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“...just stay out of the way...” “microphone is live...” Static crackles across the speaker system.
"Announcer” Jessie: Aahahaha! Welcome to the third match in the semi-annual Kunlun Region Pokémon Gym Leader Exhibition. I am Announcer Jessie and joining me is Announcer James – replacing the previous boring commentators. Such a wonderful event, allowing gym leaders to showcase the power of their Pokémon! Today we have a very special battle to watch – both gym leaders originate from the Jianghu region before coming to lead Pokémon gyms here in Kunlun.
"Announcer” James: It looks like our competitors are coming onto the field now. Please welcome Snow White Pavilion Gym Leader Lan Zhan, an ice-type specialist. And battling against Lan Zhan today is Burial Mounds' Gym Leader Wei Ying, a ghost-type specialist. For those of you listening at home, Lan Zhan is wearing a blue jumpsuit and a white lace duster with a white ribbon and iridescent crystal ornaments in her hair. Wei Ying is wearing her signature black jeans and red flannel hoodie with chrome spikes, and matching chrome facial piercings on her eyebrow, nose and ears.
Jessie: These trainers are thought to be equally matched – they each caught a legendary dragon Pokémon in the Jianghu region before accepting Gym Leader positions here in Kunlun. Wei Ying, of course, famously caught the Renegade Pokémon Giratina, a dragon- and ghost-type Pokémon, finally proving the existence of legendary Pokémon in our world. The following year Lan Zhan found and caught the Boundary Pokémon Kyurem, a dragon- and ice-type Pokémon.
James: This promises to be an exciting battle. In Jianghu, Wei Ying was often called the rival to Lan Zhan. This will be their first battle against each other in the Kunlun region. Previous Exhibitions matched them against other gym leaders.
Jessie: With two legendary Pokémon on the field, this battle will test the limits of their training. We will see the power they wield!
James: …
Jessie: ...WHAT?!?
James: ...We are being told that despite each trainer having a legendary dragon Pokémon, they will not be used in this match as they exceed the limits placed for the competition.
Jessie: Apparently, each Gym Leader will battle with four Pokémon at or below level 50. Pokémon were selected prior to the matches being determined, with each Gym Leader battling one opponent who has neither a type advantage nor disadvantage against them.
James: ...what are we going to do?
Jessie: Announce the match, you idiot, and then afterwards we'll see about stealing the legendary Pokémon when those brats are exhausted! Ahem! Well, we will still see plenty of very powerful Pokémon. Our contenders are taking their places and selecting their first Pokémon.
Wei Ying throws an arm around Lan Zhan's shoulder, so they can walk through the entry arch together. She grins at Lan Zhan beside her, but Lan Zhan only turns her face away slightly. The lights in the arena make it impossible to see much of the crowds in the stands. Wei Ying waves in the direction she knows Granny Wen and A-Yuan are sitting anyway.
“It's going to be so fun to battle you again! Promise you won't hold back, alright?” Wei Ying can't help but pull Lan Zhan a little closer, pressing entirely against her side. Four years since the last time they battled, three and a half since Wei Ying came to Kunlun.
“Wei Ying also.” Lan Zhan's ears look slightly pink, possibly from embarrassment. Or anger. Her body is rigid against Wei Ying's side, clearly uncomfortable.
Wei Ying slips her arm away, trying to look casual. “Ha, you're funny Lan Zhan! When have I ever held back against you?” Wei Ying grins as they separate to go to their own sides of the match. She can do this. Act normal.
Jessie: On the field first, Lan Zhan brings out Cryogonal. This Pokémon is composed of sharp, crystalline structure of ice resembling a large snowflake. Truly, a beautiful example of the ice-type specialty.
James: And on the other side, Wei Ying sends out Misdreavous, a floating misty-purple Pokémon with red beads around its throat. An interesting choice not to evolve this Pokémon into it's next form. It will have lower capabilities.
Jessie: Cryogonal should have the advantage here. Using Light Screen, it reduces incoming damage for five turns.
James: Ah, but there is the danger of ghost-type Pokémon – Cryogonal is confused. That Confuse Ray has 100% accuracy.
Jessie: And look at this, by leaving Misdreavous un-evolved, at level 50 it learned Power Gem, a rock-type skill which will be super effective against ice-type Pokémon. It's a good thing that Cryogonal put up Light Screen to reduce damage.
James: It almost seems like Wei Ying planned to go up against Lan Zhan.
Jessie: Perhaps the rivalry from Jianghu region carried over to Kunlun. How exciting!
Wei Ying winces at the announcers including that in their commentary. She left Jianghu behind. She's a gym leader in her own right. The only thing she took with her from Jianghu are the Pokémon she had on her when she left and the few personal items hidden away in her secret base.
Wei Ying took over the Burial Mounds gym and she keeps to herself now. She didn't go off and bother Lan Zhan when she took over the Snow White Pavilion. All the time she spent trailing after Lan Zhan and demanding battles and attention is behind her.
Making sure her Pokémon have moves that will be effective against a broader range of types is just sensible for a gym leader. Not a sign that she still wakes up from dreams of music in collapsed caves.
James: Instead of healing, Lan Zhan sacrifices Cryogonal to keep Light Screen up on her side of the battle for five more turns. Wei Ying's Misdreavous is looking injured from that previous Night Slash, but takes out Cryogonal with another Power Gem.
Jessie: Lan Zhan sends out Glaceon, her signature Pokémon. Glaceon is the ice-type evolution of Evee and has blue and teal fur with diamond shaped markings on its' ears and tail. Misdreavous uses Confuse Ray again. Glaceon is confused and misses a turn of combat, getting hit with Power Gem.
James: And even though Glaceon is confused, it still uses the move that Lan Zhan instructed on its next turn, showcasing the bond between Pokémon and trainer. What a wonderful use of Mirror Coat – Glaceon takes the super effective damage from Power Gem again, but Misdreavous gets hit with double the damage in return and is knocked out.
Jessie: Both trainers have one Pokémon knocked out with three to go. And Wei Ying sends out Chandelure, a ghost- and fire-type Pokémon. Chandelure has a round purple-black body with extensions for the purple flames it holds around it. Of course, fire-type moves will be super effective against ice-type Pokémon.
James: Light Screen will still offer protection on Lan Zhan's side of the battle for two more turns, and she will need it.
Jessie: Chandelure burns Glaceon with Inferno, and only takes minor damage in return from Mirror Coat.
James: Chandelure uses Hex, which does double damage because of the burn status effect on Glaceon.
Jessie: And Glaceon uses Bite, a dark-type move which is super effective against Chandelure. Both Pokémon are looking in bad condition. Bite is learned at a lower level – Lan Zhan must have kept it for use against psychic- and ghost-type Pokémon.
James: Chandelure is faster than Glaceon and uses another Hex to take Glaceon out of battle. Lan Zhan's next Pokémon is Lapras, a water- and ice-type Pokémon.
Jessie: Lapras has a hard gray shell over its back and has smooth blue skin with four flippers to help it move through water terrain.
“Trying to soak me, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying laughs, knowing her Chandelure doesn't stand a chance. She really hoped that Chandelure would take out at least one more of Lan Zhan's team – but of course, Lan Zhan is prepared for a fire-type Pokémon. That is the most common weakness for ice-types.
“Wei Ying used a type advantage first.” Lan Zhan's voice stays cool, as always.
James: Lapras takes damage from Chandelure's Shadow Ball. But the battle has turned, Wei Ying's Chandelure gets knocked out by Surf, which is super effective.
Jessie: Oh, and in the stands you can see the previous leader of the Burial Mounds, Granny Wen, brought one of her grandchildren. The Pikachu costume the child is wearing has a brown patch stitched on and an ear bent to make it a Mimikyu costume instead. That matches the Pokémon sent out by Wei Ying just now.
James: Mimikyu of course is meant to resemble a Pikachu at first glance, but the disguise contains a ghost-type Pokémon.
Wei Ying waves at A-Yuan in the stands. He screeched in excitement as soon as Mimikyu came onto the field. Mimikyu is his favorite Pokémon. In a few years, she plans to take him to catch one of his own.
Across the field, Lan Zhan also looks towards A-Yuan. Her lips quirk the tiniest amount, in what could be a smile if the person observing were truly generous.
Jessie: Interesting, Mimikyu is able to use Wood Hammer – this is a level one move, which means that Wei Ying found this Pokémon with that move and kept it through all the levels she raised it.
James: That move is very risky... Mimikyu does not have very high health.
Jessie: Wood Hammer is super effective against Lapras, but Mimikyu takes damage in backlash from using it.
James: Lapras uses Surf, and Mimikyu is very injured. It looks like it just barely holds on, showing the strength of bond it has with it's trainer.
Jessie: And in a stunning upset, Wei Ying has Mimikyu use Wood Hammer again, knocking Lapras out, but also sacrificing itself!
James: Both gym leaders are down to their final Pokémon. This match up will determine the outcome. Wei Ying brings out her signature Pokémon – Gengar. Gengar stands on two legs and has claws on its hands, with a purple body that is somewhat round and a large, devious grin.
Jessie: This is an interesting selection by Lan Zhan – she sends out Froslass, a humanoid Pokémon that looks like it is wearing a kimono. This Pokémon is both an ice- and ghost-type. Ghost-type Pokémon are weak to ghost-type moves, so they will both be able to land super effective moves against each other.
James: But wait, that sash is a different color than usually seen on that Pokémon – is this a SHINY Froslass? We need to steal that Pokémon, too! How rare!
Jessie: And Wei Ying just recalled Gengar... She forfeits the match? How are we going to get those legendary Pokémon now?
James: That means Lan Zhan is the winner of this battle, although both gym leaders are running off the field...
Jessie: Go after those brats! James, stop sitting here you fool! Old woman, get out of my way!
Granny Wen: Apologies to everyone listening, the usual announcers will be returning shortly. Drifblim, use Explosion on the impostors.
Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!
Wei Ying runs, darting between the people milling in the hallways of the stadium. The stairs. Two at a time. She races up all the way to the top and ducks under the chain blocking access to the roof level. She doesn't open the door to the roof, just hides in the corner next to the exit. Everyone else will head down the stairs when they leave. She can stay here until the arena is empty. There's only one more match after... Well.
Wei Ying doesn't even remember what she told the administrative staff. She knows she forfeit the match, but just now she keeps her mind away from focusing on that and centers herself on her breathing instead. In. Out. In. Out.
Small squeaking noises echo as someone else comes up the stairs. Wei Ying's breath pants out in a shuddering gasp. She knows that gait. Of course Lan Zhan followed her. Wei Ying turns around, facing the corner of the stairwell. She doesn't know what her face is showing right now, but she doesn't want Lan Zhan to see it.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan breathes out raggedly. She comes up to the top landing, but doesn't get any closer. “Can you tell me what I did wrong?”
Wei Ying tries to keep her voice even, “You didn't do anything wrong.” She doesn't succeed. Her voice breaks as she says that.
“You forfeit the match. You are crying. Please, what can I do?” Lan Zhan keeps her voice soft. Before today, they have not spoken in almost four years. Wei Ying has never heard her be so gentle.
She clearly will not leave until she knows Wei Ying is fine. So Wei Ying just needs to convince her of that, somehow. “You really didn't do anything wrong. I just wasn't expecting to see Froslass again. I swear, I just need a moment. Then I'll be fine.”
Lan Zhan sucks in a breath, “I traded to get Froslass because the other person told me you were the original trainer.”
“I'm glad she's with you. That's... I really am happy. I'm just surprised.” Wei Ying sternly tells herself that she is happy. This is what she originally wanted.
“Wei Ying, if it would make you feel better, I can give her back...” Lan Zhan doesn't even hesitate to make the offer. She's just that good.
“No! No. Really. I wanted you to have her, back then. When I found that shiny Snorunt, and it was female, I though 'It must be fate!' I spent weeks looking for a Dawn Stone so I could evolve her into a Froslass for you.” There were a few places you could buy a Dawn Stone, but they were so expensive... Wei Ying certainly never had that kind of money.
“You were planning to give her to me?” Lan Zhan asks so softly that Wei Ying barely hears her.
Wei Ying huffs out a laugh, “I already knew I couldn't stay. Everything was getting worse with the Jiang family. I wanted you to remember me! Froslass is the only Pokémon that is both ice- and ghost-type. I was training her to be so good for you!”
Lan Zhan chokes out, “Wei Ying...”
Wei Ying thuds her head against the wall. “But then, I went after Giratina. I left Froslass behind at Lotus Pier to keep her safe. When I came back, Madam Yu wouldn't even let me in the front door. She told me how I made Jiang Cheng look weak in comparison, and that there was no place for me in Lotus Pier since I didn't even train with water-type Pokémon. I always though it would be easier if I picked a different type... But, anyway. I couldn't even go to my room and get Froslass. And I called Jiang Yanli... But Madam Yu already sold my shiny Froslass so she could get a Vaporeon for Jiang Cheng.”
And what can Wei Ying say? Jiang Cheng loves his Vaporeon. The few times they've talked since she was kicked out, he brags about how well they are doing in training, and how close he is to taking over the Lotus Pier gym. How the next time they meet, they will both be gym leaders.
Neither Madam Yu nor Jiang Yanli told him how his Pokémon was obtained – so how can Wei Ying break his heart, telling him that it came at her expense? Would it taint his accomplishments to know the truth? And who would he believe, Wei Ying or his mother if she denied it? He already blames Wei Ying for leaving, instead of his mother for banishing her.
“That was a terrible thing for her to do. And cruel for no reason,” Lan Zhan replies with her customary disapproval, although this time not aimed at Wei Ying. Lan Zhan always maintained high standards for herself and everyone around her. Anyone who failed to meet them faced her quiet disdain. Especially other Pokémon trainers. She came from a proud lineage, and upheld all the associated rules.
Even if Lan Zhan's family did not really know how to support her unique talents, she still represented their family. When she left Cloud Recesses to go on her Pokémon journey, her bag was fully stocked on items and included plenty of money for more. Material support, at least, her family provided without question.
In contrast, Wei Ying received her first Pokéball as a secret present from Jiang Yanli when the rest of Lotus Pier was celebrating Jiang Cheng leaving on his Pokémon journey with his new water-type starter gifted from the prestigious Pokémon Professor Lan. Wei Ying had to sneak out a week later to start her own journey with nothing but her one Pokémon, captured surreptitiously. Professor Lan didn't even give Wei Ying a Pokédex until she won her first gym badge.
Wei Ying did her best to support herself. If she lost a battle, she would have to ask Nurse Ning for free meals at the Pokémon Center until she could win more prize money. But she quickly learned that if she won a battle against Lan Zhan, she would be able to buy a months' worth of supplies at the nearest PokéMart with her winnings. Treats, too, not just necessities. So Wei Ying began following Lan Zhan and challenging her at every opportunity.
Some rivalry. It was just Wei Ying chasing down Lan Zhan to leech off of her fortune every chance she got.
And if Lan Zhan was the only trainer in their generation who really challenged Wei Ying – the only person she wanted to see every day – well, that was just another reason for Wei Ying to leave the Jianghu before Lan Zhan found out and crushed her heart under the weight of familial expectations.
Wei Ying shrugs out of the melancholy memories, “Yeah, but there was no one to stop her. Uncle Jiang sent a message congratulating me for capturing Giratina, but he never asked me to come back to Lotus Pier. And I got along fine! I'm a very important gym leader these days, you know.” She smiles wryly and tilts her face so Lan Zhan can see.
That was a mistake – Lan Zhan has tears in her eyes, too.
Wei Ying panics and blurts out, “Really, Lan Zhan, you know me – I make a big deal out of nothing all the time! No one even got hurt!”
“Wei Ying, you ran out of our match when you saw Froslass.” Lan Zhan clearly blames herself for it... Which is ridiculous, Wei Ying is the one causing trouble, once again.
“Yeah, but I was just being overly dramatic like always.” Wasting the effort from the organizers to make this event a success, her mind whispers. Disappointing her fans, and the other trainers in her gym. Wei Ying breathes out, letting the harmful thoughts pass without lingering.
Lan Zhan glares at her, “Please stop minimizing your own suffering to console me.”
Wei Ying jerks back, but the wall is behind her. That was apparently the wrong thing to say, but she doesn't know what the right thing could be. “Sorry.”
“You do not need to apologize. You have every reason to be upset.” Lan Zhan takes a breath before continuing, “Wei Ying, when I caught Kyurem, my father expanded one of the training arenas in Cloud Recesses so we would have room to practice together.”
Wei Ying feels a spike of bitterness on Lan Zhan's behalf, despite her tone showing none of her own. Cloud Recesses was the Jianghu region gym for dragon-type Pokémon, and generations of Lan family trained dragon-type Pokémon there.
Until Lan Zhan chose to specialize in ice-type Pokémon.
Wei Ying cynically wonders if the Lan elders approved of Lan Zhan catching and training a dragon-type Pokémon for once – and told her that the change to the training grounds was a gift from her father. Her father certainly never paid attention to either of his children for any reason before. Qingheng-jun didn't even attend the ceremony inducting Lan Huan into the Venerated Triad. Lan Zhan and Professor Lan stood stone-faced as all the trainers from other gyms gossiped about Qingheng-jun's absence.
Wei Ying couldn't have been the only person to notice Lan Zhan's affinity for ice-type Pokémon, but it hardly surprises her that she was the only one in Jianghu to support it. Someone leaving their home gym to train a different style would never win the support of the elite gyms. Defying tradition, failing filial duties, selfishly pursuing her own interests. Wei Ying heard it all, and knows Lan Zhan had it worse. And she still chose to start over in Kunlun. Just like Wei Ying did.
Lan Zhan continues without noticing Wei Ying's anguish, “My brother paid to have my picture printed on shirts and posters with Kyurem. I received congratulations gifts from the other members of the Venerated Triad. My success was celebrated throughout the Jianghu.” Which must have embarrassed her greatly. Lan Zhan still remains a very private and proper person.
Wei Ying shakes herself out of old grudges, “Aw, I wish Zewe-jun sent me a shirt. I was so happy for you!” Wei Ying already lived in the Kunlun region by the time Lan Zhan captured Kyurem, but it was such big news that the story received coverage even here. Wei Ying moves a step forward, but remembers at the last moment not to touch Lan Zhan and make her uncomfortable again.
She thought about sending Lan Zhan a message or a gift after she caught Kyurem, but wasn't sure that they were still friends after... Well. Lan Zhan also never reached out after they were both rescued from Xuanwu cave. After they found the clue for tracking Giratina. After Wei Ying accomplished the impossible. After she was banished.
Wei Ying can take a hint. As soon as she stopped challenging Lan Zhan, there was no further contact between them.
Lan Zhan reaches out and catches Wei Ying's hand between hers. Wei Ying's fingers burn where they connect. Is this the first time Lan Zhan touched her voluntarily? How is she so warm? Wei Ying remembers thinking that before, too, with her head on Lan Zhan's lap in the Xuanwu cave.
Lan Zhan gently murmurs, “I am telling you this because how your guardians reacted was wrong. You deserve to be treated better. What you did was amazing, and I wish I could have celebrated with you. You inspire me.”
Wei Ying feels her eyes overflow again. “Lan Zhan, you can't say things like that. I don't have any tissues. My nose is so gross.”
Lan Zhan pulls out her Rotom phone from her pocket and stabs at it with one hand for a few seconds before putting it back. She keeps her other hand intertwined with Wei Ying's. “A-Qing will bring my bag up here. I have tissues.”
“Oh, good. I'm not looking forward to going back down there. I'll have to think up an excuse for leaving in the middle of a match.” Wei Ying breathes through that spike of anxiety. She tightens her hold on Lan Zhan's hand.
Lan Zhan squeezes back, “You were unexpectedly reunited with a Pokémon you thought lost forever. It is not unreasonable to be emotional when confronted with a previous companion.”
“Hmmm.” Wei Ying has absolutely no intention of saying anything close to the truth. If she says that, Madam Yu will fly out here to yell at her about ruining the reputation of Lotus Pier and remind her how ungrateful she is.
Wei Ying works up a genuine smile, ignoring the stickiness on her face, “We'll have to do a match again, just the two of us. I really do want to see how Froslass improved, and you're the best trainer I know, so she must have learned a lot!”
“Of course.” Lan Zhan pauses and takes a deep breath and asks, “When you left Lotus Pier, you didn't receive anything else from there?”
“Hm? No. I was banished. No one was supposed to contact me. The first year, only Yanli-jie kept in touch.” And Wei Ying never expected anyone else from Jianghu to reach out to her. She was on her own, but that really wasn't anything new.
Surely, if Lan Zhan wanted to get in contact with her, she could have sent a message to Wei Ying's Rotom phone. She must know that there was no chance Wei Ying would ignore her. Not when Wei Ying always chased after her so shamelessly.
Coming to Kunlun, learning the different Pokémon and culture and working to take over the the gym from Granny Wen kept her busy. She didn't call anyone for help, because she didn't need it. Granny Wen and A-Yuan welcomed her into their home with no questions asked. Wei Ying and her Pokémon flourished.
Footsteps dash up the stairs below them. “Are you up here?” A-Qing's voice echoes from below them.
“Yes.” Lan Zhan's voice reverberates slightly in the enclosed space, just loud enough to confirm.
A-Qing snorts, “I'm not coming any further up until you swear you're both fully clothed.”
Wei Ying snickers at the idea that Lan Zhan would be improper in public. Ah, teenagers – they will say anything to embarrass their teachers.
“We are wearing exactly what we wore to the match.” Lan Zhan sounds deeply aggrieved. She must get bullied by her trainers endlessly for her strict decorum. Kunlun is very far from the Jianghu.
A-Qing's head peeks around the bend in the stairs. “Oh, yikes. You're both crying all over. I was hoping you needed tissues for a better reason.” She passes the bag up without coming closer than absolutely necessary.
“Thank you, A-Qing. You can go.” Lan Zhan's severe tone is belied by her pink ears.
She pulls a tissue out of her purse to give to Wei Ying. Wei Ying dabs under her eyes and nose to get rid of the worst of her crying. She doesn't look directly at A-Qing.
The teenager huffs, “Yeah, I'll just tell everyone there was a personal emergency and you need privacy. Wei Ying, check your Rotom phone. Granny Wen is worried.”
“Oh, no. I was supposed to take A-Yuan to get ice-cream after the match.” Wei Ying drops her head. She can't let A-Yuan see her like this. Her makeup must really make her look like a hanged ghost, now. She rubs the tissue across her cheeks, hoping to at least get the worst of the damage.
“I suppose we should go see Nurse Ning and get our Pokémon healed...”
Lan Zhan looks at her, and digs through her purse with one hand again. She tilts Wei Ying's face towards hers. Wei Ying's eyes go wide, but Lan Zhan merely rubs a small cloth under her eyes with tender, careful strokes to remove the smeared makeup.
Wei Ying's heart constricts painfully. She still loves Lan Zhan.
Wei Ying swings A-Yuan around when he runs to her, his Mimikyu costume ears and tail bouncing along with him. Granny Wen sees the two of them together with Lan Zhan close behind, and relaxes back into her chair.
“Oh, no! A wild Mimikyu is attacking me! Help, Nurse Ning! Please revive my Pokémon so I can survive this vicious assault!” Wei Ying throws A-Yuan over her shoulder into a firefighter's carry as he squirms and giggles. Better to do this before the boy eats an entire bowl of ice-cream. She spins around with him on her shoulder, making him giggle and nearly knock into Lan Zhan who steps back in alarm.
Wen Ning smiles from behind the counter of the Pokémon Center when Wei Ying passes over her Pokéballs. “Give me just a moment and your Pokémon will be back to full health. Then you can tame the wild Mimikyu with a treat.”
The Pokémon Center machine beeps a few times, and then Wen Ning returns the Pokéballs back to Wei Ying with a sympathetic expression. She gives him her most reassuring smile. She is absolutely handling this situation like a reasonable adult. Mostly.
Lan Zhan steps up next, and gets her Pokémon healed as well. She nods at Wen Ning, but doesn't say anything to him. Today has already included a lot of talking for poor Lan Zhan...
Wei Ying quietly asks Granny Wen to take take A-Yuan home with her after they get the promised ice-cream. The older woman just gives her a knowing look and agrees.
Lan Zhan walks with them to the creamery and manages to get the attendant to accept payment for Wei Ying, A-Yuan and Granny Wen before they realize what she has done. Wei Ying pouts at her cutely, “A-Yuan, tell Lan-jie she isn't allowed to be sneaky!”
A-Yuan gets revenge by choosing Rainbow Swirl, and reaches for Lan Zhan to pick him up with bright smears of blue and red on his face and hands. “Rich-jiejie, up!”
Wei Ying squawks in outrage that Lan Zhan is 'Rich-jiejie' – what an unfilial child! Her outrage is mitigated by the absolutely baffled expression from Lan Zhan when faced with a toddler holding an ice-cream cone as big as his head in one hand and asking to be lifted. She clearly has no point of reference for what to do, and no idea how to say 'no' as A-Yuan reaches out towards her again with a sticky paw. Right towards her white, lace covered outfit.
Wei Ying cackles in glee at Lan Zhan's blank expression. She lifts A-Yuan up from behind, both hands under his armpits to ensure she doesn't jostle his hand and make him drop his treat. “A-Yuan, you have to ask nicely, or else Ying-jie will grab you and eat you up!” She nuzzles against the top of his head and makes 'nom' noises.
Fortunately, the few Pokémon fans that come up to their table at the ice-cream shop only tell Wei Ying that they hope she feels better. Lan Zhan tenses each time Wei Ying smiles and says that it was a minor illness, and that she hopes her supporters will accept her apologies for forfeiting.
At least eating publicly with Lan Zhan will dispel any rumors that the forfeit was related to their alleged rivalry.
Wei Ying waves at A-Yuan and Granny Wen as Drifblim uses Fly to take them home. Then she turns and gives Lan Zhan her sunniest, most obnoxious smile. The one she always used just before challenging Lan Zhan to a Pokémon battle.
“Alright, Lan Zhan – if you can catch me, I'll give you a prize!” Wei Ying laughs, and summons Giratina. She uses Fly immediately and takes off heading north just as she hears Lan Zhan bring Kyurem out to follow. A few of the people milling around in the town square gasp as they both pass overhead riding legendary dragon Pokémon.
Giratina's black and red tendril wings flutter as Wei Ying directs it to loop through the air above town. Wei Ying can feel the chill bleeding off Kyurem and knows Lan Zhan is right behind her. Kyurem is a faster flyer, so Wei Ying tells Giratina to plummet using a twisting roll to come up behind Kyurem, which slowed to try and track them. Lan Zhan looks down, searching for them. Deeply wooded forest stretches below them now.
Wei Ying presses her knees into Giratina to hold on, as they roll upside down. Wei Ying flicks a finger out to gently run across one of Lan Zhan's hair ornaments. Their eyes catch while Wei Ying beams in joy from sneaking up on Lan Zhan. One tap of her hand and Giratina twists away, spiraling up just as Kyurem pulls around, trying to interrupt.
Wei Ying directs Giratina to keep dodging. She at least has the advantage of knowing where they are headed, and Giratina is more sinuous in movement than Kyurem. Of course, Giratina could tear a hole in reality and they could vanish without a trace. But that would be no fun.
Lan Zhan keeps Kyurem flying high, not trying to follow every duck or roll that Giratina does. She doesn't want the chase to be over either, Wei Ying thinks fondly. Lan Zhan keeps her eyes on Wei Ying and stays steadily nearby. Kyurem snaps at Giratina's tail when they get too close.
When Wei Ying tries to sneak up behind them again, this time Kyurem turns at the last moment. Lan Zhan wraps her white ribbon around Wei Ying's outstretched hand. She doesn't pull it tight, just loops it around Wei Ying's wrist with a fond smile. Wei Ying's knees go a little weak seeing Lan Zhan truly, obviously enjoying herself for once. But she manages to keep her grip on Giratina and pulls the ribbon away with her.
Wei Ying laughs, “I guess that counts as catching me, jiejie! But you'll have to keep up to get the prize!”
Fortunately, they are getting close to what she wants to show Lan Zhan. Wei Ying pulls away, directing Giratina to skim just over the surface of the river that snakes below them. She can hear the pulsation of water as it cascades over the cliff down to the lake far below.
She cannot help but laugh as Giratina flies over the top of the waterfall and dives down in a spin with Wei Ying ending up riding completely inverted beneath her Pokémon. Wei Ying holds on tightly as they pass through the thundering water, into the secret base she made behind the waterfall. Giratina quickly rights itself and stops, with Wei Ying only barely keeping her hold long enough to dismiss Giratina back to the Pokéball.
Her secret base glows with rosy light from the red crystals interspersed along the walls and ceiling which provide illumination. At the back of the cave, a bed and several cushions sit on a low, flat ledge. Her small desk overflows with paper and paints – nothing to do about the mess now. An embarrassing amount of her own paintings hang on the walls; her Pokémon acting cute, A-Yuan and Granny at the market, A-Yuan mimicking Mimikyu, several architectural studies of the Burial Mounds, a few landscapes from around Lotus Pier...
And portraits of Lan Zhan. Wei Ying flushes to think how obvious this seems. No wonder A-Yuan reached out to her like she was family. He already knows her from Wei Ying's art.
Only moments later Kyurem comes through the waterfall cautiously slow with Lan Zhan pressed against its back from the force of the water, completely soaked, her hair limp with at least three of her ornaments falling out.
“Lan Zhan! You could have called me if you didn't see how I got in here. Honestly, it's cold back here with no direct sunlight. You can't go through the falls riding on top of your Pokémon; let your Pokémon shield you!” Wei Ying waits for her to slide to the ground and send Kyurem back to a Pokéball before grabbing her and dragging her to the bed at the back of the cave.
When she pulls the comforter off to drape around Lan Zhan, the Gengar doll resting on the bed falls to the floor. Wei Ying flushes a little. She still naps with the doll Lan Zhan gave her when A-Yuan takes his nap. Wei Ying quickly puts the toy back on the bed.
“You kept it?” Lan Zhan's eyes catch on the doll.
Wei Ying huffs, like that was ever in question, “Of course. You gave it to me.”
Lan Zhan gave the doll to Wei Ying back when all she had was a un-evolved Ghastly. They spent an afternoon traveling in the same direction, and Wei Ying told her how she found the Pokémon while visiting the graves of her parents. She left offerings for the Ghastly, too, and it followed her back to Lotus Pier. Of course, she didn't even have a Pokéball to keep it, and had to sneak food from the gym which got her in trouble.
Wei Ying always assumed the doll was a show of faith – that Lan Zhan knew she would keep training her first Pokémon until its final evolution.
Lan Zhan accepts the blanket, and removes the crystal clasps from her hair. When Wei Ying drops onto a cushion, Lan Zhan wanders around the space, stopping to look at the paintings. Of course, one of the first she finds is a dreamy line sketching of her own face. Wei Ying closes her eyes so she doesn't have to see what Lan Zhan thinks about finding paintings of herself here. Even soaked through and wearing a blanket, Lan Zhan is the most beautiful person Wei Ying has ever seen.
Lan Zhan walks back towards her, and takes her hands into her own. Lan Zhan doesn't remove the white ribbon looped around Wei Ying's wrist. She waits until Wei Ying opens her eyes, “Wei Ying, after you caught Giratina, I asked my brother to write to Lotus Pier and officially invite you to the Cloud Recesses. You should have learned dragon-type training techniques there.”
“Ah, Lan Zhan. You really are the best. Obviously, I never got that message.” Wei Ying knows her voice is more rueful than truly upset.
Lan Zhan squeezes her hands, before sitting next to Wei Ying and wrapping the blanket around the both of them like a cozy cocoon. Wei Ying shamelessly cuddles Lan Zhan, putting her arm around Lan Zhan's waist. Only the thought of her spiky jewelry digging into Lan Zhan's neck keeps her from using Lan Zhan as a pillow, too.
She doesn't think about how Uncle Jiang must have feared her leaving Lotus Pier to join another gym. What that would do to the face of the Jiang family and the reputation of Lotus Pier. How she would have continued to overshadow Jiang Cheng if she stayed.
Wei Ying sighs and says, “I think I still would have sought out Kunlun and the Burial Mounds. Finding a place that features ghost-type Pokémon, where my training style is welcome... I could never have found acceptance like this in the Jianghu.”
“I understand.” Lan Zhan doesn't even sound sad or bitter.
But then, she would understand. Wei Ying hopes more than anything else that leading the Snow White Pavilion brings her the same joy that Wei Ying found at the Burial Mounds. Someplace to showcase her talents rather than hide them.
“This is your gift, by the way. Now you know where my secret base is. You're welcome here at any time. Just try to stay dry when you come through the waterfall!” Wei Ying makes no move to return the white ribbon. Lan Zhan saw her with it and didn't ask for it back. That means it belongs to Wei Ying now.
“I am honored.” Lan Zhan's face is so close. And her ears are so red.
“The only other person who gets to come here is A-Yuan.” Wei Ying smiles at Lan Zhan, hoping the pounding of her heart isn't audible.
“Not Nurse Ning?” Lan Zhan sounds unsure.
“Hmmm? Why would I invite Wen Ning here?” Wei Ying blinks. Every time she gets closer to Lan Zhan, something unexpectedly interrupts.
Lan Zhan looks away, not meeting Wei Ying's eyes. “You are very close to him. He brought you home to his family in Kunlun. You raise A-Yuan together.”
Wei Ying spends a few moments silently crying about how unfair the universe is before saying, “Lan Zhan. I am a lesbian. I always have been. I adopted A-Yuan after his parents died because we bonded while I was training to take over the Burial Mounds from Granny. He needed stability. Wen Ning is A-Yuan's cousin. He watches A-Yuan when Granny is too tired and Professor Wen is too busy.”
“You didn't leave the Jianghu to be together?” Lan Zhan's voice is hushed, barely above a whisper.
“WHAT?!?” The exclamation echoes back at Wei Ying deafeningly. They both wince at the noise. “Sorry, what? Wen Ning was my guide to Kunlun – his family settled here two generations ago. We did not run off together to... What were people saying we ran off to do?”
Lan Zhan refuses to respond.
Wei Ying rushes to fill the silence, a twisting mass of nerves coiling through her stomach, “He's a very dear friend, alright? When he saw how I was treated after catching Giratina, he offered to take me to Kunlun because he knew Granny was looking for a successor. He transferred to a Pokémon Center nearby to help Granny and A-Yuan and spend time with his sister.”
Wen Qing is going to mock her so much for this. She can hear it already, 'She thought you eloped with Wen Ning. That you were pregnant with A-Yuan when you left the Jianghu. Because she thought you were. Just. Her. Rival. I don't know which of you idiots I pity more.'
Wei Ying takes a deep breath. Mature adult. She can do this. “Just to be clear, I brought you someplace we can be completely, totally alone because I was hoping that when you said all those nice things about me earlier, it might mean you like me. Like that.”
Wei Ying really, really hopes this is not a platonic appreciation on Lan Zhan's end. Straight girls don't track down and raise Pokémon left behind by their rival, right? They don't lovingly wipe make-up remover along other girls' faces while staring into their soul, right? They don't sound bereft at the idea of their female friends starting a family with a man, right?
Lan Zhan finally turns her face to look at Wei Ying. Nothing shows except the usual pink glow at her ears that appears whenever Wei Ying takes advantage to get close.
“Like that?” Her voice is still soft. She doesn't seem outraged or disgusted, which is honestly better than Wei Ying hoped for after being mistaken for straight. Or maybe bi?
“I want your attention on me. I always have. I'm so selfish when it comes to you, Lan Zhan. I want you to keep looking at me, to let me touch you every day. I want to battle Pokémon with you and against you... And honestly, I want anything, as long as it's with you. For me, it has always been you.”
“Wei Ying, anything. I also want anything if it's with you.” Lan Zhan's hand moves to Wei Ying's knee under the blanket.
Wei Ying nearly vibrates out of her skin, “Yeah? You're sure?”
If Lan Zhan takes this back or changes her mind, Wei Ying is going to turn into a mushroom in this cave. She will bring A-Yuan here and they can live as mushroom people forever.
“Very.” Lan Zhan actually smiles now, even more than she did while they were playing tag via dragons.
Wei Ying's tiny, gay heart explodes. She leans forward, letting Lan Zhan catch her, with her mouth. Her mouth is so soft. Lan Zhan uses her teeth to pull on the piercing along Wei Ying's bottom lip. But not too soft, which is good.
Wei Ying looses a few moments before remembering that they can't fall immediately into her very conveniently located bed. “Wow, nice. Good. So, as discussed, I'm actually the caretaker of a toddler...”
“Mn. Wei Ying is a MILF.” Lan Zhan says this with a perfectly serene face.
“Hng.” Wei Ying just breathes for a moment. There is absolutely no way she can address that and maintain any dignity. “So if it's a deal-breaker for you to just be my friend for a while, as far anything public is concerned, until A-Yuan can get used to you...”
Lan Zhan actually pulls back at that, which sucks. Eye contact is not nearly as nice as mouth to mouth contact.
“Wei Ying, of course. We will move at a pace you and A-Yuan are both comfortable with. I know you have other responsibilities. I only hope to share them and lighten your burdens where I can.”
“Wow, you just keep saying things. I need a moment, or my heart might actually give out. I'm serious, Lan Zhan. Put that cute face away.” Wei Ying tries to turn her own face away but Lan Zhan just kisses her on the cheek instead.
“We have time. Wei Ying will need to get used to being treated as she deserves.” Lan Zhan sounds absolutely smug and Wei Ying refuses to encourage that kind of behavior.