A/N: FYI – this is a spiritually-based story. There is a lot of Christian content and Jesus is the main theme. There will be intense parts. If you don't dig that sort of thing, then viewer discretion is advised.
With that said, this is a Contestshipping story and is based off Flyleaf's song "This Close." I HIGHLY recommend listening to it because, not only is it an amazing song (one of my favorites js), but the story will make more sense. (Hopefully it makes sense either way lol. Let me know…)
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, Flyleaf, or anything else referenced in this story. All things referenced belong to their respective owners.
Flames are burning and flashing colors. Black smoke is emerging from the fire's pit. More wood is thrown in. The fire gets bigger; fiercer. The wood is consumed by the blazing sea of embers. More is tossed in. More, more and more. The raging fire keeps growing… growing.
Soon there is nothing left to throw in. And then it dies.
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"Absol, get up! Come on! We'll stay up and train all night if we have to! On your feet, NOW!"
The elegant white Pokemon mustered up the strength to pull itself off the ground. "Razor wind, let's go!"
It launched the attack with all the energy it had left, but Flygon easily dodged it and knocked Absol out with another flamethrower.
Drew groaned. "Fine, we'll try again later. But don't think that this is finished." He called the two Pokemon back.
There's no way I'm losing this contest. I'm getting so close. Two more. This time, that ribbon cup is going to be MINE, and no one's gonna stand in my way.
"Oh Drewwwwww!" he heard from behind him. "Why are you up so late? Afraid you might lose tomorrow?"
With his classic hair flip, he retorted, "I should ask the same to you. And for information, a good coordinator makes use of every minute of every day to work on polishing their skills. But of course, I wouldn't expect you to know that, May."
His rival immediately turned red. "You know, I'm getting real sick of your attitude. And you're gonna eat it when I beat you tomorrow, AND at the Grand Festival. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure I walk away with that cup."
"Psh, whatever May. As soon as you're up against Solidad, we'll see if you're still this confident…"
May was fuming and was about to scream at her rival, when a rose came to her face.
"Calm down, I'm just playing. You should know by now."
She scoffed and turned away, mainly to hide the blush that was taking over her face. That guy could drive her crazy, but all the same, she could never stay away.
Drew watched as she walked off into the distance. She was really cute when she was fired up.
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The two battled hard to the core for the next few contests. Their rivalry had never been more intense than now. They were both now only one ribbon away from Johto's Grand Festival. The other coordinators were also becoming intense in their training, as the festival's time was drawing near. All of them only had one thing on their minds: to win their five ribbons before it was too late. To make it to the real deal and take home the dazzling, precious ribbon cup.
May and Drew began traveling together for the last couple weeks of their journey, and had fought hard against each other in the latest contest in Ecruteak City, where May was crowned victor. She was now caught up to him in ribbon count, and now there were only two contests left; two more chances for them to win number five.
They walked alone down the road to the next town that same afternoon.
"I've gotta hand it to ya, that was some good work on your part today," Drew said. He turned his head to her; smirk turning into a serious face. "But you know I'm gonna win, right? This will be the year."
"This will be MY year," May said. The two bickered all the time and Drew was constantly teasing her, but in this moment they were being completely serious. There would be no mercy.
"So, let's say you didn't win. Just hypothetically," she was sure to clarify. "Well… what then? What would you do?"
"Never give up. Move to the next region. What else?"
"Well, um… what would that look like? Where would you want to go? …Who would you want to go with?"
He kept looking straight out. "Someone who keeps things interesting. Someone who provides a challenge. Someone quirky and clumsy."
She looked at him for a second and turned away, blushing. "Oh…" she managed.
They didn't say another word until they arrived at Olivine City, the location of the next contest.
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"Come on, Wartortle! You have to give me more than that! Use ice beam one more time, and don't go soft on me this time!"
Wartortle did as it was commanded, finally knocking Munchlax out. May returned her chubby Pokemon.
"Wartortle, that was good. But we need more. Just 'good' isn't gonna win us a ribbon cup. We need to be mind-blowing. We need to give those judges something better than they've ever seen! I want to be the very best, like no one ever was! We're not losing this. We've worked for years, and we're gonna win this time. I'll accept nothing less. So are you ready to give me your all?"
The blue turtle nodded half-heartedly, but then collapsed from exhaustion. May's Pokemon had never been put through so much labor. As time has gone by, they've noticed her increased intensity. She had become so set on her dream of becoming top coordinator and nothing could stop her.
All around the region, the coordinators were acting the same way. Neglecting everything and everyone, and even their own self-care, just to master their appeals. Opportunities of gaining access to the Grand Festival were slipping away. It was a fight-to-the-death match of fire and fury for everyone.
