"Pokémon: Contest Chronicles"
By MisterAnimeFan
REVIEW REPLIES:
DawnAngel14: Thank you for the kind words! And how did you come up with the name "Powershipping" for Jahan/Valerie? I guess it's because they're both power-hungry. Lol.
anime-cheeky: Don't worry! Glaceon will get all the attention she deserves.
Arysd: I'm happy that people don't mind the long waits. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Akane Kuran: Yeah, I probably should lay off the gay jokes with Harley.
M the Gate: No, I don't think they do. It'll all be explained in this chapter.
s0 M-2: I try to keep the movesets closer to the games (as in, each Pokémon only knows four moves). However, I may bend the rules sometimes and give them moves they can't learn in the games.
-SmilingArtist-: May's battle with Pryce will be epic! Don't you worry about that!
As to everyone else, thank you for your continued support and patience! I know it's tough to wait two months for a chapter, but I'll make sure to make it worth your time!
Just a quick note, even though in the last chapter, I said medical clinic, I decided to switch so that May is being treated at the Pokémon Center. Just thought it would be easier that way.
This chapter was difficult to write. It went through several rewrites and different brainstorming sessions. I hope you guys enjoy the final product!
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
MAY'S POKÉMON
Blaziken (Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut, Flamethrower, and Earthquake)
Munchlax (Substitute, Solarbeam, Focus Punch, Metronome)
Quilava (Flamethrower, Flame Wheel, Sunny Day, Dig)
Wartortle (Ice Beam, Aqua Tail, Water Gun, Surf)
Glaceon (Ice Shard, Shadow Ball, Tackle, Dig)
Vespiquen (Power Gem, Toxic, Fury Cutter)
DREW'S POKÉMON:
Bayleef (Razor Leaf, Vine Whip, Synthesis, Body Slam)
Masquerain (Bubble, Hidden Power, Ice Beam, Silver Wind)
Flygon (Flamethrower, Sandstorm, Steel Wing, DragonBreath)
Absol (Flash, Water Pulse, Razor Wind, Iron Tail)
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
LAST TIME…
Drew and May still remained trapped at the bottom of the pit. But thankfully, someone hears their cries for help and rescues them. The rescuer turned out to be Pryce, the gym leader of the Mahogany Town Gym. He, his Piloswine, and his Glalie escorted the two out of the Ice Path. However, once outside, Drew realized that May's Vespiquen, Quilava, and his Masquerain were still inside the Ice Path. Drew Pryce, and May's Pokémon ran back inside while Blaziken helped the injured May to a Pokémon Center.
Speaking of Vespiquen, Quilava, and Masquerain, the three had been captured by Team Galactic and were locked away in cages. Quilava and Vespiquen had a very heated argument as to whose fault it was for getting everybody in this predicament. Eventually, Vespiquen came up with a plan to escape. She freed herself, Quilava, Masquerain, and the other captured Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Jahan and Luxray were ready to ambush Team Galactic and hopefully get some answers about his Tyranitar. Right when they were about to launch their attack, Luxray say May collapse in the middle of the dirt road. Despite what most people would expect him to do, Jahan dropped his plans to attack Team Galactic to instead help out May. He ran over and helped her back up on her feet. He and Blaziken then headed off to Mahogany Town.
At the Ice Path, Team Galactic had found the Ice Rock and were planning to leave the Ice Path with it. The other Pokémon were determined not to let that happen. A big brawl broke out between Team Galactic and the wild Pokémon. When Drew and Pryce arrived, they awed at the scene. Wartortle ended the battle quickly with a Surf attack. Team Galactic quickly retreated and left the Ice Rock behind. Everyone celebrated their victory, but not Eevee. She felt sad that she didn't contribute much to the battle. Realizing that the Ice Rock could make her evolve, Eevee jumped up and touched the Ice Rock. She then began to glow brightly.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
LOCATION: Mahogany Town
In Mahogany Town, Valerie and her Flareon, Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Umbreon sat outside a local café. Valerie's servant, Harold, stood right besides her, acting like her personal waiter. Harold placed a tray of food on the table in front of her. "Miss Valerie, I present you," he began. He then removed the lid from the tray, which revealed the specially made broth inside. "...your lunch," finished Harold.
"Thank you Harold," said Valerie.
"I thought that today we would keep things simple," explained Harold. "So, I borrowed your mother's recipe for her onion soup."
Valerie grabbed a spoon and took a small sip of the broth. She then nodded her head and smiled. "Not bad," she complimented. "Of course, mother makes it better!"
"Of course she does," agreed Harold.
Harold then grabbed another silver plate and placed it in front of her Pokémon. "And for the Pokémon, specially made food bowls. For Vaporeon, plenty of extra vegetables. Jolteon has extra fruits. And nothing but pure meat for Flareon and Umbreon."
The Pokémon immediately dived into their bowls and ate away. Harold remained by their side as Valerie and her Pokémon ate their lunch.
Once they had finished their lunch, Harold collected the empty plates. "I assumed you have enjoyed your lunch, my lady?" Harold asked.
"Quite," replied Valerie.
Valerie whipped her lips with her personal handkerchief. She then began pondering. "Something else, my lady?" Harold asked.
"I'm in the mood for some vanilla ice cream," said Valerie.
"Oh! Well that's quite unfortunate. Because you see, I did not prepare any ice cream. I wasn't aware that you might want some."
"Oh very well! I suppose I'll have to dine on whatever this café serves."
"I will check and see if they have want you request."
Harold then stepped into the café doors. "Make sure it's French Vanilla!" Valerie shouted. She then turned towards her Pokémon. All four sat prominently in their seats, their posture reminiscent of the statues of Anubis. Valerie smiled, but as she looked out to the streets of Mahogany Town and saw the people walking by, her smile quickly went away. Her Pokémon noticed this. "Is something wrong, master?" asked Umbreon.
"Look at all of these people," she moaned. "Not even a month ago, these people would have been swarming all around me, praising me for being one of the greatest Coordinators in the Johto region. They would want me to sign autographs and shake their hand. Boys would line up to try to win my heart! But ever since she arrived, all the talk has been about her and how she's challenging both gym leaders and the contests!"
"You mean May?" asked Flareon.
"You think that after we brutally defeated her, people would realize that she's no big deal," added Vaporeon.
"You would think that," replied Valerie. "But no! There are people out there who still think that she actually has potential! They are just as deluded as she is."
Suddenly, something caught Jolteon's eye. "Speak of the devil," she said.
"What?" asked Valerie.
Everyone turned around and saw Blaziken, Luxray and Jahan stop in front of a Pokémon Center. Blaziken dropped May off his back. Both of them helped May walk inside. Valerie then grew angry. "Oh great...it's her...andhim!" she sneered. "Just what is she up to now?"
Valerie then got up from her seat. "Come on!" she demanded. "We're going to go investigate!"
Valerie and her Pokémon then stormed off towards the Pokémon Center. As soon as Valerie was out of sight, Harold came back with a glass cup of vanilla ice cream. "My lady, I have returned with some vanilla ice cream...two scoops, just like you..."
His voice trailed off when he saw that Valerie had disappeared, along with her Pokémon. "Valerie?" he asked. He looked all around his surroundings. He couldn't find Valerie anywhere. "Where did that girl go?" he asked, upset. "Every time she sends me to get something, she's always gone when I come back."
Harold looked down at the ice cream cup in his hands. He shrugged his shoulders and then ate a spoonful of the ice cream...and then another one...and then another one...
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Everyone watched in amazement as Eevee glowed brightly and transform. Her feet became more slender and her tail longer. Soon, the light died down and Eevee was now an entirely new Pokémon. "Whoa..." awed Munchlax.
"Eevee...she's..." began Drew.
"She has evolved," finished Pryce.
Eevee looked down at herself and saw that her fur had changed from brown to bright blue and felt sharp like ice needles. She was now a Glaceon. She then looked up at Quilava, smiling. "Quilava...I've finally evolved!" she cheered, loudly.
Quilava only laughed at Glaceon's excitement. "How does it feel?" she asked.
"It feels wonderful!" Glaceon replied, happily. "Maybe now I can finally be useful to May!"
"Eevee..." groaned Drew.
"It's true! When I was an Eevee, I was weak. May would never use me. But now that I'm evolved and more powerful, I can be one of the best Pokémon on her team!"
"Next to me, of course," boasted Wartortle.
"Well, besides that, I think May would be happy to know that you've evolved," said Quilava.
"Speaking of May, we better go," interrupted Drew. "May needs us to be with her at the doctor's."
"Then, there's no time to lose!" Vespiquen said, frantically. "Let us make haste...to Mahogany Town!"
Drew and Pryce retreated all the Pokémon back into their Poké Balls. They then immediately ran out of the cave.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
At the Mahogany Pokémon Center, Blaziken, Luxray and Jahan sat down in the lobby while the doctors took May to the backrooms to be treated. They were the only ones in the lobby. Blaziken tapped his claws together nervously, waiting to hear about May. "Blaziken relax," assured Jahan. "May's not going to die or anything. She just had a concussion."
"Still, I can't help but worry about her," replied Blaziken.
"She'll be fine," repeated Luxray.
Suddenly, Nurse Joy walked out from back. Jahan got up from his seat and walked up to Nurse Joy. "So, how is she?" he asked.
"Well, the cut in her head is pretty bad, so we had to stitch it up. She's also suffering from a concussion," explained Nurse Joy.
"Will she survive?" Jahan asked.
"Of course she'll survive," replied Nurse Joy. "I gave her some medicine and let her sleep in one of our rooms."
"Oh good," sighed Blaziken.
"Rest is the best thing for her right now, so I wouldn't come in and check on her just yet. Let her sleep for a little bit."
"Okay," agreed Jahan.
"For falling down and hitting her head on some sharp rocks, she's very lucky that she's not in any worse condition. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and check on the Pokémon"
Nurse Joy then went back to the emergency room. Jahan then turned to Blaziken. "Hey Blaziken," Jahan said. "You should probably go up and sit by May's bedside, just to watch over her."
"You don't need to tell me that twice," replied Blaziken. "Are you going to stay here, Jahan?"
Jahan turned his head to the side and looked down at the ground. "Meh...maybe," replied Jahan.
"What do you mean? Are you staying or not?" Blaziken asked.
Before Jahan could answer, Valerie suddenly burst through the glass doors of the Pokémon Center. She looked around the lobby and saw Jahan standing in front of her. "You!" she shouted, pointing at Jahan.
"Oh no, it's you," replied Jahan. "What do you want?"
"You're that guy I met at the lake!"
"Yeah, you kicked me out. What are you going to now? Kick me out of the Pokémon Center? You can't do that. This place is for everyone."
"I don't care about that!" snapped Valerie. "Where's May?"
"Why's that your business?" Jahan asked.
"I saw her walk into here! What's she up to?"
"We're in a Pokémon Center," said Blaziken. "What do you think she's doing here?"
"Is she trying to pull another publicity stunt?" Valerie asked, frantically.
"What? Publicity stunt? What are you talking about?" asked Jahan.
"You wouldn't understand!" argued Valerie. "It's a Coordinator thing!"
"What? Is her Pokémon prettier than yours?" taunted Jahan.
"I like to say we are," boasted Blaziken.
"It's not about me. It's this whole thing about battling gym leaders and coordinators," clarified Valerie. "She's only doing this just so she can steal away fans from all the...other well-deserving...people."
Jahan grabbed his chin and eyed Valerie suspiciously. "What are you looking at?" Valerie asked.
"You...care about other people?" Jahan asked. "I don't buy that at all."
"Neither do I," agreed Blaziken.
"What? Are you doubting me?" Valerie asked, angrily.
"Tell me, what's one selfless thing you have done for someone else?" asked Jahan.
"I...I buy Christmas gifts for my mother and father," replied Valerie.
"Okay, but that's family," rebutted Jahan. "Have you ever given something or helped out someone else other than your family? You know...elderly people? Little kids? Other coordinators? Your servant?"
Valerie hesitated to answer. "Well...have you helped out someone else?" asked Valerie.
"Lots of times," replied Jahan. "In fact, I was the one who helped May over here. But this isn't about me. The fact that you haven't answered my question tells me that you're nothing but a spoiled little brat who thinks the world revolves around her and whose fame and fortune comes from her daddy."
"Excuse me, but I'm one of the greatest Coordinators in the Johto region!" she shouted, angrily. "Not all of my success was from my father! I have my own adoring fans who love me for my talents!"
"Okay, okay!" replied Jahan. "Keep your voice down! This is a place of healing."
"Enough with the 20 questions! Just tell me what May is up to!" demanded Valerie.
"She got hurt! Okay?" Jahan finally answered.
"She slipped, fell, and bashed her head against some sharp rocks," added Blaziken.
"It's no publicity stunt. She really is hurt," Jahan replied.
"That's all! Now get out of here before you wake her up!" demanded Blaziken.
Valerie only glared at the two. She then turned around towards the door. "Come on you guys, let's go," she said to her Pokémon. She and her Pokémon began to head out the door.
Suddenly, Valerie then stopped in her tracks right at the door. "Wait..." she pondered. "Something doesn't make sense."
"What? The fact that May's hurt?" asked Jahan.
"No, the fact that you helped her," clarified Valerie.
She turned around towards Jahan and raised an eyebrow. "Earlier, you made it very clear that you're not very fond of Coordinators," began Valerie. "And yet, you mentioned that you helped May get here."
Jahan's eyes grew wide as Valerie brought this point up. "O-okay...what's your point?" asked Jahan.
"What do you mean 'what's my point'?" asked Valerie. "May's a coordinator, something you hate, seeing as how you were not very nice to me."
"Well, you're a spoiled brat!" Jahan said, defending himself. "Look, you're right. I don't really like Coordinators!"
"Then why did you help May?" asked Valerie.
"I want to know that myself," said Blaziken.
"Wait...are you...are you and May...lovers?" accused Valerie.
"What?" Jahan replied. "You're out of your mind! I would never fall in love with a Coordinator...let alone be friends with them! I only helped May because Luxray insisted that I did," answered Jahan. "It wasn't really my choice."
"But...you looked like you were worried for her," butted Luxray. "I saw it in your eyes."
"So you do love her!" repeated Valerie.
"No, I don't!" argued Jahan. "It's because...May would have done the same thing if it were me in her position. I helped her because it's the right thing to do...an idea you're not familiar with."
Valerie continued to eye Jahan suspiciously. "What?" he asked.
"Oh nothing," Valerie said. She turned back towards the door. "I'll be on my way now."
Valerie and her Pokémon then left the Pokémon Center. Jahan, Luxray, and Blaziken remained in the lobby. "So...just to clarify," said Blaziken. "You're not in love with May?"
"No, I'm not," Jahan said through his teeth.
"Good," Blaziken said, scornfully. "Are you going to stay?"
"Yeah, I might as well," replied Jahan. "The gym leader isn't even at his gym today. So I figured the only thing I can do is sit here, watch some T.V., and get a bite to eat."
"Okay then," replied Blaziken. "I'll be upstairs with May."
"Sure," replied Jahan.
Jahan and Luxray walked towards the cafeteria while Blaziken walked up to May's room.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
After talking to Jahan at the Pokémon Center, Valerie's Pokémon retreated into their Poké Balls and walked through the streets of Mahogany Town. She still pondered about Jahan and May. "I don't believe him for one second," she muttered quietly to herself. "He helps out a Coordinator...that he supposedly hates. No, that doesn't make sense. It has to be a cover. I think he and May are lovers. But if that were true, then...that would mean that they are conspiring against me!"
She then stopped in her tracks when she came to a realization. "Of course! It all makes sense now! May's trying to steal my popularity by announcing that she's challenging both gyms and contests! But I temporarily put a stop to her plans by defeating her in the last contest! But ever persistent, she has hired her boyfriend to stop my training so that she doesn't lose again. But I defeated him and I went on with my training as scheduled. But she won't give up! So in a last-ditch attempt, May purposely hurt herself so that she can gain sympathy and win some fans."
She suddenly smacked her fist against her left palm after the revelation. "Haha, I have figured out May's plan!" she said, proudly. "You hear that, May! I'm on to your game!"
She then went back to pondering. "Well, now that I know what May's up to, how do I go about stopping her?" asked Valerie.
"Mistress?" asked a voice.
Valerie looked up and saw a limo pull up beside her. Her servant stepped out of the limo and stood in front of her. "Miss White, I've been looking everywhere for you!" Harold said. "Listen, about your ice cream request..."
While Harold went on explaining how the ice cream melted in his mouth, Valerie suddenly had a plan. She knew what she had to do to expose May's "plan" to the world.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
At the Team Rocket base (conveniently located underneath a store in Mahogany Town), Leader Silver sat nearby his team of scientists, overlooking the rest of the hideout. He stroked the top of Persian's head.
Silver looked and saw that a few Team Rocket members were in the infirmary, recovering from the souped-up Tyranitar attack. These members had a variety of injuries, from bandages on their foreheads to having their legs or arms wrapped in a cast.
Silver sighed as he watched a few them resting in their beds. "They're lucky to be alive," he muttered quietly.
"Oh I cannot agree more," said a voice. "Can you imagine...all of these fine Team Rocket members losing their lives at the hands of Giovanni's inexperienced son?"
Silver swiveled in his chair and saw four of the other Team Rocket executives, Proton, Petrel, Arianna, and Archer. "Oh joy, you guys," Silver said, sarcastically. "May I ask why you four have decided to honor me with your presence?"
"Pardon us for our sudden appearance, but we wouldn't have to come back here if a certain red-haired brat would actually know how to run a team," sneered Petrel.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Silver asked, offended.
"Well, we happened to pass by the infirmary and we couldn't help but notice all those fine Rockets being patched up for injuries," analyzed Proton. "It looks like someone doesn't know how to conduct a Pokémon capture."
"You try taking on something that has had its power enhanced by Team Galactic," rebutted Silver. "You guys wouldn't last a minute out there."
"You might wanna watch your tone there, kid," warned Archer. "You're talking to your elders here."
"Maybe, but you four seem to forget that I'm the leader of Team Rocket," reminded Silver. "I'm higher in authority. Therefore, you four must obey me! And, as I recall, I ordered you four to take a team of Rocket grunts out to the Sinnoh region and investigate Team Galactic's operations out there."
"They're not doing anything note-worthy," Archer said. "They just go around and steal Pokémon from other people. You know, like what Team Rocket used to do before you took leadership."
"Look, we can't steal Pokémon right now because Team Galactic is in the way. Once this team boots them out of the Johto region, we will resume our normal activities," explained Silver.
"Well it seems you're no doing a good job of booting them out," mentioned Petrel.
"Why are you still talking?" Silver asked.
Suddenly, there was an announcement on the intercom. "Attention! Attention! Would Leader Silver please report to the Rocket Accounting Offices immediately!"
"Accounting?" asked Archer. "What now? Are we having financial issues at well?"
"You really can't do anything right, can you?" asked Petrel.
Silver took a deep breath and tried very hard to contain his anger. He closed his eyes and got up from his seat. "We, I wish I could stay and chat some more," he began. "But, as you just heard, I have been summoned. So, if you'll excuse me."
Silver then walked past the Rocket Executives. His Persian followed him.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
As Silver and Persian made his way down to the Rocket Accounting Offices, Silver couldn't stop thinking about the four Rocket Executives. "Who do those guys think they are?" Silver asked. "They need to recognize that I am their leader and they work for me!"
Silver turned to his Persian. "What do you think, Persian?" he asked. You think those guys back there are jealous of me?"
Persian nodded his head and continued on his way. "They probably are. I mean, after all, my father picked me for a reason instead of them."
"Oh, don't worry, kid," said a voice. "Jealously has nothing to do with us not liking you."
Silver jumped as he turned around...and saw the four Rocket Executives standing behind him. "Why are we so jumpy now?" Petrel asked. "A good leader is never surprised by anything."
"Don't you guys have anything better to do than pester me?" Silver asked, angrily.
"We just want to make sure that nothing bad happens to our glorious leader while he walks about his humble hideout," explained Proton.
"What bad could happen here?" asked Silver. "No one outside of this hideout knows that this place exists!"
"You may never know," Archer mentioned. "Team Galactic may stop by, seeing as how we have a weakness in our group."
Silver ignored them and continued on his way to the Accounting Offices. "You know, despite your rather questionable decisions lately, I must admit that this place cleans up rather nicely," commented Archer.
"Indeed," agreed Petrel. "Perhaps Silver should just stick to being a cleaner rather than a leader?" The male executives laughed. Silver just tried his best to shrug off their insults and continued on his way.
Soon, they all arrived in front of the Team Rocker Accounting Offices. Before he opened the door, Silver turned to the executives. "You know, it's funny how you guys insult me," replied Silver. "Because as I recall, Giovanni, my father, picked me to be the leader of Team Rocket because he knew that I can actually defeat a small ten-year-old kid, unlike you guys, and he knew that I would put some variety in my team of Pokémon, unlike you guys. Not to mention, I look much better than you guys. You guys can taunt me and object my every move, but the fact is, I am your boss. And as quick as I can snap my fingers, you four can easily be in the unemployment line like Hutch and Cassidy."
After that, Silver stopped talking and waited to see what the Team Rocket Executives would say. Not surprisingly, they said nothing. Silver smirked as the Executives kept a straight face. "No comments? No jokes, comebacks, or anything?" he asked. "Good, I like that. Now then, I'm going to go inside and discuss whatever needs to be discussed. Why don't you four make yourselves useful and watch my Persian for me? He was my father's Persian so take good care of him now."
Silver then stepped into the Accounting Offices, leaving Persian with the Rocket Executives. "Ingrate," muttered Archer.
The four of them then looked at Persian. "Well, at least he's taken good care of his father's Persian," commented Arianna.
"Indeed," agreed Proton.
Proton reached his hand out to try and pet him, but Persian bared his sharp fangs and growled.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
LATER IN THE DAY...
Meanwhile, at the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy tended to the other sick Pokémon while Jahan sat at a table, eating lunch while his Luxray slept at his feet. He had already rented a room and was waiting for tomorrow to come so that he could challenge the gym leader.
As he ate into his cheeseburger, he continued to think about Valerie. "What was up with that girl?" asked Jahan. "She was so paranoid about May pulling a publicity stunt. Why would she be worried about how much attention May is getting? Does she really think that she needs to be in front of the camera twenty-four hours a day? Man, this coordinating stuff is more cut-throat than I thought."
He suddenly looked up when he heard the doors slide open. Drew ran inside, looking all around. "Where is she?" he asked. Drew then noticed Jahan sitting at the table, eating. He immediately got angry. "Yo!" greeted Jahan.
"What are you doing here?" Drew asked, angrily.
Jahan only stared at him and pointed at his food. "Uhh...well, I have a plate of food in front of me, so...I must be fishing," Jahan answered, sarcastically.
"Stop playing dumb with me!" scolded Drew.
"You ask a stupid question, you're bound to get a stupid answer," Jahan said. "And what's wrong with me being here? Do you really hate me that much?"
"Look, I don't have time to play around with you. Where's May?"
"She's upstairs, sleeping," answered Jahan. "Did you hear what happened to her?"
"Yeah, I know what happened to her," Drew said. "I was there when she fell."
"Oh!" gasped Jahan. "You were there?"
"Yes he was," replied Pryce. "I found the two of them trapped down a deep hole in the Ice Path. That girl must have taken a pretty hard fall, because her head was busted open and she was feeling headaches and dizziness."
"Oh...oh really," Jahan said, somberly.
Jahan looked at Drew's clothes. They were dirty and a bit ripped from Drew's fall. "Wow...you're lucky that nothing bad happened to you," he commented. "All you got from the fall were dirty clothes and bruised up body parts. When I saw May and her Blaziken coming up on Route 44, she fell over and complained about a severe headache. Then, she just lost consciousness."
Drew gulped after he heard that. "Then, where is May?" stuttered Drew.
"Upstairs sleeping," Jahan answered. "She only has a minor concussion and a few stitches. She'll be okay after she gets some rest."
"Oh thank goodness," sighed Drew.
"Yeah, it could have been worse," Jahan said. "Even Nurse Joy said she's very lucky that nothing else happened to her."
Drew ran his fingers through his hair and brushed it back, again sighing in relief. "Well, that's good to hear," Pryce said.
Pryce then turned to Drew. "Listen young man, I got to get back to my gym," he said. "Send my regards to May."
"Sure," agreed Drew.
"Speaking of which," Jahan said. Jahan then stood up from his seat. "Mister Pryce, I wish to challenge you to a gym battle!"
"Sorry young man, but I'm not doing any gym battles today," Pryce said.
"You're not?" asked Jahan.
"Nope," Pryce said. "I want to preserve my Pokémon's strength for May. Seeing as how she defeated Clair, one of the toughest gym leaders in the Johto region, I better prepare my team for whatever she might throw at me."
"Are you serious?" Jahan asked, annoyed. "You're not going to challenge any trainers until she battles you!"
"Don't get snappy with me!" scolded Pryce. "You'll get your chance. Just be patient and wait your turn like all the other trainer would."
With that final word, Pryce then walked out of the Pokémon Center. Jahan seethed with anger after what Pryce told him. He walked back to his table and sat down, continuing with his lunch. "Seriously, calm down," Drew said.
"Shut up," replied Jahan. Drew remained quiet after that. He knew that it was pointless to try and calm Jahan down.
It was silent between the two. Drew looked around the empty Pokémon Center while Jahan finished eating his lunch.
Something then came to Drew's mind. "Wait," he said. "Jahan, earlier you said that you saw May on Route 44."
"Yeah, I was hanging around the area after some people told me that Team Galactic was there," answered Jahan. "Then I saw May fall off Blaziken's back and grabbing her head. As much as I hate her, I can't just leave her there, right?"
"So, you helped her? You actually helped her?" Drew asked, skeptical. Drew then smiled. "Hmph, so I guess you're not such a bad guy after all."
"Don't get used to it," Jahan said. "You coordinators can't do anything right, from raising Pokémon to surviving in the wild. If it wasn't for me, May would be much worse."
Drew's smile immediately disappeared. "Well there goes my respect for you," scorned Drew.
"Well, think about it. If I hadn't come by and helped May, she would have been worse than she is now. Why I was busy helping her out, what were you doing?"
"For your information, I was busy saving May's Pokémon from Team Galactic," mentioned Drew.
"How did she get her Pokémon captured by Team Galactic?" Jahan asked. "First you make May fall and then you get her Pokémon captured."
"Look, you idiot! It wasn't on purpose!" snapped Drew. "When we were trapped at the bottom of the hole, I released her Vespiquen and my Masquerain so that they and Quilava could go and find help. The three got captured by Team Galactic so I had to go back into the Ice Path and save them."
"In a way, that's still your fault," Jahan said. "You released them so that they could be captured."
"I had no clue that Team Galactic was even in the cave! And they're the ones who actually made May fall. They set off the explosion that shook up the Ice Path and made her lose her footing."
"But you were the ones standing near a long bottomless pit."
"What are you trying to prove?" Drew asked, annoyed. "Are you accusing me of hurting May on purpose?"
"Well, you're suddenly getting defensive."
"Because you're trying to accuse me of hurting May on purpose! I would never do that. This entire thing was an accident."
Drew got up from his seat. "Look, I'm not going to sit here and listen to your blasphemous accusations," he said. "I'm going to go upstairs and check up on May."
Drew then turned around and began heading towards the stairs. "What makes you think she would want to see you?" Jahan asked.
Drew stopped in his tracks and slowly turned back towards Jahan. "What's that supposed to mean?" asked Drew. "I wasn't the one who made May fall."
"Maybe, but May is not going to see it that way," Jahan said. "She doesn't know that it was an accident. She'll think you tried to kill her on purpose."
"No, she wouldn't," denied Drew. "She didn't say anything to me after we got out of the pit we were in."
"Well, she was probably only semi-conscious, so she couldn't say anything to you," mentioned Jahan. "But now that she had suffered some memory loss, she'll start wondering what caused her fall, and it will only be a matter of time before she points it all to you."
"May wouldn't do that," replied Drew. "She's far too nice to blame anybody."
"You sure about that?" Jahan asked. "Maybe she just says that so that you think she's nice. But perhaps deep down, she's putting all the blame on you."
"You're an idiot, you know that?"
Drew then began to climb his way up the stairs. "She's in room eight, if you really want to get chewed out that badly," Jahan mentioned, as Drew was halfway up the stairs.
Drew reached the second floor and walked down to room eight. He was ready to knock on the door, but he stopped right before his knuckle hit the wooden door. The words that Jahan had spoke earlier rang in Drew's head.
"What makes you think she would want to see you? She'll think you tried to kill her on purpose...she'll start wondering what caused her fall, and it will only be a matter of time before she points it all to you...you...you...you..."
Drew only shook his head. "Why should I listen to him?" he asked himself. "Jahan's only trying to cause problems between me and May. I mean, it was an accident and May will understand that."
Drew then gulped. "I hope," he said.
He took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the door. He stood there, waiting for someone to answer the door. He heard faint footsteps approaching the door. The door opened up. On the other side was Blaziken. Blaziken was surprised to see Drew. "Well, it's about freaking time you got here," he said.
"Who is it?" asked a voice.
Drew knew who that voice was, and was a bit surprised to hear it. "It's Drew," Blaziken told her.
"Drew?" May asked.
Blaziken opened the door wider and allowed Drew inside. Drew saw that May was sitting upright in her bed. From his eyes, it seemed as if May was okay. "May?" asked Drew.
"Hey Drew," May said, happily.
Drew walked in and sat down in the chair beside her bed. "So, how are you feeling?" Drew asked.
"Not too bad," May replied. "Just a little annoying headache, but nothing too serious..."
"Did you loss any memories?" asked Drew.
"I don't know," May said. "I don't think I did."
"What's your name?" Drew asked.
"Drew, I'm fine."
"What's your name?" Drew asked again.
"May."
"Who are your parents?"
"Norman and Caroline."
"Brother?"
"Max."
"The Pokémon on your team?"
"Blaziken, Munchlax, Vespiquen, Quilava, Wartortle, and Eevee."
Drew only stared at her after hearing that last name. "Meh, close enough," he said.
"See, I'm fine," May replied.
"Well that's good to hear," sighed Drew. "But shouldn't you be sleeping? I mean, I think sleep would be better for you."
"I did get some sleep," May said. "But then, I had a bad dream and I woke up."
"Bad dream? About what?"
"Ummm...well...let's see..." pondered May.
"If you can't remember it, that's fine," Drew said.
"Didn't you tell me that you were climbing a mountain or something?" Blaziken asked.
"Oh yeah! Now I remember!" exclaimed May. "I was climbing up a mountain, a very tall mountain. And it was nighttime...and it was so dark. I could barely see where I was going. I felt as if I was lost. I didn't have any Pokémon with me either."
As Drew listened to the dream, he began to notice something about May's dream. But May continued speaking. "I then saw this beautiful sight," she spoke. "It was a city, lit up with bright nights! It was so magnificent to see! But then...an earthquake happened. A really strong earthquake. It was so strong that the mountain began to break away. I tried desperately to keep my balance, but I had nothing to hold on to. Eventually, the earthquake stopped. I barely managed to not fall. But then I turned around and I saw something green."
"G-Green?" stuttered Drew.
"Yeah, dark green," May said. "And...I saw glowing purple. I don't know what that's about."
Drew then quickly glanced at his purple jacket hanging off May's feet. Drew used it cover May while they were in the Ice Path. "I didn't know what that was about. But this green thing looked very menacing. He stared at me with murderous intentions."
Drew only coughed as he continued to hear about May's dream. "He glared at me some more...before he reached out...and pushed me off the cliff."
Drew felt his body tense up. He began to look down at the ground, breathing heavily. May noticed this right away. "Drew, are you okay?" asked May. "I didn't think my dream was that scary. But I wonder what that all means..."
"It's me, okay!" snapped Drew.
Everything went silent as May and Blaziken looked at Drew, curiously. "What?" May asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on May! The feeling of being lost, darkness, cliff, green, purple, and you falling," listed Drew. "I have green hair! I wear a purple jacket! I was the one who led you down the wrong path in a dark Ice Path. And I was the one who caused you to fall! I dragged you down as I fell!"
May didn't know what to say to Drew. She only shook her head. "No," May said. "No, Drew! It wasn't your fault!"
"Yes it was," continued Drew. "If I had just listened to you, we would have been out of the Ice Path in no time and you wouldn't be where you are now. But I had to be so stubborn!"
"No, no, Drew! Don't blame myself," May replied. "You know what? It was my fault! I fell first and I was the one who pulled you down. If anything, I should be apologizing to you!"
Drew looked up at May and gave her a half-hearted smile. "May, I know you're just being to be nice," he said. "But let's face it, I'm such a screw-up. I couldn't do anything right. I had to get help from an old geezer. If it wasn't for Pryce, we would still be stuck down the pit until who knows when."
Drew let out a depressed sigh. He then looked back down at the ground. "May, I'm so sorry about everything that happened today."
May and Blaziken continued to watch Drew self-loathing. May and Blaziken then looked at each other. She nodded her head towards the door. Blaziken got the cue right away. "I'll be downstairs," he muttered, quietly. He opened the door and left the room silently.
Once he was gone, May turned to Drew. "Drew, look at me," she demanded. Drew didn't respond. He continued to stare at his feet. May then slowly got out of her bed and kneeled down to Drew's level. She grabbed his chin and made him look her in the eyes. "Drew, you have nothing to be sorry about," she told him. "Okay? It was an accident."
Drew then averted his gaze. "I don't blame you at all, Drew," she continued. "How could I blame you? You've rooted for me when I was battling Clair. You kept me warm while we were stuck in the Ice Path. And you gave me advice when I needed it. Why would I hate you or blame you for anything? I should be thanking you, if anything."
Drew stared into May's eyes. He was touched by what May was telling him. "Do you really mean all that?" Drew asked.
"Of course I do," answered May. "Drew, you're a really nice guy...much nicer than you used to be before. I would never think that you would try and kill me."
Drew and May smiled at each other and they then wrapped their arms around each other and hugged. "Thanks May," Drew said.
"No, thank you," May replied.
The two continued hugging each other tightly. They both shut their eyes as they took in the moment. "You know...a few months ago, we would never hug each other," mentioned Drew.
"Times change," May replied.
Just then, the door suddenly swung open. May and Drew quickly broke away from each other and returned to how they were before. It turned out that the person was Jahan. "Hey May, you got to see what's...down..."
His voice trailed off when he saw both May and Drew looking away from each other, trying to act casual. "Oh hey, Jahan!" May greeted, nervously. "What brings you here?"
"Yeah, what do you want?" asked Drew.
Jahan then raised an eyebrow. "What were you two doing just now?" he asked, suspiciously.
"Nothing," replied May.
"Were you guys having a moment?" Jahan asked, slyly.
"No!" they both denied with blushing faces.
"Aww...how cute," taunted Jahan. "You guys are blushing."
May and Drew continued stammering and arguing with Jahan while he continued taunting them.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
LATER THAT NIGHT...
Everyone was downstairs, either eating dinner or watching T.V. Drew handed May her Pokémon back and they were all released into the open. Vespiquen, Wartortle, Quilava, Glaceon, and Munchlax all stood in front of May. "Where are we?" asked Munchlax.
"Hey guys!" May said.
They all turned towards May. "Oh hello May," Vespiquen said, casually. The Pokémon then remembered and realized something. "May!" they all shouted.
Immediately afterwards, all of May's Pokémon jumped up and hugged her. "May, I can't believe it!" exclaimed Quilava. "You're okay!"
"And you have food!" Munchlax said, after spotting the food on May's table.
"Guys, I'm happy to see you too, but you're cutting off my breathing," giggled May.
Jahan watched on as every one of May's Pokémon joined in the group hug. His face remained indifferent. "Man, your Pokémon must have been worried sick," Jahan said.
"I can imagine," May replied.
"Hmph," scoffed Jahan.
Jahan then noticed something strange about May's Pokémon. He quickly reached over and picked up Glaceon. He held her up high into the air and looked on with astonishment. "Where did you get a Glaceon?" he asked, frantically.
"You know, where did I get that Glaceon?" May asked.
"Well, remember when you had an Eevee?" Drew asked.
May then looked back at Glaceon with the same look of astonishment that Jahan had. She swiped Glaceon from his hands and gazed upon her. "Hey May," Glaceon said.
"You...you evolved?" May asked, stunned.
"I found one of those special rocks you were talking about in the Ice Path," Glaceon said. "I touched it and now...here am I!"
May then hugged Glaceon and pressed up against her face. "Oh Eevee, I'm so happy!" May shouted. "You finally evolved, just like you always wanted!"
"I know! It feels amazing...like I can win every battle and contest!" boasted Glaceon.
"Well...we'll see about that," May said.
Everyone continued celebrating, but Jahan remained as grumpy as ever. He got up from his seat and began heading towards the stairs. May looked up and noticed this. "Jahan, where are you going?" May asked.
"I'm going to bed early today," he replied, a bit angrily.
The noise and chatter simmered down as everyone watched Jahan walk up to his room with Luxray following close behind. May slowly got up, her Pokémon moving aside so she could and turned to Jahan. "Jahan, wait!" she called out.
Jahan stopped as he reached the top of the stairs. He glanced over his shoulder and looked down below. "Jahan I just want to say," she began. "Thank you for stopping by and helping me get here. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't around."
Jahan still stared at her. "I know you don't really like me," continued May, "or any other Coordinator for that matter. But it's still nice to know that I can count on you if I was ever in any trouble. You're still a good human being deep down."
Jahan only waved his right hand towards her. "It's just whatever, okay?" he replied. "Don't worry 'bout it. Just continue having fun with all your Pokémon."
Jahan turned around. He was about to head to his room, but then he remembered something. "Actually May," he spoke.
"Yes?" she asked.
Jahan turned his whole body around and looked down at May's Pokémon, specifically Blaziken. "About Blaziken," he began. "How much does Blaziken mean to you?"
May glanced over at Blaziken, who glanced right back at her. May then turned back to Jahan. "Blaziken means a lot to me," she replied. "I remember when he was just a Torchic. He was my first Pokémon. He and I have had some great memories together, winning contests and battles."
"So...if something bad were to happen to Blaziken, you would be devastated, right?" asked Jahan.
"Well, of course I would," May said. "I feel that way about any of my Pokémon."
"Oh! Well, in that case, the bet's off."
Everyone was surprised to hear Jahan say that, especially May and Blaziken. "What bet?" May asked.
"The one where if you lost to me in any battle, I get Blaziken," reminded Jahan.
"Oh yeah! Now I remember!"
"Well, that's off the table. I realized that losing a Pokémon isn't really very fun, regardless of who you are."
And that was it. Jahan went to his room and disappeared from everyone's sight. May sighed as she sympathized with Jahan. "Poor Jahan," she thought. "He must really feel depressed about Tyranitar."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Somewhere behind Mount Mortar, the giant, rock Pokémon sat on the ground, staring at the dirt, feeling sad and miserable. He sighed as he looked around his surroundings. He was all alone. No people. No Pokémon. Just him. He looked back down to the ground, where he drew a simplistic picture of Jahan and the other Pokémon into the dirt. Tyranitar only stared at the dirt drawings. This was the closest he has to companions.
He closed his eyes, shook his head, and furiously erased the dirt pictures. He looked up at the moon and began shouting, not caring if there was no one to hear him. "What happened to me?" he asked himself. "What did Team Galactic people do to me? They ruined my life! I can't be with master! I can't be with Croconaw or the others! I can't get near anybody anymore! You turned me into a monster!"
He then slammed his mighty fist down into the ground. H winched as he felt power and energy flowing through his veins. "No, it's happening again!" he groaned. He bared his sharp fangs and stood upright. "This is all their fault. This...is...all...their...FAAAULLLTTT!"
His eyes glowed brightly as he reared his head back...and let out a might roar, a roar so powerful, it could shatter the mountain in front of him into pieces.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
A/N: So, that's chapter 26 for you. I had a really rough time with this chapter. For this chapter, I thought I would try something different behind-the-scenes.
You see, unlike with the previous chapters (where I made it up on the spot), I actually outlined and planned out what I wanted to do for the next few chapters. I used that guideline for this chapter, then I began putting in more details and more events to further flesh out the story. But by the time I finished it, this chapter was a whopping twenty-one pages in Microsoft Word (Verdana font, size 9).
I looked over it and realized what a horrific mess it was. So I went back and pretty much started all over, this time, trying hard to stick to the original outline and not steer from it too much.
Overall, the finalized version turned out much better than what it was before.
NEXT TIME: May's second gym battle: May versus Pryce, the Teacher of Winter's Harshness! Will May's fire-type Pokémon manage to heat up the battle does Pryce have a few tricks up his sleeves?
Find out in the next exciting chapter of "Pokémon: Contest Chronicles!"