Chapter 107! Another chapter is finished and this is the second of a three part performance. I hope you like the performance I've written for you guys today. It wasn't easy and i tried to be clear as possible. Let me know what you think of it! Now, with further a do, enjoy this chapter that I present you!
Wordcount: 6411
Important info: Monsieur Pierre will be speaking in analytics: like this.
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Narrator: Last time, Serena started the showcase with a quiz round. However, she needed a partner who turned out to be Ash!
Together, they faced off against Trixy and Mason, and Calem and Miette. Ash and Serena were on the brink of losing, being 2 to 1 down before making it two all. Then, Miette had the chance to answer the last question first.
Luckily for Ash and Serena though, it was a trick question and thanks to Ash's experience with the question, the duo managed to move on to the next round.
(---)
The three teams left the stage. Mason explained Trixy a lot of times how sorry he was. Trixy however looked like she was dealing with it pretty well. In fact, she looked happier. She also looked a lot closer with Mason than before, only having met on stage.
Calem tried to console Miette as she tried to act though about the loss. Serena however was very happy with her win. She was especially happy that Ash managed to answer both of the questions correctly for them.
Serena held Pikachu in her arms as they walked back to the dressing room. Once they got their and stopped infront of the door, Ash said: "Come Pikachu. Let's head back to the stands!" Motioning Pikachu to hop on his shoulder.
"Don't!" Serena said, causing both Ash and Pikachu to pause. "I-I mean, you can stay here with me..." Serena said, blushing slightly while tipping her indexfingers against one another.
"I'd love to, but isn't that weird?" Ash frowned. He thought that they weren't allowed to be in the dressing room. Especially with all the other performers in there.
"Sure, why not?" Serena asked, raising her eyebrow.
"If you say so..." Ash said a bit hesitant. Serena opened the door and stepped inside. Pikachu was still in her arms while Ash followed her inside.
It was a large room, filled with mirrors, dresses and other accessory. Just like Ash thought, the room was filled with other performers who were readying themselves. But unlike he thought, they didn't pay any attention to him. Serena walked over to her stool and sat down infront of the mirror. She pulled another stool from under the table infront of her where all her make up and stuff was on.
She patted the stool. "Come, sit down!" She said with a beaming smile and gleaming eyes. Ash did as she asked and sat down next to her, smiling at her happiness.
"Next round is the performance round and the final immediately. If I manage to win that, I'm up against Aria again!" Serena said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"And this time, you're gonna win it!" Ash added as he pumped his fist infront of his chest. The lights of the dressing room made his eyes sparkle, just like it did with Serena's.
Serena smiled before she leaned in and hugged him. "Thanks..." She wispered in his ear.
Just as they were in a hugging position, Miette walked over to them. Serena noticed her and broke the hug before turning towards her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt anything." She said with an apologetic look in her eyes.
"No-no not at all!" Serena said, waving with her hands infront of her. Miette gave her a small smile before her face turned sad again. Her eyes looked wet, showing that she was on the brink of crying.
"I-I just want to say... Goodluck in the next round Serena! Please make sure you beat them and Aria this time, for the both of us!" Miette exclaimed, stifling a sniff.
"Miette..." Serena wispered, looking at her in awe. She stood up while a determined smile appeared on her face. "I will!" She exclaimed with full passion, pumping her fist. At this, Miette broke down and hugged her which she returned immediately.
Ash watched the scene infront of him. He knew that they didn't go along very well at the start and that Miette always was teasing her about something. But now, now it was different. They were good friends now.
After a minute or two hugging, Miette and Serena released eachother but kept their hands on their shoulders.
"I believe in you Serena. If anyone can do it, you can!" Miette said.
"Right!" Serena smiled. The encouragement from Miette caused a fire to light in her. A fire that wouldn't allow her to lose against anyone who would stand in her way.
(---)
Finally, the quiz round was over. From the large number of contestants, only five were left as they were motioned to come back to the stage. Ash and Serena gave eachother one more hug before Ash returned to the stands, accompanied by Gary.
The duo sat down. They had a great view on the large stage infront of them. Pikachu had jumped of his shoulder and had taken a seat on his lap.
The lights on stage were out while on the stands, they were on. There had been a short intermission after the final group, in which Shauna and Gary were finished. Shauna was victorious, using her Florges and Gary's Umbreon.
Then, the lights started to dim while the spotlights on stage pointed towards the centre where the one and only Monsieur Pierre stood in his usual blue and white attire. His blond locks and beard added to that, making him almost impossible not to recognise wherever he goes.
"Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen! Now that ze first round is over, we move on to ze next round. From ze fifteen performers, there are only five left!"
A large, big screen went on as he continued.
"Ze first performer who made it to ze second round, ze one that challenged Aria three years ago and has been ze closest ever to beating her, ze one and only, Performer Serena!"
The crowd cheered loudly as the spotlights aimed on her while the bigscreen showed a small compilation of her performing. A fiery flower was seen on it, finishing with a picture where she looked determined with Delphox, Pancham and Sylveon at her side.
"Next we have a very talented performer in her own rights. Hailing from ze Kanto region, Performer Jessilee!"
The crowd roared in excitement as he announced her as the spotlight next focused on her while the bigscreen showed her dancing with a meowth in a clown costume while Gourgeist floated above them, emitting light from her Pumpkin.
"Talent is there in many different forms and cases. So, this talented baker, aswell as her dancing skills brought her to this point, Welcome performer Nini!"
The crowd roared in approval again as the spotlights focused on her. The bigecreen showed her dancing around as her Smoochum was using sweet kiss, sending hearts everywhere.
"Now, hailing from this very city, i present you, Gloire City Queen Annabel!
The home advantages was set as the spotlight focused on a brown haired girl, wearing a matching red barrette, aswell as a red top and a white skirt like dress. The bigscreen showed her Espeon and Leafeon using Razor Leaf and Psychic in a beautiful way.
"And lastly, amazing in her own rights. She flashes up xe whole stage with her gleaming performance. Welcome performer Shauna!"
The crowd roared loudly as the lights shined on Shauna while the screen showed how her Venusaur used a combination of Petal Dance and Solar Beam.
"Now, these performers will show what they can do in a few minutes. We will draw first in which order these talented performers will be. But firstly, let me introduce you to our judges!"
The lights focused on a dark spot infront of the audience. Suddenly, two people were visible sitting there. But the strange thing was, there were three seats.
"Our first judge that is present at this amazing event is our own professor from Lumiose City. Please, Welcome ze one and only professor Sycamore!"
The crowd roared at the sight of the blue haired professor who came into view. He stood up from his seat and turned to the crowd, waving both of his hands in gratitude.
Next, we have the one and only, former Kalos Queen and a specialist in her work! She's a producer and manager to young and upcoming performers. Ladies and gentlemen, Lady Palermo!"
Again, the crowd roared at the sight of the short grey haired producer. She stayed om her seat, letting a small smile escape from her lips as she held her eyes closed.
"Now, as our last judge... Zhis person is special and all of you know who it is! Ladies and gentlemen, make as much noise as you can for our Kalos Queen Aria!!!"
Even more noise was made than before with Professor Sycamore and Palermo as the spotlight shined now down on Aria who stood up from her seat and faced the audience. She wore her signature smile as she said: "Let's make sure we enjoy ourselves!"
Later, as the crowd finally calmed down, Monsieur Pierre said.
"It is now time for ze draw. In which order will these beautiful and talented performers show off their class?"
The screen showed now five cards with each performers face on it. The cards turned around, only showing the back as they started shuffling around. Then, as it stopped shuffling, they expanded and went back to their original positions before turning around and showing everyone the order in which they would perform.
"It seems that performer Annabel will go first!"
The crowd was excited to say the least. The rest of the performers went back to their locker rooms as Annabel took her place on stage. "Let's do this!" She shouted as she threw two pokeballs up, releasing her Espeon and Leafeon.
In the meantime, Serena walked to the dressingroom, having a conversation with Shauna and Nini.
"It's incredible that you managed to defeat Miette already! She was one of this years favourites." Nini commented, pointing her indexfinger up.
"Well if it wasn't doe that stupid Jigglypuff question, I wouldn't be here right now." Serena said as she thought back at the moment, letting a small giggle escaped her mouth.
"Yeah, that was such a weird question. How did you actually know it was a Jigglypuff?" Shauna chimed in.
"It was actually Ash who knew that it was a Jigglypuff. When I asked him, he said that he had encountered this question once before." Serena answered, shrugging her shoulders.
A small smirk grew on Nini's lips. "You mightve beaten Miette but I won't let you beat me!" She exclaimed, making a fist with determination burning in her eyes.
"Make that two! I'm not gonna lose to you again!" Shauna added, smiling brightly.
"Make that three! I'm not gonna lose, no matter what! I will not give up until the end!" Serena giggled.
Jessilee walked behind as she looked with disgust at the three performers. "Oh please... everyone knows I'm gonna win this. There isn't anyone with more talent and more beautiful than me." She mumbled to herself, not audible for the others.
The four performers reached the dressingroom where they sat down after their places, attending to their own things. Serena took out three pokeballs.
She clicked them open as three pokemon materialised infront of her.
"Deerling!"
"Altaria!"
"Absol?"
"Absol, Deerling and Altaria..." Serena started, looking at her three pokemon who all had their gazes fixated on their trainer.
"We're finally here..." She smiled. "Our long journey towards the Masterclass has us finally brought to this point. The point where we need to show how good we actually are."
Deerling and Absol looked a bit scared as it was their debut.
"I know, you might be nervous, or even scared but, I want you to forget all that. Forget the pressure or anything. I just want to have fun with the three of you."
Absol, Deerling and Altaria smiled at their honey blond haired trainer, nodding in understanding.
"Today we will show everyone how much fun we can have together! We'll show them how good of a team we are! Let's do this, TOGETHER!"
Serena shouted the last word, ending her speech. As she said the word, she threw her hand into the air.
"Deerling!" Deerling shouted in agreement, standing in her hind legs as she threw her feet into the air.
"Tariaaa!" Altaria exclaimed in approval, pushing her soft, cloudy, cotton like wing up into the air.
"Absol?" Serena asked as she looked at the questioning looking pokemon.
"Ab--SOL!" Absol exclaimed, jumping up of happiness.
Serena went over the performance once more with her team as images of the screen appeared of Annabel' Espeon and Leafeon using a psybeam, swift combination. Then, Jessilee appeared with her Gourgeist using Bullet Seed, combining it with her Meowth using scratch, swiping the green glowing seeds into tiny nutshell that sparkled.
Next was Nini. Her Farfetch'd was cutting Gothita's Dark Pulse to tiny purple and black sparkles.
"Serena?" A female staffmember said, with glasses and long blue hair. She was holding a clipboard. Serena looked at her as she continued. "Get ready, you're up in two minutes."
"Okay, thanks." Serena said gratefully as she glanced one more time at the TV, seeing a heart-shaped Moonblast surrounded by pink leafs floating in a heart shape around it. Serena saw that Shauna was using her Venusaur and Florges.
She stood up from her seat and turned one more time to her pokemon. "Let's do this together guys. No one will do us anything as long as we have fun!" She said cheerfully.
"Deerling!"
"Sol!"
"Tariaaa!" All three exclaimed determined.
The four raised their hand, paw, wing in excitement, symbolising the bond that had grown between them.
Serena left the dressing room and walked to the platform that would bring her on stage.
As she was walking, she saw the platform lowering with Shauna standing on top of it. She was accompanied by her Florges, Venusaur and her new Slurpuff.
The two walked past each other before stopping next to one another, keeping their faces straight forward while both were smirking.
"I warmed them up for you. Make sure you live up to your expectations." Shauna said, not turning her face towards Serena.
"I will, don't worry! We are as ready as ever!" Serena replied, not turning her face either.
"Hmm!" Shauna smiled. "Goodluck out there." After that, she continued her trek back towards the dressing room.
"Thanks Shauna!" Serena shouted gratefully to which Shauna waved two fingers into the air. Serena smiled at herself and her pokemon.
"Let's go you guys!" She said cheerfully before running towards the platform with excitement.
They walked onto the platform and waited before it was time to go up. Serena returned Altaria, just like they agreed on before she closed her eyes as she took in a deep breath before opening her eyes again and releasing the air in her lungs.
"Let's do this!"
(---) ~ On stage.
"Now we go into our final performance of the night. A girl with many talents and a lot of quality, Ladies and Gentlemen, here is performer Serena!"
The crowd roared as Monsieur Pierre waved his hand to the platform that clicked itself in place on the stage, revealing Serena surrounded by Deerling and Absol, all with their eyes closed.
All four of them opened their eyes as Serena shouted: "Let's go!"
The music started playing as Serena started dancing in the form of twirling around. "Absol, Psycho Cut! Deerling, ride it!"
"Ab---SOL!" Absol exclaimed as it jumped up with its head pulled backwards. Her horn was glowing pink as she shot her head to the other side, releasing a curved, pink glowing blade of energy, followed by another one.
Deerling ran after it before jumping on top of it, smiling brightly as she did.
The curved shaped, pink glowing blades started making its way back to Absol who faced them with a determined smile, enjoying itself pretty well.
Serena twirled once more as she put one hand in the air while waving the other into the direction of Deerling.
"Deerling jump! Absol, use Megahorn on the Psycho Cut!"
Absol's horn glowed brightly green and grew much larger in shape. It looked like it's horn in mega evolved form as Absol let out a powerful battle cry.
Absol started charging straight for it while Deerling still stood ontop of the curved blades. At the last second, Deerling jumped up as Absol swung its horn right through the curved blades, breaking it instantly while leaving bright green and bright pink sparkles to shower around the dark type.
Serena smirked as she saw Deerling high into the air. She held her hands up high, spinning around as she lowered herself, sinking through her knees before shooting right up again.
"Altaria! It's your turn!" She shouted when she jumped up while spinning, throwing a pokeball up into the air with both hands, right above her.
A flash was seen as white energy appeared from the pokeball. The crowd was blinded for a moment and when their sight came back, a cotton like ball was slowly floating downwards.
"Do it!"
"Altariaaa!" At command, Altaria spread her wings wide, sending light blue, almost white sparkles in every direction.
The crowd roared at the amazing entrance of Serena's third pokemon.
"Now, to spice things up!" Serena shouted, pulling her necklace that she had bound around her wrist off, opened the pendance and pressed the keystone. "ALTARIA, MEGA EVOLVE!"
"Altariaaaaa!!" Altaria chirped as she became engulfed in a bright light. A large cotton like cloud started growing on her back, her tail grew longer and finally on top of her head, another cloud started growing.
With a flash, the bright, multicoloured light stopped and revealed the mega evolved Dragon and Fairy type.
"Now, Absol, Perish Song, Deerling, Grass whistle and Altaria, Disharming Voice!" Serena shouted as she started to speed up her dancing moves. She was enjoying herself and that could be seen throughout the whole crowd as everyone had a large smile on their faces.
"Deeeeeerrr---" Deerling started as a leaf appeared in her mouth and she started to whistle on it. Different colours of green music notes started to float up into the air as Deerling continued.
"Soooooolll----!" Absol exclaimed as she opened his mouth wide, releasing the disturbing tunes from her mouth. The music notes that she released from her mouth were mostly coloured in black, blue, red, yellow, purple and orange.
The music notes from Perish Song and Grass Wistle started interacting with eachother, bouncing off from eachother.
"Alllll-----" Altaria exclaimed as she pulled her head back before throwing it forward. "Tariaaaa!" She exclaimed as she released pink coloured shock waves which vaporised the music notes, destroying them into sparkles that only resembled the colour of the music notes.
Serena gracefully danced underneath the sparkling dust that emitted from the collision of moves.
"Now, let's finish this!" Serena said cheerfully as she smiled widely towards the ceiling with her hands stretching towards the ceiling.
Then, she looked infront of her, towards the crowd, stretching her hands wide. "Altaria Mist! Deerling Camouflage!"
Absol stood still with his right front foot infront of his left. She had her eyes closed.
"Tariaaaaaa----!" Altaria exclaimed in an echoing voice as she opened her beak and a thick white cloud sprayed out of it. The thick layer of the transparent substance started to surround Absol. It was becoming thicker and thicker so that no one was able to see through it, making Serena, aswell as her pokemon invisible.
Every now and then, movement could be seen through the mist. Deerling, who was invisible, using its Camouflage was running through it, making it look like waves of mist moved from side to side on its own.
"Absol, Hex!"
Suddenly, the nice white coloured mist turned dark, just like its surroundings. The complete stage was black, as if you're walking through a dark forest at night. None of the lights could pierce through it as the music suddenly slowed down and started building up for the grand finale.
"Absol, Megahorn! Altaria, Sky Attack!"
Suddenly, a red light pierced through the dark mist. It looked scary as chills were sent through everyone's spines. Then, a bright green, Mega Absol like horn, pierced, just like the red light through the black mist. The red light was Absol's eye and just like the horn, it was the only source of light that managed to get through.
Then, suddenly, it looked like that there were golden wings growing out of Absol's back. But bot angel like wings. No, it were more like devil wings. Absol was growling and snarling as it slowly walked forward through the mist.
Everyone in the audience gasped as they were in for a special ride tonight. The performance Serena had set up was something that had never been seen before. Emotions were filling throughout the whole crowd as everyone felt excited, scared aswell as many other feelings.
"Now Altaria, finish this up with Defog!"
"Tariaaaa!" Altaria screeched as the fog slowly started to dissapear, revealing Absol with a green glowing horn. Altaria was glowing gold due to the use of sky attack as she had her wings stretched out wide. She sat at the end of Absol's back.
Serena sat infront of Altaria, aswell on Absol's back with Deerling in her hands, both smiling brightly.
"And finished!" She shouted in pure happiness and excitement, breathing hard as she had used a lot of energy during this performance. All the hard work she and her pokemon had put in was now finally over. And that hard work and effort immediately got its reward as the crowd was going nuts over the whole thing. Never had anyone experienced a performance Like this. Even the most bored people who didn't like performances at all were on the edge of their seats.
Serena however had the brightest smile of them all. So many happy faces. I finally managed to do it! Now it doesn't matter if I win or lose anymore. I finally made People smile. They smile all because of me and my pokemon! She thought as she looked at the crowd with gleaming eyes. She couldn't be happier than she was now. Then, her cerulean blue eyes were met by a pair of chocolate brown eyes. They were in the middle and one special place in the crowd. Someone she had finally managed to spot through the rows and rows of people who were still erupting in cheers. Ash was there...
In the stands.
Ash sat in the middle row of the mid section. He was sitting with Clemont and Bonnie who both were rambling on and on over how scared Clemont looked when Absol stood in its devil like form, in the middle of the mist. Ash though, was smiling bright with gleaming eyes at his girlfriend, not daring to loose eye contact with her as they had found eachother. He was so proud of her. You did it Serena. You were more than amazing...
Back on stage.
"Thank you Serena for this fabeltastique performance! Now, we will take a short intermission so that ze judges can evaluate."
Everyone cheered as Serena went back to her platform. When she and her pokemon stood on top of it, it lowered again.
As soon as it reached the bottom and clicked into the ground, the floor of the stage closed, making it look like the platform wasn't there in the first place at all.
Serena stepped off the platform, along with her pokemon. She stopped and turned at them. She smiled as she bend through her knees, facing her pokemon.
"All of you were beyond amazing! I think, with the efforts all of you put in today, we might make it to the finals and face Aria. But if we dont, know that I couldn't be more than this proud of you guys. Especially since Deerling and you Absol, debuted today." She exclaimed, full of gratitude. She smiled as her pokemon listened to her with gleaming eyes.
Suddenly, Absol jumped on top of Serena, causing her to stumble backwards. She nuzzled her face against Serena's in affection.
"Absol! Stop! That tickles!" Serena exclaimed through her laughter. But Absol didn't want any of it. She was happily showing her affection to her trainer. And with that, Deerling and Altaria joined in as Deerling nuzzled her other side of the face and Altaria wrapped her soft, cloudy wings around her trainer.
"I love you too guys! Now, stop it!" Serena exclaimed, laughing as she unsuccessfully tried to free herself. She was left with no option than to return them back to their pokeballs.
"Absol, Deerling and Altaria, return." She laughed, trying to calm down as she clicked the pokeballs, each sending a red beam to the pokemon and returning them back into it.
Serena got back up on her feet and dusted off her dress. She let out a small sigh in order to compose herself again and started walking back to the dressing room.
She walked back to the dressing room and pushed the door open.
"Serena!!! That was sooo amazing!" Shauna squealed with stars in her eyes as she stood right infront of her, already waiting for her to enter the dressing room.
"Please tell me how you did that!" Nini added, equally excited as she also had stars in her eyes.
"Why don't we sit down first?" Serena sweatdropped, motioning them with her hands to calm down.
In the stands.
"Mind if we come sit down here?"
Ash turned to his side, only to see two familiar women.
"Grace? MOM!? Sure! Go ahead!" Ash said to which the older women smiled at him, letting out a chuckle each. "Why are you so late? You missed the the first round and now Serena's amazing performance!?" Ash added.
"We didn't miss anything dear." Delia said as she faced him.
"Infact, we watched everything on TV but as soon as we saw Serena's performance, we knew that we had to come here. I'm sure she will go to the finals after that." Grace added, looking towards the stage with glistening eyes. She couldn't be more proud of her daughter and she knew it. She had grown during her journey with Ash, Clemont and Bonnie. But now, she seemed on a complete other level.
"She has been amazing, hasn't she?" Delia smiled, also looking at the stage.
"More then amazing. She's gonna win this for sure!" Ash agreed with full confidence in his girlfriend.
(---)
"It's now time that our performers return back on stage with me as the judges made their decision. But first, everyone, let's welcome our current Kalos Queen, Aria!"
The crowd roared at the sight of the pink haired queen as she walked down from the large staircase again, accompanied by her Delphox.
The crowd now went silent as Aria stopped next to Monsieur Pierre. They waited in anticipation as she kept a straight face and took the microphone that the host of the Kalos showcases gave her.
Suddenly, she flashed one of the brightest smiles the audience had ever seen from her as she said: "Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying yourselves!"
The crowd exploded in roaring cheers at the words of the current Kalos Queen. She had been Kalos Queen for over five years now and time and time again, she managed to make the crowd even more excited everytime.
"Please everyone, I'm honoured to be part of this amazing event. But I'm not in the show." She said. "Not yet..." She added with a wink.
The crowd roared again but was quickly shushed by the pink haired performer. "Now, to make that happen, we need to decide a winner. A winner that will face me in an ultimate battle to the end which will decide if I stay.... or that someone else will be crowned Kalos Queen!" She then turned sideways and cocked her head towards the large staircase. "Please! Now, Welcome the stars of the day. The heroes and the talented people who gave you the amazing performance that you've been enjoying all night!"
She waved her hand towards the stairs as from both sides, performers came walking. Annabel came from the right side, Jessilee from the left. Then Nini came from the right, followed by Shauna from the left. And finally, Serena came walking from the right side.
They met up in the middle of the staircase where Annabel took the lead. Jessilee followed behind her who was followed by Nini in return. Shauna was next and finally, last but not least, Serena walked down the stairs. They walked in a perfect straight line like it was practised until they made it perfection. Everyone had a gap between them which was around half a metre long as they walked towards the host, Monsieur Pierre and Kalos Queen Aria.
Once they were a few metres apart from them, they stopped and lined up perfectly next to eachother in the same order as they walked towards the stage. A holographic keyholes appeared above them.
Monsieur Pierre took out a glow caster stick and held it up high.
"We've come to ze point where your votes could be critical. Each of you're seats has a glow caster equipped. These glow casters have a button on it. Now, each performer has a colour that represent them. Annabel has yellow, Jessilee has purple, Nini has green, Shauna has blue and finally Serena has pink. These colours are in ze same order on your glow casters aswell. To choose the performer you want to vote for, you have to press the button ze same amount of times to reach ze colour. So if you want to vote for performer Serena, you have to press ze button five times. If you want to vote for performer Jessilee, you have only to press ze button twice."
The crowd took a look at their glow casters. Mostly everyone understood what Monsieur Pierre had said.
"Now, for ze people who aren't able to be here or didn't manage to get a ticket, we've got something special this year. Recently we developed together with Clementic Gears an application that you can download on your Rotom Phone. This application will allow you to vote for the performer you think that deserves to win aswell! Now, it's time to select the right colour and vote for ze performer you think that deserves to take on our own Kalos Queen Aria!"
"Sience is so amazing..." Ash mumbled under his breath as he looked at Clemont who sat a bit further down the stands with Max and Bonnie. A small chuckle escaped his mouth, seeing the lemon blond haired gym leader flush red in embarrassement of the unexpected attention.
Ash then took his glow caster in his hand and looked at Pikachu. "Let's do it buddy!" He exclaimed as he pressed the button on the glow caster five times. "Go Serena!!" He shouted as he held it up high and the pink particle was sent towards the stage. Ash saw that Clemont, Bonnie and Max, aswell as Grace and his mother also had pink selected which made him smile.
On stage
Serena felt a bit nervous as she saw the particles floating towards them. There were too many to see who had the most coming towards them. The particles floated into the princess key that Serena wore on the midsection of her dress.
She took a glance towards Shauna who was beaming in excitement with gleaming eyes.
She doesn't look nervous one bit. She actually looks like.... she's enjoying herself? Serena thought to herself. Then, she smiled determinedly "Right! If I want to go through aswell, I need to show the best side of me and my pokemon!" She said to no one in particular. She thought about everything she had accomplished in her life.
Finding Ash as soon as she saw him on tv, finding a dream, performing for the first time until she reached the Masterclass. Then, Hoenn where she just came short and now again, back in the Masterclass and this time nothing was gonna stop her. She had her pokemon but more importantly, she had Ash now. The one person that kept motivating and loving her no matter what. No matter if she failed, if anything went wrong, he would always be at her side.
Then, the last particle floated into the princess key. Drum rolls could be heard as Monsieur Pierre excitedly started talking.
"And ze winner is...."
(---)
Everyone in the audience looked on, feeling uneasy as the nerves started to build up. Ash, aswell as Gary who voted for Shauna which wasn't a weird thing since he was his girlfriend and she had an amazing performance herself.
(---)
"And ze winner is..."
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"Oh my it's a draw!"
Everyone gasped as Monsieur Pierre revealed the result.
"We have a draw between the performers Serena and Shauna! Never has this ever happened before in a showcase, let alone on the Masterclass itself!"
In the stands
"A draw!?" Ash exclaimed with a confused expression.
"But how are they gonna decide a winner now?" Gary added, confused aswell.
On stage
"Luckily there is still a way to decide ze winner of this years Masterclass who will be challenging Aria for ze title of Kalos Queen. Judges? S'il vous plaît?"
All eyes turned to professor Sycamore who stood up first. He put his arms wide as he started talking.
"First of all, it's a marvelous experience to be here!"
The crowd cheered loudly in excitement at hearing the professor.
"But now. Now, I am in a position I do not wish anyone to be in as this is the most difficult decision there is." He said as he looked first at Shauna.
"Shauna. When you and Venusaur first left my lab when it was still a Bulbasaur and you were still a rookie. Who knew that you two would reach such heights? Your performance today was tremendous, something all of us are lucky to be able and watch this live."
Shauna nodded in gratitude before he looked at Serena. "And there is Serena. The young dreamless girl who came to my lab to pick up her Fennekin and then to search for a certain someone. And finding him you did. You managed to figure out what you wanted to do with your life. Now look at you! You are the best version of yourself. The bright smile, the energy and most of all the passion you and your pokemon share for one simple thing. Making people smile." He said smiling before he continued.
"I remember three years ago, when you came to me. It was just after the Kalos Crisis when you came to me and asked if you could do a performance to cheer the victims and all the other residents of Lumiose City up! Your performance today was nothing short of perfection! Sending different emotions from excitement to fear, to heartwarming. You've gave us a more than Marvelous experience and that's why my vote is for you! Congratulations!"
"Thank you!" Serena smiled greatly as she bowed slightly. Her eyes gleamed at hearing the nice words from the professor.
He sat back down as Palermo opened her eyes and looked the two performers dead in the eye.
"Shauna and Serena. You are two of the best performers out there. You have shown that today aswell. But if I had to choose, my vote goes to Shauna." She stated simply.
"Thanks a lot Mrs. Palermo!" Shauna bowed down in gratitude. Serena's eyes widened. The words of their previous meeting ringed trough her head. You are still lacking two things... Until you figure out what they are, you might have a shot at beating Aria.
What am I still missing... Serena thought to herself.
"Truly fantastique! Both Serena and Shauna are at ze same points. Now, Kalos Queen Aria, please tell us who you think was ze best today and ze one that will face you?"
"Right!" Aria said as she stood up.
"Both performers are so amazing! But they are also different in so many ways. As Shauna has her unique style, Serena can make thing so simple look so amazing... If I had to choose, I want both of them to challenge me for the title but that unfortunately isn't possible. The first time I met Serena was when she just had a fight with her back then Fennekin and her Pancham. She didn't know what to do anymore. But when I saw her, I saw potential. She had it in her to challenge me for the title and months later... man she did! What I eventually said to her was: 'don't look so sad. If you keep looking like that, your face will stay that way.' She stressed out at that moment, touching her face on every possible place."
A few laughs came from the audience as Aria continued.
"But what I said then was: 'always keep smiling! That's the secret for looking and feeling great!' And that amazing... amazing smile of hers, was today visible again. That's why... that's why my vote goes to Serena!" Aria finally ended, winking at the honey blonde performer.
"And that decides it! The winner of this Masterclass showcase and the one who will challenge Aria for the title is performer Serena!"
The crowd exploded in cheers as Serena's eyes were wide. She was still processing everything. Shauna and Nini looked down in dissapointment but ultimately we're haply for their friend. Annabel let a few tears escape from her eyes as Jessilee...
Well, Jessilee growled and stamped onto the floor, storming off the stage in anger.
Narrator: So... Now that Serena finally managed to beat the competition, it is time for another rematch with Aria. Will she be able to beat her this time? Or will it be to much...? Find out as the journey continues!