Pokémon Journey: XYZ

Hey guys Paradox here and welcome to Chapter 101 and Chapter 18 of XYZ. We have now reach a milestone of this story. The great Master Class has finally arrived. Now first thing is this will be a two part arc like the anime but also mainly this will include such a lot of content and I'm not just talking about characters. Which I also said before that this maybe will have the biggest cast so far in the story.

So without futher ado, let the drama begin.


"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."- Marilyn Monroe


Chapter 101: Homecoming

Today's the day. What maybe the biggest day for Serena in her entire life. The day of the Master Class. At a local Pokémon Center not far from Gloire City, Serena was the first to rise and the first thing to do was to take a shower. Serena awed as she felt the warm water pour onto her body and just wish her worries away.

Once getting out, Serena wraps herself in a towel and takes a blow dryer to dry her hair. Serena then smile when she felt someone stand behind her. Ash, in his boxers, press his body to Serena's back and wraps his arms around her waist. Serena giggles when Ash then kiss her cheek followed by trace to her ear where he softly nibble on the lobe. That's when Serena started to feel a rise on her lower back and smile.

"Is that your Staff in your hand or are you just happy?" Serena playfully ask. "Well I don't have it in my hand, just you so I guess the second is more viable." Ash smile. "I'm wearing nothing but a towel Ash." Serena said. "Would you be more comfortable if I had one on?" Ash asked causing Serena to laugh. "Why that would help very much." Serena played as Ash and Serena kiss. "Just think, when we're older and more comfortable with...very great times, we can take showers together." Serena said. "Oh I think we'll be doing more things than that, but the showers sound relaxing." Ash said as Serena knocked Ash on his back and then laid on top of him.

"I have to get dress, I want to get to Gloire City as soon as possible." Serena said. "Let's hope the others are awake as well." Ash said. "I imagine Rene has everyone up." Serena said. "Alright, I'll get change since today is your today and should go perfectly." Ash said as they both get up.


By nine in the morning the gang arrives at Gloire City and walked up to the gates of a castle where the Master Class was suspose to be held. "There it is." Serena said as she walks up to the gates. "Pathway to destiny?" Drake said. "That's one way to put it." Rene said.

"We finally made it didn't we." Shauna walks up to Serena's left. "After such a long road." Miette walks to Serena's right. "We finally compete on the big stage." Nini walks up from behind. "Nini, Shauna, Miette." Serena said. "Its great to see you all." Clemont said. "Us here, we decided to come together and knew we would see you guys and that we would all be together." Shauna said. "Brilliant, so shall we head in?" Drake offered as everyone walk down the red carpet to head to the big front doors.

"By the way Serena, aren't you gonna give me the 411?" Miette asked. "Oh boy here we go." Shauna groaned. "Here we go what?" Rene asked. "This." Nini pointed. "You and Ash must have been busy." Miette said. "I don't know what you mean." Serena said shyly.

"Well you're glowing. Sooooo..." Miette played her rival's feelings. "We did nothing and that's none of your business!" Serena yelled. "Really? well Ash seems...I don't know...satisfied." Miette said. "How can you even tell?" Serena said. "Oh a girl knows and THIS girl knows you two are getting intimate." Miette said.

"Miette!" Serena growls. "Look I'm not judging, I'm mostly jealous. I'm just saying that next time you include me, I can be fun too." Miette said. "You...really need help." Serena said then walk away from her. "Hey is that true by any chance?" Shauna whispered to Nini. "If it is, then I wish I was in Serena's shoes." Nini smiled thus causing Shauna to agree as well.

The gang walk in the main foyer where a sea of people was present fron news outlets, to performers, to spectators. "This place is pack." Drake said. "All these people are either watching or performing." Ash said. "But they wait for the same thing. The one who will be the Queen of the Hill." Rene said. "Hey guys, there's a familiar face." Clemont pointed ahead to where a pack of reporters surrounded a familiar pretty face in a purple dress.

"Amelia!, Amelia! Are you confident in your abilities to succeed?" "Will you become the next Kalos Queen?!" Amelia didn't answer but only bask in the flashing lights and getting attention. By instinct, her expression changed when she saw...her. Serena looked at her back with a determined look and remember the theat Amelia made her.


Flashback

"At the Master Class I'll THRIVE to the top and I'll see that you're on the ground, beaten and broken! You'll have nothing When this is over! No hope, no strength, and especially you won't have Ketchum by your side when I make him mine!"


"Isn't that the girl that Serena beat for her final Princess Key?" Shauna asked. "The same who really hates her for it." Ash said. "Hate's a strong word." Miette said. "I'm not wrong." Ash replies back. Amelia huffs and walks away from her. "What's your issue with her Serena?" Nini asked. "We're strictly toxic." Serena spoke. "Serena isn't that your mom over there?" Ash pointed within the crowd to see Grace wear a full brown suit with an orange scarf wrapped in a bow around her neck.

"Mom!" Serena ran to her and gave her a hug. "Serena, I've been looking for you guys all morning." Grace said. "You've come to see the Showcase?" Drake asked. "Well of course, I would not miss my daughter perform on the bigggest stage in Kalos for the world. But speaking of which." Grace said. "Ash, have you been treating my daughter well?" She asked sternly. "Wha, yes, yes I have." Ash spoke nervously. "Mom, Ash has been nothing but supportive." Serena argues. "I'm just making sure." Grace said.

"Well, we should make our way to the back." Shauna suggested. "Right, come on girls. pathway to destiny awaits." Miette shouts as she marches ahead causing the girls laugh. "She's not wrong. We gotta get going." Nini said. "Well guys, wish us luck." Serena said. "You be great out there." Ash said as he kisses her cheek. "Remember everything we went over okay. Keep to your instincts and remember, have fun with it." Rene counsels. "I will Rene." Serena said as she left to join the girls. "We should try to find seats now." Clemont said. "Perfect, we'll all sit together." Grace offers as everyone heads to the auditorium.

Serena and the others were getting in their traditional outfits. Backstage everyone was told to quickly get ready and prepare to head understage. "Okay you're all ready." Serena told her Pokémon. "Hmm Delphox, give me your branch." Serena asked as Delphox pluck her branch from her tail and offer it to her trainer. "I remember the promise we all made together when you got this branch. Together we made it this far, but not to the end yet. Let's make sure we give nothing less then our best." Serena said as her Pokémon nod.

Suddenly Serena felt a shove from a knee hit her shoulder. She turns to see none other then Amelia with a frown on her face. "You." Serena spoke plainly. "I'm just reminding you to if you know what's good for you'll step aside." Amelia said. "I take it you're still sore about last time. Get over it since you're here like the rest of us." Serena said. "No, I told you I made you a promise. A promise that by the end of this, you'll be nothing more than a husk of a woman you were and everything will be taken from you!" Amelia shouted. By that point the other performers turn to see what's happening.

"Empty threats from an entitled heiress. You have no honor, no sportsmanship, and no respect for any of us or yourself." Serena shouted. "I so do! I'm just stating the facts that I am twice the performer than you could ever be!" Amelia shouted. "Hey!" Amelia turn to see Shauna with an angry look. "Serena work hard to be here. We all did! You're not entitled to the Crown, so the only way you get it is to take it out of all our cold, dead hands." Shauna said as Amelia was shocked by Shauna's threats. She looks to also see all the other performers looking angry at her. "You'll see. You'll all see!" Amelia shout as she storms out of the dressing room with her Pokémon.

"Wow...I'm just gonna say it. She's a total bitch." Miette said as the whole room agreed with her. "You're not wrong." Serena said. "But she's good." Nini asked. "Very." Serena responded. "Let's not worry about her. It's not worth it." Serena continues. "You're right, let's just go on stage." Shauna said as everyone then made their way out.

The stage was fill with dancing lights, the auditorium was packed and everyone was waiting for the Master Class to begin. On an upper balcony, Palermo sat as today she plays a vital role. Meanwhile Pierre and his Klefki arrive on stage.

"At last, I welcome you all to the grandest stage of them all. Ladies and Gentlemen I'm please to announce the Gloire City Master Class has finally arrive!" Pierre said as the crowd roar in excitement. "Without further ado, please help me introduce all our maidens who made it here." Pierre said as dozens of gazebos rose from understage with each one holding a performer.

Inside the gazebo, Serena waited anxiously to finally be let out as she held Pierre's instructions. "Now Performers with the three Princess Keys you've collect, please insert them in the three locks to unlock them." Serena nods and took out her three keys to put into the locks. Her first key, earned at the Dendemille Showcase. Despite the little siege that day, it mark the first step into a dream. Then her second key, won at the Showcase at Anistar City, a progressing milestone on her way to the Master Class. Finally her final Key won back at Fleurrh City, despite being in a group of underdogs her victory was testament to her skill and strength and also making a more...hostile rival.

With all three keys entered the door lit in a classical pattern thus unlocking the door. "Now performers, please take your first step on the grand stage." Pierre said. "Alright guys, the first step towards destiny." Serena told Delphox and Pancham. With that, Serena opened the door where the light shined brightly and a encore ensured. Serena and her Pokémon stepped out along with 26 other performers (yes I actually counted the amount of performers from the anime) stepped out and presented themselves to the world.

For a brief moment there was an applause until Pierre continues. "Now may I present our special guest." Pierre pointed to the upper balcony where Palermo sat. A spotline shine there and Palermo stood up. "Former Kalos Queen and manger to many great performers. Palermo Yashio!" Pierre introduced. The group grew weary when they heard Palermo's name. "I expected nothing more." Drake said. "It's the Master Class guys, Palermo is essential to this." Rene said. "Question is will she remain impartial?" Ash said. "If she isn't, I'll make sure she does." Rene vowed.

"It's my pleasure to welcome you all here. Each of you has earn the right to compete on the biggest stage and I expect you all to put your best foot forward." Palmero said. "Thank you Palermo. Now please help me welcome our current Kalos Queen, Aria!" Pierre pointed to the top of the stairs where a set of doors open. Everyone looks to see none other than the Kalos Queen with her Delphox by her side.

Aria wore a strapless light gold dress that's split in the front that her legs are exposed with long dark blue tights underneath, golden stitching and blue ribbons crossed on the chest. Along with light makeup and lip gloss, Aria smiled as she and Delphox (in a match golden cape) walked down the stairs, and pass the other performers.

"It's a great honor to have such great performers who work so hard to get here. It's my pleasure to perform alongside each and everyone of you." Aria said as she gave a quick glance to Serena who notice. "To those in the audience and watching on television, I hope you enjoy the show." Aria bowed.

"Thank you Aria. Now let's go over today's Showcase matches. As this is the Master Class, there is no Theme Performance, only General Freestyle." Pierre said. "The bracket above shows which performer is competing against." Pierre said as a Holo bracket with each performer is display.

There were a total of twenty-seven performers in this Master Class. the first round consists of three performers per match. By which of the second round, eighteen performers would be eliminated and nine would remain. By the semifinals, six would be off the boat and the top three compete in the final round. "The first and second round will consist one Pokémon only and the semifinal round will involve two Pokémon." Pierre explain.

"Wow first no Theme Performance and now certain requirements." Ash said. "Well since Performers and their Pokémon had already demonstrated how strong their bond is by reaching the Master Class. The Master Class will only focus how good their skills together are hence the special requirements." Rene explained. "Makes sense, they seem to be just jumping right in." Drake said. "It's much faster than that. Believe me." said Rene.

"Our first matchup will be performers Nini, Jessiline, and Concetta." Pierre said as Nini, Jessiline and Concetta stepped up while everyone else left backstage and back to the dressing room. "For the way the first round will work will be a rumble style round." Pierre said.

"What does he mean by that?" Clemont asked. "We're about to find out." Drake said. "A rumble style will consists of all three performers to perform simultaneously and you the audience and everyone at home will vote on which of the three has captured your eye." Pierre said. "Makes sense. So by the end of the first round most than half of performers here would be eliminated much quicker." Clemont said. "I hope Serena gets pass this." Bonnie worried. "Don't worry. She will." Ash reassures.

The first matchup was set as Concetta with her Scraggy, Nini with Smoochum, and Jessiline with Gourgeist as they all shared the stage. "Ready and...begin!" Pierre called.


Round 1, 1st Matchup: Nini vs. Jessiline vs. Concetta

The spotlight was on as each performer would get preview their skills, starting with Jessiline.

"Alright Gourgeist, Shadow Ball." Gourgeist shot multiple Shadow Balls that explode into a gleam of purple sparkles. The spotlight then shifted to Concetta and her Scraggy.

"Alright Scraggy, use Focus Blast." The Shedding Pokémon charged up and fired a yellow ball of enegry . "Now Brick Break." Scraggy jumped and chops the Focus Blast that create a puff of glitter to rain downstage.

Finally that left Nini and her Smoochum. Starting with a small step by step dance, Nini and Smoochum acted. "Alright Smoochum, use Heart Stamp." Nini tossed Smoochum up in the air where the latter blew out a pile of hearts hurdled together. Going through them, Smoochum then went back down and through once more caused the hearts to scatter and expel out tiny hearts.

After that, the official performances started. "Alright Smoochum, use Powder Snow." Smoochum jumps up to rain down a soft sheet of snow. "Scraggy, Focus Blast." Scraggy then rapid fires out Focus Blast that cause a shiny gleam in the air. Jessiline however stay stationary for the right. "Only I have the beauty to be the best Kalos Queen. Gourgeist Shadow Ball now." Gourgeist then shot up multiple Shadow Balls that then exploded and filling the stage with smoke.

The smokescreen disrupted Nini and Concetta's performance as they inhale smoke. Then the smokescreen somehow...popped out into a cloud of purple sparkles with Jessiline and Gourgeist in a beauty pose causing the crowd cheered in encore. Nini and Concetta were worried that the crowd's reaction shift to Jessiline. "We can't give up. Come on Smoochum." Nini said. "We can do this Scraggy." said Concetta.

"Smoochum spin and use Powder Snow." Smoochum then use while blowing out snow made an elegant flurry in a typhoon. "Scraggy use Hidden Power." Scraggy then summoned a set of white energy balls that dance around in the air until they exploded into white sparkles. "Gourgeist Seed Bomb." Hovering in the air, Gourgeist shot down a barrage of seeds around her trainer in a star. The seeds exploded, sending out colorful fireworks in the air.

Finally, all three girls said, "finish!" causing the audience to cheer.

"Now is time for the judging. Now everyone in the audience please use your Glow Sticks to cast your vote for your favorite performer. But also for everyone at home watching, you too can vote using your personal device by selecting a color matching your favorite performer." Pierre explains. In this matchup, Nini was yellow, Concetta was blue and Jessiline was green. "Ready everyone."

"1"

"2"

"3"

Right then all the votes, glow balls and digital, begin to stack. The voting process was a bit longer due to the count of the digital votes from viewers all over Kalos. After a few minutes, all vote cease. "Alright and the winner to succeed to the next round is." The Key Meter began to fill up for each performer. Concetta came short at half her meter which left Nini and Jessiline. The two was narrow but a winner was clear.

"Jessiline!" Pierre announces. Jessiline's meter managed to pass Nini's by three percent. "As expected, the people have good taste." Jessie said.


Smoochum saw a water droplet on the ground thinking it was a leak until she heard her trainer sniffing. "Oh to come this far and to be knock at the starting line." Nini sniffed. "Nini's out." Ash said. "It's a shame sure, but that's competition." Drake said.

"Nini didn't make it." Serena said with Shauna and Miette. "I'm sure we can cheer her up." Shauna said. "We still gotta prepare for ours." Miette said. "Miette's right as well." Shauna said.

The second matchup pass with a girl name Helen going to the next round. Now is the third matchup with Amelia, Casey, and Nicole as the stage rose up.


Round 1, 3rd Matchup: Amelia vs. Casey vs. Nicole

After giving their previews, the lights came on where all three performers perform together. Starting with Casey, "Mime Jr. use Psywave." The little Mime shot out three conservative shots that exploded in purple fireworks. "Chatot use Sing." Nicole said as the parrot sang out rainbow visual notes that pop into rainbow sparkles.

Amelia merely smirked and waited for her plan and put it in motion. "Alright Espeon, use Attract." Espeon then kisses out pink hearts that flew to Mime Jr. and Chatot which then affected them. The two Pokémon were immobilized by love and their trainers went worried. "Chatot break away." "Mime Jr. come back." But the Pokémon didn't heed as they bowed before Espeon. All three then entered a rhythmic dance with Amelia as they finish off. "Now use Psybeam." Espeon then shot out a beam of psychic power that flashed into the shape of conjoined rings in the air and then exploded like a fountain expelling water high in air.

"Finish!" Amelia said causing the crowd to cheer. "Now its time for the judging." Pierre said as everyone got to voting. "That was just really screw up." Drake said avoiding cursing around Serena's mom. "It's unsportsmanlike. I'll gonna vote for any of the other two." Rene said.

Finally all the votes came where the Key Meters began to fill. Casey's and Nicole's meters merely filled up to twenty percent where's was Amelia's filled up to sixty. The winner was a no brainer.

"The winner is...Amelia." Pierre announces. Casey and Nicole were crying silently that they were humiliated like that but Amelia didn't care.


"I don't even know what to say about that." Miette said. "How about unethical, cruel. Basically any negative emotion." Shauna said. Serena didn't saying anything other than look at Amelia angrily. "She can't win this girls. She just can't." Serena said. "She won't Serena. We'll beat her." Shauna said as Serena stayed hopeful.

One matchup pass with a performer name Sara Lee succeeds to the second round. Now it was Miette's turn with two other performers. "Break a leg Miette." Shauna commends. "You mean figuratively?" Miette joked. "Best of luck Miette." Serena added. "If I get pass this, could I get a good luck kiss from Ash?" Miette asked. "Nice try. Get out there!" Serena carefully push Miette out the door. "I think she has an issue." Serena said. "That's not an issue Serena. It's a play crush. Even I got one." Shauna smiled. "Who's that?" Serena asked. Shauna didn't reply but only blush and walk steadily back.

"*sigh* I gotta get new friends." Serena said. "What are you guys talking about?" Nini asked as she was walking back from the stage. "Nothing. How are you feeling?" Serena asked. "I'm..I'm soldiering on. I'll support you three in your matchups." Nini said.


Round 1, 5th Matchup: Miette vs. Jackie vs. Sidney

Going through the preview, the girls were anixous enough to get started. "Slurpuff use Cotton Spore." Slurpuff expel out a fluffy cloud of cotton around them. Slurpuff then take a small piece of cotton where she playfully toss it to Miette. Using her feet, Miette danced and then light kick the cotton back to Slurpuff. "Now use Fairy Wind." Redirecting a wind to an upward funnel, the Cotton Spore follows the wind current as its pops into gold sparkles flying up.

"Flareon use Fire Spin." Jackie orders as Flareon fires out rings of fire up in the air. "Now Lave Plume." Flareon then fires a ball of fire through that capture embers from the rings. Then like a volcano erupting, the Lave Plume exploded into a shower of orange sparkles and into the crowd.

"Use Bubblebeam." Jackie tells her Ducklett as the duck blows out a bubbles to float in the air. "Now Aerial Ace." Ducklett then follow each bubble like connecting the dots on a picture. From the crowd, they saw a picture of a wing from Ducklett's flight path. A moment later the bubbles popped to small, shiny water droplets.

"Finish." All three girls cried.

"Now it's time to judge who succeed to the second round." Pierre said as the voting commence. In this case of colors, Miette was a baby blue, Jackie was red, and Sidney was yellow. "Ready everyone."

"1"

"2"

"3"

There all the light balls float to their destination as they fill the performer's Key Meter along with the digital votes. For a moment the votes stack until finally a winner was clear. "The winner to succeed to the next round is...Miette!" Pierre announces. Miette cheers for her victory when she saw that her Meter just succeed the other two by four percent. "We did it!" Miette cried.


Round 1, 6th Matchup: Serena vs. Kazalie vs. Lilly

It wasn't long until it was Serena's turn. The stage rose as Serena along with Milotic as her first stare at the crowd happily. "She's got this. I know it." Ash said. "I'm really excited to see Serena's performance in person." Grace said.

Going through their preview, Serena took charge of the stage. "Milotic use Aqua Ring." Milotic jumps curves her body to form a circle as she make a aquatic ring which disperse to shiny water droplets. In the light drizzle Serena dance to a soft melody while Milotic spun back to the ground. "Now use Ice Beam." Milotic then flashes an Ice Beam to crystallize the droplets, and causing them to vaporize to white sparkles.

"Let's match them, Lilligant use Petal Dance" Lilligant summon a storm of petals that by using the wind. While Kazalie dances, Lilligant sets the petals around her trainer to make a perfect picture of a rose.

"Let's not fall behind either. Solrock use Shadow Ball." Hovering above, Solrock fires multiple Shadow Balls. "Now Psychic." With psychic power, Solrock focus the Shadow Balls to rotate around it like the planets to the sun. Then a moment later Solrock cause the Shadow Balls to collapse to sparkles.

"Finish!" All three girls said.

"Now is time to select a winner. Please cast your votes." Pierre said as the audience took the time to set their Glow Sticks to a color. "Ready everyone?"

"1"

"2"

"3"

The light Balls began to float as the performer's Key Meters began to fill. Serena felt anxious as she saw more and more Light Balls float to her Key Pin But also saw the other two girls were getting just as much. After a minute, the voting process cease. "Now the performer to go to round 2 is?" Pierre paused.

"Serena!" He announces as Serena gasped in awe. She looks to her Key Meter to see that hers succeed above ten to twelve percent over the other two. Serena hugs Milotic as then both wave to the crowd in happiness. "She did it." Bonnie said. "The first step is taken. Now comes the next one." Rene smiled.


Serena went back down to see Miette and Shauna hug her. "Congrats Serena. You're in Round 2." Shauna said. "It's up to you now Shauna." Serena said. "You betcha. There's no way I'll fall behind." Shauna said. "Well, well, guess you narrowly manage to get pass the rumble round."

The girls turn to see none other than Amelia with a smirk on her face. "Nobody asked you. And want you pull off in your matchup, I'm surprised you weren't disqualified." Miette said. "What can I say, the people of Kalos know their talent if not their future Queen." Amelia boasted. "You and your delusions of grandeur. You still gotta get through us." Shauna said. "Oh I will. Especially you peasant." Amelia pointed to Serena. "When I'm Queen. Ketchum will be all mine." Amelia smirked then walked away.

"No way, did she just." "Just ignore her girls, I'm not gonna fall into her games." Serena said. "Serena's right. We gotta keep our heads. Shauna, you just get past your matchup." Miette said. "Well we got some time to kill until mine anyway." said Shauna.


Round 1, 9th Matchup: Shauna vs. Haley vs. Beth

After two more matchups, finally came Shauna's turn. "Flabebe use Aromatherapy." Flabebe flies around spreading pink mist while Shauna performs a ballerina routine. "Now use Disarming Voice." Flabebe then manage to scream out three conjoined hearts that then disperse into little hearts and into the crowds.

"Murkrow use Dark Pulse." Haley commands as the crow flies high and fires a beam of darkness while spinning. "Now Tailwind." Murkrow then summons a wind funnel that carries the Dark Pulse to give the illusion of ribbion dancing.

"Pachirisu use Discharge." Beth orders as the EleSquirrel Pokémon discharges electricity in the air. "Use Swift." Pachirisu then fires stars at the electricity causing them to be electrified. "Now Super Fang." Jumping high in the air, Pachirisu grew big white teeth and bit into the stars, causing electricity to crackle through the air.

"Finish!" The three girls posed.

Now the time to vote has begun as people took their Glow Sticks and set them to a color. "Ready everyone?" Pierre asked.

"1"

"2"

"3"

There the Glow Balls float to their destination as the three girls waited anxiously for this to finish. Shauna felt nervous as the voting process took longer because of the digital votes being counted as well. "All votes are in and we have a winner." Pierre said as the Key Meters were being filled. "The winner to go to the next round is?" Pierre pause.

"Performer Shauna!" He announce, causing Shauna gasp happily. "We did it Flabebe." She said.


"Wow, Shauna managed to make it." Clemont said. "I like her floral display and she really capture the essence of it." Drake said. "This has been a great first round." Ash said. "We still got two more rounds and the final to go through." Ash said. "You said it, it's gonna be a long day." Drake said.

"Let's thank all our fair maidens and congratulate on the nine performers to succeed to the second round." Pierre said as the crowd applauded. "Now in Round 2, we are back with individual performances with only one Pokémon partner per performer. By the end of round 2, three of our lovely ladies will complete in the Semifinals." Pierre said as the crowd cheer more. "Now let us commence the second round starting with Performer Jessiline." Pierre said as the stage rose up. "So are there still matchups going on?" Ash asked. "Kinda, well the three who won in the first round are now competing against each other and only one will succeed to Semifinals. The same gonna go with the other two matchups." Rene said.

"Makes sense." said Drake.


Round 2, Matchup 1: Jessiline

Jessiline and Meowth came into view. "Let's get this party started." Jessie said as she and Meowth started a playful dance in the audience's eye. Then Jessiline takes a couple of balls and toss them to Meowth who lands on her head and starts juggling.

Tossing up the balls high in the air, Meowth follows suit. "Use Scratch." With sharp claws the balls were slice to release shiny sparkles in the air. (Specially made balls and...anime logic.

Jessiline then dance more under the circumstances as Meowth somersaults around. As a finale, Meowth hand spring towards Jessiline where the latter catches him bridal style. "Finish!" Jessiline said as the crowd applauded for her performance. "Wonderful and marvelous." Pierre comments as he tries to keep the Showcase moving.


Round 2, Matchup 1: Amelia

After Helen's performance, Amelia was last of the first matchup as the stage rose with her and her Dragonair. "Let's go. Dragonair use Attract." Dragonair then blew out a big single heart into the air. "Now Ice Beam." Amelia spoke with flashy hands as Dragonair fires an Ice Beam at the heart, causing it to freeze.

"You know that frozen heart pretty much speaks to her entire character." Shauna said as she looks at the tv. "A cold-hearted bastard?" Serena asked. "I think 'bitch' is more like it." Miette said.

Dragonair then slides around the heart while Amelia softy dances around on stage. "Now use Dragon Pulse." Behind the heart, Dragonair shoots a Dragon Pulse in short burst to make purple fireworks in the air. "Now Dragon Tail." With a green, glowing tail, Dragonair splits the heart in half and having it go to pure white sparkles that fill the stage, awing the crowd.

"Finish!" Amelia shouted, having the crowd in an uproar. "Talk about a major heartbreaker." Ash said. "I think that was her theme." Rene said. "It also describes her personality." Drake added.


"Now we vote which of these three ladies will advance to the Semifinals. Please take your Glow Sticks to vote who has capture your attention." Pierre said as everyone took the time to set their Glow Sticks to a certain color. For this matchup, Jessiline was green, Helen was orange, and Amelia was purple.

"1"

"2"

"3"

There the Glow Balls began to float. The group voted for Jessiline since Amelia's venomous spite but noted that more people voted for Amelia. Jessiline and Amelia look confident but Helen looked anxious. Finally the voting cease. "We have a clear winner. The performer to advance to the Semifinals is." The Key Meters began to stack. Helen's fell short at twenty percent which left Amelia and Jessiline.

"Performer Amelia!" Pierre announces. Jessiline look a bit less shock than what Meowth would normally see. They look at their meter to see that Amelia's past theirs by five percent. "Jessie are you alright?" Meowth asked frightened. "Me? Oh I'm just fine. We made it this far at least." Jessie contained her frustration.


"I can't believe it. She made it to the Semifinals." Miette said. "Don't worry about it Miette. We just gotta focus on us." Serena said. "You guys are gonna get pass this." Nini said. "I agree with Nini." Shauna added. "Well...our Matchup is gonna start soon Serena." Miette said.

"Right and regardless of the result. We're friends to the end." Serena said. "Friends to the end. And with a certain boyfriend in the mix we'll make it a happy ending." Miette smirked. "Don't push it." Serena growled causing Shauna and Nini to laugh. "Remember girls, the best of us in this round will have to advance to the Semifinals and face Amelia." Shauna said as the girl's promise to each other. "You get ready Miette, I have to change." Serena said as she went to a dressing room.

After Sara Lee's performance, Miette was next to go as the stage rose up.


Round 2, Matchup 2: Miette

Miette and her Meowstic rose up and bowed before the crowd. "Now Meowstic use Energy Ball." Meowstic charges up and fires a green ball of energy. "Now Confusion." With psychic power, Meowstic wraps the shape of the sphere into a sort of ring made of energy. "Now Psybeam." Meowstic fires a beam of psychic power that once reaching the center of the ring, it branches out in multiple directions and merges into the energy ring. The whole new shape looks like a spider web.

"Light Screen." Making visible platforms for the duo to climb on, Miette and Meowstic jump from screen to screen and front flip in front of the energy web where it then explodes to a blue/green firework, causing the crowd to awe. Both beings stuck the landing and yelled.

"Finish!" Miette said as she pant, trying to catch her breath.

"Wow, Miette really pull that acrobatic off." Clemont said. "Very creative used of energy and style." said Drake.

Serena, now in her red/green kimono, look that Miette and knew she gave it her all. "That'll be tough to beat, but I know my training will see me through." Serena thought. "Performer Serena, you're next." Serena turn to a worker at the door. "Right, Delphox Let's go out there."


Round 2, Matchup 2: Serena

The stage rose to Serena and Delphox as they gave a smile. "Let's do this." Serena cheered. "Delphox use Mystical Fire." To form a perfect circle, Delphox cartwheels around her trainer as Serena pop dances in the middle. Once finishing, Delphox join her trainer in a synchronized dance.

"Serena's going strong." Bonnie cried. "That's my daughter." Grace cried as well. "Keep building rapport Serena. You got this." Rene said.

With her branch, Delphox spun it and curvy tosses it to her trainer. The branch was coming in hot and fast and Serena rememberers Rene's lesson on reflexes and managed to catch the branch like a pro. This 'hot potato' game went for a minute until Serena toss the branch upwards. "Now use Fire Blast." With a will, Delphox fires the biggest star shape blast that form a percent shape star that explodes to fill the whole auditorium with orange sparkles, leaving the crowd in awe.

"Finish!" Serena posed putting the crowd in an encore.

"That's my girl!" Ash cheered. "Simple but made a big statement." Drake said. "I have such a good student." Rene said. "Let's hope it's enough for the Semifinals." Clemont added.


"Now it's time to see who will advance to the Semifinals. Everyone take your Glow Sticks and give your vote who was the best." Pierre said as everyone took the time to vote. Serena look to Miette and smile as she return the favor. "Remember our promise." Serena said. "Always." said Miette. "Ready everyone?"

"1"

"2"

"3"

The Glow Balls started to float as all three girls smiled happily. Their Key Meters began to fill as more and more votes came in. After awhile, it's over. "Alright, the performer to advance to the Semifinals is." Pierre paused. All three girls felt the suspense killing them.

"Performer Serena!" Pierre announces as Serena blush and hugged Delphox. "Yea that's what I'm talking about!" Ash shouted. "Easy Ash, don't lose your mind." Drake said. "Hey I mind if that happens." Ash smiled.

Miette, looking down, manage to form a smile and applauded for Serena. "The best of us have to go on." She told herself.


"Serena!" Shauna rush her and gave her a hug. "You're off to the Semifinals." Nini added. "Congrats Serena." Serena turns to see Miette with tears in her eyes. "Miette...I'm sorry." "You have nothing to apologize for Serena. We all agree that the best of us need to beat Amelia. Only the best of us has to be Kalos Queen." Miette said. Serena smile softly and gave Miette a hug. "You're one of my best friend. I am really glad to have you in my life." Serena said. "If you really want to cheer me up. Could I get a cheer up hug from Ash when this is all over?" Miette asked.

"Uhh..well...okay but only one hug." Serena gave in. "Well Shauna, it's up to you." Nini said. "Yep, don't worry Serena, I won't leave you alone in the Semifinals." Shauna said as Serena smiled.


Round 2, Matchup 3: Shauna

Shauna was last in her matchup as the stage rose up with Ivysaur in tow. "Ready Ivysaur?" Shauna asked as Ivysaur nods. "Use Petal Dance." Ivysaur stirs the wind as she summons a blizzard of pink petalsto surround the both of them. "Vine Whip." Ivysaur then takes her trainer by the waist and hoist her up. Shauna spins somersaults and pose like a little figure in a music box.

"Use Sweet Scent." Ivysuar then added a pink sweet aroma into the Petal Dance for added texture. Daring on this next part, Ivysuar twisted and thrown Shauna high where the girl was twirling fast like a figure skater doing an Axel. Shauna kept in mind of her motion and surroundings as she manage to nail the landing. "Solarbeam." Ivysuar then fires a low Solarbeam that explodes the Petal Dance to pink sparkles, wowing the crowd.

"Finish!" Shauna cries.


A few minutes later

The last of the Glow Balls began to come as Shauna and the other two girls waited. "The last performer to advance to the Semifinals is." Pierre paused.

"Performer Shauna!" He announces. Shauna jumps in glee about her success. "We did it Ivysaur." She cried. "She did it! She did it!" Serena cheered. "Guess it really is up to you and her." Miette said. Meanwhile in another part of the dressing room, Amelia didn't pay them any mind. Any competition she would face, she would crush mercilessly and smiled.

Shauna came back down where all three girls hugged her. "Wow, I'm touched guys." Shauna said. "It's you and Serena now against Amelia." Nini said. "Actually there's no contest." The four turn to see Amelia smirking.

"If you two little girls know what's good for you. You'll save yourselves the embarrassment." Amelia said. "You never know we might surprise you." Shauna said. "Ha, I doubt it." Amelia boasted. "Remember our talk about pride Amelia. Enough of it and you'll choke to death on it." Serena smirked which wipe Amelia's away. "Performers Serena, Shauna, Amelia. You're on." A worker called them.

"Just remember you little bitch. I made a promise to you and the same goes for your little band of floozies here." Amelia dares. "That's all I need to hear then because you won't succeed Amelia. That I promise you." Serena dares back. There the three girls left to the main stage.


"We've had a great deal of maidens from all over Kalos to perform here at the Master Class. Out of them all, these three beautiful ladies prevailed." Pierre said as gold door at the top of the stairs open. There Amelia, Serena and Shauna walk out and present themselves to the crowds. "Whoever wins the Semifinals here will win the privilege to challenge Aria for the Kalos Tiara and title of Kalos Queen." Pierre said as the crowd cheered.

But on stage the tension was high as Serena felt Amelia point daggers at her. Both she and Shauna knew the stakes at this point, at least one of them has to go on. One of them to challenge Aria. "Time to face destiny." Serena vowed.


Wow that was a long process. Sorry this took so long because my personal life just doesn't seem to have an ending with long-ass tasks to do and schoolwork. Plus compared to the anime where they just give a five-second scene, this chapter has full body work, making this one of my longest chapters so I hope you appreciate this.

So with that done, next time will be the second and final part of the Master Class, who will succeed? Who will win it all! Oh the tension has never been higher! So...yea.

Please, Like and especially Comment on this, every bit helps me out. Thanks for reading. This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.