Chapter 69 – The Reformed Rival
After spending one more night in Celadon City, May and I decided to start heading towards Route 16, for the upcoming water race. As we walked through Celadon City, we passed Celadon Casino. I had an uneasy feeling, as did May. Even the 6 fire Pokemon seemed a little more cautious. I said to May, "Something doesn't seem right." She replied, "Yeah. I have this weird feeling." Then we both looked at Celadon Casino. Outside the door, to either side, were statues – statues that looked a lot like NIDOs! I asked May, "Do you see what I see?" She replied, "I wish I didn't." Flamefox, Firestorm, Amber, Inferno, Redfur, and Fiona began to slightly growl. These NIDOs looked more completed than the last ones we dealt with – these ones had metallic gray outer coverings so they looked just like metallic gray Nidokings, except with sharp silver teeth, sharp silver claws, and glowing red eyes. Just then, a large crowd of people passed in front of us, blocking our view. After they passed, the NIDOs were gone! May said, "I don't like this, Joe. Let's get out of here!" I said, "Yeah, this place is starting to give me the creeps. Let's get going!" and we continued ahead.
When we were far enough away, May asked, "What do you think those NIDOs were doing at Celadon Casino?" I answered, "I'm not sure. But they looked completed, not like the last batch we saw. That means Team Rocket is still constructing them, and wherever there's NIDOs, trouble can't be far behind." She asked, "You don't think they were looking for us, do you?" I answered, "I don't think so. But Team Rocket is definitely up to something. I guess all we can do is wait and see." Then May said, "It seems strange that they would put NIDOs out in public view like that, though." I replied, "As far as the public knows, it could be some kind of gimmick for the Casino. To tell you the truth, with what I've heard about those casinos, I wouldn't be surprised if Team Rocket is involved with the casino in some way. But we can't prove anything, and I'm not about to go looking for trouble if I can avoid it." May agreed, and we continued ahead. We weren't pursued by any NIDOs, but the fact that we'd seen some again did worry me. What was Team Rocket up to? I decided to let it go – chances are, it was something too big for us to handle, anyway. We only defeated NIDOs the last time because of our MechanPokemon allies, and they weren't around right now. Anyway, we reached the edge of Celadon City, and released Tauros and Fierymane to ride on.
After about half an hour, we saw a big tent set up straight ahead. There was a sign that read "Route 16 annual water race". I told May, "I guess we found it" as Tauros and Feirymane galloped us ahead. We stopped when we reached the tent, dismounted from, and recalled our riding Pokemon. There were several other Pokemon trainers walking around, and May and I, accompanied by our fire foxes, the fire dogs, and Inferno walked up to the registration table. A lady said, "Hello. Welcome to the Route 16 water race. Which Pokemon will you be using?" I answered, "Lapras" and May answered, "Blastoise". She replied, "Very well. I just need each of you to fill out these forms." After we did that, we mingled with the other Pokemon trainers. May said, "Looks like a fairly big turnout!" I replied, "Yeah!" We saw trainers standing near the lake with Pokemon such as Tentacruel, Poliwrath, Gyardos, Cloyster, Dewgong, Kingler, and Seadra swimming around in the water. I released Lapras and May released Blastoise, so they, too, could swim around in the water. I let Vaporeon out for a swim, as well. "Your water Pokemon look very healthy", a woman said to us. She had dark red hair, blue eyes, and wore a black tank top with a pink skirt. We both said, "Thanks!" She said, "I'm Cissy, the leader of Mican Gym in the Orange Islands." I said, "We've heard about you. I'm Joseph Ehlle, from Crimson Town, and this is May Redfield, from Violet City. So you're in charge of this race?" She answered, "That's right. A water race is held here every year, and there's also a land Pokemon race near Fuschia City, just outside the Safari Zone, run by Lara Laramy, of the Big P Pokemon ranch. Anyway, I base this race on something I do at my gym when I get challengers. Instead of Pokemon battling, I hold competitions – a water gun competition where the Pokemon use their water guns to hit targets, and a water race." I said, "That doesn't really sound like a real gym match. I mean, what if, for the sake of argument, a trainer doesn't have a water type?" She answered, "Well, most trainers don't come to the Orange League until they've completed at least one other League, so by then, they should at least have one water type. First time trainers are generally discouraged from competing in the Orange League." I said, "I see." May interjected, "But that's not exactly fair. A gym battle is a gym battle. You should be able to participate, regardless of what Pokemon you have." She said, "I'm sorry, but that's just how it is in the Orange League." I mumbled, "Well, my gym will be open to ALL competitors." Then Cissy said, "Joseph Ehlle and May Redfield – now I know where I've heard those names before! You guys are both League champions! Well, I must say, you've done well for yourselves. I hope you both have good luck in the race." We replied, "Thanks" and she went off to talk to some other people. "A Pokemon gym without Pokemon battling? That just seems… strange" I said to May. She said, "The Orange League is small, anyway. It only has 4 gyms. It really ends up being an intermediary League between Kanto and Johto. That's why I never really bothered with it." I replied, "I doubt I will, either."
As we mingled among the other trainers, May said, "Oh no. Look who's here." I looked and saw that it was Ryan, the bratty Pokemon trainer I'd bested on my way to Ecruteak City and at the Johto League Finals. I said, "Oh, him! Just pretend you didn't see him." He saw us and walked over. He said, "Hi, guys." I asked him, "What do you want? To act like a conceited jerk around us some more?" He answered, "I guess I deserve that. I wasn't very nice to you guys back at the Johto League Finals. I was very rude to both of you. After your friends forced me to shake hands with you, it made me think about the way I acted. I'm very sorry. It really wasn't very good sportsmanship on my part. So what do you say? Friends?" He put out his hand. I looked at him and reluctantly said, "Well… okay." And shook his hand. May said, "The same goes for me" and shook his hand. He asked, "So, you guys are entering the race, too? That's cool. Your Lapras did great at the League Finals! I'm sure you have a real shot at winning this, Joe!" I replied, "Gee, thanks!" May asked, "So what Pokemon will you be riding on?" Ryan answered, "My Seadra!" and showed him to us. I said, "Wow, he looks great, Ryan!" He said, "Thanks! I've tried to become a better trainer since being beaten by you twice!" I told him, "Well, I'm glad to see that you learned something from those experiences. You really have changed a lot since last time."
The time soon arrived for the water race to begin. As people sat in bleachers near the lake, with large screens in front of them showing different areas of the lake, the announcer said, "Welcome to the annual Route 16 water race. Pokemon trainers from all over have brought their water Pokemon to see whose is the fastest swimmer! And without any further ado, I give you Cissy, the Mican Island gym leader!" As everyone cheered, Cissy said, "Thank you! The race will consist of 3 laps. The racing area is outlined with buoys, which are outfitted with the cameras bringing you the images on the screens. I now ask all the competitors to line up at the starting line!" I told Lapras, "You heard the lady!" I stood on her back, with Flamefox on my shoulders and Firestorm at my side, as she swam us to the starting line. May and Amber pulled up next to us, on Blastoise. Ryan also pulled up on Seadra. The trainers on the Tentracruel, Poliwrath, Gyardos, Cloyster, Dewgong, and Kingler pulled up, as well. I asked May, "Are you ready?" She said, "I think so. You?" I answered, "All set!" Ryan said, "I'm ready , too!" Cissy then said, "On your marks, get set… go!" The water Pokemon were off! The early lead was Lapras, Blastoise, Seadra, and Gyarados, with Poliwrath, Cloyster, Dewgong, and Kingler left in the wake behind them, and Tentacruel seemingly last. Ryan began to catch up and passed May. "Come on, Blastoise! Let's beat him!" He replied, "Blaaassst" as he picked up speed. Lapras was holding her own pretty good, still keeping in the lead! "The early lead is Lapras, one of the fastest water Pokemon!" Cissy announced. I said, "Way to go, Lapras!" May said, "This is fun!" as she caught up with Ryan. He replied, "You said it! It's a lot more fun when it's a friendly competition." As we continued, the Tentacruel trainer was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Cissy announced, "The Kingler trainer is out of the race! His Kingler ran into some sludge which paralyzed it!" As we rounded for the second lap, we saw the Kingler trainer off to the side, treating his Pokemon with paralyze heal. May asked, "I wonder how that happened?" I replied, "I don't know – but something seems fishy. And what happened to the Tentacruel trainer?" A while later, Cissy announced that the Poliwrath trainer was out because of somehow being wrapped – the trainer got knocked off of him, and saw what looked like tentacles coming up from under the water, wrapping up his Poliwrath until it fainted! The Cloyster was next, another apparent victim of a mysterious toxic sludge. Then the Dewgong trainer was out, his Pokemon mysteriously becoming confused and going the wrong way! May, Ryan, and myself maintained the lead. When we reached the area where the Kingler had run into sludge, we saw it, too. We told our Pokemon to swim around it. It was definitely sludge from a Pokemon toxic attack! Ryan said, "Maybe there are wild Pokemon in this area that aren't happy about this race going on in their home!" I said, "Maybe… but somehow I don't think so." May said, "I agree. Something seems deliberate about this." Soon, May was in the lead, when Ryan shouted, "Help!" We turned around to see tentacles coming up from under the lake, wrapping his Seadra! May and I had Lapras and Blastoise turn around. May said, "Blastoise, grab those tentacles!" Blastoise attempted to free Seadra by pulling at the tentacles, only to get wrapped up, himself! "May!" I shouted. She shouted, "Joe, help!" I said to Flamefox and Firestorm, "Get ready to swim!" They nodded. Then I ordered, "Lapras, take us underwater!" She dove under the lake, and I swam with her. Flamefox and Firestorm dog paddled above us in the water to stay afloat. It was a Tentacruel, alright! Lapras picked up speed and body slammed it under water! It released Blastoise and Seadra, and came after Lapras! Swimming next to the Seadra was its trainer, who had on scuba gear! I released Vaporeon, as well, and they teamed up on the Tentacruel! It released a toxic sludge, so my Pokemon turned around and headed above, outrunning the sludge. Lapras was swimming on the water again, as was Vaporeon, and the Tentacruel also surfaced. Its trainer surfaced, as well! I asked him, "Why are you doing this?" He replied, "Because I've lost this race 2 years in a row! I was determined to win this year, by any means necessary!" May said, "Including cheating!" He said, "If that's what it takes!" Ryan interjected, "Why don't you try training your Pokemon harder instead of taking the easy way out?" The trainer said, "That's enough! Tentacruel, hit them with your toxic!" Tentacruel launched the toxic black substance at May, Amber and Blastoise! She screamed, and I said, "Lapras, get us in front of them!" She swam quickly, and we took the toxic sludge directly, for May! May shouted, "Joe!" I said, "Finish the race, May! Take Flamefox, Firestorm, and Vaporeon to safety!" as I felt the sludge's paralyzing effects begin to set in. She said, "I can't just leave you!" Ryan said, "Don't worry – I'll take care of him! You just get those Pokemon out of harm's way!" As Lapras and I floated there, paralyzed, the Tentacruel trainer ordered, "Now use a sludge bomb on them!" Ryan quickly responded, "Seadra, use your headbutt!" Seadra hit the Tentacruel square in the forehead, knocking it back! He told the trainer, "I won't let you hurt the person who taught me a lesson about good sportsmanship – and who is now a good friend!" I was impressed with how Ryan was standing up for me. The trainer said, "Good sportsmanship won't get you anything but a lot of losses, kid. But I guess you'll have to learn that lesson the hard way! Tentacruel, use supersonic!" Tentacruel let out a high-pitched sound, and Seadra became confused! "Seadra!" Ryan shouted, trying to get back control of his Pokemon as it thrashed about aimlessly in the water. "Now put it out of it's misery, Tentacruel! Use wrap!" As Tentacruel's tentacles shot out at Seadra, Seadra released a smoke screen! Tentacruel reached about within the smoke screen, trying to find the Seadra, but didn't seem to have any luck. When the smoke cleared, Seadra and Ryan were gone! "Huh? Where did they go?" the trainer asked. I wondered the same thing, myself! Suddenly, Seadra surfaced behind them! Ryan ordered, "Use take down!" Seadra charged at Tentacruel and hit it hard, finally knocking it out! Then he had Seadra wrap up the trainer with his tail! The trainer said, "Let me go!" I said, "Good work, Ryan!" He said, "Thanks!" Then he jumped off Seadra and swam over to us. He said, "I have some paralyze heal for you and your Lapras!" We each took it, and gradually felt the effects of the sludge wear off. The remaining racers caught up, accompanied by Officer Jenny on a jet ski. She arrested the Tentacruel trainer, and Ryan and I joined the rest of the racers, as we tried to catch up with May, who rode with the fire foxes. Vaporeon swam next to her. Soon, it was close, between Ryan, May, myself, and the Gyardos trainer. But when we reached the finish line, the victor was May! Everyone cheered as Cissy made the announcement. I said, "Way to go, May!" Ryan said, "Yeah, you did great!" May said, "Thanks, but you two are the real winners today!" After the race, Cissy said, "While the winner of this year's race was May, we have 2 special awards for good sportsmanship to present! Joe, everyone saw on the screens how you and Lapras took a hit for May and her Blastoise! And Ryan, eveyone saw how well you battled to defend Joe! It is my privelege to present you both with these sportsmanship awards!" All 3 of us took our trophies as the audience cheered.
After going to the Pokemon Center, Ryan asked us, "So where are you heading next?" I said, "To Fuchsia City. Would you like to come with us?" He answered, "Sounds like fun, but I really need to head back to Celadon City. I want to battle Erika again. I lost to her last year." May said, "Thanks again for your help." I said, "Yeah, you were really great out there! You're a much better person than you used to be." He said, "Thanks, but I owe that to you and your friends. You guys helped me to see things much more clearly. I hope we run into each other again." With that, he walked off. May said, "Wow, what a difference! He seemed like a completely different person!" I said, "Yeah! I guess Martin and Trevor's little 'etiquette' lessons really did help him!" We both laughed at that. Then May and I released our riding Pokemon, and rode ahead, into the sunset, down to Route 17.