May’s Adventure (Hoenn Saga): Chapter Thirteen
Summary: The trainer, May Maple has entered a brand new region to start an incredible adventure. Fostering friendships with people and Pokemon...but also catches the eye of a certain Professor from Kalos...
Pairing: May Maple x Professor Sycamore
Word Count: 2.7k
Warning: Swearing, violence, explicit. No minors please.
A/N: Still making sure this story isn’t collecting dust. I’m being awfully slow about it....
The morning I woke up to in Wally's uncle's house was filled with an exciting buzz. The development of Wanda's boyfriend now being able to visit freely, Wally having someone that sorta resembled a friend (me) and the Rusturf tunnel being opened was still fresh in everyone's mind. Thus, the breakfast table held plenty of food and conversation. However, I was too busy shoveling food into my mouth to engage in any talk unless it was absolutely necessary. Today was the big day for me to compete in my first Contest Spectacular. Truthfully, I didn't feel nervous in the least bit. After all, Skitty whom I chose as the participating contestant would be the one to go up on stage to perform. I was just the person who would wear the stupid looking clothes.
Speaking of Skitty, the little creature was by my leg; rubbing her head against it and meowing softly in request for food. That adorable face and its methods had been just too much! However, my dad sternly warned me that training Pokémon that were naturally attractive would be difficult. They could easily manipulate their trainers and were used to getting what they wanted with appearances alone. Well this Skitty was certainly going to work just like everyone else on the team...Team Maple...yeah that sounded good.
I wiggled a piece in front of Skitty to capture her attention. "Okay girl...sit!" I commanded as if she was more of a dog. However, it seemed to get what was coming across because she diligently obeyed the simple order and sat down before looking up at me expectantly for a face of approval. Pleased with her obedience, I rewarded her with the treat. Skitty excitedly took it and began to consume it.
"So May, I heard that you and Wally are going somewhere today. Are you two gonna do some training?"
I looked at a curious Wanda that sat across from me; she daintily picked up her food with a fork. Wally was next to me, feeding his magnemite a biscuit. The live assortment of metal parts gladly took it and dematerialized it into its...wherever it's stomach was. "Uh...yep! That's exactly what we're gonna do today! In fact, don't bother coming to look for us...at all!" I said while getting up from the table and putting my things in the sink.
The teenage girl glanced at the both of us and let out a slight giggle. Hm, why was she laughing all of a sudden? Did I say some hidden joke? The boy however, picked up Wanda's response to my answer and his face became bright red. "I-It's not like that Wanda! I just met my senpai! W-we're not doing anything like that!"
"Doing anything like what?"
I was confused about what he was saying due to the lack of understanding that involved romantic relationships. Had I known, it would have turned into a very violent morning.
"N-nothing! Let's hurry so we can get a head start!"
When breakfast was all said and done, Wally and I left the house. While on the road, the both of us talked on the way with our speculations of what these 'Contest Spectaculars' were gonna be like. Lisia didn't go into all of detail about it...actually, she did; I just wasn't paying a whole lot of attention at the time. What I did remember was that there were five categories to participate in and a talent round. The rest of the information was complete babble to me, and I would come to find that there would be personal consequences for such carelessness.
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Thirty minutes of walking yielded the wondrous sight of the Contest Spectacular building. My companion was getting hopped up with excitement because of the anticipation. I could tell that his imagination of wonders that my Skitty and I will perform was already being blown out of proportion. I had to remind him that there was no way that I was going to go up there and make myself look like a fool in front of thousands of people. The disappointment for Wally was great.
Once inside, my companion waited with the other people who were to be the spectators while I went up to the front desk. I was given multiple forms to fill out for my Pokémon to participate. Of course Skitty would be in the cute category of the normal rank contests. Hm...talent? Well, she was sorta good at scratching things and manipulating people with her adorable face...tricks it is!
After filling out all the forms, Skitty and I were gestured to the dressing room so we could get ready. We obliged and went right in. No sooner had we entered the spacious place however, a very familiar person who was already there spotted and greeted me. "Maaaaay! You came! I knew you would!"
Oh boy.
Lisia promptly squealed with excitement upon seeing me, by thankfully didn't pull me into a suffocating hug. Still didn't make her less insufferable though. While her bird tweeted with joy, Skitty shared my uncomfortable feelings of being with such overly jolly company. "You're just in time too! I can help you get ready for your cute debut!"
"My cute debut?" I asked with my tone less than thrilled.
"Yes! One has to look their most adorable when making their start in a cute contest! But first, let's get you out of those clothes!"
Let's? What did she mean by-ARCEUS!
The door suddenly slammed shut behind Skitty and I as a strange, creeped out feeling came over me. Lisia's smile remained as it was with my pink outfit suddenly in hand. It would seem that she greatly anticipated my arrival for the sake of being her doll for dress-up. "I...I think I forgot that there's this thing...oh fuck it!"
I quickly turned on my heels towards the exit when my face smacked right into the giant bird's cloud-like wings. The loyal Pokémon of the teen idol wasn't gonna let me go so easily. It pushed me towards Lisia with an exciting cry.
"Good job Ali! Now May...let's get you dressed so we can put on your make-up ," she said in what I thought sounded like a tone of sadistic pleasure. Make-up?! I've never worn that stuff in my life! Cosmetics in my biased opinion were unnecessary and too complicated for me to comprehend. I knew that mom wore some on occasion, but I overall stayed away from the stuff.
"Wait! I don't any of your dam make-up! AAAAH! Don't get any closer!”
I was pulled into a cabana screen where I was parted from my comfortable clothes by force and was made to wear the nearly unbearable, sparkly outfit. However, the torture didn't stop there. After I finished getting dressed, Lisia pushed me into the vanity chair. She undid my hair and attacked me with a hairbrush, styling gel and many combs. My eyes teared up as my head was painfully pulled back by the teen's violent brushing through the unruly hair in an effort to make it manageable. Once it was tame enough, she added styling gel to shape my hair; admittingly one of the most calm part of my 'cute debut'.
The peace however, was short-lived when moving onto the second phase: Make-up. I was politely scolded several times to remain still as she applied foundation and powder to my face. When that was done, Lisia carefully added mascara to my lashes to make them more noticeable. Finally, the teen put strawberry-flavored lip gloss on my lips; a task that proved slightly irritating to her because I couldn't help but want to taste it.
"Hm..." Lisia thought out loud as she stepped back to observe how I looked. Her lack of a quick response made me dread that she felt unsatisfied with her work; and she indeed was.
"Ah! I know what's wrong here! You don't have any earrings! Not to worry though, I have loads of em!"
"Hell no! I don't want to wear any more of that gaudy crap! I swear you'll be styling a black eye if you try to put more stuff on me!"
"Hey I found a pair! This'll look great on you!"
"Are you even listening?! I sai-AHHHHHH!"
Outside the room, audible screams of pain could be heard by people who were in the lobby as I had gotten my ears pierced for the first time.
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I glared angrily at the teen who now examined me with much satisfaction. The lobes of my ears were throbbing with a dull ache of holes being poked into them. She was gonna get it! I stood up from the stool with a hateful intention to mangle her. "Wow, you look so much better now! See for yourself!" She said while gesturing to the vanity mirror.
Fury clouded my common sense and logic as I readied myself to beat that stupid smirk off her face. Fortunately for Lisia, I just happened to glance at the reflective surface while cocking back my fist to punch her and stopped. My breath was caught in my throat as I saw something that could only be done by magical fairy godmothers.
My hair was tied up in a side ponytail while my side bangs cascaded down both sides of my face. A light layer of powder covered up any shine that would have shown on my features. The gloss made my lips more pink and glittery. Simple white earrings were in place without making me feel too cluttered with stuff.
The outfit I wore was a combination of colors that consisted of an off white, purple and different shades of pink. My top had long white sleeves that stopped at my elbows with a multi-colored scheme of a pink bow design on the front. The covering stopped just a few inches above the waist to give room for the design of the skirt. It was certainly cutesy with a stitched in belt for holding my contestant Pokémon's ball; the bottom of it also had the same colors at my top. And while it was short, there was thankfully light pink undershorts to go with it. It had light yellow trimmings around it; overall the garments were a must for the sake of my sanity. On my feet were hot pink heels that were designed with three leather bands on my calves with a bow on each side.
The only think that felt out of place was the bracelet. It was the same color as my short's trimmings with a little pink heart attached to it. What made it strange was the stone in the middle of the little heart. There was some odd design in the middle of it with a bluish-green color.
"Sooo...you like? I know I do! Your cute debut is bound to wow the audience and maybe even steal a few hearts of some cute boys!...and then...you could have this beautiful romance as you blah blah blah blah! *sighs* blah blah..."
I stopped listening to Lisia as I continued to stare at myself in the mirror. What would dad think about it? He would probably tell me that I looked ridiculous and make me take it off. Mom might be an avid supporter for me finally wearing something that wasn't tomboyish..... And Sycamore?
My face burned red as possible scenarios played in my head. That silky voice of his pitched with amusement while observing me in a devious fashion. That gentle grasp playing with my long locks of hair as he would find some excuse to get closer to me....well fuck him! He won't get an opinion! It's not like I was going to show it to him! I'd sooner be criticized by that lame-ass nerd, Maxie than subject myself to more of that evil professor's confusing torture!
"...blah blah but enough about that! The contest is going to start soon! Make sure that you get all those last minute warm-ups in and prepare yourself to dazzle the crowd! Oh! And one more thing! Remember to smile!"
I focused back on the teen as Ali flew by her side in preparation to leave the room. She giggles with excitement and clapped her hands together. "See you after the contest! I'll be watching!"
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Ten minutes passed and the contestants were ordered to come back stage so they could line everyone up in order. I was last according to the random draw, but that suited me just fine since I can efficiently monitor any mistakes or certain quirks the other made. First in line was a middle aged man and his slakoth, then a girl with her taillow, that was followed by a boy with his poochyena and finally Skitty and I.
The majority of the backstage was dark with the exception of the bright lights that stole through the opening of which we would be going out of. Shouts and cheers from the audience that cried out in anticipation rang in our ears. My eyes stole a glance at Skitty; she started to get nervous. The little creature let out these small, frightened mewling sounds while practically clinging to my leg.
"Hey girl, don't worry so much!" I said as I picked up the kitten to comfort her. "I'll be right there to keep your mind on track!" said my enthusiastic voice as I tried to prevent any more anxiety from building up. It worked to some degree because Skitty stopped shaking; although the whimpered mewling was still evident. All while doing so, I purposely didn't mention anything about the dreadful professor because I inwardly hated how much my Pokémon adored him. Jealousy once again stole its way into my heart from how much she loved receiving attention from him and not me. Well, that was certainly going to change!
Suddenly, a voice broadcasted through large speakers announced the start of the contest. That was the cue for the first contestant to go up on stage. Through the opening, my eyes stared at the two as they began their act. To me, the choice of having his Pokémon loaf around was incredibly boring. Was it all that it could do? Oh man, I think I'm gonna die from the boredom of waiting.
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A half hour passed and the other two contestants came and went with ease. Honestly, it was still pretty boring. The girl managed to stun the crowd with her taillow as they did hoop tricks for their act while the boy and his poochyena took lead with doing some commands like shaking its trainer's hand and standing on its hind legs.
Eventually, the two of us were next. I stretched my legs in preparation as skitty came beside me. "Okay Skitty, let's go out to own all those losers and get something to eat after that! You ready?!" I asked with brimming self-confidence. She simply meowed at me in understanding while the shaking of growing anxiety came back again.
We both took in a deep breath and walked out of the safety that was formerly the back and onto the polished stage. Suddenly, all of that confidence that I had melted faster than a snowman in the desert when we were confronted by a sea of spectators. Fright gripped my heart and Skitty ran behind me for protection.
"Ladies and gentlemen, contestants no. Four: Birdie-Chan and Skitty!"
Yep. I knew choosing that nickname would come back to bite me in the butt. When I went to fill out everything in the lobby, my eyes stared dumbfoundedly at the name entry. I certainly didn't want anyone to know who I was. My reputation of being a strong, merciless trainer would be shattered if word got out that I participated in this...sugared up ponyta show. Of course, I wasn't very imaginative when it came to aliases. However, the ones that did stand out to me in my head was some that came from Sycamore and Wally; thus, it led to the creation of 'Birdie-chan'. Ugh, I hate them both, and yet they were the ones who supplied me with a decent stage name.
No sooner did my 'name' get broadcasted, did all of the bright spotlights focus on us with an upbeat, poppy song start playing in the background. That's about the time where the weight of the situation hit. I was on stage...with a sea of people watching me. My limbs had all but decided to freeze up. Oh hell! What should I do?!