Nolan was almost to the finish line, he was about to beat Chris. "Come on Pidgeotto! Faster!" "Let's go Remoraid, we're almost there!" It was almost a tie, but Remoraid had the water advantage and pulled Chris through just before Nolan. After the race, the boys congratulated each other. But Nolan had a hint of sarcasm as he told Chris how luck he was to be Chris's friend. Chris and them were best friends, but loved competition between each other. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Soon, it was time for the last challenge. Everyone knew it was the toughest, but no one was prepared for what they would have to do. "OK, here's how it works. You will all leave and search around the grounds. You must put everything you have learned to use. From now on, the SQ are closed. They are no longer yours. They will be locked. The rest of the week you catch three more Pokemon with six Pokeballs, you must survive the week in the wilderness, and you must find Suicune. You may team up with one other trainer if you wish. Only the best trainers will successfully complete this challenge. When the week is over, the Trainer Ceremony will take place. Until then, good luck. I will see you next week." With that, him and his Feraligatr disappeared. Chris and Nolan decided team up and they headed off into the woods. And so, the final challenge began... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - It had been two days. They had returned to Nolan's tree home and made the storage tree Chris's house. They had survived well. That day, as they walked through the woods, they spotted two Pokemon playing. They were a Nidorina and Nidorino. "Chris," said Nolan. "Let's catch one for each of us." Alright, I'll take the Nidorina, you get the Nidorino." They both sent out a Pokemon. Nolan chose Phanpy and Chris chose Flaafy. "Phanpy, use Dig now!" Phanpy dug under Nidorino and came up under it. Nidorino. It was already weak, so the attack was super effective. "Go Pokeball!" Nolan waited for the ding and heard it. Both had caught their own target and were celebrating at the camp. "Chris, we both have a powerful team. How about we train more and battle each other?" "Alright," Chris replied. "I have been a little bored lately. A two on two." So, they walked to a clearing and began to battle. A Clefairy and a Phanpy appeared on the field. "Clefairy, use Doubleslap!" Chris ordered. Nolan had Phanpy use Dig. Clefairy missed the elephant Pokemon and was hit in her critical spot by Phanpy. "Phanpy, finish it with a Take Down!" Phanpy slammed into Clefairy. It was too much and the fairy fainted. Nolan was about to call back the already weakened Phanpy, when it began to glow. Nolan and Chris gasped as it stopped glowing. Where Phanpy had just been standing, a Donphan stood. "Go, Flaafy! Use Tackle until it faints!" Donphan was powerful but slow, it was unable to dodge the tackles and was easily knocked out. Nolan next chose Bayleef. "Bayleef, Razor Leaf." "Flaafy, Thundershock!" The Pokemon were locked in combat. Eventually, it was too much. Both fainted, to a draw. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - It was know the last day of the week. Both had trained a lot. Nolan's current lineup was: Meganium, Donphan, Pidgeotto, Nidoking, Croconaw, and Charizard. Chris's current lineup was: Ampharos, Octillery, Clefable, Nidorina, Graveler, and Venusaur. Both were powerful trainers now. But both were also worried. Neither had seen a trace of Suicune. As they slowly trudged back to Ferly Lake, they saw something move on the surface of a small pond. They snuck up and saw...SUICUNE! Yes, there it was, the king of water, Suicune. It was so majestic, both boys were in awe. As quickly as it had come, it left, leaving an amazing feeling with the two. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - "Welcome everyone to the annual Trainer Ceremony. This year, five trainers were successful in completing the camp. All trainers must return all Pokemon and items they own. Now, the five trainers who completed the camp were powerful from the start. They all worked hard. In the final challenge, Suicune showed itself to all worthy trainers. That is how each was chosen. First, Bobby Hernum." There was no surprise there. Bobby was the smartest kid in the camp. Nolan's palms began to sweat. "Bobby, after close observations, I have decided to give you an Abra. Both of you are Psychics. Soon, Abra will grow to be as smart as you. Good luck on your journey. Next, Christopher Wilson." "Great job Chris." Said Nolan as Chris walked towards the stage. "Chris, you will receive a Mareep. You are known for your love of electricity and your farming. Congratulations." Nolan was glad Chris got a Pokemon he wanted. "Next, is Lisa Forengy. You will receive a Squirtle. When shy, you both hide in your shell. Good Job. Next, Brittany Lomb. You will receive a Igglybuff. You are both cute and loveable. Well done." He waited for a while. Nolan was about to scream with anticipation. "Lastly, is one of the greatest trainers I've seen. I observed him the most. he has cared for his Pokemon and treated them equally. Nolan Rendell, you our the Trainer of Honors. When catching your Pokemon, you made friends with it and helped instead of trapping it or tricking it like everyone else. Congratulations. You will receive a Chikorita. You are both kind and caring, but still strong. Well done!" Nolan climbed up to the stage through the cheering crowd. he could see his parents, crying from happiness. he let his new partner out of its ball. Nolan was surprised. "Thank you." Nolan told Tyler. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Nolan awoke the next morning. He went down to say good- bye and left to begin his journey...