A Race for Home

Alec's POV

The group was continuing their journey to Coumarine city and they had encountered a ranch that contained a ton of Skiddo. "Wow, who knew there was a ranch out here," Ash commented.

"It says it's the 'Baa de Mer Ranch'," Serena told the group, looking at her pad.

"Look over there! There's Gogoat, Mareep, Dodrio, and Doduo," Bonnie said, pointing towards the other Pokémon.

"Also, it says this ranch has all sorts of Pokémon and is famous for its cheese and ice cream made from Siddo milk," Serena said.

"Ooo, I want some!" Bonnie shouted excitedly.

"I do too!" Ash added.

"So why don't we go check it out?" Clemont asked.

"Hooray!" Bonnie shouted as she ran towards the entrance.

[Ice Cream!] Pikachu and Ethan shouted as the group followed Bonnie.

"It looks like that's their store," Clemont noted, pointing to a building which had cheese racks and an ice cream parlor.

"Excuse me!" Bonnie shouted as she ran up to the ice cream parlor. Alec thought she was going to ask for ice cream but she kneeled down in front of three girls. "Will one of you please take care of my brother?" Bonnie asked them and they looked at her with confusion as Clemont blushed in embarrassment.

"Bonnie, no!" Clemont said, trying to stop her but she wasn't listening. Ethan then used Psychic to pull Bonnie away.

"Ignore her ladies, go back to your business," Alec told them. They looked at each other, still confused, but headed off anyways with their ice cream. Alec then turned to Bonnie as Ethan let go of her. "Look Bonnie, I think it's great that you're thinking of Clemont's well being, but by asking random women to take care of him doesn't help him. You're actually hurting his chances," Alec told her.

"What do you mean?" Bonnie asked.

"Well, imagine you are just minding your own business and someone suddenly comes up and asks you to take care of their sibling," Alec said trying to get Bonnie to see things from another perspective.

"Oh, I think I see," Bonnie said.

"Just keep that in mind, now go get some ice cream," Alec said. Bonnie smiled and ran off to Serena, who was for her.

"Thanks for the help Alec," Clemont thanked.

"No problem. You looked like you really needed it," Alec replied.

After Bonnie got ice cream the group headed to another part of the ranch and saw a few kids around Bonnie's age learning how to ride Skiddo. "Wow, they let you ride Skiddo too? Oh boy!" Bonnie said as she immediately ate the rest of her ice cream.

"I wonder if this could be…" Serena started.

"It is Serena," someone said and the group turned to see a woman with brown hair behind them. "The first step to becoming a Rhyhorn racer," she said.

"Mom?!" Serena asked in surprise.

"Serena's mommy?" Bonnie asked.

"Talk about a strange coincidence," Clemont commented.

"It's been a while, Serena, how are you?" Serena's mother asked.

"I'm fine," Serena answered. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I was invited here to be a special coach for the Rhyhorn Racer Training Camp. Isn't that wonderful?" Serena's mom explained. "But I'd never thought I'd be running into you here Serena," she added as she pulled Serena into a hug. Alec felt a twinge of jealousy spark inside him at the sight, but he was happy for Serena. "So tell me, are you doing your race training as you should?" Serena's mom then asked.

"Uh… well…" Serena started and Alec could sense she was uncomfortable. Thankfully for her, her mom turned her attention to the rest of the group.

"It's so good to see all of you. Serena looks so happy. Thanks so much, you've taken good care of her," Serena's mom thanked.

"She's been taking care of us," Ash told her.

"Have we met before?" Serena's mom asked when she saw Alec.

"If we had, it was from a distance," Alec answered.

"Hm, if you say so. To be honest, you do look familiar," Serena's mom stated.

"Well, it's nice to meet you. Names Alec," he said.

"Good to meet you, Alec. My name's Grace," she introduced and they shook hands.

"So, the campers get to ride on Rhyhorn?" Ash asked.

"Yep, but today is for beginners, so we're starting our training with Skiddo," Grace answered.

"Why's that?" Alec asked.

"Rhyhorn are a bit too big and strong for beginners, that's why we start with Skiddo. When you hold their horns while riding them, they can actually sense your feelings. Even kids can ride them," she explained.

"Wow, I had no idea. You know, I started out riding Rhyhorn right off the bat, didn't I?" Ash asked himself.

[You did,] Pikachu said.

"That's because you said you just had to be a part of the Rhyhorn race, remember?" Serena told Ash.

"Yeah, and because you're an awesome teacher I learned how to ride," Ash said.

"Well, it's really because you worked so hard at it," Serena said, hiding her face a bit but Alec could tell by her voice that she was blushing.

"In that case, since you've ridden a Rhyhorn already, there's no need to start with a Skiddo," Grace said.

"But wait, I've never ridden a Skiddo before. I really want to try it," Ash told Grace.

"I wanna ride too!" Bonnie said excitedly. "Those Skiddo are so cute. Can I? Can I?" Bonnie asked.

"Yes, why don't you all do it together," Grace said as she pulled Serena and Ash closer to her.

"So, how about it?" Bonnie asked Clemont.

"You mean me?" Clemont asked in surprise.

"No, she meant the Doduo behind you," Alec joked, but Clemont actually looked behind him to see if there was a Doduo. Bonnie took the opportunity and pushed Clemont over to where the Skiddo were.

"It'll be more fun if we all ride together," Bonnie told him.

After getting on his Skiddo without difficulty, Alec waited for Grace to start the class with Pikachu, Dedenne, and Ethan waiting with Serena, who was helping her mother. Once they got started, Alec found Skiddo following Alec's direction completely. Ash and Bonnie were having similar success but Clemont's Skiddo was constantly trying to buck him off. It eventually succeeded and Clemont was sent to the ground.

"Hey Clemont, are you okay?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," Clemont answered.

"You see, you were nervous, so Skiddo was nervous too," Grace explained to Clemont.

"I can understand, but I'm not sure what I can do about it," Clemont said.

"What an embarrassing big brother," Bonnie said jokingly as she rode past him.

"You'll get the hang of it Clemont," Alec reassured him.

Clemont nodded and got back on Skiddo, where he was thrown a few more times and by the time class was over, he had plopped to the ground in defeat. "I just can't do this," Clemont said.

"Come on, you're acting like a little kid," Bonnie said and Alec couldn't help but see the irony in that statement.

"Bonnie, some people are good at some things and not good at others," Clemont told her.

"Okay. It's break time," Grace announced. "We'll all have some lunch and pick it up in the afternoon," Grace told the class. They headed off towards the cafeteria as Grace headed towards the group.

"You've really become really good, huh," Clemont commented Bonnie.

"Yep, if I can learn how to ride a Skiddo, then I can become a Rhyhorn racer. And I'm going to do it too," Bonnie said confidently.

"You've got what it takes no doubt. You'll get the hang of it in no time," Grace said to Bonnie.

"You mean it?" Bonnie asked.

"Of course," Grace answered. Alec smiled at how excited Bonnie was and turned to Serena to see she looked kind of down.

He wasn't the only one as Ash asked, "Is something wrong Serena?"

"It's nothing," Serena answered.

"Great!" Ash said.

"Everyone, I think we should have a nice lunch over at the inn where I'm staying," Grace offered.

"That sounds great," Alec said.

The group headed over and Grace had prepared soup as well as some sandwiches. "Mmm, I love the smell of my mom's soup," Serena said.

"Wow. Yeah, it smells so good," Bonnie commented.

"She makes the best soup in the world," Serena added.

"Can't wait to try it," Bonnie said.

"Honestly, Serena's never been much of a cook. Is that a bother?" Grace asked Ash, Clemont, and Alec.

"Not at all, she's a big help," Clemont answered. "Serena's always giving me a hand with the cooking."

"And she makes the best desserts all the time," Ash added.

"She also makes Poké Puffs for the Pokémon and they love them," Alec stated.

"I just love Serena's desserts. She always puts pretty flowers on the table, and she puts on a nice tablecloth. Serena's the best," Bonnie said.

"Wow, you do all that?" Grace asked Serena in surprise.

"I guess. I just try to make our mealtimes a tiny bit more fun," Serena answered.

"Before you started your journey all you ever did was sleep late and skip out on your Rhyhorn training. And you'd start projects but you'd never finish even one," Grace said to Serena.

"Mom!" Serena protested.

"I guess that means my little girl has grown up a lot," Grace added.

"Alright. Everyone, come on out!" Ash shouted as he released his Pokémon.

"You too," Clemont said as he threw out his Pokémon.

"Alright team, lunchtime," Alec said as he threw out his team with Flame lowering his neck to avoid breaking the roof.

"Now Fennekin and Pancham, let's eat," Serena said as he threw out her Pokémon as well. "Okay mom, say hi to Fennekin and my newest Pokémon, Pancham," Serena said to her mom.

"Hi there, nice to meet you both. How are you?" Grace asked them.

[Great!] they answered.

[Let's dig in everyone!] Pikachu shouted as he jumped off of Ash's shoulder to eat.

[Hey! That's my line,] Ethan said as he joined him.

"Looks awesome," Ash said as they started eating. Shortly afterward, Pancham and Chespin got into another fight.

"Now what are those two fighting about?" Clemont asked.

"Just stop it, both of you," Bonnie said. Blubber then pushed the two apart.

[Let's just calm down. Chespin, give Pancham back the food you took,] Blubber told him. Chespin did so grudgingly.

"Listen, I have an idea. I'd like you to do some Rhyhorn race training after lunch," Grace requested to which Serena responded by looking skeptical. "I know you have to do your Pokémon training as well, but you still need to prepare for your future as a Rhyhorn racer," Grace added. Alec felt himself clinch up at Grace's word but he didn't say anything. Ash on the other hand.

"But Serena's going to be a Pokémon per-" Ash started but Serena covered up his mouth.

"Ash," she said.

"What did I say?" Ash asked. Alec signaled him to not say anything but he didn't know if Ash understood.

"I haven't been on my journey, so, I haven't given it much thought," Serena admitted to her mom. Grace looked at Serena with a face Alec couldn't decipher as Serena looked away.

Serena's POV

After the group finished lunch they headed back towards the training area. "Now, time to start afternoon training," Serena's mom said.

"Do I really have to?" Clemont asked as Bonnie pushed him along.

"Of course you do, baby," Bonnie answered.

Serena stopped hoping to fall behind but Ash and Alec noticed. "Serena?" Ash asked.

"Oh, I forgot something, I'll catch up with you in a bit," Serena lied. Ash smiled while Alec gave her a look that she didn't get, but he did nod.

"We'll see you in a bit then," Alec said and they headed off. Once they were gone, Serena looked at Fennekin and Pancham.

"Fenn?" Fennekin asked.

"I'm just fine. Come on, let's practice," Serena said and her Pokémon followed her.

While Fennekin did backflips in place, Serena worked with Pancham. "Pancham, forward roll then jump," Serena said. Pancham did so but he accidentally bumped into Fennekin. "Are you two alright?" Serena asked.

"Pancham," Pancham said while getting up.

"Kin," Fennekin said at the same time.

"I wonder why nothing seems to be going right?" Serena asked herself, thinking back to Aria's performance. "I guess we're just not ready. I can't tell my mom I want to be a Pokémon performer if I'm this awful," Serena said to herself.

"Fenne," Fennekin said looking at something behind Serena.

"With that attitude, you won't get anywhere," a voice said and Serena turned to see Alec with Ethan by his side.

"How did you…" Serena started. Alec merely pointed to the sky and Serena saw Missile circling overhead.

"I guessed something was up, so I asked Missile to check up on you," Alec said. "But you are going to have to tell your mother at some point on what you want to do," Alec advised.

"I know, but I don't know how she'll take it," Serena admitted.

"Well, it's like I say; 'The path we walk is the one we make'," Alec said.

"I guess you're right. And performing is the path I'm choosing," Serena said, feeling better.

"That's the spirit," Alec said.

"Swellow! Swell, Swellow!" Missile shouted from the sky.

"What?! Do you know who?" Alec asked.

"Swellow," Missile said, shaking his head.

"Alright, get after them and disable the truck," Alec ordered. Missile nodded and flew after something.

"What's going on?" Serena asked as Alec started to follow his Pokémon.

"Someone's stolen a bunch of cheese and put it on a truck, we'd better get after them," Alec answered. Serena recalled Fennekin and Pancham and ran after Alec and Ethan. When the three got to where her mom was training everyone with the Skiddo, they saw the truck fleeing with Missile right behind it.

"Skiddo, after them!" Ash shouted as the Skiddo he was on ran after the truck with Clemont and Bonnie right behind them.

"Flame, come on out!" Alec shouted as he threw the Poké Ball and his Charizard appeared. "Let's get them Flame," Alec said as he and Ethan jumped onto Flame's back and he flew after them.

Serena looked around and saw a Rhyhorn she could ride and ran up to it. "Serena?" her mom asked.

"Rhyhorn are faster than Skiddo," Serena said as she got to Rhyhorn, who was napping. "Rhyhorn, I need your help, your power, and your speed too," Serena said to him. Rhyhorn nodded and Serena climbed on. After taking in what her mother thought her, she and Rhyhorn started pursuing the truck.

When Serena caught up, she saw that Flame had passed Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie on their Skiddo and Missile was hitting the said truck with Steel Wing. Clemont then fell off his Skiddo and Bonnie stopped to see if he was alright. "Leave it to me!" Serena shouted as she passed them. "Ash out of the way," Serena told him as she pulled alongside him.

"Serena, you go for one side, I've got the other," Alec told her from Flame's back.

"Now Rhyhorn, I want you to use Tackle on the side of that truck," Serena ordered.

"Missile, Steel Wing on the wheels!" Alec shouted. Missile swooped down and hit the wheels on the left side as Rhyhorn slammed his mass into the truck, causing it to lose control.

"Alright, give it up now!" Serena ordered whoever was in the truck. The doors opened and Team Rocket stepped out.

"Not you guys again!" Ash shouted as he caught up.

"Give back everything you stole and we'll go easy on you," Alec offered.

"Tempting, but the answers no," Jessie said.

"Here I go. Inkay, let it flow!" James shouted as he released his Pokémon.

"And you two Pumpkaboo!" Jessie added.

"Okay Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Ash ordered.

"Missile, Aerial Ace!" Alec shouted. The two moves hit Pumpkaboo and Inkay, sending them back.

"Inkay, Psybeam!" James commanded. Pikachu jumped out of the way but Missile took Psybeam head-on and was alright.

"Go Fennekin!" Serena shouted as she released her partner. "Flamethrower, quick!" Serena commanded. Fennekin fired the jet of fire and it hit Pumpkaboo into the truck's glass.

"Pumpkaboo, Dark Pulse!" Jessie commanded. Before the rings could hit Fennekin, Missile pushed Fennekin out of the way and took the hit.

"Missile! You alright?" Alec asked.

"Swellow Swell," Missile answered.

"I see, then keep tanking hits!" Alec ordered with a smile. Serena looked at Alec in shock, but the look of confidence on his face told Serena he had a plan.

"Inkay, Psybeam!" James commanded.

"Pumpkaboo, Dark Pulse!" Jessie added. The two moves fired and landed hits on Missile.

"Inkay, finish with Tackle!" James ordered.

As Inkay flew in to finish off the Swellow, Alec revealed his surprise. "Reversal!" Alec shouted. Missile seemed to gain new energy and slammed hit talons down on Inkay sending him flying.

"Serena!" her mom shouted as she came up on her own Rhyhorn with Clemont and Bonnie.

"Now Flamethrower, once more!" Serena commanded. Fennekin let out another jet of fire and it slammed into Pumpkaboo.

"Now Pikachu, finish this with Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.

"Ethan, Dark Pulse!" Alec commanded as well. The two moves collided with Team Rocket and sent them into a blastoff.

"Wow, you guys really did it!" Bonnie said excitedly.

"I gotta say, you were really moving on that Rhyhorn," Ash complimented.

"Oh uh, yeah, I guess so," Serena said, keeping her face from turning red.

"Serena, I see now you really do have what it takes. I mean to be a professional Rhyhorn racer," Serena's mom said.

"Mom," Serena said, surprised yet glad that her mom said that.

But Serena celebrated too soon. "I want you to come back home and start training again," Grace said.

"You think that you can just-" Alec started.

"Alec, please, don't," Serena said, knowing that Alec was probably remembering his father.

"But Serena," Ash said.

"I'll say it," Serena told the group before turning to her mom. "You see, mom. I've decided that I want to become a Pokémon Performer. Which means, I'm not going home," Serena told her mom.

"Are you serious? Dear, as soon as you think it's getting too hard, you'll simply give up," her mom pointed out.

"How can you say that?!" Alec asked. "If you can say things like that, then you're no better then my father. I was like Serena when I was younger and my father said the same things you're saying, how he thought I couldn't handle becoming a powerful Pokémon trainer and how I should just take over his business. You clearly don't understand Serena if you say that," Alec told Serena's mom. Serena looked at her mom expecting her to tell Alec to stay out of this, but instead, she had a curious look on her face.

"Tell me, Alec. What's your last name?" her mom asked.

"Kirkland," Alec answered. Serena's mom looked shocked before it turned into a smile.

"So it is you after all," she said.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Serena asked.

"Let's head back, get the truck back to the ranch, and I'll explain everything," her mom said. Serena and Alec looked at each other with clear curiosity, but Alec told Flame to pick up the truck with Ethan's help. Once the truck and the cheese inside was returned, Grace took them back to the inn to explain.

"Alec, I'm your mother," Serena's mom said. The group looked surprised, but their response was nothing compared to Alec's, who looked like he was just told all his work had been for nothing.

"How do you know that mom?" Serena asked.

"Serena, when you were born, you had a twin. Me and your father tried to make it work, but we were too different for things to work out and we quickly realized that if we stayed together, then our kids would be raised in a home with constant fighting. I didn't want that, so I filed for a divorce. The end result was that each parent would take a child and they should be allowed to see each other. I wanted you to see your brother, but your father wouldn't allow it. When I tried to tell the court that your father wasn't following the agreement, he said he would twist it that I was the one who was causing it to happen and that he would take you away from me, and I couldn't allow that," her mom explained.

"So, I was the twin?" Alec asked, who looked like he was still trying to wrap his head around this.

"I'm positive. The man I married was named Steven Kirkland after all," her mom said.

"Hold on, so Alec and Serena are brother and sister?" Ash asked.

"Yes, you two are," Serena's, and now Alec's, mom answered to the two. Looking at each other, Serena could now see the resemblance. "I know this is a lot to take in, and I know that it's probably too late for me to be a part of your life, but I just thought it would be best if you knew," their mom continued to Alec.

"Well… Thanks for telling me," Alec said.

Seeing that the explanation was over, Serena looked at her mom. "Mom, as for my goal to be a Pokémon performer, I know how to settle this. We'll have a Rhyhorn race and if I lose, then all come home. But mom, if I win then you have to respect my dreams," Serena told her.

"Serena, you don't have to do that," Alec protested.

"And it's crazy Serena. Your mother is a professional Rhyhorn Racer," Clemont added.

"He's right. In that case, we'll have our race on Skiddo," her mother offered.

"I agree, let's go," Serena said. The two headed for the race track and the two riders got on their Skiddo.

"Serena can't win, can't she?" Bonnie asked.

"Well, I'm sure she would lose in a Rhyhorn race, but in a Skiddo race, she might have a chance," Clemont stated.

"Right, compared to Rhyhorn, Skiddo do much better with a light rider. And that favors you, but we'll see," Serena's mother said. Serena looked at her mother determinedly and took a glance at Alec. He nodded and smiled confidently. "The race is one lap around the training grounds and first to the goal wins. Serena, sound good?" her mother asked. Serena only nodded, getting herself ready.

"Fenne!" Fennekin cheered.

"Get'em, Serena!" Ash cheered as well.

"Ready? And… you're off!" Clemont shouted and the two riders took off. Her mother took an early lead but Serena kept willing her Skiddo to move faster and she took the lead. Suddenly, Skiddo fell from under her and Serena fell to the ground.

"Serena!" Alec shouted.

Serena looked up and saw her mom take back the lead and she remembered the times she fell off of Rhyhorn. Serena got herself back up and got back on Skiddo. "I won't quit till it's over," Serena thought to herself as Skiddo took off. As she caught back up to her mother, she remembered everything on her journey and how her friends changed her for the better. She felt Skiddo run faster as she felt more and more determined to win. Serena and her mother approached the finish line and she managed to get the lead at the last second, and that was all she needed. "Finish!" Clemont shouted and Serena and her friends cheered. Once she came to a stop, she got off of Skiddo and saw her mom come up to her.

"Serena, looks like you won," she congratulated.

"But mom… You see… It's just…" Serena said, not finding the words.

"Right. I understand," her mother said like Serena spoke a full sentence. Serena looked at her surprised. "I understand how you feel. You know you needn't be so surprised sweetheart. After all, I'm your mother. I saw that secret performing practice of yours," she continued.

"You, you saw?" Serena asked.

"And racing while covered in mud you didn't give up. You raced to the end. You've really grown on your journey," her mother continued.

"Thanks, mom," Serena said. She was suddenly nudged by the Skiddo she raced on. "What is it Skiddo?"

"Skiiiid," Skiddo said. Serena looked at Alec for translation.

"He wants to come with you," Alec told her.

"You do?" Serena asked Skiddo in surprise.

"Skiddo can sense feelings, that's the reason we raced with them. I guess your feelings were so strong that Skiddo wanted to come with you. And that's good enough for me," her mother said.

Serena nodded and took out a Poké Ball. "Alright, go Poké Ball!" Serena shouted as she threw it. Skiddo went inside and the ball clicked.

Their mom then turned to Alec. "You two take care of each other, okay."

"You got it, mom," Alec said. "It's going to take a bit of getting used to calling you that," Alec then said when he realized how he answered.

"Believe me, I'm going to have to get used to you being back in my life again," their mother said before turning to Serena again. "Go and follow your dream," she said.

Serena hugged her mother, who pulled Alec into it. "That's awesome Serena. Let's both follow our dreams together," Ash said. Serena nodded as Fennekin ran up to her. She jumped into Serena's arms and she held her close.

As the group was about to head off, Serena and Alec's mother asked, "So where are you off to?"

"Coumarine City's next, I'm going to challenge the gym there to get my fourth badge," Ash answered.

"You know, I heard there's going to be a showcase in Coumarine City. Why don't you be a part of it?" Serena's mother suggested to her.

"Really?" Serena asked.

"Take on every challenge, and rise above them all," she answered. Serena nodded and the group continued on their way. She didn't know what to expect once they got to Coumarine City, but she planned on winning the Showcase.