The next thing was absolutely stunning, it even gave Archie goosebumps. The arrows of light seemed to know exactly what to hit and not to hit. They hit every single one of the gems, both small and large and dissapeared in a flutter of light before hitting people. The frozen gems hanging in the air before had shattered into a beautiful sparkle, and it filled the whole hall. Everyone was amazed into silence before erupting into a huge applause.
Emi smiled shyly, then cautiously gave a short curtsey. Paku, who was still on her head, copied her movements into curtseying. Suddenly though, her body swayed and before anyone could even notice, she was falling off of her ice tower and to the ground below. The crowd gasped, but a fluffy blur caught her mid air and Lisia stepped onto stage.
"Don't worry folks!" She called, smiling at the still shining particles in the air. "She's fine, just tired! The winner will be announced in 10 minutes!" And with that the lights dimmed on the stage. A few adults complained nearby about the wait, but kids ran to the aisle and started playing in the floating glitters.
Archie was a bit peeved. Obviously the little scamp had won. What was the point in waiting.
"So an ice type... but also looked kind of like a fairy..." Maxie was mumbling to himself. "But it had qualities of a psychic type...? What an amazing pokemon... And that bow of light. That seemed unnatural."
"Maybe it's some sort of new legendary." Archie had put his two cents in but Maxie waved him off and leaned back in his chair with his hand on his chin, in his thinking mode. Archie just sighed and got out of his chair and made his way to the green room.
It was quieter than before, the only people in there at the moment was a bouncy Lisia who was talking in a fast paced voice, the same snarky scamp from before who gave him a dissapproving look as he walked in, and Emi was sitting in a chair looking worn out. She glanced up weakly as he stepped in. She was pale, but gave him a smile.
"Hey. I'm surprised you actually stayed. Normally when I ask for a battle people forget... Sure, Lexie's fun to battle but it gets a tad dull with her.." The snarky scamp, Lexie, huffed but just rolled her eyes, struggling to hide a smile. "What's your name?" Lisia fell silent and glanced towards Emi, and then Archie as she realized nobody was paying attention to her compliments.
"... My name's Archie." He mumbled, suddenly feeling a bit self concious as all eyes were on him. He then noticed something strange about Emi's outfit and couldn't help but comment on it. "Oy, your outfit. Did it break or something?" He pointed towards her dress. The once vivid pink crystals that decorated it had shattered and dulled in color. She frowned and then looked at Paku who was sitting on the make up desk. The little pokemon gave a small worried noise and tilted it's head as Emi rubbed it's head.
"Paku is a very unique pokemon... Her energy is connected to mine and vice versa. When we're working as one we're able to do so much.." She then stood and looked at Archie. She opened her mouth to say something but just then the bubbly announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.
"And we're back to announce the winner of this contest!" Lisia grinned at Emi who just gave a weak smile. "And the winner iisssss~" There was a pause, although it was obvious who won and when her name was announced the crowd burst into an applause and Emi sighed.
"Yay!" Lexie, who had been mostly silent ran up to Emi and gave her a half hug before quickly pulling away and Archie noticed that she looked a tad embarrassed but it fade quickly. "There wasn't a doubt you couldn't win though. You and Paku are brilliant."
"Thanks.." Emi smiled and then went off to accept her ribbon. Lisia followed after, chattering a bunch, leaving Archie alone with Lexie...
The room was enveloped in an awkward silence, neither one of them felt comfortable saying anything to each other.. Finally Archie gave a small sigh and started walking out.
"We'll battle outside." He said before leaving. Lexie would've stopped him but to be honest she was a bit glad that the tense and awkward silence had ended and she sat down in the chair Emi was in just before...