Once we arrived at the building, we walked through the doors and made our way to the receptionist's table.

"Welcome back, you four!" she greeted, "You can hang out in the lounge until the race begins. The race itself will start in 20 minutes. You will have 15 minutes to rest up and prepare yourselves. The lounge is just to the West of here.

After thanking the receptionist, we ventured over to the lounge. Presenting our cards to the guards, they opened the door to let us in. Inside, there were already a lot of people here.

"Looks like we have some competition." Kat said.

"Just the way I like it." Eric commented.

I couldn't help but laugh at Eric's boldness. Suddenly, a woman with a black button blouse matching black heels, and a pencil skirt walked in. Her skin was the same color as mine, but her hair was dark brown, and her eyes were silver.

"May I have your attention, please?" the woman called out.

The room gradually grew silent.

"If you are participating in the Sky Race but renting a Pokémon, please line up in front of me, and my associate will hand you a Pokéball with a Flying-type Pokémon inside." the woman said.

Like clockwork, a man dressed in a suit walked in with a box full of Pokéballs. Nina grinned and walked up to the woman to collect her Pokémon. The woman smiled and handed Nina a Pokéball from the box.

"Please do not switch or trade your Pokémon with someone else's." the woman announced sternly.

Like that wasn't obvious...

"I wonder what I got?" Nina questioned.

"Same." Eric said.

Nina grinned and let out the Pokémon. Out came a Pokémon that looked like Kat's Beautifly. I took out my Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.

"Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon. Its wings are covered in toxic scales. If it finds bird Pokémon going after Caterpie, Butterfree sprinkles its scales on them to drive them off."

The Butterfree released a happy cry and perched itself on Nina's head. Nina couldn't help but laugh.

"Looks like it likes you, Nina." I said.

"Yeah! It's adorable, too!" she said.

The Butterfree let out a cry before fluttering in front of Nina.

"You and I are gonna win this race; I just know we are!" Nina said boldly.

The Butterfree let out a happy cry and nodded its head eagerly.

"Sure, but no one can match my Tranquill's speed." Eric said with a challenging grin.

"Oh yeah? My Beautifly can beat this race in its sleep," Kat challenged playfully, "We got this in the bag!"

"Guys, don't fight. 'Cause we all know who's going to win," I began, "Kaiba and I, of course!"

The four of us glanced at one another with competitive looks and challenging smiles.

This will be a lot of fun; I know it!

That's when the woman came through the door again.

"Ahem! May I have your attention, please?" she called out.

Like before, the room gradually grew silent.

"You will now be directed to the platform where the race will be held," she began, "Once you are there, you will go to your assigned balloon. On the back of your card, a color will match your balloon's tag color."

I took out my card and turned it around. Sure enough, there was a patch of color on the card, and it was blue.

"What are your colors?" I asked.

"Mine is orange." Nina said.

"I have green." Kat said.

"And I have gray." Eric said.

"Everyone, please follow my associates and me to the platform." the woman said.

Everyone stood up and followed the woman. Nina returned Butterfree to its Pokéball before catching up with us.

"I wonder what the balloons will look like?" Eric questioned aloud.

"Same here." I commented.

The crowd around us ascended some stairs before we arrived at two big, double-glass doors. The woman opened the doors, and a gust of wind invited itself into the facility. The small crowd continued to follow the woman and her associates onto the metal platform until we came across an array of tied-down hot-air balloons.

"Please go find your corresponding color. The race will begin momentarily," the woman said, "Good luck to you all!"

The woman and her colleagues soon disappeared around the corner of the platform. Breathing out, I wandered around the platform, searching for my balloon. That's when I saw a blue tag in my sight. Rushing towards it, I saw that it was an Eevee balloon.

What are the chances of that?

"Look, Libby! It's you!" I said cheerfully.

Libby wagged her tail and let out a happy cry. I walked into the balloon's basket and waited.

I can't wait for the race to start!

That's when I heard a familiar voice over the PA.

Claude!

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Strato Town's Sky Festival's main event: the Sky Festival's Sky Race!" Claude announced.

I could hear a round of applause and cheer coming from the other side of the platform.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Claude! You may recognize me as Gladiolus City's Battle Tendency Tournament chairman. I have been given the pleasure of officiating this year's Sky Race, and I couldn't be more honored," Claude announced, "Now, the racers of this race are just behind us. Please, give them a roaring cheer of encouragement!"

And the crowd did just that.

"Racers, please, untie your balloons and ascend to the clouds above!" Claude proclaimed.

Everyone around started undoing their ropes and rose into the air. I smiled and did the same, feeling myself leave the ground.

"Hold on, Libby!" I said.

Libby nodded and clutched onto my shoulder. Once in the air, I could catch a glimpse of the other balloons. I saw Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Meowth, Caterpie, Squirtle, Electrode, Natu, Mareep, Quilfish, and many more.

"Racers, please direct your balloons to the front of the platform!" Claude said.

All at once, the balloons started making their way to the front. That's when the crowd of people became visible. I smiled when I saw Claude on the back of his mighty Charizard.

"Racers, release your Pokémon!" Claude cried happily.

Everyone obeyed and released their Pokémon. I saw a Pidgeot, Honchkrow, Staravia, Noctowl, Golbat, and many Flying-type Pokémon. Kaiba came out from her ball with a happy cry.

"This race will be three laps 'round. Your Pokémon must fly through the golden hoops to proceed with the race. If your Pokémon misses even one hoop, they must fly back and fly through it," Claude explained, "Pokémon are not permitted to use any attacks in this race. If a Pokémon attacks another, that Pokémon will be disqualified from the race."

Whoa... Claude didn't mention that part about the race... This is going to be intense...

Kaiba let out a worried cry as she looked around at the other Pokémon.

"Don't worry, Kaiba. And hey, even if you don't win, we'll still have fun, right?" I asked.

Kaiba nodded but still looked unsure. I softly smiled at my Swablu and patted her head as she perched herself on the basket's edge.

At first, I wanted to win, but since Kaiba is still relatively young, I want her to be happy and have fun during this race and give it her all...

"Just give it your all in this race, okay?" I asked.

Kaiba let out a friendly cry as she leaned into my touch. Kaiba then had a determined look and let out a confident cry. I understood entirely and nodded firmly.

"Alright, let's give it our all!" I said boldly.

Kaiba mimicked my boldness and flew over toward the other Pokémon for the race to begin.

"Once again, this race will be three laps 'round. Your Pokémon must fly through the golden hoops to proceed with the race. If your Pokémon misses even one hoop, they must fly back and fly through it," Claude explained, "Again, Pokémon attacking other Pokémon is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification."

Again, very strict rules...

"And another thing! In between each lap, trainers can give their Pokémon berries to give them energy!" Claude announced. "With that being said, we are ready for the race to begin!"

The people around and below began to cheer.

"On your mark... Get set... Go!" Claude cried.

And the Flying-type Pokémon were off, leaving a powerful gust of wind in their wake. I watched as Kaiba flew through the golden hoops, passing up other Pokémon in the process.

"Go, Kaiba! Go!" I cheered.

Libby copied my cheer with her cry.

She's still far behind the larger Flying-type Pokémon, but I know she can do it!

"Looks like Talonflame is in the lead, with Swanna and Ninjask coming up from behind!" Claude announced.

I observed as the Pokémon flew through the hoops.

Most of them are doing flips through the hoops to gain speed, but it's also reducing that same speed... I think I found Kaiba's opening!

The first lap was complete, and Kaiba returned to the balloon, panting slightly.

"You're doing great, Kaiba," I said as I handed her a berry, "And hey, I think I found an opening for you."

Kaiba pecked at the berry as she listened to me.

"The Pidgeot, Staraptor, and Swellow all do flips in and out of the hoops," I explained, "Once they go in for that flip, you can fly right past them!"

Kaiba nodded as she ate the last of the berry. She let out a determined cry before going into the second lap.

"You can do this, Kaiba!" I cheered.

Kaiba nodded and sped toward the first hoop with a couple of other Pokémon in front of her. The Swellow I mentioned before flew past her when she flew through the first hoop.

"Get ready, Kaiba!" I cried.

My Pokémon looked back and nodded. When the Swellow flew through the hoop, it returned to pass through it again. That's when Kaiba used the gust of wind from Swellow's wings to push her forward. Kaiba was way ahead of the Swellow when it came back around.

"All right! Way to go, Kaiba!" I cheered.

Libby let out a cry of approval. I watched with glee as Kaiba flew past the Pidgeot and Staraptor, using the same method as she did with the Swellow.

"Would you look at that, folks! Swablu has managed to climb further into the ranks!" Claude said happily, "It is currently behind Honchkrow, who is behind the Ninjask and Swanna, with Talonflame still taking the lead. But it looks like Swablu has some company!"

Looking behind Kaiba, I saw Eric's Tranquill, Nina's Butterfree, and Kat's Beautifly.

How'd they get here so fast?

Kaiba managed to cross the finish line and made her way back to me. I took out another berry and let her eat it out of my hand.

"This isn't looking too good. Tranquill, Butterfree, and Beautifly are great flyers. Tranquill has the advantage in speed, and with Beautifly's and Butterfree's delicate wings, it's basically a feather drifting in the wind," I complained, "What can we do?"

That's when Libby started letting out frantic cries.

"What is it, Libbs?" I asked.

She then pointed toward the clouds that were drifting along.

"Clouds...? Clouds! That's it!" I exclaimed, "The clouds are drifting because of the wind, and since Kaiba is almost like a cloud, she can use the wind to her advantage as she did before! Good thinking, Libby!"

Libby let out a bold cry and winked at me. When Kaiba was finished, she returned with the plan in mind.

Let's hope this plan works...

When Kaiba flew through the first hoop, I felt a strong wind kick up out of nowhere. I watched with glee-filled eyes as Kaiba was propelled forward, passing by many Pokémon in her wake.

"Go, Kaiba!" I cried.

Kaiba was soon flying behind the Swanna and Ninjask.

"This is the final lap, ladies and gentlemen, and we have a neck-and-neck race between Swanna, Ninjask, and Swablu, who has just joined the party!" Claude announced, "Talonflame is still in the lead. It all comes down to this, folks. Who will be this year's Sky Race winner? Talonflame, Swanna, Ninjask, or Swablu?"

The three Pokémon behind Talonflame soon caught up with it and flew side-by-side.

After this last hoop, it all comes down to the wire... Come on, Kaiba. You can do this!

The four Pokémon flew through the hoop and were now in the final stretch of the race with the finish line in their sights.

"Come on, Kaiba! You can do it!" I cried.

That's when I saw Kaiba starting to glow and grow.

No way... Is Kaiba...? Right now...?

When the light died down, another Pokémon was in my Swablu's place. I took out my Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.

"Altaria, the Humming Pokémon, and the evolved form of Swablu. As it flies in a calm and relaxed manner, Altaria performs a humming song that would enrapture any audience. But if it's provoked, it will threaten opponents with shrill cries before attacking them without mercy."

Kaiba finally evolved... I don't believe it!

"I don't believe it, folks! Swablu has just evolved into Altaria!" Claude proclaimed, "Will the winds be in Altaria's favor in this final stretch?"

Kaiba let out a cry and started gaining the lead.

"Look here, folks! Talonflame and Altaria are neck-and-neck, leaving Swanna and Ninjask in the dust!" Claude announced, "Who's it going to be? Talonflame or Altaria?"

The two would pass one another occasionally as the finish line drew near. Then, a gust of wind came from behind, propelling both Pokémon forward and bringing them closer to the finish line.

"Come on, Kaiba!" I cheered.

Kaiba let out a cry and was soon flying ahead of Talonflame. That's when Kaiba flew over the finish line.

"And the winner is Altaria!" Claude announced.

Everyone began to cheer. I followed suit as everyone started to descend back to the platform. Once it landed, Kaiba fluttered down and let out a happy cry.

"Kaiba, you evolved, and you won the race!" I cried, "I'm so proud of you!"

I threw my arms around Kaiba, and Kaiba did the same with her wings. Libby bounced happily as she let out happy cries.

"There you have it, folks! This year's Sky Race winner!" Claude announced.

Everyone around me cheered and applauded.

"Eragona!" cried a friendly voice.

I turned around to see Kat, Eric, and Nina with their Pokémon close behind.

"Congratulations, Era! You and Kaiba were amazing!" Kat said.

"Yeah! Not only that, Kaiba evolved, and she looks so cute!" Nina proclaimed.

"I know she's gonna get stronger over time." Eric commented.

Beautifly, Tranquill, and Butterfree all let out cries of approval.

"Excuse me?" asked a kind voice.

I turned to see a man wearing a black tank top and pants. His hair and eyes were dark brown, and his skin was tan. Perched on his arm was the Talonflame Kaiba had bested.

Whoa, it's a lot bigger up close...

I smiled and scanned the Pokémon with my Pokédex.

"Talonflame, the Scorching Pokémon. In the fever of an exciting battle, it showers embers from the gaps between its feathers and takes to the air. When attacking prey, it can reach speeds of up to 310 mph. It finishes its prey off with a colossal kick."

Wow, that's fast! How did I beat it in a race?

"That was an amazing race. Congratulations on both the win and your Pokémon evolving," he said, holding out his hand, "You've earned it."

I smiled and shook the man's hand gladly.

"Thank you. Your Talonflame was very fast. I still don't know how my Pokémon matched its speed," I said jokingly, "But it was an honor racing against you."

The man smiled and nodded. With a small wave, he and Talonflame disappeared into the crowd.

"Well, now that the Sky Festival's over, where to?" Kat asked.

"Next stop, Zillas City." I said.

After Nina returned the Butterfree, we started making our way back to the cable car station.

My next Dragon-type Pokémon is an Altaria, and I couldn't be prouder of Kaiba. Just another step closer to achieving my goal...