(The Songfic Stuff Continues! Remember when.I said some songs were picked because I thought they'd sound cool? This is one of those moments. The song We Don't Have To Dance by Andy Black, to me, sounds like the kind of generic Rock song you would hear at a tournament, when names are being drawn. Anyway, enough from me, your storyteller and editor in chief, lol. ON WITH THE STORY!)
Chapter 1. We Don't Have To Dance
As Seth stepped out of a changing room, wearing the new Team Epic shirt his Mother made for him, he looked around for his friends. He wanted to catch up with at least one of them before the draw began. Although he didn't find another Team Epic member, he did find a good friend. A blond girl in a pink hat, black shirt, red skirt, black stockings and black shoes. He knew who that was, immediately."Serena!" He shouts, trying to get her attention.
Serena looks around and spots him immediately. Black Fedora, long brown hair, leather wristbands, black leather belt with a chain hanging from it, blue jeans and big black boots. She smiled real big as she walked over to him. "You haven't changed a little bit, Seth." She giggled "Congratulations on making it to the top sixteen!"
"Thanks!" He said, tipping his hat a little. "And thank you for giving me a challenge. I need people who can up the difficulty everytime I go out there." He pauses for a moment and laughs a little bit. "I have to admit, I didn't expect you to bring your Mega Lucario! That threw me for a loop! Again!"
Serena starts laughing with him. She hadn't laughed like that in a while. "Well, what did you expect? I wanted to surprise you!" She told him excitedly. Serena realised it had been quite a while since she saw Seth. They'd been friends since the day they met. "How long has it been, Seth? It feels like forever since we laughed together like this."
Seth pauses for a moment, putting his open right hand on his chin, to think about this. He started his journey in Johto, then went to Kanto, from there. Kalos was his next destination. "Let's see, now... Eight years, I reckon. It has been a long time." He smiled again. "You've grown into a strong, smart, beautiful woman, if you don't mind me saying so?"
Serena was shocked by this. She blushes a little bit. "Um, th-thank you." She stutters out. "You caught me off guard, with that comment, Seth." She says, not making eye contact. Just looking at the ground. She was happy to hear a compliment. Although, that soon turned to confusion when she looked up and saw her friend laughing. "What's so funny?"
Seth composed himself quickly. "Sorry..." He said still gently chuckling. "I meant what I said, just didn't mean to embarrass you like that. That's not why I'm laughing, mind you." He adjusts and stands up straight. "I'm laughing because we seem to be in the habit of surprising each other!"
And with that, both of them start laughing loudly. A few people stop and wonder just what is going on, but ultimately, there isn't much of a reaction. Once the two had calmed down, caught their breath and wiped the tears from their eyes, Seth smiled and looked Serena in the eye. "You wanna grab a bite go eat?" He asked his friend. Serena smiled and nodded and the two walked to the nearest café they could find in the arena.
"Can you believe the price of a cup of tea?!" Serena said, with a tone of shock and disbelief. "I know to expect overblown prices in an arena as big as this, but still, One hundred and sixty two bucks for tea and a sandwich? Even that price seems a little much." She added.
Seth nodded, as he still had a mouthful of bacon. "I felt the same way about some of the cafés in Lumiouse. I get it, it's a rich persons playground, but even some of the wealthier customers were complaining about the prices." Serena giggled at Seth midway through that sentence, which left him confused. "Is something funny?"
Serena nodded a lot. "Do you remember that one café we went to, where you met Trevor, Tierno and Shauna for the first time?" She said, trying really hard not to laugh. "You and Shauna were talking about how the rich get richer?"
"I think so." Seth said, still perplexed by what was going on. "Wait. Yes! Yes, I remember. That was a good day! We sat, talked for hours. I remember you started laughing at us out of the blue. I thought you found our conversation hilarious, but it turned out I had a drop of sauce in the corner of my mouth." After hearing that, Serena couldn't contain herself. She burst into a fit of laughter. "Is... is it really so funny that we're reminiscing about this in another expensive Café?" He inquired.
"Well..." Serena tried to talk, but she started laughing again. Seth was really confused by this. Serena loves to laugh, he knows this. Although, she seems to be going a little overboard, for a simple stroll down memory lane. "I'm sorry Seth, but, lightning has struck twice." She said, handing her friend a napkin. Seth laughed a little bit, finally understanding what was so funny. They continued to talk for a couple of hours. Until.
"Um, excuse me? Are you... Seth?" The two look up from their conversation to see a young girl with pink hair standing at their table. She has a round face with green eyes. She's wearing a bright pink shirt with a bandolier that holds her Poké balls. She has black skinny jeans and pink workman boots. "If you are, I don't know if you remember me. It's been ten years since you last saw me. I was still young."
Seth smiled at her. "You've changed, kiddo... but yeah, I remember you." The young girl nodded, smiling. "Sit, join us. This is Serena. Serena, this is Muriel, my Step-sister." He said, as Muriel took a seat, shaking Serena's hand. "Are you in the tournament?" Seth asked.
Muriel nodded. "Yup! I got through to the Top Sixteen." She said with a sense of pride. "Although... that's not the only reason why I wanted to see you." Muriel's tone changed, almost immediately, from happy and upbeat, to sad and disheartened. "I'd stay away from Kassi, if I were you. She knows you're here and she's mad."
Serena looked puzzled at Muriel, before turning to Seth. "Who is Kassi?" She asked, innocently. She'd been sitting aside, letting her friend catch up with his little sister, smiling the entire time. However, this Kassi character worried her, for some reason she didn't quite understand. "Is she a threat to you, in this tournament?"
Seth shook his head. "She's the middle child of the family. A fine trainer. Everyone in the family is, apparently." He said looking at Muriel, who beams under the praise. "She's headstrong, for sure, but not dangerous." The conversations was interrupted by the Tannoy system.
"Attention! The draw for the next stage will begin in the arena in 10 minutes. All top sixteen competitors are required on the battle ground."
Seth and Muriel stand up promptly. "Sorry Serena, gotta run. Literally. I'll meet you back here, later?" Seth asks, quickly. Serena stands and nods, taking off in the opposite direction. As they run towards the battlegrounds of the Arena, Muriel looks at Seth, perplexed and confused. "I know what you're thinking. She's not my girlfriend."
The arena battleground has sixteen different entrances. Each trainer that makes it to the top sixteen is given a number and they head to the corresponding entrance way. On the battleground, the Head of the Scotia Pokémon Classic Comitee, Mr. Keyes, and Professor Pine stand at a table with a computer with a Random Number Generator. The computer draws the numbers and the trainers walk out from the assigned entrances. Seth was given number thirteen. As he's standing in the entrance way, he snorts and leans against a wall, waiting for the door to open. "Well, I got the unluckiest number, according to superstition. Let's see where this takes me." He says to himself. As he says that, music starts playing and crowd screams into life. "Here we go."
"WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE SCOTIA POKÉMON CLASSIC!" A familiar voice booms out. Professor Pine is a charismatic character. Always managing to get a crowd to cheer. "What an exciting tournament we've had, so far, right? Last years champion was knocked out in the first stage! And we have five, FIVE returning Scotia locals, who've experienced an extraordinary ten year journey." The Professor excitedly squeeked out. Even Seth remembers how over the top she can be.
"Well, enough of that. You all want to find out who will be facing who in the tournament, right!?" The crowd errupts. Professor Pine smirks. "Mr. Keyes... LET'S HIT THAT BUTTON AND FIND OUT WHO'S IN THE FIRST MATCH!" Mr. Keyes nods and starts the Random Number Generator. There's an tense silence that falls over the crowd. The computer starts to slow down. And then, it stops.
"And the first Trainer to come out is NUMBER THIRTEEN! SETH SKYHART!" Seth walks out of the entrance way takes a stand at th left side of the announcers podium. He raises his fist to the sky and looks around the arena. He spots Serena instantly. Kind of difficult not to. Sitting right next to Serena is a face he hasn't seen a long time: his Mother. She still has the same warm smile he remembers from when he was eleven years old.
"Get ready, Seth, because you're opponent is going to be..." Professor Pine calls, looking at the computer. It stops on Number Eight. "Well then. It looks like our opening contest is going to be Sibling Rivalry, as Seth takes on His sister Kassi Skyhart!" The crowd falls silent in shock. Seth hadn't seen Kassi in ten years. She walks out towards the podium in a black vest top, red flaired trousers, black wrist bands, a short red scarf and a red pauldron on the right shoulder. The look on her face tells a story of anger. As the two walk down the middle ramp leading out of the arena, not a single look was exchanged.
"Well, that was... Intense. Shall we see who's next?" Mr Keyes asks the crowd, who cheer in kind. The computer fires up again and stops. "Number One! That number belongs to Sienna Hart!" Upon hearing that, Sienna bursts through the door and heads towards the podium with a sense and style of her own. Black hair with blue and purple streaks. Bright Blue eyes meet a mile long smile. Her choice is a black dress that stops and the knees, a Pink belt loaded with six love balls, knee high boots and arm bands that reach from shoulder to wrist.
"And her opponent shall be... Number Nine. Brook Prichard!" Mr. Keyes shouts. Dressed from head to toe as the typical cowgirl, riding her Rapidash towards the podium, this ginger haired Pokémon Trainer is fairly well known, judging by the loud reaction and the signs in the crowd.
Professor Pine takes centre stage once more. "Contest number three will pit... Donal Marx against... Garret Snyder!" At that moment, Seth turned and faced the nearest monitor. There he was. Big hair, aviator sunglasses, tiger print trousers and handmade Team Epic shirt, complete with custom logo with an Ultra Ball and crossed Lightning Bolts. One could never accuse Garret of being unable to stand out. Ever.
"Is he part of the team?" Serena asked Seth, who turned to face her with a smile and a single nod of his head. Serena smiled back. "One down, three to go. I know I can't wait to meet your friends, but you must be brimming with anticipation at the thought of catching up with them, right?" She asked. Seth couldn't find the words. He just nodded and faced the monitor, visibly shaking with anticipation, waiting to see the rest of the team, his friends, who he hasn't seen in a long time, had made it this far.
Karhl Von Rais was next to be announced. He's taking on someone called Spike Riley. Marcus Briggs is taking some Viking looking guy named Samson Lorenian. Bodag Dain, an up-and-coming Pokémon trainer, rated very highly by the likes of Lance, Diantha and Professor Birch, to name a few, will be taking on one of Brothoc City's favourite Trainers, Kellan Dryden. Flora Wyldes, a young lady with a large following of fans, was matched up against last years runner up: Solas Nel. Which left match eight. Mr. Keyes is ready to make the final announcement.
"And that leaves just two. The first being the newest trainer from the Skyhart family: Muriel!" The crowd explodes as Muriel makes a slow, timid approach to the podium. "And her opponent. Is a trainer who has traveled around the world. His name... is... "Gomez McQueen!" The crowd explodes again. The Team Epic shirt with a Net Ball and crossed icicles, matched with boot cut jeans and workman boots.
"Well then..." Seth said still looking at the tv. "Looks like it's going to be a lively tournament." He added, still barely containing his excitement. Serena takes a few steps forward to stand next to him. His composure is admirable, but she just wishes he'd let it out. Even when he turns to face her with only half the smile a man in his position should have. "I hope you're ready for this, Serena." She nods at him, her infectious smile bringing more of that contained joy in his face.
"Personally, I hope you're ready to see this arrogant tool eliminated in the first round." A voice from behind them calls out. They turn to see Kassi staring them down. "I'm sorry, it's Serena, right? You'd be best knowing what this shallow little boy left behind. A crying Mother. A disappointed Father. And then there's his two sisters, who he made a promise to. A promise to help us both become better trainers." Kassi said with very obvious tones of spite and anger. "But no. Instead, he left us all, his family, to go on a pointless journey with his stupid friends to, apparently, become a better Pokémon trainer." She paused briefly to look her brother in the eye. "I hope that you understand you betrayed everyone you know? You, Karhl, Garret, Marcus and Gomez are not welcome in Scotia anymore. So why don't you do yourself, your stupid team, this girl and everyone else here a massive favour: forfeit. Bow out of this tournament, get on a boat and leave, Seth. You have nothing here. No friends. No family. Nothing."
All Serena could do was look on in shock. How anyone can say anything like that to their family is disgusting. Kassi actually made her angry. She looked over at Seth, and saw him smirking at her. He even laughed a little bit. "You never change, little sister. I'm glad Mum isn't here to listen to you say that. That would break her heart more than my ten year journey ever could." Kassi looked at him in anger. "Go ahead, keep scowling at me. I'm not phased by you. I know I'm right about Mum and Dad, too. They met doing what I did: leaving their families behind to go on a Pokémon adventure." Seth calmly put across to her. "You're right about one thing, though. I did promise you and Muriel that I would help you both become better trainers. I only hope you passed on the one and only bit of help I gave you, when you got your Bagon, to Muriel: Your Pokémon aren't tools. They aren't pets and they aren't status items. They're your friends. Your family. You treat them the same way you treat anyone close to you."
As Seth said that with a fire in his eyes that his little sister hadn't seen in a long time, all she could do was grunt and clench her fist. Seth responded with a smile and a sudden change to a much more gentle, cheeky demeanour. "I'll take that response as a no, then. Well, never mind. Your hatred of me hasn't affected her. Muriel's a bright kid, I'm sure she worked it out." Seth said walking past her, stopping so he and Kassi were no longer facing each other. "I'm looking forward to facing you. But don't go thinking I'm going to be a pushover. Oh, and never tell me I don't have a family. All you're going to do with that kind of attitude is fire me up and fight even harder, just to show you what you're trying to deny: I'm still your Big Brother."
And with that, Seth adjusted his hat and walked away. Serena followed, slowing down very briefly to look back at Kassi, who's staring at a Poké ball, muttering something to it. She turned to face Seth again, who seemed to be laughing inwardly. "Sorry about that..." He said to Serena. She looked puzzled by this sudden apology. It did come from out of the blue, to be fair. "You didn't need to see that little family drama play out in front of you like that." He said, looking her right in her eyes.
Serena tipped her head slightly, closed her eyes and smiled. "You don't need to apologize for Kassi. I'm sure she'll come around and say sorry, eventually." She beamed. "Besides, I'm sure most of that anger is just the heat of the competition." She said, giggling slightly.
Seth and Serena continued to walk and talk for about an hour. They got more tea from one of the café's, met some of the competitors in the top sixteen even played all the silly arcade games. When it was all said and done, they wound up at the entrance to the arena. Still smiling at each other.