Natsui arrived at a good time. It was not too early or too late. There was still some time before the competition started. It was a good time to get information from May and the others.
"How is the preparation going?"
He looked at May. She did not look very nervous. Her training in the Hoenn region had helped her grow a lot. She felt like a different person compared to when she first entered the Slateport Contest.
Traveling is really the best way to train someone.
"All the preparations are finished." May smiled at Natsui. She spoke in a relaxed tone. "I think there are still some things I could do better. But I will show my best side!"
"Having confidence is a good thing. Good luck."
Then, Ash suddenly spoke. "Natsui, guess who we saw yesterday?"
Natsui knew it must be someone he knew. But he did not have any clues. He did not want to waste time trying to guess. He did not want to think too much.
"Who?"
Ash was not good at keeping secrets. He could not hide his thoughts at all. He said it immediately. "It's Harley!"
"He came to Kanto too?" Natsui was not very surprised. He knew that name from the anime. Harley had appeared in Kanto before. "Drew was here yesterday too. I don't know why people from Hoenn love coming here so much. So, did he say anything?"
"Not really," Ash shook his head. "But he's helping out at the Pokémon Center right now."
"Helping?" Natsui's face did not change. He did not care about the man. But he asked a simple question. "Is he working here?"
Max added more information. "He said that Nurse Joy helped him before. He felt ashamed of his past. That's why he's helping here. He said he is taking a new step forward."
"He's just talking nonsense," Natsui said coldly. "That man will never change. Don't believe a word he says—at least, not for now."
"Ah?" Ash was still very simple. He said hesitantly, "But... yesterday, he told us that the rules for the Contests here are different from the Hoenn region. Nurse Joy confirmed that too. She even said that Harley has been working very hard here."
"So what?" Natsui said calmly. "It only means he didn't lie to you about that one thing. But that doesn't mean he is kind. It doesn't mean he has changed for the better. He's just using a small fact that everyone knows. He wants to gain your trust first. Then, he'll carry out his scheme."
Ash trusted Natsui the most. He knew Natsui would not lie to him. He trusted Natsui's judgment completely. So, Ash believed him without question.
"So, we have to watch out for him?"
"Don't worry," Natsui nodded. "That man is already on my blacklist. Anyway, I'll stay with May from now on. No matter what trick he tries to use, he won't succeed!"
May, Ash, and the others felt relieved. They felt like a heavy weight was gone.
May was very moved. She liked that Natsui was protecting her.
They thought Natsui was the strongest person. One Harley was not enough to beat him. Even if there were many Harleys, they could not win against Natsui!
What about Harley's tricks?
It was impossible for them to fool Natsui!
Then, Natsui looked at May. He asked, "By the way, did you finish your registration?"
May smiled and said, "I was planning to go over and register in a little while."
"In a little while?" Natsui looked at a nearby clock. "It's already past eight. Isn't the deadline almost here?"
"No," May laughed. "The deadline is at 11:00. There are still a few hours left."
"11:00?" Natsui frowned. "Isn't 11:00 the time the competition starts? The deadline and the start are usually not at the same time. Where did you get that information?"
"Harley told us," Ash said quickly. Then, he realized something. "Wait! Are you saying... did he lie to us!?"
"You guys..." Natsui sighed. He looked at them. "How many times will he trick you before you wake up? There are many of you. But none of you realized what was happening? How could you believe him about this? You guys are even more naive than Team Rocket..."
Natsui's words were very direct. They all felt embarrassed and blushed.
Brock felt the worst. He was the oldest and usually steady. He had been there the whole time. He should not have been tricked so many times.
Natsui saw them looking nervous. He shook his head.
"I'm not blaming you. I'm just telling you to be more careful with someone like Harley. Fine, let's just forget it. We need to go register right now."
May and the others knew this was important. They ran out of the Pokémon Center. They went to the Saffron Contest registration desk.
They rushed all the way. They arrived at the desk after ten minutes. They were panting.
They entered the door. The hall was empty. There was only one staff member behind the counter. May was shocked.
She ran forward. She gave her Contest Pass to the staff member. She asked about the registration time.
"The final registration deadline is 10:00. There is still over an hour left, so you have enough time." The staff member smiled. Then she gave May's Contest Pass back. "I'm sorry, but this pass is for the Hoenn region. It cannot be used here. You must exchange it as soon as possible."
"What!?"
May was already worried about the time. Now her pass was a problem too!
She was very worried. She walked around and did not know what to do. Luckily, Natsui spoke to the staff member. He learned that the pass could be exchanged at the Pokémon Center.
It was not a hard task. But they had to go back and forth.
They had no other choice. May and the others went back to the Pokémon Center. They exchanged the pass. Then they returned and registered.
When they finished, they checked the time. It was 9:15!
There was still a little time left. But it was not much.
Natsui was right to tell them to come early. If they thought the deadline was 11:00, they would have missed the competition!
Harley had not changed at all. He was still a sneaky guy!
He worked hard to look good for Nurse Joy just to trick May again!
He would never change...
"That Harley guy is so terrible!" Ash waved his hand in anger. "How dare he lie to us! Next time I see him, I won't let him off!"
Just then, the door opened. Harley walked in. He was humming a song.
Harley had already registered. He did not need to be here. But he wanted to see May's face when she failed to register. That is why he came at this time. He wanted to enjoy the show!
But he saw May at the counter. He was very surprised!
What happened!?
He told her the time was 11:00. Why was she here now!?
He looked at Natsui next to May. He realized Natsui was the reason. Harley felt very angry and jealous!
He did not want to see this person!
He had lost a duel to Natsui last time. He tried to avoid him. But they met again!
Natsui looked successful and confident. Harley was very jealous!
Natsui spoke, and Harley was enraged!
"Yo, isn't this the guy I defeated?" Natsui laughed. "What's wrong? Do you want to finish the battle we didn't finish last time?"
Harley's face darkened. He wanted to say something nasty. But May, Ash, and Max stood in front of him!
"How dare you show your face in front of us!? You liar!!"
"Wait..." Harley held up his hands. He acted confused. "What are you talking about? How could I lie to you?"
"You're still making excuses!?" Max said angrily. "Didn't you purposely tell us the wrong deadline? And you said there was no problem with the pass!"
Harley's brain worked quickly. He thought of an excuse. "Really? Maybe I remembered it wrong. Please believe me, it really wasn't my fault..."
Harley kept talking. But May and the others did not believe him anymore.
Harley said he just made a mistake. Ash and the others could not do anything.
They gave him a cold look and ignored him. The group left the office.
After they left, Harley was angry again.
He failed to trick May. It ruined his plan. It would be hard to trick her again.
Damn it!
It was all Natsui's fault!
He should just die!!
Harley cursed in his heart. He wanted to leave. But he ran into another group of people at the door. Bang!
He was not paying attention. He fell to the ground. His butt hurt. His green leaf hat fell down.
"You...!"
He wanted to shout. But a woman on the other side screamed first. Her voice was loud and rude.
"What is wrong with you!? Don't you have eyes!?"
Harley looked up. He saw a woman with purple hair. She wore a red dress and big glasses. There was a man and a Meowth with her. The Meowth wore a suit and a bowtie!
They were a strange group. Their clothes were very exaggerated.
Harley looked at them for a long time. Then he stood up. He asked, "Are you here to participate in the Contest too?"
"Of course!" The woman looked at him proudly. "Don't you know who I am? I am the great and mysterious messenger of love and beauty, the fairy known as Jessiebella!"
A fairy?
Jessiebella?
Harley did not know any Coordinators in Kanto. But the woman was very confident. He thought she must be a famous Coordinator!
Maybe she was a celebrity!
Harley changed his expression. He started to act nice. "So it's you! I've heard your name for a long time. Even though I'm from far away in Hoenn, I've heard of you!"
"Ah?"
Jessiebella was confused by that sentence.
She talked to her two assistants in a low voice. Harley could not hear them. "What's with this guy? He's heard of me?"
These three were Team Rocket.
They were in disguise. They came here so Jessie could be a Coordinator!
"I don't know," James frowned. "Could he really think you're some kind of celebrity?"
"How is that possible?" Meowth said. "Is there really someone that stupid in the world? I think he probably has the wrong person."
"Isn't this perfect!" Jessie was very bold. She was excited and laughed. "Looking at him, he seems to be a Coordinator too. We can use him."
"Ah? Is that really okay?" James was hesitant. "Will we be caught? And I feel like this man looks a bit familiar. Have we seen him somewhere before?"
Jessie did not listen to James. She left James and Meowth behind. She smiled at Harley.
"It's good that you've heard of my name. Looking at you, you must be an excellent Coordinator too, right?"
Harley looked at the three of them. They were whispering and then smiling. He felt something was slightly wrong.
But he did not think about it much. He did not know the woman was unreliable.
At that moment, he thought of a wicked plan. He would use this woman to deal with May!