Well, here it is, the sixty-fifth part of the fourth installment in my 'Heart' series released on the right day as promised. This is the second Part of the 5-Part Anistar arc and like the last one is a shorter, somewhat filler, Part designed to hype up the first of the two big events and get y'all thinking and guessing about the Showcase that will soon be upon us. Anyway, that is all the administrative stuff that I have and as there are no guest reviews to respond to or questions to answer but do keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all and onto the question. There is one thing I do need to clarify here as there seems to be a bit of confusion regarding how I decide whether something goes into the main Hearts series or into the Supplement in this universe so I will clarify that now.
I created the Supplements to Dreams and Winning (and eventually the one to Hearts 5) to tell the stories that I liked but couldn't fit into the main series due them not working with the ebb and flow of it or them being too much of a detraction from what was going on to work. As such training battles between characters, side stories where old canon character of the day can return as it would be easier there, or special events like the Battle Chateau and the Sky Relay that are fun but don't fit well within the main story, OC development, pearly moments that couldn't be worked into the main story, and certain events post major ones that were between them, stories that are too short for the main series, retroactive stories to explain something in the main series but which had to wait to preserve to prevent spoiling a surprise (Primeape's return, Mimey's battle debut, etc.), and transition Parts like gym leader chats or the 3 Lumiose City Days Supplements. Those are the stories that are put in the Supplement and with the exception of the 3rd Supplement to Dreams, which was added due to a failure on my part to put it in the main series until it was too late, and the 10th and 17th Supplements to Winning that contain things that will affect Hearts 5 but are in the Supplement due to them being detractions from the main story in Winning. It is because of this that two planned Supplements ended up being elevated to the main series, one (Part LVIII) before it was drafted as it evolved into a necessary chapter for the main series and one (Part LXXXVII) after it was drafted as I realized then that it worked best in the main series. That is also why the last Part was not in the Supplement because it didn't fit the requirements but rather was necessary in the main series as it introduced Jessie (as Jessilee) as Dawn's first true rival in Showcases with their confrontation and teased aspects of the upcoming Showcase so both necessary to the main story and allowed me to avoid just plowing into the Anistar Showcase but rather build it up with an air of mystery, which is what this Part will also do hence why it too is not in the Supplement. I know that these Parts aren't sexy, or action packed and may come off as a bit dull but alas not all Parts are created equal and some will unfortunately be like that, I'm sorry. Such is the nature of a story though; some chapters just aren't like that but are needed for the main story. This may also be true for the Part between the Anistar Showcase and the Gym battle but that does feature other things that set up key events later in Winning as well as keeping with a tradition that occurs in all gym cities bar one in Kalos so it should be better. I hope that this clarifies to anyone doubting why the last Part was in the main series and not the Supplement and what qualifies for the Supplement or the main story.
That is it for this long pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Winning Takes Heart. Part CXLIV: Perfecting the Routine.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Part CXLIV: Perfecting the Routine
"…and end." Dawn said as the final move of the routine was done and her secondary Pokémon for the freestyle let out its last attack to complete everything to put the cherry on top of the performance.
"Impressive." May said clapping with Serena from where they were watching the performance. "More fluid than the first time through it though as I've said I am no expert at this. Serena?"
"I've never had a Pokémon partner for this, nor have I been formally taught it." Serena said. "Just that one-time last year that it came up and it was rather different. It's certainly not as stiff as it was before which is good. Still needs to be a bit more fluid though. It has to come off as natural and passionate and while it's a good ways there it just doesn't have that edge right now."
"Well, that is why we are here." Dawn said as she was righted from her finishing position and turned to face her friends while her Pokémon went over to their own area for their own conference with the rest of the team, along with Sylveon, Delphox, and Pancham, on how they did and where they could improve as well. "To perfect it. Ash helped get the basics down and show my Pokémon what to do but there are of course differences between Ash and Pokémon that need to be taken into account."
"Well Pokémon and humans are different, and you are incorporating Pokémon moves into this which is the twist that makes it an interesting freestyle performance." Serena said as Dawn approached them and May handed her a towel to wipe the sweat that Dawn was covered in off as it had been a lot more work than she'd expected, and she wasn't even in her dress for this though she was wearing her shoes she was going to wear if she got to the freestyle as performing in them was the first thing she had to get used to. "So, Ash can only help with the basics of how it works. I'm surprised he even knew what to do."
"He didn't." Dawn said bluntly not surprising the others at all. "And he said was that the only time he ever saw something similar was at some palace in Kanto with May and he couldn't partake as he'd won the battle tournament there during the day, so he was the guest of honor."
"Oh, I remember that, and the outfit Ash decided was cool to wear for that." May said with a smile. "It was a lot of fun before the usual Ash adventure involving multiple legendary or mythical Pokémon and a near death experience for him where he tried to sacrifice himself to save everyone happened. Fun times. I'm surprised he was paying attention though."
"He wasn't." Dawn said with a sigh as it would have been easier if Ash had been paying attention. "I'd learned it all beforehand and basically told him what to do. He was mainly the dummy to show my Pokémon what was needed as he also had to lead, the man always leads in this thing if it is a heterosexual pair. It ended up good and I hope we can do it for real one day."
"You will." Serena said with a straight face that told Dawn that she wasn't just saying so but knew something that Dawn didn't causing her to raise an eyebrow at her friend to which Serena just grinned and shook her head. "Nope, not telling. It's a surprise but one that will be coming sometime soon and before the Wallace Cup if I recall correctly."
"May?" Dawn asked hoping her other, closer, friend, would help out.
"Nah we gotta keep this one a secret." May said before grinning herself as she realized what Serena was referring to and remembering the plans she'd made for it as well. "Though I've already reached out to a few people I know regarding it, so I've got a surprise for Serena as well."
"What!" Serena gasped looking at May with a mix of surprise and worry in her eyes. "What have you done May?"
"Just reached out to a few people we know who'd be interested and useful for it." May said evasively. "We do need them for it anyway, so I had to reach out to see if they were nearby or could be when the time came. One is more than excited for it once I said that you would be there and as it's near the Wallace Cup it works really well for them."
"Why do I get the feeling that I should know this but don't." Serena said. "And you're not telling, are you?"
"It's all going to be good so there's no need to worry." May said using one of Dawn's favorite phrases that only made Serena worry even more while completely confusing Dawn in the process. "You and I will be set for it, I've got mine coming over for it even if I'd rather someone else who I can't have, and there will be a few more as I've learned of a couple others who are eligible and will bring those who they have to bring. At least one was very enthusiastic but also nervous about the whole thing."
"I am totally lost." Dawn said looking between May and Serena. "What are you two going on about?"
"An annual tradition in Kalos that all 3 of us will be invited to in about a month or so, give or take how the calendar is looking." Serena said. "If we time this right it will be after the Couriway Showcase and subsequent Contest there but before the Wallace Cup when the invite comes in. It was this late in the season last year as the organizer wanted as many eligible invitees as possible and with the Wallace Cup nearby as it will likely be after it, well, it doesn't make sense not to have it then."
"Don't worry, we will make it and it will be worth it." May said grinning at Dawn. "Who knows, with Ash around there's likely to be a few unexpected twists to it that not even Serena or I could plan for. You know how it is with him, for all we know someone he met once in like Johto will be there and recognize him."
"This is Ash we're talking about." Dawn said simply. "If nothing unexpected happened then that would actually be unexpected."
That got the others laughing at the truth of it, the unexpected was the expected when one traveled with Ash Ketchum and Dawn joined in with them on the laughing. She'd trust her friends on this and just let whatever they were planning for come to them. Clearly it had been factored into the plan so she could wait and see what it was. If she could do what she'd been planning for her freestyle routine for the Anistar Showcase with Ash at it then all the better.
Speaking of Ash, he was the only one who wasn't present at the moment. He was fully into his training with his two chosen Pokémon for the upcoming Anistar gym battle that he was going to have in around a week's time as he wanted his Pokémon to be ready for it.
To that end he was currently back at the Pokémon Center having a training battle with some random trainer passing through to make sure that they were in sync for the gym battle. Of course, that training battle was under the very watchful eye of Nurse Joy and her Wigglytuff.
That was because Ash was still on a list of trainers who could only battle in a Kalos Pokémon Center battlefield if there was either a Nurse Joy, or multiple spectators, present to prevent him from being, well, Ash. He had caused extensive damage to two Pokémon Centers first with his battle with Kenny and later his one with Sophocles and Kiawe, so it made sense that he'd have to be watched carefully in his battles so that he didn't do it a third time. Those facilities were for everyone after all, it would be irresponsible for one trainer to keep damaging them.
In addition, Ash was also banned from mega evolving his Charizard in a battle at any Pokémon Center in Kalos unless he had express permission from the Nurse Joy, and someone had a Pokémon that could counter it. Given that that was the Pokémon that had caused all the damage in question it was a fair request that Ash readily agreed to.
Ash had already promised that he wouldn't do that this time around and as he was using two Pokémon that didn't lend themselves to great swaths of destruction when Ash went all out it seemed fine. Still, he had to be watched and while Dawn wanted to be there to do so and help out with his training, she couldn't as she had to focus on her freestyle routine and perfecting it as the Showcase was only a few days away, so it was before Ash's gym battle as he'd agreed to wait for it until after the Showcase.
To that end, May and Serena had found a space in the city that allowed girls rent it out to practice their freestyle routines. The owner, a former two-time Master Class finalist, though she'd never challenged a Kalos Queen, and who apparently had loved Serena's routine in the last one, had set up the special stage in a property she owned here just for performers.
The woman understood that with a freestyle, the stage was always different and not like a battlefield, so a Pokémon Center wasn't great for practicing a routine. That was why she'd set this up to mirror the stage you'd find in the Anistar Performance Hall though without any extra space or lighting but there was a sound system so that the performers could use their chosen music in practice.
It was a surprising find as it was perfect for practicing a freestyle routine, and the woman made a good living renting it out. In fact, it was so good that she'd actually gathered a few of her other friends from her performer days and they'd formed a partnership to set up similar venues in several other Showcase cities and towns in the coming months and years.
While that was interesting to the girls, and it was as it was a great business idea given how much Kalos loved Showcases, they did have to focus on their work first. However, with how many of the Performance Halls were also being used for Contests as well now that Contests had expanded to Kalos the women in this partnership had an additional market to target with coordinators looking to practice appeals.
In fact, Serena was going to practice her appeal for the Wallace Cup here when they were done having booked the next slot after Dawn for it. It was a good place to practice and with Serena's booking they had twice the time allotted her which gave them some leeway if Dawn's training ran on a bit longer than her rented time.
That was because Dawn did need some more help with her freestyle performance than Serena had anticipated at first. Now that they knew that Jessilee was going to be in the Showcase as well Dawn needed to be on her best game to beat Jessilee. She was one of the favorites and a real challenge, so Dawn needed to make sure that her own performance was also top notch. She wouldn't get away with a shock value routine like she did last time.
As such, May and Serena had been putting her through her paces to make sure that it was as close to perfect as they could get it. They'd already run it twice and helped sort out her own movements, making sure that Dawn had a special, naturally pink, skirt on that would give her less movement than her normal shorts she was wearing this year but about as much as she'd have in her dress, so it was better for training in. Tomorrow she was going to do it in full costume, as was her Pokémon, but today was working out the kinks in the overall performance.
The biggest problems facing the girls right now were how to incorporate the moves Dawn was using with her Pokémon into it. Her primary one wasn't bad, and he was perfect for a lot of what Dawn was planning on doing, but the hard part was her secondary one.
Serena knew that Dawn would struggle with just one Pokémon in this, or any, performance and to really shine she needed to be able to use two at the same time so as to really impress the crowd who was judging her. The problem was that a lot was focused on the main Pokémon. She'd chosen well with her secondary one, and taught it a few moves that worked well, but the issue was incorporating those moves.
Right now, they'd perfected the opening and ending of the routine, it was the middle that was hard. Dawn's story telling in Dendemille had worked because of her Pokémon and how they interacted with her, but it wouldn't with this one.
There were two ideal moves for this, but Dawn didn't have a Pokémon who could learn one of them and while at least two could learn the other neither were good for this performance for various reasons. However, she'd adapted and right now they were fitting the secondary Pokémon's moves into the routine where they worked best.
"Anyway." Serena said her tone getting serious. "Enough talk about the future, back to the present."
"Right." Dawn said with a nod. "So, what was good or bad about that go around?"
"Your still a little stiff with some of your own movements." Serena said simply. "You need to be more graceful and fluid as you move. Play off your Pokémon and what he is doing but the grace is all you in this kind of dance. It's one that highlights the female, or following, partner."
"You should also move around your second Pokémon a bit." May said as an idea hit her. "Like as if you are dancing with both or between them and it would work into the nature your second Pokémon is known for in Kalos."
"Ok that is something to add." Dawn said thinking on it and how to incorporate that into her routine. "And the stiffness is the movements, I'm still getting used to doing this in a skirt and not my shorts."
"Yes and we will keep this up until you can move fluidly in it so that when we put you in the dress tomorrow it will be and easier transition into it and the longer length with more fabric that you will have to deal with." Serena said. "And you're already using the shoes which is good."
"They're actually a lot easier to use than my boots." Dawn admitted. "More agile and lighter so I can really feel the movements my feet have to make a lot better, and the low heel is surprising useful."
"Footwork is going to be key here." Serena said with a nod. "Your Pokémon partner can make up for it if need be, but some moves will be hard to pull off regardless. Also, are you sure about that move with your secondary Pokémon? It is a risky one."
"I know but I'm limited a bit as I don't have a Pokémon that can learn the ideal moves, remember." Dawn said. "Well two can learn one of them but one's too big for this as he'd detract too much from the main part of the routine and the other lacks the needed grace for this kind of performance. I'd love to use either of them, but I can't. Plus, I've used one before and I want to mix it up for each appeal."
"That is a good idea, especially with your style." Serena said. "It will always have the crowd guessing which will keep you in their mind from the moment you appear in a Showcase. Between your large roster and your varied performances that will be how we sell you to the crowd if you want to win the Master Class. I am a lot more like Aria when it comes to Showcases and stick to only a few Pokémon. In fact, most don't have more than 2 or 3. Shauna is a rare one who used 4 last year but you've already used 5. That's gotten some buzz in the forums already and you're about to use 2 more. One will be seen as expected, the other, well…"
"It's not what one often sees or even expects in a Showcase." May said. "I didn't see any like it last year and I watched 6 though this year we have seen some more varied ones that don't include yours."
"Yeah that Hippowdon last time was a bit more than I thought I'd see." Dawn said. "Surprised me a little when the performer revealed it."
"And yet you were the one who used three Pokémon no one expected while not revealing two of them until the last minute." Serena said with a smile. "And one was so rare that Pierre actually had to look it up as not even he knew it when your Spiritomb debuted. Still, as you know from appeals, it is as much how you use your Pokémon in a performance as what that Pokémon is, especially if you use an unexpected one well, and you are really playing to your main one's strengths with this routine. That will go over well."
"So long as we get it down pat." May said. "And if anyone can do it it's you Dawn."
"With our help." Serena said. "Though after this I'm going to need some help for the Wallace Cup appeal, I'm not sure how that will work for me as I don't have a water type and if it's anything like the one I watched on TV last year it will have a water battlefield."
"I've used my Ambipom twice for it and Togekiss once in the second of the three I competed in." Dawn said. "So, I can do that but this one will be different. I think that ice, not water, is going to be important but it hasn't been confirmed yet. I'm simply basing it on the fact that Snowbelle is known for its, well, snow and the ice type gym that is there. Still, I think I have some ideas for your appeal though we are going to have to be tactical with it."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked confused.
"The Wallace Cup always pays homage to it's host region's rules in some way." May said recalling what she'd read about the Wallace Cup this year. "The dress up was added for the Sinnoh ones but expanded as Wallace liked it though Hoenn's rules have always been so basic due to Contests originating there that they didn't add anything last year. For Kalos, they're honoring the Pokémon rule that Kalos has. No repeats at all and there's an extra factor with the Wallace Cup."
"It's 16 who advance." Dawn said. "So, you need to have 5 Pokémon to register though you have 6 so that's not an issue. However, that does mean you have to think carefully about who to use and when. We are going to have to plan for this but with the appeal Pokémon, you are going to want to set it first and perfect it while also factoring in the likely battlefield. In fact, the battlefield is an issue with one of your Pokémon if it is water as it's been in the past."
"I see, Rhydon especially is at a disadvantage due to his types and that is something I'm going to have to heavily consider." Serena said thinking on it. "Then I need to perfect two appeals, one for water and one for ice or no water as the stage as that will determine how I use my battle Pokémon. I have an idea though and I hope it is the latter as if it's the former, well I may have 6 Pokémon, but Meowstic is still a problem and Rhydon doesn't mix well with water."
"She is but we can deal with that in time if it becomes a serious impediment to you." May said. "But I get what you're thinking and with the rules I can see how you can plan for this. We'll work on it though, but I'll take the lead. I think Dawn might have to sit this practice out."
"Why?" Dawn asked confused.
"Call it a gut feeling regarding your past and this particular Contest." May said. "But as you are the winner of the last 3 straight Aqua Ribbons and will be present it would look really bad if you helped Serena a lot with it, especially if Wallace asks you to play some role in the Contest due to your past successes. You are the most decorated Wallace Cup coordinator out there so it would be a good idea to use you to help market it here in Kalos."
"It's similar to how I'd have to step back if you made it to the Master Class or May doing so for the Grand Festival if I make it to that." Serena said. "No point in adding fuel to the others' fires and in Contests, well we know that that is the area where we want to ignite it the least."
"The inferno that is Brianna is already burning brightly." May said. "We won't quench that anytime soon, if ever, but I don't intend to try this year as she's already made the declaration of war and I won't lose to him. While I won't help you deal with Emily, Jessilina, Khoury, Tierno, Shauna, and any other we may know who makes it into the Grand Festival, I will help with Brianna as there's no way he won't be helping her against you. That asshole started this, but I'll end it."
"And I'll make sure that we win just like Ash did against Kenny, minus the mass destruction and scars we all now have from it." Serena said seriously. "I know that this is really between you and him May, but this is what I can do as he's using Brianna to get to you which means that she's coming after me."
"I would prepare Emily, but Adam has that for her, and I'd rather leave it to them as a pair." Dawn said. "Though yes, I won't prepare her at the Grand Festival or help Serena there. That is for you two to go at it and I hope that you face Emily in the final."
"Same but a lot will come down to the bracket comes out and if I can get there to begin with." Serena said. "I still need at least one ribbon for the wildcard weekend shot."
"You'll get that much at least." May said. "Even with the Wallace Cup being the next Contest for you, the Grand Festival is still a few months off, not until the time of the Lumiose Conference. They're doing both back-to-back in Lumiose City this year as it is easiest, and they can make a big festival of it and use it to mark the year anniversary of stopping the incident."
"True it is far enough away to find at least one more Contest after the Wallace Cup to win for my 3rd ribbon." Serena said. "But as with everyone there I fully intend on winning it and claiming that Aqua Ribbon for myself. It's the most coveted ribbon of the year regardless and for the first time in years the two coordinators who've owned this Contest aren't in it."
"It would certainly be amusing if you won it seeing as you've spent the year with us, and we are the three-time finalists in it." May said. "Though I wouldn't say that I've owned the Wallace Cup, more fallen just short 3 times already."
"I have owned it." Dawn said with a smile. "That is my Contest so it will be strange not being in it for once."
"It will be but that's what makes it so interesting." Serena said before she shook her head and clapped her hands together to change the subject. "However, this break has gone on long enough I feel. Get your Pokémon back and run it from the top again Dawn without changes, just focus on your movements. After this one we will all group up with the Pokémon and see where to improve with them for the next run through."
"Alright." Dawn said as she turned to her Pokémon and called out to them. "It's time to do this again guys so let's get into our starting positions."
At that the Pokémon all moved with her two that she was using for the freestyle round going to their starting locations while the rest of Dawn's Pokémon, along with Serena's, headed over to the latter and May to watch the show again and see if their own advice for their friends helped. They'd been as talkative as the humans and together all of them would bring this victory to Dawn and her pair of Pokémon.
Once everyone was in position, May hit the start button on the sound system the room had to play the song that Dawn had selected for her freestyle and it began. Dawn was focused on it as she kept working hard to perfect this routine because soon the Showcase would be on her, and it would be time to go for her second Princess Key. She couldn't wait as the next event for them in Kalos that year drew closer, and Dawn lost herself in her routine.
Ah a nice, short, teasing chapter that is good and vague on a lot of things though I am sure that you can figure out at least what the girls are talking about for the future event. I know some of you may not see this as worthy of the main story, but it is as it helps show the preparation Dawn is putting into her upcoming performance from a more direct viewpoint, albeit a deliberately vague one to avoid giving it away, so that when it happens it all makes sense. There will be a retroactive Supplement about her stuff with Ash released no later than between the end of the Anistar arc and the start of the next one, hopefully sooner, and you will see why I've waited for that one to be done until after the Showcase once you see the Showcase, which as you can guess is the next Part so stay tuned for it as it should be good what with the first true rival Dawn will face in her career as a performer. Anyway, that is all I have for this Part for you so I will leave it off here. As always please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.
Stringdog