Mei, The Champion.

'Hey, is that who I think it is?' Curtis prodded his friend in the arm.

Jonathan looked and suddenly glared to Curtis' surprise. He nodded, 'Yep, that's her. New champion of Unova. I didn't know she'd be here. But I guess it makes sense. All the strong trainers come here, eventually.'

'Holy shit!' Curtis looked at Mei in disbelief, 'Are you fucking kidding me? The Champion is here? Now? We might as well pack up and go back home.'

'Nah,' Jonathan replied laconically, 'she's not in our league. I heard they put her in group 4 with the gym leaders. At least until more champions get here. I heard they were planning to pit them against each other to find out which one is the best. Not that grunts like us will ever know. We're in a different league. A lesser league.' That last remark came out bitter and made Curtis glance at his friend strangely.

'You know her?' he asked.

'Oh, yea, I know her. I even fought her back on Victory Road.'

'And?' Curtis asked impatiently.

'What do you mean, and? I lost. Hard. Felt like I didn't even stand a damn chance. Made me feel like my 8 badges weren't worth a goddamn thing. Made me question myself as a trainer. There was no way in hell I was going to challenge the Elite Four after that battle, let me tell you.'

Curtis shook his head confused. He wasn't used to seeing his friend this bitter and pessimistic. They had both started on their journey together and they had both grown into strong and capable trainers, which is why they were at the Pokemon World Tournament in the first place. Or at least, they both thought they were strong trainers. You didn't get to call yourself an Ace Trainer by just muddling about. But Jonathan didn't seem so convinced of his skill anymore. And now that he'd started to mention the reason why, Curtis simply had to know more.

'Oh, come on dude. It was just one battle. You really going to let one fight get you down that much. I mean, she looks like what? 16? 18 at most? We're experienced trainers, you and me. We can take her!'

'No, we can't, Curtis,' Jonathan snapped at his friend, 'goddammit, you weren't there. You didn't see her fight. I didn't just lose. I was crushed. Demolished. Fucking patronized, you get it? I never even got to land a single move against her!'

Curtis was shocked. Could it be? Was she really that different from them? How? He looked at Mei again. She seemed relaxed. Like a normal teenage girl. Until their eyes locked. Curtis looked into her eyes and got that feeling any trainer knew. That gut instinct that you were being challenged. That glint in the opponents eyes that they were ready to take you on. But she had so much more fire in her eyes. She didn't look at all like a teenage girl anymore. He could practically feel the desire to win pouring out. A fierce determination to never let anyone best her. She seemed so convinced of her own strength and the bond with her pokemon that she even managed to shake Curtis' faith in his own abilities. He involuntarily backed down and almost looked away. Something no selfrespecting trainer ever did. And then it passed. Mei gave him a slight almost imperceptible nod, smirked and turned her attention to a little girl tugging at her short for an autograph. Curtis felt completely out of breath. 'And Jonathan FOUGHT this girl?' he thought. No wonder he was so shaken and unsure of himself. Curtis almost felt like running to the bathroom just to make sure he wouldn't throw up in public and all she had done was look at him. With those steely, confident blue eyes that bore through his very soul. Eyes that had seemed to challenge him and put everything he was to the test. He shuddered and tried to think of something else, but found that he couldn't. Mei had dropped to one knee and was giving the little girl an autograph on her pokéball. She seemed so different from the person he had locked eyes with. Right now, she looked like a pleasant, likeable, friendly girl patiently fulfilling some of her fans' wishes. But when she had looked at him, she was a trainer first and foremost. One with vast skill, talents, confidence and a determination Curtis couldn't possibly hope to match. He gave her one last look. He didn't believe for a second that she was acting. Somehow, he knew that Mei was both. Pleasant, friendly, social girl with a positive, loving attitude to the world and strong, confident, able trainer for all challengers. Curtis tried to make sense of it all. Deep down in his core, he knew that if they would ever battle, he would lose, just like Jonathan had.

'Hey, Jon?'

'Mm?' Jonathan replied. He hadn't paid attention to Curtis. Instead, he had been looking at the board where they were just announcing the opponents for the first round of their group.

'Do you know who she's up against?'

'Yea, the gym leaders already started. Skyla's fighting Elesa just now. Mei's up after that. Looks like she's going to be taking on Burgh in the first round. See, their board is right over there.' Jonathan pointed at the board of group 4.

'Burgh.' Curtis mumbled. 'You think he stands a chance against her? I mean, he is a gym leader after all. He might… you know… win…' Curtis voice trailed off near the end as he realized the own futility of his words.

Jonathan laughed. 'If he wins, it'll be the most spectacular win this place has ever seen since its construction. Hah, no, he won't win. I heard she crushed him when she challenged his gym. Heard he painted the entire night to work out all his frustrations and disbelief.'

Curtis sighed. Suddenly, taking on the PWT didn't seem like such an exciting thought anymore. What hope was there for him or people like him with people like Mei around. And more champions like her from different regions on their way. Maybe he'd just settle for being the best Ace Trainer possible. He sighed again and looked at Mei one last time, but she was gone already. The second fight of group 4 had jus begun and the big screen showed Burgh bringing out his first pokemon. Curtis watched the screen intently. This was going to be the first time he saw the champion herself in action. This was going to be interesting…