Chapter Text
“Aerial Ace!” Maya shouts, shielding her eyes from the mix of sand and rain hailing through the air. Her Swanna chirps in response, barely dodging the rock that suddenly flies out of the low visibility, but Maya fully trusts her pokemon to land a clean hit on their opponent’s Tyrunt and end this fight once and for all.
All these Rock Slides are annoying enough on their own — for a not even fully evolved pokemon nonetheless — but how is this Tyrunt so lucky with the flinching chance? Too bad that Swanna's Water Pulse at the start of the battle hadn’t been quite enough to knock out the fierce little dinosaur.
But that’ll all be over now.
As soon as Swanna spots an opening, she charges down at Tyrunt in a flash with no possible way to dodge. The powerful slash of air accompanying her flight knocks Tyrunt off its feet and it finally slumps down onto the ground, letting out one last strangled cry before going cross-eyed.
Who needs attack type advantage if you’re just clearly superior.
Maya smiles ruefully and recalls her Swanna, torn between being happy about her victory and disappointed that the most fun battle she’d had in a long time is already over.
But maybe it doesn’t have to be the last one?
She strides over to the other side of the battlefield and sends her fierce ash-blonde opponent an imploring gaze. “May I ask for your name?”
“Can’t you just take your damn victory money and leave me alone?” Striking red eyes bore into Maya’s, and her heart does a little flip. Now Maya definitely has to meet her again.
“I don’t care about the money.” Maya shakes her head slightly, pursing her lips. “I’d so much rather know with whom I had the honor to battle today.”
A long defeated sigh, but eventually she gets her answer.
“It’s Saijou Claudine. Better remember it,” Claudine huffs, jutting out her chin defiantly. “And since you now know my name…then I want your number.”
“My what?” Maya blushes, caught off guard by this unexpected, but very welcome turn of events.
“Not like that!” Claudine bristles, a cute pink dusting her cheeks as well. “For a rematch of course!”
All of Maya's dreams are already coming true, and she hadn't even had to ask.
And it gets only better when Claudine pierces her with that fiery gaze again, declaring dramatically, “Next time I’m going to crush you!”
“As if,” Maya shoots back, grinning widely. “But you can call me any time. For a pokemon battle. Or anything else~”
“Like hell I’d call you for anything else!” Claudine growls in the back of her throat. “My only wish is to defeat you!”
“Sure it is.” Maya tries to suppress her smirk as she holds out her Xtransceiver. “But I’m all yours if you ever fancy another date.”
“D-date?? ” Claudine chokes on air, but sadly enough recovers almost immediately and pulls a face instead. “As if I’d want to date someone insufferable as you…”
That honestly stings a little, but Maya’s inclined to forgive everything the moment Claudine gets out her own device.
“Care to tell me your name too?” Claudine quips as they exchange contacts. “Or should I just save your number under… annoying woman?”
Maya frowns and clicks her tongue. “It’s Tendou Maya.”
“Is it now? I think I prefer my suggestion.” Claudine’s eyes are practically gleaming with amusement.
“Just write down Top Trainer and Future Champion Tendou Maya,” Maya says with an important nod to herself, thoroughly endeared by the way Claudine’s lips curl into a lazy smile.
“Arrogant much?” Claudine snorts. “If anything, then that’s my title.”
“Oh? You want my name already?” Maya gasps dramatically. “And to think we’ve only just met…”
“W-what? No!” Claudine screeches, blushing madly. “I meant the Champion title, not your last name!!”
“You? Champion?” Now it’s Maya’s turn to choke out a laugh. “In your dreams maybe. I’ll just save you under Eternal Second Saijou Claudine for now.”
Not even half an hour after they’d parted ways — as in, Claudine stomping off angrily — Maya already receives a message:
Claudine: Rematch next Monday in Striaton City
Claudine: 10 o’clock at the battle square
Claudine: And it’s not a date!
Maya: Sounds like one though~
Claudine: BUT IT’S NOT!
Claudine: So do you accept my challenge or not??
Maya: Of course, gladly <3
Claudine: you’re not allowed to use that emoji in our chat -.-
Maya: Yes, I am <3
Claudine: Well, as soon as I win, not anymore!
Maya: Fine
Maya: But if I win, we’re visiting the Fountain Garden together <3
Claudine: yeah sure whatever
Claudine: It doesn’t matter anyway since I’m going to crush you :ZoruaGrinEmoji
Maya: How cute, you actually think you have a chance~
Claudine: méchante va!
And that’s the beginning of a wonderful rivalry.
