Light's Love and Night's Passion
A/N: Okay, I think this will either be a big flop or one of my greatest works yet, judging by how many times I came to this chapter to write it. Well, I'll let you guys be the actual judge of that.
Let's get on with the first official chapter! Roll it!
Chapter 1
The Aria of Harmony Music Hall
Lumiose City, 16 years ago.
The Aria of Harmony Music Hall was then known as the crown jewel of Lumiose City when it comes to performing arts. People from all over the world would come and see its star cast perform on its stage.
A fancy black car soon came up to the front of the theater and stopped. The driver came out of his seat and then opened the passenger door behind him. Dawn then stepped out, then 20 years old. She wore a pink dress that hugged her curves with red shoes on her feet, and her blue hair was pulled up into a ponytail. Around her neck was a choker with a red bow on it. She looked up at the theater with wonder, and then began entering it.
By then, they were rehearsing for the premiere of a new show. Performers and their Pokémon were scuttling around, getting into their proper positions, and stage helpers, along with their own Pokémon, were making sure that the stage and all of its systems were ready for the show that night. Professor Sycamore, then 16 years younger, was supervising everything. His hair was much darker and not having a speck of silver yet, and he wore a deep purple shirt under a white lab coat, dark pants and shoes.
Two stage helpers and their partners stood out from their fellow workers. One was a blond man, about 20 years old, with blue-gray eyes shielded with glasses, fair skin, and wearing a pale blue jumpsuit with white sneakers. His name was Clemont, the Lumiose City Gym Leader, and his partner was a little Chespin.
The other man, who was about the same age, had brown eyes, wild raven-black hair under a red and white cap, and tan skin with zigzags on his cheeks. He wore a blue and white T-shirt, dark gray pants, and red and black sneakers, along with black fingerless gloves with red trim on his hands. His name was Ash Ketchum, a Kanto native, and his partner was a cute little Pikachu.
By now, a slightly older woman was rehearsing the opening act of the show with a Wobbuffet and a Gourgeist. It was Miss Jessilia. She was actually considered very beautiful, but she was also exceedingly vain and prideful, making her quite insufferable for some. At the moment, she was practicing for the opening act of the performance that night.
"Gourgeist, use Shadow Ball!" She commanded. She was wearing a long purple dress that seemed a little too fancy, even for a dress rehearsal.
The Ghost and Grass type obeyed her mistress and fired a dark shadowy orb of power.
"Wobbuffet, Mirror Coat." Jessilia ordered.
The Psychic type stood there and made his blue skin glow with a reflective appearance, almost like a prism reflecting the colors of the rainbow. The Shadow Ball hit him, but he didn't take any damage and just made the energy bounce upward and shower down in purple sparkles. Jessilia then began dancing with Gourgeist in mid-air, laughing.
Watching from backstage, Ash, Clemont and their partners rolled their eyes at her tactics simultaneously. But there was something about that laugh that rubbed on Ash the wrong way, like he had heard it somewhere before. But he pushed the thought away. He was probably thinking too much about it.
He glanced over at Clemont, and almost busted up laughing to see that he was mimicking Jessilia, mouthing out her over-the-top giggles. But he quickly stopped when Professor Sycamore was making his rounds over to them. They both busied themselves with the stage curtains as he passed them by. Once he was out of sight, they both snickered, and did their Pokémon.
Watching them from the other side of the stage, however, was an older purple-haired man and a Meowth, both of them dressed very nicely, though the Meowth was expertly disguised to pass as a very short man. They both glared hatefully at Ash as he tried to stifle his snickers with his blond friend.
Unknown to the younger raven-haired man, both they and the performing woman were Jessie, James and Meowth of Team Rocket, his archenemies. They had been after him and his Pikachu since Ash was just a 10-year-old boy, barely starting out on his Pokémon journey in his home region of Kanto. But every time they tried to capture Pikachu, they had failed.
But about 3 years ago, they had lost track of him after his journey in the Unova region. He had just turned seventeen years old, and they thought that he vanished off the face of the earth. But after a long agonizing year of searching, they learned that Ash was in the Kalos region after his mother had died from a terrible illness and Professor Oak had taken him in as his assistant, along with his good friend Tracey. He was sent to Kalos for an extended period to learn from Professor Sycamore about the native Pokémon and Mega Evolution.
When they learned that Ash would sometimes help out at the music hall with the professor and his own apprentice, they went undercover to get their chance. But every night, Ash somehow disappears, and isn't seen until the following day. So after two years of undercover work had been wasted. But if anything, they learned that good things come to those who wait.
Just then, the Master of Performances, Pierre came on the stage. He was a tall blonde man, wearing a blue suit with a matching top hat. Following beside him was a little Klefki.
"As you can see, Mademoiselle," He was saying, "rehearsals are underway for tonight's show."
"Monsieur Pierre, I am rehearsing!" The director complained.
"Monsieur, Professor Sycamore." Pierre apologized. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?" Everyone stopped what they were doing to listen.
"It seems we have two special guests who will be joining us for the gala after tonight's performance." Pierre said. "First off, our Kalos Queen, the lovely Aria."
Everyone clapped as a young woman with long red hair and blue eyes came onto the stage. She wore a light blue and yellow dress, and following behind her was a Delphox. Jessilia, however, looked at her scornfully.
"Look at you, little miss perfect." She scowled. "We'll see who's the true Kalos Queen after tonight."
Aria smiled kindly. "Thank you." She said, waving to everyone politely. "Now, Pierre said that I could invite someone to come to the gala tonight. Well, I'm honored to introduce a rising star in the world of style and grace, a Coordinator from the Sinnoh region."
When Ash heard that, he perked up visibly. It couldn't be, could it?
"Your new instructor, Miss Dawn Berlitz." Aria announced. Everyone clapped as Dawn came onto the stage. Ash felt his heart stop, and then began to pound at a faster rate. She had certainly grown since he last saw her, when they were 14.
"Dawn." He whispered, a smile coming onto his face. Pikachu saw the look on his Trainer's face and beamed brightly. He too remembered their adventures with the pretty blunette Coordinator. It was when things were much more simple and not dreary. Well, as simple as an unpredictable Pokémon journey can get.
However, Clemont also noticed the look on his friend's face. "You know her?" He asked quietly.
Ash nodded, the smile on his face slightly starting to grow more as he spoke. "Back when I was traveling in the Sinnoh region, where she's from. We were pretty close, and made an unstoppable team."
"Just how close were you two?" Clemont asked, a sly smile forming on his face.
Ash caught the implication, and slightly blushed. "We were 14!" He hissed, sending a firm jab to his friend's arm, who only chuckled. "Nothing ever happened."
But Ash wasn't the only one who recognized the young woman. Team Rocket almost dropped their jaws off at the sight of her. "The Sinnoh region twerpette!" James quietly exclaimed.
"What's she doing here?" Meowth spat.
But Jessie was glaring at her with burning jealousy, looking at her up and down, seething at the curves that she had gotten in the past 4 years, when back then, she saw her as skinny as a beanpole when the latter was an adolescent teen. "How dare she thinks that she's much more prettier than me?!" James and Meowth sighed. She could stuff her head with as much fantasies as she wants, but the saying goes, "Beauty is only skin deep."
Dawn smiled brightly. "I'm honored to support all manner of Trainers and their Pokemon showing off style and grace in displays. Especially here at the famous Aria of Harmony Music Hall."
Everyone applauded again at her statement. Pierre then began introducing the two ladies to the stars of the show. "Ladies, this is Miss Jessilia, our opening act for tonight's show."
Not wanting to risk slipping up, Jessie put on a smile and curtsied to them, even if she felt like ripping their hair and dresses.
"And that is Miss Miette, our leading Performer here at the Music Hall." Pierre gestured to a young woman Dawn's age, with short periwinkle hair, ruby red eyes and fair skin. She wore a blue and white dress, with a yellow bandana in her hair.
"An honor, Miss." Aria greeted.
"Yes." Dawn agreed. "But I think we are keeping you all from your rehearsal. We will both be here this evening to celebrate."
Aria nodded. "Indeed." She then curtsied a farewell, as did Dawn. "Our apologies, everyone."
"Thank you, Mademoiselles." The director said as they and Pierre began to leave. "And now, from the top, everyone."
Dawn was leaving the stage when she strode right past Ash. It hurt a little to see her walk past him, as if he were invisible. But he quickly brushed it off when he saw Clemont looking at him with concerned eyes.
"She wouldn't recognize me now." He assured him.
Clemont shook his head. "She didn't see you." He said. "And besides, who would forget about you? You're certainly someone who stands out in a crowd."
Aria and Pierre were about to follow, but Professor Sycamore cut them off. "Before you both leave, I want to show you how the stagehands have been handling the ropes around here." They both nodded in agreement, and they trailed behind the professor as they walked around the edge of the stage.
"They all have been doing marvelous work here." Pierre complimented, watching all of the stage hands pull ropes up and down and inspect all corners of the stage. "Especially that blond lad. He seems to know his stuff." He pointed to Clemont, who held a rope tight in his hands while Chespin climbed up to check the pulley system.
"That's my personal apprentice, Clemont." Professor Sycamore said. "And he's also the Lumiose City Gym Leader."
Aria then noticed Ash, who was at a different part of the backstage area, coiling up unused rope at a fast pace, along with the help from Pikachu. "And that young man with the Pikachu." She said.
"Ash Ketchum." Professor Sycamore said. "He shows very promising talent in the art of battle and in other styles as well. He is quite the gifted young man, I must admit."
"Ketchum, you say?" Pierre asked. "No relation to Jayce Ketchum, the former Kanto Champion Master?"
Sycamore nodded sadly. "His only child." He said. "He lost his father when he was very young, and then his mother 3 years ago." Aria clutched her heart at the notion of Ash losing both of his parents, and he was just entering the prime of his life. "He now works as an assistant to Professor Oak back in Kanto, and he came here to live for a time, learning about Kalos Pokémon and local traditions."
"An orphan, is he?" Pierre questioned the obvious, also saddened by Ash's backstory.
"Now, Gourgeist, use Dark Pulse!" Jessilia ordered with a spin.
The Ghost and Grass type quickly obeyed her mistress and released purple rings of energy up into the air, making them dissipate into the same purple sparkles as she danced around Jessilia and Wobbuffet.
Clemont and Ash shook their heads. "She's more focused on showing herself off than her Pokémon." The blonde man said.
Ash just nodded in agreement, his arms crossed tightly against his chest. "The Pokémon are really the main attraction in Performances, not the Performer herself." He added. And it's the same thing in Contests, too. He recalled in his mind, remembering the tips that he and Dawn learned while they were traveling together in Sinnoh.
And it seemed that they were not the only ones who noticed that little flaw in Jessilia's performance. Pierre and Aria did, too.
"Uh, please stop." Aria said kindly, and the music became silent. "Um, Miss Jessilia, the work you're doing is quite unique, but it looks like you're not really showing off your Pokémon."
Jessie's temper then began to flare up. "What would you know about being a star?" She snapped, making everyone around her flinch visibly.
James and Meowth saw that and immediately grabbed her. "Uh, forgive Miss Jessilia." James excused, sweat almost dripping down his face. "She has quite the unpredictable mood swings from time to time."
"Yeah, give her a couple of minutes, and she'll be happy as a Spoink in mud."
Suddenly, there was a loud clanking sound from above the stage. Everyone immediately looked up to see a large sandbag falling down quickly. Most of the girls screamed in terror at the large and heavy bag coming down, and the smaller Pokemon jumped into their Trainer's arms for security. But then, everyone was terrified as the bag landed right on Jessilia's head, knocking her unconscious.
As people went over to see if she was okay, Clemont whispered to Ash. "She's here. The Angel Phantom."
Ash didn't answer, his eyes scanning the top of the stage, seeing if there was any sign of anyone being up there than the authorized personnel. For some reason, the Angel Phantom has intrigued him more than scare him.
Pikachu noticed how intently his Trainer was staring up at the ceiling. "Pika-pi?" He asked, curious.
Ash finally tore his gaze away and looked down at the Electric type in his arms. "I'm okay, buddy." He assured him. But there was something about his statement that rubbed on the Mouse Pokémon the wrong way, like his Trainer wasn't telling him something.
Professor Sycamore looked up to the ceiling with eyes focused. He then saw a piece of paper lying on the ground, sealed close with a blood red wax seal bearing a rose symbol. He picked it up, looked over it, and then back up at the ceiling.
James and Meowth were fussing over the unconscious Jessie. "Well, she's still breathing." The purple-haired man said. "Just out of it for a little while."
Meowth looked up and saw the lead stagehand, who was a stout fellow, up where the sandbag had fallen from. "What happened up there?" He demanded.
"My apologies, sir, but I wasn't at my post." The lead stagehand said. "There was no one there." A smirk then came on his face. "Or if there was, then it must've been a ghost." He cackled.
Meowth scoffed. "Ever since we came here, for the past two years, things as wacked up as this have been happening!" He said. "Where's a good security system when you need one?"
"Come along." James said. "Let's get Miss Jessilia back to recuperate. No matter how long it will take." Meowth nodded, and they, along with Gourgeist and Wobbuffet, lifted up Jessie and left the stage.
"How long will that take?" Aria asked James. He only shrugged visibly before he and Meowth snuck away.
Professor Sycamore came up to Pierre and Aria, the latter visibly shaken up by what had just happened before her, and the former was trying to assure her. "Monsieur Pierre, I have a message." He said, holding out the piece of paper he had found, the seal broken. "From her."
"Not in front of Mademoiselle Aria." Pierre snapped. "All of you seemed to be obsessed with this."
"Who?" Aria asked.
"The Angel Phantom." Sycamore answered her, his eyes locked on hers. "She welcomes you to her music hall."
"Her music hall?" Aria continued to question, getting more panicked and confused.
"Breathe, Mademoiselle." Pierre urged her.
"She explains in her message that Box 7 up here," Professor Sycamore pointed to a balcony seat up near the corner of the theater, "will be kept empty for her use." He then turned to Pierre. "And she also reminds you that her payment is due."
"Her payment?" Aria asked, glancing at Pierre suspiciously.
"Perhaps your 20,000 ¥ monthly payments will be increased immensely now, with Miss Berlitz being a temporary part of the company now." Sycamore suggested.
Pierre had enough of it and took the paper, ripping it into pieces and then tossing them away while he spoke. "Monsieur, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight when Miss Berlitz will be joining us for the gala tonight."
The mention of Dawn caught Ash's attention as he glanced up from his work to look at the conversing men from where he was checking the stage props. However, he returned back to his job, helping Clemont tighten some bolts.
"But now, it seems that we must cancel as it appears we have lost our opening act." Pierre finished.
By now, Aria had recovered from her panic attack. "Well, what should we do now?" She asked, now more calm but still a little frightened about what had been said and occurred in the span of five minutes. "There isn't an understudy for Miss Jessilia."
Sycamore glanced out of the corner of his eye, and then back to the two Performers. "Ash Ketchum could perform it." He offered.
Everyone on the stage stopped what they were doing to look at either the professor or the mentioned young man himself, who was startled himself.
"A stagehand?" Pierre asked, slightly baffled. "Are you sure about that?"
Ash wanted to speak up, saying that he can't perform, and not just for the fact that there has never been a male Performer in history; for the Kalosian art was reserved only for girls, but Professor Sycamore cut him off. "It's true, there has never been a male Performer, but there are male Coordinators out there in the world."
"Coordinators." Aria said. "Like Miss Berlitz."
"Correct." Sycamore said. "I have said before that Ash shows promising talent as a Coordinator, which is similar to a Performer. Also, he has been sharpening his skills with a wonderful teacher."
Ash felt a weird chill go down his spine when he heard that. He was sure that he was being careful. Pikachu once again glanced at his Trainer. Ash wasn't telling him something, and he didn't like it one bit. Also, he didn't like how his Trainer was acting most of the time. Oh, he was still the rash but good-hearted person he had always been since he was a boy, but ever since the death of his mother and their transfer to Kalos, he seemed to have lost...the spark in his eyes and replaced with a dullness of sadness, and sometimes acted like a shell of a puppet.
"Really?" Pierre said, then turned over to the Ketchum boy. "Is there a name we should put to it?" He asked.
"I…." Ash trailed off. "I don't know her name, sir." He admitted nervously.
Clemont looked at his friend with concerned eyes. Professor Sycamore came up to the raven-haired youth. "Let him at least show us a demonstration." He suggested. "He's quite talented, and has been well-taught."
Ash was still pretty hesitant. It has been so long since he even competed in a Contest. And that was in the Wallace Cup in the Sinnoh Region 6 years ago. He looked over at Clemont, who gave him a reassuring thumbs-up. He then looked over at Pikachu, who chirped encouragingly. He took a deep breath and slowly walked up to the front of the stage.
"Mademoiselle, this is doing nothing for my nerves." Pierre whispered to Aria.
"Oh, hush!" She quietly chided. "Let's see what he's capable of."
The blinding light of the spotlights positioned above almost blinded Ash for a second, but after remembering all of the tournaments and publicized battles that he had participated in over the past half of his life until he came to Kalos calmed his nerves. He closed his eyes and took in another deep breath, then exhaled slowly.
When he opened his eyes, that spark that Pikachu had thought was lost returned, making the Electric type literally feel the power of his sheer confidence, and it was contagious.
"Just like long ago, buddy." He said.
"Pika!" Pikachu pumped up his little fist, returning his Trainer's confidence and enthusiasm. Just seeing that familiar look in Ash's eyes whenever they would have a battle or in a competition was enough was just like old times.
"Use Quick Attack!" Ash ordered, punching the air in front of him. Pikachu obeyed and jumped off his shoulder, silver traces of energy forming around him, increasing his speed dramatically. He then zipped all around the front of the stage, showing off his agility.
Everyone was impressed so far by the little Pokémon's impressive speed, understanding why Ash is a talented Trainer.
"Now Thunderbolt, the same way!" Ash gave out the next command.
Pikachu then had bright yellow electricity appearing around his body as he ran around in circles, releasing the energy into the air, forming crackling rings of electricity.
"Iron Tail, let's go!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu immediately stopped running and jumped high in the air, his lightning shaped tail turning into a bright silver. He then swung his metallic tail into one of the electric rings, causing it to bounce around on the floor and hit the other rings, like it was part of a pinball game.
"Alright!" Ash cheered, and then he got in on the action, running and jumping with Pikachu as they either jumped into or dodged the electrifying rings.
Everyone was in awe at the daring stunt they were seeing. It was almost like….they were dancing, with the way they leaped and dodged the rings so gracefully, and smiling throughout. It even looked fun.
Finally, both Trainer and Pokémon jumped super high into the air as all three rings of electricity rammed into each other, causing electrical crackles of energy to pierce the air around them, showcasing how powerful Pikachu's electric attacks are, even when in a performance.
Suddenly, the rings all dissipated into a bright flash of light, and then yellow sparkles came raining down gently on Ash and Pikachu as they landed back on the stage, the Electric type landing on his master's outstretched arm with a confident pose for their finish.
Everything was completely silent as Ash slowly stood straight back up, breathing heavily with anticipation and adrenaline, suddenly feeling like he was completely exhausted. Then again, it had been so long since he had done anything like this. The fun that he had, the excitement of the Contests he was in, the ideas of combinations that he and Dawn helped perfect during their Sinnoh journey, all the memories of doing those happy and wonderful times came rushing back to him in brief instances in his mind.
Suddenly, there was a slow clapping behind him as he was pulled out of his thoughts. Ash turned around and saw that Clemont was starting to clap for him. Then Professor Sycamore joined the applause. Soon, everyone that was in the theater, whether in the audience or on the stage were clapping and cheering loudly for the amazing performance that they had just witnessed. Ash felt a strange but familiar twinge of pride and accomplishment began to fill up inside him, something he hadn't felt in such a long time. An uncontrollable grin came up on his face as he listened to the growing applause.
"Pika, pika!" Pikachu cheered, relishing in the now thunderous applause and began nuzzling his Trainer's cheek, making him laugh.
"Well, it seems we have an act!" Aria announced happily, making everyone cheer even louder than before. It seemed that the show was back on track.
A/N: The performance that Ash and Pikachu did was similar to their appeal in the Terracotta contest. Nothing too suspenseful yet, but trust me, it will get there.
Until then, I'll see y'all! Please leave a review about what you think. They are highly appreciated.
Got to fly! ;)
