I walked around the hall with hundreds of people glancing at me in wonder. I kept going without saying a word, trying to find the host of the party
"Stay close you two" Fennekin and Eevee followed behind me "I don't want to loose you, okay?" I stopped walking after finding a space with fewer people "finally..." I sighed and stretched "better stay in character"
Where the party took place was some fancy building with large chandeliers on the ceiling and red carpet in a wide variety of the hall. It was quite elegant, and the right place for a queen to stay. Serena talked a lot about the place where she first got her crown... which was in a place that looked just like this. Can't say for sure if it was here, but looks like this will be the place where it'll stay on my head
"Serena?" I turned around, seeing a red headed girl in a gown facing me from the distance. Everyone stopped talking around and stared at us. I put my hands together and smiled at her, remembering her name from what Serena told me. This was her rival, who was also a very good friend "Serena... is that really you?" I lifted my skirt, bowing a little
"Hey there Aria-sama!" She cupped her mouth, along with everyone else "it's nice to see you again!"
"Me? It's so nice to see you!" She laughed and ran to give me a big hug. Not expecting it, I stared at her shoulder, at her sobbing on mine "Aria..?"
"I'm so happy! You're safe! I can't believe it!" I frowned and hugged her back, not knowing how to stop this without seeming mean. Everyone came by and told me how grateful they are to see me safe and many started crying. I kept looking around the room, not expecting so many people to be crying for me... well, Serena...
"Your highness" I turned around to find the host of the party, a tall man who host every showcase event from what I seen in the videos "it's wonderful to see you safe and sound" I faced him and bowed. His key-like Pokémon stared at me hard. I sweat dropped and took the man's hand to follow him to the top of the staircase and look down at the large crowd below us
"Ladies and gentleman! This event was held for as a fundraiser to support the search of this here queen, but it seems now that it will now be held as a celebration!" Everyone started cheering. I smiled and waved "do you have any words for your friends?" I nodded and cleared my throat
"Hello everyone, I'm so happy to be standing in front of all of you today! I have been gone for over half a year and I have no excuse to make you all so worried, but I do have my reasonings. I cannot say these reasonings or tell you how long I'll be gone again after this event, but I do want you to know is that I'm more than okay and working on a very important mission that will benefit the whole region! I'm more than grateful that I had so many people so concern about me! I apologize greatly for concerning you all! I'll be more careful and let you know if I plan on disappearing like that again" I looked down, hating to act for this long. It's wrong to pull this off so well... I hope I can leave soon "this mission is top secret, but I have my friends and... my big sister helping me!" I cheered "having my sister by my side is a dream come true! She's awesome, so you'll expect this to not be very long. I'll come back to the showcase world very soon, but being here today, I stand here to make sure I stay your queen" everyone cheered at the last part. I giggled and faced the host "I hope that's okay... this crown means everything to me. If I have to fight for it, I will" he nodded and held my shoulder
"I'm sure everyone is looking forward to the show" I smiled and lifted my dress to walk down the stairs. Calem came running, wearing a all blue Haori and offered his hand when close by. I started surprised and even he gave me the usual smile he always does
"My Princess" he bowed his head. I curtsied and took his hand, carefully walking down the stairs and meet up with a few more of Serena's friends coming up to me while my actual friends stood in a distance, watching me in disappointment. I know they are pretty upset with me for never telling them something this serious
"Do they hate me?" I asked Calem
"No, they're just upset" I looked at him looking around
"And you?"
"What should I be upset for? You have your own decisions and make them up as you go. What right do I have to saying anything?"
"Serena told me to do this, so this is between me and her... I didn't mean to hurt them" he only smiled at me "you're not mad at me?"
"You already know the desire to... kill, right?" He crossed his arms "I had no desire to do anything to you when seeing you in that disguise, so it was easy to know who you were" I shook my head
"I still don't like how you think of her and my friends" he opened his arms
"Do as you like if you don't. I know my limits, and I haven't done a thing. I'm not even planning on it. You stopped me from hurting Shauna, so thank you again" he bowed "I wouldn't want to hurt someone that cares about me... how do you expect me to get better that even my own mom can't help me... And she's a therapist" he looked away "that's why I depend on you"
"Me?" He nodded and I walked to the snack table to grab a bunch of cookies to eat
"Are you a nervous eater?" I didn't respond and continued eating "makes sense... you don't have the opportunity to eat like this when I make you nervous" he winked. I blushed and starting brownies "Um... you might want to stop eating like that"
"Why?" Some people were glancing on the corner of their eyes
"I didn't want to be the one to tell you, but if you want to convince people here that you're Serena, you might want to walk away from the sweets" I looked at him for a answer "everyone here knows she wouldn't be caught eating in front of anyone" I looked at him confused "remember how I told you she tells me all her secrets? She has a eating disorder" I dropped the brownie and nearly snapped to grab his collar "it's the truth... this isn't the time to talk, go talk to your peers" I looked down "she also wouldn't be caught looking down at herself, now look up" he lifted my chin "your tiara is going to fall" I pushed him away as he laughed. I had to become more like Serena just for today... I just had no idea she had a eating disorder. How many more things is she hiding from me..?
I continued my night talking to people and even dancing, something I really didn't like to do, but was very good at due to having a agent who gets happy for the stupidest things and wants me dancing with him. He also says that there will be a day when I'll be married to someone and dancing is a must at the wedding... he would take the place of my dad if something that stupid would happen. If I look back enough... I think he mentioned Calem one time
"How about marrying my son one day kid?" He joked. I had punched him after dancing for so long and went back to work. By the end of the night, that's when the host announced the showcase event. At least 10 of the master class contestants were going to participate including myself. I was placed last to perform, so I took this time to look around while the other girls were throwing out their performances
"Serena!" I turned around when seeing Viola and Alexa rushing towards me. I put on my fake Serena smile and waved all happily
"Viola-sama! Alexa-sama! It's been forever!" I laughed. My friends finally showed up, looking like they were looking for me everywhere and Calem lead them to me
"Oh Serena, you look beautiful. Mind if we take some shots?" Viola asked. I took out my fan from B in my pocket and covered my face
"I'm camera shy" I joked "how about while I perform?"
"That's a great idea" Valerie came over "some action shots are much more lively"
"Valerie-chan" I gasped
"Hello little one, I'm glad you're doing well. It's like you never disappeared at all"
"Thanks!"
"Care to have a interview before you go on?" Alexa asked
"Sure"
"We're so excited to see you performing after so long. We heard earlier that you came back specifically to keep you crown, and explain that you're in the middle of a secret mission?"
"That's true!"
"And your friends and Sophia are even helping out with it!"
"More Sophia than us... Sophia never even told us she met with Serena..." Shauna frowned. I glanced at her before turning back for the next question
"I'm sure your performance will be all out there this year! Which Pokémon will you be using?" I pointed below. They looked down to see Eevee and Fennekin in full costume looking up "huh..? Aren't these..?" Viola looked up to stare at me. I took a deep breath and sighed
"Anymore questions?" I smiled
"How long are you planning to disappear again?" Alexa asked
"There's no telling, but what matters is right now. I'll try my best to win the show and save the crown" Alexa was taking quick notes in excitement while Valerie and Viola kept their eyes on me in silence
"For our next performer, give it up for her highness! Queen Serena!" Everyone cheered me on. I waved my arms excitedly and looked at my friends frowning at me
"Don't worry everyone! I've worked really hard!"
"Good luck..." Shauna smiled a little. I nodded and ran to the stage with my Pokémon while the host talked
"Remember, this showcase will determine who will be the next queen! All will know whether the crown will leave or remain with Kalo's favorite star!" All this held so much pressure... I wonder how Serena handles all this
As I stood on stage, I stared at all the faces staring at me and waiting to see what kind of performance I've came up with. I looked at my Pokémon, seeing that Fennekin was ready but Eevee seemed a bit nervous
"Eve" it looked up at me "it's going to be alright. We've worked hard, and I'm sorry I didn't give you a heads up on performing for so many people, but this is your time to shine, not mine" it smiled and looked back at the crowd "let's show how special you are! Let's go! Fennie! Use flamethrower!" Fennekin shot fire up in the air "Eve! Use Shadow ball!" Eevee threw. Shadow ball right into the fire, causing a explosion. The shiny dust of the glowing ball and fiery flacks softly floated around the hall, amazing everyone "Eve! Sweet scent!" Eevee danced around Fennekin and used the scent to lift the flacks and combine them with the petals flying around. As the show went on, I spun around and danced a traditional Japanese dance with my fan, adding jumps and ballet spins through the flying objects
Fennekin and Eevee danced around with me, having a good time as I felt more energized the more I danced. Everyone cheered the more I went on, and I didn't want it to end
During it all, Eevee accidentally tripped the whole time I was turned around. Fennekin was the first to noticed and cried out to inform me. I stopped and looked at what happened "Eve!" I hurried to pick it up, seeing a strain on the paw "oh no... Eve" I frowned
"Ee..." it frowned, beginning to cry
"No no, it's okay. It's not your fault"
"Eevee..." it looked so guilty. I sighed and hugged it close
"No Eevee, don't blame yourself. It's okay... I should have been looking after you. I'll fix your leg once we let off" I stood up "let's wrap this up!" Fennekin jumped on my hand and I threw it high in the air "Will'o'wisp!" Fennekin shot multiple purple fireballs floating all around us. I looked down at Eevee and smiled. It frowned at me, but later gave a confident nod and started glowing. I stood there in shock, watching its body growing and long feelers appearing in various places. Pretty soon, it stopped flowing to reveal a beautiful blue colored Pokémon!
"E-eve..." I gasped
"Sylveon!" It used its feelers to reach for the sky Fennekin was still flying up in and released a pink mist with soft wind followed by it. It blew away the wil'o'wisp in a circular line around Fennekin. Sylveon caught it midair and gave the end of the performance. I was still in shock while everyone was cheering us on. I laughed and waved to the crowd, thinking this was a total success
"You gave a beautiful performance, Serena" Valerie told me on stage while the audience was giving out their votes "I really didn't know you could dance!"
"Yeah, since the other times you tried you almost keep falling!" Aria smiled "it's good that you've learned! Where did you pick up the moves! It's like you've been dancing your whole life!"
"My big sister..." I looked down shyly
"Wow... I've been wanting to meet this sister of yours, but to think she's even more talented than I thought! You said she even plays the harp and stuff! She should had performed here too!" I nervously chuckled
"It's not really her style" Valerie simply nodded at the response and waited for the battles against each performer to begin. I sat quietly and looked at my Pokémon nervously, not knowing if I was confident enough to believe I can win a battle
Many of the performers had fought and the winner will go against another winner. I was lucky to have won a few and made it to the very top with Valerie. She waved to the crowd when she won her battle. I leaned on my knees and covered my face
"What's wrong? Serena?" Aria asked
"Oh! Nothing! I just don't feel good is all!" I lied. She sat next to me
"I know you won't tell me or anyone about where you've been, but with whatever you were doing, are you sure you're well enough to keep doing this?"
"I've done this far, I'm not stopping" I said in my regular voice, catching her off guard. My heart decided to drop right then and there. I knew I was terrible in battles, and because I didn't have Z by my side, I couldn't win with the lack of training I gave my Pokémon to compete with a actual gym leader
"Of course..." I sighed, turning away "but this doesn't mean this is over. The audience still have to cast their votes" I turned away, hearing Valerie running up to me
"Hey, Serena. Don't let this get you down! The battle doesn't always mean anything! You know that!" Do I? "No reason to look so down! Come on, show me that smile! I'm sure you'll come out on top!" I glanced at her with annoyance in my eyes. She flinched and stepped back "Serena..?" I calmed myself and faced her
"I'm just fine!" I turned back around to loose the act and ran off. Later on, the host called all performers to stand on stage while the audience make their votes on who won. I stood patiently and kept my eyes shut, hoping for the news. I was too shaky to see what I saw, so I looked down, only to see my friends frowning at me. I hurried to look up and moaned in devastation
"N-no..." I cupped my mouth. Everything in my world went silent after that. Valerie and Aria kept trying to talk to me, but I couldn't hear them... I lost. I thought we could had won this... I guess I'll never be the same as her. I cupped my eyes "how could I have been so stupid..? I'm not... I can never be her" I gently removed my crown and placed it on the floor, walking away from the stage without another word and ran straight to the exit to ignore everyone calling me, finding the first place I can use to wash my hair
There was a large fountain for Pokémon and placed my head underneath the tap, letting the water soak my hair and get the dye out. For however long it took to wash it out, my friends and a few others, including Valerie who was wearing the crown, ran up to me. I just finished and took out a towel to dry my hair
"Sophia... I'm so sorry this happened" Trevor frowned. I removed my contacts to put away and kept my head turned, trying to remove the access water as much as possible, then wrapped it
"We thought you did really good" Tierno said
"You tried your best" Shauna said
"Sophie..." Calem walked to my face and patted my shoulder. I nodded, showing it was okay
"I'm sorry for what happened... but I think I heard something... Sophia?" Aria called. I turned around to look at her blankly "I should had known from the moment you spoke to me in such a manner... so you're Serena's sister... you were in that showcase this whole time"
"You caught that, huh?" I crossed my arms "Anyone can spot our differences from a mile away, And I'm wearing the same outfit! so I can say you're just like every pageant girl I know, stupid"
"Sophie!" Shauna gasped "that is no way to talk to anyone! She's Serena's friend!" I looked away
"So what? She's not my friend. Acting like Serena took so much energy out of me... I'm exhausted" I yawned
"Serena is still on this secret mission, isn't she?" Valerie asked. I yawned again and nodded "you're nothing I expected at all! Serena talks so positive about you" I rolled my eyes and walked away, not in the mood to talk to anyone. I walked away as fast as I could to make sure I had no one on my ass and found a place where I could hide and curl in a ball to silently talk down to myself as I always had. I lost the showcase... I'm absolutely pathetic. I thought I nailed that showcase. I'll hate to imagine knowing that Serena will hate me for what I've done
I'm sorry I made her loose!