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Chapter 3 — Our Gods
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The loud resonance of orchestral music from many outdoor concerts echoed across the once-peaceful canals of the city of Alto Mare, drowning out the sound of the gentle waves and mixing with the agitated masses' chatter. The city became unbelievably lively as the day of its most famous yearly event finally arrived.
The Tour de Alto Mare.
People lined the sidewalks along the race’s designated route to full capacity since the early morning, with dozens of simple but effective temporary stands framing them to allow even more spectators to sit. Across the city, a festive and jubilant environment prevailed. Tourists and locals alike flocked to businesses throughout the canals, and hundreds of street vendors wandered about trying to sell their goods and wares. Countless flying-type Pokémon perched upon the rooftops of the race’s route, both out of curiosity and to take advantage of the event to feed themselves.
Ash looked around with widened eyes and a silly grin etched on his face. “Brock wasn’t kidding when he said this place was amazing,” he commented admiringly as he walked onto the boarding platform for the race’s participants. He stood barefoot and only dressed in a plain black shirt and blue shorts.
“Yeah, it is!” Dawn agreed jovially as she joined her friend on the platform. She was also barefoot and had ditched her miniskirt in favor of her yellow and orange swimming shorts. She kept her usual black top on and tied her hair into a neat ponytail for convenience. “I’m so ready for this! Are you ready as well, Piplup?” she asked her partner, whom she cradled in her arms, with a grin.
Piplup nodded eagerly in response and confidently chirped several times.
“Piplup and I are so pumped! You better do your best if you want to have a shot at winning this race, Ash.” Dawn gave Ash a friendly wink. “Or else you’re only gonna catch my dust.” She glanced at the canal. “…My waves.”
Ash chuckled and reached into his pocket to grab the sole Poké Ball that he carried along. He held up the spherical device and activated it, releasing his trusted Buizel from its confines with a bright flash of white light. “Same goes for you, Dawn. You know better than anyone just how strong Buizel is,” he replied as Buizel crossed his arms over his chest while throwing Dawn’s Piplup a confident and competitive smirk.
Dawn laughed heartily. “We’ll see, Ash. We also have to save ourselves for the rest of the competition.” She glanced around at the few dozen trainers present on the colorful boarding platform, all releasing their water-type Pokémon and fastening their chariots to them.
“Well, let’s get you ready, Piplup,” Dawn said as she walked to her assigned chariot. She sat down, grabbed the harness, and carefully tied it to Piplup.
Ash followed her along with Buizel. He walked over to the chariot next to her, crouched down, and worked on fastening its harness to Buizel. “Good luck, Dawn!”
Dawn looked at him out of the corner of her eyes and smiled. “Same to you, Ash!”
“Attention, competitors!” an officer shouted through a megaphone from the entrance to the boarding platform, prompting all the trainers to turn their attention to him. “The race will begin in ten minutes, please board your chariots and proceed to the starting line!”
“That’s our cue,” Dawn commented as she tightened the harness on Piplup. She took a step back and examined her handiwork. Piplup looked himself over several times and then gave Dawn an approving chirp. Dawn stepped onto the pink chariot, being careful to mind her balance.
Ash tightened the harness around Buizel, giving himself a brief nod of approval once he finished. He stood up and boarded his yellow chariot. He idly pressed his weight in different directions, causing the chariot to tilt in tandem with him and give the trainer a feeling of its balance. “Yeah, we’re good now, Buizel.”
Dawn looked on as Ash tested his balance, and decided to briefly mimic him to get a feel of her chariot for safety. “Let’s go, Piplup,” she called out once she felt ready and gave her partner a thumbs up.
Piplup and Buizel dived into the water, creating two small splashes on the agitated surface. As they did so, Ash and Dawn grabbed the lines attached to the harnesses of their Pokémon, allowing them to tow their trainers further into the water.
Across the boarding platform, the other competitors did the same and joined the pair in their trek toward the starting line at the center of Alto Mare’s primary canal. All around the racers, applause thundered across the city as the thousands of people lined up on the city’s sidewalks, bridges, and stands cheered for them.
Ash couldn’t help but smile, occasionally waving at the crowds as Buizel got into position at the starting line. “This place is so wholesome,” he commented. “People here are just so nice.”
“Yeah,” Dawn agreed with a smile just as she stopped beside Ash’s chariot. “After the stress of our Sinnoh journeys, I think this vacation will do us well. Alto Mare hasn’t disappointed at all so far. We’re gonna have a blast!”
“Why thank you,” someone at the pair’s side said, prompting Ash and Dawn to glance to their left. There, they noticed a teenager who looked around Ash’s age wearing long blue shorts and a vibrant red vest with a yellow zigzag design on its bottom. He held onto a line that led to his racing Pokémon, a healthy and strong-looking Wailmer. He reached up with a hand and lifted his stylish one-piece sports sunglasses to reveal fierce azure eyes. “The name’s Ross. Always thrilled to hear foreigners speak so highly of our city.”
“Pleased to meet you, Ross,” Ash responded politely. “I’m Ash from Pallet Town.”
“Likewise, and my name’s Dawn,” Dawn said with a friendly wave. “We’d be lying if we said anything else about Alto Mare. We only got here yesterday, though.” She laughed.
Ross gave the pair a thumbs up. “That’s great! I promise you that Alto Mare won’t disappoint on your vacation. I also recognize you two.” He focused on Dawn. “You’re Sinnoh Grand Festival’s runner-up.” He turned to Ash. “And you’re in Lily of the Valley Conference’s top four.” He smirked. “Which means you two are bound to have powerful and capable Pokémon at the end of your chariots. I’m the reigning champion of this race, so be sure to give me a challenge!”
Ash grinned and instinctively tightened his grip on the line, glad from the received recognition. “Oh, you’ll get more than you bargained for!” he answered fiercely. “Challenge accepted!”
Dawn nodded, a competitive look flashing across her features. “You bet! Be careful what you ask for because we may end up surprising you.”
Ross laughed and lowered his sunglasses over his eyes once more. “Good! I want to be surprised. This race will be one to remember.”
Ash silently promised himself to one-up the local trainer. He glanced around, eyeing the expectant crowds and the other competitors. As he stared, Ash noticed Brock and Pikachu waving at them from the closest bridge to the starting line. “Oh, hey, Dawn! There’s Brock, and Pikachu too!” He pointed ahead with his free hand. “Over there!”
Dawn followed her friend’s finger and chuckled when she noticed them. She raised her free hand to wave back at them. “So, that’s where they are!”
“Testing, testing!” a voice rang throughout the main canal, carried by an assortment of loudspeakers along the race’s route. Ash and Dawn looked around, quickly noticing a man holding a microphone on a podium near the starting line. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a beautiful day for Alto Mare’s annual water chariot festival, the Tour De Alto Mare!”
The crowds gathered along the canals clapped and cheered, prompting the announcer to wait for a few moments while the spirited crowd quieted down somewhat. “Are you all ready to proceed to the main event!?” he questioned energetically, causing the crowds to murmur with palpable excitement. “Please, welcome our guardians to preside over the race!”
Ash gasped, his eyes widening in surprise. “What did he just say!?” he questioned in disbelief while glancing at Dawn, wondering if she had heard the same thing. Dawn flashed him an equally incredulous look, echoing his surprise.
Ross laughed at the pair’s reaction, clearly bemused. “That always gets tourists! Our guardians watch over the race every year. It’s a tradition,” he explained. “Don’t be afraid, as far as we know, they don’t bite.”
A pair of imposing shadows suddenly passed over several competitors, including Ash and Dawn. They immediately looked upward and gazed at the arriving dragons with dumbfounded expressions. Ash’s breath hitched at the sight of the very same Pokémon that had ended his dreams of winning the Lily of the Valley Conference just a few days ago.
Latios and Latias regally descended from the sky with the midday sun behind their backs. The sunlight glistened elegantly on their feather coats and spread their shadows onto the canal below. The pair stopped their descent far above the ground, looking over the crowds and competitors with kind expressions on their faces.
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Most of the people in the surrounding crowds stood up respectfully, clapping in the presence of the two deities. The rest, mostly all the tourists, let out excited shouts and chattered amongst themselves, with many taking out various mobile devices to take pictures and videos of the two Legendary Pokémon.
Ash’s eyes remained fixated on the two dragon Pokémon, stunned by the surprise of having them appear so soon into his visit to the city. ‘I guess when Brock said they were part of public life in this place… He wasn’t kidding at all,’ he thought to himself, only now noticing that his breath remained caught in his throat, forcing him to exhale tensely. Ash examined them with interest and noted that the Latios seemed larger and of a slightly different shade of blue than the one Tobias possessed.
Ash turned his attention to the other legendary dragon. ‘I’ve seen a Latios before, that means… that must be Latias.’ He hummed in thought, realizing she looked a bit smaller than Latios and almost identical in looks. Her vibrant red feathers contrasted with her sibling’s equally vibrant blue, while her ears, tail, body, and wings appeared slightly different in shape.
“Welcome, both citizens of Alto Mare and visitors alike, to one of our grand annual festivals,” Latias began, speaking in a soft and angelic voice that powerfully resonated across the entirety of the city’s canals and quickly reached all the contestants and spectators scattered across the race route, effortlessly drowning out the ambient sounds and the crowd’s chatter. Yet, despite how far-reaching her voice was, it didn’t come off as a shout and instead was a steady tone regardless of distance. “It’s an honor for us to watch over the race as has always been our tradition. I’m sure it will be as splendid as ever.”
“I’m sure of that as well,” Latios agreed, speaking up in an equally powerful and firm voice that evenly spread across the city’s canals as his sister’s did. However, his masculine voice sounded rougher and more imposing than Latias’ gentler and feminine tone. “We’re always delighted to participate in our city’s festivities and the Tour de Alto Mare is no different.” He looked down, giving the contestants a feral grin. “I see a lot of familiar faces amongst this year’s competitors, and many new ones as well. Good luck to all of you, and may the best racer win.”
All around the two legendary dragons, the crowd applauded and the racers cheered enthusiastically, with many pumping a fist into the air.
Ash let out a short laugh, noting that an excited Dawn was amongst them. “So, those are Latios and Latias,” he muttered, thoroughly impressed. ‘Although…’ He eyed them carefully as his critical, experienced side took notice. ‘There’s something odd about how they talk but I can’t exactly tell what. It’s not telepathy like some of the other Legendaries we’ve met. They’re talking like Meowth does, straight out of their mouths. It seems natural but it’s not. I can’t help but feel like there’s something going on, but what is it?’
Latios and Latias glanced at each other. Latios took the cue and flew higher into the sky while Latias remained behind. “Alright, racers, get ready!” she announced, spreading her arms. Her eyes glowed in a soft blue hue that swiftly spread to her fine plumage, enveloping her body in a dazzling glow. Unlike her eyes, her red and white feathers shone in an intense scarlet light.
Along the edges of the canals that formed the designated track throughout the city, illusions of red stripes materialized out of thin air and formed boundaries. At the same time, illusions of red walls formed to block the entrances of streets that weren’t part of the race. The translucent illusions pulsed rhythmically to stand out from their surroundings.
Ash looked on with an impressed expression. ‘So, that’s how we’ll know where to go, neat.’ He noticed the other contestants and their Pokémon tensing. He nodded at Buizel and angled himself forward. “Ready?” he called out. Buizel let out a sharp cry and tensed visibly.
“As we’ve done yearly, I will oversee race safety. You may begin at the signal of my brother’s Draco Meteor!” Latias announced lively, allowing her gentle voice, laden with excitement and energy, to resound across the city. “And best of luck to all of you!”
Latios opened his mouth and formed a bright green sphere with a crimson core of draconic energy within, making the air around him shift and crackle visibly. He tilted his head back and fired the powerful Draco Meteor into the sky. Every racer braced and their Pokémon reared back further. They carefully followed the Draco Meteor’s trajectory as it soared through the sky like a blazing shooting star, leaving a trail of burning emerald energy in its wake.
The draconic sphere suddenly detonated and released a potent explosion of clashing green and red energy that briefly flashed across the sky like an expanding ring. The instant the attack went off, its boom echoed in the distance and the canal’s surface churned. As the attack’s shockwave rumbled the environment, every water-type Pokémon took off and dragged their chariots along, creating a powerful unified wave across the starting line.
“Let’s go!” Ash shouted energetically, pulling his cap backward with his free hand as Buizel’s twin tails rapidly spun like a propeller and shot their chariot forward. However, Ash gasped when he saw Ross and his Wailmer bolting past him, slightly splashing him as they passed, and worst of all, Ross showed a condescending wave and a side smirk as he did so.
“Don’t let up, Buizel!” Ash encouraged determinedly. Buizel fiercely cried out as he accelerated, causing their chariot to propel ahead to catch up to Ross. “This is personal now!”
As the racers surged from the starting line and headed to the first bridge, Pikachu crouched down on the bridge’s security railing and aimed. He waited for a few seconds and then deftly leaped off when Ash was about to pass under the bridge. “Pikachu!” Brock called out in surprise, mentally smacking himself for failing to keep watch over the impatient Pokémon.
Latias watched the racers go and tilted her head curiously when she noticed a Pikachu jumping off straight into the incoming chariots. She was about to psychically intervene—as she believed the Pikachu was potentially in danger—until she noticed that he had perfectly timed his jump to land on one of the racers, who she presumed was his trainer.
“Whoa!” Ash shouted in fright as Pikachu landed on his face, almost causing him to lose his balance. Buizel slowed down briefly, not wanting his trainer to fall over. “Hey! Guess I couldn’t race without ya, right buddy?” he asked heartily, laughing briefly as Pikachu climbed to his usual spot on the trainer’s shoulder. Pikachu cheerfully cried several vocalizations of his name in response, flashing his trainer a grin.
“See ya!” Dawn called out as she rushed past Ash while tauntingly waving a hand at him and sticking her tongue out. “Hurry up, Slowpoke!”
“We’ll see about that, Dawn. Buizel, top speed!” Ash commanded while dramatically pointing ahead. Buizel reared back and spun his dual tails with as much strength as he could, causing Ash’s chariot to surge forward to close the distance that Ross and Dawn—as well as a few other competitors—established ahead of him.
Latias looked at the interaction from a distance, letting out a short laugh in amusement. She noted that she didn’t have to intervene and turned around, flying onward to keep pace with the racers while staying roughly around the middle of the pack. The perpetual soft blue light on her eyes flashed. “I’m ready to begin sight-sharing.”
Latios, who still soared high above Alto Mare, nodded briefly. “Took you long enough, Latias.” His red eyes lit up in a blue hue and lively shimmers of psychokinetic light spread across his plumage, lighting up his body in a powerful veil of blue energy with such intensity that it appeared as if a second sun formed in the sky.
Meanwhile, back at the main bridge, Brock sighed as he looked at the space where Pikachu had stood just a moment ago. “Why am I not surprised…” he muttered while shaking his head. He glanced back and looked on as Dawn and Ash disappeared in the distance, with many other racers around them.
Brock hummed and looked around for a screen or something similar to watch the rest of the race on. “Huh, the race is nice and all, but how are we going to see the rest of it?” he mused aloud, raising an eyebrow.
A young woman at his side laughed briefly and lowered a digital camera from her face. “Let me guess, tourist?” she asked, turning to look at him mirthfully. She was quite short and had shoulder-length brown hair. She wore a cute white beret, a teal-colored shirt, and a white miniskirt.
Brock’s heart immediately pounded in his chest. She was beautiful—the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen—and he’d met a lot of other women over the years. To him, it didn’t matter if every woman he met became the most beautiful woman he’d ever met at the time.
However, given the serious setting and how many people surrounded them, Brock decided against trying to flirt with her—for now. And, he didn’t want to receive a Poison Jab by Croagunk just yet. “Yeah,” he replied instead, scratching his head while desperately trying to suppress the urge to propose marriage on the spot.
The woman smirked proudly. “Oh, just wait. Never doubt our Gods.”
“What do you me—” Brock paused when his surroundings shimmered and the sky above him distorted visibly into a swirl. He looked up in shock as a dense veil of blue light majestically spread across the canal and the audience, slowly forming intricate images in the air over the race track. All around him, and for every person in the audience, the sight of the race materialized in stunning detail as if they were right there, gliding over the water alongside the competitors. “What’s going on?” he asked shakily.
The woman laughed in response, enjoying his stunned reaction. “Gets newcomers every time. That’s the guardians’ Sight Sharing. We don’t need screens to see the race because our guardians project it via illusions for every person to see on the racetrack. When the racers pass by each part of the track, they dispel the illusion for the people there to see it live and then resume it once they’ve passed. That way, every person gets to see the entire race in full detail no matter where you are,” she explained. “It’s like real-life TV.”
“I have no words…” Brock whispered in awe. He saw that Latios remained high in the sky to the point he looked like a powerful, bright blue speck at the center of the enormous rift with him at its center. “I see… That’s how it works.”
Brock focused on the illusionary imagery, noting that Dawn came in second place and did her best to keep up with the first-place racer, a stylish trainer with a Wailmer drawing his chariot. Far behind the two, roughly in sixth place, was Ash and Buizel. “Go, Ash! Go, Dawn!” Brock cheered enthusiastically.
“Friends of yours?” the woman at his side guessed.
Brock nodded. “The best I’ve ever had. I can introduce them to you later if you’d like. I’m Brock, by the way.”
The woman smiled radiantly, causing Brock’s heart to flutter. “I’d like that, thank you. Oh, and my name’s Bianca.”
That did it. Unable to hold back any longer, Brock opened his mouth to declare his undying love and adoration for this woman he had just met whose name he had just found out… and suddenly felt an all too familiar searing pain in his rear.
Brock gurgled and his face turned an unpleasant shade of purple as he collapsed to the ground. Croagunk, hand still glowing from the Poison Jab he just inflicted, grabbed the paralyzed Brock by the ankle and dragged him away, croaking softly to himself.
Bianca blinked, uncertain what to make of that. “That was weird.”
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Chapter End
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