"I am more than just an excellent Coordinator," Harley said with a smile. "I actually achieved a very high rank at the Hoenn Grand Festival!"
Harley's words were partly true and partly false. It was true that he competed in the Grand Festival. But he was eliminated in the Top 32. That was not really a "very high rank."
However, he was very good at lying. It was practically second nature to him. He could say anything and make it sound natural. No one could easily spot anything wrong with his words. He also sounded very confident. Because of this, Jessie and her friends believed him completely.
"Oh? Then you are quite good," Jessie said. She looked at Harley with surprise. She did not expect this man to be so capable. But she still laughed loudly. "However, compared to me, the Fairy Jessiebella, there is still a huge gap between us!"
"Yes, yes, of course..." Harley acted very humble. "Even when I was far away in Hoenn, I heard of your great name! You are also here to participate in the Saffron Contest, right?"
"Of course," Jessie said with a proud smile. "A small event like the Saffron Contest is nothing to me. As long as I enter the competition, first place will definitely be mine!"
Most people would not match Jessie's strange level of confidence. But Jessie truly believed in herself. Her attitude even confused Harley. Also, she had a follower and an assistant. This made him really believe that this woman was someone important!
"That is truly amazing! Then I will congratulate you on your victory in advance!"
Harley gave her many compliments. After only a few flattering words, Jessie became very proud. She completely forgot her actual skill level.
Harley kept his own position very low. This actually worked. Jessie was quite simple-minded. She really thought the man liked her beauty and had become her fan!
Harley saw that his plan was working. He finally showed what he really wanted.
"Um..." Harley acted like he had a problem. "If you don't mind, would you be willing to help me solve a small trouble?"
"A small trouble?" Jessie was in a great mood. She agreed immediately. "Of course, that's no problem. Do you want my autograph?"
Harley was surprised for a moment. He almost said no. Then he changed his mind. He wanted to look like a real fan. This would make the next part of his plan easier. He nodded.
"Yes, exactly. But the autograph is only one part. I really have a trouble that needs Miss Jessiebella's help..."
Harley searched his clothes but found nothing for an autograph. In the end, he had to give his Kanto Region Pass to Jessie.
Jessie was not polite. She took a pen and wrote her name very large on Harley's pass. She did it quickly.
The handwriting was crooked and messy. It was not beautiful at all.
Harley thought the writing was very ugly.
He even wondered if a person had really written it.
He wondered if she was truly a star.
Harley's eyebrow twitched. But he said nothing to Jessie. Instead, he pretended to be very happy. He put the pass carefully into his pocket.
"Thank you so much. I will definitely treasure this!"
Fortunately, Jessie wanted to move things along.
She threw the pen back to James. She looked at Harley with a smile. "Tell me, what exactly do you want the great Jessiebella to help you with?"
Harley's eyes lit up.
He had waited a long time for this!
"It's just a simple thing," he said. He tried not to laugh out loud. He explained the situation patiently. "It's like this. There is a very annoying little girl. She has been causing trouble for me and bullying me. So, could the great Jessiebella please help me teach her a lesson if you see her during the competition?"
"A little girl contestant?" Jessie was surprised. She did not expect Harley to ask for this. She was a bit confused. But she waved her hand and laughed. "I thought it was something big. Don't worry, this kind of thing is what we are best at... cough, I mean, no problem! Leave it to me!"
Natsui and the others left the registration area. They went with May into the Saffron Hall to wait for the contest.
The contest had not started yet. But the audience was already entering the hall. The stadium became full in ten minutes. Ash and the others saw that the waiting hall was getting crowded. There were more and more contestants. It was hard to talk or do anything there. They gave May their best wishes. Then they went to the spectator stands to wait. Only Natsui stayed with May.
Natsui had promised to stay. He wanted to stop Harley from causing more trouble. But Harley had not appeared near May yet. Natsui wondered if that man had a bigger plan. The contest was starting very soon.
In fact, Drew was not there either.
It was very strange for someone like Harley not to show up.
Natsui did not think Harley had given up. He knew the man was planning something bad. He became very careful. He checked the schedule and the clothes. He checked the props and May's Poké Balls. He wanted to make sure everything was fine.
May was deeply moved by this care. She felt very thankful. She did not say much, but she remembered his kindness in her heart.
People can be won over little by little. But Natsui was more like bright sunlight. May could feel his warmth, and it made her feel very happy.
Natsui was busy checking everything. May watched him and felt calm. Her nervousness disappeared completely.
Natsui finished all the checks. He returned to her side. May gave him a big smile.
Natsui felt confused.
"What is it? Why are you smiling so happily?"
"It's nothing," May shook her head gently. "I just feel like you are very suited to participate in Pokémon Contests."
Ash had suggested this before too. This was the second time.
Natsui felt very strange. Did he really look like someone who would join a Pokémon Contest?
Was it because he had beautiful Pokémon like Articuno and Milotic?
"You mean because I already know the whole process, right?" Natsui laughed. "Being a Trainer and being a Coordinator are two different jobs. But they have many things in common. However, I have been a Trainer for a long time. I have been successful. If I had to start over as a new Coordinator, I might not adapt to it."
May understood what Natsui meant.
Natsui was already a Champion Trainer. It would be hard for him to be a beginner in a Contest.
Contests were not decided only by strength. The judges made choices. Because of this, there was a lot of uncertainty.
If he won, everyone would be happy. But if he lost to someone else, Natsui would feel embarrassed.
But May thought Natsui was overthinking it.
In her view, performing and battling were different. Winning was good. But losing was not always a bad thing.
However, May only smiled and did not say anything more.
She did not try to convince him.
She believed Natsui had his own thoughts. Since he did not want to join, she would not mention it again.
Besides, she thought focusing only on battles was also good. It allowed Natsui to focus his energy. He could reach even higher goals!
While the two were talking, the Saffron Contest officially opened. Natsui and May looked at the big screen on the wall. The other contestants in the waiting room did the same.
The stage lights were bright. The host, Lilian, walked onto the stage. She took control of the stadium.
Upbeat music played. She waved to the audience and spoke in a cheerful voice. "It's showtime! This is a mix of love and dreams from Pokémon and Coordinators. It is the Pokémon Contest! Let's all get excited for the Saffron Contest! I am your host, Lilian! Everyone, please feel the excitement with me!"
Lilian looked even more beautiful now. The spotlights were on her. She had a lot of energy and a sweet face. She quickly got everyone's attention.
The people in the stands became very excited. Everyone was cheering for the Saffron Contest.
The director showed the people in the stands on the big screen. The camera moved through the crowd. Natsui saw Brock acting like an obsessed fan!
He was very easy to spot in the crowd.
He was not acting too crazy. His eyes were not hearts. But he looked so absorbed that he stood out from the fans around him. Natsui noticed him immediately.
"I feel like..." May touched her cheek. She looked a bit embarrassed. "Mr. Brock's behavior is a bit... a bit..."
"A bit embarrassing, right?" Natsui laughed and agreed. "It's true. He has a very strong heart to act that way in any situation. From that point of view, Brock has reached a height that I will never reach. But I have to say, Brock's taste is still pretty good!"
The two were only joking. They did not mean to be mean to Brock. They would say this even if Brock were there.
This was the bond between friends.
Lilian introduced the prize for the contest. It was a golden Saffron Ribbon.
The ribbon looked like a shield and a crown. Every contestant wanted it.
This ribbon was an honor. It was also a ticket to a bigger stage. The contestants took it seriously.
Lilian explained the rules. Then she introduced the judges.
The stage had moved from Hoenn to Kanto. Usually, there would be new judges. But Natsui saw that the judges were the same people.
Raoul Contesta was the Chief of the Contest Committee.
Mr. Sukizo was the President of the Pokémon Fan Club.
And Nurse Joy was there.
This Nurse Joy was from Saffron City. But only Brock could tell the difference.
May felt better because she saw familiar faces.
May had been in many competitions. She knew how Raoul Contesta and Mr. Sukizo judged. She could perform in a way they liked. If the judges were strangers, she would not be sure about their tastes.
However, this was also good and bad.
Familiar judges made the contestants less nervous. But the judges also knew the contestants very well. They had seen many of their styles. If the performance was not amazing or unique, it was hard to get a high score.
It was a risk.
Lilian excited the crowd again. The people cheered. Then the first round of judging began!
The first person to perform was Harley!
"I see. No wonder we didn't see him in the waiting room," Natsui shook his head. "It's not that he didn't want to cause trouble, but he didn't have the time."
Harley wore a strange outfit. He got the attention and cheers of the audience.
There was very loud applause in the stadium.
The audience at the Saffron Contest was more excited than the people in Hoenn. It seemed like the people really loved these performances. Lilian was also very good at getting the crowd worked up. Harley received many cheers as the first performer. This showed how excited the audience was.
Harley walked to the center of the stage. He released his Pokémon.
It was his Cacturne.
Harley had personality problems. He always tried to hurt May. But he was strong and smart. He did not make mistakes on stage. He and Cacturne gave the Kanto audience a very good show!
At the end, he used Needle Arm. He hit the Cotton Spore seeds that were floating on the stage. It was a very cool ending!
Because of this, he got a very high score in the first round!