Chapter 7; "Capture the Island Flag: Teams!"
Recap;
Dougan hopped onto the front hood of his dorm, smirking. He had his arms crossed. "I think Headmaster forgot to mention this, but,"
Archer cut in, from the ground. "All of the dorms will be competing against each other as well, so be careful who you wipe out.. you might get your dormies!"
Maikee waved from her side, next to the Virizion bus. "Not to mention the dorm with the most remaining students will win an even bigger prize –"
She was cut-off by Dougan, a little pissed from being cut-off himself. "The honor of choosing which dorm goes first on our nightly 'Scavenger Hunt' in a few weeks.. in the woods over there..," He pointed to his right, where, indeed, a thick forest lay.
"So, be ready," Archer finished, trying to get the Cobalon dormies organized.
Sammy blinked, looking down at Ombra, who in return grinned. He was eager to win.
And nothing would stop him from doing so.
Now, after that little information sharing, everyone was getting extremely fired up. To Chase Muffett, it wasn't any new news, but despite that, he was way pumped!
"Foxy, you're gonna be my partner this year, .. again." Chase grinned down at his Zorua, who smirked back at him. They had a plan smoking in their brains already.
Meanwhile, across from them, Alistar Bayar, the 14-year-old with the short temper, short black hair and who absolutely despises water scowled. It was his first year, first day and it turned out sucky already.
"This sucks b-"
"Bats!" Midori, from across from him cut in. She grinned cheekily, her Luxray trotting by her side. She was happy enough to censor him out as his Togekiss smiled in amusement.
Alistar – also known as Alan -, deepened his scowl, sighing. "Yeah, bats. This sucks. Half of us are gonna end up drowning or something,"
The 13-year-old girl shrugged, her ponytail swishing behind her as she walked past him to go inside the UA building. "You never know, .. you could use a floaty tube!" She sent another grin over her shoulder before following behind Riley Walton, who was also heading inside.
The 14-year-old boy shook his head, twitching. "Thinking I can't swim.. bah!" He threw his arms up in exasperation, jogging after them with Togekiss following behind.
It seemed Unova Academy was quite busy – of course, every year, teachers and the more senior students welcomed all of the incoming and returning students, but the Water Wars always came first before the welcoming ceremony. At UA, everyone liked to hold fun first before formalities. That was practically a quote in Headmaster Juniper's office.
Kenneth Strife glanced around the high, high ceiling of the huge hallway they were currently walking down. Blue eyes couldn't stop moving as Archer led the boy group to their dorm first – the girls had all headed to the Cobalon changing rooms (yes, all the dorms have changing rooms!) to, surprise, change!
He glanced over his shoulder to see Ty and a girl about his age, maybe younger than a year chatting with him animatedly. Kenneth found himself grinning to himself when Ty blushed at a comment the girl – Felicia, was it? Yeah, he remembered her from the callings earlier.. wait, why was she following them?.. Oh, right, to tell Ty something before running off, back to the girl dorms.. – made and shook his head.
"Ah, remind me to hold this against him, Sparky," commented the boy, who was talking to his Pikachu. Kenneth was wearing his dark blue swim trunks, a nice white and grey stripe pattern on the sides.
"Pika!" Sparky, the Pikachu replied happily, riding on his shoulder. He rubbed his face, which had a scar on his left eye on Kenneth's cheek, purring.
Kenneth chuckled, looking straight ahead when the group stopped.
Archer had stopped everyone in front of a large, push-open door on the other side of the boys' dorm area, across from the girls', to avoid peeping Toms, of course.
He pushed open the door, ushering them in one by one. "Hurry up, guys, gotta change fast. Can't let Virizion and Terrakion beat you all!" Archer was trying to motivate them, even whacking Noah lightly on the forehead with his clipboard.
"And you," He frowned sternly, "don't go peeping, you little perv."
Noah just flashed him a grin, entering the room, carrying his dark red trunks with Carvanah patterns all over it. "Speak for yourself, dorm leader with the keys.."
Cue Archer flushing and stuttering.
"Was it necessary to do this..?" Briana touched her now braided, shoulder-length hair. She raised an eyebrow at Rosalie, who just waved her off with a smile.
"I insisted," She placed a hand on her hip, towel wrapped around herself. Looks like her swimsuit would be kept a secret, for now.
On the other hand, Briana's wasn't. She was clad in a light blue, one-piece swim suit. Her sunglasses were kept on her head as she began walking in her blue flip-flops. Bria shook her head at Rosalie, fiddling with her towel.
"Well, thanks.. I like it," The brunette smiled at her newly made friend, following the other Terrakion girls. Dougan seemed pumped and ready for action, clad in a blue male's bathing suit – swimming trunks, I believe!
He was smirking, already waiting for all of his dormie 'youngsters' to form a circle at the front entrance of the UA. Dougan was trying hard not to glance at the Virizion dorm circle, shaking it off.
"Hurry up! We don't have all day!" Dougan Maddox had taken off his head bandages, hands on his hips in a confident way. "When everybody's here, we're marchin' to the beach!"
George Thorton was one of the last ones to reach the group, since his Oshawott had waddled off. He sprinted over, clad in dark green swim trunks, his face pink with the effort of running all the way there.
Oshawott was laying on his head, smiling at the other Terrakion students.
George felt a little shy, walking to the group of strangers. Oshawott gazed at him with sympathy, though. They'd fit in fine.
"'Kay, let's hurry it up!" Dougan had already began walking towards the sandy beach, turning right on the right path, leading towards the back of the school.
The Terrakion students followed, chattering.
Adam felt a little lost himself, though, rushing over with Buizel.
He ended up almost bumping into Rosalie, accidentally pushing her into Luna, who was in front of her.
She turned around, puffing out her cheeks in embarrassment. "My bads.. sorry Luna, Adam." Rosalie knew them from the check-in earlier.
Luna nodded, smiling. "It's fine. Let's just keep walking."
Adam rubbed his neck, frowning. "It was actually my fault. Sorry, Rosalie." He shuffled his feet a bit, glancing at his black swim trunks before staring at his feet.
The blonde shook her head, patting him on the head in a friendly manner. "Don'tcha worry 'bout it, Adam! Let's just have fun and kick the other dorms' butts."
The Meledez boy grinned. "You bet we will,"
"Bui!"
"Crap," Guill was hurrying to slip on.. his sandals, running out of the boys' changing room.
Daniel was waiting for him, standing next to his serious Bisharp.
"C'mon, Guill, let's goooo!" Guill's brunette friend called to him, waving.
Guill showed up a few minutes later, his Misdreavus, Penelope, floating beside him. "Sheesh, sorry.." he muttered, straightening his glasses.
Daniel shrugged his shoulders. "No matter. Let's just go!" In truth, he just really wanted to catch up to the brunette he winked at before – introduce himself and all, of course.
He grabbed Guill by the wrist, dragging him off.
Wonderful.
"They're sure taking a long time," mused Maikee as she tapped her foot to the rhythm of a cheery song playing from inside the academy. Her white flip flops were sure in tune with the beat!
She was dressed in a string bikini with orange, white and blue stripes with back ties. Maikee was completely oblivious to the fact that the two other dorms had already left, since only a few students were left to come before she could start walking to the beach.
"Maikeeeeeeeeeeeee~" Said dorm leader let out a shriek when she was glomped into a hug by Riley, giggling happily. "I'm excited, are you?"
Riley was wearing a bright pink bikini. It really.. er, stood out and brang out her tan, complimenting it.
The dorm leader sucked in a breath, releasing it when Riley released her. "Y-yes, I am, Riley. You sure seem like it."
"I am too!" Piped Midori as she skipped up. She was clad in an orange one piece, a bright smile on her face as her Luxray, Sparky followed close behind her.
Riley's Pichu greeted the fellow Electric-type. "Chu, Pichu!"
Luxray nodded, her nose sniffing the air – sea water.
Maikee's Furret was by her feet, running around in a circle trying to catch her own tail. "Ret, furr!"
Maikee brushed off herself before grabbing her clipboard once more. She raised her voice, to catch everyone's attention as Riley and Midori quieted down. "Everyone! Let's head to the beach now!" She turned around, hoping everyone was following and began making her way to said beach.
The sun was shining, almost beating down mercilessly on the Unova Academy students. The smell of sea water and warm weather was enough to get everyone excited and pumped up for the first Water Wars event.
To everyone's surprise, when all three dorms reached there, in the middle of the beach was a set-up platform, on which Headmaster Juniper was standing, still in her sundress. This time, she was also wearing a straw sunhat and sunglasses, a Mincinno next to her.
In Headmaster Juniper's right hand was a megaphone, seeming ready for use. A smirk played out on the headmaster's lips as everyone began lining up around the platform.
She raised the megaphone to her lips to speak. A loud, booming voice erupted from it.
"Alright, Unova Academy students. Are you ready for the first event?"
Everyone yelled back energetic "YEAH"s after trying to regain their hearing. Man, that megaphone was LOUD.
Ty seemed annoyed, even with Felicia standing next to him. His ears hurt like heck, but Felicia offered him a sympathetic smile before the headmaster went on.
"As all of you have been waiting for," She paused, letting Minccinno climb his way onto her shoulder for a minute or so before continuing, smiling. "our first event rules! It's the well-known 'Fight for the Flag'!"
Dougan smirked. He was a shoe-in for winning this one. Years of experience after all.
Archer shot Dougan a competitive look from his side with the Cobalon dorm, shaking his head.
Headmaster Juniper went on. "Hence the name and due to past injuries..," She looked at Dougan in particular for this, to which he gulped and grinned sheepishly.
He didn't get injured. Of course not.. Nooo.
"Only 5 of you from each dorm will be competing in this event! Wait, hold on, don't start talking about it yet. You all must choose ONE Pokémon to transport you across the ocean's waves to reach the island in the far middle of the sea. The first student to grab it first wins their dorm a point!" She put the megaphone down, sucking in a breath. "Now you may start talking."
Murmurs erupted from the different dorms. Everyone was trying to figure out who would do what event and with which Pokémon.
Dougan, for sure, wanted to enter this event, but unfortunately dorm leaders weren't allowed in this event.
That left his dorm members to decide on who'd go and who wouldn't.
Collin glanced at Briana who was thoughtfully staring at her Poke balls in thought. Finally, she snapped her fingers.
"Alright, Quil, I know which one of our friends is going to help me," She grinned in triumph. Her Quilava gazed at her in curiosity when she grabbed one of her Poke balls, tossing it in the air to release one of her Pokémon.
"C'mon, Marshtomp!" The Water and Ground-type emerged from the white light of the ball, smiling cheekily at his trainer.
"Marsh!"
Collin smirked at her Pokémon choice. "A Marshtomp, I see."
Briana nodded, smirking back at Collin. "I'm not letting our dorm down, Colly-boy. Which Pokémon will you be using?"
He sweatdropped, rubbing his neck. "Actually, considering Dougan looked over my Pokemon before.. he doesn't want me in this event, ehe.."
She frowned. "Oh, aw! I would've wanted your help in this too," Briana shook her head, smiling. "Next one then?"
He held out his pinky, smiling back. "I pinky promise."
The brunette linked her pinky with his, shaking it before teasing him. "Remember, you can't break pinky promises."
Collin smiled wider. "I know, I know."
Archer had rounded everyone up in a crowd, his hands on his hips. He was clad in black swim trunks.
His cheeky smile was placed on his face again as everyone quieted down to listen to him. "Alright, hey guys. So, I just wanted to know who has any Water-types here?"
Ty, Noah and Kenneth all raised their hands. Not only them, but Skyler Cole, a Junior also raised his hand. His smiled, his blue eyes shining with the eagerness to win as he rubbed the back of his blonde head. But he wasn't the only Junior who raised his hand. He was wearing red swim trunks.
Brooke Parks also raised her hand, adjusting her high black braid as she blinked her blue eyes.
Noah spoke up first – almost as if he wanted to impress 'the ladies'. "I have a Carvanha."
"I have a Wooper.." Ty muttered, glancing at Noah slightly.
"I er, have a Samurott." Kenneth smiled sheepishly, scratching his cheek.
Brooke spoke, now, a bit quietly. "I have a Gyarados.." She was dressed in a navy blue swimsuit, along with a nice, non-revealing top and shorts.
And finally, Skyler spoke up. "Hey guys. I have a Milotic."
Their dorm leader nodded, smirking at another plan he had up his sleeve. "Alright, sweet. So, who has Flying-types?"
Kenneth, once again, raised his hand, along with Noah. Others also raised their hands, like Sammy.
"Well, I know for sure both me and this pretty lady have Altarias," Noah winked at Sammy, but she was too busy listening to her mp3. No surprise there!
Kenneth smiled, almost snickering at Noah's bad flirt attempt. "I have a Charizard. Blaze can fly me, no problem."
Archer nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. He was thinking for a moment. "Alright, never mind. Anyone decide on who's going in, then?"
Sammy had lowered her headphones, speaking up. She was dressed in a yellow two-piece, a Lanturn on the right hip of her bottom. The brunette yawned, adjusting her glasses. "I guess I'll sit out for this one.. Adeleid's not the best flyer out there, but we would've tried. She's a bit tired, too."
He smiled at Sammy. "Alright then. Maybe the next event, then. Everyone else who's participating, head to the start line," He pointed behind him, towards the aforementioned line – nothing really special, just a banner that said 'S T A R T' tied to two wooden poles.
Ty was the first to walk off, mumbling about 'wanting to get this over with', while Noah followed, right behind Brooke. Yes, he was trying to hit on someone again, but ended up with a red cheek mark. Will he ever learn?
Maikee, overhearing Archer's plans, had created some of her own. A competitive smirk was raised on her lips as she placed her hands on her hips. "Alright, anybody here have any Ice-types or any Pokémon that know Ice-type moves? Also, anyone have any Water-types?"
On cue, hands shot up: Midori's, Daniel's, Guill's, Riley's, Luna's, Chase's and Lessly's. Wow, it seemed like almost everyone was prepared for this event.
Chase was the first to speak up, grinning. "Hey, Mai-Mai-"
"Don't call me that," She interrupted, puffing out her cheeks.
"Fineeee. Well, I have my Totodile, Chomp," Chase turned to his right, nudging Lessly lightly. "What about you, Less-Less?" Geez, he loved giving nicknames.
Lessly blinked, sighing before nodding. "I have my Wartortle."
Daniel followed up, smiling cheekily. "Well, considering Lessly has a Wartortle, I have my Blastoise."
Riley chirped in after Daniel, happily. "I have my Oshawott~ he doesn't know any Ice-type moves, but he's a really good swimmer,"
Daniel grinned at Riley. "I'm sure you're a better swimmer though, with that body of yours,"
That caused Riley to giggle. "Awh~ you're sweet. But you shouldn't be talking, muscle man."
Guill sweatdropped, breaking in to the conversation. "Well, I have my Dewott.. his name's Poseidon."
"I have my Swanna,.." Luna spoke quietly after Guill, who glanced at her before everyone looked at Midori. She looked up from the seashell she was looking at before beaming.
"I have my Gyarados, Daburu!" Midori chirped.
Maikee nodded, satisfied with the choices. "Alright, we'll need three trainers who can use Ice-type moves and two swimmers." She tried keeping her voice low, to avoid Dougan's attention on her plan, since she knew he'd probably be listening.
Daniel and Lessly both raised their hands at the same time, Daniel speaking for both of them. "Lessly and I can both use Ice Beam, so that makes two Ice move trainers."
"My Dewott can use Ice Beam," Guill added in. "That makes 3. Now we need swimmers,"
Riley and Midori offered, both sending apologetic smiles at Chase and Luna.
Chase shrugged, his hands going behind his head as he grinned. "No biggie. One of you guys need to sit out so I can go in next event, though. Ha!"
Luna smiled back, not sad at all. "It's no problem.."
Mel and Alistar, who had no Water-types, smiled at all their dorm mates.
"Alistar and I can also pop in for the next event," Mel offered, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. She was wearing a two-piece purple bikini.
Alistar was clad in blue swim trunks, smiling alongside Melissa. "It's really no problem."
Maikee grabbed her clipboard, taking notes. "To the start line then, guys!"
Everyone either grinned or smirked, heading off.
Dougan had a very, very nicely planned out idea. The grin on his face told everyone everything they needed to know.
"So, Terrakion guys and gals, anyone here have Pokémon that can run across water really, REALLY fast?"
.. I could've sworn everyone could hear crickets chirp, due to the sudden silence.
Rosalie spoke up, her left eye twitching once. "I'd rather just go with Pokemon that can fly over water or able to swim, thanks. To get that clear, I have my Honchkrow that can help carry me over water or my Dewott or Milotic can take me across the water.. Frosslass can freeze a path and we can slide across it, too."
Everyone seemed to like the ideas she made up, snickering when Dougan was outdone.
The Maddox boy rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Fine, Ms. 'Pokémon Expert', any other plans?"
The blonde shook her head, also crossing her arms. "Unless we want to play dirty and get disqualified, no. So, anybody else have Flying, Water or Ice-types?"
She turned around, to get a good look at who else had any of those choices.
Adam was the first to raise his hand and speak. "My buddy Buizel can swim with me across the water, while my Glaceon can freeze a path and we can take advantage of that."
"Hm, good," Rosalie found herself smiling as another fellow student raised their hand: George and a hooded trainer.
"Er, my Unfezant can fly me across the water.." George rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little uncertain before grinning. "Yeah, he can, actually."
The hooded trainer next to him glanced at him before releasing a Pokeball to show he had a Pelipper.
Rosalie found the trainer's behavior unusual, but she brushed it off. "Alright, since Dougan was such good help," She shot the dorm leader a glare, sarcastically.
He glared back, scoffing.
"Who wants to join in?"
Briana, Adam, George, the trainer and Rosalie herself raised their hands.
"It's settled then," Briana stepped up, next to Rosalie with a smirk. "We have everybody we need. Don't start going independent, either. Help each other out,"
Rosalie nodded, agreeing with her brunette friend. "Let's head out, Terrakion."
The hooded trainer was the last to follow everyone as they practically ran to the start line. They shook their head, their Pelipper letting out a bird-like laugh.
"Pel! Lipper, pel-pel-pel.."
It was more than confident to win.. and crush the other dorms.
Headmaster Juniper was standing in front of the start line, waiting for everyone to arrive. She had a black and white patterned flag – almost like a drag race flag – in her hand, a smile on her usually bright face.
Everyone who participated interested her – oh, she knew what Pokémon everyone had, so she would guess the outcome.
"Everyone ready?" She called out as the hooded trainer arrived, last.
Shouts of "Yeah!" confirmed everything.
"Then," She raised the flag, ever so slowly. Even the Pokémon were anticipating the moment.
"Get ready.." And slower the flag raised.
Kenneth was crouched on the line – like a track runner about to shoot out from the line.
"Set,.."
Daniel grinned, confident. His Blastoise had the same grin on his face, on the far right of the line.
"GO!" And the flag was brought down, in a sweeping, fast motion.
And they were off, let out from the cage that contained them for only a matter of minutes.
A/N; I'm SOOOO sorry that took so long. My science project kept me from being able to update. ;_; What'd you guys think of it?
Next chapter will be the start of 'Capture the Island Flag'. ;D Stay tuned.