Japanese Title: The Metropolis Festival! Crazy Night With Friends And Foes!
Translation: Sono Shufu Fesutibaru! Kureejii Naito Abekku Furenzu to Hantaisha!
By: Pro_V
Between: "Friend And Foe Alike…Again! Part 2" and "Elite Battle One: Changing Colors"
A tiny Pokemon with a bushy tail, a fluffy collar and a large set of ears sat quietly in the window of his master's temporary residence in Rainbow Metropolis. After winning their way to Prisma Hall, his master and her companions had been moved to their own apartments near the Head Masters' arena. For weeks he had dreamed of seeing sights just like this one; shining lights in buildings and colored balloons waving and floating about the cloudless sky. Vovo had always wanted this, but not solely for himself. He wanted this for Eevy more than anything, but also for his sons. If only Ditto could see him now…
As he sat there, gazing out into the clear afternoon air, something spoke behind him, "Pi-pi-pika-pika?"
Vovo turned swiftly to find Ash's first Pokemon, his Pikachu, standing behind him, one ear up and one ear down, "Eevee," he replied.
Pikachu bounded over and sat slowly down beside the Eevee belonging to one of his closest human friends, "Pika. Pi pikachu pi cha. Pika…"
Vovo nodded in agreement that yes, the lights out there were pretty, "Eevee. Eev eevee eev ee."
Pikachu shrugged to note that if Pikapi held no grudge against Pikacha, then he would hold no grudge against Vovo, "Chau…"
Both Pokemon sat silently, watching the very few and light clouds glide smoothly overhead. There were to be parties tonight to honor Vovo's master and the League. Festivals, games, banquettes and the like were all being prepared now, so as to be ready in just a few hours for the chime to begin. At three-thirty League time, which was synchronized with Prisma Hall's four great clock towers, the bells of the Head Masters' arena would toll. Only on this mark could the celebrations begin. These traditions had been passed down from year to year as a way to honor the new challengers and the Elite 4 and Champion, as well as a way to mark the end of the Rainbow League Regional Competition. For this event, everyone was allowed in the city, and it was not uncommon for everyone to show. This was one of the times that Masters and beginners alike could mingle in peace, instead of in battles. Under the same sky of beautiful blue, Bazan Kratos stood in his office, staring out the window with his hands in his suit pockets. He turned quickly around, glaring into the four behind him; three men, one woman.
"You're going. Whether you like it or not," he snorted, eyes narrowing.
"But, sir, I really don't think-" the tallest stepped forward.
"Ryujin, you shut your mouth," Kratos growled, slamming his fist on his desk, "You're getting out there and you're going to at least pretend to have fun about it."
"But I really don't want to-"
"You heard me," was the simple reply as Lance moved back to his original position, turning amazingly silent, "You're all beginning to irritate me. You especially, Ryujin. You're all growing soft and easily defeated. When that woman challenges you, I expect to see you having made some progress in your training."
"Her name is Evangelina Hikoboshi, sir," Jason murmured quietly, looking sadly downward, "Minor Master Mortimer's sister."
Kratos's eyes widened, then quickly narrowed, "Did I ask for your comment, Master Peruwa?"
"No, sir."
"Then be quiet. I know you seem to have created some kind of…Friendship…" he stared Lance down, who cringed, "With this Evangelina woman…I expect you to get over it. Quickly too…"
Will, Luri and Jason looked over at Lance, who dropped his head and balled his fists at his sides, "With all due respect, sir," Will put in, wondering to himself just how much respect truly was due, "You know what the Beasts said. You too have seen them and spoken to them. You must accept-"
"There is nothing more I have to say to you," his hissed, sitting slowly down, "Go now and prepare for the festivities tonight."
Lance gagged and stayed still as Will and the others started out, "Sir, please," Luri turned back and stepped up, "Don't force him into this. He's really-"
"Lurianna, be quiet," he snapped, sending her away, "Your mother was insolent at times, but you have by far surpassed her. You must remember, Miss Sedna, just who it is that replaced her with you. You are just as easily expendable. Say with…Miss Black," he grinned evilly as Luri's eyes roared their icy blue.
Will took Luri's shoulders and pulled her along as Jason turned Lance around and pushed him a bit, "Pardon my forwardness, sir," the Elite First paused and looked back, "But you don't know what this is like for him. For us," he emphasized, "If you did…" he shook his head and made a break for the door before Kratos could reply.
Bazan just rubbed his chin and tilted the frame on his desk a bit more to his view, "Peruwa…You have no idea what you're saying," the widower spoke to no one, as the door had already latched and the Elite were already gone, "Marrim…"
*^~^**^~^*
"Hey, you two," a sweet and easy voice called from behind Vovo and Pikachu, "What're you guys doing over here?"
Both Pokemon looked back, chirping at the Elite 4's next challenger; Evangelina Chenoweth Hikoboshi of the Town of Rose. She crouched down behind them, looking out over the city as they returned their gaze to the sky and rooftops as well. Eevy reached out and placed a hand on either Pokemon's heads, scratching their ears and causing them to chatter in their language. She smiled at them and sat down Indian-style, both Pokemon hopping into her lap. All three stared out into the distance as the great clock towers of Prisma Hall bonged three o'clock. Eevy scooped both Pokemon up and started to the door.
"Come on, guys. Time to start getting ready for the parties," she grinned, setting them both down on her bed after entering the next room, "This is for you, Vovo. You'll look nice," she clicked the buckle on his collar and jingled the V and O tag, "And I got this for you, Pikachu. It's ketchup red," she smirked and fastened the little crimson bow-tie at Pikachu's throat, "Think you can stand them for a couple hours?"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded, straightening his new neckwear.
"Eev!" Vovo jangled his tag and winked.
"Good. You guys wait here!" she snatched a bundle of things off the dresser and hopped into the bathroom, "I'll be back in a flash!"
Five minutes…Ten minutes…Twenty minutes…It was approaching three-twenty five when Eevy finally emerged from her seemingly ritualistic preparations. The pants she wore were baggy enough to be mistaken for a skirt and seemed to be new. She tucked in her sleeveless turtleneck and straightened her belt, subconsciously tapping its gold buckle. Bending down, she pulled her rolled-top boots up and then straightened her rolled-wrist gloves. After fiddling with her amethyst necklace, earrings and bracelet, all of which had been a gift from her parents and aunt and uncle for winning the championships, she fluffed her hair and spun around. From head to toe she was a walking, talking, gradually darkening blur of violet, the darkest of shades in her shoes and the lightest in the barrettes she then fastened her bangs back with. She presented herself to Vovo and Pikachu with a wide grin.
"How do I look?" she questioned, giddier than ever in appearance, "Do you think it's all right for the occasion?"
"Pi!"
"Ee!"
She reddened a tinge, "Thanks, guys. Come on now," she accepted them both to her shoulders, "Let's go and find everyone before they start without us!"
*^~^**^~^*
"Bingbing-Bingbing…" the clock towers chimed, "Bingbing-Bingbing."
"Hurrah!" the streets immediately started swarming with people and Pokemon as the bonging signaled three-thirty.
"Look at all the people!" Yuu-Yuu shrieked, looking about the packed avenues of Rainbow Metro, "And all the Pokemon!"
"And this is all for my baby sister!" Morty grinned, latching onto Eevy from behind and spinning around.
"Hey! Put me down! Morty! Quit it!" Eevy cried, kicking and struggling while laughing.
Misty scanned the streets as well, suddenly hearing the roar of a roller coaster careening down its track, "Oh wow! They have rides too!" she grabbed Ash's wrist, "Let's go ride the ferris wheel!" she screeched after spotting it and pointing to it.
"I can run on my own! Honest!" Ash called, stumbling along towards the Rides District, "Uh…See ya' later, guys!"
Sooney bounced up beside Yuu-Yuu, "I say we go find the Games District. Maybe we can win some souvenirs."
"Good idea," Yuu-Yuu looked over her shoulder, "Coming, Skiff?"
"I suppose," he murmured, latching onto Tracey's arm and dragging him along, "You are not leaving me alone with them."
"Heh…Great…" the Pokemon Watcher murmured.
"I think I'll go check out the Shopping District," Brock stuck his hands in his pockets and started away, "Maybe I'll spot a pretty girl or two," he smiled crazily.
"Shopping…District?" Beth's eyes practically turned to dollar signs, "Wait for me!" she took off after him.
"I'm kind of hungry…" Mizu grinned at Eusine, then suddenly flew down the sidewalk, pulling him behind, "Come on!"
"AHH!" Eusine wailed as they disappeared into the crowd.
"Should we go after them?" Lisle asked as everyone sweatdropped.
"Guess so…" Morty smiled wide at Eevy, "See you in a bit, sis. Bye!" he bounded down the road as well, Lisle directly behind.
Eevy stretched and stared about, grinning, "Guess we should get in there too. This is to honor our hard work," she looked over at Medira, "And before you go saying it's for me, it's for you too, coach."
Medira nodded with a pleased expression, "Thanks, Eevy."
"Hiya!" came a crazed shout from behind before something latched onto Eevy's waist, "How are you, ya' silly twit?"
"Holy geez!" Eevy flew away and spun around, suddenly freezing and looking puzzled, "M-May?"
"That'd be me!" this one called May smirked, "Long time no see!"
"Yeah!" Medira tilted her head as Eevy and May gave each other a sisterly hug, "What are you doing here?"
"My baby brother told me you won the championships. It'd been so long, I figured now would be a great time to come and see you and congratulate your brains out!"
"Heehee…Thanks!"
"Um…Pardon me," Medira cut in.
"I'm sorry, Medira," Eevy grinned, "Medira, this is May Oak, Gary's sister. May, this is Medira Kurayami, a very good friend of mine."
"It's great to meet you," May nodded, "Gary says you're really strong," she rolled her eyes, "And coming from Gary, who believes himself to be the greatest of all at everything, that's saying a lot."
Eevy and Medira both snickered, "Tell him thank you," Eevy shook her head, "Where is he anyway?"
"He went to the Battle District and left me on my way," May shrugged.
"We were just getting ready to head out too. Would it be OK if you came with us?" Medira questioned.
"Yeah! Come!" Eevy nodded enthusiastically, "Gary can get along fine on his own, as long as he doesn't run into Ash. Of course, in that case, I'd be more worried about Ash…"
"OK then!" May agreed, following Eevy and Medira down the road, "I love your outfits, by the way."
"Thanks a lot!" both girls beamed, now prancing instead of walking.
*^~^**^~^*
"Welcome, everyone, to this year's Festival of Rainbows!" a high-pitched voice chimed over the speakers throughout the city, "This is DJ Sally, signing on from Rainbow Square right here in the heart of Rainbow Metro!"
"And this is DJ Loni right here too! We'll be bringing you the scoop on all of the events taking place during this wonderful celebration!"
"Come on, girls! Hand over the mic!" a muffled snort replied as someone yanked the microphone away from Loni and Sally, "Thank you! Hah! And this would be DJ Rich, fighting for the mic, but getting it anyway! Tate and the other DJs are here too, so don't hesitate to come on down to Rainbow Metro!"
"Gimme that!" a fourth voice growled, "Gotcha! And this would be the aforementioned DJ Tate! And now I've got the mic! Muaha!"
"Hand it over! Now I've got it! This is Donna from Nanka too! Just to stop this whole who's here and who's not argument, we've got a total of twenty four DJs here today! Four from every region to keep you posted!"
"And this'd be DJ Bruce from the Orange Archipelago to tell you not to tune out of WCLR unless you want to miss some of the most important Rainbow League news!"
"Competitive crowd, I take it?" DJ Mary asked from the back of the tent.
"They're like this every year…" DJ Ferris sighed, "Just ignore them. It's quicker, easier, and probably less of a hassle," the others nodded in return.
"Hey, isn't that the girl who's challenging the Elite tomorrow?" Reed leaned over the table, watching Eevy saunter by with Medira and May, "Hey! It is! Perfect story!" he started grabbing at a tape recorder.
Ben's Mankey hopped on the back of Reed's head, slamming his face into the table as his master snatched the recorder for himself, "Me first, buddy!" he ran for the street.
"I so do not think so!" Walt made a leap to snatch the equipment, "Hand it over!"
In the midst of all this, Fern had picked up her own recorder and hopped over the brawling men on the ground to follow Eevy along. Reed, Ben and Walt froze, staring at her with low scowls. Fern scrambled up between Eevy and Medira, jamming the latter away.
"Hello, Miss Hikoboshi!" she greeted enthusiastically, "I'm DJ Fern of Kanto! Can I have a few words with you?"
Medira and May shrugged and Eevy smirked nervously, "Uh…Sure?"
"Great! Let's just find a place to side down…" she pulled Eevy away, the other girls following, "Perfect!" Fern yanked out a chair at one of the outside tables, "Have a seat, please!" Eevy sat slowly, Medira and May sitting to either of her sides, "All right then! First of all, please tell me who your friends here are."
"This is Medira Kurayami and May Oak," Eevy shrugged.
"Good to meet you! Now, could you please tell us a little more about your plans as a Pokemon trainer?"
"I plan to go as far as, if not farther than, my brother. I want to defeat the Elite 4 and become Champion. I know it's not unlike many other trainers…But it's what I've wanted since I first began my training."
"Great. Your brother would be Morty, correct? Of Ecruteak Gym?" Eevy nodded, "A very tough Gym Leader. And is it true you used to say you'd never train Pokemon?"
All three girls snickered, "Yes, it is. I used to think them no different than other animals. But when I first laid eyes on my Eevee, I'd realized I'd been wrong all along. They're something special; I see that now."
"There are many reports of your running in with Team Rocket. Are they true?"
"They've tried their luck at getting my Pokemon many times in the past. They've never done it and they never will."
"When Cathy of Hokubu covered the Dart Town Festival, she said she saw you win the Flower Princess Awards, as well as the Pokemon Olympics' Obstacle Course. True?"
"Yes. Entirely true."
Fern looked about, "And isn't it true that you need a partner for the Obstacle Course?" Eevy reddened profusely and nodded slowly, "Cathy happened to have noticed yours was a man, cloaked from head to toe. Can you tell me more about this masked comrade?"
Eevy glanced nervously at Medira, who looked just as tense, "He was a friend of mine."
"In a relationship sense?" Fern pried.
"I don't believe that's any of your business, eh?" Eevy's eye colors mixed and twirled.
Fern snickered and waved a hand at them, "You're showing Mistress potentials already. And don't worry; I won't ask any more about him. Next, is it true that Ashura Ketchum, your last round opponent on the Forest Field, was actually a friend of yours beforehand?"
"Yes, it is. Ash and I were friends since the day I was first registered as a trainer. He'd also defeated my brother for his Badge."
"And you've remained friends?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Eevy smirked.
"While covering the League Competitions this year, Loni tells me she saw you and Miss Kurayami here called up to Spectral Stadium's Great Round Hall by the Elite 4. Is this true, and if so, can you tell me what was said?"
"Yes, it's true. But I will not comment as to the conversation."
"Loni and other Stadium-goers said they also so you and one of the Elite physically fighting. Is this in any way true?"
"No comment," she murmured stiffly.
"Is it also true then that you engaged in an unannounced battle with Master Lance Ryujin?"
"Yes it is. We faced a one-on-one unqualified match with his Dragonair against my Jolteon. I defeated him."
"Do you think you can do it again? Can you truly defeat all four Head Masters?"
"If I try my hardest, I can do anything."
"Are you aware of Demised Master Peter Rubeus's intentions regarding the induction of a new Champion?"
"Everyone is, aren't they? I'm not letting him scare me off."
"It's rumored you have seen the Legendary Beasts, and possibly other Legendary and mystical Pokemon. Are these accusations true?"
Eevy paused, "No comment."
"I know I must be getting on your nerves and taking up your time for around the festival, so this is the last question. Many people are beginning to wonder if you are in any way involved with someone. Could you please tell us if you are romantically involved at the time being?"
Eevy remained silent, a million possible answers sorting through her mind, "I…Not really, no," she stood swiftly, yanking May and Medira to a stand beside her, "If you'll excuse us, Fern, we'll be going."
"Thank you for your time!" Fern called after them, waving her arms above her head, "See you around!"
*^~^**^~^*
About twenty minutes later, Fern popped over the loudspeaker, "OK everybody! Do I, DJ Fern of Kanto, ever have a treat for you! I've got my own exclusive interview with the Elite 4's next challenger right here and ready to play!"
Morty stopped scarfing his sushi and spun around, "No! She didn't!"
"What's the matter?" Lisle asked worriedly.
"Is something wrong?" Mizu asked as Eusine also seemed to stiffen.
"She shouldn't go answering questions without someone like Morty around," Eusine answered, "Morty knows the kind of questions that should and should not be retorted to. If she answered something in a way that could have a double meaning…"
"So, ladies and gentlemen, here's my interview with Evangelina Hikoboshi!" Fern slapped the play button down and spun around in her chair to meet three angry DJs.
"I was going to interview her, Fern," Reed snorted.
"I was going to interview her, Fern," Ben also puffed.
"I was going to interview her, Fern," Walt was the last to growl at her.
"Well, guess what," Fern chirped in their faces, "I interviewed her, boys."
*^~^**^~^*
Rubeus sat with his arms folded behind his head, listening intently to the radio, "Oh, she's not afraid of me, is she?" he huffed, sinking slightly in his chair, "We'll just see about that…"
"Are you feeling down, Master Rubeus?" a redhead leaned over his left shoulder.
"Would you like a drink?" a brunette dropped a tray towering with alcohol on the table in front of him.
"Or maybe we could cheer you up," a bubbly blond twittered from his right.
He grinned impishly, "Yes, actually. I think you can."
All three giggled, moving closer, until a black-haired woman sauntered over and held out a phone, "Your cousin is on the line, Master Rubeus."
He held his breath to keep from screaming bloody murder and snatched the receiver, "Yes?" he gnarled, the s on the end extended a few extra seconds due to the hiss he boasted.
"Heya, Petie!"
"How many times do I have to tell you never to call me that?!" he thundered, sending all four of his companions away, "What the hell do you want anyway?!"
"I'm in the City!" his cousin cried, "Can I come see you, Petie-Erp-Peter? Please? Pretty please?"
"Listen, you little pink powder puff, you still own me for getting you your Gym. In the short time span I remained Champion, I begged your whiny rear in. Once you pay me back, if you even can, then I'll think about considering you family again."
"Just because I'm not a Rubeus, doesn't mean I'm not your family, Petie!"
"Dammit! Don't call me that!" he roared, "You are a White and I am a Rubeus! Why my stupid aunt ever married someone with such a last name, I will never know, but I want nothing to do with your side of the family!"
"But once you need something, you'll come running to me!"
"Like I said; when you can somehow pay me back for the time I wasted getting you your Gym, I'll ponder looking your way. As for the rest of you Whites…I couldn't care less."
"But, Petie-"
"Don't call me that! And goodbye anyway!" he crashed the receiver down, his palms having left it melted a bit, "Err…That woman!" he growled, turning to the black-haired girl, who was examining the melted phone with a completely blank expression, "Take that off the hook and come back. We'll want to be left alone."
All four girls sniggered, "Yes, Master Rubeus!"
*^~^**^~^*
It was just beginning to get dark as Eevy wandered the streets with May and Medira, searching for the others. She'd found Morty and the three he was with and gotten lectured on how she'd done well at keeping herself safe with her comments, but that she should have come for him just the same. After that fiasco was over and done with, Morty, Eusine, Lisle and Mizu had hopped off to check out the TCG District. The others were still floating around somewhere in the abyss of people and Eevy was beginning to give up hope on finding them until the next day.
The TCG District was just where Victor Ryujin wanted to be right about now. He had all of his decks ready to go; Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sailor Moon, Pokemon, Digimon and Magic. Yet he was stuck in the Rides District, watching over Draco with Ray. Boring…It was like a pony ride, only on the great two-story Dragonite belonging to his older brother. How pathetic of a job can one get? About this pathetic. Ray didn't seem to be having all that fun a time either. He wanted to be in the Battle District, creaming Gary Oak after the way he'd pounded his Dragonite with his Nidoqueen a few weeks back. But it was just too bad for them; this was the job Kratos had given them until the next shift, so they were stuck. At least until Victoria and Rei got back from the Performance District. Hopefully they'd be on time.
May stopped in mid-stride and looked off to her right, "Oh look! It's Draco!" she flew over to the fence and stared up at the Dragonite flying in a dizzying circle about fifty feet above them, "He's awesome!"
"Sure is big," Medira murmured, stepping up beside her.
"Yeah…And I may have to face him," Eevy swallowed.
Ray looked down after watching Victor on Draco and spotted the three girls. He sped over as fast as he could run and tried to look important. He leaned on the bar and stretched out into their faces, all three moving quickly away.
"Hell-o there," he grinned, "See you haven't bombed out just yet there, Eevy."
"Back it off, bozo," Medira flicked his nose, "Go bother somebody else. Like someone who cares."
Ray snorted and turned his back to them, leaning against the fencing, "You'd care if you ever gave a chance."
"Dream on!" all three fumed as Victor bounded over.
"Hi there, Miss Evangelina!" he waved, catching Eevy's attention, "You're the one challenging the Elite tomorrow, right?"
"Uh…Yes," she nodded, "And you're the one who almost got me kicked out of here for having a chipped Badge!" she growled, stomping forward.
"Eeh!" he moved back, "I'm sorry about that. Really!" he waved his hands in a defensive position, "You standing here for a ride or something? Since you're old enough, I could take you higher."
"What does that mean?!" she thundered.
"Not like that!" he screeched, "Just that the kids can't go as high. Guys and dolls fifteen and over can go up to one-ten instead of about fifty. So you want to ride?" he smirked, "It's really a blast."
"Ah, go ahead," May shoved her forward, "I'll bet it's really fun!"
"Then why don't you go?!" Eevy snapped.
"I get motion sickness after I eat," May lied, smirking.
"Uh…Yeah! Me too!" Medira agreed, also pushing her through the gate.
"Have fun!" both girls started laughing crazily.
"OK! Let me up fi-" Victor was suddenly jolted back.
"You flew the last one! It's my turn!" Ray shoved him away.
"I asked her! I wanna go!"
"No way! We're supposed to take turns!"
"You can go twice in a row later then!"
"I want to go now!"
"Shut up, you two. I'll take her myself," a voice from nowhere pushed in.
A shadowed figure wondered over from the back corner of the fenced-in area where the Dragon stood. Draco bellowed and clapped, cheering at the arrival of his Master. Ray and Victor slowly separated, backing off as the Elite Fourth approached Eevy with a wide grin. May and Medira were laughing their heads off now while the rest of the crowd stared blankly.
"If you two can't seem to stop fighting, I'll take my Pokemon on my own," he puffed, handing Eevy a piece of gum, "High altitude. It'll pop your eardrums. Chew, but don't swallow."
"I knew that, thank you," Eevy snorted and stormed over.
"Oh you did, did you?" he asked sarcastically, seating himself at Draco's shoulders and patting the Pokemon's head, "They been taking care of you, buddy?"
"Bar…" Draco nodded.
"Good. Then I won't have to kill them and get myself dirty," he extended an arm to Eevy, "Come on. You afraid or something?"
"Shut up!" she slapped his hand away and climbed up on her own, sticking the gum in her mouth and gasping to herself, "It's…Raspberry. But…His is…Strawberry. I can smell it from here. How'd he…"
He smirked as he watched her chew frantically on the gum, trying to get every drop of flavor she could out of it. Victor and Ray stood back to grumble as Lance checked everything he knew he had to before settling down. He glanced over his shoulder at his passenger, who was sitting calmly, arms crossed. Draco leaned down and slowly started pumping his massive wings, the pressure nearly shattering the ground below.
"Uh…You might want to hang on," Lance murmured with a wide grin.
"Oh really?" Eevy snorted, "And just why would that be?"
He merely put out his left arm and pointed his index finger downward. Eevy gasped as she saw the rope that was supposed to be tied to Draco's ankle to measure the altitude…Was coiled limp and loose on the ground. With nothing to keep them at a set height…
"Oh boy," Eevy whimpered.
Lance smiled nastily, a light laugh escaping him, "Draco! Ascend, now!"
With one last immense pound of his wings, Draco lifted into the air. Eevy scrambled forward and latched onto Lance's waist, holding back on screaming frantically. The Dragonite sped upward for a good twenty seconds, which at this speed equaled about four hundred feet, maybe more. He then careened to the north, whipping along at who knows what speed. People on the ground pointed up to him and cheered loudly. The whole time, Eevy had her eyes shut tightly and her arms locked around Lance. He looked back at her and rolled his eyes before poking her shoulder.
"Hey…Hey, you…" she slowly opened one eye to find him smiling giddily back at her, "Come on! Sit up! Look around!"
She shakily leaned back, both eyes shut, and allowed herself to look down and around, "Woah…It's…Pretty."
With the sky just beginning to darken, the lights throughout the city were like stars in the ground; shining bright and beautiful. The trees were like blades of grass and the tiny specks that were people like ants. Eevy examined everything she could as Draco slowed ever so slightly to allow a better take-in of what they were so high above. She looked down on Rainbow Mansion and down into Prisma Hall, the nervousness starting to build in her stomach. But she was not one to withdraw, and she wasn't going to start now.
"This is…Amazing. The city is huge," she murmured, looking down to where Spectral Stadium stood.
"I swear it gets bigger every time I see it," he looked over as well, "And if Kratos had his way, I'll bet it really would get bigger."
"You don't like your boss?" she questioned, tilting her head.
"As far as I'm concerned, that guy's a devil and a half," he snorted, "I mean, he's an OK guy most of the time, but sometimes he can be a real…Crap-head."
"Nice…" she sweatdropped, then noticing her hair was not only flipping back, but up as well, "What's going on?! Why are we dropping?!"
"Chill out," he shook his head, "We're just…Going to have some fun," he pushed down on Draco's neck, causing him to drop faster.
"Pardon me?!" she barked.
"Calm down, will ya'? And please don't yell in my ear again," he glared back at her, "Just be careful you don't fall off. Draco!"
"Ba?"
"Extreme Speed, now!"
"What?!" she flipped, "No way!"
Too late…Draco was descending into the woods behind Rainbow Mansion, known as Spectral Spirit Woods. He passed swiftly between trees, his immense proportions seemingly making no difference in his maneuvering abilities. Eevy was actually screaming now, as there were sharp branches soaring above and below and trees and shrubs to every side. As the Dragon tore along, the leaves on the forest floor ripped into the air, leaving a great line of loose dirt in his wake. Eevy paused her wailing when Lance grasped her wrists.
"What are you doing?!" she freaked as he pulled her arms off and slid off to the side.
"Here!" he pushed her forward, moving around behind her, "You try!"
"Hey, buddy! I'm still not palsy with you after the stuff you pulled in the stupid round hall!" she barked, "And I don't intend on-"
"Watch out!" he snapped, pointing forward as she looked back, "Draco, avoid!"
"Bar-ah!" Draco tipped frantically away from a tree, crashing into it with his back leg, "Ba!"
"OK! I'm ready to get out of here now!" Eevy covered her eyes with her hands.
"Don't ever let go!"
"WAH! Sorry!" she slapped her hands back down, noticing Draco moved more to the ground upon contact of her palms.
"He's driven by pressure on his shoulders! You've got to watch what you do or you'll ram his face into the ground! It's just like a Ponyta's reins! Push on his left shoulder to turn him left and his right to turn him right! Push down on both to lower him, slide your hands back to take him higher! Grip to slow him down, and press with two fingers on each hand to speed him up!" he smirked as she twitched, "Not that tough!"
"For you, anyway!" she swallowed.
They burst out of the trees as suddenly as they'd entered them, "Wall!" Lance pointed, "The guard wall! Pull up!"
"Yiyee!" Eevy yanked her hands back.
Little did she know, Draco would have naturally veered up, even if she hadn't instructed him to do so, but we won't tell her that, will we? They shot straight up, swinging off to the left after traveling a few hundred yards into the air. They plummeted back down at twice the speed they should have been. Lance was a nanosecond from telling her to pull up or slow down or something, but he watched her hands, seeing she was telling him faster. She slid her hands back and the Dragon flew directly into Spectral Spirit Woods again. Eevy's eyes nearly bugged out and she shivered slightly.
"What am I doing?!" she suddenly jumped, shaking her head frantically.
"Oh, come on! You're doing good! Take a look around, Eevy!" he yanked one of her eyelids up, the other acting likewise.
She looked left to right to find trees blurring past and Pokemon scampering away. No matter how much she didn't want to admit it, this was kind of fun. The fading sun passed through the trees, just lighting the woods enough to navigate. In a few minutes, it would be too dark to fly. The sun was just starting to lower and the orange glow beaming from between the leaves was starting to lull daytime Pokemon to sleep and beginning to lure the nighttime Pokemon out of their morning bunkers. Eevy looked down to see a building coming into view between the trees. They broke out the other side of the forest in mere seconds, speeding around the right side of Rainbow Mansion at a furious pace.
"We should land here! It's open grass and it's getting dark!"
"There's just one problem with that!"
"What?"
"You never mentioned how to land!"
"…Oops," he snatched her wrists and pushed them out to either side.
Draco slowed and put his wings out carefully, swinging his back legs forward and planting his feet securely on the ground. He folded his gigantic wings and crouched down, crossing his arms under his chin to allow his Master and his passenger to climb off. Eevy sat for a moment, Lance waiting to help her down, and gawked at nothingness.
"Hey. You all right?"
"Huh? Oh! I'm fine," she dropped off Draco's side and carefully patted his nose, "Um…Nice…Dragonite?"
"Baah…" Draco nodded and extended an arm.
"Uh…Yeah," she shook his hand, tilting her head, "He's not so terrible, is he?"
"Bah?!" Draco leaned away, then slouched low to bawl to himself, "Baah…"
"You hurt his feelings," Lance sniggered, "He's got a big body and an equally big heart. He's strong, but real compassionate."
"Aww…I'm sorry, Draco," Eevy shrugged, "I didn't mean it like you weren't strong, just that you're not the stone-faced Draco everyone talks about."
"Barah," he pushed at her with his nose, sending her tripping away, "Bah!" he seemingly rushed to keep her standing.
"You're great, Draco. But that doesn't mean I'll go easy on you when we battle tomorrow," she grinned as Draco nodded quickly in return, "As for you," she turned on Lance, who backed away, "Don't go thinking-"
"Don't go thinking I'm forgiven. I know," he rolled his eyes and shook his head, "I'm never going to understand you, Eevy."
"Nor will I ever want you to," she snorted, waving slightly at Draco, "It's almost seven o'clock. I've got to get down to the Rainbow Square for my stupid speech."
"Y-You're leaving? C-Can't you stay? Just for a minute? We're right here at the Mansion and all and I-"
"I know I told you not to get your hopes up on my forgiving you. Yes, it was an awesome ride, and I thank Draco for it," she started walking away at a slightly faster pace, "But you can still eat marble for all I care."
He turned suddenly cross for the most obvious of reasons, "Yeah, well, before you get up there in front of all those people for that stupid speech of yours, you might want to get that leaf outta your hair!"
"Ooh!" she growled and stormed down the path, yanking tiny bits of leaves and bark out of her beloved hair.
Lance sighed lowly as Draco looked on sadly, "Baru…" he murmured.
"Hey, at least she didn't dropkick me again…" he moaned, "Come on, buddy. Let's get back down there…"
*^~^**^~^*
Eevy looked nervously around the tent she was standing under, scanning the many people gathered in front of her. She had to go out there, in front of all those people, and try to say something that sounded intelligent. Yes, she used to be an amazing actress in her drama class, but that was years before. And this wasn't acting anyway; this was all too real. She was going out there with no one but her Pokemon and Bazan Kratos, the guy Lance seemed to hate, to back her up. How she wished right about now that Morty could accompany her. He was a pain in the prat sometimes, but he was still her major influence and one of her very best friends. She took a deep breath and stepped silently out to sit down, the people irrupting at the very sight of her. She waved slightly and seated herself in the chair to the right of the podium, quietly releasing all six of her Pokemon. Kratos in his usual deep red suit stepped up and accepted his greeting of a wave of applause before starting.
"Thank you all for coming. As you all well know, the Festival of Rainbows plays a major part in our League Competitions every year. Not only does it mark the end of the Regional Battles, but it also chimes in to up the spirits of the challengers facing the Four Head Masters. This year, our challenger is much more than just some other trainer. She is sister to one of our top Johto Gym Leaders and cousin to one of the most predominant figures in Legendary Pokemon research. This year, our challenger is Evangelina Hikoboshi; a woman of fine stature both in, and out, of Pokemon training. She's an accomplished Pokemon Breeder, having won Pokemon and Breeder of this year, winner of this year's Flower Princess awards, and winner of numerous martial arts competitions. And now it is her turn to speak. Miss Evangelina Hikoboshi," he stepped off to the side and waved her up to the podium.
She remained mute while standing, waiting for the yelling to die down, "Thank you, President Kratos," she looked forlorn for reasons even Sovo was unable to see, "To tell you the truth, I don't have anything prepared for this speech. But I'm at my best when winging it, so I'll give it a shot. When I was a little girl, strange as though it may seem, I had a dream, just like any of us. The difference with me from most was that mine didn't include Pokemon. Mine was merely to learn what I had to, then learn more. I strived for information, for more things to learn and excel in. But none of the things I ever focused my mind on included Pokemon. You might call me crazy, or say I'm not fit to train Pokemon when I say this, but I never really cared all that much for them," everyone, including Kratos gasped, "See? You can't believe what I've just said. Just like what I told Fern, I thought them no different from cats or dogs or birds; they were just animals. Strange critters than my brother and cousin were obsessing over for no reason.
"As I got older, I only drifted farther from the world of Pokemon training. Yes, there was my brother's Gengar and my cousin's Voltorb…But they were just Pokemon to me too. Just happens I got along with them beforehand. Nonetheless, I respected them, and gave them the space and chance to live that I would a deer or a spider. That was all I needed. A few months ago, my brother called me from Ecruteak to in inform me he was coming home to visit. It was one of the nicest things the goofball had ever told me," even Morty had to snicker, "I was walking that afternoon and I heard something screech. That was when I met Vovo, my Eevee," he hopped up onto the podium and grinned, "His old master, one Daemeon Luminati, who I faced just this year, was abusing him. Cutting him and hurting him in ways I can't describe," Kratos made a mental note of this, "It hurt. It hurt so much…To see that the creatures I had given respect to yet had not trained were being abused and disrespected by someone who did train them. I saved my little Eevee. I did everything in my power to help him. One of these ways was to travel to Sunflower City all the way from Rose Town to get what he needed to survive. I used my brother's Gengar to get there, but the tip had weakened him. He couldn't take me back. But I'm not one to give in.
"I grabbed what I needed and made the most daring trek I had at the point: Straight into the heart of Thorn Forest," eyes widened, "Crazy, you say? Well, I made it out alive, didn't I? The Spearow were attacking a wild Ditto, and I used the Poke'Ball my crazy brother had planted in my bag to capture it and save it. I stood up to the alpha Fearow of the Thorn Forest flock. I told him what I was doing. Told him I wouldn't back away. He dropped his head to me, and flew me back to Rose. I saved that Eevee just as I'd planned to. And from the very second I saw him, bandaged and recovering, I was ready to start my training. I was over twice the minimum age, so that wasn't a problem…So I packed up and headed to Lily.
"I nearly got swept down the Gladiola, but we won't get into that hellish happening at the moment. Once I was in Lily, I met Professor Palm, who registered me. And my crazy little Vovo here decided to breed with Ditto," she ruffled Vovo's fur, "They gave me a total of ten Eggs," she pointed behind her, "That's where these five beautiful boys came from. The Ovo boys. After this, I met Ashura Ketchum and his duo of followers, who I also faced this year. I knew I could only keep six Pokemon, and I didn't want to leave the Eggs in a box, nor any of my other Pokemon. In light of this, I gave five of the Eggs away. One to Chenille Farrago, one to Professor Palm, one to Lily City's Nurse Joy, one to my traveling partner Yuu-Yuu Palm, and one went home to my mother. All are hatched and living healthy lives. The matter of Ditto is different, however. In Lily, I also met Duplica Imite, who my Ditto wished to travel with, so as to leave my boys with their father. My Ditto is now with Duplica and her two Ditto, somewhere out there in Gertan Rin.
"From here the story's nearly the same as every other trainer's. I battled my way around this Great Isle of Gertan Rin, matching the challenges I was given. My boys deserve most of the credit though. And I have to thank my friends. I met Yuu-Yuu Palm in Lily, Sooney Shippou in Carnation, Medira Kurayami on my return trip across the Gladiola, and Mizu Mist in Daffodil. We've added my cousin Eusine, my brother Morty, Morty's trainee Lisle Illusion, Ash's companions Brock Granite, Mistaria Waterflower and Tracey Sketchit, my old friend Skiff Frigate, Mizu's sister Beth, and for the time being, my old friends Gary Oak and his sister May. They're like my family, and I wouldn't trade my time with them for anything; not even a one-way ticket into the Champion position," she knelt slowly down, Vovo hopping on her head, "And no matter if they win or lose, I'll never trade my boys away."
With her Pokemon crying out and swarming her, Eevy didn't even notice her standing ovation. She cuddled her Pokemon, fans beginning to move for the stage. She stood quickly, recalling her Pokemon and taking off down the steps, the whole crew following. She didn't even notice the way one girl seemed especially frantic to get to her. As Eevy disappeared down the road and the people followed directly behind, the girl slowed and slouched, giving up on ever catching up to her.
*^~^**^~^*
Eevy had successfully managed to run away from the people trailing her. She'd spotted a tagged tree and lunged up the path it was marking and just kept running. No one had followed, thank heavens, and she was now sitting upon one of the slopes of Harmony Hill. Not where she expected to be, actually. She'd remembered that when she'd found Rainbow Bridge that one night, its path had been marked by a tagged tree. She then realized that Rainbow Bridge was on the other side of the city. D'oh! She shrugged to herself before sitting down and staring up into the now black sky twinkling with stars. She'd been sitting for nearly twenty minutes when her peace was disrupted.
"Found yourself a place to run away to?"
She growled slightly, "Not you again. Are you following me or something?"
"Not really, no," Lance wandered up beside her, hands in his pockets, "Just walking," he sat slowly down, "Why are you up here all alone?"
"Trying to escape the people," she murmured, "And trying to be alone to think."
"Oh! Well, I'll get out of-"
"You're here now…Besides, if you walk out of here, they'll only swamp you, then probably find me…"
"Trying to be alone can be a real hassle," he shrugged, "But you seem to always want to be alone."
"No. That's not true," she shook her head, "I love being around my friends, my family and my Pokemon. I just don't like getting tailed by hundreds of screaming people."
"Heh…I know that feeling…All too well," he rolled his eyes, "You'll get used to it."
"I won't have to," she noticed him look at her blankly, "When I lose to you guys tomorrow, no one will care who I am, and everything will go back to normal."
"Hey! Don't say such things!" he snorted, placing his left hand on her right shoulder.
She slapped him quickly away, "I know I told you I hadn't forgiven you. You no touch, I no punch."
He sweatdropped slightly, "Well, for a minute here just now and for a while on Draco, you sure seemed to have forgiven me," he grinned.
"Things aren't always how or what they seem," she retorted.
"Oh, I don't know about that," he commented in an easy manner, "You sure seem like quite the trainer, and from what I've seen, you must be."
"Hah!" she laughed, "You're kidding yourself!"
"No. I'm serious. I've seen all your matches. You're an amazing trainer, and I can see it now that you're going to do great tomorrow. And you're great at winging speeches too."
She rolled her eyes, "You're just trying to get on my good side."
"From where I'm sitting, both sides are your good side."
She cuffed him in the gut, "Stop that!"
"OK, OK! Just please don't do that again!" he inched away, "All I'm trying to tell you is that you're a really good trainer; one of the best I've seen."
"Stop trying to flatter me."
"Come on! I'm being serious for once here!" he puffed, "I really, truly, honestly think you're a stupendous trainer."
She stared nastily out of the very corner of her eye, "OK…I suppose I could forgive you. This once."
"Yay! Score for me!" he cheered, "Now, if I could just get you to admit you're a good trainer…"
She turned to him and snapped, though it was a light one, "How many times am I going to tell you I'm not that good a trainer before you stop calling me once?"
"I don't know. It all depends," he retaliated slowly, "How many times am I going to call you a good trainer before you stop telling me you're not?"
She blinked slowly, turning red and looking away as she suddenly regretted forgiving him. He was quite satisfied with himself for redeeming himself and even more pleased with the fact that he'd been able to make her blush mere minutes after her forgiving him. She tinged a slightly darker shade as he leaned closer.
"I've embarrassed you, haven't I?" she merely kind of squeaked in return, causing him to smile, "You really shouldn't be embarrassed," she turned to look at him, finding him even closer, "You are a wonderful woman."
Her eyes went wide as he leaned even closer. She moved away, but he pulled her right back, kissing her carefully. Now she was really regretting forgiving him. Still…He was a good kisser. Though she hardly noticed, she started returning it; just as hesitantly as he had the night they'd met on the bridge. Interesting what can change in just a few days, hm? He wrapped his arm around her as she put hers around his neck. She pushed him back and held him off, hands at his chin.
"The rules-" she stopped as he pushed forward again.
"Forget the rules."
Just as he started leaning her back, and just as their lips again met, "Forget the rules, Master Lance?" they froze completely, neither even pulling away, as they glared off to their side, down the path to the city, "Sit up. Both of you…Now take your arms off her, and you take yours off him…Thank you. Now detach your mouths," a growl escaped him as they separated with residual kissing, "Now," they glared and pulled away, "Now say goodbye to your little friend."
Lance's eyes narrowed off at the intruder before he looked back on Eevy, "Good evening, Miss Hikoboshi."
As he started to stand, she frantically made a grab at his coat, pulling him back and right to her face, "Tomorrow," she murmured, biting her bottom lip.
"Tomorrow," he nodded slightly.
"Ahem," came a snap from the trail.
Lance stood and walked slowly away as Eevy turned and pulled her knees up to her chin, staring sadly out into the darkness of the night sky. The Dragon Master thundered past the man who'd halted what he'd wanted for so long, shooting him the filthiest of looks. The other one followed slowly behind, extra careful to stay back, out of Lance's two-foot reach.
"I'm sorry I had to do that, Master Lance, but-"
"No!" Lance stopped and spat back, "You see, you're not sorry, Bazan! You never are sorry! All your concern is for the League! Screw the League! God dammit!" he whipped around, storming along the path with his cloak flying behind him, nearly invisible in the nighttime shadows, "You're such a League-a-file!"
"Hey! That's League-a-holic to you!" Kratos snorted, "And how dare you cop and attitude and turn your back to me! Ryujin! Ryujin, you stop right there and get back here!" the Elite Fourth just kept going, "Lance! Lance! Damn you, boy!" he stomped along behind him, "Stop right now!"
"Forget it!" Lance turned back, throwing his arms into the air, "I'm not listening to you anymore! You're such a…a…I can't even say what I'm thinking!"
"You cannot have a relationship with that woman! And that is my final word!"
"I don't care! I really don't! And if you call her "that woman" one more time…OOH!" he started toward the end of the walkway.
"You'd best stop turning away from me or I'll drop you from the Elite once and for all! Out of League relationships are out of the question and punishable by dismissal! Is that what you want?! To be like Rubeus?!"
"Don't ever even joke about such a thing and never even mention that vermin scum! You want to know what I want?! What I want is Evangelina! You don't know how much I want her! But even if you did, you probably still wouldn't understand! But you know what?! I don't really give a flip and a half! For all I care, you could banish me from Pokemon training and I wouldn't give a flying fuck!" he turned a hot red as Kratos moved away, amazed at what he'd just heard, "I'm…Going back to the Mansion. Do as you please with me, but don't you dare stop her."
Kratos just stood there, eyes wide and jaw dropped. As he started to slowly follow, the last words either of them heard from Harmony Hill were, "Sun Ball, I choose you…Sovo, I'm begging you, buddy…Take my memories away."
*^~^**^~^*
Sovo's eyes illuminated red, the ruby piece on his forehead glowing with the same fiery light. His master's eyes shut slowly and she toppled backwards, her memory safely drained of all she wished to forget. His expression sad, he pushed the button on his Sun Ball to take himself inside, knowing that when she awoke, she wouldn't even remember summoning him. And so she laid there for a good quarter of an hour before she slowly and groggily sat up, her head splitting in pain.
"Ohh…What happened?" she wondered out loud, "I must have dozed off when I finally got away from those crazy people…"
"Eevy! There you are!" she turned slowly at her name, "Hey, sis! We've been looking all over for you!"
"Hello, Morty," she murmured, rubbing her right temple, "Sorry if I worried you…I sorta fell asleep."
"Ah, that's OK. I'm just glad you're all right," he reached down to her, helping her to her feet.
"Hey, Eevy!" May called from the path, bounding up, "Someone really wants to see you! She says she's a friend of yours!"
"Who is it?" she cocked her head, watching Gary running up, racing Ash, who was heaving along behind.
"I finally caught up to you!" the girl who'd been chasing after her hopped up, "You can really run when you try!"
"D…Duplica!" Eevy shot over to her and squeezed her with all her might, "Oh, wow! It's been a long time!"
"I know it has! I came here to put on my show in the Performance District, and I spotted Ash, Misty, Brock and Tracey, and they told me you'd won! We tried to catch you after your speech, but you took off!" Duplica was still as energetic as ever, "I'm only in town until tomorrow morning at eight, so I really wanted to see you!"
"We're leaving on the same ferry as Duplica," Gary shoved Ash away, "And since it leaves at eight, we won't be able to watch you battle."
"That's really too bad," Eevy looked to the ground, "But I say we live our lives to the fullest for now! Let's get down there into that city and party!"
"Hold on a second, Eevy!" Duplica halted her as she started running off, "Here!" she pulled the Ditto-shaped pin off her shirt, "Transform!"
"Di-tto!" the pin morphed into a much larger version of itself, "Dit-ditto-dits!"
"Ditto!" Eevy shrieked, jumping into the air, "Oorai!"
*^~^*End*^~^*
A/N: Crazy-crazy good-good! Heh…Sweet and tart all at once! Whee! This one was actually the easiest Lost Episode to do so far, and I'm really pretty happy with it. Hold on…Is that even allowed? But *gasp* I used a certain word there I've never used before…o_O…Oh my…There's a first time for everything, but…*dies*
*^~^*Pro_V*^~^*
-=O~Her Pokemon~O=-
And real quick, "Oorai" means "All right" or "OK" in Japanese
I still don't own Pokemon! How many more times am I going to say this? I don't know; too many to count, I guess…