1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 33: Lightspeed and Booster

The next morning inside the Pokéathlon Dome felt different from the first two days.

The Root Badge, Milky Badge, and Horseshoe Badge were already safe in my case, but the course board still showed two bright symbols waiting for us. Pikachu stared at the Speed Course symbol like he had been personally challenged by it, while Aipom hung upside down from a nearby railing and watched the Power Course sign with twitching excitement.

Kris looked from one sign to the other. "So what is the next course?"

"I'll go with Speed," I said.

Pikachu's ears snapped up at once. His meaning came through like a spark striking dry grass: "Finally. Fast course. Mine."

Lillie laughed softly, because she heard it too. "Pikachu has been waiting for that one."

Yellow stepped closer with a more serious look than before. "If you're going to enter the Speed Course, then you're going to have to face Jet, the Pokéathlon's top Pokéathlete."

"Jet?" East asked, looking from Yellow to the arena gates with sudden interest.

"He has the top-class score in every event and every course," Ethan said, sounding impressed despite himself. "People here talk about him like he is the Champion of the Dome."

I glanced toward the arena gates, where a tall Trainer in a sharp red uniform was surrounded by cheering fans and reporters. His Pokémon moved around him with practiced confidence, like they had done these courses hundreds of times.

"I'm not going to lose to someone like him," I said, smiling.

Just then, Togepi squirmed in Lillie's arms.

"Togepi?" Lillie asked, bending quickly as he wriggled with unusual determination.

Togepi hopped down before anyone could stop him, rushed across the floor, and stopped in front of me with both tiny arms raised.

I gasped. "Togepi, you want to enter this?"

Togepi bounced in place, eyes shining. His meaning reached Lillie and me clearly: "I watched everyone try. I want to try too. I want to run with Ash."

Lillie's expression softened at once. "Well, I guess Togepi really wants to do it."

I crouched in front of Togepi. "The Speed Course is hard. Jet is strong. You might fall behind."

Togepi puffed up his little body, trying to look brave.

His meaning came again, smaller but steady: "I can be scared and still run."

That settled it, because I could not ignore the courage that honest.

"Then I'll go with Pikachu, Togepi, and Golbat," I said.

Golbat emerged from his Poké Ball and stretched his wings wide, letting out a low cry that made a few nearby Trainers step back. He was not trying to scare them, but Golbat still looked intimidating when he appeared suddenly.

His meaning came through calm and loyal: "Fast air. I watch above. Small one will not be alone."

Togepi looked up at Golbat and smiled.

Pikachu climbed down from my shoulder and stood beside Togepi. His tail flicked once, and his meaning sharpened with protective confidence: "Run near me. Fall if you must. I pull you forward."

Lillie covered her mouth, but her eyes shone.

Yellow smiled. "That is a good team."

East nodded after studying the event screen. "Hurdle Dash, Pennant Capture, Relay Run. Pikachu handles acceleration. Golbat handles aerial reading. Togepi is unpredictable."