Chapter 86: Like Mother, Like Daughter

It had been a while since Nikki competed in the Estera Town Pokémon Contest and, despite falling short, she was in good spirits. Ash was pleased that she appeared to be taking this in stride.

"So, though of any new Contest routines yet?" he asked.

"I've got some floating around in my head that I want to try," Nikki answered. "After the way the last Contest ended I want to make sure I'm prepared for the next one."

"Well I for one can't wait to see what you come up with," Ash said. "You know, I'm glad you're not letting what happened in the last Contest get you down."

"I'll admit I hate the fact that I lost, but if I'm going to get better then I can't let that weigh on my mind. I have to get past it and move on," Nikki explained. "But right now we need to get you focused on your next Gym battle." With the focus now on Ash's next Gym battle the group continued on their way.

"(Hey, check it out,)" Pikachu said, pointing off to the side. Looking over they saw that the path they were walking on had a good view of the ocean.

"I didn't know we were so close to the ocean," Nikki stated.

"I know," Ash agreed. "Hey, why don't we head down there and spend some time at the beach."

"Sure. I could go for that." They left the path and headed down to the beach. Once they arrived they took a moment to just take in the scenery.

"Smell that ocean air. There's nothing like it," Nikki commented.

"Sure isn't," Ash added.

"(Why don't we let the others out. I'm sure they'd enjoy a day on the beach as well,)" Buneary suggested. Ash and Nikki agreed with her and called out their other Pokémon. Ash called out Arcanine, Meganium, Swellow, Croconaw and Absol while Nikki sent out Ninetails, Gallade, Volbeat, Shinx and Swablu.

"No training today, gang. Today's a day for relaxing," Ash announced.

"You've all worked so hard for us. We want you take some time off," Nikki added. Their announcement was followed by a chorus of happy cries as the Pokémon all went off to enjoy the beach day.

"This was a good idea," Nikki said. "The Pokémon all look like they're enjoying themselves."

"It's like you said… they've been working so hard for us. They deserve this," Ash said. As they watched the Pokémon play Volbeat slowly flew over to Nikki, a nervous look on his face.

"Something wrong, Volbeat?" Nikki asked.

"(I… I just want to apologize for my poor performance in the Contest the other day,)" the Firefly Pokémon told her. "(If I had done better then you would have won.)" Nikki gave him a comforting smile before replying.

"Listen… it's not your fault we didn't win," she told him. "If anything I shouldn't have put you in that situation in the first place. You hadn't had any practice in Contests and I put you out there before you were ready. So if anything it's my fault."

"(But…)"

"No. No 'buts'," Nikki interrupted. "We'll just have to practice and be ready for the next Contest. For now, just relax and enjoy the day." After hearing that it appeared as though a weight had been lifted from Volbeat's shoulders as he flew off to join the other Pokémon.

"You handled that well," Ash praised.

"All part of being a good trainer," Nikki commented.

"(Looks like we've got some visitors)" Pikachu said, pointing out towards the ocean. Ash and Nikki looked and saw a school of Pokémon swimming their way. Instinctively Nikki took out her Pokécomm and scanned them.

Name: Lapras

Species: The Transport Pokémon

Pokécomm Entry: It ferries people across the sea on its back. It may sing an enchanting cry if it is in a good mood.

"Wow. I've never seen so many Lapras in one place before," Nikki said. As they watched the Lapras approach Ash and Pikachu noticed something about the lead Lapras.

"(Ash… is that who I think it is?)" Pikachu asked.

"Could it really be?" Ash wondered. He and Pikachu approached the edge of the water as the Lapras came up to the shore. The lead Lapras looked at them with a warm smile.

"(Ash, Pikachu… it's been a while.)" As soon as they heard her voice the two of them lit up, huge smiles on their faces.

"Lapras! It is you!" Ash shouted. He threw his arms around her in a hug.

"(I'm glad you remembered me,)" Lapras said.

"I could never forget you, old friend," Ash replied.

"(Pikachu, you're looking strong as ever,)" Lapras commented.

"(You know it!)" Pikachu bragged.

"Ash, you know this Lapras?" Nikki questioned.

"Sure do. She was one of my Pokémon when I traveled through the Orange Islands," he explained. "She helped me travel from island to island and was instrumental in me winning the Orange League."

"Well if that's the case then why isn't she still with you?" Nikki wondered.

"(He only kept me until he could reunite me with my family, which he did. After that he let me go back with them,)" Lapras said.

"Speaking of your family it looks like their numbers have grown," Ash observed.

"(That they have,)" Lapras confirmed. "(In fact there's someone here who'd like to meet you.)" She looked back towards the other Lapras and motioned for one of them to come forward. A small Lapras slowly swam forward and stopped by her side.

"Wow. She looks just like you did when you were younger," Ash stated.

"(There's a reason for that,)" Lapras said. "(You see, she's my daughter.)"

"(Mom, is this the trainer you told me about?)" the younger Lapras asked.

"(He is,)' she confirmed. Upon hearing this the younger Lapras looked at Ash, he eyes full of wonder.

"(My mom's told me all about the adventures she went on with you and now I get to meet the trainer she went on those adventures with,)" the younger Lapras gushed.

"Well I have to say that I had a great time traveling with you mother," Ash told her. "I just wish we could experience it again."

"(It's funny you should say that,)" Lapras said.

"Why do you say that?" Ash wondered.

"(You see, my daughter has been enamored with the tales of our past adventures, so much that she'd like to experience them for herself,)" she explained.

"I think I see where you're going with this," Ash said. "You want us to bring her along with us on our journey."

"(That is, if you wouldn't mind,)" Lapras said.

"(Oh please, would you?)" the younger Lapras begged. Ash looked at the two Lapras before him and smiled.

"As if I'd turn down a request like that. Of course you can come with us," he said.

"(Oh thank you! I promise to do my absolute best,)" she said. Ash reached down and grabbed a Poké Ball, but before he used it he hesitated. He then turned and looked at Nikki.

"Why don't you catch her," he offered.

"Huh? Why me?" Nikki inquired. "I thought you would have wanted to catch her."

"Believe me I'd love to have her on my team, but I think she'd be a better fit for you," Ash explained. Nikki thought about for a bit.

"Now that you mention it I could come up with some good Contest routines with her on my team," she mused.

"(Ah, so you're a coordinator,)" Lapras assumed.

"I am," Nikki answered. "I'm looking to come up with some new routines, and I just know I can come up with some good ones with your daughter on my team. So, what do you say?" Everyone turned to the younger Lapras to see what she'd say.

"(Well, I'd still get to travel with a trainer, and getting to show off my moves does sound fun,)" she mused. "(Okay! You have yourself a deal.)"

"Alright!" Nikki cheered. She reached down and grabbed a Poké Ball, but right before she was about to catch the young Lapras Buneary stopped her.

"(Hold on! If you catch her now she'll be sent to Professor Redwood's lab, and there's not a Pokémon Center around for you call her over,)" the Rabbit Pokémon stated.

"Oh man, you're right," Nikki said.

"(If it's a Pokémon Center you need there's a small town just down the coast that has one,)" Lapras said. "(If you want I can ferry you there quicker than it would take you on foot.)"

"Can't pass up that offer," Ash said. He and Nikki recalled their Pokémon and climbed aboard Lapras. Once Ash and Nikki were aboard she called to the other Lapras. Moments later they were all heading down the coast towards the town Lapras had mentioned.

"(Just like old time, huh Ash,)" she commented.

"Sure is," Ash agreed. Nikki closed her eyes and relished in the feeling of the ocean air blowing through her hair. Ash saw this and smiled.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked.

"Oh yes," she answered. "I could certainly get used to this." Ash continued to smile as they traveled down the coast.

Within a few short minutes they reached the coastal town Lapras had spoken of earlier. Upon arriving Nikki quickly made her way to the Pokémon to make room on her team for Lapras. Once she did that she returned and prepared to catch her. She faced the young Lapras, Poké Ball in hand.

"Are you ready?" she asked. Lapras nodded eagerly in response. With a smile on her face Nikki tossed the Poké Ball in her direction, watching as it bounced off her head and drew her inside. The light on the ball flashed a few times before a 'ping' was heard to signal a successful capture. Once the capture was complete Nikki picked up the ball and called out Lapras.

"Welcome to the team," she said.

"(Glad to be a part of it,)" Lapras replied. Her mother then swam up to her.

"(It is time for us to be on our way,)" she announced. She then nuzzled her daughter, who returned her affection.

"(I'll make you proud, Mom,)" the young Lapras promised.

"(I know you will,)" her mother told her. She then looked towards Ash, a smile on her face.

"(Farewell, Ash. Until we meet again,)" she said.

"Bye, Lapras," Ash said. He and Nikki waved as Lapras went back towards the other Lapras. Once she rejoined them they all began to swim away. They continued to wave as the school of Lapras swam out of sight, leaving them and Nikki's newly caught Lapras.

"(So, where do you want to go?)" Lapras asked. "(I'm ready to head out whenever you are.)" Looking up at the sky they could see the sun was beginning to set.

"How about we spend the night at the Pokémon Center and head out in the morning," Nikki suggested. Ash agreed with her and, after recalling Lapras to her Poké Ball, the group headed back to the Pokémon Center to rest for the night.

The next morning the group found themselves back at the beach. Lapras was eagerly awaiting their decision on where to go next. To figure that out Nikki had taken out her Pokécomm and was looking at the map.

"Found anywhere interesting?" Ash inquired.

"I think I have," Nikki answered. "There's an island to the northwest that looks promising."

"(I think I know the island you're talking about. We passed by there not too long ago,)" Lapras said. "(I can get you there in no time flat.)"

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" Ash shouted.

"(Climb aboard.)" Ash and Nikki climbed onto Lapras' back. Once they were situated the Transport Pokémon took off, ferrying them to their next destination.

A chance encounter with an old friend has landed Nikki a new Pokémon in the form of a Lapras. With this new team member how will their journey fare now? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!

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