Beyond the Summit
IX
Mr Blue Sky
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," Rivington Pierce greeted those who were tuning into the International Download as the first day of the round robin concluded, "and welcome to Download Tonight were this evening we are joined by the ever-present Joseph Tully, and guest analyst Erik Mykles and our ever-radiant world champion, Cynthia Schnee."
"You know, Rivington," Cynthia smiled as she relaxed in her chair, seated between the two male analysts in attendance across from the show's host in a luxurious white leather chair with a small side table for bits-and-pieces, choosing to pretend the multitude of cameras and crew weren't present, "as I tell you every time I come on this show; ice-cream works so much better than flattery if you want me to keep coming back."
They all shared a good-natured laugh at her comment, even if it wasn't particularly funny. As defending world champion Cynthia was no stranger to most of the International Download crew as she regularly appeared on the show as a guest like all the other regional champions. Rivington being the show's host perhaps knew her the best due to the sheer number of appearances she'd made over the years and Joseph was perfectly friendly even if his attempts at humour didn't always lands whilst Erik was, well, himself.
Erik Mykles was a toothpick of a man who had short dark hair and matching eyes that had the bad habit of always thinking he was the smartest man in the room. Unfortunately, he often was which did nothing to plug his ego – there was a good reason he earnt the kind of money he did. The best got paid and Erik was the best.
But after Rivington adjusted his glasses for a brief second, he clasped his hands and opened the floor to them.
"With the first day of the round robin finished we're seeing some interesting results across different groups. Now," Rivington added holding up his hands as Erik almost leaned forward to cut in with something, "I know what group you're all dying to talk about and we'll get there, I assure you. But aside from the obvious have any of today's groups surprised you?"
"I think it's interesting that we're seeing less of a divide between league officials and other competing trainers this year," Joseph stepped in to not leave his partner waiting, "don't get me wrong not every gym leader shows up to compete but every year it seems like more trainers prove that they can at least stand toe-to-toe with members of the various elite four."
"I think you're putting far too much stock in the results of one day of a very volatile group stage system," Erik said in reply with an uninterested shrug. "We've seen it time and again were champion and elite four level trainers just don't care to show up on day one. Most of them are happy to put in just enough effort to secure an upper bracket placement given it's rare for them to face any real competition at this stage."
"Your thoughts on the matter Cynthia?" Rivington asked her before Joseph could give a retort which would no doubt result in a roundabout argument which went nowhere fast.
"I'd like to think that the gap between official and standard trainer is closing," Cynthia smiled as she recalled for a moment when she had been one of those standard trainers at this same competition. "The round robin is something that the league officials always take seriously – who knows how many of these trainers might be champions themselves one day."
"You're four-and-oh," Erik replied, looking at her sideways, "without having used any of the Pokémon that the public would associate with you. If you're all taking this seriously then when will we see your Togekiss, or Milotic? Your world famous Garchomp that everyone is desperate to see?"
"I wouldn't be a well-rounded champion if I kept going back to the same handful of Pokémon, now would I?" Cynthia said in retort, hoping he annoyance wasn't showing – Erik had always rubbed her the wrong way. "Besides, the first time I used my Togekiss was in the group stages some years ago. Just because we don't get many opportunities to use them in battle doesn't mean we officials aren't constantly capturing or even breeding knew Pokémon to train ourselves. This tournament is the perfect chance to test those Pokémon and see if they're ready for duty at the highest level."
"That's some interesting insight there," Rivington nodded, "but I think for the most part even if the battles themselves are closer than usual many of the results we expected going into today came about in the end except–"
"–Except for group forty-nine," Erik said as he leaned for in his seat again as the floor to ceiling screen behind them suddenly cut away from the Download logo to show footage of some of the battles from group forty-nine.
"Except for group forty-nine," Rivington repeated as he gave Erik a look – but his tone stayed polite and his expression quickly became pleasant again. "Now, I can't really say much other than that everyone was sure that Diantha would hold her own and take her group in stride barring maybe a slip-up or two but she's currently sitting three-and-three on the day for a total of four points."
"Diantha does certainly look to be struggling," Cynthia nodded in agreement, but she chose her words carefully not being ready to write her fellow champion off, "I had her placing first in the group as I think most did, but to see her sitting fourth currently isn't shocking given the calibre of trainers in her group."
"I think that's one of the downsides of her position here," Joseph added as the footage of a clashing Mega Gardevoir and Mega Tyranitar (taken from Diantha's clash with Nathan Strauss the previous year) was replaced with Diantha's pictures and those that she'd faced that day, Don Marshal, Salon Maiden Anabel Preston and gym leader Misty Clearwater. "It seems like just about everyone who has faced her has come in with some sort of strategy meant for her whilst instead she's come in hoping to be as well rounded as possible and take each battle as it comes."
"If she doesn't have something special left for Strauss tomorrow there's a very good chance we see a regional champion go directly to the lower bracket for the first in almost four years," Erik said with a smug hint in his voice – he'd be the only one to call such a scenario when the group was drawn. He'd instead tipped Anabel and Nathan who were currently second and first respectively to advance to the upper bracket. "Losing two-oh to the Salon Maiden puts her in a very dangerous position, especially when she ends the days by splitting her match with a gym leader."
"I agree that a lot hinges on her ability to sweep Strauss," Joseph nodded, choosing to ignore how Erik had said gym leader like it was an insult, "I think given his results today, Todd Buckland has been written off in everyone's mind, but if he can somehow score a point against Diantha or Anabel tomorrow it could be the difference between upper and lower bracket for someone else."
"Maybe even elimination?" Rivington proposed.
"I wouldn't go that far yet." Cynthia shook her head. Whilst she and Diantha were acquainted she wouldn't consider the other champion a friend, but she had nothing but respect for the other woman and her skill. "Strauss also has Don Marshall tomorrow and that could very well be the matchup that defines the group – being a Dark-type specialist will make that the hardest match for him in the group."
"Your forgetting he has Pokémon like Swampert and Claydol." Erik rolled his eyes, continuing, "and as you so pointed who knows what he's been training in secret for a time like this. I think the only thing we can say for certain is that we'll get to see his Mega Tyranitar in action against Diantha tomorrow."
"If we bring up the table just now," Joseph asked as he looked past everyone else to one of the stagehands who gave him the thumbs up, "we can maybe better work out how things will play out."
So, the table graphic appeared on the screen, an image of each trainer ranked by their points scored: Nathan being first with seven points and Anabel controlling second with six, followed by the groups biggest surprise as Misty sat in third with five points and Diantha was hot on her heels with four points. The group was rounded out by Marshal at three points and poor Todd Buckland had yet to score a single point.
"I must admit the performance by Miss Clearwater has to be one of the more interesting turn of events," Joseph said as he turned from the screen to Rivington. "Given the reputation of the Cerulean Gym until more recent years most chalked her performance last year up to overperforming, but I think this year she could make a real case for herself as first place isn't even out of the question if things go her way."
"She has the Salon Maiden and Don Marshal tomorrow," Erik dismissed the idea almost instantly, "to get first she'd really need to two-oh one of them and at least tie the other as tie-breakers could become a major point of discussion based on the results of the groups fourth round. She could pull off the upset in regular play but doing it a second time in a tie-breaker is a different discussion."
"Any last thoughts before we move on, Cynthia?" Rivington turned to the show's guest as his producer prompted him to move things along.
"I hope they're already for a long day because I have to agree with Erik," Cynthia sighed as the graphic disappeared from the screen and the International Download logo returned. "Tie-breakers are likely in my opinion and I think Diantha will still manage to snatch an upper-bracket spot with a strong second-day performance as no disrespect meant to him but having Todd Buckland as her next opponent is a huge boon and almost a guaranteed two-oh in Diantha's favour."
"Well there we have it," Rivington nodded as he turned away from his panel to face another camera, "the big talking point and with that was this year's official group of death. When we come back from break we'll have some questions for our panel as sent in by you at home followed by a look ahead to some of the big clashes coming up tomorrow. That includes the three groups to watch out for as voted for by you at home. We'll be back in three and a half, don't go anywhere."
Misty Clearwater
"So," Misty said from her seat in one of the booths as the commercial ran and most of the patrons seemed to all lose sudden interest in the various televisions dotted around the bar, "no pressure."
It was rather late and the first day of groups was finally over and Misty was beyond exhausted. As was often the case at the International things had failed to stay on schedule and many groups had finished long after they were supposed to. Knowing the fact all too well, Misty had told Delia (as she insisted Misty call her) to not wait on her should her matches run late and not keep her any dinner.
That and she had a date.
It wasn't that she'd lied about it, just failed to mention it. Truthfully her relationship wasn't new (they'd be together eight months now) but after the disaster that was introducing her first real boyfriend to her sisters, Misty was, in her own mind, understandably nervous about introducing him to the rest of her extended family – including Delia and Ash. The former was the closest thing she had to a mother since her own had passed away and Ash was… well Ash.
She'd spent a lot of time when she was younger hung up over Ash and her feelings for him. But whilst there time apart wasn't easy at first it had given her time to think. She'd grown a lot in the years since she stopped travelling with Ash and whilst she'd admit she loved him in a heartbeat she wasn't in love with him.
Not anymore.
"Just keep doing what you're doing, and you'll be fine." Misty barely heard the remark, to jumbled up in her own thoughts that she almost jumped when a hand began to wave itself in front of her face. "Not falling asleep on me, are you?"
Misty flushed as she looked to her side at her date. Dexter Harper shared a lot of traits with his twin sister: both had scarlet hair that was mess of spikes that frame his face and swept off to the right, but his eyes were more a blueish-green instead of solid emerald. He, like most, was dressed for the heat in baggy cargo shorts and a casual white t-shirt as well as a blue and white flannel hoodie, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows to show off part of the tattoo sleeve of Pokémon that ran up his left arm.
"I know the Drunken Clamperl isn't exactly the fanciest place on the island," Dexter smiled at her in that way that he did that made her want to just smile back, "but it's good food and good company… right?"
"Hmm, right. Besides," Misty nestled into him, hoping to make him a human pillow, "who has the energy to go somewhere fancy after all that battling?"
"I dunno," Dexter made no effort to resist though, instead of dropping one arm to wrap around her waist so he could pull her flush against him, "I think I heard Nathan saying something about him and Ivory going to The Coral tonight. Nutter,"
"They're both crazy…" Misty trailed off as her words were lost in a yawn. She'd forgotten how draining the International was for someone who regularly didn't compete in league conferences. In the background, she could faintly hear the Download coming back from commercial, but she was too tired to care anymore now she'd finished eating. The gym leader was content to sit there with her boyfriend in their booth, legs tucked up underneath her as she snuggled against him whilst he gently caressed her arm.
In her half-asleep state, she let her mind wander back to earlier thoughts. A part of her wondered if she and Ash had continued to travel together would he be the one she was sharing a moment like this with now instead of Dexter?
Maybe. If they'd kept travelling together or been better about staying in touch there was no telling how different things would have been between them. Or they might be exactly as they were now. There wasn't much point dwelling on it, she supposed because Misty had moved on. She liked Dexter – a lot – and she had little doubt that he liked her just as much.
Yes, her sisters hadn't taken a liking to Dexter like she'd hoped but including his twin, he had three sister's himself and had taken the whole thing in his stride as he'd be raised in a house run by women. Dexter said later how older siblings believed no one was ever good enough for their baby sisters and Misty instantly pitied any boy Aria dared to bring home. How well he'd handled the whole hazing had endeared him (if only a little) to Daisy, which was something.
Misty couldn't help but think Ash had also moved on – even if the moron hadn't realised it yet, because he was Ash Ketchum – seeing the way he looked at and talked about Serena – it was obvious to everyone but him. The Pokémon Performer clearly liked Ash too. It's not subtle, Misty thought with a smile as she wondered what she could do to hopefully nudge Serena in the right direction. Maybe she could get Brock to help her as, shockingly, he was surprisingly insightful and helpful when it came to any love life that wasn't his own.
"Hey," Dexter leaned in to whisper in her ear, "they're talking about Quinn's group and your friend."
"Is that so?" Misty hummed in reply as she opened one eye. "What are they saying?"
"They all think it's one of the groups to watch tomorrow as far as raw competition goes," Dexter relayed, "the only reason people aren't calling it a group of death is the lack of a league official trainer."
"I just hope they all kick Oliver's –" Misty never finished as she cut herself with a yawn.
"Oh, nu-uh," Dexter chuckled, "if you that tired I'm taking you home, Missy."
"Good luck swimming to Cerulean." She'd of course known what Dexter meant, but sometimes opportunities had to be taken.
"You're hilarious," Dexter said as he stood up to go pay their bill. When he disappeared, leaving her without a pillow, Misty sat up and stretched in her seat to try and wake herself up. Repressing another yawn, she reminded herself she needed to check in with Delia and make sure Popplio had been behaving for her as the young Pokémon wasn't ready for this level of competition so would spend the tournament on the sidelines.
"Ready to go, Missy?" Dexter asked when he returned.
"Carry me!" Misty threw up her arms, looking to score a piggyback ride back to Oak Villa and whilst Dexter gave her a pleading look, he made no attempt to resist and complied without any verbal complaints. When she was secure and snug against Dexter's back she pointed to the bar's door. "Forward, my trusty steed."
"Nathan's right, I'm whipped," Misty made no effort to convince him otherwise and instead let herself enjoy the ride back to Oak Villa.
A ride that would've been in familiar and comfortable silence had the journey not been side-tracked by an unwanted arrival.
"I'm surprised you haven't been eliminated already, Harper," Oliver blocked their path as they came to the end of the Mile, standing in Ho-Oh's shadow. His expression was that of false boredom, Misty could see the hardness in his eyes, and his Empoleon at his back as he crossed his arms. She glared right back – whilst normally she would at least try to be civil with the man she was too tired to care and he never made any effort to hide his dislike of her. "As I seem to recall you'd been knocked out of the tournament by this point last year."
"If it isn't Mr Sunshine and Blue Skies himself," Dexter replied through a yawn of his own, not the least bit bothered by Oliver's comments after having been subjected to them for years, "how are you doing Oliver? Beat up any helpless Pokémon today?"
"Tomorrow," Dexter just rolled his eyes at the response, "your sister should consider herself lucky that she avoids me day one. Wouldn't want to embarrass the other half of the Kalos Wonder Twins to early, would I?"
"What's your record against Quinn again, Oliver?" Misty cut in, knowing that it certainly wasn't positive. For his part, Oliver opted to ignore her as he continued to frown at Dexter who looked mildly amused by the whole conversation.
"Surprised you didn't fall apart again after losing your opening match," Oliver said, "although I supposed even toddlers learn eventually, don't they? It shocked me to find out you went otherwise perfect."
"You do know my intellect level pretty well, I'll give you that" Dexter nodded in agreement, "babies and I have a lot in common: we like colours and shapes."
"And boobs," Misty added in an uncharacteristically snide tone.
"Oh, and boobs. Can't forget those." Oliver's eyes narrowed, and his lips curled something terrible as he finally decided to acknowledge Misty with another venomous glare.
"I don't understand why he's dating you then, washboard."
"Oliver." Dexter casual tone changed and Misty could only blink dumbly, feeling like she'd been slapped. "There is a line."
"Your girlfriend crossed it first,"
"You better step back over it," Dexter warned, "before she kicks you back to where you came from."
"Not going to do it for her, Harper?"
"I don't need him to," Misty just about snarled, having recovered from the verbal slap, sick of being talked about as though she wasn't even there; "I'd kick his butt over the line too if he even thought about it."
"Sure," Oliver shrugged one shoulder,
"Oh please," Dexter rolled his eyes, "this has nothing to do with Misty and you know it. You never cared about our relationship or that it ended: you're just pissed that I was the one who dumped your sorry ass. Get over yourself, man, it's been years. Go get laid, maybe that'll help you unwind a little."
"Is that what you do? Lay with whoever is willing to have you before you move onto the next one when your board?" Oliver shot back, and Misty could feel Dexter's entire body stiffen, growling lowly as he glared at Oliver
"The line Oliver." Dexter hissed, and Misty was pretty sure that if her boyfriend hadn't been carrying her he would have slugged the jerk.
"What? You must be good at something right?" Oliver said in a sneer. "I mean I certainly can't think of anything else that you'd do well at. But, for the record, Harper I'll do my unwinding when I crush your sister and–" Oliver's gaze turned to Misty, "–your friend, he should make a good example to those who think they can mouth off to their betters." The trainer from Sinnoh made no further comments as he walked past them and disappeared into the coming night.
"I swear he becomes more of a cliché every time I run into him…" Dexter mumbled after taking a deep breath to calm himself. Misty said nothing as she clung to Dexter as he started walking again – thankfully not caring to look back and see where Oliver disappeared too. "Dude needs a hobby."
"I hate him," Misty said quietly even though Oliver was long gone from earshot, "everything about him just makes me so…"
"He has that effect on people these days," Dexter agreed as he came to a stop, bending down and Misty took a moment to realise that it was a hint. When she slid off his back, she found her stomach twisting into a worried knot as Dexter turned to face her, still almost squatting so their eyes were level. "You know what he said is a load of crap right? What we've got right now is–"
"–Great, right?" Misty finished, wishing her words didn't sound like a question even to her.
"Better than great," Dexter said with a reassuring smile. "If this," he elaborated, gesturing between the two of them, "ever ends then it won't be because of anything Oliver said. I've fooled around with a lot of people, I won't lie about that, and maybe I've not always been the best boyfriend, but all those exes have one thing in common."
"If the next sentence out of your mouth is: they weren't you," Misty said, feigning anger as all the negativity that Oliver had conjured in her melted away, "I will slap you silly."
"Uh…" Dexter's mouth hung open before he hung his head and scratched his neck, "can I call Quinn and get another cheesy line then? I really don't want to get slapped."
"Stupid," Misty smiled as she leaned into him and cupped his face. The following kiss was rather chaste, but it was worth it when she pulled away to see such a goofy look on her boyfriend's face. "Come on, you still need to finish walking me home."
Dexter let out a stammer but followed her lead without complaint as she pulled him along, his hand in hers.
