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******(POV Change: Normal)******

As the two walked to the Art Building, map in Nathan's hand, Johnny's thoughts began to drift more and more about Nathan....and not the way he wanted it.

'I still can't help but think about what happened back at Tartarus: I was almost completely useless when Nate's shadow appeared, me only getting knocked out trying to "protect" him; then with the second time, when Ryland's shadow appeared, I was completely useless.....some boyfriend I've become......' he thinks, hanging his head a bit.

Nathan looked over and noticed Johnny look upset; he frowned instantly and stopped the two: the two of them were in the middle of a hallway.

"Johnny, is something up?" he asked.

Johnny looked over and his facial expression changed instantly.

"Huh? Oh, yeah....just thinking about something......"

"Really? About what?" Nathan asked. Johnny's eyes darted away: he needed a cover story....but, what?

"Oh, uh....n-nothing important......" he trailed off "j-just....what it might be like with you on the team...."

Nathan gave a final, curious look...then his gaze went forward: now HE was lost in thought about the same thing.....at least, as far as he knew.

"Huh, I guess that IS something to think about: tell me about the team." Nathan asked nonchalantly.

"Well, there's something things you need to know about them," Johnny started: in his mind, he was glad that Nate didn't ponder him more; he was also glad that Nathan is willing to listen about the team "There are four of us, not including you -five, maybe- that are focused around certain traits: learning those traits is an easy way to learning about the teammates' weaknesses.....allowing you to use them against them."

"What're the traits?" the otter asked. Johnny merely snickered.

"Can't say: you're gonna have to figure it out."

"WHAT?! Aw, come on!"

"Sorry, Ottie: if you want to be on the team, you'll have to do it on your own......" Johnny said apologetically....yet his smile seemed to almost negate the apology: he really WAS sorry, but he also felt that Nathan could figure it out soon enough.

Pouting, and rather cutely, Nathan huffed.

"Fine, I'll wait." He said in defeat, grumbling incoherently as they continued their pace again. Johnny sighed to himself I relief: he didn't want Nathan to know how he felt; if he did, it would only stress out the otter.....and the last thing Johnny wanted to do was stress him out.

'No, I have to take care of my doubts on my own.' He told himself.

....................................

After a while the two arrived at their destination -or, rather, they arrived in front of their destination: the Art Building. The place was immense, the wall in front covered in pictures and painting and all sorts of other forms of Art; the surrounding area was man-made, but was painted to make it look like nature.

Both Nathan and Johnny looked over the building, completely stricken in awe.

"Wow.....no wonder he said to not get distracted: this place in insane!" Nathan said; he seemed to exaggerate things a bit, but it seemed to fit the look: the building was covered in all this art and made it look just crazy to look at.

"Well then, let's try and find our friends...." Johnny said, taking a deep breath and heading forward; Nate followed closely behind.

'PLEASE don't let anything pop out....the last thing I need is a heart-attack from something that's NOT a Shadow....' He thought shaking his head as his paw brushed over his sheathed rapier in his belt loop: even with his heavy-duty clothing off, he still needed some way of carrying his weapon; dropping it off back at home would be too much of a hassle....especially since they were going to barely make it back.

............................

As the two walked through the building, they noticed how things were done inside: everyone, whether alone or with others, were all doing something creative and proactive: painting on the walls and adding more detail to it (since the inside looked like an actual forest) playing music and others dance to it, or just talking about what their next project would be; no matter the situation, they all seemed to contribute to the theme of Art.

Nathan felt a little overwhelmed by all this, just simply stupefied.

"J, did you know about all this?" he asked, picking up the pace to meet back up with the orca: he was straggling behind.

"N-no.....not at all....I mean, I knew about the building....but not went on inside it.....this place its incredible!" Johnny answered.

As the two continued on, they started looking through the crowd to try and spot their friends.....so far, nothing.

"Where could they be?" Nathan asked.

"I don't know....maybe if we find the teacher, he could help us." Johnny said.

"Do you remember what he looks like?" Nathan asked again.

"Hmm, let's see: he was a husky, if I remember, with grey fur.....blue eyes......about as tall as Logan......I remember his voice was rather cool and calm.......oh, and he had a distinct white stripe down the back of his tail like a skunk." Johnny said.

"Alright, let's get looking-" Nathan started.

"Looking? For what?" asked a voice: it was calm and suave, like the sound of velvet.....if it had a sound.

Nathan looked around and, at once, was hit with a look of a handsome husky with vibrant sapphire eyes and fur that could be mistaken as dull-light silver. The otter, at once, gulped nervously.

"Well?" he continued as the two were silent "What're you looking for?"

"Oh, sir....um....well...." Johnny started "you: we were hoping you could help us find our friends, Logan and Dave.....you lead them here yesterday...."

The husky smiled and nodded, his smile seeming to calm down the two in front of him.

"Ah, I see: some of my new students. You their friends?" he asked.

"Yeah, we had some free time....so we thought we'd drop by on them." Nathan explained, motioning to his sword "You see, our Combat class with Igor and Elizabeth was rescheduled to every other day starting tomorrow....and, since it was our only actual class before Swimming practice, we thought we'd spend time here."

"Ah, don't worry about it: we have so many students in here....and most of them aren't in a class." The husky waved off the idea "I'll show you where those two are: I have them in one of my private art rooms for them to concentrate on their first assignment."

"Alright, lead the way Mr....uh...." Nathan trailed off.

"Just call me Mr. A." the husky smiled, motioning them to follow.

......................

As the three walked, Nathan and Johnny talked with Mr. A about what was going on: Mr. A told them about he and his mate and best friend built the entire building and front of it, which impressed the two, and even went as far as saying that his mate was someone in the school too.

"You're not dating a student....are you, sir?" Johnny asked in a teasing voice; Nathan snickered a little, giving J a light push. Mr. A, in retaliation, laughed out loud and turned around as he walked: he arms were folded over his chest.

"Aw, are you jealous: well, if you want we can always get together for a project.....I'm open for working with other students, even ones NOT in my class....." he smile widened as he raised an eyebrow: Nathan's face immediately heated up and Johnny's went beet red.

"N-no....not that: I already have a boyfriend...." He cupped his arm around Nathan and pulled him close "RIGHT here!"

"Y-yeah....although, your offer is tempting....." the otter confessed. Mr. A laughed all the louder, turning back around.

"I was only kidding: I'm not dating a student; I'm 24....although the painting offer was true enough....to both of you...." He turned his head and winked at the couple; both looked away, a little embarrassed.

'Yeesh, this guy REALLY knows how to be a tease....gotta be careful: he may be more dangerous than going into Tartarus alone.....' Nathan thought, shaking his head.

'Wow, never knew a teacher could act like THIS....does the Headmaster even know about him- he might've, actually, sweet-talked his way to being the art teacher....that, or he's really that talented.....frankly, I'm just afraid of what he might do....' Johnny thought, gulping a bit: the sexy teacher in front of him was now more like a rival now.

....................

After a few minutes of more casual talking the three stopped in front of a room.

"Here we are: Room 13. Your friends should be right inside....although I'm not so sure you should enter just yet...." Mr. A said, scratching his head a bit. Nathan looked at him a little quizzically and peered through the open crack of the door; what he saw merely stunned him.

Sitting in a chair was Logan....and he was completely naked; behind an easel was Dave trying to sketch him, apparently. What really mattered to him was Logan naked: he never seemed like someone to do something like that, never....does that mean he took the advice?

"Oh, my God....." Nathan mutter under his breath "J, come take a look!"

"Um....oh-kay?" Johnny said questionably; he leaned over Nathan and peered through again: it took him only a few seconds to soak in the sight.

"Holy shit! What's Logan doing?!" Johnny whispered to Nathan.

"Well, remember the advice I gave Logan? Well, he asked me if he should have sex with Dave: he felt like he wasn't contributing to his relationship....I told him just do what he feels is natural...."

"But, posing like that?! Is that even allowed?!" Johnny asked.

"Art has no rules.....it's a means of letting out your inspiration, free from any rules or restrictions....." the husky chuckled softly "Also, before he entered.....he asked about what he should do to make the picture really "pop"....I told him "do what you normally wouldn't and it'll pop to you".....he took the advice...."

Nathan shook his head and tried to peek closer: he was a little curious about what was going on; he saw Logan's mouth moving, yet he couldn't hear what was being talked about.

"Ngh, Johnny move! You're squishing me!" Nathan whispered to the orca: he was on top of Nathan.....literally; he made Nathan get on his hands and knees.

"Well, I can barely see as it is......" Johnny complained as he moved a bit on Nathan. Both struggled against one another and soon Johnny felt himself start to lean forward; he had nothing to grab, so he fell right through the door.....bringing Nathan with him.

"W-whoa!"

With a loud thud, both fell to the ground in the entrance of the room: Johnny on top of Nathan.

"Ugh....." Nathan muttered, trying to pull himself out; he looked in and saw Logan just staring at them....then panic and move behind the chair.

"H-hey! What're you guys doing here?!" he yelled at them.

'Well, hello to you too....' Nathan thought, trying to pull himself off of Johnny....he was stuck good.

"W-well...we thought we'd "drop by"...heheh," Nathan said humorously, laughing rather pathetically; Logan wasn't amused "since we didn't see you since last night...we thought we'd just check up on you guys....."

"Well, we're fine...now, if you don't mind, could you leave?!" he asked. Nathan and Johnny laughed embarrassedly and nodded a little frantically, getting up rather quickly and closing the door.

As soon as the door was closed, Nathan leaned against it and let out a sigh of relief.

"THAT was embarrassing....I never thought that'd actually happen in real life.....sheesh...." Johnny said as he leaned against the wall, facing it in shame.

"Tell me about it.....but, at least they're doing okay...." Nathan said positively "and, I must say: I haven't seen Logan shirtless since our trip to the beach when we were little....he bulked up a bit."

"WHY are you bringing this up?" Johnny asked; the otter shrugged.

"I warned you two." Mr. A said, his voice rather smug, while chuckling "But you insisted on watching...."

"Shuddup....." Nathan said; now HE wasn't the one amused.

"Well, we saw them: we should head to the pool now; maybe we can get you ready before the team arrives. Johnny advised. Nathan nodded and smiled, leaning up away from the door "Thanks again for helping out us, sir."

"Please, just call me "A"," he said as he outstretched his paw to the two; Nathan was the first to take it, grasping it slowly but firmly...but was immediately pulled into a warm hug by the canine. It surprised the otter, but he eventually just gave up and hugged him back. The embrace broke after a few more seconds and was soon repeated when Johnny basically skipped the handshake and gave the husky the hug: Mr. A seemed a little surprised, in a good way, and broke the hug after a few seconds as well. With that, he waved them off and walked down the hallway to inspect the other students.

Once he was out of ear shot, both of them relaxed almost instantly and at the same time.

"I like him: he's pretty cool." Nathan said truthfully, chuckling a bit.

Johnny nodded and pulled Nathan into a side hug, walking them both towards the exit of the building and towards the Pools.

..........................

After about 10 minutes they finally reached the entrance to the pools: they were pretty silent the entire walk, but that was because they had things on their minds: Johnny about his doubts, and Nathan about his tryout.

"Well, here we are: Goldenia Academy's legendary pools....well, not legendary really...just awesome-looking." Johnny said proudly; he pushed open the door and it and Nathan's mouth just dropped open.

"W-wow.....this is incredible! It's like a hotel's pool!" he exclaim, walking to the water's edge.

"Bigger, actually: they took a survey....Goldenia's pool is the largest one made for a community of students that is." Johnny said in a casual, as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Nathan "awe"-ed and placed his hand on the glassy surface of the water: ripples travels outward from where he placed his paw...it felt so incredible, and the temperature was like a combination of the beach and a hot tub.....perfect feeling.

"This in incredible! I can't believe I'll get to use this pool!"

"You MIGHT.....IF the coach likes you.....and he doesn't like many students....why else is there only 5 students on the team?" Johnny said, patting Nathan's shoulder; the otter gulped: NOW he was nervous.

"Oh.....y-yikes...." He said involuntarily. Johnny laughed and pushed the otter towards the locker rooms.

"Go on and change, cutie: you can use the top locker of mine; number 113. There's no lock, so you'll be able to open the door easily." Johnny said, winking; Nathan smirked and nodded, going into the locker rooms to change.

......................

It only took Nathan about a minute to change into his bathing suit: dark blue wet shorts with lighter blue flame-like patterns on the sides.

When he walked out, he noticed Johnny had already changed and was in the water: he glanced over to see that Johnny's clothes were sitting on a plastic chair; he made a face.

"Johnny...why'd you change out here? Why not in the locker rooms like me?" he asked.

"No reason....besides, there's no one here...and the pull has one-way glass all around....even the door: no one can look in without actually being in the pool area....now, get in." Johnny explained, patting the water and sending out more ripples across the surface....then again, there were ripples wherever Johnny was.

Nate rolled his eyes and got a bit of a jogging start, jumping in and yelling "yahoo!" as he splashed in.

As soon as the otter hit the water, it went right in Johnny's face and all around the impact zone....effectively getting some out of the pool and onto the floor.

Once the otter surfaced, he let out a big sigh and took a big breath of air.

"Aaaah. This feels SO nice! I haven't swam since I went to the pool with Logan and his parents!" he said in victory.

"When was that?" Johnny asked.

"Hmm....I think that was about the beginning of the month you left for Goldenia...." Nate thought, trying to remember exactly the date; Johnny's face lit up....and not in the good way.

"You were out of water for 2 years?! Why?! I thought you LOVED swimming!" he exclaimed.

"Well, so did you: ever since you left I haven't been doing much; I never did anything that we use to do together...like swimming....that was our special thing....and, doing it alone, it didn't feel right." Nathan explained, turning away a little in shame "But I DID stay busy in other ways: I joined the county fencing team; won district too!"

"So THAT'S why you're good with a sword...." Johnny said in realization.

"Yep!"

"Well, at least you weren't TOTALLY bored...but, now, we gotta get you back into shape." Johnny said, resting a wet paw on Nate's shoulder. The otter brushed it off manually with his own paw and scoffed.

"Puh-lease! I can still beat the blubber off of you like I used to before; nothing's changed that!" he said confidently.

"Well, why don't we have a little race then? See if you really HAVE stayed the same." Johnny said confidently. Nathan smiled, his eyes burning fiery with passion.

"You're on!"

...................................

******Nathan's POV******

As we made our way to our quote-unquote "starting line" for the race, my mind seemed to be somewhere else: for some reason, my thoughts traveled to the dark hue I saw around Johnny. It was unexplainable -it could just be my imagination- yet at the same time un-eased me that I didn't know. It was also distinctly similar to the hue of me and Ryland's shadows when they appeared in Tartarus......that also made me nervous.

'I doubt that I'm with Johnny's Shadow....or if it even came out yet.....but, really, what was that?' I thought for a moment; I shook my head to myself, just like I did before 'No, no.....don't think that.....Johnny'll be fine.....still, I should talk to Igor and Elizabeth: maybe they can help clear my doubts.'

As we got to our designated starting line, I got myself ready by dunking myself in the water and coming back up quickly: once I was psyched up, there's no stopping me! Johnny merely chuckled as me moved around a bit and got into position: we were going to go underwater and push off of the wall.....and, since we both can stay under for a long time, we were going to STAY underwater for the race; Johnny would be able to talk only since I need to keep my air.....his lungs are larger and can hold more air than I can.

The pool itself was incredibly deep, maybe like 7 or 8 feet...meaning that only those that can swim are advised to enter. Didn't bother me: I could swim down to about 50 feet.

"Alright: first one to go around the pools perimeter 3 times wins....the marking line is right here," Johnny said while patting the number marking next to him "You ready, ottie?"

"Yeah...." I trailed off, thinking something funny "How about we put a little wager on this?"

"What'd you have in mind?" the orca asked curiously. I smiles slyly.

"Loser bottoms." I chuckle as I finished. Johnny's face went bright red: the mere THOUGHT of me being able to dominate the orca in the bedroom, even once, excited me.

"W-wow...uh....."he looked away a bit, a smile breaking across his face; he turned back after a few seconds "yeah....let's do it."

We shook hands on it and got ready. We both counted, out loud, our countdown.

"3...."

"2...."

"1...."

"GO!"

And we were off: we dove underwater and I kicked right off the wall with my tail as help. I sped right in front of the orca and just kept it up: the water seemed to just glide off my body as I moved, the movements themselves so fluent I could be mistaken as a fish or eel...and I'm not being biased either.

I moved my head a little to the side each time I kicked forward, keeping my momentum fluid and loose: I could save my energy MUCH more easily that way. I checked behind me quickly, just a mere glance, and saw that Johnny was right behind me with a grin on his face.

'Hmm...guess he REALLY underestimated me this time,' I thought, smiling confidently....maybe even a little cocky-like 'Looks like I'm topping tonight.'

I took another look back and I nearly gasped: Johnny was gaining on my, fast....in fact, I literally saw him past me as I rounded the corner (big pool).

'What the-?! No way!' I thought as I grunted and increased my speed: I started using my tail as a propeller, pushing me forward and closer to the orca.

As I moved with him, I felt myself getting sucked in to his slipstream from behind; I tried to fight it, but as I was I realized something.......

'Johnny must've been drafting me! That's how he was able to past me!' I smiled and started to slip into the orca's slipstream, my effort to stay up IMMEDIATELY reduced. Johnny looked behind and frowned: he started moving his tail more dramatically, his slipstream path becoming less and less straight and more and more erratic.

'Hey, no fair! You did it with me!' I thought, the idea of trying to be shaken loose like I was latching on to him.....it annoyed and angered me a little more than I should've let it.

I pushed forward harder and started to swim under the orca, gliding right past him as we rounded the second corner and started our second time around.

I continued to push my body harder, wanting to stay ahead of Johnny; I felt my legs start to weaken slowly and my eyes were starting to strain to stay open from the water being pressed against them.....hell, I even felt like I was losing more of my oxygen.

'Dammit, Johnny was right....I've been a fish out of water for too long...!' I thought, cursing to myself from my own laziness...then again, swimming was always something me and Johnny did together...it wouldn't felt special if I just did it on my own....even if Johnny did it on his own, so to speak, when he was here.

...................................

It was the final lap and both me and Johnny were neck-and-neck.....I had to give it one last try, one final push so I could gain the lead.

I started to move my entire body like a fish, side to side, to try and push as far forward as I could; it was my last resort....of course, it had a drawback: I can't do it for a long time or when I'm tired....otherwise-

'Ngh!' I thought to myself: I was SO stupid to forget how much stress I put on my body.....

What I was ABOUT to say was if I do it when I'm tired or for a long time I get a MAJOR cramp in my stomach.

I continued to try and swim forward...but I felt myself stall out and soon Johnny just glided right back into first and across the finish line.

As I floated over to the orca, I surfaced and held my stomach...yet I still tried to act normal.

"Dammit! You beat me....guess I'm still a bottom...." To be honest, I would've chosen to be a bottom tonight anyway....I just wanted to give Johnny a bit of a surprise; the orca smiled and laughed out loud, smiling as he helped me out of the pool and on to the sides.

"Well, you gave me quite a race...never thought you'd try and Fish-Tail it out...." Yep, that was the move: the Fish-Tail....I wasn't very creative back then.

"Still, I doubt I'll be able to join....no offense, Orcy, but you're pretty slow in the water....then again, you're a whale...."

"Hey!" he seemed hurt at me "I'll have you know I'm the fastest on the team: I even beat the coach!"

"What species?" I asked, now a little interested.

"Otter, just like you: white fur, rare in his species if I remember," I nod to confirm that fact "pretty muscular...though still toned enough to make it look modest, green eyes....kinda how yours are, but in green, let's see....oh: he also has this marking on his back, like a light grey patch of fur....every now and then he scratches his back against the wall or something....guess he likes it or something....still, he's really something."

"Don't tell me you have a crush on him....do you?" I asked him: he sounded like he was gaga for him...he doesn't really sound THAT interesting.

"You should see him! Seriously! I think some of the girls like him.....oh, wait...I think that's the rumor about Mr. A...." Johnny thought for a second; I couldn't help but face palm myself: good grief.....since when has my Orcy become so......boy-crazy? "But that's beside the point: you HAVE to see him!"

"Well, I will....as soon as he arrives." I said; to be honest, I think I sounded snobby.

"What're you two talking about?" boomed a voice behind us: I nearly jumped when I hear it from how deep it was...not necessarily like a Mexican wrestler....but it was deep.

I turned around and noticed who it was the voice belonged to.....

The owner was, speak of the devil, the coach himself. His fur was replaced with snow, his mouth crooked into a playful smile. He was wearing a lifeguard shirt and shorts that seemed too tight of him, the fabric taut against his body to show his muscular frame....and a big package (which I manage to not stare at). I averted my eyes from down below and looked up to his gaze: his irises were the color of emeralds, a deep, luscious green. His gaze was stern, yet at the same time gentle.

"Oh, uh...h-hi, Sir...sorry if we got in before you did.....I wanted Nathan to get used to the water." Johnny accused; he stood up and faced the white otter, his smile moving up higher on his face.

"Well, then this must be the otter "Nathan Osworth".....I'm the head coach, here....I run the Swim Team here: you're here to join, right?"

I nod frantically and tried to stay calm: Johnny wasn't kidding, this guy was hot! I mean, I can feel myself sweating....good thing I was still wet.

He laughed out loud and thrusted his paw out to me.....I slowly met it: compared to his hand and Johnny's, Johnny's hand was the same size as mine...making me feel SO much smaller in comparison.

"I saw your little race with Johnny, that damn orca," cursed the white otter playfully "fastest on the team: he can even beat me."

Johnny smiled pride-fully, giving a toothy grin; I elbowed him hard and released the otter's paw. He continued on.

"Well, then I hope to see you race well: I'll be judging how well you do....but, I must warn you," his gaze went from gentle to stern all the way in just 60 seconds....maybe not even that "It doesn't matter if you win or lose the race...I'm checking how well you race, not on the race itself...."

"I understand, sir," I nod in acknowledgement "I won't disappoint." He laughed again, the gentleness in his eyes returning....maybe even some playfulness.

"Excellent! Be ready to race when the rest of the team arrive, alright?"

...................................

The first person to arrive was a dolphin: his hide was normal of a dolphin, a reflective light blue....he looked rather cute, too. He gave me a smile and wave as he left for the changing room. About a minute after that he came out in a speedo and dived into the water: he looked so graceful, he hit the water and seemed to just slide in....like he never disturbed the water's peaceful rest.

"Dan's the best diver on the team," Johnny said "and is pretty fast: about third fastest: he can out-dive anyone; he's like a contortionist. I'd watch out if he challenges you." I nod in acknowledgement: Dan = limber.

The next person to enter was a pinkish-purple shark; it was so muscled that I thought it was a guy...though the color hinted me that "he" was a "she". Johnny helped confirm this.

"That's Kelly: she is LETHAL in the water; no one has managed to out-endure her when it comes to in the pool....I'd be wary of her: she, literally, knows no meaning to the word "mercy"....and I'd rather not go to your funeral." I nodded and gave a gulp when Kelly waved at me: it was the girly finger-flutter wave.....I didn't know if it was real or mock....either way, I had to stay careful around her.

The third person was a dragon -a sea dragon if I was correct. He seemed to be plain tired, letting out a yawn the second he walked in. Oddly enough, that yawn reached me....luckily I stifled it; I heard Johnny chuckle.

"That would be Tom: he's a bit of a joker....he can fool just about anyone; his poker face is LEGENDARY....be cautious when messing with him." I nodded and smiled at him; he smiled back, the look genuine, and that puzzled me: was that a true smile...or was that a mock one?

The last person to come in was someone of a species I hadn't expected to see: it was a Swampert.

As he entered, he seemed to be a little....nervous? No, scared is more like it; he was scared, like something was going to pop up at him.

"Hey, Johnny....who's that?" I asked the orca next to me.

"That's the new guy, Jon; joined the team just a few days ago: tried out less then a week before. Surprisingly, he caught the Coach's attention during tryouts: not many can do that....so, the big guy asked if he wanted to join; you can figure out the rest." Johnny explained.

"Does he have anything special about him, like Dan and Kelly and Tom?"

"Not that we know of......he may be hiding it, or maybe he's just that good and doesn't need anything special." Johnny thought, folding his arms against his chest: he leaned back in his seat, letting out a little yawn "Well, I hope you're rested up enough....Coach is gonna make you race both him AND Dan: hope you can outswim a dolphin and Swampert."

I smile and nod: I was ready....mainly because I know what to expect from the others....but, I think it WOULD be good to go over what I know.

'Let's see what I've collected so far....if I organize it like my last battle, I might be able to make a good strategy:

1) Johnny and me raced and I barely lost

b. I, at first, thought Johnny was the slowest on the team....when, in reality, he's the fastest: he even beat the coach, the same species as me although I have a guess he wasn't going full out.

2) Since he was the fastest, and he told me about these "characteristics" about the team, I can bet that the other team members have strengths too.

a. Kelly looked strong, so her thing must be endurance

b. Dan dived into the water pretty gracefully, so his agility might make him able to pass me

c. Tom, from what I saw, seemed to have some scheme cooking in that head of his....that might make him tricky, both in mind-set and literal sense

d. Jon, at first glance, seemed to be average....though I can tell he might have some trick up his sleeve....some "ace" that only he has

3) If I want to win, I'm gonna have to work hard and press myself as hard as I can and prepare myself for the worst......'

"Nathan? You okay? You're just staring off into space...." Johnny said; my mind snapped back to reality and I shook my head a bit.

"Huh? Oh, uh....right...sorry about that: just thinking up a strategy." I answered.

"Oh, think of something?" he asked. I shook my head and chuckled: it was simple.

"Don't screw up and give it my all....what else?" I told him; he looked at me for a moment....then did a face palm like I did; I just plainly laughed and he joined in too.

"Heh, and here I thought you actually had a plan....serves me right for getting my hopes up." He said.

"Hey! What does that means?!" I yelled at him; he just laughed again. I gave a short gasp, then turned away from him and blushed hard. "You're mean" was all I could squeak out.

"Hey, you KNOW I'm joking: you'll do fine, I'm sure of it....I mean I could easily beat those two....meaning you'll have no trouble in the race." I smile and nod.

"Right, thanks Orcy." I thanked, wrapping my arms around him. I got up and stretched a bit "I'm gonna introduce myself to Jon real quick before the race: I don't want him thinking the coach wants him thinking he's racing some random guy...right?" Before I get an answer from him I start to walk over to the Swampert that just came out of the locker room. He glanced around and nearly jumped when he looked over and saw me.

"H-hey....you okay?" I asked. He sighed and nodded, smiling.

"Y-yeah....still a little nervous about being on the team: you must be Nathan Osworth," he said offering his hand; I took it as soon as it was out "Johnny told us SO much about you.....well, I personally haven't heard much....but what I HAVE sounded good."

"Yeah, me and that orca....we've had some good times." I said, smiling and chuckling; he let go of my hand and looked over to Johnny....then let out a sigh.

"How long have you two known each other?" he asked me.

"Well, we met when we were in, like, kindergarten....so, for quite a bit..." I thought, surprised by the actual time....I didn't know, but I KNEW I knew him for more than a decade.....seems kinda nice to know someone for so long and be so close to that friend.

"So, do you know if he's...."Jon's voice trailed off, like he wanted to say something...yet his trail ended there and went southward "n-never mind...I should just ask him myself...forget I asked...." He said meekly; I was about to ask him what was up.....but I decided against it: if he wanted me to ignore that, then I should....I mean, some things I shouldn't know, right?