Training and Trying
"Go, Crispen, combine Strength with Body Slam! Tilji, use Fly! " The Meganium leaped into the air, then slammed into the ground so hard Chase felt the earth tremble beneath his feet as his Togetic practiced his aerial acrobatics, diving and spinning with ease.
May and Drew leaned on the rocks, watching him train. "Wow, that Meganium looks really strong. "
"Hmm. " Drew brushed his bangs aside in contempt. "Maybe, but it's slow and heavy. Not nearly graceful enough to be in the contest. "
May threw him an irritated glance. "What's with you, Drew? He's still learning, and improving too. "
Her rival turned around abruptly and left, leaving her mystified and hurt. Why is he being so unreasonable?
Drew bit his lip, trying to ignore his jealousy and hurt. I'm sure she still likes me better than him... Ok, if I can't even convince myself of this, I'm in trouble.
He turned around, and watched his friend shouting encouragement to Chase.
He sighed heavily.
"Well, well, well, why the long face kiddy? " Drew concealed his shock quite well, but didn't bother hiding his irritation as he retorted to Harley, "Nothing. "
"Ooooh, so that's what you're calling May these days- "
Drew froze, then spun around to face the arrogant Coordinator. "Wha- Hey, that's not true! "
"That girl has you wrapped around her finger, " Harley chuckled, twirling his index finger to illustrate his point.
"Don't you have practice to do? " Drew roughly pushed him out of the way.
"But I must meet my daily quota of annoying people! "
"Oh, you met that a long time ago, " Drew muttered as he headed for a secluded part of the beach to train.
----------------------------------------------------
Jasmine waved to Chase. "Shall we battle, my friend? "
"Sure. Do it, Crispen! "
His Meganium bellowed as Jasmine spun around gracefully. "Go on, Steelix! Start things off with Iron Tail! "
"Dodge it, Crispen, and use Reflect! "
Steelix swung his tail, but it bounced off of the Reflect and hit itself in the neck with a roar of pain.
"Now, Strength and Body Slam! "
"Hit it with Dragonbreath! "
Crispen could not dodge, and the attack hit dead on, sending him skidding backward and slamming against the rocks, and Crispen fainted.
"Beautiful, Jasmine! "
"Many thanks, Chase, but I still must refine my skills. I shall go alone to train. "
Chase withdrew Crispen after praising him for a valiant effort, then turned to May. "Want me to train with you? "
"No, that's alright. I'm going to go find Drew. "
She waved as she left. After a few seconds, she found him training by himself in a sandy area surrounded on three sides by tall rocks, and on the other side, the great sea.
May waved down to him. "Hey, Drew, do you want to train together? "
His reply was faint, but cold and harsh. "Why don't you go practice with Chase if he's so great! "
"Drew, are you mad at me? "
"Just go away! "
May's face fell. The answer is yes, I assume...
He's the one who's been a jerk! What did I do?
She was thinking so hard that she did not notice the slippery seaweed on the rocks by a huge drop-off. She screamed as her legs went out from under her, and just managed to grab onto the rocks at the edge.
May felt the stone begin to go, but there was nothing she could do...