@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 86b: Pursuing a Lofty Goal! (part 2)


Final race--Estrella vs. Mystic. the announcer reported as Ash and Paul took flight over a long twisting course that even wound outside the stadium.

"You sure Estrella can handle racing on that long a track and dealing with Paul at the same time?" Dawn asked.

"Ash and Estrella didn't get this far on luck alone." Brock replied as the Staravia and the Honchkrow fluttered to the start for the race. "I believe in Estrella." He let that hang as the light turned green to start the race.

Mystic tried to knock Estrella out of the race with Sky Attack, but Estrella looped around a large turn and met Mystic in the sky with Brave Bird for 3000 points.

The attacks created a huge explosion, but the crowd gasped in horror as Estrella went into a free fall--was she too going to be KOed like so many others at the wing of Mystic?

Mystic saw the weakened Staravia, and rushed around a figure 8 turn with Night Slash. "Estrella, try to dodge with Quick Attack!" Ash called.

He heaved a huge sigh of relief as Estrella righted herself, circled over a Dark Pulse, then looped into a straightaway for even more points.

A strong gust of wind allowed Mystic to ride the wind into the second lap, powering up Aerial Ace. Estrella tried to dodge, but Mystic pushed her away as he flew into the lead.

Both bird Pokémon exchanged glares of determination before racing towards the finish line. "They're neck and neck--position wise and point wise." Brock gasped as Estrella attempted Aerial Ace, but Mystic veered away.

Ash noticed a stretch of the course with 1000 point bonus rings--and an opening to pass Mystic for the lead! "Estrella, power ahead with Quick Attack!"

"Mystic, let's end this with Sky Attack!" Paul shot back.

The crowd gasped as the massive attack connected, sending Estrella to the ground inches before the bonus rings! "How?" Dawn gasped. "It's as if Paul predicted the Quick Attack!"

"It doesn't help that Mystic's about to hit Estrella when she's already weakened from all those hard hits!" Brock warned, pointing out Mystic about to perform Sky Attack again. "If Mystic connects, it's Game Over for both Ash and Estrella!"

Gatrandis favel, secret, edena... Ash's voice echoed through the sky.

Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena... Dawn's horrified look turned to joy as Estrella began to glow, turning into a black and white hawk Pokemon with a red-tipped, black crest.

Emusto koron zen fine, si...

The crowd roared as the new Staraptor took to the sky. The power of love spurs Estrella to evolve! the announcer cried as Estrella easily collected all the bonus rings.

Ash used what strength he had to read up on what Estrella had become:

"Staraptor, the predator Pokemon. It has a savage nature. It will courageously challenge foes that are much larger".

"Mystic, use Night Slash!" Paul's voice snapped him from his woozy trance.

He watched in awe as Estrella easily dodged the attacks, then raced past Mystic as both birds crossed the line for the final lap. Estrella took advantage of a straightaway to get parallel to Mystic, then attacked with a flurry of strikes!

Dawn recognized the attack. "That's Close Combat!"

Brock watched Estrella push Honchkrow back with a wing strike. "It's a Fighting type move, which is very effective against a Dark-type like Honchkrow. It's also an amazing Tough move, if you wanted to use it in a Contest."

Excited, Ash called "You're almost to the finish, Estrella! Don't give up!"

Spurred on with her master's encouragement, Estrella raced forward to the start/finish line, aware of Mystic trying to move in for an attack. "It's gonna be close..." Brock mused as Mystic approached. "It's gonna be close..."

A flash at the start/finish line got Dawn's attention. "So close they needed to take a picture..."

The crowd murmured for a moment as officials reviewed the picture and the replays from the finish line camera. After a few moments, the announcer proclaimed After review, the winner is...Estrella!

"YES!!!!" Dawn tossed her hat in the air as Estrella glided down to meet Ash...

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"Mystic, I'm disappointed in you..." Paul growled as he angrily eyed Ash in the victory circle. "That could've been us if you had been quicker!"

He stormed away in a huff as Ash, Tintri, and Estrella posed for a picture for the newspaper. Next, the referee arrived with a gold winged trophy, the key to the city, and a massive cooler filled with food. "Congratulations, Ash...for your courage, determination, and never giving up; you've more than earned these prizes!"

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Ash opened the cooler as the group settled in to camp that evening. "Whoa...since there's so much food in here, we need to eat it right away!"

"Come on out, everyone! Time for a victory dinner!" Dawn sent out her team as Brock set up the cooking gear.

Satomi hovered by Ash's side. While I don't deny you've earned the right to eat all of this, it is quite a lot for all of us to eat at once. So let's eat a little now, and save the rest.

Ash realized Satomi had a point. "All right--let's divide some of this into enough portions for all of us."

Since you are the victor today, you've more than earned a steak! Satomi smiled as she telepathically sent a steak from the cooler to Brock's grill.

"Mm...can I have cheesy potato skins with my steak?" Ash requested.

"Some for me too?" Brock requested as he went to work cooking the steak. "How do you want this cooked?" he asked.

"Medium's fine." Ash replied as Satomi warped over some potatoes for Brock to make the potato skins.

Now, what would you like, Dawn? Satomi asked.

"Some Combusken fettucine alfredo would be nice." Dawn replied. "With broccoli and mushrooms."

Done. Satomi smiled as she sent over the ingredients for the dish to a pot.

"I'll use some of the ground beef in there to make me a cheeseburger--hold the onions." Brock requested.

Satomi nodded. That seems to be enough for you three. We'll discuss dessert after your main dish is finished.

"Fair enough." Ash smiled before opening the drink cooler and fishing out a can of Fizzo. "A toast! To glory and reaching our goals!"

"To glory and reaching our goals!" Dawn and Brock agreed. Three soda cans clanked together as the group prepared to enjoy their massive meal...

To Be Continued...