The Coordinators

By: SilverstartheWaterbender

Silverstar: Hello, people! Here's Chapter 10! Sorry about the wait, I've been cursed by that which plagues all writers: WRITER'S BLOCK. And then, the site wouldn't let me upload the next chapter!Grr…this will be a little short but very important. Oh, it also has a scene from the episode, "Now That's Flower Power!" Enjoy!

Wolfen-Ways: You're welcome! Thanks for reviewing!

gaara-kun39: Thanks for reviewing!

AnimeCrazy88: Thanks for reviewing!

Gaara's Pyro RACCOON: Yeah, Sora's dad was turned into an Entei. For the full story, check out Wolfen-Ways' The Volcano of Hope. Thanks for reviewing!

ReTerra2cool: Read on to find out! Thanks for reviewing!

Medabot Freak: You're welcome! Thanks for reviewing!

jemstones are my friends: I sent you a reply via e-mail. Thanks for reviewing!

Feng Yue: That's the idea:) The song by Billy Joel fits like a glove. Who wrote the second one? Thanks for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or Sora.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter Ten: Friends Old and New

Lazula blinked and looked around. She appeared to be in a sort of city. She could see the ocean nearby, along with an enormous port. And directly in front of her was…a Contest hall! Lazula walked in eagerly. "I'll use Flaaffy this time," she thought, remembering yesterday's arduous – but successful – practice session. To her surprise, the lobby was empty. That is, empty except for a figure at the far end. Lazula walked over, and the figure turned around. Lazula gasped. It was Mewtwo! He wore a dark brown cloak around his neck and a smile on his face. Lazula raced over to him, and then hesitated. "Mewtwo?" she whispered. "Is that really you?" "Yes, Lazula," Mewtwo replied. "It's really me." Lazula threw her arms around him. Unlike their last hug, Mewtwo immediately hugged her back.

They stood like that for a moment before Lazula said in a worried voice, "Mewtwo, a while ago, someone visited me in my dream. He said he knew you." Mewtwo chuckled softly. "Lazula, you haven't realized? That was me in your dream." "You?" Lazula asked. She remembered what the figure had said, and blushed. "So, does that mean - " Mewtwo suddenly stiffened. "Lazula," he murmured. "I need you to do me a favor." "What is it?" "You have to wake up now." Lazula stared at him. "You mean – no! This can't be!" Mewtwo faded out, tears in his eyes. "Mewtwo! Please don't go!" Lazula wailed. "Lazula!" a voice called. Lazula's eyes snapped open. She was in her cabin on the ferry to Slateport City. Flaaffy was on her bed, staring anxiously at her. "Are you okay?" she asked. "You were muttering something. What happened?" Lazula opened her mouth, but all that came out were sobs.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Hours later, Lazula stepped off the boat into Slateport City. "Ahhhh," Sora sighed, inhaling deeply. "I love that salty smell!" "You mean dead fish Pokemon?" Flaaffy joked. Lazula said nothing, but quickly came to a realization; Slateport was the city from her dream! A moment later, her suspicions were confirmed as she noticed a poster advertising a Pokemon Contest. "Awesome!" Flaaffy said excitedly. "Finally, my big debut!" "The Contest is in two days," Sora pointed out. "Plenty of practice time!" "Cool!" Lazula said, pumping a fist into the air. "Look out world, Lazula Hamilton's ready to rock!"

"Pardon me, did you say your name was Lazula Hamilton?" Lazula turned around and saw a muscular young man standing behind them, a smile on his face. He wore a black sleeveless shirt, jeans, and black sneakers. His hair was short and purple. In summary, he was really hot. Then Lazula noticed his eyes. Deep amethyst in color, they looked just like Mewtwo's. "Uh, yeah, that's me," Lazula said hesitantly. The man smile grew wider. "I thought so. You certainly have changed, Lazula." "Excuse me," Sora interrupted, "but do we know you?" Flaaffy, prepared for any sort of perverted or maniacal attack, started sparking. The man smirked. "Forgotten already, have you, Sora?" he asked. "Well then, you might need a little refresher." Suddenly, Pikachu and Meowth leapt up from behind the man and into Lazula's arms. "Hey, Lazula!" Pikachu said. "We missed you!" Meowth added. "I missed you guys too!" Lazula said, hugging them. She turned back to the man, wide-eyed. "So," she whispered. "Are you…you know…my friend from back at Mt. Queyna?" The man smiled and winked. "Yes," he said. "You mean that's Mewtwo?" Flaaffy whispered. In a daze, Lazula put down Pikachu and Meowth. Then, without warning, she raced over to Mewtwo and hugged him. Mewtwo hugged her back, and then planted a soft kiss on her cheek. Lazula gasped and blushed. Mewtwo, however let go and took a step back, looking horrified. "Lazula, I…I'm sorry…I…I don't know what came over me," Mewtwo stammered. Lazula shook her head. "Don't worry about it, dude. It's been a year and we're all glad to see each other, right Flaaffy?" "Don't you know it!" Flaaffy replied. "I'm glad to see you, too," Sora added. "It's really been a long time, Mew – um…what did you say your name was." "Matthew," Mewtwo answered, still looking shaky. "Nice name," Lazula said, grinning. "C'mon, Matthew, we got loads to talk about."

A few minutes later, the group was walking on the beach, talking about their respective travels. Matthew was just about to tell them about his journey when he, Pikachu, and Meowth suddenly stiffened. "Do you hear that?" Matthew whispered. "No," Lazula said, confused. "Neither do I," Sora added. "It must be their superclone hearing or something like that," Flaaffy reasoned. Lazula was about to agree when she finally heard something – the faint voices of a serious argument. "Hey, who's shouting?" she asked. "Only one way to find out!" Pikachu said, and the six raced towards the boardwalk. They were met with a very strange sight – May arguing with a smug, green-haired boy, while Ash and the others looked on. A Beautifly flew overhead. "Hey, break it up!" Lazula called as she ran over. Everyone turned around. "Oh, hey Lazula," May growled. "Hi Sora," Max said. "Who's your friend?" "This is Matthew," Sora answered. "A friend from back home in Johto." "Hello," Matthew said politely. "So," Lazula said, "what were you guys arguing about?" "He thinks my Beautifly is second-rate!" May snarled. The boy laughed. "It is," he said. "There's no way it can win the Contest." "Shut up!" Beautifly shouted, and Ash called out, "Quit insulting her Pokemon!" "Hold it, everyone," Lazula interrupted. "We'll be the judge of this." "We're Pokemon experts!" Sora added. May nodded and called Beautifly, who landed on her head. (1) Lazula, Sora, and Matthew casually observed her (Beautifly), and then spoke softly among themselves. "A well-raised Pokemon," Matthew said, "but it could use some more experience." May sighed.

"So," the boy said to Lazula, "who are you, anyway?" Lazula blinked. "No need to be so rude. I'm Lazula Hamilton." "You mean the Lazula Hamilton who competed in the Rustboro City Contest?' the boy asked. Lazula nodded, preparing for the worst. But then…"Not bad for a beginner. Not bad at all. Certainly better than what May will do." "Hey!" May cut in. "I'm Drew," the boy went on. "I'll be participating in the Slateport Contest. I need to go practice now. See ya." And with that, he walked off.

"Well, that was interesting," Flaaffy muttered. May and Max suddenly lit up. "What did it say, Lazula?" Max asked. "Huh?" Lazula replied intelligently. "You know," May said. "Ash told us you could talk to Pokemon." "Oh, he did, did he?' Lazula growled. Ash, Brock, and Matthew were conversing a little ways off. "ASH KETCHUM!" Lazula shouted, and raced after him. As Lazula had spent most of her life running from psychotic townspeople, it was no contest. "You told them?!" Lazula snarled. "I'm sorry!" Ash wailed. "That's all I told them, I promise!" "Hey, don't worry!" Max called. "We think it's really cool!" "Those people were horrible for what they did to you!" May added. Lazula smiled and nodded gratefully. "So, Lazula," Brock interrupted. "Matthew here is really…you know?" "Yeah," Lazula answered, and Matthew replied, "Yes I am." "Hey Lazula," Sora said. "Don't you think you should practice?" "You're right," Lazula answered. "I intend to do much better this time!" "And with Mewtwo close by," she thought, "I will!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(1) This is really starting to get old.

Silverstar: There you have it! So, who will win the Slateport Contest? Will Lazula or Matthew admit their love? Will Drew ever stop being a snob? I think we all know the answer to that one…R&R!