Contest Competition

"Eek! That's so coooooool! Gratz on making it to the Super Rank, May!" I fawned over my newest scout and her adorable Pikachu, "Looks like we've reached the next chapter in your story!"

A modest blush flattered her cheeks, complimenting her dress cutely, "Thanks Lisia, I never thought I'd be capable of this!"

"Pikachu!" Her cute little Pokémon barked happily.

"I'm calling it… Is This a Dream? Am I a Future Contest Star? Ahhh, it's so marvelous! I'm sure you're on the path to contest stardom!"

"A contest star? Me?"

I looked at her with an excited gaze, "Yes! There's something captivating about your performance on stage! Watch, you'll have an ARMY of fans in no time! I might become one of your fans myself!"

"Heh…" May chuckled sweetly.

"Excuse me?" An offended voice announced from the door.

May turned her head and I looked around her, the blonde young man was familiar to me but not to May.

"Chaz? What are you-?"

He stomped into the room and stood beside me like he was my man or something. One thing was evident however, he was angry.

"Who is this supposed to be Lisia? I'm meant to be your one and only rival!"

May spoke, "My name's May. Who are you?"

"Me and Lisia are the most famous rivals in the contest world! Chaz is the name. When we debuted back in Lilycove, we stood at the top of the lighthouse and swore that we would both do our best to win! We talked the whole night, till dawn!"

"Chaz! We only talked for 40 minutes…" I was starting to feel embarrassed at his territorial behavior. May and Pikachu snorted softly at my correction.

The loudmouth grew flustered, "O-ok, so we did. But it was still amazing!"

"How many times do I have to tell you Chaz? There are no rivals in contests, it's not that kind of competition! It's the combination of the Trainer and his or her Pokémon that-"

He cut me off, "What's wrong with being rivals? It makes it much more fun for the people watching us. Don't try to deny it, you know it's true. When people think of you, they think of me. And the other way around!"

I could not believe he was saying this, "When people think of me, they should think of Ali…" I looked over at Ali, he was giving Chaz a pout.

"Well, that's just the way things are." He turned to May, "You get it now, newbie? Sorry that you got your hopes up and all, but Lisia's real rival will always be ME. There's no room for you in our dramatic story of success and glory!" and then he left in a pompous manner.

May's Pikachu looked like she was holding back from zapping him, she probably would have if May wasn't carrying her in her arms. May continued to stare at the door after he was out of sight.

"Oh that Chaz! He never listens… Makes you wonder if those ears on his head are working. Tee hee!"

May retorted, "He probably would hear better if he weren't so busy yelling."

Ah, don't let him getcha down May. I'm not interested in rivals or stuff like that. I just want everyone to have fun together and enjoy Contest Spectaculars!"

She smiled again, "Sounds good! So, Lisia?"

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Who was that guy anyway? What's his deal?"

I sighed with amused annoyance, "Oh, Chaz… He and I debuted in the contest world on the same day. He's definitely… unique. But he works really hard at what he does."

"I take it he's a friend of yours."

"He is, we practice together sometimes."

May giggled, "And he appears to really like you a lot."

Now it was my turn to feel shy, "Oh May, stop it." I grinned, "He's had on crush on me for a while, but I'm just not interested in him like that."

"I wouldn't be either. He'd embarrass me too much." May joked, and we both laughed.

I ran out of the Contest Hall fuming, hoping I gave that little squirt what for.

"Now I know why Lisia hasn't been wanting to see me recently, she's been spending time with that girl! Who does she think she is, taking all of Lisia's time away from me…"

I was aware that Lisia had scouted that girl, and she's scouted countless others before. But… she's never put so much faith and time into anyone like this before!

"No matter… that squirt is just a girl on a lucky streak. She'll fail and Lisia will come running back to me! I'll just wait…"