"Lukey, what's the fuss all about here?" Mes asked once she and Lucas arrived at school. "And there are too many humans here. Yuck!" Lucas just sighed at that.
Of course it's gonna be bustling and busy. Well, it's 'cause the Interregional Schools Olympiad's happening today! Schools all over the region come to the host school once a year to set up some cool events and activities, like sports challenges, mini-pokémon tournaments, food shops, and many more. For this year, it's Lucas and Mes' school that's the host.
And if I remember what Sir Darian said, there's gotta be more than 10 participating schools here. Yikes, that's still a lot.
But besides the food and the pokémon stuff here, there's one thing that's been around Lucas' mind this past month: the Quiz Bee contest. Barry and Lucas signed up for it last month, and after a few tests, elimination rounds, and close shaves, they were finally chosen as the representatives for the elementary contest. Sure, Barry's loud and impatient, but Lucas knew that this guy's brain's something else. Who else would be cooking up those 'genius plans' when they were kids?
"Oh yeah! You told me that today's the day, right?" Mes asked Lucas while going to their classroom, passing by some stalls that were being set up.
He nodded. "I'm kinda nervous, though."
"Naw, don't be, Lukey. If it makes you feel better, I can take away your nervousness just for today."
Huh, that'd be nice, but wouldn't that be cheating, kinda? "I'm good, Mes. I'm used to this sorta thing."
"Aw~, not even taking just a teensy-weensy bit of it?" She's leaning on him. Lucas felt kinda awkward.
"N-no, I'm fine. Really. Thanks, though, but I got this, Mes," he replied, gently pushing Mes away and taking a deep breath.
"Fine. And here I am, trying to help you," she replied, pouting. Oh man, not this again.
"Mes? I'm—"
"No, no. I don't wanna hear it." She turned her head away from him. Man, why does she have to be so moody? Gotta think of something, c'mon.
"C'mon, just listen to me. Maybe you can cheer me on while I'm there?"
Suddenly, happy Mes. "Really? I could? I'm gonna scream 'Go, Lukey!'. Can I?"
"S-slow down, Mes. Maybe take away the screaming part?" Lucas imagined himself to be redder than cheri berries if that's the case.
"You got it, Lukey. And, good luck, too! Make sure you beat those putrid human opponents of yours." She raised a fist when she said that last part. Again with that human-hate. "I'll be rooting for you, Lu~key~"
"R-right, right. T-thanks, Mes. Y'know what? I feel less nervous now, thanks to you." Less nervous, and kinda awkward.
"Wah~ You're too kind, Lukey~" she replied, holding her cheeks.
Once they got to the classroom, they saw Sir Darian and some of their classmates setting up some decorations. First one to notice both the two was Sir Darian. Uh oh, he looked a bit worried when he looked at Lucas. That didn't sit right with Lucas. In fact, he walked kinda fast when he went to Lucas.
"Lucas? Aren't you supposed to be with Barry?"
"Huh, am I?" Mes got the same shocked face as well.
Sir Darian tsked pretty loudly. "Don't tell me you've forgotten. Look, for today, you have to go to—"
"There you are, Lucas!" Oh no, that impatient voice, Barry. He was panting when he got to Lucas. "You're coming with me!" Suddenly, he got Lucas' hand and darted off, only to be stopped when someone else was holding Lucas' other hand.
"Just where do you think you're taking him, Barry?" Uh oh, Mes didn't sound too happy at that.
"Y-yikes, M-Mes! I-I was just taking Lucas to the prep room. Y-y'know, for the Quiz Bee today. N-nothing too bad, it's just that Lucas is too dang slow!"
"Gee, thanks, Barry," Lucas quietly replied.
"Well, I'm going with him, whether you like it or not, Barry," Mes added. "I can't just let Lu—"
"I'm terribly sorry, Mes," Sir Darian cut her. "Only the contestants are allowed in the prep room. Please understand." Sir turned to the two boys. "Barry, Lucas. Head on there ASAP."
"What? Why?!" Mes sounded too annoyed now. "Hey, I just want to—"
"Mes. Enough. You can cheer him on when the contest start. In the meantime, please understand and help the rest of your classmates with the decorations and the lot." Uh oh, now Sir and Mes are having a staredown.
"Fine, fine. You guys win." Mes gently let go of Lucas' hand and turned to him. "Beat them to a pulp, and don't get too nervous, okay~? I'll be thinking of you~!" Next, she turned to Barry. "And you. Don't you dare try anything funny on him, you hear?" Lucas swore that he heard Mes' tone do 180's when she spoke with the three of them.
C-creepy.
"O-of course, I won't, Mes. I know what I gotta do." Barry turned to Lucas. "C'mon, Lucas! Let's get a move on, or we'll be late!"
Woah! All too quickly, Sir Darian and Mes were out of sight. Dang it, Barry's too impatient!
This. Is. Bullshit! Mesprit couldn't believe that Barry gets to whisk her Lukey away like that. Like, what was that all about?
I swear, if that brat tries ANYTHING to jeopardise Lukey's standing, I'll make sure he won't live the next few days in peace. I just have to do something that'll prevent suspicion from Yux.
Mesprit turned to Darky, alias Sir Darian and in his human form. "Hey! Just why'd you stop me like that?! I thought I made it clear how much he means—"
"First and foremost, they have to prepare for the contest by undergoing a review of sorts. We want to make sure they'll bag first place, or at least come back with a reward. I and the teachers-in-charge want to make sure that no distractions are to befall upon them. Second, the in-charge of reviewing them is one Miss Cassandra. I don't think I need to explain why you shouldn't go. Lastly, can't you spend some time away from Lucas?" He crossed his arms, too. "Also, as of now, I'm your teacher, Mes. You should watch your tone while we're in school grounds."
He raised some good points, much more to the fact that that Cresselia might give me an earful. Mesprit calmed down a bit, but each time she was away from her Lukey drilled holes in her once-empty husk. It was too uncomfortable when her source of light was away from her sight.
"Alright, alright. We'll play this game. Still, I just can't, Sir. If only you knew what I've been through, then you'd turn a blind eye on this one."
"But I don't, Mes, and you don't know mine as well. Let's keep it that way. Also, mind if I tell you that your hatred towards humans is a little unhealthy? I'm sure you know by now that each of them is unique. Please, fix that aspect of yours."
"Hmph, fine. You win, again. Oh sorry, you're my teacher now." Mesprit cleared her throat. "I understand, Sir Darian," she said, rolling her eyes.
He just sighed. "Again, you can cheer him on once the contest starts. Maybe make a cheering board for him, just like what Dawn's doing. Also maybe…" Suddenly, everything darkened around Mesprit.
That human our Lukey's crushing on's making her move! What should we do?
Let's eliminate her. Our only competition's gonna be—
No, no. That's going to arouse too much suspicion, and we can't risk that much given that we're with Lukey and our standing in the Hall right now.
Fuck it. Then what, we're just going to let her whatever she wants and win?
Of course not! Dammit, let's just approach her and follow what she's doing. Plus, they're still children. What are they to us?
Point taken.
A snap of a finger snapped Mesprit out of her trance. She forgot she was in front of Darky at the time being.
"Hey, snap out of it. Why don't you go and—"
"Yeah, yeah. I will." Whatever he said, Mesprit decided to hang around here and try to do what Mary Tabangon, student of this classroom and classmate to many, would do at this moment. As much as it pains me to be away from my dear, sweet Lukey, I still need to fulfill this identity assigned to me.
Setting her bag down on her seat, Mesprit approached Dawn, who was with two other humans befriended with her Lukey, Ruby and Hilbert, designing a few cheering boards for her Lukey and that brat Barry. Huh, Mesprit appeared to have forgotten that her Lukey and Barry were going to compete as a team. Maybe he'll be alright with her Lukey. Just maybe. Of course, the first one to notice Mesprit was Ruby.
"Ah, the dazzling Miriam approaches us!" What the hell's a 'Miriam'? Putrid human thinks that he could call a legendary pokémon with such names. Long had Mesprit held back the urge to rip this human to shreds until he was nothing but a mass of red decomposing protein mass. Still, her Lukey wouldn't want that. Damn… if only I wasn't being held back.
"Oh, Mes, morning," Hilbert greeted Mesprit. At least this human was much more tolerable than that insufferable, effeminate human. And to think that that other human, Sapphire, likes this joke of a sub-species? Humans, really.
"Mes, hello!" Dawn sounded a bit too giddy to see Mesprit. Granted, she was kind and respectful enough to warrant being Mesprit's list of passable humans, despite being one of Mesprit's major obstacles—not that Dawn knew, however. "Have you come to help us make some cheering boards for Lucas and Barry?" she added. Still, despite being an obvious competition, Mesprit could not deny that her bond with her Lukey was tight—as tight as with Barry's. This fact, Mesprit learned after a month's friendship with Dawn.
Remember, act as Mary Tabangon would act, as usual.
"Hello! Why, I'd love to. Gimme some papers, I'll get started," Mesprit said.
Hilbert nodded. "Cool. Well, that's—"
"Ruby! Hilbert! Think you can help out over here?" That came from the other corner. What was that human's name… Rosa? Mesprit believed that she and Lukey didn't know each other that much despite interacting every now and then, as what a month's observation had told Mesprit.
"Ah, that sucks. Excuse us, girls. Sorry for leaving you both with this," Hilbert said, and at least this human was respectful, despite his usual joker façade. He left a little later.
"This tragedy, separated from one whose beauty rivals Aphrodite's!" that Ruby blurted out before leaving. What the hell's an 'Aphrodite'? Well, now Mesprit wouldn't have to see his horrid face for now. She had to admit, however, that his skills in art were top-notch. Even some of the cheering boards now appeared to be well-designed.
This is lucky. Now, we're kinda alone with our number one competition.
Again, if you need to, we can spill some teensy bit of blood.
Dammit, not yet. Not yet. Let's take this time to know this character more.
And just as Mesprit planned it, she started conversing with Dawn as the both of them continued on with the cheering boards for her Lukey and that Barry. They also continued what those two other humans had left before being whisked away.
"So, uh, Mes. How has everything been? It's been a month already, too," Dawn initiated. Well, this saves the effort for Mesprit to open up the conversation.
"It's been alright, Dawn. I've been spending most of my time hanging out with Lucas. You know him, he's just the best," Mesprit replied. She intended to make it known as to what her feelings were, however discreetly.
"Oh, is that so? I wish I was his neighbour. It must be really fun to be with him, and maybe Barry, too." That other brat can drown in the lake for what Mesprit cared. "W-would it be alright if I ask what you two do whenever you two do have time to spare?"
"No prob."
Dawn's stuttering was music to Mesprit's ears. Mesprit then proceeded to describe in detail what the two would do, leaving out what needed to be left out. Mesprit felt Dawn growing jealous; that should let her know just how lucky and superior Mesprit was.
"I just wish my parents weren't too strict with me. They won't even let me out of the house and play with my neighbours. Well, I honestly don't have anyone to play with—well, I do have my sister back at home—but even so, I just want to explore the world with my ponyta." The fact that she's not allowed to go out has always put Mesprit in ease. That should test, and eventually shrivel, the bond she has with her Lukey. Still, she did mention that she had a sister and a ponyta. Mesprit decided to ask about her sister and her pokémon to prolong the conversation and prevent any suspicion aroused.
"Oh, well, I do hope your parents will allow you to run freely soon." Fuck that. Stay there and rot there. Don't you ever come near my Lukey. "Also, how's your sister and your ponyta been?"
"Ah, Platina and Flare? Oh, Platina's just fine. I'm quite jealous that she gets to go out more often than me, and even hang out with some of her friends. Well, she's older than me, that's why. As for Flare, he's just doing alright. He'll also participate in our practical exams, along with the borrowed pokémon I got."
"Jealous of your sister, huh. Guess siblings can be pretty annoying at times." Mesprit's mind shifted to Yux and Az, more so to Yux.
"I know, right? Get this once Platina did this… and that…"
Mesprit and Dawn continued talking about this and that. Throughout the course of their conversation, though, Mesprit was starting to feel something as they progressed.
Am I… are we actually vibing with our competition?
Hey, don't forget: this is the number one person who can snatch our Lukey away if we become too complacent.
Right, right, but like it or not, she's got this weird connection or similarity with our Lukey and that vagabond who calls himself a 'best friend' to our Lukey.
Yes, I feel it, and on my part, I won't be too complacent, but…
"Mes?" Again, she was snapped out of her trance. "You were spacing out a bit there."
"W-was I? Sorry, I do that sometimes. What were you saying earlier?"
"I was just saying that we've got to finish the rest of the cheering boards. Just a few more touches, and we can get going to where Lucas and Barry'll have their competition." Mesprit looked around the classroom; it's only a few humans here minus the two of them. The rest must've left for the venue already. "By the way, Mes, I find it weird that the cheering boards with Lucas' name seemed to be better designed than the ones with Barry's name."
Oh crap. I-I think we blew it.
Eh, could be worse.
I think they're pretty enough for our Lukey to see.
And they're right. The boards with her Lukey's name were glittery and well-designed, as opposed to Barry's. Shit, maybe Dawn might be onto us.
"Well, they're all still pretty, Mes. Either that, or maybe my taste in art's not as good as Ruby's. He'll probably point out the differences in a blink of an eye."
All too quickly, Mesprit blurted the next words to drive suspicion away from her. "Hey, Dawn. Wanna sit beside me in the venue?" Fuck! What the hell am I saying?!
"R-really? I'd be happy to, Mes. Thank you!" Oh no, now Mesprit couldn't talk her out of this lest even more suspicion would arise. Dammit, way to go, Mesprit. Just brilliant.
Regardless, the two quickly finished up the remaining cheering boards before leaving for the area they had to go, bringing along the boards and handing some of them to Sir Darian and some of their classmates. On the way, Dawn treated Mesprit to some food. Luckily enough, the food was sweet and somehow placated Mesprit's pissed-off mood. Finding their seats, they found out that they were beside the seats for one of the participating schools: Pastoria State High School.
One student to the right of Dawn caught Mesprit's attention. The student was wearing a dark-blue long-sleeved jacket and black slacks. She also had hair barely touching her shoulders from the looks of it. Though, they weren't the features that really bugged Mesprit.
Unknown to Dawn, Mesprit felt a very odd presence from this student. It wasn't ominous, but it was more of 'familial'. When she studied the student a little further, she was sleeping with an open book covering their face, while snoring just enough for Mesprit to hear.
"No way…" Looking at them just gave Mesprit goosebumps.
No fucking way! It's gotta be her! But, why's she here?!
N-no wait, dammit. We won't know for sure unless we uncover that book, hear their voice, and look at their eyes.
Oh, I know. We'll let Dawn do the honors. It'd be best if it wasn't us.
"Hm? Did you say something, Mes?"
"N-no, but do you see that student to your right? I-I think we should tell them that the competition's gonna start soon." Mesprit pointed to the student in question. When Dawn turned to her, her emotions suddenly shifted. Mesprit could tell that she was bug-eyed to see this student just by the emotional flux alone. Soon, Dawn was shaking her awake, as if they'd already met before.
"H-hey, A-Adrian."
'Adrian'? No, her name's… Wait, not yet. I need more info. But, this is weird… How does Dawn know this person's name? And does she have some assignment here, being human and all?
"Hey, the competition's gonna start in a few," Dawn said as they continued shaking the student awake. Suddenly, the book fell off, revealing the student's face—bearing a resemblance to Mesprit's human form. "O-oh, s-sorry about that." Dawn picked it up for the student.
"What the hell…"
That voice. It's all too clear now: that distinct lazy-sounding, carefree tone belongs to none other than one person, or rather, one pokémon. Mesprit continued studying the short-haired student as she wiped her face.
"Can't I get some rest? Whoever did that's a d… Dawn?" The student opened her golden eyes to Dawn, bug-eyed as well. They stared for a good few seconds until 'Adrian' started to speak. "Holy shit, is it… is it really you…?"
Golden eyes like mine and Yux's. Lazy tone. Tendency to sleep and snore. It's definitely her, in her human form.
We've got some questions later on, but there's no doubt about it. It's—
"A-Adrian!" Out of the blue, Dawn went in to hug her, shocking the latter. Meanwhile, Mesprit's golden eyes and the Pastorian student's locked at each other's gaze. Mesprit didn't feel any contempt, but she wasn't happy either to see them.
Azelf.
The time for reckoning has come, or whatever those videogame villains say.
Lucas and Barry gulped at the same time. The two were waiting at the wings of the stage, and Miss Cassandra was with them. Lucas didn't even need to use his smarts to know that Barry was a nervous-wreck like him. Heck, Barry was even tapping his foot repeatedly.
"Hey, cut that out," Miss Cassandra told Barry.
"I can't help it, Miss," Barry replied.
"It's annoying, Barry. C'mon, as if the noise from the audience wasn't enough," Lucas added.
"Okay, okay. Jeez, gimme a break." Finally, he's stopped. "But this is taking forever! Miss, just what're we waiting for?"
"Honestly, I don't know." Huh, Miss Cassandra seemed to be unsure, too. She looked at her watch. "We were told to wait here, but it's been, what, 20 minutes and nothing? I'll go ask the in-charges. You two, don't go anywhere." Before she left us two alone, she was mumbling something about punctuality just as she stood up. Man, she needs to chill sometimes.
"Miss Cassandra sure needs to relax sometimes. Right, Lucas?"
"True. Well, what're we gonna do now?"
"I dunno about you, but—" Barry took out his cellphone, "wanna watch some flicks to kill some time?"
"What the f-frick?" H-how? Just how was Barry able to take his phone without letting Miss Cassandra catch him? No wonder he's my partner for the Quiz Bee today. "Hey, maybe you got some Dungeons and Dragonites videos in your feed?"
"Nope. Sorry, Lucas, but they're too boring for me. I know, how about Project Drift or Shoreside Midnight? Cars are more epic than story-telling with 20-sided dice!"
He did not just insult it. How dare he! "Oh yeah? Well, I hope you crash your future car after the first few drifting corners or at high speed roads. Crash and burn, Barry!"
"Hey, don't jinx me. But fine, not cars then, but what's in your mind? I don't like Dun&Dra, so what?"
"Um, well… How about—" Lucas snapped his finger, "I got it, how about Battlegrounds trickshots?"
Barry had a wide smile. "Now we're talking. Makes me wonder why you're into Dun&Dra in the first place, Lucas."
"Dun&Dra is an art you won't understand, my good man, but I still like Battlegrounds. C'mon, before Miss Cassandra comes back and confiscates it." Barry just doesn't understand how it's an art. Man, he has to refine his taste somehow. Plus, what's so cool about cars? I mean, they're fast and can do drifting tricks, but what else is there?
Suddenly, a message notification. While we were watching, Barry got a text from this 'BrainYuri brain-emoji snowflake-emoji sparkle-emoji' person. What the heck?
I know you smuggled your phone to somewhere prohibited. Better hide it after replying. We're here already. Sorry, took some time. Traffic—
"H-hey! Privacy, Lucas, privacy!" Barry pushed my head away as he replied to this 'BrainYuri' textmate. "You din' see nuthin', pal," Barry said in a gruff accent before hiding his phone away. Meanwhile, Lucas had a cheeky smile. Oh, something was up, that's what Lucas knew, and he definitely had to know. "W-what? What's so funny, Lucas? C'mon, spit it out!"
"That's your crush, wasn't it?" Lucas had a smug smile as he said it.
"N-NO! That's not true!"
"It's alright, Barry. You don't have to hide it."
"HEY! That's just, um, my mom! Yeah, my mom's coming here!"
"Then why'd you name your mom 'BrainYuri'? That name's kinda weird for a mom, y'know."
"Oh yeah? Well, guess what, Lucas." Uh oh, Barry's got a sinister smile. "I know you and Mes got something together! Mes and Lucas sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I—" Lucas quickly cupped Barry's mouth. "Mmph-mmph!"
"S-shut up, Barry. Shut up! She's not my crush!" Lucas was blushing, but also laughing.
"Hey!" Suddenly, a wild Miss Cassandra appeared, breaking Lucas away from Barry. "I turn my head away for one freaking second, and I see you two fighting?"
"Oh, we weren't fighting, Miss," Barry explained, calmly.
"We weren't. We weren't." Lucas followed, calmly, too.
"Then what… argh, forget it. I'll overlook this," Miss said as she rubbed her forehead. Lucas and Barry discreetly fist-bumped. "Apparently, the attendees from Snowpoint took their time to get here. Just some traffic along the way. So, you two will be stepping up in a few minutes. The question is," she started to look more serious, "are you two ready?"
Huh, whaddaya know. I don't feel that nervous anymore. I'm sure Barry's the same.
"You bet I am!" Barry answered first.
"Oh yeah, ready and waiting, Miss," Lucas followed.
Miss smiled. Well, that's kinda new. Don't see that everyday. "Good, I believe I don't need to remind you both as to how the entire thing is going to go?" So, was that a question, or—
"Double elimination, Miss, and we're part of the four schools that're gonna compete. I think you said that we're up against Snowpoint's, Pastoria's, and Sunyshore's contestants. Hit the buzzer if you wanna answer after the question's been repeated twice. Earlier, we'll be warned, then deducted points after three early buzzer rings. Later, we'll be giving up our chance to answer," Barry explained. Guess I should explain too.
"Then, the topics covered are academic. 25 questions per one match, with an extra five as clinching questions. Though, there's a very, very small chance that it'll talk about topics from high school." Lucas continued. "Also, there are six matches in all. We've only got two chances at it. If we lose at first, there's still a chance to win via the losing bracket. We're not gonna lose, of course. Right," Lucas turned to his best friend and teammate, "Barry?"
"Naw, don't think about losing, Lucas." Barry raised a fist. "We're definitely gonna win!"
What am I thinking? With Miss Cassandra's guidance, we're definitely gonna win. That's a fact!
Miss just smiled at us. "I believe in you both. Alright? So now, your first opponents are from Pastoria State High School." Wait, wasn't this an elemen— "Before you get any ideas, said school has an elementary campus. You're gonna battle against them, not against the high school bracket."
Barry was nodding very excitedly, while Lucas sighed in relief. They weren't gonna put out kids to battle those big dudes. Anyways, they were prepared. Earlier, Miss Cassandra reviewed not only Maths, Science, English, Battling, History, and what we usually took up in class, but a little more 'beyond the classroom', or what Miss said. Some of them included relevant out-of-school topics, like current events. Also, Miss did include some high school topics just in case. I'm gonna have to rely on Barry for that, though.
"Paging the Jubilife Southern State's contestants." Hey, it's Sir Darian; he came from the stage area. Sir walked to Lucas and Barry. "Children, it's time to go." He turned to Miss. "Miss Cassandra?" She just nodded, as if they had this weird telepathy between them.
"Barry, Lucas. Good luck. I'll be cheering for you from the audience seats. I know you two'll make it." With that she left the area.
Sir Darian led the two to the stage, and then stayed behind when the two walked closer to the desks and seats. Holy… that's a lot of people from elementary school alone. This is nerve-wracking. When the two got seated, Lucas stared at the wing of the stage; Sir Darian gave the two a thumbs-up and a smile. Lucas gulped, and he knew this was gonna be a bit hard to deal with, but…
Dang it, I can't stop darting my eyes around!
"Relax, Lucas! And look, they made cheering boards for us!" Lucas was shocked. They actually made them for the two contestants.
W-wait a minute, why does one have 'Go! Go! Lukey'?! Lucas was blushing hard when he saw it.
That's when he knew: Mes. In fact, she's holding it. Also, Dawn was beside Mes, helping her hold it up. Oh boy, it's gonna be a one heck of contest, but at least, Lucas was starting to calm down again. Partly 'cause he saw Dawn and Mes cheering him and Barry on.
Later, Pastoria's contestants went to the area. A boy wearing a red shirt and faded jeans, and a short-haired girl with a gray jacket of some kind and a red skirt. For some reason, they didn't look like they we're from the United Regions. Foreigners, probably. But, that wasn't gonna stop the two boys. Nope, nuh-uh. We're not gonna lose to some foreigners.
"Oi, Lucas. Let's rub it in 'ose G'larian-loo'ing posh guys. Yeah?" Barry whispered. That's gotta be one of the worst Galarian accents Lucas has heard, maybe ever.
Still, Lucas answered in the same accent. "Roigh' then, mate." Both of them were giggling when they did it.
After a few moments, the announcer began to roll through the set of questions.
Oh, it's on!
Question after question. Answer after answer. Heck yeah, Barry and Lucas were on fire today! Those G'larian-loo'ing posh guys don't stand a chance against the OG Twinleaf Duo! Uh, that's Barry's idea, by the way.
"Fairy-types. 1918. 60km/h. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Professor Rowan. 420.69 cm3. Revenue. 3000 years ago. Sunyshore Solar System. Federation of Regions. Lake Verity. Taxation. CEO Cyrus Garak…"
A couple of minutes and questions passed, and they finally finished the first match without a hitch. Heck, out of 25 questions, they only failed to answer three. Barry even said that it was a piece of cake. Okay, maybe that's too much. And now, the victory of the first match goes to…
"The Jubilife Southern State School representatives!"
Cheers and claps were heard from the crowd, though, mostly from the students of the winning team. Lucas swore he heard the words 'cheeky-something' from the Pastorian students before they went into the wings. Well, sucks to be them.
"Like what I said, Lucas, we're gonna win this!" Barry said as they went inside the wings.
"Hey, hey. It's only the first match, but let's keep this going, Barry!" Lucas replied.
Sir Darian greeted the boys and expressed how the two 'destroyed the first match like it was nothing'. Lucas explained, though, that he noticed that they were mostly faster than the Pastorian students. Barry went for the 'we're the smarter ones' explanations. Either way, Sir Darian congratulated the two boys, and allowed them to join their classmates while the second match was going. They had to go back once the second match contestants were at the last five questions, though.
"I'll stay here, Sir," Barry said. "I wanna see the next contestants up close. Plus, I wanna know who we're up against next. Y'know, that's just how I study."
Lucas and Sir Darian were a bit concerned. "Are you sure? You can rest up or take some snacks," Sir said.
Barry nodded. "I'll rest here, Sir. But, Lucas?" Barry went to him and gave him a few bills. "Buy me a shake. Any shake, as long as it's not plain milk. Don't be slower than a slowpoke, alright?"
"I'm not your servant, Barry."
"Well, you are for today. Keep the change—that's my treat for you. So, chop-chop!" He clapped twice before going to a seat.
Lucas grumbled at that while Sir Darian laughed. Both of them left the impatient boy to his devices. As they got off of the stage, they passed by the other pair of contestants with their teacher in-charge. Huh, Sir Darian greeted the teacher like they knew each other. Do all teachers around the region know each other?
"Ah, Miss Candace," Sir greeted the teacher named 'Miss Candace'. "Just in time. Traffic's a pain, am I right?"
"I'd say. Good thing we managed to arrive without messing up the program's schedule that much." Miss Candace laughed at that. "But, we've really got to get going. Let's chat later, alright?" She turned to the contestants. "Yuri, Marissa, let's go."
Y-Yuri? This student's gonna be… there…?
Lucas got a quick look at the two contestants just before they left, and he felt something familiar when he saw one of them. Said student had blonde hair, glasses, and a very, very similar look to Mes' face in her human form. Heck, she even had the same eye-color as her! The other one had short red hair, but she didn't catch Lucas' attention as much as the other one did.
This student with glasses reminded him of someone special to him. B-but, is it really possible that she's her…? N-no, snap out of it, we've got a contest to win. Lucas didn't wanna think about that person being related to Mes in any way. It's too much to think about, especially that there's a contest right here and now. Though, my guts tell me that she's 'Yuri'. Dunno why, but maybe I'm right.
Lucas continued on his way with Sir Darian and stopped by at a nearby food stall. But still, Lucas couldn't shake that weird feeling out of him. Maybe, just maybe, that 'Yuri' and Barry have something else going on together, and it's not just that genius crushing on a student from another school. He didn't know how he'd come to that idea, but his gut-feeling also told him that it's not too wrong to think that.
Maybe he'll talk to Mes about this. She'll know something for sure. Lucas was sure of it.
"Cousins, huh? I still can't believe you two are somehow related," Dawn commented, sounding pretty shocked at that little lie Mesprit and Azelf came up with. "That explains why you two look kinda alike, eye-color and all."
"Right, well… That's that, I guess," Az replied, nervously chuckling. "Hey, Mes. Can Dawn and I have a little time alone? I just wanna spend some time catching up with her," she added while sounding a little flustered—very unusual for Az, but I guess the two have history. Guess there's also the fact that she and Dawn met again after a while without contact.
Mesprit furrowed her eyebrows. "So, you're just gonna leave me alone here?"
"You still have some explaining to do, Az."
"A few minutes, c'mon."
"Sounding like Yux there, but whatever. After Dawn, grill me all you want."
Mesprit's pupils momentarily dilated at the sound of that name. "Alright, whatever."
"Don't you dare compare me to that heartless know-it-all."
"Thanks, Mes."
"Same old Mes."
Mesprit turned away from the two and humphed as she walked away from them. "Just go do whatever you want with that human." Just as Mes was about to take a seat on a nearby bench, she received one last interesting message from Az.
"FYI. She's not just any normal human. See ya."
Just what's going on with that Az? Wasn't she apprehensive of humans before? Or maybe, it's just Mesprit. Shit, whatever the case, she still didn't get enough answers from her 'sister'. One thing she did make sure of was that she had a mission from the Hall, and that's why she's in her human form as well. Though, just from the fact that she described Dawn as 'not just any normal human', Mesprit was able to deduce that there's a bond between Az and Dawn. And of course, the Being of Emotion was able to detect the trace amounts of affection between the two. There just has to be a bond between the two; there's no other explanation.
Then, how about that bitch smartass Yux? Do you think that she's got a mission from the Hall, too?
I don't know, but if Az's got one, then even she has some instructions from the Hall. The question is, can supervisors even get the same mission as their subordinate's subordinates?
It's a pain to think, but we've got more important issues at hand.
Oh? Like what?
Have you forgotten? Use our clairvoyance!
Crap, of course. There's something that's just 'off' about this olympiad-human-shit-show-festival. Just moments before her Lukey entered the stage, a very familiar presence similar to Az's was felt. And of course, its signature was much clearer than Az's.
Yux was in the area. As much as Mesprit hated it, Yux's presence was felt within the limits of Mesprit's clairvoyance.
Not only that, but besides Darky, Az, that annoying Cressy, and that disgusting joke of a 'sister', one more presence from the Hall was felt. It wasn't Chief's, but it's definitely someone from the Hall. That got Mesprit thinking, just what missions are they doing that warrants them to be in the area?
It's a pain to think about it, but it's still kinda suspicious. Mesprit had to keep her guard up; maybe that other presence she felt was a facilitating supervisor. Damn, could this day get any worse?
"Fuck!" Mesprit quietly cussed as she banged the bench. "I need to find my Lukey. I need him!" Answers from Az can wait; Mesprit needed to find her light. She needed him so badly! Just a few moments with him after that brat Barry whisked her missing piece away from her, was that too much to ask?
Plus, she needed to clear her mind from the noise around her and within her, and only her Lukey could solve that predicament.
Lukey~ Oh, my Lukey! Where are you? She frantically located him with her clairvoyance, and by the fortune of the universe, her one true partner was looking for her as well. In fact, he was literally behind a few steps away from the bench she sat on. Perfect, just perfect~!
Just as she stood up, she heard his golden voice call out her name. If only she wasn't in an area reeking with filthy humans around her, she would tackle her Lukey in her original form.
"Mes!" Ah~! I-I think I have to sit down soon. Indeed, her legs were trembling and feeling weaker from her sheer emotions just from hearing his voice.
"Lukey! Over here, over here!" Unable to stand up properly, she sat back on the bench, only now that she wasn't alone—she was now with her one and only Lukey.
"Yikes, there's a lot of people here. Anyways, I got some ice cream for you. My treat!" How she yearned for sweets from her sweet Lukey! She enjoyed her dessert in the company of her Lukey while he continued talking about the first match, mesmerized by the gestures he does while narrating.
Just like that, the noise of those around her was dulled by her Lukey's words. In fact, he alone was the focus of her golden eyes. Her 'sisters', that other presence in the vicinity, Darky and Cressy, Barry and Dawn, the event today, the mission. All those were crossed out of her head with him by her side.
Lukey's just so~ dreamy when he talks…
Quiet, quiet… Let's enjoy this in silence…
"… I mean, those questions were a little hard and all, but Barry and I prepared well with Miss Cassandra. Did you see us out there? We were pretty cool, right?" her Lukey asked.
"Yeah~"
"Oh yeah! I bet you saw us wreck those Pastorian students. I swear, Barry was literally on fire, but I kept him from wrecking the microphone and buzzer!" he added with a laugh. Oh~, such divine laughter. "Maybe Barry'll be fined if he breaks 'em. Hah, Barry getting fined. It's a laugh, right?"
"Yeah~"
"Uh, Mes?"
"Yeah~?"
"Um, are you even listening?"
"Yeah~"
"C-can't you say anything besides 'yeah'?"
"What, you want me to say 'Yes, my dearest Lukey!' out loud?" Mesprit joked while sticking her tongue out at her Lukey. Ah-hah, she loves it when his face gets red all over. "Of course, I'm listening to you. I just want to savour this moment with you, Lu~key~, so talk all you want. I'm all ears for you~"
"U-uh, r-right. B-but, Mes!" Oh, what is it now? Mesprit pouted at his complaining tone. "W-we're in the middle of a public area. The teachers'll chew us out if they catch us… y-y'know… a little too close to each other?" Shit, she just noticed that she was already leaning against him. Mesprit quickly moved back, lest she be caught red-handed, especially by the possible higher-ups of the Hall in here.
"S-sorry, Lukey. I just didn't like it when Barry ran away with you like that. Little boy thinks he can drag you away from me like that. The nerve!" Mesprit crushed the plastic container of the ice cream she finished moments ago, spooking her Lukey a bit. "Ah, I don't care—" she tossed it to the nearby trash bin, "—for as long as you're here, I'm happy." She smiled sweetly at him, an attempt to calm him down.
Her Lukey seemed to be calm enough already. With that, she suddenly felt his emotion shift to a serious one. This brought her concern and worry, but she swore not to peer through his mind.
W-whatever could he be thinking of?
D-damn, psychic folk really have to put up with disciplining themselves not to read the minds of their partners. Comes to show how commendable regular folk could keep up without this talent.
Shh! Quiet, let's just ask him.
"Lukey? I'm picking up some unnatural vibes from you. Is there something you'd like to add?"
"Y-yes, actually." Her Lukey sipped his drink before returning to his frown. "There's something that I noticed earlier. Or, to be exact, someone."
Someone? "And who might this person be, Lukey?" If this someone tried to do harm to her Lukey, Mesprit swore to give them hell later on.
"Well." He took a deep breath, something he'd usually do when he thinks through something real hard. Atlhough, the next few words paralysed Mesprit; she didn't expect her—of all the living beings in the known universe—to do such a thing.
"This person kinda looked like you."
Guest 1: Too many questions lmaoo. Stay tuned!
TheDeltaPlayer: Eyyy, fellow Mesprit shipper hehe. I'm glad you enjoyed the story, and I appreciate your kind words. Hope you'll stick around!
Greninjaten99: It's been a while, no? I'll be updating soon. Cheers!
