Rigorous Relationships

Race Against Time Part 1

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With Dena and Serena a few minutes after Ash and Cal left
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Serena and Dena quickly finished dressing themselves, gathered up their belongings and ran to find a space where they could train for their contest. Right before they ran out the hotel doors the receptionist stopped them and asked why they were in such a rush. After explaining their predicament the receptionist informed them of the hotels private training grounds and offered to let them use it.

They thanked the employee and followed him to a large silver and gold elevator with the time displayed across the top frame. Once the lift had arrived they stepped inside and waited as it descended several stories to a deep subterranean level.

The hotel employee gestured them to follow him and lead them down marble halls to a sizable stone room. The entire room was about as large as an ample theater and could easily accommodate their needs.

On opposite sides of the room two platforms were suspended above the ground. Below them a large metal hatch in the floor was shut. Something was familiar about the setup of the room but the girls couldn't place their fingers on it; until their escort spoke up.

"This room was originally intended to be a training ground for trainers participating in a Pokémon League Tournament; hence the design being modeled after the League arenas. We even designed it so the battlefield can be changed to reflect a multitude of environments; it even has a referee setting that can be used for both contests and battling." Their escort proudly said.

"Wow! This place is perfect!" Dena exclaimed in amazement, as she ran towards the opposite side of the room.

"Thank you so much...er sorry what was your name?" Serena sheepishly asked.

"My name is Sicarius and your welcome." Sicarius said while walking back to the exit, "Oh before I go, there's a medical center just down the hall and to the left if you need it. I'll be back around noon to bring you some grub." He said as he pointed in the opposite direction he was headed.

"Thanks again Sicarius." Serena said as she waved him goodbye.

"Hey Serena are we gonna do this or what!" Dena yelled down from the platform on the other side of the room.

Serena looked up at her cousin and smiled at her.

"Hang on I'll be right there!" Serena hollered back before running with her partners to her platform.

Serena began climbing up a metal staircase that connected her platform to the ground. Halfway up the stairs, the room started to shake; the vibrations nearly knocked Serena off her feet. After reestablishing her balance Serena towards the center of the room to see the floor opening up and a battlefield begin rising from the it's depths.

"Hey Serena hope you don't mind but I picked the first area!" Dena called from her perch.

Serena climbed her remaining stairs and looked at the battlefield spread before her. It was a simple rock and dirt field that Serena's Pokémon could easily navigate. a smile formed on her lips as she masterminded different ways to show off her partners skills.

"Doesn't matter to me cause I'm going to win this no matter what!" Serena cockily shouted to her cousin.

"You seem pretty sure of yourself," Dena yelled back across the field, "Well if your so confident that you'll win why don't we make a little wager." Dena said as a crafty idea took shape in her mind.