GS ball unlocked

Chapter 29, Shauna's plan


Ash and Serena agreed to meet up with Shauna again at a small town on the way to the Battle Chateau. While Serena was coming up with ideas on what exactly the topic was going to be for the Pokévision her best friend wanted to make, Ash was more in thought about what exactly she discovered that she wanted to see him for.

It was about time Shauna came up with something. Ever since the day after the attack in Laverre City and that she told him about one of the Team Union having beef with Serena Ash was on edge. After what felt like an eternity for him, he was confident he would finally get an identity on his mysterious foe.

''Shauna! Great to see you again.'' The Kalos Queen started to run up to her best friend. Ash smiled at the interaction between them. He still owed Shauna for all those years ago for setting Serena on the path of becoming a Pokémon performer. And now it was time for him to return the favor by taking out the knight who seemed to hate showcases.

''How's TJ doing?'' Ash wondered. It's been some time since he'd seen the trainer from Hoenn who was busy with the gym challenge.

''Great. He just won his final badge in Snowbelle City and is on his way here now.''

Some more good news in Ash's case. Since TJ now had all eight badges it was prove he'd gotten stronger since the last time they battled in Laverre City. From the tone in her voice Shauna sounded fine. It gave Ash some hope that the promoter managed to get a lead on who they were talking about. Nobody could put on a tone like that without being sincere or being a great actor.

Now if only there were a way Ash could talk to her in private.

''So what's the idea for this Pokévision?'' Serena wasted no time getting straight to the case. She'd been dying to make a new video after everything that happened recently and it might take her mind of some things.

''We're going to show just how great Pokémon performing can be. We'll dress up as one of our own Pokémon.'' Seems like quite a standard Pokévision in the Kalos Queen's eyes. But since Shauna became a promoter for them she'd agreed with the topic of the video.


The two girls went inside a clothes shop to change their outfits to fit their Pokémon. Serena was going for a Braixen motive while Shauna was dressing up like her Florges. Shauna stepped out her changing room with her outfit looking unfinished.

Ash and Shauna finally had the time to themselves that they wanted. Shauna would do the rest of her outfit while discussing the pact only they knew off.

''Please tell me you've got something.'' The brunette shook her head. Ash let out a sigh of disappointment.

''Sorry Ash. Every time I think I've found something it's a dead end. I don't know anyone or anything who could possibly hate showcases or Serena. I'm starting to think they just said something like that to put our attention elsewhere while they execute their real plan.'' Not wasting another thought on it they needed to move the conversation along as quickly as possible before Serena showed up.

''You might be right. I can't see how Mega Evolution and Pokémon performing are connected.''

''Excuse me?'' Ash rapidly then explained that the crystal Pokéball he received from the knights was capable of cancelling Mega Evolution. That the crystal Pokéball reacted in some weird way to didn't allow Professor Sycamore's Garchomp to Mega Evolve.

''You think they are after the same thing like Team Flare?'' Shauna asked him knowing the disaster that happened all those years ago to well.

''I heard about your battle at the Hotel.'' It was all over the news. This new villain team took control over the Hotel scaring all the guests away until the Kalos Queen accompanied by a boy and a younger girl took care of it.

''For some reason only the guy in the flame colored armor was there. I have no idea why he wanted to battle me alone though. The only ones from them who were there were the Mightyena trainers.''

''And they didn't interfere?'' If he was as outnumbered as he said he was why was he still here then? Wasn't their entire goal to beat him?

''No. I was as surprised as you. So why a Pokévision now if you don't have anything to tell me?''

''This video is going to go online and attract thousands of views. With Serena's popularity and my promoting skills we'll lure that Team Union knight right to us.''

''So you're setting a trap?''

''The idea is for that one knight to show himself at the Battle Chateau during the next dance party Serena is attending.'' Shauna's intention was the right thought but Ash head was screaming at him furiously.

''Bad idea. Really bad idea. Worst idea EVER!''

''Why the dance party? Remember Laverre City and what a disaster that night turned out to be? And with all those other performers there we're taking in even more risk. I want as few people around there after what happened at the Hotel.''

''I know. But with you there I'm sure you'll keep her safe. You've been acting as her bodyguard the entire time and I'm sure you won't fail now.''

''What about everyone else? These guys don't come alone. I don't think I can beat him and protect all you guys at the same time. Can't we just make the video and that you never post it?''

''Serena's always checking regularly for new video's. She'll have even more questions if she doesn't see it online. And some friends are going to come over and help. Now she might be almost finished. Keep quiet now.'' As Shauna went on to make the finishing touches to her outfit Serena appeared from her changing room.

Serena was wearing an outfit that made her look like her Braixen. Carrying a wand in one of her arms and a big bushy tail from the back, Ash would even go as far as saying that she looked cute. His cheeks turned as red as Pikachu's and Serena inwardly smiled.

''Seems it's working. Another response from him.''

There was no longer any doubt in her mind. After all the dresses she fitted in front of him and studying his reactions, Serena knew that Ash was physically attracted to her. Now having something to go by on what she would wear during the Dance party, Serena was certain that would be the night where he would realize what exactly it is he would feel for her.

Just an attraction or something more?


The shooting went as predicted. Shauna wanted to edit the video but Serena insisted on doing it herself. It's been too long since she made a video and edited it herself. Having already discussed everything what he wanted with Shauna earlier today now he had some spare time.

''Miette told me about you and TJ. How did you meet?''

He didn't know why he asked this too begin with. Maybe it was a setup to a remark why Serena didn't have a boyfriend yet while her friends did. He was actually curious to know why exactly. And the best way to start is to ask her friends over their relationships.

''It was after a showcase just about a year and a half ago. Serena came back from her trip in Sinnoh and we entered the same showcase.''

''Uhm…H…Hi.'' A young man with a light blue jacket and black pants came up to the two aspiring Kalos Queens. His skin was a bit dark like Shauna's and he had brown eyes. His face had a red hue to it as if he was embarrassed. From the tone of his voice you could make out he sounded incredibly nervous.

''Another one? Let's see how she lets this one down.'' Shauna came to expect this. Ever since Serena returned from her journeys through other regions she gained quite a following. But unfortunately for all those young men, Serena had her heart set on just one.

Shauna knew about her best friends crush for the trainer from Pallet Town. It was painfully obvious to see for everyone except the intended target for Serena's affections. Shauna knew Serena contacted Professor Oak to find out where he was travelling but the old professor refused to tell her where exactly Ash was.

But the brown haired girl knew that he would come back to Kalos one day. After he probably accomplished his dream of being a Pokémon master, he would travel around the regions to challenge all the other champions. Then he would see Serena be the Kalos Queen and be happy for her. Until then she could do nothing more but wait for him.

''Hello. Can I help you?'' Serena asked the boy.

He felt his legs trembling and felt something in his chest beating against his ribcage. It was pretty much impossible for him now to make a sentence without stuttering in the presence of such a pretty girl.

''I enjoyed…your…performance today. It's…better than the contests in Hoenn.'' He praised her.

''Uhm. What's your name?''

''Tyson Jacobs. But everyone calls me TJ.''

''I'm Serena. And this is Shauna. Nice to meet you.''

''I think you…should've…won.'' Serena looked at him weirdly. She did win today. The only other competitor who was with her now was…

''Wait. Are you talking against me?'' The brunette girl spoke up. She sounded surprised that a guy actually meant her instead of Serena.

''Ye…Yes?'' Serena saw what the boy was planning to ask Shauna. His behavior was exactly the same whenever she would get flustered by Ash in the beginning of their journey. During their time travelling she managed to suppress it somewhat but TJ resembled herself whenever her crush decided to compliment or praise her.

Deciding to take advantage of an opportunity like this Serena left Shauna to her fate. Shauna and Miette had been pestering her about getting a boyfriend for the longest time, so it felt good that the shoe was on the other foot for once.

Leacing the two alone there was an awkward air around them. One boy to nervous to speak and the other not being used to be called the prettier girl in Serena's presence.

''Uh…Would you…want to get something…to drink?'' Shauna asked him after not hearing anything from the poor boy.

''I'd love…I mean like too!''

''We've been going steady ever since.''

Ash listened to her story and he had to admit. TJ was quite brave for stepping up like that. Maybe he would eventually find a girl himself but he had other business to take care off right now.

''I might be a bit late but congratulations. Miette also told me Serena was interested in someone. Any clue who she meant with that?''

Shauna couldn't believe her ears. He was actually interested in hearing about who Serena's crush is. She wanted to scream to his face it was him, but Serena might not forgive her if she found out. Enjoying her teasing of the girl in question it wasn't Shauna's place to reveal Serena's deepest secret to him.

But she might be able to give out some small hints instead.

''I do know some things. He's quite a strong trainer. A great role model as well.'' She knew the offer Serena had on the table for Ash. She made a mental note to ask later on if he accepted it.

''Is always ready to help his friends. Can be quite reckless at times. Has a healthy appetite, never backs down from a challenge and helped Serena become the person she is today.'' She finished.

Hearing Shauna talk about another guy like that was…shocking. Did Serena really think this much about this guy she was having something for? He started to have a strange feeling in his chest. Like an urge to hit something for no reason that came out of nowhere.

''Sounds like a great guy. Wish I could meet him.'' He tried to hide his uneasiness but Pikachu discovered it. Travelling with his trainer for so long he understood exactly what he was going through.

Even if Ash didn't understood himself yet.


After the three agreed it was a successful shooting, they said their goodbyes and they would meet up at the Battle Chateau in a few days. The dance party that was scheduled would be happening and Ash was extremely nervous for all the wrong reasons.

''Would…you like to dance…with me?'' His travelling partner nervously asked. All these years ago she was denied a dance with the love of her life and after seeing another reaction from him today to her witch outfit nothing was going to stop from getting one this time.

The dumbest thing Ash could do is say yes. For all his battle prowess he was woefully inept in the art of dancing. But it was a perfect way for him to stay close this entire time to Serena so he said yes.

It was just two friends in a dance but from his mom's books he knew people saw dancing as quite intimate. He didn't understand why. He danced with over a dozen girls years ago and yet Serena was making him more nervous than all those others combined. Maybe it was the fear of disappointing her with his sloppy footwork.

Or maybe the fact Ash already knew that the night was going to turn into a free for all at one point.


Bad idea Shauna. Really really bad idea.

See you in two weeks (at least)