POKÉMON RANCH; LET THE POKÉMONATHON RACE BEGIN!

After obtain the Soul Badge at Fuchsia Gym, the gang arrived at a field that had fences built and Pokémon all the same with in them.

"Wow, look at all those Pokémon." Mairin said.

"Looks like a Ranch." Alain commented.

"That's what I thought as well." ash agreed.

Then they felt the grounded shaking.

"Do any of you feel that?" ash asked.

"Yeah." Mairin nodded. "Earthquake?" she asked.

"I don't think so." Alain said and spotted a group of brown bull-like Pokémon running. "It could be from them." He pointed.

ash scanned the herd Pokémon.

[Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon. Once it takes aim at its foe, it makes a headlong charge. It is famous for its violent nature.]

"Woah." mairin said.

"Growl!" A familiar Pokémon barked, from behind them.

The gang turned around and spotted a Growlithe.

"Hey, its a Growlithe." mairin smiled.

ash pointed her Pokédex towards the puppy Pokémon.

[Growlithe, the Puppy Pokémon. While loyal to its master, the Growlithe will drive away enemies by barking and biting.]

"Where's its trainer?" Mairin wondered.

"Right here." A female voice replied.

The saw a girl with blue hair in a low ponytail and blue eyes, riding on a fire horse Pokémon.

"Its a Ponyta." Brock said.

ash turned her Pokédex towards the fire horse Pokémon.

[Ponyta, the Fire Horse Pokémon. As a newborn, it can barely stand. However, through galloping, its legs are made tougher and faster. Its mane is made of intense flames.]

"Excuse me, but can you were we are exactly?" ash asked, politely.

"Sure, your all at a Pokémon Ranch; we preserve and raise wild Pokémon here." The girl answered.

Mairin turned to her brother, "You were right." She said.

"So, are those Taruos yours?" ash asked.

The girl nodded, "Yes. I'm Lara Laramie and my family runs this ranch." She said.

"Nice to meet you Lara." ash smiled.

The gang introduced themselves and their Pokémon.

Lara smiled, "Nice to meet you all."

[Break Scene]

Lara showed the gang the fields of the ranch, which held different Pokémon.

"Breeders love Pokémon from the Laramie Ranch because they are raised in the wild and they are a little stronger than other Pokémon." Brock said.

Lara smiled and got off her Ponyta, "I'm real glad that some folks knows all about the hard work we do." She nodded, "Were real proud the way we raised our Pokémon here."

"This place is amazing." ash said.

"I know, we are having a big party here tonight. Why don't you all come as my guest?" Lara offered.

"A Party!" brock smiled.

"That's sound great." Mairin cheered.

"Pika Pikapi." pikachu cheered

"And if you stay here at the ranch tonight, you will be able to see the big Pokémon Race tomorrow." Lara said.

ash blinked, "A Pokémon Race?"

"We race one and another to found out who has the best Pokémon, anybody who wins the big Pokémon Race, becomes an honorary member of the Laramie Clan." Lara answered.

The ground began to shake again.

"Huh?" Lara blinked and turned around.

"The Taruos again?" Mairin said.

"No, that sound can only be..." Lara trailed off.

A flock of what looks like a bird with triple heads, ran straight past them with fast speed.

"Fast!" mairin said.

"Those are Dudrio." Alain said, he caught sight of the Pokémon.

The gang saw a boy with purple hair in a low ponytail and riding the tripled headed bird-like Pokémon; like Alain said.

"Howdy Lara." The boy greeted.

"Dario." Lara said back casually.

ash scanned the Pokémon.

[Dodrio, the Triple Bird Pokémon. It can run faster than it can fly. Its three heads represent joy, sorrow and anger.]

Dario smirked at Lara, "I thought I'd let you know that Dodrio and I are going to win the Pokémon Race tomorrow." He said, proudly and arrogantly.

"Don't be so sure of the Dario." Lara frowned, "It takes more than speed to win the race." She retorted.

"Just get ready to lose Lara." Dario said and took off.

"Pikapi Pika. (What a jerk.)" pikachu said.

"Cheapin Ches Ches? (Reminds you of anyone?)" Chespie asked all the sudden.

"Pi! Pikachu Pika! (Ah! That arrogant brat!)" pikachu groaned.

ash and mairin held back a laugh.

"Who was that guy?" Alain asked.

"That's Dario, a Dodrio trainer. He loves to show off his Pokémon speed." Lara replied.

[Break Scene]

That night arrived and Lara brought the gang to the festival; food stores and others.

"Hey Lara, good luck in the race tomorrow were all going to be rooting for you." A stall salesman said.

Lara smiled, "Thank you kindly."

"Your Ponyta's great." A lady spoke out.

"Thank you ma'am."

"Good luck Lara!" A male voice shouted out.

"Appreciate it."

"You go for it girl!" A rough voice said.

ash was eating a giant chocolate half Magikarp who she split with Chespie and pikachu, she also gave some to Mairin.

"Wow, she's really popular." Mairin said.

"Yeah." Brock said, "She and Ponyta must be a great contender in that race."

"Hey Lara!" A familiar male voice called out and it was Dario, "All your Taruos are going crazy back at the Ranch."

Lara and the gang gasped.

Lara whistle for her Ponyta who arrived and she jumped onto it, she rode off ahead.

Alain eyed backwards and saw a small smirked from the Dodrio trainer and he narrowed his eyes, 'What? I don't like that smirk.' He thought.

[Break Scene]

When they arrived at the ranch, Lara's Tauros were tackling each other like mad, its like they were having a fight.

ash heard something some the herd, 'What was that noise?' She thought.

"What?" Lara said shocked, "Growlithe, get in there and settle them down."

Growlithe nodded and jumped over the fence, it ran around the Tauros barking, gaining their attention and less in thirty seconds, all the bull Pokémon calm down completely.

"What was that all about?" Brock asked.

"Don't like the look of this." Alain said.

RUSTLE!

Lara looked to the side, "Um, what was that?" She asked, nobody.

SHINE! CLIN!

Something bright ran past Ponyta who got spooked by it, Lara fell off and injured her left arm.

"Arg!" Lara gasped in pain, but then tried to move her left arm, "Argh!" She gripped her left arm.

"Lara!" Mairin gasped.

"Don't move that arm." Brock warned.

ash immediately ran towards Ponyta and grabbed the reins trying to calm it down, "Ponyta! Calm down!" She pulled gently, till the fire horse Pokémon calm down.

"What was that all about?" mairin said.

'More important what Pokémon ran past Ponyta to make it spook like that?' Alain thought.

[Break Scene]

What really happened was really Team Rocket doing.

"Pretty nice work." Meowth grinned.

"Even better than we planned." Jessie said.

"I got a really good feeling about this one." James said with a wide smile.

"Pretty good work." A voice said. "I didn't expect anything less than from Team Rocket."

It was Dario.

Apparently Dario intended to win the race, even if it means cheating, so he had made a deal with Team Rocket.

The deal was if Team Rocket helps him win the race, they would be rewarded with lot of money.

"If I get what I want, you get what you want." Dario nodded.

"Right partner." Meowth agreed.

"Hahahahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!" All four of them laughed.

[Break Scene]

At Lara's house, Lara arm was resting in a sling, she looked outside the window with a sad expression.

Lara sighs, "With my arm like this I can't grip Ponyta reins and wouldn't be able to race tomorrow." She said, regretfully.

Ponyta looked down sadly.

"Too bad for the Laramie Clan." ash sighs.

"Hold on." Lara face turned into a smile, she turned to ash  who was lending against Alain casually, "ash , you can ride Ponyta for me."

ash got off Alain and blinked twice before pointing to herself, "Me?!" She said, "I can't do it. Knowing Ponyta flames, it would burn any rider expect you." She told Lara.

Lara shook her head, "Don't worry, I know you can't do it." She encouraged.

"It doesn't hurt to try." Brock said.

"That's right." Alain said.

ash looked at Ponyta and back at Lara, "Okay, I'll give it a try." She slowly walked towards the fire horse Pokémon and saw the look. "Erm..."

"Ponyta." Lara scolded gently, "I know, but ash is a trust worthy person."

Ponyta stared at ash and nodded.

"ash  Nee-chan go." mairin encouraged.

ash nodded and walked over towards the fire horse Pokémon more and she gently place her hand on the back of Ponyta, she blinked and smiled, the flames didn't burn her.

"Try to ride it ash nee chan." Mairin said.

ash carefully climbed onto Ponyta's back and grabbed the reins, "Looks like we partner. Let's win the race tomorrow." She said, "You ready!"

Ponyta neigh loudly and nodded, "(Ready!)" It said.

[Break Scene]

to being, fireworks and loud cheers were heard from the stadium.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to this years Pokémon Challenge sponsor by the Laramie Clan!" The Race announcer announced to the audience, "Our course takes our challenge through hard rocks and water to test their speed and ability! Whoever clears all the obstacles and cross the finishing line first is our winner!"

"Will all the Pokémon and trainers come to the starting line noowwww!"

All those that were competing in the race were getting ready at the finish line.

"Good luck guys." Lara cheered, waving her injured arm.

"Best of luck out there." Alain said.

"Good luck ash Nee-chan, Brock!" mairin shouted "Do your best!" Mairin said.

ash with Ponyta, Brock with his Onix and pikachu with luxray who was bored and wanted to enter for fun.

"Ready to race Ponyta?" ash asked, as both of them got excited that Ponyta flames on its mane were separating.

Brock move away from it, "Heyyy!!" He whined.

"Pika Pikapi. (There are going to burn the track.)" pikachu said, amused.

"Lux Luxray. (Interesting enough.)" luxray said.

The count down began, red stop-like glowed.

"... READY?! ..."

All the competitors got ready...

"... GO! ..."

The racers took off immediately.

"And they are off on this exciting Pokémon Challenge Race! When the dust settle, we'll be able to see whose in the lead!"

[Break Scene]

"Now the contestants has left the stadium, they are now on the first part of the obstacles course!"

"HIIEEEYYAAAA!" Dario said, smiled as he speed past the racers in first place.

"And Dario riding Dodrio pulls away from the pack, if he keeps up this incredible paste, he'll be unstoppable!"

Everything was running smoothly, till Team Rocket struck, doing their dirty tricks; they shit two sling shots, which hit the Tauros and its trainer, making it lose control and it ended up tackling a Nidorina and her trainer.

Nidorina got mad and fought back, so Tauros and Nidorina ended up fighting against each other, they ignored their trainers

"Looks like they are out of this race!"

ash blinked, 'That didn't seem right.' She thought, then focus on the race.

"Pikachu Pika. (That was odd.)" pikachu said.

luxraynodded, agreeing.

[Break Scene]

Team Rocket was hiding in the long grass, finding it funny.

James grinned, with the sling shot in his hand, "I got a bulls-eyes!" He declared happily.

Jessie snickered, "Or close to it."

[Break Scene]

Alain frowned, he notice something was shot at the Tauros, it seems like he's the only one who notice it.

[Break Scene]

"Next obstacle is a forty-five degree off hill climb, its a test of endurance for the Pokémon and their trainer! And Dario, still holds the lead."

"Come one Ponyta, you can do this!" ash cheered.

The racers made it over the hill, going downhill was easy... Though it was super easy for a Pokémon.

An Electrode and its trainer, rolling down the hill, pasting everyone and how they are in the lead.

"Woah." ash was impressed and amused how its trainers was running on it fast.

"His fast." Dario gritted his teeth.

The bad news was Team Rocket had dug a hole were the first place racer was heading.

Electrode and its trainer fell into it.

Dodrio ran past them, taking the lead once more.

"HOHO! And its another accident! Electrode has fallen into a hole and Dodrio once again takes the lead!"

[Break Scene]

Team Rocket was hiding behind rocks and they laughed how they planned worked out.

[Break Scene]

ash eyes widen, seeing a glow, "Ponyta move to the side quickly!" She said. "Electrode is about to explode!"

Ponyta immediately run to the side, to avoid to explosion.

Like ash said, the fall cause Electrode to use one of its ability and its EXPLODE! Bad news is that the attack hit the other trainers; Sandslash and its trainer, and Raticate and its trainer.

[Break Scene]

The screen was covered in dust, caused by the explosion.

"ash ! Ponyta!" Lara exclaimed, shocked.

"Oh no!" Mairin gasped. "ash Nee-chan..." worriedly.

'ashley.' Alain thought, worriedly but he didn't show it.

[Break Scene]

ash and Ponyta was both safe, they avoided the blast.

"HOHO! Seems like Ponyta and Luxray was able to avoid the blast!"

luxray appeared beside Ponyta, "Ray Luxray. (That was strange.)" He said, he wasn't interested in winning, they were protecting their trainer, since something was odd about the race.

"Pikapi Pi. (That was no accident.)" pikachu said.

ash eyes narrowed, "Definitely. Seems like someone is out there to getting rid of the racers." She pulled the reins, "Let's go." She rode off.

Ponyta nodded and ran off.

luxray and pikachu nodded, running off after them.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

"Now for the difficult section of the course, the Pokémon has to jump from stone to stone to cross the river!"

Dario smiled, "Go, go Dodrio!" He said.

Dodrio jumped from stone to stone.

But it was bad the two Rock-type Pokémon appeared.

Onix stopped and stared at the stone, they watched as Rhyhorn jumped onto a stepping stone to see if it was alright, but... it wasn't alright, they sank into the river.

Onix eyes widen, with his mouth open and sweat, then put his head down with anime tears coming out, ".... Rrrrr...." He whined.

Brock smiled and patted his Onix head, "That's okay, we tried." He praised.

"Ahhh, too bad folks! Rock Pokémon can't deal with water so... Onix is out of here!"

Ponyta and luxray jumped from stone to stone, extremely fast.

"Ponyta and Luxray are great jumpers. Being a Fire-type Pokémon, Ponyta shows no fear of the water, they could make a comeback."

"Pi Pi Pika. (Go go luxray!)" Light cheered.

"Wahoo, faster faster!" ash said, gripping the reins tightly.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

Lara smiled, "That's it, you can do it ash ."

"GO! Luxray! Ponyta!" Mairin cheered.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

"To boost their energy, each Pokémon can resume the race only after eating the entire bowl of food! The Pokémon decides which food to eat!"

Of course Dario and Dodrio got to the tray of food first, but as Dodrio had three heads, they began to fight against each other

This gave Ponyta and luxray to catch up and they started to eat their fill.

Dario was getting frustrated, "Alright Team Rocket time to get to work!" He yelled out.

pikachu and luxray ears twitched and growled when they heard what the Dodrio trainer yelled out.

Out of nowhere a thick black smoke appeared, covering the cameras that was set up.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

"We got a manger problem here folks! Black smoke is blowing all over the course! I hope that our camera crew can get back our picture soon and show us if there has been another accident out their!"

Mairin  gasped, as the screen was hit with smoke, "Oh no!" she exclaimed.

Lara looked at the screen, "Ponyta..." She said, quietly.

"ash " Alain whispered, "Be careful."

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

With ash and her Pokémon, they heard a familiar motto coming from the smoke.

"Team Rocket!" ash  shouted. "What do you want?!"

"Let's just say... that we want to mess you up again!" Meowth grinned, has his forehead charm shine.

ash gasped, "Mess you up again... So it wasn't a accident, you three cause Lara to injure her arm and you mess with this race with all the accident." She said.

Arbok appeared and it spook Ponyta, ash immediately tried to calm down the fire horse Pokémon.

Jessie saw this moment, "Go Dario, nows your chance!" She shouted.

"Thanks Jessie." Dario nodded, "Go Dodrio." He rode off ahead.

"Unbelievable. Team Rocket is working for Dario." ash said, she thought it was odd.

Ponyta nodded.

"Pika Pikapi Pikachu! (ash ! Go, will handle them!)" pikachu said.

luxray growled and jumped, tackling Arbok away from Ponyta.

"But..." ash didn't want to leave her Pokémon here.

"RAY! / PIKA! (GO!)" Both Electric-types yelled and launched a Thunderbolt attack at Team Rocket who jumped out of the way.

ash bit her lip and nodded, "Okay, be careful!" She shouted to them, "Let's go Ponyta." She pulled the reins and Ponyta took off running.

"Aw, no you don't! Arbok!" Jessie shouted but was surprised when her poison snake Pokémon didn't appear, she turned around and saw Arbok was held down by the gleam eyes Pokémon who growled dangerously.

"Ray Luxray Lux. (You three are getting on my nerves.)" luxray growled dangerously, with static around him.

"Weezing!" James shouted.

Weezing appeared, but then was smashed into a rock.

Team Rocket gasped in shock, "What!"

"Pikapi Pikachu. (Were your opponents.)" pikachu smirked, as her tail glowed.

Jessie growled, "Arbok use Poison Sting now!" She commanded.

Arbok slithers out of Leon hold, who growled in annoyance and launched poisonous needles towards the gleam eyed Pokemon.

luxray huffed, as his tailed glowed and he knocked all the needles out of the way, he charged into Arbok with Wild Charge, sending crashing to the ground.

Jessie shrieks out, "ARBOK!"

"Weezing, Poison Gas attack!" James ordered.

Weezing managed to get up from the previous knock and it released some gas from its mouth.

pikachu glared and used Quick Attack to avoid the poisonous gas attack, she appeared above the poison gas Pokémon and struck down while spinning using Iron Tail with more force.

"WEEZING!" It cried out in pain, as it was sent crashing into the ground.

"Oh no!" James panicked.

"Meowth your a Pokémon fight!" Jessie grabbed the scratch cat Pokémon by the head and tossed him towards the two Electric-type Pokémon who was bored.

"Meowth!" Meowth cried out has he was sent flying towards the two Pokémon, but with his claws ready.

"Pikapi. (Let's just end this.)" pikachu said.

"Luxray. (Let's.)" luxray agreeing.

"Pika! / Ray! (Bye!)" Both Electric-type Pokémon launched a Thunderbolt attack towards the scratch cat Pokémon.

"Meeoowwtthhhh!" Meowth who was shocked and it continued till Meowth was sent back flying to Jessie and James who just returned their Pokémon back to their Pokéball.

Jessie and James looked up seeing an electric cat and gulped, "Uh oh." They said, till Meowth hit them, "Aaahhhhh!" They screamed out in pain.

BLAST!

"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" They screamed in the distance.

pikachu shook her head, "Pikachu Pika. (We should go now.)" She said.

luxray grunted.

pikachu jumped on his back and the gleam eyed Pokémon ran to the finishing line area.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

As the static camera was getting fix and it was now fix.

"YES! Now we have our picture back and... Dodrio is still in the lead!" The screen changed, "Now let's take a look at the other Pokémon... And I can't see anyth- WAIT! Whose that?!"

They saw a red flame aura like appearing from the distance.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

"That's-"

"Yeah!"

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

The camera zoomed in....

"Its a giant BURNING FLAME!"

"Faster Ponyta, were way behind." ash said.

"Its Ponyta! I don't know how it happens but it seems it has become a two Pokémon race between Dodrio and Ponyta! With nothing left but a flat out run to the finish line! Anddd Dodrio has entered the stadium, still in the lead!"

Dario laughed, "Hieya, I'm gonna win this one." He said.

The camera changed to ash and Ponyta who entered the stadium and the crowd cheered.

Dario looked back and was shocked, "Huh, how did she get so close." He said.

"Now Ponyta is closing in on Dodrio!"

"Okay, Ponyta let's beat him." ash said.

"Now these two powerful Pokémon are trending the lead!"

"Do it Dodrio." Dario smirked.

As ordered, one of Dodrio's head; the joy face peck Ponyta and the fire horse Pokémon shook its head, from the attack and it started to slow down.

"Uh oh, something has happened, Ponyta is falling behind!"

ash eyes widen in shock and glared at the Dodrio trainer, "That was a cheap shot Dario!" She shouted.

Dario gave a small laughed, he didn't care, "I'll do what I have to do, to win." He stated.

"Dodrio is closing in on the finish line!"

Ponyta glared and it got angry, the aura flame of Ponyta grew bigger and the fire horse Pokémon began to glow.

"Uh." ash gasped, surprised.

"Ponyta is evolving." Alain stated.

Everyone watched as Ponyta evolved into Rapidash.

"Wow!" Mairin said.

"Evolved into Rapidash." Lara , in amazement.

"Man, this is incredible! Ponyta has evolved into Rapidash, the fastest winner in the World of Pokémon!"

Dario looked back and was shock, "I can't believe it!"

"Here comes Rapidash! Running at top speed over 100 miles an hour!"

Rapidash galloped even faster, catching up to the triple bird Pokémon.

"And Rapidash has caught up, they are neck and neck for the finishing line!"

"Go Dodrio!" Dario said.

"You can do this Rapidash!" ash cheered.

"Its down to the wire!"

Dodrio neck was close but Rapidash put more effort and managed to cross the finishing line first.

The crowd in the stadium cheered loudly, at the winners.

luxray and pikachu arrived at the stadium.

"Pikapi Pikachu. (Looks like they won.)" pikachu smiled.

"Ray. Luxray Lux Luxray. (Good. Cheating deserves a beat down.)" luxray said.

"An incredible offence, Rapidash makes an amazing comeback to win this Pokémon Challenge!"

"WAHOOOO!" The  kid cheered loudly, "THEY DID IT, THEY WON!"

"Way to go." Alain smiled.

"They did it." Brock appeared at the stadium.

"Way to go Rapidash." ash praised.

Dario was angry, "You cheater, you interfered with me." He said angrily.

"Hah, your the one who attacked me." ash retorted.

"I'll show you!" Dario commanded this Pokémon to attack, "Go get them!"

Rapidash acted first and used Stomp attack on them that sent Dario and Dodrio flying into the sky.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

"Congratulations Ponyta- aha I mean Rapidash, you are this year Pokémon Challenge Champion! Let's give a big hand for its trainer Lara Laramie and for the winning rider; ashley  Ketchum!"

Everyone cheered and clapped for them, including the Pokémon.

"Congratulations Lara." ash said.

"No, congratulations to you ashley and thanks for your help." Lara said greatly, "Not only you won for me, but now Rapidash and I are members of the Laramie Clan."

"No worries. I'm glad to help." ash smiled.

Rapidash bent down its head and nickered, licked ash on her cheek as a saying of 'Thank you.'

ash laughed, that tickles, "It was nothing, I had fun."

The gang and Lara laughed at that.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

As the sun was set, Lara, Rapidash, Growlithe and Tauros was bidding farewell to the gang.

"If your looking to capture Pokémon, there's a Safari Zone just ahead, it should be perfect." Lara said.

"Really thanks." Brock nodded.

Lara took out a Pokéball and handed it to ash , who took it and looked at it and back at Lara confused.

"That's a thank you gift from me ashley  . Its a Ponyta from the Laramie Clan, it hatched about a couple of weeks ago. " Lara smiled, "Good luck and I know you'll become a Pokémon Master."

ash smiled at Lara and she nodded happily, "Thank you." She place the Pokéball away. "And I'll promise to take good care off it."

"Bye!" Mairin they waved.

Lara waved back, they she and her Pokémon watched the gang walking off.

✿ ---- ⇒ [Break Scene] ⇐ ---- ✿

As our heroes says goodbye to their new friend of the Laramie Pokémon Ranch, they are now headed to the Safari Zone.