Episode 13: Racing Through Sydney! Marley's Gym Challenge!
The next day, the trio made their way back to the Sydney Opera House, where Marley was waiting for them alongside another Trainer. He was a boy with red hair tied back in a bun and a red T-shirt with a black fire print on it. "Glad to see you all made it," Marley smiled.
"We're just here to cheer Dylan on," Ashton said. "Kris and I will be doing some training while he does the Gym Challenge."
"I can help you with that," the boy said, pulling out his own Poké Ball and summoning a Claydol. "The name's Buck, and I've been helping Marley prepare for her Gym Challenge."
"The rules are simple," Marley explained. "This will be a triathlon Pokémon race, over both land, sea, and sky. First will be land, where we'll race through the streets of Sydney, making a turn at Hyde Park and going to Darling Harbor. After that, the race will continue to sea, where the race will take us out to Goat Island."
"Goat Island?" Ashton questioned.
"It was founded before the Gogoat line was discovered," Kris said.
Marley nodded. "Finally, we'll take to the skies and fly under the Sydney Harbor Bridge and finish back here at the Opera House."
Sounds like a fun race, Aurora said. Although, we are lacking in ridable Pokémon, besides maybe Vex.
"Noibat," Vex nodded.
"Then allow me to introduce the Poké Ride Rental!" Buck said. He pulled out his phone and opened up an app. "If you have a Ride Pokémon License, you can register a Pokémon for you to temporarily summon for transportation needs. Each Pokémon is uniquely registered to you, though only the first three are chosen for three."
"Way to shill there," Ashton rolled here eyes.
"Alright, let's try it," Dylan said, downloading the app onto his Poryphone. After a few minutes, he picked out his choices and tapped to confirm his selections. Two digital Poké Balls popped out of his phone, solidifying into a green ball with orange tech lines running over the surface.
"Your Ride Pokémon have been registered," the Poryphone said. "You may return the Ride Balls at any time, and the Pokémon Rangers will take care of them until they are ready for use."
"Wow, technology is truly amazing," Kris said in awe.
"Eevee!" Sera cheered
"So then, let's get started," Marley said. "Come on out, Arcanine!" The Fiery dog Pokémon came out of its ball, giving a bark as their Trainer saddled up on their back.
"Alright. I'm ready!" Dylan nodded. "Let's ride, Luxray!" Out of the Ride Ball came a black and blue Electric cat, sparking a bit before its Trainer jumped on.
"If we're all ready, then line up!" Buck called, pulling out a flag. "Ready… Set… Go!"
With a Flame Charge and Wild Charge, the two racers blasted down the street, which for the purposes of the gym challenge had been temporarily cleared out. Marley had the head start as Flame Charge boosted Arcanine's speed, but Dylan wasn't going to give up this early on. The two bounded down the streets of Sydney, making a beeline for Hyde Park before making a sharp turn towards the harbor.
"Luxray, Double Kick off the fence!" Dylan ordered. The Gleam Eyes Pokémon did as they were told and pounced off the fence of Hyde Park, the jump pushing their speed to tie with Marley and Arcanine.
"That was a smart move," Marley complimented. "However, we're coming up on the water section next. Be ready for the next stage!"
Dylan nodded and pulled out his other Ride Ball as they came up on Darling Harbor. Running onto the pier, both Pokémon took a leap of faith before their Trainers recalled the land racers and summoned their water rides.
"Arcanine, switch for Starmie!"
"You did good, Luxray, but it's Carracosta's time to shine!"
Marley's Starmie splashed down into the water before boosting ahead with a Bubble Beam. By contrast, Dylan's Carracosta was slower to start, but once they got off an Aqua Jet, they quickly started gaining speed. Back at the Opera House, Kris was watching the race through the nearby Rotom Drone, while Buck and his Claydol trained with Ashton and Vulcan, Sera (currently in Sylveon form), Joker, and Maui.
"Keep up the fight, you guys!" Buck cheered. "I'm getting pumped!"
"This is some good training," Ashton agreed. "Maui, Joker, you two need to get strong and evolved so you can face all kinds of Trainers!"
"Sylveon!" Sera called.
Ashton chuckled. "Don't worry, Sera, we'll make sure you can use all the Eevee-lution forms as well. Hey Kris, how's the battle going?"
"Dylan made an interesting choice in Water Ride Pokémon," Kris noted. "Carracosta isn't exactly known for its high speed."
"Check it's ability or something," Ashton said, turning back to the training. "Vulcan, don't slack here either."
Aurora watched as Kris did her signature battle analyzing, the human humming as she put her skills to the test. "Oh, now I get it!" Kris exclaimed.
What is it? The Lucario asked.
"This Carracosta has Swift Swim for its ability!"
Back at the race, Dylan was putting the Hidden Ability to the test, slowly but surely catching up to Marley as they rocketed through the harbor. Steering around boats and ships, the two made their way towards Goat Island, where a ramp was set up to launch them into the last part of the race.
"Here we come, the final stretch!" Marley called behind her. "I hope you don't expect me to give up now!"
"Not a chance," Dylan shook his head, readying his last Poké Ball.
Once the two hit the ramp, they were launched high into the sky, recalling their Water Rides and calling out their Sky Rides. Marley got on the back of her Aerodactyl, flying off towards the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Dylan, meanwhile, summoned out Vex as he fell towards the water.
"Vex, let out bond burst at the seams!" the human shouted to his partner. "SYNERGY EVOLUTION!" The Noibat soon Synergy Evolved into Noivern, grabbing his Trainer and using the incoming Tailwind to rocket forward like a speeding bullet.
The duo quickly caught up to Marley, the two Trainers neck-and-neck as they soared through the sky. Aerodactyl and Vex let out their cries as they dove underneath the Sydney Harbor Bridge, making a banking turn to land back at the Opera House. Buck, Ashton, and Kris all cheered for them as they came in across the finish line, the Rotom Drone taking a picture to give out the results.
"Woah, that was close," Dylan let out a gasp, jumping off of Vex's back as they reverted back to a Noibat.
"What a unique evolution method," Marley noted.
"Yeah, that's what makes Dylan so special," Ashton nodded.
"But I wanna know who won the race!" Buck shouted.
"And the results shall be shown!" The Rotom Drone called. Producing a screen, it showed a slowed-down version of the finish line crossing. By just an inch, Vex had managed to become just a little faster and cross the line first. "The winner of the match is Challenger Dylan!"
Dylan spun around and gave a thumbs' up, with Vex cheering and the Ride Pokémon coming out to give a simple nod. "That's another Gym Challenge win!"
"And here's you badge for beating my Gym," Marley said. She handed over a badge that depicted a running Arcanine. "Please accept this Acceleration Badge."
Taking the badge, Dylan smiled as he recalled his Pokémon, sending Luxray and Carracosta back to the Ride Center until they were needed again. "So guys, how did the training go."
"Pretty good," Ashton nodded. "I think everyone went up a few levels."
"Pidove!" Joker called, landing on top of Dylan's head.
Joker says that he thinks he may have learned a new move, Aurora said.
"That's great, buddy," Dylan said. "So, why do you want to go next, everyone?"
"There's a Gym in Dubai, I want to check out," Ashton replied.
Kris pulled out her Pokégear. "Well, if we want to get to Dubai, we'll have to make a transit flight through India first. Perhaps we can stop there for a day or two to get in some more training and research."
"Sounds fine by me," Ashton shrugged, Dylan nodding in response as well.
The trio said goodbye to Marley and Buck, then headed off to the airport for the next stage of their journey.
Author's Note
Yeah, this took way too long to get out. I was just distracted by, well, everything going on in my life, but I'm back to write more Pokémon adventures.
Buck is another Stat Trainer, with his specialty being Defense and Special Defense. He's the perfect guy to train with for those high EXP yields!
All the locations used in this race are real places in Sydney, that includes Goat Island. All the Pokémon she races with are the ones she can use on her team in the Battle Tower. Her Acceleration Badge is a play on her being the Speed Stat trainer.
Also, DP remakes and Legends Arceus hype!