lake, where you'll get your next Pokemon to travel across the lake. And, after that-."
"It's marathon time!" Angie interjects, practically bouncing around in her seat eagerly.
She doesn't blame her for being so excited: this final task sounds like a lot of fun.
"From that point, each time will make their way back towards the finish line. Also, it's important to note that under any circumstances, it is important that you do not attack or battle with any other teams." Yuzo continues to explain, "First place earns fifty points, second place thirty points, third place twenty points, and all of the remaining teams will receive ten points a piece."
Casey's ear perk up at that last part. They've been behind the Blue Team in terms of points for the entire week, so hearing this means that...
"We'll be able to overtake the Blue Team!"
Casey likes the sound of that. She wants to win the Red Team to win this, and now they have their chance.
"Alright! Let's put this Pokemon Triathlon in motion! Everyone on your marks!"
Casey takes her position alongside her friends on the starting line, practically leaning forward in anticipation to take off in a run. She's been waiting for this moment all day, and she's determined to win the triathlon. Of course, if anyone from the Red Team takes the top prize that's a plus, but Casey would love to win it herself.
She knows that she's in for some steep competition. Not only does she have to contend with everyone on the Blue and Green Teams, but she knows for a fact that her friends are just as determined to win as she is.
Still, she's not about to let that deter her from going for the top spot.
"Get set!"
The gunshot sounds moments later, and that's when they all head out. Casey takes off at a breakneck pace, with her plan being to get ahead right from the start. Sure, she could go at a steady pace and avoid overexerting herself, but then she runs the risk of someone overtaking her. If she gets ahead now, it'll be more work for the other competitors to catch up to her.
Her plan seems to work out, as she's the first to reach the first station and collect her first Pokeball.
"Thank you!" She calls to the attendant at the stand as she flies back, snatching up a single Pokeball as she goes.
Keep moving, Casey. Keep moving and keep your distance.
She launches her newly acquired Pokeball out in front of her, her pace picking up significantly when she hears the sound of the others trainers footsteps behind her.
Out of the capsule bursts a proud, neighing Rapidash, who keeps up with Casey's pace and runs alongside her up the path. Casey can't help but smile to herself at the sight of the Fire Horse Pokemon. She knows how fast Rapidash can be.
"Hey, Rapidash! Here I come!" She calls, the Fire-Type neighing back in response.
Casey runs towards Rapidash, jumping up onto its back when she's in a close enough proximity. She stumbles at first, heart pounding rapidly as she fears falling off, but she manages to execute her plan and mount the Fire Horse Pokemon whilst still keeping up the pace.
"Alright!" She cheers triumphantly, gripping onto Rapidash tightly as it gallops them both through the bumpy forest, "Let's go, Rapidash!"
Rapidash speeds up again, and Casey feels her stomach lurch at the sudden increase in pace. Her grip on Rapidash increases as she bounces between excitement and panic.
She knew that Rapidash could be fast, but this is something else.
As they're rushing through the forest, she hazards a glance behind her to get a gauge on where her opponents are. Ash and Angie are the closest, with the latter being paired up with a speedy Ariados whilst the former is with a springy Spoink. Brock and Dawn are close behind them, though she can't see Duncan at all.
Still, they're nowhere near her just yet, so she's in the clear for now.
The lake comes into sight eventually, and it's then that she's practically launching herself off of Rapidash to get to the next collection station.
"Thanks so much, Rapidash! You were incredible!" She praises, the Fire Horse Pokemon cooing enthusiastically before it returns to its capsule.
She passes Rapidash's Pokeball over to the attendant at the stand, swapping it out for another and holding it up before her curiously.
Who's up next?
She launches it out onto the water, her next partner bursting out onto the capsule with an elegance and grace that could only belong to one specific Pokemon.
She's got a Milotic.
"Hey, Milotic! Are you ready to help me get across that lake?" She asks rushing over to Tender Pokemon, conscious that the others could catch up to her at any moment.
Milotic nods, which Casey takes as a sign to jump onto Milotic's back. She does, and Milotic sets off at a fast pace across the river. The water rushes past her as they shoot across the water, and she can't help but feel a sense of confidence as she surges ahead of the competition.
That is until Ash catches up to her atop of a Mantyke.
"Ash! Where'd you come from?" She gasps, eyes darting over to the raven-haired boy in shock.
"You didn't think I'd let you win that easily, huh?" He retorts, surging forward ever so slightly and taking the lead.
She groans, casting a glance behind her to see if anyone else is approaching. She can see Angie atop of a Lapras, but she's not dangerously close just yet. Still no sign of Duncan, though.
Her sights go back towards the end of the lake, which is only now coming into sight. She's gaining on Ash, but she needs Milotic to go a bit faster if she's going to overtake him.
"Come on, Milotic!"
Milotic hears her loud and clear as it speeds up exponentially, going so fast that it manages to overtake Ash, much to his surprise and chagrin. She practically leaps onto the shore, quickly thanking Milotic for its help before returning it to its capsule.
She returns it to the station before taking off again, fumbling around in her pocket for her third and final Pokeball. Monferno bursts out of it, eyes wide with confusion as he watches her run without stopping. He quickly matches her pace regardless of his confusion, and she turns to him as she runs with a smile.
"I told you about the triathlon, right?"
"Mon!"
She sighs, but continues running as they head into a cave far ahead of the competition, "Sorry, pal! I thought I mentioned it!"
He seems perturbed, but accepting of what's going on and of her honest mistake.
"Look, we just have to make it to the end together, okay? We do that, we win. We can help the Red Team overtake the Blue Team."
"Mon! Mon-ferno!"
Casey smirks.
That's sure got him all riled up. Monferno looks raring to go now.
"Let's go, pal! We can do th-!" She begins, but she falters when she suddenly tumbles down to the ground after tripping over a rock.
Her ankle clips on the rough surface and she cries out in pain, instantly reaching to clutch at it once she hits the rocky floor. Monferno rushes to her side, face twisting in anguish when he notices her pained expression, and he tentatively reaches out to touch her wounded ankle.
"No!" Casey cries, lurching back and instantly regretting her harsh tone when she sees his crestfallen face. She smiles apologetically, "I'm sorry, Monferno. I'm sure that I'll be fine."
She tries to stand again, but when she falters Monferno's there to latch onto her. He assists her back down to the ground, wincing slightly as he bears her weight under his much smaller frame.
"Sorry, pal."
He shakes his head, gesturing to her pocket, "Mon! Mon-ferno!"
"You want to go back inside?"
He shakes his head again, this time going so far as to reaching into her pocket and pulling out a single Pokeball, allowing it to roll to the ground by her feet. It bursts open, and out bursts Metang, and Casey and Monferno look at each other in a silent exchange, the same thought on both of their minds.
I thought that was Dragonair's Pokeball.
Metang hovers above the two of them, its eyes meeting Casey's and instantly changing just like they always do. She sighs, looking at the Iron Claw Pokemon pleadingly, "Listen, Metang. I'm hurt, and I could really use your help."
It seems to contemplate the idea for a moment, and for a second Casey thinks that it might actually help her, but then it turns and begins to make its way for the caves exit. She sighs in defeat, reaching for the capsule so that she can return the Iron Claw Pokemon to it, but then she's surprised when Monferno rushes towards Metang, fists beating against his chest in rage.
"Mon! Mon-ferno! Mon!"
Metang stops, and Casey pockets its Pokeball as Monferno keeps going.
"Monferno! Mon! Mon!"
She understands what he's saying, and she can tell that Metang does too. It doesn't turn away again, but it doesn't make any move to approach again. Instead, a familiar blue aura surrounds both Casey and Monferno, lifting them both effortlessly off of the ground and after Metang as it leaves the cave.
They're crossing over the finish line soon after, and though all of the teachers are cheering as she crosses, Casey's eyes remain fixated on her Pokemon. Now on the ground, Monferno is staring intensely at Metang, who's looking back at him with just as much ferocity.
Casey watches them with skepticism, because she knows that this situation could turn incredibly volatile in just a matter of seconds. But then Metang just hovers towards her (and she doesn't miss the way Monferno bristles slightly at that) and enters its Pokeball on its own accord, just as both Ash and Angie cross over the finish line.
"Oh, man! We lost!" Ash whines, Pikachu chiming in with his own chorus of frustration at their misfortune.
She keeps looking at Monferno in disbelief even as all of the other trainers begin to cross the finish line. What he said wasn't nasty, or cruel, but it wasn't playful and jovial either. It was protective and strong and enough to convince someone as stubborn as Metang to change their mind on something.
"Did you mean it?" She asks, and she's ignoring everyone else around her.
He nods, and she smiles as her friends begin to swarm her, too excited by the prospect of winning all of those points to notice that anything's happen.
She doesn't blame them. It's pretty cool.
"So, we all get this plaque?" Ash asks, looking down at the plaque in his hands in awe.
It's the final night, and Casey's stood with her friends shortly after Professor Rowan's final speech, admiring her newly acquired plaque along with the others. She's also got Duncan's, because for some reason he's not out here with the rest of them.
It doesn't exactly matter. She's gonna go and find him in a minute anyway.
"Of course! Everyone that was involved with the Summer Academy gets one!" Angie explains.
As her friends begin to slip into a conversation, Casey takes that as her opportunity to go and find Duncan. She slips away, heading inside to where she thinks she'll find him, cautiously walking through the dark and uninhabited halls of the Summer Academy.
It's weird to see it so quiet and empty.
She finds him, sat on his small bed in the corner of their former room, and he looks up as she taps lightly on the wooden door before stepping inside.
"I brought this for you. Everyone gets one." She explains, extending the plaque out to him when she reaches him.
"Thanks." He replies, taking it gratefully from her, before nodding to the spot on the bed beside him.
She smiles back, taking a seat at his side, "What's on your mind?"
"What are you talking about?" He asks, though he sighs in defeat when she deadpans him in response. He can't exactly hide it. He's a terrible liar, "I'm just...I'm sad to be going home, I guess."
"You're sad?"
"Yeah, I know it's stupid." He replies sheepishly, his face flushing slightly in embarrassment, "It doesn't make any sense, cause I'm not ready for a journey yet, but the thought of going home just bores me, you know? I know it sounds ridiculous."
"It doesn't." She replies, and the look of surprise and relief that crosses his face catches her off guard.
A moment passes before she keeps going.
"Whenever I'd finish a journey, coming home just seemed like a bit of a step down. I love going to see my Grandfather, but it's just different." She explains honestly, giving him a small smile, "So I get where you're coming from."
"What do you think I should do?" He asks, tone almost sounding desperate.
She can tell that this is really getting to him.
She tries to give him an honest answer, because she can tell that he's really in need of some guidance right about now. He's totally lost.
"It doesn't matter what I think. The only thing that matters is what you and your Pokemon think."
He seems surprised by her response, "My Pokemon?"
"Yeah." She replies, nodding, "You need to think about them too. They stand by what you choose to do, so you should do the same for them."
She feels like that's the key when it comes to making tough decisions. Casey's noticed that when things have gone wrong, it's almost always when she does things without talking to her Pokemon beforehand. It's like how she'd expect them to consult something with her about their training or battling. If they can do that for her, then she should talk to them about things, too.
"I think I get it." Duncan replies after a moment of considering her words, and Casey's beyond glad that he does.
She stands up, smiling back at her friend, and gesturing towards the door with a simple nod, "Now, are you gonna come back out to the bonfire? We should get some food before it all goes."
"You mean before Ash and Angie eat it all?" He quips back, standing up and beginning to follow her back outside.
She chuckles, "Exactly."
The Pokemon Summer Academy may have drawn to a close, but what Casey and her friends have learnt will remain, and Casey's glad about that. She can't wait to see what's to come, not just for herself, her Pokemon and her friends, but for all of the students at the Summer Academy.
Even Conway. Boy, is that guy weird.
