Pokemon: Radical Redux

The gang hopped off the ship. Ash and Misty ran ahead to sign up for the race, while Brock and Yellow went off to try some of the street food. Needless to say, Pikachu and Vee went with them for food.

Misty and Ash got the equipment they needed. Misty was planning on using her Lapras, who agreed, just saying it was to prove he's better than everyone else, while Ash took out Croconaw, who happily agreed, doing a little dance.

Alto Mare was a tourist city between Johto and Hoenn, so it got all kinds of tourists every year, especially since it hardly ever strayed from its nice, warm weather. The town was full of people.

Brock and Yellow had already claimed a good spot near one of the turns, leaning on the railing with skewers in hand and snack wrappers at their feet. Pikachu and Vee were sharing a tropical fruit smoothie and glaring at anyone who got too close.

As for the racers, there were quite a few, including last year's champion, Ross, and his partner, a Wailmer. Some gave polite nods or wished them luck, but others didn't bother hiding their smugness. One racer, a guy with a tattoo of a Gyarados on his arm, scoffed at them as he walked by.

"Hope your babysitters are in the crowd."

"Bold words from a guy whose vest is on backwards," Misty muttered loud enough for Ash to snort, as he was taking off his hoodie and hat.

Then the announcer got everyone's attention.

"The long-awaited Alto Mare Pokémon Water Chariot Race is about to begin! This annually held Pokémon racing competition is about to begin! Everyone, get ready!"

Right at the starting point, three Natu spread their wings, raising them up one by one. Finally, a Xatu raised its wings at the end, and a horn announced the start of the race as they took off.

Spectators leaned over balconies and railings. Brock leaned forward at the turn, holding up his skewer like a flag, "They're coming this way! Let's goooo!"

"Come on, Ash! You too, Misty!" Yellow shouted, adjusting her sun hat so the sun wouldn't get in her eyes. Chuchu squeaked in excitement while Vee slapped the edge of the railing with his tail.

Ash banked the first turn, Croconaw letting out a bark of joy. Misty was right beside him, both of them neck-and-neck with a lean girl on a Floatzel and the smug tattoo guy, whose Gyarados was muscling through the waves like a battering ram.

The guy laughed as he passed, water spraying off his board, "Hope you like second place!"

Croconaw growled at that.

"Oh, you heard him?" Ash grinned. "Let's make him regret opening his mouth."

Croconaw roared in agreement and lunged forward with a burst of [Aqua Jet], nearly yanking Ash off his board from the sudden acceleration. The splashing nearly knocked the other two from their boards.

Misty blinked as they shot ahead, "Show-off," she muttered with a smile. "Alright, Lapras. He wants a race? Give him one."

Lapras huffed, but nodded and sped up. Immediately, Ash and Misty left everyone else splashing in the water. But not far behind, Ross managed to catch up to them as they surged ahead.

"Yo, you guys aren't half bad!" he said, smirking as his Wailmer caught up to them.

Ash grinned sideways at Ross as Croconaw surged forward with another powerful kick of his legs.

"You too. Wailmer's pretty fast for… well, you know, a Wailmer."

Ross chuckled, "I get it. Wailmer isn't exactly known for being fast, but that's why I love using him!"

"Well maybe you should see that, because you aren't winning. That's gonna be me~" Misty said with a smirk.

Misty gave a sharp whistle, and Lapras dipped lower in the water, moving even faster, zooming past Ash and Ross.

"Heads up, Ash," Misty called, her hair whipping behind her. "You might wanna move unless you like saltwater up your nose."

Croconaw growled, refusing to be outpaced. He spun into a tight arc around a floating marker and used the momentum to hurl them forward again. Ash had to crouch low, gripping the board with one hand, the spray slamming against his hoodie-tied waist.

Back on the sidelines, Brock was shouting, nearly dropping his skewer, "Let's go, Lapras! No, wait, Croconaw! I'm impartial, but emotionally invested!"

"Chu pika pika!" Pikachu and Chuchu cheered, as Vee watched, wondering if he should have gone Vaporeon form.

{Meanwhile}

Two Pokémon were flying in the air, it was Latios and Latias. Although they were both invisible, watching the race... well, Latias was watching the race. Latios wanted to go back to their hiding place, since he had an injury on his wing.

Latios sent a message over to Latias, '[Hey sis, come on, we need to go. You know we can't be out for too long.]'

Latias huffed her cheeks, '[Come on, just a little more, please, pretty please? It looks so fun!]'

Latios sighed. He couldn't say no to his sister, '[Okay, but I'm going back. My wing still hurts, remember? Don't stay out too long, or if you do, just please stay with Bianca.]'

Latias gave a happy spin in the air, her form rippling briefly as the invisibility shimmered, '[Thanks! I'll be careful, promise!]'

Latios turned, flying carefully with a slightly uneven rhythm as he left the crowd behind. Latias hovered there a moment longer, watching the racers, mainly the three in the front. Her eyes focused on the one boy with black hair, and she looked more interested.

—

{Back at the race}

"Final turn's coming up!" the announcer shouted over the speaker system. "This is where the real show begins, can our racers handle the sharp currents and narrow canals ahead?!"

Brock squinted down the canal, "This is where it gets tricky… the waterways tighten and the walls echo sound. It messes with the Pokémon's sense of direction."

Ash grinned, crouching low again as Croconaw churned the water like a jet engine, "Alright buddy, let's go full power! Take the inside!"

Croconaw snarled in determination and cut hard left, scraping just inches away from a stone wall as they made the turn. Water surged up and splashed over the edge, soaking some unsuspecting tourists.

"Sorry!" Ash yelled over his shoulder, mostly.

Misty wasn't far behind, eyes narrowed and laser-focused, "Lapras, don't let them outmaneuver us, hug the current, now!"

Lapras dipped and pivoted with impressive grace for such a massive Pokémon, trailing waves behind it like ribbons. Ross was right on her tail, urging Wailmer on, though it was clear the big, round whale was struggling with the tighter turns.

"Croconaw's still holding the lead, but Misty's right behind him, and Ross isn't giving up either!" the announcer called, voice crackling with excitement.

Ash's grin widened as he crouched lower on the board, "Almost there, buddy! One last stretch!"

Behind them, Misty narrowed her eyes and got an evil idea, "Lapras, [Whirlpool], now! Just to shake them!"

Lapras let out a cry and spun sharply, summoning a brief swirling current in front of Ash, making him get caught in the water.

"Wha—Hey! That's foul play!" Ash shouted, but it was more laughing than angry.

Ross got past him, "It's only foul if someone protests!"

"I protest!" Ash shouted.

"Overruled!" x2 Misty and Ross said in unison as they zoomed past Ash.

With a bellow, Croconaw snapped his jaws and kicked hard, launching them out of the whirlpool like a cannonball, spraying water in all directions. Ash whipped around, soaked but grinning.

"You two are so getting dunked for that!"

Ross laughed over his shoulder. "Catch us first!"

 "Lapras, keep that lead! Just a little more!" Misty shouted, completely focused now. Her hair was drenched and whipping behind her in the wind.

As Croconaw started swimming to catch up, Latias tilted her head and got a cheeky smirk as she flew closer.

Ash was way farther in the back. He had lost the momentum from before. If things kept going like this, he would lose, but then there was a tug on his rope. Even Croconaw felt it as they suddenly blasted forward, way faster, rapidly gaining on Misty and Ross.

Ash blinked, then put some Aura into his eyes, making them glow blue, and looked up, there, he saw the silhouette of a certain Pokémon: Latias.

Ash smirked. "Alright then, fun."

Ahead, Misty and Ross were still neck-and-neck, their Pokémon pushing hard through the final stretch. The crowd roared overhead, cheers echoing from balconies, bridges, and canalside cafés.

"Lapras, one more push!" Misty yelled, her voice fierce with determination.

Ross whooped, throwing his arms up for balance. "C'mon, Wailmer! Show 'em how we roll!"

Then—

FWOOOOOSH!

A spray of water exploded from behind them as Ash and Croconaw tore past like a rocket, spraying them with so much water they nearly fell over.

"What the—?!" Misty shouted, ducking from the wall of mist that hit her in the face.

Ross blinked through the spray. "Did he just—?!"

 "I CALL HACKS!" Misty yelled, half-laughing as she shielded her eyes.

Back on the sidelines, Brock had dropped both his skewer and his smoothie, "Did Ash just get a turbo boost?! That's not fair! I didn't get to write that into my bet!"

Ash burst across the final marker with a wall of water crashing behind him.

"And the winner of this year's Alto Mare Water Chariot Race is—!!" The announcer's voice cut through the cheers, "ASH AND CROCONAW!"

Croconaw spun in place, barking victoriously and sending another shower into the crowd.

Ash stood up, pumping a fist in the air. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Latias giggling and flying away, Too bad Ash could see her, she wasn't slick.

Misty skidded across the line next, Lapras snorting at Croconaw with mock offense. Ross followed a second later, laughing breathlessly. "Okay, that was wild."

Ash hopped off the board and stuck his tongue out, going over to ruffle Misty's hair, "Get dunked on! I told you, didn't I?"

Misty groaned and swatted Ash's hand away, "Cheater. I call hacks. No way that was normal speed."

 "Sounds to me like you're just mad cuz bad~ get good," Ash said, sticking his tongue out again.

As Misty was deciding whether to punch Ash or laugh, the announcer came over and presented Ash with the Alto Mare Medal, officially declaring him the winner. Yellow and Brock rejoined them, and Vee and Pikachu jumped back into Ash's arms.

Ross clapped his hands, "Congratulations on your win this time. I will definitely win the next one though. How about this, I'll let you all ride my boat since you managed to beat me!" he offered.

"Huh, really? I mean, there are four of us. Is that a problem?" Ash asked. I mean, it's one thing to have two people on a boat, it's another to have four.

Ross waved his hand. "It's fine! My boat is big enough. Besides, the more the merrier."

Brock nodded, "Alright then, we'll trouble you for a tour," 

—

A while later, they were sitting in a boat as Ross paddled his vaporetto, showing them around the town. It was relaxing.

"Thanks again for the ride, Ross," Misty said, looking out and enjoying the view.

"You're welcome. It's an honor for me to let the Champion of the Pokémon Water Chariot Race ride on board with me!" Ross said with a smile while steering the boat.

Ash held the glass medal in his hand while Yellow peeked over his shoulder to look at it. Ross noticed and smiled.

"Pretty cool, huh? That medal has the symbols of the history of our town."

Yellow nodded, then tilted her head, "Yeah. It's really nice. They kinda look like Pokémon." Then, as she looked up, her eyes widened, "Hey, look! There they are again!"

Everyone turned to see what Yellow was pointing at, and spotted the statues of Latios and Latias in the distance.

Ross nodded, "Oh yeah. Those are known as the Guardians of Alto Mare. That's Latios on the left, and Latias on the right."

"Huh... I've never heard of Latios and Latias," Yellow mumbled.

"I have. They're supposed to be Legendaries from Hoenn, I think," Brock said.

Ross nodded again, "Legend has it that they watch over our town and protect us in case of danger."

"Wow, I'd sure like to see the real ones. I bet they're really cool," Misty said, staring up at the statues.

"Yeah, I guess we never see them because things are always so peaceful around here. We haven't really needed their protection," Ross replied.

"I mean, isn't that a good thing? Just means you're safe," Ash said.

"I suppose you're right. Besides, I like this peaceful town, so it's not the worst thing in the world. Anyway, looks like we've reached the final stop," Ross said as they arrived at the pier and stepped off, "If you ever need to get over the water here in town, just let me know and I'll come get you."

"Thanks! But for now, I think we've got more sightseeing to do," Ash said, as Pikachu and Vee nodded excitedly, already rubbing their paws together, clearly wondering what other street food they could find.

"Let's go. I think the brochure said something about a crêpe place," Brock said, holding up the brochure again.

"Oh really? Let's go then!" Misty said, already starting to lead the way, "Wrong way," Brock called out.

Misty froze, then turned with a smirk, "I knew that!"

–

{Meanwhile…}

A camera panned over the area, observing the streets and rooftops. It saw the four of them, but wasn't interested. It kept scanning.

On the other side of town, two girls wearing Team Rocket uniforms sat aboard a sleek, high-tech vessel. Their names were Annie and Oakley.

"Come on, where are those two... I wanna get them so we can leave," Annie sighed.

"Do you want to be the one to tell the boss we left because we didn't want to wait?" Oakley replied. "I don't like missing my hair appointment any more than you do, but if we ever want to get promoted, we need this."

Annie slumped back with a groan, "Fine. I guess it isn't so bad. After all, we're just looking for Latios and Latias."

But neither of them noticed...

There was a bug in their ship, someone was spying on them, as they were spying.

The hidden device blinked silently, watching as their camera feeds played across the screen… recording everything.