Testing the Waters
The contestants were gathered in the main area, waiting to make their primary appeals. May gave a shiver of joy and excitement, and her gaze met Drew's for second, then he looked away with an air of distain and cold indifference.
She sighed, then pushed away her discomfort as she concentrated on the MC's voice. "First up is May! "
She shivered. What terrible luck, going first. Ah well, best make the most of it.
"Come on out, Blaziken! I choose you! " Her fiery fighter blasted out of his Pokeball, sparks flying everywhere.
"Blaaaaaaaaz! "
"Overheat! "
"Blaz-iiiiii-KEEEEEENN!!!! " The entire battle field was engulfed in beautiful fire as pure heat spewed from Blaziken's beak.
The scores lit up. 9.6, 9.2, 8.9. A total of 27.7
"Yes!!!! " As she pumped her fist in the air, her eyes caught Drew's. He gave a half smile, and she felt herself blush.
I guess she is getting her own style, he mused. Still, I liked her better when she wasn't slowly killing me.
He brushed his hair out of his face as Harley popped up behind him. "Soooo, still at odds with your girlfriend, I see. "
"It doesn't matter today. She's my rival, and I intend to win. " His face was grim, with the faintest smile of anticipation around his mouth.
Harley sneered. "Pfft. I'll beat you both easily. "
"Right. Like you beat her last time. And this time, you can't try to meddle with her strategy. " I'll make sure of that, he added silently, as his eyes flashed emerald fire.
"Next, Harley! "
"Go, my Cacturn! For me! Bullet seed!! "
Cacturn spun around, blasting the ground as he did so, creating a wall of dust and seeds.
His scores came up. 9.7, 9.3, 8.7. A total of 27.7, tying with May!
May gasped, blue eyes huge with shock and worry. "Oh no! What am I going to do? "
"What you always do- your best. " Drew had come up behind her, eyes still cold like before, but at least he was talking to her. "That's all you can ever do. " And I know you can beat him, he added silently. As much as she had hurt him, May needed a friend. Plus, if she was competing against Harley, he wanted that annoying cheater taken down.
May looked at him, and smiled. His cheeks colored visibly, and he flicked his gaze away from hers.
"Next up is Chase! "
"Wish me luck, " he called as passed between the gap that separated May and Drew. The girl did not notice her rival melt back into the shadows he had appeared from just seconds before. Is she had, she might have noticed what he said.
"Rip my heart out, why don't you... "
Back on the stage, Chase drew out his Pokeball. "Show them what you got, Crispen! Reflect and Razor Leaf! "
"Meee--GAAAAAAA!!! " The green dinosaur spun in a tight circle, blending his Reflect with his Razor leaf into a shining leaf tornado that then exploded in a burst of light.
The crowd gasped in shock. "And an amazing appeal by Chase. Let's see his score... "
8.9, 8.7, 8.5, for a total of 26.1.
Jasmine and May cheered, and Chase smiled at them, then paused. "Hey, May, where's your friend? "
"Hmm? " She turned around, expecting him to be leaning against the wall, watching her in that annoying but oddly sweet way of his, always ready with a sharp remark on her performance. "Oh... I don't know where he is... He's been in a really bad mood last couple of days, and I can't figure out why. "
Jasmine and Chase exchanged knowing glances. Jasmine sighed, then advised her, "Why don't you go and find him? His appeal turn might be coming up, and he shouldn't miss it. "
"Well, I guess if you think I should... " Maybe he's down in the locker rooms.
May stepped quietly down the stairs, her eyes resting upon a lone figure seated on a bench, his back to her, eyes on the screen. His body language made him look... surly he wasn't nervous? Drew was never nervous.
Hah...he sighed. Not used to this feeling. Reminds me of my first contest, so long ago, right after I had caught Roselia. Drew hugged his knees tighter, forcing his mind to clear. Remember, your pokemon can tell when you're upset. So, I just got to keep calm and avoid...
The irony is just too great for her to NOT be standing behind me. Great. Juuust great.
"How long have you been standing there? "
"Just a couple seconds. Drew, what's been bothering you for the last couple of days? "
He froze in shock. "You.. actually don't know? "
"No... "
I always though she was naive, but not that naive! Drew opened his mouth to try to answer, but the M.C. interrupted.
"...With a score of 26. 8 points. Next up is Drew! "
He let out a long breath, trying to force all of his personal problems aside for this one battle. He nodded to May as he walked by her.
Suddenly, almost involuntarily, May hugged him on his way out the door. "Go get 'em, Drew! "
She waved to him cheerily, and he waved, in a bit of a light headed daze. He shook his head and regains his composure just in time as he stepped onto the stage.
"It's showtime, Roselia! "