Merry Christmas, everyone! As a Christmas present, we'll be finishing up with Olivia's flashback, and resuming the Toughness Competition! Will our girls manage to get through the labyrinth? We'll have to find out!

KedharS: I guess we'll see what happens.

Pokemonking0924: It's very touching. And it's part of why Olivia cares so much about him.

Guest: There's a contest soon to happen on the discord server if you like.

ZenoZen: Definitely, we understand her a lot better now.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 774

At 14 years old, Olivia was improving her skills at Pokemon Contests remarkably. She had returned to Galar by this point, even though Galar was still nothing like home to her. It had hurt to part ways from Cynthia, but her mentor needed to return to her family, she couldn't take the place of Olivia's mother forever.

It stung to hear those words. But Olivia knew she was right. She didn't need Cynthia's guidance anymore. She had found her own way forward. She had finally found what she wanted to do, her place in the world.

That night had changed everything for her.

Seeing those pokemon, so beautiful and cool, just showing off their finest features like stars on the silver screen, it was a revelation. Having lived a lonely life, Olivia spent much of her time in her room, watching movies and television and admiring the stars in them. She'd admired pokemon trainers like Cynthia, and wanted to be like her, to make her father proud.

But even if she could never be a powerful trainer, Cynthia had showed her that she could shine in her own way, and she was going to shine brighter than anyone.

"Those people, their pokemon, they were amazing," Olivia had said thoughtfully, when the curtain fell on the contest. She had been lost in thought that morning, she didn't even really know what she was saying.

"They were, weren't they?" Cynthia smiled, glad to see that Olivia had been seduced by the allure of Pokemon Contests. "Pokemon Contests are marvelous. They provide an opportunity for people and pokemon to shine without battles. It isn't about being better than someone else, it's about being the best version of yourself that you can be."

Olivia clutched her handkerchief tightly, and pictured Alcea's smiling face. "Cynthia… if I… if I do really well… if I…"

Her hands were trembling. Not just with anxiety, but with excitement. The question was on the tip of her tongue, and she was so eager to hear the answer it was having trouble actually coming out! She swallowed her nerves, and cleared her throat, turning to Cynthia.

"If I… can shine in Pokemon Contests as brightly as they did… do you think… do think Alcea will see it from heaven?" She asked quietly.

Olivia still thought of Alcea. Alcea, her friend, who was kind and generous and saw the best in her. She had lived a rather sad and miserable life since Alcea's death, and she had grown to realize that her friend wouldn't want that from her. After seeing that wonderful performance, Alcea would no-doubt want her to find her own way forward, to shine on her own, and not spend her life feeling sad about her death.

Olivia wanted to be a Pokemon Coordinator. She wanted to show Alcea that she didn't have to worry anymore, that she HAD found something she could do. She knew it was going to be hard, but that was fine. She could work hard. She would work hard, and become such a star that even Alcea would be impressed with her.

While Olivia had stars in her eyes that glimmered with hope at Cynthia, the other woman blinked. She hadn't expected a question like that. A soft smile crossed her face and she placed a reassuring hand on Olivia's head. "I think that's a lovely thought, Olivia. I'm sure that you have star-making potential if you do your best."

Olivia felt her heart swell with excitement at that. Cynthia… Cynthia believed in her! She couldn't believe it, but it was true! Alcea and Cynthia were the two people who had given her unconditional support, and that made her inevitable parting from Cynthia sting. But she knew that it couldn't last forever, so as they exited the dome, she asked another hopeful question.

"When I… when I become a professional Pokemon Coordinator… will you come see my performance?" She asked hopefully.

Cynthia's response was a kind smile. "I'll be in the front row, cheering you on louder than anyone," she assured Olivia, neither knowing that this promise would come to a tragic end in the not-so-distant future.

Olivia was overjoyed. As she followed Cynthia into the night, she was certain of her path forward now. She would be a Pokemon Coordinator.

Just watch, Alcea! She promised her dearly departed friend. I'm going to shine so brightly that everyone will see me! Even you, where you are right now… so please, keep watching over me just a little longer, and I'll show you a performance that can't be matched!

That night had been a lifetime ago. Back in Galar, there weren't anything like Pokemon Contests. But Olivia didn't mind. She kept training, pushing her pokemon to their limits and making them shine, looking up information on Pokemon Contests and how to take care of her pokemon to present their best features.

"Amazing work, Cynthia!" She complimented her partner. "Your performance was definitely the coolest thing ever!"

"Gabite!" Cynthia said, smiling proudly and puffing out her chest. Olivia's beloved Gible had evolved into Gabite while she had been training her pokemon for contests. And she wasn't alone anymore! With her attention now focused on a real goal, she had caught several pokemon in Galar she felt would be perfect for Pokemon Contests.

Olivia turned to look at the bed of flowers and the fountain behind her. Since she had found her new path forward, she had done all her practicing in the rose garden now. It still reminded her of Alcea, and that pain still stung. But it wasn't as bad now.

She knew that her dear friend was watching over her, cheering for her from beyond the grave. Even if her father and siblings wouldn't approve, even if no one else thought of her as a star, she knew that she would always have one fan.

Then she got the news that changed everything.

She'd been bored, having just finished her training for the night, and had been watching the news to see what the latest fashions were. Of course, she was watching a Kalos channel, because you cared about fashion, Kalos was the place to be.

The breaking news story shocked her down to her core.

"After being missing and presumed dead for three years, heiress of Malva Corporation and the Vermeil Fortune Alcea Vermeil was found alive and well today, on an island in the Alola Region!"

…What?

The other news anchor continued the story. "When the cruise liner went down three years ago, her family tragically assumed the worst. But Lady Vermeil managed to survive, washed ashore, and has been living on her own ever since! She's currently recovering from her condition in a hospital in Lumiose City under the care of her loving family!"

…What?

Olivia's thoughts were lost in a storm of their own, and she stared at the tv in confusion as she tried to put together what she had just heard.

Alcea Vermeil… was alive?

For three years, Olivia had lived her life thinking the only friend she'd ever made was dead. She had carried herself with confidence, knowing that her friend was watching over her and cheering for her to succeed. All her hard work… she'd wanted to shine for her friend, to show Alcea that she was doing okay, and that she didn't need to worry.

But Alcea was still alive.

Olivia leapt from her bed and rushed to her closet. She needed to see her right away! Alcea… Alcea was alive! It was a miracle! She had to see her friend as soon as possible!

Olivia flew to Kalos at the speed of her father's private jet.

It had been the longest flight of her life. She waited anxiously, desperate to see Alcea again. She was alive! Her friend was alive! She was so excited to see Alcea again. She knew that the other girl had been stranded on that island, and she could only imagine how terrible that must have been. But she was okay now, she was back home, and Olivia had so much she wanted to tell her! She couldn't wait to see her after so long!

Tears rolled down her cheeks and she dabbed them away with her red handkerchief. The nostalgic scent of roses filled her nose, and this time she smiled.

Just a little longer. Just a little longer and she would be there.

Olivia ignored the doctor's cries and ran through the hospital, her heart pounding in her chest. Alcea's room, where was it? It was… there!

She flung herself into the room, her eyes wide and her face flushed. "Alcea!"

A large man stepped in front of her, holding his arm out and looking menacingly down at her. She gasped and stumbled back, shocked, but only spared him the briefest of glances. Her attention was focused solely on Alcea.

Alcea… she was as beautiful as Olivia remembered. Even with her emaciated frame, her sunburned skin, and the hollow look in her eyes, she was still the most beautiful girl Olivia had ever seen. Seeing her here, alive… it brought tears to Olivia's eyes.

"Ansem? Who is this?"

For the first time, Olivia willingly looked away from the gorgeous beauty that was her revived friend, and turned to see the other people in the room. A tall man with dark hair had been the one who spoke, and at his side was a woman with hair the same scarlet as Alcea's, she guessed that those were her parents. They were both looking suspiciously at Olivia.

"What business do you have here?" The bodyguard, Ansem, asked roughly. "Another one of the paparazzi?"

"Oh, come now," the redheaded woman shushed him. "She's just a child! Clearly, she's one of Allie's friends, overjoyed that she's back with us! Come in, dearie."

Olivia sighed in relief as the man stepped aside. She smiled bashfully at the two of them. "H-Hello," she greeted Alcea's parents. "My name is Olivia Himeko, and I… I'm a friend, of Alcea's… I… I thought she was dead, but…"

She couldn't continue on without bursting out crying. She whirled around and flung herself onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Alcea and hugging her tightly.

"Alcea…!" She sobbed, staining Alcea's dressing gown with her tears. "Alcea, I'm so glad you're still alive!"

Her heart filled with joy, holding her friend in her arms like this. It was like the last three years had just been a bad dream. Alcea didn't have to watch her perform from heaven, she could see her performances in person, for years to come!

"…Pardon, but… who are you?"

Olivia must have heard wrong. Confused, she pulled back from Alcea and wiped her tears, looking at her friend in confusion.

"H-Huh?"

"Forgive me… I don't know who you are," Alcea said quietly, shaking her head.

Alcea… didn't remember her?

Was this a joke? She… they were friends! There's no way that Alcea could have forgotten her! Olivia… Olivia had thought of Alcea every day, even when she'd tried to forget her! What was she saying?

"Alcea, it… it's me! Olivia? Olivia Himeko?" Olivia insisted, trying to jog the girl's memory. "We met at a party at Evergreen Manor, remember? In the rose garden, we… we danced!" There was no way that Alcea could have forgotten!

She frantically searched her friend's eyes for recognition, but they were hollow and dark. Alcea shook her head.

"I don't… remember such a thing, is it?" She murmured.

No. NO! NO NO NO!

Olivia dug out her precious handkerchief and practically flung it in Alcea's face. "See?!" She cried, her voice cracking in desperation. "You… you gave me your handkerchief… because we're friends…"

This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening.

Alcea shook her head, and shrugged. Her face was apologetic, but there was no trace of recognition on her face.

"I think that's enough," Alcea's mother said, gently placing her hand on Olivia's shoulder. Her touch was as cold as ice. "Allie has been through a lot these past few years, she needs her rest."

No. No.

Olivia wanted to scream. As she was escorted out by the bodyguard she wanted to thrash and shout until her voice was numb. But she was too shocked. Alcea… Alcea had forgotten her completely. She hadn't given Olivia a second thought.

And who could blame her? Alcea Vermeil was a noble. The thought that she would spare any consideration for someone like Olivia?

What a foolish little girl she'd been.

She broke away from the man and ran down the hall, pieces of her heart streaming down her cheeks.

"Oui, I would love to be your friend."

LIAR.

"Wouldn't she be here, if she cared?"

PATHETIC.

"If I… can shine in Pokemon Contests as brightly as they did… do you think… do think Alcea will see it from heaven?"

IDIOT!

She had been a fool. A complete fool. What had she been practicing for? Why had she been trying so hard?

Her father would never have acknowledged her.

Cynthia was… gone.

All she'd had left was the belief that Alcea was watching over her, she had practiced for so long, just to shine for her…

Alcea had never cared. She wasn't watching over her. She hadn't thought about Olivia at all, because Olivia was beneath her.

No matter how much she practiced, no matter how brightly she shined, Olivia would always be beneath her, she had been right all along.

She never was someone who was worthy to be a friend to someone like Alcea Vermeil.

That night as she ran through the streets of Lumiose City, rain pounding down on her and the cold chilling her to the bone, her love of Alcea withered away and died, and nothing but hate remained in its place.

Hate for the girl who had taken her heart and given her hope, and then cruelly ripped it away.

But she would show her. She would show them all. Everyone who looked at her and saw a miserable, pathetic little wretch of a bastard, she would prove them all wrong.

I… won't let this be the end! I'll show you! You fucking bitch… you arrogant girl… treating me like some piece of garbage you can just forget about when it suits you… I won't let you ignore me ever again! I'll become bigger than you, better than you, I'm going to shine brighter than you ever could, Alcea Vermeil! Olivia vowed, crushing her handkerchief in her hand. And then you'll have to acknowledge me! You'll have to see me for who I am then! You won't…

You won't ignore me! Never again!

All these years later, and that bitterness hadn't changed. As she walked with determination through the labyrinth with Sango Akana behind her, Olivia was more dedicated than ever to prove once and for all that she was better than Alcea Vermeil.

She would win. She had to win. Alcea wouldn't be able to ignore her then! She would force Alcea to finally admit how magnificent she was, and acknowledge her greatness!

"Olivia!"

Sango's voice pierced through the fog of Olivia's thoughts, and it was only then that she realized the other girl had been calling her name for some time now. She turned to the other blonde with a look of confusion.

"What is it?" Olivia demanded.

Sango blinked, surprised. Had Olivia seriously missed it? "Olivia… isn't that the exit over there?" She asked, pointing down the hall.

Olivia whirled around and her eyes widened in shock. Yes! There it was! She could see a bright light from the lamps framing the way out, and a glimpse of trees and rocks just past the entryway. They'd done it! It had practically taken the entire night, but they had made their way out of the labyrinth! It was about damn time!

Triumph surged in Olivia's chest and she picked up the pace. She wasn't much of an athlete, but right now she felt like she could run faster than Aya!

Forgetting all about the girl who had accompanied her all this time, Olivia dashed forward and passed the boundary, clearing the second leg of the Toughness Competition.

On the other end of the labyrinth, just past the exit, was someone dressed in a uniform like a Pokemon Ranger, someone in the Ranger Course, clearly, with light brown skin and dark slicked back hair. Olivia didn't really care about them and walked past, but Sango seemed to know them.

"Hey, Andre," she said, and waved. Olivia vaguely recognized the name and immediately dismissed it from her thoughts. She didn't care about some ranger, all she cared about was getting to the end of this course, and becoming the victor, showing Alcea that she was the one who deserved the title of Miss Pokemon Academy for the fourth year in a row.

Just SEE Alcea try to ignore her after that!

"Congratulations you two," the junior congratulated them. "You're in third and fourth place, respectively! Great progress!"

THAT got her attention. Olivia whirled around in shock. "Third place?! I'm in third place?!" She exclaimed. "What's the meaning of this?!"

The brunette stepped back in surprise, not expecting that much objection from Olivia of all people. His amber eyes looked to Sango for clarification, but she just shrugged. With a sigh, he rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"You were the third girl to escape the labyrinth," he explained. "Two other girls came out just a few minutes ago, and are already headed to the peak of the mountain."

"Only a few minutes!" Sango brightened. She looked to Olivia, her eyes shining with excitement. "Hey, that means we can catch up with them quick if we hurry!" She said, urging Olivia forward.

But Olivia wasn't concerned with that. It was stupid, and she should have absolutely listened to Sango if she was in a clearer frame of mind, but right now she was more focused on something else.

"Who was it?!" She demanded. "Who's ahead of us?"

She already knew the answer to her question, even if she didn't want to acknowledge it. There was only one person it could be, after all.

Andre didn't know why it was such a big deal. He stuttered, "UH… A-Alcea Vermeil, and Gabrielle Breaux…?" He answered meekly.

Olivia was behind Alcea. She could just scream.

Things aren't looking good for Olivia! And surprise! We weren't all the way finished with Olivia's past after all! Now, let's move onto the final leg of the Toughness Competition! Who will win the title of Miss Pokemon Academy?