Me: Another day, another chapter! This is going to be good!
Liz: My turn! This huggable guy right here does not own pokemon!
Me: You're, choking, me…
Chapter Two
Hearthome City! The Place of Beauty and Glamour!
The plane lands at noon on the southern edge of the city. Bella looks out the window excitedly from the seat to my direct left, and to my right, Wikstrom, the aggron of the elite four, snores heavily, though I have ignored his noise. Liz has been sitting several seats ahead of me, talking with Malva, the pyroar of the elite four, and Drasna, the noivern. Siebold and Ikuto are behind me, talking excitedly about what recipes they should use in the competition, and the competition itself. I guess it makes sense, since they are working together in a competition for the first time.
"Passengers may now unload," one of the flight attendants, a delphox, states calmly. I remove my seat belt and nudge Wikstrom so he knows to wake up. The next few minutes are mostly people trying to grab bags, unbuckle, and leave, which is a little chaotic, but not much to think or ever speak of. It does get interesting once the eight of us are off the plane and regrouped, though.
I retrieve all of the bags from the luggage, twelve bags in all, since Liz, Malva, Siebold, and Ikuto all have two bags, and return to the group. "Isn't there supposed to be someone from the competition staff here to pick us up," Malva yawns, wearing a black and red business suit and matching sun glasses.
"I thought so too," Siebold states, adjusting the yellow tie around his neck. "Perhaps they are outside."
"Or, they could be right over there," Bella says in a dull tone, pointing in a direction a little to the left. Sure enough, someone is holding up a sign that states the name of the restaurant our group represents, Fanciful Tastes, and party. The pokemon is, surprisingly enough, a latios.
He notices us looking, and waves us over, or should I say, teleports us over. I feel a little sick to my stomach from the experience of teleporting, but I hold it down. "I must assume that Siebold Sapphire and Ikuto Lao are present." He eyes the two competitors before he continues. "I am Eugene Trust, a butler for the Farce family. I was sent as a chauffeur to bring you to the hotel where you will be staying, all expenses paid until after the competition is complete. The Farce family would like to greet you in person upon your arrival at the hotel." He snaps his clawed fingers, and that sickening feeling in my stomach worsens as the airport melts away, replaced with an elegant lobby. I really wish that we had just been driven here, because I doubt I can hold back anything if I get teleported again in the next few minutes. "Just retrieve the room keys and wait in the lobby. Rooms have already been assigned, and I shall deal with your belongings. You shall be joined shortly."
Eugene is gone without another word, as are the bags that I've been holding. Siebold and Ikuto both shrug, moving to a large desk against the far wall of the lobby where a jirachi and a celebi wait, both smiling. Besides the two workers and our party, the lobby is empty, even of furniture. The walls and ceiling look as though they are made of pure gold, reflecting everything to perfection with crystal clear clarity. Two elevators are available, one directly on either side of the desk.
A shadow moves in the corner of my eye, but when I turn, all I see is the reflective surface of one of many pillars connecting the marble floor and the ceiling. I take a closer look, mostly out of curiosity, and I do not blame myself for what ends up happening.
My reflection is replaced with a golden mask and a dark face, one that laughs loudly, scaring the living daylights out of me. I jump back with a surprised shout, and the face slowly pulls free of the pillar, a body following it. Based on the shadowy wings with three red claws and the six legs, I can tell this is a giratina, but it is so much smaller than what I've heard.
It smiles, allowing the mask to split and expose its mouth. "I got you good," it laughs, bearing the voice of a young boy. He tilts his head, giving me a quizzical expression. "Do I know you from somewhere, mister?"
"I don't think so," I mutter. I stand a little straighter, placing a hand on my hip. "Exactly what are you going around scaring people for, kid?"
"I'm not a kid. I am Thomas Drei Farce. My dad owns this hotel, and he is also holding the competition that brought you here."
Oh good Mew. I must look like an idiot, scolding someone like this kid. "Sorry. I didn't know who you were. I'm Aries Willow. My friend is in the competition."
Thomas smiles, but he doesn't get to speak before a bell rings, and the doors of one of the elevators open. I must say that, after meeting Thomas, I can't be surprised to see his father is an arceus. But, it is the next two pokemon who do surprise me. One is, of all pokemon, Helena, the palkia. That leaves the other to be-
Sebastian freezes when he notices me, mouth open slightly in shock. I guess that he wasn't expecting me either. It is slightly awkward- wait, scratch that. It is far too awkward, the tension that builds in the air. I honestly haven't seen the dialga since I broke up with him, and he just happens to show up as a member of the family running the competition Siebold and Ikuto are entering. Oh, how ironic it is that we have to meet again like this.
I shake my head, looking away from him and the black suit that fits a little too well, turning my attention to his father. The arceus does not appear to have the same capabilities as his twin children, and thus remains in the four-legged, or quadruped, form, but he does have on a suit of his own. He speaks with Siebold and Ikuto quietly, loud enough so I can tell he is speaking, since he has no mouth, but not so loud that I can make out the conversation.
A tug at the leg of my jeans draws my attention down to Bella. I can already tell what she is thinking, obvious in the wide eyed stare she gives me.
"No, I was not expecting him to be here. Honestly, if I'd known, I would have stayed home."
"Oh, can't you just give up a grudge, Aries? I still think you two were good for each other." The same fight we've had for years. It happens at least once a month, typically when she either feels lonely or, disturbingly enough, is having a period. I can rarely tell the difference.
An all too familiar cough, deep, powerful, and dominating, sounds behind us, and I hold a small scowl when I face my ex. He doesn't have the typical smug smile, but the straight face is still as arrogant and serious as always. How I despised it back when we dated, and I still despise that look.
"It's been a while, Aries," Sebastian says in his low growl, the one that would have made me faint years ago. "I hope you've been doing well."
"Like you ever really cared," I state, crossing my arms. The motion makes a smile show, cocky as always.
"Good to see you haven't changed one bit in the last four years. You used to do that whenever you wanted me to do something for you."
"Well, all I want is for you to leave me be. I didn't come to make up and beg you to date me again, you know. I'm here to support Ikuto and Siebold in the competition." Sebastian seems to enjoy the rant, and I fall silent, my scowl deepening. He turns to Bella, smiling as he gets down on one knee, holding out a hand.
"Now who exactly are you? I don't recall ever meeting someone so cute before."
My sister blushes, but she smiles never the less, shaking his hand gently. "I'm Bella, Aries' little sister. I evolved since we last saw each other."
They act as though it has only been a month since they saw each other. I still don't see what Bella sees in the cocky dialga. Then again, she didn't have her trust shattered and her self-confidence stolen.
"Well, I have to assume you are hungry. Father will be hosting a lunch for all of the competitors and their guests in about an hour, at one of the local restaurants. I do hope we can speak again there." Sebastian stands and turns away, ready to walk towards the elevator, where Thomas and Helena are waiting. Before he does, he tilts his head, eyeing me quickly. "And, Aries? I'm still sorry for being late to the funeral. I do hope you'll learn to forgive me in the near future. I'd like to at least become friends with you again." He walks away, but even after his farewell, I can only scowl as he does.
Me: Oof. That hurt me even. Why are you so good at holding a grudge, Aries?
Aries: You would be too if your first date, and first kiss, broke your trust.
Me: Well, I'm lucky then. I'm still single, ha ha!
Aries: And how old are you?
Me: Shut it.