It was haunting and beautiful. Happy, but not in the way it used to be. The same exact tune I'd set many of my routines to sounded completely different now.

I didn't stop to think. The notes were calling to me. "Braixen, come on out!"

A look of pure joy spread across her face when she realized that we were in the spotlight again. When I ordered a Flamethrower, she complied immediately.

"Let's spin around a bit!" It was a common manuver for us, which was usually used to create a ring of fire that distracted the audience from a second Pokemon readying its own move. I was in the center, and my partner was circling me.

But now, that classic plan didn't seem right. There needed to be a change. So I shouted out the only thing I could think of. "Lift up your twig!"

The crowd gasped when the flames continued streaming out-but now they went straight into the air. Braixen manipulated her twig like a paintbrush, leaving behind lovely spirals that faded a second after each twirl. Though (excluding the music and the attacks, of course) the theater was silent, I knew it was because everyone was anticipating my next command.

"Come closer in! Make a screen!" It was from after the Snowbelle Gym battle-one of my more recent ideas. With Flamethrower, my Fox Pokemon traced a line, which exploded into a fiery wall between us.

"Now! Get over and get ready!"

Surprisingly agile, she easily cleared the flames in one bound. We were standing side by side. Time for the ending.

I placed one hand on the warm twig, next to Braixen's paw. "We'll finish off with a Fire Blast!"

The tip glowed, then exploded, sending a large, five pointed star directly into the screen. And when the two collided, it resulted in a shower of sparks, almost like fireworks.

"All right, done!" I announced, smiling at my Pokemon. Our audience erupted in cheers.

Then I realized. Maybe I should have saved those moves for an actual Showcase...

But I laughed it off as I recalled Braixen and walked back to my seat.

Finally, Miette spoke up. "You really do need more confidence in yourself."

She didn't elaborate on that.

By now, all the desserts had been finished, and most of the Performers were getting up to leave. Two, however, were heading towards me. One in a pink gown, and one in black. I rushed over to them.

"You were awesome up there!" they greeted me.

"Thanks...but-"

Shauna cut me off. "Serena! You're always way too modest!"

Nini nodded. "There's a reason why you're the closest of all of us to Kalos Queen!"


It didn't matter that the day hadn't really been bad. It didn't matter that I'd been perfectly happy with my friends at the banquet. I couldn't sleep that night.

If I closed my eyes, I would see the people I missed the most, and hear that random woman calling me second place girl.

Even after the successful, though unexpected, performance, those words still hurt me. I never wanted to be known as that, as not-quite good enough for winning, again.

You really do need more confidence in yourself. As much as I hated to admit it, Miette was right.

Maybe in the morning, I could change that.