Chapter 74: Battle of the Exes

Lucas sat in stunned silence.

After weeks of traveling, Lucas, Skyler and Morgan finally arrived in the coastal town of Lillycove City, the location of the ferry that would take the group to the next Gym. The city was also home to someone Lucas once very much cared for, a Pokemon Coordinator named Ashley. While exploring the city, the teen ran into the girl and she invited him and his friends as her guests to her home. She gave a personal tour of the city, gave them a place to stay overnight and prepared an elaborate feast. Then she did something Lucas did not expect. She confessed she was in love with him. When he first told her his feelings the year before, one of the hardest things he had ever done, she told him she wasn't interested. But at dinner, she admitted that as time wore on, she realized how foolish she was to turn him down. Now she was asking for a second chance. But unfortunately she had done so in front of Lucas' current partner, Skyler.

While Lucas was unable to process the sudden information right away, Skyler reacted almost immediately. Without a word, the Dragon Tamer got up and left the room. And though time had stopped when the tattooed teen was trying to figure out what to say, it resumed and Lucas' thoughts restarted when Skyler abruptly left. He jumped up and called after him, "Skyler, wait!"

"Lucas..." Ashley said softly. Her face was flushed and her eyes were hopeful. She still completely missed what had just happened.

"Ashley, I care for you a great deal and always will, but when I said Skyler was my partner, I didn't mean he was my traveling companion. I meant he was my partner partner. Now I have to go after him," without waiting to hear what the girl had to say, he ran after the blue haired young man.

Skyler was upstairs in the guest room, packing his belongings silently.

"What are you doing?!" Lucas panted as he hung on the door frame.

"Giving you what you want," Skyler replied.

"What are you talking about? What would make you think I'd want you to leave?"

Skyler set down the last piece of clothing he picked up and turned towards the other Trainer, "Isn't it obvious? Ashley's just as gorgeous as you described her, and when I saw the way she looked at you, I knew there was no way I could compete. It's why I've been such a jerk today: because I was jealous. I didn't want to seem petty and selfish so I didn't say anything, but in the end I was right to be upset. I know you love her too, so I'm trying to do the right thing. I care about you too much to try to keep you from what you want most,"

"Are you high or just stupid?!"

"What?"

Lucas punched the door with his fist, "What do you mean you can't compete with Ashley? You are one of the hottest pieces of ass I have ever met. I have been having the wildest, most X-rated dreams I have ever had since you've stepped into my life!"

"She's a girl! I'm a guy!"

"So?"

"At the end of the day—maybe not today, maybe not a year from now—but eventually, you will realize that with me you can't have the same things you can have with a woman. And I know that you loved Ashley. She was almost all you would talk about when we first met. And I saw the way you were acting today, with and without her around,"

Lucas folded his arms across his chest and stepped into the room, "You're right. I did love her. Did. As in past tense. When she turned me down it almost crushed me. Not only was it a painful, though not cruel, rejection, it took all my nerve away from taking the first move. That's why I talked about her with you, because I didn't think a guy as hot and as wonderful as you could not only be gay, but actually like me too. And the more time I spent with you, the less and less I thought about her. When you told me you liked me too, that was it, that was all. The entire all-women Celadon City Gym could throw themselves at me right now and I wouldn't even look at them because I have you. You're right that I do have feelings for Ashley, and it took me a while to figure out what they were when I saw her.

It was pride,"

Skyler crossed his own arms and cocked his head, his face frowning but receptive, "I don't understand,"

Lucas dared to take more steps forward, putting his hands on either side past the boy to lean on the dresser behind him, pinning Skyler in place, "I realized 'wow, I'm over her. Completely and totally. I see her as my friend and nothing more. I'm growing. I'm maturing. I really can start letting go of my past and become a different person.'"

"You truly mean that? That was all?"

"You know I do,"

Skyler lowered his head in shame, "I'm sorry I acted so immaturely. I'm starting to see my grandfather and the others' point. If I trust you so implicitly in everything else, I should trust you in this as well,"

With Skyler still pinned between Lucas' arms, the Trainer used the opportunity to get even closer to the taller teen. He leaned against his body and looked up, brushing his pierced lips against Skyler's long neck, "Besides, you forget that there are things a guy has that I can't have with a woman, either,"

While Skyler and Lucas were making up upstairs, Morgan and Ashley remained in the dining room with the Pokemon. Morgan sat in observant silence, running her finger over the lip of her glass. Ashley had her hands over her mouth, tears forming in her eyes and whispered "I can't believe it. They really are together? Did I really lose my chance?"

"I've learned that Lucas doesn't exactly have the best taste in women, but I also don't believe you're that stupid. You had to have seen the way those two were together, it's why I've been watching you the way I have. I was seeing how long it would take you to get the message. Conclusion appears to be only when hit over your head with a hammer," Morgan replied and took a sip from her glass, "This iced tea is amazing by the way. What is that, passion fruit?"

"I thought they were just close friends," Ashley replied, still staring at the chair where Lucas had gotten up from to follow Skyler.

"Oh please. You're a Pokemon Coordinator. You can't tell me you run that circuit and have not seen gay guys before. I don't believe in reinforcing stereotypes, but come on," Morgan set her glass down, "Or did you simply not know Lucas was bi?"

Ashley shook her head, "I had no idea, he never mentioned it to me. But I can understand why that wasn't something he necessarily brings up the first time he meets someone. But you're right that I should have been paying better attention. I think it was just denial and wishful thinking for me to have not seen it. Oh, I feel like an utter fool, and to ask him out in front of his boyfriend like that, no wonder poor Skyler was so upset. But I can't lie, I still do love Lucas very much. It won't be easy to simply let him go like that,"

Morgan leaned back in her chair and sighed, "I get it. I'm told I'm not exactly the most tactful of people, so you'll have to forgive me if I come off as rude or too blunt. Then again, I didn't just confess my love to a guy I crushed the year before in front of his lover. But I'm actually something of an expert in heartbreak, bad timing and loving someone you can't be with,"

"Thank you for your kindness, Morgan. I can see why you and Lucas are such good friends, and forgive me for mistaking your relationship as well,"

Morgan sneered, "Rooster Boy and I aren't exactly touchy-feely, but we look out for each other when we need to. And compared to some of the girls that dweeb has had a thing for, you're actually pretty decent,"

Ashley wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled. Just then, Skyler and Lucas came down the stairs and returned to the table. Ashley got up and bowed deeply to both of them, "I am so incredibly sorry for what happened tonight. If I realized sooner what the two of you were I wouldn't have dared to say what I said. I do truly care for Lucas, and if he's happy, I'm happy. I would never knowingly try to step between people in love,"

Skyler bowed back, "And I apologize for my rudeness. You have been a wonderful hostess and this food has been amazing,"

"What I said before is true. Lucas' friends are my friends, and if you mean that much to him, Skyler, I want to know everything about you," everyone returned to the table and resumed eating. The rest of the evening was a joy as the old and new friends caught up on the exploits of the previous year. Ashley invited the group to see her participate in the Master Contest the next day with her newest Pokemon, and the three enthusiastically agreed. Lucas went to bed that night with his mind at ease and his heart settled. One of the loose threads from his past was finally settled and the future looked clearer. Little did he know that while everything with one of his loves was finished, another one was about to make her final move.

The next morning was the Master Class Pokemon Contest. Held four times a year, it gathered the best Coordinators of not just Hoenn, but all around the Pokemon world. The Contest also garnered as much interest as a challenger of the Elite Four, and just as many people came to watch. As such, such a major event attracted a great deal of press. So as Lucas, Skyler and Morgan went inside to watch their friend, it wasn't a huge surprise when the Trainer ran into a familiar reporter with the tenacity of Granbull who appeared in the middle of the event.

"Well, well, well! If it isn't my old friend Lucas. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you had much interest in the Contest circuit," it was Gabby, the top reporter from the news program Hoenn Today with her good-natured cameraman Ty in tow.

"I'm here supporting a friend," Lucas responded with a sigh.

Gabby didn't waste time before pelting her rapid fire questions. For months now, the determined journalist had wanted an interview with Lucas, and for the longest time he had manage to dodge her with luck and finesse. With everything that had gone on, he had forgotten about the woman, but having run into her, it would take some skill to get out of the interview again, "Oh? What kind of friend? A former or current romantic interest? Someone you've known a long time, or a recent introduction?"

"Wouldn't you like to know? Besides, what are you doing here? Pokemon Contests seem a bit 'fluff piece' for Hoenn Today's 'number one reporter'," changing the subject seemed like Lucas' best strategy.

And it seemed to be working. At least at first. Gabby crossed her arms and smiled ominously, "Oh, I'm not here for the contests, at least not as far as my bosses know. A source of mine at the Safari Zone told me about what happened at Mt. Pyre, it wasn't hard to guess you'd show up here soon. I think it's time for the two of us to sit down and have a heart to heart, don't you agree?"

"After all this time you still want to bother me about this?"

"Are you kidding? After all this time I want to interview you more. You're the only one to avoid an interview this long, and not interview with anyone else, either. Not only that, since coming to Hoenn you've only accomplished more and made you that more interesting. Besides, the sooner you give in and actually talk with me, the sooner I quit hounding you. So how about it?"

Just then the crowds starting filing into the auditorium, the first round just about to start. Lucas jumped on the opportunity, "Sorry Gabby, just don't have the time right now. Really would feel just awful if I missed my friend. Later!"

Before Gabby could make a move, Lucas melted into the crowd and vanished, leaving the reporter all the more determined to track down her quarry.

Neither Skyler nor Morgan had ever watched a Pokemon Contest before, but by the time Ashley took the stage they were both in awe of the spectacle. In years past Ashley had taken Master Class in Smart with her Ninetails Whisp, Beauty with her Lopunny Luna and Tough with her Lucario Rex. This year she had her ambitions set on the Cute Master Rank with her newest Pokemon: a Delcatty she lovingly trained named Macaroon. The other competitors on stage would be a fierce challenge after showing off their best moves to impress the judges, but when Ashley commanded Macaroon to act, it was clear why the Coordinator was greeted with roaring applause when she appeared in the ring. With her stunning gown and equally stunning Pokemon, the judges were practically in tears as they saw the Delcatty move. Lucas remembered the first time he saw Ashley compete, back when he was infatuated with her in Hearthome City. Back then, his impression of her was colored by his feelings, but with a clear mind he really could see the mastery of her skill. Now he looked at those memories fondly but as nothing more: an experience, a sense of nostalgia, a moment that was part of what made him who he was that day. But no one roared louder than Lucas was Ashley was announced as the winner of the Cute competition and was presented with the ribbon for her Pokemon. After all, his talented friend had received what she deserved.

After the awards ceremony, Ashley had asked the three to meet her backstage in the changing rooms so they could all go celebrate together. As Lucas saw Gabby try to push through the crowds towards him, he was more than happy to agree to wait in the back for her. Since they didn't have time before the contest to talk, Morgan brought up what she had been thinking earlier, "Wow Lucas, I didn't realize you had gone so corporate. Interviews, fans, ad deals," she took a pose and lowered her voice, 'Hi, I'm Lucas, the new Champion of the Sinnoh League. I became Champion through hard work, trusting my Pokemon and never backing down from a challenge,'"

"Shut up Morgan!" Lucas snarled as the girl quoted his absurd Pokevice commercial.

"Oh my god, you are actually blushing! Didn't think I ever saw that commercial, did you? I've just been waiting for the best time to mock you with it," Morgan started cackling as Lucas starting hurling insults and threats at the girl. As Lucas got more and more rapped up and Morgan started laughing even harder, Skyler started laughing as well and soon all three were breaking down laughing.

"I'm almost ready you guys!" Ashley called from behind the dressing room door, "And you shouldn't make fun of him, Morgan. I thought the Pokevice commercial was very flattering,"

In response, Lucas just groaned in defeat. In the middle of the good-spirited fun, while waiting for the Coordinator to finish getting dressed, the teen Trainer noticed Gizmo had started acting oddly. The Eevee seemed focused on something behind the exit door. Diablo seemed just as agitated. Lucas knew something was happening, and followed his Pokemon's intuition.

"Hey guys, I'll be back in a minute," Lucas informed his friends.

"Ashley is almost ready. Can't whatever it is just wait? I'm hungry and I want to go to lunch," Morgan grumbled.

"Morgan chill. You wouldn't be so damn hungry if you actually ate during meals. When you want to hide all you have to do is turn sideways. Seriously, it's just going to take a second," Lucas replied.

"If you're going to take a leak in the alleyway I'm never speaking to you again, there's a bathroom right down the hall!" Morgan continued.

"What? No, I'm not going to take a—you know what, forget it! I told you it's just going to be a second. If you didn't fight me so much I would have been done already," Lucas threw up his hands in defeat.

"Is it Gabby again?" Skyler asked, "We can cover for you,"

"No, but definitely keep an eye out for her. Be right back," finally with the chance to excuse himself, the tattooed Trainer opened the exit door and had Gizmo and Diablo zip ahead of him.

At first he saw nothing. Whatever was bothering his Pokemon in the alleyway had probably already moved on in the time he and Morgan were arguing again. Lucas was about to go back into the hall to rejoin his friends when he heard the distinctive sound of high-heeled shoes tapping on the concrete. He turned to face the spot where Diablo hunched growling. Standing before him in her full Team Cosmic captain's uniform was Marcia. Her arms were crossed over her ample cleavage and there was an ugly, defiant smile on her face, "Hello Lucas,"

"Marcia."

"It's Captain Rose now. The Marcia you know is dead."

"That's for sure. And you can call yourself Raja the She-Bitch from Hell but I'm still not going to call you anything but your name. That or skag," Lucas mimicked her defiant body language, "You sure have a lot of balls to be walking around in that uniform,"

"More balls than you."

"Everyone in Hoenn knows about Team Cosmic. You have no place left to hide," Lucas reached down to his belt, "I shouldn't have let you get away last time, but I only did it because, in spite of how much I hate you, I still had an ounce of respect for what we had. My last gift to our past. That won't be happening again,"

"And I told you the next time we meet it would be the end. I meant it," Marcia replied. She reached down to her own belt of Pokeballs, but in the last second whipped around and began running.

"You won't get away this time! You're going to pay for what you've done!" Without thinking, Lucas snarled and chased after her.

"Ashley is ready Lucas, but Gabby did just show up asking about you and I said-" Skyler opened the alleyway door just as the tattooed Trainer took off, "Hey! Lucas!"

Lucas was determined not to let Marcia get away. She had escaped too many times before. New Mauville. Mirage Tower. Mt. Pyre. She and Team Cosmic would not slip away again. This would be the last time Hoenn would ever see one of those blue and lavender uniforms darken their Region. The Mohawked Trainer sent the Mightyena ahead, but as surprisingly fast as the teen girl was running in stilettos, few humans could hope to outrun a powerful quadruped like Diablo. South of the Master Hall were Lillycove's docks and warehouses, where goods from around the world were stored until they could be distributed. The maze-like layout and identical looking buildings made following the Trainer's ex increasingly difficult, but Lucas and his Pokemon were determined to follow, no matter what the challenge. The teen finally found his quarry, seemingly trapped at the end of a dock. The pathways on either sides of her were blocked with high, smooth towers of crates. There would be no escape now.

Lucas pulled out his Pokevice and called Steven Stone, "Steven, this is Lucas. No, I'm not calling about shooting more commercials! This is about Cosmic. I have their captain pinned at the docks in Lillycove. She's all alone and has no where left to hide. They're done this time, Steven. I personally guarantee it," he hung up on the Pokemon League representative and confronted Marcia, "Anything you'd like to say before you're arrested? Don't worry Juvey isn't actually too bad,"

Marcia stood smiling, defiant. Too defiant, "I meant everything I said about how I felt about you, you were the only man to treat me well. So I offered you everything, Lucas: power beyond imagining, wealth, prestige and me. Instead, you spat in my face and almost had me destroyed by that stupid Pokemon League. No one gets away with hurting me like that, especially with everything I now have at my disposal. It's time that I destroy you,"

"You're more crazy than stupid if you think you can defeat me in a Pokemon battle, doesn't matter how many stolen Pokemon you use,"

Marcia's smile grew even more malevolent, "Who said anything about a Pokemon battle?"

She snapped her fingers and Lucas whipped around. A semi circle of Cosmic grunts were closing in on him, and none of them were armed with Pokeballs. Instead, they wielded chains, poles and other melee weapons. Diablo and Gizmo leapt in front of their Trainer and snarled, prepared to attack at the first word. Lucas shook his head and recalled both of them to their Pokeballs. He would not risk their health for this fight, not when it was this personal. He clenched his fists and called back to Marcia, being especially careful to not take his eyes off of her or the other grunts too long, "You want to settle this Cherrygrove style? Fine by me. I may want to move beyond my past, but I still haven't forgotten it,"

Lucas stomped his boot on a nearby plank leveled on a crate and caused it to sail in the air. Using the distraction and its momentum he snatched the plank and swung it at the nearest grunt spinning a chain. The chain snagged on the wood and Lucas ripped it out of the grunts hands, using the back half of the board to clock the man in the stomach. Though that grunt had no experience, the other Cosmic foot soldiers seemed a lot more acquainted with street fighting. Three grunts launched at once and even though Lucas was able to push them off, one struck him on the side of his torso with a piece of re-bar. He heard a squelching crack and felt the air rush out of his body, but he refused to back down. Even falling to one knee he sent a fist into another man's crotch and headbutted the girl who had struck him the metal rod. Armed with the plank, his steel-toed boots, his fists and grabbing at any other sharp, heavy or hard object he could get his hands on, he fought off the first wave.

It didn't come without cost as his own blood poured into his eye from a cut on his forehead, and felt several of his teeth loosen. He refused to back down, but as more and more of the Team Cosmic members fell over injured, more and more seemed to pour from every crack and gap in the docks like an unending plague. Bravado would not win this battle, and neither would playing fair. He may have earlier kept his Pokemon back to avoid their injury, but if he didn't do something dramatic he had no chance as he became more and more outnumbered. He reached back towards his belt and pulled on a Pokeball, "Go Franky!"

Before he could summon the Gyrados he felt something strike the back of his head. And then...

...Everything went black.