Chapter 9
"I can't do that!" Serena cried, her stare fixated on the TV screen, horrified. "Braixen, how could Palermo think I could do that andwin?!" The fire pokémon offered meek consolation as it too watched the two pokémon battling in the contest finale.
Disbelief filled Serena as she watched the Alamos Town Contest, her hands fisted into tight balls as she waited in the Slateport City pokémon centre, Hoenn. It was a recap of the last contest aired in Sinnoh, the most watched episode of the series on Sinnoh Now, and Serena couldn't grasp the idea of her endeavours to perform in contests to improve her skills.
It was baffling! The glaceon and flareon were amazingly ruthless. The beautiful execution, the inconceivable counter attacks, the sharp proficiency with elegant moves made showcases look like a little child's game. Her Sylveon wouldn't stand a chance against them! And worst of all, contests weren't judged on popularity, they were judged on showing the pokémon via battling. Points were only lost if the opponents pokémon was better in beauty and technique. Showcases were about fun, music, sparkles and popularity. Contests seemed difficult, so different from what Palermo had initially told her about it. Serena's stomach churned with queasiness.
And she sucked at battling so that made it a million times worse.
One would assume travelling with Ash, a trainer who's competed in various leagues, that she'd learnt a thing or two about battling. But Serena was never interested in battling, she didn't care about making pokémon stronger and evolving, like Ash. His encouragement and optimism helped her a lot, of course, but she had different motivations. Serena preferred prancing on the stage alongside her pokémon instead of ordering them to attack others.
Oh, how naïve she was.
Serena's jaw dropped in astonished shock as she took in the climax of the show. Glaceon's defence was simply unbelievable, how was it still fighting when it was struck by so much fire type moves? Fire type against ice was super effective and glaceon's perseverance shone right through it's struggle and captivated the audience. Does she have a bond strong enough with her pokémon to keep them going in their hardest battles? If Sylveon was repeatedly hurt by steel type moves, would it hold its ground? She knew the answer already; a dismal answer: no.
The screen temporarily turned blank and Serena thought for a split second that the power went off. But soon it became alive again and the the commentator informed them that it's was glaceon's immensely powerful mirror coat attack that damaged the technology. A small gasp flew from her mouth as the camera now revealed a destroyed stage engulfed with smoke and dust. The immaculate stage was almost entirely in ruins, save the podiums where the coordinators fell. That small pokémon did that much damage! Serena was utterly speechless!
She watched in awe as glaceon's trainer hugged it as they were announced the winner of the contest. Serena glanced at Braixen sideways and remembered their showcase master class. They were brilliant, bold and bright. But could they enter the world of coordinating with such basic knowledge and experience? There was no dancing with pokémon while calling attacks, with a loud smile, that would combine to make a sparkling display every time. No, contests were more intricate and complex that showcases, so much more strenuous Serena had imagined. It scared her. If this was the normalcy of contest battle, then she and her pokémon were way out of their league. The contest finished as a brunette stood on the podium with three of her pokémon, the luxurious ribbon held high up in her hand. A short flashback flashed in Serena's mind as she suddenly recalled the indescribable joy that enamoured her when she won he final princess key.
Five ribbons were needed to compete in the region finals. Showcases only required three princess keys. Serena looked down, worry crashing over her. It was hard enough trying to collect three princess keys, but five contest ribbons? And with heavy competition? For the love of Mew, male trainers were allowed to compete in contests, unlike showcases.
"Serena!" Nurse Joy called. "You pokémon are healed and ready to go."
Tearing away from her suffocating emotions, a smile graced her lips as she retrieved her pokeballs, forgetting the abysmal pondering. "Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome! You must really enjoyed watching the contest match."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Nurse Joy?"
"I called you name at least three times become you responded."
Serena laughed abashedly. "Contests are so much harder than showcases. I guess I got distracted."
"Oh, you must be from Kalos!"
Serena nodded. After all, only Kalos had pokémon showcases and seldom aired in distant regions. Contests were well-known in many regions, another contrast with showcases. "I thought about trying out contests to help me but..." she trailed off into an anxious silence.
"Well, that contest you watched was between a Top Coordinator and a Sinnoh Grand Festival participant," Joy offered, smiling commiseratingly. "That's why the match was really spectacular."
"So... they're like champions!?" This was way worse! She was a showcase finalist, but a complete novice in the world of contests! But even master class showcases weren't on that grand of a scale.
"They are well experienced so there is certainly a lofty standard for beginnners." Nurse joy handed a medicinal potion to the young trainer. "I hear the winner of the Alamos Town Contest is in Hoenn right now."
"Wow, really?" Serena asked, taken by surprise. "Where?"
"Perhaps Petalburg City. She's the jewel of the city there." Joy laughed, unbeknownst that Serena had no idea May was the gym leader's daughter.
Serena contemplated, a serious look in her eyes as she pursed her lips. Well, it would be awesome to meet her. She also planned to visit famous Hoenn landmarks and popular tourist destinations any way, so it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit- wait, she didn't even know her name!
"Her name is May," Nurse Joy said with a knowing look in her eyes. "Everyone in Hoenn knows who she is." A loud, prolonged sound of a horn rang in the air, instantly capturing Serena's attention; the noise of the ship's last call for passengers.
"Oh shoot! I'm going to miss it!" Serena cried, panicking. As she returned Braixen in it's ball, she sprinted out of the building while yelling, "Thank you nurse Joy!"
As she raced out the door, warm air caressed her face, eyes transfixed on the mast of a cruise close to the ocean. Serena was embarking on her own journey, embracing her own independence... even if that meant she couldn't be with the one boy she harboured an unrequited love for...
The pokémon centre was busy as usual as trainers jumped inside, cradling injured pokémon and others left with a word of gratitude. Nurse Joy and chansies worked around the clock, catering to every trainer's needs and problems dutifully.
Gary looked in the mirror in the empty rest room, lightly touching the bruise that marred his face. Fortunately it was fading away. The ugly purple blemish had become a mild brown shade. He sighed with annoyance. It was still noticeable. Thankfully, May bought his excuse and believed that he fell off a tree in Petalburg forest. He gazed at his reflection, despondent. Hopefully his web of lies won't catch him out like a hapless fly.
Meanwhile, in the main lobby, Drew watched May feeding Delcatty a bowl of red pokeblocks, a warm feeling of fondness rising in his chest. She looked carefree and wore a vibrant smile that gave him the energy to ignore the restless dull pain in the back of his head. After minutes of silent observation, May managed to see him casually leaning on the wall across the room. Eye contact was the sign he was waiting for.
"Were you spying one me," she teased as he sat beside her on the sofa.
"I had a beautiful view," he admitted with a cocky smirk. He couldn't help but realise that when May laughed, it was a friendly laugh. One that she brushed off like an old habit. A thing of the past. No blushing, no shy responses or nervousness. It was as if the romantic feelings she poorly hid from him over the years were non-existent.
"I had no idea you were in Hoenn," May said, surprise colouring her tone. "What brings you back to our humble home?"
May hated the fact that she'd never see Drew for months at a time because of his busy schedule. She missed his company, his flattering remarks and even his trademark hair flip! But for some reason, although she was elated to meet him so soon, it wasn't the same as before. There was no jittery excitement coursing through her veins, just merely a burst of happiness.
"Training. Grand festival's in a few months time," he stated shortly.
"Yeah, I'm so excited!" she squealed. "Gary and I are on our way to Rustboro City to catch the ship back to Sunnyshore City."
"Is he here?" The sentence came our more abrupt that he wanted. The frown that appeared on May's face didn't go unnoticed by him.
"He went to the bathroom." May looked at him with a questioning stare. Since when did Drew care what Gary did? "Why?" May watched his expression turn hard, traces of anger etched on his face as his eyes darkened. It was a look she had rarely seen, a look that was too grave to ignore. "Drew?" Her voice lost it's upbeat cheeriness, sounding more stern and tense.
"Gary's hiding a lot of things from you, May. He's not who you think he is. I'm telling you this because I care about you and I don't want to see you hurt in any way, but Oak is someone you're better off without," he replied, his gaze unwavering and his tone conveying a sense of urgency. "Listen to me, you gotta leave him."
"W-what?" She stammered, utterly perplexed. "I-I don't-"
"He's been feeding you lies the whole time," Drew interrupted. "Did he tell you the truth about his bruise?"
"He fell off a tree," May told him rigidly, a sudden need to defend Gary gave strength that pushed away the confusion.
He laughed incredulously. "You honestly believe that? Come'on May. I'll tell you." The small pause that sat in the still air between the felt like an eternity for May. "He fought and attacked me. I was hit on the back of my head and got it checked out at the hospital yesterday."
"No," she denied, refusing to accept it. Gary, her Gary? No way. He wasn't capable of such thing. Gary was patient, calm, logical and smart. He would never engage in a physical fight for a silly reason. "You must have done something."
"What?" Drew was taken aback by the sharp look in her sapphire orbs. He didn't expect her to refute him. "So you trust him more than me, is that what this is about?"
May shook her head quickly, her hand reaching for his arm. "I just can't believe Gary would do something like that, there has to be a reasonable explanation for it."
"I told him to leave you."
Her hand instantly moved away from his arm as if it had touched a hot coal. Her eyes were full of shock and rage. Drew saw it, but it didn't faze him. He had to make her realise the truth, even if it pained.
"You don't know him, May. He will hurt you. Please, you gotta understand."
"I... I don't think I want to, Drew," she whispered. "I don't believe you. Gary-"
"-is going to break you."
"You don't know that."
"I'm trying to look out for you because I lo-" Drew stopped his mouth just in time, grateful that May didn't pick up on his almost slip of the tongue. "Look, I really care about you and you're one of the closest person I have."
May stood up, brushing her clothes. This was too much, she needed to breathe fresh air, get space and clear her head. She didn't expect this conversation with the person she placed close to her heart. Maybe about training, contests, some teasing., but not about her 'boyfriend'.
"I get what your saying, Drew." She smiled sincerely at him. Drew had never said such sentimental words to her, ever and she was touched by how much she meant to him. He meant a lot to her too. "But I've known Gary longer than you have."
"His past-"
"- Whatever that may be, people can change."
Drew stood up with paramount annoyance. "Oh for Arceus' sake! May why are you gullible? Will you use that brain of yours and think properly?"
"How dare you," May whispered, her lower lip trembling, hating how weak she sounded.
"May, I didn't mean it like that-"
"Delcatty, let's go." She could feel the tears well up in her eyes and the last thing she wanted was to cry in front of the arrogant ass.
"May?" His heart fell into his stomach as she continued walking away without any intention to stop. Dammit, why did he get so fired up again!? It was only when she ran away he digested the consequence of his outburst.
Her trickling tears betrayed her as she tried to force them away. May heard his voice calling her name, but that caused her feet to speed up. She ran into the open green fields, a sob cracking her voice as tears trickled down her face in wet lines. She didn't care if a bystander saw her. Why did he have to do this to her? It was always "one step forward, two steps back" with Drew. May loathed that he saw her kindness as weakness. He pointed out that her generous nature meant she was pathetic, even if it was unintentional, it was always the stinging implication. He pushed her down as fast as he lifted her up. That she was a wimp. Delcatty purred, bringing her attention to her pokémon May forgot it was there. A smile curved on her lips as she bent down and hugged the cat. She couldn't thank her pokémon enough for being there for her. Slowly but surely, the sadness evaporated. Deep down, she knew she'd forgive him, like always, because she was the type of person who cherished her friendship.
Serena grabbed her pink hat just in time as it flew away with the gust of wind behind her, holding a phone to her ear with the other hand. The view of the ocean and islands were too beautiful for mere words to describe. The bright sun, glittering water, soft waves and the sight of exotic islands contrasted with the mostly urban area that was Kalos. Flocks of wingulls glided above as feebases occasionally poked their heads out of the warm waters.
"Yes, I'm in Hoenn," she said, "um...I haven't performed in a contest yet... I do have a contest pass- ... Palermo, I really want to go sight seeing first, I have a book full of-... I promise I will!" Serena cried in aggravation. It was like talking to her mother all over again. "…. I don't know how I feel about contests to be honest. "
"Serena, the experience will help you," Palermo spoke sternly from her sleek device, sat on her private jet.
"I understand that. But it's so different to showcases. I saw a Sinnoh contest-"
"-If you aspire to be Kalos Queen, stop making excuses!"
Serena agreed meekly. "I guess you're right."
"I want an update on your progress by the end of the week."
She understood Palermo was a busy lady, but Serena wished she could be sympathetic instead of knocking down her excitement and fun. "Okay, Palermo." She switched off the phone and propped her elbow on the railed, leaning her face in her palm. The view seemed to have lost it's beauty with her deflated optimism. She sighed tiredly. Was working with a top business woman to help you chase your dreams supposed to be this exhausting? Maybe May can give her advice when she meets her. Hopefully.
At times like these, Serena wished Ash, Clemont and Bonnie were stood with her.
"We will be arriving in Rustboro City port in a few hours," the PA declared through the speakers.
Gary placed a bag of berries in his bag, ticking off a mental check list as he did so as May looked at the map for their journey ahead. His books, pokéballs, emergency kit and food were all inside.
"Did you remember the bitter herbs?" May asked, kneeling beside him after she saved the coordinates of their destination on the pokenav. He nodded as he put a notebook in the back pocket.
"All set for the road ahead!" he announced triumphantly.
May couldn't peel her eyes off the bruise on his face. It has become a sickly brown-yellowish mark, and even more uglier than before. It ruined his smooth, soft complexion and she had to remind herself of his injury whenever she leaned in for a kiss on the cheek.
Her index finger touched it of its own accord and Gary flinched. May remembered the horror when she first saw it as clear as daylight. When her family returned from the restaurant, he had already gone to sleep. May would be lying if she said she didn't hurt a little inside after their rough conversation. And the morning after, he explained how he fell while she fretted over the painful mark, imagining the worst case scenario. They never brought up the conversation they had the previous night. It was like it never happened, but the fact that it did always persistently scratched at the back of her mind.
"It must have been a really tall tree." If there was any sarcasm in her voice, it was undetectable.
"Yeah, it was," Gary replied dismissively. "But hey, it's looking better right? "
He fought and attacked me. I was hit on the back of my head! May tried to ignore the words. Instead she leaned on his shoulder and he instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist. She focussed on the beautiful sunset, inhaling the fresh air and the aroma of grass and flowers. And in that minuscule moment, May wished she could live in it forever.
He's going to break you. I don't want to see you hurt. You're better off without him. Drew's words echoed in her mind insistently, destroying the peace. No, Gary would never do that to her. She peeked at his face, and he smiled back down at her. The assuring, warm and caring smile that made her heart flip.
"Not that I mind this," he smirked, "but if we want to reach Rustboro City before dusk we gotta set off any minute now." She grinned widely, a red tint colouring her cheeks.
"Route 104 is that way," May informed him. "Come on I'll race you there!"
"That's cheating!" Gary cried as she took off without a notice. He chuckled as she playfully stuck her tongue out. "So that's how you want to play."
"Last one is a slowpoke!" And with the verdict of the challenge in place, Gary charged after her on the clear path and the natural wilderness of Hoenn.
"Considering how easily you trip over your own feet, you might as well give up now," he taunted, his expression becoming goading. He relished how her expression darkened with anger as she instantly halted and flipped her head around, a glare contorting her delicate features.
"That was one time, all right!" she snapped, though she found his boastful expression secretly adorable. May's short-lived rage dropped as Gary took her distraction as an opportunity to race ahead, a gust of wind pushing her hair back. It was only then realizing Gary's mocking was a strategy.
"Hey, no fair!" May called behind him, exasperated how easily he fooled her. His response was a teasing laugh that only encouraged May to beat his ass at their competition. She turned her heel and sprinted, her arms swinging by her side to aid speed, determination brimming through her eyes.
Gary's hiding things from you, May.
