"Would this not be considered breaking the rules?"

Bonnie jumped up and began waving her hands wildly in front of her brother's face, trying to cover his mouth. "Shhh!" she whispered fiercely, planting a finger on top of her lips in a shushing motion. "Not if you don't get caught!" A devilish grin tugged at her lips. "With Serena's makeover skills, they'll be fine!" she added confidently.

"I sure hope you are correct," Clemont murmured, still seeming uncomfortable.

"Don't worry!" Ash called out. He currently couldn't see his friends, but he could hear them from where they stood right beyond the dressing room curtain. "I'm looking forward to it!"

Serena, on the other hand, had her doubts. While she appreciated Bonnie's praise, she was not quite sure if her creative skills were up to par. When Monsieur Pierre first announced the double-team Pokémon Showcase, Shauna had called her immediately to ask to be her partner. The thought of performing side-by-side with her friend sounded exhilarating, and the blonde eagerly accepted her offer. Unfortunately, Shauna had fallen ill the day before the Showcase, leaving Serena without a partner. Nini had already entered with another girl, Miette was several towns away, and Bonnie was too young to participate. Not wanting his friend to miss out on this opportunity, Ash had generously volunteered to take Shauna's place. In fact, he had seemed rather excited by the idea. "Your performances fill me with so much energy! I'd love to be a part of one!"

How could she say no to him when he gazed at her with his deep, compassionate eyes and his dazzling smile? His bright, pure enthusiasm was contagious.

Now they were scrambling to assemble his façade before the staff came searching for all of the pairs of "young maidens" who were entering the competition.

"You know, Ashley," Serena began with a small giggle, "you look good in orange." She placed a peach-colored bow atop the long blonde wig on her friend's head, and then she stepped back with a satisfied smile on her face. "Ta-daaah~!"

Immediately, Bonnie flung the curtain back so she could see Serena's handiwork. She gasped and gazed up at Ash with an enormous grin. "You two are going to look so cute on stage!" she squealed, and she dragged her brother into the room so he could take a peek.

"Ashley" leaped off of the stool so that his companions could view his full outfit. The lacy sleeves were actually rather charming, and the dark eyeliner made his brown eyes pop.

"Can you move well in that puffy skirt?" Serena asked. Although she tried to act cheerful and blithe, anxiety gnawed at the back of her mind. Even if they fooled the crowd, other obstacles still remained. Greninja would be able to keep up with her choreography, but would Ash manage? Would she even be able to think straight on stage while performing with him?

Although Serena thought she was concealing her concern rather effectively, Ash seemed to pick up on her trepidation. "I'm good to go!" he assured her. He stepped forward to take both of her hands in his, and he flashed that caring, chipper, puppy-dog smile that never ceased to make her heart melt. "I'll be there with you every step of the way!"

Somehow the dark, nervous cloud above her head began to dissipate. "Thank you," she whispered. "Speaking of steps," she continued, turning away to hide her blushing face, "I thought of a way to simplify the routine. Even you should be able to dance to this," she teased.

Ash's eyes grew wide, and he sheepishly rubbed his finger under his nose. "I uh… I kind of forgot we'd be dancing," he admitted, "but I'm ready to practice! I'm no quitter!"

If anyone was up to the challenge, it was Ash…ley.