With the battle royale ended, the aftermath comes next. What will our competitors do in the wake of it, knowing what the pairings are? We'll have to find out!
KedharS: A little bit, yeah.
Aquahaze675: I would hope so.
JoshGamerV: Good! I'm glad I was able to properly hype it up!
Hellraiserphoenix: The first round will be 3 v. 3. For time.
Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings
Chapter 499
"Aya!" Blake ran over to Ayame as she exited the stadium, heading for the pokemon center.
"Blake! Hey!" Ayame brightened. "Did, um… did you see my battle? I-I wish I could have gotten a little further, but…"
"No, no, you were amazing!" Blake said, shaking his head.
"Well… it's thanks to you," Ayame smiled. "You and Weiss really protected me. I'm sorry that you didn't get as far."
"No, it's fine," Blake smiled. "Even if I never win, I'm going to keep doing my best because I love what I do, and that's enough for me!"
Ayame opened her mouth to answer, the words sounding familiar on her ears. Then she realized why, and she quickly closed it, turning bright red and trembling with embarrassment.
"You, uh… you heard that?"
"I watched the whole thing," Blake smirked. "You really laid it out there, huh?"
"Don't look at me, please don't look at me," Ayame muttered, shielding her face with her hands and crouching down into a little ball.
"It was sweet," Blake said, reaching down and patting her on the head. "I really thought you were cool, standing up for me like that, standing up for yourself, it… you were amazing."
That did not make her less embarrassed. But that wasn't Blake's intention in the first place. He was pondering what to tease her with next when the sound of footsteps intruded on their little bit of privacy.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
Blake bristled at the sound of that voice, turning around to greet it's owner. Gerard walked up, wearing an arrogant smirk that Blake was itching to punch off of his face once again. But he restrained himself this time.
"Gerard," Blake said, trying not to sound venomous. It was a valiant effort and more than Gerard deserved, which made up for the utter failure it was.
"Hello, Blake Harker. Do you mind if I share a few words with your girlfriend?"
Ayame glanced up, her expression turning serious. She moved to stand, but Gerard held his hand up, shaking his head.
"No, don't get up on my account. Looking down at you curled up on the floor seems much more fitting," he replied.
Ayame scowled and stood up, glaring down at him. He didn't seem to mind.
"We haven't really gotten a chance to meet formally, even in the battle royale today," Gerard continued. He held out a hand to her. "I'm-"
"I know who you are," Ayame sharply cut him off, narrowing her eyes. "I've heard all about you, I've met Elaina. Your little pet project."
"Thank you for taking care of her," he said, his smile not even twitching. "That girl really needs kindness from others."
"What do you want?" Ayame asked. "I'm not in the mood for small talk right now, I need to go heal my pokemon."
"I just came to wish you good luck in our match on Wednesday," Gerard replied with a smile. "Make sure your pokemon are rested up."
"Same to you," Ayame said icily. Gerard nodded, still wearing a fake smile that would make the Phantom proud. He passed by her and headed for the door.
"…I can't stand that guy," Ayame muttered after he left. "Fucking smarmy piece of shit."
"I love you, you know that?" Blake smiled, Ayame turning red again.
"L-let's go," Ayame said, quickly running off, Blake following after her. She stopped suddenly, turning around. Blake had to stop himself from running into her.
"What's up?" Blake asked.
"W-well…" Ayame reached up and began twirling a finger through a fringe of her hair, glancing away from Blake, her cheeks slightly pinkening. "It's just, um… I did really good today, right?"
"Yeah, you were great," Blake said, nodding. "You beat out most of the Eight Leaders!"
"Yeah, I got sixth out of 16, that's pretty good," Ayame nodded, fidgeting even more. She slid her eyes back in Blake's direction and then quickly averted them. "So, um… don't you think some congratulations are in order?"
"Oh?" Blake brightened, resisting the urge to smirk. "What did you have in mind?"
"W-well… maybe a congratulatory kiss?" She asked, glancing at his lips suddenly and then looking away again, her cheeks flushing darker.
"Oh, you want a kiss, huh?" Blake grinned.
"W-well, just a thought, you know, as a reward, if you wanted, but it's not like I'm asking…" Ayame fumbled. She glanced down at him, seeing that she was caught. "…Yes, please."
"Okay," Blake chirped. He rose up on his toes slightly and leaned into her, as she tilted her head down and let his lips meet hers. It was just a quick peck and they pulled back, Ayame's face lighting up as she giggled giddily.
There was a less cheery congratulations occurring across the stadium as well. Sylvia helped Misato down the hall, allowing her to conserve energy even though she was capable of moving on her own.
"I already expressed that this action is unnecessary," Misato said. "Elaborate. For what purpose are you supporting my movement?"
Sylvia rolled her eyes. "Because you look pretty rough, dummy."
"Negative. The artificially synthesized texture that makes up my skin covering is designed to be a perfect replica of human skin, and the surface of my exoskeleton underneath is designed for-"
"Figurative language, sweetie," Sylvia giggled. "I just meant that you look like your body has gone through some serious damage."
"Ah. Understood."
"Misato!"
Sylvia glanced up, smirking.
Will walked up to the two of them, his face a little troubled.
"Greetings, Will," Misato said automatically. "Please state your intention."
"My… uh, my intention?" Will asked. "Um, nothing. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Are you okay? Your body looks like it's in pretty bad shape."
"Negative. My computational processing is operating at standard levels. My physical functions are still functioning within acceptable levels. Damage to my systems are not to a significant degree as to impair my ability to continue operations," Misato replied.
"Oh, uh… that's good," Will said, feeling a little dumb for seeming so worried about her all of a sudden. She had taken a significant beating, but in spite of how she looked it seemed that everything was still working, so…
Sylvia sighed. She leaned over and whispered into Misato's ear.
"Understood," Misato said. "Will. Thank you for expressing concern for me."
"Huh?! I wasn't concerned, just… never mind."
"Understood. Sylvia, your assessment was inaccurate. Will was not expressing concern."
"That was a lie."
"Understood."
"No, I-!" Will sputtered, shaking his head. "I just… I don't know, I was worried."
"Understood. Your thoughts of worry are unnecessary. There is no need to concern yourself with my condition," Misato assured him. It was not logical for anyone other than the Phantom to be concerned about her. She was a tool for him to use, and that would be the only reason to show concern. Beyond that, she could not determine any reason to be concerned for her from the evidence currently available to be analyzed.
"With that in consideration, it is still necessary for me to express my gratitude for your actions," Misato continued. "It was not rational, but you still expressed worry, and Sylvia has informed me that is something worthy of extending thanks."
"Right, and if you want to know what a good way to thank him would be…" Sylvia began whispering into Misato's ear again, Will feeling something fishy going on.
"That information is not recorded in my known methods of expressing gratitude," Misato replied, Sylvia continuing to whisper.
"Oh, trust me, he would be very grateful," she said, just loud enough for him to hear.
"It is not my understanding that such action would be appropriate compensation for displaying worry. To what degree of certainty can you state that is a proportional response of expressing gratitude?" Misato asked.
"Just do it. It's definitely proportional."
"Affirmative." Misato removed her arm from Sylvia's shoulder and stood on her own feet, walking briskly over to Will, staring him eye to eye. Will backed up a little, staring uncomfortably at her, not sure what-
Misato knelt down and extended her fingers towards Will's belt, and he quickly backed away.
"Hey! Hey!" He shouted, his face flushing. He held his waistband tightly, staring in shock at the two. "No! None of that!"
Sylvia held her stomach and doubled over laughing. Misato stared blankly at Will, unable to determine what his response was meant to signify.
"Elaborate. Sylvia stated that the most effective way I could express gratitude towards you was-"
"She was lying!" Will exclaimed.
"Understood." Misato rose to her feet and turned to Sylvia.
"Sorry, sorry, that was just too funny!" Sylvia cackled, slapping the wall to keep her balance lest she fall over laughing.
"If that would not be adequate compensation, then what form of gratitude would you prefer I repay you with?" Misato asked, turning back to Will, but he had already run away in shame.
"Sorry, Misato, I tried my best," Sylvia managed to get out between peels of laughter, walking over to the mechadoll and clapping her on the shoulder. "It would have been nice, but unfortunately that boy's just a little too shy."
Misato was not capable of determining what conclusion she was supposed to draw from the words that Sylvia had spoken. This was a common occurrence.
"Elaborate."
Sylvia shook her head, ducking down under Misato's arm and taking on a portion of her weight, chuckling to herself.
"Sorry, Misato, some things I just can't explain to you."
There were a finite number of subjects that Misato had not developed sufficient awareness of to decipher, and human emotion was one of them. It was the option that had the greatest statistical likelihood when accounting for Sylvia and Will.
"Understood. Human emotion, correct?"
"Yep! That's a good girl!" Sylvia reached up and tussled Misato's hair. It was an action she did often. Misato knew it was a method that humans used to demonstrate affection. Such a demonstration would thus warrant a 'thank you' but the last time she had said as much, Sylvia told her not to.
So Misato said nothing, walking along with Sylvia.
"Whoa, that battle royale was amazing!" Dakota's eyes were shining brightly, seeing such an exciting match had her inspired. "I can't believe that tomorrow's matches can top it, maybe not even any match! So much back and forth, the team-ups, the amount of fighters and the tactics, it was amazing, don't you think, Aki?!"
She and Akira were accompanying Lila to her changing room. Dakota was so lost in thought she wasn't even thinking about sneaking a picture of Lila without her makeup on.
"I can't wait to get back to my room and get started on the article coverage!" Dakota gushed. "It's going to be so amazing, there's just so much to-oh, Madison Whitmore."
Dakota was stopped mid-rant to see Madison walk up to them, her expression serious.
"Hello there!" Lila chirped, immediately switching to "work mode". "You fought very well in the battle today! I was cheering you on! Are you excited for tomorrow?"
"Yeah, whatever," Maddi muttered, not even paying attention to the girl. Lila almost gave into the urge to give her a tongue lashing, but Dakota Evans was here, so she had to be on her best behavior or things would get dicey.
"You need something?" Akira asked.
"Her," Maddi said, pointing past Akira and at Dakota.
"Well, uh… I'm not going to say I'm flattered, like, at all, and-"
"I have a possible story for you," Maddi replied. "About Misato Daisan. You interested?"
Dakota's eyes widened, her entire demeanor changing at the sound of that. All thoughts of the battle royale had fled her mind, this sounded like an even bigger scoop.
"Hey, why don't we go somewhere private?" Dakota asked, resisting the urge to drool a little. "You can tell me all about it."
"Dakota-"
"Sorry, Aki! Duty calls, I'll be heading off by myself!" Dakota saluted. She turned to Maddi, her eyes shining in a way that reminded Maddi of the way she had caught Cynthia ogling Serefina and her photos in the past. Maddi shivered. But Dakota was a necessary evil, and Maddi was going to make the reporter work for her this time.
Dakota grabbed Maddi by the wrist and practically dragged her down the hall, laughing like a madwoman.
"…As Dakota goes, so too am I," Akira said, glancing at Lila, who nodded sympathetically.
"See you tomorrow, Akira!" Lila said, waving goodbye to him as he headed down the hall as well. Whether he was following Dakota or going home by himself she didn't know, but that wasn't what she was concerned with right now.
No, there was something else that was worrying her, something that she needed to take care of. More specifically, someone that she needed to see.
Lila turned on her heel, and headed to where she knew that Darla would be.
Darla had just left the pokemon center, Melody's pokeball in hand, when she saw Lila coming her way. She winced in spite of herself, not ready to have this conversation just yet.
"Darla," Lila said, stopping in front of her partner, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"…Hey, Lila," Darla said, feeling a little uncomfortable. She glanced away, as if Lila could see the shame she was feeling just by looking her in the eye.
"Are you okay?" Lila asked, reaching a hand out to Darla, but she didn't extend it all the way. She wanted to pat her friend on the shoulder, let her know it was okay, but… she didn't know if that was what she should do. What did Darla want right now? Did she even want Lila here?
Maybe Lila really was just being a bother…
Darla could see the apprehension on her partner's face as well. She sighed, and a soft smile spread across her lips as she crossed the divide herself, taking Lila's hand in hers.
"I'm fine, Lila, don't worry about me," Darla said. "We gave it our best, but it just wasn't enough. But that's okay, we'll get 'em next time."
"But you used Dragon Force…" Lila said softly, looking around to make sure there was no one to overhear. "You always said you hated using that."
"I needed it to win," Darla said, her tone harsher and more bitter than she had intended. "…But in the end I guess it didn't matter."
"Darla… it's okay if you don't win, you know," Lila pressed. She still wasn't sure why Darla was making such a big deal out of this. It was just a funsies tournament, right? Even the Empress had said that there wasn't a need for Darla to try so hard. It wasn't like the Empress would lose face from her associates not being good at battles, right?
"It's not that," Darla said, shaking her head. "I just… I can't talk with you about it, Lila. I can't. I'm sorry, but it's just… it's not a big deal. I'm just going to do my best, and fight as hard as I can."
Lila tried to search Darla's eyes for a reason, but she couldn't see one. Darla… the way she was acting, she was clearly hiding something, and Lila was trapped between wanting to know what, exactly, it was, and wanting to respect Darla's privacy.
"Just… Darla, remember, if you ever need anything, I'm always here for you," Lila said. If she tried to force the issue, it would only drive Darla further into a corner. She could see that, even if she didn't like it. So she would let Darla keep her secrets, and be here for her whenever she needed someone to lean on. That was the best thing she could do for her partner.
"Thank you, Lila," Darla smiled. "But I'm fine."
She wasn't fine. Everything about her eyes was screaming she wasn't fine. Lila could see how drained she was, using Dragon Force the way she did. Darla had always said she hated using it, because it felt like burning away her emotions as fuel for her pokemon, and Lila didn't want her to go through that. But she had.
"I'm glad," Lila said, forcing a smile to her face. It was far from the first smile she had faked today, and she knew she would fake many smiles in the future, as well. But she hated having to give Darla a fake smile. She just wished she could give her a genuine one.
"I'm going to train, so… is that all?" Darla asked, clearly looking eager to go. That hurt Lila to see, but she kept her smile up anyway.
"Yeah, that's it," Lila nodded. She wished it wasn't, but there was nothing she could say to get Darla to stay with her. "Good luck in the tournament. You're fighting on Wednesday, right?"
"Yeah," Darla nodded. "Against Raizer and his Zeraora. It's going to be a tough one alright, but I'm going to put my all into it."
"Darla…" Lila's voice cracked in spite of herself. She cleared her throat before continuing, "it's okay if you don't win, you know that, right?"
"Yeah, of course," Darla smiled. "I'm not an idiot, Lila, I know that! What's important is that I try my best!"
Darla's smile was bright. But Lila had known her long enough to know when she was wearing a fake smile.
When did the two of them… when had they reached the point where they couldn't be honest with each other? When instead of talking openly as friends, they exchanged fake smiles for the comfort of the other?
Thinking that… it made Lila want to cry. But she couldn't, it would hurt Darla far too much. So she smiled instead, keeping that fake smile going for as long as she could.
Darla and Lila parted ways, Darla walking through the snow in silence. With Lila gone, her smile slid off of her face, replaced with the hollow emptiness that was becoming all too common. She walked to where she had agreed to this meeting. The meeting that she loathed, but could not escape.
"Hello there, Darla Drake," the Phantom greeted her, stepping out from the shadows cast by the moon over the dark trees, twisting wickedly in the winter wind.
"…Hello…" Darla murmured, staring at the man with vacant eyes.
The Phantom Cup will be underway next chapter! It should be interesting, to say the least!