Rivals, Old and New
May stared in shock and awe at the foreign, bustling harbor of Olivine. The lighthouse towered above all, even the newly built Contest Hall on the shore to the west of the main part of the city. Set back behind the Poke mart and Poke Center was the Gym, home to Jasmine, mistress of Steel.
"You like it? City has changed since I last saw it. Much busier. I'm... not sure if I like it or not. " Chase's black brushed his hair out of his face to see better, and May gasped at the sight of his face.
Four long pale diagonal scars covered the upper part of his face. He heard her gasp, and turned his face away, burning with embarrassment and shame. "Sorry if I scared you. Crazed Rattata attacked me when I was two. Been colorblind ever since. I was lucky, should have been blind altogether. "
"Oh, I'm so s- "
"No. Please don't apologize. Everyone apologizes, then they pity me. Don't, ok? I'm lucky to see at all. "
May was silent once more, kicking herself for gasping in the first place. He must be self conscious about it already, now look what you- Huh?
Chase was talking to her, keeping his voice low. "I want you to meet someone, but you have to follow me, ok? "
She nodded, mystified as they headed for a remote place in the woods behind Olivine.
When Chase was certain they were alone, he pulled out a large, shining rainbow colored feather that caught the sunlight in a dazzling way. In a sudden rush of wind, a shadow appeared overhead, and a great bird landed.
"Is that... "
"Victory. A Ho-oh. " Victory preened it's feathers, and nuzzled the boys palm with its golden beak.
"How.. How did you... "
"I didn't catch it. I once tried, but didn't have the heart or strength too. So I let it escape. Then Team Rocket showed up, and tried to catch it, but I let it free, cutting the net free from their helicopter. As I was falling, Victory saved me, and has been my partner ever since. "
He motioned with his hand, and Victory took off again. "I wanted you to meet Victory. But you must not tell anyone, or people will come from miles around to try to capture it. But Victory must not be tamed, it must always be free. "
May watched Victory disappear, and her gaze flicked back to her friend in time to see the look of sorrow on his face. He closed his eyes, not noticing her gaze, and when he opened them they were cheerful as usual.
"Shall we go to the Contest Hall? "
"Sure... "
---------------------------------------------------
Drew stepped off the ferry, taking in Olivine as well, looking to the woods just in time to see May and Chase emerge from the trees, side by side, talking and seeming very friendly.
Something burned in his chest that surprised him. Jealousy? Him?
I don't even like her... that much... Besides, why should I be jealous of them? I'm so much better than he is...
He let himself glare briefly at the two, then brushed the hair out of his face and walked up to them.
"Hello, May. I wasn't expecting you to be here already. Who's your... friend... "
"This is Chase. He saved my life. Chase, this is Drew, my rival and friend. "
Ooooh, he's got the 'hero' appeal, Drew thought mockingly.
"Nice to meet you, Drew. Is... Your hair green? " Chase had a perplexed look on his face.
Or course it is, what are you...color blind... crap, he's got 'polite' and 'cripple' appeal as well... "Yes, actually. "
"I see. I assume you're here to enter the contest as well? "
Drew nodded. "Of course. Are you going to be competing? " Heh, I doubt it. Probably doesn't know the first thing about them, so there's no way he's going to...
"Yes, actually. I look forward to competing. " Chase nodded politely to Drew and May. "If you would excuse me, I'm going to talk to an old friend. "
"Ok! " May waved cheerfully, and Drew glared silently at the native. Oh, the many ways that I HATE HIM...
"Are you Ok, Drew? "
"Never better, " he replied icily, regaining his typical arrogant air. "My Pok?on are all rested, and ready for this contest. "
"That makes three of us!! " Harley suddenly appeared between them, smiling broadly. "I feel so refreshed, I shall win, I know it! "
May sighed. As if the day wasn't bad enough, with her Pok?on stressed out from the trip, Drew acting like a bigger jerk than usual, the last thing she needed was Harley.
"You never know what kind of trainers Johto has, " she said confidently. "Who knows, they may beat us all! "
Harley laughed. "Right, and Zangooses and Sevipers will all get along together and frolic through the flower meadows!! "
"Hello, traveler trainers. " A girl joined their group, long brown red hair down to her waist, with two small pigtails on her head, grey blue eyes calm and quiet. "I am Jasmine, the Gym Leader here. I very much look forward to seeing your power in the Contest. "
Drew raised his eyebrows curiously, Harley laughed, and May swallowed quietly. Great. More tough competition.