The Alpha Vs. The Omega {Under Editing}

Potential

Without a moment of silence, Lance's voice pierced through the other side of the door as he replied calmly "Come in Misty."
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Misty inhaled sharply as her grip on the doorknob tightened, a flutter of ambivalence settled into her stomach as she forced open the aged wooden door.

Lance's office was anything but grand, nothing notable in it aside from a few scattered picture frames and books that lined his back cabinets. Not quite tidy enough to be considered meticulously kept, but instead worn down with time and functionality. It's a room that Misty ensured she became well acquainted with, if not so much for the responsibilities that came with being associated with the man who just so happened to be the headmaster himself.

Master Lance sat poised in his leather seat with an air of comfort and certainty. A countenance over his face that asserted the composure of a remarkable man who had nothing to prove.

Misty had become all too familiar with the particular gaze of amusement the headmaster was throwing her way. It was typically adorned with a task or request that left her cramming her schedule and shoving aside plans. However, Misty took pride in her achievements and time management skills as those were the qualities that had gotten her to where she stood today.

Unfortunately, despite her stubborn pride and self-assurance, Misty fumbled forward with hesitancy and shock plastered all across expression, much to her own embarrassment.

"Ah, Miss Waterflower, so honored to have you join us. Please, take a seat," Lance gestured politely, a concealed twinkle of interest flashing across his eyes as he hadn't failed to observe his star pupil's disbelief, because of course, he noticed.

Collecting herself with a steady breath, Misty slipped into the chair not so subtly shoved up against the only other chair in the room. A chair that sat a fidgeting Ash Ketchum who couldn't quite bring himself to tear his attention away from the souls of his shoes.

"Right then," Lance began, not wanting the two teens to endure any more awkward tensions than necessary.

"I shall get right on with it as I'm sure you two have other things to attend."

Misty eased a bit at this.

"As you are both more than aware, our school's annual sports festival is rapidly approaching," at this Ash cringed at where this conversation was inevitably going.

"And like previous years, I am honored to have our district host each competition, especially, the track races."

Misty's stomach fluttered with unease at the mention of her respected sport.

"Fortunately, this year, I have the pleasure to say that both Alphas and Omegas are expected to participate together in the same competitions this year. Now, don't look so alarmed," Lance noted as Ash and Misty's faces ashen with clear displeasure.

"I admit this came as quite a shock to me as well, but our sponsors have been extremely persistent on the matter. And, truth be told, I'm a bit eager to see how this folds as well," Lance admitted with amusement.

"But.. but sir," Misty began in protest, something extraordinarily out of her character as she wouldn't have dared question the headmaster, less she wanted to risk all the effort she had made to get into his good graces in the first place. Though, Lance had already raised his hand before the redhead could argue, her infamous temper flaring before him.

"Now Mrs. Waterflower," Lance dismissed her, "I know this isn't what you had planned for your last year here, but there is more I must tell you and I don't want these minute altercations to affect your outstanding performances thus far."

Misty clamped her mouth shut, her headmaster's stern tone draining her revere.

"In addition to Alphas and Omegas from our school having to race together, I have selected yet another four students to sponsor for the final event of the sports festivals. Gary Oak, Misty Waterflower, Serena Gabena, and Ash Ketchum."

Misty and Ash's jaws dropped.

"That's.. that's" Misty started, unable to finish the sentence with pure disbelief washing over her. If she had heard Lance correctly, he had just listed two other runners that weren't Alphas, one of them sitting just as confused beside her. Though, said Omega had been remarkably quiet as he fixated his gaze on anywhere but the pretty and slightly enraged Alpha sitting next to him. "Excuse my question headmaster, but... wouldn't this be self-sabotage? Why have Omegas run alongside Gary and I when they haven't ever ran in Alpha level tournaments?"

Ash felt himself nodding along in agreement to Misty's valid question, more so confused as to why he in particular was chosen.

"Well aside from many of the sponsors of the festival wishing for something new, I want to expand our sports programs, and this, I believe, is the best way to begin incorporating and accepting Omegas who could just very well be talented."

Misty had a hard time arguing with her teacher this time, yet she still couldn't fathom why Lance was acting so irrationally, didn't he want them to win? There were a total of five different races for the final event: the relay race against each school for the qualifying rounds, one amongst all the girls, then the boys, with the best two of each advancing to the semi-finals.

"But what about the opening relay race?"

Both Misty and Lance turned toward Ash, one in shock and the former with bemusement.

"Well Ash," Lance begun, "I believe the opening relay race will remain quite traditional, the only foreseeable difference is our four sponsored students not all being Alphas."

The sheer causality in which Lance addressed the issue completely flabbergasted Misty and effectively stunned her into silence.

The opening relay race is reserved for the top 4 sponsored students of each institution, usually who were the most promising of their districts. The opening relays were always the crowd favorites since they were the central way of hyping up all the schools and attracting more sponsors. However, aside from the exhilarating races, these four were also guaranteed to be scouted and granted scholarships if they all demonstrated promising outcomes by the end of the tournament.

So, with all the significance these races held, even though they were only the beginning of the competitions, Misty still couldnt quite make sense of just one thing...

"But, why me?" Ash asked once again, astonishing both the Alpha and headmaster with his sudden verbosity.

Lance's conviction wavered slightly, but he responded with certainty all the same.

"To be quite honest young man, a certain sponsor took quite the shine to you, and became quite adamant that you possess quite the potential."

The double take Ash took was expected as his eyebrows shot up to his hairline.

Who in their right mind thought he had Alpha level running potential? Sure he thought himself fit and enjoyed a good run every now and then, but never did he attempt to race. Nor had he even shown this interest to anybody before. Not even May and Drew knew of his hidden hobby.

A simple glance towards Misty would mean she held the same sentiment in regards to his athletic abilities. Although her demeanor remained studious, her clear distaste of all the changes and the questioning of his own talents were evident enough.

'Oh, Mater Lance,' Ash breathed inwardly, 'just what have you gotten me into?'

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Author's note: Oh yes, I am back. Most of you have probably assumed this story to be long dead, and quite honestly, so have I. But if I am anything, it's stubborn and I refuse to let myself forget about this story. I promise you all you will see this story to the end, at least if I can help it! For anyone who is still reading, thank you for your patience and bearing with me! Hopefully you've enjoyed this journey. I will try my absolute best to not let you down and sorry for the illegally long hiatus (I'm noticing a pattern here with my author's notes).