Years ago -
The crowd was in a state of absolute frenzy. Their cheers and cries echoed throughout the hall as Lee Henson and his Ninetales took the stage. The lights behind them flashed and twinkled, highlighting a stylized image of their smiling faces displayed on the massive screen. Glowsticks held by the adoring crowd beat the air in time with the music.
“Well I’ll be, Nine. Absolutely worth the 50 bucks to get a custom opener.”
“It certainly gets the blood pumping, doesn’t it?”
It was a first for the two. The Contest circuit was a completely different beast than tackling Gyms. Where the duo was familiar with brute force and guile to dominate the battlefield, Contests required pizzaz and finesse. Whether their performance was cool, beautiful, smart, or clever, it boiled down to one thing:
Showmanship.
Years of working for the Zoo had made Lee used to the stares. The Lion Exhibit had been a popular attraction at the zoo, and Lee was an old hat at giving the routine presentation. Standing before the glass windows, Lee would talk about the lions’ habitat, diet, behaviors, and personalities. It didn’t matter how many times a day he would go through the same spiel, Lee had to remain just as excited and cheery.
With a practiced smile, Lee bowed to the audience before him now. At his side, Ninetales dipped her head and assumed a relaxed posture. While outwardly she was the image of an aloof beauty, inwardly, Ninetales shuddered a bit as the spotlights blinded her. Lee could feel the bundle of nervousness that was the golden vixen bleeding over into his own emotions.
“I do hope it won’t be this bad when we perform…”
“We asked for cool colors to better complement yours, beloved. It’ll be fine. Win or lose, we’re here to have a good time.” Lee sent assurance over the link, mentally soothing the Pokemon.
Now that the Introduction Round was over, it was time for each of the contestants to display their skills and talents. A Milotic and her Trainer blew shimmering bubbles into the air that sparkled and popped like fireworks as the two sang. Their voices twined together in a mystical harmony that left the Contest Hall silent until the final bars of their aria faded. An Altaria flew through the air as his Trainer tossed rose petals aloft. Each petal seemed to reflect and refract as the fluffy dragon pulsed Dazzling Gleam in time with the soft melody accompanying him.
It was Lee and Ninetales’ turn now.
“Alright, beloved.” Lee extended his arm and a single golden tail wrapped itself around it.
“Just like we practiced.”
The lights shifted to a deep blue that washed over the entire stage, painting everything the color of the bottomless sea. Man and Pokemon advanced to the front of the stage and separated, each striking a pose. Lee’s hands gripped a pair of suspenders as he looked downwards, a grey trilby hat shadowing his face. Ninetales stood to one side, facing away from him, her tails wrapping about her body like a cloak.
Stolen story; please report.
Softly at first, but rising in volume, their chosen music selection began to play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFubdyD370
Just as the brass fully kicked in, Ninetales released a whirlwind of fire. But rather than the expected gold and crimson, the flame was an aurora. Predominantly blue, the edges of the flames swirled green, purple, and yellow. A gasp was heard throughout the crowd as they took in the sight.
As the singer’s voice joined the brassy melody, Lee began to dance.
With his arms outstretched, Lee bobbed one foot to the side before bringing it in down directly before him before repeating with the other. His heels never quite touched the ground as he bounced and swayed. Ninetales looked over her shoulder and feigned surprise, her tails twitching to the beat. As Lee neared the fox, his movements changed. One leg would cross over the other as outstretched heel struck the ground. His arms swung in sync to the rhythm.
~And in one swoop, he had me by his side~
With those words, Lee scooped up Ninetales’ two front paws and twirled. Golden tails bathed in azure limelight swirled in mimicry of a flowing skirt. Ninetales’ hind legs mirrored Lee’s movement as they began to perform a dazzling Lindy Hop.
~ Swing to the sound, our feet tap-tappin' and our heartbeats beatin' and we, spin 'round and 'round, we got lost in the rhythm, the lights, and the crowd~
With every repeat of the chorus, Lee would spin Ninetales about. Golden fluff billowed in an arc highlighted by the ghostly purple light of will-o-wisps.
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At some point Lee could no longer hear the music. He stared into Ninetales’ eyes as the sounds of jazz faded away and were replaced by the synchronized beating of his heart and hers. The initial waves of embarrassment at performing a barely practiced dance routine had subsided. The Contest no longer mattered.
Trust.
Support.
Companionship.
Love.
Emotions ran in simultaneous parallel between man and fox as their bodies became weightless. Solely focused on the souls of their partner, they were liberated from all of their cares. Magma didn’t matter. Aqua was an afterthought. What brought them to this world didn’t matter. All that existed was just the two of them. Connected together on both the physical and spiritual realm as they moved in harmony with each other.
“Nine?”
“Yes, beloved?”
“I love you.”
“And I you, Lee.”
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Lee and Ninetales applauded with the rest of the competitors and Contest watchers while the Beauty Ribbon was presented to the Altaria and his Trainer. Apparently, using multiple moves was not allowed, and they had been disqualified.
Unbeknownst to the pair, May had been in attendance. From her spot in the stands, she stared down at the trilby that she had caught. At the culmination of their performance, Lee had flung the wide-brimmed accessory into the audience as Ninetales clung to his body, leaning her head on his right shoulder. Tears fell, leaving dark spots on the felt.
Ah. There never was ever even a chance, was there?