A/N There is actually a reason for the lack of Johto stories. That being said, I feel like being evil and won't say why.
This isn't really holiday-themed, as I post whenever I just so happen to be done, though I suppose it could count as a holiday update. I kinda wish I did have one ready, but oh well. Maybe next year.
Speaking of the holiday season, have a merry Christmas/Hanukkah/other celebration and a happy New Year!
-Storm
~Until next time
Rosa made her way through the crowded Nimbasa streets, weaving to-and-fro through the crowd with learned ease. Nimbasa Hall was barely a block away at this point, but would still take more time than was probably necessary to get to.
I knew we should have waited until after rush hour… Grumbling aside, she had promised Arette they would register for a Musical today.
Finally out of the bustling streets, Rosa allowed herself to relax and take in the grandiose nature of the performance hall. The vaulted entrance certainly gave off the sudden feeling of insignificance, even though you entered from the second largest city in Unova. The glass chandelier clinked gently above, disturbed by the air rushing in.
The red carpets were thick and lush, splitting into three distinct paths. Two lead to the sides, up symmetrical curved staircases and into the raised seating areas, while the third went straight to the front desk.
Rosa marched forward, undaunted by the grand decorations.
She'd seen better.
"I'd like to register one of my Pokemon for a Musical," she requested of the first clerk available.
"Have any of your Pokemon registered for a Musical before?" He didn't even glance at her.
"No," she frowned, unimpressed. He efficiently set about procuring several sheets of paper from somewhere behind the desk.
"Register your Trainer information here and your Pokemon's information here," he pointed to the sheets in turn, then went straight back to his screen. "Select the type of Musical you wish to participate in and which roles your Pokemon could be skilled at filling, the level of performance will be selected at a later date."
"What happens after?" she asked as she pulled out her Trainer Card and a pen.
"You'll be required to submit a video audition of a practise performance or something similar, so they can evaluate your Pokemon's abilities," the clerk, Thomas, as his nametag said, droned on in as close to monotone as could be.
Rosa finished the paperwork, passing it back to Thomas for him to file. He glanced down at the one with her information, seemingly found nothing wrong, then switched over to Arette's. He froze, eyes widening.
"Are you sure this is correct?" he said after a moment, gesturing to the filled-out form.
"Of course," she huffed. "I know what my Pokemon are like."
"I see," he said, blinked, then went back to whatever he was doing after a moment.
The response time for the call-back was impressive. Given how popular musicals were, there must have been at least a good hundred new forms filled out daily.
Barely a week went by before she received a message on her X-Transciever. It was an automated call, probably tweaked by a Porygon or one of its evolutions so it had her information. Basically just a call-back, for a live audition instead of a video one.
"Hear that, Arette?" Rosa grinned down at the Pokemon perched on her arm so she could see the screen, still though it was. Arette trilled with excitement.
"Remarkable! Marvelous!" the director exclaimed, seemingly near tears with joy.
"I haven't seen such a beautiful performance in years!" He was definitely crying.
"Er, sir? That was just Arette's audition," Rosa said in placating tones, lifting Arette from the empty stage she had just auditioned on.
"Your Arette will be the lead in our next Expert Level performance!" the director proclaimed, an assistant bringing over a box of tissues, none the less perturbed by his outburst.
Arette trilled, her eyes shining with relief.
"You earned it," Rosa smiled, scritching her Pokemon just where she liked it.
After roles were assigned, a message was sent out with the practise schedule.
The first meeting was more of an ice breaker than anything, making sure all the Pokemon knew each other, going over the script so they knew what to expect.
There was a Dewott as the male lead, Bisharp and a few Pawniard as the villains, a Florge and Gallade as side characters, a Beautifly, Galvantula, Koffing and Beheeyem on special effects, several Smeargle and a Gurdurr on props and backdrops and a multitude of Gothorita, Rosalia, Mienfoo and even a Kirlia for less important roles.
There were Swablu, Kricketot, Chingling, Tympole and all their evolved forms for the soundtrack. A Duosion was on hand for translation, provided by the studio.
The second was basic blocking, where they were supposed to be for each scene, movements across the stage.
From there, the complexities only increased. Slowly but surely, as to not overwhelm the performers.
As it turned out, the director was quite demanding of his performers. Patient, yes, but strict. He saw them at their best, and demanded that be their normal.
Arette carefully inspected the custom costume laid before her by Rosa, going over every inch with a critical eye.
It was fairly simple, a sleeveless dress of tiered layers of shimmering black silk, frilled on each bottom edge which only accentuated the silver trim more. There were four zippers, carefully hidden on the underside so you wouldn't have known they were there without specifically checking.
The Pokemon nodded approvingly.
"Glad to see they made it to your exacting standards," Rosa joked, lifting both dress and Pokemon.
"Would you like to try it on?" An excited nod.
As it turned out, it looked gorgeous on her.
"You ready?" Arette took a deep, steadying breath, then nodded. Her features were set in dogged determination, not unlike that of when she battled.
"Break a leg!" Rosa called quietly, exiting backstage so she could get to the box reserved for the performers' Trainers.
She made it just in time, the curtains sweeping open to reveal the darkened stage.
A bright spotlight shone, highlighting a lone bowed figure through the glittering scales left behind by the Beautifly.
The music started, a simple tune of light, playful notes. A beginning.
The Pokemon straightened, finally coming into clear view of the audience.
They let out a collective gasp.
The Meloetta danced, her shimmering dress flaring lightly as she twirled across the floor. Her green hair trailed after, nearly creating a complete circle at some points.
The entire stage lit, revealing the set to be one of a meadow filled with extras looking in awe of the dancing Arette. Two thrones of roots and flowers sat at the very back, occupied by the pink Florges and Gallade, both wearing crowns, one silver one gold, shades of regal purple and looks of pride.
Meloetta came to a stop in front of the faux royals, curtseying, then looked up, searching for approval.
They smiled, then the 'king' took a thin silver circlet from a nearby conveniently in-reach tree stump. The 'princess' looked down, abashed, and let Gallade rest it on her head.
The lights went out, the next scene being prepared by Psychic types under the cover of darkness.
It opened on Arette skipping about, her path taking her towards a 'river'. Stooping by the bank, she picked a particularly vibrant flower. The music dipped suddenly, as something popped out of the water.
She stumbled backwards, startled, tripping over a clump of grass to land on the ground.
The something turned out to be a Dewott, a golden circlet on his head, who immediately offered a paw to help her up.
Cautiously, she offered him the hand not holding the wildflower.
With both of them on their feet, they watched each other with a new sense of alertness.
The general outcome was a mutual agreement to play together.
The lights were dimmed, from the previously bright light of midday to the dusk of evening.
The princess was kneeling in front of her parents, receiving what appeared to be a severe tongue-lashing.
She should not have stayed out so late, not with a boy she did not know. She was at risk, alone like that.
Arette was waved off, two Mienfoo escorting her house left.
It was midday again, in a presumably nearby forest. An alcove sheltered the area, which appeared to be where the princess slept.
A lush bed of woven grass and cotton, the trickling of a nearby stream, and Arette, sitting cross legged in the center with a pout on her face.
Several Gothorita stood around the edge, each holding a staff that helped channel Psychic power.
A Kirlia walked on stage, nodding to the guards, and approached the annoyed Meloetta.
After several failed attempt at cheering Arette up, one of which included juggling several startled Stunfisk for some reason, Kirlia seemed to get an idea, hushedly whispering it to her.
That got her attention, and a mischievous grin crossed both their faces.
They scuttled over to the bed which was, conveniently, against a large tree.
Working quickly, the two Psychic-types molded the cotton so it looked like they were under it, then the Kirlia Teleported them away.
The same meadow as before opened into view, a few moments later Kirlia and Arette appeared in a flash of light.
The princess took a deep breath, then turned to her playmate and smiled.
The music took a turn to the dramatic as several Pawniard lunged out of the tall grass, grabbing the two before they could do anything.
A Bisharp followed at a much more leisurely pace, smirking in triumph at the Fairy/Psychic and Normal/Psychic Pokemon, helpless with Metal Claws and Night Slashes, respectively, at their throats.
He motioned, and one of the Pawniard untied something from his arm. They turned out to be blindfolds, and the two prisoners were forcibly marched off.
The meadow was clear for only a moment when a figure emerged from the river.
There stood the prince, looking around in confusion.
Something caught his eye, and he slipped off in the direction the Pawniard had gone.
The next scene opened in a suspiciously well-lit cave, both Arette and Kirlia still blindfolded and tied up a smidgeon on the tight side in what looked like a String Shot, Pawniard on either side of each.
Bisharp made his grand entrance, complete with evil grin. He stopped in front of his captives.
Motioning to one of the Pawniard, it removed Arette's blindfold. She glared at him.
That only made him grin wider. Clapping sharply (though that might have been because Bisharp could only clap sharply), a couple Roselia stepped into view, holding what was clearly a wedding dress between them.
Arette spat at Bisharp.
His eyes narrowed.
Motioning again at a Pawniard, this time it pressed its claws against Kirlia's throat, who squeaked with fear.
Arette subsided slightly, checking herself, before looking Bisharp in the eye and nodding with clear resignation.
Bisharp's evil cackling was interrupted by a blue blur. Dewott slapped the surprised villain across the face with one of his Razor Shells, landing neatly before the two captives.
He turned, grinned assuredly at the two, then began laying a beat-down on the nearest Pawniard.
Despite the prince's clear skill, he began to lose the battle. For every one he knocked down, two took their place. Eventually the Rosalia caught him in several layers of Grass Knots.
He struggled against his bindings, desperate to escape them, until at last he reached his limit.
The Kirlia was in tears, originally of relief but now fear.
Arette, on the other hand, looked startled, which soon turned to fury.
She cried out in anger, and-
A Smokescreen covered her half of the stage, though Rosa knew what was happening beneath.
Light shone from inside the cloud, illuminating it for a moment.
It suddenly billowed out, thinning its concentration enough to see a vague figure was darting about.
A Pawniard flew out of the smoke, smashing into a wall. Another bounced, sliding to a stop.
As Bisharp stepped forward, clearly alarmed, when a omnidirectional pulse of psychic power cleared the smoke.
Arette stood there, sinking into a combat stance that looked quite like a dance position. The most startling part was that she looked quite different.
Her flowing green hair had turned russet red, piled on her head instead, her silk dress unzipped so that the four petals her natural 'dress' had in Pirouette Form could be seen.
The Meloetta jumped into action, striking out at the Grass Knots and slicing through with ease. Jumping from opponent to opponent, she bought enough time that Dewott had untangled himself.
They nodded to each other, and went on the offensive.
Together with Kirlia, who had also been freed, they fought back.
The battle was long and well fought, but they were holding ground against the considerably larger force of Pawniard and Roselia.
Bisharp was finally forced to fight them himself. Powerful though they were together, he had a significant size and experience advantage.
Finally, though, it came to a draw. Distracted by Arette and Dewott, he hadn't the time to block the Fire Punch from Kirlia, and he collapsed.
It took a moment for it to register, but it was - finally - over. They cheered, then walked offstage.
It was at that point one of the stagehands entered the viewing box and informed the trainers they needed to go backstage.
They had known it was coming, but a few still sighed in disappointment. They'd all seen the dress rehearsal, but there was just something special about the performance itself.
In the blink of the eye, Rosa found herself backstage, ready to go out and bow with the rest of the cast, then on the stage itself, looking out into the cheering crowd.
The stage lights made sure she couldn't see any of the audience clearly, but it was enough.
Arette, back in Aria Form, had settled into her usual spot atop her Trainer's shoulder, waving. A few tears of joy had actually fallen from her eyes, and Rosa smiled.
They would have to do this again.
A/N In this particular world, Pokemon Musicals work a bit differently. They're more challenges for directors, seeing if they could pull together a performance from a wide pool of registered Pokemon, with different pools for different themes.
The audience also don't know exactly what Pokemon is playing which part, just the name of the play. It's kind of a gamble for them, whether or not the casting choices were good or not. It's all part of the experience.
As for why the Kirlia didn't just Teleport them all out… she was blindfolded, so didn't know where they were, much less a safe place to teleport to.
