Chapter 45 A Race for Home
Ash and his friends arrive at Baa de Mer Ranch located on Route 12, filled with all sorts of Pokémon including Skiddo, Gogoat, Doduo, and Dodrio.
"I never imagined there'd be a ranch here." Ash says in awe.
"It's called Baa de Mer Ranch." Serena says as they notice Skiddo on the ranch.
Flora says, "Those are Skiddos, they are Pokemon that have a deep connection to humans since ancient times."
"I would like to have one." Ash says with a sigh.
"But you have to know that the Skiddo is especially famous because of the cheese and the ice cream made from their milk." Serena adds.
"I want to try them out!" Bonnie cheers.
"That sounds delicious as well." Elena adds.
Then after getting inside the ranch, the group looks on at others riding on Skiddo while eating ice cream. David says, "So it seems like you can even ride on Skiddo as well."
"Don't tell me that this is..." Serena mutters, and then she hears a voice, "Yes, it's the first step of training to become a Rhyhorn racer."
They turn around to see Grace walking towards them. Bonnie says, "It's Serena's mother!"
"It sure has been a surprise." Clemont says.
"Long time no see, Serena. How are you doing?" Grace smiles.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" Serena asks.
"I've been invited as a special coach for the Rhyhorn racer training course they're holding at this ranch. Though I never thought I'd see you here, Serena." Grace says as she hugs Serena, Serena sighs as she hugs back.
"So Serena, have you been diligently practicing about your powers on your journey?" Grace asks.
Serena says, "Yeah...thanks to Ash, he has been helping me adjust to this..."
"Mama is also good at battling as well." Elena says as Grace smiles, "Well if it isn't my cute granddaughter Elena? I see you have been with Ash and Serena after graduation."
"Wait, Ms. Yvonne, you already know about this?" Ash asks in surprise.
"Of course, I was the one that asks her to attend the Electric and Steel Academy." Grace says as she turns to the others, "And once again, thank you for taking care of Serena."
"No problem, if you're a coach for a Rhyhorn racer training course, does that mean you can ride Rhyhorn here, too?" Ash asks.
"Of course, but today's the beginners' class. We begin with riding on Skiddo." Grace says. "Rhyhorn are big and powerful, in the beginning, you start off riding on Skiddo, they can sense the rider's feelings when their horns are grabbed, so it's easy for children to ride on them as well."
"I see." Ash says. "I have attended a Pokemon race after my first gym badge, though I participated in it with my Rapidash. I guess both Rapidash and Rhyhorn are hard to ride for beginners."
"Yeah, and you worked so hard after that." Serena says with a little blush.
"So you can already ride a Rapadiash, right?" Grace asks.
"Well, I can also ride some other Pokemon like Rhyhorn, Sawsbuck, Charizard, Zebstrika, and so on..." Ash says, "But I have never tried out riding Skiddo. I will like to try it out when riding Skiddo."
"I want to ride it as well." Bonnie says. "You'll do it too, right? Bro?"
"What? Even me?" Clemont asks, but he is being dragged by Bonnie to go to the ranch.
"Serena. Can you help me out? The truth is, there are so many participants that my hands are completely full." Grace asks, and Serena sighs as she knows what her mother wants.
And after practice riding Skiddo, Grace decides to invite them for lunch in the hotel where they are staying. Serena's mother also prepares them with the meal, which Serena adds, "I haven't eaten Mom's soup in a while..."
"It sure smells tasty." David adds.
"Serena's not being a burden because she doesn't cook that often, is she?" Grace asks the others, and Ash shakes his head, "Not at all, she actually helps us a lot when we are cooking. Not only that, the Pokepuffs and other sweets that she made are very delicious."
"Also, she also helps us decorate the table nicely as well." Flora says. "She sure is a wife material for someone."
"Flora!" Serena blushes after what she has said, and Grace says, "I guess being with your boyfriend really changes you a lot in person, Serena."
"They're just exaggerating, Mom." Serena sighs. "I just thought I could make eating our meal a little bit fun, that's all."
"Before you set off, you constantly overslept and wanted to skip practicing with Rhyhorn." Grace says. "You quickly grew bored of everything and gave up on it. That reminds me, have you found out what you wanted to do in your journey yet?"
"I..." Serena flinches a little.
"I know your study as a Pokemon trainer is important too, but for the sake of your future, you have to quickly set up a goal. You have told me that you don't want to be a Rhyhorn Racer, but you can't just hesitate to move forward..." Grace says.
"Well..." Serena says.
"But Serena has decided to be a Pokemon Pe-" Serena quickly covers Ash's mouth, and she says, "Mom, I've only just started traveling, so thinking about the future is too soon..."
"Is that so?" Grace looks at her with a stern face.
After lunch, Serena is now outside with Ash staying by her side, he asks, "Why don't you tell your mother that you want to be a Pokemon Performer?"
"I...I don't know. You see, just like what my Mom said, I usually give up a lot of goals, such as Rhyhorn racing, being a professional baker, and so on..." Serena says. "I know that you reminded me that I should never give up until it is over...but I didn't know the line between that..."
"Serena..." Ash frowns.
"After meeting you and the others, I feel like I want to try out Performing, and I don't want to give up like last time...but I don't know what will she think?" Serena frowns.
"Serena, just so you know, no matter what you choose, I'll support your decision." Ash says with a smile. "Why don't we try to practice your Showcase performance? After all, I'm doing contests and I can help you."
"That will be nice." Serena says.
But unknown to them, Grace is watching them through a mirror as she also has the power to manipulate the Distortion World, she sighs as she can't believe what she has heard from the conversation with Ash.
Just then, they hear a large noise and a van just runs past. Grace yells at the staff, "What's going on?"
"There are Cheese thieves!" One of the staff workers yells.
"We have to stop them." Ash says as a Skiddo suddenly rushes in front of Ash. "You want to give me a ride?"
The Pokemon nod as Ash jumps onto the Skiddo and rushes off, with the others chasing after him.
Serena turns to a Rhyhorn and says, "Rhyhorn are faster than Skiddo. I need your help. Give me a ride."
The Rhyhorn nods as Serena hop onto the Pokemon, much to Grace's surprise. After Serena rushes off, Grace also chases after her.
After a while, Clemont fell from the Skiddo as David, Flora, and Bonnie stop to look after him. Elena and Serena manage to reach Ash as Serena says, "Leave this to me. Rhyhorn! Tackle!"
As Rhyhorn tackles the van, it causes to stop and it turns out to be Team Rocket inside.
(Team Rocket Motto)
"You guys again?" Elena groans a little.
"You're not going to get away with those cheese." Ash says.
"We are not going to give it back!" Jessie yells as she goes with Seviper while James goes with Amoonguss.
"Pikachu! Tackle!" "Sylveon! Swift!" Ash and Elena yell at the same time. Serena also sends out her Fennekin and yells, "Use Flamethrower!"
All three attacks hit the two Pokemon, and Serena says, "Use Flamethrower again!"
"Pikachu! Finish with Thunderbolt!" "Sylveon! Moonblast!"
And after the attacks, Team Rocket is sent flying again. "We're blasting off again!"
"You're amazing, Mama." Elena turns to Serena.
Ash says, "Indeed, chasing them with a Rhyhorn, I expect nothing less from you."
"I wasn't thinking about what I was doing at all..." Serena panics a little.
"Serena, even though you hate to admit it, you still have the talent of a Rhyhorn Racer." Grace says. "You know, if you don't have a goal in this journey, then you will have to develop that talent and come back home to start training again."
"Wait, Serena is going to leave us?" Bonnie asks.
Serena says, "Mom, I'm sorry. But the truth is, I have already set a goal in my mind. I want to be a Pokemon Performer. Just like Ash's cousin, Aria, who is the current Kalos Queen. Now that I have a goal in my mind, I am not returning home any moment."
"Is that so? But you're always quick to give up on something if you think you can't do it." Grace asks. "Are you sure you are going to do this?"
"If you can't see my determination, then let's have a race." Serena says. "We'll have a Rhyhorn race, if I lose, I'll stop traveling and come home with you. But if I win, please accept that I'm serious about this."
"That's crazy, Serena." David says. "Your mother is a professional Rhyhorn racer!"
"He's right." Ash says as he notices the Skiddo who is looking at him with concern. "Then how about having a Skiddo race instead?"
"That's fine for me, what about you?" Grace looks at Serena, who nods.
That evening, Bonnie asks Ash, "Serena can win this, right?"
"I think competing with Rhyhorn would have been difficult, but in this case, Serena should have a chance of winning." Clemont adds.
"Mama! You can win this!" Elena yells.
The race begins with Serena taking an early lead, but Serena falls off her Skiddo, allowing Grace to take the lead.
"Serena!" Ash yells in worry.
"It's not over yet!" Serena manages to get back up as she rides on the Skiddo to chase after her mother. "I won't give up until the end."
Reflecting on who she had met and what she had learned on her journey, the Gogoat Serena is riding learns her feelings as it goes faster. Grace notices it and she smiles, "It seems that she really is serious about this."
In the end, Serena manages to exceed Grace as she wins the race. Serena gasps in delight as she wins.
"Mama won!" Elena and Bonnie are cheering as Flora yells, "Way to go, Serena."
After the race, Serena is now standing in front of her mother again and she lowers her head, "Mom..."
"I already know how you felt. I'm your mother after all." Grace smiles while wiping the dirt off her face. You even went through the trouble of practicing performing in secret."
"You were watching?" Serena asks in confusion.
"You do realize I'm a Giratina like you, right?" Grace asks. "But even though you got muddy, you didn't give up and raced until the end. It's proof that you've grown up on your journey with Ash and the others. I think racing on Skiddo is great because Skiddo can sense the rider's feelings. And the Skiddo you were riding sensed your strong will. It proves how powerful your feelings are. Do your best, Serena."
"Thanks, Mom." Serena says as she hugs her.
Before leaving, Ash notices that the Skiddo that he befriended wants to join in his journey, so with Grace's permission, he manages to capture the little one. And before leaving, Grace asks, "So where are you heading next?"
"To Coumarine City, I'll challenge the Gym to get my fourth badge." Ash says.
"I heard from Aurora that there was a Showcase in Coumarine City, too. Serena, maybe you'll be entering it?" Grace asks.
"You bet." Serena smiles.
And then they all bid farewell to Serena's mother as they continue their journey.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see Serena's determination for trying the Pokemon Showcases. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the Malamar trouble.