The Pokeathlon Dome was the equivalent of an Olympic sized stadium in Nina’s old world. Maybe even larger. It would have to be, in order to accommodate the supernatural physiques and abilities of the magical creatures known as Pokemon.

Human sports were practiced in this world as well, of course. But compared to the flashy display of Pokemon athletics, the clumsy floundering of the bipedal simians felt all the more underwhelming.

It was when Nina’s manager was showing her and her friends around the stable area that they bumped into her. The one person that Nina was really hoping not to meet more often than she needed; bright pink hair tied up in a braid, scarlet red eyes, beautiful bronze skin, yet smooth and flawless — just enough of a tan to hint at her outgoing nature.

The young woman was wearing a full cowgirl getup, sans the hat; tight, form fitting jean shorts that fully accentuated her buxom hips and a button up plaid shirt that left her navel uncovered.

Whitney, Leader of the Goldenrod City Gym, who was casually digging at her perfectly manicured nails with a bored and haughty look on her face.

“Tch. I send those hos an invite to the Derby out of the goodness of my heart and here they patronize me with an old hag and a little squirt. Remind me again not to bother next year.”

Nina could see Mizhuho’s veins visibly pop at being called an old hag. But she lowered her head and greeted the Gym Leader all the same.

“Good afternoon, Lady Whitney. We thank you for the invitation that you have so generously extended to the Cerulean Gym. However, as you are aware, our Leaders are preoccupied with their duties back in the city. So they sent us in their stead.”

Mizuho gestured towards the impassive looking Nina by her side. “This is Melina Jones, Lady Misty’s niece and our Gym’s star apprentice. I believe you would have heard of her name recently? And I am Mizuho, her agent.”

Whitney’s assistant leaned in to whisper something into her ear and the woman’s vibrant red eyes snapped wide open towards Nina in recognition.

“So you’re the one… The kid that nabbed Giovanni the other day.” Whitney’s indifferent look twisted into an opportunistic grin. “Well, well… Seems like that invite ain’t a waste after all. Good.” She then gestured to the many Pokemon held in the stables. “Make sure to pick a purdy one and put up a good showing. The moneybags don’t like it much when it’s just me dominating the tracks. Gotta make it exciting, y’see…”

Whitney held her smile and gave Nina’s shoulders a few tentative pats while passing her by and eventually left the area without much ceremony.

Everyone, including Nina’s friends, all let out varying sighs once she was out of sight.

“Urgh… She’s about as bad as I thought she’d be.” Nina groaned.

Mizuho chuckled. “Really? I’d say she was being uncharacteristically cordial. And honestly, the main girl herself isn’t all that bad. It’s those little shits she has working under her that give her Gym a bad rep — nasty little divas, the lot of them. Worse than our sisters back home if you can believe it.”

Kerry wilted in disappointment. “Aww… And I really liked the movies and shows that Whitney starred in. She always had this bubbly, girl next door charm to her, you know?”

“She’s so pretty though…” Justin murmured, a light haze over his eyes.

Nina directed a pitiful smile at her friend. “It’s all in the makeup, my boy… All in the makeup.” Kerry nodded in agreement.

“But you and Kerry don’t need makeup though?”

Nina nearly choked at the boy’s casual flattery while Kerry blushed and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

“Aww… are you trying to be nice, Justin? That’s sweet.” The nurse girl teased.

Nina chuckled. “Yup. He’s a protagonist alright.”

Mizuho guffawed and gave the flirt a slap on the back. “Careful there, boy. As I always tell my son; one’s a handful and two’s an early grave. Best not to bite off more than you can chew.”

Justin blushed. “I didn’t mean it that way! I was just… just making an observation!” He exclaimed.

But the girls continued to tease him relentlessly as they continued the search for Nina’s elusive coach.

***

“Cheh. So you’re the spoiled twerp they’re saddling me with this time.”

Nina smiled at the grumpy, hay chewing old man in front of her. “Hello, sir. My name is Melina Jones — Nina. I look forward to your care in the upcoming week.”

The girl put her hands together, straightened her legs and performed a perfectly elegant sixty degree bow to demonstrate her respect and sincerity.

The enigmatic old man snorted in response. “Heh. At least this one’s got manners… The name’s Imanami and we got a week to make sure ya ain’t an embarrassment out on the tracks. Or at the very least, make sure ya ain’t getting in the way of your Ride — nine times outta ten, the Pokemon get injured because twerps like you push them too hard. But not on my watch, ya hear?”

Nina raised her head with a beaming smile. Imanami might be a grouch, but she could tell that he was someone who prioritized the welfare of the Pokemon under his care above all else — a stance that she fully endorsed.

“Of course, sir! I won’t let any Pokemon who place their trust in me come to harm.”

Imanami gave the girl a begrudging grunt of acknowledgement and beckoned for Nina and her entourage to follow. “C’mon, lemme show you what you’ll be up against.”

***

“Is that a Galarian Rapidash?” Nina and her friends awed.

A tumid, golden spiraled horn, lustrous lilac and silver mane, and a coat of pure white so pristine that the equine was practically glistening under sunlight. The Galarian Rapidash was unlike any variant of the species that Nina had ever seen.

Its uniquely regal appearance aside, Nina could tell from the rippling of its muscles that the unicorn was a cut above the rest of its kind — a prime specimen of its species.

“Heh. Incredible ain’t he?” Imanami replied. “That there is Mejiro McQueen, Whitney’s partner.”

He gestured towards the Galarian in the distance, currently being surrounded on all sides by a team of caretakers as they inspected every inch of the Rapidash to ensure his optimal condition after a particularly intense session around the track.

To the side, Whitney could be seen gently caressing her beloved Ride, whispering sweet nothings into his ear to calm the unicorn.

“McQueen was a gift from Whitney’s father. And for the longest time, he was probably the only one of his kind on this side of the world — until the League started importing them rascals like candy.”

Imanami chuckled. “Ain’t no one faster than Whitney and her steed here in the Eastern Regions. McQueen’s won more derbies than my old lady had cake. And he’s also what Whitney’ll be using for the race.”

Nina groaned. “Isn’t that a little… excessive? It’s just a pre-show exhibition. She’s up against amateur Riders here — pampered celebrities, not veteran jockeys.”

“Heh. What can I say? Little brat’s a sore loser. But if it makes ya feel any better, she’ll be taking it easy, saving her juice for the real show and all.”

“I don’t get it.” Justin chimed. “Are Galarian Rapidashes supposed to be faster than the normal ones?”

“Nope. Usually the other way ‘round. But like I said, McQueen’s special and Whitney’s one heck’uva Rider — all star talent that one.”

Nina let out a soft sigh as she silently admired Whitney’s Rapidash. “What I wouldn’t give to run a round with a Pokemon like that...” But then, her gaze landed on the young woman herself and Nina’s mood took a turn.

“Futaba…” That was the first thing to come to mind when Nina thought of Whitney — the unconscious sight of the decrepit old lady laying feebly atop her futon and her final request to her all those years ago.

And without fully intending to, Nina found herself walking towards Whitney and her crew with somber steps.

Whitney’s assistant shifted, naturally taking on a guarded position until she recognized who was approaching. With a glance at her employer, she stepped aside to allow Nina through.

“What’s it gonna take? For you to go visit your grandmother over at Mount Moon?”

Whitney sneered and turned towards the girl with a glare. “And what’s it to a twerp like you?”

Nina sighed and held on to the woman’s irate gaze. “Look I get it. I really do.”

After all, Nina was transmigrated into this world with the mind of a fully developed 30 year old. And for the longest time, she couldn’t reconcile the idea of acknowledging two complete strangers as her parents. And even to this day, after so many years, there was still a small part of her brain that stubbornly resisted said notion, a niggling guilt that gnawed at her every time she called out to Leanette and Patrick as her mom and dad.

“You’ve never met Futaba before, not since you were a baby anyway. And no doubt your mom probably has a lot of opinions about her family.” Nina chuckled. “I’m not a stranger to family drama myself, believe it or not… But, she’s sick and unconscious — doctors reckon she’ll be gone by year’s end.”

Nina blinked then returned Whitney’s scorn with a severe look of her own. “There won’t be any awkward conversations. No dying wishes you have to fulfill. Just a glimpse of a woman on her deathbed — one final meeting with a family you never knew.”

“Because if you don’t go then you might regret it. Not now, but somewhere down the line. One day, when you yourself are old and dying, you might think back on this day and wonder...” All of that was left unsaid, but Nina tried to convey the sentiment through the pleading look in her eyes all the same.

Whitney’s sneer deepened, her beautiful features twisted into an ugly, conflicted visage. Nina could hear the grinding of teeth and the deepening of Whitney’s breath, until she forcefully turned her back on her.

Nina wilted, ready to accept her failure. But before she could bring herself to leave, Whitney spoke up once more.

“Win the race.” She demanded. “If you can beat me and Queenie on the tracks then I’ll go see this old Zubat of yours.”

Nina smiled, beaming at Whitney’s concession.

“However! I don’t want that pervert, Brock, anywhere near me, y’hear?”

Nina nodded. “Not to worry. I’ll ask Forrest or my grandma to guide you in his stead.”

With a casual backhanded wave, Whitney dismissed Nina. And the girl walked back to her companions with new found motivation.

***

Author's note:

A reminder for those who have forgotten. Futaba is the priestess of the Moon Shrine. And yes, Whitney is her granddaughter.

Canonically, Whitney did indeed have a grandmother that gets mentioned in a couple of sources, but her depiction varied. So I took some liberties here.

Honestly, I would have prefered a more systematic investigation and reveal as opposed to just an exposition dump at the start of Part 3. But all the changes I've made so far kind of forced my hand.

You'll also see a lot of Uma Musume references from here on out. For those on you not well-versed in the lore; no worries, you don't need to have played the game to enjoy this arc.

In fact, most of my Patreons, as far as I can tell, have never even heard of Uma Musume before and they've all expressed really positive feedback on these upcoming chapters.

I myself have stopped playing the game the moment I finished writing this arc. Not because I don't enjoy it anymore but because I was on the verge of addiction. And If I feel like I can't control my urges towards something then my solution has always been to cut it out of my life completely. Not to mention the Gacha is probably the most predatory out of all the mobile games in market right now.