Tryst with Destiny: The Beginning of the End (Main Story)

49 : An Elegant Celebration

Delia and Grace are walking back to join Ash and Serena while Dragon Emperor is silently observing them from a remote dark corner. Upon seeing them leave he chuckles to himself and then turns about to leave as well.

"Well I must say I am extremely proud of you Serena. Beating my record and setting a new one that is more than twice my record is remarkable." Palermo says as Grace and Delia arrive.

"Mom! Where were you? Did you like my performance?" Serena says after tackling Grace into a hug.

"Of course I loved it sweet heart. It was one of your best performances yet. I have never seen you looking better." Grace says to Serena's delight.

"But tell my Serena how were you able to balance yourself on that slippery spherical Ice Chandelier? It has been bugging me for some time." Diantha asks.

"Oh that is because of the training Dragon Emperor gave me regarding finding my true focus, precision and balance." Serena replies.

"Is that so? What kind of training was this?" Lance asks in an inquisitive tone hoping to learn more about Dragon Emperor.

"I would love to chat further but this is not the place to do so. Palermo just talked to the Manager at Le Cirque. He has booked the entire upper for our evening. Let's go to the airport, get to Lumiose city and then talk." Serena says.

"Alright let's go." Ash says in an excited way at the prospect of delicious food.

"Pika Pika." Pikachu replies with a thumbs up who is comfortably curled in his favorite position which is Serena's hands.

"Let's go." Serena says as she runs out with Ash, Grace and Delia.

"Well might as well go. We don't have anything else to do." Cynthia says with a smile.

"After you." Diantha says as everyone else leaves as well.

(15 Minutes Later)

"You and Ash go on your plane. The rest of us will manage in Palermo and Diantha's plane." Grace says while walking away with Delia.

"OK then. I can't wait to spend some alone time with you." Ash says as he takes Serena's hand.

"Me too." Serena says. She is about to kiss Ash when suddenly a Fletchling comes out of nowhere and drops a letter in front of Pikachu along with 2 Poke-balls and a little pouch.

"About time. Looks like congratulations have arrived." Ash says before picking up the letter and pouch and then handing both over to Serena.

"Let's go inside and read this." Serena says before she climbs the ramp and enters her plane followed by Pikachu and Ash.

"Lance will want to know about this." A G-man disguised as a Airport worker says to himself as he takes out what appears to be a pager like device and types something in it.

(Inside the Plane)

"That will be all for now. Just leave me and Ash alone like before. Don't forget to give Pikachu a ketchup bottle." Serena says to her air hostess who bows her head, locks the door and leaves the duo in silence.

"What does the letter say?" Ash says in a curious tone.

"Hold on to your horses Ash. Let me first open it." Serena says as she opens her letter.

"Alright here goes." Serena says as she starts reading.

Congratulations on winning your Master Class. Of course having a Pokemon Master as your teacher literally guarantees you victory but still well done. You showed exceptional grace and kindness via your performance. Most importantly you kept in mind the key to victory in a Pokemon Showcase which I had told you about.