Bicycle Race

"Contestants, listen up! In this Bicycle Race, you'll be cycling ten kilometers. The finish line is at the red dot on this map. And I don't need to explain where we are now, do I?" the host announced loudly beside the starting line.

One hour earlier...

"Xiao Lan, I'm entering this Bicycle Race. You're still little, so wait for me at the finish line." Xiao Yan came over with a flyer in his hand.

"Xiao Yan, you're after that one-million prize, aren't you?" Xiao Lan's powers of observation were astonishing. She had a bright future ahead of her.

"Hard to say. I'll show you how amazing I am when the time comes."

"But, Xiao Yan, the sky's all gray right now. It looks like it's going to rain. Be careful out there."

Back to the present...

"Let the race begin!" The referee's starting pistol fired, and everyone immediately pedaled hard and shot forward.

"Pikachu, hold on tight!" Xiao Yan rode his bicycle across the starting line. That million is mine!

There were plenty of people competing in the race, most of them drawn by the one-million prize. Despite all the competition, Xiao Yan seemed completely untroubled as he tore down the course on his bike.

"What's this?" After riding for a while, Xiao Yan had already pulled ahead of most of the contestants.

As they passed through the forest, Pikachu's head struck something unknown. Xiao Yan stopped his bike to investigate.

"Pikachu, what's that on your head?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Yan licked some of the yellow liquid left beside the unidentified object.

So sweet...

Then a buzzing sound came from nearby, and a large swarm of Beedrill emerged from the bushes, looking furious.

"Hey there! You're going wild because I'm so handsome, right?" Xiao Yan said with a smile. Before he even finished talking, a Beedrill stung him, leaving a swollen bump.

"...I make my living with both my looks and my skills, you know. Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Lightning flashed through the forest. Moments later, the entire swarm of Beedrill relocated.

"Pikachu, nicely done! Come on, let's go get our million."

"Everyone, take a look! Currently in first place is Xiao Lan, the girl with a Squirtle. In second is the Bug Catcher, and close behind them is Xiao Yan, the boy carrying a Pikachu on his shoulder. It looks like the championship will come down to these three. Oh, look over at the bridge! The first two seem unable to get past an enormous object blocking their way. Xiao Yan has caught up with them now, too!" The Bicycle Race was being broadcast live.

"What the heck?! How dare you block my way! Squirtle, use Water Gun on that rock!" Unfortunately, the rock stayed right where it was, and the Water Gun bounced back.

"That doesn't look like a rock at all." Xiao Yan carefully examined the white part of the rock.

"Stop arguing, both of you. What matters is how we're going to get past it," the Bug Catcher beside them spoke up.

"Pikachu, come here a second." Once Pikachu returned to his side, Xiao Yan picked Pikachu up and approached the unidentified object.

Before long, the rock got up.

"Snor!"

"Holy crap, it's a Snorlax! Pikachu, run, or you'll end up as its dinner!"

The look on Pikachu's face at that moment...

"Oh! Contestant Xiao Yan has taken the lead, with a Snorlax chasing behind him! The other contestants have been left far behind. Who will reach the finish line first, Snorlax or Xiao Yan? Let's keep watching!"

"I always had you fight for me before. Now it's my turn to fight for you, Pikachu." Xiao Yan pedaled furiously, speeding forward.

Snorlax used Rollout, charging toward Xiao Yan.

"Come on, go faster!" Xiao Yan roared. Just then, a raindrop landed on his cheek. Rain also struck Pikachu's head, and Pikachu looked up at the sky. The rain quickly grew heavier. As they neared the finish line, Snorlax was about to catch up with Xiao Yan.

"Pikachu, hold on to me!" Xiao Yan decided to take a gamble. Maybe his bicycle would turn into a sports car! He rode through a large puddle and slid straight ahead at high speed, shooting across the finish line. Unfortunately, when Snorlax caught up, it crushed the prize, leaving only the million. Xiao Yan stared at Snorlax in despair.

"How are you going to pay me back?"

Snorlax walked over to Pikachu and licked the liquid on Pikachu's head. Disgusted, Pikachu immediately unleashed a Thunderbolt, and Snorlax collapsed a second later.

"Congratulations to our champion, Xiao Yan! According to the rules, he'll receive one million. Let's give him a round of applause!" Xiao Yan stepped onto the podium to collect his prize money.

After the race ended, Xiao Yan took Xiao Lan along and continued toward their next destination.

"Xiao Yan, how are you going to spend your million?"

"Ahem, let's talk about that later."