May held her breath, "Okay, let's stay calm. I got full marks. So, calm, calm."
Honchkrow, "Krow ko."
May, "I am trying to relax but they are really good too. So, it is up to luck and the judges to pick who goes next."
Harley, 'Hmm... She looks familiar.'
Max cheered, "She did it."
Molly, "She entered the next round."
Ash, "That's our May."
Gou, "She can do this."
Ruby chuckled beside them, their cheering being contagious. It had been a while since he could simply relax in public and just enjoy being with friends. It has been a few hectic and loud years for someone like him, actually for most trainers, city life tends to be loud after spending days in solitary training. May meanwhile was getting herself pumped up for her next round which would be the battle round. She was very excited to do her best to win no matter what happened. The screen showed the battle round arrow was circling between her and the other three contestants who made it through to the next rounds. It circled once more and then the arrow landed on her and her next opponent who was a red head from Kanto, who went by Jones. She took a deep breath and went to take her place on stage as the hostess announced their names and they shook hands then began.
May, "Time to brighten the stage, Staryu."
Staryu appeared among a shower of star swift, "Haaa."
Jones, "Show them your beauty Vaporean."
Vaporean appeared among bubbles, "Vaaaa."
Ash, "Misty will love this."
Gou snickered, "She is already fangirling."
Ruby peeked at the phone, "Ah! Misty is sending a lot of heart emojis. Cute!"
Molly, "I do not have a favourite type yet."
Max, "Neither do I but it's ok, we got time."
Ruby, "My favourite are the Pokemon I have."
Ash, "I know what you mean. I confess I have a soft spot for baby Pokemon more."
May, "Staryu spin using and use hydro pump."
Gou, "That move."
Ash, "Definitely inspired by Misty."
Max looked at his phone, "Misty is spamming the chat with lots of hearts now."
Molly, "May won look."
Gou, "That's our May."
Max, "Woo hoo! You go sis."
May looked up at the cheers, her face a little pink, "Thanks Max, everyone."
May smiled as she went backstage where Honchkrow and Torchic were waiting for her chirping their congratulations to her. She noticed Harley was going up next and was very excited to watch the poison expert fight combining poison attacks in a very flashy eye catching manner. She had a feeling Harley would win against the red haired girl, Zoey, she believes from Sinnoh. May clapped as Harley and his Cacturne won against Zoey's pretty Shellos who put up a really good fight. Harley being the dramatic and flamboyant self he was gave a bow followed by flying kisses. May got up and went to the stage, she could feel excitement bubbling inside her stomach. If she won this contest, it would be her second ribbon and May could not help but smile giddily as she faced Harley who raised an eyebrow at her.
May, "Hello, I have read about you. You are Hoenn's poison expert."
Harley grinned, "Soon to be specialist, sweetheart. So, you better take this seriously."
May, "I always do. I will not make this easy."
Aliana, "Oh ho! We got two fired up contestants. I like it. I like it. Contestants take your places. Choose your Pokemon at the same time. 1... 2.... 3."
Harley, "I choose Cacturne."
May, "Let's go Staryu."
The Pokemon appeared in a circle of their specialty which were a bush of poison needles and a ring of bubbles. The entry showed off their control and Aliana shouted begin making Harley and May call out attacks. The two Pokemon jumped and threw out controlled water gun and a very interesting string of veno shock. Ash was very impressed, he had heard Harley was specializing poison moves and attacks. He was not expecting the green obssessed man to teach a dark and grass type poison moves. It was very impressive and just like Harley warned, May needed to focus and really do her best to battle him if she wanted to win. Of course, he would still support her even if she lost but he knew she wanted her second ribbon. Ash looked at Harley who was just as focused and then the green dressed man smirked. Ash had a feeling May was going to be given a run for her money by Harley.
Harley, "Energy ball Cacturne."
Cacturne opened his arms dramatically and created a large energy ball making May and Staryu a little wary. She still stayed calm and called for the move they had been practicing with Milotic, whirlpool. Staryu prepared the whirlpool, and was about to attack when Cacturne all of a sudden absorbed the energy ball and attacked Staryu in a flurry of quick attacks that Harley called out. May called for Staryu to use whirlpool and at the end of the two attacks both Pokemon were covered in an explosion of shimmering water droplets and green energy. Before Alianna could comment on the display however Staryu collapsed from the exhaustion of using a high powered whirlpool and defending itself from his opponents. May drooped realizing she had lost to her opponent and checked on Staryu who was out cold from exhaustion. May sighed in relief, at least they were not poisoned, they would have needed to rush to the Pokemon centre otherwise.
Jessibell, "My, my, such fabulous performance."
Harley, "Thank you Miss Jessibell. I must say I was presently surprised to see you here. I just knew I had to give it my all and more."
Jessibell smirked, "You certainly did, young man. I heard you are targeting the Master position of Hoenn."
Harley, "Damn right I am. That seat is mine."
Jessibell clapped, "That is the attitude I love to see. I would happily welcome you as a fellow Master."
Harley, "I appreciate it."
Aliana, "Ladies and gentlemen the Slateport City ribbon. Congratulations Harley, you have impressed many people."
May pointed at Harley, "I have decided."
Mr Contesta, "Oh my!"
Sukizo, "I know that look."
May, "You are my rival from now on. Next time I will defeat you."
Ash held back a laugh, "She has made up her mind, it seems."
Ruby, "Brings back memories of my time challenging Emerald."
Ash, "Oh?"
Ruby, "Later, I think we should check on her for now."
Max, "She went inside and I know my sister.. She is going to blame herself for the loss."
Molly, "We cannot have that. Let's go give her a big hug and praise."
Gou, "Agreed, she did a great job. Harley just had more experience."
Max ran forward hugging the older girl who had changed from her performance clothes, "Sis, that was awesome."
May looked at her brother and started to sniffle, "I messed up."
Molly, "Everyone makes mistakes May. It does not make it your fault."
Ash nodded passing her a tissue, "You were awesome May, please do not forget that."
Ruby nodded, "Your Staryu used a stronger whirlpool then what you were used to."
Gou, "It was very impressive."
May gave a small smile, "Thank you guys. Ummm.... Ruby, I think I want to pass on the party and stay with my Pokemon."
Ruby, "I understand, if I could I would skip that damn party too."
Ash, "Here!"
Max, "What is this?"
Ash, "Red gave me some coupons as gifts to some high end chocolate shops in Hoenn as a congratulatory gift."
Lucario, -You have a huge sweet tooth Meema. The only reason no one has not said anything is because you balance it out with other foods. So, people who have not known you long enough would never notice.-
Ash, "Ehe ~ Who does not love chocolate? I certainly do and I am not gonna deny myself that treat."
Ruby, "Well, you will love the party then. They have white and dark chocolate fountains tonight with plates of fruit and bread to accompany it."
Molly eyed the coupons, "Chocolate dips? I think we can order it too."
Gou, "Yeah, here is a coupon for that. You got the good stuff Ash."
Ash, "Thanks, go on and spoil yourselves. We need to get ready. It is in three hours I believe?"
Ruby sighed, "Yes, I better put my suit on."
Ash, "And I better wear my get up. I feel a little bad tricking your parents though."
Ruby, "Don't! They were not exactly that close to me. Never truly accepted the fact I would rather be a Champion instead of becoming the head of their precious company."
May, "Ruby... Okay, a group hug before we go do our thing for the night."
Max, "Great idea sis."
Molly, "Group hug."
Gou, "Ruby, you got us in your corner now."
Ash nodded, "Yeah, if they get too much just say the word and I will come up with an excuse to get us out of there."
Ruby looked at the warm and determined faces of the group hugging him and nodded in agreement to the plan. He did not hate his parents per se but he also did not love them at all. There was no feelings left in his heart for them, in fact Steven and Wallace were more of parental figures to him instead of his bio parents. He was never telling them that however, they would never shut up about it if he did. After the hug, Ruby went to his room to dress up in the dark red dress suit Wallace had picked for him a few months ago. He had asked for the outfit to be sent to him along with black leather shoes made by the Red Shirp company. There was a silver watch with tiny ruby stones in place of the numericals, a silver earring stud in the shape of his Rayquaza and silver studded gloves to complete the look, he just needed to style his hair. Ruby sighed knowing he really can't complain, not when Ash was dressing himself to pretend to be his girlfriend.
Ruby came out and got compliments from others making him smile, then Ash, no Cheryl stepped out and all of them gaped. Cheryl's hair was stylishly combed and put in a side bun with curls flowing down her hair. There were pearl hair pins fitted on her hair to make it look like pearls had been woven in. Her dress was a dark purple reddish color hugging his frame over the corset giving Cheryl an hourglass figure reaching right above her ankle. She was also wearing a black choker with a Diance amulet on it hiding the Adams apple and matching Diance styled earrings. Cheryl smiled as she walked towards him gracefully in those white almost transparent leggings and the four inch ruby heels. Ruby huffed on seeing his face that had make up that hid his cheek marks giving Ash a very feminine look. If they had not known Ash was dressing up in the next room, they would have thought it was a stranger walking towards them.
Molly, "You look awesome."
May had stars in her eyes, "Ash, you have to let me dress you up sometimes."
Max, "No one will suspect you are a guy."
Gou had a blush, "You look fantastic in the outfit."
Ash, "I certainly hope I look just as good as you are saying. And sure May we can go fun shopping at some point soon. If we are going to keep up this pretense we need more outfits."
May grinned while Gou, Max and Molly wished them best of luck with the gathering which will apparently have a few big shots. Ruby told them not to worry as Steven and Wallace would be there too to help them keep cover. Ash gave a sigh of relief at that, it would be much easier for them with people who are already on the know watching their backs. Outside a driver called for their attention, welcoming Ruby as the young Master while Ruby gave him a genuine smile. Cheryl let out a smile of relief too, looks like Ruby was not completely alone, even if it was a driver he was close to. Now time to face the high society drama.