"Hoenn. A region of land and water. Where people used to struggle over the balance of nature now live in harmony with it. Here, both people and Pokémon are able to live side by side in many ways and forms. However, even in this region one profession stands above the rest."
"The Pokémon Coordinators!"
"People who work alongside their Pokémon not just to battle, but to show their beauty and talent! In the past, Hoenn has produced some of the world's leading Coordinates, Wallace, May, Drew. These are just a few names of the more well known Coordinators."
"But standing above them all, is Hoenn's top Coordinator. She is the undefeated champion and idol of the region. So join me in giving a warm welcome to the one, the only, Lisia!"
Serena looked up at the screen as it cut to a beautiful young woman with long turquoise hair held up in a ponytail. Right beside her was her partner, Altaria. Both had their arms raised as they greeted the audience.
"Hello! Hello! Thank you for coming!" The Coordinator cried happily. "I'm honored to be invited to help spread the word of Pokémon Contests during the star festival!" Serena gave a jolt in her seat. She had forgotten the star festival was in Hoenn.
"For those who don't know. The star festival is a celebration of a comet that passes by earth once every thousand years. And this very special year, it will only be visible in Hoenn! As such, the contest association is having a very special type of challenge this year!" Lisia held up a ribbon that was embedded with stars.
"Every ribbon won during this time will have a special space theme! Isn't this cute Ali?"
"Altari!" The bird Pokémon cried in agreement as her trainer smiled, looking back up at the camera.
"And I'm sure I hear some people asking, how do I compete in a contest? Well, if you want to learn, come down to Lilycove city and find out!" She said with a wink at the camera. "Because for a limited time, I'll explain, demonstrate and even give out pointers! And even if you aren't going to join, make sure to swing by and show these new Coordinates some love! Hope to see you all there!" The duo waved goodbye as the screen shrunk them into a little box. The outside shifted to show the dates and times for her shows, as well as the prices for tickets.
"So that's Hoenn's top Coordinator." Serena as she stared up at the girl on screen. "She seems so different from Aria. More like she enjoys the attention."
"Don't let that fool you." The woman on the other end of the Pokémon center's phone screen said. The woman was Palermo, the best showcase tutor anyone could ask for.
Upon arrival in Lilycove and hearing Nurse Joy inform her that the strict woman had not only sent a package for her but also wanted her to call had given the blonde a heart attack.
But after seeing the video, she was grateful that the old woman was looking out for her even after she had declined her offer to become her student, a role some people would literally kill for.
"I'll admit she can be a bit of a diva at times, but make no mistake, she is the most popular Coordinator in Hoenn for a very good reason." Palermo said. Her tone very serious. "Out of all the trainers who have tried to dethrone Aria, she's the only one who has come even remotely close."
Immediately Serena choked upon this revaluation.
"She competes in Pokémon showcases!?" She cried. The older woman however, just shook her head.
"Not exactly. She came to Kalos to enter showcases to improve her contest skills. In fact, she's where I got the idea for you to try contests." Palermo explained. "But more importantly, she is incredibly skilled having a top Coordinator and gym leader for an uncle, as well as being around Pokémon since she was a baby, meaning she had more experience than even Aria. She quickly figured out what was needed to win at Showcases and used it to quickly rise to the top. I think it's safe to say even without all her training, she has natural born talent the likes of which I've never seen before or after."
Serena felt a lump rising in her throat. She never imagined that she'd be meeting such a skilled opponent for her contests. Not only was this girl older, more experienced and had relatives who had incredible Pokémon careers, she was also a prodigy? She just had it all, didn't she.
Steeling her nerves and swallowing the lump in her throat, even though she could already feel her resolve beginning to wane, she took a deep breath and continued her conversation.
"So, how did Aria prevail?" Serena asked. "They look around the same age, so with all her advantages, shouldn't she have been crowned the Kalos queen?"
Palermo sighed at the memory and leaned back in her chair. "The girl was too laid back." She said, voice filled with disappointment. "She didn't have the same drive as Aria and as a result, she lost during the finals. Close as it was, I naturally offered to train her but she refused. She said that as much fun as showcases were, her passion lay in contests. And much later, I learned her carefree attitude was apparent from the start."
The tutor pinched the bridge of her nose as she continued. "Apparently, even in her earlier showcases she had that lax mindset. Always offering help to her rivals, no matter how much they were ahead. She even gave up one of the ribbons she needed for her outfit to a competitor costing her the round. If it wasn't for that kind of mindset, she probably would be unmatched in the entertainment industry."
"W-wow." Serena breathed. It was hard to imagine someone being that good. To not only be able to topple Aria, but most others in the industry as well? No wonder she was so popular in Hoenn. She was one of the best trainers in the entire region, if not the world.
"On another note, the package I sent you has a ticket with both backstage across and a personal one-on-one teaching seminar with Lisia." Palermo's words jerk Serena back to reality and the girl immediately turned all her attention back to the older woman. "This is a one time deal and for today ONLY, so I suggest you keep a close eye on her. She might have some other secrets you should learn. And believe me, you want to know them right at the start, not the end."
Serena smiled at the older woman. "Thanks for the advice, but I'm just here to learn. Top Coordinator isn't something that is necessary on my journey. And I have my doubts that she would-."
"That's the problem!"
Palermo's voice cut through Serena making her tremble. She had forgotten just how scary she could be at times.
"That is exactly why Lisia isn't Kalos queen. She didn't give it her all. If you want to succeed you have to try for the top at everything! Be that Pokémon showcase, battles or contests! And there's nothing wrong with trying to get an edge early on. Believe me, I've seen so many hopeless girls trying to just wing it and failing some many times they just give up. If you go at this half-heartedly, you'll fail before you've even begun."
Serena clenched her hand, it was below the camera so Palermo couldn't see it, but her eyes still twitched towards it anyway.
"I understand your opinion and I thank you for everything you've done." Serena said with a smile. "Just because I don't want to become a top Coordinator doesn't mean I won't be trying my all. Nothing we do is a waste of time and I will become Kalos queen one day. So don't worry about me, you'll see me soon enough. And when you do, it'll be in the finals, facing off with Aria."
Palermo's eyes widened. Suddenly Serena was no longer standing in front of the screen, it was younger Aria. She said those exact words about the then Kalos queen, her confidence masking her nerves. No wonder the honey blonde had caught her eye. The two were practically identical in their dreams.
The old tutor smiled. It was moments like this that made her glad she had chosen this profession.
"Very well princess, I'll leave you to follow your chosen path. And when we do meet again, I have very high hopes you'll have become an even stronger trainer and person. Until then, good luck."
With those final words, the call ended.
A little while later at the edge of town.
"Sylveon, come on out!"
As Serena threw her pokeball into the air, it popped open as the beauty pink Pokémon came out with a cry.
"Alright! The event isn't until tonight, so how about we get some training in?" Serena said, scratching Sylveon behind the ears. "As contests usually only allow a single Pokémon per round, I planned for us to take the first stage. So let's start polishing our moves and get a head start on the competition!"
"Veon!" The fairy yapped in agreement. Then jumped around looking down the road.
"Sylveon, use Fairy Wind!"
"Sylv!" The Pokémon cried as she raised her ribbons. A pink wind started to swirl around her, making her furry glow. As it began to gather more power, the Intertwining Pokémon began to float off the ground.
Once In the air, Sylveon began to sauce through the sky like a pixie in a story book. It's ribbons directing the wind to keep itself aloft.
"Way to go, Sylveon!" Serena cheered. "Now let's kick it up a notch! Use Swift!"
Upon her conman, the fairy began to release stars that shown all around her, making the sphere of beautiful lights that danced along her. Soon, the pink Pokémon was sparking more than ever before! All their training was starting to pay off.
As Sylveon prepared the grand finale, she began knock the stars to the edge of the wind sphere where they would-
"Whhhiissss!"
Suddenly, a small bundle of fur smashed into Sylveon. Knocking her out of the sphere and shattering it as they both fell to the ground.
"Sylveon!" Serena cried as she rushed over to her fallen Pokémon. "Are you hurt?! Please tell me you're okay!" She skidded onto her knees next to her Pokémon who was slowly getting back onto her feet.
"Veon." The Pokémon replied as she got up uninjured, allowing her trainer to breath easily. She knew the fairy type had been through worse, but she was still (and justifiably,) concerned about the well-being of her partner when…what even had happened?
Both of them turned to see a small pink Pokémon laying face up. It had big ears and small eyes that looked like x's. Soft yellow pads on its feet and the tips of it's ear made it look pretty unusual. It had a surprising small mouth for the scream it had made when it had come flying at them. In fact, it didn't look like it could fly at all, so what had even happened?
Acting on pure muscle memory, Serena found her Pokédex in hand before she had even finished processing what had just happened.
"Whismur, the whisper Pokémon. The pre-evolved form of Louderd." It said, ``If Whismur senses danger, it scares the foe away by crying out with the volume of a jet-plane engine."
"A Whismur? What's it doing all the way out here?" Serena wondered as said Pokémon sat up and looked around confused. They didn't live around here, did they? She watched the Whismur turn around. It gave a squeak of surprise when it saw her and quickly began running in the opposite direction.
However, before it got very far, a red ball of speed came slamming down blocking it's path and creating a small crater in the road, smoke rising up from the impact sight. Before Serena could even react, a red claw shot out narrowly missing the Whismur.
"Whiss!" It cried in panic, running back towards Serena as fast as its legs could carry it.
Immediately, a Scizor shot out of the smoke, chasing the panic Pokémon as it ran. It's claw extended as it reached out to grab its prey by the ears with its long pincer-like hand.
But Serena had seen enough!
"Sylveon, use Fairy Wind!"
Immediately Sylveon leapt into the air. Using her ribbons, she launched a powerful, wide range attack that blew the bug back.
As the Whisper Pokémon looked back to see what became of it's attacker, Serena stepped in front of it, Sylveon landing between them as well.
"Don't worry little guy, we're here to help." She assured the Pokémon. Then turned her attention back to the Scizor as she felt Whismur hid behind her leg.
Despite taking her attack head on, it didn't seem to have taken much, if any damage. It's claws were sharpened and it's metal body had been polished with wax. A mega stone hung around its neck telling Serena this thing wasn't wild. It had a trainer and a skilled one at that.
And speak of the devil, someone was running down the path.
"Scizor! Did you get the stealing little cretin!?" He yelled. The trainer was a few years older than Serena. He had large muscles with a spectacular handlebar mustache and easily stood six feet tall. "If so, rip it's head off for me! That little bastard has been more trouble than it's worth!" As he ran up, his eyes fixed onto Serena, then to Sylveon, then to the Whismur hiding behind them.
"That's your Pokémon?" He snarled. "If not, I'll kindly ask you to hand over the pink punching bag! That little pest is going to pay for making me run all over town!"
"No way!" Serena said, eyes burning with anger. "As if I'd hand this innocent Pokémon to you just because you want something to beat up! How dare you call yourself a trainer! No wonder this poor thing ran away from you if that's the way you treat it! You should be ashamed of yourself!"
The man snarled at her, eyes narrowed in fury. "How dare you talk to me that way! Do you know who I am?!" He bellowed. "I'm this year's Hoenn league champion! Karen Olsen! The guy who beat every challenger with only three Pokémon! My Sxizor here happens to be one of the strongest Pokémon ever to enter the league! He's wiped four full teams by himself! I've got nothing to be ashamed of!"
"Attacking an innocent Pokémon is something to be ashamed of! Especially if the Pokémon doesn't stand a chance against you!" Serena countered. "A proper trainer would understand that! Especially if they won a Pokémon league!"
Karen's eyebrow twitched in fury. His nostrils flared and he stood up to his full imposing height. "You have a lot of nerve lecturing me!" He bellowed. "Fine! If you won't move, I'll move you with force! You'll regret the day you met Karen Olsen! Scizor, use X-Scissor now!"
The steel Pokémon crossed it's arms and shot forward at terrifying speed. An x appearing as green energy leaked from it's claws.
"Sylveon, blow it away with Fairy Wind!" Serena yelled. Immediately her Pokémon leapt forward, releasing a powerful fist of wind at the advancing Pokémon. Both trainer and Pokémon knew they didn't stand a chance at close range, but if they could keep their distance, they should be able to wear their opponent down.
But as the wind slammed into the steel Pokémon, the creature's claws effortlessly cut right through it, not even slowing down in the slightest!
Serena and Sylveon eyes widened in shock as they couldn't react before Scizor landed a power blow against the fairy type, right on the neck knocking her back several feet.
"Sylv!" The Pokémon let out a choked cry as she flew through the air. But before she had gone too far, she was jerked back by one of her ribbons. The steel bug had grabbed it right after collision and now had her in its clutches!
"Good job! Now real it in and polish it off with Iron Head!" Karen yelled, immediately Scizor heaved it's opponent back in, painfully pulling her ribbon so the fairy type yo-yoed back towards it.
Scizor pulled it's head back, a hardened sheen appearing over it's skull, then smashed head against the fairy knocking her into a nearby cliff wall!
"Sylveon!" Serena cried as her Pokémon smashed into the wall, disappearing in a cloud of dust as the force of the attack sent cracks traveling all over its face. Immediately, the Trainer rushed over to her partner with the Whismur right behind her.
The young girl skidded to the ground next to her Pokémon. "You alright Sylveon?!" Serena cried. The fox Pokémon was hurt pretty badly and when she tried to stand back up, her legs gave out on her almost immediately. Unfortunately, this battle was over.
"Had enough yet, girly?" Karen asked as he loomed over them. "Just hand over the pink punching bag, and I might let you go. Of course, it would be more fun to beat you up and then take it. Feel fortunate that I'm such a forgiving guy!"
Serena glared up at the trainer. She hated to admit it, but she didn't stand a chance against him. None of her Pokémon could hope to match that Scizor. Not even Braixen, who had every advantage over it, she just couldn't hope to match it's speed. She hadn't imagined this guy was this strong!
She glanced back at the Whismur, who was still hiding behind her. It was shaking, eyes filled with terror. And looking at the damage it had already taken, it wouldn't survive another beating. No way was she giving it up now!
She turned back to Karen, eyes burning with anger. "I'll never give in to you!" She yelled. "I don't care if you've beat a hundred different Pokémon leagues, I'll still find a way to win!"
Karen grinned evilly at her response. "Have it your way! Just didn't blame me when you get hurt!" He bellowed as his Pokémon raised it's claws. Serena squeezed her eyes shut as she braced for impact. She knew how violent Scizors could be. This was going to hur-!
"Aster! There you are!"
Both parties froze at the new voice.
They looked up to see a tan girl standing on the cliff above them. She had short dark hair that was held back in a ponytail and red eyes. She was wearing a pair of short shorts with a red rope tied through them instead of a belt and a black tank top tucked into them Serena also noticed an unusual design around the top of her shirt that looked almost like a Pokémon's markings. She had knee high legging that only covered her front and a pair of sandals with an unusual anklet that wrapped around her right leg.
Her skimpy ensemble was balanced by a tattered cloak that hung around her body. It was brown and had what looked like scales hanging around the neck area. Two Pokéball hung by her waist that were very well used.
So she was a trainer as well.
Without another word, the girl slid down the slope towards them. Immediately, the Whismur leapt out from behind Serena and ran to the new girl, jumping into her arms as she got to the bottom.
"Aww! Don't scare me like that again Aster!" She said as hung the tiny Pokémon, nuzzling her cheek against it. "Next time just tell me when you see something that interests you. I promise to make sure we get it together, okay?"
"Hey!" Karen yelled as he took a threatening step forward. "You that little thief's trainer?! If so then I'm going to beat the crap out of you for making me run all over town after it!"
The girl looked up as Karen and his Scizor approached. She calmly set the Pokémon on the ground as she turned to face him.
"Yeah, sorry about that." She said, although she didn't look sorry. "When Aster sees something sweet and is hungry, she just goes and eats it. I've tried to break her habits, but so far, I just can't seem to get her to stop. Sorry again for the inconvenience. Though if you don't mind me saying, it looks like you need the exercise."
Serena's eyes widened as she saw a vein pop in Karen's forehead. This girl was crazy! Talking like that when she only had a Whismur out!
"What'd you say to me!?" Karen bellowed, taking another threading step towards her. Yet, the dark haired girl didn't seem scared in the slightest.
"I just said that all though gym muscles make you reek of desperation. Like you're trying way too hard to be cool or popular or something." The girl shrugged her shoulders, eyes closed as if there wasn't a six foot tall man in front of her getting angry with each word. "I mean, look at you! You look like you walked out of an eighty's Unova movie! If that doesn't scream desperately trying to be cool, I don't know what does."
Seeing where this was headed and not wanting to be anywhere nearby when it got there, Serena took Sylveon and tried to leave, but unfortunately, the Whimur saw her and immediately let out a cry, alerting the dark haired girl.
The girl looked over at Serena, then Sylveon. Then she calmly walked around Karen, Ignoring his angry yells and knelt by the honey blonde.
"Your Pokémon look pretty hurt." She said as she dug around under her cloak. "Here, have a Sitrus berry. It should help the pain. Consider it my apology for Aster dragging you into this mess. Aster, you say sorry too" She offered the berry out to Serena who nervously took it as Aster lowered her head and murmured an apology.
"Hey! I'm not done with you! Don't think you can just lip off to me and get away with it! Scizor, Bullet Punch!"
Serena's eyes widened as the red Pokémon shot towards them. The dark haired girl's back was turned to its approaching form and she was starting to stand up!
"Look ou-!"
Serena didn't have time to finish her warning before the girl acted. Moving at an alarming speed, she grabbed both the blonde and her Pokémon and shot forward, dodging the attack and skidding to a stop several feet away.
"You know, you're really annoying." The girl said as she turned to face the wide eyed trainer and his Pokémon. "I know you're probably the type who constantly needs to be the center of attention, but would you just go away? I already apologized and is it really worth getting utterly humiliated just because you had to run a couple miles?"
"You little shit!" Karen bellowed, his face turning a shade of red. "Do you know who I am?! I'm the great Karen Olsen! The winner of the Hoenn Pokémon league! I'm famous! A little nobody like you should be thrilled I'm even talking to you and your punching bag tried to steal my-!"
"I'm going to be honest, I don't really care." The girl cut in. "I get you need to feel special, but after completely blowing things out of proportion with Aster, your opinions don't matter to me. So how about you run along and continue living in your fantasy where you're the best around. Because if you try to battle me, that illusion will be shattered beyond any repair."
At that moment, Karen snapped. A crazed look appeared in his eyes and his temple was nothing but throbbing veins.
"So, you think you're that much better than me!? Fine! I'll just crush you right here, right now! Scizor! Mega Evolve!"
With that, Karen yanked a Key Stone from his pocket and raised it into the air. Immediately Scizor was wrapped in light as it Mega Evolved.
The second the transmission was complete, Karen raised his fist, a gleam in his eyes as he looked at both girls.
"Behold! The power of my Mega Evolution! Beg for mercy and I just might give you a pass if you both agree to be my bed warmers tonight!" He let out a laugh at his disgusting comment. In front of him, his Pokémon preparing for battle.
Yet, the girl didn't go for any of her Pokéballs.
"Take your best shot!" The girl called, causing Serena's eyes to widen in horror. What was she doing!? "I doubt you'll win if that's the best you can do, so how about I give you the first move! Take me out and you won't have anything to worry about! Hell you can even use me however you want if you do! Though I doubt you'll ever be able to scratch me."
Karen let out a chuckle. "You're insane." He said, and for once Serena had to agree. "But fine, have it your way! Scizor, X-Scissors!"
Immediately the red Pokémon shot forward. And while Serena had thought it had been fast before, it was even faster now! She could barely see it move as it charged straight at them. And she could only watch in horror as it all but appeared in front of the girl, pincers posed to slash her chest open. The blonde didn't even have time to shout a warning.
But in that moment, Serena saw the girl's mouth move and heard her say a single word.
"Salamence."
The girl's voice was barely a whisper. In fact, if Serena hadn't been right next to her, she probably wouldn't have heard it.
But no sooner than the word left her mouth, there was a deafening boom as something shot past both of them and slammed into the Scizor sending it flying backwards! It generated such a powerful shock wave that Serena would have been blown off her feet if she wasn't already on the ground!
The steel Pokémon fell right in front of it's trainer as a massive blue dragon Pokémon appeared between them and Karen. It's eyes were filled with unbridled rage as it glared down at the trainer and his Pokémon, mouth slightly open as flames trailed from it.
"Wha-What is that!?" Karen said, taking a step back in horror. Maybe it was the Pokémon's ability, intimate, but Serena thought it was much more likely the terror of seeing something so powerful just shot across an entire town at a single command.
"Easy boy, no need to kill 'eh." The girl said, taking a step forward to stand next to her beast. "They don't deserve your full power. Let's just give them a one way ticket to Little Root, okay?" The dragon gave his trainer a look, then nodded before turning back to their opponents, both of whom had wet themselves.
"Salamence, Dragon Rush!"
"Rrrooaarrr!" The dragon bellowed as its body was engulfed in dragonic power. Then it shot forward so fast Serena didn't even have time to register what was happening!
As it slammed into both trainer and Pokémon, and engulfed them and the entire area in a massive explosion that sent them both skyward. Both let out one final scream as they blasted off, leaving a massive crater where the attack hit.
"Good job, Salamence!" The girl said as the dragon returned to her. She reached up and began rubbing it's head, making the dragon almost purr. "Thanks for the save. You were awesome as always."
With that, she turned to face Serena, one hand still one Salamence.
"Once again, sorry about that." She apologized. "Didn't mean for Aster to start dragging others into trouble. How about I buy you lunch as an apology?" She recalled her dragon as she spoke, offering one hand to Serena, and using the other to catch Aster as she jumped towards her trainer.
"I. Um. Sure?" Serena spluttered as she took the girl's hand gratefully. She was still somewhat confused by the girl, but figured she couldn't be so bad.
"Great! Aster loves eating with new people. She's a bit shy but loves an excuse to talk with others." The girl said with a toothy grin. "My name's Zinnia, by the way. It's nice to meet you!"