(The next day…)
The group of chosen children continued on their way to Portual, the city where they had been told that they could find transportation to the other side of the sea. The problem was that, if they wanted to be taken, they had to get money from an aerial competition that was held there. And the only one who could compete was Luke.
The subject was speed, and in a week of practice he had learned about speed due to his recent journey so far. However, his companions depended on himself to cross the sea and, even if he could do it alone, something inside him wanted to test himself to discover the limits of his new body as a bird Pokemon.
"You should take it easy" Rose suggested, "We know you want to win the competition, but if something happens to you it would be catastrophic"
"I know, but if I'm not in perfect shape, I won't be able to win," he replied, "I've only been a Pidove for less than a week and I have to learn as much as I can. You know, right? It is our way of reaching Azurview"
While he were practicing on the road, they noticed a very close city: Portual. They weren't in the city yet, but a cool breeze could be felt. When they arrived, they noticed that there were no high-rise buildings. In fact, the few that existed were a kind of post office where several Pelippers worked; several of these Pokemon came and went carrying letters, packages, and even some smaller Pokemon. The other houses were slightly larger than the ones in the town they started in, and were built of marble and rock. To tell the truth, the workmen in charge of these were the Machop, Machoke, Timbur and Buldurr, whom they managed to see that they were transporting materials.
The smell of the sea grew stronger when they reached the other end of the city. There, a large lighthouse of at least 10 stories stood imposingly facing the open sea. To his left, a large jet of water shot into the sky: it came from a Waylor, the largest Pokemon in the sea and his transport ticket to Azurview. And there was not only one, but several because it was a great port of them. The old Carracosta was right.
On the right, before reaching where the sea began, a large stadium could be seen, on which several flying Pokemon were already beginning their training for tomorrow's great challenge. Among them were Fletchinder, Swellow, Starivia, Pidgeotto, and a great variety. The kids did not hesitate for a second to enter to see.
The place was semicircular because the other end was open showing a great view of a cliff, below which the waves strongly beat the shore. Inside there were also several competitors, even smaller Pokemon like Taillow or Starly. However, in the center there was a large conglomeration of Pokemon interviewing the winner of last year: a large and imposing Pidgeot. However, he did not seem like the typical conceited and egotistical champion, although he did show some firmness.
"Are you sure you still want to try it?" Rex asked.
"Of... Of course!" Luke reaffirmed. Actually, he had felt self-conscious due to so much good competition, but he was willing to give it his all.
"Look" Rose pointed to a Smeargle who was posting the names of the participants, "There the participants are registered"
(A few hours later…)
Since the race was the next day, the kids decided to camp near the sea (not so close because Rex, being a fire type, would have problems), where the sounds of the Wingulls and Pelipper resonated harmoniously with the sea. How wonderful is camping by the sea? Surely many have already had that experience.
But Luke was not resting like his friends, but he had started training: he needed to fully master the flying skills of a bird Pokemon. Climbing high, to a height of three hundred meters, flapping with all his might, he tried to make a sharp, flaming dive into the waves... but then he learned that he couldn't do such a thing like a professional: he barely learned, he hardly got out. alive if Dylan didn't step in and pull him out of the water.
"Thank you, Dylan," Luke thanked him.
"You shouldn't take it so seriously," his friend told him, "Shouldn't you be resting for the competition?"
"Well, I…"
He didn't want to talk.
"Okay, if you can't, I understand" his companion told him, "I'll talk to the others and we'll find a way to cross the sea or find another way"
"No no and no!" Luke refused, "I want to participate in this competition and I must be ready for it. It's my best moment"
"Your best moment?"
Luke lowered his momentum.
"Years ago, in a relay competition, I tried to win to prove to myself that it was possible. But…I had an accident and I was in a cast for a whole month. While I was resting, I watched the birds in the sky and since then something like flying began to fascinate me. Now look at me: I'm a bird Pokemon."
"I guess that was a surprise to any bird lover," Dylan laughed.
"Completely. But that's why I want to try the flying race: I want to not only try it, I want to win it, with my effort!"
"Well, then you'll make it" Rex told him, who had also woken up and was heading towards them, "I know I don't have much to say since I don't like heights, but you have everyone's confidence: surely you can do it"
Luke was still nervous about the race, but he was grateful to have such good teammates.
"Hey kid!" a voice yelled. Then, everyone was speechless because that champion Pidgeot had observed them, "Nice moves, but diving into the sea is not the right style"
The words didn't sound like a mockery, but rather a piece of advice. That bird Pokemon flew directly towards them and landed in front of them.
"Good afternoon, can you call me Ace" he told them.
"Good afternoon" they replied. So they all introduced themselves. After listening to them, he proceeded to address Luke:
"Luke... right?" he asked him, "Do you want me to teach you a thing or two about flying?"
For a moment, not only Luke, but all of them doubted his intentions, but it was quite clear that he meant no harm. So, the others went back to camp while Luke stayed with Ace.
"Feel the coolness of the wind on your wings" the latter taught him as he spread his wings towards the sea, "The wind is your friend, dance like a leaf with it: let your wings carry you"
"Can I ask you something, Mr. Ace?" Luke asked, "Why are you helping me? He believed that he would want to keep his championship title "
"Because that crazy move you did a few minutes ago is the same one I tried to do when I was a Pidgey. If your friend hadn't helped you at that time, you'd be swimming with the Magikarp"
"Ains…"
"We all commit crazy acts when we want to win," explained the Pidgeot, "I just want to compete until I really have a great competition: one where I have to show my best. And you, do you have a reason to win?
"My friends and I are going to Azurview, we need the money to cross the sea in a Waylor"
"The reason is good, but you have to find a personal reason to compete. That is what makes you see your limits and the strength to overcome them"
Ace moved his head and Luke could see a small area on his neck that was missing feathers and had a scar. It didn't look like some kind of accident, more like a struggle.
"What happened?" Luke asked.
"This?" he replied, "A great fight I had once with a Feararrow and it almost took a lot of my plumage. He is a stubborn man who challenges me many times, but he always loses. I wanted to get away from those boring battles a bit and that's why I started competing in these races."
"Woah…so, do you also know how to fight?"
"Yeah, look at this…"
Ace took to the air, spreading his wings even against the current of the air. When he rose to a height of 10 meters, he dove into a rock at high speed: it seemed crazy, but then the Pokemon disappeared for a moment and appeared above it. Luke blinked, and before he knew what happened, the rock snapped in half.
"Air Aza" Ace explained when he had landed, "A tricky move, but if it can be done, it will surprise the enemy."
The champion Pidgeot was training the fledgling Pidove a few more flying tricks and Luke learned much more than he had practiced up to that point in his journey. When the sun went down, Ace finished the lesson and recommended that he rest to be ready for tomorrow's race.
Luke returned to his friends, while Ace flew back to the city. However, when he was halfway there, another Pokemon blocked his way: a huge Fearrow.
"You again?" asked Ace, "This is already becoming common."
"It'll be over when I beat you once and for all," the Fearrow snarled, and without warning, he was attacked by a drill pick. However, the Pidgeot dodged and flew after him.
"I don't want to fight now," he told him, "You can wait until after the race tomorrow."
"You are nobody to decide when we will face each other!"
He had every intention of fighting, but Ace flew towards the ground and Ace followed him. As it nearly hit the ground, the Pidgeot kicked up a cloud of sand dust that blinded the Fearrow. As the sand became mirrored, the Pokemon growled in anger because its rival had escaped. However, anyone could smell something strange: a sensation of dark energy emanating from him.